The Complete Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle

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Pictures for “The Adventure of the Dancing Men”, “The Adventure of the Priory School”, “The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez”
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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 Squires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
The Crooked Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
The Resident Patient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
The Greek Interpreter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
The Naval Treaty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
The Final Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

iii
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of the Empty House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
The Adventure of the Dancing Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
The Adventure of the Priory School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465
The Adventure of Black Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503
The Adventure of the Three Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 551
The Adventure of the Second Stain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565

The Hound of the Baskervilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 579

The Valley Of Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655

His Last Bow

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 739
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757
The Adventure of the Red Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 769
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 783
The Adventure of the Dying Detective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 799
The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809
The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 821
His Last Bow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 835

iv
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847
The Illustrious Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 849
The Blanched Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863
The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875
The Adventure of the Three Gables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 885
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 895
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905
The Problem of Thor Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 915
The Adventure of the Creeping Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 929
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 941
The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 953
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Light In The Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
A Continuation Of The Reminiscences Of John Watson, M.D. . . . . . . . . . 54
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 irresistibly drained. There I stayed for some time at
Doctor of Medicine of the University of a private hotel in the Strand, leading a comfortless,
London, and proceeded to Netley to go meaningless existence, and spending such money
through the course prescribed for sur- as I had, considerably more freely than I ought. So
geons in the army. Having completed my studies alarming did the state of my finances become, that
there, I was duly attached to the Fifth Northumber- I soon realized that I must either leave the metropo-
land Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon. The regiment lis and rusticate somewhere in the country, or that
was stationed in India at the time, and before I I must make a complete alteration in my style of
could join it, the second Afghan war had broken living. Choosing the latter alternative, I began by
out. On landing at Bombay, I learned that my corps making up my mind to leave the hotel, and to take
had advanced through the passes, and was already up my quarters in some less pretentious and less
deep in the enemy’s country. I followed, however, expensive domicile.
with many other officers who were in the same On the very day that I had come to this con-
situation as myself, and succeeded in reaching Can- clusion, I was standing at the Criterion Bar, when
dahar in safety, where I found my regiment, and at some one tapped me on the shoulder, and turning
once entered upon my new duties. round I recognized young Stamford, who had been
The campaign brought honours and promotion a dresser under me at Bart’s. The sight of a friendly
to many, but for me it had nothing but misfortune face in the great wilderness of London is a pleasant
and disaster. I was removed from my brigade and thing indeed to a lonely man. In old days Stamford
attached to the Berkshires, with whom I served at had never been a particular crony of mine, but now
the fatal battle of Maiwand. There I was struck on I hailed him with enthusiasm, and he, in his turn,
the shoulder by a Jezail bullet, which shattered the appeared to be delighted to see me. In the exuber-
bone and grazed the subclavian artery. I should ance of my joy, I asked him to lunch with me at the
have fallen into the hands of the murderous Ghazis Holborn, and we started off together in a hansom.
had it not been for the devotion and courage shown “Whatever have you been doing with yourself,
by Murray, my orderly, who threw me across a Watson?” he asked in undisguised wonder, as we
pack-horse, and succeeded in bringing me safely to rattled through the crowded London streets. “You
the British lines. are as thin as a lath and as brown as a nut.”
Worn with pain, and weak from the prolonged I gave him a short sketch of my adventures,
hardships which I had undergone, I was removed, and had hardly concluded it by the time that we
with a great train of wounded sufferers, to the base reached our destination.
hospital at Peshawar. Here I rallied, and had al- “Poor devil!” he said, commiseratingly, after he
ready improved so far as to be able to walk about had listened to my misfortunes. “What are you up
the wards, and even to bask a little upon the veran- to now?”
dah, when I was struck down by enteric fever, that “Looking for lodgings,” I answered. “Trying to
curse of our Indian possessions. For months my life solve the problem as to whether it is possible to get
was despaired of, and when at last I came to myself comfortable rooms at a reasonable price.”
and became convalescent, I was so weak and emaci- “That’s a strange thing,” remarked my compan-
ated that a medical board determined that not a day ion; “you are the second man to-day that has used
should be lost in sending me back to England. I was that expression to me.”
dispatched, accordingly, in the troopship Orontes, “And who was the first?” I asked.
and landed a month later on Portsmouth jetty, with “A fellow who is working at the chemical labora-
my health irretrievably ruined, but with permission tory up at the hospital. He was bemoaning himself
from a paternal government to spend the next nine this morning because he could not get someone
months in attempting to improve it. to go halves with him in some nice rooms which
I had neither kith nor kin in England, and was he had found, and which were too much for his
therefore as free as air—or as free as an income purse.”
of eleven shillings and sixpence a day will permit “By Jove!” I cried, “if he really wants someone
a man to be. Under such circumstances, I natu- to share the rooms and the expense, I am the very
rally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into man for him. I should prefer having a partner to
which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are being alone.”

7
 A Study In Scarlet

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

8
 A Study In Scarlet

“Never mind,” said he, chuckling to himself. “There was the case of Von Bischoff at Frankfort
“The question now is about hœmoglobin. No doubt last year. He would certainly have been hung had
you see the significance of this discovery of mine?” this test been in existence. Then there was Mason
“It is interesting, chemically, no doubt,” I an- of Bradford, and the notorious Muller, and Lefevre
swered, “but practically—” of Montpellier, and Samson of new Orleans. I could
name a score of cases in which it would have been
“Why, man, it is the most practical medico-legal decisive.”
discovery for years. Don’t you see that it gives us “You seem to be a walking calendar of crime,”
an infallible test for blood stains. Come over here said Stamford with a laugh. “You might start a
now!” He seized me by the coat-sleeve in his ea- paper on those lines. Call it the ‘Police News of the
gerness, and drew me over to the table at which Past.’ ”
he had been working. “Let us have some fresh
“Very interesting reading it might be made, too,”
blood,” he said, digging a long bodkin into his fin-
remarked Sherlock Holmes, sticking a small piece
ger, and drawing off the resulting drop of blood in
of plaster over the prick on his finger. “I have to be
a chemical pipette. “Now, I add this small quantity
careful,” he continued, turning to me with a smile,
of blood to a litre of water. You perceive that the
“for I dabble with poisons a good deal.” He held
resulting mixture has the appearance of pure water.
out his hand as he spoke, and I noticed that it was
The proportion of blood cannot be more than one
all mottled over with similar pieces of plaster, and
in a million. I have no doubt, however, that we
discoloured with strong acids.
shall be able to obtain the characteristic reaction.”
As he spoke, he threw into the vessel a few white “We came here on business,” said Stamford, sit-
crystals, and then added some drops of a trans- ting down on a high three-legged stool, and push-
parent fluid. In an instant the contents assumed a ing another one in my direction with his foot. “My
dull mahogany colour, and a brownish dust was friend here wants to take diggings, and as you were
precipitated to the bottom of the glass jar. complaining that you could get no one to go halves
with you, I thought that I had better bring you
“Ha! ha!” he cried, clapping his hands, and 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 was us down to the ground. You don’t mind the smell
very clumsy and uncertain. So is the microscopic of strong tobacco, I hope?”
examination for blood corpuscles. The latter is val- “I always smoke ‘ship’s’ myself,” I answered.
ueless if the stains are a few hours old. Now, this “That’s good enough. I generally have chemi-
appears to act as well whether the blood is old or cals about, and occasionally do experiments. Would
new. Had this test been invented, there are hun- that annoy you?”
dreds of men now walking the earth who would “By no means.”
long ago have paid the penalty of their crimes.” “Let me see—what are my other shortcomings.
“Indeed!” I murmured. I get in the dumps at times, and don’t open my
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.”
His eyes fairly glittered as he spoke, and he put “Do you include violin-playing in your category
his hand over his heart and bowed as if to some of rows?” he asked, anxiously.
applauding crowd conjured up by his imagination. “It depends on the player,” I answered. “A well-
“You are to be congratulated,” I remarked, con- played violin is a treat for the gods—a badly-played
siderably surprised at his enthusiasm. one—”

9
 A Study In Scarlet

“Oh, that’s all right,” he cried, with a merry My companion smiled an enigmatical smile.
laugh. “I think we may consider the thing as set- “That’s just his little peculiarity,” he said. “A good
tled—that is, if the rooms are agreeable to you.” many people have wanted to know how he finds
things out.”
“When shall we see them?”
“Oh! a mystery is it?” I cried, rubbing my hands.
“Call for me here at noon to-morrow, and we’ll “This is very piquant. I am much obliged to you for
go together and settle everything,” he answered. bringing us together. ‘The proper study of mankind
is man,’ you know.”
“All right—noon exactly,” said I, shaking his
hand. “You must study him, then,” Stamford said, as
he bade me good-bye. “You’ll find him a knotty
We left him working among his chemicals, and problem, though. I’ll wager he learns more about
we walked together towards my hotel. you than you about him. Good-bye.”
“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- now and again a reaction would seize him, and
spected the rooms at No. 221b, Baker Street, of for days on end he would lie upon the sofa in the
which he had spoken at our meeting. They con- sitting-room, hardly uttering a word or moving a
sisted of a couple of comfortable bed-rooms and a muscle from morning to night. On these occasions
single large airy sitting-room, cheerfully furnished, I have noticed such a dreamy, vacant expression
and illuminated by two broad windows. So de- in his eyes, that I might have suspected him of be-
sirable in every way were the apartments, and so ing addicted to the use of some narcotic, had not
moderate did the terms seem when divided be- the temperance and cleanliness of his whole life
tween us, that the bargain was concluded upon the forbidden such a notion.
spot, and we at once entered into possession. That As the weeks went by, my interest in him and
very evening I moved my things round from the ho- my curiosity as to his aims in life, gradually deep-
tel, and on the following morning Sherlock Holmes ened and increased. His very person and appear-
followed me with several boxes and portmanteaus. ance were such as to strike the attention of the most
For a day or two we were busily employed in un- casual observer. In height he was rather over six
packing and laying out our property to the best feet, and so excessively lean that he seemed to be
advantage. That done, we gradually began to settle considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and pierc-
down and to accommodate ourselves to our new ing, save during those intervals of torpor to which I
surroundings. have alluded; and his thin, hawk-like nose gave his
Holmes was certainly not a difficult man to live whole expression an air of alertness and decision.
with. He was quiet in his ways, and his habits were His chin, too, had the prominence and squareness
regular. It was rare for him to be up after ten at which mark the man of determination. His hands
night, and he had invariably breakfasted and gone were invariably blotted with ink and stained with
out before I rose in the morning. Sometimes he chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary
spent his day at the chemical laboratory, sometimes delicacy of touch, as I frequently had occasion to ob-
in the dissecting-rooms, and occasionally in long serve when I watched him manipulating his fragile
walks, which appeared to take him into the low- philosophical instruments.
est portions of the City. Nothing could exceed his The reader may set me down as a hopeless busy-
energy when the working fit was upon him; but body, when I confess how much this man stimu-

10
 A Study In Scarlet

lated my curiosity, and how often I endeavoured to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have
break through the reticence which he showed on all nothing but the tools which may help him in doing
that concerned himself. Before pronouncing judg- his work, but of these he has a large assortment,
ment, however, be it remembered, how objectless and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to
was my life, and how little there was to engage my think that that little room has elastic walls and can
attention. My health forbade me from venturing distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes
out unless the weather was exceptionally genial, a time when for every addition of knowledge you
and I had no friends who would call upon me and forget something that you knew before. It is of the
break the monotony of my daily existence. Under highest importance, therefore, not to have useless
these circumstances, I eagerly hailed the little mys- facts elbowing out the useful ones.”
tery which hung around my companion, and spent “But the Solar System!” I protested.
much of my time in endeavouring 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
I was on the point of asking him what that work
him for a degree in science or any other recognized
might be, but something in his manner showed
portal which would give him an entrance into the
me that the question would be an unwelcome one.
learned world. Yet his zeal for certain studies was
I pondered over our short conversation, however,
remarkable, and within eccentric limits his knowl-
and endeavoured to draw my deductions from it.
edge was so extraordinarily ample and minute that
He said that he would acquire no knowledge which
his observations have fairly astounded me. Surely
did not bear upon his object. Therefore all the
no man would work so hard or attain such precise
knowledge which he possessed was such as would
information unless he had some definite end in
be useful to him. I enumerated in my own mind
view. Desultory readers are seldom remarkable for
all the various points upon which he had shown
the exactness of their learning. No man burdens
me that he was exceptionally well-informed. I even
his mind with small matters unless he has some
took a pencil and jotted them down. I could not
very good reason for doing so.
help smiling at the document when I had com-
His ignorance was as remarkable as his knowl- pleted it. It ran in this way—
edge. Of contemporary literature, philosophy and
politics he appeared to know next to nothing. Upon Sherlock Holmes—his limits.
my quoting Thomas Carlyle, he inquired in the 1. Knowledge of Literature.—Nil.
naivest way who he might be and what he had 2. Philosophy.—Nil.
done. My surprise reached a climax, however, 3. Astronomy.—Nil.
when I found incidentally that he was ignorant 4. Politics.—Feeble.
of the Copernican Theory and of the composition 5. Botany.—Variable. Well up in belladonna,
of the Solar System. That any civilized human be- opium, and poisons generally. Knows noth-
ing in this nineteenth century should not be aware ing of practical gardening.
that the earth travelled round the sun appeared to
6. Geology.—Practical, but limited. Tells at a
be to me such an extraordinary fact that I could
glance different soils from each other. Af-
hardly realize it.
ter walks has shown me splashes upon his
“You appear to be astonished,” he said, smiling trousers, and told me by their colour and
at my expression of surprise. “Now that I do know consistence in what part of London he had
it I shall do my best to forget it.” received them.
“To forget it!” 7. Chemistry.—Profound.
“You see,” he explained, “I consider that a 8. Anatomy.—Accurate, but unsystematic.
man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, 9. Sensational Literature.—Immense. He ap-
and you have to stock it with such furniture as you pears to know every detail of every horror
choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort perpetrated in the century.
that he comes across, so that the knowledge which 10. Plays the violin well.
might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best 11. Is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and
is jumbled up with a lot of other things so that he swordsman.
has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now 12. Has a good practical knowledge of British
the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to law.

11
 A Study In Scarlet

When I had got so far in my list I threw it into alluding to it, but he soon dispelled the idea by
the fire in despair. “If I can only find what the coming round to the subject of his own accord.
fellow is driving at by reconciling all these accom- It was upon the 4th of March, as I have good
plishments, and discovering a calling which needs reason to remember, that I rose somewhat earlier
them all,” I said to myself, “I may as well give up than usual, and found that Sherlock Holmes had
the attempt at once.” not yet finished his breakfast. The landlady had
I see that I have alluded above to his powers become so accustomed to my late habits that my
upon the violin. These were very remarkable, but as place had not been laid nor my coffee prepared.
eccentric as all his other accomplishments. That he With the unreasonable petulance of mankind I rang
could play pieces, and difficult pieces, I knew well, the bell and gave a curt intimation that I was ready.
because at my request he has played me some of Then I picked up a magazine from the table and
Mendelssohn’s Lieder, and other favourites. When attempted to while away the time with it, while my
left to himself, however, he would seldom produce companion munched silently at his toast. One of
any music or attempt any recognized air. Leaning the articles had a pencil mark at the heading, and I
back in his arm-chair of an evening, he would close naturally began to run my eye through it.
his eyes and scrape carelessly at the fiddle which Its somewhat ambitious title was “The Book of
was thrown across his knee. Sometimes the chords Life,” and it attempted to show how much an obser-
were sonorous and melancholy. Occasionally they vant man might learn by an accurate and systematic
were fantastic and cheerful. Clearly they reflected examination of all that came in his way. It struck me
the thoughts which possessed him, but whether as being a remarkable mixture of shrewdness and
the music aided those thoughts, or whether the of absurdity. The reasoning was close and intense,
playing was simply the result of a whim or fancy but the deductions appeared to me to be far-fetched
was more than I could determine. I might have and exaggerated. The writer claimed by a momen-
rebelled against these exasperating solos had it not tary expression, a twitch of a muscle or a glance of
been that he usually terminated them by playing an eye, to fathom a man’s inmost thoughts. Deceit,
in quick succession a whole series of my favourite according to him, was an impossibility in the case
airs as a slight compensation for the trial upon my of one trained to observation and analysis. His con-
patience. clusions were as infallible as so many propositions
During the first week or so we had no callers, of Euclid. So startling would his results appear to
and I had begun to think that my companion was the uninitiated that until they learned the processes
as friendless a man as I was myself. Presently, how- by which he had arrived at them they might well
ever, I found that he had many acquaintances, and consider him as a necromancer.
those in the most different classes of society. There “From a drop of water,” said the writer, “a logi-
was one little sallow rat-faced, dark-eyed fellow cian could infer the possibility of an Atlantic or a
who was introduced to me as Mr. Lestrade, and Niagara without having seen or heard of one or the
who came three or four times in a single week. One other. So all life is a great chain, the nature of which
morning a young girl called, fashionably dressed, is known whenever we are shown a single link of
and stayed for half an hour or more. The same after- it. Like all other arts, the Science of Deduction
noon brought a grey-headed, seedy visitor, looking and Analysis is one which can only be acquired
like a Jew pedlar, who appeared to me to be much by long and patient study nor is life long enough
excited, and who was closely followed by a slip- to allow any mortal to attain the highest possi-
shod elderly woman. On another occasion an old ble perfection in it. Before turning to those moral
white-haired gentleman had an interview with my and mental aspects of the matter which present
companion; and on another a railway porter in his the greatest difficulties, let the enquirer begin by
velveteen uniform. When any of these nondescript mastering more elementary problems. Let him, on
individuals put in an appearance, Sherlock Holmes meeting a fellow-mortal, learn at a glance to dis-
used to beg for the use of the sitting-room, and I tinguish the history of the man, and the trade or
would retire to my bed-room. He always apolo- profession to which he belongs. Puerile as such
gized to me for putting me to this inconvenience. an exercise may seem, it sharpens the faculties of
“I have to use this room as a place of business,” observation, and teaches one where to look and
he said, “and these people are my clients.” Again what to look for. By a man’s finger nails, by his
I had an opportunity of asking him a point blank coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by the
question, and again my delicacy prevented me from callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his ex-
forcing another man to confide in me. I imagined pression, by his shirt cuffs—by each of these things
at the time that he had some strong reason for not a man’s calling is plainly revealed. That all united

12
 A Study In Scarlet

should fail to enlighten the competent enquirer in “Quite so. I have a kind of intuition that way.
any case is almost inconceivable.” Now and again a case turns up which is a little
“What ineffable twaddle!” I cried, slapping the more complex. Then I have to bustle about and
magazine down on the table, “I never read such see things with my own eyes. You see I have
rubbish in my life.” a lot of special knowledge which I apply to the
problem, and which facilitates matters wonderfully.
“What is it?” asked Sherlock Holmes. Those rules of deduction laid down in that article
“Why, this article,” I said, pointing at it with which aroused your scorn, are invaluable to me
my egg spoon as I sat down to my breakfast. “I see in practical work. Observation with me is second
that you have read it since you have marked it. I nature. You appeared to be surprised when I told
don’t deny that it is smartly written. It irritates me you, on our first meeting, that you had come from
though. It is evidently the theory of some arm-chair Afghanistan.”
lounger who evolves all these neat little paradoxes “You were told, no doubt.”
in the seclusion of his own study. It is not practical.
“Nothing of the sort. I knew you came from
I should like to see him clapped down in a third
Afghanistan. From long habit the train of thoughts
class carriage on the Underground, and asked to
ran so swiftly through my mind, that I arrived at
give the trades of all his fellow-travellers. I would
the conclusion without being conscious of interme-
lay a thousand to one against him.”
diate steps. There were such steps, however. The
“You would lose your money,” Sherlock Holmes train of reasoning ran, ‘Here is a gentleman of a
remarked calmly. “As for the article I wrote it my- medical type, but with the air of a military man.
self.” Clearly an army doctor, then. He has just come
“You!” from the tropics, for his face is dark, and that is
“Yes, I have a turn both for observation and for not the natural tint of his skin, for his wrists are
deduction. The theories which I have expressed fair. He has undergone hardship and sickness, as
there, and which appear to you to be so chimerical his haggard face says clearly. His left arm has been
are really extremely practical—so practical that I injured. He holds it in a stiff and unnatural man-
depend upon them for my bread and cheese.” ner. Where in the tropics could an English army
doctor have seen much hardship and got his arm
“And how?” I asked involuntarily. wounded? Clearly in Afghanistan.’ The whole
“Well, I have a trade of my own. I suppose I am train of thought did not occupy a second. I then
the only one in the world. I’m a consulting detec- remarked that you came from Afghanistan, and
tive, if you can understand what that is. Here in you were astonished.”
London we have lots of Government detectives and “It is simple enough as you explain it,” I said,
lots of private ones. When these fellows are at fault smiling. “You remind me of Edgar Allen Poe’s
they come to me, and I manage to put them on the Dupin. I had no idea that such individuals did
right scent. They lay all the evidence before me, exist outside of stories.”
and I am generally able, by the help of my knowl-
Sherlock Holmes rose and lit his pipe. “No
edge of the history of crime, to set them straight.
doubt you think that you are complimenting me in
There is a strong family resemblance about mis-
comparing me to Dupin,” he observed. “Now, in
deeds, and if you have all the details of a thousand
my opinion, Dupin was a very inferior fellow. That
at your finger ends, it is odd if you can’t unravel
trick of his of breaking in on his friends’ thoughts
the thousand and first. Lestrade is a well-known
with an apropos remark after a quarter of an hour’s
detective. He got himself into a fog recently over a
silence is really very showy and superficial. He had
forgery case, and that was what brought him here.”
some analytical genius, no doubt; but he was by
“And these other people?” no means such a phenomenon as Poe appeared to
“They are mostly sent on by private inquiry imagine.”
agencies. They are all people who are in trouble “Have you read Gaboriau’s works?” I asked.
about something, and want a little enlightening. I “Does Lecoq come up to your idea of a detective?”
listen to their story, they listen to my comments, Sherlock Holmes sniffed sardonically. “Lecoq
and then I pocket my fee.” was a miserable bungler,” he said, in an angry voice;
“But do you mean to say,” I said, “that with- “he had only one thing to recommend him, and that
out leaving your room you can unravel some knot was his energy. That book made me positively ill.
which other men can make nothing of, although The question was how to identify an unknown pris-
they have seen every detail for themselves?” oner. I could have done it in twenty-four hours.

13
 A Study In Scarlet

Lecoq took six months or so. It might be made He had a large blue envelope in his hand, and was
a text-book for detectives to teach them what to evidently the bearer of a message.
avoid.” “You mean the retired sergeant of Marines,”
I felt rather indignant at having two characters said Sherlock Holmes.
whom I had admired treated in this cavalier style. “Brag and bounce!” thought I to myself. “He
I walked over to the window, and stood looking knows that I cannot verify his guess.”
out into the busy street. “This fellow may be very The thought had hardly passed through my
clever,” I said to myself, “but he is certainly very mind when the man whom we were watching
conceited.” caught sight of the number on our door, and ran
“There are no crimes and no criminals in these rapidly across the roadway. We heard a loud knock,
days,” he said, querulously. “What is the use of a deep voice below, and heavy steps ascending the
having brains in our profession? I know well that I stair.
have it in me to make my name famous. No man “For Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” he said, stepping
lives or has ever lived who has brought the same into the room and handing my friend the letter.
amount of study and of natural talent to the de- Here was an opportunity of taking the conceit
tection of crime which I have done. And what is out of him. He little thought of this when he made
the result? There is no crime to detect, or, at most, that random shot. “May I ask, my lad,” I said, in
some bungling villany with a motive so transparent the blandest voice, “what your trade may be?”
that even a Scotland Yard official can see through “Commissionaire, sir,” he said, gruffly. “Uni-
it.” form away for repairs.”
I was still annoyed at his bumptious style of “And you were?” I asked, with a slightly mali-
conversation. I thought it best to change the topic. cious glance at my companion.
“I wonder what that fellow is looking for?” I “A sergeant, sir, Royal Marine Light Infantry,
asked, pointing to a stalwart, plainly-dressed in- sir. No answer? Right, sir.”
dividual who was walking slowly down the other He clicked his heels together, raised his hand in
side of the street, looking anxiously at the numbers. a salute, and was gone.

CHAPTER III.
The Lauriston Garden Mystery

I confess that I was considerably startled by this “Why, that he was a retired sergeant of
fresh proof of the practical nature of my compan- Marines.”
ion’s theories. My respect for his powers of analysis “I have no time for trifles,” he answered,
increased wondrously. There still remained some brusquely; then with a smile, “Excuse my rude-
lurking suspicion in my mind, however, that the ness. You broke the thread of my thoughts; but
whole thing was a pre-arranged episode, intended perhaps it is as well. So you actually were not able
to dazzle me, though what earthly object he could to see that that man was a sergeant of Marines?”
have in taking me in was past my comprehension.
“No, indeed.”
When I looked at him he had finished reading the
note, and his eyes had assumed the vacant, lack- “It was easier to know it than to explain why I
lustre expression which showed mental abstraction. knew it. If you were asked to prove that two and
two made four, you might find some difficulty, and
“How in the world did you deduce that?” I yet you are quite sure of the fact. Even across the
asked. street I could see a great blue anchor tattooed on the
back of the fellow’s hand. That smacked of the sea.
“Deduce what?” said he, petulantly. He had a military carriage, however, and regulation

14
 A Study In Scarlet

side whiskers. There we have the marine. He was energetic, but conventional—shockingly so. They
a man with some amount of self-importance and a have their knives into one another, too. They are
certain air of command. You must have observed as jealous as a pair of professional beauties. There
the way in which he held his head and swung his will be some fun over this case if they are both put
cane. A steady, respectable, middle-aged man, too, upon the scent.”
on the face of him—all facts which led me to believe I was amazed at the calm way in which he rip-
that he had been a sergeant.” 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 at most incurably lazy devil that ever stood in shoe
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
sure that Gregson, Lestrade, and Co. will pocket
“It does seem to be a little out of the common,” all the credit. That comes of being an unofficial
he remarked, calmly. “Would you mind reading it personage.”
to me aloud?”
“But he begs you to help him.”
This is the letter which I read to 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 during out before he would own it to any third person.
the night at 3, Lauriston Gardens, off the However, we may as well go and have a look. I
Brixton Road. Our man on the beat saw shall work it out on my own hook. I may have a
a light there about two in the morning, laugh at them if I have nothing else. Come on!”
and as the house was an empty one, sus- He hustled on his overcoat, and bustled about
pected that something was amiss. He in a way that showed that an energetic fit had su-
found the door open, and in the front perseded the apathetic one.
room, which is bare of furniture, dis- “Get your hat,” he said.
covered the body of a gentleman, well “You wish me to come?”
dressed, and having cards in his pocket “Yes, if you have nothing better to do.” A
bearing the name of ‘Enoch J. Drebber, minute later we were both in a hansom, driving
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.’ There had been furiously for the Brixton Road.
no robbery, nor is there any evidence as
It was a foggy, cloudy morning, and a dun-
to how the man met his death. There
coloured veil hung over the house-tops, looking
are marks of blood in the room, but
like the reflection of the mud-coloured streets be-
there is no wound upon his person. We
neath. My companion was in the best of spirits,
are at a loss as to how he came into the
and prattled away about Cremona fiddles, and the
empty house; indeed, the whole affair
difference between a Stradivarius and an Amati. As
is a puzzler. If you can come round to
for myself, I was silent, for the dull weather and the
the house any time before twelve, you
melancholy business upon which we were engaged,
will find me there. I have left every-
depressed my spirits.
thing in statu quo until I hear from you.
If you are unable to come I shall give “You don’t seem to give much thought to the
you fuller details, and would esteem it a matter in hand,” I said at last, interrupting Holmes’
great kindness if you would favour me musical disquisition.
with your opinion. “No data yet,” he answered. “It is a capital mis-
— “Yours faithfully, take to theorize before you have all the evidence. It
“Tobias Gregson.” biases the judgment.”
“You will have your data soon,” I remarked,
“Gregson is the smartest of the Scotland pointing with my finger; “this is the Brixton Road,
Yarders,” my friend remarked; “he and Lestrade and that is the house, if I am not very much mis-
are the pick of a bad lot. They are both quick and taken.”

15
 A Study In Scarlet

“So it is. Stop, driver, stop!” We were still a along there could not be a greater mess. No doubt,
hundred yards or so from it, but he insisted upon however, you had drawn your own conclusions,
our alighting, and we finished our journey upon Gregson, before you permitted this.”
foot. “I have had so much to do inside the house,”
Number 3, Lauriston Gardens wore an ill- the detective said evasively. “My colleague, Mr.
omened and minatory look. It was one of four Lestrade, is here. I had relied upon him to look
which stood back some little way from the street, after this.”
two being occupied and two empty. The latter Holmes glanced at me and raised his eyebrows
looked out with three tiers of vacant melancholy sardonically. “With two such men as yourself and
windows, which were blank and dreary, save that Lestrade upon the ground, there will not be much
here and there a “To Let” card had developed like for a third party to find out,” he said.
a cataract upon the bleared panes. A small gar- Gregson rubbed his hands in a self-satisfied way.
den sprinkled over with a scattered eruption of “I think we have done all that can be done,” he an-
sickly plants separated each of these houses from swered; “it’s a queer case though, and I knew your
the street, and was traversed by a narrow pathway, taste for such things.”
yellowish in colour, and consisting apparently of a “You did not come here in a cab?” asked Sher-
mixture of clay and of gravel. The whole place was lock Holmes.
very sloppy from the rain which had fallen through “No, sir.”
the night. The garden was bounded by a three-foot
“Nor Lestrade?”
brick wall with a fringe of wood rails upon the
“No, sir.”
top, and against this wall was leaning a stalwart
police constable, surrounded by a small knot of “Then let us go and look at the room.” With
loafers, who craned their necks and strained their which inconsequent remark he strode on into the
eyes in the vain hope of catching some glimpse of house, followed by Gregson, whose features ex-
the proceedings within. pressed his astonishment.
A short passage, bare planked and dusty, led
I had imagined that Sherlock Holmes would at
to the kitchen and offices. Two doors opened out
once have hurried into the house and plunged into
of it to the left and to the right. One of these had
a study of the mystery. Nothing appeared to be fur-
obviously been closed for many weeks. The other
ther from his intention. With an air of nonchalance
belonged to the dining-room, which was the apart-
which, under the circumstances, seemed to me to
ment in which the mysterious affair had occurred.
border upon affectation, he lounged up and down
Holmes walked in, and I followed him with that
the pavement, and gazed vacantly at the ground,
subdued feeling at my heart which the presence of
the sky, the opposite houses and the line of railings.
death inspires.
Having finished his scrutiny, he proceeded slowly
down the path, or rather down the fringe of grass It was a large square room, looking all the larger
which flanked the path, keeping his eyes riveted from the absence of all furniture. A vulgar flaring
upon the ground. Twice he stopped, and once I paper adorned the walls, but it was blotched in
saw him smile, and heard him utter an exclamation places with mildew, and here and there great strips
of satisfaction. There were many marks of footsteps had become detached and hung down, exposing
upon the wet clayey soil, but since the police had the yellow plaster beneath. Opposite the door was
been coming and going over it, I was unable to see a showy fireplace, surmounted by a mantelpiece of
how my companion could hope to learn anything imitation white marble. On one corner of this was
from it. Still I had had such extraordinary evidence stuck the stump of a red wax candle. The solitary
of the quickness of his perceptive faculties, that I window was so dirty that the light was hazy and
had no doubt that he could see a great deal which uncertain, giving a dull grey tinge to everything,
was hidden from me. which was intensified by the thick layer of dust
which coated the whole apartment.
At the door of the house we were met by a tall, All these details I observed afterwards. At
white-faced, flaxen-haired man, with a notebook present my attention was centred upon the single
in his hand, who rushed forward and wrung my grim motionless figure which lay stretched upon
companion’s hand with effusion. “It is indeed kind the boards, with vacant sightless eyes staring up
of you to come,” he said, “I have had everything at the discoloured ceiling. It was that of a man
left untouched.” about forty-three or forty-four years of age, middle-
“Except that!” my friend answered, pointing at sized, broad shouldered, with crisp curling black
the pathway. “If a herd of buffaloes had passed hair, and a short stubbly beard. He was dressed

16
 A Study In Scarlet

in a heavy broadcloth frock coat and waistcoat, “You can take him to the mortuary now,” he
with light-coloured trousers, and immaculate collar said. “There is nothing more to be learned.”
and cuffs. A top hat, well brushed and trim, was Gregson had a stretcher and four men at hand.
placed upon the floor beside him. His hands were At his call they entered the room, and the stranger
clenched and his arms thrown abroad, while his was lifted and carried out. As they raised him,
lower limbs were interlocked as though his death a ring tinkled down and rolled across the floor.
struggle had been a grievous one. On his rigid Lestrade grabbed it up and stared at it with mysti-
face there stood an expression of horror, and as it fied eyes.
seemed to me, of hatred, such as I have never seen “There’s been a woman here,” he cried. “It’s a
upon human features. This malignant and terrible woman’s wedding-ring.”
contortion, combined with the low forehead, blunt
He held it out, as he spoke, upon the palm of
nose, and prognathous jaw gave the dead man a
his hand. We all gathered round him and gazed at
singularly simious and ape-like appearance, which
it. There could be no doubt that that circlet of plain
was increased by his writhing, unnatural posture.
gold had once adorned the finger of a bride.
I have seen death in many forms, but never has it
appeared to me in a more fearsome aspect than in “This complicates matters,” said Gregson.
that dark grimy apartment, which looked out upon “Heaven knows, they were complicated enough
one of the main arteries of suburban London. before.”
“You’re sure it doesn’t simplify them?” ob-
Lestrade, lean and ferret-like as ever, was stand-
served Holmes. “There’s nothing to be learned
ing by the doorway, and greeted my companion
by staring at it. What did you find in his pockets?”
and myself.
“We have it all here,” said Gregson, pointing
“This case will make a stir, sir,” he remarked. “It
to a litter of objects upon one of the bottom steps
beats anything I have seen, and I am no chicken.”
of the stairs. “A gold watch, No. 97163, by Bar-
“There is no clue?” said Gregson. raud, of London. Gold Albert chain, very heavy
“None at all,” chimed in Lestrade. and solid. Gold ring, with masonic device. Gold
pin—bull-dog’s head, with rubies as eyes. Russian
Sherlock Holmes approached the body, and,
leather card-case, with cards of Enoch J. Drebber
kneeling down, examined it intently. “You are sure
of Cleveland, corresponding with the E. J. D. upon
that there is no wound?” he asked, pointing to nu-
the linen. No purse, but loose money to the extent
merous gouts and splashes of blood which lay all
of seven pounds thirteen. Pocket edition of Boccac-
round.
cio’s ‘Decameron,’ with name of Joseph Stangerson
“Positive!” cried both detectives. upon the fly-leaf. Two letters—one addressed to E.
“Then, of course, this blood belongs to a second J. Drebber and one to Joseph Stangerson.”
individual—presumably the murderer, if murder “At what address?”
has been committed. It reminds me of the circum- “American Exchange, Strand—to be left till
stances attendant on the death of Van Jansen, in called for. They are both from the Guion Steamship
Utrecht, in the year ’34. Do you remember the case, Company, and refer to the sailing of their boats
Gregson?” from Liverpool. It is clear that this unfortunate
“No, sir.” man was about to return to New York.”
“Read it up—you really should. There is noth- “Have you made any inquiries as to this man,
ing new under the sun. It has all been done before.” Stangerson?”
As he spoke, his nimble fingers were flying “I did it at once, sir,” said Gregson. “I have had
here, there, and everywhere, feeling, pressing, un- advertisements sent to all the newspapers, and one
buttoning, examining, while his eyes wore the same of my men has gone to the American Exchange,
far-away expression which I have already remarked but he has not returned yet.”
upon. So swiftly was the examination made, that “Have you sent to Cleveland?”
one would hardly have guessed the minuteness “We telegraphed this morning.”
with which it was conducted. Finally, he sniffed “How did you word your inquiries?”
the dead man’s lips, and then glanced at the soles
“We simply detailed the circumstances, and said
of his patent leather boots.
that we should be glad of any information which
“He has not been moved at all?” he asked. could help us.”
“No more than was necessary for the purposes “You did not ask for particulars on any point
of our examination.” which appeared to you to be crucial?”

17
 A Study In Scarlet

“I asked about Stangerson.” Mr. Sherlock Holmes. You may be very smart and
“Nothing else? Is there no circumstance on clever, but the old hound is the best, when all is
which this whole case appears to hinge? Will you said and done.”
not telegraph again?” “I really beg your pardon!” said my companion,
“I have said all I have to say,” said Gregson, in who had ruffled the little man’s temper by bursting
an offended voice. into an explosion of laughter. “You certainly have
the credit of being the first of us to find this out,
Sherlock Holmes chuckled to himself, and ap-
and, as you say, it bears every mark of having been
peared to be about to make some remark, when
written by the other participant in last night’s mys-
Lestrade, who had been in the front room while
tery. I have not had time to examine this room yet,
we were holding this conversation in the hall, reap-
but with your permission I shall do so now.”
peared upon the scene, rubbing his hands in a
pompous and self-satisfied manner. As he spoke, he whipped a tape measure and a
large round magnifying glass from his pocket. With
“Mr. Gregson,” he said, “I have just made a dis-
these two implements he trotted noiselessly about
covery of the highest importance, and one which
the room, sometimes stopping, occasionally kneel-
would have been overlooked had I not made a care-
ing, and once lying flat upon his face. So engrossed
ful examination of the walls.”
was he with his occupation that he appeared to
The little man’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, and have forgotten our presence, for he chattered away
he was evidently in a state of suppressed exultation to himself under his breath the whole time, keeping
at having scored a point against his colleague. up a running fire of exclamations, groans, whistles,
“Come here,” he said, bustling back into the and little cries suggestive of encouragement and
room, the atmosphere of which felt clearer since of hope. As I watched him I was irresistibly re-
the removal of its ghastly inmate. “Now, stand minded of a pure-blooded well-trained foxhound
there!” as it dashes backwards and forwards through the
He struck a match on his boot and held it up covert, whining in its eagerness, until it comes
against the wall. across the lost scent. For twenty minutes or more he
continued his researches, measuring with the most
“Look at that!” he said, triumphantly. exact care the distance between marks which were
I have remarked that the paper had fallen away entirely invisible to me, and occasionally applying
in parts. In this particular corner of the room a his tape to the walls in an equally incomprehensible
large piece had peeled off, leaving a yellow square manner. In one place he gathered up very carefully
of coarse plastering. Across this bare space there a little pile of grey dust from the floor, and packed
was scrawled in blood-red letters a single word— it away in an envelope. Finally, he examined with
RACHE. his glass the word upon the wall, going over every
letter of it with the most minute exactness. This
“What do you think of that?” cried the detec-
done, he appeared to be satisfied, for he replaced
tive, with the air of a showman exhibiting his show.
his tape and his glass in his pocket.
“This was overlooked because it was in the darkest
corner of the room, and no one thought of looking “They say that genius is an infinite capacity for
there. The murderer has written it with his or her taking pains,” he remarked with a smile. “It’s a
own blood. See this smear where it has trickled very bad definition, but it does apply to detective
down the wall! That disposes of the idea of suicide work.”
anyhow. Why was that corner chosen to write it Gregson and Lestrade had watched the manœu-
on? I will tell you. See that candle on the mantel- vres of their amateur companion with considerable
piece. It was lit at the time, and if it was lit this curiosity and some contempt. They evidently failed
corner would be the brightest instead of the darkest to appreciate the fact, which I had begun to real-
portion of the wall.” ize, that Sherlock Holmes’ smallest actions were all
“And what does it mean now that you have directed towards some definite and practical end.
found it?” asked Gregson in a depreciatory voice. “What do you think of it, sir?” they both asked.
“Mean? Why, it means that the writer was going “It would be robbing you of the credit of the
to put the female name Rachel, but was disturbed case if I was to presume to help you,” remarked my
before he or she had time to finish. You mark my friend. “You are doing so well now that it would be
words, when this case comes to be cleared up you a pity for anyone to interfere.” There was a world of
will find that a woman named Rachel has some- sarcasm in his voice as he spoke. “If you will let me
thing to do with it. It’s all very well for you to laugh, know how your investigations go,” he continued,

18
 A Study In Scarlet

“I shall be happy to give you any help I can. In the his victim in a four-wheeled cab, which was drawn
meantime I should like to speak to the constable by a horse with three old shoes and one new one
who found the body. Can you give me his name on his off fore leg. In all probability the murderer
and address?” had a florid face, and the finger-nails of his right
Lestrade glanced at his note-book. “John hand were remarkably long. These are only a few
Rance,” he said. “He is off duty now. You will indications, but they may assist you.”
find him at 46, Audley Court, Kennington Park Lestrade and Gregson glanced at each other
Gate.” with an incredulous smile.
Holmes took a note of the address. “If this man was murdered, how was it done?”
asked the former.
“Come along, Doctor,” he said; “we shall go
and look him up. I’ll tell you one thing which may “Poison,” said Sherlock Holmes curtly, and
help you in the case,” he continued, turning to the strode off. “One other thing, Lestrade,” he added,
two detectives. “There has been murder done, and turning round at the door: “ ‘Rache,’ is the German
the murderer was a man. He was more than six for ‘revenge;’ so don’t lose your time looking for
feet high, was in the prime of life, had small feet Miss Rachel.”
for his height, wore coarse, square-toed boots and With which Parthian shot he walked away, leav-
smoked a Trichinopoly cigar. He came here with ing 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- Gregson’s word for that—it follows that it must
riston Gardens. Sherlock Holmes led me to the have been there during the night, and, therefore,
nearest telegraph office, whence he dispatched a that it brought those two individuals to the house.”
long telegram. He then hailed a cab, and ordered
the driver to take us to the address given us by “That seems simple enough,” said I; “but how
Lestrade. about the other man’s height?”
“There is nothing like first hand evidence,” he “Why, the height of a man, in nine cases out
remarked; “as a matter of fact, my mind is entirely of ten, can be told from the length of his stride. It
made up upon the case, but still we may as well is a simple calculation enough, though there is no
learn all that is to be learned.” use my boring you with figures. I had this fellow’s
“You amaze me, Holmes,” said I. “Surely you stride both on the clay outside and on the dust
are not as sure as you pretend to be of all those within. Then I had a way of checking my calcu-
particulars which you gave.” lation. When a man writes on a wall, his instinct
leads him to write about the level of his own eyes.
“There’s no room for a mistake,” he answered.
Now that writing was just over six feet from the
“The very first thing which I observed on arriving
ground. It was child’s play.”
there was that a cab had made two ruts with its
wheels close to the curb. Now, up to last night, we “And his age?” I asked.
have had no rain for a week, so that those wheels
which left such a deep impression must have been “Well, if a man can stride four and a-half feet
there during the night. There were the marks of without the smallest effort, he can’t be quite in the
the horse’s hoofs, too, the outline of one of which sere and yellow. That was the breadth of a puddle
was far more clearly cut than that of the other on the garden walk which he had evidently walked
three, showing that that was a new shoe. Since across. Patent-leather boots had gone round, and
the cab was there after the rain began, and was Square-toes had hopped over. There is no mystery
not there at any time during the morning—I have about it at all. I am simply applying to ordinary

19
 A Study In Scarlet

life a few of those precepts of observation and de- you too much of my method of working, you will
duction which I advocated in that article. Is there come to the conclusion that I am a very ordinary
anything else that puzzles you?” individual after all.”
“The finger nails and the Trichinopoly,” I sug- “I shall never do that,” I answered; “you have
gested. brought detection as near an exact science as it ever
“The writing on the wall was done with a man’s will be brought in this world.”
forefinger dipped in blood. My glass allowed me My companion flushed up with pleasure at my
to observe that the plaster was slightly scratched words, and the earnest way in which I uttered them.
in doing it, which would not have been the case if I had already observed that he was as sensitive to
the man’s nail had been trimmed. I gathered up flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be
some scattered ash from the floor. It was dark in of her beauty.
colour and flakey—such an ash as is only made by “I’ll tell you one other thing,” he said. “Patent-
a Trichinopoly. I have made a special study of cigar leathers and Square-toes came in the same cab,
ashes—in fact, I have written a monograph upon and they walked down the pathway together as
the subject. I flatter myself that I can distinguish friendly as possible—arm-in-arm, in all probability.
at a glance the ash of any known brand, either of When they got inside they walked up and down the
cigar or of tobacco. It is just in such details that room—or rather, Patent-leathers stood still while
the skilled detective differs from the Gregson and Square-toes walked up and down. I could read
Lestrade type.” all that in the dust; and I could read that as he
“And the florid face?” I asked. walked he grew more and more excited. That is
“Ah, that was a more daring shot, though I have shown by the increased length of his strides. He
no doubt that I was right. You must not ask me was talking all the while, and working himself up,
that at the present state of the affair.” no doubt, into a fury. Then the tragedy occurred.
I’ve told you all I know myself now, for the rest
I passed my hand over my brow. “My head is is mere surmise and conjecture. We have a good
in a whirl,” I remarked; “the more one thinks of working basis, however, on which to start. We must
it the more mysterious it grows. How came these hurry up, for I want to go to Halle’s concert to hear
two men—if there were two men—into an empty Norman Neruda this afternoon.”
house? What has become of the cabman who drove
them? How could one man compel another to take This conversation had occurred while our cab
poison? Where did the blood come from? What had been threading its way through a long succes-
was the object of the murderer, since robbery had sion of dingy streets and dreary by-ways. In the
no part in it? How came the woman’s ring there? dingiest and dreariest of them our driver suddenly
Above all, why should the second man write up the came to a stand. “That’s Audley Court in there,”
German word RACHE before decamping? I confess he said, pointing to a narrow slit in the line of
that I cannot see any possible way of reconciling all dead-coloured brick. “You’ll find me here when
these facts.” you come back.”

My companion smiled approvingly. Audley Court was not an attractive locality. The
narrow passage led us into a quadrangle paved
“You sum up the difficulties of the situation with flags and lined by sordid dwellings. We
succinctly and well,” he said. “There is much that picked our way among groups of dirty children,
is still obscure, though I have quite made up my and through lines of discoloured linen, until we
mind on the main facts. As to poor Lestrade’s dis- came to Number 46, the door of which was deco-
covery it was simply a blind intended to put the rated with a small slip of brass on which the name
police upon a wrong track, by suggesting Socialism Rance was engraved. On enquiry we found that
and secret societies. It was not done by a German. the constable was in bed, and we were shown into
The A, if you noticed, was printed somewhat after a little front parlour to await his coming.
the German fashion. Now, a real German invari-
ably prints in the Latin character, so that we may He appeared presently, looking a little irritable
safely say that this was not written by one, but by at being disturbed in his slumbers. “I made my
a clumsy imitator who overdid his part. It was report at the office,” he said.
simply a ruse to divert inquiry into a wrong chan- Holmes took a half-sovereign from his pocket
nel. I’m not going to tell you much more of the and played with it pensively. “We thought that we
case, Doctor. You know a conjuror gets no credit should like to hear it all from your own lips,” he
when once he has explained his trick, and if I show said.

20
 A Study In Scarlet

“I shall be most happy to tell you anything I There was a candle flickerin’ on the mantelpiece—a
can,” the constable answered with his eyes upon red wax one—and by its light I saw—”
the little golden disk. “Yes, I know all that you saw. You walked round
“Just let us hear it all in your own way as it the room several times, and you knelt down by the
occurred.” body, and then you walked through and tried the
kitchen door, and then—”
Rance sat down on the horsehair sofa, and knit-
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 hid
to see all that?” he cried. “It seems to me that you
“I’ll tell it ye from the beginning,” he said.
knows a deal more than you should.”
“My time is from ten at night to six in the morn-
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
Harry Murcher—him who has the Holland Grove and not the wolf; Mr. Gregson or Mr. Lestrade will
beat—and we stood together at the corner of Henri- answer for that. Go on, though. What did you do
etta Street a-talkin’. Presently—maybe about two or next?”
a little after—I thought I would take a look round Rance resumed his seat, without however losing
and see that all was right down the Brixton Road. his mystified expression. “I went back to the gate
It was precious dirty and lonely. Not a soul did I and sounded my whistle. That brought Murcher
meet all the way down, though a cab or two went and two more to the spot.”
past me. I was a strollin’ down, thinkin’ between “Was the street empty then?”
ourselves how uncommon handy a four of gin hot “Well, it was, as far as anybody that could be of
would be, when suddenly the glint of a light caught any good goes.”
my eye in the window of that same house. Now, I
“What do you mean?”
knew that them two houses in Lauriston Gardens
was empty on account of him that owns them who The constable’s features broadened into a grin.
won’t have the drains seed to, though the very last “I’ve seen many a drunk chap in my time,” he said,
tenant what lived in one of them died o’ typhoid “but never anyone so cryin’ drunk as that cove. He
fever. I was knocked all in a heap therefore at was at the gate when I came out, a-leanin’ up ag’in
seeing a light in the window, and I suspected as the railings, and a-singin’ at the pitch o’ his lungs
something was wrong. When I got to the door—” about Columbine’s New-fangled Banner, or some
such stuff. He couldn’t stand, far less help.”
“You stopped, and then walked back to the gar-
“What sort of a man was he?” asked Sherlock
den gate,” my companion interrupted. “What did
Holmes.
you do that for?”
John Rance appeared to be somewhat irritated
Rance gave a violent jump, and stared at Sher- at this digression. “He was an uncommon drunk
lock Holmes with the utmost amazement upon his sort o’ man,” he said. “He’d ha’ found hisself in
features. the station if we hadn’t been so took up.”
“Why, that’s true, sir,” he said; “though how “His face—his dress—didn’t you notice them?”
you come to know it, Heaven only knows. Ye see, Holmes broke in impatiently.
when I got up to the door it was so still and so
“I should think I did notice them, seeing that I
lonesome, that I thought I’d be none the worse for
had to prop him up—me and Murcher between us.
some one with me. I ain’t afeared of anything on
He was a long chap, with a red face, the lower part
this side o’ the grave; but I thought that maybe it
muffled round—”
was him that died o’ the typhoid inspecting the
drains what killed him. The thought gave me a “That will do,” cried Holmes. “What became of
kind o’ turn, and I walked back to the gate to see if him?”
I could see Murcher’s lantern, but there wasn’t no “We’d enough to do without lookin’ after him,”
sign of him nor of anyone else.” the policeman said, in an aggrieved voice. “I’ll
wager he found his way home all right.”
“There was no one in the street?”
“How was he dressed?”
“Not a livin’ soul, sir, nor as much as a dog.
Then I pulled myself together and went back and “A brown overcoat.”
pushed the door open. All was quiet inside, so I “Had he a whip in his hand?”
went into the room where the light was a-burnin’. “A whip—no.”

21
 A Study In Scarlet

“He must have left it behind,” muttered my “I am rather in the dark still. It is true that the
companion. “You didn’t happen to see or hear a description of this man tallies with your idea of the
cab after that?” second party in this mystery. But why should he
come back to the house after leaving it? That is not
“No.” the way of criminals.”
“There’s a half-sovereign for you,” my compan- “The ring, man, the ring: that was what he came
ion said, standing up and taking his hat. “I am back for. If we have no other way of catching him,
afraid, Rance, that you will never rise in the force. we can always bait our line with the ring. I shall
That head of yours should be for use as well as have him, Doctor—I’ll lay you two to one that I have
ornament. You might have gained your sergeant’s him. I must thank you for it all. I might not have
stripes last night. The man whom you held in your gone but for you, and so have missed the finest
hands is the man who holds the clue of this mys- study I ever came across: a study in scarlet, eh?
tery, and whom we are seeking. There is no use of Why shouldn’t we use a little art jargon. There’s
arguing about it now; I tell you that it is so. Come the scarlet thread of murder running through the
along, Doctor.” colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel
it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it. And
We started off for the cab together, leaving our now for lunch, and then for Norman Neruda. Her
informant incredulous, but obviously uncomfort- attack and her bowing are splendid. What’s that
able. little thing of Chopin’s she plays so magnificently:
“The blundering fool,” Holmes said, bitterly, as Tra-la-la-lira-lira-lay.”
we drove back to our lodgings. “Just to think of his Leaning back in the cab, this amateur blood-
having such an incomparable bit of good luck, and hound carolled away like a lark while I meditated
not taking advantage of it.” upon the many-sidedness of the human mind.

CHAPTER V.
Our Advertisement Brings A Visitor

Our morning’s exertions had been too much did my companion’s hypothesis, that the man had
for my weak health, and I was tired out in the af- been poisoned, appear. I remembered how he had
ternoon. After Holmes’ departure for the concert, I sniffed his lips, and had no doubt that he had de-
lay down upon the sofa and endeavoured to get a tected something which had given rise to the idea.
couple of hours’ sleep. It was a useless attempt. My Then, again, if not poison, what had caused the
mind had been too much excited by all that had man’s death, since there was neither wound nor
occurred, and the strangest fancies and surmises marks of strangulation? But, on the other hand,
crowded into it. Every time that I closed my eyes whose blood was that which lay so thickly upon
I saw before me the distorted baboon-like counte- the floor? There were no signs of a struggle, nor
nance of the murdered man. So sinister was the had the victim any weapon with which he might
impression which that face had produced upon me have wounded an antagonist. As long as all these
that I found it difficult to feel anything but grati- questions were unsolved, I felt that sleep would be
tude for him who had removed its owner from the no easy matter, either for Holmes or myself. His
world. If ever human features bespoke vice of the quiet self-confident manner convinced me that he
most malignant type, they were certainly those of had already formed a theory which explained all
Enoch J. Drebber, of Cleveland. Still I recognized the facts, though what it was I could not for an
that justice must be done, and that the depravity of instant conjecture.
the victim was no condonement in the eyes of the
law. He was very late in returning—so late, that I
knew that the concert could not have detained him
The more I thought of it the more extraordinary all the time. Dinner was on the table before he

22
 A Study In Scarlet

appeared. “Not at all. If my view of the case is correct,

“It was magnificent,” he said, as he took his and I have every reason to believe that it is, this
seat. “Do you remember what Darwin says about man would rather risk anything than lose the ring.
music? He claims that the power of producing and According to my notion he dropped it while stoop-
appreciating it existed among the human race long ing over Drebber’s body, and did not miss it at the
before the power of speech was arrived at. Perhaps time. After leaving the house he discovered his loss
that is why we are so subtly influenced by it. There and hurried back, but found the police already in
are vague memories in our souls of those misty possession, owing to his own folly in leaving the
centuries when the world was in its childhood.” candle burning. He had to pretend to be drunk
in order to allay the suspicions which might have
“That’s rather a broad idea,” I remarked.
been aroused by his appearance at the gate. Now
“One’s ideas must be as broad as Nature if they put yourself in that man’s place. On thinking the
are to interpret Nature,” he answered. “What’s the matter over, it must have occurred to him that it
matter? You’re not looking quite yourself. This was possible that he had lost the ring in the road
Brixton Road affair has upset you.” after leaving the house. What would he do, then?
“To tell the truth, it has,” I said. “I ought to He would eagerly look out for the evening papers
be more case-hardened after my Afghan experi- in the hope of seeing it among the articles found.
ences. I saw my own comrades hacked to pieces at His eye, of course, would light upon this. He would
Maiwand without losing my nerve.” be overjoyed. Why should he fear a trap? There
“I can understand. There is a mystery about would be no reason in his eyes why the finding
this which stimulates the imagination; where there of the ring should be connected with the murder.
is no imagination there is no horror. Have you seen He would come. He will come. You shall see him
the evening paper?” within an hour.”
“And then?” I asked.
“No.”
“Oh, you can leave me to deal with him then.
“It gives a fairly good account of the affair. It Have you any arms?”
does not mention the fact that when the man was
“I have my old service revolver and a few car-
raised up, a woman’s wedding ring fell upon the
tridges.”
floor. It is just as well it does not.”
“You had better clean it and load it. He will
“Why?” be a desperate man, and though I shall take him
“Look at this advertisement,” he answered. “I unawares, it is as well to be ready for anything.”
had one sent to every paper this morning immedi- I went to my bedroom and followed his advice.
ately after the affair.” When I returned with the pistol the table had been
He threw the paper across to me and I glanced cleared, and Holmes was engaged in his favourite
at the place indicated. It was the first announce- occupation of scraping upon his violin.
ment in the “Found” column. “In Brixton Road, “The plot thickens,” he said, as I entered; “I
this morning,” it ran, “a plain gold wedding ring, have just had an answer to my American telegram.
found in the roadway between the ‘White Hart’ Tav- My view of the case is the correct one.”
ern and Holland Grove. Apply Dr. Watson, 221b, “And that is?” I asked eagerly.
Baker Street, between eight and nine this evening.” “My fiddle would be the better for new strings,”
“Excuse my using your name,” he said. “If I he remarked. “Put your pistol in your pocket.
used my own some of these dunderheads would When the fellow comes speak to him in an ordinary
recognize it, and want to meddle in the affair.” way. Leave the rest to me. Don’t frighten him by
“That is all right,” I answered. “But supposing looking at him too hard.”
anyone applies, I have no ring.” “It is eight o’clock now,” I said, glancing at my
“Oh yes, you have,” said he, handing me one. watch.
“This will do very well. It is almost a facsimile.” “Yes. He will probably be here in a few min-
utes. Open the door slightly. That will do. Now
“And who do you expect will answer this ad-
put the key on the inside. Thank you! This is a
vertisement.”
queer old book I picked up at a stall yesterday—De
“Why, the man in the brown coat—our florid Jure inter Gentes—published in Latin at Liege in the
friend with the square toes. If he does not come Lowlands, in 1642. Charles’ head was still firm on
himself he will send an accomplice.” his shoulders when this little brown-backed volume
“Would he not consider it as too dangerous?” was struck off.”

23
 A Study In Scarlet

“Who is the printer?” “The Brixton Road does not lie between any
circus and Houndsditch,” said Sherlock Holmes
“Philippe de Croy, whoever he may have been.
sharply.
On the fly-leaf, in very faded ink, is written ‘Ex lib-
ris Guliolmi Whyte.’ I wonder who William Whyte The old woman faced round and looked keenly
was. Some pragmatical seventeenth century lawyer, at him from her little red-rimmed eyes. “The gen-
I suppose. His writing has a legal twist about it. tleman asked me for my address,” she said. “Sally
Here comes our man, I think.” lives in lodgings at 3, Mayfield Place, Peckham.”
As he spoke there was a sharp ring at the bell. “And your name is—?”
Sherlock Holmes rose softly and moved his chair “My name is Sawyer—her’s is Dennis, which
in the direction of the door. We heard the servant Tom Dennis married her—and a smart, clean
pass along the hall, and the sharp click of the latch lad, too, as long as he’s at sea, and no steward
as she opened it. in the company more thought of; but when on
“Does Dr. Watson live here?” asked a clear but shore, what with the women and what with liquor
rather harsh voice. We could not hear the servant’s shops—”
reply, but the door closed, and some one began to “Here is your ring, Mrs. Sawyer,” I interrupted,
ascend the stairs. The footfall was an uncertain and in obedience to a sign from my companion; “it
shuffling one. A look of surprise passed over the clearly belongs to your daughter, and I am glad to
face of my companion as he listened to it. It came be able to restore it to the rightful owner.”
slowly along the passage, and there was a feeble
With many mumbled blessings and protesta-
tap at the door.
tions of gratitude the old crone packed it away in
“Come in,” I cried. her pocket, and shuffled off down the stairs. Sher-
lock Holmes sprang to his feet the moment that she
At my summons, instead of the man of vio-
was gone and rushed into his room. He returned in
lence whom we expected, a very old and wrinkled
a few seconds enveloped in an ulster and a cravat.
woman hobbled into the apartment. She appeared
“I’ll follow her,” he said, hurriedly; “she must be
to be dazzled by the sudden blaze of light, and after
an accomplice, and will lead me to him. Wait up
dropping a curtsey, she stood blinking at us with
for me.” The hall door had hardly slammed behind
her bleared eyes and fumbling in her pocket with
our visitor before Holmes had descended the stair.
nervous, shaky fingers. I glanced at my compan-
Looking through the window I could see her walk-
ion, and his face had assumed such a disconsolate
ing feebly along the other side, while her pursuer
expression that it was all I could do to keep my
dogged her some little distance behind. “Either his
countenance.
whole theory is incorrect,” I thought to myself, “or
The old crone drew out an evening paper, and else he will be led now to the heart of the mystery.”
pointed at our advertisement. “It’s this as has There was no need for him to ask me to wait up
brought me, good gentlemen,” she said, dropping for him, for I felt that sleep was impossible until I
another curtsey; “a gold wedding ring in the Brix- heard the result of his adventure.
ton Road. It belongs to my girl Sally, as was married
It was close upon nine when he set out. I had no
only this time twelvemonth, which her husband is
idea how long he might be, but I sat stolidly puffing
steward aboard a Union boat, and what he’d say
at my pipe and skipping over the pages of Henri
if he comes ’ome and found her without her ring
Murger’s Vie de Bohème. Ten o’clock passed, and I
is more than I can think, he being short enough at
heard the footsteps of the maid as they pattered off
the best o’ times, but more especially when he has
to bed. Eleven, and the more stately tread of the
the drink. If it please you, she went to the circus
landlady passed my door, bound for the same desti-
last night along with—”
nation. It was close upon twelve before I heard the
“Is that her ring?” I asked. sharp sound of his latch-key. The instant he entered
I saw by his face that he had not been successful.
“The Lord be thanked!” cried the old woman;
Amusement and chagrin seemed to be struggling
“Sally will be a glad woman this night. That’s the
for the mastery, until the former suddenly carried
ring.”
the day, and he burst into a hearty laugh.
“And what may your address be?” I inquired,
“I wouldn’t have the Scotland Yarders know it
taking up a pencil.
for the world,” he cried, dropping into his chair; “I
“13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch. A weary way have chaffed them so much that they would never
from here.” have let me hear the end of it. I can afford to laugh,

24
 A Study In Scarlet

because I know that I will be even with them in the his fare. On inquiring at Number 13 we found that
long run.” the house belonged to a respectable paperhanger,
named Keswick, and that no one of the name either
“What is it then?” I asked.
of Sawyer or Dennis had ever been heard of there.”
“Oh, I don’t mind telling a story against myself.
“You don’t mean to say,” I cried, in amazement,
That creature had gone a little way when she be-
“that that tottering, feeble old woman was able to
gan to limp and show every sign of being foot-sore.
get out of the cab while it was in motion, without
Presently she came to a halt, and hailed a four-
either you or the driver seeing her?”
wheeler which was passing. I managed to be close
to her so as to hear the address, but I need not have “Old woman be damned!” said Sherlock
been so anxious, for she sang it out loud enough Holmes, sharply. “We were the old women to be
to be heard at the other side of the street, ‘Drive to so taken in. It must have been a young man, and
13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch,’ she cried. This an active one, too, besides being an incomparable
begins to look genuine, I thought, and having seen actor. The get-up was inimitable. He saw that he
her safely inside, I perched myself behind. That’s was followed, no doubt, and used this means of
an art which every detective should be an expert giving me the slip. It shows that the man we are
at. Well, away we rattled, and never drew rein until after is not as lonely as I imagined he was, but has
we reached the street in question. I hopped off friends who are ready to risk something for him.
before we came to the door, and strolled down the Now, Doctor, you are looking done-up. Take my
street in an easy, lounging way. I saw the cab pull advice and turn in.”
up. The driver jumped down, and I saw him open I was certainly feeling very weary, so I obeyed
the door and stand expectantly. Nothing came out his injunction. I left Holmes seated in front of the
though. When I reached him he was groping about smouldering fire, and long into the watches of the
frantically in the empty cab, and giving vent to night I heard the low, melancholy wailings of his
the finest assorted collection of oaths that ever I violin, and knew that he was still pondering over
listened to. There was no sign or trace of his pas- the strange problem which he had set himself to
senger, and I fear it will be some time before he gets unravel.

CHAPTER VI.
Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do

The papers next day were full of the “Brixton alluding airily to the Vehmgericht, aqua tofana,
Mystery,” as they termed it. Each had a long ac- Carbonari, the Marchioness de Brinvilliers, the Dar-
count of the affair, and some had leaders upon winian theory, the principles of Malthus, and the
it in addition. There was some information in Ratcliff Highway murders, the article concluded
them which was new to me. I still retain in my by admonishing the Government and advocating a
scrap-book numerous clippings and extracts bear- closer watch over foreigners in England.
ing upon the case. Here is a condensation of a few The Standard commented upon the fact that law-
of them:— less outrages of the sort usually occurred under a
The Daily Telegraph remarked that in the history Liberal Administration. They arose from the un-
of crime there had seldom been a tragedy which settling of the minds of the masses, and the con-
presented stranger features. The German name of sequent weakening of all authority. The deceased
the victim, the absence of all other motive, and the was an American gentleman who had been resid-
sinister inscription on the wall, all pointed to its per- ing for some weeks in the Metropolis. He had
petration by political refugees and revolutionists. stayed at the boarding-house of Madame Charp-
The Socialists had many branches in America, and entier, in Torquay Terrace, Camberwell. He was
the deceased had, no doubt, infringed their unwrit- accompanied in his travels by his private secretary,
ten laws, and been tracked down by them. After Mr. Joseph Stangerson. The two bade adieu to

25
 A Study In Scarlet

their landlady upon Tuesday, the 4th inst., and de- many disreputable statuettes. “In future you shall
parted to Euston Station with the avowed intention send up Wiggins alone to report, and the rest of
of catching the Liverpool express. They were after- you must wait in the street. Have you found it,
wards seen together upon the platform. Nothing Wiggins?”
more is known of them until Mr. Drebber’s body “No, sir, we hain’t,” said one of the youths.
was, as recorded, discovered in an empty house in “I hardly expected you would. You must keep
the Brixton Road, many miles from Euston. How on until you do. Here are your wages.” He handed
he came there, or how he met his fate, are ques- each of them a shilling. “Now, off you go, and
tions which are still involved in mystery. Nothing come back with a better report next time.”
is known of the whereabouts of Stangerson. We are
He waved his hand, and they scampered away
glad to learn that Mr. Lestrade and Mr. Gregson, of
downstairs like so many rats, and we heard their
Scotland Yard, are both engaged upon the case, and
shrill voices next moment in the street.
it is confidently anticipated that these well-known
officers will speedily throw light upon the matter. “There’s more work to be got out of one of those
little beggars than out of a dozen of the force,”
The Daily News observed that there was no Holmes remarked. “The mere sight of an official-
doubt as to the crime being a political one. The looking person seals men’s lips. These youngsters,
despotism and hatred of Liberalism which ani- however, go everywhere and hear everything. They
mated the Continental Governments had had the are as sharp as needles, too; all they want is organi-
effect of driving to our shores a number of men who sation.”
might have made excellent citizens were they not
“Is it on this Brixton case that you are employ-
soured by the recollection of all that they had un-
ing them?” I asked.
dergone. Among these men there was a stringent
code of honour, any infringement of which was “Yes; there is a point which I wish to ascertain.
punished by death. Every effort should be made It is merely a matter of time. Hullo! we are going
to find the secretary, Stangerson, and to ascertain to hear some news now with a vengeance! Here
some particulars of the habits of the deceased. A is Gregson coming down the road with beatitude
great step had been gained by the discovery of the written upon every feature of his face. Bound for
address of the house at which he had boarded—a us, I know. Yes, he is stopping. There he is!”
result which was entirely due to the acuteness and There was a violent peal at the bell, and in a
energy of Mr. Gregson of Scotland Yard. few seconds the fair-haired detective came up the
stairs, three steps at a time, and burst into our
Sherlock Holmes and I read these notices over
sitting-room.
together at breakfast, and they appeared to afford
him considerable amusement. “My dear fellow,” he cried, wringing Holmes’
unresponsive hand, “congratulate me! I have made
“I told you that, whatever happened, Lestrade the whole thing as clear as day.”
and Gregson would be sure to score.”
A shade of anxiety seemed to me to cross my
“That depends on how it turns out.” companion’s expressive face.
“Oh, bless you, it doesn’t matter in the least. “Do you mean that you are on the right track?”
If the man is caught, it will be on account of their he asked.
exertions; if he escapes, it will be in spite of their “The right track! Why, sir, we have the man
exertions. It’s heads I win and tails you lose. What- under lock and key.”
ever they do, they will have followers. ‘Un sot trouve “And his name is?”
toujours un plus sot qui l’admire.’ ”
“Arthur Charpentier, sub-lieutenant in Her
“What on earth is this?” I cried, for at this mo- Majesty’s navy,” cried Gregson, pompously, rub-
ment there came the pattering of many steps in the bing his fat hands and inflating his chest.
hall and on the stairs, accompanied by audible ex- Sherlock Holmes gave a sigh of relief, and re-
pressions of disgust upon the part of our landlady. laxed into a smile.
“It’s the Baker Street division of the detective “Take a seat, and try one of these cigars,” he
police force,” said my companion, gravely; and as said. “We are anxious to know how you managed
he spoke there rushed into the room half a dozen it. Will you have some whiskey and water?”
of the dirtiest and most ragged street Arabs that “I don’t mind if I do,” the detective answered.
ever I clapped eyes on. “The tremendous exertions which I have gone
“’Tention!” cried Holmes, in a sharp tone, and through during the last day or two have worn me
the six dirty little scoundrels stood in a line like so out. Not so much bodily exertion, you understand,

26
 A Study In Scarlet

as the strain upon the mind. You will appreciate red about the eyes and her lips trembled as I spoke
that, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, for we are both brain- to her. That didn’t escape my notice. I began to
workers.” smell a rat. You know the feeling, Mr. Sherlock
“You do me too much honour,” said Holmes, Holmes, when you come upon the right scent—a
gravely. “Let us hear how you arrived at this most kind of thrill in your nerves. ‘Have you heard of the
gratifying result.” mysterious death of your late boarder Mr. Enoch J.
Drebber, of Cleveland?’ I asked.
The detective seated himself in the arm-chair,
“The mother nodded. She didn’t seem able to
and puffed complacently at his cigar. Then sud-
get out a word. The daughter burst into tears. I felt
denly he slapped his thigh in a paroxysm of amuse-
more than ever that these people knew something
ment.
of the matter.
“The fun of it is,” he cried, “that that fool “ ‘At what o’clock did Mr. Drebber leave your
Lestrade, who thinks himself so smart, has gone house for the train?’ I asked.
off upon the wrong track altogether. He is after the
“ ‘At eight o’clock,’ she said, gulping in her
secretary Stangerson, who had no more to do with
throat to keep down her agitation. ‘His secre-
the crime than the babe unborn. I have no doubt
tary, Mr. Stangerson, said that there were two
that he has caught him by this time.”
trains—one at 9.15 and one at 11. He was to catch
The idea tickled Gregson so much that he the first.’
laughed until he choked. “ ‘And was that the last which you saw of him?’
“And how did you get your clue?” “A terrible change came over the woman’s face
“Ah, I’ll tell you all about it. Of course, Doctor as I asked the question. Her features turned per-
Watson, this is strictly between ourselves. The first fectly livid. It was some seconds before she could
difficulty which we had to contend with was the get out the single word ‘Yes’—and when it did
finding of this American’s antecedents. Some peo- come it was in a husky unnatural tone.
ple would have waited until their advertisements “There was silence for a moment, and then the
were answered, or until parties came forward and daughter spoke in a calm clear voice.
volunteered information. That is not Tobias Greg- “ ‘No good can ever come of falsehood, mother,’
son’s way of going to work. You remember the hat she said. ‘Let us be frank with this gentleman. We
beside the dead man?” did see Mr. Drebber again.’
“Yes,” said Holmes; “by John Underwood and “ ‘God forgive you!’ cried Madame Charpentier,
Sons, 129, Camberwell Road.” throwing up her hands and sinking back in her
chair. ‘You have murdered your brother.’
Gregson looked quite crest-fallen.
“ ‘Arthur would rather that we spoke the truth,’
“I had no idea that you noticed that,” he said. the girl answered firmly.
“Have you been there?”
“ ‘You had best tell me all about it now,’ I said.
“No.” ‘Half-confidences are worse than none. Besides, you
“Ha!” cried Gregson, in a relieved voice; “you do not know how much we know of it.’
should never neglect a chance, however small it “ ‘On your head be it, Alice!’ cried her mother;
may seem.” and then, turning to me, ‘I will tell you all, sir. Do
“To a great mind, nothing is little,” remarked not imagine that my agitation on behalf of my son
Holmes, sententiously. arises from any fear lest he should have had a hand
in this terrible affair. He is utterly innocent of it.
“Well, I went to Underwood, and asked him if My dread is, however, that in your eyes and in the
he had sold a hat of that size and description. He eyes of others he may appear to be compromised.
looked over his books, and came on it at once. He That however is surely impossible. His high charac-
had sent the hat to a Mr. Drebber, residing at Char- ter, his profession, his antecedents would all forbid
pentier’s Boarding Establishment, Torquay Terrace. it.’
Thus I got at his address.”
“ ‘Your best way is to make a clean breast of the
“Smart—very smart!” murmured Sherlock facts,’ I answered. ‘Depend upon it, if your son is
Holmes. innocent he will be none the worse.’
“I next called upon Madame Charpentier,” con- “ ‘Perhaps, Alice, you had better leave us to-
tinued the detective. “I found her very pale and gether,’ she said, and her daughter withdrew. ‘Now,
distressed. Her daughter was in the room, too—an sir,’ she continued, ‘I had no intention of telling you
uncommonly fine girl she is, too; she was looking all this, but since my poor daughter has disclosed it

27
 A Study In Scarlet

I have no alternative. Having once decided to speak, live like a princess.” Poor Alice was so frightened
I will tell you all without omitting any particular.’ that she shrunk away from him, but he caught her
“ ‘It is your wisest course,’ said I. by the wrist and endeavoured to draw her towards
the door. I screamed, and at that moment my son
“ ‘Mr. Drebber has been with us nearly three
Arthur came into the room. What happened then
weeks. He and his secretary, Mr. Stangerson,
I do not know. I heard oaths and the confused
had been travelling on the Continent. I noticed
sounds of a scuffle. I was too terrified to raise my
a “Copenhagen” label upon each of their trunks,
head. When I did look up I saw Arthur standing in
showing that that had been their last stopping place.
the doorway laughing, with a stick in his hand. “I
Stangerson was a quiet reserved man, but his em-
don’t think that fine fellow will trouble us again,”
ployer, I am sorry to say, was far otherwise. He was
he said. “I will just go after him and see what
coarse in his habits and brutish in his ways. The
he does with himself.” With those words he took
very night of his arrival he became very much the
his hat and started off down the street. The next
worse for drink, and, indeed, after twelve o’clock
morning we heard of Mr. Drebber’s mysterious
in the day he could hardly ever be said to be sober.
death.’
His manners towards the maid-servants were dis-
gustingly free and familiar. Worst of all, he speedily “This statement came from Mrs. Charpentier’s
assumed the same attitude towards my daughter, lips with many gasps and pauses. At times she
Alice, and spoke to her more than once in a way spoke so low that I could hardly catch the words. I
which, fortunately, she is too innocent to under- made shorthand notes of all that she said, however,
stand. On one occasion he actually seized her in his so that there should be no possibility of a mistake.”
arms and embraced her—an outrage which caused “It’s quite exciting,” said Sherlock Holmes, with
his own secretary to reproach him for his unmanly a yawn. “What happened next?”
conduct.’ “When Mrs. Charpentier paused,” the detective
“ ‘But why did you stand all this,’ I asked. ‘I continued, “I saw that the whole case hung upon
suppose that you can get rid of your boarders when one point. Fixing her with my eye in a way which I
you wish.’ always found effective with women, I asked her at
what hour her son returned.
“Mrs. Charpentier blushed at my pertinent ques-
tion. ‘Would to God that I had given him notice on “ ‘I do not know,’ she answered.
the very day that he came,’ she said. ‘But it was a “ ‘Not know?’
sore temptation. They were paying a pound a day “ ‘No; he has a latch-key, and he let himself in.’
each—fourteen pounds a week, and this is the slack “ ‘After you went to bed?’
season. I am a widow, and my boy in the Navy has
“ ‘Yes.’
cost me much. I grudged to lose the money. I acted
for the best. This last was too much, however, and I “ ‘When did you go to bed?’
gave him notice to leave on account of it. That was “ ‘About eleven.’
the reason of his going.’ “ ‘So your son was gone at least two hours?’
“ ‘Well?’ “ ‘Yes.’
“ ‘My heart grew light when I saw him drive “ ‘Possibly four or five?’
away. My son is on leave just now, but I did not tell “ ‘Yes.’
him anything of all this, for his temper is violent, “ ‘What was he doing during that time?’
and he is passionately fond of his sister. When I
closed the door behind them a load seemed to be “ ‘I do not know,’ she answered, turning white
lifted from my mind. Alas, in less than an hour to her very lips.
there was a ring at the bell, and I learned that “Of course after that there was nothing more to
Mr. Drebber had returned. He was much excited, be done. I found out where Lieutenant Charpen-
and evidently the worse for drink. He forced his tier was, took two officers with me, and arrested
way into the room, where I was sitting with my him. When I touched him on the shoulder and
daughter, and made some incoherent remark about warned him to come quietly with us, he answered
having missed his train. He then turned to Alice, us as bold as brass, ‘I suppose you are arresting me
and before my very face, proposed to her that she for being concerned in the death of that scoundrel
should fly with him. “You are of age,” he said, “and Drebber,’ he said. We had said nothing to him
there is no law to stop you. I have money enough about it, so that his alluding to it had a most suspi-
and to spare. Never mind the old girl here, but cious aspect.”
come along with me now straight away. You shall “Very,” said Holmes.

28
 A Study In Scarlet

“He still carried the heavy stick which the unable to give any satisfactory reply. I think the
mother described him as having with him when he whole case fits together uncommonly well. What
followed Drebber. It was a stout oak cudgel.” amuses me is to think of Lestrade, who had started
“What is your theory, then?” off upon the wrong scent. I am afraid he won’t
make much of—Why, by Jove, here’s the very man
“Well, my theory is that he followed Drebber as
himself!”
far as the Brixton Road. When there, a fresh alter-
cation arose between them, in the course of which It was indeed Lestrade, who had ascended the
Drebber received a blow from the stick, in the pit stairs while we were talking, and who now entered
of the stomach, perhaps, which killed him without the room. The assurance and jauntiness which
leaving any mark. The night was so wet that no generally marked his demeanour and dress were,
one was about, so Charpentier dragged the body of however, wanting. His face was disturbed and trou-
his victim into the empty house. As to the candle, bled, while his clothes were disarranged and untidy.
and the blood, and the writing on the wall, and the He had evidently come with the intention of con-
ring, they may all be so many tricks to throw the sulting with Sherlock Holmes, for on perceiving
police on to the wrong scent.” his colleague he appeared to be embarrassed and
“Well done!” said Holmes in an encouraging put out. He stood in the centre of the room, fum-
bling nervously with his hat and uncertain what to
voice. “Really, Gregson, you are getting along. We
do. “This is a most extraordinary case,” he said at
shall make something of you yet.”
last—“a most incomprehensible affair.”
“I flatter myself that I have managed it rather
neatly,” the detective answered proudly. “The “Ah, you find it so, Mr. Lestrade!” cried Greg-
young man volunteered a statement, in which he son, triumphantly. “I thought you would come to
said that after following Drebber some time, the that conclusion. Have you managed to find the
latter perceived him, and took a cab in order to Secretary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson?”
get away from him. On his way home he met an “The Secretary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson,” said
old shipmate, and took a long walk with him. On Lestrade gravely, “was murdered at Halliday’s Pri-
being asked where this old shipmate lived, he was vate Hotel about six o’clock this morning.”

CHAPTER VII.
Light In The Darkness

The intelligence with which Lestrade greeted “We have been hearing Gregson’s view of the
us was so momentous and so unexpected, that matter,” Holmes observed. “Would you mind let-
we were all three fairly dumbfounded. Gregson ting us know what you have seen and done?”
sprang out of his chair and upset the remainder “I have no objection,” Lestrade answered, seat-
of his whiskey and water. I stared in silence at ing himself. “I freely confess that I was of the opin-
Sherlock Holmes, whose lips were compressed and ion that Stangerson was concerned in the death of
his brows drawn down over his eyes. Drebber. This fresh development has shown me
“Stangerson too!” he muttered. “The plot thick- that I was completely mistaken. Full of the one
ens.” idea, I set myself to find out what had become of
“It was quite thick enough before,” grumbled the Secretary. They had been seen together at Eu-
Lestrade, taking a chair. “I seem to have dropped ston Station about half-past eight on the evening of
into a sort of council of war.” the third. At two in the morning Drebber had been
found in the Brixton Road. The question which
“Are you—are you sure of this piece of intelli- confronted me was to find out how Stangerson had
gence?” stammered Gregson. been employed between 8.30 and the time of the
“I have just come from his room,” said Lestrade. crime, and what had become of him afterwards. I
“I was the first to discover what had occurred.” telegraphed to Liverpool, giving a description of

29
 A Study In Scarlet

the man, and warning them to keep a watch upon “The word RACHE, written in letters of blood,”
the American boats. I then set to work calling upon he said.
all the hotels and lodging-houses in the vicinity “That was it,” said Lestrade, in an awe-struck
of Euston. You see, I argued that if Drebber and voice; and we were all silent for a while.
his companion had become separated, the natural There was something so methodical and so in-
course for the latter would be to put up somewhere comprehensible about the deeds of this unknown
in the vicinity for the night, and then to hang about assassin, that it imparted a fresh ghastliness to his
the station again next morning.” crimes. My nerves, which were steady enough on
“They would be likely to agree on some the field of battle tingled as I thought of it.
meeting-place beforehand,” remarked Holmes. “The man was seen,” continued Lestrade. “A
“So it proved. I spent the whole of yester- milk boy, passing on his way to the dairy, happened
day evening in making enquiries entirely without to walk down the lane which leads from the mews
avail. This morning I began very early, and at eight at the back of the hotel. He noticed that a ladder,
o’clock I reached Halliday’s Private Hotel, in Little which usually lay there, was raised against one of
George Street. On my enquiry as to whether a Mr. the windows of the second floor, which was wide
Stangerson was living there, they at once answered open. After passing, he looked back and saw a
me in the affirmative. man descend the ladder. He came down so quietly
and openly that the boy imagined him to be some
“ ‘No doubt you are the gentleman whom he
carpenter or joiner at work in the hotel. He took
was expecting,’ they said. ‘He has been waiting for
no particular notice of him, beyond thinking in his
a gentleman for two days.’
own mind that it was early for him to be at work.
“ ‘Where is he now?’ I asked. He has an impression that the man was tall, had a
“ ‘He is upstairs in bed. He wished to be called reddish face, and was dressed in a long, brownish
at nine.’ coat. He must have stayed in the room some little
“ ‘I will go up and see him at once,’ I said. time after the murder, for we found blood-stained
water in the basin, where he had washed his hands,
“It seemed to me that my sudden appearance and marks on the sheets where he had deliberately
might shake his nerves and lead him to say some- wiped his knife.”
thing unguarded. The Boots volunteered to show
I glanced at Holmes on hearing the description
me the room: it was on the second floor, and there
of the murderer, which tallied so exactly with his
was a small corridor leading up to it. The Boots
own. There was, however, no trace of exultation or
pointed out the door to me, and was about to go
satisfaction upon his face.
downstairs again when I saw something that made
me feel sickish, in spite of my twenty years’ expe- “Did you find nothing in the room which could
rience. From under the door there curled a little furnish a clue to the murderer?” he asked.
red ribbon of blood, which had meandered across “Nothing. Stangerson had Drebber’s purse in
the passage and formed a little pool along the skirt- his pocket, but it seems that this was usual, as he
ing at the other side. I gave a cry, which brought did all the paying. There was eighty odd pounds
the Boots back. He nearly fainted when he saw it. in it, but nothing had been taken. Whatever the
The door was locked on the inside, but we put our motives of these extraordinary crimes, robbery is
shoulders to it, and knocked it in. The window certainly not one of them. There were no papers
of the room was open, and beside the window, all or memoranda in the murdered man’s pocket, ex-
huddled up, lay the body of a man in his nightdress. cept a single telegram, dated from Cleveland about
He was quite dead, and had been for some time, for a month ago, and containing the words, ‘J. H. is
his limbs were rigid and cold. When we turned him in Europe.’ There was no name appended to this
over, the Boots recognized him at once as being the message.”
same gentleman who had engaged the room under “And there was nothing else?” Holmes asked.
the name of Joseph Stangerson. The cause of death “Nothing of any importance. The man’s novel,
was a deep stab in the left side, which must have with which he had read himself to sleep was lying
penetrated the heart. And now comes the strangest upon the bed, and his pipe was on a chair beside
part of the affair. What do you suppose was above him. There was a glass of water on the table, and
the murdered man?” on the window-sill a small chip ointment box con-
I felt a creeping of the flesh, and a presentiment taining a couple of pills.”
of coming horror, even before Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes sprang from his chair with an
answered. exclamation of delight.

30
 A Study In Scarlet

“The last link,” he cried, exultantly. “My case is As he spoke he turned the contents of the wine
complete.” glass into a saucer and placed it in front of the ter-
The two detectives stared at him in amazement. rier, who speedily licked it dry. Sherlock Holmes’
earnest demeanour had so far convinced us that
“I have now in my hands,” my companion said, we all sat in silence, watching the animal intently,
confidently, “all the threads which have formed and expecting some startling effect. None such ap-
such a tangle. There are, of course, details to be peared, however. The dog continued to lie stretched
filled in, but I am as certain of all the main facts, upon the cushion, breathing in a laboured way, but
from the time that Drebber parted from Stangerson apparently neither the better nor the worse for its
at the station, up to the discovery of the body of draught.
the latter, as if I had seen them with my own eyes.
I will give you a proof of my knowledge. Could Holmes had taken out his watch, and as minute
you lay your hand upon those pills?” followed minute without result, an expression of
the utmost chagrin and disappointment appeared
“I have them,” said Lestrade, producing a small upon his features. He gnawed his lip, drummed
white box; “I took them and the purse and the his fingers upon the table, and showed every other
telegram, intending to have them put in a place symptom of acute impatience. So great was his
of safety at the Police Station. It was the merest emotion, that I felt sincerely sorry for him, while
chance my taking these pills, for I am bound to say the two detectives smiled derisively, by no means
that I do not attach any importance to them.” displeased at this check which he had met.
“Give them here,” said Holmes. “Now, Doctor,” “It can’t be a coincidence,” he cried, at last
turning to me, “are those ordinary pills?” springing from his chair and pacing wildly up and
They certainly were not. They were of a pearly down the room; “it is impossible that it should be a
grey colour, small, round, and almost transparent mere coincidence. The very pills which I suspected
against the light. “From their lightness and trans- in the case of Drebber are actually found after the
parency, I should imagine that they are soluble in death of Stangerson. And yet they are inert. What
water,” I remarked. can it mean? Surely my whole chain of reasoning
cannot have been false. It is impossible! And yet
“Precisely so,” answered Holmes. “Now would
this wretched dog is none the worse. Ah, I have it! I
you mind going down and fetching that poor little
have it!” With a perfect shriek of delight he rushed
devil of a terrier which has been bad so long, and
to the box, cut the other pill in two, dissolved it,
which the landlady wanted you to put out of its
added milk, and presented it to the terrier. The un-
pain yesterday.”
fortunate creature’s tongue seemed hardly to have
I went downstairs and carried the dog upstair been moistened in it before it gave a convulsive
in my arms. It’s laboured breathing and glazing shiver in every limb, and lay as rigid and lifeless as
eye showed that it was not far from its end. Indeed, if it had been struck by lightning.
its snow-white muzzle proclaimed that it had al-
Sherlock Holmes drew a long breath, and wiped
ready exceeded the usual term of canine existence.
the perspiration from his forehead. “I should have
I placed it upon a cushion on the rug.
more faith,” he said; “I ought to know by this time
“I will now cut one of these pills in two,” said that when a fact appears to be opposed to a long
Holmes, and drawing his penknife he suited the ac- train of deductions, it invariably proves to be capa-
tion to the word. “One half we return into the box ble of bearing some other interpretation. Of the two
for future purposes. The other half I will place in pills in that box one was of the most deadly poison,
this wine glass, in which is a teaspoonful of water. and the other was entirely harmless. I ought to
You perceive that our friend, the Doctor, is right, have known that before ever I saw the box at all.”
and that it readily dissolves.” This last statement appeared to me to be so
“This may be very interesting,” said Lestrade, startling, that I could hardly believe that he was in
in the injured tone of one who suspects that he is his sober senses. There was the dead dog, however,
being laughed at, “I cannot see, however, what it to prove that his conjecture had been correct. It
has to do with the death of Mr. Joseph Stangerson.” seemed to me that the mists in my own mind were
“Patience, my friend, patience! You will find in gradually clearing away, and I began to have a dim,
time that it has everything to do with it. I shall now vague perception of the truth.
add a little milk to make the mixture palatable, and “All this seems strange to you,” continued
on presenting it to the dog we find that he laps it Holmes, “because you failed at the beginning of the
up readily enough.” inquiry to grasp the importance of the single real

31
 A Study In Scarlet

clue which was presented to you. I had the good thing, however, compared with the power of laying
fortune to seize upon that, and everything which our hands upon him. This I expect very shortly to
has occurred since then has served to confirm my do. I have good hopes of managing it through my
original supposition, and, indeed, was the logical own arrangements; but it is a thing which needs
sequence of it. Hence things which have perplexed delicate handling, for we have a shrewd and des-
you and made the case more obscure, have served perate man to deal with, who is supported, as I
to enlighten me and to strengthen my conclusions. have had occasion to prove, by another who is as
It is a mistake to confound strangeness with mys- clever as himself. As long as this man has no idea
tery. The most commonplace crime is often the that anyone can have a clue there is some chance of
most mysterious because it presents no new or spe- securing him; but if he had the slightest suspicion,
cial features from which deductions may be drawn. he would change his name, and vanish in an instant
This murder would have been infinitely more dif- among the four million inhabitants of this great city.
ficult to unravel had the body of the victim been Without meaning to hurt either of your feelings, I
simply found lying in the roadway without any of am bound to say that I consider these men to be
those outré and sensational accompaniments which more than a match for the official force, and that
have rendered it remarkable. These strange details, is why I have not asked your assistance. If I fail
far from making the case more difficult, have really I shall, of course, incur all the blame due to this
had the effect of making it less so.” omission; but that I am prepared for. At present
Mr. Gregson, who had listened to this address I am ready to promise that the instant that I can
with considerable impatience, could contain him- communicate with you without endangering my
self no longer. “Look here, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” own combinations, I shall do so.”
he said, “we are all ready to acknowledge that Gregson and Lestrade seemed to be far from
you are a smart man, and that you have your own satisfied by this assurance, or by the depreciating
methods of working. We want something more allusion to the detective police. The former had
than mere theory and preaching now, though. It flushed up to the roots of his flaxen hair, while
is a case of taking the man. I have made my case the other’s beady eyes glistened with curiosity and
out, and it seems I was wrong. Young Charpentier resentment. Neither of them had time to speak,
could not have been engaged in this second affair. however, before there was a tap at the door, and
Lestrade went after his man, Stangerson, and it the spokesman of the street Arabs, young Wiggins,
appears that he was wrong too. You have thrown introduced his insignificant and unsavoury person.
out hints here, and hints there, and seem to know “Please, sir,” he said, touching his forelock, “I
more than we do, but the time has come when we have the cab downstairs.”
feel that we have a right to ask you straight how “Good boy,” said Holmes, blandly. “Why don’t
much you do know of the business. Can you name you introduce this pattern at Scotland Yard?” he
the man who did it?” continued, taking a pair of steel handcuffs from
“I cannot help feeling that Gregson is right, sir,” a drawer. “See how beautifully the spring works.
remarked Lestrade. “We have both tried, and we They fasten in an instant.”
have both failed. You have remarked more than “The old pattern is good enough,” remarked
once since I have been in the room that you had all Lestrade, “if we can only find the man to put them
the evidence which you require. Surely you will on.”
not withhold it any longer.” “Very good, very good,” said Holmes, smiling.
“Any delay in arresting the assassin,” I ob- “The cabman may as well help me with my boxes.
served, “might give him time to perpetrate some Just ask him to step up, Wiggins.”
fresh atrocity.” I was surprised to find my companion speaking
Thus pressed by us all, Holmes showed signs of as though he were about to set out on a journey,
irresolution. He continued to walk up and down since he had not said anything to me about it. There
the room with his head sunk on his chest and his was a small portmanteau in the room, and this he
brows drawn down, as was his habit when lost in pulled out and began to strap. He was busily en-
thought. gaged at it when the cabman entered the room.
“There will be no more murders,” he said at “Just give me a help with this buckle, cabman,”
last, stopping abruptly and facing us. “You can he said, kneeling over his task, and never turning
put that consideration out of the question. You his head.
have asked me if I know the name of the assassin. The fellow came forward with a somewhat
I do. The mere knowing of his name is a small sullen, defiant air, and put down his hands to assist.

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 A Study In Scarlet

At that instant there was a sharp click, the jangling into the room, and then commenced a terrific con-
of metal, and Sherlock Holmes sprang to his feet flict. So powerful and so fierce was he, that the
again. four of us were shaken off again and again. He
“Gentlemen,” he cried, with flashing eyes, “let appeared to have the convulsive strength of a man
me introduce you to Mr. Jefferson Hope, the mur- in an epileptic fit. His face and hands were terribly
derer of Enoch Drebber and of Joseph Stangerson.” mangled by his passage through the glass, but loss
The whole thing occurred in a moment—so of blood had no effect in diminishing his resistance.
quickly that I had no time to realize it. I have It was not until Lestrade succeeded in getting his
a vivid recollection of that instant, of Holmes’ tri- hand inside his neckcloth and half-strangling him
umphant expression and the ring of his voice, of that we made him realize that his struggles were
the cabman’s dazed, savage face, as he glared at of no avail; and even then we felt no security until
the glittering handcuffs, which had appeared as if we had pinioned his feet as well as his hands. That
by magic upon his wrists. For a second or two we done, we rose to our feet breathless and panting.
might have been a group of statues. Then, with an “We have his cab,” said Sherlock Holmes. “It
inarticulate roar of fury, the prisoner wrenched him- will serve to take him to Scotland Yard. And now,
self free from Holmes’s grasp, and hurled himself gentlemen,” he continued, with a pleasant smile,
through the window. Woodwork and glass gave “we have reached the end of our little mystery. You
way before him; but before he got quite through, are very welcome to put any questions that you
Gregson, Lestrade, and Holmes sprang upon him like to me now, and there is no danger that I will
like so many staghounds. He was dragged back 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 and examine them! They are bones: some large
American Continent there lies an arid and repul- and coarse, others smaller and more delicate. The
sive desert, which for many a long year served as former have belonged to oxen, and the latter to
a barrier against the advance of civilisation. From men. For fifteen hundred miles one may trace this
the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yel- ghastly caravan route by these scattered remains of
lowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon those who had fallen by the wayside.
the south, is a region of desolation and silence. Looking down on this very scene, there stood
Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this upon the fourth of May, eighteen hundred and
grim district. It comprises snow-capped and lofty forty-seven, a solitary traveller. His appearance
mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys. There was such that he might have been the very genius
are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged or demon of the region. An observer would have
cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in found it difficult to say whether he was nearer to
winter are white with snow, and in summer are forty or to sixty. His face was lean and haggard, and
grey with the saline alkali dust. They all preserve, the brown parchment-like skin was drawn tightly
however, the common characteristics of barrenness, over the projecting bones; his long, brown hair and
inhospitality, and misery. beard were all flecked and dashed with white; his
There are no inhabitants of this land of despair. eyes were sunken in his head, and burned with an
A band of Pawnees or of Blackfeet may occasion- unnatural lustre; while the hand which grasped his
ally traverse it in order to reach other hunting- rifle was hardly more fleshy than that of a skele-
grounds, but the hardiest of the braves are glad ton. As he stood, he leaned upon his weapon for
to lose sight of those awesome plains, and to find support, and yet his tall figure and the massive
themselves once more upon their prairies. The framework of his bones suggested a wiry and vig-
coyote skulks among the scrub, the buzzard flaps orous constitution. His gaunt face, however, and
heavily through the air, and the clumsy grizzly his clothes, which hung so baggily over his shriv-
bear lumbers through the dark ravines, and picks elled limbs, proclaimed what it was that gave him
up such sustenance as it can amongst the rocks. that senile and decrepit appearance. The man was
These are the sole dwellers in the wilderness. dying—dying from hunger and from thirst.
In the whole world there can be no more dreary He had toiled painfully down the ravine, and
view than that from the northern slope of the Sierra on to this little elevation, in the vain hope of see-
Blanco. As far as the eye can reach stretches the ing some signs of water. Now the great salt plain
great flat plain-land, all dusted over with patches stretched before his eyes, and the distant belt of sav-
of alkali, and intersected by clumps of the dwarfish age mountains, without a sign anywhere of plant or
chaparral bushes. On the extreme verge of the hori- tree, which might indicate the presence of moisture.
zon lie a long chain of mountain peaks, with their In all that broad landscape there was no gleam of
rugged summits flecked with snow. In this great hope. North, and east, and west he looked with
stretch of country there is no sign of life, nor of any- wild questioning eyes, and then he realised that his
thing appertaining to life. There is no bird in the wanderings had come to an end, and that there,
steel-blue heaven, no movement upon the dull, grey on that barren crag, he was about to die. “Why
earth—above all, there is absolute silence. Listen as not here, as well as in a feather bed, twenty years
one may, there is no shadow of a sound in all that hence,” he muttered, as he seated himself in the
mighty wilderness; nothing but silence—complete shelter of a boulder.
and heart-subduing silence. Before sitting down, he had deposited upon the
It has been said there is nothing appertaining ground his useless rifle, and also a large bundle
to life upon the broad plain. That is hardly true. tied up in a grey shawl, which he had carried slung
Looking down from the Sierra Blanco, one sees a over his right shoulder. It appeared to be some-
pathway traced out across the desert, which winds what too heavy for his strength, for in lowering
away and is lost in the extreme distance. It is rutted it, it came down on the ground with some little
with wheels and trodden down by the feet of many violence. Instantly there broke from the grey parcel
adventurers. Here and there there are scattered a little moaning cry, and from it there protruded
white objects which glisten in the sun, and stand a small, scared face, with very bright brown eyes,
out against the dull deposit of alkali. Approach, and two little speckled, dimpled fists.

37
 A Study In Scarlet

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

38
 A Study In Scarlet

“I disremember them,” he answered. “I hain’t waggons and carts, men on horseback, and men
said none since I was half the height o’ that gun. I on foot. Innumerable women who staggered along
guess it’s never too late. You say them out, and I’ll under burdens, and children who toddled beside
stand by and come in on the choruses.” the waggons or peeped out from under the white
coverings. This was evidently no ordinary party of
“Then you’ll need to kneel down, and me too,”
immigrants, but rather some nomad people who
she said, laying the shawl out for that purpose.
had been compelled from stress of circumstances to
“You’ve got to put your hands up like this. It makes
seek themselves a new country. There rose through
you feel kind o’ good.”
the clear air a confused clattering and rumbling
It was a strange sight had there been anything from this great mass of humanity, with the creak-
but the buzzards to see it. Side by side on the ing of wheels and the neighing of horses. Loud as
narrow shawl knelt the two wanderers, the little it was, it was not sufficient to rouse the two tired
prattling child and the reckless, hardened adven- 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 abandon
drooped over the tired eyes, and the head sunk 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 ex-
dreamless slumber. clamation and pointed up at the rugged crag above
them. From its summit there fluttered a little wisp
Had the wanderer remained awake for another of pink, showing up hard and bright against the
half hour a strange sight would have met his eyes. grey rocks behind. At the sight there was a general
Far away on the extreme verge of the alkali plain reining up of horses and unslinging of guns, while
there rose up a little spray of dust, very slight at fresh horsemen came galloping up to reinforce the
first, and hardly to be distinguished from the mists vanguard. The word “Redskins” was on every lip.
of the distance, but gradually growing higher and
“There can’t be any number of Injuns here,”
broader until it formed a solid, well-defined cloud.
said the elderly man who appeared to be in com-
This cloud continued to increase in size until it
mand. “We have passed the Pawnees, and there are
became evident that it could only be raised by a
no other tribes until we cross the great mountains.”
great multitude of moving creatures. In more fer-
tile spots the observer would have come to the “Shall I go forward and see, Brother Stanger-
conclusion that one of those great herds of bisons son,” asked one of the band.
which graze upon the prairie land was approach- “And I,” “and I,” cried a dozen voices.
ing him. This was obviously impossible in these “Leave your horses below and we will await you
arid wilds. As the whirl of dust drew nearer to here,” the Elder answered. In a moment the young
the solitary bluff upon which the two castaways fellows had dismounted, fastened their horses, and
were reposing, the canvas-covered tilts of waggons were ascending the precipitous slope which led
and the figures of armed horsemen began to show up to the object which had excited their curios-
up through the haze, and the apparition revealed ity. They advanced rapidly and noiselessly, with
itself as being a great caravan upon its journey for the confidence and dexterity of practised scouts.
the West. But what a caravan! When the head of The watchers from the plain below could see them
it had reached the base of the mountains, the rear flit from rock to rock until their figures stood out
was not yet visible on the horizon. Right across against the skyline. The young man who had first
the enormous plain stretched the straggling array, given the alarm was leading them. Suddenly his

39
 A Study In Scarlet

followers saw him throw up his hands, as though “Nigh upon ten thousand,” said one of the
overcome with astonishment, and on joining him young men; “we are the persecuted children of
they were affected in the same way by the sight God—the chosen of the Angel Merona.”
which met their eyes. “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 “Do not jest at that which is sacred,” said the
this boulder there lay a tall man, long-bearded and other sternly. “We are of those who believe in those
hard-featured, but of an excessive thinness. His sacred writings, drawn in Egyptian letters on plates
placid face and regular breathing showed that he of beaten gold, which were handed unto the holy
was fast asleep. Beside him lay a little child, with Joseph Smith at Palmyra. We have come from Nau-
her round white arms encircling his brown sinewy voo, in the State of Illinois, where we had founded
neck, and her golden haired head resting upon the our temple. We have come to seek a refuge from
breast of his velveteen tunic. Her rosy lips were the violent man and from the godless, even though
parted, showing the regular line of snow-white it be the heart of the desert.”
teeth within, and a playful smile played over her The name of Nauvoo evidently recalled recol-
infantile features. Her plump little white legs termi- lections to John Ferrier. “I see,” he said, “you are
nating in white socks and neat shoes with shining the Mormons.”
buckles, offered a strange contrast to the long shriv- “We are the Mormons,” answered his compan-
elled members of her companion. On the ledge of ions with one voice.
rock above this strange couple there stood three
“And where are you going?”
solemn buzzards, who, at the sight of the new com-
ers uttered raucous screams of disappointment and “We do not know. The hand of God is leading
flapped sullenly away. us under the person of our Prophet. You must
come before him. He shall say what is to be done
The cries of the foul birds awoke the two sleep- with you.”
ers who stared about them in bewilderment. The They had reached the base of the hill by this
man staggered to his feet and looked down upon time, and were surrounded by crowds of the
the plain which had been so desolate when sleep pilgrims—pale-faced meek-looking women, strong
had overtaken him, and which was now traversed laughing children, and anxious earnest-eyed men.
by this enormous body of men and of beasts. His Many were the cries of astonishment and of com-
face assumed an expression of incredulity as he miseration which arose from them when they per-
gazed, and he passed his boney hand over his eyes. ceived the youth of one of the strangers and the
“This is what they call delirium, I guess,” he mut- destitution of the other. Their escort did not halt,
tered. The child stood beside him, holding on to however, but pushed on, followed by a great crowd
the skirt of his coat, and said nothing but looked of Mormons, until they reached a waggon, which
all round her with the wondering questioning gaze was conspicuous for its great size and for the gaudi-
of childhood. ness and smartness of its appearance. Six horses
The rescuing party were speedily able to con- were yoked to it, whereas the others were furnished
vince the two castaways that their appearance was with two, or, at most, four a-piece. Beside the driver
no delusion. One of them seized the little girl, and there sat a man who could not have been more than
hoisted her upon his shoulder, while two others thirty years of age, but whose massive head and
supported her gaunt companion, and assisted him resolute expression marked him as a leader. He
towards the waggons. was reading a brown-backed volume, but as the
crowd approached he laid it aside, and listened
“My name is John Ferrier,” the wanderer ex-
attentively to an account of the episode. Then he
plained; “me and that little un are all that’s left o’
turned to the two castaways.
twenty-one people. The rest is all dead o’ thirst and
hunger away down in the south.” “If we take you with us,” he said, in solemn
words, “it can only be as believers in our own creed.
“Is she your child?” asked someone. We shall have no wolves in our fold. Better far that
“I guess she is now,” the other cried, defiantly; your bones should bleach in this wilderness than
“she’s mine ’cause I saved her. No man will take that you should prove to be that little speck of de-
her from me. She’s Lucy Ferrier from this day on. cay which in time corrupts the whole fruit. Will
Who are you, though?” he continued, glancing with you come with us on these terms?”
curiosity at his stalwart, sunburned rescuers; “there “Guess I’ll come with you on any terms,” said
seems to be a powerful lot of ye.” Ferrier, with such emphasis that the grave Elders

40
 A Study In Scarlet

could not restrain a smile. The leader alone re- whips and a creaking of wheels the great waggons
tained his stern, impressive expression. got into motion, and soon the whole caravan was
“Take him, Brother Stangerson,” he said, “give winding along once more. The Elder to whose care
him food and drink, and the child likewise. Let it the two waifs had been committed, led them to his
be your task also to teach him our holy creed. We waggon, where a meal was already awaiting them.
have delayed long enough. Forward! On, on to “You shall remain here,” he said. “In a few days
Zion!” you will have recovered from your fatigues. In the
“On, on to Zion!” cried the crowd of Mormons, meantime, remember that now and forever you are
and the words rippled down the long caravan, pass- of our religion. Brigham Young has said it, and he
ing from mouth to mouth until they died away in a has spoken with the voice of Joseph Smith, which
dull murmur in the far distance. With a cracking of is the voice of God.”

CHAPTER II.
The Flower Of Utah

This is not the place to commemorate the tri- first blush of dawn until the closing of the twilight,
als and privations endured by the immigrant Mor- the clatter of the hammer and the rasp of the saw
mons before they came to their final haven. From was never absent from the monument which the
the shores of the Mississippi to the western slopes immigrants erected to Him who had led them safe
of the Rocky Mountains they had struggled on with through many dangers.
a constancy almost unparalleled in history. The
The two castaways, John Ferrier and the little
savage man, and the savage beast, hunger, thirst,
girl who had shared his fortunes and had been
fatigue, and disease—every impediment which Na-
adopted as his daughter, accompanied the Mor-
ture could place in the way—had all been overcome
mons to the end of their great pilgrimage. Little
with Anglo-Saxon tenacity. Yet the long journey
Lucy Ferrier was borne along pleasantly enough
and the accumulated terrors had shaken the hearts
in Elder Stangerson’s waggon, a retreat which she
of the stoutest among them. There was not one
shared with the Mormon’s three wives and with his
who did not sink upon his knees in heartfelt prayer
son, a headstrong forward boy of twelve. Having
when they saw the broad valley of Utah bathed in
rallied, with the elasticity of childhood, from the
the sunlight beneath them, and learned from the
shock caused by her mother’s death, she soon be-
lips of their leader that this was the promised land,
came a pet with the women, and reconciled herself
and that these virgin acres were to be theirs for
to this new life in her moving canvas-covered home.
evermore.
In the meantime Ferrier having recovered from his
privations, distinguished himself as a useful guide
Young speedily proved himself to be a skilful
and an indefatigable hunter. So rapidly did he
administrator as well as a resolute chief. Maps
gain the esteem of his new companions, that when
were drawn and charts prepared, in which the fu-
they reached the end of their wanderings, it was
ture city was sketched out. All around farms were
unanimously agreed that he should be provided
apportioned and allotted in proportion to the stand-
with as large and as fertile a tract of land as any of
ing of each individual. The tradesman was put to
the settlers, with the exception of Young himself,
his trade and the artisan to his calling. In the town
and of Stangerson, Kemball, Johnston, and Drebber,
streets and squares sprang up, as if by magic. In the
who were the four principal Elders.
country there was draining and hedging, planting
and clearing, until the next summer saw the whole On the farm thus acquired John Ferrier built
country golden with the wheat crop. Everything himself a substantial log-house, which received so
prospered in the strange settlement. Above all, the many additions in succeeding years that it grew
great temple which they had erected in the centre into a roomy villa. He was a man of a practical
of the city grew ever taller and larger. From the turn of mind, keen in his dealings and skilful with

41
 A Study In Scarlet

his hands. His iron constitution enabled him to few who cannot recall that day and remember the
work morning and evening at improving and till- one little incident which heralded the dawn of a
ing his lands. Hence it came about that his farm new life. In the case of Lucy Ferrier the occasion
and all that belonged to him prospered exceedingly. was serious enough in itself, apart from its future
In three years he was better off than his neighbours, influence on her destiny and that of many besides.
in six he was well-to-do, in nine he was rich, and
in twelve there were not half a dozen men in the It was a warm June morning, and the Latter Day
whole of Salt Lake City who could compare with Saints were as busy as the bees whose hive they
him. From the great inland sea to the distant Wah- have chosen for their emblem. In the fields and in
satch Mountains there was no name better known the streets rose the same hum of human industry.
than that of John Ferrier. Down the dusty high roads defiled long streams
of heavily-laden mules, all heading to the west, for
There was one way and only one in which he the gold fever had broken out in California, and the
offended the susceptibilities of his co-religionists. Overland Route lay through the City of the Elect.
No argument or persuasion could ever induce him There, too, were droves of sheep and bullocks com-
to set up a female establishment after the manner of ing in from the outlying pasture lands, and trains
his companions. He never gave reasons for this per- of tired immigrants, men and horses equally weary
sistent refusal, but contented himself by resolutely of their interminable journey. Through all this mot-
and inflexibly adhering to his determination. There ley assemblage, threading her way with the skill
were some who accused him of lukewarmness in of an accomplished rider, there galloped Lucy Fer-
his adopted religion, and others who put it down rier, her fair face flushed with the exercise and her
to greed of wealth and reluctance to incur expense. long chestnut hair floating out behind her. She
Others, again, spoke of some early love affair, and had a commission from her father in the City, and
of a fair-haired girl who had pined away on the was dashing in as she had done many a time be-
shores of the Atlantic. Whatever the reason, Ferrier fore, with all the fearlessness of youth, thinking
remained strictly celibate. In every other respect he only of her task and how it was to be performed.
conformed to the religion of the young settlement, The travel-stained adventurers gazed after her in
and gained the name of being an orthodox and astonishment, and even the unemotional Indians,
straight-walking man. journeying in with their pelties, relaxed their accus-
Lucy Ferrier grew up within the log-house, and tomed stoicism as they marvelled at the beauty of
assisted her adopted father in all his undertakings. the pale-faced maiden.
The keen air of the mountains and the balsamic
She had reached the outskirts of the city when
odour of the pine trees took the place of nurse and
she found the road blocked by a great drove of cat-
mother to the young girl. As year succeeded to
tle, driven by a half-dozen wild-looking herdsmen
year she grew taller and stronger, her cheek more
from the plains. In her impatience she endeavoured
rudy, and her step more elastic. Many a wayfarer
to pass this obstacle by pushing her horse into what
upon the high road which ran by Ferrier’s farm
appeared to be a gap. Scarcely had she got fairly
felt long-forgotten thoughts revive in their mind
into it, however, before the beasts closed in behind
as they watched her lithe girlish figure tripping
her, and she found herself completely imbedded
through the wheatfields, or met her mounted upon
in the moving stream of fierce-eyed, long-horned
her father’s mustang, and managing it with all the
bullocks. Accustomed as she was to deal with cat-
ease and grace of a true child of the West. So the
tle, she was not alarmed at her situation, but took
bud blossomed into a flower, and the year which
advantage of every opportunity to urge her horse
saw her father the richest of the farmers left her as
on in the hopes of pushing her way through the
fair a specimen of American girlhood as could be
cavalcade. Unfortunately the horns of one of the
found in the whole Pacific slope.
creatures, either by accident or design, came in vi-
It was not the father, however, who first discov- olent contact with the flank of the mustang, and
ered that the child had developed into the woman. excited it to madness. In an instant it reared up
It seldom is in such cases. That mysterious change upon its hind legs with a snort of rage, and pranced
is too subtle and too gradual to be measured by and tossed in a way that would have unseated any
dates. Least of all does the maiden herself know but a most skilful rider. The situation was full of
it until the tone of a voice or the touch of a hand peril. Every plunge of the excited horse brought it
sets her heart thrilling within her, and she learns, against the horns again, and goaded it to fresh mad-
with a mixture of pride and of fear, that a new and ness. It was all that the girl could do to keep herself
a larger nature has awoken within her. There are in the saddle, yet a slip would mean a terrible death

42
 A Study In Scarlet

under the hoofs of the unwieldy and terrified ani- Young Jefferson Hope rode on with his com-
mals. Unaccustomed to sudden emergencies, her panions, gloomy and taciturn. He and they had
head began to swim, and her grip upon the bri- been among the Nevada Mountains prospecting for
dle to relax. Choked by the rising cloud of dust silver, and were returning to Salt Lake City in the
and by the steam from the struggling creatures, she hope of raising capital enough to work some lodes
might have abandoned her efforts in despair, but which they had discovered. He had been as keen
for a kindly voice at her elbow which assured her as any of them upon the business until this sudden
of assistance. At the same moment a sinewy brown incident had drawn his thoughts into another chan-
hand caught the frightened horse by the curb, and nel. The sight of the fair young girl, as frank and
forcing a way through the drove, soon brought her wholesome as the Sierra breezes, had stirred his
to the outskirts. volcanic, untamed heart to its very depths. When
“You’re not hurt, I hope, miss,” said her pre- she had vanished from his sight, he realized that a
server, respectfully. crisis had come in his life, and that neither silver
speculations nor any other questions could ever
She looked up at his dark, fierce face, and
be of such importance to him as this new and all-
laughed saucily. “I’m awful frightened,” she said,
absorbing one. The love which had sprung up in
naively; “whoever would have thought that Poncho
his heart was not the sudden, changeable fancy of
would have been so scared by a lot of cows?”
a boy, but rather the wild, fierce passion of a man
“Thank God you kept your seat,” the other said of strong will and imperious temper. He had been
earnestly. He was a tall, savage-looking young fel- accustomed to succeed in all that he undertook.
low, mounted on a powerful roan horse, and clad in He swore in his heart that he would not fail in
the rough dress of a hunter, with a long rifle slung this if human effort and human perseverance could
over his shoulders. “I guess you are the daugh- render him successful.
ter of John Ferrier,” he remarked, “I saw you ride
down from his house. When you see him, ask him He called on John Ferrier that night, and many
if he remembers the Jefferson Hopes of St. Louis. If times again, until his face was a familiar one at
he’s the same Ferrier, my father and he were pretty the farm-house. John, cooped up in the valley,
thick.” and absorbed in his work, had had little chance
“Hadn’t you better come and ask yourself?” she of learning the news of the outside world during
asked, demurely. the last twelve years. All this Jefferson Hope was
able to tell him, and in a style which interested
The young fellow seemed pleased at the sugges- Lucy as well as her father. He had been a pioneer
tion, and his dark eyes sparkled with pleasure. “I’ll in California, and could narrate many a strange
do so,” he said, “we’ve been in the mountains for tale of fortunes made and fortunes lost in those
two months, and are not over and above in visiting wild, halcyon days. He had been a scout too, and a
condition. He must take us as he finds us.” trapper, a silver explorer, and a ranchman. Wher-
“He has a good deal to thank you for, and so ever stirring adventures were to be had, Jefferson
have I,” she answered, “he’s awful fond of me. If Hope had been there in search of them. He soon
those cows had jumped on me he’d have never got became a favourite with the old farmer, who spoke
over it.” eloquently of his virtues. On such occasions, Lucy
“Neither would I,” said her companion. was silent, but her blushing cheek and her bright,
“You! Well, I don’t see that it would make much happy eyes, showed only too clearly that her young
matter to you, anyhow. You ain’t even a friend of heart was no longer her own. Her honest father
ours.” may not have observed these symptoms, but they
were assuredly not thrown away upon the man
The young hunter’s dark face grew so gloomy
who had won her affections.
over this remark that Lucy Ferrier laughed aloud.
“There, I didn’t mean that,” she said; “of course, It was a summer evening when he came gallop-
you are a friend now. You must come and see us. ing down the road and pulled up at the gate. She
Now I must push along, or father won’t trust me was at the doorway, and came down to meet him.
with his business any more. Good-bye!” He threw the bridle over the fence and strode up
the pathway.
“Good-bye,” he answered, raising his broad
sombrero, and bending over her little hand. She “I am off, Lucy,” he said, taking her two hands
wheeled her mustang round, gave it a cut with her in his, and gazing tenderly down into her face; “I
riding-whip, and darted away down the broad road won’t ask you to come with me now, but will you
in a rolling cloud of dust. be ready to come when I am here again?”

43
 A Study In Scarlet

“And when will that be?” she asked, blushing “Thank God!” he said, hoarsely, stooping and
and laughing. kissing her. “It is settled, then. The longer I stay, the
“A couple of months at the outside. I will come harder it will be to go. They are waiting for me at
and claim you then, my darling. There’s no one the cañon. Good-bye, my own darling—good-bye.
who can stand between us.” In two months you shall see me.”
“And how about father?” she asked. He tore himself from her as he spoke, and, fling-
ing himself upon his horse, galloped furiously away,
“He has given his consent, provided we get never even looking round, as though afraid that his
these mines working all right. I have no fear on resolution might fail him if he took one glance at
that head.” what he was leaving. She stood at the gate, gazing
“Oh, well; of course, if you and father have after him until he vanished from her sight. Then
arranged it all, there’s no more to be said,” she she walked back into the house, the happiest girl
whispered, with her cheek against his broad breast. in all Utah.

CHAPTER III.
John Ferrier Talks With The Prophet

Three weeks had passed since Jefferson Hope tached to it, made this organization doubly terrible.
and his comrades had departed from Salt Lake City. It appeared to be omniscient and omnipotent, and
John Ferrier’s heart was sore within him when he yet was neither seen nor heard. The man who held
thought of the young man’s return, and of the im- out against the Church vanished away, and none
pending loss of his adopted child. Yet her bright knew whither he had gone or what had befallen
and happy face reconciled him to the arrangement him. His wife and his children awaited him at
more than any argument could have done. He home, but no father ever returned to tell them how
had always determined, deep down in his resolute he had fared at the hands of his secret judges. A
heart, that nothing would ever induce him to allow rash word or a hasty act was followed by annihi-
his daughter to wed a Mormon. Such a marriage lation, and yet none knew what the nature might
he regarded as no marriage at all, but as a shame be of this terrible power which was suspended
and a disgrace. Whatever he might think of the over them. No wonder that men went about in
Mormon doctrines, upon that one point he was fear and trembling, and that even in the heart of
inflexible. He had to seal his mouth on the subject, the wilderness they dared not whisper the doubts
however, for to express an unorthodox opinion was which oppressed them.
a dangerous matter in those days in the Land of
the Saints. At first this vague and terrible power was ex-
ercised only upon the recalcitrants who, having
Yes, a dangerous matter—so dangerous that
embraced the Mormon faith, wished afterwards to
even the most saintly dared only whisper their re-
pervert or to abandon it. Soon, however, it took
ligious opinions with bated breath, lest something
a wider range. The supply of adult women was
which fell from their lips might be misconstrued,
running short, and polygamy without a female
and bring down a swift retribution upon them. The
population on which to draw was a barren doc-
victims of persecution had now turned persecu-
trine indeed. Strange rumours began to be bandied
tors on their own account, and persecutors of the
about—rumours of murdered immigrants and ri-
most terrible description. Not the Inquisition of
fled camps in regions where Indians had never
Seville, nor the German Vehmgericht, nor the Se-
been seen. Fresh women appeared in the harems of
cret Societies of Italy, were ever able to put a more
the Elders—women who pined and wept, and bore
formidable machinery in motion than that which
upon their faces the traces of an unextinguishable
cast a cloud over the State of Utah.
horror. Belated wanderers upon the mountains
Its invisibility, and the mystery which was at- spoke of gangs of armed men, masked, stealthy,

44
 A Study In Scarlet

and noiseless, who flitted by them in the darkness. “It is true that I have not married,” Ferrier an-
These tales and rumours took substance and shape, swered. “But women were few, and there were
and were corroborated and re-corroborated, until many who had better claims than I. I was not a
they resolved themselves into a definite name. To lonely man: I had my daughter to attend to my
this day, in the lonely ranches of the West, the name wants.”
of the Danite Band, or the Avenging Angels, is a “It is of that daughter that I would speak to
sinister and an ill-omened one. you,” said the leader of the Mormons. “She has
Fuller knowledge of the organization which pro- grown to be the flower of Utah, and has found
duced such terrible results served to increase rather favour in the eyes of many who are high in the
than to lessen the horror which it inspired in the land.”
minds of men. None knew who belonged to this John Ferrier groaned internally.
ruthless society. The names of the participators in
“There are stories of her which I would fain dis-
the deeds of blood and violence done under the
believe—stories that she is sealed to some Gentile.
name of religion were kept profoundly secret. The
This must be the gossip of idle tongues. What is
very friend to whom you communicated your mis-
the thirteenth rule in the code of the sainted Joseph
givings as to the Prophet and his mission, might be
Smith? ‘Let every maiden of the true faith marry
one of those who would come forth at night with
one of the elect; for if she wed a Gentile, she com-
fire and sword to exact a terrible reparation. Hence
mits a grievous sin.’ This being so, it is impossible
every man feared his neighbour, and none spoke of
that you, who profess the holy creed, should suffer
the things which were nearest his heart.
your daughter to violate it.”
One fine morning, John Ferrier was about to set John Ferrier made no answer, but he played
out to his wheatfields, when he heard the click of nervously with his riding-whip.
the latch, and, looking through the window, saw
a stout, sandy-haired, middle-aged man coming “Upon this one point your whole faith shall be
up the pathway. His heart leapt to his mouth, for tested—so it has been decided in the Sacred Coun-
this was none other than the great Brigham Young cil of Four. The girl is young, and we would not
himself. Full of trepidation—for he knew that such have her wed grey hairs, neither would we deprive
a visit boded him little good—Ferrier ran to the her of all choice. We Elders have many heifers1 ,
door to greet the Mormon chief. The latter, how- but our children must also be provided. Stanger-
ever, received his salutations coldly, and followed son has a son, and Drebber has a son, and either
him with a stern face into the sitting-room. of them would gladly welcome your daughter to
their house. Let her choose between them. They
“Brother Ferrier,” he said, taking a seat, and are young and rich, and of the true faith. What say
eyeing the farmer keenly from under his light- you to that?”
coloured eyelashes, “the true believers have been
Ferrier remained silent for some little time with
good friends to you. We picked you up when you
his brows knitted.
were starving in the desert, we shared our food
with you, led you safe to the Chosen Valley, gave “You will give us time,” he said at last. “My
you a goodly share of land, and allowed you to wax daughter is very young—she is scarce of an age to
rich under our protection. Is not this so?” marry.”
“It is so,” answered John Ferrier. “She shall have a month to choose,” said Young,
rising from his seat. “At the end of that time she
“In return for all this we asked but one condi- shall give her answer.”
tion: that was, that you should embrace the true
faith, and conform in every way to its usages. This He was passing through the door, when he
you promised to do, and this, if common report turned, with flushed face and flashing eyes. “It
says truly, you have neglected.” were better for you, John Ferrier,” he thundered,
“that you and she were now lying blanched skele-
“And how have I neglected it?” asked Ferrier, tons upon the Sierra Blanco, than that you should
throwing out his hands in expostulation. “Have I put your weak wills against the orders of the Holy
not given to the common fund? Have I not attended Four!”
at the Temple? Have I not—?”
With a threatening gesture of his hand, he
“Where are your wives?” asked Young, looking turned from the door, and Ferrier heard his heavy
round him. “Call them in, that I may greet them.” step scrunching along the shingly path.
1 Heber C. Kemball, in one of his sermons, alludes to his hundred wives under this endearing epithet.

45
 A Study In Scarlet

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

CHAPTER IV.
A Flight For Life

On the morning which followed his interview As he approached his farm, he was surprised
with the Mormon Prophet, John Ferrier went in to to see a horse hitched to each of the posts of the
Salt Lake City, and having found his acquaintance, gate. Still more surprised was he on entering to
who was bound for the Nevada Mountains, he en- find two young men in possession of his sitting-
trusted him with his message to Jefferson Hope. In room. One, with a long pale face, was leaning
it he told the young man of the imminent danger back in the rocking-chair, with his feet cocked up
which threatened them, and how necessary it was upon the stove. The other, a bull-necked youth with
that he should return. Having done thus he felt eas- coarse bloated features, was standing in front of
ier in his mind, and returned home with a lighter the window with his hands in his pocket, whistling
heart. a popular hymn. Both of them nodded to Ferrier
as he entered, and the one in the rocking-chair

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 A Study In Scarlet

commenced the conversation. “The hand of the Lord shall be heavy upon
“Maybe you don’t know us,” he said. “This here you,” cried young Drebber; “He will arise and smite
is the son of Elder Drebber, and I’m Joseph Stanger- you!”
son, who travelled with you in the desert when the “Then I’ll start the smiting,” exclaimed Ferrier
Lord stretched out His hand and gathered you into furiously, and would have rushed upstairs for his
the true fold.” gun had not Lucy seized him by the arm and re-
“As He will all the nations in His own good strained him. Before he could escape from her, the
time,” said the other in a nasal voice; “He grindeth clatter of horses’ hoofs told him that they were
slowly but exceeding small.” beyond his reach.
John Ferrier bowed coldly. He had guessed who “The young canting rascals!” he exclaimed, wip-
his visitors were. ing the perspiration from his forehead; “I would
sooner see you in your grave, my girl, than the wife
“We have come,” continued Stangerson, “at the of either of them.”
advice of our fathers to solicit the hand of your
daughter for whichever of us may seem good to “And so should I, father,” she answered, with
you and to her. As I have but four wives and spirit; “but Jefferson will soon be here.”
Brother Drebber here has seven, it appears to me “Yes. It will not be long before he comes. The
that my claim is the stronger one.” sooner the better, for we do not know what their
“Nay, nay, Brother Stangerson,” cried the other; next move may be.”
“the question is not how many wives we have, but It was, indeed, high time that someone capable
how many we can keep. My father has now given of giving advice and help should come to the aid of
over his mills to me, and I am the richer man.” the sturdy old farmer and his adopted daughter. In
“But my prospects are better,” said the other, the whole history of the settlement there had never
warmly. “When the Lord removes my father, I shall been such a case of rank disobedience to the au-
have his tanning yard and his leather factory. Then thority of the Elders. If minor errors were punished
I am your elder, and am higher in the Church.” so sternly, what would be the fate of this arch rebel.
Ferrier knew that his wealth and position would
“It will be for the maiden to decide,” rejoined be of no avail to him. Others as well known and as
young Drebber, smirking at his own reflection in rich as himself had been spirited away before now,
the glass. “We will leave it all to her decision.” and their goods given over to the Church. He was a
During this dialogue, John Ferrier had stood brave man, but he trembled at the vague, shadowy
fuming in the doorway, hardly able to keep his terrors which hung over him. Any known danger
riding-whip from the backs of his two visitors. he could face with a firm lip, but this suspense
“Look here,” he said at last, striding up to them, was unnerving. He concealed his fears from his
“when my daughter summons you, you can come, daughter, however, and affected to make light of
but until then I don’t want to see your faces again.” the whole matter, though she, with the keen eye of
love, saw plainly that he was ill at ease.
The two young Mormons stared at him in
amazement. In their eyes this competition between He expected that he would receive some mes-
them for the maiden’s hand was the highest of sage or remonstrance from Young as to his conduct,
honours both to her and her father. and he was not mistaken, though it came in an
unlooked-for manner. Upon rising next morning
“There are two ways out of the room,” cried he found, to his surprise, a small square of pa-
Ferrier; “there is the door, and there is the window. per pinned on to the coverlet of his bed just over
Which do you care to use?” his chest. On it was printed, in bold straggling
His brown face looked so savage, and his gaunt letters:—
hands so threatening, that his visitors sprang to “Twenty-nine days are given you for amend-
their feet and beat a hurried retreat. The old farmer ment, and then—”
followed them to the door.
The dash was more fear-inspiring than any
“Let me know when you have settled which it threat could have been. How this warning came
is to be,” he said, sardonically. into his room puzzled John Ferrier sorely, for his
“You shall smart for this!” Stangerson cried, servants slept in an outhouse, and the doors and
white with rage. “You have defied the Prophet and windows had all been secured. He crumpled the pa-
the Council of Four. You shall rue it to the end of per up and said nothing to his daughter, but the in-
your days.” cident struck a chill into his heart. The twenty-nine

47
 A Study In Scarlet

days were evidently the balance of the month which the figure 2 upon the wall of his house, and the
Young had promised. What strength or courage next day would be the last of the allotted time.
could avail against an enemy armed with such mys- What was to happen then? All manner of vague
terious powers? The hand which fastened that pin and terrible fancies filled his imagination. And his
might have struck him to the heart, and he could daughter—what was to become of her after he was
never have known who had slain him. gone? Was there no escape from the invisible net-
Still more shaken was he next morning. They work which was drawn all round them. He sank
had sat down to their breakfast when Lucy with his head upon the table and sobbed at the thought
a cry of surprise pointed upwards. In the centre of his own impotence.
of the ceiling was scrawled, with a burned stick What was that? In the silence he heard a gen-
apparently, the number 28. To his daughter it was tle scratching sound—low, but very distinct in the
unintelligible, and he did not enlighten her. That quiet of the night. It came from the door of the
night he sat up with his gun and kept watch and house. Ferrier crept into the hall and listened in-
ward. He saw and he heard nothing, and yet in tently. There was a pause for a few moments, and
the morning a great 27 had been painted upon the then the low insidious sound was repeated. Some-
outside of his door. one was evidently tapping very gently upon one
Thus day followed day; and as sure as morn- of the panels of the door. Was it some midnight
ing came he found that his unseen enemies had assassin who had come to carry out the murderous
kept their register, and had marked up in some orders of the secret tribunal? Or was it some agent
conspicuous position how many days were still left who was marking up that the last day of grace had
to him out of the month of grace. Sometimes the arrived. John Ferrier felt that instant death would
fatal numbers appeared upon the walls, sometimes be better than the suspense which shook his nerves
upon the floors, occasionally they were on small and chilled his heart. Springing forward he drew
placards stuck upon the garden gate or the railings. the bolt and threw the door open.
With all his vigilance John Ferrier could not dis- Outside all was calm and quiet. The night was
cover whence these daily warnings proceeded. A fine, and the stars were twinkling brightly overhead.
horror which was almost superstitious came upon The little front garden lay before the farmer’s eyes
him at the sight of them. He became haggard and bounded by the fence and gate, but neither there
restless, and his eyes had the troubled look of some nor on the road was any human being to be seen.
hunted creature. He had but one hope in life now, With a sigh of relief, Ferrier looked to right and to
and that was for the arrival of the young hunter left, until happening to glance straight down at his
from Nevada. own feet he saw to his astonishment a man lying
Twenty had changed to fifteen and fifteen to ten, flat upon his face upon the ground, with arms and
but there was no news of the absentee. One by one legs all asprawl.
the numbers dwindled down, and still there came So unnerved was he at the sight that he leaned
no sign of him. Whenever a horseman clattered up against the wall with his hand to his throat to sti-
down the road, or a driver shouted at his team, fle his inclination to call out. His first thought was
the old farmer hurried to the gate thinking that that the prostrate figure was that of some wounded
help had arrived at last. At last, when he saw five or dying man, but as he watched it he saw it writhe
give way to four and that again to three, he lost along the ground and into the hall with the rapid-
heart, and abandoned all hope of escape. Single- ity and noiselessness of a serpent. Once within the
handed, and with his limited knowledge of the house the man sprang to his feet, closed the door,
mountains which surrounded the settlement, he and revealed to the astonished farmer the fierce
knew that he was powerless. The more-frequented face and resolute expression of Jefferson Hope.
roads were strictly watched and guarded, and none
could pass along them without an order from the “Good God!” gasped John Ferrier. “How you
Council. Turn which way he would, there appeared scared me! Whatever made you come in like that.”
to be no avoiding the blow which hung over him. “Give me food,” the other said, hoarsely. “I
Yet the old man never wavered in his resolution to have had no time for bite or sup for eight-and-forty
part with life itself before he consented to what he hours.” He flung himself upon the cold meat and
regarded as his daughter’s dishonour. bread which were still lying upon the table from his
He was sitting alone one evening pondering host’s supper, and devoured it voraciously. “Does
deeply over his troubles, and searching vainly for Lucy bear up well?” he asked, when he had satis-
some way out of them. That morning had shown fied his hunger.

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 A Study In Scarlet

“Yes. She does not know the danger,” her father Hope slapped the revolver butt which pro-
answered. truded from the front of his tunic. “If they are
“That is well. The house is watched on every too many for us we shall take two or three of them
side. That is why I crawled my way up to it. They with us,” he said with a sinister smile.
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, and
John Ferrier felt a different man now that he
which he was now about to abandon for ever. He
realized that he had a devoted ally. He seized the
had long nerved himself to the sacrifice, however,
young man’s leathery hand and wrung it cordially.
and the thought of the honour and happiness of
“You’re a man to be proud of,” he said. “There are
his daughter outweighed any regret at his ruined
not many who would come to share our danger
fortunes. All looked so peaceful and happy, the
and our troubles.”
rustling trees and the broad silent stretch of grain-
“You’ve hit it there, pard,” the young hunter land, that it was difficult to realize that the spirit
answered. “I have a respect for you, but if you were of murder lurked through it all. Yet the white face
alone in this business I’d think twice before I put and set expression of the young hunter showed that
my head into such a hornet’s nest. It’s Lucy that in his approach to the house he had seen enough
brings me here, and before harm comes on her I to satisfy him upon that head.
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 act of her more valued possessions. Opening the win-
to-night you are lost. I have a mule and two horses dow very slowly and carefully, they waited until
waiting in the Eagle Ravine. How much money a dark cloud had somewhat obscured the night,
have you?” and then one by one passed through into the little
garden. With bated breath and crouching figures
“Two thousand dollars in gold, and five in they stumbled across it, and gained the shelter of
notes.” the hedge, which they skirted until they came to
“That will do. I have as much more to add to it. the 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 the his two companions and dragged them down into
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
packed all the eatables that he could find into a his friends had hardly crouched down before the
small parcel, and filled a stoneware jar with wa- melancholy hooting of a mountain owl was heard
ter, for he knew by experience that the mountain within a few yards of them, which was immediately
wells were few and far between. He had hardly answered by another hoot at a small distance. At
completed his arrangements before the farmer re- the same moment a vague shadowy figure emerged
turned with his daughter all dressed and ready for from the gap for which they had been making, and
a start. The greeting between the lovers was warm, uttered the plaintive signal cry again, on which a
but brief, for minutes were precious, and there was second man appeared out of the obscurity.
much to be done. “To-morrow at midnight,” said the first who
“We must make our start at once,” said Jeffer- appeared to be in authority. “When the Whip-poor-
son Hope, speaking in a low but resolute voice, like Will calls three times.”
one who realizes the greatness of the peril, but has “It is well,” returned the other. “Shall I tell
steeled his heart to meet it. “The front and back Brother Drebber?”
entrances are watched, but with caution we may “Pass it on to him, and from him to the others.
get away through the side window and across the Nine to seven!”
fields. Once on the road we are only two miles “Seven to five!” repeated the other, and the two
from the Ravine where the horses are waiting. By figures flitted away in different directions. Their
daybreak we should be half-way through the moun- concluding words had evidently been some form
tains.” of sign and countersign. The instant that their foot-
“What if we are stopped,” asked Ferrier. steps had died away in the distance, Jefferson Hope

49
 A Study In Scarlet

sprang to his feet, and helping his companions in spite of all dangers and difficulties, the hearts
through the gap, led the way across the fields at of the fugitives were light within them, for every
the top of his speed, supporting and half-carrying step increased the distance between them and the
the girl when her strength appeared to fail her. terrible despotism from which they were flying.
“Hurry on! hurry on!” he gasped from time to They soon had a proof, however, that they were
time. “We are through the line of sentinels. Every- still within the jurisdiction of the Saints. They had
thing depends on speed. Hurry on!” reached the very wildest and most desolate portion
Once on the high road they made rapid of the pass when the girl gave a startled cry, and
progress. Only once did they meet anyone, and pointed upwards. On a rock which overlooked the
then they managed to slip into a field, and so track, showing out dark and plain against the sky,
avoid recognition. Before reaching the town the there stood a solitary sentinel. He saw them as soon
hunter branched away into a rugged and narrow as they perceived him, and his military challenge of
footpath which led to the mountains. Two dark “Who goes there?” rang through the silent ravine.
jagged peaks loomed above them through the dark- “Travellers for Nevada,” said Jefferson Hope,
ness, and the defile which led between them was with his hand upon the rifle which hung by his
the Eagle Cañon in which the horses were awaiting saddle.
them. With unerring instinct Jefferson Hope picked
They could see the lonely watcher fingering his
his way among the great boulders and along the
gun, and peering down at them as if dissatisfied at
bed of a dried-up watercourse, until he came to the
their reply.
retired corner, screened with rocks, where the faith-
ful animals had been picketed. The girl was placed “By whose permission?” he asked.
upon the mule, and old Ferrier upon one of the “The Holy Four,” answered Ferrier. His Mor-
horses, with his money-bag, while Jefferson Hope mon experiences had taught him that that was the
led the other along the precipitous and dangerous highest authority to which he could refer.
path.
“Nine from seven,” cried the sentinel.
It was a bewildering route for anyone who
was not accustomed to face Nature in her wildest “Seven from five,” returned Jefferson Hope
moods. On the one side a great crag towered up promptly, remembering the countersign which he
a thousand feet or more, black, stern, and menac- had heard in the garden.
ing, with long basaltic columns upon its rugged “Pass, and the Lord go with you,” said the voice
surface like the ribs of some petrified monster. On from above. Beyond his post the path broadened
the other hand a wild chaos of boulders and debris out, and the horses were able to break into a trot.
made all advance impossible. Between the two ran Looking back, they could see the solitary watcher
the irregular track, so narrow in places that they leaning upon his gun, and knew that they had
had to travel in Indian file, and so rough that only passed the outlying post of the chosen people, and
practised riders could have traversed it at all. Yet that freedom lay before them.

CHAPTER V.
The Avenging Angels

All night their course lay through intricate capped peaks hemmed them in, peeping over each
defiles and over irregular and rock-strewn paths. other’s shoulders to the far horizon. So steep were
More than once they lost their way, but Hope’s inti- the rocky banks on either side of them, that the
mate knowledge of the mountains enabled them to larch and the pine seemed to be suspended over
regain the track once more. When morning broke, their heads, and to need only a gust of wind to
a scene of marvellous though savage beauty lay come hurtling down upon them. Nor was the fear
before them. In every direction the great snow- entirely an illusion, for the barren valley was thickly

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 A Study In Scarlet

strewn with trees and boulders which had fallen in indications, he judged that there were numerous
a similar manner. Even as they passed, a great rock bears in the vicinity. At last, after two or three
came thundering down with a hoarse rattle which hours’ fruitless search, he was thinking of turning
woke the echoes in the silent gorges, and startled back in despair, when casting his eyes upwards he
the weary horses into a gallop. saw a sight which sent a thrill of pleasure through
As the sun rose slowly above the eastern hori- his heart. On the edge of a jutting pinnacle, three
zon, the caps of the great mountains lit up one after or four hundred feet above him, there stood a crea-
the other, like lamps at a festival, until they were ture somewhat resembling a sheep in appearance,
all ruddy and glowing. The magnificent spectacle but armed with a pair of gigantic horns. The big-
cheered the hearts of the three fugitives and gave horn—for so it is called—was acting, probably, as a
them fresh energy. At a wild torrent which swept guardian over a flock which were invisible to the
out of a ravine they called a halt and watered their hunter; but fortunately it was heading in the oppo-
horses, while they partook of a hasty breakfast. site direction, and had not perceived him. Lying
Lucy and her father would fain have rested longer, on his face, he rested his rifle upon a rock, and
but Jefferson Hope was inexorable. “They will be took a long and steady aim before drawing the trig-
upon our track by this time,” he said. “Everything ger. The animal sprang into the air, tottered for a
depends upon our speed. Once safe in Carson we moment upon the edge of the precipice, and then
may rest for the remainder of our lives.” came crashing down into the valley beneath.
The creature was too unwieldy to lift, so the
During the whole of that day they struggled
hunter contented himself with cutting away one
on through the defiles, and by evening they calcu-
haunch and part of the flank. With this trophy over
lated that they were more than thirty miles from
his shoulder, he hastened to retrace his steps, for
their enemies. At night-time they chose the base
the evening was already drawing in. He had hardly
of a beetling crag, where the rocks offered some
started, however, before he realized the difficulty
protection from the chill wind, and there huddled
which faced him. In his eagerness he had wandered
together for warmth, they enjoyed a few hours’
far past the ravines which were known to him, and
sleep. Before daybreak, however, they were up and
it was no easy matter to pick out the path which he
on their way once more. They had seen no signs of
had taken. The valley in which he found himself
any pursuers, and Jefferson Hope began to think
divided and sub-divided into many gorges, which
that they were fairly out of the reach of the terri-
were so like each other that it was impossible to
ble organization whose enmity they had incurred.
distinguish one from the other. He followed one for
He little knew how far that iron grasp could reach,
a mile or more until he came to a mountain torrent
or how soon it was to close upon them and crush
which he was sure that he had never seen before.
them.
Convinced that he had taken the wrong turn, he
About the middle of the second day of their tried another, but with the same result. Night was
flight their scanty store of provisions began to run coming on rapidly, and it was almost dark before
out. This gave the hunter little uneasiness, however, he at last found himself in a defile which was fa-
for there was game to be had among the mountains, miliar to him. Even then it was no easy matter to
and he had frequently before had to depend upon keep to the right track, for the moon had not yet
his rifle for the needs of life. Choosing a sheltered risen, and the high cliffs on either side made the
nook, he piled together a few dried branches and obscurity more profound. Weighed down with his
made a blazing fire, at which his companions might burden, and weary from his exertions, he stumbled
warm themselves, for they were now nearly five along, keeping up his heart by the reflection that
thousand feet above the sea level, and the air was every step brought him nearer to Lucy, and that he
bitter and keen. Having tethered the horses, and carried with him enough to ensure them food for
bade Lucy adieu, he threw his gun over his shoul- the remainder of their journey.
der, and set out in search of whatever chance might He had now come to the mouth of the very de-
throw in his way. Looking back he saw the old file in which he had left them. Even in the darkness
man and the young girl crouching over the blazing he could recognize the outline of the cliffs which
fire, while the three animals stood motionless in bounded it. They must, he reflected, be awaiting
the back-ground. Then the intervening rocks hid him anxiously, for he had been absent nearly five
them from his view. hours. In the gladness of his heart he put his
He walked for a couple of miles through one hands to his mouth and made the glen re-echo
ravine after another without success, though from to a loud halloo as a signal that he was coming. He
the marks upon the bark of the trees, and other paused and listened for an answer. None came save

51
 A Study In Scarlet

his own cry, which clattered up the dreary silent becoming one of the harem of the Elder’s son. As
ravines, and was borne back to his ears in countless the young fellow realized the certainty of her fate,
repetitions. Again he shouted, even louder than and his own powerlessness to prevent it, he wished
before, and again no whisper came back from the that he, too, was lying with the old farmer in his
friends whom he had left such a short time ago. last silent resting-place.
A vague, nameless dread came over him, and he Again, however, his active spirit shook off the
hurried onwards frantically, dropping the precious lethargy which springs from despair. If there was
food in his agitation. nothing else left to him, he could at least devote his
When he turned the corner, he came full in sight life to revenge. With indomitable patience and per-
of the spot where the fire had been lit. There was severance, Jefferson Hope possessed also a power
still a glowing pile of wood ashes there, but it had of sustained vindictiveness, which he may have
evidently not been tended since his departure. The learned from the Indians amongst whom he had
same dead silence still reigned all round. With lived. As he stood by the desolate fire, he felt
his fears all changed to convictions, he hurried on. that the only one thing which could assuage his
There was no living creature near the remains of grief would be thorough and complete retribution,
the fire: animals, man, maiden, all were gone. It brought by his own hand upon his enemies. His
was only too clear that some sudden and terrible strong will and untiring energy should, he deter-
disaster had occurred during his absence—a disas- mined, be devoted to that one end. With a grim,
ter which had embraced them all, and yet had left white face, he retraced his steps to where he had
no traces behind it. dropped the food, and having stirred up the smoul-
dering fire, he cooked enough to last him for a few
Bewildered and stunned by this blow, Jefferson days. This he made up into a bundle, and, tired
Hope felt his head spin round, and had to lean as he was, he set himself to walk back through the
upon his rifle to save himself from falling. He was mountains upon the track of the avenging angels.
essentially a man of action, however, and speedily
recovered from his temporary impotence. Seizing a For five days he toiled footsore and weary
half-consumed piece of wood from the smouldering through the defiles which he had already traversed
fire, he blew it into a flame, and proceeded with its on horseback. At night he flung himself down
help to examine the little camp. The ground was all among the rocks, and snatched a few hours of sleep;
stamped down by the feet of horses, showing that but before daybreak he was always well on his way.
a large party of mounted men had overtaken the On the sixth day, he reached the Eagle Cañon, from
fugitives, and the direction of their tracks proved which they had commenced their ill-fated flight.
that they had afterwards turned back to Salt Lake Thence he could look down upon the home of the
City. Had they carried back both of his companions saints. Worn and exhausted, he leaned upon his
with them? Jefferson Hope had almost persuaded rifle and shook his gaunt hand fiercely at the silent
himself that they must have done so, when his eye widespread city beneath him. As he looked at it,
fell upon an object which made every nerve of his he observed that there were flags in some of the
body tingle within him. A little way on one side principal streets, and other signs of festivity. He
of the camp was a low-lying heap of reddish soil, was still speculating as to what this might mean
which had assuredly not been there before. There when he heard the clatter of horse’s hoofs, and saw
was no mistaking it for anything but a newly-dug a mounted man riding towards him. As he ap-
grave. As the young hunter approached it, he per- proached, he recognized him as a Mormon named
ceived that a stick had been planted on it, with Cowper, to whom he had rendered services at dif-
a sheet of paper stuck in the cleft fork of it. The ferent times. He therefore accosted him when he
inscription upon the paper was brief, but to the got up to him, with the object of finding out what
point: Lucy Ferrier’s fate had been.

JOHN FERRIER, “I am Jefferson Hope,” he said. “You remember

Formerly of Salt Lake City, me.”
Died August 4th, 1860. The Mormon looked at him with undisguised
The sturdy old man, whom he had left so short a astonishment—indeed, it was difficult to recognize
time before, was gone, then, and this was all his in this tattered, unkempt wanderer, with ghastly
epitaph. Jefferson Hope looked wildly round to white face and fierce, wild eyes, the spruce young
see if there was a second grave, but there was no hunter of former days. Having, however, at last, sat-
sign of one. Lucy had been carried back by their isfied himself as to his identity, the man’s surprise
terrible pursuers to fulfil her original destiny, by changed to consternation.

52
 A Study In Scarlet

“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 morning,
with you. There is a warrant against you from the when, to their inexpressible fear and astonishment,
Holy Four for assisting the Ferriers away.” the door was flung open, and a savage-looking,
“I don’t fear them, or their warrant,” Hope said, weather-beaten man in tattered garments strode
earnestly. “You must know something of this mat- into the room. Without a glance or a word to the
ter, Cowper. I conjure you by everything you hold cowering women, he walked up to the white silent
dear to answer a few questions. We have always figure which had once contained the pure soul of
been friends. For God’s sake, don’t refuse to answer Lucy Ferrier. Stooping over her, he pressed his lips
me.” reverently to her cold forehead, and then, snatch-
ing up her hand, he took the wedding-ring from
“What is it?” the Mormon asked uneasily. “Be
her finger. “She shall not be buried in that,” he
quick. The very rocks have ears and the trees eyes.”
cried with a fierce snarl, and before an alarm could
“What has become of Lucy Ferrier?” be raised sprang down the stairs and was gone.
“She was married yesterday to young Drebber. So strange and so brief was the episode, that the
Hold up, man, hold up, you have no life left in watchers might have found it hard to believe it
you.” themselves or persuade other people of it, had it
“Don’t mind me,” said Hope faintly. He was not been for the undeniable fact that the circlet of
white to the very lips, and had sunk down on the gold which marked her as having been a bride had
stone against which he had been leaning. “Married, disappeared.
you say?” For some months Jefferson Hope lingered
“Married yesterday—that’s what those flags are among the mountains, leading a strange wild
for on the Endowment House. There was some life, and nursing in his heart the fierce desire for
words between young Drebber and young Stanger- vengeance which possessed him. Tales were told
son as to which was to have her. They’d both been in the City of the weird figure which was seen
in the party that followed them, and Stangerson prowling about the suburbs, and which haunted
had shot her father, which seemed to give him the the lonely mountain gorges. Once a bullet whistled
best claim; but when they argued it out in council, through Stangerson’s window and flattened itself
Drebber’s party was the stronger, so the Prophet upon the wall within a foot of him. On another
gave her over to him. No one won’t have her very occasion, as Drebber passed under a cliff a great
long though, for I saw death in her face yesterday. boulder crashed down on him, and he only escaped
She is more like a ghost than a woman. Are you a terrible death by throwing himself upon his face.
off, then?” The two young Mormons were not long in discov-
ering the reason of these attempts upon their lives,
“Yes, I am off,” said Jefferson Hope, who had
and led repeated expeditions into the mountains
risen from his seat. His face might have been chis-
in the hope of capturing or killing their enemy, but
elled out of marble, so hard and set was its expres-
always without success. Then they adopted the pre-
sion, while its eyes glowed with a baleful light.
caution of never going out alone or after nightfall,
“Where are you going?” and of having their houses guarded. After a time
“Never mind,” he answered; and, slinging his they were able to relax these measures, for nothing
weapon over his shoulder, strode off down the was either heard or seen of their opponent, and
gorge and so away into the heart of the mountains they hoped that time had cooled his vindictiveness.
to the haunts of the wild beasts. Amongst them Far from doing so, it had, if anything, aug-
all there was none so fierce and so dangerous as mented it. The hunter’s mind was of a hard, un-
himself. yielding nature, and the predominant idea of re-
The prediction of the Mormon was only too venge had taken such complete possession of it
well fulfilled. Whether it was the terrible death that there was no room for any other emotion. He
of her father or the effects of the hateful marriage was, however, above all things practical. He soon
into which she had been forced, poor Lucy never realized that even his iron constitution could not
held up her head again, but pined away and died stand the incessant strain which he was putting
within a month. Her sottish husband, who had upon it. Exposure and want of wholesome food
married her principally for the sake of John Fer- were wearing him out. If he died like a dog among
rier’s property, did not affect any great grief at his the mountains, what was to become of his revenge
bereavement; but his other wives mourned over then? And yet such a death was sure to overtake
her, and sat up with her the night before the burial, him if he persisted. He felt that that was to play

53
 A Study In Scarlet

his enemy’s game, so he reluctantly returned to the mind wholly set upon the one object upon which
old Nevada mines, there to recruit his health and he had devoted his life. At last his perseverance
to amass money enough to allow him to pursue his was rewarded. It was but a glance of a face in a
object without privation. window, but that one glance told him that Cleve-
His intention had been to be absent a year at land in Ohio possessed the men whom he was in
the most, but a combination of unforeseen circum- pursuit of. He returned to his miserable lodgings
stances prevented his leaving the mines for nearly with his plan of vengeance all arranged. It chanced,
five. At the end of that time, however, his memory however, that Drebber, looking from his window,
of his wrongs and his craving for revenge were had recognized the vagrant in the street, and had
quite as keen as on that memorable night when read murder in his eyes. He hurried before a justice
he had stood by John Ferrier’s grave. Disguised, of the peace, accompanied by Stangerson, who had
and under an assumed name, he returned to Salt become his private secretary, and represented to
Lake City, careless what became of his own life, him that they were in danger of their lives from the
as long as he obtained what he knew to be justice. jealousy and hatred of an old rival. That evening
There he found evil tidings awaiting him. There Jefferson Hope was taken into custody, and not
had been a schism among the Chosen People a few being able to find sureties, was detained for some
months before, some of the younger members of weeks. When at last he was liberated, it was only
the Church having rebelled against the authority of to find that Drebber’s house was deserted, and that
the Elders, and the result had been the secession of he and his secretary had departed for Europe.
a certain number of the malcontents, who had left Again the avenger had been foiled, and again
Utah and become Gentiles. Among these had been his concentrated hatred urged him to continue the
Drebber and Stangerson; and no one knew whither pursuit. Funds were wanting, however, and for
they had gone. Rumour reported that Drebber had some time he had to return to work, saving every
managed to convert a large part of his property dollar for his approaching journey. At last, having
into money, and that he had departed a wealthy collected enough to keep life in him, he departed
man, while his companion, Stangerson, was com- for Europe, and tracked his enemies from city to
paratively poor. There was no clue at all, however, city, working his way in any menial capacity, but
as to their whereabouts. never overtaking the fugitives. When he reached St.
Many a man, however vindictive, would have Petersburg they had departed for Paris; and when
abandoned all thought of revenge in the face of he followed them there he learned that they had just
such a difficulty, but Jefferson Hope never faltered set off for Copenhagen. At the Danish capital he
for a moment. With the small competence he pos- was again a few days late, for they had journeyed
sessed, eked out by such employment as he could on to London, where he at last succeeded in run-
pick up, he travelled from town to town through the ning them to earth. As to what occurred there, we
United States in quest of his enemies. Year passed cannot do better than quote the old hunter’s own
into year, his black hair turned grizzled, but still account, as duly recorded in Dr. Watson’s Journal,
he wandered on, a human bloodhound, with his to which we are already under such obligations.

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

Our prisoner’s furious resistance did not police-station,” he remarked to Sherlock Holmes.
apparently indicate any ferocity in his disposition “My cab’s at the door. If you’ll loose my legs I’ll
towards ourselves, for on finding himself power- walk down to it. I’m not so light to lift as I used to
less, he smiled in an affable manner, and expressed be.”
his hopes that he had not hurt any of us in the
scuffle. “I guess you’re going to take me to the Gregson and Lestrade exchanged glances as if
they thought this proposition rather a bold one; but

54
 A Study In Scarlet

Holmes at once took the prisoner at his word, and when some powerful engine was at work. In the
loosened the towel which we had bound round his silence of the room I could hear a dull humming
ankles. He rose and stretched his legs, as though and buzzing noise which proceeded from the same
to assure himself that they were free once more. I source.
remember that I thought to myself, as I eyed him, “Why,” I cried, “you have an aortic aneurism!”
that I had seldom seen a more powerfully built
man; and his dark sunburned face bore an expres- “That’s what they call it,” he said, placidly. “I
sion of determination and energy which was as went to a Doctor last week about it, and he told me
formidable as his personal strength. that it is bound to burst before many days passed.
It has been getting worse for years. I got it from
“If there’s a vacant place for a chief of the police,
over-exposure and under-feeding among the Salt
I reckon you are the man for it,” he said, gazing
Lake Mountains. I’ve done my work now, and I
with undisguised admiration at my fellow-lodger.
don’t care how soon I go, but I should like to leave
“The way you kept on my trail was a caution.”
some account of the business behind me. I don’t
“You had better come with me,” said Holmes want to be remembered as a common cut-throat.”
to the two detectives.
The Inspector and the two detectives had a hur-
“I can drive you,” said Lestrade. ried discussion as to the advisability of allowing
“Good! and Gregson can come inside with me. him to tell his story.
You too, Doctor, you have taken an interest in the “Do you consider, Doctor, that there is immedi-
case and may as well stick to us.” ate danger?” the former asked.
I assented gladly, and we all descended to- “Most certainly there is,” I answered.
gether. Our prisoner made no attempt at escape,
but stepped calmly into the cab which had been “In that case it is clearly our duty, in the interests
his, and we followed him. Lestrade mounted the of justice, to take his statement,” said the Inspector.
box, whipped up the horse, and brought us in a “You are at liberty, sir, to give your account, which
very short time to our destination. We were ush- I again warn you will be taken down.”
ered into a small chamber where a police Inspector “I’ll sit down, with your leave,” the prisoner
noted down our prisoner’s name and the names of said, suiting the action to the word. “This aneurism
the men with whose murder he had been charged. of mine makes me easily tired, and the tussle we
The official was a white-faced unemotional man, had half an hour ago has not mended matters. I’m
who went through his duties in a dull mechanical on the brink of the grave, and I am not likely to
way. “The prisoner will be put before the magis- lie to you. Every word I say is the absolute truth,
trates in the course of the week,” he said; “in the and how you use it is a matter of no consequence
mean time, Mr. Jefferson Hope, have you anything to me.”
that you wish to say? I must warn you that your
With these words, Jefferson Hope leaned back
words will be taken down, and may be used against
in his chair and began the following remarkable
you.”
statement. He spoke in a calm and methodical
“I’ve got a good deal to say,” our prisoner said manner, as though the events which he narrated
slowly. “I want to tell you gentlemen all about it.” were commonplace enough. I can vouch for the
“Hadn’t you better reserve that for your trial?” accuracy of the subjoined account, for I have had
asked the Inspector. access to Lestrade’s note-book, in which the pris-
oner’s words were taken down exactly as they were
“I may never be tried,” he answered. “You
uttered.
needn’t look startled. It isn’t suicide I am thinking
of. Are you a Doctor?” He turned his fierce dark “It don’t much matter to you why I hated these
eyes upon me as he asked this last question. men,” he said; “it’s enough that they were guilty
“Yes; I am,” I answered. of the death of two human beings—a father and a
daughter—and that they had, therefore, forfeited
“Then put your hand here,” he said, with a their own lives. After the lapse of time that has
smile, motioning with his manacled wrists towards passed since their crime, it was impossible for me
his chest. to secure a conviction against them in any court. I
I did so; and became at once conscious of an ex- knew of their guilt though, and I determined that
traordinary throbbing and commotion which was I should be judge, jury, and executioner all rolled
going on inside. The walls of his chest seemed to into one. You’d have done the same, if you have
thrill and quiver as a frail building would do inside any manhood in you, if you had been in my place.

55
 A Study In Scarlet

“That girl that I spoke of was to have married behind them every day, and never once saw them
me twenty years ago. She was forced into marrying separate. Drebber himself was drunk half the time,
that same Drebber, and broke her heart over it. I but Stangerson was not to be caught napping. I
took the marriage ring from her dead finger, and watched them late and early, but never saw the
I vowed that his dying eyes should rest upon that ghost of a chance; but I was not discouraged, for
very ring, and that his last thoughts should be of something told me that the hour had almost come.
the crime for which he was punished. I have car- My only fear was that this thing in my chest might
ried it about with me, and have followed him and burst a little too soon and leave my work undone.
his accomplice over two continents until I caught “At last, one evening I was driving up and down
them. They thought to tire me out, but they could Torquay Terrace, as the street was called in which
not do it. If I die to-morrow, as is likely enough, I they boarded, when I saw a cab drive up to their
die knowing that my work in this world is done, door. Presently some luggage was brought out,
and well done. They have perished, and by my and after a time Drebber and Stangerson followed
hand. There is nothing left for me to hope for, or it, and drove off. I whipped up my horse and kept
to desire. within sight of them, feeling very ill at ease, for
“They were rich and I was poor, so that it was I feared that they were going to shift their quar-
no easy matter for me to follow them. When I ters. At Euston Station they got out, and I left a
got to London my pocket was about empty, and I boy to hold my horse, and followed them on to
found that I must turn my hand to something for the platform. I heard them ask for the Liverpool
my living. Driving and riding are as natural to me train, and the guard answer that one had just gone
as walking, so I applied at a cabowner’s office, and and there would not be another for some hours.
soon got employment. I was to bring a certain sum Stangerson seemed to be put out at that, but Dreb-
a week to the owner, and whatever was over that ber was rather pleased than otherwise. I got so
I might keep for myself. There was seldom much close to them in the bustle that I could hear every
over, but I managed to scrape along somehow. The word that passed between them. Drebber said that
hardest job was to learn my way about, for I reckon he had a little business of his own to do, and that
that of all the mazes that ever were contrived, this if the other would wait for him he would soon re-
city is the most confusing. I had a map beside me join him. His companion remonstrated with him,
though, and when once I had spotted the principal and reminded him that they had resolved to stick
hotels and stations, I got on pretty well. together. Drebber answered that the matter was a
delicate one, and that he must go alone. I could not
“It was some time before I found out where
catch what Stangerson said to that, but the other
my two gentlemen were living; but I inquired and
burst out swearing, and reminded him that he was
inquired until at last I dropped across them. They
nothing more than his paid servant, and that he
were at a boarding-house at Camberwell, over on
must not presume to dictate to him. On that the
the other side of the river. When once I found them
Secretary gave it up as a bad job, and simply bar-
out I knew that I had them at my mercy. I had
gained with him that if he missed the last train he
grown my beard, and there was no chance of their
should rejoin him at Halliday’s Private Hotel; to
recognizing me. I would dog them and follow them
which Drebber answered that he would be back on
until I saw my opportunity. I was determined that
the platform before eleven, and made his way out
they should not escape me again.
of the station.
“They were very near doing it for all that. Go “The moment for which I had waited so long
where they would about London, I was always at had at last come. I had my enemies within my
their heels. Sometimes I followed them on my cab, power. Together they could protect each other, but
and sometimes on foot, but the former was the best, singly they were at my mercy. I did not act, how-
for then they could not get away from me. It was ever, with undue precipitation. My plans were al-
only early in the morning or late at night that I ready formed. There is no satisfaction in vengeance
could earn anything, so that I began to get behind unless the offender has time to realize who it is that
hand with my employer. I did not mind that, how- strikes him, and why retribution has come upon
ever, as long as I could lay my hand upon the men him. I had my plans arranged by which I should
I wanted. have the opportunity of making the man who had
“They were very cunning, though. They must wronged me understand that his old sin had found
have thought that there was some chance of their him out. It chanced that some days before a gentle-
being followed, for they would never go out alone, man who had been engaged in looking over some
and never after nightfall. During two weeks I drove houses in the Brixton Road had dropped the key

56
 A Study In Scarlet

of one of them in my carriage. It was claimed that so far gone that I knew the game was in my own
same evening, and returned; but in the interval I hands.
had taken a moulding of it, and had a duplicate “Don’t imagine that I intended to kill him in
constructed. By means of this I had access to at cold blood. It would only have been rigid justice
least one spot in this great city where I could rely if I had done so, but I could not bring myself to
upon being free from interruption. How to get do it. I had long determined that he should have
Drebber to that house was the difficult problem a show for his life if he chose to take advantage
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-hour janitor and sweeper out of the laboratory at York
in the last of them. When he came out he stag- College. One day the professor was lecturing on
gered in his walk, and was evidently pretty well poisons, and he showed his students some alkaloid,
on. There was a hansom just in front of me, and as he called it, which he had extracted from some
he hailed it. I followed it so close that the nose South American arrow poison, and which was so
of my horse was within a yard of his driver the powerful that the least grain meant instant death.
whole way. We rattled across Waterloo Bridge and I spotted the bottle in which this preparation was
through miles of streets, until, to my astonishment, kept, and when they were all gone, I helped myself
we found ourselves back in the Terrace in which to a little of it. I was a fairly good dispenser, so I
he had boarded. I could not imagine what his in- worked this alkaloid into small, soluble pills, and
tention was in returning there; but I went on and each pill I put in a box with a similar pill made
pulled up my cab a hundred yards or so from the without the poison. I determined at the time that
house. He entered it, and his hansom drove away. when I had my chance, my gentlemen should each
Give me a glass of water, if you please. My mouth have a draw out of one of these boxes, while I ate
gets dry with the talking.” the pill that remained. It would be quite as deadly,
and a good deal less noisy than firing across a hand-
I handed him the glass, and he drank it down. kerchief. From that day I had always my pill boxes
“That’s better,” he said. “Well, I waited for about with me, and the time had now come when
a quarter of an hour, or more, when suddenly I was to use them.
there came a noise like people struggling inside “It was nearer one than twelve, and a wild, bleak
the house. Next moment the door was flung open night, blowing hard and raining in torrents. Dismal
and two men appeared, one of whom was Drebber, as it was outside, I was glad within—so glad that I
and the other was a young chap whom I had never could have shouted out from pure exultation. If any
seen before. This fellow had Drebber by the collar, of you gentlemen have ever pined for a thing, and
and when they came to the head of the steps he longed for it during twenty long years, and then
gave him a shove and a kick which sent him half suddenly found it within your reach, you would
across the road. ‘You hound,’ he cried, shaking understand my feelings. I lit a cigar, and puffed at
his stick at him; ‘I’ll teach you to insult an honest it to steady my nerves, but my hands were trem-
girl!’ He was so hot that I think he would have bling, and my temples throbbing with excitement.
thrashed Drebber with his cudgel, only that the cur As I drove, I could see old John Ferrier and sweet
staggered away down the road as fast as his legs Lucy looking at me out of the darkness and smiling
would carry him. He ran as far as the corner, and at me, just as plain as I see you all in this room. All
then, seeing my cab, he hailed me and jumped in. the way they were ahead of me, one on each side
‘Drive me to Halliday’s Private Hotel,’ said he. of the horse until I pulled up at the house in the
“When I had him fairly inside my cab, my heart Brixton Road.
jumped so with joy that I feared lest at this last “There was not a soul to be seen, nor a sound
moment my aneurism might go wrong. I drove to be heard, except the dripping of the rain. When
along slowly, weighing in my own mind what it I looked in at the window, I found Drebber all hud-
was best to do. I might take him right out into the dled together in a drunken sleep. I shook him by
country, and there in some deserted lane have my the arm, ‘It’s time to get out,’ I said.
last interview with him. I had almost decided upon “ ‘All right, cabby,’ said he.
this, when he solved the problem for me. The craze “I suppose he thought we had come to the ho-
for drink had seized him again, and he ordered me tel that he had mentioned, for he got out without
to pull up outside a gin palace. He went in, leaving another word, and followed me down the garden. I
word that I should wait for him. There he remained had to walk beside him to keep him steady, for he
until closing time, and when he came out he was was still a little top-heavy. When we came to the

57
 A Study In Scarlet

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 forget
“ ‘It’s infernally dark,’ said he, stamping about. the look which came over his face when the first
warning pangs told him that the poison was in his
“ ‘We’ll soon have a light,’ I said, striking a system? I laughed as I saw it, and held Lucy’s
match and putting it to a wax candle which I had marriage ring in front of his eyes. It was but for a
brought with me. ‘Now, Enoch Drebber,’ I contin- moment, for the action of the alkaloid is rapid. A
ued, turning to him, and holding the light to my spasm of pain contorted his features; he threw his
own face, ‘who am I?’ hands out in front of him, staggered, and then, with
“He gazed at me with bleared, drunken eyes a hoarse cry, fell heavily upon the floor. I turned
for a moment, and then I saw a horror spring up him over with my foot, and placed my hand upon
in them, and convulse his whole features, which his heart. There was no movement. He was dead!
showed me that he knew me. He staggered back “The blood had been streaming from my nose,
with a livid face, and I saw the perspiration break but I had taken no notice of it. I don’t know what
out upon his brow, while his teeth chattered in his it was that put it into my head to write upon the
head. At the sight, I leaned my back against the wall with it. Perhaps it was some mischievous
door and laughed loud and long. I had always idea of setting the police upon a wrong track, for
known that vengeance would be sweet, but I had I felt light-hearted and cheerful. I remembered a
never hoped for the contentment of soul which now German being found in New York with RACHE
possessed me. written up above him, and it was argued at the
“ ‘You dog!’ I said; ‘I have hunted you from Salt time in the newspapers that the secret societies
Lake City to St. Petersburg, and you have always must have done it. I guessed that what puzzled
escaped me. Now, at last your wanderings have the New Yorkers would puzzle the Londoners, so I
come to an end, for either you or I shall never see to- dipped my finger in my own blood and printed it
morrow’s sun rise.’ He shrunk still further away as on a convenient place on the wall. Then I walked
I spoke, and I could see on his face that he thought down to my cab and found that there was nobody
I was mad. So I was for the time. The pulses in my about, and that the night was still very wild. I had
temples beat like sledge-hammers, and I believe I driven some distance when I put my hand into the
would have had a fit of some sort if the blood had pocket in which I usually kept Lucy’s ring, and
not gushed from my nose and relieved me. found that it was not there. I was thunderstruck
at this, for it was the only memento that I had of
“ ‘What do you think of Lucy Ferrier now?’ I
her. Thinking that I might have dropped it when
cried, locking the door, and shaking the key in his
I stooped over Drebber’s body, I drove back, and
face. ‘Punishment has been slow in coming, but it
leaving my cab in a side street, I went boldly up
has overtaken you at last.’ I saw his coward lips
to the house—for I was ready to dare anything
tremble as I spoke. He would have begged for his
rather than lose the ring. When I arrived there, I
life, but he knew well that it was useless.
walked right into the arms of a police-officer who
“ ‘Would you murder me?’ he stammered. was coming out, and only managed to disarm his
“ ‘There is no murder,’ I answered. ‘Who talks suspicions by pretending to be hopelessly drunk.
of murdering a mad dog? What mercy had you “That was how Enoch Drebber came to his end.
upon my poor darling, when you dragged her from All I had to do then was to do as much for Stanger-
her slaughtered father, and bore her away to your son, and so pay off John Ferrier’s debt. I knew that
accursed and shameless harem.’ he was staying at Halliday’s Private Hotel, and I
“ ‘It was not I who killed her father,’ he cried. hung about all day, but he never came out. I fancy
that he suspected something when Drebber failed
“ ‘But it was you who broke her innocent heart,’ to put in an appearance. He was cunning, was
I shrieked, thrusting the box before him. ‘Let the Stangerson, and always on his guard. If he thought
high God judge between us. Choose and eat. There he could keep me off by staying indoors he was
is death in one and life in the other. I shall take very much mistaken. I soon found out which was
what you leave. Let us see if there is justice upon the window of his bedroom, and early next morn-
the earth, or if we are ruled by chance.’ ing I took advantage of some ladders which were
“He cowered away with wild cries and prayers lying in the lane behind the hotel, and so made my
for mercy, but I drew my knife and held it to his way into his room in the grey of the dawn. I woke
throat until he had obeyed me. Then I swallowed him up and told him that the hour had come when

58
 A Study In Scarlet

he was to answer for the life he had taken so long tives, blase as they were in every detail of crime,
before. I described Drebber’s death to him, and appeared to be keenly interested in the man’s story.
I gave him the same choice of the poisoned pills. When he finished we sat for some minutes in a
Instead of grasping at the chance of safety which stillness which was only broken by the scratching
that offered him, he sprang from his bed and flew of Lestrade’s pencil as he gave the finishing touches
at my throat. In self-defence I stabbed him to the to his shorthand account.
heart. It would have been the same in any case, “There is only one point on which I should like
for Providence would never have allowed his guilty a little more information,” Sherlock Holmes said at
hand to pick out anything but the poison. last. “Who was your accomplice who came for the
“I have little more to say, and it’s as well, for I ring which I advertised?”
am about done up. I went on cabbing it for a day or The prisoner winked at my friend jocosely. “I
so, intending to keep at it until I could save enough can tell my own secrets,” he said, “but I don’t get
to take me back to America. I was standing in the other people into trouble. I saw your advertisement,
yard when a ragged youngster asked if there was and I thought it might be a plant, or it might be the
a cabby there called Jefferson Hope, and said that ring which I wanted. My friend volunteered to go
his cab was wanted by a gentleman at 221b, Baker and see. I think you’ll own he did it smartly.”
Street. I went round, suspecting no harm, and the “Not a doubt of that,” said Holmes heartily.
next thing I knew, this young man here had the
“Now, gentlemen,” the Inspector remarked
bracelets on my wrists, and as neatly snackled as
gravely, “the forms of the law must be complied
ever I saw in my life. That’s the whole of my story,
with. On Thursday the prisoner will be brought
gentlemen. You may consider me to be a murderer;
before the magistrates, and your attendance will be
but I hold that I am just as much an officer of justice
required. Until then I will be responsible for him.”
as you are.”
He rang the bell as he spoke, and Jefferson Hope
So thrilling had the man’s narrative been, and was led off by a couple of warders, while my friend
his manner was so impressive that we had sat and I made our way out of the Station and took a
silent and absorbed. Even the professional detec- cab back to Baker Street.

CHAPTER VII.
The Conclusion

We had all been warned to appear before “I don’t see that they had very much to do with
the magistrates upon the Thursday; but when the his capture,” I answered.
Thursday came there was no occasion for our tes-
timony. A higher Judge had taken the matter in “What you do in this world is a matter of no con-
hand, and Jefferson Hope had been summoned be- sequence,” returned my companion, bitterly. “The
fore a tribunal where strict justice would be meted question is, what can you make people believe that
out to him. On the very night after his capture the you have done. Never mind,” he continued, more
aneurism burst, and he was found in the morning brightly, after a pause. “I would not have missed
stretched upon the floor of the cell, with a placid the investigation for anything. There has been no
smile upon his face, as though he had been able in better case within my recollection. Simple as it was,
his dying moments to look back upon a useful life, there were several most instructive points about it.”
and on work well done.
“Simple!” I ejaculated.

“Gregson and Lestrade will be wild about his “Well, really, it can hardly be described as oth-
death,” Holmes remarked, as we chatted it over erwise,” said Sherlock Holmes, smiling at my sur-
next evening. “Where will their grand advertise- prise. “The proof of its intrinsic simplicity is, that
ment be now?” without any help save a few very ordinary deduc-

59
 A Study In Scarlet

tions I was able to lay my hand upon the criminal men who had first passed through the garden. It
within three days.” was easy to tell that they had been before the oth-
“That is true,” said I. ers, because in places their marks had been entirely
obliterated by the others coming upon the top of
“I have already explained to you that what is them. In this way my second link was formed,
out of the common is usually a guide rather than which told me that the nocturnal visitors were two
a hindrance. In solving a problem of this sort, the in number, one remarkable for his height (as I cal-
grand thing is to be able to reason backwards. That culated from the length of his stride), and the other
is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy fashionably dressed, to judge from the small and
one, but people do not practise it much. In the elegant impression left by his boots.
every-day affairs of life it is more useful to reason
“On entering the house this last inference was
forwards, and so the other comes to be neglected.
confirmed. My well-booted man lay before me. The
There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one
tall one, then, had done the murder, if murder there
who can reason analytically.”
was. There was no wound upon the dead man’s
“I confess,” said I, “that I do not quite follow person, but the agitated expression upon his face
you.” assured me that he had foreseen his fate before
“I hardly expected that you would. Let me see if it came upon him. Men who die from heart dis-
I can make it clearer. Most people, if you describe a ease, or any sudden natural cause, never by any
train of events to them, will tell you what the result chance exhibit agitation upon their features. Hav-
would be. They can put those events together in ing sniffed the dead man’s lips I detected a slightly
their minds, and argue from them that something sour smell, and I came to the conclusion that he
will come to pass. There are few people, however, had had poison forced upon him. Again, I argued
who, if you told them a result, would be able to that it had been forced upon him from the hatred
evolve from their own inner consciousness what the and fear expressed upon his face. By the method of
steps were which led up to that result. This power exclusion, I had arrived at this result, for no other
is what I mean when I talk of reasoning backwards, hypothesis would meet the facts. Do not imagine
or analytically.” that it was a very unheard of idea. The forcible ad-
ministration of poison is by no means a new thing
“I understand,” said I. in criminal annals. The cases of Dolsky in Odessa,
“Now this was a case in which you were given and of Leturier in Montpellier, will occur at once
the result and had to find everything else for your- to any toxicologist.
self. Now let me endeavour to show you the differ- “And now came the great question as to the
ent steps in my reasoning. To begin at the begin- reason why. Robbery had not been the object of the
ning. I approached the house, as you know, on foot, murder, for nothing was taken. Was it politics, then,
and with my mind entirely free from all impres- or was it a woman? That was the question which
sions. I naturally began by examining the roadway, confronted me. I was inclined from the first to the
and there, as I have already explained to you, I saw latter supposition. Political assassins are only too
clearly the marks of a cab, which, I ascertained by glad to do their work and to fly. This murder had,
inquiry, must have been there during the night. I on the contrary, been done most deliberately, and
satisfied myself that it was a cab and not a private the perpetrator had left his tracks all over the room,
carriage by the narrow gauge of the wheels. The showing that he had been there all the time. It
ordinary London growler is considerably less wide must have been a private wrong, and not a political
than a gentleman’s brougham. one, which called for such a methodical revenge.
“This was the first point gained. I then walked When the inscription was discovered upon the wall
slowly down the garden path, which happened to I was more inclined than ever to my opinion. The
be composed of a clay soil, peculiarly suitable for thing was too evidently a blind. When the ring was
taking impressions. No doubt it appeared to you to found, however, it settled the question. Clearly the
be a mere trampled line of slush, but to my trained murderer had used it to remind his victim of some
eyes every mark upon its surface had a meaning. dead or absent woman. It was at this point that
There is no branch of detective science which is I asked Gregson whether he had enquired in his
so important and so much neglected as the art of telegram to Cleveland as to any particular point
tracing footsteps. Happily, I have always laid great in Mr. Drebber’s former career. He answered, you
stress upon it, and much practice has made it sec- remember, in the negative.
ond nature to me. I saw the heavy footmarks of “I then proceeded to make a careful examina-
the constables, but I saw also the track of the two tion of the room, which confirmed me in my opin-

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 A Study In Scarlet

ion as to the murderer’s height, and furnished me Stangerson was an incident which was entirely un-
with the additional details as to the Trichinopoly expected, but which could hardly in any case have
cigar and the length of his nails. I had already come been prevented. Through it, as you know, I came
to the conclusion, since there were no signs of a into possession of the pills, the existence of which I
struggle, that the blood which covered the floor had had already surmised. You see the whole thing is a
burst from the murderer’s nose in his excitement. chain of logical sequences without a break or flaw.”
I could perceive that the track of blood coincided “It is wonderful!” I cried. “Your merits should
with the track of his feet. It is seldom that any be publicly recognized. You should publish an
man, unless he is very full-blooded, breaks out in account of the case. If you won’t, I will for you.”
this way through emotion, so I hazarded the opin-
ion that the criminal was probably a robust and “You may do what you like, Doctor,” he an-
ruddy-faced man. Events proved that I had judged swered. “See here!” he continued, handing a paper
correctly. over to me, “look at this!”
“Having left the house, I proceeded to do what It was the Echo for the day, and the paragraph
Gregson had neglected. I telegraphed to the head to which he pointed was devoted to the case in
of the police at Cleveland, limiting my enquiry to question.
the circumstances connected with the marriage of “The public,” it said, “have lost a sensational
Enoch Drebber. The answer was conclusive. It told treat through the sudden death of the man Hope,
me that Drebber had already applied for the protec- who was suspected of the murder of Mr. Enoch
tion of the law against an old rival in love, named Drebber and of Mr. Joseph Stangerson. The de-
Jefferson Hope, and that this same Hope was at tails of the case will probably be never known now,
present in Europe. I knew now that I held the clue though we are informed upon good authority that
to the mystery in my hand, and all that remained the crime was the result of an old standing and
was to secure the murderer. romantic feud, in which love and Mormonism bore
“I had already determined in my own mind a part. It seems that both the victims belonged, in
that the man who had walked into the house with their younger days, to the Latter Day Saints, and
Drebber, was none other than the man who had Hope, the deceased prisoner, hails also from Salt
driven the cab. The marks in the road showed me Lake City. If the case has had no other effect, it, at
that the horse had wandered on in a way which least, brings out in the most striking manner the
would have been impossible had there been anyone efficiency of our detective police force, and will
in charge of it. Where, then, could the driver be, serve as a lesson to all foreigners that they will
unless he were inside the house? Again, it is absurd do wisely to settle their feuds at home, and not
to suppose that any sane man would carry out a to carry them on to British soil. It is an open se-
deliberate crime under the very eyes, as it were, of cret that the credit of this smart capture belongs
a third person, who was sure to betray him. Lastly, entirely to the well-known Scotland Yard officials,
supposing one man wished to dog another through Messrs. Lestrade and Gregson. The man was ap-
London, what better means could he adopt than to prehended, it appears, in the rooms of a certain Mr.
turn cabdriver. All these considerations led me to Sherlock Holmes, who has himself, as an amateur,
the irresistible conclusion that Jefferson Hope was shown some talent in the detective line, and who,
to be found among the jarveys of the Metropolis. with such instructors, may hope in time to attain to
“If he had been one there was no reason to be- some degree of their skill. It is expected that a tes-
lieve that he had ceased to be. On the contrary, timonial of some sort will be presented to the two
from his point of view, any sudden chance would officers as a fitting recognition of their services.”
be likely to draw attention to himself. He would, “Didn’t I tell you so when we started?” cried
probably, for a time at least, continue to perform his Sherlock Holmes with a laugh. “That’s the result of
duties. There was no reason to suppose that he was all our Study in Scarlet: to get them a testimonial!”
going under an assumed name. Why should he
change his name in a country where no one knew “Never mind,” I answered, “I have all the facts
his original one? I therefore organized my Street in my journal, and the public shall know them. In
Arab detective corps, and sent them systematically the meantime you must make yourself contented
to every cab proprietor in London until they fer- by the consciousness of success, like the Roman
reted out the man that I wanted. How well they miser—
succeeded, and how quickly I took advantage of it, “ ‘Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo
are still fresh in your recollection. The murder of Ipse domi simul ac nummos contemplar in arca.’ ”

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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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
The Great Agra Treasure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
The Strange Story of Jonathan Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

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 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 innumerable to another, but as a medical man to one for whose
puncture-marks. Finally he thrust the sharp point constitution he is to some extent answerable.”
home, pressed down the tiny piston, and sank back He did not seem offended. On the contrary, he
into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a long sigh of put his fingertips together and leaned his elbows
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
thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. dispense 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
in such cases. My name figures in no newspaper.
“Which is it to-day?” I asked,—“morphine or The work itself, the pleasure of finding a field for
cocaine?” my peculiar powers, is my highest reward. But you
He raised his eyes languidly from the old black- have yourself had some experience of my methods
letter volume which he had opened. “It is cocaine,” of work in the Jefferson Hope case.”
he said,—“a seven-per-cent solution. Would you “Yes, indeed,” said I, cordially. “I was never so
care to try it?” struck by anything in my life. I even embodied it in
“No, indeed,” I answered, brusquely. “My con- a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic title
stitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet. of ‘A Study in Scarlet.’ ”
I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon 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 unemo-
so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the tional manner. You have attempted to tinge it with
mind that its secondary action is a matter of small romanticism, which produces much the same effect
moment.” as if you worked a love-story or an elopement into
“But consider!” I said, earnestly. “Count the the fifth proposition of Euclid.”
cost! Your brain may, as you say, be roused and “But the romance was there,” I remonstrated. “I
excited, but it is a pathological and morbid process, could not tamper with the facts.”

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 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 van- “You have an extraordinary genius for minu-
ity underlay my companion’s quiet and didactic tiae,” I remarked.
manner. I made no remark, however, but sat nurs-
ing my wounded leg. I had a Jezail bullet through “I appreciate their importance. Here is my
it some time before, and, though it did not prevent monograph upon the tracing of footsteps, with
me from walking, it ached wearily at every change some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris
of the weather. as a preserver of impresses. Here, too, is a cu-
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 matter
Francois Le Villard, who, as you probably know, of great practical interest to the scientific detec-
has come rather to the front lately in the French tive,—especially in cases of unclaimed bodies, or
detective service. He has all the Celtic power of in discovering the antecedents of criminals. But I
quick intuition, but he is deficient in the wide range weary you with my hobby.”
of exact knowledge which is essential to the higher
developments of his art. The case was concerned “Not at all,” I answered, earnestly. “It is of
with a will, and possessed some features of interest. the greatest interest to me, especially since I have
I was able to refer him to two parallel cases, the had the opportunity of observing your practical
one at Riga in 1857, and the other at St. Louis in application of it. But you spoke just now of ob-
1871, which have suggested to him the true solu- servation and deduction. Surely the one to some
tion. Here is the letter which I had this morning extent implies the other.”
acknowledging my assistance.” He tossed over, as “Why, hardly,” he answered, leaning back luxu-
he spoke, a crumpled sheet of foreign notepaper. I riously in his armchair, and sending up thick blue
glanced my eyes down it, catching a profusion of wreaths from his pipe. “For example, observation
notes of admiration, with stray magnifiques, coup-de- shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street
maı̂tres and tours-de-force, all testifying to the ardent Post-Office this morning, but deduction lets me
admiration of the Frenchman. know that when there you dispatched a telegram.”
“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. He
at my surprise,—“so absurdly simple that an ex-
is only wanting in knowledge; and that may come
planation is superfluous; and yet it may serve to
in time. He is now translating my small works into
define the limits of observation and of deduction.
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

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 The Sign of the Four

the neighborhood. So much is observation. The “Quite so. The W. suggests your own name. The
rest is deduction.” date of the watch is nearly fifty years back, and the
“How, then, did you deduce the telegram?” initials are as old as the watch: so it was made for
the last generation. Jewelry usually descents to the
“Why, of course I knew that you had not written
eldest son, and he is most likely to have the same
a letter, since I sat opposite to you all morning. I
name as the father. Your father has, if I remember
see also in your open desk there that you have a
right, been dead many years. It has, therefore, been
sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of postcards.
in the hands of your eldest brother.”
What could you go into the post-office for, then,
but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors, and “Right, so far,” said I. “Anything else?”
the one which remains must be the truth.” “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 you 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
I can gather.”
“On the contrary,” he answered, “it would pre-
vent me from taking a second dose of cocaine. I I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently
should be delighted to look into any problem which about the room with considerable bitterness in my
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 leaving could not have believed that you would have de-
the impress of his individuality upon it in such a scended to this. You have made inquires into the
way that a trained observer might read it. Now, I history of my unhappy brother, and you now pre-
have here a watch which has recently come into my tend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful
possession. Would you have the kindness to let me way. You cannot expect me to believe that you have
have an opinion upon the character or habits of the read all this from his old watch! It is unkind, and,
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 was, my apologies. Viewing the matter as an abstract
as I thought, an impossible one, and I intended it as problem, I had forgotten how personal and painful
a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which a thing it might be to you. I assure you, however,
he occasionally assumed. He balanced the watch that I never even knew that you had a brother until
in his hand, gazed hard at the dial, opened the you handed me the watch.”
back, and examined the works, first with his naked “Then how in the name of all that is wonderful
eyes and then with a powerful convex lens. I could did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct
hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face in every particular.”
when he finally snapped the case to and handed it
“Ah, that is good luck. I could only say what
back.
was the balance of probability. I did not at all expect
“There are hardly any data,” he remarked. “The to be so accurate.“
watch has been recently cleaned, which robs me of
“But it was not mere guess-work?”
my most suggestive facts.”
“No, no: I never guess. It is a shocking
“You are right,” I answered. “It was cleaned
habit,—destructive to the logical faculty. What
before being sent to me.” In my heart I accused
seems strange to you is only so because you do
my companion of putting forward a most lame and
not follow my train of thought or observe the small
impotent excuse to cover his failure. What data
facts upon which large inferences may depend. For
could he expect from an uncleaned watch?
example, I began by stating that your brother was
“Though unsatisfactory, my research has not careless. When you observe the lower part of that
been entirely barren,” he observed, staring up at watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in
the ceiling with dreamy, lack-lustre eyes. “Subject two places, but it is cut and marked all over from
to your correction, I should judge that the watch the habit of keeping other hard objects, such as
belonged to your elder brother, who inherited it coins or keys, in the same pocket. Surely it is no
from your father.” great feat to assume that a man who treats a fifty-
“That you gather, no doubt, from the H. W. guinea watch so cavalierly must be a careless man.
upon the back?” Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man

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 The Sign of the Four

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

CHAPTER II.
The Statement of the Case

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

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 The Sign of the Four

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

71
 The Sign of the Four

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

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 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, and
blackest depression.
her sensitive face was composed, but pale. She
“There is no great mystery in this matter,” he must have been more than woman if she did not
said, taking the cup of tea which I had poured out feel some uneasiness at the strange enterprise upon
for him. “The facts appear to admit of only one which we were embarking, yet her self-control was
explanation.” perfect, and she readily answered the few addi-
“What! you have solved it already?” tional questions which Sherlock Holmes put to her.
“Well, that would be too much to say. I have dis- “Major Sholto was a very particular friend of
covered a suggestive fact, that is all. It is, however, papa’s,” she said. “His letters were full of allusions
very suggestive. The details are still to be added. I to the major. He and papa were in command of
have just found, on consulting the back files of the the troops at the Andaman Islands, so they were
Times, that Major Sholto, of Upper Norword, late thrown a great deal together. By the way, a curi-
of the 34th Bombay Infantry, died upon the 28th of ous paper was found in papa’s desk which no one
April, 1882.” could understand. I don’t suppose that it is of the
slightest importance, but I thought you might care
“I may be very obtuse, Holmes, but I fail to see
to see it, so I brought it with me. It is here.”
what this suggests.”
“No? You surprise me. Look at it in this way, Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and
then. Captain Morstan disappears. The only person smoothed it out upon his knee. He then very me-
in London whom he could have visited is Major thodically examined it all over with his double lens.
Sholto. Major Sholto denies having heard that he “It is paper of native Indian manufacture,” he
was in London. Four years later Sholto dies. Within remarked. “It has at some time been pinned to a
a week of his death Captain Morstan’s daughter re- board. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan
ceives a valuable present, which is repeated from of part of a large building with numerous halls,
year to year, and now culminates in a letter which corridors, and passages. At one point is a small
describes her as a wronged woman. What wrong cross done in red ink, and above it is ‘3.37 from left,’
can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? in faded pencil-writing. In the left-hand corner is
And why should the presents begin immediately a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line
after Sholto’s death, unless it is that Sholto’s heir with their arms touching. Beside it is written, in
knows something of the mystery and desires to very rough and coarse characters, ‘The sign of the
make compensation? Have you any alternative four,—Jonathan Small, Mahomet Singh, Abdullah
theory which will meet the facts?” 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 a
strangely made! Why, too, should he write a letter document of importance. It has been kept carefully
now, rather than six years ago? Again, the letter in a pocket-book; for the one side is as clean as the
speaks of giving her justice. What justice can she other.”
have? It is too much to suppose that her father is “It was in his pocket-book that we found it.”
still alive. There is no other injustice in her case
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 diffi- that this matter may turn out to be much deeper
culties,” said Sherlock Holmes, pensively. “But our and more subtle than I at first supposed. I must
expedition of to-night will solve them all. Ah, here reconsider my ideas.” He leaned back in the cab,
is a four-wheeler, and Miss Morstan is inside. Are and I could see by his drawn brow and his vacant
you all ready? Then we had better go down, for it eye that he was thinking intently. Miss Morstan
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 else we had good reason to think that important is-
o’clock, but the day had been a dreary one, and sues might hang upon our journey. Miss Morstan’s
a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city. demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever.
Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy I endeavored to cheer and amuse her by reminis-
streets. Down the Strand the lamps were but misty cences of my adventures in Afghanistan; but, to tell
splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble the truth, I was myself so excited at our situation
circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement. The and so curious as to our destination that my stories
yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out were slightly involved. To this day she declares that
into the steamy, vaporous air, and threw a murky, I told her one moving anecdote as to how a musket
shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare. looked into my tent at the dead of night, and how
There was, to my mind, something eerie and ghost- I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it. At first I
like in the endless procession of faces which flitted had some idea as to the direction in which we were
across these narrow bars of light,—sad faces and driving; but soon, what with our pace, the fog, and
glad, haggard and merry. Like all human kind, my own limited knowledge of London, I lost my
they flitted from the gloom into the light, and so bearings, and knew nothing, save that we seemed
back into the gloom once more. I am not subject to be going a very long way. Sherlock Holmes was
to impressions, but the dull, heavy evening, with never at fault, however, and he muttered the names
the strange business upon which we were engaged, as the cab rattled through squares and in and out
combined to make me nervous and depressed. I by tortuous by-streets.
could see from Miss Morstan’s manner that she “Rochester Row,” said he. “Now Vincent
was suffering from the same feeling. Holmes alone Square. Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge
could rise superior to petty influences. He held his Road. We are making for the Surrey side, appar-
open note-book upon his knee, and from time to ently. Yes, I thought so. Now we are on the bridge.
time he jotted down figures and memoranda in the You can catch glimpses of the river.”
light of his pocket-lantern. We did indeed bet a fleeting view of a stretch of
At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already the Thames with the lamps shining upon the broad,
thick at the side-entrances. In front a continuous silent water; but our cab dashed on, and was soon
stream of hansoms and four-wheelers were rattling involved in a labyrinth of streets upon the other
up, discharging their cargoes of shirt-fronted men side.
and beshawled, bediamonded women. We had “Wordsworth Road,” said my companion. “Pri-
hardly reached the third pillar, which was our ren- ory Road. Lark Hall Lane. Stockwell Place. Robert
dezvous, before a small, dark, brisk man in the Street. Cold Harbor Lane. Our quest does not
dress of a coachman accosted us. appear to take us to very fashionable regions.”
“Are you the parties who come with Miss We had, indeed, reached a questionable and
Morstan?” he asked. forbidding neighborhood. Long lines of dull brick
“I am Miss Morstan, and these two gentlemen houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and
are my friends,” said she. tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner.
Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a
He bent a pair of wonderfully penetrating and
fronting of miniature garden, and then again inter-
questioning eyes upon us. “You will excuse me,
minable lines of new staring brick buildings,—the
miss,” he said with a certain dogged manner, “but
monster tentacles which the giant city was throw-
I was to ask you to give me your word that neither
ing out into the country. At last the cab drew up
of your companions is a police-officer.”
at the third house in a new terrace. None of the
“I give you my word on that,” she answered. other houses were inhabited, and that at which
He gave a shrill whistle, on which a street Arab we stopped was as dark as its neighbors, save for
led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. The a single glimmer in the kitchen window. On our
man who had addressed us mounted to the box, knocking, however, the door was instantly thrown
while we took our places inside. We had hardly open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban,
done so before the driver whipped up his horse, white loose-fitting clothes, and a yellow sash. There
and we plunged away at a furious pace through was something strangely incongruous in this Ori-
the foggy streets. ental figure framed in the commonplace door-way
The situation was a curious one. We were of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house.
driving to an unknown place, on an unknown er- “The Sahib awaits you,” said he, and even as he
rand. Yet our invitation was either a complete spoke there came a high piping voice from some
hoax,—which was an inconceivable hypothesis,—or inner room. “Show them in to me, khitmutgar,” it
cried. “Show them straight in to me.”
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 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, until unable to find anything amiss, save indeed that he
he came to a door upon the right, which he threw was in an ecstasy of fear, for he shivered from head
open. A blaze of yellow light streamed out upon to foot. “It appears to be normal,” I said. “You have
us, and in the centre of the glare there stood a small no cause for uneasiness.”
man with a very high head, a bristle of red hair “You will excuse my anxiety, Miss Morstan,”
all round the fringe of it, and a bald, shining scalp he remarked, airily. “I am a great sufferer, and I
which shot out from among it like a mountain-peak have long had suspicions as to that valve. I am
from fir-trees. He writhed his hands together as delighted to hear that they are unwarranted. Had
he stood, and his features were in a perpetual jerk, your father, Miss Morstan, refrained from throwing
now smiling, now scowling, but never for an in- a strain upon his heart, he might have been alive
stant in repose. Nature had given him a pendulous now.”
lip, and a too visible line of yellow and irregular
teeth, which he strove feebly to conceal by con- I could have struck the man across the face, so
stantly passing his hand over the lower part of his hot was I at this callous and off-hand reference to
face. In spite of his obtrusive baldness, he gave the so delicate a matter. Miss Morstan sat down, and
impression of youth. In point of fact he had just her face grew white to the lips. “I knew in my heart
turned his thirtieth year. that he was dead,” said she.
“I can give you every information,” said he,
“Your servant, Miss Morstan,” he kept repeat-
“and, what is more, I can do you justice; and I
ing, in a thin, high voice. “Your servant, gentlemen.
will, too, whatever Brother Bartholomew may say.
Pray step into my little sanctum. A small place,
I am so glad to have your friends here, not only
miss, but furnished to my own liking. An oasis of
as an escort to you, but also as witnesses to what
art in the howling desert of South London.”
I am about to do and say. The three of us can
We were all astonished by the appearance of show a bold front to Brother Bartholomew. But let
the apartment into which he invited us. In that us have no outsiders,—no police or officials. We
sorry house it looked as out of place as a diamond can settle everything satisfactorily among ourselves,
of the first water in a setting of brass. The richest without any interference. Nothing would annoy
and glossiest of curtains and tapestries draped the Brother Bartholomew more than any publicity.” He
walls, looped back here and there to expose some sat down upon a low settee and blinked at us in-
richly-mounted painting or Oriental vase. The car- quiringly with his weak, watery blue eyes.
pet was of amber-and-black, so soft and so thick “For my part,” said Holmes, “whatever you may
that the foot sank pleasantly into it, as into a bed choose to say will go no further.”
of moss. Two great tiger-skins thrown athwart it
increased the suggestion of Eastern luxury, as did a I nodded to show my agreement.
huge hookah which stood upon a mat in the corner. “That is well! That is well!” said he. “May I
A lamp in the fashion of a silver dove was hung offer you a glass of Chianti, Miss Morstan? Or of
from an almost invisible golden wire in the centre Tokay? I keep no other wines. Shall I open a flask?
of the room. As it burned it filled the air with a No? Well, then, I trust that you have no objection
subtle and aromatic odor. to tobacco-smoke, to the mild balsamic odor of the
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 little
“A doctor, eh?” cried he, much excited. “Have fellow, with his high, shining head, puffed uneasily
you your stethoscope? Might I ask you—would in the centre.
you have the kindness? I have grave doubts as to “When I first determined to make this commu-
my mitral valve, if you would be so very good. The nication to you,” said he, “I might have given you
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 that
ment in such a way that my man Williams might be he had been a friend of our father’s, we discussed
able to see you first. I have complete confidence in the case freely in his presence. He used to join in
his discretion, and he had orders, if he were dissat- our speculations as to what could have happened.
isfied, to proceed no further in the matter. You will Never for an instant did we suspect that he had the
excuse these precautions, but I am a man of some- whole secret hidden in his own breast,—that of all
what retiring, and I might even say refined, tastes, men he alone knew the fate of Arthur Morstan.
and there is nothing more unaesthetic than a po- “We did know, however, that some mys-
liceman. I have a natural shrinking from all forms tery—some positive danger—overhung our father.
of rough materialism. I seldom come in contact He was very fearful of going out alone, and he al-
with the rough crowd. I live, as you see, with some ways employed two prize-fighters to act as porters
little atmosphere of elegance around me. I may call at Pondicherry Lodge. Williams, who drove you to-
myself a patron of the arts. It is my weakness. The night, was one of them. He was once light-weight
landscape is a genuine Corot, and, though a con- champion of England. Our father would never tell
noisseur might perhaps throw a doubt upon that us what it was he feared, but he had a most marked
Salvator Rosa, there cannot be the least question aversion to men with wooden legs. On one occasion
about the Bouguereau. I am partial to the modern he actually fired his revolver at a wooden-legged
French school.” man, who proved to be a harmless tradesman can-
“You will excuse me, Mr. Sholto,” said Miss vassing for orders. We had to pay a large sum to
Morstan, “but I am here at your request to learn hush the matter up. My brother and I used to think
something which you desire to tell me. It is very this a mere whim of my father’s, but events have
late, and I should desire the interview to be as short since led us to change our opinion.
as possible.” “Early in 1882 my father received a letter from
“At the best it must take some time,” he an- India which was a great shock to him. He nearly
swered; “for we shall certainly have to go to Nor- fainted at the breakfast-table when he opened it,
wood and see Brother Bartholomew. We shall all and from that day he sickened to his death. What
go and try if we can get the better of Brother was in the letter we could never discover, but I
Bartholomew. He is very angry with me for taking could see as he held it that it was short and written
the course which has seemed right to me. I had in a scrawling hand. He had suffered for years from
quite high words with him last night. You cannot an enlarged spleen, but he now became rapidly
imagine what a terrible fellow he is when he is worse, and towards the end of April we were in-
angry.” formed that he was beyond all hope, and that he
wished to make a last communication to us.
“If we are to go to Norwood it would perhaps
be as well to start at once,” I ventured to remark. “When we entered his room he was propped up
with pillows and breathing heavily. He besought
He laughed until his ears were quite red. “That us to lock the door and to come upon either side
would hardly do,” he cried. “I don’t know what of the bed. Then, grasping our hands, he made a
he would say if I brought you in that sudden way. remarkable statement to us, in a voice which was
No, I must prepare you by showing you how we broken as much by emotion as by pain. I shall try
all stand to each other. In the first place, I must and give it to you in his own very words.
tell you that there are several points in the story of
“ ‘I have only one thing,’ he said, ‘which weighs
which I am myself ignorant. I can only lay the facts
upon my mind at this supreme moment. It is my
before you as far as I know them myself.
treatment of poor Morstan’s orphan. The cursed
“My father was, as you may have guessed, Ma- greed which has been my besetting sin through life
jor John Sholto, once of the Indian army. He re- has withheld from her the treasure, half at least
tired some eleven years ago, and came to live at of which should have been hers. And yet I have
Pondicherry Lodge in Upper Norwood. He had made no use of it myself,—so blind and foolish a
prospered in India, and brought back with him thing is avarice. The mere feeling of possession has
a considerable sum of money, a large collection been so dear to me that I could not bear to share it
of valuable curiosities, and a staff of native ser- with another. See that chaplet dipped with pearls
vants. With these advantages he bought himself a beside the quinine-bottle. Even that I could not
house, and lived in great luxury. My twin-brother bear to part with, although I had got it out with
Bartholomew and I were the only children. the design of sending it to her. You, my sons, will
“I very well remember the sensation which was give her a fair share of the Agra treasure. But send
caused by the disappearance of Captain Morstan. her nothing—not even the chaplet—until I am gone.

76
 The Sign of the Four

After all, men have been as bad as this and have ears down to my mouth. The treasure is hidden
recovered. in—At this instant a horrible change came over his
expression; his eyes stared wildly, his jaw dropped,
“ ‘I will tell you how Morstan died,’ he contin-
and he yelled, in a voice which I can never forget,
ued. ‘He had suffered for years from a weak heart,
‘Keep him out! For Christ’s sake keep him out’! We
but he concealed it from every one. I alone knew
both stared round at the window behind us upon
it. When in India, he and I, through a remarkable
which his gaze was fixed. A face was looking in at
chain of circumstances, came into possession of
us out of the darkness. We could see the whitening
a considerable treasure. I brought it over to Eng-
of the nose where it was pressed against the glass.
land, and on the night of Morstan’s arrival he came
It was a bearded, hairy face, with wild cruel eyes
straight over here to claim his share. He walked
and an expression of concentrated malevolence. My
over from the station, and was admitted by my
brother and I rushed towards the window, but the
faithful Lal Chowdar, who is now dead. Morstan
man was gone. When we returned to my father
and I had a difference of opinion as to the divi-
his head had dropped and his pulse had ceased to
sion of the treasure, and we came to heated words.
beat.
Morstan had sprung out of his chair in a paroxysm
of anger, when he suddenly pressed his hand to his “We searched the garden that night, but found
side, his face turned a dusky hue, and he fell back- no sign of the intruder, save that just under the
wards, cutting his head against the corner of the window a single footmark was visible in the flower-
treasure-chest. When I stooped over him I found, bed. But for that one trace, we might have thought
to my horror, that he was dead. that our imaginations had conjured up that wild,
“ ‘For a long time I sat half distracted, wonder- fierce face. We soon, however, had another and
ing what I should do. My first impulse was, of a more striking proof that there were secret agen-
course, to call for assistance; but I could not but cies at work all round us. The window of my
recognize that there was every chance that I would father’s room was found open in the morning, his
be accused of his murder. His death at the moment cupboards and boxes had been rifled, and upon
of a quarrel, and the gash in his head, would be his chest was fixed a torn piece of paper, with the
black against me. Again, an official inquiry could words ‘The sign of the four’ scrawled across it.
not be made without bringing out some facts about What the phrase meant, or who our secret visitor
the treasure, which I was particularly anxious to may have been, we never knew. As far as we can
keep secret. He had told me that no soul upon judge, none of my father’s property had been actu-
earth knew where he had gone. There seemed to ally stolen, though everything had been turned out.
be no necessity why any soul ever should know. My brother and I naturally associated this peculiar
incident with the fear which haunted my father
“ ‘I was still pondering over the matter, when, during his life; but it is still a complete mystery to
looking up, I saw my servant, Lal Chowdar, in the us.”
doorway. He stole in and bolted the door behind
him. “Do not fear, Sahib,” he said. “No one need The little man stopped to relight his hookah
know that you have killed him. Let us hide him and puffed thoughtfully for a few moments. We
away, and who is the wiser?” “I did not kill him,” had all sat absorbed, listening to his extraordinary
said I. Lal Chowdar shook his head and smiled. “I narrative. At the short account of her father’s death
heard it all, Sahib,” said he. “I heard you quar- Miss Morstan had turned deadly white, and for a
rel, and I heard the blow. But my lips are sealed. moment I feared that she was about to faint. She
All are asleep in the house. Let us put him away rallied however, on drinking a glass of water which
together.” That was enough to decide met. If my I quietly poured out for her from a Venetian carafe
own servant could not believe my innocence, how upon the side-table. Sherlock Holmes leaned back
could I hope to make it good before twelve fool- in his chair with an abstracted expression and the
ish tradesmen in a jury-box? Lal Chowdar and I lids drawn low over his glittering eyes. As I glanced
disposed of the body that night, and within a few at him I could not but think how on that very day
days the London papers were full of the mysterious he had complained bitterly of the commonplace-
disappearance of Captain Morstan. You will see ness of life. Here at least was a problem which
from what I say that I can hardly be blamed in the would tax his sagacity to the utmost. Mr. Thaddeus
matter. My fault lies in the fact that we concealed Sholto looked from one to the other of us with an
not only the body, but also the treasure, and that I obvious pride at the effect which his story had pro-
have clung to Morstan’s share as well as to my own. duced, and then continued between the puffs of his
I wish you, therefore, to make restitution. Put your overgrown pipe.

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 The Sign of the Four

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

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

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

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under his arm as we went up the stairs, for his It appeared to have been fitted up as a chemical
knees were trembling under him. Twice as we as- laboratory. A double line of glass-stoppered bot-
cended Holmes whipped his lens out of his pocket tles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door,
and carefully examined marks which appeared to and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners,
me to be mere shapeless smudges of dust upon the test-tubes, and retorts. In the corners stood carboys
cocoa-nut matting which served as a stair-carpet. of acid in wicker baskets. One of these appeared to
He walked slowly from step to step, holding the leak or to have been broken, for a stream of dark-
lamp, and shooting keen glances to right and left. colored liquid had trickled out from it, and the air
Miss Morstan had remained behind with the fright- was heavy with a peculiarly pungent, tar-like odor.
ened housekeeper. A set of steps stood at one side of the room, in the
The third flight of stairs ended in a straight pas- midst of a litter of lath and plaster, and above them
sage of some length, with a great picture in Indian there was an opening in the ceiling large enough
tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon for a man to pass through. At the foot of the steps
the left. Holmes advanced along it in the same a long coil of rope was thrown carelessly together.
slow and methodical way, while we kept close at By the table, in a wooden arm-chair, the mas-
his heels, with our long black shadows streaming ter of the house was seated all in a heap, with his
backwards down the corridor. The third door was head sunk upon his left shoulder, and that ghastly,
that which we were seeking. Holmes knocked with- inscrutable smile upon his face. He was stiff and
out receiving any answer, and then tried to turn cold, and had clearly been dead many hours. It
the handle and force it open. It was locked on the seemed to me that not only his features but all his
inside, however, and by a broad and powerful bolt, limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic
as we could see when we set our lamp up against fashion. By his hand upon the table there lay a
it. The key being turned, however, the hole was not peculiar instrument,—a brown, close-grained stick,
entirely closed. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it, with a stone head like a hammer, rudely lashed
and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of on with coarse twine. Beside it was a torn sheet
the breath. of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it.
Holmes glanced at it, and then handed it to me.
“There is something devilish in this, Watson,”
said he, more moved than I had ever before seen “You see,” he said, with a significant raising of
him. “What do you make of it?” the eyebrows.
In the light of the lantern I read, with a thrill of
I stooped to the hole, and recoiled in horror.
horror, “The sign of the four.”
Moonlight was streaming into the room, and it was
bright with a vague and shifty radiance. Looking “In God’s name, what does it all mean?” I asked.
straight at me, and suspended, as it were, in the “It means murder,” said he, stooping over the
air, for all beneath was in shadow, there hung a dead man. “Ah, I expected it. Look here!” He
face,—the very face of our companion Thaddeus. pointed to what looked like a long, dark thorn
There was the same high, shining head, the same stuck in the skin just above the ear.
circular bristle of red hair, the same bloodless coun- “It looks like a thorn,” said I.
tenance. The features were set, however, in a hor- “It is a thorn. You may pick it out. But be
rible smile, a fixed and unnatural grin, which in careful, for it is poisoned.”
that still and moonlit room was more jarring to the I took it up between my finger and thumb. It
nerves than any scowl or contortion. So like was came away from the skin so readily that hardly any
the face to that of our little friend that I looked mark was left behind. One tiny speck of blood
round at him to make sure that he was indeed with showed where the puncture had been.
us. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned “This is all an insoluble mystery to me,” said I.
to us that his brother and he were twins. “It grows darker instead of clearer.”
“This is terrible!” I said to Holmes. “What is to “On the contrary,” he answered, “it clears every
be done?” instant. I only require a few missing links to have
“The door must come down,” he answered, and, an entirely connected case.”
springing against it, he put all his weight upon the We had almost forgotten our companion’s pres-
lock. It creaked and groaned, but did not yield. ence since we entered the chamber. He was still
Together we flung ourselves upon it once more, standing in the door-way, the very picture of terror,
and this time it gave way with a sudden snap, and wringing his hands and moaning to himself. Sud-
we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto’s denly, however, he broke out into a sharp, queru-
chamber. lous cry.

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“The treasure is gone!” he said. “They have have brought you here if it were I? Oh, dear! oh,
robbed him of the treasure! There is the hole dear! I know that I shall go mad!” He jerked his
through which we lowered it. I helped him to arms and stamped his feet in a kind of convulsive
do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him frenzy.
here last night, and I heard him lock the door as I “You have no reason for fear, Mr. Sholto,” said
came down-stairs.” Holmes, kindly, putting his hand upon his shoulder.
“What time was that?” “Take my advice, and drive down to the station to
“It was ten o’clock. And now he is dead, and report this matter to the police. Offer to assist them
the police will be called in, and I shall be suspected in every way. We shall wait here until your return.”
of having had a hand in it. Oh, yes, I am sure I The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fash-
shall. But you don’t think so, gentlemen? Surely ion, and we heard him stumbling down the stairs
you don’t think that it was I? Is it likely that I would in the dark.

CHAPTER VI.
Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration

“Now, Watson,” said Holmes, rubbing his on the sill is the boot-mark, a heavy boot with the
hands, “we have half an hour to ourselves. Let broad metal heel, and beside it is the mark of the
us make good use of it. My case is, as I have told timber-toe.”
you, almost complete; but we must not err on the “It is the wooden-legged man.”
side of over-confidence. Simple as the case seems
now, there may be something deeper underlying “Quite so. But there has been some one else,—a
it.” very able and efficient ally. Could you scale that
wall, doctor?”
“Simple!” I ejaculated.
I looked out of the open window. The moon still
“Surely,” said he, with something of the air of shone brightly on that angle of the house. We were
a clinical professor expounding to his class. “Just a good sixty feet from the ground, and, look where
sit in the corner there, that your footprints may I would, I could see no foothold, nor as much as a
not complicate matters. Now to work! In the first crevice in the brick-work.
place, how did these folk come, and how did they
“It is absolutely impossible,” I answered.
go? The door has not been opened since last night.
How of the window?” He carried the lamp across “Without aid it is so. But suppose you had a
to it, muttering his observations aloud the while, friend up here who lowered you this good stout
but addressing them to himself rather than to me. rope which I see in the corner, securing one end
“Window is snibbed on the inner side. Framework of it to this great hook in the wall. Then, I think,
is solid. No hinges at the side. Let us open it. No if you were an active man, you might swarm up,
water-pipe near. Roof quite out of reach. Yet a man wooden leg and all. You would depart, of course,
has mounted by the window. It rained a little last in the same fashion, and your ally would draw up
night. Here is the print of a foot in mould upon the rope, untie it from the hook, shut the window,
the sill. And here is a circular muddy mark, and snib it on the inside, and get away in the way that
here again upon the floor, and here again by the he originally came. As a minor point it may be
table. See here, Watson! This is really a very pretty noted,” he continued, fingering the rope, “that our
demonstration.” wooden-legged friend, though a fair climber, was
not a professional sailor. His hands were far from
I looked at the round, well-defined muddy discs.
horny. My lens discloses more than one blood-
“This is not a footmark,” said I.
mark, especially towards the end of the rope, from
“It is something much more valuable to us. It is which I gather that he slipped down with such
the impression of a wooden stump. You see here velocity that he took the skin off his hand.”

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“This is all very well,” said I, “but the thing startled, surprised look come over his face. For
becomes more unintelligible than ever. How about myself, as I followed his gaze my skin was cold
this mysterious ally? How came he into the room?” under my clothes. The floor was covered thickly
“Yes, the ally!” repeated Holmes, pensively. with the prints of a naked foot,—clear, well defined,
“There are features of interest about this ally. He perfectly formed, but scarce half the size of those
lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. of an ordinary man.
I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the “Holmes,” I said, in a whisper, “a child has
annals of crime in this country,—though parallel done the horrid thing.”
cases suggest themselves from India, and, if my He had recovered his self-possession in an in-
memory serves me, from Senegambia.” stant. “I was staggered for the moment,” he said,
“How came he, then?” I reiterated. “The door is “but the thing is quite natural. My memory failed
locked, the window is inaccessible. Was it through me, or I should have been able to foretell it. There is
the chimney?” nothing more to be learned here. Let us go down.”
“The grate is much too small,” he answered. “I “What is your theory, then, as to those foot-
had already considered that possibility.” marks?” I asked, eagerly, when we had regained
“How then?” I persisted. the lower room once more.
“You will not apply my precept,” he said, shak- “My dear Watson, try a little analysis yourself,”
ing his head. “How often have I said to you that said he, with a touch of impatience. “You know my
when you have eliminated the impossible whatever methods. Apply them, and it will be instructive to
remains, however improbable, must be the truth? We compare results.”
know that he did not come through the door, the “I cannot conceive anything which will cover
window, or the chimney. We also know that he the facts,” I answered.
could not have been concealed in the room, as there
“It will be clear enough to you soon,” he said, in
is no concealment possible. Whence, then, did he
an off-hand way. “I think that there is nothing else
come?”
of importance here, but I will look.” He whipped
“He came through the hole in the roof,” I cried. out his lens and a tape measure, and hurried about
“Of course he did. He must have done so. If the room on his knees, measuring, comparing, ex-
you will have the kindness to hold the lamp for me, amining, with his long thin nose only a few inches
we shall now extend our researches to the room from the planks, and his beady eyes gleaming and
above,—the secret room in which the treasure was deep-set like those of a bird. So swift, silent, and
found.” furtive were his movements, like those of a trained
He mounted the steps, and, seizing a rafter with blood-hound picking out a scent, that I could not
either hand, he swung himself up into the garret. but think what a terrible criminal he would have
Then, lying on his face, he reached down for the made had he turned his energy and sagacity against
lamp and held it while I followed him. the law, instead of exerting them in its defense. As
The chamber in which we found ourselves was he hunted about, he kept muttering to himself, and
about ten feet one way and six the other. The finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight.
floor was formed by the rafters, with thin lath-and- “We are certainly in luck,” said he. “We ought
plaster between, so that in walking one had to step to have very little trouble now. Number One has
from beam to beam. The roof ran up to an apex, had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. You
and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here
of the house. There was no furniture of any sort, at the side of this evil-smelling mess. The carboy
and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon has been cracked, You see, and the stuff has leaked
the floor. out.”
“Here you are, you see,” said Sherlock Holmes, “What then?” I asked.
putting his hand against the sloping wall. “This is “Why, we have got him, that’s all,” said he. “I
a trap-door which leads out on to the roof. I can know a dog that would follow that scent to the
press it back, and here is the roof itself, sloping world’s end. If a pack can track a trailed her-
at a gentle angle. This, then, is the way by which ring across a shire, how far can a specially-trained
Number One entered. Let us see if we can find one hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds
other traces of his individuality.” like a sum in the rule of three. The answer should
He held down the lamp to the floor, and as give us the—But halloo! here are the accredited
he did so I saw for the second time that night a representatives of the law.”

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Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were never forget how you lectured us all on causes and
audible from below, and the hall door shut with a inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case.
loud crash. It’s true you set us on the right track; but you’ll
“Before they come,” said Holmes, “just put your own now that it was more by good luck than good
hand here on this poor fellow’s arm, and here on guidance.”
his leg. What do you feel?” “It was a piece of very simple reasoning.”
“The muscles are as hard as a board,” I an- “Oh, come, now, come! Never be ashamed to
swered. own up. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad
business! Stern facts here,—no room for theories.
“Quite so. They are in a state of extreme contrac-
How lucky that I happened to be out at Norwood
tion, far exceeding the usual rigor mortis. Coupled
over another case! I was at the station when the
with this distortion of the face, this Hippocratic
message arrived. What d’you think the man died
smile, or ‘risus sardonicus,’ as the old writers called
of?”
it, what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?”
“Oh, this is hardly a case for me to theorize
“Death from some powerful vegetable alka- over,” said Holmes, dryly.
loid,” I answered,—“some strychnine-like sub-
“No, no. Still, we can’t deny that you hit the
stance which would produce tetanus.”
nail on the head sometimes. Dear me! Door locked,
“That was the idea which occurred to me the I understand. Jewels worth half a million missing.
instant I saw the drawn muscles of the face. On get- How was the window?”
ting into the room I at once looked for the means by “Fastened; but there are steps on the sill.”
which the poison had entered the system. As you
“Well, well, if it was fastened the steps could
saw, I discovered a thorn which had been driven
have nothing to do with the matter. That’s common
or shot with no great force into the scalp. You ob-
sense. Man might have died in a fit; but then the
serve that the part struck was that which would be
jewels are missing. Ha! I have a theory. These
turned towards the hole in the ceiling if the man
flashes come upon me at times.—Just step outside,
were erect in his chair. Now examine the thorn.”
sergeant, and you, Mr. Sholto. Your friend can re-
I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of main.—What do you think of this, Holmes? Sholto
the lantern. It was long, sharp, and black, with a was, on his own confession, with his brother last
glazed look near the point as though some gummy night. The brother died in a fit, on which Sholto
substance had dried upon it. The blunt end had walked off with the treasure. How’s that?”
been trimmed and rounded off with a knife.
“On which the dead man very considerately got
“Is that an English thorn?” he asked. up and locked the door on the inside.”
“No, it certainly is not.” “Hum! There’s a flaw there. Let us apply com-
“With all these data you should be able to draw mon sense to the matter. This Thaddeus Sholto
some just inference. But here are the regulars: so was with his brother; there was a quarrel; so much
the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat.” we know. The brother is dead and the jewels are
gone. So much also we know. No one saw the
As he spoke, the steps which had been coming
brother from the time Thaddeus left him. His bed
nearer sounded loudly on the passage, and a very
had not been slept in. Thaddeus is evidently in
stout, portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into
a most disturbed state of mind. His appearance
the room. He was red-faced, burly and plethoric,
is—well, not attractive. You see that I am weaving
with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which
my web round Thaddeus. The net begins to close
looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy
upon him.”
pouches. He was closely followed by an inspector
in uniform, and by the still palpitating Thaddeus “You are not quite in possession of the facts yet,”
Sholto. said Holmes. “This splinter of wood, which I have
every reason to believe to be poisoned, was in the
“Here’s a business!” he cried, in a muffled, man’s scalp where you still see the mark; this card,
husky voice. “Here’s a pretty business! But who inscribed as you see it, was on the table; and beside
are all these? Why, the house seems to be as full as it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument.
a rabbit-warren!” How does all that fit into your theory?”
“I think you must recollect me, Mr. Athelney “Confirms it in every respect,” said the fat de-
Jones,” said Holmes, quietly. tective, pompously. “House is full of Indian cu-
“Why, of course I do!” he wheezed. “It’s Mr. riosities. Thaddeus brought this up, and if this
Sherlock Holmes, the theorist. Remember you! I’ll splinter be poisonous Thaddeus may as well have

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made murderous use of it as any other man. The I could easily see, by the precision of the other’s
card is some hocus-pocus,—a blind, as like as not. manner.
The only question is, how did he depart? Ah, of
“Is a rather curious person,” said Sherlock
course, here is a hole in the roof.” With great activ-
Holmes, turning upon his heel. “I hope before
ity, considering his bulk, he sprang up the steps and
very long to be able to introduce you to the pair of
squeezed through into the garret, and immediately
them. A word with you, Watson.”
afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming
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 is
“You see!” said Athelney Jones, reappearing not right that Miss Morstan should remain in this
down the steps again. “Facts are better than mere stricken house.”
theories, after all. My view of the case is confirmed. “No. You must escort her home. She lives with
There is a trap-door communicating with the roof, Mrs. Cecil Forrester, in Lower Camberwell: so it
and it is partly open.” is 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?”
“Oh, indeed! You did notice it, then?” He “By no means. I don’t think I could rest un-
seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. “Well, til I know more of this fantastic business. I have
whoever noticed it, it shows how our gentleman seen something of the rough side of life, but I give
got away. Inspector!” you my word that this quick succession of strange
“Yes, sir,” from the passage. surprises to-night has shaken my nerve completely.
“Ask Mr. Sholto to step this way.—Mr. Sholto, it I should like, however, to see the matter through
is my duty to inform you that anything which you with you, now that I have got so far.”
may say will be used against you. I arrest you in “Your presence will be of great service to me,”
the Queen’s name as being concerned in the death he answered. “We shall work the case out inde-
of your brother.” pendently, and leave this fellow Jones to exult over
“There, now! Didn’t I tell you!” cried the poor any mare’s-nest which he may choose to construct.
little man, throwing out his hands, and looking When you have dropped Miss Morstan I wish you
from one to the other of us. to go on to No. 3 Pinchin Lane, down near the
“Don’t trouble yourself about it, Mr. Sholto,” water’s edge at Lambeth. The third house on the
said Holmes. “I think that I can engage to clear you right-hand side is a bird-stuffer’s: Sherman is the
of the charge.” name. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit
“Don’t promise too much, Mr. Theorist,—don’t in the window. Knock old Sherman up, and tell
promise too much!” snapped the detective. “You him, with my compliments, that I want Toby at
may find it a harder matter than you think.” once. You will bring Toby back in the cab with
you.”
“Not only will I clear him, Mr. Jones, but I will
make you a free present of the name and descrip- “A dog, I suppose.”
tion of one of the two people who were in this room “Yes,—a queer mongrel, with a most amazing
last night. His name, I have every reason to believe, power of scent. I would rather have Toby’s help
is Jonathan Small. He is a poorly-educated man, than that of the whole detective force of London.”
small, active, with his right leg off, and wearing
a wooden stump which is worn away upon the “I shall bring him, then,” said I. “It is one now.
inner side. His left boot has a coarse, square-toed I ought to be back before three, if I can get a fresh
sole, with an iron band round the heel. He is a horse.”
middle-aged man, much sunburned, and has been “And I,” said Holmes, “shall see what I can
a convict. These few indications may be of some learn from Mrs. Bernstone, and from the Indian
assistance to you, coupled with the fact that there servant, who, Mr. Thaddeus tell me, sleeps in the
is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his next garret. Then I shall study the great Jones’s
hand. The other man—” methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms.
“Ah! the other man—?” asked Athelney Jones, ‘Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was
in a sneering voice, but impressed none the less, as sie nicht verstehen.’ Goethe is always pithy.”

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 The Sign of the Four

CHAPTER VII.
The Episode of the Barrel

The police had brought a cab with them, and dark business which had absorbed us.
in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. And the more I thought of what had happened,
After the angelic fashion of women, she had borne the wilder and darker it grew. I reviewed the whole
trouble with a calm face as long as there was some extraordinary sequence of events as I rattled on
one weaker than herself to support, and I had found through the silent gas-lit streets. There was the
her bright and placid by the side of the frightened original problem: that at least was pretty clear now.
housekeeper. In the cab, however, she first turned The death of Captain Morstan, the sending of the
faint, and then burst into a passion of weeping,—so pearls, the advertisement, the letter,—we had had
sorely had she been tried by the adventures of light upon all those events. They had only led
the night. She has told me since that she thought us, however, to a deeper and far more tragic mys-
me cold and distant upon that journey. She little tery. The Indian treasure, the curious plan found
guessed the struggle within my breast, or the effort among Morstan’s baggage, the strange scene at
of self-restraint which held me back. My sympa- Major Sholto’s death, the rediscovery of the trea-
thies and my love went out to her, even as my hand sure immediately followed by the murder of the
had in the garden. I felt that years of the conven- discoverer, the very singular accompaniments to
tionalities of life could not teach me to know her the crime, the footsteps, the remarkable weapons,
sweet, brave nature as had this one day of strange the words upon the card, corresponding with those
experiences. Yet there were two thoughts which upon Captain Morstan’s chart,—here was indeed a
sealed the words of affection upon my lips. She labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed
was weak and helpless, shaken in mind and nerve. than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever
It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love finding the clue.
upon her at such a time. Worse still, she was rich.
Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied
If Holmes’s researches were successful, she would
brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. I
be an heiress. Was it fair, was it honorable, that a
had to knock for some time at No. 3 before I could
half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an
make my impression. At last, however, there was
intimacy which chance had brought about? Might
the glint of a candle behind the blind, and a face
she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-
looked out at the upper window.
seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought
should cross her mind. This Agra treasure inter- “Go on, you drunken vagabone,” said the face.
vened like an impassable barrier between us. “If you kick up any more row I’ll open the kennels
and let out forty-three dogs upon you.”
It was nearly two o’clock when we reached Mrs.
Cecil Forrester’s. The servants had retired hours “If you’ll let one out it’s just what I have come
ago, but Mrs. Forrester had been so interested by for,” said I.
the strange message which Miss Morstan had re- “Go on!” yelled the voice. “So help me gracious,
ceived that she had sat up in the hope of her return. I have a wiper in the bag, an’ I’ll drop it on your
She opened the door herself, a middle-aged, grace- ’ead if you don’t hook it.”
ful woman, and it gave me joy to see how tenderly “But I want a dog,” I cried.
her arm stole round the other’s waist and how
“I won’t be argued with!” shouted Mr. Sherman.
motherly was the voice in which she greeted her.
“Now stand clear, for when I say ‘three,’ down goes
She was clearly no mere paid dependant, but an
the wiper.”
honored friend. I was introduced, and Mrs. For-
rester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her “Mr. Sherlock Holmes—” I began, but the words
our adventures. I explained, however, the impor- had a most magical effect, for the window instantly
tance of my errand, and promised faithfully to call slammed down, and within a minute the door was
and report any progress which we might make unbarred and open. Mr. Sherman was a lanky, lean
with the case. As we drove away I stole a glance old man, with stooping shoulders, a stringy neck,
back, and I still seem to see that little group on and blue-tinted glasses.
the step, the two graceful, clinging figures, the half- “A friend of Mr. Sherlock is always welcome,”
opened door, the hall light shining through stained said he. “Step in, sir. Keep clear of the badger; for
glass, the barometer, and the bright stair-rods. It he bites. Ah, naughty, naughty, would you take a
was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of nip at the gentleman?” This to a stoat which thrust
a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild, its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its

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cage. “Don’t mind that, sir: it’s only a slow-worm. to do a little climbing. And dip my handkerchief
It hain’t got no fangs, so I gives it the run o’ the into the creasote. That will do. Now come up into
room, for it keeps the bettles down. You must not the garret with me for a moment.”
mind my bein’ just a little short wi’ you at first, We clambered up through the hole. Holmes
for I’m guyed at by the children, and there’s many turned his light once more upon the footsteps in
a one just comes down this lane to knock me up. the dust.
What was it that Mr. Sherlock Holmes wanted, sir?”
“I wish you particularly to notice these foot-
“He wanted a dog of yours.” marks,” he said. “Do you observe anything note-
“Ah! that would be Toby.” worthy about them?”
“Yes, Toby was the name.” “They belong,” I said, “to a child or a small
woman.”
“Toby lives at No. 7 on the left here.” He moved
slowly forward with his candle among the queer “Apart from their size, though. Is there nothing
animal family which he had gathered round him. else?”
In the uncertain, shadowy light I could see dimly “They appear to be much as other footmarks.”
that there were glancing, glimmering eyes peeping “Not at all. Look here! This is the print of a
down at us from every cranny and corner. Even right foot in the dust. Now I make one with my
the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn naked foot beside it. What is the chief difference?”
fowls, who lazily shifted their weight from one leg
“Your toes are all cramped together. The other
to the other as our voices disturbed their slumbers.
print has each toe distinctly divided.”
Toby proved to an ugly, long-haired, lop-eared “Quite so. That is the point. Bear that in
creature, half spaniel and half lurcher, brown-and- mind. Now, would you kindly step over to that
white in color, with a very clumsy waddling gait. flap-window and smell the edge of the wood-work?
It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar I shall stay here, as I have this handkerchief in my
which the old naturalist handed to me, and, having hand.”
thus sealed an alliance, it followed me to the cab,
and made no difficulties about accompanying me. I did as he directed, and was instantly conscious
It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I of a strong tarry smell.
found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge. “That is where he put his foot in getting out.
The ex-prize-fighter McMurdo had, I found, been If you can trace him, I should think that Toby will
arrested as an accessory, and both he and Mr. Sholto have no difficulty. Now run down-stairs, loose the
had been marched off to the station. Two constables dog, and look out for Blondin.”
guarded the narrow gate, but they allowed me to By the time that I got out into the grounds Sher-
pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective’s lock Holmes was on the roof, and I could see him
name. like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly
Holmes was standing on the door-step, with his along the ridge. I lost sight of him behind a stack
hands in his pockets, smoking his pipe. of chimneys, but he presently reappeared, and then
vanished once more upon the opposite side. When
“Ah, you have him there!” said he. “Good dog,
I made my way round there I found him seated at
then! Athelney Jones has gone. We have had an
one of the corner eaves.
immense display of energy since you left. He has
arrested not only friend Thaddeus, but the gate- “That You, Watson?” he cried.
keeper, the housekeeper, and the Indian servant. “Yes.”
We have the place to ourselves, but for a sergeant “This is the place. What is that black thing
up-stairs. Leave the dog here, and come up.” down there?”
We tied Toby to the hall table, and reascended “A water-barrel.”
the stairs. The room was as we had left it, save “Top on it?”
that a sheet had been draped over the central fig-
ure. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in “Yes.”
the corner. “No sign of a ladder?”
“Lend me your bull’s-eye, sergeant,” said my “No.”
companion. “Now tie this bit of card round my “Confound the fellow! It’s a most break-neck
neck, so as to hang it in front of me. Thank you. place. I ought to be able to come down where he
Now I must kick off my boots and stockings.—Just could climb up. The water-pipe feels pretty firm.
you carry them down with you, Watson. I am going Here goes, anyhow.”

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 The Sign of the Four

There was a scuffling of feet, and the lantern beech. Where the two walls joined, several bricks
began to come steadily down the side of the wall. had been loosened, and the crevices left were worn
Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel, down and rounded upon the lower side, as though
and from there to the earth. they had frequently been used as a ladder. Holmes
“It was easy to follow him,” he said, drawing on clambered up, and, taking the dog from me, he
his stockings and boots. “Tiles were loosened the dropped it over upon the other side.
whole way along, and in his hurry he had dropped “There’s the print of wooden-leg’s hand,” he
this. It confirms my diagnosis, as you doctors ex- remarked, as I mounted up beside him. “You see
press it.” the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster.
What a lucky thing it is that we have had no very
The object which he held up to me was a small
heavy rain since yesterday! The scent will lie upon
pocket or pouch woven out of colored grasses and
the road in spite of their eight-and-twenty hours’
with a few tawdry beads strung round it. In shape
start.”
and size it was not unlike a cigarette-case. Inside
were half a dozen spines of dark wood, sharp at I confess that I had my doubts myself when I
one end and rounded at the other, like that which reflected upon the great traffic which had passed
had struck Bartholomew Sholto. along the London road in the interval. My fears
were soon appeased, however. Toby never hesitated
“They are hellish things,” said he. “Look out or swerved, but waddled on in his peculiar rolling
that you don’t prick yourself. I’m delighted to have fashion. Clearly, the pungent smell of the creasote
them, for the chances are that they are all he has. rose high above all other contending scents.
There is the less fear of you or me finding one in
“Do not imagine,” said Holmes, “that I depend
our skin before long. I would sooner face a Martini
for my success in this case upon the mere chance
bullet, myself. Are you game for a six-mile trudge,
of one of these fellows having put his foot in the
Watson?”
chemical. I have knowledge now which would en-
“Certainly,” I answered. able me to trace them in many different ways. This,
“Your leg will stand it?” however, is the readiest and, since fortune has put
“Oh, yes.” it into our hands, I should be culpable if I neglected
it. It has, however, prevented the case from becom-
“Here you are, doggy! Good old Toby! Smell ing the pretty little intellectual problem which it at
it, Toby, smell it!” He pushed the creasote handker- one time promised to be. There might have been
chief under the dog’s nose, while the creature stood some credit to be gained out of it, but for this too
with its fluffy legs separated, and with a most com- palpable clue.”
ical cock to its head, like a connoisseur sniffing the
“There is credit, and to spare,” said I. “I assure
bouquet of a famous vintage. Holmes then threw
you, Holmes, that I marvel at the means by which
the handkerchief to a distance, fastened a stout cord
you obtain your results in this case, even more than
to the mongrel’s collar, and let him to the foot of
I did in the Jefferson Hope Murder. The thing
the water-barrel. The creature instantly broke into
seems to me to be deeper and more inexplicable.
a succession of high, tremulous yelps, and, with his
How, for example, could you describe with such
nose on the ground, and his tail in the air, pattered
confidence the wooden-legged man?”
off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash
“Pshaw, my dear boy! it was simplicity itself.
and kept us at the top of our speed.
I don’t wish to be theatrical. It is all patent and
The east had been gradually whitening, and we above-board. Two officers who are in command
could now see some distance in the cold gray light. of a convict-guard learn an important secret as to
The square, massive house, with its black, empty buried treasure. A map is drawn for them by an
windows and high, bare walls, towered up, sad Englishman named Jonathan Small. You remember
and forlorn, behind us. Our course let right across that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain
the grounds, in and out among the trenches and Morstan’s possession. He had signed it in behalf
pits with which they were scarred and intersected. of himself and his associates,—the sign of the four,
The whole place, with its scattered dirt-heaps and as he somewhat dramatically called it. Aided by
ill-grown shrubs, had a blighted, ill-omened look this chart, the officers—or one of them—gets the
which harmonized with the black tragedy which treasure and brings it to England, leaving, we will
hung over it. suppose, some condition under which he received
On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along, it unfulfilled. Now, then, why did not Jonathan
whining eagerly, underneath its shadow, and Small get the treasure himself? The answer is ob-
stopped finally in a corner screened by a young vious. The chart is dated at a time when Morstan

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 The Sign of the Four

was brought into close association with convicts. four associates, something in the nature of an act
Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he of justice. Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this
and his associates were themselves convicts and kind are common enough in the annals of crime,
could not get away.” and usually afford valuable indications as to the
“But that is mere speculation,” said I. criminal. Do you follow all this?”
“It is more than that. It is the only hypothesis “Very clearly.”
which covers the facts. Let us see how it fits in with “Now, what could Jonathan Small do? He could
the sequel. Major Sholto remains at peace for some only continue to keep a secret watch upon the ef-
years, happy in the possession of his treasure. Then forts made to find the treasure. Possibly he leaves
he receives a letter from India which gives him a England and only comes back at intervals. Then
great fright. What was that?” comes the discovery of the garret, and he is in-
“A letter to say that the men whom he had stantly informed of it. We again trace the presence
wronged had been set free.” of some confederate in the household. Jonathan,
“Or had escaped. That is much more likely, for with his wooden leg, is utterly unable to reach the
he would have known what their term of impris- lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. He takes with
onment was. It would not have been a surprise him, however, a rather curious associate, who gets
to him. What does he do then? He guards him- over this difficulty, but dips his naked foot into crea-
self against a wooden-legged man,—a white man, sote, whence come Toby, and a six-mile limp for a
mark you, for he mistakes a white tradesman for half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis.”
him, and actually fires a pistol at him. Now, only “But it was the associate, and not Jonathan, who
one white man’s name is on the chart. The oth- committed the crime.”
ers are Hindoos or Mohammedans. There is no
other white man. Therefore we may say with con- “Quite so. And rather to Jonathan’s disgust,
fidence that the wooden-legged man is identical to judge by the way the stamped about when he
with Jonathan Small. Does the reasoning strike yo got into the room. He bore no grudge against
as being faulty?” Bartholomew Sholto, and would have preferred if
he could have been simply bound and gagged. He
“No: it is clear and concise.” did not wish to put his head in a halter. There was
“Well, now, let us put ourselves in the place of no help for it, however: the savage instincts of his
Jonathan Small. Let us look at it from his point of companion had broken out, and the poison had
view. He comes to England with the double idea of done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record,
regaining what he would consider to be his rights lowered the treasure-box to the ground, and fol-
and of having his revenge upon the man who had lowed it himself. That was the train of events as
wronged him. He found out where Sholto lived, far as I can decipher them. Of course as to his
and very possibly he established communications personal appearance he must be middle-aged, and
with some one inside the house. There is this butler, must be sunburned after serving his time in such
Lal Rao, whom we have not seen. Mrs. Bernstone an oven as the Andamans. His height is readily
gives him far from a good character. Small could calculated from the length of his stride, and we
not find out, however, where the treasure was hid, know that he was bearded. His hairiness was the
for no one ever knew, save the major and one faith- one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus
ful servant who had died. Suddenly Small learns Sholto when he saw him at the window. I don’t
that the major is on his death-bed. In a frenzy lest know that there is anything else.”
the secret of the treasure die with him, he runs
“The associate?”
the gauntlet of the guards, makes his way to the
dying man’s window, and is only deterred from “Ah, well, there is no great mystery in that.
entering by the presence of his two sons. Mad with But you will know all about it soon enough. How
hate, however, against the dead man, he enters the sweet the morning air is! See how that one little
room that night, searches his private papers in the cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic
hope of discovering some memorandum relating flamingo. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself
to the treasure, and finally leaves a memento of over the London cloud-bank. It shines on a good
his visit in the short inscription upon the card. He many folk, but on none, I dare bet, who are on
had doubtless planned beforehand that should he a stranger errand than you and I. How small we
slay the major he would leave some such record feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the
upon the body as a sign that it was not a com- presence of the great elemental forces of nature!
mon murder, but, from the point of view of the Are you well up in your Jean Paul?”

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 The Sign of the Four

“Fairly so. I worked back to him through Car- latter street turns into Knight’s Place, Toby ceased
lyle.” to advance, but began to run backwards and for-
“That was like following the brook to the parent wards with one ear cocked and the other drooping,
lake. He makes one curious but profound remark. the very picture of canine indecision. Then he wad-
It is that the chief proof of man’s real greatness lies dled round in circles, looking up to us from time
in his perception of his own smallness. It argues, to time, as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrass-
you see, a power of comparison and of appreciation ment.
which is in itself a proof of nobility. There is much “What the deuce is the matter with the dog?”
food for thought in Richter. You have not a pistol, growled Holmes. “They surely would not take a
have you?” cab, or go off in a balloon.”
“I have my stick.” “Perhaps they stood here for some time,” I sug-
gested.
“It is just possible that we may need something
of the sort if we get to their lair. Jonathan I shall “Ah! it’s all right. He’s off again,” said my
leave to you, but if the other turns nasty I shall companion, in a tone of relief.
shoot him dead.” He took out his revolver as he He was indeed off, for after sniffing round again
spoke, and, having loaded two of the chambers, he he suddenly made up his mind, and darted away
put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket. with an energy and determination such as he had
We had during this time been following the not yet shown. The scent appeared to be much
guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined hotter than before, for he had not even to put his
roads which lead to the metropolis. Now, how- nose on the ground, but tugged at his leash and
ever, we were beginning to come among continuous tried to break into a run. I cold see by the gleam in
streets, where laborers and dockmen were already Holmes’s eyes that he thought we were nearing the
astir, and slatternly women were taking down shut- end of our journey.
ters and brushing door-steps. At the square-topped Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we
corner public houses business was just beginning, came to Broderick and Nelson’s large timber-yard,
and rough-looking men were emerging, rubbing just past the White Eagle tavern. Here the dog,
their sleeves across their beards after their morn- frantic with excitement, turned down through the
ing wet. Strange dogs sauntered up and stared side-gate into the enclosure, where the sawyers
wonderingly at us as we passed, but our inimitable were already at work. On the dog raced through
Toby looked neither to the right nor to the left, but sawdust and shavings, down an alley, round a pas-
trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an sage, between two wood-piles, and finally, with a
occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent. triumphant yelp, sprang upon a large barrel which
We had traversed Streatham, Brixton, Camber- still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had
well, and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane, been brought. With lolling tongue and blinking
having borne away through the side-streets to the eyes, Toby stood upon the cask, looking from one
east of the Oval. The men whom we pursued to the other of us for some sign of appreciation. The
seemed to have taken a curiously zigzag road, staves of the barrel and the wheels of the trolley
with the idea probably of escaping observation. were smeared with a dark liquid, and the whole air
They had never kept to the main road if a parallel was heavy with the smell of creasote.
side-street would serve their turn. At the foot of Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each
Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left other, and then burst simultaneously into an un-
through Bond Street and Miles Street. Where the controllable fit of laughter.

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 The Sign of the Four

CHAPTER VIII.
The Baker Street Irregulars

“What now?” I asked. “Toby has lost his char- their tracks. There has, I fear, been preconcerted
acter for infallibility.” management here.”
“He acted according to his lights,” said Holmes, He was approaching the door of the house,
lifting him down from the barrel and walking him when it opened, and a little, curly-headed lad of six
out of the timber-yard. “If you consider how much came running out, followed by a stoutish, red-faced
creasote is carted about London in one day, it is woman with a large sponge in her hand.
no great wonder that our trail should have been “You come back and be washed, Jack,” she
crossed. It is much used now, especially for the shouted. “Come back, you young imp; for if your
seasoning of wood. Poor Toby is not to blame.” father comes home and finds you like that, he’ll let
“We must get on the main scent again, I sup- us hear of it.”
pose.”
“Dear little chap!” said Holmes, strategically.
“Yes. And, fortunately, we have no distance to “What a rosy-cheeked young rascal! Now, Jack, is
go. Evidently what puzzled the dog at the corner there anything you would like?”
of Knight’s Place was that there were two different
The youth pondered for a moment. “I’d like a
trails running in opposite directions. We took the
shillin’,” said he.
wrong one. It only remains to follow the other.”
There was no difficulty about this. On leading “Nothing you would like better?”
Toby to the place where he had committed his fault, “I’d like two shillin’ better,” the prodigy an-
he cast about in a wide circle and finally dashed off swered, after some thought.
in a fresh direction. “Here you are, then! Catch!—A fine child, Mrs.
“We must take care that he does not now bring Smith!”
us to the place where the creasote-barrel came “Lor’ bless you, sir, he is that, and forward. He
from,” I observed. gets a’most too much for me to manage, ’specially
“I had thought of that. But you notice that he when my man is away days at a time.”
keeps on the pavement, whereas the barrel passed “Away, is he?” said Holmes, in a disappointed
down the roadway. No, we are on the true scent voice. “I am sorry for that, for I wanted to speak to
now.” Mr. Smith.”
It tended down towards the river-side, running
“He’s been away since yesterday mornin’, sir,
through Belmont Place and Prince’s Street. At the
and, truth to tell, I am beginnin’ to feel frightened
end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water’s
about him. But if it was about a boat, sir, maybe I
edge, where there was a small wooden wharf. Toby
could serve as well.”
led us to the very edge of this, and there stood
whining, looking out on the dark current beyond. “I wanted to hire his steam launch.”
“We are out of luck,” said Holmes. “They have “Why, bless you, sir, it is in the steam launch
taken to a boat here.” Several small punts and skiffs that he has gone. That’s what puzzles me; for I
were lying about in the water and on the edge of know there ain’t more coals in her than would take
the wharf. We took Toby round to each in turn, but, her to about Woolwich and back. If he’d been away
though he sniffed earnestly, he made no sign. in the barge I’d ha’ thought nothin’; for many a
Close to the rude landing-stage was a small time a job has taken him as far as Gravesend, and
brick house, with a wooden placard slung out then if there was much doin’ there he might ha’
through the second window. “Mordecai Smith” stayed over. But what good is a steam launch with-
was printed across it in large letters, and, under- out coals?”
neath, “Boats to hire by the hour or day.” A sec- “He might have bought some at a wharf down
ond inscription above the door informed us that a the river.”
steam launch was kept,—a statement which was “He might, sir, but it weren’t his way. Many
confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty. a time I’ve heard him call out at the prices they
Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round, and his face charge for a few odd bags. Besides, I don’t like
assumed an ominous expression. that wooden-legged man, wi’ his ugly face and out-
“This looks bad,” said he. “These fellows are landish talk. What did he want always knockin’
sharper than I expected. They seem to have covered about here for?”

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“A wooden-legged man?” said Holmes, with “What would you do, then?”
bland surprise. “I would engage a launch and go down the river
“Yes, sir, a brown, monkey-faced chap that’s on the track of the Aurora.”
called more’n once for my old man. It was him that “My dear fellow, it would be a colossal task.
roused him up yesternight, and, what’s more, my She may have touched at any wharf on either side
man knew he was comin’, for he had steam up in of the stream between here and Greenwich. Below
the launch. I tell you straight, sir, I don’t feel easy the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-
in my mind about it.” places for miles. It would take you days and days
to exhaust them, if you set about it alone.”
“But, my dear Mrs. Smith,” said Holmes, shrug-
ging his shoulders, “You are frightening yourself “Employ the police, then.”
about nothing. How could you possibly tell that “No. I shall probably call Athelney Jones in
it was the wooden-legged man who came in the at the last moment. He is not a bad fellow, and I
night? I don’t quite understand how you can be so should not like to do anything which would injure
sure.” him professionally. But I have a fancy for working
it out myself, now that we have gone so far.”
“His voice, sir. I knew his voice, which is kind o’
“Could we advertise, then, asking for informa-
thick and foggy. He tapped at the winder,—about
tion from wharfingers?”
three it would be. ‘Show a leg, matey,’ says he:
‘time to turn out guard.’ My old man woke up “Worse and worse! Our men would know that
Jim,—that’s my eldest,—and away they went, with- the chase was hot at their heels, and they would
out so much as a word to me. I could hear the be off out of the country. As it is, they are likely
wooden leg clackin’ on the stones.” enough to leave, but as long as they think they are
perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. Jones’s en-
“And was this wooden-legged man alone?” ergy will be of use to us there, for his view of the
“Couldn’t say, I am sure, sir. I didn’t hear no case is sure to push itself into the daily press, and
one else.” the runaways will think that every one is off on the
“I am sorry, Mrs. Smith, for I wanted a steam wrong scent.”
launch, and I have heard good reports of the—Let “What are we to do, then?” I asked, as we
me see, what is her name?” landed near Millbank Penitentiary.
“The Aurora, sir.” “Take this hansom, drive home, have some
breakfast, and get an hour’s sleep. It is quite on the
“Ah! She’s not that old green launch with a cards that we may be afoot to-night again. Stop at
yellow line, very broad in the beam?” a telegraph-office, cabby! We will keep Toby, for he
“No, indeed. She’s as trim a little thing as any may be of use to us yet.”
on the river. She’s been fresh painted, black with We pulled up at the Great Peter Street post-
two red streaks.” office, and Holmes despatched his wire. “Whom
“Thanks. I hope that you will hear soon from do you think that is to?” he asked, as we resumed
Mr. Smith. I am going down the river; and if I our journey.
should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him “I am sure I don’t know.”
know that you are uneasy. A black funnel, you “You remember the Baker Street division of the
say?” detective police force whom I employed in the Jef-
“No, sir. Black with a white band.” ferson Hope case?”
“Well,” said I, laughing.
“Ah, of course. It was the sides which were
“This is just the case where they might be in-
black. Good-morning, Mrs. Smith.—There is a boat-
valuable. If they fail, I have other resources; but I
man here with a wherry, Watson. We shall take it
shall try them first. That wire was to my dirty little
and cross the river.
lieutenant, Wiggins, and I expect that he and his
“The main thing with people of that sort,” said gang will be with us before we have finished our
Holmes, as we sat in the sheets of the wherry, “is breakfast.”
never to let them think that their information can It was between eight and nine o’clock now, and
be of the slightest importance to you. If you do, I was conscious of a strong reaction after the suc-
they will instantly shut up like an oyster. If you cessive excitements of the night. I was limp and
listen to them under protest, as it were, you are weary, befogged in mind and fatigued in body. I
very likely to get what you want.” had not the professional enthusiasm which carried
“Our course now seems pretty clear,” said I. my companion on, nor could I look at the matter

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as a mere abstract intellectual problem. As far as so through a trap-door into a room which commu-
the death of Bartholomew Sholto went, I had heard nicated with that in which the body was found.
little good of him, and could feel no intense antipa- This fact, which has been very clearly made out,
thy to his murderers. The treasure, however, was a proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard
different matter. That, or part of it, belonged right- burglary. The prompt and energetic action of the
fully to Miss Morstan. While there was a chance officers of the law shows the great advantage of
of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the presence on such occasions of a single vigorous
the one object. True, if I found it it would probably and masterful mind. We cannot but think that it
put her forever beyond my reach. Yet it would be a supplies an argument to those who would wish
petty and selfish love which would be influenced to see our detectives more decentralized, and so
by such a thought as that. If Holmes could work to brought into closer and more effective touch with
find the criminals, I had a tenfold stronger reason the cases which it is their duty to investigate.”
to urge me on to find the treasure. “Isn’t it gorgeous!” said Holmes, grinning over
A bath at Baker Street and a complete change his coffee-cup. “What do you think of it?”
freshened me up wonderfully. When I came down “I think that we have had a close shave ourselves
to our room I found the breakfast laid and Holmes of being arrested for the crime.”
pouring out the coffee. “So do I. I wouldn’t answer for our safety now,
“Here it is,” said he, laughing, and pointing to if he should happen to have another of his attacks
an open newspaper. “The energetic Jones and the of energy.”
ubiquitous reporter have fixed it up between them. At this moment there was a loud ring at the
But you have had enough of the case. Better have bell, and I could hear Mrs. Hudson, our landlady,
your ham and eggs first.” raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and
I took the paper from him and read the short dismay.
notice, which was headed “Mysterious Business at “By heaven, Holmes,” I said, half rising, “I be-
Upper Norwood.” lieve that they are really after us.”
“About twelve o’clock last night,” said the Stan- “No, it’s not quite so bad as that. It is the unof-
dard, “Mr. Bartholomew Sholto, of Pondicherry ficial force,—the Baker Street irregulars.”
Lodge, Upper Norwood, was found dead in his As he spoke, there came a swift pattering of
room under circumstances which point to foul play. naked feet upon the stairs, a clatter of high voices,
As far as we can learn, no actual traces of violence and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street-
were found upon Mr. Sholto’s person, but a valu- Arabs. There was some show of discipline among
able collection of Indian gems which the deceased them, despite their tumultuous entry, for they in-
gentleman had inherited from his father has been stantly drew up in line and stood facing us with
carried off. The discovery was first made by Mr. expectant faces. One of their number, taller and
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who had called older than the others, stood forward with an air of
at the house with Mr. Thaddeus Sholto, brother lounging superiority which was very funny in such
of the deceased. By a singular piece of good for- a disreputable little carecrow.
tune, Mr. Athelney Jones, the well-known member
“Got your message, sir,” said he, “and brought
of the detective police force, happened to be at the
’em on sharp. Three bob and a tanner for tickets.”
Norwood Police Station, and was on the ground
within half an hour of the first alarm. His trained “Here you are,” said Holmes, producing some
and experienced faculties were at once directed silver. “In future they can report to you, Wiggins,
towards the detection of the criminals, with the and you to me. I cannot have the house invaded
gratifying result that the brother, Thaddeus Sholto, in this way. However, it is just as well that you
has already been arrested, together with the house- should all hear the instructions. I want to find the
keeper, Mrs. Bernstone, an Indian butler named whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora,
Lal Rao, and a porter, or gatekeeper, named Mc- owner Mordecai Smith, black with two red streaks,
Murdo. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves funnel black with a white band. She is down the
were well acquainted with the house, for Mr. Jones’s river somewhere. I want one boy to be at Mordecai
well-known technical knowledge and his powers Smith’s landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if
of minute observation have enabled him to prove the boat comes back. You must divide it out among
conclusively that the miscreants could not have en- yourselves, and do both banks thoroughly. Let me
tered by the door or by the window, but must have know the moment you have news. Is that all clear?”
made their way across the roof of the building, and “Yes, guv’nor,” said Wiggins.

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 The Sign of the Four

“The old scale of pay, and a guinea to the boy It may be looked upon as the very latest authority.
who finds the boat. Here’s a day in advance. Now What have we here? ‘Andaman Islands, situated
off you go!” He handed them a shilling each, and 340 miles to the north of Sumatra, in the Bay of
away they buzzed down the stairs, and I saw them Bengal.’ Hum! hum! What’s all this? Moist climate,
a moment later streaming down the street. coral reefs, sharks, Port Blair, convict-barracks, Rut-
“If the launch is above water they will find her,” land Island, cottonwoods—Ah, here we are. ‘The
said Holmes, as he rose from the table and lit his aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps
pipe. “They can go everywhere, see everything, claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon
overhear every one. I expect to hear before evening this earth, though some anthropologists prefer the
that they have spotted her. In the mean while, we Bushmen of Africa, the Digger Indians of America,
can do nothing but await results. We cannot pick and the Terra del Fuegians. The average height is
up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora rather below four feet, although many full-grown
or Mr. Mordecai Smith.” adults may be found who are very much smaller
than this. They are a fierce, morose, and intractable
“Toby could eat these scraps, I dare say. Are people, though capable of forming most devoted
you going to bed, Holmes?” friendships when their confidence has once been
“No: I am not tired. I have a curious consti- gained.’ Mark that, Watson. Now, then, listen to
tution. I never remember feeling tired by work, this. ‘They are naturally hideous, having large,
though idleness exhausts me completely. I am go- misshapen heads, small, fierce eyes, and distorted
ing to smoke and to think over this queer busi- features. Their feet and hands, however, are remark-
ness to which my fair client has introduced us. If ably small. So intractable and fierce are they that all
ever man had an easy task, this of ours ought to the efforts of the British official have failed to win
be. Wooden-legged men are not so common, but them over in any degree. They have always been a
the other man must, I should think, be absolutely terror to shipwrecked crews, braining the survivors
unique.” with their stone-headed clubs, or shooting them
“That other man again!” with their poisoned arrows. These massacres are
invariably concluded by a cannibal feast.’ Nice,
“I have no wish to make a mystery of him,—to
amiable people, Watson! If this fellow had been left
you, anyway. But you must have formed your own
to his own unaided devices this affair might have
opinion. Now, do consider the data. Diminutive
taken an even more ghastly turn. I fancy that, even
footmarks, toes never fettered by boots, naked feet,
as it is, Jonathan Small would give a good deal not
stone-headed wooden mace, great agility, small poi-
to have employed him.”
soned darts. What do you make of all this?”
“But how came he to have so singular a com-
“A savage!” I exclaimed. “Perhaps one of those panion?”
Indians who were the associates of Jonathan Small.”
“Ah, that is more than I can tell. Since, however,
“Hardly that,” said he. “When first I saw signs we had already determined that Small had come
of strange weapons I was inclined to think so; but from the Andamans, it is not so very wonderful
the remarkable character of the footmarks caused that this islander should be with him. No doubt we
me to reconsider my views. Some of the inhabitants shall know all about it in time. Look here, Watson;
of the Indian Peninsula are small men, but none you look regularly done. Lie down there on the
could have left such marks as that. The Hindoo sofa, and see if I can put you to sleep.”
proper has long and thin feet. The sandal-wearing
Mohammedan has the great toe well separated He took up his violin from the corner, and as
from the others, because the thong is commonly I stretched myself out he began to play some low,
passed between. These little darts, too, could only dreamy, melodious air,—his own, no doubt, for he
be shot in one way. They are from a blow-pipe. had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a
Now, then, where are we to find our savage?” vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest
face, and the rise and fall of his bow. Then I seemed
“South American,” I hazarded. to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of
He stretched his hand up, and took down a sound, until I found myself in dream-land, with
bulky volume from the shelf. “This is the first vol- the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon
ume of a gazetteer which is now being published. me.

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 The Sign of the Four

CHAPTER IX.
A Break in the Chain

It was late in the afternoon before I woke, “It is a romance!” cried Mrs. Forrester. “An
strengthened and refreshed. Sherlock Holmes still injured lady, half a million in treasure, a black can-
sat exactly as I had left him, save that he had laid nibal, and a wooden-legged ruffian. They take the
aside his violin and was deep in a book. He looked place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl.”
across at me, as I stirred, and I noticed that his face “And two knight-errants to the rescue,” added
was dark and troubled. Miss Morstan, with a bright glance at me.
“You have slept soundly,” he said. “I feared that “Why, Mary, your fortune depends upon the is-
our talk would wake you.” sue of this search. I don’t think that you are nearly
“I heard nothing,” I answered. “Have you had excited enough. Just imagine what it must be to be
fresh news, then?” so rich, and to have the world at your feet!”
“Unfortunately, no. I confess that I am surprised It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice
and disappointed. I expected something definite by that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect.
this time. Wiggins has just been up to report. He On the contrary, she gave a toss of her proud head,
says that no trace can be found of the launch. It is a as though the matter were one in which she took
provoking check, for every hour is of importance.” small interest.
“Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now, “It is for Mr. Thaddeus Sholto that I am anx-
and quite ready for another night’s outing.” ious,” she said. “Nothing else is of any conse-
quence; but I think that he has behaved most kindly
“No, we can do nothing. We can only wait. If
and honorably throughout. It is our duty to clear
we go ourselves, the message might come in our
him of this dreadful and unfounded charge.”
absence, and delay be caused. You can do what
you will, but I must remain on guard.” It was evening before I left Camberwell, and
quite dark by the time I reached home. My com-
“Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call
panion’s book and pipe lay by his chair, but he had
upon Mrs. Cecil Forrester. She asked me to, yester-
disappeared. I looked about in the hope of seeing
day.”
a note, but there was none.
“On Mrs. Cecil Forrester?” asked Holmes, with
“I suppose that Mr. Sherlock Holmes has gone
the twinkle of a smile in his eyes.
out,” I said to Mrs. Hudson as she came up to lower
“Well, of course Miss Morstan too. They were the blinds.
anxious to hear what happened.” “No, sir. He has gone to his room, sir. Do you
“I would not tell them too much,” said Holmes. know, sir,” sinking her voice into an impressive
“Women are never to be entirely trusted,—not the whisper, “I am afraid for his health?”
best of them.” “Why so, Mrs. Hudson?”
I did not pause to argue over this atrocious “Well, he’s that strange, sir. After you was gone
sentiment. “I shall be back in an hour or two,” I he walked and he walked, up and down, and up
remarked. 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 came
I don’t think it is at all likely that we shall have any on the stairhead, with ‘What is that, Mrs. Hudson?’
use for him now.” And now he has slammed off to his room, but I can
I took our mongrel accordingly, and left him, hear him walking away the same as ever. I hope
together with a half-sovereign, at the old natural- he’s not going to be ill, sir. I ventured to say some-
ist’s in Pinchin Lane. At Camberwell I found Miss thing to him about cooling medicine, but he turned
Morstan a little weary after her night’s adventures, on me, sir, with such a look that I don’t know how
but very eager to hear the news. Mrs. Forrester, ever I got out of the room.”
too, was full of curiosity. I told them all that we “I don’t think that you have any cause to be un-
had done, suppressing, however, the more dreadful easy, Mrs. Hudson,” I answered. “I have seen him
parts of the tragedy. Thus, although I spoke of Mr. like this before. He has some small matter upon his
Sholto’s death, I said nothing of the exact manner mind which makes him restless.” I tried to speak
and method of it. With all my omissions, however, lightly to our worthy landlady, but I was myself
there was enough to startle and amaze them. somewhat uneasy when through the long night I

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still from time to time heard the dull sound of his in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket, and a coarse
tread, and knew how his keen spirit was chafing red scarf round his neck.
against this involuntary inaction. “I am off down the river, Watson,” said he. “I
At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard, have been turning it over in my mind, and I can
with a little fleck of feverish color upon either see only one way out of it. It is worth trying, at all
cheek. events.”
“You are knocking yourself up, old man,” I re- “Surely I can come with you, then?” said I.
marked. “I heard you marching about in the night.” “No; you can be much more useful if you will
“No, I could not sleep,” he answered. “This remain here as my representative. I am loath to go,
infernal problem is consuming me. It is too much for it is quite on the cards that some message may
to be balked by so petty an obstacle, when all else come during the day, though Wiggins was despon-
had been overcome. I know the men, the launch, dent about it last night. I want you to open all notes
everything; and yet I can get no news. I have set and telegrams, and to act on your own judgment if
other agencies at work, and used every means at any news should come. Can I rely upon you?”
my disposal. The whole river has been searched “Most certainly.”
on either side, but there is no news, nor has Mrs. “I am afraid that you will not be able to wire
Smith heard of her husband. I shall come to the to me, for I can hardly tell yet where I may find
conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft. myself. If I am in luck, however, I may not be gone
But there are objections to that.” so very long. I shall have news of some sort or
“Or that Mrs. Smith has put us on a wrong other before I get back.”
scent.” I had heard nothing of him by breakfast-time.
“No, I think that may be dismissed. I had in- On opening the Standard, however, I found that
quiries made, and there is a launch of that descrip- there was a fresh allusion to the business.
tion.” “With reference to the Upper Norwood
tragedy,” it remarked, “we have reason to
“Could it have gone up the river?”
believe that the matter promises to be even
“I have considered that possibility too, and there more complex and mysterious than was
is a search-party who will work up as far as Rich- originally supposed. Fresh evidence has
mond. If no news comes to-day, I shall start off shown that it is quite impossible that Mr.
myself to-morrow, and go for the men rather than Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any
the boat. But surely, surely, we shall hear some- way concerned in the matter. He and the
thing.” housekeeper, Mrs. Bernstone, were both re-
We did not, however. Not a word came to us leased yesterday evening. It is believed,
either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. however, that the police have a clue as to
There were articles in most of the papers upon the the real culprits, and that it is being pros-
Norwood tragedy. They all appeared to be rather ecuted by Mr. Athelney Jones, of Scotland
hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto. No Yard, with all his well-known energy and
fresh details were to be found, however, in any of sagacity. Further arrests may be expected
them, save that an inquest was to be held upon at any moment.”
the following day. I walked over to Camberwell in “That is satisfactory so far as it goes,” thought I.
the evening to report our ill success to the ladies, “Friend Sholto is safe, at any rate. I wonder what
and on my return I found Holmes dejected and the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a
somewhat morose. He would hardly reply to my stereotyped form whenever the police have made a
questions, and busied himself all evening in an blunder.”
abstruse chemical analysis which involved much I tossed the paper down upon the table, but at
heating of retorts and distilling of vapors, ending that moment my eye caught an advertisement in
at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the the agony column. It ran in this way:
apartment. Up to the small hours of the morning I “Lost.—Whereas Mordecai Smith, boat-
could hear the clinking of his test-tubes which told man, and his son, Jim, left Smith’s Wharf
me that he was still engaged in his malodorous at or about three o’clock last Tuesday morn-
experiment. ing in the steam launch Aurora, black with
In the early dawn I woke with a start, and was two red stripes, funnel black with a white
surprised to find him standing by my bedside, clad band, the sum of five pounds will be paid to

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 The Sign of the Four

any one who can give information to Mrs. try me. You know my theory about this Norwood
Smith, at Smith’s Wharf, or at 221b Baker case?”
Street, as to the whereabouts of the said “I remember that you expressed one.”
Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora.”
“Well, I have been obliged to reconsider it. I
This was clearly Holmes’s doing. The Baker Street had my net drawn tightly round Mr. Sholto, sir,
address was enough to prove that. It struck me as when pop he went through a hole in the middle of
rather ingenious, because it might be read by the it. He was able to prove an alibi which could not
fugitives without their seeing in it more than the be shaken. From the time that he left his brother’s
natural anxiety of a wife for her missing husband. room he was never out of sight of some one or
It was a long day. Every time that a knock other. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs
came to the door, or a sharp step passed in the and through trap-doors. It’s a very dark case, and
street, I imagined that it was either Holmes return- my professional credit is at stake. I should be very
ing or an answer to his advertisement. I tried to glad of a little assistance.”
read, but my thoughts would wander off to our “We all need help sometimes,” said I.
strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous
pair whom we were pursuing. Could there be, I “Your friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes is a wonder-
wondered, some radical flaw in my companion’s ful man, sir,” said he, in a husky and confidential
reasoning. Might he be suffering from some huge voice. “He’s a man who is not to be beat. I have
self-deception? Was it not possible that his nimble known that young man go into a good many cases,
and speculative mind had built up this wild theory but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw
upon faulty premises? I had never known him to a light upon. He is irregular in his methods, and
be wrong; and yet the keenest reasoner may occa- a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories, but,
sionally be deceived. He was likely, I thought, to on the whole, I think he would have made a most
fall into error through the over-refinement of his promising officer, and I don’t care who knows it. I
logic,—his preference for a subtle and bizarre ex- have had a wire from him this morning, by which I
planation when a plainer and more commonplace understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto
one lay ready to his hand. Yet, on the other hand, I business. Here is the message.”
had myself seen the evidence, and I had heard the He took the telegram out of his pocket, and
reasons for his deductions. When I looked back on handed it to me. It was dated from Poplar at twelve
the long chain of curious circumstances, many of o’clock. “Go to Baker Street at once,” it said. “If I
them trivial in themselves, but all tending in the have not returned, wait for me. I am close on the
same direction, I could not disguise from myself track of the Sholto gang. You can come with us
that even if Holmes’s explanation were incorrect to-night if you want to be in at the finish.”
the true theory must be equally outré and startling. “This sounds well. He has evidently picked up
At three o’clock in the afternoon there was a the scent again,” said I.
loud peal at the bell, an authoritative voice in the “Ah, then he has been at fault too,” exclaimed
hall, and, to my surprise, no less a person than Mr. Jones, with evident satisfaction. “Even the best of
Athelney Jones was shown up to me. Very different us are thrown off sometimes. Of course this may
was he, however, from the brusque and masterful prove to be a false alarm; but it is my duty as an
professor of common sense who had taken over officer of the law to allow no chance to slip. But
the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. His there is some one at the door. Perhaps this is he.”
expression was downcast, and his bearing meek
A heavy step was heard ascending the stair,
and even apologetic.
with a great wheezing and rattling as from a man
“Good-day, sir; good-day,” said he. “Mr. Sher- who was sorely put to it for breath. Once or twice
lock Holmes is out, I understand.” he stopped, as though the climb were too much
“Yes, and I cannot be sure when he will be back. for him, but at last he made his way to our door
But perhaps you would care to wait. Take that chair and entered. His appearance corresponded to the
and try one of these cigars.” sounds which we had heard. He was an aged man,
“Thank you; I don’t mind if I do,” said he, mop- clad in seafaring garb, with an old pea-jacket but-
ping his face with a red bandanna handkerchief. toned up to his throat. His back was bowed, his
knees were shaky, and his breathing was painfully
“And a whiskey-and-soda?” asthmatic. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel
“Well, half a glass. It is very hot for the time his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air
of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and into his lungs. He had a colored scarf round his

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chin, and I could see little of his face save a pair of We both started in our chairs. There was
keen dark eyes, overhung by bushy white brows, Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet
and long gray side-whiskers. Altogether he gave amusement.
me the impression of a respectable master mariner “Holmes!” I exclaimed. “You here! But where
who had fallen into years and poverty. is the old man?”
“What is it, my man?” I asked. “Here is the old man,” said he, holding out a
He looked about him in the slow methodical heap of white hair. “Here he is,—wig, whiskers,
fashion of old age. eyebrows, and all. I thought my disguise was pretty
good, but I hardly expected that it would stand that
“Is Mr. Sherlock Holmes here?” said he.
test.”
“No; but I am acting for him. You can tell me
“Ah, you rogue!” cried Jones, highly delighted.
any message you have for him.”
“You would have made an actor, and a rare one.
“It was to him himself I was to tell it,” said he. You had the proper workhouse cough, and those
“But I tell you that I am acting for him. Was it weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. I
about Mordecai Smith’s boat?” thought I knew the glint of your eye, though. You
didn’t get away from us so easily, you see.”
“Yes. I knows well where it is. An’ I knows
where the men he is after are. An’ I knows where “I have been working in that get-up all day,”
the treasure is. I knows all about it.” said he, lighting his cigar. “You see, a good many of
the criminal classes begin to know me,—especially
“Then tell me, and I shall let him know.”
since our friend here took to publishing some of
“It was to him I was to tell it,” he repeated, with my cases: so I can only go on the war-path under
the petulant obstinacy of a very old man. some simple disguise like this. You got my wire?”
“Well, you must wait for him.” “Yes; that was what brought me here.”
“No, no; I ain’t goin’ to lose a whole day to “How has your case prospered?”
please no one. If Mr. Holmes ain’t here, then Mr. “It has all come to nothing. I have had to re-
Holmes must find it all out for himself. I don’t care lease two of my prisoners, and there is no evidence
about the look of either of you, and I won’t tell a against the other two.”
word.” “Never mind. We shall give you two others in
He shuffled towards the door, but Athelney the place of them. But you must put yourself under
Jones got in front of him. my orders. You are welcome to all the official credit,
“Wait a bit, my friend,” said he. “You have im- but you must act on the line that I point out. Is that
portant information, and you must not walk off. agreed?”
We shall keep you, whether you like or not, until “Entirely, if you will help me to the men.”
our friend returns.” “Well, then, in the first place I shall want a fast
The old man made a little run towards the police-boat—a steam launch—to be at the Westmin-
door, but, as Athelney Jones put his broad back ster Stairs at seven o’clock.”
up against it, he recognized the uselessness of re- “That is easily managed. There is always one
sistance. about there; but I can step across the road and
“Pretty sort o’ treatment this!” he cried, stamp- telephone to make sure.”
ing his stick. “I come here to see a gentleman, and “Then I shall want two stanch men, in case of
you two, who I never saw in my life, seize me and resistance.”
treat me in this fashion!” “There will be two or three in the boat. What
“You will be none the worse,” I said. “We shall else?”
recompense you for the loss of your time. Sit over “When we secure the men we shall get the trea-
here on the sofa, and you will not have long to sure. I think that it would be a pleasure to my
wait.” friend here to take the box round to the young lady
He came across sullenly enough, and seated to whom half of it rightfully belongs. Let her be
himself with his face resting on his hands. Jones the first to open it.—Eh, Watson?”
and I resumed our cigars and our talk. Suddenly, “It would be a great pleasure to me.”
however, Holmes’s voice broke in upon us. “Rather an irregular proceeding,” said Jones,
“I think that you might offer me a cigar too,” he shaking his head. “However, the whole thing is
said. irregular, and I suppose we must wink at it. The

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treasure must afterwards be handed over to the had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan
authorities until after the official investigation.” Small. However, if you can catch him I don’t see
how I can refuse you an interview with him.”
“Certainly. That is easily managed. One other
point. I should much like to have a few details “That is understood, then?”
about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small “Perfectly. Is there anything else?”
himself. You know I like to work the detail of my
“Only that I insist upon your dining with us. It
cases out. There is no objection to my having an un-
will be ready in half an hour. I have oysters and a
official interview with him, either here in my rooms
brace of grouse, with something a little choice in
or elsewhere, as long as he is efficiently guarded?”
white wines.—Watson, you have never yet recog-
“Well, you are master of the situation. I have nized my merits as a housekeeper.”

CHAPTER X.
The End of the Islander

Our meal was a merry one. Holmes coud talk “Then take it off.”
exceedingly well when he chose, and that night he The small change was made, we stepped on
did choose. He appeared to be in a state of nervous board, and the ropes were cast off. Jones, Holmes,
exaltation. I have never known him so brilliant. and I sat in the stern. There was one man at the
He spoke on a quick succession of subjects,—on rudder, one to tend the engines, and two burly
miracle-plays, on medieval pottery, on Stradivarius police-inspectors forward.
violins, on the Buddhism of Ceylon, and on the “Where to?” asked Jones.
war-ships of the future,—handling each as though
“To the Tower. Tell them to stop opposite Jacob-
he had made a special study of it. His bright humor
son’s Yard.”
marked the reaction from his black depression of
the preceding days. Athelney Jones proved to be a Our craft was evidently a very fast one. We shot
sociable soul in his hours of relaxation, and face his past the long lines of loaded barges as though they
dinner with the air of a bon vivant. For myself, I felt were stationary. Holmes smiled with satisfaction as
elated at the thought that we were nearing the end we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind
of our task, and I caught something of Holmes’s us.
gaiety. None of us alluded during dinner to the “We ought to be able to catch anything on the
cause which had brought us together. river,” he said.
“Well, hardly that. But there are not many
When the cloth was cleared, Holmes glanced
launches to beat us.”
at this watch, and filled up three glasses with port.
“One bumper,” said he, “to the success of our little “We shall have to catch the Aurora, and she has
expedition. And now it is high time we were off. a name for being a clipper. I will tell you how the
Have you a pistol, Watson?” land lies, Watson. You recollect how annoyed I was
at being balked by so small a thing?”
“I have my old service-revolver in my desk.”
“Yes.”
“You had best take it, then. It is well to be pre- “Well, I gave my mind a thorough rest by plung-
pared. I see that the cab is at the door. I ordered it ing into a chemical analysis. One of our greatest
for half-past six.” statesmen has said that a change of work is the best
It was a little past seven before we reached the rest. So it is. When I had succeeded in dissolving
Westminster wharf, and found our launch awaiting the hydrocarbon which I was at work at, I came
us. Holmes eyed it critically. back to our problem of the Sholtos, and thought the
whole matter out again. My boys had been up the
“Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?” river and down the river without result. The launch
“Yes,—that green lamp at the side.” was not at any landing-stage or wharf, nor had it

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returned. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to trifling change in her. She would then be removed
hide their traces,—though that always remained as to his shed or hard, and so be effectually concealed,
a possible hypothesis if all else failed. I knew this while at the same time I could have her at a few
man Small had a certain degree of low cunning, hours’ notice.”
but I did not think him capable of anything in the “That seems simple enough.”
nature of delicate finesse. That is usually a product
of higher education. I then reflected that since he “It is just these very simple things which are
had certainly been in London some time—as we extremely liable to be overlooked. However, I de-
had evidence that he maintained a continual watch termined to act on the idea. I started at once in this
over Pondicherry Lodge—he could hardly leave at harmless seaman’s rig and inquired at all the yards
a moment’s notice, but would need some little time, down the river. I drew blank at fifteen, but at the
if it were only a day, to arrange his affairs. That sixteenth—Jacobson’s—I learned that the Aurora
was the balance of probability, at any rate.” had been handed over to them two days ago by a
wooden-legged man, with some trivial directions
“It seems to me to be a little weak,” said I. “It as to her rudder. ‘There ain’t naught amiss with
is more probable that he had arranged his affairs her rudder,’ said the foreman. ‘There she lies, with
before ever he set out upon his expedition.” the red streaks.’ At that moment who should come
“No, I hardly think so. This lair of his would be down but Mordecai Smith, the missing owner? He
too valuable a retreat in case of need for him to give was rather the worse for liquor. I should not, of
it up until he was sure that he could do without course, have known him, but he bellowed out his
it. But a second consideration struck me. Jonathan name and the name of his launch. ‘I want her
Small must have felt that the peculiar appearance to-night at eight o’clock,’ said he,—‘eight o’clock
of his companion, however much he may have top- sharp, mind, for I have two gentlemen who won’t
coated him, would give rise to gossip, and possibly be kept waiting.’ They had evidently paid him well,
be associated with this Norwood tragedy. He was for he was very flush of money, chucking shillings
quite sharp enough to see that. They had started about to the men. I followed him some distance,
from their head-quarters under cover of darkness, but he subsided into an ale-house: so I went back
and he would wish to get back before it was broad to the yard, and, happening to pick up one of my
light. Now, it was past three o’clock, according boys on the way, I stationed him as a sentry over
to Mrs. Smith, when they got the boat. It would the launch. He is to stand at water’s edge and wave
be quite bright, and people would be about in an his handkerchief to us when they start. We shall
hour or so. Therefore, I argued, they did not go be lying off in the stream, and it will be a strange
very far. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue, thing if we do not take men, treasure, and all.”
reserved his launch for the final escape, and hur- “You have planned it all very neatly, whether
ried to their lodgings with the treasure-box. In a they are the right men or not,” said Jones; “but
couple of nights, when they had time to see what if the affair were in my hands I should have had
view the papers took, and whether there was any a body of police in Jacobson’s Yard, and arrested
suspicion, they would make their way under cover them when they came down.”
of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the
Downs, where no doubt they had already arranged “Which would have been never. This man Small
for passages to America or the Colonies.” is a pretty shrewd fellow. He would send a scout
on ahead, and if anything made him suspicious lie
“But the launch? They could not have taken snug for another week.”
that to their lodgings.”
“But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith,
“Quite so. I argued that the launch must be no and so been led to their hiding-place,” said I.
great way off, in spite of its invisibility. I then put
myself in the place of Small, and looked at it as “In that case I should have wasted my day. I
a man of his capacity would. He would probably think that it is a hundred to one against Smith
consider that to send back the launch or to keep it knowing where they live. As long as he has liquor
at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the police and good pay, why should he ask questions? They
did happen to get on his track. How, then, could he send him messages what to do. No, I thought over
conceal the launch and yet have her at hand when every possible course, and this is the best.”
wanted? I wondered what I should do myself if I While this conversation had been proceeding,
were in his shoes. I could only think of one way we had been shooting the long series of bridges
of doing it. I might land the launch over to some which span the Thames. As we passed the City
boat-builder or repairer, with directions to make a the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon

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the summit of St. Paul’s. It was twilight before we “She is very fast,” he said. “I doubt if we shall
reached the Tower. catch her.”
“That is Jacobson’s Yard,” said Holmes, point- “We must catch her!” cried Holmes, between his
ing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey teeth. “Heap it on, stokers! Make her do all she
side. “Cruise gently up and down here under cover can! If we burn the boat we must have them!”
of this string of lighters.” He took a pair of night- We were fairly after her now. The furnaces
glasses from his pocket and gazed some time at the roared, and the powerful engines whizzed and
shore. “I see my sentry at his post,” he remarked, clanked, like a great metallic heart. Her sharp,
“but no sign of a handkerchief.” steep prow cut through the river-water and sent
“Suppose we go down-stream a short way and two rolling waves to right and to left of us. With
lie in wait for them,” said Jones, eagerly. We were every throb of the engines we sprang and quivered
all eager by this time, even the policemen and stok- like a living thing. One great yellow lantern in
ers, who had a very vague idea of what was going our bows threw a long, flickering funnel of light
forward. in front of us. Right ahead a dark blur upon the
water showed where the Aurora lay, and the swirl of
“We have no right to take anything for granted,”
white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which
Holmes answered. “It is certainly ten to one that
she was going. We flashed past barges, steamers,
they go down-stream, but we cannot be certain.
merchant-vessels, in and out, behind this one and
From this point we can see the entrance of the yard,
round the other. Voices hailed us out of the dark-
and they can hardly see us. It will be a clear night
ness, but still the Aurora thundered on, and still we
and plenty of light. We must stay where we are. See
followed close upon her track.
how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight.”
“Pile it on, men, pile it on!” cried Holmes, look-
“They are coming from work in the yard.” ing down into the engine-room, while the fierce
“Dirty-looking rascals, but I suppose every one glow from below beat upon his eager, aquiline face.
has some little immortal spark concealed about him. “Get every pound of steam you can.”
You would not think it, to look at them. There is “I think we gain a little,” said Jones, with his
no a priori probability about it. A strange enigma eyes on the Aurora.
is man!”
“I am sure of it,” said I. “We shall be up with
“Some one calls him a soul concealed in an her in a very few minutes.”
animal,” I suggested. At that moment, however, as our evil fate would
“Winwood Reade is good upon the subject,” have it, a tug with three barges in tow blundered in
said Holmes. “He remarks that, while the individ- between us. It was only by putting our helm hard
ual man is an insoluble puzzle, in the aggregate down that we avoided a collision, and before we
he becomes a mathematical certainty. You can, for could round them and recover our way the Aurora
example, never foretell what any one man will do, had gained a good two hundred yards. She was
but you can say with precision what an average still, however, well in view, and the murky uncer-
number will be up to. Individuals vary, but per- tain twilight was setting into a clear starlit night.
centages remain constant. So says the statistician. Our boilers were strained to their utmost, and the
But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce en-
flutter over yonder.” ergy which was driving us along. We had shot
“Yes, it is your boy,” I cried. “I can see him through the Pool, past the West India Docks, down
plainly.” the long Deptford Reach, and up again after round-
ing the Isle of Dogs. The dull blur in front of us
“And there is the Aurora,” exclaimed Holmes, resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty
“and going like the devil! Full speed ahead, engi- Aurora. Jones turned our search-light upon her, so
neer. Make after that launch with the yellow light. that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck.
By heaven, I shall never forgive myself if she proves One man sat by the stern, with something black be-
to have the heels of us!” tween his knees over which he stooped. Beside him
She had slipped unseen through the yard- lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfound-
entrance and passed behind two or three small land dog. The boy held the tiller, while against
craft, so that she had fairly got her speed up before the red glare of the furnace I could see old Smith,
we saw her. Now she was flying down the stream, stripped to the waist, and shovelling coals for dear
near in to the shore, going at a tremendous rate. life. They may have had some doubt at first as to
Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head. whether we were really pursuing them, but now

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as we followed every winding and turning which his covering a short, round piece of wood, like a
they took there could no longer be any question school-ruler, and clapped it to his lips. Our pistols
about it. At Greenwich we were about three hun- rang out together. He whirled round, threw up
dred paces behind them. At Blackwall we could not his arms, and with a kind of choking cough fell
have been more than two hundred and fifty. I have sideways into the stream. I caught one glimpse of
coursed many creatures in many countries during his venomous, menacing eyes amid the white swirl
my checkered career, but never did sport give me of the waters. At the same moment the wooden-
such a wild thrill as this mad, flying man-hunt legged man threw himself upon the rudder and
down the Thames. Steadily we drew in upon them, put it hard down, so that his boat made straight
yard by yard. In the silence of the night we could in for the southern bank, while we shot past her
hear the panting and clanking of their machinery. stern, only clearing her by a few feet. We were
The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck, round after her in an instant, but she was already
and his arms were moving as though he were busy, nearly at the bank. It was a wild and desolate place,
while every now and then he would look up and where the moon glimmered upon a wide expanse
measure with a glance the distance which still sep- of marsh-land, with pools of stagnant water and
arated us. Nearer we came and nearer. Jones yelled beds of decaying vegetation. The launch with a
to them to stop. We were not more than four boat’s dull thud ran up upon the mud-bank, with her
lengths behind them, both boats flying at a tremen- bow in the air and her stern flush with the water.
dous pace. It was a clear reach of the river, with The fugitive sprang out, but his stump instantly
Barking Level upon one side and the melancholy sank its whole length into the sodden soil. In vain
Plumstead Marshes upon the other. At our hail he struggled and writhed. Not one step could he
the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and possibly take either forwards or backwards. He
shook his two clinched fists at us, cursing the while yelled in impotent rage, and kicked frantically into
in a high, cracked voice. He was a good-sized, the mud with his other foot, but his struggles only
powerful man, and as he stood poising himself bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky
with legs astride I could see that from the thigh bank. When we brought our launch alongside he
downwards there was but a wooden stump upon was so firmly anchored that it was only by throwing
the right side. At the sound of his strident, angry the end of a rope over his shoulders that we were
cries there was movement in the huddled bundle able to haul him out, and to drag him, like some
upon the deck. It straightened itself into a little evil fish, over our side. The two Smiths, father and
black man—the smallest I have ever seen—with son, sat sullenly in their launch, but came aboard
a great, misshapen head and a shock of tangled, meekly enough when commanded. The Aurora her-
dishevelled hair. Holmes had already drawn his self we hauled off and made fast to our stern. A
revolver, and I whipped out mine at the sight of solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon
this savage, distorted creature. He was wrapped the deck. This, there could be no question, was the
in some sort of dark ulster or blanket, which left same that had contained the ill-omened treasure
only his face exposed; but that face was enough of the Sholtos. There was no key, but it was of
to give a man a sleepless night. Never have I seen considerable weight, so we transferred it carefully
features so deeply marked with all bestiality and to our own little cabin. As we steamed slowly up-
cruelty. His small eyes glowed and burned with a stream again, we flashed our search-light in every
sombre light, and his thick lips were writhed back direction, but there was no sign of the Islander.
from his teeth, which grinned and chattered at us Somewhere in the dark ooze at the bottom of the
with a half animal fury. Thames lie the bones of that strange visitor to our
shores.
“Fire if he raises his hand,” said Holmes, qui-
etly. We were within a boat’s-length by this time, “See here,” said Holmes, pointing to the
and almost within touch of our quarry. I can see wooden hatchway. “We were hardly quick enough
the two of them now as they stood, the white man with our pistols.” There, sure enough, just behind
with his legs far apart, shrieking out curses, and where we had been standing, stuck one of those
the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face, and murderous darts which we knew so well. It must
his strong yellow teeth gnashing at us in the light have whizzed between us at the instant that we
of our lantern. fired. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoul-
ders in his easy fashion, but I confess that it turned
It was well that we had so clear a view of him. me sick to think of the horrible death which had
Even as we looked he plucked out from under passed so close to us that night.

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CHAPTER XI.
The Great Agra Treasure

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

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

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“Small threw it into the Thames,” I answered. my soul. I did not know how this Agra treasure
“I must borrow Mrs. Forrester’s poker.” There was had weighed me down, until now that it was finally
in the front a thick and broad hasp, wrought in the removed. It was selfish, no doubt, disloyal, wrong,
image of a sitting Buddha. Under this I thrust the but I could realize nothing save that the golden
end of the poker and twisted it outward as a lever. barrier was gone from between us. “Thank God!” I
The hasp sprang open with a loud snap. With trem- ejaculated from my very heart.
bling fingers I flung back the lid. We both stood
She looked at me with a quick, questioning
gazing in astonishment. The box was empty!
smile. “Why do you say that?” she asked.
No wonder that it was heavy. The iron-work
was two-thirds of an inch thick all round. It was “Because you are within my reach again,” I said,
massive, well made, and solid, like a chest con- taking her hand. She did not withdraw it. “Because
structed to carry things of great price, but not one I love you, Mary, as truly as ever a man loved a
shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. It woman. Because this treasure, these riches, sealed
was absolutely and completely empty. my lips. Now that they are gone I can tell you how
“The treasure is lost,” said Miss Morstan, I love you. That is why I said, ‘Thank God.’ ”
calmly. “Then I say, ‘Thank God,’ too,” she whispered,
As I listened to the words and realized what as I drew her to my side. Whoever had lost a
they meant, a great shadow seemed to pass from treasure, 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 “This is your doing, Small,” said Athelney Jones,
cab, for it was a weary time before I rejoined him. angrily.
His face clouded over when I showed him the
empty box. “Yes, I have put it away where you shall never
“There goes the reward!” said he, gloomily. lay hand upon it,” he cried, exultantly. “It is my
“Where there is no money there is no pay. This treasure; and if I can’t have the loot I’ll take darned
night’s work would have been worth a tenner each good care that no one else does. I tell you that no
to Sam Brown and me if the treasure had been living man has any right to it, unless it is three
there.” men who are in the Andaman convict-barracks and
myself. I know now that I cannot have the use of
“Mr. Thaddeus Sholto is a rich man,” I said.
it, and I know that they cannot. I have acted all
“He will see that you are rewarded, treasure or no.”
through for them as much as for myself. It’s been
The inspector shook his head despondently, the sign of four with us always. Well I know that
however. “It’s a bad job,” he repeated; “and so they would have had me do just what I have done,
Mr. Athelney Jones will think.” and throw the treasure into the Thames rather than
His forecast proved to be correct, for the detec- let it go to kith or kin of Sholto or of Morstan. It
tive looked blank enough when I got to Baker Street was not to make them rich that we did for Achmet.
and showed him the empty box. They had only just You’ll find the treasure where the key is, and where
arrived, Holmes, the prisoner, and he, for they had little Tonga is. When I saw that your launch must
changed their plans so far as to report themselves catch us, I put the loot away in a safe place. There
at a station upon the way. My companion lounged are no rupees for you this journey.”
in his arm-chair with his usual listless expression,
while Small sat stolidly opposite to him with his “You are deceiving us, Small,” said Athelney
wooden leg cocked over his sound one. As I exhib- Jones, sternly. “If you had wished to throw the
ited the empty box he leaned back in his chair and treasure into the Thames it would have been easier
laughed aloud. for you to have thrown box and all.”

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

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

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

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

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 The Sign of the Four

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

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 The Sign of the Four

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

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

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Now, the question is, what price would you ask for Akbar were all present. We talked the matter over
it? We might be inclined to take it up, and at least again, and at last we came to an arrangement. We
look into it, if we could agree as to terms.’ He tried were to provide both the officers with charts of the
to speak in a cool, careless way, but his eyes were part of the Agra fort and mark the place in the wall
shining with excitement and greed. where the treasure was hid. Major Sholto was to
“ ‘Why, as to that, gentlemen,’ I answered, try- go to India to test our story. If he found the box
ing also to be cool, but feeling as excited as he did, he was to leave it there, to send out a small yacht
‘there is only one bargain which a man in my po- provisioned for a voyage, which was to lie off Rut-
sition can make. I shall want you 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 final
division of the treasure, he taking the major’s share
“ ‘Hum!’ said he. ‘A fifth share! That is not very
as well as his own. All this we sealed by the most
tempting.’
solemn oaths that the mind could think or the lips
“ ‘It would come to fifty thousand apiece,’ said utter. I sat up all night with paper and ink, and by
I. the morning I had the two charts all ready, signed
“ ‘But how can we gain your freedom? You with the sign of four,—that is, of Abdullah, Akbar,
know very well that you ask an impossibility.’ 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 impa-
to our escape is that we can get no boat fit for the
tient to get me safely stowed in chokey. I’ll make it
voyage, and no provisions to last us for so long a
as short as I can. The villain Sholto went off to India,
time. There are plenty of little yachts and yawls
but he never came back again. Captain Morstan
at Calcutta or Madras which would serve our turn
showed me his name among a list of passengers in
well. Do you bring one over. We shall engage to
one of the mail-boats very shortly afterwards. His
get aboard her by night, and if you will drop us
uncle had died, leaving him a fortune, and he had
on any part of the Indian coast you will have done
left the army, yet he could stoop to treat five men
your part of the bargain.’
as he had treated us. Morstan went over to Agra
“ ‘If there were only one,’ he said. shortly afterwards, and found, as we expected, that
“ ‘None or all,’ I answered. ‘We have sworn it. the treasure was indeed gone. The scoundrel had
The four of us must always act together.’ stolen it all, without carrying out one of the condi-
“ ‘You see, Morstan,’ said he, ‘Small is a man tions on which we had sold him the secret. From
of his word. He does not flinch from his friend. I that day I lived only for vengeance. I thought of
think we may very well trust him.’ it by day and I nursed it by night. It became an
overpowering, absorbing passion with me. I cared
“ ‘It’s a dirty business,’ the other answered. ‘Yet,
nothing for the law,—nothing for the gallows. To
as you say, the money would save our commissions
escape, to track down Sholto, to have my hand
handsomely.’
upon his throat,—that was my one thought. Even
“ ‘Well, Small,’ said the major, ‘we must, I sup- the Agra treasure had come to be a smaller thing
pose, try and meet you. We must first, of course, in my mind than the slaying of Sholto.
test the truth of your story. Tell me where the box
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 comrades. medicine. One day when Dr. Somerton was down
I tell you that it is four or none with us.’ with a fever a little Andaman Islander was picked
up by a convict-gang in the woods. He was sick
“ ‘Nonsense!’ he broke in. ‘What have three
to death, and had gone to a lonely place to die. I
black fellows to do with our agreement?’
took him in hand, though he was as venomous as
“ ‘Black or blue,’ said I, ‘they are in with me, a young snake, and after a couple of months I got
and we all go together.’ him all right and able to walk. He took a kind of
“Well, the matter ended by a second meeting, at fancy to me then, and would hardly go back to his
which Mahomet Singh, Abdullah Khan, and Dost woods, but was always hanging about my hut. I

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 The Sign of the Four

learned a little of his lingo from him, and this made ago, we found ourselves in England. I had no great
him all the fonder of me. difficulty in finding where Sholto lived, and I set
“Tonga—for that was his name—was a fine boat- to work to discover whether he had realized the
man, and owned a big, roomy canoe of his own. treasure, or if he still had it. I made friends with
When I found that he was devoted to me and would someone who could help me,—I name no names,
do anything to serve me, I saw my chance of escape. for I don’t want to get any one else in a hole,—and
I talked it over with him. He was to bring his boat I soon found that he still had the jewels. Then I
round on a certain night to an old wharf which was tried to get at him in many ways; but he was pretty
never guarded, and there he was to pick me up. I sly, and had always two prize-fighters, besides his
gave him directions to have several gourds of water sons and his khitmutgar, on guard over him.
and a lot of yams, cocoa-nuts, and sweet potatoes. “One day, however, I got word that he was dy-
ing. I hurried at once to the garden, mad that he
“He was stanch and true, was little Tonga. No
should slip out of my clutches like that, and, look-
man ever had a more faithful mate. At the night
ing through the window, I saw him lying in his bed,
named he had his boat at the wharf. As it chanced,
with his sons on each side of him. I’d have come
however, there was one of the convict-guard down
through and taken my chance with the three of
there,—a vile Pathan who had never missed a
them, only even as I looked at him his jaw dropped,
chance of insulting and injuring me. I had always
and I knew that he was gone. I got into his room
vowed vengeance, and now I had my chance. It was
that same night, though, and I searched his papers
as if fate had placed him in my way that I might
to see if there was any record of where he had
pay my debt before I left the island. He stood on
hidden our jewels. There was not a line, however:
the bank with his back to me, and his carbine on
so I came away, bitter and savage as a man could
his shoulder. I looked about for a stone to beat out
be. Before I left I bethought me that if I ever met
his brains with, but none could I see.
my Sikh friends again it would be a satisfaction to
“Then a queer thought came into my head and know that I had left some mark of our hatred: so I
showed me where I could lay my hand on a weapon. scrawled down the sign of the four of us, as it had
I sat down in the darkness and unstrapped my been on the chart, and I pinned it on his bosom. It
wooden leg. With three long hops I was on him. was too much that he should be taken to the grave
He put his carbine to his shoulder, but I struck him without some token from the men whom he had
full, and knocked the whole front of his skull in. robbed and befooled.
You can see the split in the wood now where I hit “We earned a living at this time by my exhibit-
him. We both went down together, for I could not ing poor Tonga at fairs and other such places as
keep my balance, but when I got up I found him the black cannibal. He would eat raw meat and
still lying quiet enough. I made for the boat, and in dance his war-dance: so we always had a hatful
an 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 made 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.
not thank me, for I would have you here until the He could climb like a cat, and he soon made his
sun was shining. Here and there we drifted about way through the roof, but, as ill luck would have
the world, something always turning up to keep us it, Bartholomew Sholto was still in the room, to
from London. All the time, however, I never lost his cost. Tonga thought he had done something
sight of my purpose. I would dream of Sholto at very clever in killing him, for when I came up by
night. A hundred times I have killed him in my the rope I found him strutting about as proud as a
sleep. At last, however, some three or four years peacock. Very much surprised was he when I made

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 The Sign of the Four

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

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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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T
CHAPTER I.
o Sherlock Holmes she is always the (for I had now returned to civil practice), when
woman. I have seldom heard him men- my way led me through Baker Street. As I passed
tion her under any other name. In his the well-remembered door, which must always be
eyes she eclipses and predominates the associated in my mind with my wooing, and with
whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emo- the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was
tion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again, and
that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, to know how he was employing his extraordinary
precise but admirably balanced mind. He was, I powers. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as
take it, the most perfect reasoning and observing I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in
machine that the world has seen, but as a lover he a dark silhouette against the blind. He was pacing
would have placed himself in a false position. He the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk upon
never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me,
and a sneer. They were admirable things for the ob- who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude
server—excellent for drawing the veil from men’s and manner told their own story. He was at work
motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner again. He had risen out of his drug-created dreams
to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and and was hot upon the scent of some new problem.
finely adjusted temperament was to introduce a dis- I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber
tracting factor which might throw a doubt upon all which had formerly been in part my own.
his mental results. Grit in a sensitive instrument, or His manner was not effusive. It seldom was;
a crack in one of his own high-power lenses, would but he was glad, I think, to see me. With hardly a
not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in word spoken, but with a kindly eye, he waved me
a nature such as his. And yet there was but one to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and
woman to him, and that woman was the late Irene indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner.
Adler, of dubious and questionable memory. Then he stood before the fire and looked me over
I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage 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, “Indeed, I should have thought a little more.
who loathed every form of society with his whole Just a trifle more, I fancy, Watson. And in prac-
Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker tice again, I observe. You did not tell me that you
Street, buried among his old books, and alternating intended to go into harness.”
from week to week between cocaine and ambition,
the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of “Then, how do you know?”
his own keen nature. He was still, as ever, deeply “I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you
attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his have been getting yourself very wet lately, and that
immense faculties and extraordinary powers of ob- you have a most clumsy and careless servant girl?”
servation in following out those clues, and clearing “My dear Holmes,” said I, “this is too much.
up those mysteries which had been abandoned as You would certainly have been burned, had you
hopeless by the official police. From time to time lived a few centuries ago. It is true that I had a
I heard some vague account of his doings: of his country walk on Thursday and came home in a
summons to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff mur- dreadful mess, but as I have changed my clothes
der, of his clearing up of the singular tragedy of I can’t imagine how you deduce it. As to Mary
the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and finally Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has given her
of the mission which he had accomplished so del- notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work
icately and successfully for the reigning family of it out.”
Holland. Beyond these signs of his activity, how- He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long,
ever, which I merely shared with all the readers of nervous hands together.
the daily press, I knew little of my former friend “It is simplicity itself,” said he; “my eyes tell me
and companion. that on the inside of your left shoe, just where the
One night—it was on the twentieth of March, firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by six almost
1888—I was returning from a journey to a patient parallel cuts. Obviously they have been caused by

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

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

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

fifty guineas apiece. There’s money in this case, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist
Watson, if there is nothing else.” and pushed me back into my chair. “It is both, or
“I think that I had better go, Holmes.” none,” said he. “You may say before this gentleman
anything which you may say to me.”
“Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am
The Count shrugged his broad shoulders.
lost without my Boswell. And this promises to be
“Then I must begin,” said he, “by binding you both
interesting. It would be a pity to miss it.”
to absolute secrecy for two years; at the end of
“But your client—” that time the matter will be of no importance. At
“Never mind him. I may want your help, and so present it is not too much to say that it is of such
may he. Here he comes. Sit down in that armchair, weight it may have an influence upon European
Doctor, and give us your best attention.” history.”
“I promise,” said Holmes.
A slow and heavy step, which had been heard
upon the stairs and in the passage, paused immedi- “And I.”
ately outside the door. Then there was a loud and “You will excuse this mask,” continued our
authoritative tap. strange visitor. “The august person who employs
me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I
“Come in!” said Holmes. may confess at once that the title by which I have
A man entered who could hardly have been less just called myself is not exactly my own.”
than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and “I was aware of it,” said Holmes dryly.
limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich with a rich- “The circumstances are of great delicacy, and
ness which would, in England, be looked upon as every precaution has to be taken to quench what
akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were might grow to be an immense scandal and seriously
slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double- compromise one of the reigning families of Europe.
breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak which was To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great
thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame- House of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia.”
coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch
“I was also aware of that,” murmured Holmes,
which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots
settling himself down in his armchair and closing
which extended halfway up his calves, and which
his eyes.
were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, com-
Our visitor glanced with some apparent sur-
pleted the impression of barbaric opulence which
prise at the languid, lounging figure of the man
was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried
who had been no doubt depicted to him as the
a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore
most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent
across the upper part of his face, extending down
in Europe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and
past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which
looked impatiently at his gigantic client.
he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for
his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From “If your Majesty would condescend to state your
the lower part of the face he appeared to be a man case,” he remarked, “I should be better able to ad-
of strong character, with a thick, hanging lip, and a vise you.”
long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed The man sprang from his chair and paced up
to the length of obstinacy. and down the room in uncontrollable agitation.
Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the
“You had my note?” he asked with a deep harsh
mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground.
voice and a strongly marked German accent. “I told
“You are right,” he cried; “I am the King. Why
you that I would call.” He looked from one to the
should I attempt to conceal it?”
other of us, as if uncertain which to address.
“Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes. “Your
“Pray take a seat,” said Holmes. “This is my Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that
friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasion- I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond
ally good enough to help me in my cases. Whom von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and
have I the honour to address?” hereditary King of Bohemia.”
“You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, “But you can understand,” said our strange vis-
a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that this gen- itor, sitting down once more and passing his hand
tleman, your friend, is a man of honour and discre- over his high white forehead, “you can understand
tion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that I am not accustomed to doing such business in
extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that
to communicate with you alone.” I could not confide it to an agent without putting

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

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
acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene “Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars
Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you.” in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted
her luggage when she travelled. Twice she has been
“Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor,” mur-
waylaid. There has been no result.”
mured Holmes without opening his eyes. For many
years he had adopted a system of docketing all para- “No sign of it?”
graphs concerning men and things, so that it was “Absolutely none.”
difficult to name a subject or a person on which he Holmes laughed. “It is quite a pretty little prob-
could not at once furnish information. In this case lem,” said he.
I found her biography sandwiched in between that “But a very serious one to me,” returned the
of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander King reproachfully.
who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea
“Very, indeed. And what does she propose to
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
Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of War- “But how?”
saw—yes! Retired from operatic stage—ha! Living “I am about to be married.”
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-
“Precisely so. But how—” self the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt
“Was there a secret marriage?” as to my conduct would bring the matter to an
“None.” end.”
“No legal papers or certificates?” “And Irene Adler?”
“None.” “Threatens to send them the photograph. And
she will do it. I know that she will do it. You do
“Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young
not know her, but she has a soul of steel. She has
person should produce her letters for blackmailing
the face of the most beautiful of women, and the
or other purposes, how is she to prove their authen-
mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I
ticity?”
should marry another woman, there are no lengths
“There is the writing.” to which she would not go—none.”
“Pooh, pooh! Forgery.” “You are sure that she has not sent it yet?”
“My private note-paper.” “I am sure.”
“Stolen.” “And why?”
“My own seal.” “Because she has said that she would send it
“Imitated.” on the day when the betrothal was publicly pro-
“My photograph.” claimed. That will be next Monday.”
“Bought.” “Oh, then we have three days yet,” said Holmes
with a yawn. “That is very fortunate, as I have
“We were both in the photograph.”
one or two matters of importance to look into just
“Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in
indeed committed an indiscretion.” London for the present?”
“I was mad—insane.” “Certainly. You will find me at the Langham
“You have compromised yourself seriously.” under the name of the Count Von Kramm.”
“I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I “Then I shall drop you a line to let you know
am but thirty now.” how we progress.”

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

“Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety.” “And Mademoiselle’s address?” he asked.

“Then, as to money?” “Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John’s
“You have carte blanche.” Wood.”
“Absolutely?” Holmes took a note of it. “One other question,”
“I tell you that I would give one of the provinces said he. “Was the photograph a cabinet?”
of my kingdom to have that photograph.” “It was.”
“And for present expenses?”
“Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust
The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from that we shall soon have some good news for you.
under his cloak and laid it on the table. And good-night, Watson,” he added, as the wheels
“There are three hundred pounds in gold and of the royal brougham rolled down the street. “If
seven hundred in notes,” he said. you will be good enough to call to-morrow after-
Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his noon at three o’clock I should like to chat this little
note-book and handed it to him. matter over with you.”

CHAPTER II.
At three o’clock precisely I was at Baker Street, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out
but Holmes had not yet returned. The landlady in- his legs in front of the fire and laughed heartily for
formed me that he had left the house shortly after some minutes.
eight o’clock in the morning. I sat down beside the “Well, really!” he cried, and then he choked and
fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, laughed again until he was obliged to lie back, limp
however long he might be. I was already deeply and helpless, in the chair.
interested in his inquiry, for, though it was sur-
“What is it?”
rounded by none of the grim and strange features
which were associated with the two crimes which I “It’s quite too funny. I am sure you could never
have already recorded, still, the nature of the case guess how I employed my morning, or what I
and the exalted station of his client gave it a charac- ended by doing.”
ter of its own. Indeed, apart from the nature of the “I can’t imagine. I suppose that you have been
investigation which my friend had on hand, there watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss
was something in his masterly grasp of a situation, Irene Adler.”
and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a “Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I
pleasure to me to study his system of work, and will tell you, however. I left the house a little af-
to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he ter eight o’clock this morning in the character of a
disentangled the most inextricable mysteries. So groom out of work. There is a wonderful sympathy
accustomed was I to his invariable success that the and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of
very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter them, and you will know all that there is to know. I
into my head. soon found Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a
garden at the back, but built out in front right up to
It was close upon four before the door opened, the road, two stories. Chubb lock to the door. Large
and a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side- sitting-room on the right side, well furnished, with
whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable long windows almost to the floor, and those pre-
clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I posterous English window fasteners which a child
was to my friend’s amazing powers in the use of could open. Behind there was nothing remarkable,
disguises, I had to look three times before I was save that the passage window could be reached
certain that it was indeed he. With a nod he van- from the top of the coach-house. I walked round it
ished into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five and examined it closely from every point of view,
minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. but without noting anything else of interest.

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

“I then lounged down the street and found, as the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking ex-
I expected, that there was a mews in a lane which citedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see
runs down by one wall of the garden. I lent the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more
ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and flurried than before. As he stepped up to the cab,
received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked
half, two fills of shag tobacco, and as much infor- at it earnestly, ‘Drive like the devil,’ he shouted,
mation as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say ‘first to Gross & Hankey’s in Regent Street, and
nothing of half a dozen other people in the neigh- then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware
bourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes!’
but whose biographies I was compelled to listen “Away they went, and I was just wondering
to.” whether I should not do well to follow them when
“And what of Irene Adler?” I asked. up the lane came a neat little landau, the coachman
“Oh, she has turned all the men’s heads down with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under
in that part. She is the daintiest thing under a bon- his ear, while all the tags of his harness were stick-
net on this planet. So say the Serpentine-mews, to ing out of the buckles. It hadn’t pulled up before
a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives she shot out of the hall door and into it. I only
out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was
for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die
when she sings. Has only one male visitor, but for.
a good deal of him. He is dark, handsome, and “ ‘The Church of St. Monica, John,’ she cried,
dashing, never calls less than once a day, and often ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty min-
twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner utes.’
Temple. See the advantages of a cabman as a con- “This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I
fidant. They had driven him home a dozen times was just balancing whether I should run for it, or
from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. whether I should perch behind her landau when
When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began a cab came through the street. The driver looked
to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before
and to think over my plan of campaign. he could object. ‘The Church of St. Monica,’ said
“This Godfrey Norton was evidently an impor- I, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty
tant factor in the matter. He was a lawyer. That minutes.’ It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and
sounded ominous. What was the relation between of course it was clear enough what was in the wind.
them, and what the object of his repeated visits? “My cabby drove fast. I don’t think I ever drove
Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If faster, but the others were there before us. The cab
the former, she had probably transferred the photo- and the landau with their steaming horses were in
graph to his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. front of the door when I arrived. I paid the man
On the issue of this question depended whether I and hurried into the church. There was not a soul
should continue my work at Briony Lodge, or turn there save the two whom I had followed and a
my attention to the gentleman’s chambers in the surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostu-
Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the lating with them. They were all three standing in
field of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side
details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a
if you are to understand the situation.” church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the
“I am following you closely,” I answered. altar faced round to me, and Godfrey Norton came
running as hard as he could towards me.
“I was still balancing the matter in my mind
when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge, “ ‘Thank God,’ he cried. ‘You’ll do. Come!
and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remark- Come!’
ably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and mous- “ ‘What then?’ I asked.
tached—evidently the man of whom I had heard. “ ‘Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it
He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the won’t be legal.’
cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who “I was half-dragged up to the altar, and be-
opened the door with the air of a man who was fore I knew where I was I found myself mumbling
thoroughly at home. responses which were whispered in my ear, and
“He was in the house about half an hour, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and
I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene

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Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was “You must leave that to me. I have already ar-
all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman ranged what is to occur. There is only one point on
thanking me on the one side and the lady on the which I must insist. You must not interfere, come
other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. what may. You understand?”
It was the most preposterous position in which I “I am to be neutral?”
ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought “To do nothing whatever. There will probably
of it that started me laughing just now. It seems be some small unpleasantness. Do not join in it.
that there had been some informality about their It will end in my being conveyed into the house.
license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room
marry them without a witness of some sort, and window will open. You are to station yourself close
that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom to that open window.”
from having to sally out into the streets in search
“Yes.”
of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and
I mean to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of “You are to watch me, for I will be visible to
the occasion.” you.”
“This is a very unexpected turn of affairs,” said “Yes.”
I; “and what then?” “And when I raise my hand—so—you will
throw into the room what I give you to throw, and
“Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced.
will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You
It looked as if the pair might take an immediate
quite follow me?”
departure, and so necessitate very prompt and en-
ergetic measures on my part. At the church door, “Entirely.”
however, they separated, he driving back to the “It is nothing very formidable,” he said, taking
Temple, and she to her own house. ‘I shall drive a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. “It is an
out in the park at five as usual,’ she said as she ordinary plumber’s smoke-rocket, fitted with a cap
left him. I heard no more. They drove away in dif- at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is
ferent directions, and I went off to make my own confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it
arrangements.” will be taken up by quite a number of people. You
may then walk to the end of the street, and I will
“Which are?”
rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have made
“Some cold beef and a glass of beer,” he an- myself clear?”
swered, ringing the bell. “I have been too busy “I am to remain neutral, to get near the window,
to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still to watch you, and at the signal to throw in this
this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you
co-operation.” at the corner of the street.”
“I shall be delighted.” “Precisely.”
“You don’t mind breaking the law?” “Then you may entirely rely on me.”
“Not in the least.” “That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost
“Nor running a chance of arrest?” time that I prepare for the new role I have to play.”
“Not in a good cause.” He disappeared into his bedroom and returned
in a few minutes in the character of an amiable
“Oh, the cause is excellent!” and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His
“Then I am your man.” broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie,
“I was sure that I might rely on you.” his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering
and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John
“But what is it you wish?”
Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely
“When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I that Holmes changed his costume. His expression,
will make it clear to you. Now,” he said as he his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with ev-
turned hungrily on the simple fare that our land- ery fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine
lady had provided, “I must discuss it while I eat, actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when
for I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In he became a specialist in crime.
two hours we must be on the scene of action. Miss It was a quarter past six when we left Baker
Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour
seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.” when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. It
“And what then?” was already dusk, and the lamps were just being

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lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony was a smart little landau which rattled up to the
Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the
house was just such as I had pictured it from Sher- loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open
lock Holmes’ succinct description, but the locality the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was
appeared to be less private than I expected. On elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed
the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbour- up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke
hood, it was remarkably animated. There was a out, which was increased by the two guardsmen,
group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laugh- who took sides with one of the loungers, and by
ing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the
two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse- other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant
girl, and several well-dressed young men who were the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was
lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling
“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to men, who struck savagely at each other with their
and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd
simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a to protect the lady; but just as he reached her he
double-edged weapon now. The chances are that gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the
she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. blood running freely down his face. At his fall
Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction
eyes of his princess. Now the question is—Where and the loungers in the other, while a number of
are we to find the photograph?” better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle
without taking part in it, crowded in to help the
“Where, indeed?”
lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler,
“It is most unlikely that she carries it about with as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but
her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy conceal- she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined
ment about a woman’s dress. She knows that the against the lights of the hall, looking back into the
King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. street.
Two attempts of the sort have already been made.
We may take it, then, that she does not carry it “Is the poor gentleman much hurt?” she asked.
about with her.” “He is dead,” cried several voices.
“Where, then?” “No, no, there’s life in him!” shouted another.
“Her banker or her lawyer. There is that dou- “But he’ll be gone before you can get him to hospi-
ble possibility. But I am inclined to think neither. tal.”
Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do “He’s a brave fellow,” said a woman. “They
their own secreting. Why should she hand it over would have had the lady’s purse and watch if it
to anyone else? She could trust her own guardian- hadn’t been for him. They were a gang, and a
ship, but she could not tell what indirect or political rough one, too. Ah, he’s breathing now.”
influence might be brought to bear upon a business
“He can’t lie in the street. May we bring him in,
man. Besides, remember that she had resolved to
marm?”
use it within a few days. It must be where she
can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own “Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There
house.” is a comfortable sofa. This way, please!”
“But it has twice been burgled.” Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony
“Pshaw! They did not know how to look.” Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while
I still observed the proceedings from my post by
“But how will you look?”
the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds
“I will not look.” had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as
“What then?” he lay upon the couch. I do not know whether he
“I will get her to show me.” was seized with compunction at that moment for
the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt
“But she will refuse.”
more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than
“She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I
of wheels. It is her carriage. Now carry out my was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with
orders to the letter.” which she waited upon the injured man. And yet it
As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw
carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It back now from the part which he had intrusted

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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
from injuring another. perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more
Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the
him motion like a man who is in need of air. A Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me,
maid rushed across and threw open the window. and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. A mar-
At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and ried woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one
at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to me
a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out of my that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house
mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well more precious to her than what we are in quest of.
dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant- She would rush to secure it. The alarm of fire was
maids—joined in a general shriek of “Fire!” Thick admirably done. The smoke and shouting were
clouds of smoke curled through the room and out enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded
at the open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing beautifully. The photograph is in a recess behind
figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes a sliding panel just above the right bell-pull. She
from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of
Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it
way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the
was rejoiced to find my friend’s arm in mine, and rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen
to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked her since. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped
swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until from the house. I hesitated whether to attempt to
we had turned down one of the quiet streets which secure the photograph at once; but the coachman
lead towards the Edgeware Road. had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly
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?”
“Our quest is practically finished. I shall call
“I know where it is.”
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
the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his
“I do not wish to make a mystery,” said he,
Majesty to regain it with his own hands.”
laughing. “The matter was perfectly simple. You,
of course, saw that everyone in the street was an ac- “And when will you call?”
complice. They were all engaged for the evening.” “At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so
“I guessed as much.” that we shall have a clear field. Besides, we must
“Then, when the row broke out, I had a little be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete
moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed change in her life and habits. I must wire to the
forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, King without delay.”
and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick.” We had reached Baker Street and had stopped
“That also I could fathom.” at the door. He was searching his pockets for the
key when someone passing said:
“Then they carried me in. She was bound to
have me in. What else could she do? And into “Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.”
her sitting-room, which was the very room which There were several people on the pavement at
I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a
and I was determined to see which. They laid me slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by.
on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled “I’ve heard that voice before,” said Holmes, star-
to open the window, and you had your chance.” ing down the dimly lit street. “Now, I wonder who
“How did that help you?” the deuce that could have been.”

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 A Scandal in Bohemia

CHAPTER III.
I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were “Never to return.”
engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning “And the papers?” asked the King hoarsely.
when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room. “All is lost.”
“You have really got it!” he cried, grasping Sher- “We shall see.” He pushed past the servant
lock Holmes by either shoulder and looking eagerly and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by
into his face. the King and myself. The furniture was scattered
“Not yet.” about in every direction, with dismantled shelves
“But you have hopes?” and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ran-
“I have hopes.” sacked them before her flight. Holmes rushed at
the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and,
“Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone.”
plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and
“We must have a cab.” a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler her-
“No, my brougham is waiting.” self in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to
“Then that will simplify matters.” We de- “Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for.” My
scended and started off once more for Briony friend tore it open and we all three read it together.
Lodge. It was dated at midnight of the preceding night
and ran in this way:
“Irene Adler is married,” remarked Holmes.
“Married! When?” “My dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes:
“Yesterday.” “You really did it very well. You took
me in completely. Until after the alarm
“But to whom?”
of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then,
“To an English lawyer named Norton.” when I found how I had betrayed my-
“But she could not love him.” self, I began to think. I had been warned
“I am in hopes that she does.” against you months ago. I had been
told that if the King employed an agent
“And why in hopes?”
it would certainly be you. And your
“Because it would spare your Majesty all fear address had been given me. Yet, with
of future annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, all this, you made me reveal what you
she does not love your Majesty. If she does not love wanted to know. Even after I became
your Majesty, there is no reason why she should suspicious, I found it hard to think evil
interfere with your Majesty’s plan.” of such a dear, kind old clergyman. But,
“It is true. And yet—Well! I wish she had been you know, I have been trained as an
of my own station! What a queen she would have actress myself. Male costume is noth-
made!” He relapsed into a moody silence, which ing new to me. I often take advantage
was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine of the freedom which it gives. I sent
Avenue. John, the coachman, to watch you, ran
The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an up stairs, got into my walking-clothes,
elderly woman stood upon the steps. She watched as I call them, and came down just as
us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the you departed.
brougham. “Well, I followed you to your door,
“Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she. and so made sure that I was really an
object of interest to the celebrated Mr.
“I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, Sherlock Holmes. Then I, rather im-
looking at her with a questioning and rather star- prudently, wished you good-night, and
tled gaze. started for the Temple to see my hus-
“Indeed! My mistress told me that you were band.
likely to call. She left this morning with her hus- “We both thought the best resource
band by the 5.15 train from Charing Cross for the was flight, when pursued by so
Continent.” formidable an antagonist; so you will
“What!” Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white find the nest empty when you call to-
with chagrin and surprise. “Do you mean that she morrow. As to the photograph, your
has left England?” client may rest in peace. I love and am

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loved by a better man than he. The “I am glad to hear your Majesty say so.”
King may do what he will without hin- “I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me
drance from one whom he has cruelly in what way I can reward you. This ring—” He
wronged. I keep it only to safeguard slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger and
myself, and to preserve a weapon which held it out upon the palm of his hand.
will always secure me from any steps
“Your Majesty has something which I should
which he might take in the future. I
value even more highly,” said Holmes.
leave a photograph which he might care
to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sher- “You have but to name it.”
lock Holmes, “This photograph!”
— “Very truly yours, The King stared at him in amazement.
“Irene Norton, née Adler.”
“Irene’s photograph!” he cried. “Certainly, if
“What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried the you wish it.”
King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this “I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to
epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute be done in the matter. I have the honour to wish
she was? Would she not have made an admirable you a very good-morning.” He bowed, and, turning
queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my away without observing the hand which the King
level?” had stretched out to him, he set off in my company
“From what I have seen of the lady she seems in- for his chambers.
deed to be on a very different level to your Majesty,” And that was how a great scandal threatened
said Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that I have not been to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the
able to bring your Majesty’s business to a more suc- best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a
cessful conclusion.” woman’s wit. He used to make merry over the clev-
“On the contrary, my dear sir,” cried the King; erness of women, but I have not heard him do it of
“nothing could be more successful. I know that her late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when
word is inviolate. The photograph is now as safe he refers to her photograph, it is always under the
as if it were in the fire.” honourable title of the woman.

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The Red-Headed League
I
The Red-Headed League

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

137
 The Red-Headed League

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

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

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door as we entered, so that he might have a private “ ‘What would be the hours?’ I asked.
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 so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the
recall when I have seen anything so fine.’ He took mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a
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. ‘You “ ‘Is £4 a week.’
will, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an
“ ‘And the work?’
obvious precaution.’ With that he seized my hair
in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled with “ ‘Is purely nominal.’
the pain. ‘There is water in your eyes,’ said he as “ ‘What do you call purely nominal?’
he released me. ‘I perceive that all is as it should
“ ‘Well, you have to be in the office, or at least
be. But we have to be careful, for we have twice
in the building, the whole time. If you leave, you
been deceived by wigs and once by paint. I could
forfeit your whole position forever. The will is very
tell you tales of cobbler’s wax which would disgust
clear upon that point. You don’t comply with the
you with human nature.’ He stepped over to the
conditions if you budge from the office during that
window and shouted through it at the top of his
time.’
voice that the vacancy was filled. A groan of dis-
appointment came up from below, and the folk all “ ‘It’s only four hours a day, and I should not
trooped away in different directions until there was think of leaving,’ said I.
not a red-head to be seen except my own and that “ ‘No excuse will avail,’ said Mr. Duncan Ross;
of the manager. ‘neither sickness nor business nor anything else.
“ ‘My name,’ said he, ‘is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I There you must stay, or you lose your billet.’
am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund left “ ‘And the work?’
by our noble benefactor. Are you a married man, “ ‘Is to copy out the “Encyclopaedia Britannica.”
Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?’ There is the first volume of it in that press. You
“I answered that I had not. must find your own ink, pens, and blotting-paper,
“His face fell immediately. but we provide this table and chair. Will you be
ready to-morrow?’
“ ‘Dear me!’ he said gravely, ‘that is very serious
indeed! I am sorry to hear you say that. The fund “ ‘Certainly,’ I answered.
was, of course, for the propagation and spread of “ ‘Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me
the red-heads as well as for their maintenance. It congratulate you once more on the important posi-
is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a tion which you have been fortunate enough to gain.’
bachelor.’ He bowed me out of the room and I went home
“My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or
thought that I was not to have the vacancy after all; do, I was so pleased at my own good fortune.
but after thinking it over for a few minutes he said “Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by
that it would be all right. evening I was in low spirits again; for I had quite
“ ‘In the case of another,’ said he, ‘the objection persuaded myself that the whole affair must be
might be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour some great hoax or fraud, though what its object
of a man with such a head of hair as yours. When might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether
shall you be able to enter upon your new duties?’ past belief that anyone could make such a will, or
that they would pay such a sum for doing any-
“ ‘Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a busi- thing so simple as copying out the ‘Encyclopaedia
ness already,’ said I. Britannica.’ Vincent Spaulding did what he could
“ ‘Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!’ said to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned
Vincent Spaulding. ‘I should be able to look after myself out of the whole thing. However, in the
that for you.’ morning I determined to have a look at it anyhow,

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so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a quill- “No, no,” cried Holmes, shoving him back into
pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started the chair from which he had half risen. “I really
off for Pope’s Court. wouldn’t miss your case for the world. It is most re-
“Well, to my surprise and delight, everything freshingly unusual. But there is, if you will excuse
was as right as possible. The table was set out ready my saying so, something just a little funny about it.
for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was there to see that I Pray what steps did you take when you found the
got fairly to work. He started me off upon the letter card upon the door?”
A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from “I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to
time to time to see that all was right with me. At do. Then I called at the offices round, but none of
two o’clock he bade me good-day, complimented them seemed to know anything about it. Finally, I
me upon the amount that I had written, and locked went to the landlord, who is an accountant living
the door of the office after me. on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell
“This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and me what had become of the Red-headed League.
on Saturday the manager came in and planked He said that he had never heard of any such body.
down four golden sovereigns for my week’s work. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ross was. He
It was the same next week, and the same the week answered that the name was new to him.
after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every “ ‘Well,’ said I, ‘the gentleman at No. 4.’
afternoon I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan “ ‘What, the red-headed man?’
Ross took to coming in only once of a morning, “ ‘Yes.’
and then, after a time, he did not come in at all. “ ‘Oh,’ said he, ‘his name was William Morris.
Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for He was a solicitor and was using my room as a tem-
an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, porary convenience until his new premises were
and the billet was such a good one, and suited me ready. He moved out yesterday.’
so well, that I would not risk the loss of it.
“ ‘Where could I find him?’
“Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had
“ ‘Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the ad-
written about Abbots and Archery and Armour
dress. Yes, 17 King Edward Street, near St. Paul’s.’
and Architecture and Attica, and hoped with dili-
gence that I might get on to the B’s before very “I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to
long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had that address it was a manufactory of artificial knee-
pretty nearly filled a shelf with my writings. And caps, and no one in it had ever heard of either Mr.
then suddenly the whole business came to an end.” William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross.”
“To an end?” “And what did you do then?” asked Holmes.
“I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took
“Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went
the advice of my assistant. But he could not help
to my work as usual at ten o’clock, but the door was
me in any way. He could only say that if I waited I
shut and locked, with a little square of cardboard
should hear by post. But that was not quite good
hammered on to the middle of the panel with a
enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such
tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself.”
a place without a struggle, so, as I had heard that
He held up a piece of white cardboard about you were good enough to give advice to poor folk
the size of a sheet of note-paper. It read in this who were in need of it, I came right away to you.”
fashion:
“And you did very wisely,” said Holmes. “Your
The Red-headed League case is an exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall
is be happy to look into it. From what you have told
Dissolved me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang
October 9, 1890. from it than might at first sight appear.”
Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt an- “Grave enough!” said Mr. Jabez Wilson. “Why,
nouncement and the rueful face behind it, until the I have lost four pound a week.”
comical side of the affair so completely overtopped “As far as you are personally concerned,” re-
every other consideration that we both burst out marked Holmes, “I do not see that you have any
into a roar of laughter. grievance against this extraordinary league. On the
“I cannot see that there is anything very funny,” contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some
cried our client, flushing up to the roots of his flam- £30, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which
ing head. “If you can do nothing better than laugh you have gained on every subject which comes un-
at me, I can go elsewhere.” der the letter A. You have lost nothing by them.”

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“No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt
who they are, and what their object was in playing over this matter.”
this prank—if it was a prank—upon me. It was a “What are you going to do, then?” I asked.
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
“We shall endeavour to clear up these points for for fifty minutes.” He curled himself up in his chair,
you. And, first, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-like nose,
This assistant of yours who first called your atten- and there he sat with his eyes closed and his black
tion to the advertisement—how long had he been clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange
with you?” bird. I had come to the conclusion that he had
“About a month then.” dropped asleep, and indeed was nodding myself,
when he suddenly sprang out of his chair with the
“How did he come?”
gesture of a man who has made up his mind and
“In answer to an advertisement.” put his pipe down upon the mantelpiece.
“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?
Could your patients spare you for a few hours?”
“Why did you pick him?”
“I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is
“Because he was handy and would come never very absorbing.”
cheap.”
“Then put on your hat and come. I am going
“At half-wages, in fact.” through the City first, and we can have some lunch
“Yes.” 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
more to my taste than Italian or French. It is intro-
“Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no spective, and I want to introspect. Come along!”
hair on his face, though he’s not short of thirty. Has
We travelled by the Underground as far as
a white splash of acid upon his forehead.”
Aldersgate; and a short walk took us to Saxe-
Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable ex- Coburg Square, the scene of the singular story
citement. “I thought as much,” said he. “Have which we had listened to in the morning. It was a
you ever observed that his ears are pierced for ear- poky, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines
rings?” of dingy two-storied brick houses looked out into
“Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it a small railed-in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy
for him when he was a lad.” grass and a few clumps of faded laurel-bushes
“Hum!” said Holmes, sinking back in deep made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and un-
thought. “He is still with you?” congenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown
board with “Jabez Wilson” in white letters, upon
“Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him.” a corner house, announced the place where our
“And has your business been attended to in red-headed client carried on his business. Sher-
your absence?” lock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head
“Nothing to complain of, sir. There’s never very on one side and looked it all over, with his eyes
much to do of a morning.” shining brightly between puckered lids. Then he
walked slowly up the street, and then down again
“That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to
to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Fi-
give you an opinion upon the subject in the course
nally he returned to the pawnbroker’s, and, having
of a day or two. To-day is Saturday, and I hope that
thumped vigorously upon the pavement with his
by Monday we may come to a conclusion.”
stick two or three times, he went up to the door
“Well, Watson,” said Holmes when our visitor and knocked. It was instantly opened by a bright-
had left us, “what do you make of it all?” looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him
“I make nothing of it,” I answered frankly. “It to step in.
is a most mysterious business.” “Thank you,” said Holmes, “I only wished
“As a rule,” said Holmes, “the more bizarre a to ask you how you would go from here to the
thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is Strand.”
your commonplace, featureless crimes which are “Third right, fourth left,” answered the assistant
really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the promptly, closing the door.

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“Smart fellow, that,” observed Holmes as we time to the music, while his gently smiling face
walked away. “He is, in my judgment, the fourth and his languid, dreamy eyes were as unlike those
smartest man in London, and for daring I am not of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the relent-
sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have less, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as
known something of him before.” it was possible to conceive. In his singular charac-
“Evidently,” said I, “Mr. Wilson’s assistant ter the dual nature alternately asserted itself, and
counts for a good deal in this mystery of the Red- his extreme exactness and astuteness represented,
headed League. I am sure that you inquired your as I have often thought, the reaction against the
way merely in order that you might see him.” poetic and contemplative mood which occasion-
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
“The knees of his trousers.” formidable as when, for days on end, he had been
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,
“Why did you beat the pavement?” and that his brilliant reasoning power would rise
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 “You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor,” he
it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was remarked as we emerged.
one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic
“Yes, it would be as well.”
of the City to the north and west. The roadway
“And I have some business to do which will
was blocked with the immense stream of commerce
take some hours. This business at Coburg Square
flowing in a double tide inward and outward, while
is serious.”
the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm
of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we “Why serious?”
looked at the line of fine shops and stately business “A considerable crime is in contemplation. I
premises that they really abutted on the other side have every reason to believe that we shall be in
upon the faded and stagnant square which we had time to stop it. But to-day being Saturday rather
just quitted. complicates matters. I shall want your help to-
night.”
“Let me see,” said Holmes, standing at the cor-
ner and glancing along the line, “I should like just “At what time?”
to remember the order of the houses here. It is “Ten will be early enough.”
a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of “I shall be at Baker Street at ten.”
London. There is Mortimer’s, the tobacconist, the “Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be
little newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the some little danger, so kindly put your army re-
City and Suburban Bank, the Vegetarian Restaurant, volver in your pocket.” He waved his hand, turned
and McFarlane’s carriage-building depot. That car- on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among
ries us right on to the other block. And now, Doctor, the crowd.
we’ve done our work, so it’s time we had some play. I trust that I am not more dense than my neigh-
A sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to bours, but I was always oppressed with a sense
violin-land, where all is sweetness and delicacy and of my own stupidity in my dealings with Sherlock
harmony, and there are no red-headed clients to Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had
vex us with their conundrums.” seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it
My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being was evident that he saw clearly not only what had
himself not only a very capable performer but a happened but what was about to happen, while
composer of no ordinary merit. All the afternoon to me the whole business was still confused and
he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kens-
happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in ington I thought over it all, from the extraordinary

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story of the red-headed copier of the “Encyclopae- stake will be some £30,000; and for you, Jones, it
dia” down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Square, and will be the man upon whom you wish to lay your
the ominous words with which he had parted from hands.”
me. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why “John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and
should I go armed? Where were we going, and forger. He’s a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but
what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes he is at the head of his profession, and I would
that this smooth-faced pawnbroker’s assistant was rather have my bracelets on him than on any crim-
a formidable man—a man who might play a deep inal in London. He’s a remarkable man, is young
game. I tried to puzzle it out, but gave it up in John Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and
despair and set the matter aside until night should he himself has been to Eton and Oxford. His brain
bring an explanation. is as cunning as his fingers, and though we meet
It was a quarter-past nine when I started from signs of him at every turn, we never know where
home and made my way across the Park, and so to find the man himself. He’ll crack a crib in Scot-
through Oxford Street to Baker Street. Two han- land one week, and be raising money to build an
soms were standing at the door, and as I entered the orphanage in Cornwall the next. I’ve been on his
passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On track for years and have never set eyes on him yet.”
entering his room I found Holmes in animated con- “I hope that I may have the pleasure of intro-
versation with two men, one of whom I recognised ducing you to-night. I’ve had one or two little turns
as Peter Jones, the official police agent, while the also with Mr. John Clay, and I agree with you that
other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a very he is at the head of his profession. It is past ten,
shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. however, and quite time that we started. If you two
“Ha! Our party is complete,” said Holmes, but- will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow
toning up his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunt- in the second.”
ing crop from the rack. “Watson, I think you know Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative
Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me introduce you during the long drive and lay back in the cab hum-
to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion ming the tunes which he had heard in the afternoon.
in to-night’s adventure.” We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit
“We’re hunting in couples again, Doctor, you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street.
see,” said Jones in his consequential way. “Our “We are close there now,” my friend remarked.
friend here is a wonderful man for starting a chase. “This fellow Merryweather is a bank director, and
All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the personally interested in the matter. I thought it as
running down.” well to have Jones with us also. He is not a bad
fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profes-
“I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the
sion. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as
end of our chase,” observed Mr. Merryweather
a bulldog and as tenacious as a lobster if he gets
gloomily.
his claws upon anyone. Here we are, and they are
“You may place considerable confidence in Mr. waiting for us.”
Holmes, sir,” said the police agent loftily. “He has
We had reached the same crowded thorough-
his own little methods, which are, if he won’t mind
fare in which we had found ourselves in the morn-
my saying so, just a little too theoretical and fan-
ing. Our cabs were dismissed, and, following the
tastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him.
guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a
It is not too much to say that once or twice, as in
narrow passage and through a side door, which he
that business of the Sholto murder and the Agra
opened for us. Within there was a small corridor,
treasure, he has been more nearly correct than the
which ended in a very massive iron gate. This also
official force.”
was opened, and led down a flight of winding stone
“Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right,” steps, which terminated at another formidable gate.
said the stranger with deference. “Still, I confess Mr. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and
that I miss my rubber. It is the first Saturday night then conducted us down a dark, earth-smelling
for seven-and-twenty years that I have not had my passage, and so, after opening a third door, into
rubber.” a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all round
“I think you will find,” said Sherlock Holmes, with crates and massive boxes.
“that you will play for a higher stake to-night than “You are not very vulnerable from above,”
you have ever done yet, and that the play will be Holmes remarked as he held up the lantern and
more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the gazed about him.

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 The Red-Headed League

“Nor from below,” said Mr. Merryweather, strik- see that the enemy’s preparations have gone so far
ing his stick upon the flags which lined the floor. that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And,
“Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollow!” he re- first of all, we must choose our positions. These are
marked, looking up in surprise. daring men, and though we shall take them at a dis-
“I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!” advantage, they may do us some harm unless we
said Holmes severely. “You have already imperilled are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and do
the whole success of our expedition. Might I beg you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when
that you would have the goodness to sit down upon I flash a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they
one of those boxes, and not to interfere?” fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting
them down.”
The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself
upon a crate, with a very injured expression upon I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of
his face, while Holmes fell upon his knees upon the the wooden case behind which I crouched. Holmes
floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, shot the slide across the front of his lantern and left
began to examine minutely the cracks between the us in pitch darkness—such an absolute darkness
stones. A few seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for as I have never before experienced. The smell of
he sprang to his feet again and put his glass in his hot metal remained to assure us that the light was
pocket. still there, ready to flash out at a moment’s notice.
To me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of
“We have at least an hour before us,” he re-
expectancy, there was something depressing and
marked, “for they can hardly take any steps until
subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold
the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they
dank air of the vault.
will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their
work the longer time they will have for their escape. “They have but one retreat,” whispered Holmes.
We are at present, Doctor—as no doubt you have “That is back through the house into Saxe-Coburg
divined—in the cellar of the City branch of one of Square. I hope that you have done what I asked
the principal London banks. Mr. Merryweather is you, Jones?”
the chairman of directors, and he will explain to
“I have an inspector and two officers waiting at
you that there are reasons why the more daring
the front door.”
criminals of London should take a considerable
interest in this cellar at present.” “Then we have stopped all the holes. And now
we must be silent and wait.”
“It is our French gold,” whispered the direc-
tor. “We have had several warnings that an attempt What a time it seemed! From comparing notes
might be made upon it.” afterwards it was but an hour and a quarter, yet it
“Your French gold?” appeared to me that the night must have almost
gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs
“Yes. We had occasion some months ago to
were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my posi-
strengthen our resources and borrowed for that
tion; yet my nerves were worked up to the highest
purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France.
pitch of tension, and my hearing was so acute that
It has become known that we have never had occa-
I could not only hear the gentle breathing of my
sion to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in
companions, but I could distinguish the deeper,
our cellar. The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000
heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin,
napoleons packed between layers of lead foil. Our
sighing note of the bank director. From my position
reserve of bullion is much larger at present than
I could look over the case in the direction of the
is usually kept in a single branch office, and the
floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of a light.
directors have had misgivings upon the subject.”
At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone
“Which were very well justified,” observed
pavement. Then it lengthened out until it became
Holmes. “And now it is time that we arranged
a yellow line, and then, without any warning or
our little plans. I expect that within an hour mat-
sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared,
ters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr.
a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in
Merryweather, we must put the screen over that
the centre of the little area of light. For a minute
dark lantern.”
or more the hand, with its writhing fingers, pro-
“And sit in the dark?” truded out of the floor. Then it was withdrawn as
“I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark again
my pocket, and I thought that, as we were a partie save the single lurid spark which marked a chink
carrée, you might have your rubber after all. But I between the stones.

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 The Red-Headed League

Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. is no doubt that you have detected and defeated
With a rending, tearing sound, one of the broad, in the most complete manner one of the most de-
white stones turned over upon its side and left a termined attempts at bank robbery that have ever
square, gaping hole, through which streamed the come within my experience.”
light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a “I have had one or two little scores of my own
clean-cut, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, to settle with Mr. John Clay,” said Holmes. “I have
and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture, been at some small expense over this matter, which
drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high, until one I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that
knee rested upon the edge. In another instant he I am amply repaid by having had an experience
stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after which is in many ways unique, and by hearing
him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed
a pale face and a shock of very red hair. League.”
“It’s all clear,” he whispered. “Have you the “You see, Watson,” he explained in the early
chisel and the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, hours of the morning as we sat over a glass of
jump, and I’ll swing for it!” 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 advertisement
the hole, and I heard the sound of rending cloth of the League, and the copying of the ‘Encyclopae-
as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed dia,’ must be to get this not over-bright pawnbroker
upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes’ hunting out of the way for a number of hours every day.
crop came down on the man’s wrist, and the pistol It was a curious way of managing it, but, really, it
clinked upon the stone floor. would be difficult to suggest a better. The method
was no doubt suggested to Clay’s ingenious mind
“It’s no use, John Clay,” said Holmes blandly. by the colour of his accomplice’s hair. The £4 a
“You have no chance at all.” week was a lure which must draw him, and what
“So I see,” the other answered with the utmost was it to them, who were playing for thousands?
coolness. “I fancy that my pal is all right, though I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the
see you have got his coat-tails.” temporary office, the other rogue incites the man
“There are three men waiting for him at the to apply for it, and together they manage to secure
door,” said Holmes. his absence every morning in the week. From the
time that I heard of the assistant having come for
“Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing
half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some
very completely. I must compliment you.”
strong motive for securing the situation.”
“And I you,” Holmes answered. “Your red- “But how could you guess what the motive
headed idea was very new and effective.” was?”
“You’ll see your pal again presently,” said Jones. “Had there been women in the house, I should
“He’s quicker at climbing down holes than I am. have suspected a mere vulgar intrigue. That, how-
Just hold out while I fix the derbies.” ever, was out of the question. The man’s business
“I beg that you will not touch me with your was a small one, and there was nothing in his house
filthy hands,” remarked our prisoner as the hand- which could account for such elaborate prepara-
cuffs clattered upon his wrists. “You may not be tions, and such an expenditure as they were at. It
aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have must, then, be something out of the house. What
the goodness, also, when you address me always could it be? I thought of the assistant’s fondness
to say ‘sir’ and ‘please.’ ” for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the
cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled
“All right,” said Jones with a stare and a snig-
clue. Then I made inquiries as to this mysterious
ger. “Well, would you please, sir, march upstairs,
assistant and found that I had to deal with one of
where we can get a cab to carry your Highness to
the coolest and most daring criminals in London.
the police-station?”
He was doing something in the cellar—something
“That is better,” said John Clay serenely. He which took many hours a day for months on end.
made a sweeping bow to the three of us and walked What could it be, once more? I could think of noth-
quietly off in the custody of the detective. ing save that he was running a tunnel to some other
“Really, Mr. Holmes,” said Mr. Merryweather as building.
we followed them from the cellar, “I do not know “So far I had got when we went to visit the
how the bank can thank you or repay you. There scene of action. I surprised you by beating upon

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 The Red-Headed League

the pavement with my stick. I was ascertaining Jabez Wilson’s presence—in other words, that they
whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. had completed their tunnel. But it was essential
It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as that they should use it soon, as it might be discov-
I hoped, the assistant answered it. We have had ered, or the bullion might be removed. Saturday
some skirmishes, but we had never set eyes upon would suit them better than any other day, as it
each other before. I hardly looked at his face. His would give them two days for their escape. For all
knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself these reasons I expected them to come to-night.”
have remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained “You reasoned it out beautifully,” I exclaimed
they were. They spoke of those hours of burrow- in unfeigned admiration. “It is so long a chain, and
ing. The only remaining point was what they were yet every link rings true.”
burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the
“It saved me from ennui,” he answered, yawn-
City and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend’s
ing. “Alas! I already feel it closing in upon me. My
premises, and felt that I had solved my problem.
life is spent in one long effort to escape from the
When you drove home after the concert I called
commonplaces of existence. These little problems
upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the
help me to do so.”
bank directors, with the result that you have seen.”
“And you are a benefactor of the race,” said I.
“And how could you tell that they would make
He shrugged his shoulders. “Well, perhaps,
their attempt to-night?” I asked.
after all, it is of some little use,” he remarked.
“Well, when they closed their League offices “ ‘L’homme c’est rien—l’oeuvre c’est tout,’ as Gustave
that was a sign that they cared no longer about Mr. Flaubert wrote to George Sand.”

147
A Case of Identity
M
A Case of Identity

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

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 A Case of Identity

de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that “Your father,” said Holmes, “your stepfather,
the matter is not too delicate for communication. surely, since the name is different.”
And yet even here we may discriminate. When a “Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it
woman has been seriously wronged by a man she sounds funny, too, for he is only five years and two
no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom is a months older than myself.”
broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is “And your mother is alive?”
a love matter, but that the maiden is not so much
“Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn’t
angry as perplexed, or grieved. But here she comes
best pleased, Mr. Holmes, when she married again
in person to resolve our doubts.”
so soon after father’s death, and a man who was
As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father
the boy in buttons entered to announce Miss Mary was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and
Sutherland, while the lady herself loomed behind he left a tidy business behind him, which mother
his small black figure like a full-sailed merchant- carried on with Mr. Hardy, the foreman; but when
man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the business,
welcomed her with the easy courtesy for which he for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines.
was remarkable, and, having closed the door and They got £4700 for the goodwill and interest, which
bowed her into an armchair, he looked her over in wasn’t near as much as father could have got if he
the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was had been alive.”
peculiar to him. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impa-
“Do you not find,” he said, “that with your short tient under this rambling and inconsequential nar-
sight it is a little trying to do so much typewriting?” rative, but, on the contrary, he had listened with
the greatest concentration of attention.
“I did at first,” she answered, “but now I know
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 as- “Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left
tonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. me by my uncle Ned in Auckland. It is in New
“You’ve heard about me, Mr. Holmes,” she cried, Zealand stock, paying 41/2 per cent. Two thousand
“else how could you know all that?” five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can
only touch the interest.”
“Never mind,” said Holmes, laughing; “it is my
business to know things. Perhaps I have trained “You interest me extremely,” said Holmes.
myself to see what others overlook. If not, why “And since you draw so large a sum as a hundred
should you come to consult me?” a year, with what you earn into the bargain, you no
doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in every
“I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from way. I believe that a single lady can get on very
Mrs. Etherege, whose husband you found so easy 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 Holmes, but you understand that as long as I live
as much for me. I’m not rich, but still I have a at home I don’t wish to be a burden to them, and
hundred a year in my own right, besides the little so they have the use of the money just while I am
that I make by the machine, and I would give it all staying with them. Of course, that is only just for
to 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 somewhat from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day.”
vacuous face of Miss Mary Sutherland. “Yes, “You have made your position very clear to me,”
I did bang out of the house,” she said, “for it said Holmes. “This is my friend, Dr. Watson, be-
made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fore whom you can speak as freely as before myself.
Windibank—that is, my father—took it all. He Kindly tell us now all about your connection with
would not go to the police, and he would not go Mr. Hosmer Angel.”
to you, and so at last, as he would do nothing and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland’s face, and
kept on saying that there was no harm done, it she picked nervously at the fringe of her jacket.
made me mad, and I just on with my things and “I met him first at the gasfitters’ ball,” she said.
came right away to you.” “They used to send father tickets when he was alive,

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 A Case of Identity

and then afterwards they remembered us, and sent “What office?”
them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us “That’s the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don’t
to go. He never did wish us to go anywhere. He know.”
would get quite mad if I wanted so much as to join
“Where did he live, then?”
a Sunday-school treat. But this time I was set on
going, and I would go; for what right had he to “He slept on the premises.”
prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to “And you don’t know his address?”
know, when all father’s friends were to be there. “No—except that it was Leadenhall Street.”
And he said that I had nothing fit to wear, when I “Where did you address your letters, then?”
had my purple plush that I had never so much as
taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else “To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left
would do, he went off to France upon the business till called for. He said that if they were sent to the
of the firm, but we went, mother and I, with Mr. office he would be chaffed by all the other clerks
Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was about having letters from a lady, so I offered to
there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel.” typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn’t
have that, for he said that when I wrote them they
“I suppose,” said Holmes, “that when Mr. seemed to come from me, but when they were type-
Windibank came back from France he was very written he always felt that the machine had come
annoyed at your having gone to the ball.” between us. That will just show you how fond he
“Oh, well, he was very good about it. He was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he
laughed, I remember, and shrugged his shoulders, 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 are
“I see. Then at the gasfitters’ ball you met, as infinitely the most important. Can you remember
I understand, a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer An- any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?”
gel.” “He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would
“Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called rather walk with me in the evening than in the day-
next day to ask if we had got home all safe, and light, for he said that he hated to be conspicuous.
after that we met him—that is to say, Mr. Holmes, I Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his
met him twice for walks, but after that father came voice was gentle. He’d had the quinsy and swollen
back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come glands when he was young, he told me, and it
to the house any more.” had left him with a weak throat, and a hesitating,
whispering fashion of speech. He was always well
“No?” dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were
“Well, you know father didn’t like anything of weak, just as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses
the sort. He wouldn’t have any visitors if he could against the glare.”
help it, and he used to say that a woman should be “Well, and what happened when Mr.
happy in her own family circle. But then, as I used Windibank, your stepfather, returned to France?”
to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to “Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again
begin with, and I had not got mine yet.” and proposed that we should marry before father
“But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he came back. He was in dreadful earnest and made
make no attempt to see you?” 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 father;
but they both said never to mind about father, but
“Were you engaged to the gentleman at this just to tell him afterwards, and mother said she
time?” would make it all right with him. I didn’t quite like
“Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged af- that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should
ter the first walk that we took. Hosmer—Mr. ask his leave, as he was only a few years older than
Angel—was a cashier in an office in Leadenhall me; but I didn’t want to do anything on the sly, so
Street—and—” I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the company

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 A Case of Identity

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

154
 A Case of Identity

chair, with the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which
up from him, and a look of infinite languor in his seemed to surprise her.”
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 wearing
one. You will find parallel cases, if you consult my were not unlike each other, they were really odd
index, in Andover in ’77, and there was something ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap,
of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only
idea, however, there were one or two details which in the two lower buttons out of five, and the other
were new to me. But the maiden herself was most at the first, third, and fifth. Now, when you see that
instructive.” a young lady, otherwise neatly dressed, has come
“You appeared to read a good deal upon her away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, it
which was quite invisible to me,” I remarked. 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-brimmed glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She
straw hat, with a feather of a brickish red. Her had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too
jacket was black, with black beads sewn upon it, deep. It must have been this morning, or the mark
and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her dress would not remain clear upon the finger. All this is
was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go
a little purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her back to business, Watson. Would you mind read-
gloves were greyish and were worn through at the ing me the advertised description of Mr. Hosmer
right forefinger. Her boots I didn’t observe. She Angel?”
had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I held the little printed slip to the light.
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 at and grey Harris tweed trousers, with
a woman’s sleeve. In a man it is perhaps better brown gaiters over elastic-sided boots.
first to take the knee of the trouser. As you observe, Known to have been employed in an
this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which office in Leadenhall Street. Anybody
is a most useful material for showing traces. The bringing—”
double line a little above the wrist, where the type-
writist presses against the table, was beautifully “That will do,” said Holmes. “As to the letters,”
defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, he continued, glancing over them, “they are very
leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and commonplace. Absolutely no clue in them to Mr.
on the side of it farthest from the thumb, instead Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There is one
of being right across the broadest part, as this was. remarkable point, however, which will no doubt
I then glanced at her face, and, observing the dint strike you.”
of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ventured “They are typewritten,” I remarked.

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 A Case of Identity

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

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more worn than others, and some wear only on one in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as
side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. it seemed, than to us.
Windibank, that in every case there is some little “The man married a woman very much older
slurring over of the ‘e,’ and a slight defect in the tail than himself for her money,” said he, “and he en-
of the ‘r.’ There are fourteen other characteristics, joyed the use of the money of the daughter as long
but those are the more obvious.” as she lived with them. It was a considerable sum,
“We do all our correspondence with this ma- for people in their position, and the loss of it would
chine at the office, and no doubt it is a little worn,” have made a serious difference. It was worth an
our visitor answered, glancing keenly at Holmes effort to preserve it. The daughter was of a good,
with his bright little eyes. amiable disposition, but affectionate and warm-
hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that
“And now I will show you what is really a very with her fair personal advantages, and her little
interesting study, Mr. Windibank,” Holmes contin- income, she would not be allowed to remain single
ued. “I think of writing another little monograph long. Now her marriage would mean, of course,
some of these days on the typewriter and its rela- the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her
tion to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious
some little attention. I have here four letters which course of keeping her at home and forbidding her
purport to come from the missing man. They are to seek the company of people of her own age. But
all typewritten. In each case, not only are the ‘e’s’ soon he found that that would not answer forever.
slurred and the ‘r’s’ tailless, but you will observe, if She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and
you care to use my magnifying lens, that the four- finally announced her positive intention of going
teen other characteristics to which I have alluded to a certain ball. What does her clever stepfather
are there as well.” do then? He conceives an idea more creditable to
Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and his head than to his heart. With the connivance and
picked up his hat. “I cannot waste time over this assistance of his wife he disguised himself, cov-
sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes,” he said. “If you ered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked
can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the face with a moustache and a pair of bushy
when you have done it.” whiskers, sunk that clear voice into an insinuating
“Certainly,” said Holmes, stepping over and whisper, and doubly secure on account of the girl’s
turning the key in the door. “I let you know, then, short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and
that I have caught him!” keeps off other lovers by making love himself.”
“It was only a joke at first,” groaned our visitor.
“What! where?” shouted Mr. Windibank, turn- “We never thought that she would have been so
ing white to his lips and glancing about him like a carried away.”
rat in a trap.
“Very likely not. However that may be, the
“Oh, it won’t do—really it won’t,” said Holmes young lady was very decidedly carried away, and,
suavely. “There is no possible getting out of it, Mr. having quite made up her mind that her stepfather
Windibank. It is quite too transparent, and it was was in France, the suspicion of treachery never for
a very bad compliment when you said that it was an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by
impossible for me to solve so simple a question. the gentleman’s attentions, and the effect was in-
That’s right! Sit down and let us talk it over.” creased by the loudly expressed admiration of her
Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly mother. Then Mr. Angel began to call, for it was
face and a glitter of moisture on his brow. “It—it’s obvious that the matter should be pushed as far
not actionable,” he stammered. as it would go if a real effect were to be produced.
There were meetings, and an engagement, which
“I am very much afraid that it is not. But be- would finally secure the girl’s affections from turn-
tween ourselves, Windibank, it was as cruel and ing towards anyone else. But the deception could
selfish and heartless a trick in a petty way as ever not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys
came before me. Now, let me just run over the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do
course of events, and you will contradict me if I go was clearly to bring the business to an end in such
wrong.” a dramatic manner that it would leave a perma-
The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his nent impression upon the young lady’s mind and
head sunk upon his breast, like one who is utterly prevent her from looking upon any other suitor
crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up on the corner of for some time to come. Hence those vows of fi-
the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands delity exacted upon a Testament, and hence also

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

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The Boscombe Valley Mystery
W
The Boscombe Valley Mystery

e were seated at breakfast one morning, recent papers in order to master the particulars. It
my wife and I, when the maid brought seems, from what I gather, to be one of those simple
in a telegram. It was from Sherlock cases which are so extremely difficult.”
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 almost
Have just been wired for from the invariably a clue. The more featureless and com-
west of England in connection with monplace a crime is, the more difficult it is to bring
Boscombe Valley tragedy. Shall be glad it home. In this case, however, they have estab-
if you will come with me. Air and lished a very serious case against the son of the
scenery perfect. Leave Paddington by murdered man.”
the 11.15.” “It is a murder, then?”
“Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take
“What do you say, dear?” said my wife, looking nothing for granted until I have the opportunity
across at me. “Will you go?” of looking personally into it. I will explain the
“I really don’t know what to say. I have a fairly state of things to you, as far as I have been able to
long list at present.” understand it, in a very few words.
“Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. “Boscombe Valley is a country district not very
You have been looking a little pale lately. I think far from Ross, in Herefordshire. The largest landed
that the change would do you good, and you are al- proprietor in that part is a Mr. John Turner, who
ways so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes’ cases.” made his money in Australia and returned some
“I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing years ago to the old country. One of the farms
what I gained through one of them,” I answered. which he held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr.
“But if I am to go, I must pack at once, for I have Charles McCarthy, who was also an ex-Australian.
only half an hour.” The men had known each other in the colonies, so
My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had that it was not unnatural that when they came to
at least had the effect of making me a prompt and settle down they should do so as near each other
ready traveller. My wants were few and simple, as possible. Turner was apparently the richer man,
so that in less than the time stated I was in a cab so McCarthy became his tenant but still remained,
with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. it seems, upon terms of perfect equality, as they
Sherlock Holmes was pacing up and down the plat- were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, a
form, his tall, gaunt figure made even gaunter and lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter
taller by his long grey travelling-cloak and close- of the same age, but neither of them had wives
fitting cloth cap. living. They appear to have avoided the society
of the neighbouring English families and to have
“It is really very good of you to come, Watson,” led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were
said he. “It makes a considerable difference to fond of sport and were frequently seen at the race-
me, having someone with me on whom I can thor- meetings of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept
oughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless or two servants—a man and a girl. Turner had a con-
else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I siderable household, some half-dozen at the least.
shall get the tickets.” That is as much as I have been able to gather about
We had the carriage to ourselves save for an im- the families. Now for the facts.
mense litter of papers which Holmes had brought
“On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy
with him. Among these he rummaged and read,
left his house at Hatherley about three in the af-
with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, un-
ternoon and walked down to the Boscombe Pool,
til we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled
which is a small lake formed by the spreading out
them all into a gigantic ball and tossed them up
of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Val-
onto the rack.
ley. He had been out with his serving-man in the
“Have you heard anything of the case?” he morning at Ross, and he had told the man that he
asked. must hurry, as he had an appointment of impor-
“Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some tance to keep at three. From that appointment he
days.” 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

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 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

him as he passed over this ground. One was an “Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing,”
old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and answered Holmes thoughtfully. “It may seem to
the other was William Crowder, a game-keeper in point very straight to one thing, but if you shift
the employ of Mr. Turner. Both these witnesses your own point of view a little, you may find it
depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The 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 possi-
under his arm. To the best of his belief, the father ble that he is indeed the culprit. There are several
was actually in sight at the time, and the son was people in the neighbourhood, however, and among
following him. He thought no more of the matter them Miss Turner, the daughter of the neighbour-
until he heard in the evening of the tragedy that ing landowner, who believe in his innocence, and
had occurred. who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recol-
“The two McCarthys were seen after the time lect in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work
when William Crowder, the game-keeper, lost sight out the case in his interest. Lestrade, being rather
of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly wooded puzzled, has referred the case to me, and hence
round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are flying
round the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly
who is the daughter of the lodge-keeper of the digesting their breakfasts at home.”
Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the woods “I am afraid,” said I, “that the facts are so obvi-
picking flowers. She states that while she was there ous that you will find little credit to be gained out
she saw, at the border of the wood and close by the of this case.”
lake, Mr. McCarthy and his son, and that they ap-
peared to be having a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. “There is nothing more deceptive than an ob-
McCarthy the elder using very strong language to vious fact,” he answered, laughing. “Besides, we
his son, and she saw the latter raise up his hand as may chance to hit upon some other obvious facts
if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their which may have been by no means obvious to Mr.
violence that she ran away and told her mother Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I
when she reached home that she had left the two am boasting when I say that I shall either confirm
McCarthys quarrelling near Boscombe Pool, and or destroy his theory by means which he is quite
that she was afraid that they were going to fight. incapable of employing, or even of understanding.
She had hardly said the words when young Mr. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly
McCarthy came running up to the lodge to say that perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon
he had found his father dead in the wood, and the right-hand side, and yet I question whether Mr.
to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Lestrade would have noted even so self-evident a
much excited, without either his gun or his hat, thing as that.”
and his right hand and sleeve were observed to be “How on earth—”
stained with fresh blood. On following him they
found the dead body stretched out upon the grass “My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the
beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by military neatness which characterises you. You
repeated blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. shave every morning, and in this season you shave
The injuries were such as might very well have been by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and
inflicted by the butt-end of his son’s gun, which less complete as we get farther back on the left side,
was found lying on the grass within a few paces until it becomes positively slovenly as we get round
of the body. Under these circumstances the young the angle of the jaw, it is surely very clear that that
man was instantly arrested, and a verdict of ‘wilful side is less illuminated than the other. I could not
murder’ having been returned at the inquest on imagine a man of your habits looking at himself
Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the in an equal light and being satisfied with such a
magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to result. I only quote this as a trivial example of
the next Assizes. Those are the main facts of the observation and inference. Therein lies my métier,
case as they came out before the coroner and the and it is just possible that it may be of some service
police-court.” in the investigation which lies before us. There are
one or two minor points which were brought out
“I could hardly imagine a more damning case,”
in the inquest, and which are worth considering.”
I remarked. “If ever circumstantial evidence
pointed to a criminal it does so here.” “What are they?”

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 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

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

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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 father
“Witness: It is really impossible for me to having signalled to him before seeing him, also to
tell you. I can assure you that it has noth- his refusal to give details of his conversation with
ing to do with the sad tragedy which fol- his father, and his singular account of his father’s
lowed. dying words. They are all, as he remarks, very
“The Coroner: That is for the court to de- 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 he,
which may arise. “to single out the very strongest points in the young
“Witness: I must still refuse. man’s favour. Don’t you see that you alternately
“The Coroner: I understand that the cry of give him credit for having too much imagination
‘Cooee’ was a common signal between you and too little? Too little, if he could not invent a
and your father? cause of quarrel which would give him the sympa-
thy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his
“Witness: It was.
own inner consciousness anything so outré as a
“The Coroner: How was it, then, that he
dying reference to a rat, and the incident of the van-
uttered it before he saw you, and before he
ishing cloth. No, sir, I shall approach this case from
even knew that you had returned from Bris-
the point of view that what this young man says is
tol?
true, and we shall see whither that hypothesis will
“Witness (with considerable confusion): I lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and
do not know. not another word shall I say of this case until we
“A Juryman: Did you see nothing which are on the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon,
aroused your suspicions when you returned and I see that we shall be there in twenty minutes.”
on hearing the cry and found your father
It was nearly four o’clock when we at last, after
fatally injured?
passing through the beautiful Stroud Valley, and
“Witness: Nothing definite. over the broad gleaming Severn, found ourselves
“The Coroner: What do you mean? at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A lean,
“Witness: I was so disturbed and excited ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was wait-
as I rushed out into the open, that I could ing for us upon the platform. In spite of the light
think of nothing except of my father. Yet I brown dustcoat and leather-leggings which he wore
have a vague impression that as I ran for- in deference to his rustic surroundings, I had no
ward something lay upon the ground to the difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Scotland Yard.
left of me. It seemed to me to be something With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a
grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a room had already been engaged for us.
plaid perhaps. When I rose from my father “I have ordered a carriage,” said Lestrade as we
I looked round for it, but it was gone. sat over a cup of tea. “I knew your energetic nature,
“ ‘Do you mean that it disappeared before and that you would not be happy until you had
you went for help?’ been on the scene of the crime.”
“ ‘Yes, it was gone.’ “It was very nice and complimentary of you,”
“ ‘You cannot say what it was?’ Holmes answered. “It is entirely a question of baro-
“ ‘No, I had a feeling something was there.’ metric pressure.”
“ ‘How far from the body?’ Lestrade looked startled. “I do not quite follow,”
“ ‘A dozen yards or so.’ he said.
“ ‘And how far from the edge of the wood?’ “How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind,
“ ‘About the same.’ and not a cloud in the sky. I have a caseful of

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

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

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that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy “Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you
for all that he has suffered.” seem to find it difficult to get hold of,” replied
“But if he is innocent, who has done it?” Lestrade with some warmth.

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

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The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt to me to be dust into an envelope and examining
sheet of water some fifty yards across, is situated at with his lens not only the ground but even the bark
the boundary between the Hatherley Farm and the of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone
private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Above the was lying among the moss, and this also he care-
woods which lined it upon the farther side we could fully examined and retained. Then he followed a
see the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site pathway through the wood until he came to the
of the rich landowner’s dwelling. On the Hatherley highroad, where all traces were lost.
side of the pool the woods grew very thick, and “It has been a case of considerable interest,”
there was a narrow belt of sodden grass twenty he remarked, returning to his natural manner. “I
paces across between the edge of the trees and the fancy that this grey house on the right must be the
reeds which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us lodge. I think that I will go in and have a word
the exact spot at which the body had been found, with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Hav-
and, indeed, so moist was the ground, that I could ing done that, we may drive back to our luncheon.
plainly see the traces which had been left by the fall You may walk to the cab, and I shall be with you
of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by presently.”
his eager face and peering eyes, very many other
It was about ten minutes before we regained our
things were to be read upon the trampled grass.
cab and drove back into Ross, Holmes still carrying
He ran round, like a dog who is picking up a scent,
with him the stone which he had picked up in the
and then turned upon my companion.
wood.
“What did you go into the pool for?” he asked. “This may interest you, Lestrade,” he remarked,
“I fished about with a rake. I thought there holding it out. “The murder was done with it.”
might be some weapon or other trace. But how on “I see no marks.”
earth—” “There are none.”
“Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of “How do you know, then?”
yours with its inward twist is all over the place. A “The grass was growing under it. It had only
mole could trace it, and there it vanishes among lain there a few days. There was no sign of a place
the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all have been whence it had been taken. It corresponds with the
had I been here before they came like a herd of injuries. There is no sign of any other weapon.”
buffalo and wallowed all over it. Here is where “And the murderer?”
the party with the lodge-keeper came, and they
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 the we have to deal with a hard-headed British jury.”
ground. Then here are the father’s feet as he paced “Nous verrons,” answered Holmes calmly. “You
up and down. What is this, then? It is the butt-end work your own method, and I shall work mine. I
of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Ha, shall be busy this afternoon, and shall probably
ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, return to London by the evening train.”
too, quite unusual boots! They come, they go, they “And leave your case unfinished?”
come again—of course that was for the cloak. Now
“No, finished.”
where did they come from?” He ran up and down,
sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track un- “But the mystery?”
til we were well within the edge of the wood and “It is solved.”
under the shadow of a great beech, the largest tree “Who was the criminal, then?”
in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced his way to
“The gentleman I describe.”
the farther side of this and lay down once more
upon his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For “But who is he?”
a long time he remained there, turning over the “Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This
leaves and dried sticks, gathering up what seemed is not such a populous neighbourhood.”

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Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. “I am a prac- “Quite so. That was the word the man uttered,
tical man,” he said, “and I really cannot undertake and of which his son only caught the last two syl-
to go about the country looking for a left-handed lables. He was trying to utter the name of his
gentleman with a game leg. I should become the murderer. So and so, of Ballarat.”
laughing-stock of Scotland Yard.” “It is wonderful!” I exclaimed.
“All right,” said Holmes quietly. “I have given “It is obvious. And now, you see, I had nar-
you the chance. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. rowed the field down considerably. The possession
I shall drop you a line before I leave.” of a grey garment was a third point which, granting
the son’s statement to be correct, was a certainty.
Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to
We have come now out of mere vagueness to the
our hotel, where we found lunch upon the table.
definite conception of an Australian from Ballarat
Holmes was silent and buried in thought with a
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
“Well, now, in considering this case there are the personality of the criminal.”
two points about young McCarthy’s narrative “But how did you gain them?”
which struck us both instantly, although they im- “You know my method. It is founded upon the
pressed me in his favour and you against him. One observation of trifles.”
was the fact that his father should, according to “His height I know that you might roughly
his account, cry ‘Cooee!’ before seeing him. The judge from the length of his stride. His boots, too,
other was his singular dying reference to a rat. He might be told from their traces.”
mumbled several words, you understand, but that “Yes, they were peculiar boots.”
was all that caught the son’s ear. Now from this “But his lameness?”
double point our research must commence, and we “The impression of his right foot was always
will begin it by presuming that what the lad says is less distinct than his left. He put less weight upon
absolutely 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, and
The ‘Cooee!’ was meant to attract the attention yet was upon the left side. Now, how can that be
of whoever it was that he had the appointment unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood
with. But ‘Cooee’ is a distinctly Australian cry, and behind that tree during the interview between the
one which is used between Australians. There is father and son. He had even smoked there. I found
a strong presumption that the person whom Mc- the ash of a cigar, which my special knowledge
Carthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an
someone who had been in Australia.” Indian cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some
attention to this, and written a little monograph on
“What of the rat, then?” the ashes of 140 different varieties of pipe, cigar,
Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his and cigarette tobacco. Having found the ash, I then
pocket and flattened it out on the table. “This is a looked round and discovered the stump among the
map of the Colony of Victoria,” he said. “I wired to moss where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar,
Bristol for it last night.” He put his hand over part of the variety which are rolled in Rotterdam.”
of the map. “What do you read?” “And the cigar-holder?”
“ARAT,” I read. “I could see that the end had not been in his
mouth. Therefore he used a holder. The tip had
“And now?” He raised his hand. been cut off, not bitten off, but the cut was not a
“BALLARAT.” clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife.”

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“Holmes,” I said, “you have drawn a net round “I am a dying man,” said old Turner. “I have
this man from which he cannot escape, and you had diabetes for years. My doctor says it is a ques-
have saved an innocent human life as truly as if tion whether I shall live a month. Yet I would rather
you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see die under my own roof than in a jail.”
the direction in which all this points. The culprit Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his
is—” pen in his hand and a bundle of paper before him.
“Mr. John Turner,” cried the hotel waiter, open- “Just tell us the truth,” he said. “I shall jot down the
ing the door of our sitting-room, and ushering in a facts. You will sign it, and Watson here can witness
visitor. it. Then I could produce your confession at the
last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise
The man who entered was a strange and im-
you that I shall not use it unless it is absolutely
pressive figure. His slow, limping step and bowed
needed.”
shoulders gave the appearance of decrepitude, and
yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and his “It’s as well,” said the old man; “it’s a question
enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of whether I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters
unusual strength of body and of character. His tan- little to me, but I should wish to spare Alice the
gled beard, grizzled hair, and outstanding, droop- shock. And now I will make the thing clear to you;
ing eyebrows combined to give an air of dignity it has been a long time in the acting, but will not
and power to his appearance, but his face was of an take me long to tell.
ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his “You didn’t know this dead man, McCarthy. He
nostrils were tinged with a shade of blue. It was was a devil incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you
clear to me at a glance that he was in the grip of out of the clutches of such a man as he. His grip
some deadly and chronic disease. has been upon me these twenty years, and he has
“Pray sit down on the sofa,” said Holmes gently. blasted my life. I’ll tell you first how I came to be
“You had my note?” in his power.
“It was in the early ’60’s at the diggings. I was a
“Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said
young chap then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready
that you wished to see me here to avoid scandal.”
to turn my hand at anything; I got among bad com-
“I thought people would talk if I went to the panions, took to drink, had no luck with my claim,
Hall.” took to the bush, and in a word became what you
“And why did you wish to see me?” He looked would call over here a highway robber. There were
across at my companion with despair in his weary six of us, and we had a wild, free life of it, stick-
eyes, as though his question was already answered. ing up a station from time to time, or stopping the
wagons on the road to the diggings. Black Jack of
“Yes,” said Holmes, answering the look rather Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party
than the words. “It is so. I know all about Mc- is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat
Carthy.” Gang.
The old man sank his face in his hands. “God “One day a gold convoy came down from Bal-
help me!” he cried. “But I would not have let the larat to Melbourne, and we lay in wait for it and
young man come to harm. I give you my word that attacked it. There were six troopers and six of us,
I would have spoken out if it went against him at so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of their
the Assizes.” saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were
“I am glad to hear you say so,” said Holmes killed, however, before we got the swag. I put my
gravely. pistol to the head of the wagon-driver, who was
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
“It may not come to that,” said Holmes. gold, became wealthy men, and made our way over
to England without being suspected. There I parted
“What?”
from my old pals and determined to settle down
“I am no official agent. I understand that it was to a quiet and respectable life. I bought this estate,
your daughter who required my presence here, and which chanced to be in the market, and I set myself
I am acting in her interests. Young McCarthy must to do a little good with my money, to make up for
be got off, however.” the way in which I had earned it. I married, too,

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 The Boscombe Valley Mystery

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

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The Five Orange Pips
W
The Five Orange Pips

hen I glance over my notes and records Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fireplace
of the Sherlock Holmes cases between cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the
the years ’82 and ’90, I am faced by so other was deep in one of Clark Russell’s fine sea-
many which present strange and inter- stories until the howl of the gale from without
esting features that it is no easy matter to know seemed to blend with the text, and the splash of
which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the
have already gained publicity through the papers, sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother’s,
and others have not offered a field for those pecu- and for a few days I was a dweller once more in
liar qualities which my friend possessed in so high my old quarters at Baker Street.
a degree, and which it is the object of these papers “Why,” said I, glancing up at my companion,
to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his analytical “that was surely the bell. Who could come to-night?
skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings with- Some friend of yours, perhaps?”
out an ending, while others have been but partially
cleared up, and have their explanations founded “Except yourself I have none,” he answered. “I
rather upon conjecture and surmise than on that do not encourage visitors.”
absolute logical proof which was so dear to him. “A client, then?”
There is, however, one of these last which was so
“If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would
remarkable in its details and so startling in its re-
bring a man out on such a day and at such an hour.
sults that I am tempted to give some account of it in
But I take it that it is more likely to be some crony
spite of the fact that there are points in connection
of the landlady’s.”
with it which never have been, and probably never
will be, entirely cleared up. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture,
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 ad-
venture of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur “Come in!” said he.
Mendicant Society, who held a luxurious club in The man who entered was young, some two-
the lower vault of a furniture warehouse, of the and-twenty at the outside, well-groomed and trimly
facts connected with the loss of the British barque clad, with something of refinement and delicacy in
“Sophy Anderson”, of the singular adventures of his bearing. The streaming umbrella which he held
the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told
of the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as of the fierce weather through which he had come.
may be remembered, Sherlock Holmes was able, by He looked about him anxiously in the glare of the
winding up the dead man’s watch, to prove that lamp, and I could see that his face was pale and
it had been wound up two hours before, and that his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is weighed
therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that down with some great anxiety.
time—a deduction which was of the greatest im-
portance 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 Holmes.
It was in the latter days of September, and the “They may rest here on the hook and will be dry
equinoctial gales had set in with exceptional vi- presently. You have come up from the south-west,
olence. All day the wind had screamed and the 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
of those great elemental forces which shriek at “I have come for advice.”
mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like “That is easily got.”
untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the
storm grew higher and louder, and the wind cried “And help.”
and sobbed like a child in the chimney. Sherlock “That is not always so easy.”

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 The Five Orange Pips

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

176
 The Five Orange Pips

horror. I took up the envelope and saw scrawled face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as
in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the gum, though it were new raised from a basin.
the letter K three times repeated. There was noth- “Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr.
ing else save the five dried pips. What could be Holmes, and not to abuse your patience, there came
the reason of his overpowering terror? I left the a night when he made one of those drunken sallies
breakfast-table, and as I ascended the stair I met from which he never came back. We found him,
him coming down with an old rusty key, which when we went to search for him, face downward
must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a in a little green-scummed pool, which lay at the
small brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. foot of the garden. There was no sign of any vio-
“ ‘They may do what they like, but I’ll check- lence, and the water was but two feet deep, so that
mate them still,’ said he with an oath. ‘Tell Mary the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity,
that I shall want a fire in my room to-day, and send brought in a verdict of ‘suicide.’ But I, who knew
down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.’ how he winced from the very thought of death, had
much ado to persuade myself that he had gone out
“I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer ar-
of his way to meet it. The matter passed, however,
rived I was asked to step up to the room. The fire
and my father entered into possession of the estate,
was burning brightly, and in the grate there was
and of some £14,000, which lay to his credit at the
a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned paper,
bank.”
while the brass box stood open and empty beside
it. As I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, “One moment,” Holmes interposed, “your state-
that upon the lid was printed the treble K which I ment is, I foresee, one of the most remarkable to
had read in the morning upon the envelope. which I have ever listened. Let me have the date
of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the
“ ‘I wish you, John,’ said my uncle, ‘to witness date of his supposed suicide.”
my will. I leave my estate, with all its advantages
and all its disadvantages, to my brother, your father, “The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death
whence it will, no doubt, descend to you. If you was seven weeks later, upon the night of May 2nd.”
can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find “Thank you. Pray proceed.”
you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to “When my father took over the Horsham prop-
your deadliest enemy. I am sorry to give you such erty, he, at my request, made a careful examination
a two-edged thing, but I can’t say what turn things of the attic, which had been always locked up. We
are going to take. Kindly sign the paper where Mr. found the brass box there, although its contents
Fordham shows you.’ had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was
“I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated
took it away with him. The singular incident made, upon it, and ‘Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a
as you may think, the deepest impression upon me, register’ written beneath. These, we presume, in-
and I pondered over it and turned it every way in dicated the nature of the papers which had been
my mind without being able to make anything of it. destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there
Yet I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread was nothing of much importance in the attic save a
which it left behind, though the sensation grew less great many scattered papers and note-books bear-
keen as the weeks passed and nothing happened to ing upon my uncle’s life in America. Some of them
disturb the usual routine of our lives. I could see a were of the war time and showed that he had done
change in my uncle, however. He drank more than his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave
ever, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. soldier. Others were of a date during the recon-
Most of his time he would spend in his room, with struction of the Southern states, and were mostly
the door locked upon the inside, but sometimes concerned with politics, for he had evidently taken
he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag politicians
would burst out of the house and tear about the who had been sent down from the North.
garden with a revolver in his hand, screaming out “Well, it was the beginning of ’84 when my fa-
that he was afraid of no man, and that he was not ther came to live at Horsham, and all went as well
to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by man or as possible with us until the January of ’85. On
devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he the fourth day after the new year I heard my father
would rush tumultuously in at the door and lock give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at
and bar it behind him, like a man who can brazen the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a
it out no longer against the terror which lies at the newly opened envelope in one hand and five dried
roots of his soul. At such times I have seen his orange pips in the outstretched palm of the other

177
 The Five Orange Pips

one. He had always laughed at what he called jury had no hesitation in bringing in a verdict of
my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he ‘death from accidental causes.’ Carefully as I ex-
looked very scared and puzzled now that the same amined every fact connected with his death, I was
thing had come upon himself. unable to find anything which could suggest the
“ ‘Why, what on earth does this mean, John?’ he idea of murder. There were no signs of violence,
stammered. no footmarks, no robbery, no record of strangers
having been seen upon the roads. And yet I need
“My heart had turned to lead. ‘It is K. K. K.,’ not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and
said I. that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had
“He looked inside the envelope. ‘So it is,’ he been woven round him.
cried. ‘Here are the very letters. But what is this “In this sinister way I came into my inheritance.
written above them?’ You will ask me why I did not dispose of it? I
“ ‘Put the papers on the sundial,’ I read, peeping answer, because I was well convinced that our trou-
over his shoulder. bles were in some way dependent upon an incident
“ ‘What papers? What sundial?’ he asked. in my uncle’s life, and that the danger would be as
pressing in one house as in another.
“ ‘The sundial in the garden. There is no other,’
said I; ‘but the papers must be those that are de- “It was in January, ’85, that my poor father
stroyed.’ met his end, and two years and eight months have
elapsed since then. During that time I have lived
“ ‘Pooh!’ said he, gripping hard at his courage. happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that
‘We are in a civilised land here, and we can’t have this curse had passed away from the family, and
tomfoolery of this kind. Where does the thing come that it had ended with the last generation. I had
from?’ begun to take comfort too soon, however; yesterday
“ ‘From Dundee,’ I answered, glancing at the morning the blow fell in the very shape in which it
postmark. had come upon my father.”
“ ‘Some preposterous practical joke,’ said he. The young man took from his waistcoat a crum-
‘What have I to do with sundials and papers? I pled envelope, and turning to the table he shook
shall take no notice of such nonsense.’ out upon it five little dried orange pips.
“ ‘I should certainly speak to the police,’ I said. “This is the envelope,” he continued. “The post-
mark is London—eastern division. Within are the
“ ‘And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of
very words which were upon my father’s last mes-
the sort.’
sage: ‘K. K. K.’; and then ‘Put the papers on the
“ ‘Then let me do so?’ sundial.’ ”
“ ‘No, I forbid you. I won’t have a fuss made “What have you done?” asked Holmes.
about such nonsense.’ “Nothing.”
“It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a “Nothing?”
very obstinate man. I went about, however, with a
“To tell the truth”—he sank his face into his
heart which was full of forebodings.
thin, white hands—“I have felt helpless. I have felt
“On the third day after the coming of the letter like one of those poor rabbits when the snake is
my father went from home to visit an old friend of writhing towards it. I seem to be in the grasp of
his, Major Freebody, who is in command of one of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight
the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that he and no precautions can guard against.”
should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther “Tut! tut!” cried Sherlock Holmes. “You must
from danger when he was away from home. In act, man, or you are lost. Nothing but energy can
that, however, I was in error. Upon the second day save you. This is no time for despair.”
of his absence I received a telegram from the major,
“I have seen the police.”
imploring me to come at once. My father had fallen
over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in “Ah!”
the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with “But they listened to my story with a smile. I am
a shattered skull. I hurried to him, but he passed convinced that the inspector has formed the opin-
away without having ever recovered his conscious- ion that the letters are all practical jokes, and that
ness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the deaths of my relations were really accidents, as
Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was the jury stated, and were not to be connected with
unknown to him, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the the warnings.”

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 The Five Orange Pips

Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. described. You must also put in a note to say that
“Incredible imbecility!” he cried. all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and
“They have, however, allowed me a policeman, that this is the only one which remains. You must
who may remain in the house with me.” assert that in such words as will carry conviction
with them. Having done this, you must at once put
“Has he come with you to-night?”
the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you
“No. His orders were to stay in the house.” understand?”
Again Holmes raved in the air. “Entirely.”
“Why did you come to me,” he cried, “and, “Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort,
above all, why did you not come at once?” at present. I think that we may gain that by means
“I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke of the law; but we have our web to weave, while
to Major Prendergast about my troubles and was theirs is already woven. The first consideration is
advised by him to come to you.” to remove the pressing danger which threatens you.
The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish
“It is really two days since you had the letter.
the guilty parties.”
We should have acted before this. You have no
further evidence, I suppose, than that which you “I thank you,” said the young man, rising and
have placed before us—no suggestive detail which pulling on his overcoat. “You have given me fresh
might help us?” life and hope. I shall certainly do as you advise.”
“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 think
rummaged in his coat pocket, and, drawing out a
that there can be a doubt that you are threatened
piece of discoloured, blue-tinted paper, he laid it
by a very real and imminent danger. How do you
out upon the table. “I have some remembrance,”
go back?”
said he, “that on the day when my uncle burned the
papers I observed that the small, unburned margins “By train from Waterloo.”
which lay amid the ashes were of this particular “It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded,
colour. I found this single sheet upon the floor of so I trust that you may be in safety. And yet you
his room, and I am inclined to think that it may cannot guard yourself too closely.”
be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered “I am armed.”
out from among the others, and in that way has “That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work
escaped destruction. Beyond the mention of pips, I upon your case.”
do not see that it helps us much. I think myself that
“I shall see you at Horsham, then?”
it is a page from some private diary. The writing is
undoubtedly my uncle’s.” “No, your secret lies in London. It is there that
I shall seek it.”
Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over
“Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two
the sheet of paper, which showed by its ragged
days, with news as to the box and the papers. I shall
edge that it had indeed been torn from a book. It
take your advice in every particular.” He shook
was headed, “March, 1869,” and beneath were the
hands with us and took his leave. Outside the
following enigmatical notices:
wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pat-
4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. tered against the windows. This strange, wild story
7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and seemed to have come to us from amid the mad ele-
John Swain, of St. Augustine. ments—blown in upon us like a sheet of sea-weed
9th. McCauley cleared. in a gale—and now to have been reabsorbed by
10th. John Swain cleared. them once more.
12th. Visited Paramore. All well.
Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence,
“Thank you!” said Holmes, folding up the pa- with his head sunk forward and his eyes bent upon
per and returning it to our visitor. “And now you the red glow of the fire. Then he lit his pipe,
must on no account lose another instant. We cannot and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue
spare time even to discuss what you have told me. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the
You must get home instantly and act.” ceiling.
“What shall I do?” “I think, Watson,” he remarked at last, “that of
“There is but one thing to do. It must be done at all our cases we have had none more fantastic than
once. You must put this piece of paper which you this.”
have shown us into the brass box which you have “Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four.”

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“Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this need certainly to muster all our resources. Kindly
John Openshaw seems to me to be walking amid hand me down the letter K of the ‘American En-
even greater perils than did the Sholtos.” cyclopaedia’ which stands upon the shelf beside
“But have you,” I asked, “formed any definite you. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation
conception as to what these perils are?” and see what may be deduced from it. In the first
place, we may start with a strong presumption that
“There can be no question as to their nature,”
Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason
he answered.
for leaving America. Men at his time of life do
“Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and not change all their habits and exchange willingly
why does he pursue this unhappy family?” the charming climate of Florida for the lonely life
Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his of an English provincial town. His extreme love
elbows upon the arms of his chair, with his finger- of solitude in England suggests the idea that he
tips together. “The ideal reasoner,” he remarked, was in fear of someone or something, so we may
“would, when he had once been shown a single assume as a working hypothesis that it was fear
fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all of someone or something which drove him from
the chain of events which led up to it but also all America. As to what it was he feared, we can only
the results which would follow from it. As Cuvier deduce that by considering the formidable letters
could correctly describe a whole animal by the con- which were received by himself and his successors.
templation of a single bone, so the observer who Did you remark the postmarks of those letters?”
has thoroughly understood one link in a series of “The first was from Pondicherry, the second
incidents should be able to accurately state all the from Dundee, and the third from London.”
other ones, both before and after. We have not yet “From East London. What do you deduce from
grasped the results which the reason alone can at- that?”
tain to. Problems may be solved in the study which
“They are all seaports. That the writer was on
have baffled all those who have sought a solution
board of a ship.”
by the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however,
to its highest pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner “Excellent. We have already a clue. There can
should be able to utilise all the facts which have be no doubt that the probability—the strong prob-
come to his knowledge; and this in itself implies, as ability—is that the writer was on board of a ship.
you will readily see, a possession of all knowledge, And now let us consider another point. In the case
which, even in these days of free education and en- of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the
cyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. threat and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only
It is not so impossible, however, that a man should some three or four days. Does that suggest any-
possess all knowledge which is likely to be useful thing?”
to him in his work, and this I have endeavoured “A greater distance to travel.”
in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on “But the letter had also a greater distance to
one occasion, in the early days of our friendship, come.”
defined my limits in a very precise fashion.” “Then I do not see the point.”
“Yes,” I answered, laughing. “It was a singu- “There is at least a presumption that the vessel
lar document. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics in which the man or men are is a sailing-ship. It
were marked at zero, I remember. Botany variable, looks as if they always send their singular warn-
geology profound as regards the mud-stains from ing or token before them when starting upon their
any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry mission. You see how quickly the deed followed
eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational litera- the sign when it came from Dundee. If they had
ture and crime records unique, violin-player, boxer, come from Pondicherry in a steamer they would
swordsman, lawyer, and self-poisoner by cocaine have arrived almost as soon as their letter. But,
and tobacco. Those, I think, were the main points as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think
of my analysis.” that those seven weeks represented the difference
Holmes grinned at the last item. “Well,” he said, between the mail-boat which brought the letter and
“I say now, as I said then, that a man should keep the sailing vessel which brought the writer.”
his little brain-attic stocked with all the furniture “It is possible.”
that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away “More than that. It is probable. And now you
in the lumber-room of his library, where he can see the deadly urgency of this new case, and why I
get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the urged young Openshaw to caution. The blow has
one which has been submitted to us to-night, we always fallen at the end of the time which it would

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take the senders to travel the distance. But this one government and of the better classes of the
comes from London, and therefore we cannot count community in the South. Eventually, in
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
that date.’
“The papers which Openshaw carried are obvi-
ously of vital importance to the person or persons “You will observe,” said Holmes, laying down the
in the sailing-ship. I think that it is quite clear that volume, “that the sudden breaking up of the soci-
there must be more than one of them. A single ety was coincident with the disappearance of Open-
man could not have carried out two deaths in such shaw from America with their papers. It may well
a way as to deceive a coroner’s jury. There must have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that
have been several in it, and they must have been he and his family have some of the more implaca-
men of resource and determination. Their papers ble spirits upon their track. You can understand
they mean to have, be the holder of them who it that this register and diary may implicate some of
may. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the the first men in the South, and that there may be
initials of an individual and becomes the badge of many who will not sleep easy at night until it is
a society.” recovered.”
“But of what society?” “Then the page we have seen—”
“Have you never—” said Sherlock Holmes, “Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remem-
bending forward and sinking his voice—“have you ber right, ‘sent the pips to A, B, and C’—that is,
never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?” sent the society’s warning to them. Then there are
successive entries that A and B cleared, or left the
“I never have.”
country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear,
Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we
his knee. “Here it is,” said he presently: may let some light into this dark place, and I be-
“ ‘Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the lieve that the only chance young Openshaw has in
fanciful resemblance to the sound produced the meantime is to do what I have told him. There
by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret soci- is nothing more to be said or to be done to-night,
ety was formed by some ex-Confederate sol- so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget
diers in the Southern states after the Civil for half an hour the miserable weather and the still
War, and it rapidly formed local branches more miserable ways of our fellow-men.”
in different parts of the country, notably in It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was
Tennessee, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Geor- shining with a subdued brightness through the
gia, and Florida. Its power was used for po- dim veil which hangs over the great city. Sher-
litical purposes, principally for the terroris- lock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came
ing of the negro voters and the murdering down.
and driving from the country of those who
“You will excuse me for not waiting for you,”
were opposed to its views. Its outrages were
said he; “I have, I foresee, a very busy day before
usually preceded by a warning sent to the
me in looking into this case of young Openshaw’s.”
marked man in some fantastic but generally
recognised shape—a sprig of oak-leaves in “What steps will you take?” I asked.
some parts, melon seeds or orange pips in “It will very much depend upon the results of
others. On receiving this the victim might my first inquiries. I may have to go down to Hor-
either openly abjure his former ways, or sham, after all.”
might fly from the country. If he braved the “You will not go there first?”
matter out, death would unfailingly come “No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring
upon him, and usually in some strange and the bell and the maid will bring up your coffee.”
unforeseen manner. So perfect was the or-
As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper
ganisation of the society, and so systematic
from the table and glanced my eye over it. It rested
its methods, that there is hardly a case upon
upon a heading which sent a chill to my heart.
record where any man succeeded in braving
it with impunity, or in which any of its out- “Holmes,” I cried, “you are too late.”
rages were traced home to the perpetrators. “Ah!” said he, laying down his cup, “I feared as
For some years the organisation flourished much. How was it done?” He spoke calmly, but I
in spite of the efforts of the United States could see that he was deeply moved.

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 The Five Orange Pips

“My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had not come
heading ‘Tragedy Near Waterloo Bridge.’ Here is back yet. It was nearly ten o’clock before he en-
the account: tered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to
“Between nine and ten last night Police- the sideboard, and tearing a piece from the loaf he
Constable Cook, of the H Division, on duty devoured it voraciously, washing it down with a
near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help long draught of water.
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-
cue. The alarm, however, was given, and, “Nothing?”
by the aid of the water-police, the body was “Not a bite. I had no time to think of it.”
eventually recovered. It proved to be that of “And how have you succeeded?”
a young gentleman whose name, as it ap-
pears from an envelope which was found in “Well.”
his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose “You have a clue?”
residence is near Horsham. It is conjec- “I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young
tured that he may have been hurrying down Openshaw shall not long remain unavenged. Why,
to catch the last train from Waterloo Sta- Watson, let us put their own devilish trade-mark
tion, and that in his haste and the extreme upon them. It is well thought of!”
darkness he missed his path and walked
“What do you mean?”
over the edge of one of the small landing-
places for river steamboats. The body ex- He took an orange from the cupboard, and tear-
hibited no traces of violence, and there can ing it to pieces he squeezed out the pips upon the
be no doubt that the deceased had been the table. Of these he took five and thrust them into
victim of an unfortunate accident, which an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote
should have the effect of calling the atten- “S. H. for J. O.” Then he sealed it and addressed
tion of the authorities to the condition of it to “Captain James Calhoun, Barque Lone Star,
the riverside landing-stages.” Savannah, Georgia.”
We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more “That will await him when he enters port,” said
depressed and shaken than I had ever seen him. he, chuckling. “It may give him a sleepless night.
“That hurts my pride, Watson,” he said at last. He will find it as sure a precursor of his fate as
“It is a petty feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. Openshaw did before him.”
It becomes a personal matter with me now, and, “And who is this Captain Calhoun?”
if God sends me health, I shall set my hand upon “The leader of the gang. I shall have the others,
this gang. That he should come to me for help, and but he first.”
that I should send him away to his death—!” He
“How did you trace it, then?”
sprang from his chair and paced about the room in
uncontrollable agitation, with a flush upon his sal- He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket,
low cheeks and a nervous clasping and unclasping all covered with dates and names.
of his long thin hands. “I have spent the whole day,” said he, “over
“They must be cunning devils,” he exclaimed Lloyd’s registers and files of the old papers, follow-
at last. “How could they have decoyed him down ing the future career of every vessel which touched
there? The Embankment is not on the direct line to at Pondicherry in January and February in ’83.
the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too crowded, There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which
even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Wat- were reported there during those months. Of these,
son, we shall see who will win in the long run. I one, the Lone Star, instantly attracted my attention,
am going out now!” since, although it was reported as having cleared
“To the police?” from London, the name is that which is given to
one of the states of the Union.”
“No; I shall be my own police. When I have
spun the web they may take the flies, but not be- “Texas, I think.”
fore.” “I was not and am not sure which; but I knew
All day I was engaged in my professional work, that the ship must have an American origin.”
and it was late in the evening before I returned “What then?”

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 The Five Orange Pips

“I searched the Dundee records, and when I the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore
found that the barque Lone Star was there in Jan- who has been loading their cargo. By the time that
uary, ’85, my suspicion became a certainty. I then their sailing-ship reaches Savannah the mail-boat
inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in will have carried this letter, and the cable will have
the port of London.” informed the police of Savannah that these three
“Yes?” gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of
murder.”
“The Lone Star had arrived here last week. I
went down to the Albert Dock and found that she There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid
had been taken down the river by the early tide this of human plans, and the murderers of John Open-
morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to shaw were never to receive the orange pips which
Gravesend and learned that she had passed some would show them that another, as cunning and as
time ago, and as the wind is easterly I have no resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very
doubt that she is now past the Goodwins and not long and very severe were the equinoctial gales that
very far from the Isle of Wight.” year. We waited long for news of the Lone Star of
Savannah, but none ever reached us. We did at
“What will you do, then?” last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a
“Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in
mates, are as I learn, the only native-born Ameri- the trough of a wave, with the letters “L. S.” carved
cans in the ship. The others are Finns and Germans. upon it, and that is all which we shall ever know
I know, also, that they were all three away from of the fate of the Lone Star.

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The Man with the Twisted Lip
I
The Man with the Twisted Lip

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

187
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

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

188
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

of a very remarkable inquiry, and I have hoped to and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there
find a clue in the incoherent ramblings of these sots, through the rifts of the clouds. Holmes drove in
as I have done before now. Had I been recognised silence, with his head sunk upon his breast, and
in that den my life would not have been worth an the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat
hour’s purchase; for I have used it before now for beside him, curious to learn what this new quest
my own purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs might be which seemed to tax his powers so sorely,
it has sworn to have vengeance upon me. There and yet afraid to break in upon the current of his
is a trap-door at the back of that building, near thoughts. We had driven several miles, and were
the corner of Paul’s Wharf, which could tell some beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of subur-
strange tales of what has passed through it upon ban villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his
the moonless nights.” shoulders, and lit up his pipe with the air of a man
“What! You do not mean bodies?” who has satisfied himself that he is acting for the
best.
“Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if
we had £1000 for every poor devil who has been “You have a grand gift of silence, Watson,” said
done to death in that den. It is the vilest murder- he. “It makes you quite invaluable as a companion.
trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Neville ’Pon my word, it is a great thing for me to have
St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are not
our trap should be here.” He put his two forefingers over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say
between his teeth and whistled shrilly—a signal to this dear little woman to-night when she meets
which was answered by a similar whistle from the me at the door.”
distance, followed shortly by the rattle of wheels “You forget that I know nothing about it.”
and the clink of horses’ hoofs. “I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the
“Now, Watson,” said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart case before we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple,
dashed up through the gloom, throwing out two and yet, somehow I can get nothing to go upon.
golden tunnels of yellow light from its side lanterns. There’s plenty of thread, no doubt, but I can’t get
“You’ll come with me, won’t you?” the end of it into my hand. Now, I’ll state the case
“If I can be of use.” clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe
you can see a spark where all is dark to me.”
“Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a
“Proceed, then.”
chronicler still more so. My room at The Cedars is
a double-bedded one.” “Some years ago—to be definite, in May,
1884—there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St.
“The Cedars?”
Clair by name, who appeared to have plenty of
“Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair’s house. I am staying money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds
there while I conduct the inquiry.” very nicely, and lived generally in good style. By
“Where is it, then?” degrees he made friends in the neighbourhood, and
“Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive in 1887 he married the daughter of a local brewer,
before us.” by whom he now has two children. He had no oc-
cupation, but was interested in several companies
“But I am all in the dark.” and went into town as a rule in the morning, re-
“Of course you are. You’ll know all about it turning by the 5.14 from Cannon Street every night.
presently. Jump up here. All right, John; we shall Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of age, is a
not need you. Here’s half a crown. Look out for man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very
me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her head. So affectionate father, and a man who is popular with
long, then!” all who know him. I may add that his whole debts
He flicked the horse with his whip, and we at the present moment, as far as we have been able
dashed away through the endless succession of to ascertain, amount to £88 10s., while he has £220
sombre and deserted streets, which widened gradu- standing to his credit in the Capital and Counties
ally, until we were flying across a broad balustraded Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that
bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly money troubles have been weighing upon his mind.
beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness “Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into
of bricks and mortar, its silence broken only by town rather earlier than usual, remarking before
the heavy, regular footfall of the policeman, or the he started that he had two important commissions
songs and shouts of some belated party of revellers. to perform, and that he would bring his little boy
A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance,

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

his wife received a telegram upon this same Mon- no one else had been in the front room during the
day, very shortly after his departure, to the effect afternoon. So determined was their denial that the
that a small parcel of considerable value which she inspector was staggered, and had almost come to
had been expecting was waiting for her at the of- believe that Mrs. St. Clair had been deluded when,
fices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box which lay
you are well up in your London, you will know that upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there
the office of the company is in Fresno Street, which fell a cascade of children’s bricks. It was the toy
branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you which he had promised to bring home.
found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch,
“This discovery, and the evident confusion
started for the City, did some shopping, proceeded
which the cripple showed, made the inspector re-
to the company’s office, got her packet, and found
alise that the matter was serious. The rooms were
herself at exactly 4.35 walking through Swandam
carefully examined, and results all pointed to an
Lane on her way back to the station. Have you
abominable crime. The front room was plainly
followed me so far?”
furnished as a sitting-room and led into a small
“It is very clear.” bedroom, which looked out upon the back of one
of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bed-
“If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly
room window is a narrow strip, which is dry at
hot day, and Mrs. St. Clair walked slowly, glancing
low tide but is covered at high tide with at least
about in the hope of seeing a cab, as she did not
four and a half feet of water. The bedroom window
like the neighbourhood in which she found herself.
was a broad one and opened from below. On ex-
While she was walking in this way down Swandam
amination traces of blood were to be seen upon the
Lane, she suddenly heard an ejaculation or cry, and
windowsill, and several scattered drops were visi-
was struck cold to see her husband looking down
ble upon the wooden floor of the bedroom. Thrust
at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to her
away behind a curtain in the front room were all
from a second-floor window. The window was
the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the excep-
open, and she distinctly saw his face, which she
tion of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and
describes as being terribly agitated. He waved his
his watch—all were there. There were no signs of
hands frantically to her, and then vanished from
violence upon any of these garments, and there
the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that
were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair. Out
he had been plucked back by some irresistible force
of the window he must apparently have gone for
from behind. One singular point which struck her
no other exit could be discovered, and the ominous
quick feminine eye was that although he wore some
bloodstains upon the sill gave little promise that he
dark coat, such as he had started to town in, he had
could save himself by swimming, for the tide was
on neither collar nor necktie.
at its very highest at the moment of the tragedy.
“Convinced that something was amiss with him,
“And now as to the villains who seemed to be
she rushed down the steps—for the house was none
immediately implicated in the matter. The Lascar
other than the opium den in which you found me
was known to be a man of the vilest antecedents,
to-night—and running through the front room she
but as, by Mrs. St. Clair’s story, he was known
attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first
to have been at the foot of the stair within a very
floor. At the foot of the stairs, however, she met
few seconds of her husband’s appearance at the
this Lascar scoundrel of whom I have spoken, who
window, he could hardly have been more than an
thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who acts as
accessory to the crime. His defence was one of
assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled
absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had
with the most maddening doubts and fears, she
no knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his
rushed down the lane and, by rare good-fortune,
lodger, and that he could not account in any way
met in Fresno Street a number of constables with
for the presence of the missing gentleman’s clothes.
an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The
inspector and two men accompanied her back, and “So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the
in spite of the continued resistance of the propri- sinister cripple who lives upon the second floor of
etor, they made their way to the room in which Mr. the opium den, and who was certainly the last hu-
St. Clair had last been seen. There was no sign of man being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Clair.
him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is
was no one to be found save a crippled wretch one which is familiar to every man who goes much
of hideous aspect, who, it seems, made his home to the City. He is a professional beggar, though in
there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly swore that order to avoid the police regulations he pretends

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

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

191
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

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

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

“What!” he roared. “And they were posted to-day at Gravesend.

“Yes, to-day.” She stood smiling, holding up a Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the clouds lighten, though I
little slip of paper in the air. should not venture to say that the danger is over.”
“May I see it?” “But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes.”
“Certainly.” “Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the
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
lamp and examined it intently. I had left my chair “No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!”
and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The enve- “Very well. It may, however, have been written
lope was a very coarse one and was stamped with on Monday and only posted to-day.”
the Gravesend postmark and with the date of that “That is possible.”
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.
“Coarse writing,” murmured Holmes. “Surely I know that all is well with him. There is so keen
this is not your husband’s writing, madam.” a sympathy between us that I should know if evil
“No, but the enclosure is.” came upon him. On the very day that I saw him
“I perceive also that whoever addressed the en- last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in
velope had to go and inquire as to the address.” the dining-room rushed upstairs instantly with the
utmost certainty that something had happened. Do
“How can you tell that?”
you think that I would respond to such a trifle and
“The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, yet be ignorant of his death?”
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
as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! there has “I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable.”
been an enclosure here!” “And on Monday he made no remarks before
“Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring.” leaving you?”
“No.”
“And you are sure that this is your husband’s
hand?” “And you were surprised to see him in Swan-
dam Lane?”
“One of his hands.”
“Very much so.”
“One?”
“Was the window open?”
“His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very
unlike his usual writing, and yet I know it well.” “Yes.”
“Then he might have called to you?”
“Dearest do not be frightened. All will
“He might.”
come well. There is a huge error which
it may take some little time to rectify. “He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate
Wait in patience. cry?”
— “Neville. “Yes.”
“A call for help, you thought?”
Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of a book, “Yes. He waved his hands.”
octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day
in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! “But it might have been a cry of surprise. As-
And the flap has been gummed, if I am not very tonishment at the unexpected sight of you might
much in error, by a person who had been chewing cause him to throw up his hands?”
tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your “It is possible.”
husband’s hand, madam?” “And you thought he was pulled back?”
“None. Neville wrote those words.” “He disappeared so suddenly.”

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

“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 have
been there, and the Lascar was at the foot of the the trap out.” He chuckled to himself as he spoke,
stairs.” his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a different man
to the sombre thinker of the previous night.
“Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could
see, had his ordinary clothes on?” As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no
wonder that no one was stirring. It was twenty-
“But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw five minutes past four. I had hardly finished when
his bare throat.” Holmes returned with the news that the boy was
“Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?” putting in the horse.
“Never.” “I want to test a little theory of mine,” said he,
“Had he ever showed any signs of having taken pulling on his boots. “I think, Watson, that you are
opium?” now standing in the presence of one of the most
absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked
“Never.” from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the
“Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the prin- key of the affair now.”
cipal points about which I wished to be absolutely “And where is it?” I asked, smiling.
clear. We shall now have a little supper and then “In the bathroom,” he answered. “Oh, yes, I
retire, for we may have a very busy day to-morrow.” am not joking,” he continued, seeing my look of in-
A large and comfortable double-bedded room credulity. “I have just been there, and I have taken
had been placed at our disposal, and I was quickly it out, and I have got it in this Gladstone bag. Come
between the sheets, for I was weary after my night on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will not fit
of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, how- the lock.”
ever, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon We made our way downstairs as quietly as pos-
his mind, would go for days, and even for a week, sible, and out into the bright morning sunshine. In
without rest, turning it over, rearranging his facts, the road stood our horse and trap, with the half-
looking at it from every point of view until he had clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sprang
either fathomed it or convinced himself that his in, and away we dashed down the London Road.
data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me A few country carts were stirring, bearing in veg-
that he was now preparing for an all-night sitting. etables to the metropolis, but the lines of villas on
He took off his coat and waistcoat, put on a large either side were as silent and lifeless as some city
blue dressing-gown, and then wandered about the in a dream.
room collecting pillows from his bed and cush- “It has been in some points a singular case,”
ions from the sofa and armchairs. With these he said Holmes, flicking the horse on into a gallop. “I
constructed a sort of Eastern divan, upon which confess that I have been as blind as a mole, but it is
he perched himself cross-legged, with an ounce better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at
of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in all.”
front of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw
In town the earliest risers were just beginning
him sitting there, an old briar pipe between his
to look sleepily from their windows as we drove
lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of the
through the streets of the Surrey side. Passing
ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, silent,
down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over
motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-
the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled
set aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off
sharply to the right and found ourselves in Bow
to sleep, and so he sat when a sudden ejaculation
Street. Sherlock Holmes was well known to the
caused me to wake up, and I found the summer
force, and the two constables at the door saluted
sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still
him. One of them held the horse’s head while the
between his lips, the smoke still curled upward,
other led us in.
and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze, but
nothing remained of the heap of shag which I had “Who is on duty?” asked Holmes.
seen upon the previous night. “Inspector Bradstreet, sir.”
“Awake, Watson?” he asked. “Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?” A tall, stout of-
ficial had come down the stone-flagged passage, in
“Yes.” a peaked cap and frogged jacket. “I wish to have
“Game for a morning drive?” a quiet word with you, Bradstreet.” “Certainly, Mr.

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

Holmes. Step into my room here.” It was a small, “He certainly needs a wash,” remarked Holmes.
office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the ta- “I had an idea that he might, and I took the lib-
ble, and a telephone projecting from the wall. The erty of bringing the tools with me.” He opened the
inspector sat down at his desk. Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my
“What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?” astonishment, a very large bath-sponge.
“He! he! You are a funny one,” chuckled the
“I called about that beggarman, Boone—the one
inspector.
who was charged with being concerned in the dis-
appearance of Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee.” “Now, if you will have the great goodness to
open that door very quietly, we will soon make him
“Yes. He was brought up and remanded for
cut a much more respectable figure.”
further inquiries.”
“Well, I don’t know why not,” said the inspector.
“So I heard. You have him here?” “He doesn’t look a credit to the Bow Street cells,
“In the cells.” does he?” He slipped his key into the lock, and we
“Is he quiet?” all very quietly entered the cell. The sleeper half
turned, and then settled down once more into a
“Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty deep slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug,
scoundrel.” moistened his sponge, and then rubbed it twice
“Dirty?” vigorously across and down the prisoner’s face.
“Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his “Let me introduce you,” he shouted, “to Mr.
hands, and his face is as black as a tinker’s. Well, Neville St. Clair, of Lee, in the county of Kent.”
when once his case has been settled, he will have Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The
a regular prison bath; and I think, if you saw him, man’s face peeled off under the sponge like the
you would agree with me that he needed it.” bark from a tree. Gone was the coarse brown tint!
“I should like to see him very much.” Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had seamed
it across, and the twisted lip which had given the
“Would you? That is easily done. Come this
repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away
way. You can leave your bag.”
the tangled red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed,
“No, I think that I’ll take it.” was a pale, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-
“Very good. Come this way, if you please.” haired and smooth-skinned, rubbing his eyes and
He led us down a passage, opened a barred door, staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Then
passed down a winding stair, and brought us to a suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a
whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each scream and threw himself down with his face to
side. the pillow.
“The third on the right is his,” said the inspec- “Great heavens!” cried the inspector, “it is, in-
tor. “Here it is!” He quietly shot back a panel in deed, the missing man. I know him from the pho-
the upper part of the door and glanced through. tograph.”
“He is asleep,” said he. “You can see him very The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a
well.” man who abandons himself to his destiny. “Be it
so,” said he. “And pray what am I charged with?”
We both put our eyes to the grating. The pris-
oner lay with his face towards us, in a very deep “With making away with Mr. Neville St.—Oh,
sleep, breathing slowly and heavily. He was a come, you can’t be charged with that unless they
middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his call- make a case of attempted suicide of it,” said the
ing, with a coloured shirt protruding through the inspector with a grin. “Well, I have been twenty-
rent in his tattered coat. He was, as the inspec- seven years in the force, but this really takes the
tor had said, extremely dirty, but the grime which cake.”
covered his face could not conceal its repulsive ug- “If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvi-
liness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right ous that no crime has been committed, and that,
across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction therefore, I am illegally detained.”
had turned up one side of the upper lip, so that “No crime, but a very great error has been com-
three teeth were exposed in a perpetual snarl. A mitted,” said Holmes. “You would have done better
shock of very bright red hair grew low over his to have trusted your wife.”
eyes and forehead. “It was not the wife; it was the children,”
“He’s a beauty, isn’t he?” said the inspector. groaned the prisoner. “God help me, I would not

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 The Man with the Twisted Lip

have them ashamed of their father. My God! What my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the
an exposure! What can I do?” ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between
Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the my pride and the money, but the dollars won at
couch and patted him kindly on the shoulder. last, and I threw up reporting and sat day after day
in the corner which I had first chosen, inspiring
“If you leave it to a court of law to clear the mat-
pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets with
ter up,” said he, “of course you can hardly avoid
coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was
publicity. On the other hand, if you convince the po-
the keeper of a low den in which I used to lodge
lice authorities that there is no possible case against
in Swandam Lane, where I could every morning
you, I do not know that there is any reason that
emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings
the details should find their way into the papers.
transform myself into a well-dressed man about
Inspector Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes
town. This fellow, a Lascar, was well paid by me
upon anything which you might tell us and submit
for his rooms, so that I knew that my secret was
it to the proper authorities. The case would then
safe in his possession.
never go into court at all.”
“God bless you!” cried the prisoner passionately. “Well, very soon I found that I was saving con-
“I would have endured imprisonment, ay, even exe- siderable sums of money. I do not mean that any
cution, rather than have left my miserable secret as beggar in the streets of London could earn £700 a
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 Chesterfield,
improved by practice and made me quite a recog-
where I received an excellent education. I travelled
nised character in the City. All day a stream of
in my youth, took to the stage, and finally became
pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and
a reporter on an evening paper in London. One
it was a very bad day in which I failed to take £2.
day my editor wished to have a series of articles
upon begging in the metropolis, and I volunteered “As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took
to supply them. There was the point from which a house in the country, and eventually married,
all my adventures started. It was only by trying without anyone having a suspicion as to my real
begging as an amateur that I could get the facts occupation. My dear wife knew that I had business
upon which to base my articles. When an actor I in the City. She little knew what.
had, of course, learned all the secrets of making
“Last Monday I had finished for the day and
up, and had been famous in the green-room for my
was dressing in my room above the opium den
skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I
when I looked out of my window and saw, to my
painted my face, and to make myself as pitiable
horror and astonishment, that my wife was stand-
as possible I made a good scar and fixed one side
ing in the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me.
of my lip in a twist by the aid of a small slip of
I gave a cry of surprise, threw up my arms to cover
flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hair,
my face, and, rushing to my confidant, the Lascar,
and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the
entreated him to prevent anyone from coming up
business part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller
to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew
but really as a beggar. For seven hours I plied my
that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my
trade, and when I returned home in the evening
clothes, pulled on those of a beggar, and put on my
I found to my surprise that I had received no less
pigments and wig. Even a wife’s eyes could not
than 26s. 4d.
pierce so complete a disguise. But then it occurred
“I wrote my articles and thought little more of to me that there might be a search in the room,
the matter until, some time later, I backed a bill for and that the clothes might betray me. I threw open
a friend and had a writ served upon me for £25. I the window, reopening by my violence a small cut
was at my wit’s end where to get the money, but which I had inflicted upon myself in the bedroom
a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight’s that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was
grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from weighted by the coppers which I had just trans-
my employers, and spent the time in begging in ferred to it from the leather bag in which I carried
the City under my disguise. In ten days I had the my takings. I hurled it out of the window, and it
money and had paid the debt. disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes
“Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle would have followed, but at that moment there was
down to arduous work at £2 a week when I knew a rush of constables up the stair, and a few minutes
that I could earn as much in a day by smearing after I found, rather, I confess, to my relief, that

196
 The Man with the Twisted Lip

instead of being identified as Mr. Neville St. Clair, I “That was it,” said Holmes, nodding approv-
was arrested as his murderer. ingly; “I have no doubt of it. But have you never
been prosecuted for begging?”
“I do not know that there is anything else for
me to explain. I was determined to preserve my dis- “Many times; but what was a fine to me?”
guise as long as possible, and hence my preference “It must stop here, however,” said Bradstreet.
for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would be “If the police are to hush this thing up, there must
terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided be no more of Hugh Boone.”
it to the Lascar at a moment when no constable “I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which
was watching me, together with a hurried scrawl, a man can take.”
telling her that she had no cause to fear.”
“In that case I think that it is probable that no
“That note only reached her yesterday,” said further steps may be taken. But if you are found
Holmes. again, then all must come out. I am sure, Mr.
Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for
“Good God! What a week she must have spent!” having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how
“The police have watched this Lascar,” said In- you reach your results.”
spector Bradstreet, “and I can quite understand that “I reached this one,” said my friend, “by sitting
he might find it difficult to post a letter unobserved. upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag.
Probably he handed it to some sailor customer of I think, Watson, that if we drive to Baker Street we
his, who forgot all about it for some days.” shall just be in time for breakfast.”

197
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. I
Holmes upon the second morning after 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 front
and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently of Peterson’s fire. The facts are these: about four
newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was o’clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as
a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung 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. A way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In
lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair front of him he saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man,
suggested that the hat had been suspended in this walking with a slight stagger, and carrying a white
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 raised
“Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with
his stick to defend himself and, swinging it over his
whom I can discuss my results. The matter is a
head, smashed the shop window behind him. Pe-
perfectly trivial one”—he jerked his thumb in the
terson had rushed forward to protect the stranger
direction of the old hat—“but there are points in
from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having
connection with it which are not entirely devoid of
broken the window, and seeing an official-looking
interest and even of instruction.”
person in uniform rushing towards him, dropped
I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the
hands before his crackling fire, for a sharp frost labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of
had set in, and the windows were thick with the Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled
ice crystals. “I suppose,” I remarked, “that, homely at the appearance of Peterson, so that he was left
as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked in possession of the field of battle, and also of the
on to it—that it is the clue which will guide you in spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat
the solution of some mystery and the punishment and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose.”
of some crime.” “Which surely he restored to their owner?”
“No, no. No crime,” said Sherlock Holmes, “My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is
laughing. “Only one of those whimsical little in- true that ‘For Mrs. Henry Baker’ was printed upon
cidents which will happen when you have four a small card which was tied to the bird’s left leg,
million human beings all jostling each other within and it is also true that the initials ‘H. B.’ are legible
the space of a few square miles. Amid the action upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some
and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, ev- thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry
ery possible combination of events may be expected Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore
to take place, and many a little problem will be pre- lost property to any one of them.”
sented which may be striking and bizarre without
“What, then, did Peterson do?”
being criminal. We have already had experience of
such.” “He brought round both hat and goose to me on
Christmas morning, knowing that even the small-
“So much so,” I remarked, “that of the last six
est problems are of interest to me. The goose we
cases which I have added to my notes, three have
retained until this morning, when there were signs
been entirely free of any legal crime.”
that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well
“Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover that it should be eaten without unnecessary delay.
the Irene Adler papers, to the singular case of Miss Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to fulfil the
Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the man ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to
with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who lost
this small matter will fall into the same innocent his Christmas dinner.”
category. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?” “Did he not advertise?”
“Yes.” “No.”
“It is to him that this trophy belongs.” “Then, what clue could you have as to his iden-
“It is his hat.” tity?”

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

“Only as much as we can deduce.” to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that
“From his hat?” it is extremely improbable that he has gas 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 see
“Here is my lens. You know my methods. What how they are attained?”
can you gather yourself as to the individuality of “I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I
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 ordinary intellectual?”
black hat of the usual round shape, hard and much For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his
the worse for wear. The lining had been of red silk, head. It came right over the forehead and settled
but was a good deal discoloured. There was no upon the bridge of his nose. “It is a question of
maker’s name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the cubic capacity,” said he; “a man with so large a
initials “H. B.” were scrawled upon one side. It brain must have something in it.”
was pierced in the brim for a hat-securer, but the “The decline of his fortunes, then?”
elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cracked, “This hat is three years old. These flat brims
exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, curled at the edge came in then. It is a hat of the
although there seemed to have been some attempt very best quality. Look at the band of ribbed silk
to hide the discoloured patches by smearing them and the excellent lining. If this man could afford
with ink. 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 disc
from this hat?” and loop of the hat-securer. “They are never sold
upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a
He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his
introspective fashion which was characteristic of way to take this precaution against the wind. But
him. “It is perhaps less suggestive than it might since we see that he has broken the elastic and has
have been,” he remarked, “and yet there are a few not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has
inferences which are very distinct, and a few others less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct
which represent at least a strong balance of prob- proof of a weakening nature. On the other hand,
ability. That the man was highly intellectual is of he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains
course obvious upon the face of it, and also that upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a
he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, sign that he has not entirely lost his self-respect.”
although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had
“Your reasoning is certainly plausible.”
foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing
to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with “The further points, that he is middle-aged, that
the decline of his fortunes, seems to indicate some his hair is grizzled, that it has been recently cut,
evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him. and that he uses lime-cream, are all to be gathered
This may account also for the obvious fact that his from a close examination of the lower part of the lin-
wife has ceased to love him.” ing. The lens discloses a large number of hair-ends,
clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all ap-
“My dear Holmes!” pear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of
“He has, however, retained some degree of self- lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the
respect,” he continued, disregarding my remon- gritty, grey dust of the street but the fluffy brown
strance. “He is a man who leads a sedentary life, dust of the house, showing that it has been hung
goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle- up indoors most of the time, while the marks of
aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the
the last few days, and which he anoints with lime- wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore,
cream. These are the more patent facts which are hardly be in the best of training.”

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

“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 shape,
When I see you, my dear Watson, with a week’s ac- seeing that I have read the advertisement about
cumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your it in The Times every day lately. It is absolutely
wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall unique, and its value can only be conjectured, but
fear that you also have been unfortunate enough to the reward offered of £1000 is certainly not within
lose your wife’s affection.” 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 upon and stared from one to the other of us.
the bird’s leg.” “That is the reward, and I have reason to know
“You have an answer to everything. But how on that there are sentimental considerations in the
earth do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in background which would induce the Countess to
his house?” part with half her fortune if she could but recover
the gem.”
“One tallow stain, or even two, might come by
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- “Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days
ing tallow—walks upstairs at night probably with ago. John Horner, a plumber, was accused of hav-
his hat in one hand and a guttering candle in the ing abstracted it from the lady’s jewel-case. The
other. Anyhow, he never got tallow-stains from a evidence against him was so strong that the case
gas-jet. Are you satisfied?” 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, until
crime committed, and no harm done save the loss at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over, and
of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of 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-
attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence
“The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!” he to the effect that he had shown Horner
gasped. up to the dressing-room of the Countess
“Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in
life and flapped off through the kitchen window?” order that he might solder the second bar
Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get of the grate, which was loose. He had re-
a fairer view of the man’s excited face. 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
empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder in-
Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. “By Jove,
stantly gave the alarm, and Horner was ar-
Peterson!” said he, “this is treasure trove indeed. I
rested the same evening; but the stone could
suppose you know what you have got?”
not be found either upon his person or in
“A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the
glass as though it were putty.” Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder’s
“It’s more than a precious stone. It is the pre- cry of dismay on discovering the robbery,
cious stone.” and to having rushed into the room, where

203
 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

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

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

bright semicircle which was thrown from the fan- disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are going
light. Just as I arrived the door was opened, and to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permis-
we were shown up together to Holmes’ room. sion, I will confine my attentions to the excellent
“Mr. Henry Baker, I believe,” said he, rising 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 “There is your hat, then, and there your bird,”
is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation said he. “By the way, would it bore you to tell me
is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, where you got the other one from? I am somewhat
Watson, you have just come at the right time. Is of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a better
that your hat, Mr. Baker?” grown goose.”
“Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat.” “Certainly, sir,” said Baker, who had risen and
He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a tucked his newly gained property under his arm.
massive head, and a broad, intelligent face, slop- “There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha Inn,
ing down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. near the Museum—we are to be found in the Mu-
A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight seum itself during the day, you understand. This
tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes’ sur- year our good host, Windigate by name, instituted
mise as to his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was a goose club, by which, on consideration of some
buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned few pence every week, we were each to receive a
up, and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and
without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slow the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to
staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and you, sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my
gave the impression generally of a man of learning years nor my gravity.” With a comical pomposity
and letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and
fortune. strode off upon his way.
“We have retained these things for some days,” “So much for Mr. Henry Baker,” said Holmes
said Holmes, “because we expected to see an ad- when he had closed the door behind him. “It is
vertisement from you giving your address. I am at quite certain that he knows nothing whatever about
a loss to know now why you did not advertise.” the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?”
“Not particularly.”
Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh.
“Shillings have not been so plentiful with me as “Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a
they once were,” he remarked. “I had no doubt supper and follow up this clue while it is still hot.”
that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had “By all means.”
carried off both my hat and the bird. I did not It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters
care to spend more money in a hopeless attempt at and wrapped cravats about our throats. Outside,
recovering them.” the stars were shining coldly in a cloudless sky, and
“Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we the breath of the passers-by blew out into smoke
were compelled to eat it.” like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out
“To eat it!” Our visitor half rose from his chair crisply and loudly as we swung through the doc-
in his excitement. tors’ quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and
so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In
“Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at
had we not done so. But I presume that this other the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at
goose upon the sideboard, which is about the same the corner of one of the streets which runs down
weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your pur- into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door of the
pose equally well?” private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from
“Oh, certainly, certainly,” answered Mr. Baker the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord.
with a sigh of relief. “Your beer should be excellent if it is as good
“Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, as your geese,” said he.
and so on of your own bird, so if you wish—” “My geese!” The man seemed surprised.
The man burst into a hearty laugh. “They might “Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to
be useful to me as relics of my adventure,” said Mr. Henry Baker, who was a member of your goose
he, “but beyond that I can hardly see what use the club.”

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

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

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

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

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

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

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered “ ‘That white one with the barred tail, right in
what it would be best to do. the middle of the flock.’
“I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went “ ‘Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.’
to the bad, and has just been serving his time in “Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I
Pentonville. One day he had met me, and fell into carried the bird all the way to Kilburn. I told my
talk about the ways of thieves, and how they could pal what I had done, for he was a man that it was
get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed until he
true to me, for I knew one or two things about him; choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose.
so I made up my mind to go right on to Kilburn, My heart turned to water, for there was no sign of
where he lived, and take him into my confidence. the stone, and I knew that some terrible mistake
He would show me how to turn the stone into had occurred. I left the bird, rushed back to my
money. But how to get to him in safety? I thought sister’s, and hurried into the back yard. There was
of the agonies I had gone through in coming from not a bird to be seen there.
the hotel. I might at any moment be seized and “ ‘Where are they all, Maggie?’ I cried.
searched, and there would be the stone in my waist- “ ‘Gone to the dealer’s, Jem.’
coat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the
“ ‘Which dealer’s?’
time and looking at the geese which were waddling
about round my feet, and suddenly an idea came “ ‘Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.’
into my head which showed me how I could beat “ ‘But was there another with a barred tail?’ I
the best detective that ever lived. asked, ‘the same as the one I chose?’
“My sister had told me some weeks before that “ ‘Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones,
I might have the pick of her geese for a Christmas and I could never tell them apart.’
present, and I knew that she was always as good “Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off
as her word. I would take my goose now, and in as hard as my feet would carry me to this man
it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at once, and
little shed in the yard, and behind this I drove one not one word would he tell me as to where they
of the birds—a fine big one, white, with a barred had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well,
tail. I caught it, and prying its bill open, I thrust he has always answered me like that. My sister
the stone down its throat as far as my finger could thinks that I am going mad. Sometimes I think
reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone that I am myself. And now—and now I am myself
pass along its gullet and down into its crop. But a branded thief, without ever having touched the
the creature flapped and struggled, and out came wealth for which I sold my character. God help me!
my sister to know what was the matter. As I turned God help me!” He burst into convulsive sobbing,
to speak to her the brute broke loose and fluttered with his face buried in his hands.
off among the others. There was a long silence, broken only by his
“ ‘Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?’ heavy breathing and by the measured tapping of
says she. Sherlock Holmes’ finger-tips upon the edge of the
table. Then my friend rose and threw open the
“ ‘Well,’ said I, ‘you said you’d give me one for
door.
Christmas, and I was feeling which was the fattest.’
“Get out!” said he.
“ ‘Oh,’ says she, ‘we’ve set yours aside for
you—Jem’s bird, we call it. It’s the big white one “What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!”
over yonder. There’s twenty-six of them, which “No more words. Get out!”
makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen And no more words were needed. There was a
for the market.’ rush, a clatter upon the stairs, the bang of a door,
“ ‘Thank you, Maggie,’ says I; ‘but if it is all the and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the
same to you, I’d rather have that one I was handling street.
just now.’ “After all, Watson,” said Holmes, reaching up
his hand for his clay pipe, “I am not retained by
“ ‘The other is a good three pound heavier,’ said
the police to supply their deficiencies. If Horner
she, ‘and we fattened it expressly for you.’
were in danger it would be another thing; but this
“ ‘Never mind. I’ll have the other, and I’ll take fellow will not appear against him, and the case
it now,’ said I. must collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a
“ ‘Oh, just as you like,’ said she, a little huffed. felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a
‘Which is it you want, then?’ soul. This fellow will not go wrong again; he is

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 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

too terribly frightened. Send him to jail now, and solution is its own reward. If you will have the
you make him a jail-bird for life. Besides, it is the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin
season of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way another investigation, in which, also a bird will be
a most singular and whimsical problem, and its the chief feature.”

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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 basis
last eight years studied the methods of with which he unravelled the problems which were
my friend Sherlock Holmes, I find many submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes
tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, and was ready in a few minutes to accompany my
but none commonplace; for, working as he did friend down to the sitting-room. A lady dressed in
rather for the love of his art than for the acquire- black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in
ment of wealth, he refused to associate himself with the window, rose as we entered.
any investigation which did not tend towards the “Good-morning, madam,” said Holmes cheerily.
unusual, and even the fantastic. Of all these varied “My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my intimate
cases, however, I cannot recall any which presented friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before whom you
more singular features than that which was asso- can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am glad
ciated with the well-known Surrey family of the to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to
Roylotts of Stoke Moran. The events in question light the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order
occurred in the early days of my association with you a cup of hot coffee, for I observe that you are
Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors shivering.”
in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have
“It is not cold which makes me shiver,” said
placed them upon record before, but a promise of
the woman in a low voice, changing her seat as
secrecy was made at the time, from which I have
requested.
only been freed during the last month by the un-
timely death of the lady to whom the pledge was “What, then?”
given. It is perhaps as well that the facts should “It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror.” She raised
now come to light, for I have reasons to know that her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she
there are widespread rumours as to the death of Dr. was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face
Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter all drawn and grey, with restless frightened eyes,
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 late sion was weary and haggard. Sherlock Holmes ran
riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive
showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I glances.
blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps “You must not fear,” said he soothingly, bend-
just a little resentment, for I was myself regular in ing forward and patting her forearm. “We shall
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 have
“What is it, then—a fire?” started early, and yet you had a good drive in a
“No; a client. It seems that a young lady has 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 The lady gave a violent start and stared in be-
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- was left save a few acres of ground, and the two-
tinues. I have no one to turn to—none, save only hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed
one, who cares for me, and he, poor fellow, can under a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged
be of little aid. I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes; I out his existence there, living the horrible life of an
have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you aristocratic pauper; but his only son, my stepfather,
helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her seeing that he must adapt himself to the new con-
that I had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think ditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which
that you could help me, too, and at least throw a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out
little light through the dense darkness which sur- to Calcutta, where, by his professional skill and his
rounds me? At present it is out of my power to force of character, he established a large practice.
reward you for your services, but in a month or six In a fit of anger, however, caused by some robberies
weeks I shall be married, with the control of my which had been perpetrated in the house, he beat
own income, and then at least you shall not find his native butler to death and narrowly escaped
me ungrateful.” a capital sentence. As it was, he suffered a long
Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, term of imprisonment and afterwards returned to
drew out a small case-book, which he consulted. England a morose and disappointed man.
“When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my
“Farintosh,” said he. “Ah yes, I recall the case;
mother, Mrs. Stoner, the young widow of Major-
it was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was
General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. My sister
before your time, Watson. I can only say, madam,
Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years
that I shall be happy to devote the same care to
old at the time of my mother’s re-marriage. She had
your case as I did to that of your friend. As to
a considerable sum of money—not less than £1000
reward, my profession is its own reward; but you
a year—and this she bequeathed to Dr. Roylott en-
are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be
tirely while we resided with him, with a provision
put to, at the time which suits you best. And now I
that a certain annual sum should be allowed to each
beg that you will lay before us everything that may
of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after
help us in forming an opinion upon the matter.”
our return to England my mother died—she was
“Alas!” replied our visitor, “the very horror of killed eight years ago in a railway accident near
my situation lies in the fact that my fears are so Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his attempts to
vague, and my suspicions depend so entirely upon establish himself in practice in London and took us
small points, which might seem trivial to another, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke
that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Moran. The money which my mother had left was
look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell enough for all our wants, and there seemed to be
him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He no obstacle to our happiness.
does not say so, but I can read it from his soothing “But a terrible change came over our stepfather
answers and averted eyes. But I have heard, Mr. about this time. Instead of making friends and ex-
Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold changing visits with our neighbours, who had at
wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Stoke Moran
how to walk amid the dangers which encompass back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in
me.” his house and seldom came out save to indulge in
“I am all attention, madam.” ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his
path. Violence of temper approaching to mania has
“My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with
been hereditary in the men of the family, and in my
my stepfather, who is the last survivor of one of
stepfather’s case it had, I believe, been intensified
the oldest Saxon families in England, the Roylotts
by his long residence in the tropics. A series of
of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Surrey.”
disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended
Holmes nodded his head. “The name is familiar in the police-court, until at last he became the ter-
to me,” said he. ror of the village, and the folks would fly at his
“The family was at one time among the richest approach, for he is a man of immense strength, and
in England, and the estates extended over the bor- absolutely uncontrollable in his anger.
ders into Berkshire in the north, and Hampshire in “Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over
the west. In the last century, however, four succes- a parapet into a stream, and it was only by paying
sive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposi- over all the money which I could gather together
tion, and the family ruin was eventually completed that I was able to avert another public exposure. He
by a gambler in the days of the Regency. Nothing had no friends at all save the wandering gypsies,

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

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

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

knowing what was about to issue from it. By the quite alone when she met her end. Besides, there
light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear were no marks of any violence upon her.”
at the opening, her face blanched with terror, her “How about poison?”
hands groping for help, her whole figure swaying “The doctors examined her for it, but without
to and fro like that of a drunkard. I ran to her success.”
and threw my arms round her, but at that moment “What do you think that this unfortunate lady
her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the died of, then?”
ground. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain,
“It is my belief that she died of pure fear and
and her limbs were dreadfully convulsed. At first
nervous shock, though what it was that frightened
I thought that she had not recognised me, but as I
her I cannot imagine.”
bent over her she suddenly shrieked out in a voice
“Were there gipsies in the plantation at the
which I shall never forget, ‘Oh, my God! Helen!
time?”
It was the band! The speckled band!’ There was
something else which she would fain have said, “Yes, there are nearly always some there.”
and she stabbed with her finger into the air in the “Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion
direction of the doctor’s room, but a fresh convul- to a band—a speckled band?”
sion seized her and choked her words. I rushed “Sometimes I have thought that it was merely
out, calling loudly for my stepfather, and I met the wild talk of delirium, sometimes that it may
him hastening from his room in his dressing-gown. have referred to some band of people, perhaps to
When he reached my sister’s side she was uncon- these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not know
scious, and though he poured brandy down her whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many
throat and sent for medical aid from the village, all of them wear over their heads might have suggested
efforts were in vain, for she slowly sank and died the strange adjective which she used.”
without having recovered her consciousness. Such Holmes shook his head like a man who is far
was the dreadful end of my beloved sister.” from being satisfied.
“One moment,” said Holmes, “are you sure “These are very deep waters,” said he; “pray go
about this whistle and metallic sound? Could you on with your narrative.”
swear to it?” “Two years have passed since then, and my life
has been until lately lonelier than ever. A month
“That was what the county coroner asked me at
ago, however, a dear friend, whom I have known
the inquiry. It is my strong impression that I heard
for many years, has done me the honour to ask my
it, and yet, among the crash of the gale and the
hand in marriage. His name is Armitage—Percy Ar-
creaking of an old house, I may possibly have been
mitage—the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane
deceived.”
Water, near Reading. My stepfather has offered no
“Was your sister dressed?” opposition to the match, and we are to be married
“No, she was in her night-dress. In her right in the course of the spring. Two days ago some re-
hand was found the charred stump of a match, and pairs were started in the west wing of the building,
in her left a match-box.” and my bedroom wall has been pierced, so that I
have had to move into the chamber in which my
“Showing that she had struck a light and looked sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in which
about her when the alarm took place. That is impor- she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when
tant. And what conclusions did the coroner come last night, as I lay awake, thinking over her ter-
to?” rible fate, I suddenly heard in the silence of the
“He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. night the low whistle which had been the herald
Roylott’s conduct had long been notorious in the of her own death. I sprang up and lit the lamp,
county, but he was unable to find any satisfactory but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too
cause of death. My evidence showed that the door shaken to go to bed again, however, so I dressed,
had been fastened upon the inner side, and the win- and as soon as it was daylight I slipped down, got
dows were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which is opposite, and
broad iron bars, which were secured every night. drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on
The walls were carefully sounded, and were shown this morning with the one object of seeing you and
to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was asking your advice.”
also thoroughly examined, with the same result. “You have done wisely,” said my friend. “But
The chimney is wide, but is barred up by four large have you told me all?”
staples. It is certain, therefore, that my sister was “Yes, all.”

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“Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening “Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the floor-
your stepfather.” ing and walls are sound, and that the door, window,
“Why, what do you mean?” and chimney are impassable, then her sister must
have been undoubtedly alone when she met her
For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of 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 the tles, and what of the very peculiar words of 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
probable that he will be away all day, and that there “And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that
would be nothing to disturb you. We have a house- we are going to Stoke Moran this day. I want to
keeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could see whether the objections are fatal, or if they may
easily get her out of the way.” be explained away. But what in the name of the
devil!”
“Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Wat-
son?” The ejaculation had been drawn from my com-
panion by the fact that our door had been suddenly
“By no means.” dashed open, and that a huge man had framed
“Then we shall both come. What are you going himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar
to do yourself?” mixture of the professional and of the agricultural,
having a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a
“I have one or two things which I would wish
pair of high gaiters, with a hunting-crop swing-
to do now that I am in town. But I shall return by
ing in his hand. So tall was he that his hat ac-
the twelve o’clock train, so as to be there in time
tually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and
for your coming.”
his breadth seemed to span it across from side to
“And you may expect us early in the afternoon. side. A large face, seared with a thousand wrinkles,
I have myself some small business matters to attend burned yellow with the sun, and marked with ev-
to. Will you not wait and breakfast?” ery evil passion, was turned from one to the other
“No, I must go. My heart is lightened already of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his
since I have confided my trouble to you. I shall high, thin, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the
look forward to seeing you again this afternoon.” resemblance to a fierce old bird of prey.
She dropped her thick black veil over her face and “Which of you is Holmes?” asked this appari-
glided from the room. tion.
“And what do you think of it all, Watson?” “My name, sir; but you have the advantage of
asked Sherlock Holmes, leaning back in his chair. me,” said my companion quietly.
“It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister “I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran.”
business.” “Indeed, Doctor,” said Holmes blandly. “Pray
“Dark enough and sinister enough.” take a seat.”

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

“I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter obliged to work out the present prices of the in-
has been here. I have traced her. What has she been vestments with which it is concerned. The total
saying to you?” income, which at the time of the wife’s death was
“It is a little cold for the time of the year,” said little short of £1100, is now, through the fall in agri-
Holmes. cultural prices, not more than £750. Each daughter
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,
“But I have heard that the crocuses promise while even one of them would cripple him to a
well,” continued my companion imperturbably. very serious extent. My morning’s work has not
been wasted, since it has proved that he has the
“Ha! You put me off, do you?” said our new vis-
very strongest motives for standing in the way of
itor, taking a step forward and shaking his hunting-
anything of the sort. And now, Watson, this is too
crop. “I know you, you scoundrel! I have heard of
serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is
you before. You are Holmes, the meddler.”
aware that we are interesting ourselves in his af-
My friend smiled. fairs; so if you are ready, we shall call a cab and
“Holmes, the busybody!” drive to Waterloo. I should be very much obliged
if you would slip your revolver into your pocket.
His smile broadened.
An Eley’s No. 2 is an excellent argument with gen-
“Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!” tlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots. That
Holmes chuckled heartily. “Your conversation and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need.”
is most entertaining,” said he. “When you go out At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a
close the door, for there is a decided draught.” train for Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the
“I will go when I have said my say. Don’t you station inn and drove for four or five miles through
dare to meddle with my affairs. I know that Miss the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a perfect day, with a
Stoner has been here. I traced her! I am a dan- bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens.
gerous man to fall foul of! See here.” He stepped The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing
swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into out their first green shoots, and the air was full
a curve with his huge brown hands. of the pleasant smell of the moist earth. To me
at least there was a strange contrast between the
“See that you keep yourself out of my grip,”
sweet promise of the spring and this sinister quest
he snarled, and hurling the twisted poker into the
upon which we were engaged. My companion sat
fireplace he strode out of the room.
in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat
“He seems a very amiable person,” said Holmes, pulled down over his eyes, and his chin sunk upon
laughing. “I am not quite so bulky, but if he had re- his breast, buried in the deepest thought. Suddenly,
mained I might have shown him that my grip was however, he started, tapped me on the shoulder,
not much more feeble than his own.” As he spoke and pointed over the meadows.
he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden
effort, straightened it out again. “Look there!” said he.

“Fancy his having the insolence to confound me A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle
with the official detective force! This incident gives slope, thickening into a grove at the highest point.
zest to our investigation, however, and I only trust From amid the branches there jutted out the grey
that our little friend will not suffer from her impru- gables and high roof-tree of a very old mansion.
dence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, “Stoke Moran?” said he.
Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards
I shall walk down to Doctors’ Commons, where I “Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roy-
hope to get some data which may help us in this lott,” remarked the driver.
matter.” “There is some building going on there,” said
It was nearly one o’clock when Sherlock Holmes Holmes; “that is where we are going.”
returned from his excursion. He held in his hand a “There’s the village,” said the driver, pointing
sheet of blue paper, scrawled over with notes and to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left; “but
figures. if you want to get to the house, you’ll find it shorter
“I have seen the will of the deceased wife,” said to get over this stile, and so by the foot-path over
he. “To determine its exact meaning I have been the fields. There it is, where the lady is walking.”

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“And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner,” observed and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roy-
Holmes, shading his eyes. “Yes, I think we had lott’s chamber?”
better do as you suggest.” “Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the mid-
We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled dle one.”
back on its way to Leatherhead. “Pending the alterations, as I understand. By
“I thought it as well,” said Holmes as we the way, there does not seem to be any very press-
climbed the stile, “that this fellow should think ing need for repairs at that end wall.”
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
unlikely that he will be back before evening.” “As you both locked your doors at night, your
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 a
“So it appears.” knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with
his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid
“He is so cunning that I never know when I am
iron, built firmly into the massive masonry. “Hum!”
safe from him. What will he say when he returns?”
said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity, “my
“He must guard himself, for he may find that theory certainly presents some difficulties. No one
there is someone more cunning than himself upon could pass these shutters if they were bolted. Well,
his track. You must lock yourself up from him to- we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the
night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to 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 stone, we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss
with a high central portion and two curving wings, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister
like the claws of a crab, thrown out on each side. had met with her fate. It was a homely little room,
In one of these wings the windows were broken with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace, after
and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof the fashion of old country-houses. A brown chest
was partly caved in, a picture of ruin. The central of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow white-
portion was in little better repair, but the right-hand counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table
block was comparatively modern, and the blinds on the left-hand side of the window. These articles,
in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up with two small wicker-work chairs, made up all the
from the chimneys, showed that this was where furniture in the room save for a square of Wilton
the family resided. Some scaffolding had been carpet in the centre. The boards round and the
erected against the end wall, and the stone-work panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten
had been broken into, but there were no signs of oak, so old and discoloured that it may have dated
any workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes from the original building of the house. Holmes
walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent,
and examined with deep attention the outsides of while his eyes travelled round and round and up
the windows. and down, taking in every detail of the apartment.
“This, I take it, belongs to the room in which “Where does that bell communicate with?” he
you used to sleep, the centre one to your sister’s, asked at last pointing to a thick bell-rope which

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hung down beside the bed, the tassel actually lying slowly round and examined each and all of them
upon the pillow. with the keenest interest.
“It goes to the housekeeper’s room.” “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 “Oh! you have seen inside, then?”
ago.” “Only once, some years ago. I remember that it
“Your sister asked for it, I suppose?” 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 “Well, look at this!” He took up a small saucer
a bell-pull there. You will excuse me for a few of milk which stood on the top of it.
minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor.” He “No; we don’t keep a cat. But there is a cheetah
threw himself down upon his face with his lens and a baboon.”
in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and for- “Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big
ward, examining minutely the cracks between the cat, and yet a saucer of milk does not go very far
boards. Then he did the same with the wood-work in satisfying its wants, I daresay. There is one point
with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he which I should wish to determine.” He squatted
walked over to the bed and spent some time in down in front of the wooden chair and examined
staring at it and in running his eye up and down the seat of it with the greatest attention.
the wall. Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand
“Thank you. That is quite settled,” said he, ris-
and gave it a brisk tug.
ing and putting his lens in his pocket. “Hullo! Here
“Why, it’s a dummy,” said he. is something interesting!”
“Won’t it ring?” The object which had caught his eye was a small
“No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is dog lash hung on one corner of the bed. The lash,
very interesting. You can see now that it is fastened however, was curled upon itself and tied so as to
to a hook just above where the little opening for make a loop of whipcord.
the ventilator is.” “What do you make of that, Watson?”
“How very absurd! I never noticed that before.” “It’s a common enough lash. But I don’t know
“Very strange!” muttered Holmes, pulling at the why it should be tied.”
rope. “There are one or two very singular points “That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it’s
about this room. For example, what a fool a builder a wicked world, and when a clever man turns his
must be to open a ventilator into another room, brains to crime it is the worst of all. I think that I
when, with the same trouble, he might have com- have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and with your
municated 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.
“They seem to have been of a most interest- “It is very essential, Miss Stoner,” said he, “that
ing character—dummy bell-ropes, and ventilators you should absolutely follow my advice in every
which do not ventilate. With your permission, Miss respect.”
Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the
“I shall most certainly do so.”
inner apartment.”
“The matter is too serious for any hesitation.
Dr. Grimesby Roylott’s chamber was larger than Your life may depend upon your compliance.”
that of his step-daughter, but was as plainly fur-
“I assure you that I am in your hands.”
nished. A camp-bed, a small wooden shelf full of
books, mostly of a technical character, an armchair “In the first place, both my friend and I must
beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the spend the night in your room.”
wall, a round table, and a large iron safe were the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in aston-
principal things which met the eye. Holmes walked ishment.

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

“Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe few minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up
that that is the village inn over there?” among the trees as the lamp was lit in one of the
“Yes, that is the Crown.” sitting-rooms.
“Do you know, Watson,” said Holmes as we sat
“Very good. Your windows would be visible
together in the gathering darkness, “I have really
from there?”
some scruples as to taking you to-night. There is a
“Certainly.” distinct element of danger.”
“You must confine yourself to your room, on “Can I be of assistance?”
pretence of a headache, when your stepfather “Your presence might be invaluable.”
comes back. Then when you hear him retire for the
“Then I shall certainly come.”
night, you must open the shutters of your window,
undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal “It is very kind of you.”
to us, and then withdraw quietly with everything “You speak of danger. You have evidently seen
which you are likely to want into the room which more in these rooms than was visible to me.”
you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in spite of “No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little
the repairs, you could manage there for one night.” 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 we “Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very
shall investigate the cause of this noise which has unusual thing to have a small opening between two
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!”
“Then, for pity’s sake, tell me what was the “Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement
cause of my sister’s death.” she said that her sister could smell Dr. Roylott’s
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, Miss dates. A ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and
Stoner, we must leave you for if Dr. Roylott returned a lady who sleeps in the bed dies. Does not that
and saw us our journey would be in vain. Good- strike you?”
bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have “I cannot as yet see any connection.”
told you, you may rest assured that we shall soon
“Did you observe anything very peculiar about
drive away the dangers that threaten you.”
that bed?”
Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in en- “No.”
gaging a bedroom and sitting-room at the Crown
“It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a
Inn. They were on the upper floor, and from our
bed fastened like that before?”
window we could command a view of the avenue
gate, and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran “I cannot say that I have.”
Manor House. At dusk we saw Dr. Grimesby Roy- “The lady could not move her bed. It must
lott drive past, his huge form looming up beside always be in the same relative position to the venti-
the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy lator and to the rope—or so we may call it, since it
had some slight difficulty in undoing the heavy was clearly never meant for a bell-pull.”
iron gates, and we heard the hoarse roar of the doc- “Holmes,” I cried, “I seem to see dimly what
tor’s voice and saw the fury with which he shook you are hinting at. We are only just in time to
his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a prevent some subtle and horrible crime.”

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

“Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a 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 “The least sound would be fatal to our plans.”
Pritchard were among the heads of their profession.
I nodded to show that I had heard.
This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson,
that we shall be able to strike deeper still. But we “We must sit without light. He would see it
shall have horrors enough before the night is over; through the ventilator.”
for goodness’ sake let us have a quiet pipe and I nodded again.
turn our minds for a few hours to something more “Do not go asleep; your very life may depend
cheerful.” 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 direction that chair.”
of the Manor House. Two hours passed slowly I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner
away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of the table.
eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and
of us. this he placed upon the bed beside him. By it he
“That is our signal,” said Holmes, springing to laid the box of matches and the stump of a candle.
his feet; “it comes from the middle window.” Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left
in darkness.
As we passed out he exchanged a few words
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 chill open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same
wind blowing in our faces, and one yellow light state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The
twinkling in front of us through the gloom to guide shutters cut off the least ray of light, and we waited
us on our sombre errand. in absolute darkness.
There was little difficulty in entering the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-
grounds, for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old bird, and once at our very window a long drawn
park wall. Making our way among the trees, we catlike whine, which told us that the cheetah was
reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the deep
enter through the window when out from a clump tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every
of laurel bushes there darted what seemed to be a quarter of an hour. How long they seemed, those
hideous and distorted child, who threw itself upon quarters! Twelve struck, and one and two and three,
the grass with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly and still we sat waiting silently for whatever might
across the lawn into the darkness. befall.
Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a
“My God!” I whispered; “did you see it?”
light up in the direction of the ventilator, which van-
Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His ished immediately, but was succeeded by a strong
hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agita- smell of burning oil and heated metal. Someone
tion. Then he broke into a low laugh and put his in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a
lips to my ear. gentle sound of movement, and then all was silent
“It is a nice household,” he murmured. “That once more, though the smell grew stronger. For
is the baboon.” half an hour I sat with straining ears. Then sud-
denly another sound became audible—a very gen-
I had forgotten the strange pets which the doc-
tle, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam
tor affected. There was a cheetah, too; perhaps we
escaping continually from a kettle. The instant that
might find it upon our shoulders at any moment.
we heard it, Holmes sprang from the bed, struck
I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, after
a match, and lashed furiously with his cane at the
following Holmes’ example and slipping off my
bell-pull.
shoes, I found myself inside the bedroom. My com-
panion noiselessly closed the shutters, moved the “You see it, Watson?” he yelled. “You see it?”
lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes round the But I saw nothing. At the moment when
room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Holmes struck the light I heard a low, clear whistle,
Then creeping up to me and making a trumpet of but the sudden glare flashing into my weary eyes
his hand, he whispered into my ear again so gently made it impossible for me to tell what it was at

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

which my friend lashed so savagely. I could, how- As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from
ever, see that his face was deadly pale and filled the dead man’s lap, and throwing the noose round
with horror and loathing. He had ceased to strike the reptile’s neck he drew it from its horrid perch
and was gazing up at the ventilator when suddenly and, carrying it at arm’s length, threw it into the
there broke from the silence of the night the most iron safe, which he closed upon it.
horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled Such are the true facts of the death of Dr.
up louder and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran. It is not neces-
and anger all mingled in the one dreadful shriek. sary that I should prolong a narrative which has
They say that away down in the village, and even in already run to too great a length by telling how we
the distant parsonage, that cry raised the sleepers broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we
from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and conveyed her by the morning train to the care of
I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the her good aunt at Harrow, of how the slow process
last echoes of it had died away into the silence from of official inquiry came to the conclusion that the
which it rose. doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing with
“What can it mean?” I gasped. a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn
of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we
“It means that it is all over,” Holmes answered. travelled back next day.
“And perhaps, after all, it is for the best. Take your
“I had,” said he, “come to an entirely erroneous
pistol, and we will enter Dr. Roylott’s room.”
conclusion which shows, my dear Watson, how
With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way dangerous it always is to reason from insufficient
down the corridor. Twice he struck at the cham- data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of
ber door without any reply from within. Then he the word ‘band,’ which was used by the poor girl,
turned the handle and entered, I at his heels, with no doubt, to explain the appearance which she
the cocked pistol in my hand. had caught a hurried glimpse of by the light of
her match, were sufficient to put me upon an en-
It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On
tirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that
the table stood a dark-lantern with the shutter half
I instantly reconsidered my position when, how-
open, throwing a brilliant beam of light upon the
ever, it became clear to me that whatever danger
iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Beside this
threatened an occupant of the room could not come
table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roy-
either from the window or the door. My attention
lott clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare
was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to
ankles protruding beneath, and his feet thrust into
you, to this ventilator, and to the bell-rope which
red heelless Turkish slippers. Across his lap lay the
hung down to the bed. The discovery that this was
short stock with the long lash which we had no-
a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the
ticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward
floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the
and his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at
rope was there as a bridge for something passing
the corner of the ceiling. Round his brow he had
through the hole and coming to the bed. The idea
a peculiar yellow band, with brownish speckles,
of a snake instantly occurred to me, and when I
which seemed to be bound tightly round his head.
coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was
As we entered he made neither sound nor motion.
furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I
“The band! the speckled band!” whispered felt that I was probably on the right track. The idea
Holmes. of using a form of poison which could not possibly
be discovered by any chemical test was just such
I took a step forward. In an instant his strange
a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless man
headgear began to move, and there reared itself
who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with
from among his hair the squat diamond-shaped
which such a poison would take effect would also,
head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent.
from his point of view, be an advantage. It would
“It is a swamp adder!” cried Holmes; “the dead- be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could distin-
liest snake in India. He has died within ten seconds guish the two little dark punctures which would
of being bitten. Violence does, in truth, recoil upon show where the poison fangs had done their work.
the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which Then I thought of the whistle. Of course he must
he digs for another. Let us thrust this creature back recall the snake before the morning light revealed
into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the
to some place of shelter and let the county police use of the milk which we saw, to return to him
know what has happened.” when summoned. He would put it through this

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 The Adventure of the Speckled Band

ventilator at the hour that he thought best, with the its terrible occupant. Having once made up my
certainty that it would crawl down the rope and mind, you know the steps which I took in order to
land on the bed. It might or might not bite the put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature
occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for hiss as I have no doubt that you did also, and I
a week, but sooner or later she must fall a victim. instantly lit the light and attacked it.”
“I had come to these conclusions before ever I
“With the result of driving it through the venti-
had entered his room. An inspection of his chair
lator.”
showed me that he had been in the habit of stand-
ing on it, which of course would be necessary in “And also with the result of causing it to turn
order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight upon its master at the other side. Some of the blows
of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of of my cane came home and roused its snakish tem-
whipcord were enough to finally dispel any doubts per, so that it flew upon the first person it saw. In
which may have remained. The metallic clang this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr.
heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her Grimesby Roylott’s death, and I cannot say that it is
stepfather hastily closing the door of his safe upon likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience.”

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The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb
O
The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

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

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 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

should have been. It had been hacked or torn right “I’ll do better. I’ll take you round to him my-
out from the roots. self.”
“Good heavens!” I cried, “this is a terrible injury. “I should be immensely obliged to you.”
It must have bled considerably.”
“We’ll call a cab and go together. We shall just
“Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and be in time to have a little breakfast with him. Do
I think that I must have been senseless for a long you feel equal to it?”
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
twig.” “Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall
“Excellent! You should have been a surgeon.” be with you in an instant.” I rushed upstairs, ex-
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 new
came within my own province.” 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
“An accident, I presume?” his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of
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, and the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid
finally covered it over with cotton wadding and a glass of brandy and water within his reach.
carbolised bandages. He lay back without wincing,
though he bit his lip from time to time. “It is easy to see that your experience has been
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 matter. another man since the doctor bandaged me, and I
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 and
much in the way of proof with which to back it up; eager nature, while I sat opposite to him, and we
and, even if they believe me, the clues which I can listened in silence to the strange story which our
give them are so vague that it is a question whether visitor detailed to us.
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 my
Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the official work during the seven years that I was apprenticed
police.” to Venner & Matheson, the well-known firm, of
“Oh, I have heard of that fellow,” answered my Greenwich. Two years ago, having served my time,
visitor, “and I should be very glad if he would and having also come into a fair sum of money
take the matter up, though of course I must use through my poor father’s death, I determined to
the official police as well. Would you give me an start in business for myself and took professional
introduction to him?” chambers in Victoria Street.

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 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

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

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 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

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

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“One horse?” interjected Holmes. whispered something in her ear, and then, pushing
“Yes, only one.” her back into the room from whence she had come,
he walked towards me again with the lamp in his
“Did you observe the colour?” hand.
“Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was “ ‘Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait
stepping into the carriage. It was a chestnut.” in this room for a few minutes,’ said he, throwing
“Tired-looking or fresh?” open another door. It was a quiet, little, plainly
furnished room, with a round table in the centre,
“Oh, fresh and glossy.”
on which several German books were scattered.
“Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Colonel Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a
Pray continue your most interesting statement.” harmonium beside the door. ‘I shall not keep you
“Away we went then, and we drove for at least waiting an instant,’ said he, and vanished into the
an hour. Colonel Lysander Stark had said that it 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 be-
sat at my side in silence all the time, and I was ing volumes of poetry. Then I walked across to the
aware, more than once when I glanced in his direc- window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of
tion, that he was looking at me with great intensity. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred,
The country roads seem to be not very good in was folded across it. It was a wonderfully silent
that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted house. There was an old clock ticking loudly some-
terribly. I tried to look out of the windows to see where in the passage, but otherwise everything was
something of where we were, but they were made deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began
of frosted glass, and I could make out nothing save to steal over me. Who were these German people,
the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and what were they doing living in this strange,
and then I hazarded some remark to break the out-of-the-way place? And where was the place?
monotony of the journey, but the colonel answered I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was all I
only in monosyllables, and the conversation soon knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had
flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the road no idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly
was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel- other large towns, were within that radius, so the
drive, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel place might not be so secluded, after all. Yet it was
Lysander Stark sprang out, and, as I followed after quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that we
him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which gaped were in the country. I paced up and down the room,
in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out humming a tune under my breath to keep up my
of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to spirits and feeling that I was thoroughly earning
catch the most fleeting glance of the front of the my fifty-guinea fee.
house. The instant that I had crossed the threshold “Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in
the door slammed heavily behind us, and I heard the midst of the utter stillness, the door of my room
faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage drove swung slowly open. The woman was standing in
away. the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind her,
“It was pitch dark inside the house, and the the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her
colonel fumbled about looking for matches and 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 grew finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few
broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes
her hand, which she held above her head, pushing glancing back, like those of a frightened horse, into
her face forward and peering at us. I could see that the gloom behind her.
she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the “ ‘I would go,’ said she, trying hard, as it
light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was seemed to me, to speak calmly; ‘I would go. I
a rich material. She spoke a few words in a foreign should not stay here. There is no good for you to
tongue in a tone as though asking a question, and do.’
when my companion answered in a gruff mono- “ ‘But, madam,’ said I, ‘I have not yet done what
syllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly I came for. I cannot possibly leave until I have seen
fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, the machine.’

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 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

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

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 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

the cadaverous face of the colonel looking down at closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp,
me. and a few moments afterwards the clang of the two
“ ‘What are you doing there?’ he asked. 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 foolishly
“The instant that I uttered the words I regretted
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 “This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice.
it was quite secure, and did not give in the least I staggered to my feet and ran with her along the
to my kicks and shoves. ‘Hullo!’ I yelled. ‘Hullo! corridor and down a winding stair. The latter led to
Colonel! Let me out!’ another broad passage, and just as we reached it we
heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of
“And then suddenly in the silence I heard a two voices, one answering the other from the floor
sound which sent my heart into my mouth. It was on which we were and from the one beneath. My
the clank of the levers and the swish of the leak- guide stopped and looked about her like one who
ing cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The is at her wit’s end. Then she threw open a door
lamp still stood upon the floor where I had placed which led into a bedroom, through the window of
it when examining the trough. By its light I saw which the moon was shining brightly.
that the black ceiling was coming down upon me,
slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than my- “ ‘It is your only chance,’ said she. ‘It is high,
self, with a force which must within a minute grind but it may be that you can jump it.’
me to a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, scream- “As she spoke a light sprang into view at the
ing, against the door, and dragged with my nails further end of the passage, and I saw the lean figure
at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me out, of Colonel Lysander Stark rushing forward with a
but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned lantern in one hand and a weapon like a butcher’s
my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom,
my head, and with my hand upraised I could feel flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet
its hard, rough surface. Then it flashed through and sweet and wholesome the garden looked in
my mind that the pain of my death would depend the moonlight, and it could not be more than thirty
very much upon the position in which I met it. If feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I
I lay on my face the weight would come upon my hesitated to jump until I should have heard what
spine, and I shuddered to think of that dreadful passed between my saviour and the ruffian who
snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and yet, had pursued me. If she were ill-used, then at any risks
I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black I was determined to go back to her assistance. The
shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was thought had hardly flashed through my mind be-
unable to stand erect, when my eye caught some- fore he was at the door, pushing his way past her;
thing which brought a gush of hope back to my but she threw her arms round him and tried to
heart. hold him back.
“I have said that though the floor and ceiling “ ‘Fritz! Fritz!’ she cried in English, ‘remember
were of iron, the walls were of wood. As I gave a your promise after the last time. You said it should
last hurried glance around, I saw a thin line of yel- not be again. He will be silent! Oh, he will be
low light between two of the boards, which broad- silent!’
ened and broadened as a small panel was pushed “ ‘You are mad, Elise!’ he shouted, struggling
backward. For an instant I could hardly believe that to break away from her. ‘You will be the ruin of
here was indeed a door which led away from death. us. He has seen too much. Let me pass, I say!’ He
The next instant I threw myself through, and lay dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the window,
half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself

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 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

go, and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when ponderous commonplace books in which he placed
his blow fell. I was conscious of a dull pain, my his cuttings.
grip loosened, and I fell into the garden below. “Here is an advertisement which will interest
“I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I you,” said he. “It appeared in all the papers about
picked myself up and rushed off among the bushes a year ago. Listen to this:
as hard as I could run, for I understood that I was “ ‘Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah
far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, how- Hayling, aged twenty-six, a hydraulic en-
ever, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came gineer. Left his lodgings at ten o’clock at
over me. I glanced down at my hand, which was night, and has not been heard of since. Was
throbbing painfully, and then, for the first time, saw dressed in—’
that my thumb had been cut off and that the blood etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the
was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I
my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden fancy.”
buzzing in my ears, and next moment I fell in a “Good heavens!” cried my patient. “Then that
dead faint among the rose-bushes. explains what the girl said.”
“Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel
“How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell.
was a cool and desperate man, who was absolutely
It must have been a very long time, for the moon
determined that nothing should stand in the way of
had sunk, and a bright morning was breaking when
his little game, like those out-and-out pirates who
I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with
will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well,
dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood
every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal
from my wounded thumb. The smarting of it re-
to it we shall go down to Scotland Yard at once as
called in an instant all the particulars of my night’s
a preliminary to starting for Eyford.”
adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the feeling
that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. Some three hours or so afterwards we were
But to my astonishment, when I came to look round all in the train together, bound from Reading to
me, neither house nor garden were to be seen. I the little Berkshire village. There were Sherlock
had been lying in an angle of the hedge close by the Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Brad-
highroad, and just a little lower down was a long street, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and
building, which proved, upon my approaching it, myself. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of
to be the very station at which I had arrived upon the county out upon the seat and was busy with
the previous night. Were it not for the ugly wound his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford for its
upon my hand, all that had passed during those centre.
dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. “There you are,” said he. “That circle is drawn
at a radius of ten miles from the village. The place
“Half dazed, I went into the station and asked we want must be somewhere near that line. You
about the morning train. There would be one to said ten miles, I think, sir.”
Reading in less than an hour. The same porter was “It was an hour’s good drive.”
on duty, I found, as had been there when I arrived.
“And you think that they brought you back all
I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of
that way when you were unconscious?”
Colonel Lysander Stark. The name was strange to
“They must have done so. I have a confused
him. Had he observed a carriage the night before
memory, too, of having been lifted and conveyed
waiting for me? No, he had not. Was there a police-
somewhere.”
station anywhere near? There was one about three
miles off. “What I cannot understand,” said I, “is why
they should have spared you when they found you
“It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I lying fainting in the garden. Perhaps the villain
was. I determined to wait until I got back to town was softened by the woman’s entreaties.”
before telling my story to the police. It was a lit- “I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more
tle past six when I arrived, so I went first to have inexorable face in my life.”
my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind “Oh, we shall soon clear up all that,” said Brad-
enough to bring me along here. I put the case into street. “Well, I have drawn my circle, and I only
your hands and shall do exactly what you advise.” wish I knew at what point upon it the folk that we
We both sat in silence for some little time after are in search of are to be found.”
listening to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sher- “I think I could lay my finger on it,” said
lock Holmes pulled down from the shelf one of the Holmes quietly.

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 The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb

“Really, now!” cried the inspector, “you have “Whose house is it?”
formed your opinion! Come, now, we shall see who “Dr. Becher’s.”
agrees with you. I say it is south, for the country is “Tell me,” broke in the engineer, “is Dr. Becher
more deserted there.” a German, very thin, with a long, sharp nose?”
“And I say east,” said my patient. The station-master laughed heartily. “No, sir,
“I am for west,” remarked the plain-clothes man. Dr. Becher is an Englishman, and there isn’t a man
“There are several quiet little villages up 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, as I
no hills there, and our friend says that he did not understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as if a
notice the carriage go up any.” little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm.”
“Come,” cried the inspector, laughing; “it’s a The station-master had not finished his speech
very pretty diversity of opinion. We have boxed the before we were all hastening in the direction of the
compass among us. Who do you give your casting fire. The road topped a low hill, and there was a
vote to?” great widespread whitewashed building in front of
us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while
“You are all wrong.”
in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly
“But we can’t all be.” striving to keep the flames under.
“Oh, yes, you can. This is my point.” He placed “That’s it!” cried Hatherley, in intense excite-
his finger in the centre of the circle. “This is where ment. “There is the gravel-drive, and there are the
we shall find them.” rose-bushes where I lay. That second window is
“But the twelve-mile drive?” gasped Hatherley. the one that I jumped from.”
“Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You “Well, at least,” said Holmes, “you have had
say yourself that the horse was fresh and glossy your revenge upon them. There can be no ques-
when you got in. How could it be that if it had tion that it was your oil-lamp which, when it was
gone twelve miles over heavy roads?” crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls,
though no doubt they were too excited in the chase
“Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough,” observed
after you to observe it at the time. Now keep your
Bradstreet thoughtfully. “Of course there can be no
eyes open in this crowd for your friends of last
doubt as to the nature of this gang.”
night, though I very much fear that they are a good
“None at all,” said Holmes. “They are coiners hundred miles off by now.”
on a large scale, and have used the machine to form And Holmes’ fears came to be realised, for from
the amalgam which has taken the place of silver.” that day to this no word has ever been heard either
“We have known for some time that a clever of the beautiful woman, the sinister German, or the
gang was at work,” said the inspector. “They have morose Englishman. Early that morning a peasant
been turning out half-crowns by the thousand. We had met a cart containing several people and some
even traced them as far as Reading, but could get very bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction
no farther, for they had covered their traces in a of Reading, but there all traces of the fugitives dis-
way that showed that they were very old hands. appeared, and even Holmes’ ingenuity failed ever
But now, thanks to this lucky chance, I think that to discover the least clue as to their whereabouts.
we have got them right enough.” The firemen had been much perturbed at the
But the inspector was mistaken, for those crim- strange arrangements which they had found within,
inals were not destined to fall into the hands of and still more so by discovering a newly severed
justice. As we rolled into Eyford Station we saw a human thumb upon a window-sill of the second
gigantic column of smoke which streamed up from floor. About sunset, however, their efforts were at
behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood last successful, and they subdued the flames, but
and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the not before the roof had fallen in, and the whole
landscape. place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save
“A house on fire?” asked Bradstreet as the train some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace
steamed off again on its way. remained of the machinery which had cost our un-
fortunate acquaintance so dearly. Large masses of
“Yes, sir!” said the station-master.
nickel and of tin were discovered stored in an out-
“When did it break out?” house, but no coins were to be found, which may
“I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it have explained the presence of those bulky boxes
has got worse, and the whole place is in a blaze.” which have been already referred to.

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How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed “Well,” said our engineer ruefully as we took
from the garden to the spot where he recovered our seats to return once more to London, “it has
his senses might have remained forever a mystery been a pretty business for me! I have lost my thumb
were it not for the soft mould, which told us a very and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have I
plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by gained?”
two persons, one of whom had remarkably small
feet and the other unusually large ones. On the “Experience,” said Holmes, laughing. “Indi-
whole, it was most probable that the silent English- rectly it may be of value, you know; you have only
man, being less bold or less murderous than his to put it into words to gain the reputation of be-
companion, had assisted the woman to bear the ing excellent company for the remainder of your
unconscious man out of the way of danger. existence.”

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The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
T
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

he Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curi- “It looks like it,” said I ruefully, pointing to a
ous termination, have long ceased to be huge bundle in the corner. “I have had nothing else
a subject of interest in those exalted cir- to do.”
cles in which the unfortunate bridegroom “It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able
moves. Fresh scandals have eclipsed it, and their to post me up. I read nothing except the criminal
more piquant details have drawn the gossips away news and the agony column. The latter is always
from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to instructive. But if you have followed recent events
believe, however, that the full facts have never been so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon
revealed to the general public, and as my friend and his wedding?”
Sherlock Holmes had a considerable share in clear-
“Oh, yes, with the deepest interest.”
ing the matter up, I feel that no memoir of him
would be complete without some little sketch of “That is well. The letter which I hold in my
this remarkable episode. hand is from Lord St. Simon. I will read it to you,
and in return you must turn over these papers and
It was a few weeks before my own marriage, let me have whatever bears upon the matter. This
during the days when I was still sharing rooms is what he says:
with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came home
from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table “ ‘My dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes:
waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for “ ‘Lord Backwater tells me that I may
the weather had taken a sudden turn to rain, with place implicit reliance upon your judg-
high autumnal winds, and the Jezail bullet which ment and discretion. I have determined,
I had brought back in one of my limbs as a relic therefore, to call upon you and to con-
of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull per- sult you in reference to the very painful
sistence. With my body in one easy-chair and my event which has occurred in connection
legs upon another, I had surrounded myself with with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scot-
a cloud of newspapers until at last, saturated with land Yard, is acting already in the mat-
the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and ter, but he assures me that he sees no
lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram objection to your co-operation, and that
upon the envelope upon the table and wondering he even thinks that it might be of some
lazily who my friend’s noble correspondent could assistance. I will call at four o’clock in
be. the afternoon, and, should you have any
“Here is a very fashionable epistle,” I remarked other engagement at that time, I hope
as he entered. “Your morning letters, if I remember that you will postpone it, as this matter
right, were from a fish-monger and a tide-waiter.” is of paramount importance.
“Yes, my correspondence has certainly the — “ ‘Yours faithfully,
charm of variety,” he answered, smiling, “and the “ ‘St. Simon.’
humbler are usually the more interesting. This “It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written
looks like one of those unwelcome social sum- with a quill pen, and the noble lord has had the
monses which call upon a man either to be bored misfortune to get a smear of ink upon the outer
or to lie.” side of his right little finger,” remarked Holmes as
He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. he folded up the epistle.
“Oh, come, it may prove to be something of “He says four o’clock. It is three now. He will
interest, after all.” be here in an hour.”
“Not social, then?” “Then I have just time, with your assistance,
“No, distinctly professional.” to get clear upon the subject. Turn over those pa-
“And from a noble client?” pers and arrange the extracts in their order of time,
while I take a glance as to who our client is.” He
“One of the highest in England.”
picked a red-covered volume from a line of books
“My dear fellow, I congratulate you.” of reference beside the mantelpiece. “Here he is,”
“I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that said he, sitting down and flattening it out upon
the status of my client is a matter of less moment his knee. “ ‘Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere St.
to me than the interest of his case. It is just possi- Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.’ Hum!
ble, however, that that also may not be wanting in ‘Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess
this new investigation. You have been reading the sable. Born in 1846.’ He’s forty-one years of age,
papers diligently of late, have you not?” which is mature for marriage. Was Under-Secretary

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 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

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

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 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

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

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 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

“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 is
same secrecy which I promise to you in yours.” capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that anything
dishonourable would be repugnant to her.”
“Of course! Very right! very right! I’m sure
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 miniature,
“Thank you. I have already learned all that is
and the artist had brought out the full effect of the
in the public prints, nothing more. I presume that I
lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the
may take it as correct—this article, for example, as
exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly
to the disappearance of the bride.”
at it. Then he closed the locket and handed it back
Lord St. Simon glanced over it. “Yes, it is correct, to Lord St. Simon.
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 questioning London season. I met her several times, became
you.” engaged to her, and have now married her.”
“Pray do so.” “She brought, I understand, a considerable
“When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?” dowry?”
“In San Francisco, a year ago.” “A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my
“You were travelling in the States?” family.”
“Yes.” “And this, of course, remains to you, since the
marriage is a fait accompli?”
“Did you become engaged then?”
“I really have made no inquiries on the subject.”
“No.”
“Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on
“But you were on a friendly footing?” the day before the wedding?”
“I was amused by her society, and she could see “Yes.”
that I was amused.” “Was she in good spirits?”
“Her father is very rich?” “Never better. She kept talking of what we
“He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific should do in our future lives.”
slope.” “Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the
“And how did he make his money?” morning of the wedding?”
“In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. “She was as bright as possible—at least until
Then he struck gold, invested it, and came up by after the ceremony.”
leaps and bounds.” “And did you observe any change in her then?”
“Now, what is your own impression as to the “Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs
young lady’s—your wife’s character?” that I had ever seen that her temper was just a lit-
The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster tle sharp. The incident however, was too trivial to
and stared down into the fire. “You see, Mr. relate and can have no possible bearing upon the
Holmes,” said he, “my wife was twenty before case.”
her father became a rich man. During that time she “Pray let us have it, for all that.”
ran free in a mining camp and wandered through “Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet
woods or mountains, so that her education has as we went towards the vestry. She was passing
come from Nature rather than from the schoolmas- the front pew at the time, and it fell over into the
ter. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with pew. There was a moment’s delay, but the gentle-
a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any man in the pew handed it up to her again, and
sort of traditions. She is impetuous—volcanic, I it did not appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet
was about to say. She is swift in making up her when I spoke to her of the matter, she answered me
mind and fearless in carrying out her resolutions. abruptly; and in the carriage, on our way home, she
On the other hand, I would not have given her the seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause.”

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“Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in “Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to
the pew. Some of the general public were present, this young lady, and your relations to her.”
then?” Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and
“Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when raised his eyebrows. “We have been on a friendly
the church is open.” footing for some years—I may say on a very
friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro.
“This gentleman was not one of your wife’s
I have not treated her ungenerously, and she had
friends?”
no just cause of complaint against me, but you
“No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Flora was a
he was quite a common-looking person. I hardly dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and
noticed his appearance. But really I think that we devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful
are wandering rather far from the point.” letters when she heard that I was about to be mar-
“Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wed- ried, and, to tell the truth, the reason why I had the
ding in a less cheerful frame of mind than she had marriage celebrated so quietly was that I feared lest
gone to it. What did she do on re-entering her there might be a scandal in the church. She came
father’s house?” to Mr. Doran’s door just after we returned, and
she endeavoured to push her way in, uttering very
“I saw her in conversation with her maid.” abusive expressions towards my wife, and even
“And who is her maid?” threatening her, but I had foreseen the possibility
“Alice is her name. She is an American and of something of the sort, and I had two police fel-
came from California with her.” lows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her
out again. She was quiet when she saw that there
“A confidential servant?” was no good in making a row.”
“A little too much so. It seemed to me that her “Did your wife hear all this?”
mistress allowed her to take great liberties. Still, of “No, thank goodness, she did not.”
course, in America they look upon these things in “And she was seen walking with this very
a different way.” woman afterwards?”
“How long did she speak to this Alice?” “Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland
“Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to Yard, looks upon as so serious. It is thought that
think of.” Flora decoyed my wife out and laid some terrible
trap for her.”
“You did not overhear what they said?”
“Well, it is a possible supposition.”
“Lady St. Simon said something about ‘jumping “You think so, too?”
a claim.’ She was accustomed to use slang of the “I did not say a probable one. But you do not
kind. I have no idea what she meant.” yourself look upon this as likely?”
“American slang is very expressive sometimes. “I do not think Flora would hurt a fly.”
And what did your wife do when she finished “Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of char-
speaking to her maid?” acters. Pray what is your own theory as to what
“She walked into the breakfast-room.” took place?”
“On your arm?” “Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to
propound one. I have given you all the facts. Since
“No, alone. She was very independent in lit- you ask me, however, I may say that it has occurred
tle matters like that. Then, after we had sat down to me as possible that the excitement of this affair,
for ten minutes or so, she rose hurriedly, muttered the consciousness that she had made so immense
some words of apology, and left the room. She a social stride, had the effect of causing some little
never came back.” nervous disturbance in my wife.”
“But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes “In short, that she had become suddenly de-
that she went to her room, covered her bride’s dress ranged?”
with a long ulster, put on a bonnet, and went out.” “Well, really, when I consider that she has
“Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walk- turned her back—I will not say upon me, but upon
ing into Hyde Park in company with Flora Millar, so much that many have aspired to without suc-
a woman who is now in custody, and who had cess—I can hardly explain it in any other fashion.”
already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran’s house “Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hy-
that morning.” pothesis,” said Holmes, smiling. “And now, Lord

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St. Simon, I think that I have nearly all my data. “Really! You surprise me.”
May I ask whether you were seated at the breakfast- “Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every
table so that you could see out of the window?” clue seems to slip through my fingers. I have been
“We could see the other side of the road and at work upon it all day.”
the Park.” “And very wet it seems to have made you,”
“Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to said Holmes laying his hand upon the arm of the
detain you longer. I shall communicate with you.” 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 afraid “Why? What do you mean?”
that it will take wiser heads than yours or mine,” he “Because you have just as good a chance of find-
remarked, and bowing in a stately, old-fashioned ing this lady in the one as in the other.”
manner he departed. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion.
“It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my “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
cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as “Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpen-
to the case before our client came into the room.” tine plays no part in the matter?”
“My dear Holmes!” “I think it very unlikely.”
“I have notes of several similar cases, though “Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is
none, as I remarked before, which were quite as that we found this in it?” He opened his bag as he
prompt. My whole examination served to turn my spoke, and tumbled onto the floor a wedding-dress
conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial evidence of watered silk, a pair of white satin shoes and a
is occasionally very convincing, as when you find bride’s wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked
a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau’s example.” in water. “There,” said he, putting a new wedding-
ring upon the top of the pile. “There is a little nut
“But I have heard all that you have heard.” for you to crack, Master Holmes.”
“Without, however, the knowledge of pre-
“Oh, indeed!” said my friend, blowing blue
existing cases which serves me so well. There was
rings into the air. “You dragged them from the
a parallel instance in Aberdeen some years back,
Serpentine?”
and something on very much the same lines at Mu-
nich the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is “No. They were found floating near the margin
one of these cases—but, hullo, here is Lestrade! by a park-keeper. They have been identified as her
Good-afternoon, Lestrade! You will find an extra clothes, and it seemed to me that if the clothes were
tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are cigars there the body would not be far off.”
in the box.” “By the same brilliant reasoning, every man’s
The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket body is to be found in the neighbourhood of his
and cravat, which gave him a decidedly nautical wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to arrive
appearance, and he carried a black canvas bag in at through this?”
his hand. With a short greeting he seated himself “At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in
and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the disappearance.”
“What’s up, then?” asked Holmes with a twin- “I am afraid that you will find it difficult.”
kle in his eye. “You look dissatisfied.” “Are you, indeed, now?” cried Lestrade with
“And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. some bitterness. “I am afraid, Holmes, that you
Simon marriage case. I can make neither head nor are not very practical with your deductions and
tail of the business.” your inferences. You have made two blunders in

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as many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss myth. There is not, and there never has been, any
Flora Millar.” such person.”
“And how?” Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then
“In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a he turned to me, tapped his forehead three times,
card-case. In the card-case is a note. And here is shook his head solemnly, and hurried away.
the very note.” He slapped it down upon the table He had hardly shut the door behind him when
in front of him. “Listen to this: Holmes rose to put on his overcoat. “There is some-
thing in what the fellow says about outdoor work,”
“ ‘You will see me when all is ready. he remarked, “so I think, Watson, that I must leave
Come at once. you to your papers for a little.”
— “ ‘F.H.M.’ It was after five o’clock when Sherlock Holmes
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
stepped briskly into the room. His features were
Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head
gravely set, but there was a light in his eye which
to look. “Why,” he shrieked, “you’re looking at the
made me think that he had not been disappointed
wrong side!”
in his conclusions.
“On the contrary, this is the right side.” “They have laid the supper, then,” he said, rub-
“The right side? You’re mad! Here is the note bing his hands.
written in pencil over here.” “You seem to expect company. They have laid
“And over here is what appears to be the frag- for five.”
ment of a hotel bill, which interests me deeply.” “Yes, I fancy we may have some company drop-
“There’s nothing in it. I looked at it before,” ping in,” said he. “I am surprised that Lord St.
said Lestrade. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fancy that I
hear his step now upon the stairs.”
“ ‘Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d.,
It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who
cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 6d., glass sherry,
came bustling in, dangling his glasses more vigor-
8d.’ I see nothing in that.”
ously than ever, and with a very perturbed expres-
“Very likely not. It is most important, all the sion upon his aristocratic features.
same. As to the note, it is important also, or at least “My messenger reached you, then?” asked
the initials are, so I congratulate you again.” Holmes.
“I’ve wasted time enough,” said Lestrade, rising. “Yes, and I confess that the contents startled
“I believe in hard work and not in sitting by the fire me beyond measure. Have you good authority for
spinning fine theories. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and what you say?”
we shall see which gets to the bottom of the matter “The best possible.”
first.” He gathered up the garments, thrust them Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his
into the bag, and made for the door. hand over his forehead.
“Just one hint to you, Lestrade,” drawled “What will the Duke say,” he murmured, “when
Holmes before his rival vanished; “I will tell you he hears that one of the family has been subjected
the true solution of the matter. Lady St. Simon is a to such humiliation?”

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“It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that “Then I’ll tell our story right away,” said the
there is any humiliation.” lady. “Frank here and I met in ’84, in McQuire’s
“Ah, you look on these things from another camp, near the Rockies, where pa was working a
standpoint.” claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and
I; but then one day father struck a rich pocket and
“I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can made a pile, while poor Frank here had a claim that
hardly see how the lady could have acted other- petered out and came to nothing. The richer pa
wise, though her abrupt method of doing it was grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa wouldn’t
undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he
she had no one to advise her at such a crisis.” took me away to ’Frisco. Frank wouldn’t throw up
“It was a slight, sir, a public slight,” said Lord his hand, though; so he followed me there, and he
St. Simon, tapping his fingers upon the table. saw me without pa knowing anything about it. It
“You must make allowance for this poor girl, would only have made him mad to know, so we
placed in so unprecedented a position.” just fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he
would go and make his pile, too, and never come
“I will make no allowance. I am very angry
back to claim me until he had as much as pa. So
indeed, and I have been shamefully used.”
then I promised to wait for him to the end of time
“I think that I heard a ring,” said Holmes. “Yes, and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while
there are steps on the landing. If I cannot persuade he lived. ‘Why shouldn’t we be married right away,
you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. Si- then,’ said he, ‘and then I will feel sure of you; and I
mon, I have brought an advocate here who may be won’t claim to be your husband until I come back?’
more successful.” He opened the door and ushered Well, we talked it over, and he had fixed it all up so
in a lady and gentleman. “Lord St. Simon,” said he nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, that
“allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis we just did it right there; and then Frank went off
Hay Moulton. The lady, I think, you have already to seek his fortune, and I went back to pa.
met.”
“The next I heard of Frank was that he was in
At the sight of these newcomers our client had Montana, and then he went prospecting in Arizona,
sprung from his seat and stood very erect, with his and then I heard of him from New Mexico. After
eyes cast down and his hand thrust into the breast that came a long newspaper story about how a min-
of his frock-coat, a picture of offended dignity. The ers’ camp had been attacked by Apache Indians,
lady had taken a quick step forward and had held and there was my Frank’s name among the killed.
out her hand to him, but he still refused to raise I fainted dead away, and I was very sick for months
his eyes. It was as well for his resolution, perhaps, after. Pa thought I had a decline and took me to half
for her pleading face was one which it was hard to the doctors in ’Frisco. Not a word of news came
resist. for a year and more, so that I never doubted that
“You’re angry, Robert,” said she. “Well, I guess Frank was really dead. Then Lord St. Simon came
you have every cause to be.” to ’Frisco, and we came to London, and a marriage
“Pray make no apology to me,” said Lord St. was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt
Simon bitterly. all the time that no man on this earth would ever
take the place in my heart that had been given to
“Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad my poor Frank.
and that I should have spoken to you before I went;
but I was kind of rattled, and from the time when I “Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course
saw Frank here again I just didn’t know what I was I’d have done my duty by him. We can’t command
doing or saying. I only wonder I didn’t fall down our love, but we can our actions. I went to the altar
and do a faint right there before the altar.” with him with the intention to make him just as
good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may
“Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar
friend and me to leave the room while you explain rails, I glanced back and saw Frank standing and
this matter?” looking at me out of the first pew. I thought it was
“If I may give an opinion,” remarked the strange his ghost at first; but when I looked again there he
gentleman, “we’ve had just a little too much secrecy was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as if
over this business already. For my part, I should to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him.
like all Europe and America to hear the rights of it.” I wonder I didn’t drop. I know that everything was
He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clean-shaven, turning round, and the words of the clergyman
with a sharp face and alert manner. were just like the buzz of a bee in my ear. I didn’t

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 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

know what to do. Should I stop the service and Holmes, came round to us this evening, though
make a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, how he found us is more than I can think, and he
and he seemed to know what I was thinking, for showed us very clearly and kindly that I was wrong
he raised his finger to his lips to tell me to be still. and that Frank was right, and that we should be
Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and I putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so secret.
knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to
his pew on the way out I dropped my bouquet Lord St. Simon alone, and so we came right away
over to him, and he slipped the note into my hand round to his rooms at once. Now, Robert, you have
when he returned me the flowers. It was only a heard it all, and I am very sorry if I have given you
line asking me to join him when he made the sign pain, and I hope that you do not think very meanly
to me to do so. Of course I never doubted for a of me.”
moment that my first duty was now to him, and I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his
determined to do just whatever he might direct. 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 “Then you won’t forgive me? You won’t shake
dreadful hard before his mother and all those great hands before I go?”
people. I just made up my mind to run away and “Oh, certainly, if it would give you any plea-
explain afterwards. I hadn’t been at the table ten sure.” He put out his hand and coldly grasped that
minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at which she extended to him.
the other side of the road. He beckoned to me and “I had hoped,” suggested Holmes, “that you
then began walking into the Park. I slipped out, would have joined us in a friendly supper.”
put on my things, and followed him. Some woman “I think that there you ask a little too much,”
came talking something or other about Lord St. Si- responded his Lordship. “I may be forced to acqui-
mon to me—seemed to me from the little I heard as esce in these recent developments, but I can hardly
if he had a little secret of his own before marriage be expected to make merry over them. I think that
also—but I managed to get away from her and soon with your permission I will now wish you all a very
overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and good-night.” He included us all in a sweeping bow
away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in and stalked out of the room.
Gordon Square, and that was my true wedding
“Then I trust that you at least will honour me
after all those years of waiting. Frank had been a
with your company,” said Sherlock Holmes. “It is
prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came
always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton,
on to ’Frisco, found that I had given him up for
for I am one of those who believe that the folly
dead and had gone to England, followed me there,
of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in
and had come upon me at last on the very morning
far-gone years will not prevent our children from
of my second wedding.”
being some day citizens of the same world-wide
“I saw it in a paper,” explained the American. country under a flag which shall be a quartering of
“It gave the name and the church but not where the the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes.”
lady lived.” “The case has been an interesting one,” re-
“Then we had a talk as to what we should marked Holmes when our visitors had left us, “be-
do, and Frank was all for openness, but I was so cause it serves to show very clearly how simple the
ashamed of it all that I felt as if I should like to explanation may be of an affair which at first sight
vanish away and never see any of them again—just seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be
sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I more natural than the sequence of events as nar-
was alive. It was awful to me to think of all those rated by this lady, and nothing stranger than the
lords and ladies sitting round that breakfast-table result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Lestrade
and waiting for me to come back. So Frank took my of Scotland Yard.”
wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of “You were not yourself at fault at all, then?”
them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped “From the first, two facts were very obvious
them away somewhere where no one could find to me, the one that the lady had been quite will-
them. It is likely that we should have gone on to ing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the other
Paris to-morrow, only that this good gentleman, Mr. that she had repented of it within a few minutes

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 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor

of returning home. Obviously something had oc- was it to know that within a week he had settled
curred during the morning, then, to cause her to his bill at one of the most select London hotels.”
change her mind. What could that something be? “How did you deduce the select?”
She could not have spoken to anyone when she
was out, for she had been in the company of the “By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed
bridegroom. Had she seen someone, then? If she and eightpence for a glass of sherry pointed to one
had, it must be someone from America because of the most expensive hotels. There are not many
she had spent so short a time in this country that in London which charge at that rate. In the second
she could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue,
so deep an influence over her that the mere sight I learned by an inspection of the book that Fran-
of him would induce her to change her plans so cis H. Moulton, an American gentleman, had left
completely. You see we have already arrived, by a only the day before, and on looking over the entries
process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have against him, I came upon the very items which I
seen an American. Then who could this American had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to
be, and why should he possess so much influence be forwarded to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I
over her? It might be a lover; it might be a hus- travelled, and being fortunate enough to find the
band. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been loving couple at home, I ventured to give them
spent in rough scenes and under strange condi- some paternal advice and to point out to them that
tions. So far I had got before I ever heard Lord it would be better in every way that they should
St. Simon’s narrative. When he told us of a man make their position a little clearer both to the gen-
in a pew, of the change in the bride’s manner, of eral public and to Lord St. Simon in particular. I
so transparent a device for obtaining a note as the invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I
dropping of a bouquet, of her resort to her confi- made him keep the appointment.”
dential maid, and of her very significant allusion to “But with no very good result,” I remarked.
claim-jumping—which in miners’ parlance means “His conduct was certainly not very gracious.”
taking possession of that which another person has “Ah, Watson,” said Holmes, smiling, “perhaps
a prior claim to—the whole situation became ab- you would not be very gracious either, if, after all
solutely clear. She had gone off with a man, and the trouble of wooing and wedding, you found
the man was either a lover or was a previous hus- yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of for-
band—the chances being in favour of the latter.” tune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very
“And how in the world did you find them?” mercifully and thank our stars that we are never
“It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade likely to find ourselves in the same position. Draw
held information in his hands the value of which he your chair up and hand me my violin, for the only
did not himself know. The initials were, of course, problem we have still to solve is how to while away
of the highest importance, but more valuable still these bleak autumnal evenings.”

248
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
H
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

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

251
 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

our funds as upon our increasing our connection magnificent piece of jewellery which he had named.
and the number of our depositors. One of our most ‘There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,’ said he,
lucrative means of laying out money is in the shape ‘and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable.
of loans, where the security is unimpeachable. We The lowest estimate would put the worth of the
have done a good deal in this direction during the coronet at double the sum which I have asked. I
last few years, and there are many noble families am prepared to leave it with you as my security.’
to whom we have advanced large sums upon the “I took the precious case into my hands and
security of their pictures, libraries, or plate. looked in some perplexity from it to my illustrious
“Yesterday morning I was seated in my office client.
at the bank when a card was brought in to me by “ ‘You doubt its value?’ he asked.
one of the clerks. I started when I saw the name,
for it was that of none other than—well, perhaps “ ‘Not at all. I only doubt—’
even to you I had better say no more than that it “ ‘The propriety of my leaving it. You may set
was a name which is a household word all over your mind at rest about that. I should not dream of
the earth—one of the highest, noblest, most exalted doing so were it not absolutely certain that I should
names in England. I was overwhelmed by the hon- be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a pure matter
our and attempted, when he entered, to say so, of form. Is the security sufficient?’
but he plunged at once into business with the air “ ‘Ample.’
of a man who wishes to hurry quickly through a
disagreeable task. “ ‘You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving
you a strong proof of the confidence which I have
“ ‘Mr. Holder,’ said he, ‘I have been informed in you, founded upon all that I have heard of you.
that you are in the habit of advancing money.’ I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to re-
“ ‘The firm does so when the security is good.’ frain from all gossip upon the matter but, above
I answered. all, to preserve this coronet with every possible pre-
“ ‘It is absolutely essential to me,’ said he, ‘that caution because I need not say that a great public
I should have £50,000 at once. I could, of course, scandal would be caused if any harm were to be-
borrow so trifling a sum ten times over from my fall it. Any injury to it would be almost as serious
friends, but I much prefer to make it a matter of as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the
business and to carry out that business myself. In world to match these, and it would be impossible
my position you can readily understand that it is to replace them. I leave it with you, however, with
unwise to place one’s self under obligations.’ every confidence, and I shall call for it in person on
“ ‘For how long, may I ask, do you want this 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 alone
vance, with whatever interest you think it right to once more, however, with the precious case lying
charge. But it is very essential to me that the money upon the table in front of me, I could not but think
should be paid at once.’ with some misgivings of the immense responsibil-
ity which it entailed upon me. There could be no
“ ‘I should be happy to advance it without fur-
doubt that, as it was a national possession, a horri-
ther parley from my own private purse,’ said I,
ble scandal would ensue if any misfortune should
‘were it not that the strain would be rather more
occur to it. I already regretted having ever con-
than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to
sented to take charge of it. However, it was too
do it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my
late to alter the matter now, so I locked it up in my
partner I must insist that, even in your case, every
private safe and turned once more to my work.
businesslike precaution should be taken.’
“When evening came I felt that it would be an
“ ‘I should much prefer to have it so,’ said he,
imprudence to leave so precious a thing in the office
raising up a square, black morocco case which he
behind me. Bankers’ safes had been forced before
had laid beside his chair. ‘You have doubtless heard
now, and why should not mine be? If so, how ter-
of the Beryl Coronet?’
rible would be the position in which I should find
“ ‘One of the most precious public possessions myself! I determined, therefore, that for the next
of the empire,’ said I. few days I would always carry the case backward
“ ‘Precisely.’ He opened the case, and there, and forward with me, so that it might never be
imbedded in soft, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the really out of my reach. With this intention, I called

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, car- finger-tips, one who had been everywhere, seen
rying the jewel with me. I did not breathe freely everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of great
until I had taken it upstairs and locked it in the personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold
bureau of my dressing-room. blood, far away from the glamour of his presence, I
“And now a word as to my household, Mr. am convinced from his cynical speech and the look
Holmes, for I wish you to thoroughly understand which I have caught in his eyes that he is one who
the situation. My groom and my page sleep out should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, too,
of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I thinks my little Mary, who has a woman’s quick
have three maid-servants who have been with me insight into character.
a number of years and whose absolute reliability “And now there is only she to be described. She
is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Parr, the is my niece; but when my brother died five years
second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a ago and left her alone in the world I adopted her,
few months. She came with an excellent character, and have looked upon her ever since as my daugh-
however, and has always given me satisfaction. She ter. She is a sunbeam in my house—sweet, loving,
is a very pretty girl and has attracted admirers who beautiful, a wonderful manager and housekeeper,
have occasionally hung about the place. That is the yet as tender and quiet and gentle as a woman
only drawback which we have found to her, but we could be. She is my right hand. I do not know
believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every what I could do without her. In only one matter
way. has she ever gone against my wishes. Twice my
boy has asked her to marry him, for he loves her
“So much for the servants. My family itself is devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I
so small that it will not take me long to describe it. 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 am now, alas! it is too late—forever too late!
myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled
“Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who
him. Very likely I have. When my dear wife died I
live under my roof, and I shall continue with my
felt that he was all I had to love. I could not bear to
miserable story.
see the smile fade even for a moment from his face.
I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it would “When we were taking coffee in the drawing-
have been better for both of us had I been sterner, room that night after dinner, I told Arthur and
but I meant it for the best. Mary my experience, and of the precious treasure
which we had under our roof, suppressing only the
“It was naturally my intention that he should name of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought
succeed me in my business, but he was not of a in the coffee, had, I am sure, left the room; but I
business turn. He was wild, wayward, and, to cannot swear that the door was closed. Mary and
speak the truth, I could not trust him in the han- Arthur were much interested and wished to see
dling of large sums of money. When he was young the famous coronet, but I thought it better not to
he became a member of an aristocratic club, and disturb it.
there, having charming manners, he was soon the
“ ‘Where have you put it?’ asked Arthur.
intimate of a number of men with long purses and
“ ‘In my own bureau.’
expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at
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 “ ‘Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I
more than once to break away from the dangerous was a youngster I have opened it myself with the
company which he was keeping, but each time the key of the box-room cupboard.’
influence of his friend, Sir George Burnwell, was “He often had a wild way of talking, so that I
enough to draw him back again. thought little of what he said. He followed me to
“And, indeed, I could not wonder that such my room, however, that night with a very grave
a man as Sir George Burnwell should gain an in- face.
fluence over him, for he has frequently brought “ ‘Look here, dad,’ said he with his eyes cast
him to my house, and I have found myself that I down, ‘can you let me have £200?’
could hardly resist the fascination of his manner. “ ‘No, I cannot!’ I answered sharply. ‘I have
He is older than Arthur, a man of the world to his been far too generous with you in money matters.’

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

“ ‘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 my
dishonoured man,’ said he. ‘I could not bear the unhappy boy, dressed only in his shirt and trousers,
disgrace. I must raise the money in some way, and was standing beside the light, holding the coronet
if you will not let me have it, then I must try other in his hands. He appeared to be wrenching at it,
means.’ or bending it with all his strength. At my cry he
“I was very angry, for this was the third demand dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as
during the month. ‘You shall not have a farthing death. I snatched it up and examined it. One of
from me,’ I cried, on which he bowed and left the the gold corners, with three of the beryls in it, was
room without another word. 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 dishon-
again. Then I started to go round the house to see oured me forever! Where are the jewels which you
that all was secure—a duty which I usually leave to have stolen?’
Mary but which I thought it well to perform myself “ ‘Stolen!’ he cried.
that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary “ ‘Yes, thief!’ I roared, shaking him by the shoul-
herself at the side window of the hall, which she der.
closed and fastened as I approached. “ ‘There are none missing. There cannot be any
“ ‘Tell me, dad,’ said she, looking, I thought, a missing,’ said he.
little disturbed, ‘did you give Lucy, the maid, leave “ ‘There are three missing. And you know
to go out to-night?’ where they are. Must I call you a liar as well as a
“ ‘Certainly not.’ 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 “ ‘You have called me names enough,’ said he, ‘I
see someone, but I think that it is hardly safe and will not stand it any longer. I shall not say another
should be stopped.’ word about this business, since you have chosen to
“ ‘You must speak to her in the morning, or I insult me. I will leave your house in the morning
will if you prefer it. Are you sure that everything 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
this matter probed to the bottom.’
“ ‘Then, good-night.’ I kissed her and went up
“ ‘You shall learn nothing from me,’ said he with
to my bedroom again, where I was soon asleep.
a passion such as I should not have thought was in
“I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. his nature. ‘If you choose to call the police, let the
Holmes, which may have any bearing upon the police find what they can.’
case, but I beg that you will question me upon any
“By this time the whole house was astir, for I
point which I do not make clear.”
had raised my voice in my anger. Mary was the
“On the contrary, your statement is singularly first to rush into my room, and, at the sight of the
lucid.” coronet and of Arthur’s face, she read the whole
“I come to a part of my story now in which story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on
I should wish to be particularly so. I am not a the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police
very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind and put the investigation into their hands at once.
tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than When the inspector and a constable entered the
usual. About two in the morning, then, I was awak- house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his
ened by some sound in the house. It had ceased arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention
ere I was wide awake, but it had left an impression to charge him with theft. I answered that it had
behind it as though a window had gently closed ceased to be a private matter, but had become a
somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Sud- public one, since the ruined coronet was national
denly, to my horror, there was a distinct sound of property. I was determined that the law should
footsteps moving softly in the next room. I slipped have its way in everything.

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

“ ‘At least,’ said he, ‘you will not have me ar- “She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so
rested at once. It would be to your advantage as very young. She is four-and-twenty.”
well as mine if I might leave the house for five “This matter, from what you say, seems to have
minutes.’ been a shock to her also.”
“ ‘That you may get away, or perhaps that you “Terrible! She is even more affected than I.”
may conceal what you have stolen,’ said I. And
“You have neither of you any doubt as to your
then, realising the dreadful position in which I was
son’s guilt?”
placed, I implored him to remember that not only
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; ‘you “Do you not think, then, that he might have
have been caught in the act, and no confession been trying to straighten it?”
could make your guilt more heinous. If you but “God bless you! You are doing what you can
make such reparation as is in your power, by telling for him and for me. But it is too heavy a task.
us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and What was he doing there at all? If his purpose were
forgotten.’ innocent, why did he not say so?”
“ ‘Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for “Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not
it,’ he answered, turning away from me with a sneer. invent a lie? His silence appears to me to cut both
I saw that he was too hardened for any words of ways. There are several singular points about the
mine to influence him. There was but one way case. What did the police think of the noise which
for it. I called in the inspector and gave him into awoke you from your sleep?”
custody. A search was made at once not only of
his person but of his room and of every portion of “They considered that it might be caused by
the house where he could possibly have concealed Arthur’s closing his bedroom door.”
the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor “A likely story! As if a man bent on felony
would the wretched boy open his mouth for all our would slam his door so as to wake a household.
persuasions and our threats. This morning he was What did they say, then, of the disappearance of
removed to a cell, and I, after going through all these gems?”
the police formalities, have hurried round to you “They are still sounding the planking and prob-
to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the ing the furniture in the hope of finding them.”
matter. The police have openly confessed that they “Have they thought of looking outside the
can at present make nothing of it. You may go house?”
to any expense which you think necessary. I have
“Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy.
already offered a reward of £1000. My God, what
The whole garden has already been minutely ex-
shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and
amined.”
my son in one night. Oh, what shall I do!”
“Now, my dear sir,” said Holmes. “is it not ob-
He put a hand on either side of his head and
vious to you now that this matter really strikes very
rocked himself to and fro, droning to himself like a
much deeper than either you or the police were at
child whose grief has got beyond words.
first inclined to think? It appeared to you to be a
Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few min- simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex.
utes, with his brows knitted and his eyes fixed upon Consider what is involved by your theory. You sup-
the fire. pose that your son came down from his bed, went,
“Do you receive much company?” he asked. at great risk, to your dressing-room, opened your
“None save my partner with his family and an bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main
occasional friend of Arthur’s. Sir George Burnwell force a small portion of it, went off to some other
has been several times lately. No one else, I think.” place, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine,
with such skill that nobody can find them, and then
“Do you go out much in society?”
returned with the other thirty-six into the room in
“Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We which he exposed himself to the greatest danger of
neither of us care for it.” being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory
“That is unusual in a young girl.” tenable?”

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

“But what other is there?” cried the banker with woman of strong character, with immense capacity
a gesture of despair. “If his motives were innocent, for self-restraint. Disregarding my presence, she
why does he not explain them?” went straight to her uncle and passed her hand over
his head with a sweet womanly caress.
“It is our task to find that out,” replied Holmes;
“so now, if you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for “You have given orders that Arthur should be
Streatham together, and devote an hour to glancing liberated, have you not, dad?” she asked.
a little more closely into details.” “No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to
the bottom.”
My friend insisted upon my accompanying
“But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know
them in their expedition, which I was eager enough
what woman’s instincts are. I know that he has
to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were deeply
done no harm and that you will be sorry for having
stirred by the story to which we had listened. I con-
acted so harshly.”
fess that the guilt of the banker’s son appeared to
me to be as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, “Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?”
but still I had such faith in Holmes’ judgment that “Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry
I felt that there must be some grounds for hope as that you should suspect him.”
long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted expla- “How could I help suspecting him, when I ac-
nation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out tually saw him with the coronet in his hand?”
to the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon “Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at
his breast and his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in it. Oh, do, do take my word for it that he is inno-
the deepest thought. Our client appeared to have cent. Let the matter drop and say no more. It is so
taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a prison!”
had been presented to him, and he even broke into
“I shall never let it drop until the gems are
a desultory chat with me over his business affairs.
found—never, Mary! Your affection for Arthur
A short railway journey and a shorter walk brought
blinds you as to the awful consequences to me. Far
us to Fairbank, the modest residence of the great
from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gen-
financier.
tleman down from London to inquire more deeply
Fairbank was a good-sized square house of into it.”
white stone, standing back a little from the road. “This gentleman?” she asked, facing round to
A double carriage-sweep, with a snow-clad lawn, me.
stretched down in front to two large iron gates “No, his friend. He wished us to leave him
which closed the entrance. On the right side was a alone. He is round in the stable lane now.”
small wooden thicket, which led into a narrow path
“The stable lane?” She raised her dark eyebrows.
between two neat hedges stretching from the road
“What can he hope to find there? Ah! this, I sup-
to the kitchen door, and forming the tradesmen’s
pose, is he. I trust, sir, that you will succeed in prov-
entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the
ing, what I feel sure is the truth, that my cousin
stables, and was not itself within the grounds at
Arthur is innocent of this crime.”
all, being a public, though little used, thoroughfare.
Holmes left us standing at the door and walked “I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with
slowly all round the house, across the front, down you, that we may prove it,” returned Holmes, go-
the tradesmen’s path, and so round by the garden ing back to the mat to knock the snow from his
behind into the stable lane. So long was he that shoes. “I believe I have the honour of addressing
Mr. Holder and I went into the dining-room and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or
waited by the fire until he should return. We were two?”
sitting there in silence when the door opened and “Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible
a young lady came in. She was rather above the affair up.”
middle height, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which “You heard nothing yourself last night?”
seemed the darker against the absolute pallor of “Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak
her skin. I do not think that I have ever seen such loudly. I heard that, and I came down.”
deadly paleness in a woman’s face. Her lips, too,
“You shut up the windows and doors the night
were bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with
before. Did you fasten all the windows?”
crying. As she swept silently into the room she
impressed me with a greater sense of grief than “Yes.”
the banker had done in the morning, and it was “Were they all fastened this morning?”
the more striking in her as she was evidently a “Yes.”

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

“You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the
that you remarked to your uncle last night that she bureau.
had been out to see him?” “It is a noiseless lock,” said he. “It is no wonder
“Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the that it did not wake you. This case, I presume,
drawing-room, and who may have heard uncle’s contains the coronet. We must have a look at it.”
remarks about the coronet.” He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he
“I see. You infer that she may have gone out laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent speci-
to tell her sweetheart, and that the two may have men of the jeweller’s art, and the thirty-six stones
planned the robbery.” were the finest that I have ever seen. At one side
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
told you that I saw Arthur with the coronet in his “Now, Mr. Holder,” said Holmes, “here is the
hands?” corner which corresponds to that which has been
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
“Do you know him?” strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time
“Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now,
vegetables round. His name is Francis Prosper.” what do you think would happen if I did break it,
“He stood,” said Holmes, “to the left of the Mr. Holder? There would be a noise like a pistol
door—that is to say, farther up the path than is shot. Do you tell me that all this happened within a
necessary to reach the door?” few yards of your bed and that you heard nothing
of it?”
“Yes, he did.”
“I do not know what to think. It is all dark to
“And he is a man with a wooden leg?” me.”
Something like fear sprang up in the young “But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go.
lady’s expressive black eyes. “Why, you are like What do you think, Miss Holder?”
a magician,” said she. “How do you know that?”
“I confess that I still share my uncle’s perplex-
She smiled, but there was no answering smile in
ity.”
Holmes’ thin, eager face.
“Your son had no shoes or slippers on when
“I should be very glad now to go upstairs,” said
you saw him?”
he. “I shall probably wish to go over the outside of
the house again. Perhaps I had better take a look “He had nothing on save only his trousers and
at the lower windows before I go up.” shirt.”
“Thank you. We have certainly been favoured
He walked swiftly round from one to the other,
with extraordinary luck during this inquiry, and it
pausing only at the large one which looked from
will be entirely our own fault if we do not succeed
the hall onto the stable lane. This he opened and
in clearing the matter up. With your permission,
made a very careful examination of the sill with
Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations
his powerful magnifying lens. “Now we shall go
outside.”
upstairs,” said he at last.
He went alone, at his own request, for he ex-
The banker’s dressing-room was a plainly fur-
plained that any unnecessary footmarks might
nished little chamber, with a grey carpet, a large
make his task more difficult. For an hour or more
bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes went to the
he was at work, returning at last with his feet heavy
bureau first and looked hard at the lock.
with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever.
“Which key was used to open it?” he asked. “I think that I have seen now all that there is to
“That which my son himself indicated—that of see, Mr. Holder,” said he; “I can serve you best by
the cupboard of the lumber-room.” returning to my rooms.”
“Have you it here?” “But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?”
“That is it on the dressing-table.” “I cannot tell.”

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

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

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

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

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, so observe if there were any traces in the snow which
he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his might help me. I knew that none had fallen since
cousin walking very stealthily along the passage the evening before, and also that there had been a
until she disappeared into your dressing-room. Pet- strong frost to preserve impressions. I passed along
rified with astonishment, the lad slipped on some the tradesmen’s path, but found it all trampled
clothes and waited there in the dark to see what down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, how-
would come of this strange affair. Presently she ever, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman
emerged from the room again, and in the light of had stood and talked with a man, whose round im-
the passage-lamp your son saw that she carried the pressions on one side showed that he had a wooden
precious coronet in her hands. She passed down the leg. I could even tell that they had been disturbed,
stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as
slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks,
he could see what passed in the hall beneath. He while Wooden-leg had waited a little, and then had
saw her stealthily open the window, hand out the gone away. I thought at the time that this might be
coronet to someone in the gloom, and then closing the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had al-
it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite ready spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so.
close to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I passed round the garden without seeing anything
“As long as she was on the scene he could not more than random tracks, which I took to be the
take any action without a horrible exposure of the police; but when I got into the stable lane a very
woman whom he loved. But the instant that she long and complex story was written in the snow in
was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune front of me.
this would be for you, and how all-important it “There was a double line of tracks of a booted
was to set it right. He rushed down, just as he was, man, and a second double line which I saw with
in his bare feet, opened the window, sprang out delight belonged to a man with naked feet. I was
into the snow, and ran down the lane, where he at once convinced from what you had told me that
could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the latter was your son. The first had walked both
Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, ways, but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread
and there was a struggle between them, your lad was marked in places over the depression of the
tugging at one side of the coronet, and his oppo- boot, it was obvious that he had passed after the
nent at the other. In the scuffle, your son struck other. I followed them up and found they led to the
Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then some- hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow
thing suddenly snapped, and your son, finding away while waiting. Then I walked to the other
that he had the coronet in his hands, rushed back, end, which was a hundred yards or more down the
closed the window, ascended to your room, and lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, where
had just observed that the coronet had been twisted the snow was cut up as though there had been a
in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten struggle, and, finally, where a few drops of blood
it when you appeared upon the scene.” had fallen, to show me that I was not mistaken.
“Is it possible?” gasped the banker. Boots had then run down the lane, and another
little smudge of blood showed that it was he who
“You then roused his anger by calling him had been hurt. When he came to the highroad at
names at a moment when he felt that he had de- the other end, I found that the pavement had been
served your warmest thanks. He could not explain cleared, so there was an end to that clue.
the true state of affairs without betraying one who
certainly deserved little enough consideration at his “On entering the house, however, I examined,
hands. He took the more chivalrous view, however, as you remember, the sill and framework of the hall
and preserved her secret.” window with my lens, and I could at once see that
someone had passed out. I could distinguish the
“And that was why she shrieked and fainted outline of an instep where the wet foot had been
when she saw the coronet,” cried Mr. Holder. “Oh, placed in coming in. I was then beginning to be
my God! what a blind fool I have been! And his able to form an opinion as to what had occurred.
asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! The A man had waited outside the window; someone
dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen
at the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have by your son; he had pursued the thief; had strug-
misjudged him!” gled with him; they had each tugged at the coronet,
“When I arrived at the house,” continued their united strength causing injuries which neither
Holmes, “I at once went very carefully round it to alone could have effected. He had returned with

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 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of “Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man,
his opponent. So far I was clear. The question now so I came home and changed my clothes. It was
was, who was the man and who was it brought him a delicate part which I had to play then, for I saw
the coronet? that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scandal,
“It is an old maxim of mine that when you have and I knew that so astute a villain would see that
excluded the impossible, whatever remains, how- our hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw
ever improbable, must be the truth. Now, I knew him. At first, of course, he denied everything. But
that it was not you who had brought it down, so when I gave him every particular that had occurred,
there only remained your niece and the maids. But he tried to bluster and took down a life-preserver
if it were the maids, why should your son allow from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I
himself to be accused in their place? There could clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike.
be no possible reason. As he loved his cousin, how- Then he became a little more reasonable. I told him
ever, there was an excellent explanation why he that we would give him a price for the stones he
should retain her secret—the more so as the secret held—£1000 apiece. That brought out the first signs
was a disgraceful one. When I remembered that of grief that he had shown. ‘Why, dash it all!’ said
you had seen her at that window, and how she had he, ‘I’ve let them go at six hundred for the three!’
fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture I soon managed to get the address of the receiver
became a certainty. who had them, on promising him that there would
“And who could it be who was her confederate? be no prosecution. Off I set to him, and after much
A lover evidently, for who else could outweigh the chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pounds apiece.
love and gratitude which she must feel to you? I Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all
knew that you went out little, and that your circle was right, and eventually got to my bed about two
of friends was a very limited one. But among them o’clock, after what I may call a really hard day’s
was Sir George Burnwell. I had heard of him before work.”
as being a man of evil reputation among women.
It must have been he who wore those boots and “A day which has saved England from a great
retained the missing gems. Even though he knew public scandal,” said the banker, rising. “Sir, I can-
that Arthur had discovered him, he might still flat- not find words to thank you, but you shall not find
ter himself that he was safe, for the lad could not me ungrateful for what you have done. Your skill
say a word without compromising his own family. has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And
“Well, your own good sense will suggest what now I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him
measures I took next. I went in the shape of a loafer for the wrong which I have done him. As to what
to Sir George’s house, managed to pick up an ac- you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my very heart.
quaintance with his valet, learned that his master Not even your skill can inform me where she is
had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the now.”
expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying
a pair of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed “I think that we may safely say,” returned
down to Streatham and saw that they exactly fitted Holmes, “that she is wherever Sir George Burn-
the tracks.” well is. It is equally certain, too, that whatever
“I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yes- her sins are, they will soon receive a more than
terday evening,” said Mr. Holder. sufficient punishment.”

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The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
T
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

o the man who loves art for its own sake,” search, he had emerged in no very sweet temper to
remarked Sherlock Holmes, tossing aside lecture me upon my literary shortcomings.
the advertisement sheet of the Daily Tele- “At the same time,” he remarked after a pause,
graph, “it is frequently in its least impor- during which he had sat puffing at his long pipe
tant and lowliest manifestations that the keenest and gazing down into the fire, “you can hardly be
pleasure is to be derived. It is pleasant to me to open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of these
observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped this cases which you have been so kind as to interest
truth that in these little records of our cases which yourself in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime,
you have been good enough to draw up, and, I am in its legal sense, at all. The small matter in which
bound to say, occasionally to embellish, you have I endeavoured to help the King of Bohemia, the
given prominence not so much to the many causes singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the
célèbres and sensational trials in which I have fig- problem connected with the man with the twisted
ured but rather to those incidents which may have lip, and the incident of the noble bachelor, were
been trivial in themselves, but which have given all matters which are outside the pale of the law.
room for those faculties of deduction and of logical But in avoiding the sensational, I fear that you may
synthesis which I have made my special province.” have bordered on the trivial.”
“And yet,” said I, smiling, “I cannot quite hold “The end may have been so,” I answered, “but
myself absolved from the charge of sensationalism the methods I hold to have been novel and of inter-
which has been urged against my records.” est.”
“You have erred, perhaps,” he observed, taking “Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public,
up a glowing cinder with the tongs and lighting the great unobservant public, who could hardly
with it the long cherry-wood pipe which was wont tell a weaver by his tooth or a compositor by his
to replace his clay when he was in a disputatious left thumb, care about the finer shades of analysis
rather than a meditative mood—“you have erred and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I
perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into cannot blame you, for the days of the great cases
each of your statements instead of confining your- are past. Man, or at least criminal man, has lost
self to the task of placing upon record that severe all enterprise and originality. As to my own little
reasoning from cause to effect which is really the practice, it seems to be degenerating into an agency
only notable feature about the thing.” for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice
to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that
“It seems to me that I have done you full justice
I have touched bottom at last, however. This note
in the matter,” I remarked with some coldness, for I
I had this morning marks my zero-point, I fancy.
was repelled by the egotism which I had more than
Read it!” He tossed a crumpled letter across to me.
once observed to be a strong factor in my friend’s
singular character. It was dated from Montague Place upon the
preceding evening, and ran thus:
“No, it is not selfishness or conceit,” said he, an-
swering, as was his wont, my thoughts rather than Dear Mr. Holmes:
my words. “If I claim full justice for my art, it is I am very anxious to consult you as to
because it is an impersonal thing—a thing beyond whether I should or should not accept
myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore a situation which has been offered to
it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that me as governess. I shall call at half-past
you should dwell. You have degraded what should ten to-morrow if I do not inconvenience
have been a course of lectures into a series of tales.” 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 table “It may turn out to be of more interest than you
had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had think. You remember that the affair of the blue
been silent all the morning, dipping continuously carbuncle, which appeared to be a mere whim at
into the advertisement columns of a succession of first, developed into a serious investigation. It may
papers until at last, having apparently given up his be so in this case, also.”

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

“Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very enthusiastic and rubbed his hands together in the
soon be solved, for here, unless I am much mis- most genial fashion. He was such a comfortable-
taken, is the person in question.” looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at
As he spoke the door opened and a young him.
lady entered the room. She was plainly but neatly “ ‘You are looking for a situation, miss?’ he
dressed, with a bright, quick face, freckled like asked.
a plover’s egg, and with the brisk manner of a “ ‘Yes, sir.’
woman who has had her own way to make in the “ ‘As governess?’
world. “ ‘Yes, sir.’
“You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure,” “ ‘And what salary do you ask?’
said she, as my companion rose to greet her, “but I
“ ‘I had £4 a month in my last place with Colonel
have had a very strange experience, and as I have
Spence Munro.’
no parents or relations of any sort from whom I
could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would “ ‘Oh, tut, tut! sweating—rank sweating!’ he
be kind enough to tell me what I should do.” cried, throwing his fat hands out into the air like
a man who is in a boiling passion. ‘How could
“Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with such
to do anything that I can to serve you.” attractions and accomplishments?’
I could see that Holmes was favourably im- “ ‘My accomplishments, sir, may be less than
pressed by the manner and speech of his new client. you imagine,’ said I. ‘A little French, a little Ger-
He looked her over in his searching fashion, and man, music, and drawing—’
then composed himself, with his lids drooping and “ ‘Tut, tut!’ he cried. ‘This is all quite beside the
his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. question. The point is, have you or have you not
“I have been a governess for five years,” said she, the bearing and deportment of a lady? There it is
“in the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two in a nutshell. If you have not, you are not fitted for
months ago the colonel received an appointment the rearing of a child who may some day play a
at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his children considerable part in the history of the country. But
over to America with him, so that I found myself if you have why, then, how could any gentleman
without a situation. I advertised, and I answered ask you to condescend to accept anything under
advertisements, but without success. At last the the three figures? Your salary with me, madam,
little money which I had saved began to run short, would commence at £100 a year.’
and I was at my wit’s end as to what I 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 used too good to be true. The gentleman, however, see-
to call about once a week in order to see whether ing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face,
anything had turned up which might suit me. West- opened a pocket-book and took out a note.
away was the name of the founder of the business, “ ‘It is also my custom,’ said he, smiling in the
but it is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in most pleasant fashion until his eyes were just two
her own little office, and the ladies who are seek- little shining slits amid the white creases of his face,
ing employment wait in an anteroom, and are then ‘to advance to my young ladies half their salary be-
shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers forehand, so that they may meet any little expenses
and sees whether she has anything which would of their journey and their wardrobe.’
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 Miss in debt to my tradesmen, the advance was a great
Stoper was not alone. A prodigiously stout man convenience, and yet there was something unnat-
with a very smiling face and a great heavy chin ural about the whole transaction which made me
which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat wish to know a little more before I quite committed
sat at her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, myself.
looking very earnestly at the ladies who entered. “ ‘May I ask where you live, sir?’ said I.
As I came in he gave quite a jump in his chair and “ ‘Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Cop-
turned quickly to Miss Stoper. per Beeches, five miles on the far side of Winchester.
“ ‘That will do,’ said he; ‘I could not ask for It is the most lovely country, my dear young lady,
anything better. Capital! capital!’ He seemed quite and the dearest old country-house.’

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

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

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

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

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

“Just look up the trains in Bradshaw,” said he, “But the reason is very obvious. The pressure
and turned back to his chemical studies. of public opinion can do in the town what the law
The summons was a brief and urgent one. cannot accomplish. There is no lane so vile that
the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of a
Please be at the Black Swan Hotel drunkard’s blow, does not beget sympathy and
at Winchester at midday to-morrow [it indignation among the neighbours, and then the
said]. Do come! I am at my wit’s end. whole machinery of justice is ever so close that a
— Hunter. word of complaint can set it going, and there is
but a step between the crime and the dock. But
“Will you come with me?” asked Holmes, glanc- look at these lonely houses, each in its own fields,
ing up. filled for the most part with poor ignorant folk who
“I should wish to.” know little of the law. Think of the deeds of hellish
“Just look it up, then.” cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on,
year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser.
“There is a train at half-past nine,” said I, glanc-
Had this lady who appeals to us for help gone to
ing over my Bradshaw. “It is due at Winchester at
live in Winchester, I should never have had a fear
11.30.”
for her. It is the five miles of country which makes
“That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had the danger. Still, it is clear that she is not personally
better postpone my analysis of the acetones, as we threatened.”
may need to be at our best in the morning.”
“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
“Quite so. She has her freedom.”
had been buried in the morning papers all the way
down, but after we had passed the Hampshire bor- “What can be the matter, then? Can you suggest
der he threw them down and began to admire the 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
“Do you know, Watson,” said he, “that it is one said earnestly. “It is so very kind of you both; but
of the curses of a mind with a turn like mine that I indeed I do not know what I should do. Your
must look at everything with reference to my own advice will be altogether invaluable to me.”
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 is a promised Mr. Rucastle to be back before three. I got
feeling of their isolation and of the impunity with his leave to come into town this morning, though
which crime may be committed there.” he little knew for what purpose.”
“Good heavens!” I cried. “Who would associate “Let us have everything in its due order.”
crime with these dear old homesteads?” Holmes thrust his long thin legs out towards the
“They always fill me with a certain horror. It is fire and composed himself to listen.
my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, “In the first place, I may say that I have met,
that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not on the whole, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr.
present a more dreadful record of sin than does the and Mrs. Rucastle. It is only fair to them to say that.
smiling and beautiful countryside.” But I cannot understand them, and I am not easy
“You horrify me!” in my mind about them.”

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

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

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

on the other side of the room, began to tell me a se- “ ‘No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?’ he asked.
ries of the funniest stories that I have ever listened “ ‘No, I know no one in these parts.’
to. You cannot imagine how comical he was, and
I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Rucastle, “ ‘Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn
however, who has evidently no sense of humour, 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- “ ‘No, no, we should have him loitering here
ter an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle suddenly remarked always. Kindly turn round and wave him away like
that it was time to commence the duties of the day, that.’
and that I might change my dress and go to little
Edward in the nursery. “I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs.
Rucastle drew down the blind. That was a week
“Two days later this same performance was
ago, and from that time I have not sat again in the
gone through under exactly similar circumstances.
window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor seen
Again I changed my dress, again I sat in the win-
the man in the road.”
dow, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny
stories of which my employer had an immense “Pray continue,” said Holmes. “Your narrative
répertoire, and which he told inimitably. Then he promises to be a most interesting one.”
handed me a yellow-backed novel, and moving my “You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and
chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might there may prove to be little relation between the
not fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud different incidents of which I speak. On the very
to him. I read for about ten minutes, beginning in first day that I was at the Copper Beeches, Mr. Ru-
the heart of a chapter, and then suddenly, in the castle took me to a small outhouse which stands
middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard
to change my dress. the sharp rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a
“You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curi- large animal moving about.
ous I became as to what the meaning of this extraor- “ ‘Look in here!’ said Mr. Rucastle, showing me
dinary performance could possibly be. They were a slit between two planks. ‘Is he not a beauty?’
always very careful, I observed, to turn my face
“I looked through and was conscious of two
away from the window, so that I became consumed
glowing eyes, and of a vague figure huddled up in
with the desire to see what was going on behind
the darkness.
my back. At first it seemed to be impossible, but I
soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been “ ‘Don’t be frightened,’ said my employer, laugh-
broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I con- ing at the start which I had given. ‘It’s only Carlo,
cealed a piece of the glass in my handkerchief. On my mastiff. I call him mine, but really old Toller,
the next occasion, in the midst of my laughter, I put my groom, is the only man who can do anything
my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with with him. We feed him once a day, and not too
a little management to see all that there was behind much then, so that he is always as keen as mustard.
me. I confess that I was disappointed. There was Toller lets him loose every night, and God help the
nothing. At least that was my first impression. At trespasser whom he lays his fangs upon. For good-
the second glance, however, I perceived that there ness’ sake don’t you ever on any pretext set your
was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a foot over the threshold at night, for it’s as much as
small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to your life is worth.’
be looking in my direction. The road is an impor- “The warning was no idle one, for two nights
tant highway, and there are usually people there. later I happened to look out of my bedroom win-
This man, however, was leaning against the railings dow about two o’clock in the morning. It was a
which bordered our field and was looking earnestly beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of
up. I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. the house was silvered over and almost as bright
Rucastle to find her eyes fixed upon me with a as day. I was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty
most searching gaze. She said nothing, but I am of the scene, when I was aware that something was
convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror moving under the shadow of the copper beeches.
in my hand and had seen what was behind me. She As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was.
rose at once. It was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted,
“ ‘Jephro,’ said she, ‘there is an impertinent fel- with hanging jowl, black muzzle, and huge project-
low upon the road there who stares up at Miss ing bones. It walked slowly across the lawn and
Hunter.’ vanished into the shadow upon the other side. That

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

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

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

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

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

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

I? You are in my power. I’ll serve you!” He turned but it never really became bad for her until after
and clattered down the stairs as hard as he could she met Mr. Fowler at a friend’s house. As well
go. as I could learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own
“He’s gone for the dog!” cried Miss Hunter. by will, but she was so quiet and patient, she was,
that she never said a word about them but just left
“I have my revolver,” said I. everything in Mr. Rucastle’s hands. He knew he
“Better close the front door,” cried Holmes, and was safe with her; but when there was a chance
we all rushed down the stairs together. We had of a husband coming forward, who would ask for
hardly reached the hall when we heard the bay- all that the law would give him, then her father
ing of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her
a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not,
to listen to. An elderly man with a red face and he could use her money. When she wouldn’t do it,
shaking limbs came staggering out at a side door. he kept on worrying her until she got brain-fever,
“My God!” he cried. “Someone has loosed the and for six weeks was at death’s door. Then she
dog. It’s not been fed for two days. Quick, quick, got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with
or it’ll be too late!” her beautiful hair cut off; but that didn’t make no
change in her young man, and he stuck to her as
Holmes and I rushed out and round the an-
true as man could be.”
gle of the house, with Toller hurrying behind us.
There was the huge famished brute, its black muz- “Ah,” said Holmes, “I think that what you have
zle buried in Rucastle’s throat, while he writhed been good enough to tell us makes the matter fairly
and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I clear, and that I can deduce all that remains. Mr.
blew its brains out, and it fell over with its keen Rucastle then, I presume, took to this system of
white teeth still meeting in the great creases of his imprisonment?”
neck. With much labour we separated them and “Yes, sir.”
carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the “And brought Miss Hunter down from London
house. We laid him upon the drawing-room sofa, in order to get rid of the disagreeable persistence
and having dispatched the sobered Toller to bear of Mr. Fowler.”
the news to his wife, I did what I could to relieve “That was it, sir.”
his pain. We were all assembled round him when “But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a
the door opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered good seaman should be, blockaded the house, and
the room. having met you succeeded by certain arguments,
“Mrs. Toller!” cried Miss Hunter. metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your
“Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he interests were the same as his.”
came back before he went up to you. Ah, miss, it “Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-
is a pity you didn’t let me know what you were handed gentleman,” said Mrs. Toller serenely.
planning, for I would have told you that your pains “And in this way he managed that your good
were wasted.” man should have no want of drink, and that a lad-
“Ha!” said Holmes, looking keenly at her. “It is der should be ready at the moment when your
clear that Mrs. Toller knows more about this matter master had gone out.”
than anyone else.” “You have it, sir, just as it happened.”
“Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell “I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller,”
what I know.” said Holmes, “for you have certainly cleared up
everything which puzzled us. And here comes the
“Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for
country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Wat-
there are several points on which I must confess
son, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to
that I am still in the dark.”
Winchester, as it seems to me that our locus standi
“I will soon make it clear to you,” said she; “and now is rather a questionable one.”
I’d have done so before now if I could ha’ got out And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister
from the cellar. If there’s police-court business over house with the copper beeches in front of the door.
this, you’ll remember that I was the one that stood Mr. Rucastle survived, but was always a broken
your friend, and that I was Miss Alice’s friend too. man, kept alive solely through the care of his de-
“She was never happy at home, Miss Alice voted wife. They still live with their old servants,
wasn’t, from the time that her father married again. who probably know so much of Rucastle’s past
She was slighted like and had no say in anything, life that he finds it difficult to part from them. Mr.

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 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

Fowler and Miss Rucastle were married, by special ment, manifested no further interest in her when
license, in Southampton the day after their flight, once she had ceased to be the centre of one of his
and he is now the holder of a government appoint- problems, and she is now the head of a private
ment in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet school at Walsall, where I believe that she has met
Hunter, my friend Holmes, rather to my disappoint- with considerable success.

276
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Silver Blaze
I
Silver Blaze

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

281
 Silver Blaze

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

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“One moment,” I asked. “Did the stable-boy, clear, however, that Straker had defended himself
when he ran out with the dog, leave the door un- vigorously against his assailants, for in his right
locked behind him?” hand he held a small knife, which was clotted with
“Excellent, Watson, excellent!” murmured my blood up to the handle, while in his left he clasped
companion. “The importance of the point struck a red and black silk cravat, which was recognized
me so forcibly that I sent a special wire to Dartmoor by the maid as having been worn on the preceding
yesterday to clear the matter up. The boy locked evening by the stranger who had visited the sta-
the door before he left it. The window, I may add, bles. Hunter, on recovering from his stupor, was
was not large enough for a man to get through. also quite positive as to the ownership of the cravat.
He was equally certain that the same stranger had,
“Hunter waited until his fellow-grooms had re- while standing at the window, drugged his curried
turned, when he sent a message to the trainer and mutton, and so deprived the stables of their watch-
told him what had occurred. Straker was excited at man. As to the missing horse, there were abundant
hearing the account, although he does not seem to proofs in the mud which lay at the bottom of the
have quite realized its true significance. It left him, fatal hollow that he had been there at the time of
however, vaguely uneasy, and Mrs. Straker, waking the struggle. But from that morning he has dis-
at one in the morning, found that he was dressing. appeared, and although a large reward has been
In reply to her inquiries, he said that he could not offered, and all the gypsies of Dartmoor are on the
sleep on account of his anxiety about the horses, alert, no news has come of him. Finally, an analy-
and that he intended to walk down to the stables to sis has shown that the remains of his supper left
see that all was well. She begged him to remain at by the stable-lad contain an appreciable quantity
home, as she could hear the rain pattering against of powdered opium, while the people at the house
the window, but in spite of her entreaties he pulled partook of the same dish on the same night without
on his large mackintosh and left the house. any ill effect.
“Mrs. Straker awoke at seven in the morning, to “Those are the main facts of the case, stripped
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, huddled in the matter.
together upon a chair, Hunter was sunk in a state
of absolute stupor, the favorite’s stall was empty, “Inspector Gregory, to whom the case has been
and there were no signs of his trainer. committed, is an extremely competent officer. Were
he but gifted with imagination he might rise to
“The two lads who slept in the chaff-cutting great heights in his profession. On his arrival he
loft above the harness-room were quickly aroused. promptly found and arrested the man upon whom
They had heard nothing during the night, for they suspicion naturally rested. There was little diffi-
are both sound sleepers. Hunter was obviously un- culty in finding him, for he inhabited one of those
der the influence of some powerful drug, and as no villas which I have mentioned. His name, it ap-
sense could be got out of him, he was left to sleep it pears, was Fitzroy Simpson. He was a man of
off while the two lads and the two women ran out excellent birth and education, who had squandered
in search of the absentees. They still had hopes that a fortune upon the turf, and who lived now by
the trainer had for some reason taken out the horse doing a little quiet and genteel book-making in
for early exercise, but on ascending the knoll near the sporting clubs of London. An examination of
the house, from which all the neighboring moors his betting-book shows that bets to the amount of
were visible, they not only could see no signs of five thousand pounds had been registered by him
the missing favorite, but they perceived something against the favorite. On being arrested he volun-
which warned them that they were in the presence teered the statement that he had come down to
of a tragedy. Dartmoor in the hope of getting some information
“About a quarter of a mile from the stables John about the King’s Pyland horses, and also about Des-
Straker’s overcoat was flapping from a furze-bush. borough, the second favorite, which was in charge
Immediately beyond there was a bowl-shaped de- of Silas Brown at the Mapleton stables. He did
pression in the moor, and at the bottom of this was not attempt to deny that he had acted as described
found the dead body of the unfortunate trainer. upon the evening before, but declared that he had
His head had been shattered by a savage blow from no sinister designs, and had simply wished to ob-
some heavy weapon, and he was wounded on the tain first-hand information. When confronted with
thigh, where there was a long, clean cut, inflicted his cravat, he turned very pale, and was utterly
evidently by some very sharp instrument. It was unable to account for its presence in the hand of

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the murdered man. His wet clothing showed that a tall, fair man with lion-like hair and beard and
he had been out in the storm of the night before, curiously penetrating light blue eyes; the other a
and his stick, which was a Penang-lawyer weighted small, alert person, very neat and dapper, in a frock-
with lead, was just such a weapon as might, by coat and gaiters, with trim little side-whiskers and
repeated blows, have inflicted the terrible injuries an eye-glass. The latter was Colonel Ross, the well-
to which the trainer had succumbed. On the other known sportsman; the other, Inspector Gregory,
hand, there was no wound upon his person, while a man who was rapidly making his name in the
the state of Straker’s knife would show that one English detective service.
at least of his assailants must bear his mark upon “I am delighted that you have come down, Mr.
him. There you have it all in a nutshell, Watson, Holmes,” said the Colonel. “The Inspector here
and if you can give me any light I shall be infinitely has done all that could possibly be suggested, but I
obliged to you.” wish to leave no stone unturned in trying to avenge
I had listened with the greatest interest to the poor Straker and in recovering my horse.”
statement which Holmes, with characteristic clear- “Have there been any fresh developments?”
ness, had laid before me. Though most of the facts asked Holmes.
were familiar to me, I had not sufficiently appreci- “I am sorry to say that we have made very little
ated their relative importance, nor their connection progress,” said the Inspector. “We have an open
to each other. carriage outside, and as you would no doubt like
“Is in not possible,” I suggested, “that the in- to see the place before the light fails, we might talk
cised wound upon Straker may have been caused it over as we drive.”
by his own knife in the convulsive struggles which A minute later we were all seated in a comfort-
follow any brain injury?” able landau, and were rattling through the quaint
“It is more than possible; it is probable,” said old Devonshire city. Inspector Gregory was full
Holmes. “In that case one of the main points in of his case, and poured out a stream of remarks,
favor of the accused disappears.” while Holmes threw in an occasional question or
“And yet,” said I, “even now I fail to understand interjection. Colonel Ross leaned back with his
what the theory of the police can be.” arms folded and his hat tilted over his eyes, while
I listened with interest to the dialogue of the two
“I am afraid that whatever theory we state has detectives. Gregory was formulating his theory,
very grave objections to it,” returned my compan- which was almost exactly what Holmes had fore-
ion. “The police imagine, I take it, that this Fitzroy told in the train.
Simpson, having drugged the lad, and having in
“The net is drawn pretty close round Fitzroy
some way obtained a duplicate key, opened the sta-
Simpson,” he remarked, “and I believe myself that
ble door and took out the horse, with the intention,
he is our man. At the same time I recognize that the
apparently, of kidnapping him altogether. His bri-
evidence is purely circumstantial, and that some
dle is missing, so that Simpson must have put this
new development may upset it.”
on. Then, having left the door open behind him, he
was leading the horse away over the moor, when he “How about Straker’s knife?”
was either met or overtaken by the trainer. A row “We have quite come to the conclusion that he
naturally ensued. Simpson beat out the trainer’s wounded himself in his fall.”
brains with his heavy stick without receiving any “My friend Dr. Watson made that suggestion to
injury from the small knife which Straker used in me as we came down. If so, it would tell against
self-defence, and then the thief either led the horse this man Simpson.”
on to some secret hiding-place, or else it may have “Undoubtedly. He has neither a knife nor any
bolted during the struggle, and be now wandering sign of a wound. The evidence against him is cer-
out on the moors. That is the case as it appears to tainly very strong. He had a great interest in the
the police, and improbable as it is, all other expla- disappearance of the favorite. He lies under sus-
nations are more improbable still. However, I shall picion of having poisoned the stable-boy, he was
very quickly test the matter when I am once upon undoubtedly out in the storm, he was armed with
the spot, and until then I cannot really see how we a heavy stick, and his cravat was found in the dead
can get much further than our present position.” man’s hand. I really think we have enough to go
It was evening before we reached the little town before a jury.”
of Tavistock, which lies, like the boss of a shield, Holmes shook his head. “A clever counsel
in the middle of the huge circle of Dartmoor. Two would tear it all to rags,” said he. “Why should
gentlemen were awaiting us in the station—the one he take the horse out of the stable? If he wished

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to injure it why could he not do it there? Has a distance off, across a paddock, lay a long gray-
duplicate key been found in his possession? What tiled out-building. In every other direction the low
chemist sold him the powdered opium? Above all, curves of the moor, bronze-colored from the fading
where could he, a stranger to the district, hide a ferns, stretched away to the sky-line, broken only
horse, and such a horse as this? What is his own by the steeples of Tavistock, and by a cluster of
explanation as to the paper which he wished the houses away to the westward which marked the
maid to give to the stable-boy?” Mapleton stables. We all sprang out with the excep-
“He says that it was a ten-pound note. One was tion of Holmes, who continued to lean back with
found in his purse. But your other difficulties are his eyes fixed upon the sky in front of him, entirely
not so formidable as they seem. He is not a stranger absorbed in his own thoughts. It was only when
to the district. He has twice lodged at Tavistock I touched his arm that he roused himself with a
in the summer. The opium was probably brought violent start and stepped out of the carriage.
from London. The key, having served its purpose, “Excuse me,” said he, turning to Colonel Ross,
would be hurled away. The horse may be at the who had looked at him in some surprise. “I was
bottom of one of the pits or old mines upon the day-dreaming.” There was a gleam in his eyes and
moor.” a suppressed excitement in his manner which con-
“What does he say about the cravat?” vinced me, used as I was to his ways, that his hand
was upon a clue, though I could not imagine where
“He acknowledges that it is his, and declares he had found it.
that he had lost it. But a new element has been
introduced into the case which may account for his “Perhaps you would prefer at once to go on to
leading the horse from the stable.” the scene of the crime, Mr. Holmes?” said Gregory.

Holmes pricked up his ears. “I think that I should prefer to stay here a little
and go into one or two questions of detail. Straker
“We have found traces which show that a party was brought back here, I presume?”
of gypsies encamped on Monday night within a
mile of the spot where the murder took place. On “Yes; he lies upstairs. The inquest is to-
Tuesday they were gone. Now, presuming that morrow.”
there was some understanding between Simpson “He has been in your service some years,
and these gypsies, might he not have been leading Colonel Ross?”
the horse to them when he was overtaken, and may
“I have always found him an excellent servant.”
they not have him now?”
“It is certainly possible.” “I presume that you made an inventory of what
he had in this pockets at the time of his death,
“The moor is being scoured for these gypsies. I Inspector?”
have also examined every stable and out-house in
Tavistock, and for a radius of ten miles.” “I have the things themselves in the sitting-
room, if you would care to see them.”
“There is another training-stable quite close, I
understand?” “I should be very glad.” We all filed into the
front room and sat round the central table while
“Yes, and that is a factor which we must cer- the Inspector unlocked a square tin box and laid
tainly not neglect. As Desborough, their horse, a small heap of things before us. There was a box
was second in the betting, they had an interest in of vestas, two inches of tallow candle, an A D P
the disappearance of the favorite. Silas Brown, the brier-root pipe, a pouch of seal-skin with half an
trainer, is known to have had large bets upon the ounce of long-cut Cavendish, a silver watch with a
event, and he was no friend to poor Straker. We gold chain, five sovereigns in gold, an aluminum
have, however, examined the stables, and there is pencil-case, a few papers, and an ivory-handled
nothing to connect him with the affair.” knife with a very delicate, inflexible blade marked
“And nothing to connect this man Simpson with Weiss & Co., London.
the interests of the Mapleton stables?” “This is a very singular knife,” said Holmes, lift-
“Nothing at all.” ing it up and examining it minutely. “I presume, as
Holmes leaned back in the carriage, and the con- I see blood-stains upon it, that it is the one which
versation ceased. A few minutes later our driver was found in the dead man’s grasp. Watson, this
pulled up at a neat little red-brick villa with over- knife is surely in your line?”
hanging eaves which stood by the road. Some “It is what we call a cataract knife,” said I.

285
 Silver Blaze

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

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 Silver Blaze

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

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

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 Silver Blaze

upon Tuesday, and I beg that you will have your “That was the curious incident,” remarked Sher-
jockey in readiness. Might I ask for a photograph lock Holmes.
of Mr. John Straker?” Four days later Holmes and I were again in the
The Inspector took one from an envelope and train, bound for Winchester to see the race for the
handed it to him. Wessex Cup. Colonel Ross met us by appointment
outside the station, and we drove in his drag to the
“My dear Gregory, you anticipate all my wants.
course beyond the town. His face was grave, and
If I might ask you to wait here for an instant, I have
his manner was cold in the extreme.
a question which I should like to put to the maid.”
“I have seen nothing of my horse,” said he.
“I must say that I am rather disappointed in our “I suppose that you would know him when you
London consultant,” said Colonel Ross, bluntly, as saw him?” asked Holmes.
my friend left the room. “I do not see that we are
The Colonel was very angry. “I have been on
any further than when he came.”
the turf for twenty years, and never was asked such
“At least you have his assurance that your horse a question as that before,” said he. “A child would
will run,” said I. know Silver Blaze, with his white forehead and his
“Yes, I have his assurance,” said the Colonel, mottled off-foreleg.”
with a shrug of his shoulders. “I should prefer to “How is the betting?”
have the horse.” “Well, that is the curious part of it. You could
I was about to make some reply in defence of have got fifteen to one yesterday, but the price has
my friend when he entered the room again. become shorter and shorter, until you can hardly
get three to one now.”
“Now, gentlemen,” said he, “I am quite ready
“Hum!” said Holmes. “Somebody knows some-
for Tavistock.”
thing, that is clear.”
As we stepped into the carriage one of the stable- As the drag drew up in the enclosure near the
lads held the door open for us. A sudden idea grand stand I glanced at the card to see the entries.
seemed to occur to Holmes, for he leaned forward 1. Mr. Heath Newton’s The Negro. Red cap.
and touched the lad upon the sleeve. Cinnamon jacket.
“You have a few sheep in the paddock,” he said. 2. Colonel Wardlaw’s Pugilist. Pink cap. Blue
“Who attends to them?” and black jacket.
“I do, sir.” 3. Lord Backwater’s Desborough. Yellow cap
and sleeves.
“Have you noticed anything amiss with them 4. Colonel Ross’s Silver Blaze. Black cap. Red
of late?” jacket.
“Well, sir, not of much account; but three of 5. Duke of Balmoral’s Iris. Yellow and black
them have gone lame, sir.” stripes.
I could see that Holmes was extremely pleased, 6. Lord Singleford’s Rasper. Purple cap. Black
for he chuckled and rubbed his hands together. sleeves.
“We scratched our other one, and put all hopes
“A long shot, Watson; a very long shot,” said
on your word,” said the Colonel. “Why, what is
he, pinching my arm. “Gregory, let me recommend
that? Silver Blaze favorite?”
to your attention this singular epidemic among the
“Five to four against Silver Blaze!” roared the
sheep. Drive on, coachman!”
ring. “Five to four against Silver Blaze! Five to
Colonel Ross still wore an expression which fifteen against Desborough! Five to four on the
showed the poor opinion which he had formed of field!”
my companion’s ability, but I saw by the Inspector’s “There are the numbers up,” I cried. “They are
face that his attention had been keenly aroused. all six there.”
“You consider that to be important?” he asked. “All six there? Then my horse is running,” cried
“Exceedingly so.” the Colonel in great agitation. “But I don’t see him.
My colors have not passed.”
“Is there any point to which you would wish to
“Only five have passed. This must be he.”
draw my attention?”
As I spoke a powerful bay horse swept out from
“To the curious incident of the dog in the night- the weighting enclosure and cantered past us, bear-
time.” ing on its back the well-known black and red of the
“The dog did nothing in the night-time.” Colonel.

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 Silver Blaze

“That’s not my horse,” cried the owner. “That said he. “The real murderer is standing immedi-
beast has not a white hair upon its body. What is ately behind you.” He stepped past and laid his
this that you have done, Mr. Holmes?” 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 close a lengthy explanation until a more fitting time.”
together that a carpet could have covered them, We had the corner of a Pullman car to ourselves
but half way up the yellow of the Mapleton stable that evening as we whirled back to London, and I
showed to the front. Before they reached us, how- fancy that the journey was a short one to Colonel
ever, Desborough’s bolt was shot, and the Colonel’s Ross as well as to myself, as we listened to our
horse, coming away with a rush, passed the post companion’s narrative of the events which had oc-
a good six lengths before its rival, the Duke of curred at the Dartmoor training-stables upon the
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 Devon-
Let us all go round and have a look at the horse shire with the conviction that Fitzroy Simpson was
together. Here he is,” he continued, as we made the true culprit, although, of course, I saw that the
our way into the weighing enclosure, where only evidence against him was by no means complete. It
owners and their friends find admittance. “You was while I was in the carriage, just as we reached
have only to wash his face and his leg in spirits the trainer’s house, that the immense significance
of wine, and you will find that he is the same old of the curried mutton occurred to me. You may
Silver Blaze as ever.” remember that I was distrait, and remained sitting
“You take my breath away!” after you had all alighted. I was marvelling in my
own mind how I could possibly have overlooked
“I found him in the hands of a faker, and took
so obvious a clue.”
the liberty of running him just as he was sent over.”
“I confess,” said the Colonel, “that even now I
“My dear sir, you have done wonders. The
cannot see how it helps us.”
horse looks very fit and well. It never went better
in its life. I owe you a thousand apologies for hav- “It was the first link in my chain of reasoning.
ing doubted your ability. You have done me a great Powdered opium is by no means tasteless. The fla-
service by recovering my horse. You would do me vor is not disagreeable, but it is perceptible. Were
a greater still if you could lay your hands on the it mixed with any ordinary dish the eater would
murderer of John Straker.” undoubtedly detect it, and would probably eat no
more. A curry was exactly the medium which
“I have done so,” said Holmes quietly.
would disguise this taste. By no possible suppo-
The Colonel and I stared at him in amazement. sition could this stranger, Fitzroy Simpson, have
“You have got him! Where is he, then?” caused curry to be served in the trainer’s family
“He is here.” that night, and it is surely too monstrous a coinci-
“Here! Where?” dence to suppose that he happened to come along
with powdered opium upon the very night when a
“In my company at the present moment.”
dish happened to be served which would disguise
The Colonel flushed angrily. “I quite recognize the flavor. That is unthinkable. Therefore Simpson
that I am under obligations to you, Mr. Holmes,” becomes eliminated from the case, and our atten-
said he, “but I must regard what you have just said tion centers upon Straker and his wife, the only two
as either a very bad joke or an insult.” people who could have chosen curried mutton for
Sherlock Holmes laughed. “I assure you that I supper that night. The opium was added after the
have not associated you with the crime, Colonel,” dish was set aside for the stable-boy, for the others

290
 Silver Blaze

had the same for supper with no ill effects. Which man of the world, Colonel, you know that men do
of them, then, had access to that dish without the not carry other people’s bills about in their pockets.
maid seeing them? We have most of us quite enough to do to settle our
“Before deciding that question I had grasped own. I at once concluded that Straker was leading
the significance of the silence of the dog, for one a double life, and keeping a second establishment.
true inference invariably suggests others. The Simp- The nature of the bill showed that there was a lady
son incident had shown me that a dog was kept in the case, and one who had expensive tastes. Lib-
in the stables, and yet, though some one had been eral as you are with your servants, one can hardly
in and had fetched out a horse, he had not barked expect that they can buy twenty-guinea walking
enough to arouse the two lads in the loft. Obvi- dresses for their ladies. I questioned Mrs. Straker
ously the midnight visitor was some one whom the as to the dress without her knowing it, and hav-
dog knew well. ing satisfied myself that it had never reached her, I
made a note of the milliner’s address, and felt that
“I was already convinced, or almost convinced, by calling there with Straker’s photograph I could
that John Straker went down to the stables in the easily dispose of the mythical Derbyshire.
dead of the night and took out Silver Blaze. For
“From that time on all was plain. Straker had
what purpose? For a dishonest one, obviously, or
led out the horse to a hollow where his light would
why should he drug his own stable-boy? And yet
be invisible. Simpson in his flight had dropped his
I was at a loss to know why. There have been
cravat, and Straker had picked it up—with some
cases before now where trainers have made sure of
idea, perhaps, that he might use it in securing the
great sums of money by laying against their own
horse’s leg. Once in the hollow, he had got behind
horses, through agents, and then preventing them
the horse and had struck a light; but the creature
from winning by fraud. Sometimes it is a pulling
frightened at the sudden glare, and with the strange
jockey. Sometimes it is some surer and subtler
instinct of animals feeling that some mischief was
means. What was it here? I hoped that the contents
intended, had lashed out, and the steel shoe had
of his pockets might help me to form a conclusion.
struck Straker full on the forehead. He had already,
“And they did so. You cannot have forgotten in spite of the rain, taken off his overcoat in order
the singular knife which was found in the dead to do his delicate task, and so, as he fell, his knife
man’s hand, a knife which certainly no sane man gashed his thigh. Do I make it clear?”
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
was to be used for a delicate operation that night. “My final shot was, I confess a very long one. It
You must know, with your wide experience of turf struck me that so astute a man as Straker would not
matters, Colonel Ross, that it is possible to make a undertake this delicate tendon-nicking without a
slight nick upon the tendons of a horse’s ham, and little practice. What could he practice on? My eyes
to do it subcutaneously, so as to leave absolutely fell upon the sheep, and I asked a question which,
no trace. A horse so treated would develop a slight rather to my surprise, showed that my surmise was
lameness, which would be put down to a strain in correct.
exercise or a touch of rheumatism, but never to foul “When I returned to London I called upon the
play.” milliner, who had recognized Straker as an excel-
lent customer of the name of Derbyshire, who had
“Villain! Scoundrel!” cried the Colonel.
a very dashing wife, with a strong partiality for
“We have here the explanation of why John expensive dresses. I have no doubt that this woman
Straker wished to take the horse out on to the moor. had plunged him over head and ears in debt, and
So spirited a creature would have certainly roused so led him into this miserable plot.”
the soundest of sleepers when it felt the prick of
“You have explained all but one thing,” cried
the knife. It was absolutely necessary to do it in the
the Colonel. “Where was the horse?”
open air.”
“Ah, it bolted, and was cared for by one of your
“I have been blind!” cried the Colonel. “Of neighbors. We must have an amnesty in that direc-
course that was why he needed the candle, and tion, I think. This is Clapham Junction, if I am not
struck the match.” mistaken, and we shall be in Victoria in less than
“Undoubtedly. But in examining his belongings ten minutes. If you care to smoke a cigar in our
I was fortunate enough to discover not only the rooms, Colonel, I shall be happy to give you any
method of the crime, but even its motives. As a other details which might interest you.”

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The Yellow Face
 The Yellow Face

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

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

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 The Yellow Face

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

296
 The Yellow Face

young, and lived in the town of Atlanta, where she “ ‘Some day, perhaps, but not just at present,
married this Hebron, who was a lawyer with a good Jack.’
practice. They had one child, but the yellow fever
“So I had to be content with that, though it was
broke out badly in the place, and both husband
the first time that there had ever been any secret
and child died of it. I have seen his death certificate.
between us. I gave her a check, and I never thought
This sickened her of America, and she came back
any more of the matter. It may have nothing to do
to live with a maiden aunt at Pinner, in Middlesex.
with what came afterwards, but I thought it only
I may mention that her husband had left her com-
right to mention it.
fortably off, and that she had a capital of about four
thousand five hundred pounds, which had been so “Well, I told you just now that there is a cot-
well invested by him that it returned an average of tage not far from our house. There is just a field
seven per cent. She had only been six months at between us, but to reach it you have to go along the
Pinner when I met her; we fell in love with each road and then turn down a lane. Just beyond it is a
other, and we married a few weeks afterwards. nice little grove of Scotch firs, and I used to be very
“I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have fond of strolling down there, for trees are always
an income of seven or eight hundred, we found a neighborly kind of things. The cottage had been
ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty- standing empty this eight months, and it was a
pound-a-year villa at Norbury. Our little place was pity, for it was a pretty two storied place, with an
very countrified, considering that it is so close to old-fashioned porch and honeysuckle about it. I
town. We had an inn and two houses a little above have stood many a time and thought what a neat
us, and a single cottage at the other side of the little homestead it would make.
field which faces us, and except those there were “Well, last Monday evening I was taking a stroll
no houses until you got half way to the station. My down that way, when I met an empty van coming
business took me into town at certain seasons, but up the lane, and saw a pile of carpets and things ly-
in summer I had less to do, and then in our country ing about on the grass-plot beside the porch. It was
home my wife and I were just as happy as could clear that the cottage had at last been let. I walked
be wished. I tell you that there never was a shadow past it, and wondered what sort of folk they were
between us until this accursed affair began. who had come to live so near us. And as I looked I
“There’s one thing I ought to tell you before I suddenly became aware that a face was watching
go further. When we married, my wife made over 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 Mr. Holmes, but it seemed to send a chill right
affairs went wrong. However, she would have it down my back. I was some little way off, so that
so, 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 person
for it.’ 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 imagined
I could not tell if the face were that of a man or
it was simply a new dress or something of the kind
a woman. It had been too far from me for that.
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
“ ‘Oh,’ said she, in her playful way, ‘you said set and rigid about it which was shockingly unnat-
that you were only my banker, and bankers never ural. So disturbed was I that I determined to see
ask questions, you know.’ a little more of the new inmates of the cottage. I
approached and knocked at the door, which was
“ ‘If you really mean it, of course you shall have instantly opened by a tall, gaunt woman with a
the money,’ said I. harsh, forbidding face.
“ ‘Oh, yes, I really mean it.’ “ ‘What may you be wantin’?’ she asked, in a
“ ‘And you won’t tell me what you want it for?’ Northern accent.

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

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

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 The Yellow Face

That was comfortable and elegant, and all my suspi- “Nearly two months.”
cions rose into a fierce bitter flame when I saw that “Have you ever seen a photograph of her first
on the mantelpiece stood a copy of a full-length husband?”
photograph of my wife, which had been taken at
“No; there was a great fire at Atlanta very
my request only three months ago.
shortly after his death, and all her papers were
“I stayed long enough to make certain that the destroyed.”
house was absolutely empty. Then I left it, feeling a
“And yet she had a certificate of death. You say
weight at my heart such as I had never had before.
that you saw it.”
My wife came out into the hall as I entered my
house; but I was too hurt and angry to speak with “Yes; she got a duplicate after the fire.”
her, and pushing past her, I made my way into my “Did you ever meet any one who knew her in
study. She followed me, however, before I could America?”
close the door.
“No.”
“ ‘I am sorry that I broke my promise, Jack,’ said “Did she ever talk of revisiting the place?”
she; ‘but if you knew all the circumstances I 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 mat-
ing in that cottage, and who it is to whom you ter a little now. If the cottage is now permanently
have given that photograph, there can never be any deserted we may have some difficulty. If, on the
confidence between us,’ said I, and breaking away other hand, as I fancy is more likely, the inmates
from her, I left the house. That was yesterday, Mr. were warned of your coming, and left before you
Holmes, and I have not seen her since, nor do I entered yesterday, then they may be back now, and
know anything more about this strange business. It we should clear it all up easily. Let me advise you,
is the first shadow that has come between us, and it then, to return to Norbury, and to examine the win-
has so shaken me that I do not know what I should dows of the cottage again. If you have reason to
do for the best. Suddenly this morning it occurred believe that is inhabited, do not force your way in,
to me that you were the man to advise me, so I but send a wire to my friend and me. We shall
have hurried to you now, and I place myself unre- be with you within an hour of receiving it, and
servedly in your hands. If there is any point which we shall then very soon get to the bottom of the
I have not made clear, pray question me about it. business.”
But, above all, tell me quickly what I am to do, for “And if it is still empty?”
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 inter- talk it over with you. Good-bye, and, above all, do
est to this extraordinary statement, which had been not fret until you know that you really have a cause
delivered in the jerky, broken fashion of a man who for it.”
is under the influence of extreme emotions. My “I am afraid that this is a bad business, Watson,”
companion sat silent for some time, with his chin said my companion, as he returned after accompa-
upon his hand, lost in thought. nying Mr. Grant Munro to the door. “What do you
“Tell me,” said he at last, “could you swear make of it?”
that this was a man’s face which you saw at the “It had an ugly sound,” I answered.
window?” “Yes. There’s blackmail in it, or I am much
“Each time that I saw it I was some distance mistaken.”
away from it, so that it is impossible for me to say.” “And who is the blackmailer?”
“You appear, however, to have been disagree- “Well, it must be the creature who lives in the
ably impressed by it.” only comfortable room in the place, and has her
“It seemed to be of an unnatural color, and to photograph above his fireplace. Upon my word,
have a strange rigidity about the features. When I Watson, there is something very attractive about
approached, it vanished with a jerk.” that livid face at the window, and I would not have
“How long is it since your wife asked you for a missed the case for worlds.”
hundred pounds?” “You have a theory?”

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 The Yellow Face

“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 window.
first husband is in that cottage.” Will meet the seven o’clock train, and
“Why do you think so?” will take no steps until you arrive.”
“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 de- with agitation.
veloped some hateful qualities; or shall we say that “They are still there, Mr. Holmes,” said he, lay-
he contracted some loathsome disease, and became ing his hand hard upon my friend’s sleeve. “I saw
a leper or an imbecile? She flies from him at last, lights in the cottage as I came down. We shall settle
returns to England, changes her name, and starts it now once and for all.”
her life, as she thinks, afresh. She has been married “What is your plan, then?” asked Holmes, as he
three years, and believes that her position is quite walked down the dark tree-lined road.
secure, having shown her husband the death cer-
“I am going to force my way in and see for my-
tificate of some man whose name she has assumed,
self who is in the house. I wish you both to be there
when suddenly her whereabouts is discovered by
as witnesses.”
her first husband; or, we may suppose, by some
unscrupulous woman who has attached herself to “You are quite determined to do this, in spite of
the invalid. They write to the wife, and threaten your wife’s warning that it is better that you should
to come and expose her. She asks for a hundred not solve the mystery?”
pounds, and endeavors to buy them off. They come “Yes, I am determined.”
in spite of it, and when the husband mentions ca- “Well, I think that you are in the right. Any
sually to the wife that there are new-comers in the truth is better than indefinite doubt. We had better
cottage, she knows in some way that they are her go up at once. Of course, legally, we are putting
pursuers. She waits until her husband is asleep, ourselves hopelessly in the wrong; but I think that
and then she rushes down to endeavor to persuade it is worth it.”
them to leave her in peace. Having no success, It was a very dark night, and a thin rain be-
she goes again next morning, and her husband gan to fall as we turned from the high road into
meets her, as he has told us, as she comes out. She a narrow lane, deeply rutted, with hedges on ei-
promises him then not to go there again, but two ther side. Mr. Grant Munro pushed impatiently
days afterwards the hope of getting rid of those forward, however, and we stumbled after him as
dreadful neighbors was too strong for her, and she best we could.
made another attempt, taking down with her the “There are the lights of my house,” he mur-
photograph which had probably been demanded mured, pointing to a glimmer among the trees.
from her. In the midst of this interview the maid “And here is the cottage which I am going to en-
rushed in to say that the master had come home, ter.”
on which the wife, knowing that he would come We turned a corner in the lane as he spoke, and
straight down to the cottage, hurried the inmates there was the building close beside us. A yellow
out at the back door, into the grove of fir-trees, bar falling across the black foreground showed that
probably, which was mentioned as standing near. the door was not quite closed, and one window
In this way he found the place deserted. I shall be in the upper story was brightly illuminated. As
very much surprised, however, if it still so when he we looked, we saw a dark blur moving across the
reconnoitres it this evening. What do you think of blind.
my theory?”
“There is that creature!” cried Grant Munro.
“It is all surmise.” “You can see for yourselves that some one is there.
“But at least it covers all the facts. When new Now follow me, and we shall soon know all.”
facts come to our knowledge which cannot be cov- We approached the door; but suddenly a
ered by it, it will be time enough to reconsider it. woman appeared out of the shadow and stood in
We can do nothing more until we have a message the golden track of the lamp-light. I could not see
from our friend at Norbury.” her face in the darkness, but her arms were thrown
But we had not a very long time to wait for that. out in an attitude of entreaty.
It came just as we had finished our tea. “For God’s sake, don’t Jack!” she cried. “I had
a presentiment that you would come this evening.

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 The Yellow Face

Think better of it, dear! Trust me again, and you ever her father was. But dark or fair, she is my own
will never have cause to regret it.” dear little girlie, and her mother’s pet.” The little
“I have trusted you too long, Effie,” he cried, creature ran across at the words and nestled up
sternly. “Leave go of me! I must pass you. My against the lady’s dress. “When I left her in Amer-
friends and I are going to settle this matter once ica,” she continued, “it was only because her health
and forever!” He pushed her to one side, and we was weak, and the change might have done her
followed closely after him. As he threw the door harm. She was given to the care of a faithful Scotch
open an old woman ran out in front of him and woman who had once been our servant. Never
tried to bar his passage, but he thrust her back, and for an instant did I dream of disowning her as my
an instant afterwards we were all upon the stairs. child. But when chance threw you in my way, Jack,
Grant Munro rushed into the lighted room at the and I learned to love you, I feared to tell you about
top, and we entered at his heels. my child. God forgive me, I feared that I should
lose you, and I had not the courage to tell you. I
It was a cosy, well-furnished apartment, with
had to choose between you, and in my weakness
two candles burning upon the table and two upon
I turned away from my own little girl. For three
the mantelpiece. In the corner, stooping over a desk,
years I have kept her existence a secret from you,
there sat what appeared to be a little girl. Her face
but I heard from the nurse, and I knew that all
was turned away as we entered, but we could see
was well with her. At last, however, there came an
that she was dressed in a red frock, and that she
overwhelming desire to see the child once more. I
had long white gloves on. As she whisked round
struggled against it, but in vain. Though I knew
to us, I gave a cry of surprise and horror. The face
the danger, I determined to have the child over,
which she turned towards us was of the strangest
if it were but for a few weeks. I sent a hundred
livid tint, and the features were absolutely devoid
pounds to the nurse, and I gave her instructions
of any expression. An instant later the mystery
about this cottage, so that she might come as a
was explained. Holmes, with a laugh, passed his
neighbor, without my appearing to be in any way
hand behind the child’s ear, a mask peeled off from
connected with her. I pushed my precautions so
her countenance, an there was a little coal black
far as to order her to keep the child in the house
negress, with all her white teeth flashing in amuse-
during the daytime, and to cover up her little face
ment at our amazed faces. I burst out laughing, out
and hands so that even those who might see her at
of sympathy with her merriment; but Grant Munro
the window should not gossip about there being a
stood staring, with his hand clutching his throat.
black child in the neighborhood. If I had been less
“My God!” he cried. “What can be the meaning cautious I might have been more wise, but I was
of this?” half crazy with fear that you should learn the truth.
“I will tell you the meaning of it,” cried the “It was you who told me first that the cottage
lady, sweeping into the room with a proud, set face. was occupied. I should have waited for the morn-
“You have forced me, against my own judgment, to ing, but I could not sleep for excitement, and so
tell you, and now we must both make the best of it. at last I slipped out, knowing how difficult it is to
My husband died at Atlanta. My child survived.” awake you. But you saw me go, and that was the
“Your child?” beginning of my troubles. Next day you had my
She drew a large silver locket from her bosom. secret at your mercy, but you nobly refrained from
“You have never seen this open.” pursuing your advantage. Three days later, how-
ever, the nurse and child only just escaped from the
“I understood that it did not open.”
back door as you rushed in at the front one. And
She touched a spring, and the front hinged back. now to-night you at last know all, and I ask you
There was a portrait within of a man strikingly what is to become of us, my child and me?” She
handsome and intelligent-looking, but bearing un- clasped her hands and waited for an answer.
mistakable signs upon his features of his African
descent. It was a long ten minutes before Grant Munro
broke the silence, and when his answer came it
“That is John Hebron, of Atlanta,” said the lady,
was one of which I love to think. He lifted the
“and a nobler man never walked the earth. I cut
little child, kissed her, and then, still carrying her,
myself off from my race in order to wed him, but
he held his other hand out to his wife and turned
never once while he lived did I for an instant regret
towards the door.
it. It was our misfortune that our only child took
after his people rather than mine. It is often so “We can talk it over more comfortably at home,”
in such matches, and little Lucy is darker far than said he. “I am not a very good man, Effie, but I

302
 The Yellow Face

think that I am a better one than you have given late that night, when he was turning away, with his
me credit for being.” lighted candle, for his bedroom.
Holmes and I followed them down the lane, and
my friend plucked at my sleeve as we came out. “Watson,” said he, “if it should ever strike you
that I am getting a little over-confident in my pow-
“I think,” said he, “that we shall be of more use ers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves,
in London than in Norbury.” kindly whisper ‘Norbury’ in my ear, and I shall be
Not another word did he say of the case until infinitely obliged to you.”

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The Stock-Broker’s Clerk
S
The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

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

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 The Stock-Broker’s Clerk

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

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

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“ ‘ “He would rather have our small price than “ ‘We have not got our name up yet, for we only
your big one,” said he. secured these temporary premises last week. Come
up with me, and we will talk the matter over.’
“ ‘ “I’ll lay you a fiver,” said I, “that when he has
my offer you’ll never so much as hear from him “I followed him to the top of a very lofty stair,
again.” and there, right under the slates, were a couple of
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 which, with a ledger and a waste paper basket,
consider him in any way? I shall certainly not write made up the whole furniture.
if you would rather I didn’t.’ “ ‘Don’t be disheartened, Mr. Pycroft,’ said my
“ ‘Good! That’s a promise,’ said he, rising from new acquaintance, seeing the length of my face.
his chair. ‘Well, I’m delighted to have got so good ‘Rome was not built in a day, and we have lots of
a man for my brother. Here’s your advance of a money at our backs, though we don’t cut much
hundred pounds, and here is the letter. Make a dash yet in offices. Pray sit down, and let me have
note of the address, 126b Corporation Street, and your letter.’
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
“That’s just about all that passed between us, upon my brother Arthur,’ said he; ‘and I know that
as near as I can remember. You can imagine, Dr. he is a pretty shrewd judge. He swears by Lon-
Watson, how pleased I was at such an extraordi- don, you know; and I by Birmingham; but this time
nary bit of good fortune. I sat up half the night I shall follow his advice. Pray consider yourself
hugging myself over it, and next day I was off to definitely engaged.’
Birmingham in a train that would take me in plenty “ ‘What are my duties?’ I asked.
time for my appointment. I took my things to a
“ ‘You will eventually manage the great depot in
hotel in New Street, and then I made my way to
Paris, which will pour a flood of English crockery
the address which had been given me.
into the shops of a hundred and thirty-four agents
“It was a quarter of an hour before my time, but in France. The purchase will be completed in a
I thought that would make no difference. 126b was week, and meanwhile you will remain in Birming-
a passage between two large shops, which led to a ham and make yourself useful.’
winding stone stair, from which there were many “ ‘How?’
flats, let as offices to companies or professional
men. The names of the occupants were painted “For answer, he took a big red book out of a
at the bottom on the wall, but there was no such drawer.
name as the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, “ ‘This is a directory of Paris,’ said he, ‘with the
Limited. I stood for a few minutes with my heart trades after the names of the people. I want you
in my boots, wondering whether the whole thing to take it home with you, and to mark off all the
was an elaborate hoax or not, when up came a man hardware sellers, with their addresses. It would be
and addressed me. He was very like the chap I had of the greatest use to me to have them.’
seen the night before, the same figure and voice, “ ‘Surely there are classified lists?’ I suggested.
but he was clean shaven and his hair was lighter.
“ ‘Not reliable ones. Their system is different
“ ‘Are you Mr. Hall Pycroft?’ he asked. from ours. Stick at it, and let me have the lists by
“ ‘Yes,’ said I. Monday, at twelve. Good-day, Mr. Pycroft. If you
continue to show zeal and intelligence you will find
“ ‘Oh! I was expecting you, but you are a trifle the company a good master.’
before your time. I had a note from my brother
“I went back to the hotel with the big book un-
this morning in which he sang your praises very
der my arm, and with very conflicting feelings in
loudly.’
my breast. On the one hand, I was definitely en-
“ ‘I was just looking for the offices when you gaged and had a hundred pounds in my pocket;
came.’ on the other, the look of the offices, the absence of

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

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

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

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this way, what has this other Hall Pycroft been do- Pycroft was engaged by the firm. This per-
ing at Mawson’s? What should we do, Mr. Holmes? son appears to have been none other that
Tell me what to do.” Beddington, the famous forger and cracks-
“We must wire to Mawson’s.” man, who, with his brother, had only re-
cently emerged from a five years’ spell of
“They shut at twelve on Saturdays.” penal servitude. By some means, which are
“Never mind. There may be some door-keeper not yet clear, he succeeded in winning, un-
or attendant—” der a false name, this official position in
the office, which he utilized in order to ob-
“Ah yes, they keep a permanent guard there on tain moulding of various locks, and a thor-
account of the value of the securities that they hold. ough knowledge of the position of the strong
I remember hearing it talked of in the City.” room and the safes.
“Very good; we shall wire to him, and see if all “It is customary at Mawson’s for the clerks
is well, and if a clerk of your name is working there. to leave at midday on Saturday. Sergeant
That is clear enough; but what is not so clear is why Tuson, of the City Police, was somewhat
at sight of us one of the rogues should instantly surprised, therefore to see a gentleman with
walk out of the room and hang himself.” a carpet bag come down the steps at twenty
“The paper!” croaked a voice behind us. The minutes past one. His suspicions being
man was sitting up, blanched and ghastly, with re- aroused, the sergeant followed the man, and
turning reason in his eyes, and hands which rubbed with the aid of Constable Pollack succeeded,
nervously at the broad red band which still encir- after a most desperate resistance, in arrest-
cled his throat. ing him. It was at once clear that a daring
and gigantic robbery had been committed.
“The paper! Of course!” yelled Holmes, in Nearly a hundred thousand pounds’ worth
a paroxysm of excitement. “Idiot that I was! I of American railway bonds, with a large
thought so must of our visit that the paper never amount of scrip in mines and other compa-
entered my head for an instant. To be sure, the nies, was discovered in the bag. On exam-
secret must be there.” He flattened it out upon the ining the premises the body of the unfortu-
table, and a cry of triumph burst from his lips. nate watchman was found doubled up and
“Look at this, Watson,” he cried. “It is a London pa- thrust into the largest of the safes, where it
per, an early edition of the Evening Standard. Here would not have been discovered until Mon-
is what we want. Look at the headlines: ‘Crime in day morning had it not been for the prompt
the City. Murder at Mawson & Williams’s. Gigantic action of Sergeant Tuson. The man’s skull
attempted Robbery. Capture of the Criminal.’ Here, had been shattered by a blow from a poker
Watson, we are all equally anxious to hear it, so delivered from behind. There could be no
kindly read it aloud to us.” doubt that Beddington had obtained en-
It appeared from its position in the paper to trance by pretending that he had left some-
have been the one event of importance in town, thing behind him, and having murdered the
and the account of it ran in this way: watchman, rapidly rifled the large safe, and
“A desperate attempt at robbery, culminat- then made off with his booty. His brother,
ing in the death of one man and the cap- who usually works with him, has not ap-
ture of the criminal, occurred this afternoon peared in this job as far as can at present be
in the City. For some time back Mawson ascertained, although the police are making
& Williams, the famous financial house, energetic inquiries as to his whereabouts.”
have been the guardians of securities which “Well, we may save the police some little trouble in
amount in the aggregate to a sum of con- that direction,” said Holmes, glancing at the hag-
siderably over a million sterling. So con- gard figure huddled up by the window. “Human
scious was the manager of the responsibility nature is a strange mixture, Watson. You see that
which devolved upon him in consequence even a villain and murderer can inspire such af-
of the great interests at stake that safes of fection that his brother turns to suicide when he
the very latest construction have been em- learns that his neck is forfeited. However, we have
ployed, and an armed watchman has been no choice as to our action. The doctor and I will
left day and night in the building. It ap- remain on guard, Mr. Pycroft, if you will have the
pears that last week a new clerk named Hall 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 “It was a prosaic way of forming a friendship,
Sherlock Holmes, as we sat one winter’s but it was effective. I was laid by the heels for ten
night on either side of the fire, “which days, but Trevor used to come in to inquire after me.
I really think, Watson, that it would be At first it was only a minute’s chat, but soon his vis-
worth your while to glance over. These are the doc- its lengthened, and before the end of the term we
uments in the extraordinary case of the Gloria Scott, were close friends. He was a hearty, full-blooded
and this is the message which struck Justice of the fellow, full of spirits and energy, the very opposite
Peace Trevor dead with horror when he read it.” to me in most respects, but we had some subjects in
He had picked from a drawer a little tarnished common, and it was a bond of union when I found
cylinder, and, undoing the tape, he handed me that he was as friendless as I. Finally, he invited
a short note scrawled upon a half-sheet of slate me down to his father’s place at Donnithorpe, in
gray-paper. Norfolk, and I accepted his hospitality for a month
of the long vacation.
“The supply of game for London is going
steadily up,” it ran. “Head-keeper Hudson, we be- “Old Trevor was evidently a man of some
lieve, has been now told to receive all orders for fly- wealth and consideration, a J.P., and a landed pro-
paper and for preservation of your hen-pheasant’s prietor. Donnithorpe is a little hamlet just to the
life.” north of Langmere, in the country of the Broads.
As I glanced up from reading this enigmatical The house was an old-fashioned, wide-spread, oak-
message, I saw Holmes chuckling at the expression beamed brick building, with a fine lime-lined av-
upon my face. enue leading up to it. There was excellent wild-
duck shooting in the fens, remarkably good fishing,
“You look a little bewildered,” said he.
a small but select library, taken over, as I under-
“I cannot see how such a message as this could stood, from a former occupant, and a tolerable
inspire horror. It seems to me to be rather grotesque cook, so that he would be a fastidious man who
than otherwise.” could not put in a pleasant month there.
“Very likely. Yet the fact remains that the reader,
“Trevor senior was a widower, and my friend
who was a fine, robust old man, was knocked clean
his only son.
down by it as if it had been the butt end of a pistol.”
“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
was a man of little culture, but with a consider-
“Because it was the first in which I was ever
able amount of rude strength, both physically and
engaged.”
mentally. He knew hardly any books, but he had
I had often endeavored to elicit from my com- traveled far, had seen much of the world. And had
panion what had first turned his mind in the di- remembered all that he had learned. In person he
rection of criminal research, but had never caught was a thick-set, burly man with a shock of grizzled
him before in a communicative humor. Now he hair, a brown, weather-beaten face, and blue eyes
sat forward in his arm-chair and spread out the which were keen to the verge of fierceness. Yet he
documents upon his knees. Then he lit his pipe had a reputation for kindness and charity on the
and sat for some time smoking and turning them country-side, and was noted for the leniency of his
over. sentences from the bench.
“You never heard me talk of Victor Trevor?” he
“One evening, shortly after my arrival, we were
asked. “He was the only friend I made during
sitting over a glass of port after dinner, when young
the two years I was at college. I was never a very
Trevor began to talk about those habits of observa-
sociable fellow, Watson, always rather fond of mop-
tion and inference which I had already formed into
ing in my rooms and working out my own little
a system, although I had not yet appreciated the
methods of thought, so that I never mixed much
part which they were to play in my life. The old
with the men of my year. Bar fencing and boxing I
man evidently thought that his son was exagger-
had few athletic tastes, and then my line of study
ating in his description of one or two trivial feats
was quite distinct from that of the other fellows, so
which I had performed.
that we had no points of contact at all. Trevor was
the only man I knew, and that only through the “ ‘Come, now, Mr. Holmes,’ said he, laughing
accident of his bull terrier freezing on to my ankle good-humoredly. ‘I’m an excellent subject, if you
one morning as I went down to chapel. can deduce anything from me.’

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 The “Gloria Scott”

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

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 The “Gloria Scott”

“ ‘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 a long vacation. I went up to my London rooms,
cringing manner and a shambling style of walking. where I spent seven weeks working out a few ex-
He wore an open jacket, with a splotch of tar on periments in organic chemistry. One day, however,
the sleeve, a red-and-black check shirt, dungaree when the autumn was far advanced and the vaca-
trousers, and heavy boots badly worn. His face was tion drawing to a close, I received a telegram from
thin and brown and crafty, with a perpetual smile my friend imploring me to return to Donnithorpe,
upon it, which showed an irregular line of yellow and saying that he was in great need of my advice
teeth, and his crinkled hands were half closed in a and assistance. Of course I dropped everything and
way that is distinctive of sailors. As he came slouch- set out for the North once more.
ing across the lawn I heard Mr. Trevor make a sort “He met me with the dog-cart at the station, and
of hiccoughing noise in his throat, and jumping out I saw at a glance that the last two months had been
of his chair, he ran into the house. He was back in very trying ones for him. He had grown thin and
a moment, and I smelt a strong reek of brandy as careworn, and had lost the loud, cheery manner for
he passed me. 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
thirty year and more since I saw you last. Here “ ‘Ah, that is the point. Jump in and we can talk
you are in your house, and me still picking my salt it over while we drive. You remember that fellow
meat out of the harness cask.’ who came upon the evening before you left us?’
“ ‘Tut, you will find that I have not forgotten old “ ‘Perfectly.’
times,’ cried Mr. Trevor, and, walking towards the “ ‘Do you know who it was that we let into the
sailor, he said something in a low voice. ‘Go into house that day?’
the kitchen,’ he continued out loud, ‘and you will “ ‘I have no idea.’
get food and drink. I have no doubt that I shall
“ ‘It was the devil, Holmes,’ he cried.
find you a situation.’
“I stared at him in astonishment.
“ ‘Thank you, sir,’ said the seaman, touching his
fore-lock. ‘I’m just off a two-yearer in an eight-knot “ ‘Yes, it was the devil himself. We have not had
tramp, short-handed at that, and I wants a rest. I a peaceful hour since—not one. The governor has
thought I’d get it either with Mr. Beddoes or with never held up his head from that evening, and now
you.’ the life has been crushed out of him and his heart
broken, all through this accursed Hudson.’
“ ‘Ah!’ cried Trevor. ‘You know where Mr. Bed-
does is?’ “ ‘What power had he, then?’
“ ‘Bless you, sir, I know where all my old friends “ ‘Ah, that is what I would give so much to
are,’ said the fellow with a sinister smile, and he know. The kindly, charitable, good old gover-
slouched off after the maid to the kitchen. Mr. nor—how could he have fallen into the clutches
Trevor mumbled something to us about having of such a ruffian! But I am so glad that you have
been shipmate with the man when he was going come, Holmes. I trust very much to your judgment
back to the diggings, and then, leaving us on the and discretion, and I know that you will advise me
lawn, he went indoors. An hour later, when we for the best.’
entered the house, we found him stretched dead “We were dashing along the smooth white coun-
drunk upon the dining-room sofa. The whole in- try road, with the long stretch of the Broads in front
cident left a most ugly impression upon my mind, of us glimmering in the red light of the setting sun.
and I was not sorry next day to leave Donnithorpe From a grove upon our left I could already see the

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 The “Gloria Scott”

high chimneys and the flag-staff which marked the “ ‘ “Victor, you will acknowledge that you have
squire’s dwelling. used this worthy fellow rather roughly,” said the
“ ‘My father made the fellow gardener,’ said my dad, turning to me.
companion, ‘and then, as that did not satisfy him, “ ‘ “On the contrary, I think that we have both
he was promoted to be butler. The house seemed shown extraordinary patience towards him,” I an-
to be at his mercy, and he wandered about and swered.
did what he chose in it. The maids complained of “ ‘ “Oh, you do, do you?” he snarls. “Very good,
his drunken habits and his vile language. The dad mate. We’ll see about that!”
raised their wages all round to recompense them “ ‘He slouched out of the room, and half an
for the annoyance. The fellow would take the boat hour afterwards left the house, leaving my father
and my father’s best gun and treat himself to little in a state of pitiable nervousness. Night after night
shooting trips. And all this with such a sneering, I heard him pacing his room, and it was just as he
leering, insolent face that I would have knocked was recovering his confidence that the blow did at
him down twenty times over if he had been a man last fall.’
of my own age. I tell you, Holmes, I have had to “ ‘And how?’ I asked eagerly.
keep a tight hold upon myself all this time; and
“ ‘In a most extraordinary fashion. A letter
now I am asking myself whether, if I had let myself
arrived for my father yesterday evening, bearing
go a little more, I might not have been a wiser man.
the Fordingbridge post-mark. My father read it,
“ ‘Well, matters went from bad to worse with us, clapped both his hands to his head, and began run-
and this animal Hudson became more and more ning round the room in little circles like a man who
intrusive, until at last, on making some insolent has been driven out of his senses. When I at last
reply to my father in my presence one day, I took drew him down on to the sofa, his mouth and eye-
him by the shoulders and turned him out of the lids were all puckered on one side, and I saw that
room. He slunk away with a livid face and two he had a stroke. Dr. Fordham came over at once.
venomous eyes which uttered more threats than We put him to bed; but the paralysis has spread, he
his tongue could do. I don’t know what passed has shown no sign of returning consciousness, and
between the poor dad and him after that, but the I think that we shall hardly find him alive.’
dad came to me next day and asked me whether “ ‘You horrify me, Trevor!’ I cried. ‘What then
I would mind apologizing to Hudson. I refused, could have been in this letter to cause so dreadful
as you can imagine, and asked my father how he a result?’
could allow such a wretch to take such liberties
“ ‘Nothing. There lies the inexplicable part of it.
with himself and his household.
The message was absurd and trivial. Ah, my God,
“ ‘ “Ah, my boy,” said he, “it is all very well to it is as I feared!’
talk, but you don’t know how I am placed. But “As he spoke we came round the curve of the
you shall know, Victor. I’ll see that you shall know, avenue, and saw in the fading light that every blind
come what may. You wouldn’t believe harm of in the house had been drawn down. As we dashed
your poor old father, would you, lad?” He was very up to the door, my friend’s face convulsed with
much moved, and shut himself up in the study all grief, a gentleman in black emerged from it.
day, where I could see through the window that he
“ ‘When did it happen, doctor?’ asked Trevor.
was writing busily.
“ ‘Almost immediately after you left.’
“ ‘That evening there came what seemed to me “ ‘Did he recover consciousness?’
to be a grand release, for Hudson told us that he
“ ‘For an instant before the end.’
was going to leave us. He walked into the dining-
room as we sat after dinner, and announced his “ ‘Any message for me?’
intention in the thick voice of a half-drunken man. “ ‘Only that the papers were in the back drawer
of the Japanese cabinet.’
“ ‘ “I’ve had enough of Norfolk,” said he. “I’ll
run down to Mr. Beddoes in Hampshire. He’ll be “My friend ascended with the doctor to the
as glad to see me as you were, I dare say.” chamber of death, while I remained in the study,
turning the whole matter over and over in my head,
“ ‘ “You’re not going away in any kind of spirit, and feeling as sombre as ever I had done in my life.
Hudson, I hope,” said my father, with a tameness What was the past of this Trevor, pugilist, traveler,
which mad my blood boil. and gold-digger, and how had he placed himself
“ ‘ “I’ve not had my ’pology,” said he sulkily, in the power of this acid-faced seaman? Why, too,
glancing in my direction. should he faint at an allusion to the half-effaced

320
 The “Gloria Scott”

initials upon his arm, and die of fright when he had “Victor Trevor sank his face into his shaking
a letter from Fordingham? Then I remembered that hands, ‘It must be that, I suppose,’ said he. “This
Fordingham was in Hampshire, and that this Mr. is worse than death, for it means disgrace as well.
Beddoes, whom the seaman had gone to visit and But what is the meaning of these “head-keepers”
presumably to blackmail, had also been mentioned and “hen-pheasants”?
as living in Hampshire. The letter, then, might ei- “ ‘It means nothing to the message, but it might
ther come from Hudson, the seaman, saying that mean a good deal to us if we had no other means
he had betrayed the guilty secret which appeared of discovering the sender. You see that he has be-
to exist, or it might come from Beddoes, warning gun by writing “The . . . game . . . is,” and so on.
an old confederate that such a betrayal was im- Afterwards he had, to fulfill the prearranged cipher,
minent. So far it seemed clear enough. But then to fill in any two words in each space. He would
how could this letter be trivial and grotesque, as naturally use the first words which came to his
described by the son? He must have misread it. If mind, and if there were so many which referred to
so, it must have been one of those ingenious secret sport among them, you may be tolerably sure that
codes which mean one thing while they seem to he is either an ardent shot or interested in breeding.
mean another. I must see this letter. If there were a Do you know anything of this Beddoes?’
hidden meaning in it, I was confident that I could
“ ‘Why, now that you mention it,’ said he, ‘I
pluck it forth. For an hour I sat pondering over it
remember that my poor father used to have an in-
in the gloom, until at last a weeping maid brought
vitation from him to shoot over his preserves every
in a lamp, and close at her heels came my friend
autumn.’
Trevor, pale but composed, with these very papers
which lie upon my knee held in his grasp. He sat “ ‘Then it is undoubtedly from him that the note
down opposite to me, drew the lamp to the edge comes,’ said I. ‘It only remains for us to find out
of the table, and handed me a short note scribbled, what this secret was which the sailor Hudson seems
as you see, upon a single sheet of gray paper. ‘The to have held over the heads of these two wealthy
supply of game for London is going steadily up,’ and respected men.’
it ran. ‘Head-keeper Hudson, we believe, has been “ ‘Alas, Holmes, I fear that it is one of sin and
now told to receive all orders for fly-paper and for shame!’ cried my friend. ‘But from you I shall have
preservation 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 as the Japanese cabinet, as he told the doctor. Take it
I had thought, and some secret meaning must lie and read it to me, for I have neither the strength
buried in this strange combination of words. Or nor the courage to do it myself.’
could it be that there was a prearranged significance “These are the very papers, Watson, which he
to such phrases as ‘fly-paper’ and ‘hen-pheasant’? handed to me, and I will read them to you, as I
Such a meaning would be arbitrary and could not read them in the old study that night to him. They
be deduced in any way. And yet I was loath to are endorsed outside, as you see, ‘Some particu-
believe that this was the case, and the presence of lars of the voyage of the bark Gloria Scott, from her
the word Hudson seemed to show that the subject leaving Falmouth on the 8th October, 1855, to her
of the message was as I had guessed, and that it destruction in N. Lat. 15◦ 20’, W. Long. 25◦ 14’ on
was from Beddoes rather than the sailor. I tried Nov. 6th.’ It is in the form of a letter, and runs in
it backwards, but the combination ‘life pheasant’s this way:
hen’ was not encouraging. Then I tried alternate “ ‘My dear, dear son, now that approaching dis-
words, but neither ‘the of for’ nor ‘supply game grace begins to darken the closing years of my life,
London’ promised to throw any light upon it. I can write with all truth and honesty that it is not
“And then in an instant the key of the riddle the terror of the law, it is not the loss of my position
was in my hands, and I saw that every third word, in the county, nor is it my fall in the eyes of all
beginning with the first, would give a message who have known me, which cuts me to the heart;
which might well drive old Trevor to despair. but it is the thought that you should come to blush
for me—you who love me and who have seldom,
“It was short and terse, the warning, as I now I hope, had reason to do other than respect me.
read it to my companion: But if the blow falls which is forever hanging over
“ ‘The game is up. Hudson has told all. Fly for me, then I should wish you to read this, that you
your life.’ may know straight from me how far I have been

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 The “Gloria Scott”

to blame. On the other hand, if all should go well convict-ships, were quite thin and frail. The man
(which may kind God Almighty grant!), then if by next to me, upon the aft side, was one whom I
any chance this paper should be still undestroyed had particularly noticed when we were led down
and should fall into your hands, I conjure you, by the quay. He was a young man with a clear, hair-
all you hold sacred, by the memory of your dear less face, a long, thin nose, and rather nut-cracker
mother, and by the love which had been between jaws. He carried his head very jauntily in the air,
us, to hurl it into the fire and to never give one had a swaggering style of walking, and was, above
thought to it again. all else, remarkable for his extraordinary height. I
“ ‘If then your eye goes onto read this line, I don’t think any of our heads would have come up
know that I shall already have been exposed and to his shoulder, and I am sure that he could not
dragged from my home, or as is more likely, for have measured less than six and a half feet. It was
you know that my heart is weak, by lying with my strange among so many sad and weary faces to see
tongue sealed forever in death. In either case the one which was full of energy and resolution. The
time for suppression is past, and every word which sight of it was to me like a fire in a snow-storm. I
I tell you is the naked truth, and this I swear as I was glad, then, to find that he was my neighbor,
hope for mercy. 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 he
Armitage in my younger days, and you can un- had managed to cut an opening in the board which
derstand now the shock that it was to me a few 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 entered “ ‘I answered him, and asked in turn who I was
a London banking-house, and as Armitage I was talking with.
convicted of breaking my country’s laws, and was
“ ‘ “I’m Jack Prendergast,” said he, “and by God!
sentenced to transportation. Do not think very
You’ll learn to bless my name before you’ve done
harshly of me, laddie. It was a debt of honor, so
with me.”
called, which I had to pay, and I used money which
was not my own to do it, in the certainty that I “ ‘I remembered hearing of his case, for it
could replace it before there could be any possi- was one which had made an immense sensation
bility of its being missed. But the most dreadful throughout the country some time before my own
ill-luck pursued me. The money which I had reck- arrest. He was a man of good family and of great
oned upon never came to hand, and a premature ability, but of incurably vicious habits, who had, by
examination of accounts exposed my deficit. The an ingenious system of fraud, obtained huge sums
case might have been dealt leniently with, but the of money from the leading London merchants.
laws were more harshly administered thirty years “ ‘ “Ha, ha! You remember my case!” said he
ago than now, and on my twenty-third birthday I proudly.
found myself chained as a felon with thirty-seven “ ‘ “Very well, indeed.”
other convicts in ’tween-decks of the bark Gloria “ ‘ “Then maybe you remember something queer
Scott, bound for Australia. about it?”
“ ‘It was the year ’55 when the Crimean war
“ ‘ “What was that, then?”
was at its height, and the old convict ships had
been largely used as transports in the Black Sea. “ ‘ “I’d had nearly a quarter of a million, hadn’t
The government was compelled, therefore, to use I?”
smaller and less suitable vessels for sending out “ ‘ “So it was said.”
their prisoners. The Gloria Scott had been in the “ ‘ “But none was recovered, eh?”
Chinese tea-trade, but she was an old-fashioned,
“ ‘ “No.”
heavy-bowed, broad-beamed craft, and the new
clippers had cut her out. She was a five-hundred- “ ‘ “Well, where d’ye suppose the balance is?”
ton boat; and besides her thirty-eight jail-birds, she he asked.
carried twenty-six of a crew, eighteen soldiers, a “ ‘ “I have no idea,” said I.
captain, three mates, a doctor, a chaplain, and four “ ‘ “Right between my finger and thumb,” he
warders. Nearly a hundred souls were in her, all cried. “By God! I’ve got more pounds to my name
told, when we set sail from Falmouth. than you’ve hairs on your head. And if you’ve
“ ‘The partitions between the cells of the con- money, my son, and know how to handle it and
victs, instead of being of thick oak, as is usual in spread it, you can do anything. Now, you don’t

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think it likely that a man who could do anything is for the job. The sham chaplain came into our cells
going to wear his breeches out sitting in the stink- to exhort us, carrying a black bag, supposed to be
ing hold of a rat-gutted, beetle-ridden, mouldy old full of tracts, and so often did he come that by the
coffin of a Chin China coaster. No, sir, such a man third day we had each stowed away at the foot of
will look after himself and will look after his chums. our beds a file, a brace of pistols, a pound of pow-
You may lay to that! You hold on to him, and you der, and twenty slugs. Two of the warders were
may kiss the book that he’ll haul you through.” agents of Prendergast, and the second mate was
“ ‘That was his style of talk, and at first I thought his right-hand man. The captain, the two mates,
it meant nothing; but after a while, when he had two warders Lieutenant Martin, his eighteen sol-
tested me and sworn me in with all possible solem- diers, and the doctor were all that we had against
nity, he let me understand that there really was a us. Yet, safe as it was, we determined to neglect
plot to gain command of the vessel. A dozen of the no precaution, and to make our attack suddenly
prisoners had hatched it before they came aboard, by night. It came, however, more quickly than we
Prendergast was the leader, and his money was the expected, and in this way.
motive power. “ ‘One evening, about the third week after our
“ ‘ “I’d a partner,” said he, “a rare good man, as start, the doctor had come down to see one of the
true as a stock to a barrel. He’s got the dibbs, he prisoners who was ill, and putting his hand down
has, and where do you think he is at this moment? on the bottom of his bunk he felt the outline of the
Why, he’s the chaplain of this ship—the chaplain, pistols. If he had been silent he might have blown
no less! He came aboard with a black coat, and his the whole thing, but he was a nervous little chap,
papers right, and money enough in his box to buy so he gave a cry of surprise and turned so pale that
the thing right up from keel to main-truck. The the man knew what was up in an instant and seized
crew are his, body and soul. He could buy ’em at him. He was gagged before he could give the alarm,
so much a gross with a cash discount, and he did and tied down upon the bed. He had unlocked the
it before ever they signed on. He’s got two of the door that led to the deck, and we were through it
warders and Mercer, the second mate, and he’d get in a rush. The two sentries were shot down, and so
the captain himself, if he thought him worth it.” was a corporal who came running to see what was
the matter. There were two more soldiers at the
“ ‘ “What are we to do, then?” I asked. door of the state-room, and their muskets seemed
“ ‘ “What do you think?” said he. “We’ll make not to be loaded, for they never fired upon us, and
the coats of some of these soldiers redder than ever they were shot while trying to fix their bayonets.
the tailor did.” Then we rushed on into the captain’s cabin, but
“ ‘ “But they are armed,” said I. as we pushed open the door there was an explo-
sion from within, and there he lay with his brains
“ ‘ “And so shall we be, my boy. There’s a brace smeared over the chart of the Atlantic which was
of pistols for every mother’s son of us, and if we pinned upon the table, while the chaplain stood
can’t carry this ship, with the crew at our back, it’s with a smoking pistol in his hand at his elbow. The
time we were all sent to a young misses’ boarding- two mates had both been seized by the crew, and
school. You speak to your mate upon the left to- the whole business seemed to be settled.
night, and see if he is to be trusted.”
“ ‘The state-room was next the cabin, and we
“ ‘I did so, and found my other neighbor to be flocked in there and flopped down on the settees,
a young fellow in much the same position as my- all speaking together, for we were just mad with
self, whose crime had been forgery. His name was the feeling that we were free once more. There were
Evans, but he afterwards changed it, like myself, lockers all round, and Wilson, the sham chaplain,
and he is now a rich and prosperous man in the knocked one of them in, and pulled out a dozen of
south of England. He was ready enough to join the brown sherry. We cracked off the necks of the bot-
conspiracy, as the only means of saving ourselves, tles, poured the stuff out into tumblers, and were
and before we had crossed the Bay there were only just tossing them off, when in an instant without
two of the prisoners who were not in the secret. warning there came the roar of muskets in our ears,
One of these was of weak mind, and we did not and the saloon was so full of smoke that we could
dare to trust him, and the other was suffering from not see across the table. When it cleared again
jaundice, and could not be of any use to us. the place was a shambles. Wilson and eight oth-
“ ‘From the beginning there was really nothing ers were wriggling on the top of each other on the
to prevent us from taking possession of the ship. floor, and the blood and the brown sherry on that
The crew were a set of ruffians, specially picked table turn me sick now when I think of it. We were

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so cowed by the sight that I think we should have Verds were about five hundred miles to the north
given the job up if had not been for Prendergast. of us, and the African coast about seven hundred
He bellowed like a bull and rushed for the door to the east. On the whole, as the wind was coming
with all that were left alive at his heels. Out we ran, round to the north, we thought that Sierra Leone
and there on the poop were the lieutenent and ten might be best, and turned our head in that direc-
of his men. The swing skylights above the saloon tion, the bark being at that time nearly hull down
table had been a bit open, and they had fired on us on our starboard quarter. Suddenly as we looked at
through the slit. We got on them before they could her we saw a dense black cloud of smoke shoot up
load, and they stood to it like men; but we had the from her, which hung like a monstrous tree upon
upper hand of them, and in five minutes it was all the sky line. A few seconds later a roar like thun-
over. My God! Was there ever a slaughter-house der burst upon our ears, and as the smoke thinned
like that ship! Predergast was like a raging devil, away there was no sign left of the Gloria Scott. In an
and he picked the soldiers up as if they had been instant we swept the boat’s head round again and
children and threw them overboard alive or dead. pulled with all our strength for the place where the
There was one sergeant that was horribly wounded haze still trailing over the water marked the scene
and yet kept on swimming for a surprising time, of this catastrophe.
until some one in mercy blew out his brains. When “ ‘It was a long hour before we reached it, and
the fighting was over there was no one left of our at first we feared that we had come too late to save
enemies except just the warders, the mates, and the any one. A splintered boat and a number of crates
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
were being killed in cold blood. Eight of us, five of the name of Hudson, who was so burned and
convicts and three sailors, said that we would not exhausted 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 a five remaining prisoners. The two warders had
witness-box. It nearly came to our sharing the fate been shot and thrown overboard, and so also had
of the prisoners, but at last he said that if we wished the third mate. Prendergast then descended into
we might take a boat and go. We jumped at the the ’tween-decks and with his own hands cut the
offer, for we were already sick of these blookthirsty throat of the unfortunate surgeon. There only re-
doings, and we saw that there would be worse be- mained the first mate, who was a bold and active
fore it was done. We were given a suit of sailor togs man. When he saw the convict approaching him
each, a barrel of water, two casks, one of junk and with the bloody knife in his hand he kicked off
one of biscuits, and a compass. Prendergast threw his bonds, which he had somehow contrived to
us over a chart, told us that we were shipwrecked loosen, and rushing down the deck he plunged
mariners whose ship had foundered in Lat. 15◦ and into the after-hold. A dozen convicts, who de-
Long. 25◦ west, and then cut the painter and let us scended with their pistols in search of him, found
go. him with a match-box in his hand seated beside an
“ ‘And now I come to the most surprising part open powder-barrel, which was one of a hundred
of my story, my dear son. The seamen had hauled carried on board, and swearing that he would blow
the fore-yard aback during the rising, but now as all hands up if he were in any way molested. An
we left them they brought it square again, and as instant later the explosion occurred, though Hud-
there was a light wind from the north and east the son thought it was caused by the misdirected bullet
bark began to draw slowly away from us. Our boat of one of the convicts rather than the mate’s match.
lay, rising and falling, upon the long, smooth rollers, Be the cause what I may, it was the end of the Gloria
and Evans and I, who were the most educated of Scott and of the rabble who held command of her.
the party, were sitting in the sheets working out “ ‘Such, in a few words, my dear boy, is the
our position and planning what coast we should history of this terrible business in which I was in-
make for. It was a nice question, for the Cape de volved. Next day we were picked up by the brig

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Hotspur, bound for Australia, whose captain found to be hardly legible, ‘Beddoes writes in cipher to
no difficulty in believing that we were the survivors say H. has told all. Sweet Lord, have mercy on our
of a passenger ship which had foundered. The souls!’
transport ship Gloria Scott was set down by the Ad-
miralty as being lost at sea, and no word has ever “That was the narrative which I read that night
leaked out as to her true fate. After an excellent voy- to young Trevor, and I think, Watson, that under
age the Hotspur landed us at Sydney, where Evans the circumstances it was a dramatic one. The good
and I changed our names and made our way to fellow was heart-broken at it, and went out to the
the diggings, where, among the crowds who were Terai tea planting, where I hear that he is doing
gathered from all nations, we had no difficulty in well. As to the sailor and Beddoes, neither of them
losing our former identities. The rest I need not was ever heard of again after that day on which
relate. We prospered, we traveled, we came back as the letter of warning was written. They both disap-
rich colonials to England, and we bought country peared utterly and completely. No complaint had
estates. For more than twenty years we have led been lodged with the police, so that Beddoes had
peaceful and useful lives, and we hoped that our mistaken a threat for a deed. Hudson had been
past was forever buried. Imagine, then, my feelings seen lurking about, and it was believed by the po-
when in the seaman who came to us I recognized lice that he had done away with Beddoes and had
instantly the man who had been picked off the fled. For myself I believe that the truth was exactly
wreck. He had tracked us down somehow, and the opposite. I think that it is most probable that
had set himself to live upon our fears. You will Beddoes, pushed to desperation and believing him-
understand now how it was that I strove to keep self to have been already betrayed, had revenged
the peace with him, and you will in some measure himself upon Hudson, and had fled from the coun-
sympathize with me in the fears which fill me, now try with as much money as he could lay his hands
that he has gone from me to his other victim with on. Those are the facts of the case, Doctor, and if
threats upon his tongue.’ they are of any use to your collection, I am sure
“Underneath is written in a hand so shaky as that they are very heartily at your service.”

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The Musgrave Ritual
A
The Musgrave Ritual

n anomaly which often struck me in the middle of the floor and, squatting down upon a
character of my friend Sherlock Holmes stool in front of it, he threw back the lid. I could
was that, although in his methods of see that it was already a third full of bundles of
thought he was the neatest and most me- paper tied up with red tape into separate packages.
thodical of mankind, and although also he affected “There are cases enough here, Watson,” said he,
a certain quiet primness of dress, he was none looking at me with mischievous eyes. “I think that
the less in his personal habits one of the most un- if you knew all that I had in this box you would
tidy men that ever drove a fellow-lodger to distrac- ask me to pull some out instead of putting others
tion. Not that I am in the least conventional in in.”
that respect myself. The rough-and-tumble work “These are the records of your early work,
in Afghanistan, coming on the top of a natural then?” I asked. “I have often wished that I had
Bohemianism of disposition, has made me rather notes of those cases.”
more lax than befits a medical man. But with me
“Yes, my boy, these were all done prematurely
there is a limit, and when I find a man who keeps
before my biographer had come to glorify me.” He
his cigars in the coal-scuttle, his tobacco in the toe
lifted bundle after bundle in a tender, caressing
end of a Persian slipper, and his unanswered corre-
sort of way. “They are not all successes, Watson,”
spondence transfixed by a jack-knife into the very
said he. “But there are some pretty little problems
centre of his wooden mantelpiece, then I begin to
among them. Here’s the record of the Tarleton mur-
give myself virtuous airs. I have always held, too,
ders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant,
that pistol practice should be distinctly an open-air
and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and
pastime; and when Holmes, in one of his queer
the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well
humors, would sit in an arm-chair with his hair-
as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his
trigger and a hundred Boxer cartridges, and pro-
abominable wife. And here—ah, now, this really is
ceed to adorn the opposite wall with a patriotic V.
something a little recherché.”
R. done in bullet-pocks, I felt strongly that neither
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 a
sliding lid, such as children’s toys are kept in. From
Our chambers were always full of chemicals and within he produced a crumpled piece of paper, an
of criminal relics which had a way of wandering old-fashioned brass key, a peg of wood with a ball
into unlikely positions, and of turning up in the of string attached to it, and three rusty old disks of
butter-dish or in even less desirable places. But his metal.
papers were my great crux. He had a horror of “Well, my boy, what do you make of this lot?”
destroying documents, especially those which were he asked, smiling at my expression.
connected with his past cases, and yet it was only
“It is a curious collection.”
once in every year or two that he would muster en-
ergy to docket and arrange them; for, as I have men- “Very curious, and the story that hangs round
tioned somewhere in these incoherent memoirs, the it will strike you as being more curious still.”
outbursts of passionate energy when he performed “These relics have a history then?”
the remarkable feats with which his name is associ- “So much so that they are history.”
ated were followed by reactions of lethargy during “What do you mean by that?”
which he would lie about with his violin and his
Sherlock Holmes picked them up one by one,
books, hardly moving save from the sofa to the
and laid them along the edge of the table. Then he
table. Thus month after month his papers accumu-
reseated himself in his chair and looked them over
lated, until every corner of the room was stacked
with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.
with bundles of manuscript which were on no ac-
count to be burned, and which could not be put “These,” said he, “are all that I have left to re-
away save by their owner. One winter’s night, as mind me of the adventure of the Musgrave Ritual.”
we sat together by the fire, I ventured to suggest to I had heard him mention the case more than
him that, as he had finished pasting extracts into once, though I had never been able to gather the
his common-place book, he might employ the next details. “I should be so glad,” said I, “if you would
two hours in making our room a little more habit- give me an account of it.”
able. He could not deny the justice of my request, “And leave the litter as it is?“ he cried, mis-
so with a rather rueful face he went off to his bed- chievously. “Your tidiness won’t bear much strain
room, from which he returned presently pulling after all, Watson. But I should be glad that you
a large tin box behind him. This he placed in the should add this case to your annals, for there are

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 The Musgrave Ritual

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

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

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

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 The Musgrave Ritual

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

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 The Musgrave Ritual

one only, and that if I could read the Musgrave Rit- “ ‘When my old tutor used to give me an exer-
ual aright I should hold in my hand the clue which cise in trigonometry, it always took the shape of
would lead me to the truth concerning both the measuring heights. When I was a lad I worked out
butler Brunton and the maid Howells. To that then every tree and building in the estate.’
I turned all my energies. Why should this servant “This was an unexpected piece of luck. My
be so anxious to master this old formula? Evidently data were coming more quickly than I could have
because he saw something in it which had escaped reasonably hoped.
all those generations of country squires, and from
which he expected some personal advantage. What “ ‘Tell me,’ I asked, ‘did your butler ever ask
was it then, and how had it affected his fate? you such a question?’
“Reginald Musgrave looked at me in astonish-
“It was perfectly obvious to me, on reading the
ment. ‘Now that you call it to my mind,’ he an-
ritual, that the measurements must refer to some
swered, ‘Brunton did ask me about the height of
spot to which the rest of the document alluded,
the tree some months ago, in connection with some
and that if we could find that spot, we should be
little argument with the groom.’
in a fair way towards finding what the secret was
which the old Musgraves had thought it necessary “This was excellent news, Watson, for it showed
to embalm in so curious a fashion. There were me that I was on the right road. I looked up at the
two guides given us to start with, an oak and an sun. It was low in the heavens, and I calculated
elm. As to the oak there could be no question at all. that in less than an hour it would lie just above the
Right in front of the house, upon the left-hand side topmost branches of the old oak. One condition
of the drive, there stood a patriarch among oaks, mentioned in the Ritual would then be fulfilled.
one of the most magnificent trees that I have ever And the shadow of the elm must mean the farther
seen. end of the shadow, otherwise the trunk would have
been chosen as the guide. I had, then, to find where
“ ‘That was there when your ritual was drawn
the far end of the shadow would fall when the sun
up,’ said I, as we drove past it.
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.
“ ‘Have you any old elms?’ I asked. I went with Musgrave to his study and whittled
“ ‘There used to be a very old one over yonder myself this peg, to which I tied this long string
but it was struck by lightning ten years ago, and with a knot at each yard. Then I took two lengths
we cut down the stump,’ of a fishing-rod, which came to just six feet, and
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.
“ ‘Oh, yes.’ I fastened the rod on end, marked out the direction
of the shadow, and measured it. It was nine feet in
“ ‘There are no other elms?’
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
“We had driven up in a dogcart, and my client tree of sixty-four feet would throw one of ninety-
led me away at once, without our entering the six, and the line of the one would of course be
house, to the scar on the lawn where the elm had the line of the other. I measured out the distance,
stood. It was nearly midway between the oak and which brought me almost to the wall of the house,
the house. My investigation seemed to be progress- and I thrust a peg into the spot. You can imagine
ing. my exultation, Watson, when within two inches of
my peg I saw a conical depression in the ground. I
“ ‘I suppose it is impossible to find out how high
knew that it was the mark made by Brunton in his
the elm was?’ I asked.
measurements, and that I was still upon his trail.
“ ‘I can give you it at once. It was sixty-four “From this starting-point I proceeded to step,
feet.’ having first taken the cardinal points by my pocket-
“ ‘How do you come to know it?’ I asked, in compass. Ten steps with each foot took me along
surprise. parallel with the wall of the house, and again I

334
 The Musgrave Ritual

marked my spot with a peg. Then I carefully paced “A small chamber about seven feet deep and
off five to the east and two to the south. It brought four feet square lay open to us. At one side of
me to the very threshold of the old door. Two steps this was a squat, brass-bound wooden box, the lid
to the west meant now that I was to go two paces of which was hinged upwards, with this curious
down the stone-flagged passage, and this was the old-fashioned key projecting from the lock. It was
place indicated by the Ritual. furred outside by a thick layer of dust, and damp
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 it 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-
worn gray stones with which it was paved were “At the moment, however, we had no thought
firmly cemented together, and had certainly not for the old chest, for our eyes were riveted upon
been moved for many a long year. Brunton had that which crouched beside it. It was the figure
not been at work here. I tapped upon the floor, of a man, clad in a suit of black, who squatted
but it sounded the same all over, and there was no down upon his hams with his forehead sunk upon
sign of any crack or crevice. But fortunately, Mus- the edge of the box and his two arms thrown out
grave, who had begun to appreciate the meaning on each side of it. The attitude had drawn all the
of my proceedings, and who was now as excited stagnant blood to the face, and no man could have
as myself, took out his manuscript to check my recognized that distorted liver-colored countenance;
calculation. but his height, his dress, and his hair were all suffi-
“ ‘And under,’ he cried. ‘You have omitted the cient to show my client, when we had drawn the
“and under.” ’ body up, that it was indeed his missing butler. He
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
“ ‘Yes, and as old as the house. Down here, with a problem which was almost as formidable as
through this door.’ that with which we had started.

“We went down a winding stone stair, and my “I confess that so far, Watson, I had been disap-
companion, striking a match, lit a large lantern pointed in my investigation. I had reckoned upon
which stood on a barrel in the corner. In an in- solving the matter when once I had found the place
stant it was obvious that we had at last come upon referred to in the Ritual; but now I was there, and
the true place, and that we had not been the only was apparently as far as ever from knowing what
people to visit the spot recently. it was which the family had concealed with such
elaborate precautions. It is true that I had thrown
“It had been used for the storage of wood, but a light upon the fate of Brunton, but now I had to
the billets, which had evidently been littered over ascertain how that fate had come upon him, and
the floor, were now piled at the sides, so as to leave what part had been played in the matter by the
a clear space in the middle. In this space lay a large woman who had disappeared. I sat down upon
and heavy flagstone with a rusted iron ring in the a keg in the corner and thought the whole matter
centre to which a thick shepherd’s-check muffler 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 police circumstances. In this case the matter was simpli-
were summoned to be present, and I then endeav- fied by Brunton’s intelligence being quite first-rate,
ored to raise the stone by pulling on the cravat. I so that it was unnecessary to make any allowance
could only move it slightly, and it was with the for the personal equation, as the astronomers have
aid of one of the constables that I succeeded at last dubbed it. He knew that something valuable was
in carrying it to one side. A black hole yawned concealed. He had spotted the place. He found that
beneath into which we all peered, while Musgrave, the stone which covered it was just too heavy for
kneeling at the side, pushed down the lantern. a man to move unaided. What would he do next?

335
 The Musgrave Ritual

He could not get help from outside, even if he had her ears ringing perhaps with the muffled screams
some one whom he could trust, without the unbar- from behind her and with the drumming of fren-
ring of doors and considerable risk of detection. It zied hands against the slab of stone which was
was better, if he could, to have his helpmate inside choking her faithless lover’s life out.
the house. But whom could he ask? This girl had “Here was the secret of her blanched face, her
been devoted to him. A man always finds it hard shaken nerves, her peals of hysterical laughter on
to realize that he may have finally lost a woman’s the next morning. But what had been in the box?
love, however badly he may have treated her. He What had she done with that? Of course, it must
would try by a few attentions to make his peace have been the old metal and pebbles which my
with the girl Howells, and then would engage her client had dragged from the mere. She had thrown
as his accomplice. Together they would come at them in there at the first opportunity to remove the
night to the cellar, and their united force would last trace of her crime.
suffice to raise the stone. So far I could follow their “For twenty minutes I had sat motionless, think-
actions as if I had actually seen them. ing the matter out. Musgrave still stood with a very
“But for two of them, and one a woman, it must pale face, swinging his lantern and peering down
have been heavy work the raising of that stone. A 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 “ ‘We may find something else of Charles the
came upon what I expected. One piece, about three First,’ I cried, as the probable meaning of the first
feet in length, had a very marked indentation at two question of the Ritual broke suddenly upon
one end, while several were flattened at the sides as me. ‘Let me see the contents of the bag which you
if they had been compressed by some considerable fished from the mere.’
weight. Evidently, as they had dragged the stone “We ascended to his study, and he laid the de-
up they had thrust the chunks of wood into the bris before me. I could understand his regarding
chink, until at last, when the opening was large it as of small importance when I looked at it, for
enough to crawl through, they would hold it open the metal was almost black and the stones lustre-
by a billet placed lengthwise, which might very less and dull. I rubbed one of them on my sleeve,
well become indented at the lower end, since the however, and it glowed afterwards like a spark in
whole weight of the stone would press it down on the dark hollow of my hand. The metal work was
to the edge of this other slab. So far I was still on in the form of a double ring, but it had been bent
safe ground. and twisted out of its original shape.
“And now how was I to proceed to reconstruct “ ‘You must bear in mind,’ said I, ‘that the royal
this midnight drama? Clearly, only one could fit party made head in England even after the death of
into the hole, and that one was Brunton. The girl the King, and that when they at last fled they prob-
must have waited above. Brunton then unlocked ably left many of their most precious possessions
the box, handed up the contents presumably—since buried behind them, with the intention of returning
they were not to be found—and then—and then for them in more peaceful times.’
what happened? “ ‘My ancestor, Sir Ralph Musgrave, was a
prominent Cavalier and the right-hand man of
“What smouldering fire of vengeance had sud-
Charles the Second in his wanderings,’ said my
denly sprung into flame in this passionate Celtic
friend.
woman’s soul when she saw the man who had
wronged her—wronged her, perhaps, far more than “ ‘Ah, indeed!’ I answered. ‘Well now, I think
we suspected—in her power? Was it a chance that that really should give us the last link that we
the wood had slipped, and that the stone had shut wanted. I must congratulate you on coming into
Brunton into what had become his sepulchre? Had the possession, though in rather a tragic manner, of
she only been guilty of silence as to his fate? Or a relic which is of great intrinsic value, but of even
had some sudden blow from her hand dashed the greater importance as an historical curiosity.’
support away and sent the slab crashing down into “ ‘What is it, then?’ he gasped in astonishment.
its place? Be that as it might, I seemed to see “ ‘It is nothing less than the ancient crown of
that woman’s figure still clutching at her treasure the kings of England.’
trove and flying wildly up the winding stair, with “ ‘The crown!’

336
 The Musgrave Ritual

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

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The Reigate Squires
I
The Reigate Squires

t was some time before the health of my found, as I had expected, that Holmes and he had
friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes recovered 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 take
intimately concerned with politics and finance to one of these pistols upstairs with me in case we
be fitting subjects for this series of sketches. They 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 “None as yet. But the affair is a pretty one,
I was in his sick-room, and was relieved to find one of our little country crimes, which must seem
that 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 ivory letter-weight, a small oak barometer, and a
the blackest depression. Even the knowledge that ball of twine are all that have vanished.”
he had succeeded where the police of three coun- “What an extraordinary assortment!” I ex-
tries had failed, and that he had outmanoeuvred claimed.
at every point the most accomplished swindler in “Oh, the fellows evidently grabbed hold of ev-
Europe, 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 of
together; but it was evident that my friend would 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 care Heaven’s sake don’t get started on a new problem
in Afghanistan, had now taken a house near Reigate when your nerves are all in shreds.”
in Surrey, and had frequently asked me to come Holmes shrugged his shoulders with a glance
down to him upon a visit. On the last occasion he of comic resignation towards the Colonel, and the
had remarked that if my friend would only come talk drifted away into less dangerous channels.
with me he would be glad to extend his hospitality It was destined, however, that all my profes-
to him also. A little diplomacy was needed, but sional caution should be wasted, for next morning
when Holmes understood that the establishment the problem obtruded itself upon us in such a way
was a bachelor one, and that he would be allowed that it was impossible to ignore it, and our country
the fullest freedom, he fell in with my plans and a visit took a turn which neither of us could have an-
week after our return from Lyons we were under ticipated. We were at breakfast when the Colonel’s
the Colonel’s roof. Hayter was a fine old soldier butler rushed in with all his propriety shaken out
who had seen much of the world, and he soon of him.

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 The Reigate Squires

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

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

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 The Reigate Squires

“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
“And what is the result of your investigations?” just where we are. Old Mr. Cunningham was at
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. So
liar one. Perhaps our visit now may do something 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 side the wounded man. The ground is very hard,
the dead man’s hand, bearing, as it does, the very you see, and there are no marks to guide us.” As
hour of his death written upon it, is of extreme he spoke two men came down the garden path,
importance.” 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 contrast with the business which had
sheet of paper?” brought us there.
“I examined the ground carefully in the hope of “Still at it, then?” said he to Holmes. “I thought
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
“Ah, you must give us a little time,” said
was some one so anxious to get possession of it?
Holmes good-humoredly.
Because it incriminated him. And what would he
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 heav-
long way towards solving the mystery.” ens, 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 severity
taken it; otherwise, of course, he might have de- of the attack, we carried him into the kitchen, where
livered his own message by word of mouth. Who he lay back in a large chair, and breathed heavily for
brought the note, then? Or did it come through the some minutes. Finally, with a shamefaced apology
post?” for his weakness, he rose once more.
“Watson would tell you that I have only just
“I have made inquiries,” said the Inspector.
recovered from a severe illness,” he explained. “I
“William received a letter by the afternoon post
am liable to these sudden nervous attacks.”
yesterday. The envelope was destroyed by him.”
“Shall I send you home in my trap?” asked old
“Excellent!” cried Holmes, clapping the Inspec- Cunningham.
tor on the back. “You’ve seen the postman. It is a
pleasure to work with you. Well, here is the lodge, “Well, since I am here, there is one point on
and if you will come up, Colonel, I will show you which I should like to feel sure. We can very easily
the scene of the crime.” verify it.”
“What was it?”
We passed the pretty cottage where the mur-
dered man had lived, and walked up an oak-lined “Well, it seems to me that it is just possible that
avenue to the fine old Queen Anne house, which the arrival of this poor fellow William was not be-
bears the date of Malplaquet upon the lintel of the fore, but after, the entrance of the burglary into
door. Holmes and the Inspector led us round it the house. You appear to take it for granted that,
until we came to the side gate, which is separated although the door was forced, the robber never got
by a stretch of garden from the hedge which lines in.”
the road. A constable was standing at the kitchen “I fancy that is quite obvious,” said Mr. Cun-
door. ningham, gravely. “Why, my son Alec had not yet

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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
“Where was he sitting?” was his specialty to be accurate as to fact, but his
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,” said “Get it printed as soon as possible,” he said; “I
Holmes, smiling. “Is it not extraordinary that a bur- think your idea is an excellent one.”
glary—and a burglar who had had some previous Holmes put the slip of paper carefully away into
experience—should deliberately break into a house his pocket-book.
at a time when he could see from the lights that “And now,” said he, “it really would be a good
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 did
“He must have been a cool hand.”
not, after all, carry anything away with him.”
“Well, of course, if the case were not an odd one Before entering, Holmes made an examination
we should not have been driven to ask you for an of the door which had been forced. It was evident
explanation,” said young Mr. Alec. “But as to your that a chisel or strong knife had been thrust in,
ideas that the man had robbed the house before and the lock forced back with it. We could see the
William tackled him, I think it a most absurd notion. marks in the wood where it had been pushed in.
Wouldn’t we have found the place disarranged, and
“You don’t use bars, then?” he asked.
missed the things which he had taken?”
“We have never found it necessary.”
“It depends on what the things were,” said
“You don’t keep a dog?”
Holmes. “You must remember that we are dealing
with a burglar who is a very peculiar fellow, and “Yes, but he is chained on the other side of the
who appears to work on lines of his own. Look, house.”
for example, at the queer lot of things which he “When do the servants go to bed?”
took from Acton’s—what was it?—a ball of string, “About ten.”
a letter-weight, and I don’t know what other odds “I understand that William was usually in bed
and ends.” also at that hour.”
“Well, we are quite in your hands, Mr. Holmes,” “Yes.”
said old Cunningham. “Anything which you or “It is singular that on this particular night he
the Inspector may suggest will most certainly be should have been up. Now, I should be very glad if
done.” you would have the kindness to show us over the
“In the first place,” said Holmes, “I should like house, Mr. Cunningham.”
you to offer a reward—coming from yourself, for A stone-flagged passage, with the kitchens
the officials may take a little time before they would branching away from it, led by a wooden stair-
agree upon the sum, and these things cannot be case directly to the first floor of the house. It came
done too promptly. I have jotted down the form out upon the landing opposite to a second more
here, if you would not mind signing it. Fifty pound ornamental stair which came up from the front hall.
was quite enough, I thought.” Out of this landing opened the drawing-room and
several bedrooms, including those of Mr. Cunning-
“I would willingly give five hundred,” said the
ham and his son. Holmes walked slowly, taking
J.P., taking the slip of paper and the pencil which
keen note of the architecture of the house. I could
Holmes handed to him. “This is not quite correct,
tell from his expression that he was on a hot scent,
however,” he added, glancing over the document.
and yet I could not in the least imagine in what
“I wrote it rather hurriedly.” direction his inferences were leading him.
“You see you begin, ‘Whereas, at about a quar- “My good sir,” said Mr. Cunningham with some
ter to one on Tuesday morning an attempt was impatience, “this is surely very unnecessary. That
made,’ and so on. It was at a quarter to twelve, as is my room at the end of the stairs, and my son’s
a matter of fact.” is the one beyond it. I leave it to your judgment

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

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Sherlock Holmes was as good as his word, for but the Inspector had overlooked it because he had
about one o’clock he rejoined us in the Colonel’s started with the supposition that these county mag-
smoking-room. He was accompanied by a little nates had had nothing to do with the matter. Now,
elderly gentleman, who was introduced to me as I make a point of never having any prejudices, and
the Mr. Acton whose house had been the scene of of following docilely wherever fact may lead me,
the original burglary. and so, in the very first stage of the investigation,
“I wished Mr. Acton to be present while I I found myself looking a little askance at the part
demonstrated this small matter to you,” said which had been played by Mr. Alec Cunningham.
Holmes, “for it is natural that he should take a “And now I made a very careful examination of
keen interest in the details. I am afraid, my dear the corner of paper which the Inspector had submit-
Colonel, that you must regret the hour that you ted to us. It was at once clear to me that it formed
took in such a stormy petrel as I am.” part of a very remarkable document. Here it is. Do
you not now observed something very suggestive
“On the contrary,” answered the Colonel,
about it?”
warmly, “I consider it the greatest privilege to have
been permitted to study your methods of working. “It has a very irregular look,” said the Colonel.
I confess that they quite surpass my expectations, “My dear sir,” cried Holmes, “there cannot be
and that I am utterly unable to account for your the least doubt in the world that it has been writ-
result. I have not yet seen the vestige of a clue.” ten by two persons doing alternate words. When
“I am afraid that my explanation may disillu- I draw your attention to the strong t’s of ‘at’ and
sion you but it has always been my habit to hide ‘to’, and ask you to compare them with the weak
none of my methods, either from my friend Watson ones of ‘quarter’ and ‘twelve,’ you will instantly
or from any one who might take an intelligent inter- recognize the fact. A very brief analysis of these
est in them. But, first, as I am rather shaken by the four words would enable you to say with the ut-
knocking about which I had in the dressing-room, most confidence that the ‘learn’ and the ‘maybe’
I think that I shall help myself to a dash of your are written in the stronger hand, and the ‘what’ in
brandy, Colonel. My strength had been rather tried the weaker.”
of late.” “By Jove, it’s as clear as day!” cried the Colonel.
“I trust that you had no more of those nervous “Why on earth should two men write a letter in
attacks.” such a fashion?”

Sherlock Holmes laughed heartily. “We will “Obviously the business was a bad one, and
come to that in its turn,” said he. “I will lay an one of the men who distrusted the other was deter-
account of the case before you in its due order, mined that, whatever was done, each should have
showing you the various points which guided me an equal hand in it. Now, of the two men, it is clear
in my decision. Pray interrupt me if there is any that the one who wrote the ‘at’ and ‘to’ was the
inference which is not perfectly clear to you. ringleader.”
“How do you get at that?”
“It is of the highest importance in the art of de-
tection to be able to recognize, out of a number of “We might deduce it from the mere character
facts, which are incidental and which vital. Other- of the one hand as compared with the other. But
wise your energy and attention must be dissipated we have more assured reasons than that for sup-
instead of being concentrated. Now, in this case posing it. If you examine this scrap with attention
there was not the slightest doubt in my mind from you will come to the conclusion that the man with
the first that the key of the whole matter must be the stronger hand wrote all his words first, leav-
looked for in the scrap of paper in the dead man’s ing blanks for the other to fill up. These blanks
hand. were not always sufficient, and you can see that the
second man had a squeeze to fit his ‘quarter’ in
“Before going into this, I would draw your at-
between the ‘at’ and the ‘to,’ showing that the latter
tention to the fact that, if Alec Cunningham’s narra-
were already written. The man who wrote all his
tive was correct, and if the assailant, after shooting
words first is undoubtedly the man who planned
William Kirwan, had instantly fled, then it obvi-
the affair.”
ously could not be he who tore the paper from the
dead man’s hand. But if it was not he, it must have “Excellent!” cried Mr. Acton.
been Alec Cunningham himself, for by the time “But very superficial,” said Holmes. “We come
that the old man had descended several servants now, however, to a point which is of importance.
were upon the scene. The point is a simple one, You may not be aware that the deduction of a man’s

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 The Reigate Squires

age from his writing is one which has been brought had broken into your library with the intention
to considerable accuracy by experts. In normal of getting at some document which might be of
cases one can place a man in his true decade with importance in the case.”
tolerable confidence. I say normal cases, because ill- “Precisely so,” said Mr. Acton. “There can be
health and physical weakness reproduce the signs no possible doubt as to their intentions. I have the
of old age, even when the invalid is a youth. In clearest claim upon half of their present estate, and
this case, looking at the bold, strong hand of the if they could have found a single paper—which,
one, and the rather broken-backed appearance of fortunately, was in the strong-box of my solici-
the other, which still retains its legibility although tors—they would undoubtedly have crippled our
the t’s have begun to lose their crossing, we can case.”
say that the one was a young man and the other
was advanced in years without being positively “There you are,” said Holmes, smiling. “It was
decrepit.” a dangerous, reckless attempt, in which I seem to
trace the influence of young Alec. Having found
“Excellent!” cried Mr. Acton again. nothing they tried to divert suspicion by making
“There is a further point, however, which is sub- it appear to be an ordinary burglary, to which end
tler and of greater interest. There is something in they carried off whatever they could lay their hands
common between these hands. They belong to men upon. That is all clear enough, but there was much
who are blood-relatives. It may be most obvious to that was still obscure. What I wanted above all was
you in the Greek e’s, but to me there are many small to get the missing part of that note. I was certain
points which indicate the same thing. I have no that Alec had torn it out of the dead man’s hand,
doubt at all that a family mannerism can be traced and almost certain that he must have thrust it into
in these two specimens of writing. I am only, of the pocket of his dressing-gown. Where else could
course, giving you the leading results now of my he have put it? The only question was whether it
examination of the paper. There were twenty-three was still there. It was worth an effort to find out,
other deductions which would be of more interest and for that object we all went up to the house.
to experts than to you. They all tended to deepen “The Cunninghams joined us, as you doubt-
the impression upon my mind that the Cunning- less remember, outside the kitchen door. It was,
hams, father and son, had written this letter. 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 them
house with the Inspector, and saw all that was to the importance which we attached to it when, by
be seen. The wound upon the dead man was, as the luckiest chance in the world, I tumbled down
I was able to determine with absolute confidence, in a sort of fit and so changed the conversation.”
fired from a revolver at the distance of something “Good heavens!” cried the Colonel, laughing,
over four yards. There was no powder-blackening “do you mean to say all our sympathy was wasted
on the clothes. Evidently, therefore, Alec Cunning- and your fit an imposture?”
ham had lied when he said that the two men were
“Speaking professionally, it was admirably
struggling when the shot was fired. Again, both
done,” cried I, looking in amazement at this man
father and son agreed as to the place where the
who was forever confounding me with some new
man escaped into the road. At that point, however,
phase of his astuteness.
as it happens, there is a broadish ditch, moist at the
bottom. As there were no indications of bootmarks “It is an art which is often useful,” said he.
about this ditch, I was absolutely sure not only that “When I recovered I managed, by a device which
the Cunninghams had again lied, but that there had perhaps some little merit of ingenuity, to get
had never been any unknown man upon the scene old Cunningham to write the word ‘twelve,’ so
at all. that I might compare it with the ‘twelve’ upon the
paper.”
“And now I have to consider the motive of this
singular crime. To get at this, I endeavored first of “Oh, what an ass I have been!” I exclaimed.
all to solve the reason of the original burglary at “I could see that you were commiserating with
Mr. Acton’s. I understood, from something which me over my weakness,” said Holmes, laughing.
the Colonel told us, that a lawsuit had been going “I was sorry to cause you the sympathetic pain
on between you, Mr. Acton, and the Cunninghams. which I know that you felt. We then went upstairs
Of course, it instantly occurred to me that they together, and having entered the room and seen

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 The Reigate Squires

the dressing-gown hanging up behind the door, plausibly getting rid of the man whom he feared.
I contrived, by upsetting a table, to engage their William was decoyed up and shot, and had they
attention for the moment, and slipped back to ex- only got the whole of the note and paid a little more
amine the pockets. I had hardly got the paper, attention to detail in the accessories, it is very possi-
however—which was, as I had expected, in one of ble that suspicion might never have been aroused.”
them—when the two Cunninghams were on me, “And the note?” I asked.
and would, I verily believe, have murdered me then
Sherlock Holmes placed the subjoined paper
and there but for your prompt and friendly aid. As
before us.
it is, I feel that young man’s grip on my throat now,
and the father has twisted my wrist round in the ef-
fort to get the paper out of my hand. They saw that
I must know all about it, you see, and the sudden
change from absolute security to complete despair
made them perfectly desperate.

“I had a little talk with old Cunningham af-

terwards as to the motive of the crime. He was
tractable enough, though his son was a perfect de-
mon, ready to blow out his own or anybody else’s
brains if he could have got to his revolver. When “It is very much the sort of thing that I ex-
Cunningham saw that the case against him was so pected,” said he. “Of course, we do not yet know
strong he lost all heart and made a clean breast what the relations may have been between Alec
of everything. It seems that William had secretly Cunningham, William Kirwan, and Annie Morri-
followed his two masters on the night when they son. The results shows that the trap was skillfully
made their raid upon Mr. Acton’s, and having thus baited. I am sure that you cannot fail to be de-
got them into his power, proceeded, under threats lighted with the traces of heredity shown in the p’s
of exposure, to levy black-mail upon them. Mr. and in the tails of the g’s. The absence of the i-dots
Alec, however, was a dangerous man to play games in the old man’s writing is also most characteristic.
of that sort with. It was a stroke of positive ge- Watson, I think our quiet rest in the country has
nius on his part to see in the burglary scare which been a distinct success, and I shall certainly return
was convulsing the country side an opportunity of much invigorated to Baker Street to-morrow.”

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The Crooked Man
O
The Crooked Man

ne summer night, a few months after my “Yes, I’ve had a busy day,” I answered. “It may
marriage, I was seated by my own hearth seem very foolish in your eyes,” I added, “but really
smoking a last pipe and nodding over a I don’t know how you deduced it.”
novel, for my day’s work had been an ex- Holmes chuckled to himself.
hausting one. My wife had already gone upstairs, “I have the advantage of knowing your habits,
and the sound of the locking of the hall door some my dear Watson,” said he. “When your round is
time before told me that the servants had also re- a short one you walk, and when it is a long one
tired. I had risen from my seat and was knocking you use a hansom. As I perceive that your boots, al-
out the ashes of my pipe when I suddenly heard though used, are by no means dirty, I cannot doubt
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 sitting. “Elementary,” said he. “It is one of those in-
With a wry face I went out into the hall and opened stances where the reasoner can produce an effect
the door. To my astonishment it was Sherlock which seems remarkable to his neighbor, because
Holmes who stood upon my step. the latter has missed the one little point which is
the basis of the deduction. The same may be said,
“Ah, Watson,” said he, “I hoped that I might
my dear fellow, for the effect of some of these little
not be too late to catch you.”
sketches of yours, which is entirely meretricious,
“My dear fellow, pray come in.” depending as it does upon your retaining in your
“You look surprised, and no wonder! Relieved, own hands some factors in the problem which are
too, I fancy! Hum! You still smoke the Arcadia never imparted to the reader. Now, at present I am
mixture of your bachelor days then! There’s no in the position of these same readers, for I hold in
mistaking that fluffy ash upon your coat. It’s easy this hand several threads of one of the strangest
to tell that you have been accustomed to wear a cases which ever perplexed a man’s brain, and yet
uniform, Watson. You’ll never pass as a pure-bred I lack the one or two which are needful to com-
civilian as long as you keep that habit of carrying plete my theory. But I’ll have them, Watson, I’ll
your handkerchief in your sleeve. Could you put have them!” His eyes kindled and a slight flush
me up tonight?” sprang into his thin cheeks. For an instant the veil
had lifted upon his keen, intense nature, but for an
“With pleasure.” instant only. When I glanced again his face had re-
“You told me that you had bachelor quarters for sumed that red-Indian composure which had made
one, and I see that you have no gentleman visitor so many regard him as a machine rather than a
at present. Your hat-stand proclaims as much.” man.
“The problem presents features of interest,” said
“I shall be delighted if you will stay.” he. “I may even say exceptional features of interest.
“Thank you. I’ll fill the vacant peg then. Sorry I have already looked into the matter, and have
to see that you’ve had the British workman in the come, as I think, within sight of my solution. If you
house. He’s a token of evil. Not the drains, I hope?” could accompany me in that last step you 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 a
of importance would have brought him to me at sketch of what has happened, and of what remains
such an hour, so I waited patiently until he should to be done.”
come round to it. “I was sleepy before you came. I am quite wake-
“I see that you are professionally rather busy ful 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

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 The Crooked Man

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

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 The Crooked Man

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

355
 The Crooked Man

of assuming. More than one person fainted at the and the whole print might be nearly as large as a
mere sight of him, so terrible was the effect. It dessert-spoon.
was quite certain that he had foreseen his fate, and “It’s a dog,” said I.
that it had caused him the utmost horror. This, of
course, fitted in well enough with the police theory, “Did you ever hear of a dog running up a cur-
if the Colonel could have seen his wife making a tain? I found distinct traces that this creature had
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 “But it is not the print of a monkey.”
the blow. No information could be got from the
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-
“From the police I learned that Miss Morrison, ture that we are familiar with. I have tried to re-
who you remember went out that evening with Mrs. construct it from the measurements. Here are four
Barclay, denied having any knowledge of what it prints where the beast has been standing motion-
was which had caused the ill-humor in which her less. You see that it is no less than fifteen inches
companion had returned. from fore-foot to hind. Add to that the length of
neck and head, and you get a creature not much
“Having gathered these facts, Watson, I smoked
less than two feet long—probably more if there
several pipes over them, trying to separate those
is any tail. But now observe this other measure-
which were crucial from others which were merely
ment. The animal has been moving, and we have
incidental. There could be no question that the
the length of its stride. In each case it is only about
most distinctive and suggestive point in the case
three inches. You have an indication, you see, of
was the singular disappearance of the door-key. A
a long body with very short legs attached to it. It
most careful search had failed to discover it in the
has not been considerate enough to leave any of its
room. Therefore it must have been taken from it.
hair behind it. But its general shape must be what
But neither the Colonel nor the Colonel’s wife could
I have indicated, and it can run up a curtain, and it
have taken it. That was perfectly clear. Therefore
is carnivorous.”
a third person must have entered the room. And
that third person could only have come in through “How do you deduce that?”
the window. It seemed to me that a careful exam- “Because it ran up the curtain. A canary’s cage
ination of the room and the lawn might possibly was hanging in the window, and its aim seems to
reveal some traces of this mysterious individual. have been to get at the bird.”
You know my methods, Watson. There was not one
of them which I did not apply to the inquiry. And “Then what was the beast?”
it ended by my discovering traces, but very differ- “Ah, if I could give it a name it might go a long
ent ones from those which I had expected. There way towards solving the case. On the whole, it
had been a man in the room, and he had crossed was probably some creature of the weasel and stoat
the lawn coming from the road. I was able to ob- tribe—and yet it is larger than any of these that I
tain five very clear impressions of his foot-marks: have seen.”
one in the roadway itself, at the point where he “But what had it to do with the crime?”
had climbed the low wall, two on the lawn, and
two very faint ones upon the stained boards near “That, also, is still obscure. But we have learned
the window where he had entered. He had ap- a good deal, you perceive. We know that a man
parently rushed across the lawn, for his toe-marks stood in the road looking at the quarrel between
were much deeper than his heels. But it was not the Barclays—the blinds were up and the room
the man who surprised me. It was his companion.” lighted. We know, also, that he ran across the lawn,
entered the room, accompanied by a strange ani-
“His companion!” mal, and that he either struck the Colonel or, as is
Holmes pulled a large sheet of tissue-paper out equally possible, that the Colonel fell down from
of his pocket and carefully unfolded it upon his sheer fright at the sight of him, and cut his head
knee. on the corner of the fender. Finally, we have the
“What do you make of that?” he asked. curious fact that the intruder carried away the key
The paper was covered with the tracings of with him when he left.”
the foot-marks of some small animal. It had five “Your discoveries seem to have left the business
well-marked foot-pads, an indication of long nails, more obscure that it was before,” said I.

356
 The Crooked Man

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

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 The Crooked Man

now the whole truth, and if I withheld it from the “But how do you know he’ll be there when we
police it is because I did not realize then the danger return?”
in which my dear friend stood. I know that it can “You may be sure that I took some precautions.
only be to her advantage that everything should be I have one of my Baker Street boys mounting guard
known.’ over him who would stick to him like a burr, go
“There was her statement, Watson, and to me, where he might. We shall find him in Hudson
as you can imagine, it was like a light on a dark Street to-morrow, Watson, and meanwhile I should
night. Everything which had been disconnected be the criminal myself if I kept you out of bed any
before began at once to assume its true place, and I longer.”
had a shadowy presentiment of the whole sequence It was midday when we found ourselves at the
of events. My next step obviously was to find the scene of the tragedy, and, under my companion’s
man who had produced such a remarkable impres- guidance, we made our way at once to Hudson
sion upon Mrs. Barclay. If he were still in Aldershot Street. In spite of his capacity for concealing his
it should not be a very difficult matter. There are emotions, I could easily see that Holmes was in a
not such a very great number of civilians, and a state of suppressed excitement, while I was myself
deformed man was sure to have attracted attention. tingling with that half-sporting, half-intellectual
I spent a day in the search, and by evening—this pleasure which I invariably experienced when I
very evening, Watson—I had run him down. The associated myself with him in his investigations.
man’s name is Henry Wood, and he lives in lodg- “This is the street,” said he, as we turned into
ings in this same street in which the ladies met him. a short thoroughfare lined with plain two-storied
He has only been five days in the place. In the char- brick houses. “Ah, here is Simpson to report.”
acter of a registration-agent I had a most interesting
gossip with his landlady. The man is by trade a “He’s in all right, Mr. Holmes,” cried a small
conjurer and performer, going round the canteens street Arab, running up to us.
after nightfall, and giving a little entertainment at “Good, Simpson!” said Holmes, patting him on
each. He carries some creature about with him in the head. “Come along, Watson. This is the house.”
that box; about which the landlady seemed to be He sent in his card with a message that he had
in considerable trepidation, for she had never seen come on important business, and a moment later
an animal like it. He uses it in some of his tricks we were face to face with the man whom we had
according to her account. So much the woman was come to see. In spite of the warm weather he was
able to tell me, and also that it was a wonder the crouching over a fire, and the little room was like
man lived, seeing how twisted he was, and that an oven. The man sat all twisted and huddled in
he spoke in a strange tongue sometimes, and that his chair in a way which gave an indescribably im-
for the last two nights she had heard him groaning pression of deformity; but the face which he turned
and weeping in his bedroom. He was all right, as towards us, though worn and swarthy, must at
far as money went, but in his deposit he had given some time have been remarkable for its beauty. He
her what looked like a bad florin. She showed it to looked suspiciously at us now out of yellow-shot,
me, Watson, and it was an Indian rupee. bilious eyes, and, without speaking or rising, he
waved towards two chairs.
“So now, my dear fellow, you see exactly how
we stand and why it is I want you. It is perfectly “Mr. Henry Wood, late of India, I believe,” said
plain that after the ladies parted from this man he Holmes, affably. “I’ve come over this little matter
followed them at a distance, that he saw the quarrel of Colonel Barclay’s death.”
between husband and wife through the window, “What should I know about that?”
that he rushed in, and that the creature which he “That’s what I want to ascertain. You know, I
carried in his box got loose. That is all very certain. suppose, that unless the matter is cleared up, Mrs.
But he is the only person in this world who can tell Barclay, who is an old friend of yours, will in all
us exactly what happened in that room.” probability be tried for murder.”
“And you intend to ask him?” The man gave a violent start.
“Most certainly—but in the presence of a wit- “I don’t know who you are,” he cried, “nor how
ness.” you come to know what you do know, but will you
“And I am the witness?” swear that this is true that you tell me?”
“If you will be so good. If he can clear the mat- “Why, they are only waiting for her to come to
ter up, well and good. If he refuses, we have no her senses to arrest her.”
alternative but to apply for a warrant.” “My God! Are you in the police yourself?”

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 The Crooked Man

“No.” night I started off upon my journey. There were a

“What business is it of yours, then?” thousand lives to save, but it was of only one that
I was thinking when I dropped over the wall that
“It’s every man’s business to see justice done.”
night.
“You can take my word that she is innocent.”
“My way ran down a dried-up watercourse,
“Then you are guilty.”
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 crouching
“It was a just providence that killed him. But, down in the dark waiting for me. In an instant I
mind you this, that if I had knocked his brains out, was stunned with a blow and bound hand and foot.
as it was in my heart to do, he would have had But the real blow was to my heart and not to my
no more than his due from my hands. If his own head, for as I came to and listened to as much as I
guilty conscience had not struck him down it is could understand of their talk, I heard enough to
likely enough that I might have had his blood upon tell me that my comrade, the very man who had
my soul. You want me to tell the story. Well, I don’t arranged the way that I was to take, had betrayed
know why I shouldn’t, for there’s no cause for me me by means of a native servant into the hands of
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 saw
Barclay, who died the other day, was sergeant in a white face again. I was tortured and tried to get
the same company as myself, and the belle of the away, and was captured and tortured again. You
regiment, ay, and the finest girl that ever had the can see for yourselves the state in which I was left.
breath of life between her lips, was Nancy Devoy, Some of them that fled into Nepal took me with
the daughter of the color-sergeant. There were two them, and then afterwards I was up past Darjeeling.
men that loved her, and one that she loved, and The hill-folk up there murdered the rebels who had
you’ll smile when you look at this poor thing hud- me, and I became their slave for a time until I es-
dled before the fire, and hear me say that it was for caped; but instead of going south I had to go north,
my good looks that she loved me. until I found myself among the Afghans. There I
“Well, though I had her heart, her father was set wandered about for many a year, and at last came
upon her marrying Barclay. I was a harum-scarum, back to the Punjaub, where I lived mostly among
reckless lad, and he had had an education, and the natives and picked up a living by the conjuring
was already marked for the sword-belt. But the girl tricks that I had learned. What use was it for me,
held true to me, and it seemed that I would have a wretched cripple, to go back to England or to
had her when the Mutiny broke out, and all hell make myself known to my old comrades? Even my
was loose in the country. wish for revenge would not make me do that. I had
rather that Nancy and my old pals should think of
“We were shut up in Bhurtee, the regiment of
Harry Wood as having died with a straight back,
us with half a battery of artillery, a company of
than see him living and crawling with a stick like a
Sikhs, and a lot of civilians and women-folk. There
chimpanzee. They never doubted that I was dead,
were ten thousand rebels round us, and they were
and I meant that they never should. I heard that
as keen as a set of terriers round a rat-cage. About
Barclay had married Nancy, and that he was rising
the second week of it our water gave out, and it
rapidly in the regiment, but even that did not make
was a question whether we could communicate
me speak.
with General Neill’s column, which was moving up
country. It was our only chance, for we could not “But when one gets old one has a longing for
hope to fight our way out with all the women and home. For years I’ve been dreaming of the bright
children, so I volunteered to go out and to warn green fields and the hedges of England. At last
General Neill of our danger. My offer was accepted, I determined to see them before I died. I saved
and I talked it over with Sergeant Barclay, who was enough to bring me across, and then I came here
supposed to know the ground better than any other where the soldiers are, for I know their ways and
man, and who drew up a route by which I might how to amuse them and so earn enough to keep
get through the rebel lines. At ten o’clock the same me.”

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 The Crooked Man

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

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The Resident Patient
G
The Resident Patient

lancing over the somewhat incoherent and we had both remained indoors all day, I be-
series of Memoirs with which I have en- cause I feared with my shaken health to face the
deavored to illustrate a few of the mental keen autumn wind, while he was deep in some of
peculiarities of my friend Mr. Sherlock those abstruse chemical investigations which ab-
Holmes, I have been struck by the difficulty which sorbed him utterly as long as he was engaged upon
I have experienced in picking out examples which them. Towards evening, however, the breaking of
shall in every way answer my purpose. For in those a test-tube brought his research to a premature
cases in which Holmes has performed some tour de ending, and he sprang up from his chair with an
force of analytical reasoning, and has demonstrated exclamation of impatience and a clouded brow.
the value of his peculiar methods of investigation,
“A day’s work ruined, Watson,” said he, strid-
the facts themselves have often been so slight or
ing across to the window. “Ha! The stars are out
so commonplace that I could not feel justified in
and he wind has fallen. What do you say to a
laying them before the public. On the other hand,
ramble through London?”
it has frequently happened that he has been con-
cerned in some research where the facts have been I was weary of our little sitting-room and gladly
of the most remarkable and dramatic character, but acquiesced. For three hours we strolled about to-
where the share which he has himself taken in de- gether, watching the ever-changing kaleidoscope of
termining their causes has been less pronounced life as it ebbs and flows through Fleet Street and
than I, as his biographer, could wish. The small the Strand. His characteristic talk, with its keen
matter which I have chronicled under the heading observance of detail and subtle power of inference
of “A Study in Scarlet,” and that other later one con- held me amused and enthralled. It was ten o’clock
nected with the loss of the Gloria Scott, may serve before we reached Baker Street again. A brougham
as examples of this Scylla and Charybdis which are was waiting at our door.
forever threatening the historian. It may be that in
“Hum! A doctor’s—general practitioner, I per-
the business of which I am now about to write the
ceive,” said Holmes. “Not been long in practice,
part which my friend played is not sufficiently ac-
but has had a good deal to do. Come to consult us,
centuated; and yet the whole train of circumstances
I fancy! Lucky we came back!”
is so remarkable that I cannot bring myself to omit
it entirely from this series. I was sufficiently conversant with Holmes’s
methods to be able to follow his reasoning, and
It had been a close, rainy day in October. Our to see that the nature and state of the various med-
blinds were half-drawn, and Holmes lay curled ical instruments in the wicker basket which hung
upon the sofa, reading and re-reading a letter which in the lamplight inside the brougham had given
he had received by the morning post. For myself, him the data for his swift deduction. The light in
my term of service in India had trained me to stand our window above showed that this late visit was
heat better than cold, and a thermometer of 90 was indeed intended for us. With some curiosity as to
no hardship. But the paper was uninteresting. Par- what could have sent a brother medico to us at such
liament had risen. Everybody was out of town, and an hour, I followed Holmes into our sanctum.
I yearned for the glades of the New Forest or the
shingle of Southsea. A depleted bank account had A pale, taper-faced man with sandy whiskers
caused me to postpone my holiday, and as to my rose up from a chair by the fire as we entered. His
companion, neither the country nor the sea pre- age may not have been more than three or four and
sented the slightest attraction to him. He loved to thirty, but his haggard expression and unhealthy
lie in the very centre of five millions of people, with hue told of a life which has sapped his strength and
his filaments stretching out and running through robbed him of his youth. His manner was nervous
them, responsive to every little rumor or suspicion and shy, like that of a sensitive gentleman, and the
of unsolved crime. Appreciation of Nature found thin white hand which he laid on the mantelpiece
no place among his many gifts, and his only change as he rose was that of an artist rather than of a
was when he turned his mind from the evil-doer of surgeon. His dress was quiet and sombre—a black
the town to track down his brother of the country. frock-coat, dark trousers, and a touch of color about
his necktie.
I cannot be sure of the exact date, for some of
“Good-evening, doctor,” said Holmes, cheerily.
my memoranda upon the matter have been mislaid,
“I am glad to see that you have only been waiting a
but it must have been towards the end of the first
very few minutes.”
year during which Holmes and I shared chambers
in Baker Street. It was boisterous October weather, “You spoke to my coachman, then?”

363
 The Resident Patient

“No, it was the candle on the side-table that a specialist who aims high is compelled to start
told me. Pray resume your seat and let me know in one of a dozen streets in the Cavendish Square
how I can serve you.” quarter, all of which entail enormous rents and fur-
“My name is Doctor Percy Trevelyan,” said our nishing expenses. Besides this preliminary outlay,
visitor, “and I live at 403 Brook Street.” he must be prepared to keep himself for some years,
and to hire a presentable carriage and horse. To
“Are you not the author of a monograph upon
do this was quite beyond my power, and I could
obscure nervous lesions?” I asked.
only hope that by economy I might in ten years’
His pale cheeks flushed with pleasure at hearing time save enough to enable me to put up my plate.
that his work was known to me. Suddenly, however, an unexpected incident opened
“I so seldom hear of the work that I thought it up quite a new prospect to me.
was quite dead,” said he. “My publishers gave me “This was a visit from a gentleman of the name
a most discouraging account of its sale. You are of Blessington, who was a complete stranger to me.
yourself, I presume, a medical man?” He came up to my room one morning, and plunged
“A retired army surgeon.” into business in an instant.
“My own hobby has always been nervous dis- “ ‘You are the same Percy Trevelyan who has
ease. I should wish to make it an absolute specialty, had so distinguished a career and won a great prize
but, of course, a man must take what he can get lately?’ said he.
at first. This, however, is beside the question, Mr. “I bowed.
Sherlock Holmes, and I quite appreciate how valu-
“ ‘Answer me frankly,’ he continued, ‘for you
able your time is. The fact is that a very singular
will find it to your interest to do so. You have all
train of events has occurred recently at my house
the cleverness which makes a successful man. Have
in Brook Street, and to-night they came to such a
you the tact?’
head that I felt it was quite impossible for me to
wait another hour before asking for your advice “I could not help smiling at the abruptness of
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-
rate, that I shall lay it all before you, and you shall “I shrugged my shoulders.
judge what is essential and what is not. “ ‘Come, come!’ said he, in his bustling way.
“I am compelled, to begin with, to say some- ‘It’s the old story. More in your brains than in your
thing of my own college career. I am a London pocket, eh? What would you say if I were to start
University man, you know, and I am sure that you you in Brook Street?’
will not think that I am unduly singing my own “I stared at him in astonishment.
praises if I say that my student career was consid- “ ‘Oh, it’s for my sake, not for yours,’ he cried.
ered by my professors to be a very promising one. ‘I’ll be perfectly frank with you, and if it suits you
After I had graduated I continued to devote myself it will suit me very well. I have a few thousands to
to research, occupying a minor position in King’s invest, d’ye see, and I think I’ll sink them in you.’
College Hospital, and I was fortunate enough to
“ ‘But why?’ I gasped.
excite considerable interest by my research into the
pathology of catalepsy, and finally to win the Bruce “ ‘Well, it’s just like any other speculation, and
Pinkerton prize and medal by the monograph on safer than most.’
nervous lesions to which your friend has just al- “ ‘What am I to do, then?’
luded. I should not go too far if I were to say that “ ‘I’ll tell you. I’ll take the house, furnish it,
there was a general impression at that time that a pay the maids, and run the whole place. All you
distinguished career lay before me. have to do is just to wear out your chair in the
“But the one great stumbling-block lay in my consulting-room. I’ll let you have pocket-money
want of capital. As you will readily understand, and everything. Then you hand over to me three

364
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quarters of what you earn, and you keep the other “ ‘A Russian nobleman who is now
quarter for yourself.’ resident in England,’ it runs, ‘would
“This was the strange proposal, Mr. Holmes, be glad to avail himself of the profes-
with which the man Blessington approached me. sional assistance of Dr. Percy Trevelyan.
I won’t weary you with the account of how we He has been for some years a victim to
bargained and negotiated. It ended in my mov- cataleptic attacks, on which, as is well
ing into the house next Lady Day, and starting in known, Dr. Trevelyan is an authority.
practice on very much the same conditions as he He proposes to call at about quarter past
had suggested. He came himself to live with me in six to-morrow evening, if Dr. Trevelyan
the character of a resident patient. His heart was will make it convenient to be at home.’
weak, it appears, and he needed constant medical “This letter interested me deeply, because the
supervision. He turned the two best rooms of the chief difficulty in the study of catalepsy is the
first floor into a sitting-room and bedroom for him- rareness of the disease. You may believe, than,
self. He was a man of singular habits, shunning that I was in my consulting-room when, at the
company and very seldom going out. His life was appointed hour, the page showed in the patient.
irregular, but in one respect he was regularity itself. He was an elderly man, thin, demure, and
Every evening, at the same hour, he walked into the common-place—by no means the conception one
consulting-room, examined the books, put down forms of a Russian nobleman. I was much more
five and three-pence for every guinea that I had struck by the appearance of his companion. This
earned, and carried the rest off to the strong-box in was a tall young man, surprisingly handsome, with
his own room. a dark, fierce face, and the limbs and chest of a
“I may say with confidence that he never had Hercules. He had his hand under the other’s arm
occasion to regret his speculation. From the first it as they entered, and helped him to a chair with a
was a success. A few good cases and the reputation tenderness which one would hardly have expected
which I had won in the hospital brought me rapidly from his appearance.
to the front, and during the last few years I have “ ‘You will excuse my coming in, doctor,’ said
made him a rich man. he to me, speaking English with a slight lisp. ‘This
“So much, Mr. Holmes, for my past history and is my father, and his health is a matter of the most
my relations with Mr. Blessington. It only remains overwhelming importance to me.’
for me now to tell you what has occurred to bring “I was touched by this filial anxiety. ‘You would,
me here to-night. perhaps, care to remain during the consultation?’
said I.
“Some weeks ago Mr. Blessington came down
to me in, as it seemed to me, a state of considerable “ ‘Not for the world,’ he cried with a gesture of
agitation. He spoke of some burglary which, he horror. ‘It is more painful to me than I can express.
said, had been committed in the West End, and he If I were to see my father in one of these dreadful
appeared, I remember, to be quite unnecessarily seizures I am convinced that I should never sur-
excited about it, declaring that a day should not vive it. My own nervous system is an exceptionally
pass before we should add stronger bolts to our sensitive one. With your permission, I will remain
windows and doors. For a week he continued to be in the waiting-room while you go into my father’s
in a peculiar state of restlessness, peering contin- case.’
ually out of the windows, and ceasing to take the “To this, of course, I assented, and the young
short walk which had usually been the prelude to man withdrew. The patient and I then plunged into
his dinner. From his manner it struck me that he a discussion of his case, of which I took exhaus-
was in mortal dread of something or somebody, but tive notes. He was not remarkable for intelligence,
when I questioned him upon the point he became and his answers were frequently obscure, which
so offensive that I was compelled to drop the sub- I attributed to his limited acquaintance with our
ject. Gradually, as time passed, his fears appeared language. Suddenly, however, as I sat writing, he
to die away, and he had renewed his former habits, ceased to give any answer at all to my inquiries,
when a fresh event reduced him to the pitiable state and on my turning towards him I was shocked to
of prostration in which he now lies. see that he was sitting bolt upright in his chair, star-
ing at me with a perfectly blank and rigid face. He
“What happened was this. Two days ago I re-
was again in the grip of his mysterious malady.
ceived the letter which I now read to you. Neither
address nor date is attached to it. “My first feeling, as I have just said, was one
of pity and horror. My second, I fear, was rather

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 The Resident Patient

one of professional satisfaction. I made notes of my “For half an hour or so I discussed that old
patient’s pulse and temperature, tested the rigidity gentleman’s symptoms with him, and then, having
of his muscles, and examined his reflexes. There prescribed for him, I saw him go off upon the arm
was nothing markedly abnormal in any of these of his son.
conditions, which harmonized with my former ex- “I have told you that Mr. Blessington generally
periences. I had obtained good results in such chose this hour of the day for his exercise. He came
cases by the inhalation of nitrite of amyl, and the in shortly afterwards and passed upstairs. An in-
present seemed an admirable opportunity of test- stant later I heard him running down, and he burst
ing its virtues. The bottle was downstairs in my into my consulting-room like a man who is mad
laboratory, so leaving my patient seated in his chair, with panic.
I ran down to get it. There was some little delay
“ ‘Who has been in my room?’ he cried.
in finding it—five minutes, let us say—and then I
returned. Imagine my amazement to find the room “ ‘No one,’ said I.
empty and the patient gone. “ ‘It’s a lie!’ He yelled. ‘Come up and look!’
“Of course, my first act was to run into the “I passed over the grossness of his language, as
waiting-room. The son had gone also. The hall he seemed half out of his mind with fear. When I
door had been closed, but not shut. My page who went upstairs with him he pointed to several foot-
admits patients is a new boy and by no means prints upon the light carpet.
quick. He waits downstairs, and runs up to show “ ‘D’you mean to say those are mine?’ he cried.
patients out when I ring the consulting-room bell.
“They were certainly very much larger than any
He had heard nothing, and the affair remained a
which he could have made, and were evidently
complete mystery. Mr. Blessington came in from
quite fresh. It rained hard this afternoon, as you
his walk shortly afterwards, but I did not say any-
know, and my patients were the only people who
thing to him upon the subject, for, to tell the truth,
called. It must have been the case, then, that the
I have got in the way of late of holding as little
man in the waiting-room had, for some unknown
communication with him as possible.
reason, while I was busy with the other, ascended
“Well, I never thought that I should see any- to the room of my resident patient. Nothing has
thing more of the Russian and his son, so you can been touched or taken, but there were the footprints
imagine my amazement when, at the very same to prove that the intrusion was an undoubted fact.
hour this evening, they both came marching into “Mr. Blessington seemed more excited over the
my consulting-room, just as they had done before. matter than I should have thought possible, though
“ ‘I feel that I owe you a great many apologies of course it was enough to disturb anybody’s peace
for my abrupt departure yesterday, doctor,’ said my of mind. He actually sat crying in an arm-chair,
patient. and I could hardly get him to speak coherently. It
was his suggestion that I should come round to
“ ‘I confess that I was very much surprised at it,’ you, and of course I at once saw the propriety of
said I. it, for certainly the incident is a very singular one,
“ ‘Well, the fact is,’ he remarked, ‘that when I though he appears to completely overrate its im-
recover from these attacks my mind is always very portance. If you would only come back with me in
clouded as to all that has gone before. I woke up my brougham, you would at least be able to soothe
in a strange room, as it seemed to me, and made him, though I can hardly hope that you will be able
my way out into the street in a sort of dazed way to explain this remarkable occurrence.”
when you were absent.’ Sherlock Holmes had listened to this long nar-
rative with an intentness which showed me that
“ ‘And I,’ said the son, ‘seeing my father pass
his interest was keenly aroused. His face was as
the door of the waiting-room, naturally thought
impassive as ever, but his lids had drooped more
that the consultation had come to an end. It was
heavily over his eyes, and his smoke had curled
not until we had reached home that I began to
up more thickly from his pipe to emphasize each
realize the true state of affairs.’
curious episode in the doctor’s tale. As our visi-
“ ‘Well,’ said I, laughing, ‘there is no harm done tor concluded, Holmes sprang up without a word,
except that you puzzled me terribly; so if you, sir, handed me my hat, picked his own from the table,
would kindly step into the waiting-room I shall and followed Dr. Trevelyan to the door. Within a
be happy to continue our consultation which was quarter of an hour we had been dropped at the
brought to so abrupt an ending.’ door of the physician’s residence in Brook Street,

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 The Resident Patient

one of those sombre, flat-faced houses which one little I have is in that box, so you can understand
associates with a West-End practice. A small page what it means to me when unknown people force
admitted us, and we began at once to ascend the themselves into my rooms.”
broad, well-carpeted stair. Holmes looked at Blessington in his questioning
But a singular interruption brought us to a way and shook his head.
standstill. The light at the top was suddenly “I cannot possibly advise you if you try to de-
whisked out, and from the darkness came a reedy, ceive me,” said he.
quivering voice.
“But I have told you everything.”
“I have a pistol,” it cried. “I give you my word
Holmes turned on his heel with a gesture of
that I’ll fire if you come any nearer.”
disgust. “Good-night, Dr. Trevelyan,” said he.
“This really grows outrageous, Mr. Blessington,”
“And no advice for me?” cried Blessington, in a
cried Dr. Trevelyan.
breaking voice.
“Oh, then it is you, doctor,” said the voice, with
“My advice to your, sir, is to speak the truth.”
a great heave of relief. “But those other gentlemen,
are they what they pretend to be?” A minute later we were in the street and walk-
ing for home. We had crossed Oxford Street and
We were conscious of a long scrutiny out of the
were half way down Harley Street before I could
darkness.
get a word from my companion.
“Yes, yes, it’s all right,” said the voice at last.
“Sorry to bring you out on such a fool’s errand,
“You can come up, and I am sorry if my precautions
Watson,” he said at last. “It is an interesting case,
have annoyed you.”
too, at the bottom of it.”
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-
ance, as well as his voice, testified to his jangled “Well, it is quite evident that there are two
nerves. He was very fat, but had apparently at men—more, perhaps, but at least two—who are
some time been much fatter, so that the skin hung determined for some reason to get at this fellow
about his face in loose pouches, like the cheeks of a Blessington. I have no doubt in my mind that both
blood-hound. He was of a sickly color, and his thin, on the first and on the second occasion that young
sandy hair seemed to bristle up with the intensity man penetrated to Blessington’s room, while his
of his emotion. In his hand he held a pistol, but he confederate, by an ingenious device, kept the doc-
thrust it into his pocket as we advanced. tor from interfering.”
“Good-evening, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “I am “And the catalepsy?”
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 spe-
I do. I suppose that Dr. Trevelyan has told you of cialist. 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 “By the purest chance Blessington was out on
molest 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 they
kindness to step in here.”
had been merely after plunder they would at least
He led the way into his bedroom, which was have made some attempt to search for it. Besides,
large and comfortably furnished. I can read in a man’s eye when it is his own skin
“You see that,” said he, pointing to a big black that he is frightened for. It is inconceivable that
box at the end of his bed. “I have never been a very this fellow could have made two such vindictive
rich man, Mr. Holmes—never made but one invest- enemies as these appear to be without knowing of
ment in my life, as Dr. Trevelyan would tell you. it. I hold it, therefore, to be certain that he does
But I don’t believe in bankers. I would never trust know who these men are, and that for reasons of
a banker, Mr. Holmes. Between ourselves, what his own he suppresses it. It is just possible that

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 The Resident Patient

to-morrow may find him in a more communicative “I really hardly know what I am doing,” he
mood.” cried. “The police are already upstairs. It has
“Is there not one alternative,” I suggested, shaken me most dreadfully.”
“grotesquely improbably, no doubt, but still just “When did you find it out?”
conceivable? Might the whole story of the catalep- “He has a cup of tea taken in to him early every
tic Russian and his son be a concoction of Dr. morning. When the maid entered, about seven,
Trevelyan’s, who has, for his own purposes, been there the unfortunate fellow was hanging in the
in Blessington’s rooms?” middle of the room. He had tied his cord to the
hook on which the heavy lamp used to hang, and
I saw in the gaslight that Holmes wore an he had jumped off from the top of the very box that
amused smile at this brilliant departure of mine. he showed us yesterday.”
“My dear fellow,” said he, “it was one of the Holmes stood for a moment in deep thought.
first solutions which occurred to me, but I was “With your permission,” said he at last, “I
soon able to corroborate the doctor’s tale. This should like to go upstairs and look into the matter.”
young man has left prints upon the stair-carpet We both ascended, followed by the doctor.
which made it quite superfluous for me to ask to It was a dreadful sight which met us as we
see those which he had made in the room. When entered the bedroom door. I have spoken of the
I tell you that his shoes were square-toed instead impression of flabbiness which this man Blessing-
of being pointed like Blessington’s, and were quite ton conveyed. As he dangled from the hook it was
an inch and a third longer than the doctor’s, you exaggerated and intensified until he was scarce hu-
will acknowledge that there can be no doubt as to man in his appearance. The neck was drawn out
his individuality. But we may sleep on it now, for like a plucked chicken’s, making the rest of him
I shall be surprised if we do not hear something seem the more obese and unnatural by the contrast.
further from Brook Street in the morning.” He was clad only in his long night-dress, and his
Sherlock Holmes’s prophecy was soon fulfilled, swollen ankles and ungainly feet protruded starkly
and in a dramatic fashion. At half-past seven next from beneath it. Beside him stood a smart-looking
morning, in the first glimmer of daylight, I found police-inspector, who was taking notes in a pocket-
him standing by my bedside in his dressing-gown. book.
“There’s a brougham waiting for us, Watson,” “Ah, Mr. Holmes,” said he, heartily, as my
said he. friend entered, “I am delighted to see you.”
“Good-morning, Lanner,” answered Holmes;
“What’s the matter, then?” “you won’t think me an intruder, I am sure. Have
“The Brook Street business.” you heard of the events which led up to this affair?”
“Any fresh news?” “Yes, I heard something of them.”
“Have you formed any opinion?”
“Tragic, but ambiguous,” said he, pulling up “As far as I can see, the man has been driven out
the blind. “Look at this—a sheet from a note-book, of his senses by fright. The bed has been well slept
with ‘For God’s sake come at once—P. T.,’ scrawled in, you see. There’s his impression deep enough.
upon it in pencil. Our friend, the doctor, was hard It’s about five in the morning, you know, that sui-
put to it when he wrote this. Come along, my dear cides are most common. That would be about his
fellow, for it’s an urgent call.” time for hanging himself. It seems to have been a
In a quarter of an hour or so we were back at the very deliberate affair.”
physician’s house. He came running out to meet “I should say that he has been dead about three
us with a face of horror. hours, judging by the rigidity of the muscles,” said
“Oh, such a business!” he cried, with his hands I.
to his temples. “Noticed anything peculiar about the room?”
asked Holmes.
“What then?”
“Found a screw-driver and some screws on the
“Blessington has committed suicide!” wash-hand stand. Seems to have smoked heavily
Holmes whistled. during the night, too. Here are four cigar-ends that
I picked out of the fireplace.”
“Yes, he hanged himself during the night.” “Hum!” said Holmes, “have you got his cigar-
We had entered, and the doctor had preceded holder?”
us into what was evidently his waiting-room. “No, I have seen none.”

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 The Resident Patient

“His cigar-case, then?” see upon the mantelpiece, as it may help me in my

“Yes, it was in his coat-pocket.” inquiries.”
Holmes opened it and smelled the single cigar “But you have told us nothing!” cried the doctor.
which it contained. “Oh, there can be no doubt as to the sequence
“Oh, this is an Havana, and these others are of events,” said Holmes. “There were three of them
cigars of the peculiar sort which are imported by in it: the young man, the old man, and a third, to
the Dutch from their East Indian colonies. They whose identity I have no clue. The first two, I need
are usually wrapped in straw, you know, and are hardly remark, are the same who masqueraded as
thinner for their length than any other brand.” He the Russian count and his son, so we can give a very
picked up the four ends and examined them with full description of them. They were admitted by a
his pocket-lens. confederate inside the house. If I might offer you a
word of advice, Inspector, it would be to arrest the
“Two of these have been smoked from a holder
page, who, as I understand, has only recently come
and two without,” said he. “Two have been cut
into your service, Doctor.”
by a not very sharp knife, and two have had the
ends bitten off by a set of excellent teeth. This is “The young imp cannot be found,” said Dr.
no suicide, Mr. Lanner. It is a very deeply planned Trevelyan; “the maid and the cook have just been
and cold-blooded murder.” searching for him.”
“Impossible!” cried the inspector. Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
“And why?” “He has played a not unimportant part in this
“Why should any one murder a man in so drama,” said he. “The three men having ascended
clumsy a fashion as by hanging him?” the stairs, which they did on tiptoe, the elder man
first, the younger man second, and the unknown
“That is what we have to find out.” man in the rear—”
“How could they get in?” “My dear Holmes!” I ejaculated.
“Through the front door.” “Oh, there could be no question as to the super-
“It was barred in the morning.” imposing of the footmarks. I had the advantage
“Then it was barred after them.” of learning which was which last night. They as-
cended, then, to Mr. Blessington’s room, the door
“How do you know?”
of which they found to be locked. With the help of
“I saw their traces. Excuse me a moment, and I a wire, however, they forced round the key. Even
may be able to give you some further information without the lens you will perceive, by the scratches
about it.” on this ward, where the pressure was applied.
He went over to the door, and turning the lock “On entering the room their first proceeding
he examined it in his methodical way. Then he took must have been to gag Mr. Blessington. He may
out the key, which was on the inside, and inspected have been asleep, or he may have been so paralyzed
that also. The bed, the carpet, the chairs the man- with terror as to have been unable to cry out. These
telpiece, the dead body, and the rope were each in walls are thick, and it is conceivable that his shriek,
turn examined, until at last he professed himself if he had time to utter one, was unheard.
satisfied, and with my aid and that of the inspector
“Having secured him, it is evident to me that
cut down the wretched object and laid it reverently
a consultation of some sort was held. Probably it
under a sheet.
was something in the nature of a judicial proceed-
“How about this rope?” he asked. ing. It must have lasted for some time, for it was
“It is cut off this,” said Dr. Trevelyan, drawing a then that these cigars were smoked. The older man
large coil from under the bed. “He was morbidly sat in that wicker chair; it was he who used the
nervous of fire, and always kept this beside him, cigar-holder. The younger man sat over yonder; he
so that he might escape by the window in case the knocked his ash off against the chest of drawers.
stairs were burning.” The third fellow paced up and down. Blessington,
“That must have saved them trouble,” said I think, sat upright in the bed, but of that I cannot
Holmes, thoughtfully. “Yes, the actual facts are be absolutely certain.
very plain, and I shall be surprised if by the after- “Well, it ended by their taking Blessington and
noon I cannot give you the reasons for them as well. hanging him. The matter was so prearranged that
I will take this photograph of Blessington, which I it is my belief that they brought with them some

369
 The Resident Patient

sort of block or pulley which might serve as a gal- “You must surely remember the great Worthing-
lows. That screw-driver and those screws were, as I don bank business,” said Holmes. “Five men were
conceive, for fixing it up. Seeing the hook, however in it—these four and a fifth called Cartwright. To-
they naturally saved themselves the trouble. Hav- bin, the care-taker, was murdered, and the thieves
ing finished their work they made off, and the door got away with seven thousand pounds. This was in
was barred behind them by their confederate.” 1875. They were all five arrested, but the evidence
We had all listened with the deepest interest against them was by no means conclusive. This
to this sketch of the night’s doings, which Holmes Blessington or Sutton, who was the worst of the
had deduced from signs so subtle and minute that, gang, turned informer. On his evidence Cartwright
even when he had pointed them out to us, we could was hanged and the other three got fifteen years
scarcely follow him in his reasoning. The inspec- apiece. When they got out the other day, which was
tor hurried away on the instant to make inquiries some years before their full term, they set them-
about the page, while Holmes and I returned to selves, as you perceive, to hunt down the traitor
Baker Street for breakfast. and to avenge the death of their comrade upon him.
Twice they tried to get at him and failed; a third
“I’ll be back by three,” said he, when we had fin- time, you see, it came off. Is there anything further
ished our meal. “Both the inspector and the doctor which I can explain, Dr. Trevelyan?”
will meet me here at that hour, and I hope by that
“I think you have made it all remarkable clear,”
time to have cleared up any little obscurity which
said the doctor. “No doubt the day on which he
the case may still present.”
was perturbed was the day when he had seen of
Our visitors arrived at the appointed time, but their release in the newspapers.”
it was a quarter to four before my friend put in “Quite so. His talk about a burglary was the
an appearance. From his expression as he entered, merest blind.”
however, I could see that all had gone well with
him. “But why could he not tell you this?”
“Well, my dear sir, knowing the vindictive char-
“Any news, Inspector?”
acter of his old associates, he was trying to hide his
“We have got the boy, sir.” own identity from everybody as long as he could.
“Excellent, and I have got the men.” His secret was a shameful one, and he could not
bring himself to divulge it. However, wretch as he
“You have got them!” we cried, all three. was, he was still living under the shield of British
“Well, at least I have got their identity. This law, and I have no doubt, Inspector, that you will
so-called Blessington is, as I expected, well known see that, though that shield may fail to guard, the
at headquarters, and so are his assailants. Their sword of justice is still there to avenge.”
names are Biddle, Hayward, and Moffat.” Such were the singular circumstances in con-
“The Worthingdon bank gang,” cried the inspec- nection with the Resident Patient and the Brook
tor. Street Doctor. From that night nothing has been
seen of the three murderers by the police, and it is
“Precisely,” said Holmes.
surmised at Scotland Yard that they were among
“Then Blessington must have been Sutton.” the passengers of the ill-fated steamer Norah Creina,
“Exactly,” said Holmes. which was lost some years ago with all hands upon
the Portuguese coast, some leagues to the north of
“Why, that makes it as clear as crystal,” said the Oporto. The proceedings against the page broke
inspector. down for want of evidence, and the Brook Street
But Trevelyan and I looked at each other in be- Mystery, as it was called, has never until now been
wilderment. fully dealt with in any public print.

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The Greek Interpreter
D
The Greek Interpreter

uring my long and intimate acquain- better powers of observation than I, you may take
tance with Mr. Sherlock Holmes I had it that I am speaking the exact and literal truth.”
never heard him refer to his relations, and “Is he your junior?”
hardly ever to his own early life. This ret-
“Seven years my senior.”
icence upon his part had increased the somewhat
inhuman effect which he produced upon me, until “How comes it that he is unknown?”
sometimes I found myself regarding him as an iso- “Oh, he is very well known in his own circle.”
lated phenomenon, a brain without a heart, as defi- “Where, then?”
cient in human sympathy as he was pre-eminent in “Well, in the Diogenes Club, for example.”
intelligence. His aversion to women and his disin-
I had never heard of the institution, and my
clination to form new friendships were both typical
face must have proclaimed as much, for Sherlock
of his unemotional character, but not more so than
Holmes pulled out his watch.
his complete suppression of every reference to his
own people. I had come to believe that he was an “The Diogenes Club is the queerest club in Lon-
orphan with no relatives living, but one day, to my don, and Mycroft one of the queerest men. He’s
very great surprise, he began to talk to me about always there from quarter to five to twenty to eight.
his brother. It’s six now, so if you care for a stroll this beautiful
evening I shall be very happy to introduce you to
It was after tea on a summer evening, and the 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, walking
of the change in the obliquity of the ecliptic, came 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 and
have told me, it seems obvious that your faculty of ended in reasoning from an arm-chair, my brother
observation and your peculiar facility for deduction would be the greatest criminal agent that ever lived.
are due to your own systematic training.” But he has no ambition and no energy. He will not
even go out of his way to verify his own solution,
“To some extent,” he answered, thoughtfully.
and would rather be considered wrong than take
“My ancestors were country squires, who appear
the trouble to prove himself right. Again and again
to have led much the same life as is natural to their
I have taken a problem to him, and have received an
class. But, none the less, my turn that way is in my
explanation which has afterwards proved to be the
veins, and may have come with my grandmother,
correct one. And yet he was absolutely incapable
who was the sister of Vernet, the French artist. Art
of working out the practical points which must be
in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms.”
gone into before a case could be laid before a judge
“But how do you know that it is hereditary?” or jury.”
“Because my brother Mycroft possesses it in a “It is not his profession, then?”
larger degree than I do.” “By no means. What is to me a means of liveli-
This was news to me indeed. If there were an- hood is to him the merest hobby of a dilettante. He
other man with such singular powers in England, has an extraordinary faculty for figures, and audits
how was it that neither police nor public had heard the books in some of the government departments.
of him? I put the question, with a hint that it Mycroft lodges in Pall Mall, and he walks round
was my companion’s modesty which made him the corner into Whitehall every morning and back
acknowledge his brother as his superior. Holmes every evening. From year’s end to year’s end he
laughed at my suggestion. takes no other exercise, and is seen nowhere else,
except only in the Diogenes Club, which is just
“My dear Watson,” said he, “I cannot agree with
opposite his rooms.”
those who rank modesty among the virtues. To the
logician all things should be seen exactly as they “I cannot recall the name.”
are, and to underestimate one’s self is as much a “Very likely not. There are many men in Lon-
departure from truth as to exaggerate one’s own don, you know, who, some from shyness, some
powers. When I say, therefore, that Mycroft has from misanthropy, have no wish for the company

373
 The Greek Interpreter

of their fellows. Yet they are not averse to com- The two men had stopped opposite the window.
fortable chairs and the latest periodicals. It is for Some chalk marks over the waistcoat pocket were
the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club the only signs of billiards which I could see in one
was started, and it now contains the most unsocia- of them. The other was a very small, dark fellow,
ble and unclubable men in town. No member is with his hat pushed back and several packages
permitted to take the least notice of any other one. 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 to “Children, my dear boy, children.”
speak, he led the way into the hall. Through the
“Come,” said I, laughing, “this is a little too
glass paneling I caught a glimpse of a large and
much.”
luxurious room, in which a considerable number
of men were sitting about and reading papers, each “Surely,” answered Holmes, “it is not hard to
in his own little nook. Holmes showed me into say that a man with that bearing, expression of
a small chamber which looked out into Pall Mall, authority, and sunbaked skin, is a soldier, is more
and then, leaving me for a minute, he came back than a private, and is not long from India.”
with a companion whom I knew could only be his “That he has not left the service long is shown
brother. by his still wearing his ‘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 preserved hat on one side, as is shown by the lighter skin
something of the sharpness of expression which of that side of his brow. His weight is against his
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 shows
seemed to always retain that far-away, introspective that he has lost some one very dear. The fact that he
look which I had only observed in Sherlock’s when is doing his own shopping looks as though it were
he was exerting his full powers. his wife. He has been buying things for children,
“I am glad to meet you, sir,” said he, putting you perceive. There is a rattle, which shows that
out a broad, fat hand like the flipper of a seal. “I one of them is very young. The wife probably died
hear of Sherlock everywhere since you became his in childbed. The fact that he has a picture-book
chronicler. By the way, Sherlock, I expected to see under his arm shows that there is another child to
you round last week, to consult me over that Manor be thought of.”
House case. I thought you might be a little out of I began to understand what my friend meant
your depth.” when he said that his brother possessed even keener
faculties that he did himself. He glanced across at
“No, I solved it,” said my friend, smiling.
me and smiled. Mycroft took snuff from a tortoise-
“It was Adams, of course.” shell box, and brushed away the wandering grains
“Yes, it was Adams.” from his coat front with a large, red silk handker-
chief.
“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. “To
something quite after your own heart—a most sin-
any one who wishes to study mankind this is the
gular problem—submitted to my judgment. I really
spot,” said Mycroft. “Look at the magnificent types!
had not the energy to follow it up save in a very
Look at these two men who are coming towards us,
incomplete fashion, but it gave me a basis for some
for example.”
pleasing speculation. If you would care to hear the
“The billiard-marker and the other?” facts—”
“Precisely. What do you make of the other?” “My dear Mycroft, I should be delighted.”

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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 or-
“I have asked Mr. Melas to step across,” said dinary four-wheeled disgrace to London, and the
he. “He lodges on the floor above me, and I have fittings, 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
remarkable linguist. He earns his living partly as and I had ventured some remark as to this being
interpreter in the law courts and partly by acting a 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 pocket,
A few minutes later we were joined by a short, and switching it backward and forward several
stout man whose olive face and coal-black hair pro- times, as if to test its weight and strength. Then
claimed his Southern origin, though his speech was he placed it without a word upon the seat beside
that of an educated Englishman. He shook hands him. Having done this, he drew up the windows
eagerly with Sherlock Holmes, and his dark eyes on each side, and I found to my astonishment that
sparkled with pleasure when he understood that they were covered with paper so as to prevent my
the specialist was anxious to hear his story. 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 know driving. It might possibly be inconvenient to me if
that I shall never be easy in my mind until I know you could find your way there again.’
what has become of my poor man with the sticking- “As you can imagine, I was utterly taken aback
plaster upon his face.” by such an address. My companion was a powerful,
“I am all attention,” said Sherlock Holmes. broad-shouldered young fellow, and, apart from
the weapon, I should not have had the slightest
“This is Wednesday evening,” said Mr. Melas. chance in a struggle with him.
“Well then, it was Monday night—only two days
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 my attempt to raise an alarm or do anything which is
name is very well known in the hotels. against my interests, you will find it a very serious
thing. I beg you to remember that no one knows
It happens not unfrequently that I am sent for
where you are, and that, whether you are in this
at strange hours by foreigners who get into difficul-
carriage or in my house, you are equally in my
ties, or by travelers who arrive late and wish my
power.’
services. I was not surprised, therefore, on Mon-
day night when a Mr. Latimer, a very fashionably “His words were quiet, but he had a rasping
dressed young man, came up to my rooms and way of saying them which was very menacing. I
asked me to accompany him in a cab which was sat in silence wondering what on earth could be
waiting at the door. A Greek friend had come to his reason for kidnapping me in this extraordinary
see him upon business, he said, and as he could fashion. Whatever it might be, it was perfectly clear
speak nothing but his own tongue, the services of that there was no possible use in my resisting, and
an interpreter were indispensable. He gave me to that I could only wait to see what might befall.
understand that his house was some little distance “For nearly two hours we drove without my
off, in Kensington, and he seemed to be in a great having the least clue as to where we were going.
hurry, bustling me rapidly into the cab when we Sometimes the rattle of the stones told of a paved
had descended to the street. causeway, and at others our smooth, silent course

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 The Greek Interpreter

suggested asphalt; but, save by this variation in sort of loose dressing-gown who moved slowly to-
sound, there was nothing at all which could in the wards us. As he came into the circle of dim light
remotest way help me to form a guess as to where which enabled me to see him more clearly I was
we were. The paper over each window was im- thrilled with horror at his appearance. He was
penetrable to light, and a blue curtain was drawn deadly pale and terribly emaciated, with the pro-
across the glass work in front. It was a quarter- truding, brilliant eyes of a man whose spirit was
past seven when we left Pall Mall, and my watch greater than his strength. But what shocked me
showed me that it was ten minutes to nine when more than any signs of physical weakness was that
we at last came to a standstill. My companion let his face was grotesquely criss-crossed with sticking-
down the window, and I caught a glimpse of a plaster, and that one large pad of it was fastened
low, arched doorway with a lamp burning above 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 man, as this strange being fell rather than sat down
a vague impression of a lawn and trees on each into a chair. ‘Are his hands loose? Now, then, give
side 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. In “ ‘On no condition?’ I asked, at the bidding of
the dim light I could make out that the person who our tyrant.
had opened the door was a small, mean-looking, “ ‘Only if I see her married in my presence by a
middle-aged man with rounded shoulders. As he Greek priest whom I know.’
turned towards us the glint of the light showed me
“The man giggled in his venomous way.
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, I swers which made up our strange half-spoken, half-
hope, but we could not get on without you. If you written conversation. Again and again I had to ask
deal fair with us you’ll not regret it, but if you try him whether he would give in and sign the docu-
any tricks, God help you!’ He spoke in a nervous, ments. Again and again I had the same indignant
jerky fashion, and with little giggling laughs in be- reply. But soon a happy thought came to me. I took
tween, but somehow he impressed me with fear to adding on little sentences of my own to each
more than the other. question, innocent ones at first, to test whether ei-
ther of our companions knew anything of the mat-
“ ‘What do you want with me?’ I asked.
ter, and then, as I found that they showed no signs
“ ‘Only to ask a few questions of a Greek gen- I played a more dangerous game. Our conversation
tleman who is visiting us, and to let us have the 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 the “ ‘Your fate will be upon your own head. How
way into a room which appeared to be very richly long have you been here?’
furnished, but again the only light was afforded by “ ‘Let it be so. Three weeks.’
a single lamp half-turned down. The chamber was
“ ‘The property can never be yours. What ails
certainly large, and the way in which my feet sank
you?’
into the carpet as I stepped across it told me of its
“ ‘It shall not go to villains. They are starving
richness. I caught glimpses of velvet chairs, a high
me.’
white marble mantel-piece, and what seemed to be
a suit of Japanese armor at one side of it. There was “ ‘You shall go free if you sign. What house is
a chair just under the lamp, and the elderly man this?’
motioned that I should sit in it. The younger had “ ‘I will never sign. I do not know.’
left us, but he suddenly returned through another “ ‘You are not doing her any service. What is
door, leading with him a gentleman clad in some your name?’

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 The Greek Interpreter

“ ‘Let me hear her say so. Kratides.’ and his lips and eyelids were continually twitch-
“ ‘You shall see her if you sign. Where are you ing like a man with St. Vitus’s dance. I could not
from?’ help thinking that his strange, catchy little laugh
was also a symptom of some nervous malady. The
“ ‘Then I shall never see her. Athens.’ terror of his face lay in his eyes, however, steel gray,
“Another five minutes, Mr. Holmes, and I and glistening coldly with a malignant, inexorable
should have wormed out the whole story under cruelty in their depths.
their very noses. My very next question might have “ ‘We shall know if you speak of this,’ said he.
cleared the matter up, but at that instant the door ‘We have our own means of information. Now you
opened and a woman stepped into the room. I will find the carriage waiting, and my friend will
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
and clad in some sort of loose white gown.
vehicle, again obtaining that momentary glimpse
“ ‘Harold,’ said she, speaking English with a of trees and a garden. Mr. Latimer followed closely
broken accent. ‘I could not stay away longer. It is at my heels, and took his place opposite to me
so lonely up there with only—Oh, my God, it is without a word. In silence we again drove for an
Paul!’ interminable distance with the windows raised, un-
“These last words were in Greek, and at the til at last, just after midnight, the carriage pulled
same instant the man with a convulsive effort tore up.
the plaster from his lips, and screaming out ‘So- “ ‘You will get down here, Mr. Melas,’ said my
phy! Sophy!’ rushed into the woman’s arms. Their companion. ‘I am sorry to leave you so far from
embrace was but for an instant, however, for the your house, but there is no alternative. Any attempt
younger man seized the woman and pushed her upon your part to follow the carriage can only end
out of the room, while the elder easily overpow- in injury to yourself.’
ered his emaciated victim, and dragged him away
“He opened the door as he spoke, and I had
through the other door. For a moment I was left
hardly time to spring out when the coachman
alone in the room, and I sprang to my feet with
lashed the horse and the carriage rattled away. I
some vague idea that I might in some way get a clue
looked around me in astonishment. I was on some
to what this house was in which I found myself.
sort of a heathy common mottled over with dark
Fortunately, however, I took no steps, for looking
clumps of furze-bushes. Far away stretched a line
up I saw that the older man was standing in the
of houses, with a light here and there in the upper
door-way with his eyes fixed upon me.
windows. On the other side I saw the red signal-
“ ‘That will do, Mr. Melas,’ said he. ‘You per- lamps of a railway.
ceive that we have taken you into our confidence “The carriage which had brought me was al-
over some very private business. We should not ready out of sight. I stood gazing round and won-
have troubled you, only that our friend who speaks dering where on earth I might be, when I saw some
Greek and who began these negotiations has been one coming towards me in the darkness. As he
forced to return to the East. It was quite necessary came up to me I made out that he was a railway
for us to find some one to take his place, and we porter.
were fortunate in hearing of your powers.’
“ ‘Can you tell me what place this is?’ I asked.
“I bowed.
“ ‘Wandsworth Common,’ said he.
“ ‘There are five sovereigns here,’ said he, walk-
ing up to me, ‘which will, I hope, be a sufficient “ ‘Can I get a train into town?’
fee. But remember,’ he added, tapping me lightly “ ‘If you walk on a mile or so to Clapham Junc-
on the chest and giggling, ‘if you speak to a human tion,’ said he, ‘you’ll just be in time for the last to
soul about this—one human soul, mind—well, may Victoria.’
God have mercy upon your soul!’ “So that was the end of my adventure, Mr.
“I cannot tell you the loathing and horror with Holmes. I do not know where I was, nor whom I
which this insignificant-looking man inspired me. I spoke with, nor anything save what I have told you.
could see him better now as the lamp-light shone But I know that there is foul play going on, and I
upon him. His features were peaky and sallow, want to help that unhappy man if I can. I told the
and his little pointed beard was thready and ill- whole story to Mr. Mycroft Holmes next morning,
nourished. He pushed his face forward as he spoke and subsequently to the police.”

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 The Greek Interpreter

We all sat in silence for some little time after had been in England some little time, but he had
listening 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
Mycroft picked up the Daily News, which was persuaded 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 the
to the whereabouts of a Greek gentleman relationship—comes over from Greece to interfere.
named Paul Kratides, from Athens, who is He imprudently puts himself into the power of the
unable to speak English, will be rewarded. young man and his older associate. They seize him
A similar reward paid to any one giving and use violence towards him in order to make
information about a Greek lady whose first him sign some papers to make over the girl’s for-
name is Sophy. X 2473. tune—of which he may be trustee—to them. This
“That was in all the dailies. No answer.” he refuses to do. In order to negotiate with him
they have to get an interpreter, and they pitch upon
“How about the Greek Legation?”
this Mr. Melas, having used some other one before.
“I have inquired. They know nothing.” The girl is not told of the arrival of her brother, and
“A wire to the head of the Athens police, then?” finds it out by the merest accident.”
“Sherlock has all the energy of the family,” said “Excellent, Watson!” cried Holmes. “I really
Mycroft, turning to me. “Well, you take the case fancy that you are not far from the truth. You see
up by all means, and let me know if you do any that we hold all the cards, and we have only to fear
good.” some sudden act of violence on their part. If they
give us time we must have them.”
“Certainly,” answered my friend, rising from
his chair. “I’ll let you know, and Mr. Melas also. In “But how can we find where this house lies?”
the meantime, Mr. Melas, I should certainly be on “Well, if our conjecture is correct and the girl’s
my guard, if I were you, for of course they must name is or was Sophy Kratides, we should have no
know through these advertisements that you have difficulty in tracing her. That must be our main
betrayed them.” hope, for the brother is, of course, a complete
As we walked home together, Holmes stopped stranger. It is clear that some time has elapsed
at a telegraph office and sent off several wires. since this Harold established these relations with
the girl—some weeks, at any rate—since the brother
“You see, Watson,” he remarked, “our evening in Greece has had time to hear of it and come across.
has been by no means wasted. Some of my most in- If they have been living in the same place during
teresting cases have come to me in this way through this time, it is probable that we shall have some
Mycroft. The problem which we have just listened answer to Mycroft’s advertisement.”
to, although it can admit of but one explanation,
has still some distinguishing features.” We had reached our house in Baker Street while
we had been talking. Holmes ascended the stair
“You have hopes of solving it?” first, and as he opened the door of our room he
“Well, knowing as much as we do, it will be gave a start of surprise. Looking over his shoulder,
singular indeed if we fail to discover the rest. You I was equally astonished. His brother Mycroft was
must yourself have formed some theory which will 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
“What was your idea, then?” expect such energy from me, do you, Sherlock? But
somehow this case attracts me.”
“It seemed to me to be obvious that this Greek
girl had been carried off by the young Englishman “How did you get here?”
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.”

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 The Greek Interpreter

“And to what effect?” Melas again. He is a man of no physical courage,

Mycroft Holmes took out a sheet of paper. as they are well aware from their experience the
other night. This villain was able to terrorize him
“Here it is,” said he, “written with a J pen on the instant that he got into his presence. No doubt
royal cream paper by a middle-aged man with a they want his professional services, but, having
weak constitution. used him, they may be inclined to punish him for
“Sir [he says]: what they will regard as his treachery.”
“In answer to your advertisement of Our hope was that, by taking train, we might get
to-day’s date, I beg to inform you that I to Beckenham as soon or sooner than the carriage.
know the young lady in question very On reaching Scotland Yard, however, it was more
well. If you should care to call upon than an hour before we could get Inspector Gregson
me I could give you some particulars as and comply with the legal formalities which would
to her painful history. She is living at enable us to enter the house. It was a quarter to ten
present at The Myrtles, Beckenham. before we reached London Bridge, and half past
— “Yours faithfully, before the four of us alighted on the Beckenham
“J. Davenport. platform. A drive of half a mile brought us to The
Myrtles—a large, dark house standing back from
“He writes from Lower Brixton,” said Mycroft the road in its own grounds. Here we dismissed
Holmes. “Do you not think that we might drive to our cab, and made our way up the drive together.
him now, Sherlock, and learn these particulars?” “The windows are all dark,” remarked the in-
“My dear Mycroft, the brother’s life is more spector. “The house seems deserted.”
valuable than the sister’s story. I think we should “Our birds are flown and the nest empty,” said
call at Scotland Yard for Inspector Gregson, and go Holmes.
straight out to Beckenham. We know that a man is “Why do you say so?”
being done to death, and every hour may be vital.” “A carriage heavily loaded with luggage has
“Better pick up Mr. Melas on our way,” I sug- passed out during the last hour.”
gested. “We may need an interpreter.” The inspector laughed. “I saw the wheel-tracks
“Excellent,” said Sherlock Holmes. “Send the in the light of the gate-lamp, but where does the
boy for a four-wheeler, and we shall be off at once.” luggage come in?”
He opened the table-drawer as he spoke, and I no- “You may have observed the same wheel-tracks
ticed that he slipped his revolver into his pocket. going the other way. But the outward-bound ones
“Yes,” said he, in answer to my glance; “I should were very much deeper—so much so that we can
say from what we have heard, that we are dealing say for a certainty that there was a very consider-
with a particularly dangerous gang.” able weight on the carriage.”
“You get a trifle beyond me there,” said the in-
It was almost dark before we found ourselves in
spector, shrugging his shoulder. “It will not be an
Pall Mall, at the rooms of Mr. Melas. A gentleman
easy door to force, but we will try if we cannot
had just called for him, and he was gone.
make some one hear us.”
“Can you tell me where?” asked Mycroft He hammered loudly at the knocker and pulled
Holmes. at the bell, but without any success. Holmes had
“I don’t know, sir,” answered the woman who slipped away, but he came back in a few minutes.
had opened the door; “I only know that he drove “I have a window open,” said he.
away with the gentleman in a carriage.” “It is a mercy that you are on the side of the
“Did the gentleman give a name?” force, and not against it, Mr. Holmes,” remarked
“No, sir.” the inspector, as he noted the clever way in which
my friend had forced back the catch. “Well, I think
“He wasn’t a tall, handsome, dark young man?”
that under the circumstances we may enter without
“Oh, no, sir. He was a little gentleman, with an invitation.”
glasses, thin in the face, but very pleasant in his One after the other we made our way into a
ways, for he was laughing all the time that he was large apartment, which was evidently that in which
talking.” Mr. Melas had found himself. The inspector had
“Come along!” cried Sherlock Holmes, abruptly. lit his lantern, and by its light we could see the
“This grows serious,” he observed, as we drove two doors, the curtain, the lamp, and the suit of
to Scotland Yard. “These men have got hold of Japanese mail as he had described them. On the

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 The Greek Interpreter

table lay two glasses, and empty brandy-bottle, and aid had come too late. Mr. Melas, however, still
the remains of a meal. lived, and in less than an hour, with the aid of am-
“What is that?” asked Holmes, suddenly. monia and brandy I had the satisfaction of seeing
him open his eyes, and of knowing that my hand
We all stood still and listened. A low moan- had drawn him back from that dark valley in which
ing sound was coming from somewhere over our all paths meet.
heads. Holmes rushed to the door and out into
It was a simple story which he had to tell, and
the hall. The dismal noise came from upstairs. He
one which did but confirm our own deductions.
dashed up, the inspector and I at his heels, while
His visitor, on entering his rooms, had drawn a life-
his brother Mycroft followed as quickly as his great
preserver from his sleeve, and had so impressed
bulk would permit.
him with the fear of instant and inevitable death
Three doors faced up upon the second floor, that he had kidnapped him for the second time.
and it was from the central of these that the sinister Indeed, it was almost mesmeric, the effect which
sounds were issuing, sinking sometimes into a dull this giggling ruffian had produced upon the un-
mumble and rising again into a shrill whine. It was fortunate linguist, for he could not speak of him
locked, but the key had been left on the outside. save with trembling hands and a blanched cheek.
Holmes flung open the door and rushed in, but he He had been taken swiftly to Beckenham, and had
was out again in an instant, with his hand to his acted as interpreter in a second interview, even
throat. 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.
Finally, finding him proof against every threat, they
Peering in, we could see that the only light in the
had hurled him back into his prison, and after
room came from a dull blue flame which flickered
reproaching Melas with his treachery, which ap-
from a small brass tripod in the centre. It threw a
peared from the newspaper advertisement, they
livid, unnatural circle upon the floor, while in the
had stunned him with a blow from a stick, and
shadows beyond we saw the vague loom of two
he remembered nothing more until he found us
figures which crouched against the wall. From the
bending over him.
open door there reeked a horrible poisonous exha-
lation which set us gasping and coughing. Holmes And this was the singular case of the Grecian In-
rushed to the top of the stairs to draw in the fresh terpreter, the explanation of which is still involved
air, and then, dashing into the room, he threw up in some mystery. We were able to find out, by com-
the window and hurled the brazen tripod out into municating with the gentleman who had answered
the garden. the advertisement, that the unfortunate young lady
came of a wealthy Grecian family, and that she had
“We can enter in a minute,” he gasped, darting been on a visit to some friends in England. While
out again. “Where is a candle? I doubt if we could there she had met a young man named Harold La-
strike a match in that atmosphere. Hold the light timer, who had acquired an ascendancy over her
at the door and we shall get them out, Mycroft. and had eventually persuaded her to fly with him.
Now!” Her friends, shocked at the event, had contented
With a rush we got to the poisoned men and themselves with informing her brother at Athens,
dragged them out into the well-lit hall. Both of and had then washed their hands of the matter. The
them were blue-lipped and insensible, with swollen, brother, on his arrival in England, had imprudently
congested faces and protruding eyes. Indeed, so placed himself in the power of Latimer and of his
distorted were their features that, save for his black associate, whose name was Wilson Kemp—a man
beard and stout figure, we might have failed to of the foulest antecedents. These two, finding that
recognize in one of them the Greek interpreter who through his ignorance of the language he was help-
had parted from us only a few hours before at the less in their hands, had kept him a prisoner, and
Diogenes Club. His hands and feet were securely had endeavored by cruelty and starvation to make
strapped together, and he bore over one eye the him sign away his own and his sister’s property.
marks of a violent blow. The other, who was se- They had kept him in the house without the girl’s
cured in a similar fashion, was a tall man in the last knowledge, and the plaster over the face had been
stage of emaciation, with several strips of sticking- for the purpose of making recognition difficult in
plaster arranged in a grotesque pattern over his case she should ever catch a glimpse of him. Her
face. He had ceased to moan as we laid him down, feminine perception, however, had instantly seen
and a glance showed me that for him at least our through the disguise when, on the occasion of the

380
 The Greek Interpreter

interpreter’s visit, she had seen him for the first Months afterwards a curious newspaper cutting
time. The poor girl, however, was herself a prisoner, reached us from Buda-Pesth. It told how two En-
for there was no one about the house except the glishmen who had been traveling with a woman
man who acted as coachman, and his wife, both of had met with a tragic end. They had each been
whom were tools of the conspirators. Finding that stabbed, it seems, and the Hungarian police were
their secret was out, and that their prisoner was of opinion that they had quarreled and had inflicted
not to be coerced, the two villains with the girl had mortal injuries upon each other. Holmes, however,
fled away at a few hours’ notice from the furnished is, I fancy, of a different way of thinking, and holds
house which they had hired, having first, as they to this day that, if one could find the Grecian girl,
thought, taken vengeance both upon the man who one might learn how the wrongs of herself and her
had defied and the one who had betrayed them. brother came to be avenged.

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The Naval Treaty
T
The Naval Treaty

he July which immediately succeeded my heard that through my uncle’s influence

marriage was made memorable by three I obtained a good appointment at the
cases of interest, in which I had the priv- Foreign Office, and that I was in a situa-
ilege of being associated with Sherlock tion of trust and honor until a horrible
Holmes and of studying his methods. I find them misfortune came suddenly to blast my
recorded in my notes under the headings of “The career.
Adventure of the Second Stain,” “The Adventure There is no use writing of the details
of the Naval Treaty,” and “The Adventure of the of that dreadful event. In the event of
Tired Captain.” The first of these, however, deals your acceding to my request it is prob-
with interest of such importance and implicates so able that I shall have to narrate them
many of the first families in the kingdom that for to you. I have only just recovered from
many years it will be impossible to make it public. nine weeks of brain-fever, and am still
No case, however, in which Holmes was engaged exceedingly weak. Do you think that
has ever illustrated the value of his analytical meth- you could bring your friend Mr. Holmes
ods so clearly or has impressed those who were down to see me? I should like to have
associated with him so deeply. I still retain an al- his opinion of the case, though the au-
most verbatim report of the interview in which he thorities assure me that nothing more
demonstrated the true facts of the case to Monsieur can be done. Do try to bring him down,
Dubugue of the Paris police, and Fritz von Wald- and as soon as possible. Every minute
baum, the well-known specialist of Dantzig, both of seems an hour while I live in this state
whom had wasted their energies upon what proved of horrible suspense. Assure him that
to be side-issues. The new century will have come, if I have not asked his advice sooner it
however, before the story can be safely told. Mean- was not because I did not appreciate his
while I pass on to the second on my list, which talents, but because I have been off my
promised also at one time to be of national impor- head ever since the blow fell. Now I am
tance, and was marked by several incidents which clear again, though I dare not think of
give it a quite unique character. it too much for fear of a relapse. I am
During my school-days I had been intimately still so weak that I have to write, as you
associated with a lad named Percy Phelps, who see, by dictating. Do try to bring him.
was of much the same age as myself, though he — Your old school-fellow,
was two classes ahead of me. He was a very bril- Percy Phelps.
liant boy, and carried away every prize which the
school had to offer, finishing his exploits by win- There was something that touched me as I read
ning a scholarship which sent him on to continue this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated ap-
his triumphant career at Cambridge. He was, I re- peals to bring Holmes. So moved was I that even
member, extremely well connected, and even when had it been a difficult matter I should have tried
we were all little boys together we knew that his it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his
mother’s brother was Lord Holdhurst, the great art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid
conservative politician. This gaudy relationship as his client could be to receive it. My wife agreed
did him little good at school. On the contrary, it with me that not a moment should be lost in laying
seemed rather a piquant thing to us to chevy him the matter before him, and so within an hour of
about the playground and hit him over the shins breakfast-time I found myself back once more in
with a wicket. But it was another thing when he the old rooms in Baker Street.
came out into the world. I heard vaguely that his
abilities and the influences which he commanded Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his
had won him a good position at the Foreign Office, dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical
and then he passed completely out of my mind investigation. A large curved retort was boiling
until the following letter recalled his existence: furiously in the bluish flame of a Bunsen burner,
and the distilled drops were condensing into a two-
Briarbrae, Woking. litre measure. My friend hardly glanced up as I
My dear Watson: entered, 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, drawing
fifth form when you were in the third. out a few drops of each with his glass pipette, and
It is possible even that you may have finally brought a test-tube containing a solution

385
 The Naval Treaty

over to the table. In his right hand he held a slip of asked me to see you, for the mere mention of the
litmus-paper. subject is very painful to them.”
“You come at a crisis, Watson,” said he. “If this “We have had no details yet,” observed Holmes.
paper remains blue, all is well. If it turns red, it “I perceive that you are not yourself a member of
means a man’s life.” He dipped it into the test-tube the family.”
and it flushed at once into a dull, dirty crimson.
Our acquaintance looked surprised, and then,
“Hum! I thought as much!” he cried. “I will be at
glancing down, he began to laugh.
your service in an instant, Watson. You will find
tobacco in the Persian slipper.” He turned to his “Of course you saw the J H monogram on my
desk and scribbled off several telegrams, which locket,” said he. “For a moment I thought you
were handed over to the page-boy. Then he threw had done something clever. Joseph Harrison is my
himself down into the chair opposite, and drew up name, and as Percy is to marry my sister Annie I
his knees until his fingers clasped round his long, shall at least be a relation by marriage. You will
thin shins. find my sister in his room, for she has nursed him
“A very commonplace little murder,” said he. hand-and-foot this two months back. Perhaps we’d
“You’ve got something better, I fancy. You are the better go in at once, for I know how impatient he
stormy petrel of crime, Watson. What is it?” is.”

I handed him the letter, which he read with the The chamber in which we were shown was on
most concentrated attention. the same floor as the drawing-room. It was fur-
nished partly as a sitting and partly as a bedroom,
“It does not tell us very much, does it?” he with flowers arranged daintily in every nook and
remarked, as he handed it back to me. corner. A young man, very pale and worn, was
“Hardly anything.” lying upon a sofa near the open window, through
“And yet the writing is of interest.” which came the rich scent of the garden and the
balmy summer air. A woman was sitting beside
“But the writing is not his own.”
him, who rose as we entered.
“Precisely. It is a woman’s.”
“Shall I leave, Percy?” she asked.
“A man’s surely,” I cried.
He clutched her hand to detain her. “How are
“No, a woman’s, and a woman of rare character. you, Watson?” said he, cordially. “I should never
You see, at the commencement of an investigation have known you under that moustache, and I dare
it is something to know that your client is in close say you would not be prepared to swear to me. This
contact with some one who, for good or evil, has I presume is your celebrated friend, Mr. Sherlock
an exceptional nature. My interest is already awak- Holmes?”
ened in the case. If you are ready we will start at
once for Woking, and see this diplomatist who is I introduced him in a few words, and we both
in such evil case, and the lady to whom he dictates sat down. The stout young man had left us, but his
his letters.” sister still remained with her hand in that of the
invalid. She was a striking-looking woman, a little
We were fortunate enough to catch an early
short and thick for symmetry, but with a beautiful
train at Waterloo, and in a little under an hour
olive complexion, large, dark, Italian eyes, and a
we found ourselves among the fir-woods and the
wealth of deep black hair. Her rich tints made the
heather of Woking. Briarbrae proved to be a
white face of her companion the more worn and
large detached house standing in extensive grounds
haggard by the contrast.
within a few minutes’ walk of the station. On send-
ing in our cards we were shown into an elegantly “I won’t waste your time,” said he, raising him-
appointed drawing-room, where we were joined self upon the sofa. “I’ll plunge into the matter
in a few minutes by a rather stout man who re- without further preamble. I was a happy and suc-
ceived us with much hospitality. His age may have cessful man, Mr. Holmes, and on the eve of being
been nearer forty than thirty, but his cheeks were so married, when a sudden and dreadful misfortune
ruddy and his eyes so merry that he still conveyed wrecked all my prospects in life.
the impression of a plump and mischievous boy. “I was, as Watson may have told you, in the For-
“I am so glad that you have come,” said he, eign Office, and through the influences of my uncle,
shaking our hands with effusion. “Percy has been Lord Holdhurst, I rose rapidly to a responsible po-
inquiring for you all morning. Ah, poor old chap, sition. When my uncle became foreign minister in
he clings to any straw! His father and his mother this administration he gave me several missions of

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trust, and as I always brought them to a success- had said. Without going into details, I may say
ful conclusion, he came at last to have the utmost that it defined the position of Great Britain towards
confidence in my ability and tact. the Triple Alliance, and fore-shadowed the policy
“Nearly ten weeks ago—to be more accurate, which this country would pursue in the event of the
on the twenty-third of May—he called me into his French fleet gaining a complete ascendancy over
private room, and, after complimenting me on the that of Italy in the Mediterranean. The questions
good work which I had done, he informed me that treated in it were purely naval. At the end were the
he had a new commission of trust for me to execute. signatures of the high dignitaries who had signed
it. I glanced my eyes over it, and then settled down
“ ‘This,’ said he, taking a gray roll of paper from
to my task of copying.
his bureau, ‘is the original of that secret treaty be-
tween England and Italy of which, I regret to say, “It was a long document, written in the French
some rumors have already got into the public press. language, and containing twenty-six separate ar-
It is of enormous importance that nothing further ticles. I copied as quickly as I could, but at nine
should leak out. The French or the Russian embassy o’clock I had only done nine articles, and it seemed
would pay an immense sum to learn the contents hopeless for me to attempt to catch my train. I was
of these papers. They should not leave my bureau feeling drowsy and stupid, partly from my dinner
were it not that it is absolutely necessary to have and also from the effects of a long day’s work. A
them copied. You have a desk in your office?’ cup of coffee would clear my brain. A commission-
“ ‘Yes, sir.’ aire remains all night in a little lodge at the foot
of the stairs, and is in the habit of making coffee
“ ‘Then take the treaty and lock it up there. I at his spirit-lamp for any of the officials who may
shall give directions that you may remain behind be working over time. I rang the bell, therefore, to
when the others go, so that you may copy it at your summon him.
leisure without fear of being overlooked. When you
have finished, relock both the original and the draft “To my surprise, it was a woman who answered
in the desk, and hand them over to me personally the summons, a large, coarse-faced, elderly woman,
to-morrow morning.’ in an apron. She explained that she was the com-
missionaire’s wife, who did the charing, and I gave
“I took the papers and—”
her the order for the coffee.
“Excuse me an instant,” said Holmes. “Were
“I wrote two more articles and then, feeling
you alone during this conversation?”
more drowsy than ever, I rose and walked up and
“Absolutely.” down the room to stretch my legs. My coffee had
“In a large room?” 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
passage, dimly lighted, which led from the room
“Yes, about it.” 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
dine. When I returned he was gone. I was anxious
to hurry my work, for I knew that Joseph—the Mr.
Harrison whom you saw just now—was in town,
and that he would travel down to Woking by the
eleven-o’clock train, and I wanted if possible to
catch it.
“When I came to examine the treaty I saw at
once that it was of such importance that my un-
cle had been guilty of no exaggeration in what he

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 The Naval Treaty

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

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

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

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 The Naval Treaty

extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment “Well, that was reasonable and considerate,”
of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness said Holmes. “Come, Watson, for we have a good
which gives extras, and so I say again that we have day’s work before us in town.”
much to hope from the flowers.” Mr. Joseph Harrison drove us down to the
Percy Phelps and his nurse looked at Holmes station, and we were soon whirling up in a
during this demonstration with surprise and a good Portsmouth train. Holmes was sunk in profound
deal of disappointment written upon their faces. thought, and hardly opened his mouth until we
He had fallen into a reverie, with the moss-rose had passed Clapham Junction.
between his fingers. It had lasted some minutes “It’s a very cheery thing to come into London
before the young lady broke in upon it. by any of these lines which run high, and allow
“Do you see any prospect of solving this mys- you to look down upon the houses like this.”
tery, Mr. Holmes?” she asked, with a touch of as- I thought he was joking, for the view was sordid
perity in her voice. 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
“Light-houses, my boy! Beacons of the future!
points which may strike me.”
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?”
“Then go to London and test your conclusions.” “A girl of strong character.”
“Yes, but she is a good sort, or I am mistaken.
“Your advice is very excellent, Miss Harrison,”
She and her brother are the only children of an
said Holmes, rising. “I think, Watson, we cannot
iron-master somewhere up Northumberland way.
do better. Do not allow yourself to indulge in false
He got engaged to her when traveling last winter,
hopes, Mr. Phelps. The affair is a very tangled one.”
and she came down to be introduced to his people,
“I shall be in a fever until I see you again,” cried with her brother as escort. Then came the smash,
the diplomatist. and she stayed on to nurse her lover, while brother
“Well, I’ll come out by the same train to-morrow, Joseph, finding himself pretty snug, stayed on too.
though it’s more than likely that my report will be I’ve been making a few independent inquiries, you
a negative one.” see. But to-day must be a day of inquiries.”

“God bless you for promising to come,” cried “My practice—” I began.
our client. “It gives me fresh life to know that some- “Oh, if you find your own cases more interest-
thing is being done. By the way, I have had a letter ing than mine—” said Holmes, with some asperity.
from Lord Holdhurst.” “I was going to say that my practice could get
“Ha! What did he say?” along very well for a day or two, since it is the
slackest time in the year.”
“He was cold, but not harsh. I dare say my
severe illness prevented him from being that. He “Excellent,” said he, recovering his good-humor.
repeated that the matter was of the utmost impor- “Then we’ll look into this matter together. I think
tance, and added that no steps would be taken that we should begin by seeing Forbes. He can
about my future—by which he means, of course, probably tell us all the details we want until we
my dismissal—until my health was restored and I know from what side the case is to be approached.”
had an opportunity of repairing my misfortune.” “You said you had a clue?”

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 The Naval Treaty

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

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 The Naval Treaty

“She was later than usual and wanted to get to be ignorant of the object of your visit. There
home.” has only been one occurrence in these offices which
“Did you point out to her that you and Mr. could call for your attention. In whose interest are
Phelps, who started at least twenty minutes after you acting, may I ask?”
he, got home before her?” “In that of Mr. Percy Phelps,” answered Holmes.
“She explains that by the difference between a “Ah, my unfortunate nephew! You can under-
’bus and a hansom.” stand that our kinship makes it the more impossible
“Did she make it clear why, on reaching her for me to screen him in any way. I fear that the
house, she ran into the back kitchen?” incident must have a very prejudicial effect upon
his career.”
“Because she had the money there with which
to pay off the brokers.” “But if the document is found?”
“She has at least an answer for everything. Did “Ah, that, of course, would be different.”
you ask her whether in leaving she met any one or “I had one or two questions which I wished to
saw any one loitering about Charles Street?” ask you, Lord Holdhurst.”
“She saw no one but the constable.” “I shall be happy to give you any information
in my power.”
“Well, you seem to have cross-examined her
pretty thoroughly. What else have you done?” “Was it in this room that you gave your instruc-
tions as to the copying of the document?”
“The clerk Gorot has been shadowed all these
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 “Did you ever mention to any one that it was
evidence 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 a “You are certain of that?”
cool hand, whoever it was, to go and give the alarm “Absolutely.”
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,
We were fortunate in finding that Lord Hold- that very grave results might follow from the details
hurst was still in his chambers in Downing Street, of this treaty becoming known.”
and on Holmes sending in his card we were in- A shadow passed over the expressive face of the
stantly shown up. The statesman received us with statesman. “Very grave results indeed.”
that old-fashioned courtesy for which he is remark- “And have they occurred?”
able, and seated us on the two luxuriant lounges
“Not yet.”
on either side of the fireplace. Standing on the rug
between us, with his slight, tall figure, his sharp “If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French
features, thoughtful face, and curling hair prema- or Russian Foreign Office, you would expect to hear
turely tinged with gray, he seemed to represent that of it?”
not too common type, a nobleman who is in truth “I should,” said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry
noble. face.
“Your name is very familiar to me, Mr. Holmes,” “Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed, then, and
said he, smiling. “And, of course, I cannot pretend nothing has been heard, it is not unfair to suppose

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that for some reason the treaty has not reached your uncle, and I have set one or two trains of
them.” inquiry upon foot which may lead to something.”
Lord Holdhurst shrugged his shoulders. “You have not lost heart, then?”
“We can hardly suppose, Mr. Holmes, that the “By no means.”
thief took the treaty in order to frame it and hang “God bless you for saying that!” cried Miss Har-
it up.” rison. “If we keep our courage and our patience
“Perhaps he is waiting for a better price.” the truth must come out.”
“We have more to tell you than you have for us,”
“If he waits a little longer he will get no price
said Phelps, reseating himself upon the couch.
at all. The treaty will cease to be secret in a few
months.” “I hoped you might have something.”
“That is most important,” said Holmes. “Of “Yes, we have had an adventure during the
course, it is a possible supposition that the thief has night, and one which might have proved to be a
had a sudden illness—” serious one.” His expression grew very grave as he
spoke, and a look of something akin to fear sprang
“An attack of brain-fever, for example?” asked up in his eyes. “Do you know,” said he, “that I
the statesman, flashing a swift glance at him. begin to believe that I am the unconscious centre
“I did not say so,” said Holmes, imperturbably. of some monstrous conspiracy, and that my life is
“And now, Lord Holdhurst, we have already taken 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
calls. You noticed, of course, that his boots had I could dispense with one. I had a night-light
been re-soled? Now, Watson, I won’t detain you burning, however. Well, about two in the morn-
from your legitimate work any longer. I shall do ing I had sunk into a light sleep when I was sud-
nothing more to-day, unless I have an answer to denly aroused by a slight noise. It was like the
my cab advertisement. But I should be extremely sound which a mouse makes when it is gnawing a
obliged to you if you would come down with me plank, and I lay listening to it for some time under
to Woking to-morrow, by the same train which we the impression that it must come from that cause.
took yesterday.” Then it grew louder, and suddenly there came from
I met him accordingly next morning and we the window a sharp metallic snick. I sat up in
traveled down to Woking together. He had had no amazement. There could be no doubt what the
answer to his advertisement, he said, and no fresh sounds were now. The first ones had been caused
light had been thrown upon the case. He had, when by some one forcing an instrument through the slit
he so willed it, the utter immobility of countenance between the sashes, and the second by the catch
of a red Indian, and I could not gather from his ap- being pressed back.
pearance whether he was satisfied or not with the “There was a pause then for about ten minutes,
position of the case. His conversation, I remember, as if the person were waiting to see whether the
was about the Bertillon system of measurements, noise had awakened me. Then I heard a gentle
and he expressed his enthusiastic admiration of the creaking as the window was very slowly opened. I
French savant. could stand it no longer, for my nerves are not what
We found our client still under the charge of they used to be. I sprang out of bed and flung open
his devoted nurse, but looking considerably better the shutters. A man was crouching at the window.
than before. He rose from the sofa and greeted us I could see little of him, for he was gone like a flash.
without difficulty when we entered. He was wrapped in some sort of cloak which came
across the lower part of his face. One thing only I
“Any news?” he asked, eagerly. am sure of, and that is that he had some weapon
“My report, as I expected, is a negative one,” in his hand. It looked to me like a long knife. I
said Holmes. “I have seen Forbes, and I have seen distinctly saw the gleam of it as he turned to run.”

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“This is most interesting,” said Holmes. “Pray “It is the side entrance for trades-people. Of
what did you do then?” course it is locked at night.”
“I should have followed him through the open “Have you ever had an alarm like this before?”
window if I had been stronger. As it was, I rang “Never,” said our client.
the bell and roused the house. It took me some “Do you keep plate in the house, or anything to
little time, for the bell rings in the kitchen and the attract burglars?”
servants all sleep upstairs. I shouted, however, and “Nothing of value.”
that brought Joseph down, and he roused the oth- Holmes strolled round the house with his hands
ers. Joseph and the groom found marks on the in his pockets and a negligent air which was un-
bed outside the window, but the weather has been usual with him.
so dry lately that they found it hopeless to follow
“By the way,” said he to Joseph Harrison, “you
the trail across the grass. There’s a place, however,
found some place, I understand, where the fellow
on the wooden fence which skirts the road which
scaled the fence. Let us have a look at that!”
shows signs, they tell me, as if some one had got
over, and had snapped the top of the rail in doing The plump young man led us to a spot where
so. I have said nothing to the local police yet, for I the top of one of the wooden rails had been cracked.
thought I had best have your opinion first.” A small fragment of the wood was hanging down.
Holmes pulled it off and examined it critically.
This tale of our client’s appeared to have an
“Do you think that was done last night? It looks
extraordinary effect upon Sherlock Holmes. He
rather old, does it not?”
rose from his chair and paced about the room in
uncontrollable excitement. “Well, possibly so.”
“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 upon the arm of his future brother-in-law. Holmes
the house with me?” walked swiftly across the lawn, and we were at
“Oh, yes, I should like a little sunshine. Joseph the open window of the bedroom long before the
will come, too.” others came up.
“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.”
The young lady resumed her seat with an air “Certainly, if you wish it, Mr. Holmes,” said the
of displeasure. Her brother, however, had joined girl in astonishment.
us and we set off all four together. We passed “When you go to bed lock the door of this room
round the lawn to the outside of the young diplo- on the outside and keep the key. Promise to do
matist’s window. There were, as he had said, marks this.”
upon the bed, but they were hopelessly blurred and “But Percy?”
vague. Holmes stopped over them for an instant, “He will come to London with us.”
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!”
“They are more visible from the road,” sug- “No, thank you, Joseph. I have a slight headache
gested Mr. Joseph Harrison. and this room is deliciously cool and soothing.”
“Ah, yes, of course. There is a door here which “What do you propose now, Mr. Holmes?”
he might have attempted. What is it for?” asked our client.

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

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morning. As the evening wore on his excitement face was very grim and pale. He entered the house,
became quite painful. but it was some little time before he came 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. “After
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 he “You are not wounded, Holmes?” I asked, as
has acted on behalf of three of the reigning houses my friend entered the room.
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 an siness,” he answered, nodding his good-mornings
inscrutable fellow that I never quite know what to to us. “This case of yours, Mr. Phelps, is certainly
make of him. Do you think he is hopeful? Do you one of the darkest which I have ever investigated.”
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.
“Won’t you tell us what has happened?”
“On the contrary, I have noticed that when he
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.
A few minutes later she brought in three covers,
I was able at last to persuade my companion
and we all drew up to the table, Holmes ravenous,
to take my advice, though I knew from his excited
I curious, and Phelps in the gloomiest state of de-
manner that there was not much hope of sleep for
pression.
him. Indeed, his mood was infectious, for I lay
tossing half the night myself, brooding over this “Mrs. Hudson has risen to the occasion,” said
strange problem, and inventing a hundred theories, Holmes, uncovering a dish of curried chicken. “Her
each of which was more impossible than the last. cuisine is a little limited, but she has as good an
Why had Holmes remained at Woking? Why had idea of breakfast as a Scotch-woman. What have
he asked Miss Harrison to remain in the sick-room you here, Watson?”
all day? Why had he been so careful not to inform “Ham and eggs,” I answered.
the people at Briarbrae that he intended to remain “Good! What are you going to take, Mr.
near them? I cudgelled my brains until I fell asleep Phelps—curried fowl or eggs, or will you help your-
in the endeavor to find some explanation which self?”
would cover all these facts. “Thank you. I can eat nothing,” said Phelps.
It was seven o’clock when I awoke, and I set off “Oh, come! Try the dish before you.”
at once for Phelps’s room, to find him haggard and “Thank you, I would really rather not.”
spent after a sleepless night. His first question was
“Well, then,” said Holmes, with a mischievous
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
And my words were true, for shortly after eight uttered a scream, and sat there staring with a face
a hansom dashed up to the door and our friend got as white as the plate upon which he looked. Across
out of it. Standing in the window we saw that his the centre of it was lying a little cylinder of blue-
left hand was swathed in a bandage and that his gray paper. He caught it up, devoured it with his

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

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“Well, he has rather more viciousness than I “How blind I have been!”
gave him credit for, has Master Joseph. He flew at
“The facts of the case, as far as I have worked
me with his knife, and I had to grasp him twice,
them out, are these: this Joseph Harrison entered
and got a cut over the knuckles, before I had the
the office through the Charles Street door, and
upper hand of him. He looked murder out of the
knowing his way he walked straight into your room
only eye he could see with when we had finished,
the instant after you left it. Finding no one there
but he listened to reason and gave up the papers.
he promptly rang the bell, and at the instant that
Having got them I let my man go, but I wired full
he did so his eyes caught the paper upon the table.
particulars to Forbes this morning. If he is quick
A glance showed him that chance had put in his
enough to catch his bird, well and good. But if, as I
way a State document of immense value, and in
shrewdly suspect, he finds the nest empty before
an instant he had thrust it into his pocket and was
he gets there, why, all the better for the government.
gone. A few minutes elapsed, as you remember, be-
I fancy that Lord Holdhurst for one, and Mr. Percy
fore the sleepy commissionaire drew your attention
Phelps for another, would very much rather that
to the bell, and those were just enough to give the
the affair never got as far as a police-court.
thief time to make his escape.
“My God!” gasped our client. “Do you tell
me that during these long ten weeks of agony the “He made his way to Woking by the first train,
stolen papers were within the very room with me and having examined his booty and assured him-
all the time?” self that it really was of immense value, he had
concealed it in what he thought was a very safe
“So it was.” place, with the intention of taking it out again in a
“And Joseph! Joseph a villain and a thief!” day or two, and carrying it to the French embassy,
“Hum! I am afraid Joseph’s character is a rather or wherever he thought that a long price was to be
deeper and more dangerous one than one might had. Then came your sudden return. He, without
judge from his appearance. From what I have heard a moment’s warning, was bundled out of his room,
from him this morning, I gather that he has lost and from that time onward there were always at
heavily in dabbling with stocks, and that he is ready least two of you there to prevent him from regain-
to do anything on earth to better his fortunes. Being ing his treasure. The situation to him must have
an absolutely selfish man, when a chance presented been a maddening one. But at last he thought he
itself he did not allow either his sister’s happiness saw his chance. He tried to steal in, but was baffled
or your reputation to hold his hand.” by your wakefulness. You remember that you did
not take your usual draught that night.”
Percy Phelps sank back in his chair. “My head
whirls,” said he. “Your words have dazed me.” “I remember.”
“The principal difficulty in your case,” re- “I fancy that he had taken steps to make that
marked Holmes, in his didactic fashion, “lay in draught efficacious, and that he quite relied upon
the fact of there being too much evidence. What your being unconscious. Of course, I understood
was vital was overlaid and hidden by what was ir- that he would repeat the attempt whenever it could
relevant. Of all the facts which were presented to us be done with safety. Your leaving the room gave
we had to pick just those which we deemed to be es- him the chance he wanted. I kept Miss Harrison in
sential, and then piece them together in their order, it all day so that he might not anticipate us. Then,
so as to reconstruct this very remarkable chain of having given him the idea that the coast was clear, I
events. I had already begun to suspect Joseph, from kept guard as I have described. I already knew that
the fact that you had intended to travel home with the papers were probably in the room, but I had
him that night, and that therefore it was a likely no desire to rip up all the planking and skirting in
enough thing that he should call for you, knowing search of them. I let him take them, therefore, from
the Foreign Office well, upon his way. When I heard the hiding-place, and so saved myself an infinity of
that some one had been so anxious to get into the trouble. Is there any other point which I can make
bedroom, in which no one but Joseph could have clear?”
concealed anything—you told us in your narrative
“Why did he try the window on the first occa-
how you had turned Joseph out when you arrived
sion,” I asked, “when he might have entered by the
with the doctor—my suspicions all changed to cer-
door?”
tainties, especially as the attempt was made on the
first night upon which the nurse was absent, show- “In reaching the door he would have to pass
ing that the intruder was well acquainted with the seven bedrooms. On the other hand, he could get
ways of the house.” out on to the lawn with ease. Anything else?”

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 The Naval Treaty

“You do not think,” asked Phelps, “that he had “It may be so,” answered Holmes, shrugging
any murderous intention? The knife was only his shoulders. “I can only say for certain that Mr.
meant as a tool.” Joseph Harrison is a gentleman to whose mercy I
should be extremely unwilling to trust.”

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The Final Problem
I
The Final Problem

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

403
 The Final Problem

Watson, in all seriousness, that if I could beat that of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider
man, if I could free society of him, I should feel in the center of its web, but that web has a thou-
that my own career had reached its summit, and sand radiations, and he knows well every quiver
I should be prepared to turn to some more placid of each of them. He does little himself. He only
line in life. Between ourselves, the recent cases in plans. But his agents are numerous and splendidly
which I have been of assistance to the royal family organized. Is there a crime to be done, a paper
of Scandinavia, and to the French republic, have to be abstracted, we will say, a house to be rifled,
left me in such a position that I could continue to a man to be removed—the word is passed to the
live in the quiet fashion which is most congenial Professor, the matter is organized and carried out.
to me, and to concentrate my attention upon my The agent may be caught. In that case money is
chemical researches. But I could not rest, Watson, found for his bail or his defence. But the central
I could not sit quiet in my chair, if I thought that power which uses the agent is never caught—never
such a man as Professor Moriarty were walking the so much as suspected. This was the organization
streets of London unchallenged.” which I deduced, Watson, and which I devoted my
“What has he done, then?” whole energy to exposing and breaking up.

“His career has been an extraordinary one. He “But the Professor was fenced round with safe-
is a man of good birth and excellent education, en- guards so cunningly devised that, do what I would,
dowed by nature with a phenomenal mathematical it seemed impossible to get evidence which would
faculty. At the age of twenty-one he wrote a treatise convict in a court of law. You know my powers, my
upon the Binomial Theorem, which has had a Euro- dear Watson, and yet at the end of three months
pean vogue. On the strength of it he won the Math- I was forced to confess that I had at last met an
ematical Chair at one of our smaller universities, antagonist who was my intellectual equal. My hor-
and had, to all appearance, a most brilliant career ror at his crimes was lost in my admiration at his
before him. But the man had hereditary tendencies skill. But at last he made a trip—only a little, little
of the most diabolical kind. A criminal strain ran trip—but it was more than he could afford when I
in his blood, which, instead of being modified, was was so close upon him. I had my chance, and, start-
increased and rendered infinitely more dangerous ing from that point, I have woven my net round
by his extraordinary mental powers. Dark rumors him until now it is all ready to close. In three
gathered round him in the university town, and days—that is to say, on Monday next—matters will
eventually he was compelled to resign his chair be ripe, and the Professor, with all the principal
and to come down to London, where he set up as members of his gang, will be in the hands of the
an army coach. So much is known to the world, but police. Then will come the greatest criminal trial of
what I am telling you now is what I have myself the century, the clearing up of over forty mysteries,
discovered. and the rope for all of them; but if we move at all
prematurely, you understand, they may slip out of
“As you are aware, Watson, there is no one who our hands even at the last moment.
knows the higher criminal world of London so well
as I do. For years past I have continually been “Now, if I could have done this without the
conscious of some power behind the malefactor, knowledge of Professor Moriarty, all would have
some deep organizing power which forever stands been well. But he was too wily for that. He saw
in the way of the law, and throws its shield over every step which I took to draw my toils round
the wrong-doer. Again and again in cases of the him. Again and again he strove to break away, but
most varying sorts—forgery cases, robberies, mur- I as often headed him off. I tell you, my friend, that
ders—I have felt the presence of this force, and I if a detailed account of that silent contest could be
have deduced its action in many of those undiscov- written, it would take its place as the most brilliant
ered crimes in which I have not been personally bit of thrust-and-parry work in the history of detec-
consulted. For years I have endeavored to break tion. Never have I risen to such a height, and never
through the veil which shrouded it, and at last the have I been so hard pressed by an opponent. He cut
time came when I seized my thread and followed it, deep, and yet I just undercut him. This morning
until it led me, after a thousand cunning windings, the last steps were taken, and three days only were
to ex-Professor Moriarty of mathematical celebrity. wanted to complete the business. I was sitting in
my room thinking the matter over, when the door
“He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is
opened and Professor Moriarty stood before me.
the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all
that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, “My nerves are fairly proof, Watson, but I must
a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain confess to a start when I saw the very man who had

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 The Final Problem

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

405
 The Final Problem

two-horse van furiously driven whizzed round and criminals in Europe. Now listen! You will dispatch
was on me like a flash. I sprang for the foot-path whatever luggage you intend to take by a trusty
and saved myself by the fraction of a second. The messenger unaddressed to Victoria to-night. In the
van dashed round by Marylebone Lane and was morning you will send for a hansom, desiring your
gone in an instant. I kept to the pavement after that, man to take neither the first nor the second which
Watson, but as I walked down Vere Street a brick may present itself. Into this hansom you will jump,
came down from the roof of one of the houses, and and you will drive to the Strand end of the Lowther
was shattered to fragments at my feet. I called the Arcade, handing the address to the cabman upon a
police and had the place examined. There were slip of paper, with a request that he will not throw
slates and bricks piled up on the roof preparatory it away. Have your fare ready, and the instant that
to some repairs, and they would have me believe your cab stops, dash through the Arcade, timing
that the wind had toppled over one of these. Of yourself to reach the other side at a quarter-past
course I knew better, but I could prove nothing. nine. You will find a small brougham waiting close
I took a cab after that and reached my brother’s to the curb, driven by a fellow with a heavy black
rooms in Pall Mall, where I spent the day. Now cloak tipped at the collar with red. Into this you
I have come round to you, and on my way I was will step, and you will reach Victoria in time for
attacked by a rough with a bludgeon. I knocked the Continental express.”
him down, and the police have him in custody; but “Where shall I meet you?”
I can tell you with the most absolute confidence
that no possible connection will ever be traced be- “At the station. The second first-class carriage
tween the gentleman upon whose front teeth I have from the front will be reserved for us.”
barked my knuckles and the retiring mathematical “The carriage is our rendezvous, then?”
coach, who is, I dare say, working out problems
“Yes.”
upon a black-board ten miles away. You will not
wonder, Watson, that my first act on entering your It was in vain that I asked Holmes to remain for
rooms was to close your shutters, and that I have the evening. It was evident to me that he thought
been compelled to ask your permission to leave the he might bring trouble to the roof he was under,
house by some less conspicuous exit than the front and that that was the motive which impelled him
door.” to go. With a few hurried words as to our plans for
the morrow he rose and came out with me into the
I had often admired my friend’s courage, but
garden, clambering over the wall which leads into
never more than now, as he sat quietly checking off
Mortimer Street, and immediately whistling for a
a series of incidents which must have combined to
hansom, in which I heard him drive away.
make up a day of horror.
In the morning I obeyed Holmes’s injunctions
“You will spend the night here?” I said.
to the letter. A hansom was procured with such pre-
“No, my friend, you might find me a dangerous caution as would prevent its being one which was
guest. I have my plans laid, and all will be well. placed ready for us, and I drove immediately after
Matters have gone so far now that they can move breakfast to the Lowther Arcade, through which I
without my help as far as the arrest goes, though hurried at the top of my speed. A brougham was
my presence is necessary for a conviction. It is obvi- waiting with a very massive driver wrapped in a
ous, therefore, that I cannot do better than get away dark cloak, who, the instant that I had stepped in,
for the few days which remain before the police are whipped up the horse and rattled off to Victoria
at liberty to act. It would be a great pleasure to me, Station. On my alighting there he turned the car-
therefore, if you could come on to the Continent riage, and dashed away again without so much as
with me.” a look in my direction.
“The practice is quiet,” said I, “and I have an ac- So far all had gone admirably. My luggage was
commodating neighbor. I should be glad to come.” waiting for me, and I had no difficulty in finding
“And to start to-morrow morning?” the carriage which Holmes had indicated, the less
so as it was the only one in the train which was
“If necessary.” marked “Engaged.” My only source of anxiety now
“Oh yes, it is most necessary. Then these are was the non-appearance of Holmes. The station
your instructions, and I beg, my dear Watson, that clock marked only seven minutes from the time
you will obey them to the letter, for you are now when we were due to start. In vain I searched
playing a double-handed game with me against the among the groups of travellers and leave-takers for
cleverest rogue and the most powerful syndicate of the lithe figure of my friend. There was no sign of

406
 The Final Problem

him. I spent a few minutes in assisting a venera- rooms. They have evidently taken the precaution
ble Italian priest, who was endeavoring to make a of watching you, however, and that is what has
porter understand, in his broken English, that his brought Moriarty to Victoria. You could not have
luggage was to be booked through to Paris. Then, made any slip in coming?”
having taken another look round, I returned to my “I did exactly what you advised.”
carriage, where I found that the porter, in spite of
“Did you find your brougham?”
the ticket, had given me my decrepit Italian friend
as a traveling companion. It was useless for me to “Yes, it was waiting.”
explain to him that his presence was an intrusion, “Did you recognize your coachman?”
for my Italian was even more limited than his En- “No.”
glish, so I shrugged my shoulders resignedly, and
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 ex- slight an obstacle. Why, then, should you think so
panded. The next the whole frame collapsed again, meanly of him?”
and Holmes had gone as quickly as he had come. “What will he do?”
“Good heavens!” I cried; “how you startled me!” “What I should do.”
“Every precaution is still necessary,” he whis- “What would you do, then?”
pered. “I have reason to think that they are hot “Engage a special.”
upon our trail. Ah, there is Moriarty himself.”
“But it must be late.”
The train had already begun to move as Holmes
“By no means. This train stops at Canterbury;
spoke. Glancing back, I saw a tall man pushing his
and there is always at least a quarter of an hour’s
way furiously through the crowd, and waving his
delay at the boat. He will catch us there.”
hand as if he desired to have the train stopped. It
was too late, however, for we were rapidly gather- “One would think that we were the criminals.
ing momentum, and an instant later had shot clear Let us have him arrested on his arrival.”
of the station. “It would be to ruin the work of three months.
“With all our precautions, you see that we have We should get the big fish, but the smaller would
cut it rather fine,” said Holmes, laughing. He rose, dart right and left out of the net. On Monday we
and throwing off the black cassock and hat which should have them all. No, an arrest is inadmissi-
had formed his disguise, he packed them away in ble.”
a hand-bag. “What then?”
“Have you seen the morning paper, Watson?” “We shall get out at Canterbury.”
“No.” “And then?”
“You haven’t seen about Baker Street, then?” “Well, then we must make a cross-country jour-
“Baker Street?” ney to Newhaven, and so over to Dieppe. Moriarty
will again do what I should do. He will get on to
“They set fire to our rooms last night. No great
Paris, mark down our luggage, and wait for two
harm was done.”
days at the depot. In the meantime we shall treat
“Good heavens, Holmes, this is intolerable!” ourselves to a couple of carpet-bags, encourage
“They must have lost my track completely after the manufactures of the countries through which
their bludgeon-man was arrested. Otherwise they we travel, and make our way at our leisure into
could not have imagined that I had returned to my Switzerland, via Luxembourg and Basle.”

407
 The Final Problem

At Canterbury, therefore, we alighted, only to should certainly recommend you to return to your
find that we should have to wait an hour before we practice.”
could get a train to Newhaven. It was hardly an appeal to be successful with
I was still looking rather ruefully after the one who was an old campaigner as well as an old
rapidly disappearing luggage-van which contained friend. We sat in the Strasbourg salle-à-manger ar-
my wardrobe, when Holmes pulled my sleeve and guing the question for half an hour, but the same
pointed up the line. night we had resumed our journey and were well
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 Meiringen.
open curve which leads to the station. We had It was a lovely trip, the dainty green of the spring
hardly time to take our place behind a pile of lug- below, the virgin white of the winter above; but
gage when it passed with a rattle and a roar, beating it was clear to me that never for one instant did
a blast of hot air into our faces. Holmes forget the shadow which lay across him. In
“There he goes,” said Holmes, as we watched the homely Alpine villages or in the lonely moun-
the carriage swing and rock over the point. “There tain passes, I could tell by his quick glancing eyes
are limits, you see, to our friend’s intelligence. It and his sharp scrutiny of every face that passed us,
would have been a coup-de-maı̂tre had he deduced that he was well convinced that, walk where we
what I would deduce and acted accordingly.” would, we could not walk ourselves clear of the
danger which was dogging our footsteps.
“And what would he have done had he over-
Once, I remember, as we passed over the
taken us?”
Gemmi, and walked along the border of the melan-
“There cannot be the least doubt that he would choly Daubensee, a large rock which had been dis-
have made a murderous attack upon me. It is, how- lodged from the ridge upon our right clattered
ever, a game at which two may play. The question down and roared into the lake behind us. In an
now is whether we should take a premature lunch instant Holmes had raced up on to the ridge, and,
here, or run our chance of starving before we reach standing upon a lofty pinnacle, craned his neck
the buffet at Newhaven.” in every direction. It was in vain that our guide
We made our way to Brussels that night and assured him that a fall of stones was a common
spent two days there, moving on upon the third chance in the spring-time at that spot. He said
day as far as Strasburg. On the Monday morning nothing, but he smiled at me with the air of a man
Holmes had telegraphed to the London police, and who sees the fulfillment of that which he had ex-
in the evening we found a reply waiting for us at pected.
our hotel. Holmes tore it open, and then with a And yet for all his watchfulness he was never
bitter curse hurled it into the grate. depressed. On the contrary, I can never recollect
having seen him in such exuberant spirits. Again
“I might have known it!” he groaned. “He has and again he recurred to the fact that if he could
escaped!” be assured that society was freed from Professor
“Moriarty?” Moriarty he would cheerfully bring his own career
“They have secured the whole gang with the to a conclusion.
exception of him. He has given them the slip. Of “I think that I may go so far as to say, Watson,
course, when I had left the country there was no that I have not lived wholly in vain,” he remarked.
one to cope with him. But I did think that I had “If my record were closed to-night I could still sur-
put the game in their hands. I think that you had vey it with equanimity. The air of London is the
better return to England, Watson.” sweeter for my presence. In over a thousand cases I
am not aware that I have ever used my powers upon
“Why?” the wrong side. Of late I have been tempted to look
“Because you will find me a dangerous com- into the problems furnished by nature rather than
panion now. This man’s occupation is gone. He those more superficial ones for which our artificial
is lost if he returns to London. If I read his char- state of society is responsible. Your memoirs will
acter right he will devote his whole energies to draw to an end, Watson, upon the day that I crown
revenging himself upon me. He said as much in my career by the capture or extinction of the most
our short interview, and I fancy that he meant it. I dangerous and capable criminal in Europe.”

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 The Final Problem

I shall be brief, and yet exact, in the little which The appeal was one which could not be ignored.
remains for me to tell. It is not a subject on which I It was impossible to refuse the request of a fellow-
would willingly dwell, and yet I am conscious that countrywoman dying in a strange land. Yet I had
a duty devolves upon me to omit no detail. my scruples about leaving Holmes. It was finally
agreed, however, that he should retain the young
It was on the third of May that we reached the Swiss messenger with him as guide and companion
little village of Meiringen, where we put up at the while I returned to Meiringen. My friend would
Englischer Hof, then kept by Peter Steiler the elder. stay some little time at the fall, he said, and would
Our landlord was an intelligent man, and spoke then walk slowly over the hill to Rosenlaui, where I
excellent English, having served for three years as was to rejoin him in the evening. As I turned away
waiter at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. At his I saw Holmes, with his back against a rock and his
advice, on the afternoon of the fourth we set off arms folded, gazing down at the rush of the waters.
together, with the intention of crossing the hills and It was the last that I was ever destined to see of him
spending the night at the hamlet of Rosenlaui. We in this world.
had strict injunctions, however, on no account to
pass the falls of Reichenbach, which are about half- When I was near the bottom of the descent I
way up the hill, without making a small detour to looked back. It was impossible, from that position,
see them. to see the fall, but I could see the curving path
which winds over the shoulder of the hill and leads
It is, indeed, a fearful place. The torrent, swollen to it. Along this a man was, I remember, walking
by the melting snow, plunges into a tremendous very rapidly.
abyss, from which the spray rolls up like the smoke
I could see his black figure clearly outlined
from a burning house. The shaft into which the
against the green behind him. I noted him, and the
river hurls itself is an immense chasm, lined by
energy with which he walked but he passed from
glistening coal-black rock, and narrowing into a
my mind again as I hurried on upon my errand.
creaming, boiling pit of incalculable depth, which
brims over and shoots the stream onward over its It may have been a little over an hour before I
jagged lip. The long sweep of green water roaring reached Meiringen. Old Steiler was standing at the
forever down, and the thick flickering curtain of porch of his hotel.
spray hissing forever upward, turn a man giddy
“Well,” said I, as I came hurrying up, “I trust
with their constant whirl and clamor. We stood
that she is no worse?”
near the edge peering down at the gleam of the
breaking water far below us against the black rocks, A look of surprise passed over his face, and at
and listening to the half-human shout which came the first quiver of his eyebrows my heart turned to
booming up with the spray out of the abyss. lead in my breast.

The path has been cut half-way round the fall “You did not write this?” I said, pulling the
to afford a complete view, but it ends abruptly, letter from my pocket. “There is no sick English-
and the traveler has to return as he came. We had woman in the hotel?”
turned to do so, when we saw a Swiss lad come run-
“Certainly not!” he cried. “But it has the hotel
ning along it with a letter in his hand. It bore the
mark upon it! Ha, it must have been written by that
mark of the hotel which we had just left, and was
tall Englishman who came in after you had gone.
addressed to me by the landlord. It appeared that
He said—”
within a very few minutes of our leaving, an En-
glish lady had arrived who was in the last stage of But I waited for none of the landlord’s expla-
consumption. She had wintered at Davos Platz, and nations. In a tingle of fear I was already running
was journeying now to join her friends at Lucerne, down the village street, and making for the path
when a sudden hemorrhage had overtaken her. It which I had so lately descended. It had taken me
was thought that she could hardly live a few hours, an hour to come down. For all my efforts two
but it would be a great consolation to her to see more had passed before I found myself at the fall
an English doctor, and, if I would only return, etc. of Reichenbach once more. There was Holmes’s
The good Steiler assured me in a postscript that he Alpine-stock still leaning against the rock by which
would himself look upon my compliance as a very I had left him. But there was no sign of him, and
great favor, since the lady absolutely refused to see it was in vain that I shouted. My only answer was
a Swiss physician, and he could not but feel that my own voice reverberating in a rolling echo from
he was incurring a great responsibility. the cliffs around me.

409
 The Final Problem

It was the sight of that Alpine-stock which of our movements. They certainly con-
turned me cold and sick. He had not gone to Rosen- firm the very high opinion which I had
laui, then. He had remained on that three-foot path, formed of his abilities. I am pleased to
with sheer wall on one side and sheer drop on the think that I shall be able to free society
other, until his enemy had overtaken him. The from any further effects of his presence,
young Swiss had gone too. He had probably been though I fear that it is at a cost which
in the pay of Moriarty, and had left the two men will give pain to my friends, and espe-
together. And then what had happened? Who was cially, my dear Watson, to you. I have
to tell us what had happened then? already explained to you, however, that
I stood for a minute or two to collect myself, for my career had in any case reached its
I was dazed with the horror of the thing. Then I crisis, and that no possible conclusion
began to think of Holmes’s own methods and to to it could be more congenial to me than
try to practise them in reading this tragedy. It was, this. Indeed, if I may make a full confes-
alas, only too easy to do. During our conversa- sion to you, I was quite convinced that
tion we had not gone to the end of the path, and the letter from Meiringen was a hoax,
the Alpine-stock marked the place where we had and I allowed you to depart on that er-
stood. The blackish soil is kept forever soft by the rand under the persuasion that some
incessant drift of spray, and a bird would leave its development of this sort would follow.
tread upon it. Two lines of footmarks were clearly Tell Inspector Patterson that the papers
marked along the farther end of the path, both lead- which he needs to convict the gang are
ing away from me. There were none returning. A in pigeonhole M., done up in a blue en-
few yards from the end the soil was all ploughed velope and inscribed “Moriarty.” I made
up into a patch of mud, and the branches and ferns every disposition of my property before
which fringed the chasm were torn and bedraggled. leaving England, and handed it to my
I lay upon my face and peered over with the spray brother Mycroft. Pray give my greetings
spouting up all around me. It had darkened since to Mrs. Watson, and believe me to be,
I left, and now I could only see here and there the my dear fellow,
glistening of moisture upon the black walls, and — Very sincerely yours,
far away down at the end of the shaft the gleam Sherlock Holmes
of the broken water. I shouted; but only the same
half-human cry of the fall was borne back to my
ears.
A few words may suffice to tell the little that
But it was destined that I should after all have remains. An examination by experts leaves little
a last word of greeting from my friend and com- doubt that a personal contest between the two men
rade. I have said that his Alpine-stock had been ended, as it could hardly fail to end in such a situ-
left leaning against a rock which jutted on to the ation, in their reeling over, locked in each other’s
path. From the top of this boulder the gleam of arms. Any attempt at recovering the bodies was
something bright caught my eye, and, raising my absolutely hopeless, and there, deep down in that
hand, I found that it came from the silver cigarette- dreadful cauldron of swirling water and seething
case which he used to carry. As I took it up a small foam, will lie for all time the most dangerous crim-
square of paper upon which it had lain fluttered inal and the foremost champion of the law of their
down on to the ground. Unfolding it, I found that generation. The Swiss youth was never found again,
it consisted of three pages torn from his note-book and there can be no doubt that he was one of the nu-
and addressed to me. It was characteristic of the merous agents whom Moriarty kept in his employ.
man that the direction was as precise, and the writ- As to the gang, it will be within the memory of the
ing as firm and clear, as though it had been written public how completely the evidence which Holmes
in his study. had accumulated exposed their organization, and
My dear Watson [it said]: how heavily the hand of the dead man weighed
I write these few lines through the upon them. Of their terrible chief few details came
courtesy of Mr. Moriarty, who awaits out during the proceedings, and if I have now been
my convenience for the final discussion compelled to make a clear statement of his career
of those questions which lie between us. it is due to those injudicious champions who have
He has been giving me a sketch of the endeavored to clear his memory by attacks upon
methods by which he avoided the En- him whom I shall ever regard as the best and the
glish police and kept himself informed wisest man whom I have ever known.

410
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 The Honourable Ronald Adair was the second
all London was interested, and the fash- son of the Earl of Maynooth, at that time Governor
ionable world dismayed, by the murder of one of the Australian Colonies. Adair’s mother
of the Honourable Ronald Adair under had returned from Australia to undergo the opera-
most unusual and inexplicable circumstances. The tion for cataract, and she, her son Ronald, and her
public has already learned those particulars of the daughter Hilda were living together at 427, Park
crime which came out in the police investigation; Lane. The youth moved in the best society, had, so
but a good deal was suppressed upon that occa- far as was known, no enemies, and no particular
sion, since the case for the prosecution was so over- vices. He had been engaged to Miss Edith Woodley,
whelmingly strong that it was not necessary to of Carstairs, but the engagement had been broken
bring forward all the facts. Only now, at the end off by mutual consent some months before, and
of nearly ten years, am I allowed to supply those there was no sign that it had left any very pro-
missing links which make up the whole of that re- found feeling behind it. For the rest the man’s life
markable chain. The crime was of interest in itself, moved in a narrow and conventional circle, for his
but that interest was as nothing to me compared habits were quiet and his nature unemotional. Yet
to the inconceivable sequel, which afforded me the it was upon this easy-going young aristocrat that
greatest shock and surprise of any event in my ad- death came in most strange and unexpected form
venturous life. Even now, after this long interval, between the hours of ten and eleven-twenty on the
I find myself thrilling as I think of it, and feeling night of March 30, 1894.
once more that sudden flood of joy, amazement, Ronald Adair was fond of cards, playing contin-
and incredulity which utterly submerged my mind. ually, but never for such stakes as would hurt him.
Let me say to that public which has shown some He was a member of the Baldwin, the Cavendish,
interest in those glimpses which I have occasionally and the Bagatelle card clubs. It was shown that
given them of the thoughts and actions of a very after dinner on the day of his death he had played
remarkable man that they are not to blame me if a rubber of whist at the latter club. He had also
I have not shared my knowledge with them, for played there in the afternoon. The evidence of those
I should have considered it my first duty to have who had played with him—Mr. Murray, Sir John
done so had I not been barred by a positive prohibi- Hardy, and Colonel Moran—showed that the game
tion from his own lips, which was only withdrawn was whist, and that there was a fairly equal fall of
upon the third of last month. the cards. Adair might have lost five pounds, but
It can be imagined that my close intimacy with not more. His fortune was a considerable one, and
Sherlock Holmes had interested me deeply in crime, such a loss could not in any way affect him. He
and that after his disappearance I never failed to had played nearly every day at one club or other,
read with care the various problems which came but he was a cautious player, and usually rose a
before the public, and I even attempted more than winner. It came out in evidence that in partnership
once for my own private satisfaction to employ his with Colonel Moran he had actually won as much
methods in their solution, though with indifferent as four hundred and twenty pounds in a sitting
success. There was none, however, which appealed some weeks before from Godfrey Milner and Lord
to me like this tragedy of Ronald Adair. As I read Balmoral. So much for his recent history, as it came
the evidence at the inquest, which led up to a ver- out at the inquest.
dict of wilful murder against some person or per- On the evening of the crime he returned from
sons unknown, I realized more clearly than I had the club exactly at ten. His mother and sister were
ever done the loss which the community had sus- out spending the evening with a relation. The ser-
tained by the death of Sherlock Holmes. There were vant deposed that she heard him enter the front
points about this strange business which would, I room on the second floor, generally used as his
was sure, have specially appealed to him, and the sitting-room. She had lit a fire there, and as it
efforts of the police would have been supplemented, smoked she had opened the window. No sound
or more probably anticipated, by the trained obser- was heard from the room until eleven-twenty, the
vation and the alert mind of the first criminal agent hour of the return of Lady Maynooth and her
in Europe. All day as I drove upon my round I daughter. Desiring to say good-night, she had at-
turned over the case in my mind, and found no tempted to enter her son’s room. The door was
explanation which appeared to me to be adequate. locked on the inside, and no answer could be got
At the risk of telling a twice-told tale I will recapit- to their cries and knocking. Help was obtained
ulate the facts as they were known to the public at and the door forced. The unfortunate young man
the conclusion of the inquest. was found lying near the table. His head had been

415
 The Adventure of the Empty House

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 in as I could, but his observations seemed to me to be
the room. On the table lay two bank-notes for ten absurd, so I withdrew again in some disgust. As I
pounds each and seventeen pounds ten in silver did so I struck against an elderly deformed man,
and gold, the money arranged in little piles of vary- who had been behind me, and I knocked down
ing amount. There were some figures also upon a several books which he was carrying. I remember
sheet of paper with the names of some club friends that as I picked them up I observed the title of one
opposite to them, from which it was conjectured of them, The Origin of Tree Worship, and it struck
that before his death he was endeavouring to make me that the fellow must be some poor bibliophile
out his losses or winnings at cards. who, either as a trade or as a hobby, was a collector
A minute examination of the circumstances of 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 little
beneath. Neither the flowers nor the earth showed to clear up the problem in which I was interested.
any sign of having been disturbed, nor were there The house was separated from the street by a low
any marks upon the narrow strip of grass which wall and railing, the whole not more than five feet
separated the house from the road. Apparently, high. It was perfectly easy, therefore, for anyone
therefore, it was the young man himself who had to get into the garden, but the window was en-
fastened the door. But how did he come by his tirely 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 re- steps to Kensington. I had not been in my study
markable shot who could with a revolver inflict so five minutes when the maid entered to say that a
deadly a wound. Again, Park Lane is a frequented person desired to see me. To my astonishment it
thoroughfare, and there is a cab-stand within a was none other than my strange old book-collector,
hundred yards of the house. No one had heard a his sharp, wizened face peering out from a frame
shot. And yet there was the dead man, and there of white hair, and his precious volumes, a dozen of
the revolver bullet, which had mushroomed out, as them at least, wedged under his right arm.
soft-nosed bullets will, and so inflicted a wound
“You’re surprised to see me, sir,” said he, in a
which must have caused instantaneous death. Such
strange, croaking voice.
were the circumstances of the Park Lane Mystery,
which were further complicated by entire absence I acknowledged that I was.
of motive, since, as I have said, young Adair was
“Well, I’ve a conscience, sir, and when I chanced
not known to have any enemy, and no attempt had
to see you go into this house, as I came hobbling af-
been made to remove the money or valuables in
ter you, I thought to myself, I’ll just step in and see
the room.
that kind gentleman, and tell him that if I was a bit
All day I turned these facts over in my mind, gruff in my manner there was not any harm meant,
endeavouring to hit upon some theory which could and that I am much obliged to him for picking up
reconcile them all, and to find that line of least my books.”
resistance which my poor friend had declared to
“You make too much of a trifle,” said I. “May I
be the starting-point of every investigation. I con-
ask how you knew who I was?”
fess that I made little progress. In the evening I
strolled across the Park, and found myself about “Well, sir, if it isn’t too great a liberty, I am a
six o’clock at the Oxford Street end of Park Lane. neighbour of yours, for you’ll find my little book-
A group of loafers upon the pavements, all star- shop at the corner of Church Street, and very happy
ing up at a particular window, directed me to the to see you, I am sure. Maybe you collect yourself,
house which I had come to see. A tall, thin man sir; here’s British Birds, and Catullus, and The Holy
with coloured glasses, whom I strongly suspected War—a bargain every one of them. With five vol-
of being a plain-clothes detective, was pointing out umes you could just fill that gap on that second
some theory of his own, while the others crowded shelf. It looks untidy, does it not, sir?”

416
 The Adventure of the Empty House

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

417
 The Adventure of the Empty House

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

418
 The Adventure of the Empty House

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

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 The Adventure of the Empty House

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

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 The Adventure of the Empty House

to meet his spring, before I realized that he had “I think you want a little unofficial help. Three
no idea of our presence. He passed close beside undetected murders in one year won’t do, Lestrade.
us, stole over to the window, and very softly and But you handled the Molesey Mystery with less
noiselessly raised it for half a foot. As he sank to than your usual—that’s to say, you handled it fairly
the level of this opening the light of the street, no well.”
longer dimmed by the dusty glass, fell full upon We had all risen to our feet, our prisoner breath-
his face. The man seemed to be beside himself with ing hard, with a stalwart constable on each side of
excitement. His two eyes shone like stars and his him. Already a few loiterers had begun to collect
features were working convulsively. He was an in the street. Holmes stepped up to the window,
elderly man, with a thin, projecting nose, a high, closed it, and dropped the blinds. Lestrade had
bald forehead, and a huge grizzled moustache. An produced two candles and the policemen had un-
opera-hat was pushed to the back of his head, and covered their lanterns. I was able at last to have a
an evening dress shirt-front gleamed out through good look at our prisoner.
his open overcoat. His face was gaunt and swarthy,
It was a tremendously virile and yet sinister
scored with deep, savage lines. In his hand he car-
face which was turned towards us. With the brow
ried what appeared to be a stick, but as he laid it
of a philosopher above and the jaw of a sensual-
down upon the floor it gave a metallic clang. Then
ist below, the man must have started with great
from the pocket of his overcoat he drew a bulky
capacities for good or for evil. But one could not
object, and he busied himself in some task which
look upon his cruel blue eyes, with their drooping,
ended with a loud, sharp click, as if a spring or
cynical lids, or upon the fierce, aggressive nose and
bolt had fallen into its place. Still kneeling upon
the threatening, deep-lined brow, without reading
the floor he bent forward and threw all his weight
Nature’s plainest danger-signals. He took no heed
and strength upon some lever, with the result that
of any of us, but his eyes were fixed upon Holmes’s
there came a long, whirling, grinding noise, ending
face with an expression in which hatred and amaze-
once more in a powerful click. He straightened
ment were equally blended. “You fiend!” he kept
himself then, and I saw that what he held in his
on muttering. “You clever, clever fiend!”
hand was a sort of gun, with a curiously misshapen
butt. He opened it at the breech, put something “Ah, Colonel!” said Holmes, arranging his rum-
in, and snapped the breech-block. Then, crouch- pled collar; “ ‘journeys end in lovers’ meetings,’ as
ing down, he rested the end of the barrel upon the old play says. I don’t think I have had the
the ledge of the open window, and I saw his long pleasure of seeing you since you favoured me with
moustache droop over the stock and his eye gleam those attentions as I lay on the ledge above the
as it peered along the sights. I heard a little sigh of Reichenbach Fall.”
satisfaction as he cuddled the butt into his shoulder, The Colonel still stared at my friend like a man
and saw that amazing target, the black man on the in a trance. “You cunning, cunning fiend!” was all
yellow ground, standing clear at the end of his fore that he could say.
sight. For an instant he was rigid and motionless. “I have not introduced you yet,” said Holmes.
Then his finger tightened on the trigger. There was “This, gentlemen, is Colonel Sebastian Moran, once
a strange, loud whiz and a long, silvery tinkle of of Her Majesty’s Indian Army, and the best heavy
broken glass. At that instant Holmes sprang like game shot that our Eastern Empire has ever pro-
a tiger on to the marksman’s back and hurled him duced. I believe I am correct, Colonel, in saying
flat upon his face. He was up again in a moment, that your bag of tigers still remains unrivalled?”
and with convulsive strength he seized Holmes by The fierce old man said nothing, but still
the throat; but I struck him on the head with the glared at my companion; with his savage eyes and
butt of my revolver and he dropped again upon the bristling moustache he was wonderfully like a tiger
floor. I fell upon him, and as I held him my com- himself.
rade blew a shrill call upon a whistle. There was
“I wonder that my very simple stratagem could
the clatter of running feet upon the pavement, and
deceive so old a shikari,” said Holmes. “It must
two policemen in uniform, with one plain-clothes
be very familiar to you. Have you not tethered a
detective, rushed through the front entrance and
young kid under a tree, lain above it with your
into the room.
rifle, and waited for the bait to bring up your tiger?
“That you, Lestrade?” said Holmes. This empty house is my tree and you are my tiger.
You have possibly had other guns in reserve in case
“Yes, Mr. Holmes. I took the job myself. It’s there should be several tigers, or in the unlikely
good to see you back in London, sir.” supposition of your own aim failing you. These,”

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 The Adventure of the Empty House

he pointed around, “are my other guns. The paral- draught from a broken window, I think that half
lel is exact.” an hour in my study over a cigar may afford you
Colonel Moran sprang forward, with a snarl of some profitable amusement.”
rage, but the constables dragged him back. The Our old chambers had been left unchanged
fury upon his face was terrible to look at. through the supervision of Mycroft Holmes and
“I confess that you had one small surprise for the immediate care of Mrs. Hudson. As I entered
me,” said Holmes. “I did not anticipate that you I saw, it is true, an unwonted tidiness, but the old
would yourself make use of this empty house and landmarks were all in their place. There were the
this convenient front window. I had imagined chemical corner and the acid-stained, deal-topped
you as operating from the street, where my friend table. There upon a shelf was the row of formidable
Lestrade and his merry men were awaiting you. scrap-books and books of reference which many
With that exception all has gone as I expected.” of our fellow-citizens would have been so glad to
burn. The diagrams, the violin-case, and the pipe-
Colonel Moran turned to the official detective. rack—even the Persian slipper which contained the
“You may or may not have just cause for ar- tobacco—all met my eyes as I glanced round me.
resting me,” said he, “but at least there can be no There were two occupants of the room—one Mrs.
reason why I should submit to the gibes of this Hudson, who beamed upon us both as we entered;
person. If I am in the hands of the law let things be the other the strange dummy which had played so
done in a legal way.” important a part in the evening’s adventures. It was
“Well, that’s reasonable enough,” said Lestrade. a wax-coloured model of my friend, so admirably
“Nothing further you have to say, Mr. Holmes, be- done that it was a perfect facsimile. It stood on a
fore we go?” small pedestal table with an old dressing-gown of
Holmes’s so draped round it that the illusion from
Holmes had picked up the powerful air-gun
the street was absolutely perfect.
from the floor and was examining its mechanism.
“I hope you preserved all precautions, Mrs.
“An admirable and unique weapon,” said he,
Hudson?” said Holmes.
“noiseless and of tremendous power. I knew Von
Herder, the blind German mechanic, who con- “I went to it on my knees, sir, just as you told
structed it to the order of the late Professor Mo- me.”
riarty. For years I have been aware of its existence, “Excellent. You carried the thing out very well.
though I have never before had the opportunity of Did you observe where the bullet went?”
handling it. I commend it very specially to your “Yes, sir. I’m afraid it has spoilt your beauti-
attention, Lestrade, and also the bullets which fit ful bust, for it passed right through the head and
it.” flattened itself on the wall. I picked it up from the
“You can trust us to look after that, Mr. Holmes,” carpet. Here it is!”
said Lestrade, as the whole party moved towards Holmes held it out to me. “A soft revolver bul-
the door. “Anything further to say?” let, as you perceive, Watson. There’s genius in
that, for who would expect to find such a thing
“Only to ask what charge you intend to prefer?”
fired from an air-gun. All right, Mrs. Hudson, I
“What charge, sir? Why, of course, the at- am much obliged for your assistance. And now,
tempted murder of Mr. Sherlock Holmes.” Watson, let me see you in your old seat once more,
“Not so, Lestrade. I do not propose to appear in for there are several points which I should like to
the matter at all. To you, and to you only, belongs discuss with you.”
the credit of the remarkable arrest which you have He had thrown off the seedy frock-coat, and
effected. Yes, Lestrade, I congratulate you! With now he was the Holmes of old in the mouse-
your usual happy mixture of cunning and audacity coloured dressing-gown which he took from his
you have got him.” effigy.
“Got him! Got whom, Mr. Holmes?” “The old shikari’s nerves have not lost their
“The man that the whole force has been seek- steadiness nor his eyes their keenness,” said he,
ing in vain—Colonel Sebastian Moran, who shot with a laugh, as he inspected the shattered fore-
the Honourable Ronald Adair with an expanding head of his bust.
bullet from an air-gun through the open window “Plumb in the middle of the back of the head
of the second-floor front of No. 427, Park Lane, and smack through the brain. He was the best shot
upon the 30th of last month. That’s the charge, in India, and I expect that there are few better in
Lestrade. And now, Watson, if you can endure the London. Have you heard the name?”

422
 The Adventure of the Empty House

“No, I have not.” “Well, I don’t insist upon it. Whatever the cause,
“Well, well, such is fame! But, then, if I remem- Colonel Moran began to go wrong. Without any
ber aright, you had not heard the name of Professor open scandal he still made India too hot to hold
James Moriarty, who had one of the great brains him. He retired, came to London, and again ac-
of the century. Just give me down my index of quired an evil name. It was at this time that he was
biographies from the shelf.” sought out by Professor Moriarty, to whom for a
time he was chief of the staff. Moriarty supplied
He turned over the pages lazily, leaning back in him liberally with money and used him only in
his chair and blowing great clouds from his cigar. one or two very high-class jobs which no ordinary
“My collection of M’s is a fine one,” said he. criminal could have undertaken. You may have
“Moriarty himself is enough to make any letter il- some recollection of the death of Mrs. Stewart, of
lustrious, and here is Morgan the poisoner, and Lauder, in 1887. Not? Well, I am sure Moran was
Merridew of abominable memory, and Mathews, at the bottom of it; but nothing could be proved.
who knocked out my left canine in the waiting- So cleverly was the Colonel concealed that even
room at Charing Cross, and, finally, here is our when the Moriarty gang was broken up we could
friend of to-night.” not incriminate him. You remember at that date,
when I called upon you in your rooms, how I put
He handed over the book, and I read:
up the shutters for fear of air-guns? No doubt you
Moran, Sebastian, Colonel. Unem- thought me fanciful. I knew exactly what I was
ployed. Formerly 1st Bengalore Pio- doing, for I knew of the existence of this remark-
neers. Born London, 1840. Son of able gun, and I knew also that one of the best shots
Sir Augustus Moran, C.B., once British in the world would be behind it. When we were
Minister to Persia. Educated Eton in Switzerland he followed us with Moriarty, and
and Oxford. Served in Jowaki Cam- it was undoubtedly he who gave me that evil five
paign, Afghan Campaign, Charasiab minutes on the Reichenbach ledge.
(despatches), Sherpur, and Cabul. Au- “You may think that I read the papers with
thor of Heavy Game of the Western Hi- some attention during my sojourn in France, on the
malayas, 1881; Three Months in the Jungle, look-out for any chance of laying him by the heels.
1884. Address: Conduit Street. Clubs: So long as he was free in London my life would re-
The Anglo-Indian, the Tankerville, the ally not have been worth living. Night and day the
Bagatelle Card Club. shadow would have been over me, and sooner or
later his chance must have come. What could I do?
On the margin was written, in Holmes’s precise I could not shoot him at sight, or I should myself
hand: be in the dock. There was no use appealing to a
The second most dangerous man in Lon- magistrate. They cannot interfere on the strength of
don. what would appear to them to be a wild suspicion.
So I could do nothing. But I watched the criminal
“This is astonishing,” said I, as I handed back news, knowing that sooner or later I should get
the volume. “The man’s career is that of an hon- him. Then came the death of this Ronald Adair.
ourable soldier.” My chance had come at last! Knowing what I did,
was it not certain that Colonel Moran had done it?
“It is true,” Holmes answered. “Up to a certain He had played cards with the lad; he had followed
point he did well. He was always a man of iron him home from the club; he had shot him through
nerve, and the story is still told in India how he the open window. There was not a doubt of it. The
crawled down a drain after a wounded man-eating bullets alone are enough to put his head in a noose.
tiger. There are some trees, Watson, which grow to I came over at once. I was seen by the sentinel, who
a certain height and then suddenly develop some would, I knew, direct the Colonel’s attention to my
unsightly eccentricity. You will see it often in hu- presence. He could not fail to connect my sudden
mans. I have a theory that the individual represents return with his crime and to be terribly alarmed. I
in his development the whole procession of his an- was sure that he would make an attempt to get me
cestors, and that such a sudden turn to good or evil out of the way at once, and would bring round his
stands for some strong influence which came into murderous weapon for that purpose. I left him an
the line of his pedigree. The person becomes, as it excellent mark in the window, and, having warned
were, the epitome of the history of his own family.” the police that they might be needed—by the way,
“It is surely rather fanciful.” Watson, you spotted their presence in that doorway

423
 The Adventure of the Empty House

with unerring accuracy—I took up what seemed expose him unless he voluntarily resigned his mem-
to me to be a judicious post for observation, never bership of the club and promised not to play cards
dreaming that he would choose the same spot for again. It is unlikely that a youngster like Adair
his attack. Now, my dear Watson, does anything would at once make a hideous scandal by expos-
remain for me to explain?” ing a well-known man so much older than himself.
Probably he acted as I suggest. The exclusion from
“Yes,” said I. “You have not made it clear what his clubs would mean ruin to Moran, who lived by
was Colonel Moran’s motive in murdering the Hon- his ill-gotten card gains. He therefore murdered
ourable Ronald Adair.” Adair, who at the time was endeavouring to work
“Ah! my dear Watson, there we come into those out how much money he should himself return,
realms of conjecture where the most logical mind since he could not profit by his partner’s foul play.
may be at fault. Each may form his own hypothesis He locked the door lest the ladies should surprise
upon the present evidence, and yours is as likely to him and insist upon knowing what he was doing
be correct as mine.” with these names and coins. Will it pass?”
“I have no doubt that you have hit upon the
“You have formed one, then?” truth.”
“I think that it is not difficult to explain the facts. “It will be verified or disproved at the trial.
It came out in evidence that Colonel Moran and Meanwhile, come what may, Colonel Moran will
young Adair had between them won a consider- trouble us no more, the famous air-gun of Von
able amount of money. Now, Moran undoubtedly Herder will embellish the Scotland Yard Museum,
played foul—of that I have long been aware. I and once again Mr. Sherlock Holmes is free to de-
believe that on the day of the murder Adair had vote his life to examining those interesting little
discovered that Moran was cheating. Very likely he problems which the complex life of London so plen-
had spoken to him privately, and had threatened to tifully presents.”

424
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
F
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

rom the point of view of the criminal the bell, followed immediately by a hollow drum-
expert,” said Mr. Sherlock Holmes, “Lon- ming sound, as if someone were beating on the
don has become a singularly uninter- outer door with his fist. As it opened there came a
esting 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
frantic young man, pale, dishevelled, and palpitat-
“I can hardly think that you would find many
ing, burst into the room. He looked from one to
decent citizens to agree with you,” I answered.
the other of us, and under our gaze of inquiry he
“Well, well, I must not be selfish,” said he, with became conscious that some apology was needed
a smile, as he pushed back his chair from the for this unceremonious entry.
breakfast-table. “The community is certainly the
“I’m sorry, Mr. Holmes,” he cried. “You mustn’t
gainer, and no one the loser, save the poor out-of-
blame me. I am nearly mad. Mr. Holmes, I am the
work specialist, whose occupation has gone. With
unhappy John Hector McFarlane.”
that man in the field one’s morning paper presented
infinite possibilities. Often it was only the smallest He made the announcement as if the name
trace, Watson, the faintest indication, and yet it was alone would explain both his visit and its manner;
enough to tell me that the great malignant brain but I could see by my companion’s unresponsive
was there, as the gentlest tremors of the edges of face that it meant no more to him than to me.
the web remind one of the foul spider which lurks
in the centre. Petty thefts, wanton assaults, pur- “Have a cigarette, Mr. McFarlane,” said he,
poseless outrage—to the man who held the clue pushing his case across. “I am sure that with your
all could be worked into one connected whole. To symptoms my friend Dr. Watson here would pre-
the scientific student of the higher criminal world scribe a sedative. The weather has been so very
no capital in Europe offered the advantages which warm these last few days. Now, if you feel a little
London then possessed. But now—” He shrugged more composed, I should be glad if you would sit
his shoulders in humorous deprecation of the state down in that chair and tell us very slowly and qui-
of things which he had himself done so much to etly who you are and what it is that you want. You
produce. mentioned your name as if I should recognise it,
but I assure you that, beyond the obvious facts that
At the time of which I speak Holmes had been you are a bachelor, a solicitor, a Freemason, and an
back for some months, and I, at his request, had asthmatic, I know nothing whatever about you.”
sold my practice and returned to share the old quar-
ters in Baker Street. A young doctor, named Verner, Familiar as I was with my friend’s methods, it
had purchased my small Kensington practice, and was not difficult for me to follow his deductions,
given with astonishingly little demur the highest and to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of
price that I ventured to ask—an incident which only legal papers, the watch-charm, and the breathing
explained itself some years later when I found that which had prompted them. Our client, however,
Verner was a distant relation of Holmes’s, and that stared in amazement.
it was my friend who had 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
eventful as he had stated, for I find, on looking in London. For Heaven’s sake don’t abandon me,
over my notes, that this period includes the case Mr. Holmes! If they come to arrest me before I
of the papers of Ex-President Murillo, and also the have finished my story, make them give me time so
shocking affair of the Dutch steamship Friesland, that I may tell you the whole truth. I could go to
which so nearly cost us both our lives. His cold jail happy if I knew that you were working for me
and proud nature was always averse, however, to outside.”
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 sym-
ing his morning paper in a leisurely fashion, when pathy which was not, I am afraid, entirely unmixed
our attention was arrested by a tremendous ring at with satisfaction.

427
 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

“Dear me,” said he; “it was only this moment said to have amassed considerable wealth.
at breakfast that I was saying to my friend, Dr. Wat- A small timber-yard still exists, however,
son, that sensational cases had disappeared out of at the back of the house, and last night,
our papers.” about twelve o’clock, an alarm was given
Our visitor stretched forward a quivering hand that one of the stacks was on fire. The en-
and picked up the Daily Telegraph, which still lay gines were soon upon the spot, but the dry
upon Holmes’s knee. wood burned with great fury, and it was
impossible to arrest the conflagration un-
“If you had looked at it, sir, you would have
til the stack had been entirely consumed.
seen at a glance what the errand is on which I have
Up to this point the incident bore the ap-
come to you this morning. I feel as if my name and
pearance of an ordinary accident, but fresh
my misfortune must be in every man’s mouth.” He
indications seem to point to serious crime.
turned it over to expose the central page. “Here
Surprise was expressed at the absence of
it is, and with your permission I will read it to
the master of the establishment from the
you. Listen to this, Mr. Holmes. The head-lines are:
scene of the fire, and an inquiry followed,
‘Mysterious Affair at Lower Norwood. Disappear-
which showed that he had disappeared from
ance of a Well-known Builder. Suspicion of Murder
the house. An examination of his room re-
and Arson. A Clue to the Criminal.’ That is the
vealed that the bed had not been slept in,
clue which they are already following, Mr. Holmes,
that a safe which stood in it was open, that a
and I know that it leads infallibly to me. I have
number of important papers were scattered
been followed from London Bridge Station, and I
about the room, and, finally, that there were
am sure that they are only waiting for the warrant
signs of a murderous struggle, slight traces
to arrest me. It will break my mother’s heart—it
of blood being found within the room, and
will break her heart!” He wrung his hands in an
an oaken walking-stick, which also showed
agony of apprehension, and swayed backwards and
stains of blood upon the handle. It is known
forwards in his chair.
that Mr. Jonas Oldacre had received a late
I looked with interest upon this man, who was visitor in his bedroom upon that night, and
accused of being the perpetrator of a crime of vi- the stick found has been identified as the
olence. He was flaxen-haired and handsome in a property of this person, who is a young
washed-out negative fashion, with frightened blue London solicitor named John Hector Mc-
eyes and a clean-shaven face, with a weak, sensitive Farlane, junior partner of Graham and Mc-
mouth. His age may have been about twenty-seven; Farlane, of 426, Gresham Buildings, E.C.
his dress and bearing that of a gentleman. From The police believe that they have evidence
the pocket of his light summer overcoat protruded in their possession which supplies a very
the bundle of endorsed papers which proclaimed convincing motive for the crime, and alto-
his profession. gether it cannot be doubted that sensational
“We must use what time we have,” said Holmes. developments will follow.
“Watson, would you have the kindness to take the “Later.—It is rumoured as we go to press
paper and to read me the paragraph in question?” 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
For some years he has practically with- is that a most sensational crime has been
drawn from the business, in which he is committed, that the victim was clubbed to

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

death in his own bedroom, his papers ri- turn at Scotland Yard,” said Lestrade. “At the same
fled, and his dead body dragged across to time I must remain with my prisoner, and I am
the wood-stack, which was then ignited so bound to warn him that anything he may say will
as to hide all traces of the crime. The con- appear in evidence against him.”
duct of the criminal investigation has been “I wish nothing better,” said our client. “All
left in the experienced hands of Inspector I ask is that you should hear and recognise the
Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, who is follow- absolute truth.”
ing up the clues with his accustomed en-
Lestrade looked at his watch. “I’ll give you half
ergy and sagacity.”
an hour,” said he.
Sherlock Holmes listened with closed eyes and
“I must explain first,” said McFarlane, “that I
finger-tips together to this remarkable account.
knew nothing of Mr. Jonas Oldacre. His name was
“The case has certainly some points of interest,” familiar to me, for many years ago my parents were
said he, in his languid fashion. “May I ask, in the acquainted with him, but they drifted apart. I was
first place, Mr. McFarlane, how it is that you are very much surprised, therefore, when yesterday,
still at liberty, since there appears to be enough about three o’clock in the afternoon, he walked into
evidence to justify your arrest?” my office in the City. But I was still more aston-
“I live at Torrington Lodge, Blackheath, with ished when he told me the object of his visit. He
my parents, Mr. Holmes; but last night, having had in his hand several sheets of a note-book, cov-
to do business very late with Mr. Jonas Oldacre, I ered with scribbled writing—here they are—and
stayed at an hotel in Norwood, and came to my 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. He
man followed me from London Bridge Station, and was a strange little, ferret-like man, with white eye-
I have no doubt—Great Heaven, what is that?” lashes, and when I looked up at him I found his
It was a clang of the bell, followed instantly keen grey eyes fixed upon me with an amused ex-
by heavy steps upon the stair. A moment later pression. I could hardly believe my own senses as
our old friend Lestrade appeared in the doorway. I read the terms of the will; but he explained that
Over his shoulder I caught a glimpse of one or two he was a bachelor with hardly any living relation,
uniformed policemen outside. that he had known my parents in his youth, and
“Mr. John Hector McFarlane?” said Lestrade. that he had always heard of me as a very deserv-
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
McFarlane turned to us with a gesture of de- is it on the blue paper, and these slips, as I have
spair, and sank into his chair once more like one explained, are the rough draft. Mr. Jonas Oldacre
who is crushed. then informed me that there were a number of doc-
“One moment, Lestrade,” said Holmes. “Half uments—building leases, title-deeds, mortgages,
an hour more or less can make no difference to you, scrip, and so forth—which it was necessary that I
and the gentleman was about to give us an account should see and understand. He said that his mind
of this very interesting affair, which might aid us would not be easy until the whole thing was settled,
in clearing it up.” and he begged me to come out to his house at Nor-
wood that night, bringing the will with me, and to
“I think there will be no difficulty in clearing it arrange matters. ‘Remember, my boy, not one word
up,” said Lestrade, grimly. to your parents about the affair until everything is
“None the less, with your permission, I should settled. We will keep it as a little surprise for them.’
be much interested to hear his account.” He was very insistent upon this point, and made
“Well, Mr. Holmes, it is difficult for me to refuse me promise it faithfully.
you anything, for you have been of use to the force “You can imagine, Mr. Holmes, that I was not in
once or twice in the past, and we owe you a good a humour to refuse him anything that he might ask.

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

He was my benefactor, and all my desire was to brain could cut through that which was impen-
carry out his wishes in every particular. I sent a tele- etrable to him. I saw him look curiously at my
gram home, therefore, to say that I had important companion.
business on hand, and that it was impossible for “I think I should like to have a word with you
me to say how late I might be. Mr. Oldacre had told presently, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said he. “Now,
me that he would like me to have supper with him Mr. McFarlane, two of my constables are at the door
at nine, as he might not be home before that hour. and there is a four-wheeler waiting.” The wretched
I had some difficulty in finding his house, however, young man arose, and with a last beseeching glance
and it was nearly half-past before I reached it. I at us walked from the room. The officers conducted
found him—” him to the cab, but Lestrade remained.
“One moment!” said Holmes. “Who opened the Holmes had picked up the pages which formed
door?” the rough draft of the will, and was looking at them
“A middle-aged woman, who was, I suppose, with the keenest interest upon his face.
his housekeeper.” “There are some points about that document,
“And it was she, I presume, who mentioned Lestrade, are there not?” said he, pushing them
your name?” over.
“Exactly,” said McFarlane. The official looked at them with a puzzled ex-
“Pray proceed.” pression.
McFarlane wiped his damp brow and then con- “I can read the first few lines, and these in the
tinued his narrative:— middle of the second page, and one or two at the
end. Those are as clear as print,” said he; “but the
“I was shown by this woman into a sitting-room, writing in between is very bad, and there are three
where a frugal supper was laid out. Afterwards Mr. places where I cannot read it at all.”
Jonas Oldacre led me into his bedroom, in which
there stood a heavy safe. This he opened and took “What do you make of that?” said Holmes.
out a mass of documents, which we went over to- “Well, what do you make of it?”
gether. It was between eleven and twelve when we “That it was written in a train; the good writing
finished. He remarked that we must not disturb represents stations, the bad writing movement, and
the housekeeper. He showed me out through his the very bad writing passing over points. A scien-
own French window, which had been open all this tific expert would pronounce at once that this was
time.” drawn up on a suburban line, since nowhere save
“Was the blind down?” asked Holmes. in the immediate vicinity of a great city could there
be so quick a succession of points. Granting that
“I will not be sure, but I believe that it was only
his whole journey was occupied in drawing up the
half down. Yes, I remember how he pulled it up in
will, then the train was an express, only stopping
order to swing open the window. I could not find
once between Norwood and London Bridge.”
my stick, and he said, ‘Never mind, my boy; I shall
see a good deal of you now, I hope, and I will keep Lestrade began to laugh.
your stick until you come back to claim it.’ I left “You are too many for me when you begin to
him there, the safe open, and the papers made up get on your theories, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “How
in packets upon the table. It was so late that I could does this bear on the case?”
not get back to Blackheath, so I spent the night at “Well, it corroborates the young man’s story
the Anerley Arms, and I knew nothing more until to the extent that the will was drawn up by Jonas
I read of this horrible affair in the morning.” Oldacre in his journey yesterday. It is curious—is
“Anything more that you would like to ask, Mr. it not?—that a man should draw up so important
Holmes?” said Lestrade, whose eyebrows had gone a document in so haphazard a fashion. It suggests
up once or twice during this remarkable explana- that he did not think it was going to be of much
tion. practical importance. If a man drew up a will which
“Not until I have been to Blackheath.” he did not intend ever to be effective he might do
it so.”
“You mean to Norwood,” said Lestrade.
“Well, he drew up his own death-warrant at the
“Oh, yes; no doubt that is what I must have
same time,” said Lestrade.
meant,” said Holmes, with his enigmatical smile.
Lestrade had learned by more experiences than “Oh, you think so?”
he would care to acknowledge that that razor-like “Don’t you?”

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

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

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plunged into a detailed account of his misadven- “This place, Deep Dene House, is a big mod-
tures. ern villa of staring brick, standing back in its own
“It’s all going wrong, Watson—all as wrong as grounds, with a laurel-clumped lawn in front of it.
it can go. I kept a bold face before Lestrade, but, To the right and some distance back from the road
upon my soul, I believe that for once the fellow is was the timber-yard which had been the scene of
on the right track and we are on the wrong. All my the fire. Here’s a rough plan on a leaf of my note-
instincts are one way and all the facts are the other, book. This window on the left is the one which
and I much fear that British juries have not yet at- opens into Oldacre’s room. You can look into it
tained that pitch of intelligence when they will give from the road, you see. That is about the only bit
the preference to my theories over Lestrade’s facts.” of consolation I have had to-day. Lestrade was not
there, but his head constable did the honours. They
“Did you go to Blackheath?” had just made a great treasure-trove. They had
“Yes, Watson, I went there, and I found very spent the morning raking among the ashes of the
quickly that the late lamented Oldacre was a pretty burned wood-pile, and besides the charred organic
considerable black-guard. The father was away in remains they had secured several discoloured metal
search of his son. The mother was at home—a little, discs. I examined them with care, and there was
fluffy, blue-eyed person, in a tremor of fear and in- no doubt that they were trouser buttons. I even dis-
dignation. Of course, she would not admit even the tinguished that one of them was marked with the
possibility of his guilt. But she would not express name of ‘Hyams,’ who was Oldacre’s tailor. I then
either surprise or regret over the fate of Oldacre. worked the lawn very carefully for signs and traces,
On the contrary, she spoke of him with such bit- but this drought has made everything as hard as
terness that she was unconsciously considerably iron. Nothing was to be seen save that some body
strengthening the case of the police, for, of course, or bundle had been dragged through a low privet
if her son had heard her speak of the man in this hedge which is in a line with the wood-pile. All
fashion it would predispose him towards hatred that, of course, fits in with the official theory. I
and violence. ‘He was more like a malignant and crawled about the lawn with an August sun on my
cunning ape than a human being,’ said she, ‘and back, but I got up at the end of an hour no wiser
he always was, ever since he was a young man.’ 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 a standstill.
knife. ‘That is my own photograph,’ she said. ‘He
sent it to me in that state, with his curse, upon my “Only one little gleam of hope did I get—and
wedding morning.’ yet it amounted to nothing. I examined the con-
“ ‘Well,’ said I, ‘at least he has forgiven you now, tents of the safe, most of which had been taken out
since he has left all his property to your son.’ and left on the table. The papers had been made
up into sealed envelopes, one or two of which had
“ ‘Neither my son nor I want anything from been opened by the police. They were not, so far
Jonas Oldacre, dead or alive,’ she cried, with a as I could judge, of any great value, nor did the
proper spirit. ‘There is a God in Heaven, Mr. bank-book show that Mr. Oldacre was in such very
Holmes, and that same God who has punished affluent circumstances. But it seemed to me that all
that wicked man will show in His own good time the papers were not there. There were allusions to
that my son’s hands are guiltless of his blood.’ some deeds—possibly the more valuable—which
“Well, I tried one or two leads, but could get I could not find. This, of course, if we could def-
at nothing which would help our hypothesis, and initely prove it, would turn Lestrade’s argument
several points which would make against it. I gave against himself, for who would steal a thing if he
it up at last and off I went to Norwood. knew that he would shortly inherit it?

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

“Finally, having drawn every other cover and the balance was principally due to large cheques
picked up no scent, I tried my luck with the house- which have been made out during the last year to
keeper. Mrs. Lexington is her name, a little, dark, Mr. Cornelius. I confess that I should be interested
silent person, with suspicious and sidelong eyes. to know who this Mr. Cornelius may be with whom
She could tell us something if she would—I am a retired builder has such very large transactions.
convinced of it. But she was as close as wax. Yes, Is it possible that he has had a hand in the affair?
she had let Mr. McFarlane in at half-past nine. She Cornelius might be a broker, but we have found
wished her hand had withered before she had done no scrip to correspond with these large payments.
so. She had gone to bed at half-past ten. Her room Failing any other indication my researches must
was at the other end of the house, and she could now take the direction of an inquiry at the bank
hear nothing of what passed. Mr. McFarlane had for the gentleman who has cashed these cheques.
left his hat, and to the best of her belief his stick, But I fear, my dear fellow, that our case will end
in the hall. She had been awakened by the alarm ingloriously by Lestrade hanging our client, which
of fire. Her poor, dear master had certainly been will certainly be a triumph for Scotland Yard.”
murdered. Had he any enemies? Well, every man I do not know how far Sherlock Holmes took
had enemies, but Mr. Oldacre kept himself very any sleep that night, but when I came down to
much to himself, and only met people in the way breakfast I found him pale and harassed, his bright
of business. She had seen the buttons, and was eyes the brighter for the dark shadows round
sure that they belonged to the clothes which he had them. The carpet round his chair was littered with
worn last night. The wood-pile was very dry, for it cigarette-ends and with the early editions of the
had not rained for a month. It burned like tinder, morning papers. An open telegram lay upon the
and by the time she reached the spot nothing could table.
be seen but flames. She and all the firemen smelled
“What do you think of this, Watson?” he asked,
the burned flesh from inside it. She knew nothing
tossing it across.
of the papers, nor of Mr. Oldacre’s private affairs.
It was from Norwood, and ran as follows:
“So, my dear Watson, there’s my report of a
failure. And yet—and yet—”—he clenched his thin
“Important fresh evidence to hand. Mc-
hands in a paroxysm of conviction—“I know it’s all
Farlane’s guilt definitely established.
wrong. I feel it in my bones. There is something
Advise you to abandon case.
that has not come out, and that housekeeper knows
it. There was a sort of sulky defiance in her eyes, — Lestrade.
which only goes with guilty knowledge. However,
there’s no good talking any more about it, Wat- “This sounds serious,” said I.
son; but unless some lucky chance comes our way “It is Lestrade’s little cock-a-doodle of victory,”
I fear that the Norwood Disappearance Case will Holmes answered, with a bitter smile. “And yet it
not figure in that chronicle of our successes which may be premature to abandon the case. After all,
I foresee that a patient public will sooner or later important fresh evidence is a two-edged thing, and
have to endure.” may possibly cut in a very different direction to
“Surely,” said I, “the man’s appearance would that which Lestrade imagines. Take your breakfast,
go far with any jury?” Watson, and we will go out together and see what
we can do. I feel as if I shall need your company
“That is a dangerous argument, my dear Wat- and your moral support to-day.”
son. You remember that terrible murderer, Bert
Stevens, who wanted us to get him off in ’87? Was My friend had no breakfast himself, for it was
there ever a more mild-mannered, Sunday-school one of his peculiarities that in his more intense mo-
young man?” ments he would permit himself no food, and I have
known him presume upon his iron strength until
“It is true.” he has fainted from pure inanition. “At present
“Unless we succeed in establishing an alterna- I cannot spare energy and nerve force for diges-
tive theory this man is lost. You can hardly find tion,” he would say in answer to my medical re-
a flaw in the case which can now be presented monstrances. I was not surprised, therefore, when
against him, and all further investigation has served this morning he left his untouched meal behind
to strengthen it. By the way, there is one curious him and started with me for Norwood. A crowd of
little point about those papers which may serve us morbid sightseers were still gathered round Deep
as the starting-point for an inquiry. On looking Dene House, which was just such a suburban villa
over the bank-book I found that the low state of as I had pictured. Within the gates Lestrade met us,

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his face flushed with victory, his manner grossly “Dear me! Dear me!” he said at last. “Well, now,
triumphant. who would have thought it? And how deceptive
“Well, Mr. Holmes, have you proved us to be appearances may be, to be sure! Such a nice young
wrong yet? Have you found your tramp?” he cried. man to look at! It is a lesson to us not to trust our
own judgment, is it not, Lestrade?”
“I have formed no conclusion whatever,” my
companion answered. “Yes, some of us are a little too much inclined
to be cocksure, Mr. Holmes,” said Lestrade. The
“But we formed ours yesterday, and now it
man’s insolence was maddening, but we could not
proves to be correct; so you must acknowledge
resent it.
that we have been a little in front of you this time,
Mr. 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
action, too, if you come to think of it.” Holmes was
Lestrade laughed loudly. outwardly calm, but his whole body gave a wriggle
“You don’t like being beaten any more than the of suppressed excitement as he spoke. “By the way,
rest of us do,” said he. “A man can’t expect al- Lestrade, who made this remarkable discovery?”
ways to have it his own way, can he, Dr. Watson?
“It was the housekeeper, Mrs. Lexington, who
Step this way, if you please, gentlemen, and I think
drew the night constable’s attention to it.”
I can convince you once for all that it was John
McFarlane who did this crime.” “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 yester-
said he. “Now, look at this.” With dramatic sud- day?”
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 have heard something of the kind.” “I don’t know whether you think that McFar-
“Well, then, will you please compare that print lane came out of jail in the dead of the night in
with this wax impression of young McFarlane’s order to strengthen the evidence against himself,”
right thumb, taken by my orders this morning?” said Lestrade. “I leave it to any expert in the world
As he held the waxen print close to the blood- whether that is not the mark of his thumb.”
stain it did not take a magnifying glass to see that “It is unquestionably the mark of his thumb.”
the two were undoubtedly from the same thumb. It “There, that’s enough,” said Lestrade. “I am a
was evident to me that our unfortunate client was practical man, Mr. Holmes, and when I have got
lost. my evidence I come to my conclusions. If you have
“That is final,” said Lestrade. anything to say you will find me writing my report
“Yes, that is final,” I involuntarily echoed. in the sitting-room.”
“It is final,” said Holmes. Holmes had recovered his equanimity, though I
Something in his tone caught my ear, and I still seemed to detect gleams of amusement in his
turned to look at him. An extraordinary change expression.
had come over his face. It was writhing with inward “Dear me, this is a very sad development, Wat-
merriment. His two eyes were shining like stars. It son, is it not?” said he. “And yet there are singular
seemed to me that he was making desperate efforts points about it which hold out some hopes for our
to restrain a convulsive attack of laughter. client.”

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 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

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

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“Fire!” The shout must have rung over Nor- foolscap once more—eh, Watson? Well, now, let us
wood. see where this rat has been lurking.”
It had hardly died away when an amazing thing A lath-and-plaster partition had been run across
happened. A door suddenly flew open out of what the passage six feet from the end, with a door cun-
appeared to be solid wall at the end of the corridor, ningly concealed in it. It was lit within by slits
and a little, wizened man darted out of it, like a under the eaves. A few articles of furniture and
rabbit out of its burrow. a supply of food and water were within, together
“Capital!” said Holmes, calmly. “Watson, a with a number of books and papers.
bucket of water over the straw. That will do! “There’s the advantage of being a builder,” said
Lestrade, allow me to present you with your princi- Holmes, as we came out. “He was able to fix up
pal missing witness, Mr. Jonas Oldacre.” his own little hiding-place without any confeder-
The detective stared at the new-comer with ate—save, of course, that precious housekeeper of
blank amazement. The latter was blinking in the his, whom I should lose no time in adding to your
bright light of the corridor, and peering at us and at bag, Lestrade.”
the smouldering fire. It was an odious face—crafty, “I’ll take your advice. But how did you know
vicious, malignant, with shifty, light-grey eyes and of this place, Mr. Holmes?”
white eyelashes. “I made up my mind that the fellow was in hid-
“What’s this, then?” said Lestrade at last. “What ing in the house. When I paced one corridor and
have you been doing all this time, eh?” found it six feet shorter than the corresponding one
Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrinking back below, it was pretty clear where he was. I thought
from the furious red face of the angry detective. he had not the nerve to lie quiet before an alarm of
fire. We could, of course, have gone in and taken
“I have done no harm.” him, but it amused me to make him reveal himself;
“No harm? You have done your best to get an besides, I owed you a little mystification, Lestrade,
innocent man hanged. If it wasn’t for this gentle- 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
“Oh! a joke, was it? You won’t find the laugh on final; and so it was, in a very different sense. I
your side, I promise you. Take him down and keep knew it had not been there the day before. I pay a
him in the sitting-room until I come. Mr. Holmes,” good deal of attention to matters of detail, as you
he continued, when they had gone, “I could not may have observed, and I had examined the hall
speak before the constables, but I don’t mind say- and was sure that the wall was clear. Therefore, it
ing, in the presence of Dr. Watson, that this is the had been put on during the night.”
brightest thing that you have done yet, though it is “But how?”
a mystery to me how you did it. You have saved “Very simply. When those packets were sealed
an innocent man’s life, and you have prevented a up, Jonas Oldacre got McFarlane to secure one of
very grave scandal, which would have ruined my the seals by putting his thumb upon the soft wax.
reputation in the Force.” It would be done so quickly and so naturally that I
Holmes smiled and clapped Lestrade upon the dare say the young man himself has no recollection
shoulder. of it. Very likely it just so happened, and Oldacre
“Instead of being ruined, my good sir, you will had himself no notion of the use he would put it
find that your reputation has been enormously en- to. Brooding over the case in that den of his, it
hanced. Just make a few alterations in that report suddenly struck him what absolutely damning evi-
which you were writing, and they will understand dence he could make against McFarlane by using
how hard it is to throw dust in the eyes of Inspector that thumb-mark. It was the simplest thing in the
Lestrade.” world for him to take a wax impression from the
seal, to moisten it in as much blood as he could
“And you don’t want your name to appear?” get from a pin-prick, and to put the mark upon the
“Not at all. The work is its own reward. Per- wall during the night, either with his own hand
haps I shall get the credit also at some distant day or with that of his housekeeper. If you examine
when I permit my zealous historian to lay out his among those documents which he took with him

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into his retreat I will lay you a wager that you find and buttons in the wood-pile, all were admirable. It
the seal with the thumb-mark upon it.” was a net from which it seemed to me a few hours
“Wonderful!” said Lestrade. “Wonderful! It’s ago that there was no possible escape. But he had
all as clear as crystal, as you put it. But what is the not that supreme gift of the artist, the knowledge
object of this deep deception, Mr. Holmes?” of when to stop. He wished to improve that which
It was amusing to me to see how the detective’s was already perfect—to draw the rope tighter yet
overbearing manner had changed suddenly to that round the neck of his unfortunate victim—and so
of a child asking questions of its teacher. he ruined all. Let us descend, Lestrade. There are
just one or two questions that I would ask him.”
“Well, I don’t think that is very hard to explain.
A very deep, malicious, vindictive person is the gen- The malignant creature was seated in his own
tleman who is now awaiting us downstairs. You parlour with a policeman upon each side of him.
know that he was once refused by McFarlane’s “It was a joke, my good sir, a practical joke,
mother? You don’t! I told you that you should nothing more,” he whined incessantly. “I assure
go to Blackheath first and Norwood afterwards. you, sir, that I simply concealed myself in order to
Well, this injury, as he would consider it, has ran- see the effect of my disappearance, and I am sure
kled in his wicked, scheming brain, and all his life that you would not be so unjust as to imagine that I
he has longed for vengeance, but never seen his would have allowed any harm to befall poor young
chance. During the last year or two things have Mr. McFarlane.”
gone against him—secret speculation, I think—and
“That’s for a jury to decide,” said Lestrade.
he finds himself in a bad way. He determines to
“Anyhow, we shall have you on a charge of conspir-
swindle his creditors, and for this purpose he pays
acy, if not for attempted murder.”
large cheques to a certain Mr. Cornelius, who is, I
imagine, himself under another name. I have not “And you’ll probably find that your creditors
traced these cheques yet, but I have no doubt that will impound the banking account of Mr. Cor-
they were banked under that name at some provin- nelius,” said Holmes.
cial town where Oldacre from time to time led a The little man started and turned his malignant
double existence. He intended to change his name eyes upon my friend.
altogether, draw this money, and vanish, starting
life again elsewhere.” “I have to thank you for a good deal,” said he.
“Perhaps I’ll pay my debt some day.”
“Well, that’s likely enough.”
“It would strike him that in disappearing he Holmes smiled indulgently.
might throw all pursuit off his track, and at the “I fancy that for some few years you will find
same time have an ample and crushing revenge your time very fully occupied,” said he. “By the
upon his old sweetheart, if he could give the im- way, what was it you put into the wood-pile be-
pression that he had been murdered by her only sides your old trousers? A dead dog, or rabbits,
child. It was a masterpiece of villainy, and he car- or what? You won’t tell? Dear me, how very un-
ried it out like a master. The idea of the will, which kind of you! Well, well, I dare say that a couple
would give an obvious motive for the crime, the of rabbits would account both for the blood and
secret visit unknown to his own parents, the reten- for the charred ashes. If ever you write an account,
tion of the stick, the blood, and the animal remains Watson, you can make rabbits serve your turn.”

437
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H
The Adventure of the Dancing Men

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

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

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

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

upon us. She answered that it was some senseless come to harm. For an instant it had crossed my
practical joke, and that I should not take any notice mind that perhaps what she really feared was that
of it. he might come to harm, for I could not doubt that
“ ‘If it really annoys you, Hilton, we might go she knew who this man was and what he meant
and travel, you and I, and so avoid this nuisance.’ by these strange signals. But there is a tone in my
wife’s voice, Mr. Holmes, and a look in her eyes
“ ‘What, be driven out of our own house by a
which forbid doubt, and I am sure that it was in-
practical joker?’ said I. ‘Why, we should have the
deed my own safety that was in her mind. There’s
whole county laughing at us.’
the whole case, and now I want your advice as to
“ ‘Well, come to bed,’ said she, ‘and we can what I ought to do. My own inclination is to put
discuss it in the morning.’ half-a-dozen of my farm lads in the shrubbery, and
“Suddenly, as she spoke, I saw her white face when this fellow comes again to give him such a
grow whiter yet in the moonlight, and her hand hiding that he will leave us in peace for the future.”
tightened upon my shoulder. Something was mov- “I fear it is too deep a case for such simple
ing in the shadow of the tool-house. I saw a dark, remedies,” said Holmes. “How long can you stay
creeping figure which crawled round the corner in London?”
and squatted in front of the door. Seizing my pistol “I must go back to-day. I would not leave my
I was rushing out, when my wife threw her arms wife alone all night for anything. She is very ner-
round me and held me with convulsive strength. vous and begged me to come back.”
I tried to throw her off, but she clung to me most “I dare say you are right. But if you could have
desperately. At last I got clear, but by the time I stopped I might possibly have been able to return
had opened the door and reached the house the with you in a day or two. Meanwhile you will leave
creature was gone. He had left a trace of his pres- me these papers, and I think that it is very likely
ence, however, for there on the door was the very that I shall be able to pay you a visit shortly and to
same arrangement of dancing men which had al- throw some light upon your case.”
ready twice appeared, and which I have copied on Sherlock Holmes preserved his calm profes-
that paper. There was no other sign of the fellow sional manner until our visitor had left us, although
anywhere, though I ran all over the grounds. And it was easy for me, who knew him so well, to
yet the amazing thing is that he must have been see that he was profoundly excited. The moment
there all the time, for when I examined the door that Hilton Cubitt’s broad back had disappeared
again in the morning he had scrawled some more through the door my comrade rushed to the table,
of his pictures under the line which I had already laid out all the slips of paper containing dancing
seen.” men in front of him, and threw himself into an
“Have you that fresh drawing?” intricate and elaborate calculation. For two hours
“Yes; it is very short, but I made a copy of it, I watched him as he covered sheet after sheet of
and here it is.” paper with figures and letters, so completely ab-
sorbed in his task that he had evidently forgotten
Again he produced a paper. The new dance was
my presence. Sometimes he was making progress
in this form:—
and whistled and sang at his work; sometimes he
was puzzled, and would sit for long spells with a
furrowed brow and a vacant eye. Finally he sprang
“Tell me,” said Holmes—and I could see by his from his chair with a cry of satisfaction, and walked
eyes that he was much excited—“was this a mere up and down the room rubbing his hands together.
addition to the first, or did it appear to be entirely Then he wrote a long telegram upon a cable form.
separate?” “If my answer to this is as I hope, you will have
a very pretty case to add to your collection, Wat-
“It was on a different panel of the door.”
son,” said he. “I expect that we shall be able to
“Excellent! This is far the most important of all go down to Norfolk to-morrow, and to take our
for our purpose. It fills me with hopes. Now, Mr. friend some very definite news as to the secret of
Hilton Cubitt, please continue your most interest- his annoyance.”
ing statement.” I confess that I was filled with curiosity, but I
“I have nothing more to say, Mr. Holmes, except was aware that Holmes liked to make his disclo-
that I was angry with my wife that night for having sures at his own time and in his own way; so I
held me back when I might have caught the skulk- waited until it should suit him to take me into his
ing rascal. She said that she feared that I might confidence.

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

But there was a delay in that answering tele- “It’s a terrible business,” said the station-master.
gram, and two days of impatience followed, during “They are shot, both Mr. Hilton Cubitt and his wife.
which Holmes pricked up his ears at every ring She shot him and then herself—so the servants say.
of the bell. On the evening of the second there He’s dead and her life is despaired of. Dear, dear,
came a letter from Hilton Cubitt. All was quiet one of the oldest families in the County of Norfolk,
with him, save that a long inscription had appeared and one of the most honoured.”
that morning upon the pedestal of the sun-dial. He
Without a word Holmes hurried to a carriage,
inclosed a copy of it, which is here reproduced:—
and during the long seven miles’ drive he never
opened his mouth. Seldom have I seen him so ut-
terly despondent. He had been uneasy during all
Holmes bent over this grotesque frieze for some our journey from town, and I had observed that
minutes, and then suddenly sprang to his feet with he had turned over the morning papers with anx-
an exclamation of surprise and dismay. His face ious attention; but now this sudden realization of
was haggard with anxiety. his worst fears left him in a blank melancholy. He
“We have let this affair go far enough,” said he. leaned back in his seat, lost in gloomy speculation.
“Is there a train to North Walsham to-night?” Yet there was much around to interest us, for we
were passing through as singular a country-side as
I turned up the time-table. The last had just
any in England, where a few scattered cottages rep-
gone.
resented the population of to-day, while on every
“Then we shall breakfast early and take the hand enormous square-towered churches bristled
very first in the morning,” said Holmes. “Our pres- up from the flat, green landscape and told of the
ence is most urgently needed. Ah! here is our glory and prosperity of old East Anglia. At last
expected cablegram. One moment, Mrs. Hudson; the violet rim of the German Ocean appeared over
there may be an answer. No, that is quite as I ex- the green edge of the Norfolk coast, and the driver
pected. This message makes it even more essential pointed with his whip to two old brick and tim-
that we should not lose an hour in letting Hilton ber gables which projected from a grove of trees.
Cubitt know how matters stand, for it is a singular “That’s Ridling Thorpe Manor,” said he.
and a dangerous web in which our simple Norfolk
squire is entangled.” As we drove up to the porticoed front door I
observed in front of it, beside the tennis lawn, the
So, indeed, it proved, and as I come to the dark
black tool-house and the pedestalled sun-dial with
conclusion of a story which had seemed to me to be
which we had such strange associations. A dapper
only childish and bizarre I experience once again
little man, with a quick, alert manner and a waxed
the dismay and horror with which I was filled.
moustache, had just descended from a high dog-
Would that I had some brighter ending to commu-
cart. He introduced himself as Inspector Martin,
nicate to my readers, but these are the chronicles
of the Norfolk Constabulary, and he was consid-
of fact, and I must follow to their dark crisis the
erably astonished when he heard the name of my
strange chain of events which for some days made
companion.
Ridling Thorpe Manor a household word through
the length and breadth of England. “Why, Mr. Holmes, the crime was only commit-
We had hardly alighted at North Walsham, and ted at three this morning. How could you hear of
mentioned the name of our destination, when the it in London and get to the spot as soon as I?”
station-master hurried towards us. “I suppose that “I anticipated it. I came in the hope of prevent-
you are the detectives from London?” said he. ing it.”
A look of annoyance passed over Holmes’s face. “Then you must have important evidence of
“What makes you think such a thing?” which we are ignorant, for they were said to be a
“Because Inspector Martin from Norwich has most united couple.”
just passed through. But maybe you are the sur- “I have only the evidence of the dancing men,”
geons. She’s not dead—or wasn’t by last accounts. said Holmes. “I will explain the matter to you
You may be in time to save her yet—though it be later. Meanwhile, since it is too late to prevent
for the gallows.” this tragedy, I am very anxious that I should use
Holmes’s brow was dark with anxiety. the knowledge which I possess in order to ensure
“We are going to Ridling Thorpe Manor,” said that justice be done. Will you associate me in your
he, “but we have heard nothing of what has passed investigation, or will you prefer that I should act
there.” independently?”

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

“I should be proud to feel that we were acting Martin, the old, grey-headed country doctor, my-
together, Mr. Holmes,” said the inspector, earnestly. self, and a stolid village policeman made up the
“In that case I should be glad to hear the ev- rest of that strange company.
idence and to examine the premises without an
The two women told their story clearly enough.
instant of unnecessary delay.”
They had been aroused from their sleep by the
Inspector Martin had the good sense to allow sound of an explosion, which had been followed
my friend to do things in his own fashion, and a minute later by a second one. They slept in ad-
contented himself with carefully noting the results. joining rooms, and Mrs. King had rushed in to
The local surgeon, an old, white-haired man, had Saunders. Together they had descended the stairs.
just come down from Mrs. Hilton Cubitt’s room, The door of the study was open and a candle was
and he reported that her injuries were serious, but burning upon the table. Their master lay upon
not necessarily fatal. The bullet had passed through his face in the centre of the room. He was quite
the front of her brain, and it would probably be dead. Near the window his wife was crouching,
some time before she could regain consciousness. her head leaning against the wall. She was horribly
On the question of whether she had been shot or wounded, and the side of her face was red with
had shot herself he would not venture to express blood. She breathed heavily, but was incapable of
any decided opinion. Certainly the bullet had been saying anything. The passage, as well as the room,
discharged at very close quarters. There was only was full of smoke and the smell of powder. The
the one pistol found in the room, two barrels of window was certainly shut and fastened upon the
which had been emptied. Mr. Hilton Cubitt had inside. Both women were positive upon the point.
been shot through the heart. It was equally con- They had at once sent for the doctor and for the
ceivable that he had shot her and then himself, or constable. Then, with the aid of the groom and
that she had been the criminal, for the revolver lay the stable-boy, they had conveyed their injured mis-
upon the floor midway between them. tress to her room. Both she and her husband had
“Has he been moved?” asked Holmes. occupied the bed. She was clad in her dress—he in
his dressing-gown, over his night clothes. Nothing
“We have moved nothing except the lady. We had been moved in the study. So far as they knew
could not leave her lying wounded upon the floor.” there had never been any quarrel between husband
“How long have you been here, doctor?” and wife. They had always looked upon them as a
“Since four o’clock.” very united couple.

“Anyone else?” These were the main points of the servants’ ev-
“Yes, the constable here.” idence. In answer to Inspector Martin they were
clear that every door was fastened upon the inside,
“And you have touched nothing?”
and that no one could have escaped from the house.
“Nothing.” In answer to Holmes they both remembered that
“You have acted with great discretion. Who sent they were conscious of the smell of powder from
for you?” the moment that they ran out of their rooms upon
the top floor. “I commend that fact very carefully
“The housemaid, Saunders.” to your attention,” said Holmes to his professional
“Was it she who gave the alarm?” colleague. “And now I think that we are in a po-
“She and Mrs. King, the cook.” sition to undertake a thorough examination of the
room.”
“Where are they now?”
“In the kitchen, I believe.” The study proved to be a small chamber, lined
on three sides with books, and with a writing-table
“Then I think we had better hear their story at facing an ordinary window, which looked out upon
once.” the garden. Our first attention was given to the
The old hall, oak-panelled and high-windowed, body of the unfortunate squire, whose huge frame
had been turned into a court of investigation. lay stretched across the room. His disordered dress
Holmes sat in a great, old-fashioned chair, his in- showed that he had been hastily aroused from sleep.
exorable eyes gleaming out of his haggard face. I The bullet had been fired at him from the front,
could read in them a set purpose to devote his life and had remained in his body after penetrating the
to this quest until the client whom he had failed to heart. His death had certainly been instantaneous
save should at last be avenged. The trim Inspector and painless. There was no powder-marking either

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

upon his dressing-gown or on his hands. Accord- outside this opening and fired through it. Any shot
ing to the country surgeon the lady had stains upon directed at this person might hit the sash. I looked,
her face, but none upon her hand. and there, sure enough, was the bullet 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 fire and fasten the window. But, halloa! what is this?”
many shots without leaving a sign. I would sug- It was a lady’s hand-bag which stood upon the
gest that Mr. Cubitt’s body may now be removed. I study table—a trim little hand-bag of crocodile-skin
suppose, doctor, you have not recovered the bullet and silver. Holmes opened it and turned the con-
which wounded the lady?” tents out. There were twenty fifty-pound notes of
“A serious operation will be necessary before the Bank of England, held together by an india-
that can be done. But there are still four cartridges rubber band—nothing else.
in the revolver. Two have been fired and two “This must be preserved, for it will figure in
wounds inflicted, so that each bullet can be ac- the trial,” said Holmes, as he handed the bag with
counted 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 splintering
obviously struck the edge of the window?” of the wood, been fired from inside the room. I
He had turned suddenly, and his long, thin fin- should like to see Mrs. King, the cook, again. You
ger was pointing to a hole which had been drilled said, Mrs. King, that you were awakened by a loud
right through the lower window-sash about an inch explosion. When you said that, did you mean that
above the bottom. 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 so
did you see that?” 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
shots fired almost at the same instant?”
“Wonderful!” said the country doctor. “You
are 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 window,
leaving their room they were at once conscious of a and we all broke into an exclamation as we ap-
smell of powder I remarked that the point was an proached it. The flowers were trampled down, and
extremely important one?” the soft soil was imprinted all over with footmarks.
“Yes, sir; but I confess I did not quite follow Large, masculine feet they were, with peculiarly
you.” long, sharp toes. Holmes hunted about among the
grass and leaves like a retriever after a wounded
“It suggested that at the time of the firing the bird. Then, with a cry of satisfaction, he bent for-
window as well as the door of the room had been ward and picked up a little brazen cylinder.
open. Otherwise the fumes of powder could not
have been blown so rapidly through the house. A “I thought so,” said he; “the revolver had an
draught in the room was necessary for that. Both ejector, and here is the third cartridge. I really think,
door and window were only open for a very short Inspector Martin, that our case is almost complete.”
time, however.” The country inspector’s face had shown his
intense amazement at the rapid and masterful
“How do you prove that?”
progress of Holmes’s investigation. At first he had
“Because the candle has not guttered.” shown some disposition to assert his own position;
“Capital!” cried the inspector. “Capital!” but now he was overcome with admiration and
“Feeling sure that the window had been open at ready to follow without question wherever Holmes
the time of the tragedy I conceived that there might led.
have been a third person in the affair, who stood “Whom do you suspect?” he asked.

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

“I’ll go into that later. There are several points When the youth had been dispatched with the
in this problem which I have not been able to ex- note, Sherlock Holmes gave his instructions to the
plain to you yet. Now that I have got so far I had servants. If any visitor were to call asking for Mrs.
best proceed on my own lines, and then clear the Hilton Cubitt no information should be given as
whole matter up once and for all.” to her condition, but he was to be shown at once
“Just as you wish, Mr. Holmes, so long as we into the drawing-room. He impressed these points
get our man.” upon them with the utmost earnestness. Finally he
led the way into the drawing-room with the remark
“I have no desire to make mysteries, but it is that the business was now out of our hands, and
impossible at the moment of action to enter into that we must while away the time as best we might
long and complex explanations. I have the threads until we could see what was in store for us. The
of this affair all in my hand. Even if this lady doctor had departed to his patients, and only the
should never recover consciousness we can still re- inspector and myself remained.
construct the events of last night and ensure that
justice be done. First of all I wish to know whether “I think that I can help you to pass an hour in
there is any inn in this neighbourhood known as an interesting and profitable manner,” said Holmes,
‘Elrige’s’?” drawing his chair up to the table and spreading
out in front of him the various papers upon which
The servants were cross-questioned, but none were recorded the antics of the dancing men. “As
of them had heard of such a place. The stable-boy to you, friend Watson, I owe you every atonement
threw a light upon the matter by remembering that for having allowed your natural curiosity to remain
a farmer of that name lived some miles off in the so long unsatisfied. To you, inspector, the whole
direction of East Ruston. incident may appeal as a remarkable professional
“Is it a lonely farm?” study. I must tell you first of all the interesting
circumstances connected with the previous consul-
“Very lonely, sir.” tations which Mr. Hilton Cubitt has had with me
“Perhaps they have not heard yet of all that in Baker Street.” He then shortly recapitulated the
happened here during the night?” facts which have already been recorded. “I have
here in front of me these singular productions, at
“Maybe not, sir.”
which one might smile had they not proved them-
Holmes thought for a little and then a curious selves to be the fore-runners of so terrible a tragedy.
smile played over his face. I am fairly familiar with all forms of secret writings,
“Saddle a horse, my lad,” said he. “I shall wish and am myself the author of a trifling monograph
you to take a note to Elrige’s Farm.” upon the subject, in which I analyze one hundred
and sixty separate ciphers; but I confess that this
He took from his pocket the various slips of the is entirely new to me. The object of those who in-
dancing men. With these in front of him he worked vented the system has apparently been to conceal
for some time at the study-table. Finally he handed that these characters convey a message, and to give
a note to the boy, with directions to put it into the the idea that they are the mere random sketches of
hands of the person to whom it was addressed, children.
and especially to answer no questions of any sort
which might be put to him. I saw the outside of the “Having once recognised, however, that the
note, addressed in straggling, irregular characters, symbols stood for letters, and having applied the
very unlike Holmes’s usual precise hand. It was rules which guide us in all forms of secret writings,
consigned to Mr. Abe Slaney, Elrige’s Farm, East the solution was easy enough. The first message
Ruston, Norfolk. submitted to me was so short that it was impossible
for me to do more than to say with some confidence
“I think, inspector,” Holmes remarked, “that that the symbol
you would do well to telegraph for an escort, as, if
my calculations prove to be correct, you may have
a particularly dangerous prisoner to convey to the
county jail. The boy who takes this note could stood for E. As you are aware, E is the most
no doubt forward your telegram. If there is an af- common letter in the English alphabet, and it pre-
ternoon train to town, Watson, I think we should dominates to so marked an extent that even in a
do well to take it, as I have a chemical analysis of short sentence one would expect to find it most
some interest to finish, and this investigation draws often. Out of fifteen symbols in the first message
rapidly to a close.” four were the same, so it was reasonable to set this

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

down as E. It is true that in some cases the figure “Now the first letter can only be A, which is a most
was bearing a flag and in some cases not, but it was useful discovery, since it occurs no fewer than three
probable from the way in which the flags were dis- times in this short sentence, and the H is also ap-
tributed that they were used to break the sentence parent in the second word. Now it becomes:—
up into words. I accepted this as a hypothesis, and AM HERE A.E SLANE.
noted that E was represented by
Or, filling in the obvious vacancies in the name:—
AM HERE ABE SLANEY.
I had so many letters now that I could proceed
“But now came the real difficulty of the inquiry.
with considerable confidence to the second mes-
The order of the English letters after E is by no
sage, which worked out in this fashion:—
means well marked, and any preponderance which
may be shown in an average of a printed sheet may A. ELRI.ES.
be reversed in a single short sentence. Speaking Here I could only make sense by putting T and
roughly, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, R, D, and L are the G for the missing letters, and supposing that the
numerical order in which letters occur; but T, A, name was that of some house or inn at which the
O, and I are very nearly abreast of each other, and writer was staying.”
it would be an endless task to try each combina- Inspector Martin and I had listened with the
tion until a meaning was arrived at. I, therefore, utmost interest to the full and clear account of how
waited for fresh material. In my second interview my friend had produced results which had led to
with Mr. Hilton Cubitt he was able to give me two so complete a command over our difficulties.
other short sentences and one message, which ap- “What did you do then, sir?” asked the inspec-
peared—since there was no flag—to be a single tor.
word. Here are the symbols. Now, in the single
“I had every reason to suppose that this Abe
word I have already got the two E’s coming second
Slaney was an American, since Abe is an American
and fourth in a word of five letters. It might be
contraction, and since a letter from America had
‘sever,’ or ‘lever,’ or ‘never.’ There can be no ques-
been the starting-point of all the trouble. I had also
tion that the latter as a reply to an appeal is far the
every cause to think that there was some criminal
most probable, and the circumstances pointed to
secret in the matter. The lady’s allusions to her past
its being a reply written by the lady. Accepting it
and her refusal to take her husband into her con-
as correct, we are now able to say that the symbols
fidence both pointed in that direction. I therefore
cabled to my friend, Wilson Hargreave, of the New
York Police Bureau, who has more than once made
stand respectively for N, V, and R. use of my knowledge of London crime. I asked him
“Even now I was in considerable difficulty, but whether the name of Abe Slaney was known to him.
a happy thought put me in possession of several Here is his reply: ‘The most dangerous crook in
other letters. It occurred to me that if these appeals Chicago.’ On the very evening upon which I had
came, as I expected, from someone who had been his answer Hilton Cubitt sent me the last message
intimate with the lady in her early life, a combi- from Slaney. Working with known letters it took
nation which contained two E’s with three letters this form:—
between might very well stand for the name ‘ELSIE.’ ELSIE .RE.ARE TO MEET THY GO.
On examination I found that such a combination The addition of a P and a D completed a message
formed the termination of the message which was which showed me that the rascal was proceeding
three times repeated. It was certainly some appeal from persuasion to threats, and my knowledge of
to ‘Elsie.’ In this way I had got my L, S, and I. the crooks of Chicago prepared me to find that he
But what appeal could it be? There were only four might very rapidly put his words into action. I at
letters in the word which preceded ‘Elsie,’ and it once came to Norfolk with my friend and colleague,
ended in E. Surely the word must be ‘COME.’ I Dr. Watson, but, unhappily, only in time to find that
tried all other four letters ending in E, but could the worst had already occurred.”
find none to fit the case. So now I was in possession “It is a privilege to be associated with you in
of C, O, and M, and I was in a position to attack the handling of a case,” said the inspector, warmly.
the first message once more, dividing it into words “You will excuse me, however, if I speak frankly
and putting dots for each symbol which was still to you. You are only answerable to yourself, but I
unknown. So treated it worked out in this fashion: have to answer to my superiors. If this Abe Slaney,
.M .ERE ..E SL.NE. living at Elrige’s, is indeed the murderer, and if

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

he has made his escape while I am seated here, I I may have threatened her, God forgive me, but I
should certainly get into serious trouble.” would not have touched a hair of her pretty head.
“You need not be uneasy. He will not try to Take it back—you! Say that she is not hurt!”
escape.” “She was found badly wounded by the side of
“How do you know?” her dead husband.”
“To fly would be a confession of guilt.” He sank with a deep groan on to the settee and
buried his face in his manacled hands. For five
“Then let us go to arrest him.”
minutes he was silent. Then he raised his face
“I expect him here every instant.” once more, and spoke with the cold composure of
“But why should he come?” despair.
“Because I have written and asked him.” “I have nothing to hide from you, gentlemen,”
“But this is incredible, Mr. Holmes! Why should said he. “If I shot the man he had his shot at me,
he come because you have asked him? Would not and there’s no murder in that. But if you think I
such a request rather rouse his suspicions and cause could have hurt that woman, then you don’t know
him to fly?” either me or her. I tell you there was never a man
in this world loved a woman more than I loved her.
“I think I have known how to frame the let- I had a right to her. She was pledged to me years
ter,” said Sherlock Holmes. “In fact, if I am not ago. Who was this Englishman that he should come
very much mistaken, here is the gentleman himself between us? I tell you that I had the first right to
coming up the drive.” her, and that I was only claiming my own.”
A man was striding up the path which led to
“She broke away from your influence when she
the door. He was a tall, handsome, swarthy fel-
found the man that you are,” said Holmes, sternly.
low, clad in a suit of grey flannel, with a Panama
“She fled from America to avoid you, and she mar-
hat, a bristling black beard, and a great, aggressive
ried an honourable gentleman in England. You
hooked nose, and flourishing a cane as he walked.
dogged her and followed her and made her life a
He swaggered up the path as if the place belonged
misery to her in order to induce her to abandon the
to him, and we heard his loud, confident peal at
husband whom she loved and respected in order
the bell.
to fly with you, whom she feared and hated. You
“I think, gentlemen,” said Holmes, quietly, “that have ended by bringing about the death of a noble
we had best take up our position behind the door. man and driving his wife to suicide. That is your
Every precaution is necessary when dealing with record in this business, Mr. Abe Slaney, and you
such a fellow. You will need your handcuffs, in- will answer for it to the law.”
spector. You can leave the talking to me.”
“If Elsie dies I care nothing what becomes of
We waited in silence for a minute—one of those me,” said the American. He opened one of his
minutes which one can never forget. Then the door hands and looked at a note crumpled up in his
opened and the man stepped in. In an instant palm. “See here, mister,” he cried, with a gleam of
Holmes clapped a pistol to his head and Martin suspicion in his eyes, “you’re not trying to scare me
slipped the handcuffs over his wrists. It was all over this, are you? If the lady is hurt as bad as you
done so swiftly and deftly that the fellow was help- say, who was it that wrote this note?” He tossed it
less before he knew that he was attacked. He glared forwards on to the table.
from one to the other of us with a pair of blazing
“I wrote it to bring you here.”
black eyes. Then he burst into a bitter laugh.
“You wrote it? There was no one on earth out-
“Well, gentlemen, you have the drop on me this
side the Joint who knew the secret of the dancing
time. I seem to have knocked up against something
men. How came you to write it?”
hard. But I came here in answer to a letter from
Mrs. Hilton Cubitt. Don’t tell me that she is in this? “What one man can invent another can dis-
Don’t tell me that she helped to set a trap for me?” cover,” said Holmes. “There is a cab coming to
convey you to Norwich, Mr. Slaney. But, mean-
“Mrs. Hilton Cubitt was seriously injured and
while, you have time to make some small reparation
is at death’s door.”
for the injury you have wrought. Are you aware
The man gave a hoarse cry of grief which rang that Mrs. Hilton Cubitt has herself lain under grave
through the house. suspicion of the murder of her husband, and that
“You’re crazy!” he cried, fiercely. “It was he that it was only my presence here and the knowledge
was hurt, not she. Who would have hurt little Elsie? which I happened to possess which has saved her

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 The Adventure of the Dancing Men

from the accusation? The least that you owe her is instant, and down he dropped. I made away across
to make it clear to the whole world that she was the garden, and as I went I heard the window shut
in no way, directly or indirectly, responsible for his behind me. That’s God’s truth, gentlemen, every
tragic end.” word of it, and I heard no more about it until that
“I ask nothing better,” said the American. “I lad came riding up with a note which made me
guess the very best case I can make for myself is walk in here, like a jay, and give myself into your
the absolute naked truth.” hands.”
“It is my duty to warn you that it will be used A cab had driven up whilst the American had
against you,” cried the inspector, with the magnifi- been talking. Two uniformed policemen sat inside.
cent fair-play of the British criminal law. Inspector Martin rose and touched his prisoner on
Slaney shrugged his shoulders. the shoulder.
“I’ll chance that,” said he. “First of all, I want “It is time for us to go.”
you gentlemen to understand that I have known “Can I see her first?”
this lady since she was a child. There were seven “No, she is not conscious. Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
of us in a gang in Chicago, and Elsie’s father was I only hope that if ever again I have an important
the boss of the Joint. He was a clever man, was case I shall have the good fortune to have you by
old Patrick. It was he who invented that writing, my side.”
which would pass as a child’s scrawl unless you
just happened to have the key to it. Well, Elsie We stood at the window and watched the cab
learned some of our ways; but she couldn’t stand drive away. As I turned back my eye caught the
the business, and she had a bit of honest money of pellet of paper which the prisoner had tossed upon
her own, so she gave us all the slip and got away the table. It was the note with which Holmes had
to London. She had been engaged to me, and she decoyed him.
would have married me, I believe, if I had taken “See if you can read it, Watson,” said he, with a
over another profession; but she would have noth- smile.
ing to do with anything on the cross. It was only It contained no word, but this little line of danc-
after her marriage to this Englishman that I was ing men:—
able to find out where she was. I wrote to her, but
got no answer. After that I came over, and, as letters
were no use, I put my messages where she could
read them.
“Well, I have been here a month now. I lived in “If you use the code which I have explained,”
that farm, where I had a room down below, and said Holmes, “you will find that it simply means
could get in and out every night, and no one the ‘Come here at once.’ I was convinced that it was
wiser. I tried all I could to coax Elsie away. I knew an invitation which he would not refuse, since he
that she read the messages, for once she wrote an could never imagine that it could come from any-
answer under one of them. Then my temper got one but the lady. And so, my dear Watson, we have
the better of me, and I began to threaten her. She ended by turning the dancing men to good when
sent me a letter then, imploring me to go away and they have so often been the agents of evil, and I
saying that it would break her heart if any scandal think that I have fulfilled my promise of giving you
should come upon her husband. She said that she something unusual for your note-book. Three-forty
would come down when her husband was asleep at is our train, and I fancy we should be back in Baker
three in the morning, and speak with me through Street for dinner.”
the end window, if I would go away afterwards and Only one word of epilogue. The American, Abe
leave her in peace. She came down and brought Slaney, was condemned to death at the winter as-
money with her, trying to bribe me to go. This sizes at Norwich; but his penalty was changed to
made me mad, and I caught her arm and tried to penal servitude in consideration of mitigating cir-
pull her through the window. At that moment in cumstances, and the certainty that Hilton Cubitt
rushed the husband with his revolver in his hand. had fired the first shot. Of Mrs. Hilton Cubitt I only
Elsie had sunk down upon the floor, and we were know that I have heard she recovered entirely, and
face to face. I was heeled also, and I held up my that she still remains a widow, devoting her whole
gun to scare him off and let me get away. He fired life to the care of the poor and to the administration
and missed me. I pulled off almost at the same of her husband’s estate.

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The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
F
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

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

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

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

456
 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

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

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

The house was invisible from the road, but the could tell me nothing about Charlington Hall, and
surroundings all spoke of gloom and decay. referred me to a well-known firm in Pall Mall.
The heath was covered with golden patches of There I halted on my way home, and met with
flowering gorse, gleaming magnificently in the light courtesy from the representative. No, I could not
of the bright spring sunshine. Behind one of these have Charlington Hall for the summer. I was just
clumps I took up my position, so as to command too late. It had been let about a month ago. Mr.
both the gateway of the Hall and a long stretch of Williamson was the name of the tenant. He was
the road upon either side. It had been deserted a respectable elderly gentleman. The polite agent
when I left it, but now I saw a cyclist riding down was afraid he could say no more, as the affairs of
it from the opposite direction to that in which I had his clients were not matters which he could discuss.
come. He was clad in a dark suit, and I saw that Mr. Sherlock Holmes listened with attention to
he had a black beard. On reaching the end of the the long report which I was able to present to him
Charlington grounds he sprang from his machine that evening, but it did not elicit that word of curt
and led it through a gap in the hedge, disappearing praise which I had hoped for and should have val-
from my view. ued. On the contrary, his austere face was even
A quarter of an hour passed and then a sec- more severe than usual as he commented upon the
ond cyclist appeared. This time it was the young things that I had done and the things that I had
lady coming from the station. I saw her look about not.
her as she came to the Charlington hedge. An in- “Your hiding-place, my dear Watson, was very
stant later the man emerged from his hiding-place, faulty. You should have been behind the hedge;
sprang upon his cycle, and followed her. In all then you would have had a close view of this in-
the broad landscape those were the only moving teresting person. As it is you were some hundreds
figures, the graceful girl sitting very straight upon of yards away, and can tell me even less than Miss
her machine, and the man behind her bending low Smith. She thinks she does not know the man; I am
over his handle-bar, with a curiously furtive sug- convinced she does. Why, otherwise, should he be
gestion in every movement. She looked back at so desperately anxious that she should not get so
him and slowed her pace. He slowed also. She near him as to see his features? You describe him as
stopped. He at once stopped too, keeping two hun- bending over the handle-bar. Concealment again,
dred yards behind her. Her next movement was you see. You really have done remarkably badly.
as unexpected as it was spirited. She suddenly He returns to the house and you want to find out
whisked her wheels round and dashed straight at who he is. You come to a London house-agent!”
him! He was as quick as she, however, and darted
off in desperate flight. Presently she came back up “What should I have done?” I cried, with some
the road again, her head haughtily in the air, not heat.
deigning to take any further notice of her silent “Gone to the nearest public-house. That is the
attendant. He had turned also, and still kept his centre of country gossip. They would have told you
distance until the curve of the road hid them from every name, from the master to the scullery-maid.
my sight. Williamson! It conveys nothing to my mind. If
I remained in my hiding-place, and it was well he is an elderly man he is not this active cyclist
that I did so, for presently the man reappeared cy- who sprints away from that athletic young lady’s
cling slowly back. He turned in at the Hall gates pursuit. What have we gained by your expedition?
and dismounted from his machine. For some few The knowledge that the girl’s story is true. I never
minutes I could see him standing among the trees. doubted it. That there is a connection between the
His hands were raised and he seemed to be settling cyclist and the Hall. I never doubted that either.
his necktie. Then he mounted his cycle and rode That the Hall is tenanted by Williamson. Who’s
away from me down the drive towards the Hall. I the better for that? Well, well, my dear sir, don’t
ran across the heath and peered through the trees. look so depressed. We can do little more until next
Far away I could catch glimpses of the old grey Saturday, and in the meantime I may make one or
building with its bristling Tudor chimneys, but the two inquiries myself.”
drive ran through a dense shrubbery, and I saw no
Next morning we had a note from Miss Smith,
more of my man.
recounting shortly and accurately the very inci-
However, it seemed to me that I had done a dents which I had seen, but the pith of the letter
fairly good morning’s work, and I walked back lay in the postscript:
in high spirits to Farnham. The local house-agent

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

“I am sure that you will respect my tap-room and had heard the whole conversation.
confidence, Mr. Holmes, when I tell you Who was I? What did I want? What did I mean by
that my place here has become difficult asking questions? He had a fine flow of language,
owing to the fact that my employer has and his adjectives were very vigorous. He ended
proposed marriage to me. I am con- a string of abuse by a vicious back-hander which I
vinced that his feelings are most deep failed to entirely avoid. The next few minutes were
and most honourable. At the same time delicious. It was a straight left against a slogging
my promise is, of course, given. He took ruffian. I emerged as you see me. Mr. Woodley
my refusal very seriously, but also very went home in a cart. So ended my country trip,
gently. You can understand, however, and it must be confessed that, however enjoyable,
that the situation is a little strained.” my day on the Surrey border has not been much
more profitable than your own.”
“Our young friend seems to be getting into deep
The Thursday brought us another letter from
waters,” said Holmes, thoughtfully, as he finished
our client.
the letter. “The case certainly presents more fea-
tures of interest and more possibility of develop- You will not be surprised, Mr. Holmes
ment than I had originally thought. I should be [said she] to hear that I am leaving
none the worse for a quiet, peaceful day in the coun- Mr. Carruthers’s employment. Even the
try, and I am inclined to run down this afternoon high pay cannot reconcile me to the dis-
and test one or two theories which I have formed.” comforts of my situation. On Saturday
Holmes’s quiet day in the country had a singu- I come up to town and I do not intend
lar termination, for he arrived at Baker Street late in to return. Mr. Carruthers has got a trap,
the evening with a cut lip and a discoloured lump and so the dangers of the lonely road,
upon his forehead, besides a general air of dissipa- if there ever were any dangers, are now
tion which would have made his own person the over.
fitting object of a Scotland Yard investigation. He As to the special cause of my leav-
was immensely tickled by his own adventures, and ing, it is not merely the strained situa-
laughed heartily as he recounted them. tion with Mr. Carruthers, but it is the
“I get so little active exercise that it is always a reappearance of that odious man, Mr.
treat,” said he. “You are aware that I have some Woodley. He was always hideous, but
proficiency in the good old British sport of boxing. he looks more awful than ever now, for
Occasionally it is of service. To-day, for example, I he appears to have had an accident and
should have come to very ignominious grief with- he is much disfigured. I saw him out of
out it.” the window, but I am glad to say I did
not meet him. He had a long talk with
I begged him to tell me what had occurred. Mr. Carruthers, who seemed much ex-
“I found that country pub which I had already cited afterwards. Woodley must be stay-
recommended to your notice, and there I made ing in the neighbourhood, for he did not
my discreet inquiries. I was in the bar, and a gar- sleep here, and yet I caught a glimpse of
rulous landlord was giving me all that I wanted. him again this morning slinking about
Williamson is a white-bearded man, and he lives in the shrubbery. I would sooner have
alone with a small staff of servants at the Hall. a savage wild animal loose about the
There is some rumour that he is or has been a place. I loathe and fear him more than I
clergyman; but one or two incidents of his short can say. How can Mr. Carruthers endure
residence at the Hall struck me as peculiarly unec- such a creature for a moment? However,
clesiastical. I have already made some inquiries at all my troubles will be over on Saturday.
a clerical agency, and they tell me that there was
a man of that name in orders whose career has “So I trust, Watson; so I trust,” said Holmes,
been a singularly dark one. The landlord further gravely. “There is some deep intrigue going on
informed me that there are usually week-end visi- round that little woman, and it is our duty to see
tors—‘a warm lot, sir’—at the Hall, and especially that no one molests her upon that last journey. I
one gentleman with a red moustache, Mr. Woodley think, Watson, that we must spare time to run down
by name, who was always there. We had got as far together on Saturday morning, and make sure that
as this when who should walk in but the gentle- this curious and inconclusive investigation has no
man himself, who had been drinking his beer in the untoward ending.”

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

I confess that I had not up to now taken a very “Too late, Watson; too late!” cried Holmes, as
serious view of the case, which had seemed to me I ran panting to his side. “Fool that I was not to
rather grotesque and bizarre than dangerous. That allow for that earlier train! It’s abduction, Wat-
a man should lie in wait for and follow a very hand- son—abduction! Murder! Heaven knows what!
some woman is no unheard-of thing, and if he had Block the road! Stop the horse! That’s right. Now,
so little audacity that he not only dared not address jump in, and let us see if I can repair the conse-
her, but even fled from her approach, he was not quences of my own blunder.”
a very formidable assailant. The ruffian Woodley We had sprung into the dog-cart, and Holmes,
was a very different person, but, except on one oc- after turning the horse, gave it a sharp cut with
casion, he had not molested our client, and now he the whip, and we flew back along the road. As we
visited the house of Carruthers without intruding turned the curve the whole stretch of road between
upon her presence. The man on the bicycle was the Hall and the heath was opened up. I grasped
doubtless a member of those week-end parties at Holmes’s arm.
the Hall of which the publican had spoken; but
“That’s the man!” I gasped.
who he was or what he wanted was as obscure as
ever. It was the severity of Holmes’s manner and A solitary cyclist was coming towards us. His
the fact that he slipped a revolver into his pocket head was down and his shoulders rounded as he
before leaving our rooms which impressed me with put every ounce of energy that he possessed on to
the feeling that tragedy might prove to lurk behind the pedals. He was flying like a racer. Suddenly he
this curious train of events. raised his bearded face, saw us close to him, and
pulled up, springing from his machine. That coal-
A rainy night had been followed by a glorious
black beard was in singular contrast to the pallor
morning, and the heath-covered country-side with
of his face, and his eyes were as bright as if he had
the glowing clumps of flowering gorse seemed all
a fever. He stared at us and at the dog-cart. Then a
the more beautiful to eyes which were weary of the
look of amazement came over his face.
duns and drabs and slate-greys of London. Holmes
and I walked along the broad, sandy road inhaling “Halloa! Stop there!” he shouted, holding his
the fresh morning air, and rejoicing in the music of bicycle to block our road. “Where did you get that
the birds and the fresh breath of the spring. From dog-cart? Pull up, man!” he yelled, drawing a pistol
a rise of the road on the shoulder of Crooksbury from his side pocket. “Pull up, I say, or, by George,
Hill we could see the grim Hall bristling out from I’ll put a bullet into your horse.”
amidst the ancient oaks, which, old as they were, Holmes threw the reins into my lap and sprang
were still younger than the building which they sur- down from the cart.
rounded. Holmes pointed down the long tract of “You’re the man we want to see. Where is Miss
road which wound, a reddish yellow band, between Violet Smith?” he said, in his quick, clear way.
the brown of the heath and the budding green of “That’s what I am asking you. You’re in her
the woods. Far away, a black dot, we could see a dog-cart. You ought to know where she is.”
vehicle moving in our direction. Holmes gave an
“We met the dog-cart on the road. There was no
exclamation of impatience.
one in it. We drove back to help the young lady.”
“I had given a margin of half an hour,” said
“Good Lord! Good Lord! what shall I do?” cried
he. “If that is her trap she must be making for the
the stranger, in an ecstasy of despair. “They’ve got
earlier train. I fear, Watson, that she will be past
her, that hellhound Woodley and the blackguard
Charlington before we can possibly meet her.”
parson. Come, man, come, if you really are her
From the instant that we passed the rise we friend. Stand by me and we’ll save her, if I have to
could no longer see the vehicle, but we hastened leave my carcass in Charlington Wood.”
onwards at such a pace that my sedentary life be-
He ran distractedly, his pistol in his hand, to-
gan to tell upon me, and I was compelled to fall
wards a gap in the hedge. Holmes followed him,
behind. Holmes, however, was always in training,
and I, leaving the horse grazing beside the road,
for he had inexhaustible stores of nervous energy
followed Holmes.
upon which to draw. His springy step never slowed
until suddenly, when he was a hundred yards in “This is where they came through,” said he,
front of me, he halted, and I saw him throw up his pointing to the marks of several feet upon the
hand with a gesture of grief and despair. At the muddy path. “Halloa! Stop a minute! Who’s this
same instant an empty dog-cart, the horse canter- in the bush?”
ing, the reins trailing, appeared round the curve of It was a young fellow about seventeen, dressed
the road and rattled swiftly towards us. like an ostler, with leather cords and gaiters. He

460
 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

lay upon his back, his knees drawn up, a terrible Our guide’s answer was a singular one. He
cut upon his head. He was insensible, but alive. A snatched off the dark beard which had disguised
glance at his wound told me that it had not pene- him and threw it on the ground, disclosing a long,
trated the bone. sallow, clean-shaven face below it. Then he raised
“That’s Peter, the groom,” cried the stranger. his revolver and covered the young ruffian, who
“He drove her. The beasts have pulled him off and was advancing upon him with his dangerous riding-
clubbed him. Let him lie; we can’t do him any crop swinging in his hand.
good, but we may save her from the worst fate that “Yes,” said our ally, “I am Bob Carruthers, and
can befall a woman.” I’ll see this woman righted if I have to swing for it.
We ran frantically down the path, which wound I told you what I’d do if you molested her, and, by
among the trees. We had reached the shrubbery the Lord, I’ll be as good as my word!”
which surrounded the house when Holmes pulled “You’re too late. She’s my wife!”
up. “No, she’s your widow.”
“They didn’t go to the house. Here are their His revolver cracked, and I saw the blood spurt
marks on the left—here, beside the laurel bushes! from the front of Woodley’s waistcoat. He spun
Ah, I said so!” round with a scream and fell upon his back, his
As he spoke a woman’s shrill scream—a scream hideous red face turning suddenly to a dreadful
which vibrated with a frenzy of horror—burst from mottled pallor. The old man, still clad in his sur-
the thick green clump of bushes in front of us. It plice, burst into such a string of foul oaths as I have
ended suddenly on its highest note with a choke never heard, and pulled out a revolver of his own,
and a gurgle. but before he could raise it he was looking down
“This way! This way! They are in the bowling al- the barrel of Holmes’s weapon.
ley,” cried the stranger, darting through the bushes. “Enough of this,” said my friend, coldly. “Drop
“Ah, the cowardly dogs! Follow me, gentlemen! that pistol! Watson, pick it up! Hold it to his head!
Too late! too late! by the living Jingo!” Thank you. You, Carruthers, give me that revolver.
We had broken suddenly into a lovely glade of We’ll have no more violence. Come, hand it over!”
greensward surrounded by ancient trees. On the “Who are you, then?”
farther side of it, under the shadow of a mighty “My name is Sherlock Holmes.”
oak, there stood a singular group of three people.
One was a woman, our client, drooping and faint, a “Good Lord!”
handkerchief round her mouth. Opposite her stood “You have heard of me, I see. I will represent
a brutal, heavy-faced, red-moustached young man, the official police until their arrival. Here, you!” he
his gaitered legs parted wide, one arm akimbo, shouted to a frightened groom who had appeared
the other waving a riding-crop, his whole attitude at the edge of the glade. “Come here. Take this note
suggestive of triumphant bravado. Between them as hard as you can ride to Farnham.” He scribbled
an elderly, grey-bearded man, wearing a short sur- a few words upon a leaf from his note-book. “Give
plice over a light tweed suit, had evidently just it to the superintendent at the police-station. Until
completed the wedding service, for he pocketed he comes I must detain you all under my personal
his prayer-book as we appeared and slapped the custody.”
sinister bridegroom upon the back in jovial congrat- The strong, masterful personality of Holmes
ulation. dominated the tragic scene, and all were equally
“They’re married!” I gasped. puppets in his hands. Williamson and Carruthers
“Come on!” cried our guide; “come on!” He found themselves carrying the wounded Woodley
rushed across the glade, Holmes and I at his heels. into the house, and I gave my arm to the fright-
As we approached, the lady staggered against the ened girl. The injured man was laid on his bed,
trunk of the tree for support. Williamson, the ex- and at Holmes’s request I examined him. I carried
clergyman, bowed to us with mock politeness, and my report to where he sat in the old tapestry-hung
the bully Woodley advanced with a shout of brutal dining-room with his two prisoners before him.
and exultant laughter. “He will live,” said I.
“You can take your beard off, Bob,” said he. “What!” cried Carruthers, springing out of his
“I know you right enough. Well, you and your chair. “I’ll go upstairs and finish him first. Do you
pals have just come in time for me to be able to tell me that that girl, that angel, is to be tied to
introduce you to Mrs. Woodley.” Roaring Jack Woodley for life?”

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 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

“You need not concern yourself about that,” said The old man is dead.
Holmes. “There are two very good reasons why
she should under no circumstances be his wife. In “Hum!” said Holmes. “I think I see how things
the first place, we are very safe in questioning Mr. worked, and I can understand how this message
Williamson’s right to solemnize a marriage.” 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 a
“Once a clergyman, always a clergyman.” volley of bad language.
“I think not. How about the license?” “By Heaven,” said he, “if you squeal on us, Bob
“We had a license for the marriage. I have it Carruthers, I’ll serve you as you served Jack Wood-
here in my pocket.” ley. You can bleat about the girl to your heart’s
“Then you got it by a trick. But in any case content, for that’s your own affair, but if you round
a forced marriage is no marriage, but it is a very on your pals to this plain-clothes copper it will be
serious felony, as you will discover before you have the worst day’s work that ever you did.”
finished. You’ll have time to think the point out
“Your reverence need not be excited,” said
during the next ten years or so, unless I am mis-
Holmes, lighting a cigarette. “The case is clear
taken. As to you, Carruthers, you would have done
enough against you, and all I ask is a few details
better to keep your pistol in your pocket.”
for my private curiosity. However, if there’s any
“I begin to think so, Mr. Holmes; but when I difficulty in your telling me I’ll do the talking, and
thought of all the precaution I had taken to shield then you will see how far you have a chance of
this girl—for I loved her, Mr. Holmes, and it is the holding back your secrets. In the first place, three
only time that ever I knew what love was—it fairly of you came from South Africa on this game—you
drove me mad to think that she was in the power Williamson, you Carruthers, and Woodley.”
of the greatest brute and bully in South Africa, a
man whose name is a holy terror from Kimberley “Lie number one,” said the old man; “I never
to Johannesburg. Why, Mr. Holmes, you’ll hardly saw either of them until two months ago, and I
believe it, but ever since that girl has been in my have never been in Africa in my life, so you can
employment I never once let her go past this house, put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Busybody
where I knew these rascals were lurking, without Holmes!”
following her on my bicycle just to see that she “What he says is true,” said Carruthers.
came to no harm. I kept my distance from her, and “Well, well, two of you came over. His rev-
I wore a beard so that she should not recognise me, erence is our own home-made article. You had
for she is a good and high-spirited girl, and she known Ralph Smith in South Africa. You had rea-
wouldn’t have stayed in my employment long if son to believe he would not live long. You found
she had thought that I was following her about the out that his niece would inherit his fortune. How’s
country roads.” that—eh?”
“Why didn’t you tell her of her danger?”
Carruthers nodded and Williamson swore.
“Because then, again, she would have left me,
and I couldn’t bear to face that. Even if she couldn’t “She was next-of-kin, no doubt, and you were
love me it was a great deal to me just to see her aware that the old fellow would make no will.”
dainty form about the house, and to hear the sound “Couldn’t read or write,” said Carruthers.
of her voice.”
“So you came over, the two of you, and hunted
“Well,” said I, “you call that love, Mr. Car-
up the girl. The idea was that one of you was to
ruthers, but I should call it selfishness.”
marry her and the other have a share of the plun-
“Maybe the two things go together. Anyhow, I der. For some reason Woodley was chosen as the
couldn’t let her go. Besides, with this crowd about, husband. Why was that?”
it was well that she should have someone near to
look after her. Then when the cable came I knew “We played cards for her on the voyage. He
they were bound to make a move.” won.”
“What cable?” “I see. You got the young lady into your ser-
Carruthers took a telegram from his pocket. vice, and there Woodley was to do the courting.
“That’s it,” said he. She recognised the drunken brute that he was, and
would have nothing to do with him. Meanwhile,
It was short and concise:
your arrangement was rather upset by the fact that

462
 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

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

463
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 at
etc. His card, which seemed too small to carry the 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-
ity. And yet his first action when the door had “What! the late Cabinet Minister?”
closed behind him was to stagger against the table, “Exactly. We had tried to keep it out of the pa-
whence he slipped down upon the floor, and there pers, but there was some rumour in the Globe last
was that majestic figure prostrate and insensible night. I thought it might have reached your ears.”
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 ponder-
ous piece of wreckage, which told of some sudden “ ‘Holdernesse, 6th Duke, K.G., P.C.’—half the
and fatal storm far out on the ocean of life. Then alphabet! ‘Baron Beverley, Earl of Carston’—dear
Holmes hurried with a cushion for his head and I me, what a list! ‘Lord Lieutenant of Hallamshire
with brandy for his lips. The heavy white face was since 1900. Married Edith, daughter of Sir Charles
seamed with lines of trouble, the hanging pouches Appledore, 1888. Heir and only child, Lord Saltire.
under the closed eyes were leaden in colour, the Owns about two hundred and fifty thousand acres.
loose mouth drooped dolorously at the corners, Minerals in Lancashire and Wales. Address: Carl-
the rolling chins were unshaven. Collar and shirt ton House Terrace; Holdernesse Hall, Hallamshire;
bore the grime of a long journey, and the hair bris- Carston Castle, Bangor, Wales. Lord of the Admi-
tled unkempt from the well-shaped head. It was a ralty, 1872; Chief Secretary of State for—’ Well, well,
sorely-stricken man who lay before us. this man is certainly one of the greatest subjects 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 in
and fatigue,” said I, with my finger on the thready
professional matters, and that you are prepared to
pulse, where the stream of life trickled thin and
work for the work’s sake. I may tell you, however,
small.
that his Grace has already intimated that a cheque
“Return ticket from Mackleton, in the North for five thousand pounds will be handed over to
of England,” said Holmes, drawing it from the the person who can tell him where his son is, and
watch-pocket. “It is not twelve o’clock yet. He has another thousand to him who can name the man,
certainly been an early starter.” or men, who have taken him.”
The puckered eyelids had begun to quiver, and “It is a princely offer,” said Holmes. “Watson, I
now a pair of vacant, grey eyes looked up at us. An think that we shall accompany Dr. Huxtable back
instant later the man had scrambled on to his feet, to the North of England. And now, Dr. Huxtable,
his face crimson with shame. when you have consumed that milk you will kindly
“Forgive this weakness, Mr. Holmes; I have been tell me what has happened, when it happened, how
a little overwrought. Thank you, if I might have a it happened, and, finally, what Dr. Thorneycroft
glass of milk and a biscuit I have no doubt that I Huxtable, of the Priory School, near Mackleton, has
should be better. I came personally, Mr. Holmes, in to do with the matter, and why he comes three
order to ensure that you would return with me. I days after an event—the state of your chin gives
feared that no telegram would convince you of the the date—to ask for my humble services.”
absolute urgency of the case.”
Our visitor had consumed his milk and biscuits.
“When you are quite restored— The light had come back to his eyes and the colour
“I am quite well again. I cannot imagine how to his cheeks as he set himself with great vigour
I came to be so weak. I wish you, Mr. Holmes, to 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

467
 The Adventure of the Priory School

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

468
 The Adventure of the Priory School

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

469
 The Adventure of the Priory School

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

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

“His Grace is not in the habit of posting letters realize those geographical features which may have
himself,” said he. “This letter was laid with others a good deal to do with our investigation.
upon the study table, and I myself put them in the “Look at this map. This dark square is the Pri-
post-bag.” 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 correspondence.
But surely this is somewhat irrelevant?”
“Not entirely,” said Holmes.
“For my own part,” the Duke continued, “I
have advised the police to turn their attention to
the South of France. I have already said that I
do not believe that the Duchess would encourage
so monstrous an action, but the lad had the most
wrong-headed opinions, and it is possible that he
may have fled to her, aided and abetted by this
German. I think, Dr. Huxtable, that we will now
return to the Hall.”
I could see that there were other questions
which Holmes would have wished to put; but the
nobleman’s abrupt manner showed that the inter-
view was at an end. It was evident that to his
intensely aristocratic nature this discussion of his
intimate family affairs with a stranger was most
abhorrent, and that he feared lest every fresh ques-
tion would throw a fiercer light into the discreetly
shadowed corners of his ducal history.
When the nobleman and his secretary had left, “Exactly.”
my friend flung himself at once with characteristic “By a singular and happy chance we are able to
eagerness into the investigation. some extent to check what passed along this road
The boy’s chamber was carefully examined, and during the night in question. At this point, where
yielded nothing save the absolute conviction that it my pipe is now resting, a country constable was
was only through the window that he could have on duty from twelve to six. It is, as you perceive,
escaped. The German master’s room and effects the first cross road on the east side. This man de-
gave no further clue. In his case a trailer of ivy had clares that he was not absent from his post for an
given way under his weight, and we saw by the instant, and he is positive that neither boy nor man
light of a lantern the mark on the lawn where his could have gone that way unseen. I have spoken
heels had come down. That one dint in the short with this policeman to-night, and he appears to me
green grass was the only material witness left of to be a perfectly reliable person. That blocks this
this inexplicable nocturnal flight. end. We have now to deal with the other. There is
Sherlock Holmes left the house alone, and only an inn here, the Red Bull, the landlady of which
returned after eleven. He had obtained a large was ill. She had sent to Mackleton for a doctor,
ordnance map of the neighbourhood, and this he but he did not arrive until morning, being absent
brought into my room, where he laid it out on the at another case. The people at the inn were alert
bed, and, having balanced the lamp in the middle all night, awaiting his coming, and one or other of
of it, he began to smoke over it, and occasionally to them seems to have continually had an eye upon
point out objects of interest with the reeking amber the road. They declare that no one passed. If their
of his pipe. evidence is good, then we are fortunate enough to
“This case grows upon me, Watson,” said he. be able to block the west, and also to be able to say
“There are decidedly some points of interest in con- that the fugitives did not use the road at all.”
nection with it. In this early stage I want you to “But the bicycle?” I objected.

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

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

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

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

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

ruffled brow that this grim discovery had not, in discharge, but by a savage blow dealt by a vigor-
his opinion, advanced us much in our inquiry. ous arm. The lad, then, had a companion in his
“It is a little difficult to know what to do, Wat- flight. And the flight was a swift one, since it took
son,” said he, at last. “My own inclinations are to five miles before an expert cyclist could overtake
push this inquiry on, for we have already lost so them. Yet we survey the ground round the scene
much time that we cannot afford to waste another of the tragedy. What do we find? A few cattle
hour. On the other hand, we are bound to inform tracks, nothing more. I took a wide sweep round,
the police of the discovery, and to see that this poor and there is no path within fifty yards. Another
fellow’s body is looked after.” cyclist could have had nothing to do with the actual
murder. Nor were there any human footmarks.”
“I could take a note back.”
“Holmes,” I cried, “this is impossible.”
“But I need your company and assistance. Wait “Admirable!” he said. “A most illuminating
a bit! There is a fellow cutting peat up yonder. remark. It is impossible as I state it, and therefore I
Bring him over here, and he will guide the police.” must in some respect have stated it wrong. Yet you
I brought the peasant across, and Holmes dis- saw for yourself. Can you suggest any fallacy?”
patched the frightened man with a note to Dr. “He could not have fractured his skull in a fall?”
Huxtable. “In a morass, Watson?”
“Now, Watson,” said he, “we have picked up “I am at my wit’s end.”
two clues this morning. One is the bicycle with the “Tut, tut; we have solved some worse prob-
Palmer tyre, and we see what that has led to. The lems. At least we have plenty of material, if we
other is the bicycle with the patched Dunlop. Be- can only use it. Come, then, and, having exhausted
fore we start to investigate that, let us try to realize the Palmer, let us see what the Dunlop with the
what we do know so as to make the most of it, and patched cover has to offer us.”
to separate the essential from the accidental.” We picked up the track and followed it onwards
“First of all I wish to impress upon you that the for some distance; but soon the moor rose into
boy certainly left of his own free will. He got down a long, heather-tufted curve, and we left the wa-
from his window and he went off, either alone or tercourse behind us. No further help from tracks
with someone. That is sure.” could be hoped for. At the spot where we saw the
last of the Dunlop tyre it might equally have led
I assented.
to Holdernesse Hall, the stately towers of which
“Well, now, let us turn to this unfortunate Ger- rose some miles to our left, or to a low, grey village
man master. The boy was fully dressed when he which lay in front of us, and marked the position
fled. Therefore, he foresaw what he would do. But of the Chesterfield high road.
the German went without his socks. He certainly As we approached the forbidding and squalid
acted on very short notice.” inn, with the sign of a game-cock above the door,
“Undoubtedly.” Holmes gave a sudden groan and clutched me by
“Why did he go? Because, from his bedroom the shoulder to save himself from falling. He had
window, he saw the flight of the boy. Because he had one of those violent strains of the ankle which
wished to overtake him and bring him back. He leave a man helpless. With difficulty he limped up
seized his bicycle, pursued the lad, and in pursuing to the door, where a squat, dark, elderly man was
him met his death.” smoking a black clay pipe.
“How are you, Mr. Reuben Hayes?” said
“So it would seem.” Holmes.
“Now I come to the critical part of my argument. “Who are you, and how do you get my name so
The natural action of a man in pursuing a little boy pat?” the countryman answered, with a suspicious
would be to run after him. He would know that he flash of a pair of cunning eyes.
could overtake him. But the German does not do “Well, it’s printed on the board above your head.
so. He turns to his bicycle. I am told that he was an It’s easy to see a man who is master of his own
excellent cyclist. He would not do this if he did not house. I suppose you haven’t such a thing as a
see that the boy had some swift means of escape.” carriage in your stables?”
“The other bicycle.” “No; I have not.”
“Let us continue our reconstruction. He meets “I can hardly put my foot to the ground.”
his death five miles from the school—not by a bul- “Don’t put it to the ground.”
let, mark you, which even a lad might conceivably “But I can’t walk.”

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

“Well, then, hop.” the other side were the stables. Holmes had sat
Mr. Reuben Hayes’s manner was far from gra- down again after one of these excursions, when
cious, but Holmes took it with admirable good- he suddenly sprang out of his chair with a loud
humour. exclamation.
“Look here, my man,” said he. “This is really “By Heaven, Watson, I believe that I’ve got it!”
rather an awkward fix for me. I don’t mind how I he cried. “Yes, yes, it must be so. Watson, do you
get on.” remember seeing any cow-tracks to-day?”
“Neither do I,” said the morose landlord. “Yes, several.”
“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
Heidegger met his death.”
“Where do you want to go?”
“Exactly. Well, now, Watson, how many cows
“To Holdernesse Hall.”
did you see on the moor?”
“Pals of the Dook, I suppose?” said the landlord,
surveying our mud-stained garments with ironical “I don’t remember seeing any.”
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?”
“Now, Watson, make an effort; throw your mind
“Because we bring him news of his lost son.” back! Can you see those tracks upon the path?”
The landlord gave a very visible start. “Yes, I can.”
“What, you’re on his track?” “Can you recall that the tracks were sometimes
“He has been heard of in Liverpool. They expect like that, Watson”—he arranged a number of bread-
to get him every hour.” crumbs in this fashion—: : : : :—“and sometimes
Again a swift change passed over the heavy, like this”—: . : . : . : .—“and occasionally like
unshaven face. His manner was suddenly genial. this”—. . . . . . . “Can you remember that?”
“I’ve less reason to wish the Dook well than “No, I cannot.”
most men,” said he, “for I was his head coachman “But I can. I could swear to it. However, we will
once, and cruel bad he treated me. It was him that go back at our leisure and verify it. What a blind
sacked me without a character on the word of a beetle I have been not to draw my conclusion!”
lying corn-chandler. But I’m glad to hear that the
“And what is your conclusion?”
young lord was heard of in Liverpool, and I’ll help
you to take the news to the Hall.” “Only that it is a remarkable cow which walks,
canters, and gallops. By George, Watson, it was no
“Thank you,” said Holmes. “We’ll have some
brain of a country publican that thought out such a
food first. Then you can bring round the bicycle.”
blind as that! The coast seems to be clear, save for
“I haven’t got a bicycle.” that lad in the smithy. Let us slip out and see what
Holmes held up a sovereign. we can see.”
“I tell you, man, that I haven’t got one. I’ll let There were two rough-haired, unkempt horses
you have two horses as far as the Hall.” in the tumble-down stable. Holmes raised the hind
“Well, well,” said Holmes, “we’ll talk about it leg of one of them and laughed aloud.
when we’ve had something to eat.” “Old shoes, but newly shod—old shoes, but
When we were left alone in the stone-flagged new nails. This case deserves to be a classic. Let us
kitchen it was astonishing how rapidly that go across to the smithy.”
sprained ankle recovered. It was nearly nightfall, The lad continued his work without regarding
and we had eaten nothing since early morning, so us. I saw Holmes’s eye darting to right and left
that we spent some time over our meal. Holmes among the litter of iron and wood which was scat-
was lost in thought, and once or twice he walked tered about the floor. Suddenly, however, we heard
over to the window and stared earnestly out. It a step behind us, and there was the landlord, his
opened on to a squalid courtyard. In the far corner heavy eyebrows drawn over his savage eyes, his
was a smithy, where a grimy lad was at work. On swarthy features convulsed with passion. He held

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

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

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

He hardly opened his lips during that weary My friend waited until the door had closed be-
trudge across the moor, nor would he enter the hind the retreating secretary.
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, and in this case. I should like to have this confirmed
later still he entered my room as alert and vigorous from your own lips.”
as he had been when he started in the morning.
“Certainly, Mr. Holmes.”
“All goes well, my friend,” said he. “I promise that
before to-morrow evening we shall have reached “It amounted, if I am correctly informed, to
the solution of the mystery.” five thousand pounds to anyone who will tell you
where your son is?”
At eleven o’clock next morning my friend and I
were walking up the famous yew avenue of Hold- “Exactly.”
ernesse Hall. We were ushered through the mag- “And another thousand to the man who will
nificent Elizabethan doorway and into his Grace’s name the person or persons who keep him in cus-
study. There we found Mr. James Wilder, demure tody?”
and courtly, but with some trace of that wild terror “Exactly.”
of the night before still lurking in his furtive eyes
“Under the latter heading is included, no doubt,
and in his twitching features.
not only those who may have taken him away, but
“You have come to see his Grace? I am sorry; also those who conspire to keep him in his present
but the fact is that the Duke is far from well. He position?”
has been very much upset by the tragic news. We
“Yes, yes,” cried the Duke, impatiently. “If
received a telegram from Dr. Huxtable yesterday
you do your work well, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you
afternoon, which told us of your discovery.”
will have no reason to complain of niggardly treat-
“I must see the Duke, Mr. Wilder.” ment.”
“But he is in his room.” My friend rubbed his thin hands together with
“Then I must go to his room.” an appearance of avidity which was a surprise to
me, who knew his frugal tastes.
“I believe he is in his bed.”
“I fancy that I see your Grace’s cheque-book
“I will see him there.” upon the table,” said he. “I should be glad if you
Holmes’s cold and inexorable manner showed would make me out a cheque for six thousand
the secretary that it was useless to argue with him. pounds. It would be as well, perhaps, for you to
“Very good, Mr. Holmes; I will tell him that you cross it. The Capital and Counties Bank, Oxford
are here.” Street branch, are my agents.”

After half an hour’s delay the great nobleman His Grace sat very stern and upright in his chair,
appeared. His face was more cadaverous than ever, and looked stonily at my friend.
his shoulders had rounded, and he seemed to me “Is this a joke, Mr. Holmes? It is hardly a subject
to be an altogether older man than he had been for pleasantry.”
the morning before. He greeted us with a stately “Not at all, your Grace. I was never more
courtesy and seated himself at his desk, his red earnest in my life.”
beard streaming down on to the table. “What do you mean, then?”
“Well, Mr. Holmes?” said he. “I mean that I have earned the reward. I know
But my friend’s eyes were fixed upon the secre- where your son is, and I know some, at least, of
tary, who stood by his master’s chair. those who are holding him.”
“I think, your Grace, that I could speak more The Duke’s beard had turned more aggressively
freely in Mr. Wilder’s absence.” red than ever against his ghastly white face.
The man turned a shade paler and cast a malig- “Where is he?” he gasped.
nant glance at Holmes. “He is, or was last night, at the Fighting Cock
“If your Grace wishes—” Inn, about two miles from your park gate.”
“Yes, yes; you had better go. Now, Mr. Holmes, The Duke fell back in his chair.
what have you to say?” “And whom do you accuse?”

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

Sherlock Holmes’s answer was an astounding dropped the last attempt at self-command, and was
one. He stepped swiftly forward and touched the pacing the room with a convulsed face and with
Duke upon the shoulder. his clenched hands raving in the air. At last he
“I accuse you,” said he. “And now, your Grace, mastered himself and sat down once more at his
I’ll trouble you for that cheque.” desk. “I appreciate your conduct in coming here
before you spoke to anyone else,” said he. “At least,
Never shall I forget the Duke’s appearance as we 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 extraor-
“Exactly,” said Holmes. “I think, your Grace,
dinary effort of aristocratic self-command, he sat
that this can only be done by absolute and com-
down and sank his face in his hands. It was some
plete frankness between us. I am disposed to help
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.
“Your Grace can hardly have heard of any small
The Duke took a pen in his quivering fingers
reputation which I possess, or you would not imag-
and opened his cheque-book.
ine that it is so easy to escape me. Mr. Reuben
“I shall be as good as my word, Mr. Holmes. Hayes was arrested at Chesterfield on my informa-
I am about to write your cheque, however unwel- tion at eleven o’clock last night. I had a telegram
come the information which you have gained may from the head of the local police before I left the
be to me. When the offer was first made I little school this morning.”
thought the turn which events might take. But The Duke leaned back in his chair and stared
you and your friend are men of discretion, Mr. with amazement at my friend.
Holmes?”
“You seem to have powers that are hardly hu-
“I hardly understand your Grace.” man,” said he. “So Reuben Hayes is taken? I am
“I must put it plainly, Mr. Holmes. If only you right glad to hear it, if it will not react upon the
two know of this incident, there is no reason why fate of James.”
it should go any farther. I think twelve thousand “Your secretary?”
pounds is the sum that I owe you, is it not?” “No, sir; my son.”
But Holmes smiled and shook his head. It was Holmes’s turn to look astonished.
“I fear, your Grace, that matters can hardly be “I confess that this is entirely new to me, your
arranged so easily. There is the death of this school- Grace. I must beg you to be more explicit.”
master to be accounted for.” “I will conceal nothing from you. I agree with
“But James knew nothing of that. You cannot you that complete frankness, however painful it
hold him responsible for that. It was the work of may be to me, is the best policy in this desperate
this brutal ruffian whom he had the misfortune to situation to which James’s folly and jealousy have
employ.” reduced us. When I was a very young man, Mr.
Holmes, I loved with such a love as comes only
“I must take the view, your Grace, that when a once in a lifetime. I offered the lady marriage, but
man embarks upon a crime he is morally guilty of she refused it on the grounds that such a match
any other crime which may spring from it.” might mar my career. Had she lived I would cer-
“Morally, Mr. Holmes. No doubt you are right. tainly never have married anyone else. She died,
But surely not in the eyes of the law. A man can- and left this one child, whom for her sake I have
not be condemned for a murder at which he was cherished and cared for. I could not acknowledge
not present, and which he loathes and abhors as the paternity to the world; but I gave him the best
much as you do. The instant that he heard of it he of educations, and since he came to manhood I have
made a complete confession to me, so filled was kept him near my person. He surprised my secret,
he with horror and remorse. He lost not an hour and has presumed ever since upon the claim which
in breaking entirely with the murderer. Oh, Mr. he has upon me and upon his power of provoking
Holmes, you must save him—you must save him! a scandal, which would be abhorrent to me. His
I tell you that you must save him!” The Duke had presence had something to do with the unhappy

478
 The Adventure of the Priory School

issue of my marriage. Above all, he hated my break the entail, and so make it possible for the
young legitimate heir from the first with a persis- estate to be left to him by will. He knew well that I
tent hatred. You may well ask me why, under these should never willingly invoke the aid of the police
circumstances, I still kept James under my roof. I against him. I say that he would have proposed
answer that it was because I could see his mother’s such a bargain to me, but he did not actually do so,
face in his, and that for her dear sake there was for events moved too quickly for him, and he had
no end to my long-suffering. All her pretty ways, not time to put his plans into practice.
too—there was not one of them which he could not
suggest and bring back to my memory. I could not “What brought all his wicked scheme to wreck
send him away. But I feared so much lest he should was your discovery of this man Heidegger’s dead
do Arthur—that is, Lord Saltire—a mischief that I body. James was seized with horror at the news.
dispatched him for safety to Dr. Huxtable’s school. It came to us yesterday as we sat together in this
study. Dr. Huxtable had sent a telegram. James was
“James came into contact with this fellow Hayes
so overwhelmed with grief and agitation that my
because the man was a tenant of mine, and James
suspicions, which had never been entirely absent,
acted as agent. The fellow was a rascal from the
rose instantly to a certainty, and I taxed him with
beginning; but in some extraordinary way James
the deed. He made a complete voluntary confes-
became intimate with him. He had always a taste
sion. Then he implored me to keep his secret for
for low company. When James determined to kid-
three days longer, so as to give his wretched accom-
nap Lord Saltire it was of this man’s service that
plice a chance of saving his guilty life. I yielded—as
he availed himself. You remember that I wrote to
I have always yielded—to his prayers, and instantly
Arthur upon that last day. Well, James opened the
James hurried off to the Fighting Cock to warn
letter and inserted a note asking Arthur to meet
Hayes and give him the means of flight. I could not
him in a little wood called the Ragged Shaw, which
go there by daylight without provoking comment,
is near to the school. He used the Duchess’s name,
but as soon as night fell I hurried off to see my dear
and in that way got the boy to come. That evening
Arthur. I found him safe and well, but horrified
James bicycled over—I am telling you what he
beyond expression by the dreadful deed he had
has himself confessed to me—and he told Arthur,
witnessed. In deference to my promise, and much
whom he met in the wood, that his mother longed
against my will, I consented to leave him there for
to see him, that she was awaiting him on the moor,
three days under the charge of Mrs. Hayes, since
and that if he would come back into the wood at
it was evident that it was impossible to inform the
midnight he would find a man with a horse, who
police where he was without telling them also who
would take him to her. Poor Arthur fell into the
was the murderer, and I could not see how that
trap. He came to the appointment and found this
murderer could be punished without ruin to my
fellow Hayes with a led pony. Arthur mounted, and
unfortunate James. You asked for frankness, Mr.
they set off together. It appears—though this James
Holmes, and I have taken you at your word, for I
only heard yesterday—that they were pursued, that
have now told you everything without an attempt
Hayes struck the pursuer with his stick, and that
at circumlocution or concealment. Do you in turn
the man died of his injuries. Hayes brought Arthur
be as frank with me.”
to his public-house, the Fighting Cock, where he
was confined in an upper room, under the care of “I will,” said Holmes. “In the first place, your
Mrs. Hayes, who is a kindly woman, but entirely Grace, I am bound to tell you that you have placed
under the control of her brutal husband. 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—”

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 The Adventure of the Priory School

“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 wrote
tomed to be so rated in his own ducal hall. The 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 moat
not in an official position, and there is no reason, of Holdernesse Hall. They are for the use of horses;
so long as the ends of justice are served, why I but they are shaped below with a cloven foot of
should disclose all that I know. As to Hayes I say iron, so as to throw pursuers off the track. They are
nothing. The gallows awaits him, and I would do supposed to have belonged to some of the maraud-
nothing to save him from it. What he will divulge ing Barons of Holdernesse in the Middle Ages.“
I cannot tell, but I have no doubt that your Grace Holmes opened the case, and moistening his
could make him understand that it is to his interest finger he passed it along the shoe. A thin film of
to be silent. From the police point of view he will recent mud was left upon his skin.
have kidnapped the boy for the purpose of ransom.
If they do not themselves find it out I see no reason “Thank you,” said he, as he replaced the glass.
why I should prompt them to take a broader point “It is the second most interesting object that I have
of view. I would warn your Grace, however, that seen in the North.”
the continued presence of Mr. James Wilder in your “And the first?”
household can only lead to misfortune.” Holmes folded up his cheque and placed it care-
“I understand that, Mr. Holmes, and it is al- fully in his note-book. “I am a poor man,” said he,
ready settled that he shall leave me for ever and go as he patted it affectionately and thrust it into the
to seek his fortune in Australia.” depths of his inner pocket.

480
The Adventure of Black Peter
I
The Adventure of Black Peter

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

483
 The Adventure of Black Peter

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

484
 The Adventure of Black Peter

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

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 The Adventure of Black Peter

at the inquest, modifies any views which I may woods, which were once part of that great for-
have formed. I had come to a theory of the crime est which for so long held the Saxon invaders at
in which I can find no place for this. Have you bay—the impenetrable “weald,” for sixty years the
endeavoured to trace any of the securities here bulwark of Britain. Vast sections of it have been
mentioned?” cleared, for this is the seat of the first iron-works
“Inquiries are now being made at the offices, of the country, and the trees have been felled to
but I fear that the complete register of the stock- smelt the ore. Now the richer fields of the North
holders of these South American concerns is in have absorbed the trade, and nothing save these
South America, and that some weeks must elapse ravaged groves and great scars in the earth show
before we can trace the shares.” the work of the past. Here in a clearing upon the
green slope of a hill stood a long, low stone house,
Holmes had been examining the cover of the approached by a curving drive running through
note-book with his magnifying lens. the fields. Nearer the road, and surrounded on
“Surely there is some discolouration here,” said three sides by bushes, was a small outhouse, one
he. window and the door facing in our direction. It
“Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain. I told you that I was the scene of the murder.
picked the book off the floor.” Stanley Hopkins led us first to the house, where
“Was the blood-stain above or below?” he introduced us to a haggard, grey-haired woman,
the widow of the murdered man, whose gaunt and
“On the side next the boards.”
deep-lined face, with the furtive look of terror in
“Which proves, of course, that the book was the depths of her red-rimmed eyes, told of the years
dropped after the crime was committed.” of hardship and ill-usage which she had endured.
“Exactly, Mr. Holmes. I appreciated that point, With her was her daughter, a pale, fair-haired girl,
and I conjectured that it was dropped by the mur- whose eyes blazed defiantly at us as she told us
derer in his hurried flight. It lay near the door.” that she was glad that her father was dead, and that
“I suppose that none of these securities have she blessed the hand which had struck him down.
been found among the property of the dead man?” It was a terrible household that Black Peter Carey
had made for himself, and it was with a sense of
“No, sir.” relief that we found ourselves in the sunlight again
“Have you any reason to suspect robbery?” and making our way along a path which had been
“No, sir. Nothing seemed to have been worn across the fields by the 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
Hopkins drew the key from his pocket, and had
“A sheath-knife, still in its sheath. It lay at the
stooped to the lock, when he paused with a look of
feet of the dead man. Mrs. Carey has identified it
attention and surprise upon his face.
as being her husband’s property.”
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
off my mind.” “Someone has tried to force this also. Whoever
it was has failed to make his way in. He must have
Holmes shook his finger at the inspector. been a very poor burglar.”
“It would have been an easier task a week ago,”
“This is a most extraordinary thing,” said the
said he. “But even now my visit may not be entirely
inspector; “I could swear that these marks were not
fruitless. Watson, if you can spare the time I should
here yesterday evening.”
be very glad of your company. If you will call a
four-wheeler, Hopkins, we shall be ready to start “Some curious person from the village, per-
for Forest Row in a quarter of an hour.” haps,” I suggested.
Alighting at the small wayside station, we drove “Very unlikely. Few of them would dare to
for some miles through the remains of widespread set foot in the grounds, far less try to force their

486
 The Adventure of Black Peter

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

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 The Adventure of Black Peter

The man pulled himself together and faced us business man, and it was he who discovered some
with an effort at self-composure. time ago that some of the securities which my fa-
“You are detectives, I suppose?” said he. “You ther had with him have reappeared on the London
imagine I am connected with the death of Captain market. You can imagine our amazement. I spent
Peter Carey. I assure you that I am innocent.” months in trying to trace them, and at last, after
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 a
glance. whaler which was due to return from the Arctic
“What are you doing here?” seas at the very time when my father was cross-
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,
families of Cornwall, and Neligan disappeared.”
I might settle the mystery of my father’s fate. I
“Exactly. Neligan was my father.” tried last night to get at these log-books, but was
At last we were getting something positive, and unable to open the door. To-night I tried again, and
yet it seemed a long gap between an absconding succeeded; but I find that the pages which deal
banker and Captain Peter Carey pinned against the with that month have been torn from the book. It
wall with one of his own harpoons. We all listened was at that moment I found myself a prisoner in
intently to the young man’s words. your 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
“You have not been here before last night?”
which to realize them all would be well and every
“No.”
creditor paid in full. He started in his little yacht
for Norway just before the warrant was issued for “Then how do you account for that?” cried Hop-
his arrest. I can remember that last night when kins, as he held up the damning note-book, with
he bade farewell to my mother. He left us a list the initials of our prisoner on the first leaf and the
of the securities he was taking, and he swore that blood-stain on the cover.
he would come back with his honour cleared, and The wretched man collapsed. He sank his face
that none who had trusted him would suffer. Well, in his hands and trembled all over.
no word was ever heard from him again. Both the “Where did you get it?” he groaned. “I did not
yacht and he vanished utterly. We believed, my know. I thought I had lost it at the hotel.”
mother and I, that he and it, with the securities that “That is enough,” said Hopkins, sternly. “What-
he had taken with him, were at the bottom of the ever else you have to say you must say in court. You
sea. We had a faithful friend, however, who is a will walk down with me now to the police-station.

488
 The Adventure of Black Peter

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

489
 The Adventure of Black Peter

say that there were three men inquiring for Captain I heard a click of steel and a bellow like an
Basil. enraged bull. The next instant Holmes and the
“Show them in one by one,” said Holmes. seaman were rolling on the ground together. He
was a man of such gigantic strength that, even with
The first who entered was a little ribston-pippin
the handcuffs which Holmes had so deftly fastened
of a man, with ruddy cheeks and fluffy white side-
upon his wrists, he would have very quickly over-
whiskers. Holmes had drawn a letter from his
powered my friend had Hopkins and I not rushed
pocket.
to his rescue. Only when I pressed the cold muzzle
“What name?” he asked. of the revolver to his temple did he at last under-
“James Lancaster.” stand that resistance was vain. We lashed his ankles
with cord and rose breathless from the struggle.
“I am sorry, Lancaster, but the berth is full. Here
is half a sovereign for your trouble. Just step into “I must really apologize, Hopkins,” said Sher-
this room and wait there for a few minutes.” lock Holmes; “I fear that the scrambled eggs are
The second man was a long, dried-up creature, cold. However, you will enjoy the rest of your
with lank hair and sallow cheeks. His name was breakfast all the better, will you not, for the thought
Hugh Pattins. He also received his dismissal, his that you have brought your case to a triumphant
half-sovereign, and the order to wait. conclusion.”
The third applicant was a man of remarkable Stanley Hopkins was speechless with amaze-
appearance. A fierce bull-dog face was framed in a ment.
tangle of hair and beard, and two bold dark eyes “I don’t know what to say, Mr. Holmes,” he
gleamed behind the cover of thick, tufted, overhung blurted out at last, with a very red face. “It seems
eyebrows. He saluted and stood sailor-fashion, to me that I have been making a fool of myself from
turning his cap round in his hands. the beginning. I understand now, what I should
“Your name?” asked Holmes. never have forgotten, that I am the pupil and you
are the master. Even now I see what you have
“Patrick Cairns.”
done, but I don’t know how you did it, or what it
“Harpooner?” signifies.”
“Yes, sir. Twenty-six voyages.” “Well, well,” said Holmes, good-humouredly.
“Dundee, I suppose?” “We all learn by experience, and your lesson this
“Yes, sir.” time is that you should never lose sight of the alter-
native. You were so absorbed in young Neligan that
“And ready to start with an exploring ship?”
you could not spare a thought to Patrick Cairns,
“Yes, sir.” the true murderer of Peter Carey.”
“What wages?” The hoarse voice of the seaman broke in on our
“Eight pounds a month.” 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
would have you call things by their right names.
“Have you your papers?”
You say I murdered Peter Carey; I say I killed Peter
“Yes, sir.” He took a sheaf of worn and greasy Carey, and there’s all the difference. Maybe you
forms from his pocket. Holmes glanced over them don’t believe what I say. Maybe you think I am just
and returned them. slinging you a yarn.”
“You are just the man I want,” said he. “Here’s “Not at all,” said Holmes. “Let us hear what
the agreement on the side-table. If you sign it the you have to say.”
whole matter will be settled.”
“It’s soon told, and, by the Lord, every word of
The seaman lurched across the room and took
it is truth. I knew Black Peter, and when he pulled
up the pen.
out his knife I whipped a harpoon through him
“Shall I sign here?” he asked, stooping over the sharp, for I knew that it was him or me. That’s how
table. he died. You can call it murder. Anyhow, I’d as
Holmes leaned over his shoulder and passed soon die with a rope round my neck as with Black
both hands over his neck. Peter’s knife in my heart.”
“This will do,” said he. “How came you there?” asked Holmes.

490
 The Adventure of Black Peter

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

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 The Adventure of Black Peter

other ship. I spent three days in wiring to Dundee, “Wonderful!” cried Hopkins. “Wonderful!”
and at the end of that time I had ascertained the
names of the crew of the Sea Unicorn in 1883. When “You must obtain the release of young Neligan
I found Patrick Cairns among the harpooners my as soon as possible,” said Holmes. “I confess that I
research was nearing its end. I argued that the man think you owe him some apology. The tin box must
was probably in London, and that he would desire be returned to him, but, of course, the securities
to leave the country for a time. I therefore spent which Peter Carey has sold are lost for ever. There’s
some days in the East-end, devised an Arctic ex- the cab, Hopkins, and you can remove your man.
pedition, put forth tempting terms for harpooners If you want me for the trial, my address and that
who would serve under Captain Basil—and behold of Watson will be somewhere in Norway—I’ll send
the result!” particulars later.”

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The Adventure of Charles Augustus
Milverton
I
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

t is years since the incidents of which I not only from treacherous valets or maids, but fre-
speak took place, and yet it is with diffi- quently from genteel ruffians who have gained the
dence that I allude to them. For a long confidence and affection of trusting women. He
time, even with the utmost discretion and deals with no niggard hand. I happen to know
reticence, it would have been impossible to make that he paid seven hundred pounds to a footman
the facts public; but now the principal person con- for a note two lines in length, and that the ruin of
cerned is beyond the reach of human law, and with a noble family was the result. Everything which
due suppression the story may be told in such fash- is in the market goes to Milverton, and there are
ion as to injure no one. It records an absolutely hundreds in this great city who turn white at his
unique experience in the career both of Mr. Sher- name. No one knows where his grip may fall, for
lock Holmes and of myself. The reader will excuse he is far too rich and far too cunning to work from
me if I conceal the date or any other fact by which hand to mouth. He will hold a card back for years
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 rambles, is best worth winning. I have said that he is the
Holmes and I, and had returned about six o’clock worst man in London, and I would ask you how
on a cold, frosty winter’s evening. As Holmes could one compare the ruffian who in hot blood
turned up the lamp the light fell upon a card on bludgeons his mate with this man, who methodi-
the table. He glanced at it, and then, with an ejacu- cally and at his leisure tortures the soul and wrings
lation of disgust, threw it on the floor. I picked it the nerves in order to add to his already swollen
up and read:— money-bags?”
I had seldom heard my friend speak with such
Charles Augustus Milverton,
intensity of feeling.
Appledore Towers,
Hampstead. “But surely,” said I, “the fellow must be within
Agent. the grasp of the law?”
“Technically, no doubt, but practically not.
“Who is he?” I asked.
What would it profit a woman, for example, to
“The worst man in London,” Holmes answered, get him a few months’ imprisonment if her own
as he sat down and stretched his legs before the ruin must immediately follow? His victims dare
fire. “Is anything on the back of the card?” not hit back. If ever he blackmailed an innocent
I turned it over. person, then, indeed, we should have him; but he
is as cunning as the Evil One. No, no; we must find
“Will call at 6.30—C.A.M.,” I read. 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 the
“I’ll tell you, Watson. He is the king of all 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,

495
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

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

496
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

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

497
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

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

498
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

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

499
 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

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

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 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

night when I came through that door I begged and his blood, upon the table. Holmes tossed it in
prayed you for mercy, and you laughed in my face among the blazing papers. Then he drew the key
as you are trying to laugh now, only your coward from the outer door, passed through after me, and
heart cannot keep your lips from twitching? Yes, locked it on the outside. “This way, Watson,” said
you never thought to see me here again, but it was he; “we can scale the garden wall in this direction.”
that night which taught me how I could meet you I could not have believed that an alarm could
face to face, and alone. Well, Charles Milverton, have spread so swiftly. Looking back, the huge
what have you to say?” house was one blaze of light. The front door was
“Don’t imagine that you can bully me,” said he, open, and figures were rushing down the drive.
rising to his feet. “I have only to raise my voice, The whole garden was alive with people, and
and I could call my servants and have you arrested. one fellow raised a view-halloa as we emerged
But I will make allowance for your natural anger. from the veranda and followed hard at our heels.
Leave the room at once as you came, and I will say Holmes seemed to know the ground perfectly, and
no more.” he threaded his way swiftly among a plantation of
The woman stood with her hand buried in her small trees, I close at his heels, and our foremost
bosom, and the same deadly smile on her thin lips. pursuer panting behind us. It was a six-foot wall
which barred our path, but he sprang to the top and
“You will ruin no more lives as you ruined mine. over. As I did the same I felt the hand of the man
You will wring no more hearts as you wrung mine. behind me grab at my ankle; but I kicked myself
I will free the world of a poisonous thing. Take free and scrambled over a glass-strewn coping. I
that, you hound, and that!—and that!—and that!” fell upon my face among some bushes; but Holmes
She had drawn a little, gleaming revolver, and had me on my feet in an instant, and together we
emptied barrel after barrel into Milverton’s body, dashed away across the huge expanse of Hamp-
the muzzle within two feet of his shirt front. He stead Heath. We had run two miles, I suppose,
shrank away and then fell forward upon the table, before Holmes at last halted and listened intently.
coughing furiously and clawing among the papers. All was absolute silence behind us. We had shaken
Then he staggered to his feet, received another shot, off our pursuers and were safe.
and rolled upon the floor. “You’ve done me,” he We had breakfasted and were smoking our
cried, and lay still. The woman looked at him in- morning pipe on the day after the remarkable ex-
tently and ground her heel into his upturned face. perience which I have recorded when Mr. Lestrade,
She looked again, but there was no sound or move- of Scotland Yard, very solemn and impressive, was
ment. I heard a sharp rustle, the night air blew into ushered into our modest sitting-room.
the heated room, and the avenger was gone. “Good morning, Mr. Holmes,” said he; “good
No interference upon our part could have saved morning. May I ask if you are very busy just now?”
the man from his fate; but as the woman poured “Not too busy to listen to you.”
bullet after bullet into Milverton’s shrinking body
“I thought that, perhaps, if you had nothing
I was about to spring out, when I felt Holmes’s
particular on hand, you might care to assist us in
cold, strong grasp upon my wrist. I understood the
a most remarkable case which occurred only last
whole argument of that firm, restraining grip—that
night at Hampstead.”
it was no affair of ours; that justice had overtaken
a villain; that we had our own duties and our own “Dear me!” said Holmes. “What was that?”
objects which were not to be lost sight of. But “A murder—a most dramatic and remarkable
hardly had the woman rushed from the room when murder. I know how keen you are upon these
Holmes, with swift, silent steps, was over at the things, and I would take it as a great favour if you
other door. He turned the key in the lock. At would step down to Appledore Towers and give us
the same instant we heard voices in the house and the benefit of your advice. It is no ordinary crime.
the sound of hurrying feet. The revolver shots We have had our eyes upon this Mr. Milverton for
had roused the household. With perfect coolness some time, and, between ourselves, he was a bit of
Holmes slipped across to the safe, filled his two a villain. He is known to have held papers which
arms with bundles of letters, and poured them all he used for blackmailing purposes. These papers
into the fire. Again and again he did it, until the have all been burned by the murderers. No article
safe was empty. Someone turned the handle and of value was taken, as it is probable that the crimi-
beat upon the outside of the door. Holmes looked nals were men of good position, whose sole object
swiftly round. The letter which had been the mes- was to prevent social exposure.”
senger of death for Milverton lay, all mottled with “Criminals!” said Holmes. “Plural!”

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 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

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

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The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
I
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

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

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

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

put two words together. If I had come in here as was lying in a pool of blood beside him. Whether
a journalist I should have interviewed myself and it was the weapon which did the deed, or whether
had two columns in every evening paper. As it is I it belonged to the dead man, I do not know. There
am giving away valuable copy by telling my story was no name on his clothing, and nothing in his
over and over to a string of different people, and I pockets save an apple, some string, a shilling map
can make no use of it myself. However, I’ve heard of London, and a photograph. Here it is.”
your name, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and if you’ll only It was evidently taken by a snap-shot from
explain this queer business I shall be paid for my a small camera. It represented an alert, sharp-
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 Holmes,
four months ago. I picked it up cheap from Hard- 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
tion. A great deal of my journalistic work is done at has been found in the front garden of an empty
night, and I often write until the early morning. So house in Campden House Road. It was broken into
it was to-day. I was sitting in my den, which is at fragments. I am going round now to see it. Will
the back of the top of the house, about three o’clock, you come?”
when I was convinced that I heard some sounds “Certainly. I must just take one look round.” He
downstairs. I listened, but they were not repeated, examined the carpet and the window. “The fellow
and I concluded that they came from outside. Then had either very long legs or was a most active man,”
suddenly, about five minutes later, there came a said he. “With an area beneath, it was no mean feat
most horrible yell—the most dreadful sound, Mr. to reach that window-ledge and open that window.
Holmes, that ever I heard. It will ring in my ears Getting back was comparatively simple. Are you
as long as I live. I sat frozen with horror for a coming with us to see the remains of your bust, Mr.
minute or two. Then I seized the poker and went Harker?”
downstairs. When I entered this room I found the The disconsolate journalist had seated himself
window wide open, and I at once observed that at a writing-table.
the bust was gone from the mantelpiece. Why any “I must try and make something of it,” said he,
burglar should take such a thing passes my under- “though I have no doubt that the first editions of
standing, for it was only a plaster cast and of no the evening papers are out already with full details.
real value whatever. It’s like my luck! You remember when the stand
“You can see for yourself that anyone going fell at Doncaster? Well, I was the only journalist in
out through that open window could reach the the stand, and my journal the only one that had no
front doorstep by taking a long stride. This was account of it, for I was too shaken to write it. And
clearly what the burglar had done, so I went round now I’ll be too late with a murder done on my own
and opened the door. Stepping out into the dark I 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 from
Holmes. his intent face and his purposeful manner that at
“There’s nothing to show who he was,” said 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

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

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

and one are three—two of Dr. Barnicot’s and one “Ah, the rascal!” he cried. “Yes, indeed, I know
smashed in broad daylight on my own counter. Do him very well. This has always been a respectable
I know that photograph? No, I don’t. Yes, I do, establishment, and the only time that we have ever
though. Why, it’s Beppo. He was a kind of Italian had the police in it was over this very fellow. It
piece-work man, who made himself useful in the was more than a year ago now. He knifed another
shop. He could carve a bit and gild and frame, Italian in the street, and then he came to the works
and do odd jobs. The fellow left me last week, and with the police on his heels, and he was taken here.
I’ve heard nothing of him since. No, I don’t know Beppo was his name—his second name I never
where he came from nor where he went to. I have knew. Serve me right for engaging a man with
nothing against him while he was here. He was such a face. But he was a good workman, one of
gone two days before the bust was smashed.” the best.”
“Well, that’s all we could reasonably expect “What did he get?”
to get from Morse Hudson,” said Holmes, as we
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 Kensing- have no doubt he is out now; but he has not dared
ton, so that is worth a ten-mile drive. Now, Watson, to show his nose here. We have a cousin of his here,
let us make for Gelder & Co., of Stepney, the source and I dare say he could tell you where he is.”
and origin of busts. I shall be surprised if we don’t “No, no,” cried Holmes, “not a word to the
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 that
don, and, finally, maritime London, till we came the date was June 3rd of last year. Could you give
to a riverside city of a hundred thousand souls, me the date when Beppo was arrested?”
where the tenement houses swelter and reek with
the outcasts of Europe. Here, in a broad thorough- “I could tell you roughly by the pay-list,” the
fare, once the abode of wealthy City merchants, we manager answered. “Yes,” he continued, after some
found the sculpture works for which we searched. turning over of pages, “he was paid last on May
Outside was a considerable yard full of monumen- 20th.”
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 were
of Napoleon, but that the three which had been
able to snatch a hasty luncheon at a restaurant.
sent to Morse Hudson a year or so before had been
A news-bill at the entrance announced “Kensing-
half of a batch of six, the other three being sent
ton Outrage. Murder by a Madman,” and the
to Harding Brothers, of Kensington. There was no
contents of the paper showed that Mr. Horace
reason why those six should be different to any
Harker had got his account into print after all.
of the other casts. He could suggest no possible
Two columns were occupied with a highly sensa-
cause why anyone should wish to destroy them—in
tional and flowery rendering of the whole incident.
fact, he laughed at the idea. Their wholesale price
Holmes propped it against the cruet-stand and read
was six shillings, but the retailer would get twelve
it while he ate. Once or twice he chuckled.
or more. The cast was taken in two moulds from
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 this:
the complete bust. The work was usually done by “It is satisfactory to know that there can
Italians 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, and since Mr. Lestrade, one of the most experi-
afterwards stored. That was all he could tell us. enced members of the official force, and Mr.
But the production of the photograph had a re- Sherlock Holmes, the well-known consult-
markable effect upon the manager. His face flushed ing expert, have each come to the conclu-
with anger, and his brows knotted over his blue sion that the grotesque series of incidents,
Teutonic eyes. which have ended in so tragic a fashion,

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

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

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

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

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 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

say; but he glared at us from the shadow of his mat- right hand he carried an old-fashioned carpet-bag,
ted hair, and once, when my hand seemed within which he placed upon the table.
his reach, he snapped at it like a hungry wolf. We “Is Mr. Sherlock Holmes here?”
stayed long enough at the police-station to learn My friend bowed and smiled. “Mr. Sandeford,
that a search of his clothing revealed nothing save of Reading, I suppose?” said he.
a few shillings and a long sheath knife, the handle
“Yes, sir, I fear that I am a little late; but the
of which bore copious traces of recent blood.
trains were awkward. You wrote to me about a
“That’s all right,” said Lestrade, as we parted. bust that is in my possession.”
“Hill knows all these gentry, and he will give a “Exactly.”
name to him. You’ll find that my theory of the “I have your letter here. You said, ‘I desire to
Mafia will work out all right. But I’m sure I am possess a copy of Devine’s Napoleon, and am pre-
exceedingly obliged to you, Mr. Holmes, for the pared to pay you ten pounds for the one which is
workmanlike way in which you laid hands upon in your possession.’ Is that right?”
him. I don’t quite understand it all yet.”
“Certainly.”
“I fear it is rather too late an hour for expla- “I was very much surprised at your letter, for
nations,” said Holmes. “Besides, there are one or I could not imagine how you knew that I owned
two details which are not finished off, and it is one such a thing.”
of those cases which are worth working out to the “Of course you must have been surprised, but
very end. If you will come round once more to the explanation is very simple. Mr. Harding, of
my rooms at six o’clock to-morrow I think I shall Harding Brothers, said that they had sold you their
be able to show you that even now you have not last copy, and he gave me your address.”
grasped the entire meaning of this business, which “Oh, that was it, was it? Did he tell you what I
presents some features which make it absolutely paid for it?”
original in the history of crime. If ever I permit you
“No, he did not.”
to chronicle any more of my little problems, Watson,
I foresee that you will enliven your pages by an ac- “Well, I am an honest man, though not a very
count of the singular adventure of the Napoleonic rich one. I only gave fifteen shillings for the bust,
busts.” and I think you ought to know that before I take
ten pounds from you.”
When we met again next evening Lestrade was “I am sure the scruple does you honour, Mr.
furnished with much information concerning our Sandeford. But I have named that price, so I intend
prisoner. His name, it appeared, was Beppo, sec- to stick to it.”
ond name unknown. He was a well-known ne’er-
“Well, it is very handsome of you, Mr. Holmes.
do-well among the Italian colony. He had once
I brought the bust up with me, as you asked me
been a skilful sculptor and had earned an honest
to do. Here it is!” He opened his bag, and at last
living, but he had taken to evil courses and had
we saw placed upon our table a complete specimen
twice already been in jail—once for a petty theft
of that bust which we had already seen more than
and once, as we had already heard, for stabbing a
once in fragments.
fellow-countryman. He could talk English perfectly
well. His reasons for destroying the busts were still Holmes took a paper from his pocket and laid
unknown, and he refused to answer any questions a ten-pound note upon the table.
upon the subject; but the police had discovered that “You will kindly sign that paper, Mr. Sandeford,
these same busts might very well have been made in the presence of these witnesses. It is simply to
by his own hands, since he was engaged in this say that you transfer every possible right that you
class of work at the establishment of Gelder & Co. ever had in the bust to me. I am a methodical man,
To all this information, much of which we already you see, and you never know what turn events
knew, Holmes listened with polite attention; but might take afterwards. Thank you, Mr. Sandeford;
I, who knew him so well, could clearly see that here is your money, and I wish you a very good
his thoughts were elsewhere, and I detected a mix- evening.”
ture of mingled uneasiness and expectation beneath When our visitor had disappeared Sherlock
that mask which he was wont to assume. At last he Holmes’s movements were such as to rivet our
started in his chair and his eyes brightened. There attention. He began by taking a clean white cloth
had been a ring at the bell. A minute later we heard from a drawer and laying it over the table. Then
steps upon the stairs, and an elderly, red-faced man he placed his newly-acquired bust in the centre of
with grizzled side-whiskers was ushered in. In his the cloth. Finally, he picked up his hunting-crop

512
 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

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

513
 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

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

514
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 con-
any details which would help the reader to exactly sists of a large passage of Greek translation which
identify the college or the criminal would be inju- the candidate has not seen. This passage is printed
dicious and offensive. So painful a scandal may on the examination paper, and it would naturally
well be allowed to die out. With due discretion the be an immense advantage if the candidate could
incident itself may, however, be described, since it prepare it in advance. For this reason great care is
serves to illustrate some of those qualities for which taken to keep the paper secret.
my friend was remarkable. I will endeavour in my
“To-day about three o’clock the proofs of this
statement to avoid such terms as would serve to
paper arrived from the printers. The exercise con-
limit the events to any particular place, or give a
sists of half a chapter of Thucydides. I had to read
clue as to the people concerned.
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 “You are aware, Mr. Holmes, that our college
future narratives. Here it was that one evening we doors are double—a green baize one within and a
received a visit from an acquaintance, Mr. Hilton heavy oak one without. As I approached my outer
Soames, tutor and lecturer at the College of St. door I was amazed to see a key in it. For an instant
Luke’s. Mr. Soames was a tall, spare man, of a I imagined that I had left my own there, but on
nervous and excitable temperament. I had always feeling in my pocket I found that it was all right.
known him to be restless in his manner, but on The only duplicate which existed, so far as I knew,
this particular occasion he was in such a state of was that which belonged to my servant, Bannister,
uncontrollable agitation that it was clear something a man who has looked after my room for ten years,
very unusual had occurred. and whose honesty is absolutely above suspicion.
I found that the key was indeed his, that he had
“I trust, Mr. Holmes, that you can spare me a
entered my room to know if I wanted tea, and that
few hours of your valuable time. We have had a
he had very carelessly left the key in the door when
very painful incident at St. Luke’s, and really, but
he came out. His visit to my room must have been
for the happy chance of your being in the town, I
within a very few minutes of my leaving it. His
should have been at a loss what to do.”
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
that someone had rummaged among my papers.
“No, no, my dear sir; such a course is utterly The proof was in three long slips. I had left them
impossible. When once the law is evoked it cannot all together. Now, I found that one of them was
be stayed again, and this is just one of those cases lying on the floor, one was on the side table near
where, for the credit of the college, it is most es- the window, and the third was where I had left it.”
sential to avoid scandal. Your discretion is as well
known as your powers, and you are the one man in Holmes stirred for the first time.
the world who can help me. I beg you, Mr. Holmes, “The first page on the floor, the second in the
to do what you can.” window, the third where you left it,” said he.
“Exactly, Mr. Holmes. You amaze me. How
My friend’s temper had not improved since he
could you possibly know that?”
had been deprived of the congenial surroundings
of Baker Street. Without his scrap-books, his chem- “Pray continue your very interesting statement.”
icals, and his homely untidiness, he was an un- “For an instant I imagined that Bannister had
comfortable man. He shrugged his shoulders in taken the unpardonable liberty of examining my

517
 The Adventure of the Three Students

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

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 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 “I should like to have a glance round. What a
and he copied it. How long would it take him to do charming, old-fashioned room! Perhaps you will
that, using every possible contraction? A quarter kindly wait a minute until I have examined the
of an hour, not less. Then he tossed it down and floor. No, I see nothing. What about this curtain?
seized the next. He was in the midst of that when You hang your clothes behind it. If anyone were
your return caused him to make a very hurried forced to conceal himself in this room he must do
retreat—very hurried, since he had not time to re- it there, since the bed is too low and the wardrobe
place the papers which would tell you that he had too shallow. No one there, I suppose?”
been there. You were not aware of any hurrying As Holmes drew the curtain I was aware, from
feet on the stair as you entered the outer door?” some little rigidity and alertness of his attitude, that
“No, I can’t say I was.” he was prepared for an emergency. As a matter of
“Well, he wrote so furiously that he broke his fact the drawn curtain disclosed nothing but three
pencil, and had, as you observe, to sharpen it again. or four suits of clothes hanging from a line of pegs.
This is of interest, Watson. The pencil was not an Holmes turned away and stooped suddenly to the
ordinary one. It was above the usual size, with floor.
a soft lead; the outer colour was dark blue, the “Halloa! What’s this?” said he.
maker’s name was printed in silver lettering, and It was a small pyramid of black, putty-like stuff,
the piece remaining is only about an inch and a half exactly like the one upon the table of the study.
long. Look for such a pencil, Mr. Soames, and you Holmes held it out on his open palm in the glare
have got your man. When I add that he possesses a of the electric light.
large and very blunt knife, you have an additional “Your visitor seems to have left traces in your
aid.” bedroom as well as in your sitting-room, Mr.
Mr. Soames was somewhat overwhelmed by Soames.”
this flood of information. “I can follow the other “What could he have wanted there?”
points,” said he, “but really, in this matter of the “I think it is clear enough. You came back by an
length—” unexpected way, and so he had no warning until
Holmes held out a small chip with the letters you were at the very door. What could he do? He
NN and a space of clear wood after them. caught up everything which would betray him and
he rushed into your bedroom to conceal himself.”
“You see?”
“Good gracious, Mr. Holmes, do you mean to
“No, I fear that even now—” tell me that all the time I was talking to Bannister
“Watson, I have always done you an injustice. in this room we had the man prisoner if we had
There are others. What could this NN be? It is only known it?”

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 The Adventure of the Three Students

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

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 The Adventure of the Three Students

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

521
 The Adventure of the Three Students

“So would you if a flock of strangers came in on “Aha! It is not for nothing that I have turned
you when you were preparing for an examination myself out of bed at the untimely hour of six. I have
next day, and every moment was of value. No, I put in two hours’ hard work and covered at least
see nothing in that. Pencils, too, and knives—all five miles, with something to show for it. Look at
was satisfactory. But that fellow does puzzle me.” 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
“Why, Holmes, you had only two yesterday!”
in the matter?”
“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
a large stationer’s. We shall begin our researches of pitiable agitation when we found him in his
here.” chambers. In a few hours the examination would
There were only four stationers of any conse- commence, 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 hardly stand still, so great was his mental agitation,
it was not a usual size of pencil and that it was and he ran towards Holmes with two eager hands
seldom kept in stock. My friend did not appear outstretched.
to be depressed by his failure, but shrugged his “Thank Heaven that you have come! I feared
shoulders in half-humorous resignation. that you had given it up in despair. What am I to
do? Shall the examination proceed?”
“No good, my dear Watson. This, the best and
“Yes; let it proceed by all means.”
only final clue, has run to nothing. But, indeed, I
have little doubt that we can build up a sufficient “But this rascal—?”
case without it. By Jove! my dear fellow, it is nearly “He shall not compete.”
nine, and the landlady babbled of green peas at “You know him?”
seven-thirty. What with your eternal tobacco, Wat- “I think so. If this matter is not to become public
son, and your irregularity at meals, I expect that we must give ourselves certain powers, and resolve
you will get notice to quit and that I shall share your ourselves into a small private court-martial. You
downfall—not, however, before we have solved the there, if you please, Soames! Watson, you here! I’ll
problem of the nervous tutor, the careless servant, take the arm-chair in the middle. I think that we
and the three enterprising students.” are now sufficiently imposing to strike terror into a
Holmes made no further allusion to the matter guilty breast. Kindly ring the bell!”
that day, though he sat lost in thought for a long Bannister entered, and shrunk back in evident
time after our belated dinner. At eight in the morn- surprise and fear at our judicial appearance.
ing he came into my room just as I finished my “You will kindly close the door,” said Holmes.
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.”
“Nothing to add?”
“Certainly.”
“Nothing at all, sir.”
“Soames will be in a dreadful fidget until we
“Well, then, I must make some suggestions to
are able to tell him something positive.”
you. When you sat down on that chair yesterday,
“Have you anything positive to tell him?” did you do so in order to conceal some object which
“I think so.” would have shown who had been in the room?”
Bannister’s face was ghastly.
“You have formed a conclusion?”
“No, sir; certainly not.”
“Yes, my dear Watson; I have solved the mys- “It is only a suggestion,” said Holmes, suavely.
tery.” “I frankly admit that I am unable to prove it. But it
“But what fresh evidence could you have got?” seems probable enough, since the moment that Mr.

522
 The Adventure of the Three Students

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

523
 The Adventure of the Three Students

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

524
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 “Want! He wants us. And we, my poor Watson,
it is very difficult for me, out of such want overcoats and cravats and galoshes, and every
a wealth of material, to select the cases which are aid that man ever invented to fight the weather.
most interesting in themselves and at the same time Wait a bit, though! There’s the cab off again!
most conducive to a display of those peculiar pow- There’s hope yet. He’d have kept it if he had
ers for which my friend was famous. As I turn over wanted us to come. Run down, my dear fellow,
the pages I see my notes upon the repulsive story and open the door, for all virtuous folk have been
of the red leech and the terrible death of Crosby the long in bed.”
banker. Here also I find an account of the Addleton When the light of the hall lamp fell upon our
tragedy and the singular contents of the ancient midnight visitor I had no difficulty in recognising
British barrow. The famous Smith-Mortimer suc- him. It was young Stanley Hopkins, a promising de-
cession case comes also within this period, and so tective, in whose career Holmes had several times
does the tracking and arrest of Huret, the Boule- shown a very practical interest.
vard assassin—an exploit which won for Holmes “Is he in?” he asked, eagerly.
an autograph letter of thanks from the French Pres-
“Come up, my dear sir,” said Holmes’s voice
ident and the Order of the Legion of Honour. Each
from above. “I hope you have no designs upon us
of these would furnish a narrative, but on the whole
on such a night as this.”
I am of opinion that none of them unite so many
singular points of interest as the episode of Yoxley The detective mounted the stairs, and our lamp
Old Place, which includes not only the lamentable gleamed upon his shining waterproof. I helped
death of young Willoughby Smith, but also those him out of it while Holmes knocked a blaze out of
subsequent developments which threw so curious the logs in the grate.
a light upon the causes of the crime. “Now, my dear Hopkins, draw up and warm
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 powerful It must be something important which has brought
lens deciphering the remains of the original inscrip- you out in such a gale.”
tion upon a palimpsest, I deep in a recent treatise “It is indeed, Mr. Holmes. I’ve had a bustling
upon surgery. Outside the wind howled down afternoon, I promise you. Did you see anything of
Baker Street, while the rain beat fiercely against the the Yoxley case in the latest editions?”
windows. It was strange there in the very depths
“I’ve seen nothing later than the fifteenth cen-
of the town, with ten miles of man’s handiwork on
tury to-day.”
every side of us, to feel the iron grip of Nature, and
to be conscious that to the huge elemental forces “Well, it was only a paragraph, and all wrong
all London was no more than the molehills that at that, so you have not missed anything. I haven’t
dot the fields. I walked to the window and looked let the grass grow under my feet. It’s down in
out on the deserted street. The occasional lamps Kent, seven miles from Chatham and three from
gleamed on the expanse of muddy road and shin- the railway line. I was wired for at three-fifteen,
ing pavement. A single cab was splashing its way reached Yoxley Old Place at five, conducted my
from the Oxford Street end. investigation, was back at Charing Cross by the last
train, and straight to you by cab.”
“Well, Watson, it’s as well we have not to turn “Which means, I suppose, that you are not quite
out to-night,” said Holmes, laying aside his lens clear about your case?”
and rolling up the palimpsest. “I’ve done enough “It means that I can make neither head nor tail
for one sitting. It is trying work for the eyes. So of it. So far as I can see it is just as tangled a busi-
far as I can make out it is nothing more exciting ness as ever I handled, and yet at first it seemed
than an Abbey’s accounts dating from the second so simple that one couldn’t go wrong. There’s no
half of the fifteenth century. Halloa! halloa! halloa! motive, Mr. Holmes. That’s what bothers me—I
What’s this?” can’t put my hand on a motive. Here’s a man
Amid the droning of the wind there had come dead—there’s no denying that—but, so far as I can
the stamping of a horse’s hoofs and the long grind see, no reason on earth why anyone should wish
of a wheel as it rasped against the kerb. The cab him harm.”
which I had seen had pulled up at our door. Holmes lit his cigar and leaned back in his chair.

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

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

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

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

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

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

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

“Ah! there I am not in a position to help I saw an intent look pass over Holmes’s face.
you. But I suppose you want us to come out to- “You say that she must have come back this
morrow?” way?”
“If it is not asking too much, Mr. Holmes. “Yes, sir; there is no other.”
There’s a train from Charing Cross to Chatham “On this strip of grass?”
at 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 garden
lighted to look into it. Well, it’s nearly one, and we
door is usually kept open, I suppose? Then this
had best get a few hours’ sleep. I dare say you can
visitor had nothing to do but to walk in. The idea
manage all right on the sofa in front of the fire. I’ll
of murder was not in her mind, or she would have
light my spirit-lamp and give you a cup of coffee
provided herself with some sort of weapon, instead
before we start.”
of having to pick this knife off the writing-table.
The gale had blown itself out next day, but it She advanced along this corridor, leaving no traces
was a bitter morning when we started upon our upon the cocoanut matting. Then she found herself
journey. We saw the cold winter sun rise over the in this study. How long was she there? We have no
dreary marshes of the Thames and the long, sullen 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
trap at the local inn we snatched a hurried break- “Well, that gives us a limit. Our lady enters
fast, and so we were all ready for business when this room and what does she do? She goes over to
we at last arrived at Yoxley Old Place. A constable the writing-table. What for? Not for anything in
met us at the garden gate. the drawers. If there had been anything worth her
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
the brass work on the right-hand side of the key-
“Have you had inquiries made at inns and lodg-
hole, and extended for about four inches, where it
ings?”
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 find
for.”
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 room.
“This side, sir. This narrow margin of grass be- “Did you dust this bureau yesterday morning?”
tween the path and the flower-bed. I can’t see the
“Yes, sir.”
traces now, but they were clear to me then.”
“Did you notice this scratch?”
“Yes, yes; someone has passed along,” said
Holmes, stooping over the grass border. “Our lady “No, sir, I did not.”
must have picked her steps carefully, must she not, “I am sure you did not, for a duster would have
since on the one side she would leave a track on swept away these shreds of varnish. Who has the
the path, and on the other an even clearer one on key of this bureau?”
the soft bed?” “The Professor keeps it on his watch-chain.”
“Yes, sir, she must have been a cool hand.” “Is it a simple key?”

531
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

“No, sir; it is a Chubb’s key.” I perceived that it also was stained yellow with
“Very good. Mrs. Marker, you can go. Now we nicotine.
are making a little progress. Our lady enters the “A smoker, Mr. Holmes?” said he, speaking
room, advances to the bureau, and either opens it well-chosen English with a curious little mincing
or tries to do so. While she is thus engaged young accent. “Pray take a cigarette. And you, sir? I
Willoughby Smith enters the room. In her hurry to can recommend them, for I have them especially
withdraw the key she makes this scratch upon the prepared by Ionides of Alexandria. He sends me a
door. He seizes her, and she, snatching up the near- thousand at a time, and I grieve to say that I have
est object, which happens to be this knife, strikes at to arrange for a fresh supply every fortnight. Bad,
him in order to make him let go his hold. The blow sir, very bad, but an old man has few pleasures.
is a fatal one. He falls and she escapes, either with Tobacco and my work—that is all that is left to
or without the object for which she has come. Is me.”
Susan the maid there? Could anyone have got away Holmes had lit a cigarette, and was shooting
through that door after the time that you heard the little darting glances all over the room.
cry, Susan?” “Tobacco and my work, but now only tobacco,”
“No sir; it is impossible. Before I got down the the old man exclaimed. “Alas! what a fatal inter-
stair I’d have seen anyone in the passage. Besides, ruption! Who could have foreseen such a terrible
the door never opened, for I would have heard it.” catastrophe? So estimable a young man! I assure
you that after a few months’ training he was an ad-
“That settles this exit. Then no doubt the lady mirable assistant. What do you think of the matter,
went out the way she came. I understand that this Mr. Holmes?”
other passage leads only to the Professor’s room.
“I have not yet made up my mind.”
There is no exit that way?”
“I shall indeed be indebted to you if you can
“No, sir.” throw a light where all is so dark to us. To a poor
“We shall go down it and make the acquain- bookworm and invalid like myself such a blow
tance of the Professor. Halloa, Hopkins! this is very is paralyzing. I seem to have lost the faculty of
important, very important indeed. The Professor’s thought. But you are a man of action—you are a
corridor is also lined with cocoanut matting.” man of affairs. It is part of the everyday routine of
your life. You can preserve your balance in every
“Well, sir, what of that?”
emergency. We are fortunate indeed in having you
“Don’t you see any bearing upon the case? Well, at our side.”
well, I don’t insist upon it. No doubt I am wrong. Holmes was pacing up and down one side of
And yet it seems to me to be suggestive. Come the room whilst the old Professor was talking. I
with me and introduce me.” observed that he was smoking with extraordinary
We passed down the passage, which was of the rapidity. It was evident that he shared our host’s
same length as that which led to the garden. At liking for the fresh Alexandrian cigarettes.
the end was a short flight of steps ending in a door. “Yes, sir, it is a crushing blow,” said the old
Our guide knocked, and then ushered us into the man. “That is my magnum opus—the pile of pa-
Professor’s bedroom. 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
shelves and lay in piles in the corners, or were the very foundations of revealed religion. With my
stacked all round at the base of the cases. The bed enfeebled health I do not know whether I shall ever
was in the centre of the room, and in it, propped be able to complete it now that my assistant has
up with pillows, was the owner of the house. I been taken from me. Dear me, Mr. Holmes; why,
have seldom seen a more remarkable-looking per- you are even a quicker smoker than I am myself.”
son. It was a gaunt, aquiline face which was turned Holmes smiled.
towards us, with piercing dark eyes, which lurked “I am a connoisseur,” said he, taking another
in deep hollows under overhung and tufted brows. cigarette from the box—his fourth—and lighting
His hair and beard were white, save that the lat- it from the stub of that which he had finished.
ter was curiously stained with yellow around his “I will not trouble you with any lengthy cross-
mouth. A cigarette glowed amid the tangle of white examination, Professor Coram, since I gather that
hair, and the air of the room was fetid with stale you were in bed at the time of the crime and could
tobacco-smoke. As he held out his hand to Holmes know nothing about it. I would only ask this. What

532
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

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

533
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

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

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 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

“You are mad!” he cried. “You are talking in- She cast a look of the deepest disdain in his
sanely. I helped her to escape? Where is she now?” direction. “Why should you cling so hard to that
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
a high bookcase in the corner of the room.
to yourself. However, it is not for me to cause the
I saw the old man throw up his arms, a terrible frail thread to be snapped before God’s time. I have
convulsion passed over his grim face, and he fell enough already upon my soul since I crossed the
back in his chair. At the same instant the book- threshold of this cursed house. But I must speak or
case at which Holmes pointed swung round upon I shall be too late.
a hinge, and a woman rushed out into the room.
“I have said, gentlemen, that I am this man’s
“You are right!” she cried, in a strange foreign voice.
wife. He was fifty and I a foolish girl of twenty
“You are right! I am here.”
when we married. It was in a city of Russia, a
She was brown with the dust and draped with University—I will not name the place.”
the cobwebs which had come from the walls of
“God bless you, Anna!” murmured the old man
her hiding-place. Her face, too, was streaked with
again.
grime, and at the best she could never have been
handsome, for she had the exact physical character- “We were reformers—revolutionists—Nihilists,
istics which Holmes had divined, with, in addition, you understand. He and I and many more. Then
a long and obstinate chin. What with her natural there came a time of trouble, a police officer was
blindness, and what with the change from dark to killed, many were arrested, evidence was wanted,
light, she stood as one dazed, blinking about her to and in order to save his own life and to earn a great
see where and who we were. And yet, in spite of all reward my husband betrayed his own wife and
these disadvantages, there was a certain nobility in his companions. Yes, we were all arrested upon
the woman’s bearing, a gallantry in the defiant chin his confession. Some of us found our way to the
and in the upraised head, which compelled some- gallows and some to Siberia. I was among these
thing of respect and admiration. Stanley Hopkins last, but my term was not for life. My husband
had laid his hand upon her arm and claimed her as came to England with his ill-gotten gains, and has
his prisoner, but she waved him aside gently, and lived in quiet ever since, knowing well that if the
yet with an overmastering dignity which compelled Brotherhood knew where he was not a week would
obedience. The old man lay back in his chair, with pass before justice would be done.”
a twitching face, and stared at her with brooding The old man reached out a trembling hand and
eyes. helped himself to a cigarette. “I am in your hands,
“Yes, sir, I am your prisoner,” she said. “From Anna,” said he. “You were always good to me.”
where I stood I could hear everything, and I know “I have not yet told you the height of his vil-
that you have learned the truth. I confess it all. lainy,” said she. “Among our comrades of the Or-
It was I who killed the young man. But you are der there was one who was the friend of my heart.
right, you who say it was an accident. I did not He was noble, unselfish, loving—all that my hus-
even know that it was a knife which I held in my band was not. He hated violence. We were all
hand, for in my despair I snatched anything from guilty—if that is guilt—but he was not. He wrote
the table and struck at him to make him let me go. for ever dissuading us from such a course. These
It is the truth that I tell.” letters would have saved him. So would my diary,
“Madam,” said Holmes, “I am sure that it is the in which from day to day I had entered both my
truth. I fear that you are far from well.” feelings towards him and the view which each of
us had taken. My husband found and kept both
She had turned a dreadful colour, the more
diary and letters. He hid them, and he tried hard to
ghastly under the dark dust-streaks upon her face.
swear away the young man’s life. In this he failed,
She seated herself on the side of the bed; then she
but Alexis was sent a convict to Siberia, where now,
resumed.
at this moment, he works in a salt mine. Think of
“I have only a little time here,” she said, “but that, you villain, you villain; now, now, at this very
I would have you to know the whole truth. I am moment, Alexis, a man whose name you are not
this man’s wife. He is not an Englishman. He is a worthy to speak, works and lives like a slave, and
Russian. His name I will not tell.” yet I have your life in my hands and I let you go.”
For the first time the old man stirred. “God “You were always a noble woman, Anna,” said
bless you, Anna!” he cried. “God bless you!” the old man, puffing at his cigarette.

535
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

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

536
 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez

ascended to the room again, when, by upsetting Well, Hopkins, here we are at Charing Cross, and
the cigarette-box, I obtained a very excellent view I congratulate you on having brought your case
of the floor, and was able to see quite clearly, from to a successful conclusion. You are going to head-
the traces upon the cigarette ash, that the prisoner quarters, no doubt. I think, Watson, you and I will
had, in our absence, come out from her retreat. drive together to the Russian Embassy.”

537
The Adventure of the Missing
Three-Quarter
W
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

e were fairly accustomed to receive could see, was more in your line than in that of the
weird telegrams at Baker Street, but regular police.”
I have a particular recollection of one “Pray sit down and tell me what is the matter.”
which reached us on a gloomy February
“It’s awful, Mr. Holmes, simply awful! I won-
morning some seven or eight years ago and gave
der my hair isn’t grey. Godfrey Staunton—you’ve
Mr. Sherlock Holmes a puzzled quarter of an hour.
heard of him, of course? He’s simply the hinge that
It was addressed to him, and ran thus:
the whole team turns on. I’d rather spare two from
the pack and have Godfrey for my three-quarter
“Please await me. Terrible misfortune. line. Whether it’s passing, or tackling, or dribbling,
Right wing three-quarter missing; indis- there’s no one to touch him; and then, he’s got the
pensable to-morrow. head and can hold us all together. What am I to do?
— Overton.” That’s what I ask you, Mr. Holmes. There’s Moor-
house, first reserve, but he is trained as a half, and
“Strand post-mark and dispatched ten-thirty- he always edges right in on to the scrum instead
six,” said Holmes, reading it over and over. “Mr. of keeping out on the touch-line. He’s a fine place-
Overton was evidently considerably excited when kick, it’s true, but, then, he has no judgment, and
he sent it, and somewhat incoherent in consequence. he can’t sprint for nuts. Why, Morton or Johnson,
Well, well, he will be here, I dare say, by the time the Oxford fliers, could romp round him. Steven-
I have looked through the times, and then we shall son is fast enough, but he couldn’t drop from the
know all about it. Even the most insignificant prob- twenty-five line, and a three-quarter who can’t ei-
lem would be welcome in these stagnant days.” ther punt or drop isn’t worth a place for pace alone.
No, Mr. Holmes, we are done unless you can help
Things had indeed been very slow with us, and me to find Godfrey Staunton.”
I had learned to dread such periods of inaction, for
I knew by experience that my companion’s brain My friend had listened with amused surprise
was so abnormally active that it was dangerous to to this long speech, which was poured forth with
leave it without material upon which to work. For extraordinary vigour and earnestness, every point
years I had gradually weaned him from that drug being driven home by the slapping of a brawny
mania which had threatened once to check his re- hand upon the speaker’s knee. When our visitor
markable career. Now I knew that under ordinary was silent Holmes stretched out his hand and took
conditions he no longer craved for this artificial down letter “S” of his commonplace book. For once
stimulus, but I was well aware that the fiend was he dug in vain into that mine of varied information.
not dead, but sleeping; and I have known that the “There is Arthur H. Staunton, the rising young
sleep was a light one and the waking near when forger,” said he, “and there was Henry Staunton,
in periods of idleness I have seen the drawn look whom I helped to hang, but Godfrey Staunton is a
upon Holmes’s ascetic face, and the brooding of his new name to me.”
deep-set and inscrutable eyes. Therefore I blessed It was our visitor’s turn to look surprised.
this Mr. Overton, whoever he might be, since he “Why, Mr. Holmes, I thought you knew things,”
had come with his enigmatic message to break that said he. “I suppose, then, if you have never heard
dangerous calm which brought more peril to my of Godfrey Staunton you don’t know Cyril Overton
friend than all the storms of his tempestuous life. either?”
As we had expected, the telegram was soon Holmes shook his head good-humouredly.
followed by its sender, and the card of Mr. Cyril
“Great Scot!” cried the athlete. “Why, I was first
Overton, of Trinity College, Cambridge, announced
reserve for England against Wales, and I’ve skip-
the arrival of an enormous young man, sixteen
pered the ’Varsity all this year. But that’s nothing!
stone of solid bone and muscle, who spanned the
I didn’t think there was a soul in England who
doorway with his broad shoulders and looked from
didn’t know Godfrey Staunton, the crack three-
one of us to the other with a comely face which
quarter, Cambridge, Blackheath, and five Interna-
was haggard with anxiety.
tionals. Good Lord! Mr. Holmes, where have you
“Mr. Sherlock Holmes?” lived?”
My companion bowed. Holmes laughed at the young giant’s naive as-
“I’ve been down to Scotland Yard, Mr. Holmes. tonishment.
I saw Inspector Stanley Hopkins. He advised me “You live in a different world to me, Mr. Over-
to come to you. He said the case, so far as he ton, a sweeter and healthier one. My ramifications

541
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

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

542
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

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

543
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

There were a number of letters, bills, and note- it is due to the fact that I have never wasted money,
books, which Holmes turned over and examined and I do not propose to begin to do so now. As to
with quick, nervous fingers and darting, penetrat- those papers with which you are making so free, I
ing eyes. “Nothing here,” he said, at last. “By the may tell you that in case there should be anything
way, I suppose your friend was a healthy young of any value among them you will be held strictly
fellow—nothing amiss with him?” to account for what you do with them.”
“Sound as a bell.” “Very good, sir,” said Sherlock Holmes. “May
“Have you ever known him ill?” I ask in the meanwhile whether you have your-
self any theory to account for this young man’s
“Not a day. He has been laid up with a hack,
disappearance?”
and once he slipped his knee-cap, but that was
nothing.” “No, sir, I have not. He is big enough and old
“Perhaps he was not so strong as you suppose. enough to look after himself, and if he is so foolish
I should think he may have had some secret trou- as to lose himself I entirely refuse to accept the
ble. With your assent I will put one or two of these responsibility of hunting for him.”
papers in my pocket, in case they should bear upon “I quite understand your position,” said
our future inquiry.” Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
“One moment! one moment!” cried a queru- “Perhaps you don’t quite understand mine. God-
lous voice, and we looked up to find a queer little frey Staunton appears to have been a poor man. If
old man, jerking and twitching in the doorway. he has been kidnapped it could not have been for
He was dressed in rusty black, with a very broad anything which he himself possesses. The fame of
brimmed top-hat and a loose white necktie—the your wealth has gone abroad, Lord Mount-James,
whole effect being that of a very rustic parson or of and it is entirely possible that a gang of thieves have
an undertaker’s mute. Yet, in spite of his shabby secured your nephew in order to gain from him
and even absurd appearance, his voice had a sharp some information as to your house, your habits,
crackle, and his manner a quick intensity which and your treasure.”
commanded attention. The face of our unpleasant little visitor turned
“Who are you, sir, and by what right do you as white as his neckcloth.
touch this gentleman’s papers?” he asked. “Heavens, sir, what an idea! I never thought of
“I am a private detective, and I am endeavour- such villainy! What inhuman rogues there are in
ing to explain his disappearance.” the world! But Godfrey is a fine lad—a staunch lad.
Nothing would induce him to give his old uncle
“Oh, you are, are you? And who instructed you,
away. I’ll have the plate moved over to the bank
eh?”
this evening. In the meantime spare no pains, Mr.
“This gentleman, Mr. Staunton’s friend, was Detective! I beg you to leave no stone unturned to
referred to me by Scotland Yard.” bring him safely back. As to money, well, so far as
“Who are you, sir?” 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
set forth to find a second link for his chain. We had
“And are you prepared to meet the cost?” shaken off Lord Mount-James, and Overton had
“I have no doubt, sir, that my friend Godfrey, gone to consult with the other members of his team
when we find him, will be prepared to do that.” 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.
“Nothing of the sort, sir!” screamed the little “It’s worth trying, Watson,” said Holmes. “Of
man. “Don’t look to me for a penny—not a penny! course, with a warrant we could demand to see the
You understand that, Mr. Detective! I am all the counterfoils, but we have not reached that stage yet.
family that this young man has got, and I tell you I don’t suppose they remember faces in so busy a
that I am not responsible. If he has any expectations place. Let us venture it.”

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 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

“I am sorry to trouble you,” said he, in his blan- “I could mention several. You must admit that it
dest manner, to the young woman behind the grat- is curious and suggestive that this incident should
ing; “there is some small mistake about a telegram occur on the eve of this important match, and
I sent yesterday. I have had no answer, and I very should involve the only man whose presence seems
much fear that I must have omitted to put my name essential to the success of the side. It may, of course,
at the end. Could you tell me if this was so?” be coincidence, but it is interesting. Amateur sport
The young woman turned over a sheaf of coun- is free from betting, but a good deal of outside bet-
terfoils. ting goes on among the public, and it is possible
that it might be worth someone’s while to get at a
“What o’clock was it?” she asked. player as the ruffians of the turf get at a race-horse.
“A little after six.” There is one explanation. A second very obvious
“Whom was it to?” one is that this young man really is the heir of a
great property, however modest his means may at
Holmes put his finger to his lips and glanced at present be, and it is not impossible that a plot to
me. “The last words in it were ‘for God’s sake,’ ” hold him for ransom might be concocted.”
he whispered, confidentially; “I am very anxious at
getting no answer.” “These theories take no account of the tele-
gram.”
The young woman separated one of the forms.
“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,
and we must not permit our attention to wander
“Then that, of course, accounts for my getting away from it. It is to gain light upon the purpose
no answer,” said Holmes. “Dear me, how very of this telegram that we are now upon our way
stupid of me, to be sure! Good morning, miss, and to Cambridge. The path of our investigation is at
many thanks for having relieved my mind.” He present obscure, but I shall be very much surprised
chuckled and rubbed his hands when we found if before evening we have not cleared it up or made
ourselves in the street once more. 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 succeed Leslie Armstrong. A few minutes later we had
the very first time.” stopped at a large mansion in the busiest thorough-
“And what have you gained?” fare. We were shown in, and after a long wait were
“A starting-point for our investigation.” He at last admitted into the consulting-room, where
hailed a cab. “King’s Cross Station,” said he. we found the doctor seated behind his table.

“We have a journey, then?” It argues the degree in which I had lost touch
with my profession that the name of Leslie Arm-
“Yes; I think we must run down to Cambridge
strong was unknown to me. Now I am aware that
together. All the indications seem to me to point in
he is not only one of the heads of the medical school
that direction.”
of the University, but a thinker of European reputa-
“Tell me,” I asked, as we rattled up Gray’s Inn tion in more than one branch of science. Yet even
Road, “have you any suspicion yet as to the cause without knowing his brilliant record one could not
of the disappearance? I don’t think that among all fail to be impressed by a mere glance at the man,
our cases I have known one where the motives are the square, massive face, the brooding eyes under
more obscure. Surely you don’t really imagine that the thatched brows, and the granite moulding of
he may be kidnapped in order to give information the inflexible jaw. A man of deep character, a man
against his wealthy uncle?” with an alert mind, grim, ascetic, self-contained,
“I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not formidable—so I read Dr. Leslie Armstrong. He
appeal to me as a very probable explanation. It held my friend’s card in his hand, and he looked
struck me, however, as being the one which was up with no very pleased expression upon his dour
most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant features.
old person.” “I have heard your name, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
“It certainly did that. But what are your alter- and I am aware of your profession, one of which I
natives?” by no means approve.”

545
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

“In that, doctor, you will find yourself in agree- Holmes popped a sheet of paper before the doc-
ment with every criminal in the country,” said my tor’s eyes. “Then perhaps you will explain this
friend, quietly. receipted bill for thirteen guineas, paid by Mr. God-
“So far as your efforts are directed towards the frey Staunton last month to Dr. Leslie Armstrong of
suppression of crime, sir, they must have the sup- Cambridge. I picked it out from among the papers
port of every reasonable member of the community, upon his desk.”
though I cannot doubt that the official machinery The doctor flushed with anger.
is amply sufficient for the purpose. Where your “I do not feel that there is any reason why I
calling is more open to criticism is when you pry should render an explanation to you, Mr. Holmes.”
into the secrets of private individuals, when you Holmes replaced the bill in his note-book. “If
rake up family matters which are better hidden, you prefer a public explanation it must come sooner
and when you incidentally waste the time of men or later,” said he. “I have already told you that I
who are more busy than yourself. At the present can hush up that which others will be bound to
moment, for example, I should be writing a treatise publish, and you would really be wiser to take me
instead of conversing with you.” into your complete confidence.”
“No doubt, doctor; and yet the conversation “I know nothing about it.”
may prove more important than the treatise. In- “Did you hear from Mr. Staunton in London?”
cidentally I may tell you that we are doing the “Certainly not.”
reverse 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 necessarily was dispatched to you from London by Godfrey
follow when once the case is fairly in the hands of Staunton at six-fifteen yesterday evening—a tele-
the official police. You may look upon me simply gram which is undoubtedly associated with his
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
“You know him, do you not?” his desk, and his dark face was crimson with fury.
“He is an intimate friend of mine.” “I’ll trouble you to walk out of my house, sir,”
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
sion in the rugged features of the doctor. another word!” He rang the bell furiously. “John,
“He left his hotel last night. He has not been show these gentlemen out!” A pompous butler ush-
heard of.” ered us severely to the door, and we found our-
“No doubt he will return.” selves in the street. Holmes burst out laughing.
“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 games. man who, if he turned his talents that way, was
The young man’s fate interests me deeply, since I more calculated to fill the gap left by the illustri-
know him and like him. The football match does ous Moriarty. And now, my poor Watson, here we
not come within my horizon at all.” are, stranded and friendless in this inhospitable
“I claim your sympathy, then, in my investiga- town, which we cannot leave without abandoning
tion of Mr. Staunton’s fate. Do you know where he our case. This little inn just opposite Armstrong’s
is?” house is singularly adapted to our needs. If you
“Certainly not.” would engage a front room and purchase the nec-
essaries for the night, I may have time to make a
“You have not seen him since yesterday?” few inquiries.”
“No, I have not.” These few inquiries proved, however, to be a
“Was Mr. Staunton a healthy man?” more lengthy proceeding than Holmes had imag-
ined, for he did not return to the inn until nearly
“Absolutely.”
nine o’clock. He was pale and dejected, stained
“Did you ever know him ill?” with dust, and exhausted with hunger and fatigue.
“Never.” A cold supper was ready upon the table, and when

546
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

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 investi-
“It’s been out three hours,” said Holmes; gate 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 important,
“No unusual thing for a doctor in practice.” and I shall not be satisfied until I have made the
“But Armstrong is not really a doctor in practice. matter clear.”
He is a lecturer and a consultant, but he does not “We can follow him to-morrow.”
care for general practice, which distracts him from
“Can we? It is not so easy as you seem to think.
his literary work. Why, then, does he make these
You are not familiar with Cambridgeshire scenery,
long journeys, which must be exceedingly irksome
are you? It does not lend itself to concealment. All
to him, and who is it that he visits?”
this country that I passed over to-night is as flat and
“His coachman—” clean as the palm of your hand, and the man we
“My dear Watson, can you doubt that it was to are following is no fool, as he very clearly showed
him that I first applied? I do not know whether it to-night. I have wired to Overton to let us know
came from his own innate depravity or from the any fresh London developments at this address,
promptings of his master, but he was rude enough and in the meantime we can only concentrate our
to set a dog at me. Neither dog nor man liked attention upon Dr. Armstrong, whose name the
the look of my stick, however, and the matter fell obliging young lady at the office allowed me to
through. Relations were strained after that, and read upon the counterfoil of Staunton’s urgent mes-
further inquiries out of the question. All that I have sage. He knows where the young man is—to that
learned I got from a friendly native in the yard of I’ll swear—and if he knows, then it must be our
our own inn. It was he who told me of the doctor’s own fault if we cannot manage to know also. At
habits and of his daily journey. At that instant, to present it must be admitted that the odd trick is in
give point to his words, the carriage came round to his possession, and, as you are aware, Watson, it is
the door.” 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
the solution of the mystery. A note was handed in
“Excellent, Watson! You are scintillating this after breakfast, which Holmes passed across to me
evening. The idea did cross my mind. There is, as with a smile.
you may have observed, a bicycle shop next to our
inn. Into this I rushed, engaged a bicycle, and was Sir [it ran]:
able to get started before the carriage was quite out I can assure you that you are wasting
of sight. I rapidly overtook it, and then, keeping your time in dogging my movements.
at a discreet distance of a hundred yards or so, I I have, as you discovered last night, a
followed its lights until we were clear of the town. window at the back of my brougham,
We had got well out on the country road when a and if you desire a twenty-mile ride
somewhat mortifying incident occurred. The car- which will lead you to the spot from
riage stopped, the doctor alighted, walked swiftly which you started, you have only to fol-
back to where I had also halted, and told me in an low me. Meanwhile, I can inform you
excellent sardonic fashion that he feared the road that no spying upon me can in any way
was narrow, and that he hoped his carriage did not help Mr. Godfrey Staunton, and I am
impede the passage of my bicycle. Nothing could convinced that the best service you can
have been more admirable than his way of putting do to that gentleman is to return at once
it. I at once rode past the carriage, and, keeping to to London and to report to your em-
the main road, I went on for a few miles, and then ployer that you are unable to trace him.
halted in a convenient place to see if the carriage Your time in Cambridge will certainly
passed. There was no sign of it, however, and so be wasted.

547
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

— Yours faithfully, “ ‘The defeat of the Light Blues may be

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

548
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

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

549
 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter

hush up private scandals than to give them public- own discretion, Godfrey has up to now succeeded.
ity. If, as I imagine, there is no breach of the law Their secret was known to no one save to me and to
in this matter, you can absolutely depend upon my one excellent servant who has at present gone for
discretion and my co-operation in keeping the facts assistance to Trumpington. But at last there came
out of the papers.” a terrible blow in the shape of dangerous illness
Dr. Armstrong took a quick step forward and to his wife. It was consumption of the most viru-
wrung Holmes by the hand. lent kind. The poor boy was half crazed with grief,
and yet he had to go to London to play this match,
“You are a good fellow,” said he. “I had mis-
for he could not get out of it without explanations
judged you. I thank Heaven that my compunction
which would expose his secret. I tried to cheer him
at leaving poor Staunton all alone in this plight
up by a wire, and he sent me one in reply imploring
caused me to turn my carriage back, and so to
me to do all I could. This was the telegram which
make your acquaintance. Knowing as much as you
you appear in some inexplicable way to have seen.
do, the situation is very easily explained. A year
I did not tell him how urgent the danger was, for I
ago Godfrey Staunton lodged in London for a time,
knew that he could do no good here, but I sent the
and became passionately attached to his landlady’s
truth to the girl’s father, and he very injudiciously
daughter, whom he married. She was as good as
communicated it to Godfrey. The result was that he
she was beautiful, and as intelligent as she was
came straight away in a state bordering on frenzy,
good. No man need be ashamed of such a wife.
and has remained in the same state, kneeling at the
But Godfrey was the heir to this crabbed old no-
end of her bed, until this morning death put an end
bleman, and it was quite certain that the news of
to her sufferings. That is all, Mr. Holmes, and I am
his marriage would have been the end of his inheri-
sure that I can rely upon your discretion and that
tance. I knew the lad well, and I loved him for his
of your friend.”
many excellent qualities. I did all I could to help
him to keep things straight. We did our very best to Holmes grasped the doctor’s hand.
keep the thing from everyone, for when once such “Come, Watson,” said he, and we passed from
a whisper gets about it is not long before everyone that house of grief into the pale sunlight of the
has heard it. Thanks to this lonely cottage and his winter day.

550
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
I
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

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

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“Yes; his head was knocked in with his own partly mine. I was brought up in the freer, less con-
poker.” ventional atmosphere of South Australia, and this
“Sir Eustace Brackenstall, the driver tells me.” English life, with its proprieties and its primness,
is not congenial to me. But the main reason lies in
“Exactly—one of the richest men in Kent. Lady the one fact which is notorious to everyone, and
Brackenstall is in the morning-room. Poor lady, she that is that Sir Eustace was a confirmed drunkard.
has had a most dreadful experience. She seemed To be with such a man for an hour is unpleasant.
half dead when I saw her first. I think you had best Can you imagine what it means for a sensitive and
see her and hear her account of the facts. Then we high-spirited woman to be tied to him for day and
will examine the dining-room together.” night? It is a sacrilege, a crime, a villainy to hold
Lady Brackenstall was no ordinary person. Sel- that such a marriage is binding. I say that these
dom have I seen so graceful a figure, so womanly monstrous laws of yours will bring a curse upon
a presence, and so beautiful a face. She was a the land—Heaven will not let such wickedness en-
blonde, golden-haired, blue-eyed, and would, no dure.” For an instant she sat up, her cheeks flushed,
doubt, have had the perfect complexion which goes and her eyes blazing from under the terrible mark
with such colouring had not her recent experience upon her brow. Then the strong, soothing hand
left her drawn and haggard. Her sufferings were of the austere maid drew her head down on to
physical as well as mental, for over one eye rose a the cushion, and the wild anger died away into
hideous, plum-coloured swelling, which her maid, passionate sobbing. At last she continued:—
a tall, austere woman, was bathing assiduously “I will tell you about last night. You are aware,
with vinegar and water. The lady lay back ex- perhaps, that in this house all servants sleep in the
hausted upon a couch, but her quick, observant modern wing. This central block is made up of the
gaze as we entered the room, and the alert ex- dwelling-rooms, with the kitchen behind and our
pression of her beautiful features, showed that nei- bedroom above. My maid Theresa sleeps above my
ther her wits nor her courage had been shaken by room. There is no one else, and no sound could
her terrible experience. She was enveloped in a alarm those who are in the farther wing. This must
loose dressing-gown of blue and silver, but a black have been well known to the robbers, or they would
sequin-covered dinner-dress was hung upon the 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
all was right before I went upstairs. It was my cus-
“I thought they had better hear your ladyship’s
tom to do this myself, for, as I have explained, Sir
story first.”
Eustace was not always to be trusted. I went into
“I shall be glad when you can arrange matters. the kitchen, the butler’s pantry, the gun-room, the
It is horrible to me to think of him still lying there.” billiard-room, the drawing-room, and finally the
She shuddered and buried her face in her hands. dining-room. As I approached the window, which
As she did so the loose gown fell back from her is covered with thick curtains, I suddenly felt the
forearms. Holmes uttered an exclamation. wind blow upon my face and realized that it was
“You have other injuries, madam! What is this?” open. I flung the curtain aside and found myself
Two vivid red spots stood out on one of the white, face to face with a broad-shouldered, elderly man
round limbs. She hastily covered it. who had just stepped into the room. The window
is a long French one, which really forms a door
“It is nothing. It has no connection with the leading to the lawn. I held my bedroom candle
hideous business of last night. If you and your lit in my hand, and, by its light, behind the first
friend will sit down I will tell you all I can. man I saw two others, who were in the act of en-
“I am the wife of Sir Eustace Brackenstall. I tering. I stepped back, but the fellow was on me
have been married about a year. I suppose that it in an instant. He caught me first by the wrist and
is no use my attempting to conceal that our mar- then by the throat. I opened my mouth to scream,
riage has not been a happy one. I fear that all but he struck me a savage blow with his fist over
our neighbours would tell you that, even if I were the eye, and felled me to the ground. I must have
to attempt to deny it. Perhaps the fault may be been unconscious for a few minutes, for when I

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

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 With a motherly tenderness the gaunt woman
not move, and a handkerchief round my mouth put her arm round her mistress and led her from
prevented me from uttering any sound. It was at the room.
this 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 I these commonplace rogues that he should soil his
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, closing carved oak ceiling, oaken panelling, and a fine ar-
the window after them. It was quite a quarter of ray of deer’s heads and ancient weapons around
an hour before I got my mouth free. When I did the walls. At the farther end from the door was the
so my screams brought the maid to my assistance. high French window of which we had heard. Three
The other servants were soon alarmed, and we sent smaller windows on the right-hand side filled the
for the local police, who instantly communicated apartment with cold winter sunshine. On the left
with London. That is really all that I can tell you, was a large, deep fireplace, with a massive, over-
gentlemen, and I trust that it will not be necessary hanging oak mantelpiece. Beside the fireplace was
for me to go over so painful a story again.” a heavy oaken chair with arms and cross-bars at the
bottom. In and out through the open woodwork
“Any questions, Mr. Holmes?” asked Hopkins. was woven a crimson cord, which was secured
at each side to the crosspiece below. In releasing
“I will not impose any further tax upon Lady
the lady the cord had been slipped off her, but the
Brackenstall’s patience and time,” said Holmes.
knots with which it had been secured still remained.
“Before I go into the dining-room I should like
These details only struck our attention afterwards,
to hear your experience.” He looked at the maid.
for our thoughts were entirely absorbed by the ter-
“I saw the men before ever they came into the rible object which lay upon the tiger-skin hearthrug
house,” said she. “As I sat by my bedroom win- 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 were
her, poor lamb, just as she says, and him on the raised above his head, and a heavy blackthorn stick
floor with his blood and brains over the room. It lay across them. His dark, handsome, aquiline fea-
was enough to drive a woman out of her wits, tied tures were convulsed into a spasm of vindictive
there, and her very dress spotted with him; but hatred, which had set his dead face in a terribly
she never wanted courage, did Miss Mary Fraser of fiendish expression. He had evidently been in his
Adelaide, and Lady Brackenstall of Abbey Grange bed when the alarm had broken out, for he wore a
hasn’t learned new ways. You’ve questioned her foppish embroidered night-shirt, and his bare feet

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projected from his trousers. His head was horribly “How did the burglar know no one would hear
injured, and the whole room bore witness to the it? How dared he pull at a bell-rope in that reckless
savage ferocity of the blow which had struck him fashion?”
down. Beside him lay the heavy poker, bent into a “Exactly, Mr. Holmes, exactly. You put the very
curve by the concussion. Holmes examined both it question which I have asked myself again and again.
and the indescribable wreck which it had wrought. There can be no doubt that this fellow must have
“He must be a powerful man, this elder Ran- known the house and its habits. He must have per-
dall,” he remarked. fectly understood that the servants would all be in
“Yes,” said Hopkins. “I have some record of the bed at that comparatively early hour, and that no
fellow, and he is a rough customer.” one could possibly hear a bell ring in the kitchen.
Therefore he must have been in close league with
“You should have no difficulty in getting him.”
one of the servants. Surely that is evident. But
“Not the slightest. We have been on the look-out there are eight servants, and all of good character.”
for him, and there was some idea that he had got
“Other things being equal,” said Holmes, “one
away to America. Now that we know the gang are
would suspect the one at whose head the mas-
here I don’t see how they can escape. We have the
ter threw a decanter. And yet that would in-
news at every seaport already, and a reward will be
volve treachery towards the mistress to whom this
offered before evening. What beats me is how they
woman seems devoted. Well, well, the point is a
could have done so mad a thing, knowing that the
minor one, and when you have Randall you will
lady could describe them, and that we could not
probably find no difficulty in securing his accom-
fail to recognise the description.”
plice. The lady’s story certainly seems to be corrob-
“Exactly. One would have expected that they orated, if it needed corroboration, by every detail
would have silenced Lady Brackenstall as well.” which we see before us.” He walked to the French
“They may not have realized,” I suggested, “that window and threw it open. “There are no signs
she had recovered from her faint.” here, but the ground is iron hard, and one would
“That is likely enough. If she seemed to be not expect them. I see that these candles on the
senseless they would not take her life. What about mantelpiece have been lighted.”
this poor fellow, Hopkins? I seem to have heard “Yes; it was by their light and that of the lady’s
some queer stories about him.” 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- “Well, they did not take much—only half-a-
ally went the whole way. The devil seemed to be dozen articles of plate off the sideboard. Lady
in him at such times, and he was capable of any- Brackenstall thinks that they were themselves so
thing. From what I hear, in spite of all his wealth disturbed by the death of Sir Eustace that they did
and his title, he very nearly came our way once or not ransack the house as they would otherwise
twice. There was a scandal about his drenching a have done.”
dog with petroleum and setting it on fire—her la-
“No doubt that is true. And yet they drank
dyship’s dog, to make the matter worse—and that
some wine, I understand.”
was only hushed up with difficulty. Then he threw
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 with “Let us look at it. Halloa! halloa! what is this?”
great attention the knots upon the red cord with The three glasses were grouped together, all
which the lady had been secured. Then he care- of them tinged with wine, and one of them con-
fully scrutinized the broken and frayed end where taining some dregs of bees-wing. The bottle stood
it had snapped off when the burglar had dragged near them, two-thirds full, and beside it lay a long,
it down. deeply-stained cork. Its appearance and the dust
“When this was pulled down the bell in the upon the bottle showed that it was no common
kitchen must have rung loudly,” he remarked. vintage which the murderers had enjoyed.
“No one could hear it. The kitchen stands right A change had come over Holmes’s manner. He
at the back of the house.” had lost his listless expression, and again I saw an

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alert light of interest in his keen, deep-set eyes. He “Excuse me, my dear fellow,” said he, as we
raised the cork and examined it minutely. watched the rear carriages of our train disappear-
“How did they draw it?” he asked. ing round a curve; “I am sorry to make you the
victim of what may seem a mere whim, but on my
Hopkins pointed to a half-opened drawer. In it
life, Watson, I simply can’t leave that case in this
lay some table linen and a large cork-screw.
condition. Every instinct that I possess cries out
“Did Lady Brackenstall say that screw was against it. It’s wrong—it’s all wrong—I’ll swear
used?” that it’s wrong. And yet the lady’s story was com-
“No; you remember that she was senseless at plete, the maid’s corroboration was sufficient, the
the moment when the bottle was opened.” detail was fairly exact. What have I to put against
“Quite so. As a matter of fact that screw was that? Three wine-glasses, that is all. But if I had
not used. This bottle was opened by a pocket-screw, not taken things for granted, if I had examined
probably contained in a knife, and not more than everything with care which I would have shown
an inch and a half long. If you examine the top of had we approached the case de novo and had no
the cork you will observe that the screw was driven cut-and-dried story to warp my mind, would I not
in three times before the cork was extracted. It has then have found something more definite to go
never been transfixed. This long screw would have upon? Of course I should. Sit down on this bench,
transfixed it and drawn it with a single pull. When Watson, until a train for Chislehurst arrives, and
you catch this fellow you will find that he has one allow me to lay the evidence before you, imploring
of these multiplex knives in his possession.” you in the first instance to dismiss from your mind
the idea that anything which the maid or her mis-
“Excellent!” said Hopkins.
tress may have said must necessarily be true. The
“But these glasses do puzzle me, I confess. Lady lady’s charming personality must not be permitted
Brackenstall actually saw the three men drinking, to warp our judgment.
did she not?” “Surely there are details in her story which, if
“Yes; she was clear about that.” we looked at it in cold blood, would excite our sus-
“Then there is an end of it. What more is to be picion. These burglars made a considerable haul at
said? And yet you must admit that the three glasses Sydenham a fortnight ago. Some account of them
are very remarkable, Hopkins. What, you see noth- and of their appearance was in the papers, and
ing remarkable! Well, well, let it pass. Perhaps would naturally occur to anyone who wished to
when a man has special knowledge and special invent a story in which imaginary robbers should
powers like my own it rather encourages him to play a part. As a matter of fact, burglars who have
seek a complex explanation when a simpler one done a good stroke of business are, as a rule, only
is at hand. Of course, it must be a mere chance too glad to enjoy the proceeds in peace and quiet
about the glasses. Well, good morning, Hopkins. I without embarking on another perilous undertak-
don’t see that I can be of any use to you, and you ing. Again, it is unusual for burglars to operate
appear to have your case very clear. You will let me at so early an hour; it is unusual for burglars to
know when Randall is arrested, and any further strike a lady to prevent her screaming, since one
developments which may occur. I trust that I shall would imagine that was the sure way to make her
soon have to congratulate you upon a successful scream; it is unusual for them to commit murder
conclusion. Come, Watson, I fancy that we may when their numbers are sufficient to overpower one
employ ourselves more profitably at home.” man; it is unusual for them to be content with a
During our return journey I could see by limited plunder when there is much more within
Holmes’s face that he was much puzzled by some- their reach; and finally I should say that it was very
thing which he had observed. Every now and then, unusual for such men to leave a bottle half empty.
by an effort, he would throw off the impression How do all these unusuals strike you, Watson?”
and talk as if the matter were clear, but then his “Their cumulative effect is certainly consider-
doubts would settle down upon him again, and his able, and yet each of them is quite possible in itself.
knitted brows and abstracted eyes would show that The most unusual thing of all, as it seems to me, is
his thoughts had gone back once more to the great that the lady should be tied to the chair.”
dining-room of the Abbey Grange in which this “Well, I am not so clear about that, Watson; for
midnight tragedy had been enacted. At last, by a it is evident that they must either kill her or else
sudden impulse, just as our train was crawling out secure her in such a way that she could not give
of a suburban station, he sprang on to the platform immediate notice of their escape. But at any rate
and pulled me out after him. I have shown, have I not, that there is a certain

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element of improbability about the lady’s story? the rope—each in turn was minutely examined
And now on the top of this comes the incident of and duly pondered. The body of the unfortunate
the wine-glasses.” baronet had been removed, but all else remained
“What about the wine-glasses?” as we had seen it in the morning. Then, to my
astonishment, Holmes climbed up on to the mas-
“Can you see them in your mind’s eye?” sive mantelpiece. Far above his head hung the few
“I see them clearly.” inches of red cord which were still attached to the
“We are told that three men drank from them. wire. For a long time he gazed upward at it, and
Does that strike you as likely?” then in an attempt to get nearer to it he rested his
knee upon a wooden bracket on the wall. This
“Why not? There was wine in each glass.” brought his hand within a few inches of the broken
“Exactly; but there was bees-wing only in one end of the rope, but it was not this so much as the
glass. You must have noticed that fact. What does bracket itself which seemed to engage his atten-
that suggest to your mind?” tion. Finally he sprang down with an ejaculation
“The last glass filled would be most likely to 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 collec-
inconceivable that the first two glasses were clear tion. But, dear me, how slow-witted I have been,
and the third heavily charged with it. There are and how nearly I have committed the blunder of
two possible explanations, and only two. One is my lifetime! Now, I think that with a few missing
that after the second glass was filled the bottle was 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
that Lady Brackenstall and her maid have deliber- “Well, if you were to pull down a bell-rope, Wat-
ately lied to us, that not one word of their story son, where would you expect it to break? Surely
is to be believed, that they have some very strong at the spot where it is attached to the wire. Why
reason for covering the real criminal, and that we should it break three inches from the top as this
must construct our case for ourselves without any one has done?”
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 much knife. But the other end is not frayed. You could
surprised at our return, but Sherlock Holmes, find- not observe that from here, but if you were on the
ing that Stanley Hopkins had gone off to report to mantelpiece you would see that it is cut clean off
head-quarters, took possession of the dining-room, without any mark of fraying whatever. You can
locked the door upon the inside, and devoted him- reconstruct what occurred. The man needed the
self for two hours to one of those minute and labo- rope. He would not tear it down for fear of giving
rious investigations which formed the solid basis the alarm by ringing the bell. What did he do?
on which his brilliant edifices of deduction were He sprang up on the mantelpiece, could not quite
reared. Seated in a corner like an interested student reach it, put his knee on the bracket—you will see
who observes the demonstration of his professor, the impression in the dust—and so got his knife to
I followed every step of that remarkable research. bear upon the cord. I could not reach the place by
The window, the curtains, the carpet, the chair, at least three inches, from which I infer that he is at

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least three inches a bigger man than I. Look at that “No,” Holmes answered, in his gentlest voice,
mark upon the seat of the oaken chair! What is it?” “I will not cause you any unnecessary trouble, Lady
“Blood.” Brackenstall, and my whole desire is to make things
easy for you, for I am convinced that you are a
“Undoubtedly it is blood. This alone puts the
much-tried woman. If you will treat me as a friend
lady’s story out of court. If she were seated on the
and trust me you may find that I will justify your
chair when the crime was done, how comes that
trust.”
mark? No, no; she was placed in the chair after
the death of her husband. I’ll wager that the black “What do you want me to do?”
dress shows a corresponding mark to this. We have “To tell me the truth.”
not yet met our Waterloo, Watson, but this is our “Mr. Holmes!”
Marengo, for it begins in defeat and ends in victory.
“No, no, Lady Brackenstall, it is no use. You
I should like now to have a few words with the
may have heard of any little reputation which I
nurse Theresa. We must be wary for awhile, if we
possess. I will stake it all on the fact that your story
are to get the information which we want.”
is an absolute fabrication.”
She was an interesting person, this stern Aus- Mistress and maid were both staring at Holmes
tralian nurse. Taciturn, suspicious, ungracious, it with pale faces and frightened eyes.
took some time before Holmes’s pleasant manner
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 “I have told you everything.”
her brother had been there. Then it was that he “Think once more, Lady Brackenstall. Would it
threw it at me. He might have thrown a dozen if not be better to be frank?”
he had but left my bonny bird alone. He was for
For an instant there was hesitation in her beau-
ever illtreating her, and she too proud to complain.
tiful face. Then some new strong thought caused it
She will not even tell me all that he has done to
to set like a mask.
her. She never told me of those marks on her arm
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 Holmes took his hat and shrugged his shoul-
fiend—Heaven forgive me that I should speak of ders. “I am sorry,” he said, and without another
him so, now that he is dead, but a fiend he was word we left the room and the house. There was a
if ever one walked the earth. He was all honey pond in the park, and to this my friend led the way.
when first we met him, only eighteen months ago, It was frozen over, but a single hole was left for the
and we both feel as if it were eighteen years. She convenience of a solitary swan. Holmes gazed at
had only just arrived in London. Yes, it was her it and then passed on to the lodge gate. There he
first voyage—she had never been from home before. scribbled a short note for Stanley Hopkins and left
He won her with his title and his money and his it with the lodge-keeper.
false London ways. If she made a mistake she has “It may be a hit or it may be a miss, but we are
paid for it, if ever a woman did. What month did bound to do something for friend Hopkins, just to
we meet him? Well, I tell you it was just after we justify this second visit,” said he. “I will not quite
arrived. We arrived in June, and it was July. They take him into my confidence yet. I think our next
were married in January of last year. Yes, she is scene of operations must be the shipping office of
down in the morning-room again, and I have no the Adelaide-Southampton line, which stands at
doubt she will see you, but you must not ask too the end of Pall Mall, if I remember right. There
much of her, for she has gone through all that flesh is a second line of steamers which connect South
and blood will stand.” Australia with England, but we will draw the larger
Lady Brackenstall was reclining on the same cover first.”
couch, but looked brighter than before. The maid Holmes’s card sent in to the manager ensured
had entered with us, and began once more to fo- instant attention, and he was not long in acquiring
ment the bruise upon her mistress’s brow. all the information which he needed. In June of
“I hope,” said the lady, “that you have not come ’95 only one of their line had reached a home port.
to cross-examine me again?” It was the Rock of Gibraltar, their largest and best

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

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 had
the voyage in her. The boat was now on her way been taken by persons who did not want it, who
to Australia, somewhere to the south of the Suez 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, had “But why should such an idea cross your
been made a captain and was to take charge of their mind?”
new ship, the Bass Rock, sailing in two days’ time
“Well, I thought it was possible. When they
from Southampton. He lived at Sydenham, but he
came out through the French window there was
was likely to be in that morning for instructions, if
the pond, with one tempting little hole in the ice,
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 early,
His record was magnificent. There was not an there were folk upon the roads, they were afraid
officer in the fleet to touch him. As to his character, of being seen with the silver, so they sank it in the
he was reliable on duty, but a wild, desperate fel- pond, intending to return for it when the coast was
low off the deck of his ship, hot-headed, excitable, clear. Excellent, Mr. Holmes—that is better than
but loyal, honest, and kind-hearted. That was the your idea of a blind.”
pith of the information with which Holmes left
the office of the Adelaide-Southampton company. “Quite so; you have got an admirable theory. I
Thence he drove to Scotland Yard, but instead of have no doubt that my own ideas were quite wild,
entering he sat in his cab with his brows drawn but you must admit that they have ended in discov-
down, lost in profound thought. Finally he drove ering the silver.”
round to the Charing Cross telegraph office, sent “Yes, sir, yes. It was all your doing. But I have
off a message, and then, at last, we made for Baker had a bad set-back.”
Street once more. “A set-back?”
“No, I couldn’t do it, Watson,” said he, as we “Yes, Mr. Holmes. The Randall gang were ar-
re-entered our room. “Once that warrant was made rested in New York this morning.”
out nothing on earth would save him. Once or
“Dear me, Hopkins! That is certainly rather
twice in my career I feel that I have done more real
against your theory that they committed a murder
harm by my discovery of the criminal than ever he
in Kent last night.”
had done by his crime. I have learned caution now,
and I had rather play tricks with the law of England “It is fatal, Mr. Holmes, absolutely fatal. Still,
than with my own conscience. Let us know a little there are other gangs of three besides the Randalls,
more before we act.” or it may be some new gang of which the police
have never heard.”
Before evening we had a visit from Inspector
Stanley Hopkins. Things were not going very well “Quite so; it is perfectly possible. What, are you
with him. off?”
“I believe that you are a wizard, Mr. Holmes. “Yes, Mr. Holmes; there is no rest for me until I
I really do sometimes think that you have powers have got to the bottom of the business. I suppose
that are not human. Now, how on earth could you you have no hint to give me?”
know that the stolen silver was at the bottom of “I have given you one.”
that pond?” “Which?”
“I didn’t know it.” “Well, I suggested a blind.”
“But you told me to examine it.” “But why, Mr. Holmes, why?”
“You got it, then?”
“Ah, that’s the question, of course. But I com-
“Yes, I got it.” mend the idea to your mind. You might possibly
“I am very glad if I have helped you.” find that there was something in it. You won’t stop
“But you haven’t helped me. You have made for dinner? Well, good-bye, and let us know how
the affair far more difficult. What sort of burglars you get on.”
are they who steal silver and then throw it into the Dinner was over and the table cleared before
nearest pond?” Holmes alluded to the matter again. He had lit

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 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

his pipe and held his slippered feet to the cheerful window and the affair goes out of my hands for
blaze of the fire. Suddenly he looked at his watch. ever.”
“I expect developments, Watson.” The sailor thought for a little. Then he struck
“When?” his leg with his great, sun-burned hand.
“I’ll chance it,” he cried. “I believe you are a
“Now—within a few minutes. I dare say you
man of your word, and a white man, and I’ll tell
thought I acted rather badly to Stanley Hopkins
you the whole story. But one thing I will say first.
just now?”
So far as I am concerned I regret nothing and I fear
“I trust your judgment.” 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 so I bring one smile to her dear face, it’s that that turns
reserve my information until my own mind is clear my soul into water. And yet—and yet—what less
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
do.
“The time has come. You will now be present
“I must go back a bit. You seem to know ev-
at the last scene of a remarkable little drama.”
erything, so I expect that you know that I met her
There was a sound upon the stairs, and our door when she was a passenger and I was first officer of
was opened to admit as fine a specimen of man- the Rock of Gibraltar. From the first day I met her
hood as ever passed through it. He was a very tall she was the only woman to me. Every day of that
young man, golden-moustached, blue-eyed, with voyage I loved her more, and many a time since
a skin which had been burned by tropical suns, have I kneeled down in the darkness of the night
and a springy step which showed that the huge watch and kissed the deck of that ship because
frame was as active as it was strong. He closed the I knew her dear feet had trod it. She was never
door behind him, and then he stood with clenched engaged to me. She treated me as fairly as ever a
hands and heaving breast, choking down some woman treated a man. I have no complaint to make.
overmastering emotion. It was all love on my side, and all good comrade-
“Sit down, Captain Croker. You got my tele- ship and friendship on hers. When we parted she
gram?” was a free woman, but I could never again be a free
Our visitor sank into an arm-chair and looked 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 them
office. There was no getting away from you. Let’s better than she? She was born for all that is beauti-
hear the worst. What are you going to do with me? ful and dainty. I didn’t grieve over her marriage. I
Arrest me? Speak out, man! You can’t sit there and was not such a selfish hound as that. I just rejoiced
play with me like a cat with a mouse.” that good luck had come her way, and that she
had not thrown herself away on a penniless sailor.
“Give him a cigar,” said Holmes. “Bite on that, That’s how I loved Mary Fraser.
Captain Croker, and don’t let your nerves run away
“Well, I never thought to see her again; but
with you. I should not sit here smoking with you
last voyage I was promoted, and the new boat was
if I thought that you were a common criminal, you
not yet launched, so I had to wait for a couple of
may be sure of that. Be frank with me, and we may
months with my people at Sydenham. One day
do some good. Play tricks with me, and I’ll crush
out in a country lane I met Theresa Wright, her
you.”
old maid. She told me about her, about him, about
“What do you wish me to do?” everything. I tell you, gentlemen, it nearly drove
“To give me a true account of all that happened me mad. This drunken hound, that he should dare
at the Abbey Grange last night—a true account, to raise his hand to her whose boots he was not
mind you, with nothing added and nothing taken worthy to lick! I met Theresa again. Then I met
off. I know so much already that if you go one inch Mary herself—and met her again. Then she would
off the straight I’ll blow this police whistle from my meet me no more. But the other day I had a notice

561
 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

that I was to start on my voyage within a week, hand.

and I determined that I would see her once before “That’s what I think,” said he. “I know that
I left. Theresa was always my friend, for she loved every word is true, for you have hardly said a word
Mary and hated this villain almost as much as I did. which I did not know. No one but an acrobat or a
From her I learned the ways of the house. Mary sailor could have got up to that bell-rope from the
used to sit up reading in her own little room down- bracket, and no one but a sailor could have made
stairs. I crept round there last night and scratched the knots with which the cord was fastened to the
at the window. At first she would not open to me, chair. Only once had this lady been brought into
but in her heart I know that now she loves me, and contact with sailors, and that was on her voyage,
she could not leave me in the frosty night. She and it was someone of her own class of life, since
whispered to me to come round to the big front she was trying hard to shield him and so showing
window, and I found it open before me so as to let that she loved him. You see how easy it was for me
me into the dining-room. Again I heard from her to lay my hands upon you when once I had started
own lips things that made my blood boil, and again upon the right trail.”
I cursed this brute who mishandled the woman that
“I thought the police never could have seen
I loved. Well, gentlemen, I was standing with her
through our dodge.”
just inside the window, in all innocence, as Heaven
is my judge, when he rushed like a madman into “And the police haven’t; nor will they, to the
the room, called her the vilest name that a man best of my belief. Now, look here, Captain Croker,
could use to a woman, and welted her across the this is a very serious matter, though I am willing
face with the stick he had in his hand. I had sprung to admit that you acted under the most extreme
for the poker, and it was a fair fight between us. provocation to which any man could be subjected.
See here on my arm where his first blow fell. Then I am not sure that in defence of your own life your
it was my turn, and I went through him as if he action will not be pronounced legitimate. However,
had been a rotten pumpkin. Do you think I was that is for a British jury to decide. Meanwhile I
sorry? Not I! It was his life or mine, but far more have so much sympathy for you that if you choose
than that it was his life or hers, for how could I to disappear in the next twenty-four hours I will
leave her in the power of this madman? That was promise you that no one will hinder you.”
how I killed him. Was I wrong? Well, then, what “And then it will all come out?”
would either of you gentlemen have done if you “Certainly it will come out.”
had been in my position? The sailor flushed with anger.
“She had screamed when he struck her, and that “What sort of proposal is that to make a man?
brought old Theresa down from the room above. I know enough of law to understand that Mary
There was a bottle of wine on the sideboard, and I would be had as accomplice. Do you think I would
opened it and poured a little between Mary’s lips, leave her alone to face the music while I slunk
for she was half dead with the shock. Then I took away? No, sir; let them do their worst upon me,
a drop myself. Theresa was as cool as ice, and it but for Heaven’s sake, Mr. Holmes, find some way
was her plot as much as mine. We must make it of keeping my poor Mary out of the courts.”
appear that burglars had done the thing. Theresa
Holmes for a second time held out his hand to
kept on repeating our story to her mistress, while
the sailor.
I swarmed up and cut the rope of the bell. Then I
lashed her in her chair, and frayed out the end of “I was only testing you, and you ring true every
the rope to make it look natural, else they would time. Well, it is a great responsibility that I take
wonder how in the world a burglar could have got upon myself, but I have given Hopkins an excellent
up there to cut it. Then I gathered up a few plates hint, and if he can’t avail himself of it I can do no
and pots of silver, to carry out the idea of a rob- more. See here, Captain Croker, we’ll do this in
bery, and there I left them with orders to give the due form of law. You are the prisoner. Watson, you
alarm when I had a quarter of an hour’s start. I are a British jury, and I never met a man who was
dropped the silver into the pond and made off for more eminently fitted to represent one. I am the
Sydenham, feeling that for once in my life I had judge. Now, gentleman of the jury, you have heard
done a real good night’s work. And that’s the truth the evidence. Do you find the prisoner guilty or
and the whole truth, Mr. Holmes, if it costs me my not guilty?”
neck.” “Not guilty, my lord,” said I.
Holmes smoked for some time in silence. Then “Vox populi, vox Dei. You are acquitted, Captain
he crossed the room and shook our visitor by the Croker. So long as the law does not find some other

562
 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

victim you are safe from me. Come back to this us in the judgment which we have pronounced this
lady in a year, and may her future and yours justify night.”

563
The Adventure of the Second Stain
I
The Adventure of the Second Stain

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

567
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

have known that there was anything more valu- “Mr. Holmes, the envelope is a long, thin one of
able than the ordinary departmental papers in my pale blue colour. There is a seal of red wax stamped
despatch-box.” with a crouching lion. It is addressed in large, bold
“Who did know of the existence of that letter?” 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 it
“I have long known, sir, how high is your sense is necessary. If by the aid of the powers which you
of public duty,” said he. “I am convinced that in are said to possess you can find such an envelope
the case of a secret of this importance it would rise as I describe with its enclosure, you will have de-
superior to the most intimate domestic ties.” served well of your country, and earned any reward
which it lies in our power to bestow.”
The European Secretary bowed.
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
Cabinet has cowered. “I am not accustomed, sir—”
“Who is there in England who did know of the
he began, but mastered his anger and resumed his
existence of this letter?”
seat. For a minute or more we all sat in silence.
“Each member of the Cabinet was informed of it Then the old statesman shrugged his shoulders.
yesterday; but the pledge of secrecy which attends
“We must accept your terms, Mr. Holmes. No
every Cabinet meeting was increased by the solemn
doubt you are right, and it is unreasonable for us
warning which was given by the Prime Minister.
to expect you to act unless we give you our entire
Good heavens, to think that within a few hours I
confidence.”
should myself have lost it!” His handsome face was
distorted with a spasm of despair, and his hands “I agree with you, sir,” said the younger states-
tore at his hair. For a moment we caught a glimpse man.
of the natural man, impulsive, ardent, keenly sensi- “Then I will tell you, relying entirely upon your
tive. The next the aristocratic mask was replaced, honour and that of your colleague, Dr. Watson. I
and the gentle voice had returned. “Besides the may appeal to your patriotism also, for I could not
members of the Cabinet there are two, or possibly imagine a greater misfortune for the country than
three, departmental officials who know of the letter. that this affair should come out.”
No one else in England, Mr. Holmes, I assure you.” “You may safely trust us.”
“But abroad?” “The letter, then, is from a certain foreign poten-
“I believe that no one abroad has seen it save tate who has been ruffled by some recent Colonial
the man who wrote it. I am well convinced that his developments of this country. It has been written
Ministers—that the usual official channels have not hurriedly and upon his own responsibility entirely.
been employed.” Inquiries have shown that his Ministers know noth-
ing of the matter. At the same time it is couched in
Holmes considered for some little time.
so unfortunate a manner, and certain phrases in it
“Now, sir, I must ask you more particularly are of so provocative a character, that its publication
what this document is, and why its disappearance would undoubtedly lead to a most dangerous state
should have such momentous consequences?” of feeling in this country. There would be such a
The two statesmen exchanged a quick glance ferment, sir, that I do not hesitate to say that within
and the Premier’s shaggy eyebrows gathered in a a week of the publication of that letter this country
frown. would be involved in a great war.”

568
 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 let- “That is a hard saying, Mr. Holmes.”
ter which may well mean the expenditure of a thou- “Consider the facts, sir. It is inconceivable that
sand millions and the lives of a hundred thousand it was taken after eleven-thirty at night, since I un-
men—which has become lost in this unaccountable derstand that Mr. Hope and his wife were both in
fashion.” the room from that hour until the loss was found
“Have you informed the sender?” out. It was taken, then, yesterday evening between
seven-thirty and eleven-thirty, probably near the
“Yes, sir, a cipher telegram has been
earlier hour, since whoever took it evidently knew
despatched.”
that it was there and would naturally secure it as
“Perhaps he desires the publication of the let- early as possible. Now, sir, if a document of this
ter.” importance were taken at that hour, where can it
“No, sir, we have strong reason to believe that be now? No one has any reason to retain it. It has
he already understands that he has acted in an in- been passed rapidly on to those who need it. What
discreet and hot-headed manner. It would be a chance have we now to overtake or even to trace it?
greater blow to him and to his country than to us It is beyond our reach.”
if this letter were to come out.” The Prime Minister rose from the settee.
“If this is so, whose interest is it that the letter “What you say is perfectly logical, Mr. Holmes.
should come out? Why should anyone desire to I feel that the matter is indeed out of our hands.”
steal it or to publish it?” “Let us presume, for argument’s sake, that the
“There, Mr. Holmes, you take me into regions of document was taken by the maid or by the valet—”
high international politics. But if you consider the “They are both old and tried servants.”
European situation you will have no difficulty in “I understand you to say that your room is on
perceiving the motive. The whole of Europe is an the second floor, that there is no entrance from
armed camp. There is a double league which makes without, and that from within no one could go up
a fair balance of military power. Great Britain holds unobserved. It must, then, be somebody in the
the scales. If Britain were driven into war with one house who has taken it. To whom would the thief
confederacy, it would assure the supremacy of the take it? To one of several international spies and
other confederacy, whether they joined in the war secret agents, whose names are tolerably familiar
or not. Do you follow?” to me. There are three who may be said to be the
heads of their profession. I will begin my research
“Very clearly. It is then the interest of the en-
by going round and finding if each of them is at
emies of this potentate to secure and publish this
his post. If one is missing—especially if he has
letter, so as to make a breach between his country
disappeared since last night—we will have some
and ours?”
indication as to where the document has gone.”
“Yes, sir.” “Why should he be missing?” asked the Euro-
“And to whom would this document be sent if pean Secretary. “He would take the letter to an
it fell into the hands of an enemy?” Embassy in London, as likely as not.”
“To any of the great Chancelleries of Europe. “I fancy not. These agents work independently,
It is probably speeding on its way thither at the and their relations with the Embassies are often
present instant as fast as steam can take it.” strained.”
Mr. Trelawney Hope dropped his head on his The Prime Minister nodded his acquiescence.
chest and groaned aloud. The Premier placed his “I believe you are right, Mr. Holmes. He would
hand kindly upon his shoulder. take so valuable a prize to head-quarters with his
own hands. I think that your course of action is an
“It is your misfortune, my dear fellow. No one
excellent one. Meanwhile, Hope, we cannot neglect
can blame you. There is no precaution which you
all our other duties on account of this one mis-
have neglected. Now, Mr. Holmes, you are in full
fortune. Should there be any fresh developments
possession of the facts. What course do you recom-
during the day we shall communicate with you,
mend?”
and you will no doubt let us know the results of
Holmes shook his head mournfully. your own inquiries.”
“You think, sir, that unless this document is The two statesmen bowed and walked gravely
recovered there will be war?” from the room.

569
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

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 Hammersmith. From ten o’clock onwards
the morning paper and was immersed in a sen- Mr. Lucas had the house to himself. What
sational crime which had occurred in London the occurred during that time has not yet tran-
night before, when my friend gave an exclamation, spired, but at a quarter to twelve Police-
sprang to his feet, and laid his pipe down upon the constable Barrett, passing along Godolphin
mantelpiece. 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 of vanced into the passage and again knocked,
them has taken it, it is just possible that it has not but without reply. He then pushed open
yet passed out of his hands. After all, it is a ques- the door and entered. The room was in a
tion of money with these fellows, and I have the state of wild disorder, the furniture being
British Treasury behind me. If it’s on the market I’ll all swept to one side, and one chair lying
buy it—if it means another penny on the income- on its back in the centre. Beside this chair,
tax. It is conceivable that the fellow might hold it and still grasping one of its legs, lay the un-
back to see what bids come from this side before fortunate tenant of the house. He had been
he tries his luck on the other. There are only those stabbed to the heart and must have died in-
three capable of playing so bold a game; there are stantly. The knife with which the crime had
Oberstein, La Rothiere, and Eduardo Lucas. I will been committed was a curved Indian dag-
see each of them.” ger, plucked down from a trophy of Orien-
tal arms which adorned one of the walls.
I glanced at my morning paper.
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
the room. Mr. Eduardo Lucas was so well
“You will not see him.”
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 “Well, Watson, what do you make of this?” asked
of exultation that I realized how completely I had Holmes, after a long pause.
astonished him. He stared in amazement, and then “It is an amazing coincidence.”
snatched the paper from my hands. This was the “A coincidence! Here is one of the three men
paragraph which I had been engaged in reading whom we had named as possible actors in this
when he rose from his chair: 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 “But now the official police must know all.”
of Parliament. This small but select man- “Not at all. They know all they see at Godol-
sion has been inhabited for some years by phin Street. They know—and shall know—nothing
Mr. Eduardo Lucas, well known in soci- of Whitehall Terrace. Only we know of both events,
ety circles both on account of his charm- and can trace the relation between them. There is
ing personality and because he has the well- one obvious point which would, in any case, have
deserved reputation of being one of the best turned my suspicions against Lucas. Godolphin
amateur tenors in the country. Mr. Lucas Street, Westminster, is only a few minutes’ walk
is an unmarried man, thirty-four years of from Whitehall Terrace. The other secret agents
age, and his establishment consists of Mrs. whom I have named live in the extreme West-end.
Pringle, an elderly housekeeper, and of Mit- It was easier, therefore, for Lucas than for the oth-
ton, his valet. The former retires early and ers to establish a connection or receive a message

570
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

from the European Secretary’s household—a small to tell me exactly what has happened and what
thing, and yet where events are compressed into it will lead to. Tell me all, Mr. Holmes. Let no
a few hours it may prove essential. Halloa! what regard for your client’s interests keep you silent,
have we here?” for I assure you that his interests, if he would only
Mrs. Hudson had appeared with a lady’s card see it, would be best served by taking me into his
upon her salver. Holmes glanced at it, raised his complete confidence. What was this paper which
eyebrows, and handed it over to me. was stolen?”
“Ask Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope if she will be “Madam, what you ask me is really impossible.”
kind enough to step up,” said he. She groaned and sank her face in her hands.
A moment later our modest apartment, already “You must see that this is so, madam. If your
so distinguished that morning, was further hon- husband thinks fit to keep you in the dark over this
oured by the entrance of the most lovely woman matter, is it for me, who has only learned the true
in London. I had often heard of the beauty of facts under the pledge of professional secrecy, to
the youngest daughter of the Duke of Belminster, tell what he has withheld? It is not fair to ask it. It
but no description of it, and no contemplation of is him whom you must ask.”
colourless photographs, had prepared me for the “I have asked him. I come to you as a last
subtle, delicate charm and the beautiful colouring resource. But without your telling me anything
of that exquisite head. And yet as we saw it that au- definite, Mr. Holmes, you may do a great service if
tumn morning, it was not its beauty which would you would enlighten me on one point.”
be the first thing to impress the observer. The “What is it, madam?”
cheek was lovely, but it was paled with emotion; the
“Is my husband’s political career likely to suffer
eyes were bright, but it was the brightness of fever;
through this incident?”
the sensitive mouth was tight and drawn in an ef-
fort after self-command. Terror—not beauty—was “Well, madam, unless it is set right it may cer-
what sprang first to the eye as our fair visitor stood tainly have a very unfortunate effect.”
framed for an instant in the open door. “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-
pression which my husband dropped in the first
“Mr. Holmes, I implore you not to tell him that
shock of this disaster I understood that terrible pub-
I came here.” Holmes bowed coldly, and motioned
lic consequences might arise from the loss of this
the lady to a chair.
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
what you desire; but I fear that I cannot make any “Of what nature are they?”
unconditional promise.” “Nay, madam, there again you ask me more
than I can possibly answer.”
She swept across the room and seated herself
with her back to the window. It was a queenly “Then I will take up no more of your time. I
presence—tall, graceful, and intensely womanly. cannot blame you, Mr. Holmes, for having refused
to speak more freely, and you on your side will not,
“Mr. Holmes,” she said, and her white-gloved
I am sure, think the worse of me because I desire,
hands clasped and unclasped as she spoke—“I will
even against his will, to share my husband’s anxi-
speak frankly to you in the hope that it may induce
eties. Once more I beg that you will say nothing of
you to speak frankly in return. There is complete
my visit.” She looked back at us from the door, and
confidence between my husband and me on all
I had a last impression of that beautiful haunted
matters save one. That one is politics. On this his
face, the startled eyes, and the drawn mouth. Then
lips are sealed. He tells me nothing. Now, I am
she was gone.
aware that there was a most deplorable occurrence
in our house last night. I know that a paper has “Now, Watson, the fair sex is your department,”
disappeared. But because the matter is political my said Holmes, with a smile, when the dwindling
husband refuses to take me into his complete con- frou-frou of skirts had ended in the slam of the
fidence. Now it is essential—essential, I say—that front door. “What was the fair lady’s game? What
I should thoroughly understand it. You are the did she really want?”
only other person, save only these politicians, who “Surely her own statement is clear and her anx-
knows the true facts. I beg you, then, Mr. Holmes, iety very natural.”

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 The Adventure of the Second Stain

“Hum! Think of her appearance, Watson—her was discovered among the documents which filled
manner, her suppressed excitement, her restless- his drawers. As to his relations with women, they
ness, her tenacity in asking questions. Remember appeared to have been promiscuous but superficial.
that she comes of a caste who do not lightly show He had many acquaintances among them, but few
emotion.” friends, and no one whom he loved. His habits
“She was certainly much moved.” were regular, his conduct inoffensive. His death
was an absolute mystery, and likely to remain so.
“Remember also the curious earnestness with
As to the arrest of John Mitton, the valet, it was
which she assured us that it was best for her hus-
a counsel of despair as an alternative to absolute in-
band that she should know all. What did she mean
action. But no case could be sustained against him.
by that? And you must have observed, Watson,
He had visited friends in Hammersmith that night.
how she manoeuvred to have the light at her back.
The alibi was complete. It is true that he started
She did not wish us to read her expression.”
home at an hour which should have brought him
“Yes; she chose the one chair in the room.” to Westminster before the time when the crime was
“And yet the motives of women are so in- discovered, but his own explanation that he had
scrutable. You remember the woman at Margate walked part of the way seemed probable enough
whom I suspected for the same reason. No powder in view of the fineness of the night. He had ac-
on her nose—that proved to be the correct solution. tually arrived at twelve o’clock, and appeared to
How can you build on such a quicksand? Their be overwhelmed by the unexpected tragedy. He
most trivial action may mean volumes, or their had always been on good terms with his master.
most extraordinary conduct may depend upon a Several of the dead man’s possessions—notably a
hairpin or a curling-tongs. Good morning, Wat- small case of razors—had been found in the valet’s
son.” boxes, but he explained that they had been presents
from the deceased, and the housekeeper was able
“You are off?”
to corroborate the story. Mitton had been in Lucas’s
“Yes; I will wile away the morning at Godolphin employment for three years. It was noticeable that
Street with our friends of the regular establishment. Lucas did not take Mitton on the Continent with
With Eduardo Lucas lies the solution of our prob- him. Sometimes he visited Paris for three months
lem, though I must admit that I have not an inkling on end, but Mitton was left in charge of the Godol-
as to what form it may take. It is a capital mistake phin Street house. As to the housekeeper, she had
to theorize in advance of the facts. Do you stay heard nothing on the night of the crime. If her
on guard, my good Watson, and receive any fresh master had a visitor he had himself admitted him.
visitors. I’ll join you at lunch if I am able.” So for three mornings the mystery remained, so
All that day and the next and the next Holmes far as I could follow it in the papers. If Holmes
was in a mood which his friends would call taciturn, knew more he kept his own counsel, but, as he
and others morose. He ran out and ran in, smoked told me that Inspector Lestrade had taken him into
incessantly, played snatches on his violin, sank into his confidence in the case, I knew that he was in
reveries, devoured sandwiches at irregular hours, close touch with every development. Upon the
and hardly answered the casual questions which I fourth day there appeared a long telegram from
put to him. It was evident to me that things were Paris which seemed to solve the whole question.
not going well with him or his quest. He would say A discovery has just been made by the
nothing of the case, and it was from the papers that Parisian police [said the Daily Telegraph]
I learned the particulars of the inquest, and the ar- which raises the veil which hung round the
rest with the subsequent release of John Mitton, the tragic fate of Mr. Eduardo Lucas, who met
valet of the deceased. The coroner’s jury brought his death by violence last Monday night at
in the obvious “Wilful Murder,” but the parties Godolphin Street, Westminster. Our read-
remained as unknown as ever. No motive was sug- ers will remember that the deceased gentle-
gested. The room was full of articles of value, but man was found stabbed in his room, and
none had been taken. The dead man’s papers had that some suspicion attached to his valet,
not been tampered with. They were carefully ex- but that the case broke down on an alibi.
amined, and showed that he was a keen student of Yesterday a lady, who has been known as
international politics, an indefatigable gossip, a re- Mme. Henri Fournaye, occupying a small
markable linguist, and an untiring letter-writer. He villa in the Rue Austerlitz, was reported
had been on intimate terms with the leading politi- to the authorities by her servants as being
cians of several countries. But nothing sensational insane. An examination showed that she

572
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

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

573
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

“And yet you have sent for me?” I could see from Holmes’s rigid face that he was
“Ah, yes, that’s another matter—a mere trifle, vibrating with inward excitement.
but the sort of thing you take an interest in—queer, “Look here, Lestrade,” said he, “has that con-
you know, and what you might call freakish. It has stable in the passage been in charge of the place all
nothing to do with the main fact—can’t have, on the time?”
the face of it.” “Yes, he has.”
“What is it, then?” “Well, take my advice. Examine him carefully.
“Well, you know, after a crime of this sort we are Don’t do it before us. We’ll wait here. You take
very careful to keep things in their position. Noth- him into the back room. You’ll be more likely to
ing has been moved. Officer in charge here day and get a confession out of him alone. Ask him how he
night. This morning, as the man was buried and dared to admit people and leave them alone in this
the investigation over—so far as this room is con- room. Don’t ask him if he has done it. Take it for
cerned—we thought we could tidy up a bit. This granted. Tell him you know someone has been here.
carpet. You see, it is not fastened down; only just Press him. Tell him that a full confession is his only
laid there. We had occasion to raise it. We found—” chance of forgiveness. Do exactly what I tell you!”
“Yes? You found—” “By George, if he knows I’ll have it out of him!”
cried Lestrade. He darted into the hall, and a few
Holmes’s face grew tense with anxiety.
moments later his bullying voice sounded from the
“Well, I’m sure you would never guess in a hun- back room.
dred years what we did find. You see that stain on
“Now, Watson, now!” cried Holmes, with fren-
the carpet? Well, a great deal must have soaked
zied eagerness. All the demoniacal force of the
through, must it not?”
man masked behind that listless manner burst out
“Undoubtedly it must.” 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
beneath it. One turned sideways as he dug his
“No stain! But there must—”
nails into the edge of it. It hinged back like the lid
“Yes; so you would say. But the fact remains of a box. A small black cavity opened beneath it.
that there isn’t.” Holmes plunged his eager hand into it, and drew it
He took the corner of the carpet in his hand out with a bitter snarl of anger and disappointment.
and, turning it over, he showed that it was indeed It was empty.
as he said. “Quick, Watson, quick! Get it back again!” The
“But the underside is as stained as the upper. It wooden lid was replaced, and the drugget had only
must have left a mark.” just been drawn straight when Lestrade’s voice was
heard in the passage. He found Holmes leaning
Lestrade chuckled with delight at having puz-
languidly against the mantelpiece, resigned and
zled the famous expert.
patient, endeavouring to conceal his irrepressible
“Now I’ll show you the explanation. There is a yawns.
second stain, but it does not correspond with the “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Holmes. I can
other. See for yourself.” As he spoke he turned see that you are bored to death with the whole
over another portion of the carpet, and there, sure affair. Well, he has confessed, all right. Come in
enough, was a great crimson spill upon the square here, MacPherson. Let these gentlemen hear of
white facing of the old-fashioned floor. “What do your most inexcusable conduct.”
you make of that, Mr. Holmes?”
The big constable, very hot and penitent, sidled
“Why, it is simple enough. The two stains into the room.
did correspond, but the carpet has been turned
round. As it was square and unfastened it was “I meant no harm, sir, I’m sure. The young
easily done.” woman came to the door last evening—mistook
the house, she did. And then we got talking. It’s
“The official police don’t need you, Mr. Holmes, lonesome, when you’re on duty here all day.”
to tell them that the carpet must have been turned
round. That’s clear enough, for the stains lie above “Well, what happened then?”
each other—if you lay it over this way. But what I “She wanted to see where the crime was
want to know is, who shifted the carpet, and why?” done—had read about it in the papers, she said. She

574
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

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

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 The Adventure of the Second Stain

“Come, come, madam, it is useless. Give up the He rang the bell. The butler entered.
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 my “Still a quarter of an hour,” said he. “Very good,
earnest efforts to avoid a scandal will be frustrated. I shall wait.”
Give up the letter and all will be set right. If you The butler had hardly closed the door behind
will work with me I can arrange everything. If you him when Lady Hilda was down on her knees at
work against me I must expose you.” Holmes’s feet, her hands out-stretched, her beauti-
She stood grandly defiant, a queenly figure, her ful 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 would
manly thing, Mr. Holmes, to come here and brow- break his noble heart.”
beat a woman. You say that you know something. Holmes raised the lady. “I am thankful, madam,
What is it that you know?” that you have come to your senses even at this last
“Pray sit down, madam. You will hurt yourself moment! There is not an instant to lose. Where is
there if you fall. I will not speak until you sit down. the letter?”
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 had
“One is enough, Lady Hilda. I know of your never seen it!”
visit to Eduardo Lucas, of your giving him this doc-
ument, of your ingenious return to the room last “How can we return it?” Holmes muttered.
night, and of the manner in which you took the “Quick, quick, we must think of some way! Where
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
cried, at last. A moment later she had appeared with a red
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
be useful,” said he. “The policeman has recognised
with papers. Holmes thrust the blue envelope deep
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
bring trouble to you. My duty ends when I have re- you, Lady Hilda. In return you will spend the
turned the lost letter to your husband. Take my ad- time in telling me frankly the real meaning of this
vice and be frank with me; it is your only chance.” extraordinary affair.”
Her courage was admirable. Even now she “Mr. Holmes, I will tell you everything,” cried
would not own defeat. the lady. “Oh, Mr. Holmes, I would cut off my right
“I tell you again, Mr. Holmes, that you are under hand before I gave him a moment of sorrow! There
some absurd illusion.” is no woman in all London who loves her husband
as I do, and yet if he knew how I have acted—how
Holmes rose from his chair. I have been compelled to act—he would never for-
“I am sorry for you, Lady Hilda. I have done give me. For his own honour stands so high that he
my best for you; I can see that it is all in vain.” could not forget or pardon a lapse in another. Help

576
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

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

577
 The Adventure of the Second Stain

“But why should anyone take it in order to keep will satisfy you, it shall be done. Thank you, Ja-
it in his house?” cobs; put it here. I have always had the key on my
“I am not convinced that anyone did take it.” watch-chain. Here are the papers, you see. Letter
from Lord Merrow, report from Sir Charles Hardy,
“Then how could it leave the despatch-box?” memorandum from Belgrade, note on the Russo-
“I am not convinced that it ever did leave the German grain taxes, letter from Madrid, note from
despatch-box.” Lord Flowers—good heavens! what is this? Lord
Bellinger! Lord Bellinger!”
“Mr. Holmes, this joking is very ill-timed. You
have my assurance that it left the box.” The Premier snatched the blue envelope from
his hand.
“Have you examined the box since Tuesday
morning?” “Yes, it is it—and the letter is intact. Hope, I
congratulate you.”
“No; it was not necessary.”
“Thank you! Thank you! What a weight from
“You may conceivably have overlooked it.” my heart. But this is inconceivable—impossible.
“Impossible, I say.” Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard, a sorcerer! How did
you know it was there?”
“But I am not convinced of it; I have known
such things to happen. I presume there are other “Because I knew it was nowhere else.”
papers there. Well, it may have got mixed with “I cannot believe my eyes!” He ran wildly to the
them.” door. “Where is my wife? I must tell her that all
“It was on the top.” is well. Hilda! Hilda!” we heard his voice on the
stairs.
“Someone may have shaken the box and dis-
placed it.” The Premier looked at Holmes with twinkling
eyes.
“No, no; I had everything out.”
“Come, sir,” said he. “There is more in this than
“Surely it is easily decided, Hope,” said the meets the eye. How came the letter back in the
Premier. “Let us have the despatch-box brought box?”
in.”
Holmes turned away smiling from the keen
The Secretary rang the bell. scrutiny of those wonderful eyes.
“Jacobs, bring down my despatch-box. This is “We also have our diplomatic secrets,” said he,
a farcical waste of time, but still, if nothing else and picking up his hat he turned to the door.

578
The Hound of the Baskervilles
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

Table of contents
Mr. Sherlock Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583
The Curse of the Baskervilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586
The Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590
Sir Henry Baskerville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 594
Three Broken Threads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600
Baskerville Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604
The Stapletons of Merripit House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608
First Report of Dr. Watson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 614
Second Report of Dr. Watson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617
Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625
The Man on the Tor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629
Death on the Moor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634
Fixing the Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639
The Hound of the Baskervilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 644
A Retrospection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649

581
 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 break- counts which you have been so good as to give of
fast table. I stood upon the hearth-rug and picked my own small achievements you have habitually
up the stick which our visitor had left behind him underrated your own abilities. It may be that you
the night before. It was a fine, thick piece of wood, are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor
bulbous-headed, of the sort which is known as a of light. Some people without possessing genius
“Penang lawyer.” Just under the head was a broad have a remarkable power of stimulating it. I con-
silver band nearly an inch across. “To James Mor- fess, my dear fellow, that I am very much in your
timer, M.R.C.S., from his friends of the C.C.H.,” was debt.”
engraved upon it, with the date “1884.” It was just He had never said as much before, and I must
such a stick as the old-fashioned family practitioner admit that his words gave me keen pleasure, for
used to carry—dignified, solid, and reassuring. I had often been piqued by his indifference to my
“Well, Watson, what do you make of it?” admiration and to the attempts which I had made
to give publicity to his methods. I was proud, too,
Holmes was sitting with his back to me, and I
to think that I had so far mastered his system as to
had given him no sign of my occupation.
apply it in a way which earned his approval. He
“How did you know what I was doing? I believe now took the stick from my hands and examined it
you have eyes in the back of your head.” for a few minutes with his naked eyes. Then with
“I have, at least, a well-polished, silver-plated an expression of interest he laid down his cigarette,
coffee-pot in front of me,” said he. “But, tell me, and carrying the cane to the window, he looked
Watson, what do you make of our visitor’s stick? over it again with a convex lens.
Since we have been so unfortunate as to miss him “Interesting, though elementary,” said he as
and have no notion of his errand, this accidental he returned to his favourite corner of the settee.
souvenir becomes of importance. Let me hear you “There are certainly one or two indications upon
reconstruct the man by an examination of it.” the stick. It gives us the basis for several deduc-
tions.”
“I think,” said I, following as far as I could the
methods of my companion, “that Dr. Mortimer is “Has anything escaped me?” I asked with some
a successful, elderly medical man, well-esteemed self-importance. “I trust that there is nothing of
since those who know him give him this mark of consequence which I have overlooked?”
their appreciation.” “I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of your
“Good!” said Holmes. “Excellent!” conclusions were erroneous. When I said that you
stimulated me I meant, to be frank, that in noting
“I think also that the probability is in favour of your fallacies I was occasionally guided towards
his being a country practitioner who does a great the truth. Not that you are entirely wrong in this in-
deal of his visiting on foot.” stance. The man is certainly a country practitioner.
“Why so?” And he walks a good deal.”
“Because this stick, though originally a very “Then I was right.”
handsome one has been so knocked about that I “To that extent.”
can hardly imagine a town practitioner carrying it. “But that was all.”
The thick-iron ferrule is worn down, so it is evident “No, no, my dear Watson, not all—by no means
that he has done a great amount of walking with all. I would suggest, for example, that a presen-
it.” tation to a doctor is more likely to come from a
“Perfectly sound!” said Holmes. hospital than from a hunt, and that when the ini-
tials ‘C.C.’ are placed before that hospital the words
“And then again, there is the ‘friends of the
‘Charing Cross’ very naturally suggest themselves.”
C.C.H.’ I should guess that to be the Something
Hunt, the local hunt to whose members he has pos- “You may be right.”
sibly given some surgical assistance, and which has “The probability lies in that direction. And if
made him a small presentation in return.” we take this as a working hypothesis we have a

583
 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-
sion?’ Corresponding member of the
“Do none suggest themselves? You know my
Swedish Pathological Society. Author of
methods. Apply them!”
‘Some Freaks of Atavism’ (Lancet 1882).
“I can only think of the obvious conclusion that ‘Do We Progress?’ (Journal of Psychol-
the man has practised in town before going to the ogy, March, 1883). Medical Officer for
country.” the parishes of Grimpen, Thorsley, and
High Barrow.”
“I think that we might venture a little farther
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 at I am fairly justified in my inferences. As to the
the moment when Dr. Mortimer withdrew from the adjectives, I said, if I remember right, amiable, un-
service of the hospital in order to start in practice ambitious, and absent-minded. It is my experience
for himself. We know there has been a presentation. that it is only an amiable man in this world who re-
We believe there has been a change from a town ceives testimonials, only an unambitious one who
hospital to a country practice. Is it, then, stretching abandons a London career for the country, and
our inference too far to say that the presentation only an absent-minded one who leaves his stick
was on the occasion of the change?” and not his visiting-card after waiting an hour in
your room.”
“It certainly seems probable.”
“And the dog?”
“Now, you will observe that he could not have “Has been in the habit of carrying this stick be-
been on the staff of the hospital, since only a man hind his master. Being a heavy stick the dog has
well-established in a London practice could hold held it tightly by the middle, and the marks of his
such a position, and such a one would not drift into teeth are very plainly visible. The dog’s jaw, as
the country. What was he, then? If he was in the shown in the space between these marks, is too
hospital and yet not on the staff he could only have broad in my opinion for a terrier and not broad
been a house-surgeon or a house-physician—little enough for a mastiff. It may have been—yes, by
more than a senior student. And he left five years Jove, it is a curly-haired spaniel.”
ago—the date is on the stick. So your grave, middle- He had risen and paced the room as he spoke.
aged family practitioner vanishes into thin air, my Now he halted in the recess of the window. There
dear Watson, and there emerges a young fellow was such a ring of conviction in his voice that I
under thirty, amiable, unambitious, absent-minded, glanced up in surprise.
and the possessor of a favourite dog, which I should
describe roughly as being larger than a terrier and “My dear fellow, how can you possibly be so
smaller than a mastiff.” sure of that?”
“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
leaned back in his settee and blew little wavering ring of its owner. Don’t move, I beg you, Watson.
rings of smoke up to the ceiling. He is a professional brother of yours, and your
presence may be of assistance to me. Now is the
“As to the latter part, I have no means of check-
dramatic 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

584
 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 orna-
and sparkling brightly from behind a pair of gold- ment to any anthropological museum. It is not my
rimmed glasses. He was clad in a professional but intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I covet
rather slovenly fashion, for his frock-coat was dingy your skull.”
and his trousers frayed. Though young, his long Sherlock Holmes waved our strange visitor into
back was already bowed, and he walked with a for- a chair. “You are an enthusiast in your line of
ward thrust of his head and a general air of peering thought, I perceive, sir, as I am in mine,” said he.
benevolence. As he entered his eyes fell upon the “I observe from your forefinger that you make your
stick in Holmes’s hand, and he ran towards it with own cigarettes. Have no hesitation in lighting one.”
an exclamation of joy. “I am so very glad,” said he.
“I was not sure whether I had left it here or in the The man drew out paper and tobacco and
Shipping Office. I would not lose that stick for the twirled the one up in the other with surprising
world.” dexterity. He had long, quivering fingers as agile
and restless as the antennae of an insect.
“A presentation, I see,” said Holmes.
“Yes, sir.” Holmes was silent, but his little darting glances
showed me the interest which he took in our curi-
“From Charing Cross Hospital?” ous companion.
“From one or two friends there on the occasion
“I presume, sir,” said he at last, “that it was not
of my marriage.”
merely for the purpose of examining my skull that
“Dear, dear, that’s bad!” said Holmes, shaking you have done me the honour to call here last night
his head. and again to-day?”
Dr. Mortimer blinked through his glasses in “No, sir, no; though I am happy to have had the
mild astonishment. opportunity of doing that as well. I came to you,
“Why was it bad?” Mr. Holmes, because I recognized that I am my-
“Only that you have disarranged our little de- self an unpractical man and because I am suddenly
ductions. Your marriage, you say?” confronted with a most serious and extraordinary
“Yes, sir. I married, and so left the hospital, and problem. Recognizing, as I do, that you are the
with it all hopes of a consulting practice. It was second highest expert in Europe—”
necessary to make a home of my own.” “Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour
“Come, come, we are not so far wrong, after all,” to be the first?” asked Holmes with some asperity.
said Holmes. “And now, Dr. James Mortimer—” “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
am addressing and not—” that you stand alone. I trust, sir, that I have not
“No, this is my friend Dr. Watson.” inadvertently—”
“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.”

585
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

CHAPTER II.
The Curse of the Baskervilles

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

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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-
that he could scarce speak, but at last he ken men for the rest of their days.
said that he had indeed seen the unhappy “Such is the tale, my sons, of the coming
maiden, with the hounds upon her track. of the hound which is said to have plagued
‘But I have seen more than that,’ said he, the family so sorely ever since. If I have set

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

it down it is because that which is clearly grandeur of his line. Sir Charles, as is well
known hath less terror than that which is known, made large sums of money in South
but hinted at and guessed. Nor can it be African speculation. More wise than those
denied that many of the family have been who go on until the wheel turns against
unhappy in their deaths, which have been them, he realized his gains and returned to
sudden, bloody, and mysterious. Yet may England with them. It is only two years
we shelter ourselves in the infinite good- since he took up his residence at Baskerville
ness of Providence, which would not for- Hall, and it is common talk how large were
ever punish the innocent beyond that third those schemes of reconstruction and im-
or fourth generation which is threatened in provement which have been interrupted by
Holy Writ. To that Providence, my sons, I his death. Being himself childless, it was
hereby commend you, and I counsel you by his openly expressed desire that the whole
way of caution to forbear from crossing the country-side should, within his own life-
moor in those dark hours when the powers time, profit by his good fortune, and many
of evil are exalted. 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 those rumours to which local supersti-
of his cigarette into the fire. tion has given rise. There is no reason
whatever to suspect foul play, or to imag-
“Well?” said he.
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
some ways of an eccentric habit of mind. In
Dr. Mortimer drew a folded newspaper out of
spite of his considerable wealth he was sim-
his pocket.
ple in his personal tastes, and his indoor
“Now, Mr. Holmes, we will give you something servants at Baskerville Hall consisted of a
a little more recent. This is the Devon County Chron- married couple named Barrymore, the hus-
icle of May 14th of this year. It is a short account band acting as butler and the wife as house-
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
these days of nouveaux riches it is refresh- May Sir Charles had declared his inten-
ing to find a case where the scion of an old tion of starting next day for London, and
county family which has fallen upon evil had ordered Barrymore to prepare his lug-
days is able to make his own fortune and to gage. That night he went out as usual for
bring it back with him to restore the fallen his nocturnal walk, in the course of which

588
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

CHAPTER III.
The Problem

I confess at these words a shudder passed “As clearly as I see you.”

through me. There was a thrill in the doctor’s voice “And you said nothing?”
which showed that he was himself deeply moved “What was the use?”
by that which he told us. Holmes leaned forward
“How was it that no one else saw it?”
in his excitement and his eyes had the hard, dry
glitter which shot from them when he was keenly “The marks were some twenty yards from the
interested. body and no one gave them a thought. I don’t
suppose I should have done so had I not known
“You saw this?” this legend.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“There are many sheep-dogs on the moor?” “And what marks did you see by the wicket-
“No doubt, but this was no sheep-dog.” gate?”
“None in particular.”
“You say it was large?”
“Good heaven! Did no one examine?”
“Enormous.”
“Yes, I examined myself.”
“But it had not approached the body?” “And found nothing?”
“No.“ “It was all very confused. Sir Charles had evi-
“What sort of night was it?” dently stood there for five or ten minutes.”
“Damp and raw.” “How do you know that?”
“Because the ash had twice dropped from his
“But not actually raining?”
cigar.”
“No.” “Excellent! This is a colleague, Watson, after
“What is the Alley like?” our own heart. But the marks?”
“There are two lines of old yew hedge, twelve “He had left his own marks all over that small
feet high and impenetrable. The walk in the centre patch of gravel. I could discern no others.”
is about eight feet across.” Sherlock Holmes struck his hand against his
knee with an impatient gesture.
“Is there anything between the hedges and the
walk?” “If I had only been there!” he cried. “It is ev-
idently a case of extraordinary interest, and one
“Yes, there is a strip of grass about six feet broad which presented immense opportunities to the sci-
on either side.” entific expert. That gravel page upon which I might
“I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated have read so much has been long ere this smudged
at one point by a gate?” by the rain and defaced by the clogs of curious
“Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the peasants. Oh, Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Mortimer, to think
moor.” that you should not have called me in! You 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?”
“I did not positively say so.”
“No; he lay about fifty yards from it.”
“No, but you evidently think it.”
“Now, tell me, Dr. Mortimer—and this is impor-
“Since the tragedy, Mr. Holmes, there have come
tant—the marks which you saw were on the path
to my ears several incidents which are hard to rec-
and not on the grass?”
oncile with the settled order of Nature.”
“No marks could show on the grass.” “For example?”
“Were they on the same side of the path as the “I find that before the terrible event occurred
moor-gate?” 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 known
to science. They all agreed that it was a huge crea-
“You interest me exceedingly. Another point.
ture, luminous, ghastly, and spectral. I have cross-
Was the wicket-gate closed?”
examined these men, one of them a hard-headed
“Closed and padlocked.” countryman, one a farrier, and one a moorland
“How high was it?” farmer, who all tell the same story of this dreadful
“About four feet high.” apparition, exactly corresponding to the hell-hound
of the legend. I assure you that there is a reign of
“Then anyone could have got over it?” terror in the district, and that it is a hardy man who
“Yes.” will cross the moor at night.”

591
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“And you, a trained man of science, believe it an evil fate. I feel sure that if Sir Charles could have
to be supernatural?” spoken with me before his death he would have
“I do not know what to believe.” warned me against bringing this, the last of the old
race, and the heir to great wealth, to that deadly
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
place. And yet it cannot be denied that the prosper-
“I have hitherto confined my investigations to ity of the whole poor, bleak country-side depends
this world,” said he. “In a modest way I have com- upon his presence. All the good work which has
bated evil, but to take on the Father of Evil himself been done by Sir Charles will crash to the ground
would, perhaps, be too ambitious a task. Yet you if there is no tenant of the Hall. I fear lest I should
must admit that the footmark is material.” be swayed too much by my own obvious interest in
“The original hound was material enough to the matter, and that is why I bring the case before
tug a man’s throat out, and yet he was diabolical you and ask for your advice.”
as well.” Holmes considered for a little time.
“I see that you have quite gone over to the su- “Put into plain words, the matter is this,” said
pernaturalists. But now, Dr. Mortimer, tell me this. he. “In your opinion there is a diabolical agency
If you hold these views, why have you come to which makes Dartmoor an unsafe abode for a
consult me at all? You tell me in the same breath Baskerville—that is your opinion?”
that it is useless to investigate Sir Charles’s death, “At least I might go the length of saying that
and that you desire me to do it.” there is some evidence that this may be so.”
“I did not say that I desired you to do it.” “Exactly. But surely, if your supernatural theory
“Then, how can I assist you?” be correct, it could work the young man evil in
“By advising me as to what I should do with 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
brought into personal contact with these things.
“Yes. On the death of Sir Charles we inquired
Your advice, then, as I understand it, is that the
for this young gentleman and found that he had
young man will be as safe in Devonshire as in Lon-
been farming in Canada. From the accounts which
don. He comes in fifty minutes. What would you
have reached us he is an excellent fellow in every
recommend?”
way. I speak not as a medical man but as a trustee
and executor of Sir Charles’s will.” “I recommend, sir, that you take a cab, call
off your spaniel who is scratching at my front
“There is no other claimant, I presume?” 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
“And then you will say nothing to him at all
Charles was the elder. The second brother, who
until I have made up my mind about the matter.”
died young, is the father of this lad Henry. The
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
Holmes, what would you advise me to do with strange, peering, absent-minded fashion. Holmes
him?” stopped him at the head of the stair.
“Why should he not go to the home of his fa- “Only one more question, Dr. Mortimer. You
thers?” say that before Sir Charles Baskerville’s death sev-
“It seems natural, does it not? And yet, consider eral people saw this apparition upon the moor?”
that every Baskerville who goes there meets with “Three people did.”

592
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Did any see it after?” powers which I possess at your expense. A gen-
“I have not heard of any.” tleman goes forth on a showery and miry day. He
returns immaculate in the evening with the gloss
“Thank you. Good morning.”
still on his hat and his boots. He has been a fixture
Holmes returned to his seat with that quiet look therefore all day. He is not a man with intimate
of inward satisfaction which meant that he had a friends. Where, then, could he have been? Is it not
congenial task before him. obvious?”
“Going out, Watson?” “Well, it is rather obvious.”
“Unless I can help you.” “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, really think that I have been?”
unique from some points of view. When you pass “A fixture also.”
Bradley’s, would you ask him to send up a pound “On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire.”
of the strongest shag tobacco? Thank you. It would “In spirit?”
be as well if you could make it convenient not to
“Exactly. My body has remained in this arm-
return before evening. Then I should be very glad
chair and has, I regret to observe, consumed in my
to compare impressions as to this most interest-
absence two large pots of coffee and an incredible
ing problem which has been submitted to us this
amount of tobacco. After you left I sent down to
morning.”
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
theories, balanced one against the other, and made “Very large.” He unrolled one section and held
up his mind as to which points were essential and it over his knee. “Here you have the particular dis-
which immaterial. I therefore spent the day at trict which concerns us. That is Baskerville Hall in
my club and did not return to Baker Street until the middle.”
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
My first impression as I opened the door was marked under that name, must stretch along this
that a fire had broken out, for the room was so filled line, with the moor, as you perceive, upon the right
with smoke that the light of the lamp upon the table of it. This small clump of buildings here is the
was blurred by it. As I entered, however, my fears hamlet of Grimpen, where our friend Dr. Mortimer
were set at rest, for it was the acrid fumes of strong has his headquarters. Within a radius of five miles
coarse tobacco which took me by the throat and there are, as you see, only a very few scattered
set me coughing. Through the haze I had a vague dwellings. Here is Lafter Hall, which was men-
vision of Holmes in his dressing-gown coiled up in tioned in the narrative. There is a house indicated
an armchair with his black clay pipe between his here which may be the residence of the natural-
lips. Several rolls of paper lay around him. ist—Stapleton, if I remember right, was his name.
Here are two moorland farm-houses, High Tor and
“Caught cold, Watson?” said he.
Foulmire. Then fourteen miles away the great con-
“No, it’s this poisonous atmosphere.” vict prison of Princetown. Between and around
“I suppose it is pretty thick, now that you men- these scattered points extends the desolate, lifeless
tion it.” moor. This, then, is the stage upon which tragedy
“Thick! It is intolerable.” has been played, and upon which we may help to
play it again.”
“Open the window, then! You have been at your
club all day, I perceive.” “It must be a wild place.”
“My dear Holmes!” “Yes, the setting is a worthy one. If the devil
did desire to have a hand in the affairs of men—”
“Am I right?”
“Then you are yourself inclining to the super-
“Certainly, but how?” natural explanation.”
He laughed at my bewildered expression. “The devil’s agents may be of flesh and blood,
“There is a delightful freshness about you, Wat- may they not? There are two questions waiting for
son, which makes it a pleasure to exercise any small us at the outset. The one is whether any crime has

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

CHAPTER IV.
Sir Henry Baskerville

Our breakfast-table was cleared early, and suit and had the weather-beaten appearance of one
Holmes waited in his dressing-gown for the who has spent most of his time in the open air, and
promised interview. Our clients were punctual yet there was something in his steady eye and the
to their appointment, for the clock had just struck quiet assurance of his bearing which indicated the
ten when Dr. Mortimer was shown up, followed gentleman.
by the young baronet. The latter was a small, alert, “This is Sir Henry Baskerville,” said Dr. Mor-
dark-eyed man about thirty years of age, very stur- timer.
dily built, with thick black eyebrows and a strong,
pugnacious face. He wore a ruddy-tinted tweed “Why, yes,” said he, “and the strange thing is,
Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that if my friend here had

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not proposed coming round to you this morning “You shall share our knowledge before you
I should have come on my own account. I under- leave this room, Sir Henry. I promise you that,”
stand that you think out little puzzles, and I’ve had said Sherlock Holmes. “We will confine ourselves
one this morning which wants more thinking out for the present with your permission to this very
than I am able to give it.” interesting document, which must have been put
“Pray take a seat, Sir Henry. Do I understand together and posted yesterday evening. Have you
you to say that you have yourself had some remark- yesterday’s Times, Watson?”
able experience since you arrived in London?” “It is here in the corner.”
“Nothing of much importance, Mr. Holmes. “Might I trouble you for it—the inside page,
Only a joke, as like as not. It was this letter, if please, with the leading articles?” He glanced
you can call it a letter, which reached me this morn- swiftly over it, running his eyes up and down the
ing.” columns. “Capital article this on free trade. Permit
He laid an envelope upon the table, and we me to give you an extract from it.
all bent over it. It was of common quality, gray- “ ‘You may be cajoled into imagining that
ish in colour. The address, “Sir Henry Baskerville, your own special trade or your own indus-
Northumberland Hotel,” was printed in rough char- try will be encouraged by a protective tar-
acters; the postmark “Charing Cross,” and the date iff, but it stands to reason that such legisla-
of posting the preceding evening. tion must in the long run keep away wealth
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 Holmes
“No one could have known. We only decided
in high glee, rubbing his hands together with sat-
after I met Dr. Mortimer.”
isfaction. “Don’t you think that is an admirable
“But Dr. Mortimer was no doubt already stop- sentiment?”
ping there?” Dr. Mortimer looked at Holmes with an air of
“No, I had been staying with a friend,” said the professional interest, and Sir Henry Baskerville
doctor. “There was no possible indication that we turned a pair of puzzled dark eyes upon me.
intended to go to this hotel.” “I don’t know much about the tariff and things
“Hum! Someone seems to be very deeply in- of that kind,” said he; “but it seems to me we’ve got
terested in your movements.” Out of the envelope a bit off the trail so far as that note is concerned.”
he took a half-sheet of foolscap paper folded into “On the contrary, I think we are particularly hot
four. This he opened and spread flat upon the table. upon the trail, Sir Henry. Watson here knows more
Across the middle of it a single sentence had been about my methods than you do, but I fear that even
formed by the expedient of pasting printed words he has not quite grasped the significance of this
upon it. It ran: 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 of
The word “moor” only was printed in ink. the other. ‘You,’ ‘your,’ ‘your,’ ‘life,’ ‘reason,’ ‘value,’
“Now,” said Sir Henry Baskerville, “perhaps ‘keep away,’ ‘from the.’ Don’t you see now whence
you will tell me, Mr. Holmes, what in thunder is 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.
“What do you make of it, Dr. Mortimer? You “If any possible doubt remained it is settled by
must allow that there is nothing supernatural about the fact that ‘keep away’ and ‘from the’ are cut out
this, at any rate?” in one piece.”
“No, sir, but it might very well come from some- “Well, now—so it is!”
one who was convinced that the business is super- “Really, Mr. Holmes, this exceeds anything
natural.” which I could have imagined,” said Dr. Mortimer,
“What business?” asked Sir Henry sharply. “It gazing at my friend in amazement. “I could under-
seems to me that all you gentlemen know a great stand anyone saying that the words were from a
deal more than I do about my own affairs.” newspaper; but that you should name which, and

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add that it came from the leading article, is really known, or come to be known, by you. Again, you
one of the most remarkable things which I have will observe that the words are not gummed on in
ever known. How did you do it?” an accurate line, but that some are much higher
“I presume, Doctor, that you could tell the skull than others. ‘Life,’ for example is quite out of its
of a negro from that of an Esquimau?” proper place. That may point to carelessness or it
may point to agitation and hurry upon the part of
“Most certainly.”
the cutter. On the whole I incline to the latter view,
“But how?” since the matter was evidently important, and it is
“Because that is my special hobby. The differ- unlikely that the composer of such a letter would
ences are obvious. The supra-orbital crest, the facial be careless. If he were in a hurry it opens up the
angle, the maxillary curve, the—” interesting question why he should be in a hurry,
“But this is my special hobby, and the differ- since any letter posted up to early morning would
ences are equally obvious. There is as much dif- reach Sir Henry before he would leave his hotel.
ference to my eyes between the leaded bourgeois Did the composer fear an interruption—and from
type of a Times article and the slovenly print of whom?”
an evening half-penny paper as there could be be- “We are coming now rather into the region of
tween your negro and your Esquimau. The detec- guesswork,” said Dr. Mortimer.
tion of types is one of the most elementary branches “Say, rather, into the region where we balance
of knowledge to the special expert in crime, though probabilities and choose the most likely. It is the sci-
I confess that once when I was very young I con- entific use of the imagination, but we have always
fused the Leeds Mercury with the Western Morning some material basis on which to start our specu-
News. But a Times leader is entirely distinctive, and lation. Now, you would call it a guess, no doubt,
these words could have been taken from nothing but I am almost certain that this address has been
else. As it was done yesterday the strong probabil- written in a hotel.”
ity was that we should find the words in yesterday’s
“How in the world can you say that?”
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 trou-
said Sir Henry Baskerville, “someone cut out this
ble. The pen has spluttered twice in a single word,
message with a scissors—”
and has run dry three times in a short address,
“Nail-scissors,” said Holmes. “You can see that showing that there was very little ink in the bottle.
it was a very short-bladed scissors, since the cutter Now, a private pen or ink-bottle is seldom allowed
had to take two snips over ‘keep away.’ ” to be in such a state, and the combination of the
“That is so. Someone, then, cut out the message two must be quite rare. But you know the hotel ink
with a pair of short-bladed scissors, pasted it with and the hotel pen, where it is rare to get anything
paste—” else. Yes, I have very little hesitation in saying that
“Gum,” said Holmes. could we examine the waste-paper baskets of the
hotels around Charing Cross until we found the
“With gum on to the paper. But I want to know remains of the mutilated Times leader we could lay
why the word ‘moor’ should have been written?” our hands straight upon the person who sent this
“Because he could not find it in print. The other singular message. Halloa! Halloa! What’s this?”
words were all simple and might be found in any
He was carefully examining the foolscap, upon
issue, but ‘moor’ would be less common.”
which the words were pasted, holding it only an
“Why, of course, that would explain it. Have inch or two from his eyes.
you read anything else in this message, Mr.
“Well?”
Holmes?”
“Nothing,” said he, throwing it down. “It is
“There are one or two indications, and yet the
a blank half-sheet of paper, without even a water-
utmost pains have been taken to remove all clues.
mark upon it. I think we have drawn as much as
The address, you observe is printed in rough char-
we can from this curious letter; and now, Sir Henry,
acters. But the Times is a paper which is seldom
has anything else of interest happened to you since
found in any hands but those of the highly edu-
you have been in London?”
cated. We may take it, therefore, that the letter was
composed by an educated man who wished to pose “Why, no, Mr. Holmes. I think not.”
as an uneducated one, and his effort to conceal his “You have not observed anyone follow or watch
own writing suggests that that writing might be you?”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“I seem to have walked right into the thick of you kept your promise and gave me a full account
a dime novel,” said our visitor. “Why in thunder of what we are all driving at.”
should anyone follow or watch me?” “Your request is a very reasonable one,” Holmes
“We are coming to that. You have nothing else answered. “Dr. Mortimer, I think you could not do
to report to us before we go into this matter?” better than to tell your story as you 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
case as he had done upon the morning before. Sir
“I think anything out of the ordinary routine of
Henry Baskerville listened with the deepest atten-
life well worth reporting.”
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
seriously before. But as to my uncle’s death—well,
“My dear sir,” cried Dr. Mortimer, “it is only
it all seems boiling up in my head, and I can’t get
mislaid. You will find it when you return to the
it clear yet. You don’t seem quite to have made up
hotel. What is the use of troubling Mr. Holmes with
your mind whether it’s a case for a policeman or a
trifles of this kind?”
clergyman.”
“Well, he asked me for anything outside the
“Precisely.”
ordinary routine.”
“And now there’s this affair of the letter to me
“Exactly,” said Holmes, “however foolish the in- at the hotel. I suppose that fits into its place.”
cident may seem. You have lost one of your boots,
“It seems to show that someone knows more
you say?”
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
“And also,” said Holmes, “that someone is not
in the morning. I could get no sense out of the
ill-disposed towards you, since they warn you of
chap who cleans them. The worst of it is that I only
danger.”
bought the pair last night in the Strand, and I have
never had them on.” “Or it may be that they wish, for their own
purposes, to scare me away.”
“If you have never worn them, why did you put
“Well, of course, that is possible also. I am very
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 be “There seems to be danger.”
squire down there I must dress the part, and it may “Do you mean danger from this family fiend or
be that I have got a little careless in my ways out do you mean danger from human beings?”
West. Among other things I bought these brown “Well, that is what we have to find out.”
boots—gave six dollars for them—and had one
“Whichever it is, my answer is fixed. There is
stolen before ever I had them on my feet.”
no devil in hell, Mr. Holmes, and there is no man
“It seems a singularly useless thing to steal,” upon earth who can prevent me from going to the
said Sherlock Holmes. “I confess that I share Dr. home of my own people, and you may take that to
Mortimer’s belief that it will not be long before the be my final answer.” His dark brows knitted and
missing boot is found.” his face flushed to a dusky red as he spoke. It was
“And, now, gentlemen,” said the baronet with evident that the fiery temper of the Baskervilles was
decision, “it seems to me that I have spoken quite not extinct in this their last representative. “Mean-
enough about the little that I know. It is time that while,” said he, “I have hardly had time to think

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over all that you have told me. It’s a big thing for screamed to the driver, and the cab flew madly off
a man to have to understand and to decide at one down Regent Street. Holmes looked eagerly round
sitting. I should like to have a quiet hour by myself for another, but no empty one was in sight. Then
to make up my mind. Now, look here, Mr. Holmes, he dashed in wild pursuit amid the stream of the
it’s half-past eleven now and I am going back right traffic, but the start was too great, and already the
away to my hotel. Suppose you and your friend, cab was out of sight.
Dr. Watson, come round and lunch with us at two. “There now!” said Holmes bitterly as he
I’ll be able to tell you more clearly then how this emerged panting and white with vexation from
thing strikes me.” the tide of vehicles. “Was ever such bad luck and
“Is that convenient to you, Watson?” such bad management, too? Watson, Watson, if you
“Perfectly.” are 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
me rather.” “A spy?”
“I’ll join you in a walk, with pleasure,” said his “Well, it was evident from what we have heard
companion. that Baskerville has been very closely shadowed by
someone since he has been in town. How else could
“Then we meet again at two o’clock. Au revoir, it be known so quickly that it was the Northum-
and good-morning!” berland Hotel which he had chosen? If they had
We heard the steps of our visitors descend the followed him the first day I argued that they would
stair and the bang of the front door. In an instant follow him also the second. You may have observed
Holmes had changed from the languid dreamer to that I twice strolled over to the window while Dr.
the man of action. Mortimer was reading his legend.”
“Your hat and boots, Watson, quick! Not a “Yes, I remember.”
moment to lose!” He rushed into his room in his “I was looking out for loiterers in the street,
dressing-gown and was back again in a few sec- but I saw none. We are dealing with a clever man,
onds in a frock-coat. We hurried together down Watson. This matter cuts very deep, and though
the stairs and into the street. Dr. Mortimer and I have not finally made up my mind whether it is
Baskerville were still visible about two hundred a benevolent or a malevolent agency which is in
yards ahead of us in the direction of Oxford Street. touch with us, I am conscious always of power and
“Shall I run on and stop them?” design. When our friends left I at once followed
“Not for the world, my dear Watson. I am per- them in the hopes of marking down their invisible
fectly satisfied with your company if you will toler- attendant. So wily was he that he had not trusted
ate mine. Our friends are wise, for it is certainly a himself upon foot, but he had availed himself of
very fine morning for a walk.” a cab so that he could loiter behind or dash past
them and so escape their notice. His method had
He quickened his pace until we had decreased the additional advantage that if they were to take a
the distance which divided us by about half. Then, cab he was all ready to follow them. It has, however,
still keeping a hundred yards behind, we followed one obvious disadvantage.”
into Oxford Street and so down Regent Street. Once
“It puts him in the power of the cabman.”
our friends stopped and stared into a shop window,
upon which Holmes did the same. An instant af- “Exactly.”
terwards he gave a little cry of satisfaction, and, “What a pity we did not get the number!”
following the direction of his eager eyes, I saw that “My dear Watson, clumsy as I have been, you
a hansom cab with a man inside which had halted surely do not seriously imagine that I neglected to
on the other side of the street was now proceeding get the number? No. 2704 is our man. But that is
slowly onward again. no use to us for the moment.”
“There’s our man, Watson! Come along! We’ll “I fail to see how you could have done more.”
have a good look at him, if we can do no more.” “On observing the cab I should have instantly
At that instant I was aware of a bushy black turned and walked in the other direction. I should
beard and a pair of piercing eyes turned upon us then at my leisure have hired a second cab and
through the side window of the cab. Instantly followed the first at a respectful distance, or, better
the trapdoor at the top flew up, something was still, have driven to the Northumberland Hotel and

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

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 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 mod- he that he was hardly articulate, and when he did
ern Belgian masters. He would talk of nothing but speak it was in a much broader and more Western
art, of which he had the crudest ideas, from our dialect than any which we had heard from him in
leaving the gallery until we found ourselves at the the morning.
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 started
you,” said the clerk. “He asked me to show you up in to monkey with the wrong man unless they are
at once when you came.” careful. By thunder, if that chap can’t find my miss-
ing boot there will be trouble. I can take a joke with
“Have you any objection to my looking at your
the best, Mr. Holmes, but they’ve got a bit over the
register?” said Holmes.
mark this time.”
“Not in the least.” “Still looking for your boot?”
The book showed that two names had been “Yes, sir, and mean to find it.”
added after that of Baskerville. One was
“But, surely, you said that it was a new brown
Theophilus Johnson and family, of Newcastle; the
boot?”
other Mrs. Oldmore and maid, of High Lodge, Al-
ton. “So it was, sir. And now it’s an old black one.”
“What! you don’t mean to say—?”
“Surely that must be the same Johnson whom
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.
Last night they took one of my brown ones, and
“No, sir; this is Mr. Johnson, the coal-owner, a to-day they have sneaked one of the black. Well,
very active gentleman, not older than yourself.” have you got it? Speak out, man, and don’t stand
“Surely you are mistaken about his trade?” 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 another.” “Well, either that boot comes back before sun-
“She is an invalid lady, sir. Her husband was down or I’ll see the manager and tell him that I go
once mayor of Gloucester. She always comes to us right straight out of this hotel.”
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-
quaintance. We have established a most important “Mind it is, for it’s the last thing of mine that I’ll
fact by these questions, Watson,” he continued in a lose in this den of thieves. Well, well, Mr. Holmes,
low voice as we went upstairs together. “We know you’ll excuse my troubling you about such a tri-
now that the people who are so interested in our fle—”
friend have not settled down in his own hotel. That “I think it’s well worth troubling about.”
means that while they are, as we have seen, very “Why, you look very serious over it.”
anxious to watch him, they are equally anxious “How do you explain it?”
that he should not see them. Now, this is a most
“I just don’t attempt to explain it. It seems the
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 capi- tions now. So far as I know, he and his wife are as
tal 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 in “At the same time,” said Baskerville, “it’s clear
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 was “Did Barrymore profit at all by Sir Charles’s
said of the business which had brought us together. will?” asked Holmes.
It was in the private sitting-room to which we af- “He and his wife had five hundred pounds
terwards repaired that Holmes asked Baskerville each.”
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 your
“I hope,” said Dr. Mortimer, “that you do not
decision is a wise one. I have ample evidence that
look with suspicious eyes upon everyone who re-
you are being dogged in London, and amid the mil-
ceived a legacy from Sir Charles, for I also had a
lions of this great city it is difficult to discover who
thousand pounds left to me.”
these people are or what their object can be. If their
intentions are evil they might do you a mischief, “Indeed! And anyone else?”
and we should be powerless to prevent it. You did “There were many insignificant sums to individ-
not know, Dr. Mortimer, that you were followed uals, and a large number of public charities. The
this morning from my house?” residue all went to Sir Henry.”
Dr. Mortimer started violently. “And how much was the residue?”
“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 acquaintances he.
on Dartmoor any man with a black, full beard?”
“Sir Charles had the reputation of being rich,
“No—or, let me see—why, yes. Barrymore, Sir but we did not know how very rich he was until
Charles’s butler, is a man with a full, black beard.” we came to examine his securities. The total value
“Ha! Where is Barrymore?” of the estate was close on to a million.”
“Dear me! It is a stake for which a man might
“He is in charge of the Hall.”
well play a desperate game. And one more ques-
“We had best ascertain if he is really there, or if tion, Dr. Mortimer. Supposing that anything hap-
by any possibility he might be in London.” pened to our young friend here—you will forgive
“How can you do that?” the unpleasant hypothesis!—who would inherit the
estate?”
“Give me a telegraph form. ‘Is all ready for Sir
Henry?’ That will do. Address to Mr. Barrymore, “Since Rodger Baskerville, Sir Charles’s younger
Baskerville Hall. What is the nearest telegraph- brother died unmarried, the estate would descend
office? Grimpen. Very good, we will send a second to the Desmonds, who are distant cousins. James
wire to the postmaster, Grimpen: ‘Telegram to Mr. Desmond is an elderly clergyman in Westmore-
Barrymore to be delivered into his own hand. If land.”
absent, please return wire to Sir Henry Baskerville, “Thank you. These details are all of great inter-
Northumberland Hotel.’ That should let us know est. Have you met Mr. James Desmond?”
before evening whether Barrymore is at his post in “Yes; he once came down to visit Sir Charles.
Devonshire or not.” He is a man of venerable appearance and of saintly

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

life. I remember that he refused to accept any settle- “Well, now, that is real kind of you, Dr. Watson,”
ment from Sir Charles, though he pressed it upon said he. “You see how it is with me, and you know
him.” just as much about the matter as I do. If you will
“And this man of simple tastes would be the come down to Baskerville Hall and see me through
heir to Sir Charles’s thousands.” I’ll never forget it.”
“He would be the heir to the estate because The promise of adventure had always a fascina-
that is entailed. He would also be the heir to tion for me, and I was complimented by the words
the money unless it were willed otherwise by the of Holmes and by the eagerness with which the
present owner, who can, of course, do what he likes baronet hailed me as a companion.
with it.” “I will come, with pleasure,” said I. “I do not
“And have you made your will, Sir Henry?” 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,” said
for it was only yesterday that I learned how matters Holmes. “When a crisis comes, as it will do, I will
stood. But in any case I feel that the money should direct how you shall act. I suppose that by Saturday
go with the title and estate. That was my poor all might be ready?”
uncle’s idea. How is the owner going to restore “Would that suit Dr. Watson?”
the glories of the Baskervilles if he has not money “Perfectly.”
enough to keep up the property? House, land, and
“Then on Saturday, unless you hear to the con-
dollars must go together.”
trary, we shall meet at the 10.30 train from Padding-
“Quite so. Well, Sir Henry, I am of one mind ton.”
with you as to the advisability of your going down We had risen to depart when Baskerville gave a
to Devonshire without delay. There is only one cry, of triumph, and diving into one of the corners
provision which I must make. You certainly must of the room he drew a brown boot from under a
not go alone.” cabinet.
“Dr. Mortimer returns with me.” “My missing boot!” he cried.
“But Dr. Mortimer has his practice to attend to, “May all our difficulties vanish as easily!” said
and his house is miles away from yours. With all Sherlock Holmes.
the good will in the world he may be unable to
help you. No, Sir Henry, you must take with you “But it is a very singular thing,” Dr. Mortimer
someone, a trusty man, who will be always by your remarked. “I searched this room carefully before
side.” lunch.”
“Is it possible that you could come yourself, Mr. “And so did I,” said Baskerville. “Every inch of
Holmes?” it.”
“There was certainly no boot in it then.”
“If matters came to a crisis I should endeavour
to be present in person; but you can understand “In that case the waiter must have placed it
that, with my extensive consulting practice and there while we were lunching.”
with the constant appeals which reach me from The German was sent for but professed to know
many quarters, it is impossible for me to be absent nothing of the matter, nor could any inquiry clear it
from London for an indefinite time. At the present up. Another item had been added to that constant
instant one of the most revered names in England and apparently purposeless series of small mys-
is being besmirched by a blackmailer, and only I teries which had succeeded each other so rapidly.
can stop a disastrous scandal. You will see how Setting aside the whole grim story of Sir Charles’s
impossible it is for me to go to Dartmoor.” death, we had a line of inexplicable incidents all
“Whom would you recommend, then?” within the limits of two days, which included the
receipt of the printed letter, the black-bearded spy
Holmes laid his hand upon my arm.
in the hansom, the loss of the new brown boot, the
“If my friend would undertake it there is no loss of the old black boot, and now the return of
man who is better worth having at your side when the new brown boot. Holmes sat in silence in the
you are in a tight place. No one can say so more cab as we drove back to Baker Street, and I knew
confidently than I.” from his drawn brows and keen face that his mind,
The proposition took me completely by surprise, like my own, was busy in endeavouring to frame
but before I had time to answer, Baskerville seized some scheme into which all these strange and ap-
me by the hand and wrung it heartily. parently disconnected episodes could be fitted. All

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

CHAPTER VI.
Baskerville Hall

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

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

Henry Baskerville, and in a few minutes we were I remembered the case well, for it was one in
flying swiftly down the broad, white road. Rolling which Holmes had taken an interest on account of
pasture lands curved upward on either side of us, the peculiar ferocity of the crime and the wanton
and old gabled houses peeped out from amid the brutality which had marked all the actions of the as-
thick green foliage, but behind the peaceful and sassin. The commutation of his death sentence had
sunlit country-side there rose ever, dark against the been due to some doubts as to his complete sanity,
evening sky, the long, gloomy curve of the moor, so atrocious was his conduct. Our wagonette had
broken by the jagged and sinister hills. topped a rise and in front of us rose the huge ex-
The wagonette swung round into a side road, panse of the moor, mottled with gnarled and craggy
and we curved upward through deep lanes worn cairns and tors. A cold wind swept down from it
by centuries of wheels, high banks on either side, and set us shivering. Somewhere there, on that des-
heavy with dripping moss and fleshy hart’s-tongue olate plain, was lurking this fiendish man, hiding
ferns. Bronzing bracken and mottled bramble in a burrow like a wild beast, his heart full of malig-
gleamed in the light of the sinking sun. Still steadily nancy against the whole race which had cast him
rising, we passed over a narrow granite bridge, and out. It needed but this to complete the grim sug-
skirted a noisy stream which gushed swiftly down, gestiveness of the barren waste, the chilling wind,
foaming and roaring amid the gray boulders. Both and the darkling sky. Even Baskerville fell silent
road and stream wound up through a valley dense and pulled his overcoat more closely around him.
with scrub oak and fir. At every turn Baskerville We had left the fertile country behind and be-
gave an exclamation of delight, looking eagerly neath us. We looked back on it now, the slanting
about him and asking countless questions. To his rays of a low sun turning the streams to threads
eyes all seemed beautiful, but to me a tinge of of gold and glowing on the red earth new turned
melancholy lay upon the country-side, which bore by the plough and the broad tangle of the wood-
so clearly the mark of the waning year. Yellow lands. The road in front of us grew bleaker and
leaves carpeted the lanes and fluttered down upon wilder over huge russet and olive slopes, sprinkled
us as we passed. The rattle of our wheels died with giant boulders. Now and then we passed a
away as we drove through drifts of rotting vegeta- moorland cottage, walled and roofed with stone,
tion—sad gifts, as it seemed to me, for Nature to with no creeper to break its harsh outline. Sud-
throw before the carriage of the returning heir of denly we looked down into a cup-like depression,
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
high, narrow towers rose over the trees. The driver
A steep curve of heath-clad land, an outlying pointed with his whip.
spur of the moor, lay in front of us. On the summit,
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 minutes
watching the road along which we travelled. later we had reached the lodge-gates, a maze of fan-
“What is this, Perkins?” asked Dr. Mortimer. tastic tracery in wrought iron, with weather-bitten
pillars on either side, blotched with lichens, and
Our driver half turned in his seat.
surmounted by the boars’ heads of the Baskervilles.
“There’s a convict escaped from Princetown, sir. The lodge was a ruin of black granite and bared ribs
He’s been out three days now, and the warders of rafters, but facing it was a new building, half
watch every road and every station, but they’ve constructed, the first fruit of Sir Charles’s South
had no sight of him yet. The farmers about here 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 convict. to where the house glimmered like a ghost at the
This is a man that would stick at nothing.” farther end.
“Who is he, then?” “Was it here?” he asked in a low voice.
“It is Selden, the Notting Hill murderer.” “No, no, the Yew Alley is on the other side.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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 in
hall was a place of shadow and gloom. It was a long a rising wind. A half moon broke through the rifts
chamber with a step separating the dais where the of racing clouds. In its cold light I saw beyond the
family sat from the lower portion reserved for their trees a broken fringe of rocks, and the long, low
dependents. At one end a minstrel’s gallery over- curve of the melancholy moor. I closed the curtain,
looked it. Black beams shot across above our heads, feeling that my last impression was in keeping with
with a smoke-darkened ceiling beyond them. With the rest.
rows of flaring torches to light it up, and the colour And yet it was not quite the last. I found myself
and rude hilarity of an old-time banquet, it might weary and yet wakeful, tossing restlessly from side
have softened; but now, when two black-clothed to side, seeking for the sleep which would not come.
gentlemen sat in the little circle of light thrown by Far away a chiming clock struck out the quarters
a shaded lamp, one’s voice became hushed and of the hours, but otherwise a deathly silence lay
one’s spirit subdued. A dim line of ancestors, in upon the old house. And then suddenly, in the very
every variety of dress, from the Elizabethan knight dead of the night, there came a sound to my ears,
to the buck of the Regency, stared down upon us clear, resonant, and unmistakable. It was the sob
and daunted us by their silent company. We talked of a woman, the muffled, strangling gasp of one
little, and I for one was glad when the meal was who is torn by an uncontrollable sorrow. I sat up in
over and we were able to retire into the modern bed and listened intently. The noise could not have
billiard-room and smoke a cigarette. been far away and was certainly in the house. For
“My word, it isn’t a very cheerful place,” said half an hour I waited with every nerve on the alert,
Sir Henry. “I suppose one can tone down to it, but but there came no other sound save the chiming
I feel a bit out of the picture at present. I don’t clock and the rustle of the ivy on the wall.

CHAPTER VII.
The Stapletons of Merripit House

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

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“We must ask about this right away.” He rang “Yes, father, I delivered it.”
the bell and asked Barrymore whether he could ac- “Into his own hands?” I asked.
count for our experience. It seemed to me that the
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
into Mrs. Barrymore’s hands, and she promised to
“There are only two women in the house, Sir deliver it at once.”
Henry,” he answered. “One is the scullery-maid,
“Did you see Mr. Barrymore?”
who sleeps in the other wing. The other is my wife,
and I can answer for it that the sound could not “No, sir; I tell you he was in the loft.”
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 was in the loft?”
that after breakfast I met Mrs. Barrymore in the “Well, surely his own wife ought to know where
long corridor with the sun full upon her face. She he is,” said the postmaster testily. “Didn’t he get
was a large, impassive, heavy-featured woman with the telegram? If there is any mistake it is for Mr.
a stern set expression of mouth. But her tell-tale 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 discovery been in London all the time. Suppose that it were
in declaring that it was not so. Why had he done so—suppose that the same man had been the last
this? And why did she weep so bitterly? Already who had seen Sir Charles alive, and the first to dog
round this pale-faced, handsome, black-bearded the new heir when he returned to England. What
man there was gathering an atmosphere of mystery then? Was he the agent of others or had he some
and of gloom. It was he who had been the first sinister design of his own? What interest could
to discover the body of Sir Charles, and we had he have in persecuting the Baskerville family? I
only his word for all the circumstances which led thought of the strange warning clipped out of the
up to the old man’s death. Was it possible that leading article of the Times. Was that his work or
it was Barrymore after all whom we had seen in was it possibly the doing of someone who was bent
the cab in Regent Street? The beard might well upon counteracting his schemes? The only conceiv-
have been the same. The cabman had described able motive was that which had been suggested
a somewhat shorter man, but such an impression by Sir Henry, that if the family could be scared
might easily have been erroneous. How could I away a comfortable and permanent home would
settle the point forever? Obviously the first thing be secured for the Barrymores. But surely such an
to do was to see the Grimpen postmaster, and find explanation as that would be quite inadequate to
whether the test telegram had really been placed account for the deep and subtle scheming which
in Barrymore’s own hands. Be the answer what it seemed to be weaving an invisible net round the
might, I should at least have something to report young baronet. Holmes himself had said that no
to Sherlock Holmes. more complex case had come to him in all the long
Sir Henry had numerous papers to examine af- series of his sensational investigations. I prayed, as
ter breakfast, so that the time was propitious for I walked back along the gray, lonely road, that my
my excursion. It was a pleasant walk of four miles friend might soon be freed from his preoccupations
along the edge of the moor, leading me at last to a and able to come down to take this heavy burden
small gray hamlet, in which two larger buildings, 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 stranger who was pursuing me. He was a small,
delivered 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
“My boy here. James, you delivered that tele- hat. A tin box for botanical specimens hung over
gram to Mr. Barrymore at the Hall last week, did his shoulder and he carried a green butterfly-net in
you not?” one of his hands.

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

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“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
the moor. You cannot think the wonderful secrets butterflies 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 least
Sir Charles settled. But my tastes led me to explore chance of your coming back alive. It is only by
every part of the country round, and I should think remembering certain complex landmarks that I am
that there are few men who know it better than I 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 was
plain to the north here with the queer hills break- impossible to say whence it came. From a dull mur-
ing out of it. Do you observe anything remarkable mur it swelled into a deep roar, and then sank back
about that?” into a melancholy, throbbing murmur once again.
“It would be a rare place for a gallop.” Stapleton looked at me with a curious expression
in his face.
“You would naturally think so and the thought
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
Baskervilles calling for its prey. I’ve heard it once
Stapleton laughed.
or twice before, but never quite so loud.”
“That is the great Grimpen Mire,” said he. “A
I looked round, with a chill of fear in my heart,
false step yonder means death to man or beast.
at the huge swelling plain, mottled with the green
Only yesterday I saw one of the moor ponies wan-
patches of rushes. Nothing stirred over the vast ex-
der into it. He never came out. I saw his head for
panse save a pair of ravens, which croaked loudly
quite a long time craning out of the bog-hole, but it
from a tor behind us.
sucked him down at last. Even in dry seasons it is
a danger to cross it, but after these autumn rains it “You are an educated man. You don’t believe
is an awful place. And yet I can find my way to the such nonsense as that?” said I. “What do you think
very heart of it and return alive. By George, there is the cause of so strange a sound?”
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 “Well, perhaps it was. Did you ever hear a
echoed over the moor. It turned me cold with bittern booming?”
horror, but my companion’s nerves seemed to be “No, I never did.”
stronger than mine.
“It’s a very rare bird—practically extinct—in
“It’s gone!” said he. “The mire has him. Two England now, but all things are possible upon the
in two days, and many more, perhaps, for they get moor. Yes, I should not be surprised to learn that
in the way of going there in the dry weather, and what we have heard is the cry of the last of the
never know the difference until the mire has them bitterns.”
in its clutches. It’s a bad place, the great Grimpen “It’s the weirdest, strangest thing that ever I
Mire.” heard in my life.”
“And you say you can penetrate it?” “Yes, it’s rather an uncanny place altogether.
“Yes, there are one or two paths which a very Look at the hill-side yonder. What do you make of
active man can take. I have found them out.” those?”
“But why should you wish to go into so horrible The whole steep slope was covered with gray
a place?” circular rings of stone, a score of them at least.

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

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

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

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

CHAPTER VIII.
First Report of Dr. Watson

From this point onward I will follow the course their graves and the huge monoliths which are sup-
of events by transcribing my own letters to Mr. Sher- posed to have marked their temples. As you look at
lock Holmes which lie before me on the table. One their gray stone huts against the scarred hill-sides
page is missing, but otherwise they are exactly as you leave your own age behind you, and if you
written and show my feelings and suspicions of the were to see a skin-clad, hairy man crawl out from
moment more accurately than my memory, clear as the low door fitting a flint-tipped arrow on to the
it is upon these tragic events, can possibly do. string of his bow, you would feel that his presence
there was more natural than your own. The strange
Baskerville Hall, October 13th. thing is that they should have lived so thickly on
My dear Holmes: what must always have been most unfruitful soil.
My previous letters and telegrams have kept you I am no antiquarian, but I could imagine that they
pretty well up to date as to all that has occurred in were some unwarlike and harried race who were
this most God-forsaken corner of the world. The forced to accept that which none other would oc-
longer one stays here the more does the spirit of cupy.
the moor sink into one’s soul, its vastness, and also All this, however, is foreign to the mission on
its grim charm. When you are once out upon its which you sent me and will probably be very unin-
bosom you have left all traces of modern England teresting to your severely practical mind. I can still
behind you, but on the other hand you are con- remember your complete indifference as to whether
scious everywhere of the homes and the work of the sun moved round the earth or the earth round
the prehistoric people. On all sides of you as you the sun. Let me, therefore, return to the facts con-
walk are the houses of these forgotten folk, with cerning Sir Henry Baskerville.

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If you have not had any report within the last to a place which is so dismal that it might have
few days it is because up to to-day there was noth- suggested the story. We found a short valley be-
ing of importance to relate. Then a very surprising tween rugged tors which led to an open, grassy
circumstance occurred, which I shall tell you in due space flecked over with the white cotton grass. In
course. But, first of all, I must keep you in touch the middle of it rose two great stones, worn and
with some of the other factors in the situation. sharpened at the upper end, until they looked like
One of these, concerning which I have said lit- the huge corroding fangs of some monstrous beast.
tle, is the escaped convict upon the moor. There is In every way it corresponded with the scene of the
strong reason now to believe that he has got right old tragedy. Sir Henry was much interested and
away, which is a considerable relief to the lonely asked Stapleton more than once whether he did
householders of this district. A fortnight has passed really believe in the possibility of the interference
since his flight, during which he has not been seen of the supernatural in the affairs of men. He spoke
and nothing has been heard of him. It is surely lightly, but it was evident that he was very much in
inconceivable that he could have held out upon the earnest. Stapleton was guarded in his replies, but it
moor during all that time. Of course, so far as his was easy to see that he said less than he might, and
concealment goes there is no difficulty at all. Any that he would not express his whole opinion out
one of these stone huts would give him a hiding- of consideration for the feelings of the baronet. He
place. But there is nothing to eat unless he were told us of similar cases, where families had suffered
to catch and slaughter one of the moor sheep. We from some evil influence, and he left us with the
think, therefore, that he has gone, and the outlying impression that he shared the popular view upon
farmers sleep the better in consequence. the matter.
On our way back we stayed for lunch at Mer-
We are four able-bodied men in this household,
ripit House, and it was there that Sir Henry made
so that we could take good care of ourselves, but
the acquaintance of Miss Stapleton. From the first
I confess that I have had uneasy moments when
moment that he saw her he appeared to be strongly
I have thought of the Stapletons. They live miles
attracted by her, and I am much mistaken if the
from any help. There are one maid, an old manser-
feeling was not mutual. He referred to her again
vant, the sister, and the brother, the latter not a very
and again on our walk home, and since then hardly
strong man. They would be helpless in the hands
a day has passed that we have not seen something
of a desperate fellow like this Notting Hill criminal,
of the brother and sister. They dine here to-night,
if he could once effect an entrance. Both Sir Henry
and there is some talk of our going to them next
and I were concerned at their situation, and it was
week. One would imagine that such a match would
suggested that Perkins the groom should go over
be very welcome to Stapleton, and yet I have more
to sleep there, but Stapleton would not hear of it.
than once caught a look of the strongest disappro-
The fact is that our friend, the baronet, begins bation in his face when Sir Henry has been paying
to display a considerable interest in our fair neigh- some attention to his sister. He is much attached to
bour. It is not to be wondered at, for time hangs her, no doubt, and would lead a lonely life without
heavily in this lonely spot to an active man like him, her, but it would seem the height of selfishness if he
and she is a very fascinating and beautiful woman. were to stand in the way of her making so brilliant
There is something tropical and exotic about her a marriage. Yet I am certain that he does not wish
which forms a singular contrast to her cool and their intimacy to ripen into love, and I have several
unemotional brother. Yet he also gives the idea of times observed that he has taken pains to prevent
hidden fires. He has certainly a very marked influ- them from being tête-à-tête. By the way, your in-
ence over her, for I have seen her continually glance structions to me never to allow Sir Henry to go out
at him as she talked as if seeking approbation for alone will become very much more onerous if a
what she said. I trust that he is kind to her. There love affair were to be added to our other difficulties.
is a dry glitter in his eyes, and a firm set of his My popularity would soon suffer if I were to carry
thin lips, which goes with a positive and possibly out your orders to the letter.
a harsh nature. You would find him an interesting The other day—Thursday, to be more exact—Dr.
study. Mortimer lunched with us. He has been excavating
He came over to call upon Baskerville on that a barrow at Long Down, and has got a prehistoric
first day, and the very next morning he took us skull which fills him with great joy. Never was
both to show us the spot where the legend of the there such a single-minded enthusiast as he! The
wicked Hugo is supposed to have had its origin. Stapletons came in afterwards, and the good doctor
It was an excursion of some miles across the moor took us all to the Yew Alley, at Sir Henry’s request,

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to show us exactly how everything occurred upon ecute Dr. Mortimer for opening a grave without the
that fatal night. It is a long, dismal walk, the Yew consent of the next-of-kin, because he dug up the
Alley, between two high walls of clipped hedge, Neolithic skull in the barrow on Long Down. He
with a narrow band of grass upon either side. At helps to keep our lives from being monotonous and
the far end is an old tumble-down summer-house. gives a little comic relief where it is badly needed.
Half-way down is the moor-gate, where the old And now, having brought you up to date in
gentleman left his cigar-ash. It is a white wooden the escaped convict, the Stapletons, Dr. Mortimer,
gate with a latch. Beyond it lies the wide moor. and Frankland, of Lafter Hall, let me end on that
I remembered your theory of the affair and tried which is most important and tell you more about
to picture all that had occurred. As the old man the Barrymores, and especially about the surprising
stood there he saw something coming across the development of last night.
moor, something which terrified him so that he lost First of all about the test telegram, which you
his wits, and ran and ran until he died of sheer sent from London in order to make sure that Bar-
horror and exhaustion. There was the long, gloomy rymore was really here. I have already explained
tunnel down which he fled. And from what? A that the testimony of the postmaster shows that the
sheep-dog of the moor? Or a spectral hound, black, test was worthless and that we have no proof one
silent, and monstrous? Was there a human agency way or the other. I told Sir Henry how the matter
in the matter? Did the pale, watchful Barrymore stood, and he at once, in his downright fashion,
know more than he cared to say? It was all dim had Barrymore up and asked him whether he had
and vague, but always there is the dark shadow of received the telegram himself. Barrymore said that
crime behind it. he had.
One other neighbour I have met since I wrote “Did the boy deliver it into your own hands?”
last. This is Mr. Frankland, of Lafter Hall, who asked Sir Henry.
lives some four miles to the south of us. He is an Barrymore looked surprised, and considered for
elderly man, red-faced, white-haired, and choleric. a little time.
His passion is for the British law, and he has spent “No,” said he, “I was in the box-room at the
a large fortune in litigation. He fights for the mere time, and my wife brought it up to me.”
pleasure of fighting and is equally ready to take up “Did you answer it yourself?”
either side of a question, so that it is no wonder that
“No; I told my wife what to answer and she
he has found it a costly amusement. Sometimes
went down to write it.”
he will shut up a right of way and defy the parish
to make him open it. At others he will with his In the evening he recurred to the subject of his
own hands tear down some other man’s gate and own accord.
declare that a path has existed there from time im- “I could not quite understand the object of your
memorial, defying the owner to prosecute him for questions this morning, Sir Henry,” said he. “I trust
trespass. He is learned in old manorial and commu- that they do not mean that I have done anything to
nal rights, and he applies his knowledge sometimes forfeit your confidence?”
in favour of the villagers of Fernworthy and some- Sir Henry had to assure him that it was not so
times against them, so that he is periodically either and pacify him by giving him a considerable part
carried in triumph down the village street or else of his old wardrobe, the London outfit having now
burned in effigy, according to his latest exploit. He all arrived.
is said to have about seven lawsuits upon his hands Mrs. Barrymore is of interest to me. She is
at present, which will probably swallow up the re- a heavy, solid person, very limited, intensely re-
mainder of his fortune and so draw his sting and spectable, and inclined to be puritanical. You could
leave him harmless for the future. Apart from the hardly conceive a less emotional subject. Yet I have
law he seems a kindly, good-natured person, and I told you how, on the first night here, I heard her
only mention him because you were particular that sobbing bitterly, and since then I have more than
I should send some description of the people who once observed traces of tears upon her face. Some
surround us. He is curiously employed at present, deep sorrow gnaws ever at her heart. Sometimes I
for, being an amateur astronomer, he has an excel- wonder if she has a guilty memory which haunts
lent telescope, with which he lies upon the roof of her, and sometimes I suspect Barrymore of being a
his own house and sweeps the moor all day in the domestic tyrant. I have always felt that there was
hope of catching a glimpse of the escaped convict. something singular and questionable in this man’s
If he would confine his energies to this all would be character, but the adventure of last night brings all
well, but there are rumours that he intends to pros- my suspicions to a head.

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And yet it may seem a small matter in itself. You shone steadily as if he were standing motionless.
are aware that I am not a very sound sleeper, and I crept down the passage as noiselessly as I could
since I have been on guard in this house my slum- and peeped round the corner of the door.
bers have been lighter than ever. Last night, about Barrymore was crouching at the window with
two in the morning, I was aroused by a stealthy the candle held against the glass. His profile was
step passing my room. I rose, opened my door, half turned towards me, and his face seemed to
and peeped out. A long black shadow was trailing be rigid with expectation as he stared out into the
down the corridor. It was thrown by a man who blackness of the moor. For some minutes he stood
walked softly down the passage with a candle held watching intently. Then he gave a deep groan and
in his hand. He was in shirt and trousers, with no with an impatient gesture he put out the light. In-
covering to his feet. I could merely see the outline, stantly I made my way back to my room, and very
but his height told me that it was Barrymore. He shortly came the stealthy steps passing once more
walked very slowly and circumspectly, and there upon their return journey. Long afterwards when
was something indescribably guilty and furtive in I had fallen into a light sleep I heard a key turn
his whole appearance. somewhere in a lock, but I could not tell whence
I have told you that the corridor is broken by the sound came. What it all means I cannot guess,
the balcony which runs round the hall, but that it but there is some secret business going on in this
is resumed upon the farther side. I waited until he house of gloom which sooner or later we shall get
had passed out of sight and then I followed him. to the bottom of. I do not trouble you with my
When I came round the balcony he had reached the theories, for you asked me to furnish you only with
end of the farther corridor, and I could see from the facts. I have had a long talk with Sir Henry this
glimmer of light through an open door that he had morning, and we have made a plan of campaign
entered one of the rooms. Now, all these rooms are founded upon my observations of last night. I will
unfurnished and unoccupied, so that his expedi- not speak about it just now, but it should make my
tion became more mysterious than ever. The light next report interesting reading.

CHAPTER IX.
Second Report of Dr. Watson

THE LIGHT UPON THE MOOR the room in which Barrymore had been on the
Baskerville Hall, Oct. 15th. night before. The western window through which
he had stared so intently has, I noticed, one pecu-
My dear Holmes: liarity above all other windows in the house—it
If I was compelled to leave you without much news commands the nearest outlook on the moor. There
during the early days of my mission you must ac- is an opening between two trees which enables one
knowledge that I am making up for lost time, and from this point of view to look right down upon
that events are now crowding thick and fast upon it, while from all the other windows it is only a
us. In my last report I ended upon my top note with distant glimpse which can be obtained. It follows,
Barrymore at the window, and now I have quite therefore, that Barrymore, since only this window
a budget already which will, unless I am much would serve the purpose, must have been looking
mistaken, considerably surprise you. Things have out for something or somebody upon the moor.
taken a turn which I could not have anticipated. The night was very dark, so that I can hardly imag-
In some ways they have within the last forty-eight ine how he could have hoped to see anyone. It had
hours become much clearer and in some ways they struck me that it was possible that some love in-
have become more complicated. But I will tell you trigue was on foot. That would have accounted for
all and you shall judge for yourself. his stealthy movements and also for the uneasiness
Before breakfast on the morning following my of his wife. The man is a striking-looking fellow,
adventure I went down the corridor and examined very well equipped to steal the heart of a country

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

girl, so that this theory seemed to have something expect. To-day, for example, its surface was broken
to support it. That opening of the door which I by a very unexpected ripple, which has caused our
had heard after I had returned to my room might friend considerable perplexity and annoyance.
mean that he had gone out to keep some clandes- After the conversation which I have quoted
tine appointment. So I reasoned with myself in the about Barrymore, Sir Henry put on his hat and
morning, and I tell you the direction of my suspi- prepared to go out. As a matter of course I did the
cions, however much the result may have shown same.
that they were unfounded.
“What, are you coming, Watson?” he asked,
But whatever the true explanation of Barry- looking at me in a curious way.
more’s movements might be, I felt that the respon-
“That depends on whether you are going on the
sibility of keeping them to myself until I could
moor,” said I.
explain them was more than I could bear. I had
an interview with the baronet in his study after “Yes, I am.”
breakfast, and I told him all that I had seen. He “Well, you know what my instructions are. I
was less 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 his
particular window,” I suggested. wisdom, did not foresee some things which have
“Perhaps he does. If so, we should be able to happened since I have been on the moor. You un-
shadow him, and see what it is that he is after. I derstand me? I am sure that you are the last man
wonder what your friend Holmes would do, if he in the world who would wish to be a spoil-sport. I
were here.” must go out alone.”
“I believe that he would do exactly what you It put me in a most awkward position. I was at
now suggest,” said I. “He would follow Barrymore a loss what to say or what to do, and before I had
and see what he did.” made up my mind he picked up his cane and was
gone.
“Then we shall do it together.”
But when I came to think the matter over my
“But surely he would hear us.” conscience reproached me bitterly for having on
“The man is rather deaf, and in any case we any pretext allowed him to go out of my sight. I
must take our chance of that. We’ll sit up in my imagined what my feelings would be if I had to
room to-night and wait until he passes.” Sir Henry return to you and to confess that some misfortune
rubbed his hands with pleasure, and it was evi- had occurred through my disregard for your in-
dent that he hailed the adventure as a relief to his structions. I assure you my cheeks flushed at the
somewhat quiet life upon the moor. very thought. It might not even now be too late to
The baronet has been in communication with overtake him, so I set off at once in the direction of
the architect who prepared the plans for Sir Charles, Merripit House.
and with a contractor from London, so that we may I hurried along the road at the top of my speed
expect great changes to begin here soon. There without seeing anything of Sir Henry, until I came
have been decorators and furnishers up from Ply- to the point where the moor path branches off.
mouth, and it is evident that our friend has large There, fearing that perhaps I had come in the wrong
ideas, and means to spare no pains or expense to direction after all, I mounted a hill from which I
restore the grandeur of his family. When the house could command a view—the same hill which is cut
is renovated and refurnished, all that he will need into the dark quarry. Thence I saw him at once. He
will be a wife to make it complete. Between our- was on the moor path, about a quarter of a mile
selves there are pretty clear signs that this will not off, and a lady was by his side who could only be
be wanting if the lady is willing, for I have seldom Miss Stapleton. It was clear that there was already
seen a man more infatuated with a woman than an understanding between them and that they had
he is with our beautiful neighbour, Miss Stapleton. met by appointment. They were walking slowly
And yet the course of true love does not run quite along in deep conversation, and I saw her making
as smoothly as one would under the circumstances quick little movements of her hands as if she were

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very earnest in what she was saying, while he lis- brows were wrinkled, like one who is at his wit’s
tened intently, and once or twice shook his head in ends what to do.
strong dissent. I stood among the rocks watching “Halloa, Watson! Where have you dropped
them, very much puzzled as to what I should do from?” said he. “You don’t mean to say that you
next. To follow them and break into their intimate came after me in spite of all?”
conversation seemed to be an outrage, and yet my I explained everything to him: how I had found
clear duty was never for an instant to let him out of it impossible to remain behind, how I had followed
my sight. To act the spy upon a friend was a hateful him, and how I had witnessed all that had occurred.
task. Still, I could see no better course than to ob- For an instant his eyes blazed at me, but my frank-
serve him from the hill, and to clear my conscience ness disarmed his anger, and he broke at last into a
by confessing to him afterwards what I had done. rather rueful laugh.
It is true that if any sudden danger had threatened “You would have thought the middle of that
him I was too far away to be of use, and yet I am prairie a fairly safe place for a man to be private,”
sure that you will agree with me that the position said he, “but, by thunder, the whole country-side
was very difficult, and that there was nothing more seems to have been out to see me do my woo-
which I could do. 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 “I was on that hill.”
in their conversation, when I was suddenly aware “Quite in the back row, eh? But her brother was
that I was not the only witness of their interview. A well up to the front. Did you see him come out on
wisp of green floating in the air caught my eye, and us?”
another glance showed me that it was carried on a “Yes, I did.”
stick by a man who was moving among the broken “Did he ever strike you as being crazy—this
ground. It was Stapleton with his butterfly-net. He brother of hers?”
was very much closer to the pair than I was, and he “I can’t say that he ever did.”
appeared to be moving in their direction. At this “I dare say not. I always thought him sane
instant Sir Henry suddenly drew Miss Stapleton enough until to-day, but you can take it from me
to his side. His arm was round her, but it seemed that either he or I ought to be in a strait-jacket.
to me that she was straining away from him with What’s the matter with me, anyhow? You’ve lived
her face averted. He stooped his head to hers, and near me for some weeks, Watson. Tell me straight,
she raised one hand as if in protest. Next moment now! Is there anything that would prevent me from
I saw them spring apart and turn hurriedly round. making a good husband to a woman that I loved?”
Stapleton was the cause of the interruption. He “I should say not.”
was running wildly towards them, his absurd net
“He can’t object to my worldly position, so it
dangling behind him. He gesticulated and almost
must be myself that he has this down on. What has
danced with excitement in front of the lovers. What
he against me? I never hurt man or woman in my
the scene meant I could not imagine, but it seemed
life that I know of. And yet he would not so much
to me that Stapleton was abusing Sir Henry, who
as let me touch the tips of her fingers.”
offered explanations, which became more angry as
the other refused to accept them. The lady stood by “Did he say so?”
in haughty silence. Finally Stapleton turned upon “That, and a deal more. I tell you, Watson, I’ve
his heel and beckoned in a peremptory way to his only known her these few weeks, but from the
sister, who, after an irresolute glance at Sir Henry, first I just felt that she was made for me, and she,
walked off by the side of her brother. The natu- too—she was happy when she was with me, and
ralist’s angry gestures showed that the lady was that I’ll swear. There’s a light in a woman’s eyes
included in his displeasure. The baronet stood for that speaks louder than words. But he has never
a minute looking after them, and then he walked let us get together, and it was only to-day for the
slowly back the way that he had come, his head first time that I saw a chance of having a few words
hanging, the very picture of dejection. with her alone. She was glad to meet me, but when
she did it was not love that she would talk about,
What all this meant I could not imagine, but and she wouldn’t have let me talk about it either if
I was deeply ashamed to have witnessed so inti- she could have stopped it. She kept coming back
mate a scene without my friend’s knowledge. I ran to it that this was a place of danger, and that she
down the hill therefore and met the baronet at the would never be happy until I had left it. I told
bottom. His face was flushed with anger and his her that since I had seen her I was in no hurry to

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leave it, and that if she really wanted me to go, the be taken away from him, it gave him such a shock
only way to work it was for her to arrange to go that for a time he was not responsible for what he
with me. With that I offered in as many words to said or did. He was very sorry for all that had
marry her, but before she could answer, down came passed, and he recognized how foolish and how
this brother of hers, running at us with a face on selfish it was that he should imagine that he could
him like a madman. He was just white with rage, hold a beautiful woman like his sister to himself
and those light eyes of his were blazing with fury. for her whole life. If she had to leave him he had
What was I doing with the lady? How dared I offer rather it was to a neighbour like myself than to
her attentions which were distasteful to her? Did I anyone else. But in any case it was a blow to him,
think that because I was a baronet I could do what and it would take him some time before he could
I liked? If he had not been her brother I should prepare himself to meet it. He would withdraw
have known better how to answer him. As it was I all opposition upon his part if I would promise for
told him that my feelings towards his sister were three months to let the matter rest and to be content
such as I was not ashamed of, and that I hoped that with cultivating the lady’s friendship during that
she might honour me by becoming my wife. That time without claiming her love. This I promised,
seemed to make the matter no better, so then I lost and so the matter rests.”
my temper too, and I answered him rather more So there is one of our small mysteries cleared
hotly than I should perhaps, considering that she up. It is something to have touched bottom any-
was standing by. So it ended by his going off with where in this bog in which we are floundering. We
her, as you saw, and here am I as badly puzzled a know now why Stapleton looked with disfavour
man as any in this county. Just tell me what it all upon his sister’s suitor—even when that suitor was
means, Watson, and I’ll owe you more than ever I so eligible a one as Sir Henry. And now I pass on
can hope to pay.” to another thread which I have extricated out of
I tried one or two explanations, but, indeed, the tangled skein, the mystery of the sobs in the
I was completely puzzled myself. Our friend’s night, of the tear-stained face of Mrs. Barrymore,
title, his fortune, his age, his character, and his ap- of the secret journey of the butler to the western
pearance are all in his favour, and I know nothing lattice window. Congratulate me, my dear Holmes,
against him unless it be this dark fate which runs and tell me that I have not disappointed you as
in his family. That his advances should be rejected an agent—that you do not regret the confidence
so brusquely without any reference to the lady’s which you showed in me when you sent me down.
own wishes, and that the lady should accept the sit- All these things have by one night’s work been
uation without protest, is very amazing. However, thoroughly cleared.
our conjectures were set at rest by a visit from Sta- I have said “by one night’s work,” but, in truth,
pleton himself that very afternoon. He had come it was by two nights’ work, for on the first we drew
to offer apologies for his rudeness of the morning, entirely blank. I sat up with Sir Henry in his rooms
and after a long private interview with Sir Henry until nearly three o’clock in the morning, but no
in his study, the upshot of their conversation was sound of any sort did we hear except the chiming
that the breach is quite healed, and that we are to clock upon the stairs. It was a most melancholy
dine at Merripit House next Friday as a sign of it. vigil, and ended by each of us falling asleep in
“I don’t say now that he isn’t a crazy man,” said our chairs. Fortunately we were not discouraged,
Sir Henry; “I can’t forget the look in his eyes when and we determined to try again. The next night
he ran at me this morning, but I must allow that no we lowered the lamp, and sat smoking cigarettes
man could make a more handsome apology than without making the least sound. It was incredible
he has done.” how slowly the hours crawled by, and yet we were
helped through it by the same sort of patient inter-
“Did he give any explanation of his conduct?” est which the hunter must feel as he watches the
“His sister is everything in his life, he says. That trap into which he hopes the game may wander.
is natural enough, and I am glad that he should One struck, and two, and we had almost for the
understand her value. They have always been to- second time given it up in despair, when in an in-
gether, and according to his account he has been a stant we both sat bolt upright in our chairs, with
very lonely man with only her as a companion, so all our weary senses keenly on the alert once more.
that the thought of losing her was really terrible to We had heard the creak of a step in the passage.
him. He had not understood, he said, that I was be- Very stealthily we heard it pass along until it
coming attached to her, but when he saw with his died away in the distance. Then the baronet gently
own eyes that it was really so, and that she might opened his door and we set out in pursuit. Already

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our man had gone round the gallery, and the corri- I cannot tell it. If it concerned no one but myself I
dor was all in darkness. Softly we stole along until would not try to keep it from you.”
we had come into the other wing. We were just in A sudden idea occurred to me, and I took the
time to catch a glimpse of the tall, black-bearded fig- candle from the trembling hand of the butler.
ure, his shoulders rounded, as he tip-toed down the “He must have been holding it as a signal,” said
passage. Then he passed through the same door as I. “Let us see if there is any answer.” I held it as he
before, and the light of the candle framed it in the had done, and stared out into the darkness of the
darkness and shot one single yellow beam across night. Vaguely I could discern the black bank of
the gloom of the corridor. We shuffled cautiously the trees and the lighter expanse of the moor, for
towards it, trying every plank before we dared to the moon was behind the clouds. And then I gave
put our whole weight upon it. We had taken the a cry of exultation, for a tiny pin-point of yellow
precaution of leaving our boots behind us, but, even light had suddenly transfixed the dark veil, and
so, the old boards snapped and creaked beneath glowed steadily in the centre of the black square
our tread. Sometimes it seemed impossible that framed by the window.
he should fail to hear our approach. However, the
“There it is!” I cried.
man is fortunately rather deaf, and he was entirely
preoccupied in that which he was doing. When “No, no, sir, it is nothing—nothing at all!” the
at last we reached the door and peeped through butler broke in; “I assure you, sir—”
we found him crouching at the window, candle “Move your light across the window, Watson!”
in hand, his white, intent face pressed against the cried the baronet. “See, the other moves also! Now,
pane, exactly as I had seen him two nights before. you rascal, do you deny that it is a signal? Come,
speak up! Who is your confederate out yonder, and
We had arranged no plan of campaign, but the what is this conspiracy that is going on?”
baronet is a man to whom the most direct way is
The man’s face became openly defiant.
always the most natural. He walked into the room,
and as he did so Barrymore sprang up from the “It is my business, and not yours. I will not
window with a sharp hiss of his breath and stood, tell.”
livid and trembling, before us. His dark eyes, glar- “Then you leave my employment right away.”
ing out of the white mask of his face, were full “Very good, sir. If I must I must.”
of horror and astonishment as he gazed from Sir “And you go in disgrace. By thunder, you may
Henry to me. well be ashamed of yourself. Your family has lived
“What are you doing here, Barrymore?” with mine for over a hundred years under this roof,
and here I find you deep in some dark plot against
“Nothing, sir.” His agitation was so great that
me.”
he could hardly speak, and the shadows sprang up
“No, no, sir; no, not against you!” It was a
and down from the shaking of his candle. “It was
woman’s voice, and Mrs. Barrymore, paler and
the window, sir. I go round at night to see that they
more horror-struck than her husband, was stand-
are fastened.”
ing at the door. Her bulky figure in a shawl and
“On the second floor?” skirt might have been comic were it not for the
“Yes, sir, all the windows.” intensity of feeling upon her face.
“Look here, Barrymore,” said Sir Henry, sternly; “We have to go, Eliza. This is the end of it. You
“we have made up our minds to have the truth out can pack our things,” said the butler.
of you, so it will save you trouble to tell it sooner “Oh, John, John, have I brought you to this? It
rather than later. Come, now! No lies! What were is my doing, Sir Henry—all mine. He has done
you doing at that window?” nothing except for my sake and because I asked
him.”
The fellow looked at us in a helpless way, and
he wrung his hands together like one who is in the “Speak out, then! What does it mean?”
last extremity of doubt and misery. “My unhappy brother is starving on the moor.
We cannot let him perish at our very gates. The
“I was doing no harm, sir. I was holding a light is a signal to him that food is ready for him,
candle to the window.” and his light out yonder is to show the spot to
“And why were you holding a candle to the which to bring it.”
window?” “Then your brother is—”
“Don’t ask me, Sir Henry—don’t ask me! I give “The escaped convict, sir—Selden, the crimi-
you my word, sir, that it is not my secret, and that nal.”

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“That’s the truth, sir,” said Barrymore. “I said “I wonder he dares,” said Sir Henry.
that it was not my secret and that I could not tell “It may be so placed as to be only visible from
it to you. But now you have heard it, and you will here.”
see that if there was a plot it was not against you.”
“Very likely. How far do you think it is?”
This, then, was the explanation of the stealthy
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 amaze- “Not more than a mile or two off.”
ment. Was it possible that this stolidly respectable “Hardly that.”
person was of the same blood as one of the most
notorious criminals in the country? “Well, it cannot be far if Barrymore had to carry
out the food to it. And he is waiting, this villain,
“Yes, sir, my name was Selden, and he is my beside that candle. By thunder, Watson, I am going
younger brother. We humoured him too much out to take that man!”
when he was a lad, and gave him his own way 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 him them. The man was a danger to the community, an
until he broke my mother’s heart and dragged our unmitigated scoundrel for whom there was neither
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 neighbours
ter would. That was why he broke prison, sir. He the Stapletons might be attacked by him, and it
knew that I was here and that we could not refuse may have been the thought of this which made Sir
to help him. When he dragged himself here one Henry so keen upon the adventure.
night, weary and starving, with the warders hard “I will come,” said I.
at his heels, what could we do? We took him in and “Then get your revolver and put on your boots.
fed him and cared for him. Then you returned, sir, The sooner we start the better, as the fellow may
and my brother thought he would be safer on the put out his light and be off.”
moor than anywhere else until the hue and cry was
In five minutes we were outside the door, start-
over, so he lay in hiding there. But every second
ing upon our expedition. We hurried through the
night we made sure if he was still there by putting
dark shrubbery, amid the dull moaning of the au-
a light in the window, and if there was an answer
tumn wind and the rustle of the falling leaves. The
my husband took out some bread and meat to him.
night air was heavy with the smell of damp and
Every day we hoped that he was gone, but as long
decay. Now and again the moon peeped out for
as he was there we could not desert him. That is the
an instant, but clouds were driving over the face of
whole truth, as I am an honest Christian woman,
the sky, and just as we came out on the moor a thin
and you will see that if there is blame in the matter
rain began to fall. The light still burned steadily in
it does not lie with my husband, but with me, for
front.
whose sake he has done all that he has.”
The woman’s words came with an intense “Are you armed?” I asked.
earnestness which carried conviction with them. “I have a hunting-crop.”
“Is this true, Barrymore?” “We must close in on him rapidly, for he is said
“Yes, Sir Henry. Every word of it.” to be a desperate fellow. We shall take him by
“Well, I cannot blame you for standing by your surprise and have him at our mercy before he can
own wife. Forget what I have said. Go to your resist.”
room, you two, and we shall talk further about this “I say, Watson,” said the baronet, “what would
matter in the morning.” Holmes say to this? How about that hour of dark-
When they were gone we looked out of the win- ness in which the power of evil is exalted?”
dow again. Sir Henry had flung it open, and the As if in answer to his words there rose suddenly
cold night wind beat in upon our faces. Far away out of the vast gloom of the moor that strange cry
in the black distance there still glowed that one tiny which I had already heard upon the borders of
point of yellow light. the great Grimpen Mire. It came with the wind

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through the silence of the night, a long, deep mut- sound seemed to freeze my very blood. Feel my
ter, then a rising howl, and then the sad moan in hand!”
which it died away. Again and again it sounded, It was as cold as a block of marble.
the whole air throbbing with it, strident, wild, and “You’ll be all right to-morrow.”
menacing. The baronet caught my sleeve and his
“I don’t think I’ll get that cry out of my head.
face glimmered white through the darkness.
What do you advise that we do now?”
“My God, what’s that, Watson?” “Shall we turn back?”
“I don’t know. It’s a sound they have on the “No, by thunder; we have come out to get our
moor. I heard it once before.” man, and we will do it. We after the convict, and
It died away, and an absolute silence closed in a hell-hound, as likely as not, after us. Come on!
upon us. We stood straining our ears, but nothing We’ll see it through if all the fiends of the pit were
came. loose upon the moor.”
“Watson,” said the baronet, “it was the cry of a We stumbled slowly along in the darkness, with
hound.” the black loom of the craggy hills around us, and
My blood ran cold in my veins, for there was a the yellow speck of light burning steadily in front.
break in his voice which told of the sudden horror There is nothing so deceptive as the distance of a
which had seized him. light upon a pitch-dark night, and sometimes the
glimmer seemed to be far away upon the horizon
“What do they call this sound?” he asked. and sometimes it might have been within a few
“Who?” yards of us. But at last we could see whence it
“The folk on the country-side.” came, and then we knew that we were indeed very
“Oh, they are ignorant people. Why should you close. A guttering candle was stuck in a crevice
mind what they call it?” of the rocks which flanked it on each side so as to
keep the wind from it and also to prevent it from
“Tell me, Watson. What do they say of it?” being visible, save in the direction of Baskerville
I hesitated but could not escape the question. Hall. A boulder of granite concealed our approach,
“They say it is the cry of the Hound of the and crouching behind it we gazed over it at the
Baskervilles.” signal light. It was strange to see this single can-
He groaned and was silent for a few moments. dle burning there in the middle of the moor, with
no sign of life near it—just the one straight yellow
“A hound it was,” he said, at last, “but it seemed flame and the gleam of the rock on each side of it.
to come from miles away, over yonder, I think.”
“What shall we do now?” whispered Sir Henry.
“It was hard to say whence it came.”
“Wait here. He must be near his light. Let us
“It rose and fell with the wind. Isn’t that the see if we can get a glimpse of him.”
direction of the great Grimpen Mire?” The words were hardly out of my mouth when
“Yes, it is.” we both saw him. Over the rocks, in the crevice of
“Well, it was up there. Come now, Watson, which the candle burned, there was thrust out an
didn’t you think yourself that it was the cry of a evil yellow face, a terrible animal face, all seamed
hound? I am not a child. You need not fear to and scored with vile passions. Foul with mire, with
speak the truth.” a bristling beard, and hung with matted hair, it
“Stapleton was with me when I heard it last. He might well have belonged to one of those old sav-
said that it might be the calling of a strange bird.” ages who dwelt in the burrows on the hillsides.
The light beneath him was reflected in his small,
“No, no, it was a hound. My God, can there be cunning eyes which peered fiercely to right and
some truth in all these stories? Is it possible that left through the darkness, like a crafty and savage
I am really in danger from so dark a cause? You animal who has heard the steps of the hunters.
don’t believe it, do you, Watson?”
Something had evidently aroused his suspicions.
“No, no.” It may have been that Barrymore had some private
“And yet it was one thing to laugh about it in signal which we had neglected to give, or the fellow
London, and it is another to stand out here in the may have had some other reason for thinking that
darkness of the moor and to hear such a cry as all was not well, but I could read his fears upon
that. And my uncle! There was the footprint of the his wicked face. Any instant he might dash out
hound beside him as he lay. It all fits together. I the light and vanish in the darkness. I sprang for-
don’t think that I am a coward, Watson, but that ward therefore, and Sir Henry did the same. At the

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same moment the convict screamed out a curse at This man was far from the place where the latter
us and hurled a rock which splintered up against had disappeared. Besides, he was a much taller
the boulder which had sheltered us. I caught one man. With a cry of surprise I pointed him out to
glimpse of his short, squat, strongly-built figure as the baronet, but in the instant during which I had
he sprang to his feet and turned to run. At the same turned to grasp his arm the man was gone. There
moment by a lucky chance the moon broke through was the sharp pinnacle of granite still cutting the
the clouds. We rushed over the brow of the hill, lower edge of the moon, but its peak bore no trace
and there was our man running with great speed of that silent and motionless figure.
down the other side, springing over the stones in I wished to go in that direction and to search the
his way with the activity of a mountain goat. A tor, but it was some distance away. The baronet’s
lucky long shot of my revolver might have crippled nerves were still quivering from that cry, which
him, but I had brought it only to defend myself if recalled the dark story of his family, and he was
attacked, and not to shoot an unarmed man who not in the mood for fresh adventures. He had not
was running away. seen this lonely man upon the tor and could not
We were both swift runners and in fairly good feel the thrill which his strange presence and his
training, but we soon found that we had no chance commanding attitude had given to me. “A warder,
of overtaking him. We saw him for a long time no doubt,” said he. “The moor has been thick with
in the moonlight until he was only a small speck them since this fellow escaped.” Well, perhaps his
moving swiftly among the boulders upon the side explanation may be the right one, but I should like
of a distant hill. We ran and ran until we were to have some further proof of it. To-day we mean
completely blown, but the space between us grew to communicate to the Princetown people where
ever wider. Finally we stopped and sat panting on they should look for their missing man, but it is
two rocks, while we watched him disappearing in hard lines that we have not actually had the tri-
the distance. umph of bringing him back as our own prisoner.
And it was at this moment that there occurred a Such are the adventures of last night, and you must
most strange and unexpected thing. We had risen acknowledge, my dear Holmes, that I have done
from our rocks and were turning to go home, hav- you very well in the matter of a report. Much of
ing abandoned the hopeless chase. The moon was what I tell you is no doubt quite irrelevant, but still
low upon the right, and the jagged pinnacle of a I feel that it is best that I should let you have all
granite tor stood up against the lower curve of its the facts and leave you to select for yourself those
silver disc. There, outlined as black as an ebony which will be of most service to you in helping
statue on that shining back-ground, I saw the figure you to your conclusions. We are certainly making
of a man upon the tor. Do not think that it was a some progress. So far as the Barrymores go we
delusion, Holmes. I assure you that I have never have found the motive of their actions, and that
in my life seen anything more clearly. As far as I has cleared up the situation very much. But the
could judge, the figure was that of a tall, thin man. moor with its mysteries and its strange inhabitants
He stood with his legs a little separated, his arms remains as inscrutable as ever. Perhaps in my next
folded, his head bowed, as if he were brooding I may be able to throw some light upon this also.
over that enormous wilderness of peat and granite Best of all would it be if you could come down to
which lay before him. He might have been the very us. In any case you will hear from me again in the
spirit of that terrible place. It was not the convict. course of the next few days.

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

CHAPTER X.
Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson

So far I have been able to quote from the re- where did it come from, how was it that no one
ports which I have forwarded during these early saw it by day? It must be confessed that the natu-
days to Sherlock Holmes. Now, however, I have ral explanation offers almost as many difficulties
arrived at a point in my narrative where I am com- as the other. And always, apart from the hound,
pelled to abandon this method and to trust once there is the fact of the human agency in London,
more to my recollections, aided by the diary which the man in the cab, and the letter which warned Sir
I kept at the time. A few extracts from the latter Henry against the moor. This at least was real, but
will carry me on to those scenes which are indeli- it might have been the work of a protecting friend
bly fixed in every detail upon my memory. I pro- as easily as of an enemy. Where is that friend or
ceed, then, from the morning which followed our enemy now? Has he remained in London, or has
abortive chase of the convict and our other strange he followed us down here? Could he—could he be
experiences upon the moor. the stranger whom I saw upon the tor?
October 16th.—A dull and foggy day with a It is true that I have had only the one glance at
drizzle of rain. The house is banked in with rolling him, and yet there are some things to which I am
clouds, which rise now and then to show the dreary ready to swear. He is no one whom I have seen
curves of the moor, with thin, silver veins upon the down here, and I have now met all the neighbours.
sides of the hills, and the distant boulders gleam- The figure was far taller than that of Stapleton, far
ing where the light strikes upon their wet faces. It thinner than that of Frankland. Barrymore it might
is melancholy outside and in. The baronet is in a possibly have been, but we had left him behind us,
black reaction after the excitements of the night. I and I am certain that he could not have followed us.
am conscious myself of a weight at my heart and a A stranger then is still dogging us, just as a stranger
feeling of impending danger—ever present danger, dogged us in London. We have never shaken him
which is the more terrible because I am unable to off. If I could lay my hands upon that man, then at
define it. last we might find ourselves at the end of all our
difficulties. To this one purpose I must now devote
And have I not cause for such a feeling? Con- all my energies.
sider the long sequence of incidents which have all
My first impulse was to tell Sir Henry all my
pointed to some sinister influence which is at work
plans. My second and wisest one is to play my
around us. There is the death of the last occupant
own game and speak as little as possible to any-
of the Hall, fulfilling so exactly the conditions of
one. He is silent and distrait. His nerves have been
the family legend, and there are the repeated re-
strangely shaken by that sound upon the moor. I
ports from peasants of the appearance of a strange
will say nothing to add to his anxieties, but I will
creature upon the moor. Twice I have with my
take my own steps to attain my own end.
own ears heard the sound which resembled the dis-
tant baying of a hound. It is incredible, impossible, We had a small scene this morning after break-
that it should really be outside the ordinary laws fast. Barrymore asked leave to speak with Sir
of nature. A spectral hound which leaves mate- Henry, and they were closeted in his study some
rial footmarks and fills the air with its howling is little time. Sitting in the billiard-room I more than
surely not to be thought of. Stapleton may fall in once heard the sound of voices raised, and I had
with such a superstition, and Mortimer also; but if a pretty good idea what the point was which was
I have one quality upon earth it is common-sense, under discussion. After a time the baronet opened
and nothing will persuade me to believe in such a his door and called for me.
thing. To do so would be to descend to the level “Barrymore considers that he has a grievance,”
of these poor peasants, who are not content with a he said. “He thinks that it was unfair on our part
mere fiend dog but must needs describe him with to hunt his brother-in-law down when he, of his
hell-fire shooting from his mouth and eyes. Holmes own free will, had told us the secret.”
would not listen to such fancies, and I am his agent.
But facts are facts, and I have twice heard this cry- The butler was standing very pale but very col-
ing upon the moor. Suppose that there were really lected before us.
some huge hound loose upon it; that would go “I may have spoken too warmly, sir,” said he,
far to explain everything. But where could such “and if I have, I am sure that I beg your pardon. At
a hound lie concealed, where did it get its food, the same time, I was very much surprised when I

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

heard you two gentlemen come back this morning “You’ve been so kind to us, sir, that I should
and learned that you had been chasing Selden. The like to do the best I can for you in return. I know
poor fellow has enough to fight against without my something, Sir Henry, and perhaps I should have
putting more upon his track.” said it before, but it was long after the inquest that
“If you had told us of your own free will it I found it out. I’ve never breathed a word about
would have been a different thing,” said the baronet, it yet to mortal man. It’s about poor Sir Charles’s
“you only told us, or rather your wife only told us, death.”
when it was forced from you and you could not The baronet and I were both upon our feet. “Do
help yourself.” you know how he died?”
“No, sir, I don’t know that.”
“I didn’t think you would have taken advantage
of it, Sir Henry—indeed I didn’t.” “What then?”
“I know why he was at the gate at that hour. It
“The man is a public danger. There are lonely
was to meet a woman.”
houses scattered over the moor, and he is a fellow
“To meet a woman! He?”
who would stick at nothing. You only want to get a
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 “I can’t give you the name, sir, but I can give
is under lock and key.” you the initials. Her initials were L. L.”
“He’ll break into no house, sir. I give you my “How do you know this, Barrymore?”
solemn word upon that. But he will never trou- “Well, Sir Henry, your uncle had a letter that
ble anyone in this country again. I assure you, Sir morning. He had usually a great many letters,
Henry, that in a very few days the necessary ar- for he was a public man and well known for his
rangements will have been made and he will be on kind heart, so that everyone who was in trouble
his way to South America. For God’s sake, sir, I was glad to turn to him. But that morning, as it
beg of you not to let the police know that he is still chanced, there was only this one letter, so I took
on the moor. They have given up the chase there, the more notice of it. It was from Coombe Tracey,
and he can lie quiet until the ship is ready for him. and it was addressed in a woman’s hand.”
You can’t tell on him without getting my wife and “Well?”
me into trouble. I beg you, sir, to say nothing to the “Well, sir, I thought no more of the matter, and
police.” never would have done had it not been for my wife.
“What do you say, Watson?” Only a few weeks ago she was cleaning out Sir
Charles’s study—it had never been touched since
I shrugged my shoulders. “If he were safely out
his death—and she found the ashes of a burned
of the country it would relieve the tax-payer of a
letter in the back of the grate. The greater part of it
burden.”
was charred to pieces, but one little slip, the end of
“But how about the chance of his holding some- a page, hung together, and the writing could still
one up before he goes?” be read, though it was gray on a black ground. It
“He would not do anything so mad, sir. We seemed to us to be a postscript at the end of the
have provided him with all that he can want. To letter, and it said: ‘Please, please, as you are a gen-
commit a crime would be to show where he was tleman, burn this letter, and be at the gate by ten
hiding.” o’clock’. Beneath it were signed the initials L. L.”
“Have you got that slip?”
“That is true,” said Sir Henry. “Well, Barry-
“No, sir, it crumbled all to bits after we moved
more—”
it.”
“God bless you, sir, and thank you from my “Had Sir Charles received any other letters in
heart! It would have killed my poor wife had he the same writing?”
been taken again.”
“Well, sir, I took no particular notice of his let-
“I guess we are aiding and abetting a felony, ters. I should not have noticed this one, only it
Watson? But, after what we have heard I don’t feel happened to come alone.”
as if I could give the man up, so there is an end of “And you have no idea who L. L. is?”
it. All right, Barrymore, you can go.” “No, sir. No more than you have. But I expect if
With a few broken words of gratitude the man we could lay our hands upon that lady we should
turned, but he hesitated and then came back. know more about Sir Charles’s death.”

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“I cannot understand, Barrymore, how you myself across the melancholy downs. Rain squalls
came to conceal this important information.” drifted across their russet face, and the heavy, slate-
“Well, sir, it was immediately after that our own coloured clouds hung low over the landscape, trail-
trouble came to us. And then again, sir, we were ing in gray wreaths down the sides of the fantastic
both of us very fond of Sir Charles, as we well hills. In the distant hollow on the left, half hid-
might be considering all that he has done for us. den by the mist, the two thin towers of Baskerville
To rake this up couldn’t help our poor master, and Hall rose above the trees. They were the only signs
it’s well to go carefully when there’s a lady in the of human life which I could see, save only those
case. Even the best of us—” prehistoric huts which lay thickly upon the slopes
of the hills. Nowhere was there any trace of that
“You thought it might injure his reputation?”
lonely man whom I had seen on the same spot two
“Well, sir, I thought no good could come of it. nights before.
But now you have been kind to us, and I feel as if
As I walked back I was overtaken by Dr. Mor-
it would be treating you unfairly not to tell you all
timer driving in his dog-cart over a rough moor-
that I know about the matter.”
land track which led from the outlying farmhouse
“Very good, Barrymore; you can go.” When the of Foulmire. He has been very attentive to us, and
butler had left us Sir Henry turned to me. “Well, hardly a day has passed that he has not called at
Watson, what do you think of this new light?” the Hall to see how we were getting on. He in-
“It seems to leave the darkness rather blacker sisted upon my climbing into his dog-cart, and he
than before.” gave me a lift homeward. I found him much trou-
“So I think. But if we can only trace L. L. bled over the disappearance of his little spaniel. It
it should clear up the whole business. We have had wandered on to the moor and had never come
gained that much. We know that there is someone back. I gave him such consolation as I might, but
who has the facts if we can only find her. What do I thought of the pony on the Grimpen Mire, and I
you think we should do?” do not fancy that he will see his little dog again.
“Let Holmes know all about it at once. It will “By the way, Mortimer,” said I as we jolted along
give him the clue for which he has been seeking. I the rough road, “I suppose there are few people
am much mistaken if it does not bring him down.” living within driving distance of this whom you do
not know?”
I went at once to my room and drew up my
report of the morning’s conversation for Holmes. “Hardly any, I think.”
It was evident to me that he had been very busy “Can you, then, tell me the name of any woman
of late, for the notes which I had from Baker Street whose initials are L. L.?”
were few and short, with no comments upon the He thought for a few minutes.
information which I had supplied and hardly any
reference to my mission. No doubt his blackmailing “No,” said he. “There are a few gipsies and
case is absorbing all his faculties. And yet this new labouring folk for whom I can’t answer, but among
factor must surely arrest his attention and renew the farmers or gentry there is no one whose initials
his interest. I wish that he were here. are those. Wait a bit though,” he added after a
pause. “There is Laura Lyons—her initials are L.
October 17th.—All day to-day the rain poured L.—but she lives in Coombe Tracey.”
down, rustling on the ivy and dripping from the
eaves. I thought of the convict out upon the bleak, “Who is she?” I asked.
cold, shelterless moor. Poor devil! Whatever his “She is Frankland’s daughter.”
crimes, he has suffered something to atone for them. “What! Old Frankland the crank?”
And then I thought of that other one—the face in
the cab, the figure against the moon. Was he also “Exactly. She married an artist named Lyons,
out in that deluged—the unseen watcher, the man who came sketching on the moor. He proved to
of darkness? In the evening I put on my water- be a blackguard and deserted her. The fault from
proof and I walked far upon the sodden moor, full what I hear may not have been entirely on one side.
of dark imaginings, the rain beating upon my face Her father refused to have anything to do with her
and the wind whistling about my ears. God help because she had married without his consent, and
those who wander into the great mire now, for even perhaps for one or two other reasons as well. So,
the firm uplands are becoming a morass. I found between the old sinner and the young one the girl
the black tor upon which I had seen the solitary has had a pretty bad time.”
watcher, and from its craggy summit I looked out “How does she live?”

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“I fancy old Frankland allows her a pittance, but “How do you know of him then?”
it cannot be more, for his own affairs are consid- “Selden told me of him, sir, a week ago or more.
erably involved. Whatever she may have deserved He’s in hiding, too, but he’s not a convict as far as
one could not allow her to go hopelessly to the I can make out. I don’t like it, Dr. Watson—I tell
bad. Her story got about, and several of the people you straight, sir, that I don’t like it.” He spoke with
here did something to enable her to earn an honest a sudden passion of earnestness.
living. Stapleton did for one, and Sir Charles for “Now, listen to me, Barrymore! I have no inter-
another. I gave a trifle myself. It was to set her up est in this matter but that of your master. I have
in a typewriting business.” come here with no object except to help him. Tell
He wanted to know the object of my inquiries, me, frankly, what it is that you don’t like.”
but I managed to satisfy his curiosity without Barrymore hesitated for a moment, as if he re-
telling him too much, for there is no reason why gretted his outburst, or found it difficult to express
we should take anyone into our confidence. To- his own feelings in words.
morrow morning I shall find my way to Coombe “It’s all these goings-on, sir,” he cried at last,
Tracey, and if I can see this Mrs. Laura Lyons, of waving his hand towards the rain-lashed window
equivocal reputation, a long step will have been which faced the moor. “There’s foul play some-
made towards clearing one incident in this chain where, and there’s black villainy brewing, to that
of mysteries. I am certainly developing the wis- I’ll swear! Very glad I should be, sir, to see Sir
dom of the serpent, for when Mortimer pressed Henry on his way back to London again!”
his questions to an inconvenient extent I asked him “But what is it that alarms you?”
casually to what type Frankland’s skull belonged, “Look at Sir Charles’s death! That was bad
and so heard nothing but craniology for the rest of enough, for all that the coroner said. Look at the
our drive. I have not lived for years with Sherlock noises on the moor at night. There’s not a man
Holmes for nothing. would cross it after sundown if he was paid for it.
I have only one other incident to record upon Look at this stranger hiding out yonder, and watch-
this tempestuous and melancholy day. This was ing and waiting! What’s he waiting for? What does
my conversation with Barrymore just now, which it mean? It means no good to anyone of the name
gives me one more strong card which I can play in of Baskerville, and very glad I shall be to be quit of
due time. it all on the day that Sir Henry’s new servants are
Mortimer had stayed to dinner, and he and ready to take over the Hall.”
the baronet played écarté afterwards. The butler “But about this stranger,” said I. “Can you tell
brought me my coffee into the library, and I took me anything about him? What did Selden say? Did
the chance to ask him a few questions. he find out where he hid, or what he was doing?”
“Well,” said I, “has this precious relation of “He saw him once or twice, but he is a deep
yours departed, or is he still lurking out yonder?” one, and gives nothing away. At first he thought
that he was the police, but soon he found that he
“I don’t know, sir. I hope to heaven that he has had some lay of his own. A kind of gentleman he
gone, for he has brought nothing but trouble here! was, as far as he could see, but what he was doing
I’ve not heard of him since I left out food for him he could not make out.”
last, and that was three days ago.”
“And where did he say that he lived?”
“Did you see him then?” “Among the old houses on the hillside—the
“No, sir, but the food was gone when next I stone huts where the old folk used to live.”
went that way.” “But how about his food?”
“Then he was certainly there?” “Selden found out that he has got a lad who
works for him and brings him all he needs. I dare
“So you would think, sir, unless it was the other
say he goes to Coombe Tracey for what he wants.”
man who took it.”
“Very good, Barrymore. We may talk further of
I sat with my coffee-cup halfway to my lips and this some other time.” When the butler had gone
stared at Barrymore. I walked over to the black window, and I looked
“You know that there is another man then?” through a blurred pane at the driving clouds and at
“Yes, sir; there is another man upon the moor.” the tossing outline of the wind-swept trees. It is a
wild night indoors, and what must it be in a stone
“Have you seen him?” hut upon the moor. What passion of hatred can
“No, sir.” it be which leads a man to lurk in such a place at

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such a time! And what deep and earnest purpose swear that another day shall not have passed before
can he have which calls for such a trial! There, in I have done all that man can do to reach the heart
that hut upon the moor, seems to lie the very centre of the mystery.
of that problem which has vexed me so sorely. I

CHAPTER XI.
The Man on the Tor

The extract from my private diary which forms however, when she saw that I was a stranger, and
the last chapter has brought my narrative up to the she sat down again and asked me the object of my
18th of October, a time when these strange events visit.
began to move swiftly towards their terrible con- The first impression left by Mrs. Lyons was one
clusion. The incidents of the next few days are of extreme beauty. Her eyes and hair were of the
indelibly graven upon my recollection, and I can same rich hazel colour, and her cheeks, though con-
tell them without reference to the notes made at the siderably freckled, were flushed with the exquisite
time. I start then from the day which succeeded that bloom of the brunette, the dainty pink which lurks
upon which I had established two facts of great im- at the heart of the sulphur rose. Admiration was, I
portance, the one that Mrs. Laura Lyons of Coombe repeat, the first impression. But the second was crit-
Tracey had written to Sir Charles Baskerville and icism. There was something subtly wrong with the
made an appointment with him at the very place face, some coarseness of expression, some hardness,
and hour that he met his death, the other that the perhaps, of eye, some looseness of lip which marred
lurking man upon the moor was to be found among its perfect beauty. But these, of course, are after-
the stone huts upon the hill-side. With these two thoughts. At the moment I was simply conscious
facts in my possession I felt that either my intelli- that I was in the presence of a very handsome
gence or my courage must be deficient if I could not woman, and that she was asking me the reasons
throw some further light upon these dark places. for my visit. I had not quite understood until that
instant how delicate my mission was.
I had no opportunity to tell the baronet what
I had learned about Mrs. Lyons upon the evening “I have the pleasure,” said I, “of knowing your
before, for Dr. Mortimer remained with him at father.” It was a clumsy introduction, and the lady
cards until it was very late. At breakfast, however, made me feel it.
I informed him about my discovery, and asked “There is nothing in common between my fa-
him whether he would care to accompany me to ther and me,” she said. “I owe him nothing, and
Coombe Tracey. At first he was very eager to come, his friends are not mine. If it were not for the late
but on second thoughts it seemed to both of us that Sir Charles Baskerville and some other kind hearts
if I went alone the results might be better. The more I might have starved for all that my father cared.”
formal we made the visit the less information we “It was about the late Sir Charles Baskerville
might obtain. I left Sir Henry behind, therefore, not that I have come here to see you.”
without some prickings of conscience, and drove The freckles started out on the lady’s face.
off upon my new quest. “What can I tell you about him?” she asked, and
her fingers played nervously over the stops of her
When I reached Coombe Tracey I told Perkins to
typewriter.
put up the horses, and I made inquiries for the lady
whom I had come to interrogate. I had no difficulty “You knew him, did you not?”
in finding her rooms, which were central and well “I have already said that I owe a great deal to
appointed. A maid showed me in without cere- his kindness. If I am able to support myself it is
mony, and as I entered the sitting-room a lady, who largely due to the interest which he took in my
was sitting before a Remington typewriter, sprang unhappy situation.”
up with a pleasant smile of welcome. Her face fell, “Did you correspond with him?”

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The lady looked quickly up with an angry ‘Please, please, as you are a gentleman, burn this
gleam in her hazel eyes. letter, and be at the gate by ten o’clock.‘”
“What is the object of these questions?” she I thought that she had fainted, but she recovered
asked sharply. herself by a supreme effort.
“The object is to avoid a public scandal. It is “Is there no such thing as a gentleman?” she
better that I should ask them here than that the gasped.
matter should pass outside our control.” “You do Sir Charles an injustice. He did burn
She was silent and her face was still very pale. the letter. But sometimes a letter may be legible
At last she looked up with something reckless and even when burned. You acknowledge now that you
defiant in her manner. wrote it?”
“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
“I certainly wrote to him once or twice to ac- had an interview I could gain his help, so I asked
knowledge his delicacy and his generosity.” him to meet me.”
“Have you the dates of those letters?” “But why at such an hour?”
“No.” “Because I had only just learned that he was
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 Coombe there earlier.”
Tracey. He was a very retiring man, and he pre- “But why a rendezvous in the garden instead
ferred to do good by stealth.” of a visit to the house?”
“But if you saw him so seldom and wrote so “Do you think a woman could go alone at that
seldom, how did he know enough about your af- hour to a bachelor’s house?”
fairs to be able to help you, as you say that he has “Well, what happened when you did get there?”
done?”
“I never went.”
She met my difficulty with the utmost readiness.
“Mrs. Lyons!”
“There were several gentlemen who knew my “No, I swear it to you on all I hold sacred. I
sad history and united to help me. One was Mr. never went. Something intervened to prevent my
Stapleton, a neighbour and intimate friend of Sir going.”
Charles’s. He was exceedingly kind, and it was
“What was that?”
through him that Sir Charles learned about my
affairs.” “That is a private matter. I cannot tell it.”
I knew already that Sir Charles Baskerville had “You acknowledge then that you made an ap-
made Stapleton his almoner upon several occasions, pointment with Sir Charles at the very hour and
so the lady’s statement bore the impress of truth place at which he met his death, but you deny that
upon it. you kept the appointment.”
“That is the truth.”
“Did you ever write to Sir Charles asking him
to meet you?” I continued. Again and again I cross-questioned her, but I
could never get past that point.
Mrs. Lyons flushed with anger again.
“Mrs. Lyons,” said I, as I rose from this long
“Really, sir, this is a very extraordinary ques- and inconclusive interview, “you are taking a very
tion.” great responsibility and putting yourself in a very
“I am sorry, madam, but I must repeat it.” false position by not making an absolutely clean
“Then I answer, certainly not.” breast of all that you know. If I have to call in the
aid of the police you will find how seriously you
“Not on the very day of Sir Charles’s death?” are compromised. If your position is innocent, why
The flush had faded in an instant, and a deathly did you in the first instance deny having written to
face was before me. Her dry lips could not speak Sir Charles upon that date?”
the “No” which I saw rather than heard. “Because I feared that some false conclusion
“Surely your memory deceives you,” said I. “I might be drawn from it and that I might find my-
could even quote a passage of your letter. It ran self involved in a scandal.”

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“And why were you so pressing that Sir Charles yet the more I thought of the lady’s face and of her
should destroy your letter?” manner the more I felt that something was being
“If you have read the letter you will know.” held back from me. Why should she turn so pale?
Why should she fight against every admission until
“I did not say that I had read all the letter.” it was forced from her? Why should she have been
“You quoted some of it.” so reticent at the time of the tragedy? Surely the
“I quoted the postscript. The letter had, as I explanation of all this could not be as innocent as
said, been burned and it was not all legible. I ask she would have me believe. For the moment I could
you once again why it was that you were so press- proceed no farther in that direction, but must turn
ing that Sir Charles should destroy this letter which back to that other clue which was to be sought for
he received on the day of his death.” among the stone huts upon the moor.
“The matter is a very private one.” And that was a most vague direction. I real-
ized it as I drove back and noted how hill after hill
“The more reason why you should avoid a pub-
showed traces of the ancient people. Barrymore’s
lic investigation.”
only indication had been that the stranger lived in
“I will tell you, then. If you have heard anything one of these abandoned huts, and many hundreds
of my unhappy history you will know that I made of them are scattered throughout the length and
a rash marriage and had reason to regret it.” breadth of the moor. But I had my own experience
“I have heard so much.” for a guide since it had shown me the man himself
“My life has been one incessant persecution standing upon the summit of the Black Tor. That
from a husband whom I abhor. The law is upon then should be the centre of my search. From there
his side, and every day I am faced by the possi- I should explore every hut upon the moor until I
bility that he may force me to live with him. At lighted upon the right one. If this man were inside
the time that I wrote this letter to Sir Charles I had it I should find out from his own lips, at the point of
learned that there was a prospect of my regaining my revolver if necessary, who he was and why he
my freedom if certain expenses could be met. It had dogged us so long. He might slip away from us
meant everything to me—peace of mind, happi- in the crowd of Regent Street, but it would puzzle
ness, self-respect—everything. I knew Sir Charles’s him to do so upon the lonely moor. On the other
generosity, and I thought that if he heard the story hand, if I should find the hut and its tenant should
from my own lips he would help me.” not be within it I must remain there, however long
the vigil, until he returned. Holmes had missed
“Then how is it that you did not go?” him in London. It would indeed be a triumph for
“Because I received help in the interval from me if I could run him to earth, where my master
another source.” had failed.
“Why then, did you not write to Sir Charles and Luck had been against us again and again in
explain this?” this inquiry, but now at last it came to my aid. And
“So I should have done had I not seen his death the messenger of good fortune was none other than
in the paper next morning.” Mr. Frankland, who was standing, gray-whiskered
and red-faced, outside the gate of his garden, which
The woman’s story hung coherently together, opened on to the high road along which I travelled.
and all my questions were unable to shake it. I
could only check it by finding if she had, indeed, “Good-day, Dr. Watson,” cried he with un-
instituted divorce proceedings against her husband wonted good humour, “you must really give your
at or about the time of the tragedy. horses a rest, and come in to have a glass of wine
and to congratulate me.”
It was unlikely that she would dare to say that
she had not been to Baskerville Hall if she really My feelings towards him were very far from be-
had been, for a trap would be necessary to take ing friendly after what I had heard of his treatment
her there, and could not have returned to Coombe of his daughter, but I was anxious to send Perkins
Tracey until the early hours of the morning. Such and the wagonette home, and the opportunity was
an excursion could not be kept secret. The probabil- a good one. I alighted and sent a message to Sir
ity was, therefore, that she was telling the truth, or, Henry that I should walk over in time for dinner.
at least, a part of the truth. I came away baffled and Then I followed Frankland into his dining-room.
disheartened. Once again I had reached that dead “It is a great day for me, sir—one of the red-
wall which seemed to be built across every path by letter days of my life,” he cried with many chuckles.
which I tried to get at the object of my mission. And “I have brought off a double event. I mean to teach

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them in these parts that law is law, and that there “I may not know exactly where he is, but I am
is a man here who does not fear to invoke it. I quite sure that I could help the police to lay their
have established a right of way through the centre hands on him. Has it never struck you that the way
of old Middleton’s park, slap across it, sir, within to catch that man was to find out where he got his
a hundred yards of his own front door. What do food, and so trace it to him?”
you think of that? We’ll teach these magnates that He certainly seemed to be getting uncomfort-
they cannot ride roughshod over the rights of the ably near the truth. “No doubt,” said I; “but how
commoners, confound them! And I’ve closed the do you know that he is anywhere upon the moor?”
wood where the Fernworthy folk used to picnic. “I know it because I have seen with my own
These infernal people seem to think that there are eyes the messenger who takes him his food.”
no rights of property, and that they can swarm My heart sank for Barrymore. It was a serious
where they like with their papers and their bottles. thing to be in the power of this spiteful old busy-
Both cases decided, Dr. Watson, and both in my body. But his next remark took a weight from my
favour. I haven’t had such a day since I had Sir mind.
John Morland for trespass, because he shot in his
“You’ll be surprised to hear that his food is
own warren.”
taken to him by a child. I see him every day through
“How on earth did you do that?” my telescope upon the roof. He passes along the
“Look it up in the books, sir. It will repay same path at the same hour, and to whom should
reading—Frankland v. Morland, Court of Queen’s he be going except to the convict?”
Bench. It cost me 200 pounds, but I got my verdict.” Here was luck indeed! And yet I suppressed
“Did it do you any good?” all appearance of interest. A child! Barrymore
had said that our unknown was supplied by a boy.
“None, sir, none. I am proud to say that I had It was on his track, and not upon the convict’s,
no interest in the matter. I act entirely from a sense that Frankland had stumbled. If I could get his
of public duty. I have no doubt, for example, that knowledge it might save me a long and weary hunt.
the Fernworthy people will burn me in effigy to- But incredulity and indifference were evidently my
night. I told the police last time they did it that strongest cards.
they should stop these disgraceful exhibitions. The
“I should say that it was much more likely that
County Constabulary is in a scandalous state, sir,
it was the son of one of the moorland shepherds
and it has not afforded me the protection to which
taking out his father’s dinner.”
I am entitled. The case of Frankland v. Regina will
bring the matter before the attention of the public. The least appearance of opposition struck fire
I told them that they would have occasion to regret out of the old autocrat. His eyes looked malignantly
their treatment of me, and already my words have at me, and his gray whiskers bristled like those of
come true.” an angry cat.
“Indeed, sir!” said he, pointing out over the
“How so?” I asked.
wide-stretching moor. “Do you see that Black Tor
The old man put on a very knowing expression. over yonder? Well, do you see the low hill beyond
“Because I could tell them what they are dying with the thornbush upon it? It is the stoniest part of
to know; but nothing would induce me to help the the whole moor. Is that a place where a shepherd
rascals in any way.” would be likely to take his station? Your suggestion,
sir, is a most absurd one.”
I had been casting round for some excuse by
which I could get away from his gossip, but now I I meekly answered that I had spoken without
began to wish to hear more of it. I had seen enough knowing all the facts. My submission pleased him
of the contrary nature of the old sinner to under- and led him to further confidences.
stand that any strong sign of interest would be the “You may be sure, sir, that I have very good
surest way to stop his confidences. grounds before I come to an opinion. I have seen
the boy again and again with his bundle. Every day,
“Some poaching case, no doubt?” said I, with
and sometimes twice a day, I have been able—but
an indifferent manner.
wait a moment, Dr. Watson. Do my eyes deceive
“Ha, ha, my boy, a very much more important me, or is there at the present moment something
matter than that! What about the convict on the moving upon that hill-side?”
moor?” It was several miles off, but I could distinctly
I started. “You don’t mean that you know where see a small dark dot against the dull green and
he is?” said I. gray.

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“Come, sir, come!” cried Frankland, rushing up- the desert beneath it. The barren scene, the sense
stairs. “You will see with your own eyes and judge of loneliness, and the mystery and urgency of my
for yourself.” task all struck a chill into my heart. The boy was
The telescope, a formidable instrument nowhere to be seen. But down beneath me in a cleft
mounted upon a tripod, stood upon the flat leads of the hills there was a circle of the old stone huts,
of the house. Frankland clapped his eye to it and and in the middle of them there was one which
gave a cry of satisfaction. retained sufficient roof to act as a screen against
the weather. My heart leaped within me as I saw it.
“Quick, Dr. Watson, quick, before he passes over
This must be the burrow where the stranger lurked.
the hill!”
At last my foot was on the threshold of his hiding
There he was, sure enough, a small urchin with place—his secret was within my grasp.
a little bundle upon his shoulder, toiling slowly up As I approached the hut, walking as warily as
the hill. When he reached the crest I saw the ragged Stapleton would do when with poised net he drew
uncouth figure outlined for an instant against the near the settled butterfly, I satisfied myself that
cold blue sky. He looked round him with a furtive the place had indeed been used as a habitation.
and stealthy air, as one who dreads pursuit. Then A vague pathway among the boulders led to the
he vanished over the hill. dilapidated opening which served as a door. All
“Well! Am I right?” was silent within. The unknown might be lurking
“Certainly, there is a boy who seems to have there, or he might be prowling on the moor. My
some secret errand.” nerves tingled with the sense of adventure. Throw-
“And what the errand is even a county consta- ing aside my cigarette, I closed my hand upon the
ble could guess. But not one word shall they have butt of my revolver and, walking swiftly up to the
from me, and I bind you to secrecy also, Dr. Watson. door, I looked in. The place was empty.
Not a word! You understand!” But there were ample signs that I had not come
upon a false scent. This was certainly where the
“Just as you wish.”
man lived. Some blankets rolled in a waterproof
“They have treated me shamefully—shamefully. lay upon that very stone slab upon which Neolithic
When the facts come out in Frankland v. Regina man had once slumbered. The ashes of a fire were
I venture to think that a thrill of indignation will heaped in a rude grate. Beside it lay some cooking
run through the country. Nothing would induce utensils and a bucket half-full of water. A litter of
me to help the police in any way. For all they cared empty tins showed that the place had been occu-
it might have been me, instead of my effigy, which pied for some time, and I saw, as my eyes became
these rascals burned at the stake. Surely you are accustomed to the checkered light, a pannikin and
not going! You will help me to empty the decanter a half-full bottle of spirits standing in the corner. In
in honour of this great occasion!” the middle of the hut a flat stone served the pur-
But I resisted all his solicitations and succeeded pose of a table, and upon this stood a small cloth
in dissuading him from his announced intention bundle—the same, no doubt, which I had seen
of walking home with me. I kept the road as long through the telescope upon the shoulder of the boy.
as his eye was on me, and then I struck off across It contained a loaf of bread, a tinned tongue, and
the moor and made for the stony hill over which two tins of preserved peaches. As I set it down
the boy had disappeared. Everything was work- again, after having examined it, my heart leaped to
ing in my favour, and I swore that it should not see that beneath it there lay a sheet of paper with
be through lack of energy or perseverance that I writing upon it. I raised it, and this was what I
should miss the chance which fortune had thrown read, roughly scrawled in pencil:—
in my way. Dr. Watson has gone to Coombe Tracey.
The sun was already sinking when I reached For a minute I stood there with the paper in
the summit of the hill, and the long slopes beneath my hands thinking out the meaning of this curt
me were all golden-green on one side and gray message. It was I, then, and not Sir Henry, who
shadow on the other. A haze lay low upon the was being dogged by this secret man. He had not
farthest sky-line, out of which jutted the fantastic followed me himself, but he had set an agent—the
shapes of Belliver and Vixen Tor. Over the wide ex- boy, perhaps—upon my track, and this was his re-
panse there was no sound and no movement. One port. Possibly I had taken no step since I had been
great gray bird, a gull or curlew, soared aloft in upon the moor which had not been observed and
the blue heaven. He and I seemed to be the only reported. Always there was this feeling of an un-
living things between the huge arch of the sky and seen force, a fine net drawn round us with infinite

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skill and delicacy, holding us so lightly that it was the house of the Stapletons. All was sweet and
only at some supreme moment that one realized mellow and peaceful in the golden evening light,
that one was indeed entangled in its meshes. and yet as I looked at them my soul shared none of
If there was one report there might be others, the peace of nature but quivered at the vagueness
so I looked round the hut in search of them. There and the terror of that interview which every instant
was no trace, however, of anything of the kind, nor was bringing nearer. With tingling nerves, but a
could I discover any sign which might indicate the fixed purpose, I sat in the dark recess of the hut
character or intentions of the man who lived in and waited with sombre patience for the coming of
this singular place, save that he must be of Spartan its tenant.
habits and cared little for the comforts of life. When
And then at last I heard him. Far away came the
I thought of the heavy rains and looked at the gap-
sharp clink of a boot striking upon a stone. Then
ing roof I understood how strong and immutable
another and yet another, coming nearer and nearer.
must be the purpose which had kept him in that
I shrank back into the darkest corner, and cocked
inhospitable abode. Was he our malignant enemy,
the pistol in my pocket, determined not to discover
or was he by chance our guardian angel? I swore
myself until I had an opportunity of seeing some-
that I would not leave the hut until I knew.
thing of the stranger. There was a long pause which
Outside the sun was sinking low and the west showed that he had stopped. Then once more the
was blazing with scarlet and gold. Its reflection was footsteps approached and a shadow fell across the
shot back in ruddy patches by the distant pools opening of the hut.
which lay amid the great Grimpen Mire. There
were the two towers of Baskerville Hall, and there “It is a lovely evening, my dear Watson,” said a
a distant blur of smoke which marked the village well-known voice. “I really think that you will be
of Grimpen. Between the two, behind the hill, was more comfortable outside than in.”

CHAPTER XII.
Death on the Moor

For a moment or two I sat breathless, hardly “I never was more glad to see anyone in my
able to believe my ears. Then my senses and my life,” said I, as I wrung him by the hand.
voice came back to me, while a crushing weight of “Or more astonished, eh?”
responsibility seemed in an instant to be lifted from
my soul. That cold, incisive, ironical voice could “Well, I must confess to it.”
belong to but one man in all the world. “The surprise was not all on one side, I assure
“Holmes!” I cried—“Holmes!” you. I had no idea that you had found my occa-
sional retreat, still less that you were inside it, until
“Come out,” said he, “and please be careful I was within twenty paces of the door.”
with the revolver.”
“My footprint, I presume?”
I stooped under the rude lintel, and there he
sat upon a stone outside, his gray eyes dancing “No, Watson; I fear that I could not undertake
with amusement as they fell upon my astonished to recognize your footprint amid all the footprints
features. He was thin and worn, but clear and alert, of the world. If you seriously desire to deceive
his keen face bronzed by the sun and roughened by me you must change your tobacconist; for when
the wind. In his tweed suit and cloth cap he looked I see the stub of a cigarette marked Bradley, Ox-
like any other tourist upon the moor, and he had ford Street, I know that my friend Watson is in the
contrived, with that cat-like love of personal clean- neighbourhood. You will see it there beside the
liness which was one of his characteristics, that his path. You threw it down, no doubt, at that supreme
chin should be as smooth and his linen as perfect moment when you charged into the empty hut.”
as if he were in Baker Street. “Exactly.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“I thought as much—and knowing your ad- done had I been living in the Hall, and I remain an
mirable tenacity I was convinced that you were unknown factor in the business, ready to throw in
sitting in ambush, a weapon within reach, waiting all my weight at a critical moment.”
for the tenant to return. So you actually thought “But why keep me in the dark?”
that I was the criminal?” “For you to know could not have helped us,
“I did not know who you were, but I was deter- and might possibly have led to my discovery. You
mined to find out.” would have wished to tell me something, or in your
“Excellent, Watson! And how did you localize kindness you would have brought me out some
me? You saw me, perhaps, on the night of the con- comfort or other, and so an unnecessary risk would
vict hunt, when I was so imprudent as to allow the be run. I brought Cartwright down with me—you
moon to rise behind me?” remember the little chap at the express office—and
he has seen after my simple wants: a loaf of bread
“Yes, I saw you then.”
and a clean collar. What does man want more?
“And have no doubt searched all the huts until He has given me an extra pair of eyes upon a very
you came to this one?” active pair of feet, and both have been invaluable.”
“No, your boy had been observed, and that gave “Then my reports have all been wasted!”—My
me a guide where to look.” voice trembled as I recalled the pains and the pride
“The old gentleman with the telescope, no with which I had composed them.
doubt. I could not make it out when first I saw the Holmes took a bundle of papers from his
light flashing upon the lens.” He rose and peeped pocket.
into the hut. “Ha, I see that Cartwright has brought “Here are your reports, my dear fellow, and
up some supplies. What’s this paper? So you have very well thumbed, I assure you. I made excellent
been to Coombe Tracey, have you?” arrangements, and they are only delayed one day
“Yes.” upon their way. I must compliment you exceed-
“To see Mrs. Laura Lyons?” ingly upon the zeal and the intelligence which you
have shown over an extraordinarily difficult case.”
“Exactly.”
I was still rather raw over the deception which
“Well done! Our researches have evidently been had been practised upon me, but the warmth of
running on parallel lines, and when we unite our re- Holmes’s praise drove my anger from my mind.
sults I expect we shall have a fairly full knowledge I felt also in my heart that he was right in what
of the case.” he said and that it was really best for our purpose
“Well, I am glad from my heart that you are that I should not have known that he was upon the
here, for indeed the responsibility and the mystery moor.
were both becoming too much for my nerves. But “That’s better,” said he, seeing the shadow rise
how in the name of wonder did you come here, from my face. “And now tell me the result of your
and what have you been doing? I thought that visit to Mrs. Laura Lyons—it was not difficult for
you were in Baker Street working out that case of me to guess that it was to see her that you had gone,
blackmailing.” for I am already aware that she is the one person
“That was what I wished you to think.” in Coombe Tracey who might be of service to us
“Then you use me, and yet do not trust me!” in the matter. In fact, if you had not gone to-day
I cried with some bitterness. “I think that I have it is exceedingly probable that I should have gone
deserved better at your hands, Holmes.” to-morrow.”
“My dear fellow, you have been invaluable to The sun had set and dusk was settling over the
me in this as in many other cases, and I beg that moor. The air had turned chill and we withdrew
you will forgive me if I have seemed to play a trick into the hut for warmth. There, sitting together in
upon you. In truth, it was partly for your own sake the twilight, I told Holmes of my conversation with
that I did it, and it was my appreciation of the dan- the lady. So interested was he that I had to repeat
ger which you ran which led me to come down and some of it twice before he was satisfied.
examine the matter for myself. Had I been with “This is most important,” said he when I had
Sir Henry and you it is confident that my point of concluded. “It fills up a gap which I had been un-
view would have been the same as yours, and my able to bridge, in this most complex affair. You are
presence would have warned our very formidable aware, perhaps, that a close intimacy exists between
opponents to be on their guard. As it is, I have this lady and the man Stapleton?”
been able to get about as I could not possibly have “I did not know of a close intimacy.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“There can be no doubt about the matter. They When I learned that the missing man was devoted
meet, they write, there is a complete understand- to entomology the identification was complete.”
ing between them. Now, this puts a very powerful The darkness was rising, but much was still
weapon into our hands. If I could only use it to hidden by the shadows.
detach his wife—”
“If this woman is in truth his wife, where does
“His wife?” Mrs. Laura Lyons come in?” I asked.
“I am giving you some information now, in re- “That is one of the points upon which your own
turn for all that you have given me. The lady who researches have shed a light. Your interview with
has passed here as Miss Stapleton is in reality his the lady has cleared the situation very much. I did
wife.” not know about a projected divorce between herself
“Good heavens, Holmes! Are you sure of what and her husband. In that case, regarding Stapleton
you say? How could he have permitted Sir Henry as an unmarried man, she counted no doubt upon
to fall in love with her?” becoming his wife.”
“Sir Henry’s falling in love could do no harm to “And when she is undeceived?”
anyone except Sir Henry. He took particular care “Why, then we may find the lady of service. It
that Sir Henry did not make love to her, as you have must be our first duty to see her—both of us—to-
yourself observed. I repeat that the lady is his wife morrow. Don’t you think, Watson, that you are
and not his sister.” away from your charge rather long? Your place
“But why this elaborate deception?” should be at Baskerville Hall.”
“Because he foresaw that she would be very The last red streaks had faded away in the west
much more useful to him in the character of a free and night had settled upon the moor. A few faint
woman.” stars were gleaming in a violet sky.
All my unspoken instincts, my vague suspi- “One last question, Holmes,” I said, as I rose.
cions, suddenly took shape and centred upon the “Surely there is no need of secrecy between you
naturalist. In that impassive, colourless man, with and me. What is the meaning of it all? What is he
his straw hat and his butterfly-net, I seemed to see after?”
something terrible—a creature of infinite patience Holmes’s voice sank as he answered:—
and craft, with a smiling face and a murderous
“It is murder, Watson—refined, cold-blooded,
heart.
deliberate murder. Do not ask me for particulars.
“It is he, then, who is our enemy—it is he who My nets are closing upon him, even as his are upon
dogged us in London?” Sir Henry, and with your help he is already almost
“So I read the riddle.” at my mercy. There is but one danger which can
“And the warning—it must have come from threaten us. It is that he should strike before we are
her!” ready to do so. Another day—two at the most—and
I have my case complete, but until then guard your
“Exactly.”
charge as closely as ever a fond mother watched
The shape of some monstrous villainy, half seen, her ailing child. Your mission to-day has justified
half guessed, loomed through the darkness which itself, and yet I could almost wish that you had not
had girt me so long. left his side. Hark!”
“But are you sure of this, Holmes? How do you A terrible scream—a prolonged yell of horror
know that the woman is his wife?” and anguish—burst out of the silence of the moor.
“Because he so far forgot himself as to tell you That frightful cry turned the blood to ice in my
a true piece of autobiography upon the occasion veins.
when he first met you, and I dare say he has many “Oh, my God!” I gasped. “What is it? What
a time regretted it since. He was once a schoolmas- does it mean?”
ter in the north of England. Now, there is no one
Holmes had sprung to his feet, and I saw his
more easy to trace than a schoolmaster. There are
dark, athletic outline at the door of the hut, his
scholastic agencies by which one may identify any
shoulders stooping, his head thrust forward, his
man who has been in the profession. A little inves-
face peering into the darkness.
tigation showed me that a school had come to grief
under atrocious circumstances, and that the man “Hush!” he whispered. “Hush!”
who had owned it—the name was different—had The cry had been loud on account of its vehe-
disappeared with his wife. The descriptions agreed. mence, but it had pealed out from somewhere far

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

off on the shadowy plain. Now it burst upon our somersault. So grotesque was the attitude that I
ears, nearer, louder, more urgent than before. could not for the instant realize that that moan had
“Where is it?” Holmes whispered; and I knew been the passing of his soul. Not a whisper, not a
from the thrill of his voice that he, the man of iron, rustle, rose now from the dark figure over which
was shaken to the soul. “Where is it, Watson?” we stooped. Holmes laid his hand upon him, and
held it up again, with an exclamation of horror.
“There, I think.” I pointed into the darkness. The gleam of the match which he struck shone
“No, there!” upon his clotted fingers and upon the ghastly pool
Again the agonized cry swept through the silent which widened slowly from the crushed skull of the
night, louder and much nearer than ever. And a victim. And it shone upon something else which
new sound mingled with it, a deep, muttered rum- turned our hearts sick and faint within us—the
ble, musical and yet menacing, rising and falling body of Sir Henry Baskerville!
like the low, constant murmur of the sea. There was no chance of either of us forgetting
“The hound!” cried Holmes. “Come, Watson, that peculiar ruddy tweed suit—the very one which
come! Great heavens, if we are too late!” he had worn on the first morning that we had
seen him in Baker Street. We caught the one clear
He had started running swiftly over the moor,
glimpse of it, and then the match flickered and
and I had followed at his heels. But now from some-
went out, even as the hope had gone out of our
where among the broken ground immediately in
souls. Holmes groaned, and his face glimmered
front of us there came one last despairing yell, and
white through the darkness.
then a dull, heavy thud. We halted and listened.
Not another sound broke the heavy silence of the “The brute! the brute!” I cried with clenched
windless night. hands. “Oh Holmes, I shall never forgive myself
for having left him to his fate.”
I saw Holmes put his hand to his forehead like
a man distracted. He stamped his feet upon the “I am more to blame than you, Watson. In order
ground. to have my case well rounded and complete, I have
thrown away the life of my client. It is the greatest
“He has beaten us, Watson. We are too late.” blow which has befallen me in my career. But how
“No, no, surely not!” could I know—how could l know—that he would
“Fool that I was to hold my hand. And you, Wat- risk his life alone upon the moor in the face of all
son, see what comes of abandoning your charge! my warnings?”
But, by Heaven, if the worst has happened, we’ll “That we should have heard his screams—my
avenge him!” God, those screams!—and yet have been unable to
Blindly we ran through the gloom, blunder- save him! Where is this brute of a hound which
ing against boulders, forcing our way through drove him to his death? It may be lurking among
gorse bushes, panting up hills and rushing down these rocks at this instant. And Stapleton, where is
slopes, heading always in the direction whence he? He shall answer for this deed.”
those dreadful sounds had come. At every rise “He shall. I will see to that. Uncle and nephew
Holmes looked eagerly round him, but the shad- have been murdered—the one frightened to death
ows were thick upon the moor, and nothing moved by the very sight of a beast which he thought to
upon its dreary face. be supernatural, the other driven to his end in his
“Can you see anything?” wild flight to escape from it. But now we have
to prove the connection between the man and the
“Nothing.” beast. Save from what we heard, we cannot even
“But, hark, what is that?” swear to the existence of the latter, since Sir Henry
A low moan had fallen upon our ears. There has evidently died from the fall. But, by heavens,
it was again upon our left! On that side a ridge cunning as he is, the fellow shall be in my power
of rocks ended in a sheer cliff which overlooked a before another day is past!”
stone-strewn slope. On its jagged face was spread- We stood with bitter hearts on either side of the
eagled some dark, irregular object. As we ran to- mangled body, overwhelmed by this sudden and
wards it the vague outline hardened into a definite irrevocable disaster which had brought all our long
shape. It was a prostrate man face downward upon and weary labours to so piteous an end. Then, as
the ground, the head doubled under him at a hor- the moon rose we climbed to the top of the rocks
rible angle, the shoulders rounded and the body over which our poor friend had fallen, and from the
hunched together as if in the act of throwing a summit we gazed out over the shadowy moor, half

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silver and half gloom. Far away, miles off, in the came Selden, in the darkness, to know that the
direction of Grimpen, a single steady yellow light hound was on his trail?”
was shining. It could only come from the lonely “He heard him.”
abode of the Stapletons. With a bitter curse I shook
“To hear a hound upon the moor would not
my fist at it as I gazed.
work a hard man like this convict into such a
“Why should we not seize him at once?” paroxysm of terror that he would risk recapture
“Our case is not complete. The fellow is wary by screaming wildly for help. By his cries he must
and cunning to the last degree. It is not what we have run a long way after he knew the animal was
know, but what we can prove. If we make one false on his track. How did he know?”
move the villain may escape us yet.” “A greater mystery to me is why this hound,
“What can we do?” presuming that all our conjectures are correct—”
“There will be plenty for us to do to-morrow. “I presume nothing.”
To-night we can only perform the last offices to our “Well, then, why this hound should be loose to-
poor friend.” night. I suppose that it does not always run loose
Together we made our way down the precip- upon the moor. Stapleton would not let it go unless
itous slope and approached the body, black and he had reason to think that Sir Henry would be
clear against the silvered stones. The agony of there.”
those contorted limbs struck me with a spasm of “My difficulty is the more formidable of the
pain and blurred my eyes with tears. two, for I think that we shall very shortly get an ex-
“We must send for help, Holmes! We cannot planation of yours, while mine may remain forever
carry him all the way to the Hall. Good heavens, a mystery. The question now is, what shall we do
are you mad?” with this poor wretch’s body? We cannot leave it
He had uttered a cry and bent over the body. here to the foxes and the ravens.”
Now he was dancing and laughing and wringing “I suggest that we put it in one of the huts until
my hand. Could this be my stern, self-contained we can communicate with the police.”
friend? These were hidden fires, indeed! “Exactly. I have no doubt that you and I could
“A beard! A beard! The man has a beard!” carry it so far. Halloa, Watson, what’s this? It’s
the man himself, by all that’s wonderful and auda-
“A beard?”
cious! Not a word to show your suspicions—not a
“It is not the baronet—it is—why, it is my neigh- word, or my plans crumble to the ground.”
bour, the convict!”
A figure was approaching us over the moor,
With feverish haste we had turned the body and I saw the dull red glow of a cigar. The moon
over, and that dripping beard was pointing up to shone upon him, and I could distinguish the dap-
the cold, clear moon. There could be no doubt per shape and jaunty walk of the naturalist. He
about the beetling forehead, the sunken animal stopped when he saw us, and then came on again.
eyes. It was indeed the same face which had glared
“Why, Dr. Watson, that’s not you, is it? You
upon me in the light of the candle from over the
are the last man that I should have expected to see
rock—the face of Selden, the criminal.
out on the moor at this time of night. But, dear
Then in an instant it was all clear to me. I re- me, what’s this? Somebody hurt? Not—don’t tell
membered how the baronet had told me that he me that it is our friend Sir Henry!” He hurried
had handed his old wardrobe to Barrymore. Barry- past me and stooped over the dead man. I heard
more had passed it on in order to help Selden in a sharp intake of his breath and the cigar fell from
his escape. Boots, shirt, cap—it was all Sir Henry’s. his fingers.
The tragedy was still black enough, but this man
“Who—who’s this?” he stammered.
had at least deserved death by the laws of his coun-
try. I told Holmes how the matter stood, my heart “It is Selden, the man who escaped from Prince-
bubbling over with thankfulness and joy. town.”
“Then the clothes have been the poor devil’s Stapleton turned a ghastly face upon us, but by
death,” said he. “It is clear enough that the a supreme effort he had overcome his amazement
hound has been laid on from some article of Sir and his disappointment. He looked sharply from
Henry’s—the boot which was abstracted in the ho- Holmes to me.
tel, in all probability—and so ran this man down. “Dear me! What a very shocking affair! How
There is one very singular thing, however: How did he die?”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“He appears to have broken his neck by falling “You are quick at identification,” said he.
over these rocks. My friend and I were strolling on “We have been expecting you in these parts
the moor when we heard a cry.” since Dr. Watson came down. You are in time to
“I heard a cry also. That was what brought me see a tragedy.”
out. I was uneasy about Sir Henry.” “Yes, indeed. I have no doubt that my friend’s
“Why about Sir Henry in particular?” I could explanation will cover the facts. I will take an un-
not help asking. pleasant remembrance back to London with me
“Because I had suggested that he should come to-morrow.”
over. When he did not come I was surprised, and “Oh, you return to-morrow?”
I naturally became alarmed for his safety when I “That is my intention.”
heard cries upon the moor. By the way”—his eyes
“I hope your visit has cast some light upon
darted again from my face to Holmes’s—“did you
those occurrences which have puzzled us?”
hear anything else besides a cry?”
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
“No,” said Holmes; “did you?”
“One cannot always have the success for which
“No.” one hopes. An investigator needs facts, and not
“What do you mean, then?” legends or rumours. It has not been a satisfactory
“Oh, you know the stories that the peasants tell case.”
about a phantom hound, and so on. It is said to be My friend spoke in his frankest and most un-
heard at night upon the moor. I was wondering if concerned manner. Stapleton still looked hard at
there were any evidence of such a sound to-night.” him. Then he turned to me.
“We heard nothing of the kind,” said I. “I would suggest carrying this poor fellow to
“And what is your theory of this poor fellow’s my house, but it would give my sister such a fright
death?” that I do not feel justified in doing it. I think that if
we put something over his face he will be safe until
“I have no doubt that anxiety and exposure have morning.”
driven him off his head. He has rushed about the
moor in a crazy state and eventually fallen over And so it was arranged. Resisting Stapleton’s of-
here and broken his neck.” fer of hospitality, Holmes and I set off to Baskerville
Hall, leaving the naturalist to return alone. Looking
“That seems the most reasonable theory,” said back we saw the figure moving slowly away over
Stapleton, and he gave a sigh which I took to in- the broad moor, and behind him that one black
dicate his relief. “What do you think about it, Mr. smudge on the silvered slope which showed where
Sherlock Holmes?” the man was lying who had come so horribly to his
My friend bowed his compliments. end.

CHAPTER XIII.
Fixing the Nets

“We’re at close grips at last,” said Holmes as “I am sorry that he has seen you.”
we walked together across the moor. “What a nerve “And so was I at first. But there was no getting
the fellow has! How he pulled himself together in out of it.”
the face of what must have been a paralyzing shock “What effect do you think it will have upon his
when he found that the wrong man had fallen a plans now that he knows you are here?”
victim to his plot. I told you in London, Watson,
“It may cause him to be more cautious, or it may
and I tell you now again, that we have never had a
drive him to desperate measures at once. Like most
foeman more worthy of our steel.”
clever criminals, he may be too confident in his

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

own cleverness and imagine that he has completely will have a better nerve for the ordeal which he will
deceived us.” have to undergo to-morrow, when he is engaged, if
“Why should we not arrest him at once?” I remember your report aright, to dine with these
people.”
“My dear Watson, you were born to be a man
of action. Your instinct is always to do something “And so am I.”
energetic. But supposing, for argument’s sake, that “Then you must excuse yourself and he must
we had him arrested to-night, what on earth the go alone. That will be easily arranged. And now, if
better off should we be for that? We could prove we are too late for dinner, I think that we are both
nothing against him. There’s the devilish cunning ready for our suppers.”
of it! If he were acting through a human agent we Sir Henry was more pleased than surprised to
could get some evidence, but if we were to drag see Sherlock Holmes, for he had for some days been
this great dog to the light of day it would not help expecting that recent events would bring him down
us in putting a rope round the neck of its master.” from London. He did raise his eyebrows, however,
“Surely we have a case.” when he found that my friend had neither any lug-
gage nor any explanations for its absence. Between
“Not a shadow of one—only surmise and con- us we soon supplied his wants, and then over a be-
jecture. We should be laughed out of court if we lated supper we explained to the baronet as much
came with such a story and such evidence.” of our experience as it seemed desirable that he
“There is Sir Charles’s death.” should know. But first I had the unpleasant duty of
“Found dead without a mark upon him. You breaking the news to Barrymore and his wife. To
and I know that he died of sheer fright, and we him it may have been an unmitigated relief, but she
know also what frightened him; but how are we to wept bitterly in her apron. To all the world he was
get twelve stolid jurymen to know it? What signs the man of violence, half animal and half demon;
are there of a hound? Where are the marks of its but to her he always remained the little wilful boy
fangs? Of course we know that a hound does not of her own girlhood, the child who had clung to
bite a dead body and that Sir Charles was dead her hand. Evil indeed is the man who has not one
before ever the brute overtook him. But we have to woman to mourn him.
prove all this, and we are not in a position to do it.” “I’ve been moping in the house all day since
“Well, then, to-night?” Watson went off in the morning,” said the baronet.
“I guess I should have some credit, for I have kept
“We are not much better off to-night. Again,
my promise. If I hadn’t sworn not to go about alone
there was no direct connection between the hound
I might have had a more lively evening, for I had a
and the man’s death. We never saw the hound. We
message from Stapleton asking me over there.”
heard it; but we could not prove that it was running
upon this man’s trail. There is a complete absence “I have no doubt that you would have had a
of motive. No, my dear fellow; we must reconcile more lively evening,” said Holmes drily. “By the
ourselves to the fact that we have no case at present, way, I don’t suppose you appreciate that we have
and that it is worth our while to run any risk in been mourning over you as having broken your
order to establish one.” neck?”
Sir Henry opened his eyes. “How was that?”
“And how do you propose to do so?”
“This poor wretch was dressed in your clothes.
“I have great hopes of what Mrs. Laura Lyons I fear your servant who gave them to him may get
may do for us when the position of affairs is made into trouble with the police.”
clear to her. And I have my own plan as well. Suffi-
“That is unlikely. There was no mark on any of
cient for to-morrow is the evil thereof; but I hope
them, as far as I know.”
before the day is past to have the upper hand at
last.” “That’s lucky for him—in fact, it’s lucky for all
of you, since you are all on the wrong side of the
I could draw nothing further from him, and he law in this matter. I am not sure that as a con-
walked, lost in thought, as far as the Baskerville scientious detective my first duty is not to arrest
gates. the whole household. Watson’s reports are most
“Are you coming up?” incriminating documents.”
“Yes; I see no reason for further concealment. “But how about the case?” asked the baronet.
But one last word, Watson. Say nothing of the “Have you made anything out of the tangle? I don’t
hound to Sir Henry. Let him think that Selden’s know that Watson and I are much the wiser since
death was as Stapleton would have us believe. He we came down.”

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“I think that I shall be in a position to make the “Do you know the names?”
situation rather more clear to you before long. It “Barrymore has been coaching me in them, and
has been an exceedingly difficult and most com- I think I can say my lessons fairly well.”
plicated business. There are several points upon
“Who is the gentleman with the telescope?”
which we still want light—but it is coming all the
same.” “That is Rear-Admiral Baskerville, who served
under Rodney in the West Indies. The man with
“We’ve had one experience, as Watson has no
the blue coat and the roll of paper is Sir William
doubt told you. We heard the hound on the moor,
Baskerville, who was Chairman of Committees of
so I can swear that it is not all empty superstition.
the House of Commons under Pitt.”
I had something to do with dogs when I was out
West, and I know one when I hear one. If you can “And this Cavalier opposite to me—the one
muzzle that one and put him on a chain I’ll be with the black velvet and the lace?”
ready to swear you are the greatest detective of all “Ah, you have a right to know about him. That
time.” is the cause of all the mischief, the wicked Hugo,
“I think I will muzzle him and chain him all who started the Hound of the Baskervilles. We’re
right if you will give me your help.” not likely to forget him.”
“Whatever you tell me to do I will do.” I gazed with interest and some surprise upon
the portrait.
“Very good; and I will ask you also to do it
blindly, without always asking the reason.” “Dear me!” said Holmes, “he seems a quiet,
meek-mannered man enough, but I dare say that
“Just as you like.”
there was a lurking devil in his eyes. I had pictured
“If you will do this I think the chances are that him as a more robust and ruffianly person.”
our little problem will soon be solved. I have no
“There’s no doubt about the authenticity, for
doubt—”
the name and the date, 1647, are on the back of the
He stopped suddenly and stared fixedly up over canvas.”
my head into the air. The lamp beat upon his face,
Holmes said little more, but the picture of the
and so intent was it and so still that it might have
old roysterer seemed to have a fascination for him,
been that of a clear-cut classical statue, a personifi-
and his eyes were continually fixed upon it dur-
cation of alertness and expectation.
ing supper. It was not until later, when Sir Henry
“What is it?” we both cried. had gone to his room, that I was able to follow
I could see as he looked down that he was re- the trend of his thoughts. He led me back into the
pressing some internal emotion. His features were banqueting-hall, his bedroom candle in his hand,
still composed, but his eyes shone with amused and he held it up against the time-stained portrait
exultation. on the wall.
“Excuse the admiration of a connoisseur,” said “Do you see anything there?”
he as he waved his hand towards the line of por- I looked at the broad plumed hat, the curling
traits which covered the opposite wall. “Watson love-locks, the white lace collar, and the straight, se-
won’t allow that I know anything of art, but that is vere face which was framed between them. It was
mere jealousy, because our views upon the subject not a brutal countenance, but it was prim, hard,
differ. Now, these are a really very fine series of and stern, with a firm-set, thin-lipped mouth, and
portraits.” a coldly intolerant eye.
“Well, I’m glad to hear you say so,” said Sir “Is it like anyone you know?”
Henry, glancing with some surprise at my friend.
“There is something of Sir Henry about the jaw.”
“I don’t pretend to know much about these things,
and I’d be a better judge of a horse or a steer than “Just a suggestion, perhaps. But wait an in-
of a picture. I didn’t know that you found time for stant!” He stood upon a chair, and, holding up the
such things.” light in his left hand, he curved his right arm over
the broad hat and round the long ringlets.
“I know what is good when I see it, and I see
it now. That’s a Kneller, I’ll swear, that lady in the “Good heavens!” I cried, in amazement.
blue silk over yonder, and the stout gentleman with The face of Stapleton had sprung out of the
the wig ought to be a Reynolds. They are all family canvas.
portraits, I presume?” “Ha, you see it now. My eyes have been trained
“Every one.” to examine faces and not their trimmings. It is

641
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

the first quality of a criminal investigator that he “To London?”

should see through a disguise.” “Yes, I think that we should be more useful
“But this is marvellous. It might be his portrait.” there at the present juncture.”
“Yes, it is an interesting instance of a throwback, The baronet’s face perceptibly lengthened.
which appears to be both physical and spiritual. “I hoped that you were going to see me through
A study of family portraits is enough to convert a this business. The Hall and the moor are not very
man to the doctrine of reincarnation. The fellow is pleasant places when one is alone.”
a Baskerville—that is evident.”
“My dear fellow, you must trust me implicitly
“With designs upon the succession.” and do exactly what I tell you. You can tell your
“Exactly. This chance of the picture has sup- friends that we should have been happy to have
plied us with one of our most obvious missing come with you, but that urgent business required
links. We have him, Watson, we have him, and I us to be in town. We hope very soon to return to
dare swear that before to-morrow night he will be Devonshire. Will you remember to give them that
fluttering in our net as helpless as one of his own message?”
butterflies. A pin, a cork, and a card, and we add “If you insist upon it.”
him to the Baker Street collection!” He burst into
“There is no alternative, I assure you.”
one of his rare fits of laughter as he turned away
from the picture. I have not heard him laugh often, I saw by the baronet’s clouded brow that he was
and it has always boded ill to somebody. deeply hurt by what he regarded as our desertion.
I was up betimes in the morning, but Holmes “When do you desire to go?” he asked coldly.
was afoot earlier still, for I saw him as I dressed, “Immediately after breakfast. We will drive in
coming up the drive. to Coombe Tracey, but Watson will leave his things
“Yes, we should have a full day to-day,” he re- as a pledge that he will come back to you. Watson,
marked, and he rubbed his hands with the joy of you will send a note to Stapleton to tell him that
action. “The nets are all in place, and the drag is you regret that you cannot come.”
about to begin. We’ll know before the day is out “I have a good mind to go to London with you,”
whether we have caught our big, lean-jawed pike, said the baronet. “Why should I stay here alone?”
or whether he has got through the meshes.” “Because it is your post of duty. Because you
“Have you been on the moor already?” gave me your word that you would do as you were
“I have sent a report from Grimpen to Prince- told, and I tell you to stay.”
town as to the death of Selden. I think I can promise “All right, then, I’ll stay.”
that none of you will be troubled in the matter. “One more direction! I wish you to drive to
And I have also communicated with my faithful Merripit House. Send back your trap, however, and
Cartwright, who would certainly have pined away let them know that you intend to walk home.”
at the door of my hut, as a dog does at his master’s
“To walk across the moor?”
grave, if I had not set his mind at rest about my
safety.” “Yes.”
“What is the next move?” “But that is the very thing which you have so
often cautioned me not to do.”
“To see Sir Henry. Ah, here he is!”
“This time you may do it with safety. If I had
“Good morning, Holmes,” said the baronet. not every confidence in your nerve and courage I
“You look like a general who is planning a battle would not suggest it, but it is essential that you
with his chief of the staff.” should do it.”
“That is the exact situation. Watson was asking “Then I will do it.”
for orders.”
“And as you value your life do not go across the
“And so do I.” moor in any direction save along the straight path
“Very good. You are engaged, as I understand, which leads from Merripit House to the Grimpen
to dine with our friends the Stapletons to-night.” Road, and is your natural way home.”
“I hope that you will come also. They are very “I will do just what you say.”
hospitable people, and I am sure that they would “Very good. I should be glad to get away as
be very glad to see you.” soon after breakfast as possible, so as to reach Lon-
“I fear that Watson and I must go to London.” don in the afternoon.”

642
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

I was much astounded by this programme, “You have confessed that you asked Sir Charles
though I remembered that Holmes had said to to be at the gate at ten o’clock. We know that that
Stapleton on the night before that his visit would was the place and hour of his death. You have with-
terminate next day. It had not crossed my mind, held what the connection is between these events.”
however, that he would wish me to go with him, “There is no connection.”
nor could I understand how we could both be ab-
“In that case the coincidence must indeed be an
sent at a moment which he himself declared to be
extraordinary one. But I think that we shall succeed
critical. There was nothing for it, however, but im-
in establishing a connection after all. I wish to be
plicit obedience; so we bade good-bye to our rueful
perfectly frank with you, Mrs. Lyons. We regard
friend, and a couple of hours afterwards we were at
this case as one of murder, and the evidence may
the station of Coombe Tracey and had dispatched
implicate not only your friend Mr. Stapleton, but
the trap upon its return journey. A small boy was
his wife as well.”
waiting upon the platform.
The lady sprang from her chair.
“Any orders, sir?”
“His wife!” she cried.
“You will take this train to town, Cartwright.
“The fact is no longer a secret. The person who
The moment you arrive you will send a wire to Sir
has passed for his sister is really his wife.”
Henry Baskerville, in my name, to say that if he
finds the pocket-book which I have dropped he is Mrs. Lyons had resumed her seat. Her hands
to send it by registered post to Baker Street.” were grasping the arms of her chair, and I saw that
the pink nails had turned white with the pressure
“Yes, sir.”
of her grip.
“And ask at the station office if there is a mes-
“His wife!” she said again. “His wife! He is not
sage for me.”
a married man.”
The boy returned with a telegram, which Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
Holmes handed to me. It ran:
“Prove it to me! Prove it to me! And if you
Wire received. Coming down with un- can do so—!” The fierce flash of her eyes said more
signed warrant. Arrive five-forty. than any words.
— Lestrade. “I have come prepared to do so,” said Holmes,
drawing several papers from his pocket. “Here is a
“That is in answer to mine of this morning. He photograph of the couple taken in York four years
is the best of the professionals, I think, and we may ago. It is indorsed ‘Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur,’ but
need his assistance. Now, Watson, I think that we you will have no difficulty in recognizing him, and
cannot employ our time better than by calling upon her also, if you know her by sight. Here are three
your acquaintance, Mrs. Laura Lyons.” written descriptions by trustworthy witnesses of
Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur, who at that time kept St.
His plan of campaign was beginning to be ev- Oliver’s private school. Read them and see if you
ident. He would use the baronet in order to con- can doubt the identity of these people.”
vince the Stapletons that we were really gone, while
She glanced at them, and then looked up at us
we should actually return at the instant when we
with the set, rigid face of a desperate woman.
were likely to be needed. That telegram from Lon-
don, if mentioned by Sir Henry to the Stapletons, “Mr. Holmes,” she said, “this man had offered
must remove the last suspicions from their minds. me marriage on condition that I could get a divorce
Already I seemed to see our nets drawing closer from my husband. He has lied to me, the villain,
around that lean-jawed pike. in every conceivable way. Not one word of truth
has he ever told me. And why—why? I imagined
Mrs. Laura Lyons was in her office, and Sher-
that all was for my own sake. But now I see that I
lock Holmes opened his interview with a frankness
was never anything but a tool in his hands. Why
and directness which considerably amazed her.
should I preserve faith with him who never kept
“I am investigating the circumstances which at- any with me? Why should I try to shield him from
tended the death of the late Sir Charles Baskerville,” the consequences of his own wicked acts? Ask me
said he. “My friend here, Dr. Watson, has informed what you like, and there is nothing which I shall
me of what you have communicated, and also of hold back. One thing I swear to you, and that is
what you have withheld in connection with that that when I wrote the letter I never dreamed of
matter.” any harm to the old gentleman, who had been my
“What have I withheld?” she asked defiantly. kindest friend.”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“I entirely believe you, madam,” said Sherlock him in your power and he knew it, and yet you are
Holmes. “The recital of these events must be very alive. You have been walking for some months very
painful to you, and perhaps it will make it easier if near to the edge of a precipice. We must wish you
I tell you what occurred, and you can check me if good-morning now, Mrs. Lyons, and it is probable
I make any material mistake. The sending of this that you will very shortly hear from us again.”
letter was suggested to you by Stapleton?” “Our case becomes rounded off, and difficulty
“He dictated it.” after difficulty thins away in front of us,” said
“I presume that the reason he gave was that you Holmes as we stood waiting for the arrival of the
would receive help from Sir Charles for the legal express from town. “I shall soon be in the posi-
expenses connected with your divorce?” tion of being able to put into a single connected
narrative one of the most singular and sensational
“Exactly.”
crimes of modern times. Students of criminology
“And then after you had sent the letter he dis- will remember the analogous incidents in Godno,
suaded you from keeping the appointment?” in Little Russia, in the year ’66, and of course there
“He told me that it would hurt his self-respect are the Anderson murders in North Carolina, but
that any other man should find the money for such this case possesses some features which are entirely
an object, and that though he was a poor man him- its own. Even now we have no clear case against
self he would devote his last penny to removing this very wily man. But I shall be very much sur-
the obstacles which divided us.” prised if it is not clear enough before we go to bed
“He appears to be a very consistent character. this night.”
And then you heard nothing until you read the The London express came roaring into the sta-
reports of the death in the paper?” tion, and a small, wiry bulldog of a man had sprung
“No.” from a first-class carriage. We all three shook hands,
“And he made you swear to say nothing about and I saw at once from the reverential way in
your appointment with Sir Charles?” which Lestrade gazed at my companion that he
had learned a good deal since the days when they
“He did. He said that the death was a very had first worked together. I could well remember
mysterious one, and that I should certainly be sus- the scorn which the theories of the reasoner used
pected if the facts came out. He frightened me into then to excite in the practical man.
remaining silent.”
“Anything good?” he asked.
“Quite so. But you had your suspicions?”
“The biggest thing for years,” said Holmes. “We
She hesitated and looked down.
have two hours before we need think of starting. I
“I knew him,” she said. “But if he had kept think we might employ it in getting some dinner
faith with me I should always have done so with and then, Lestrade, we will take the London fog out
him.” of your throat by giving you a breath of the pure
“I think that on the whole you have had a fortu- night air of Dartmoor. Never been there? Ah, well,
nate escape,” said Sherlock Holmes. “You have had I don’t suppose you will forget your first visit.”

CHAPTER XIV.
The Hound of the Baskervilles

One of Sherlock Holmes’s defects—if, indeed, who were around him. Partly also from his profes-
one may call it a defect—was that he was exceed- sional caution, which urged him never to take any
ingly loath to communicate his full plans to any chances. The result, however, was very trying for
other person until the instant of their fulfilment. those who were acting as his agents and assistants.
Partly it came no doubt from his own masterful na- I had often suffered under it, but never more so
ture, which loved to dominate and surprise those than during that long drive in the darkness. The

644
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

great ordeal was in front of us; at last we were “And the one beyond, which shines so
about to make our final effort, and yet Holmes had brightly?”
said nothing, and I could only surmise what his “That is certainly the dining-room.”
course of action would be. My nerves thrilled with
“The blinds are up. You know the lie of the land
anticipation when at last the cold wind upon our
best. Creep forward quietly and see what they are
faces and the dark, void spaces on either side of the
doing—but for heaven’s sake don’t let them know
narrow road told me that we were back upon the
that they are watched!”
moor once again. Every stride of the horses and
every turn of the wheels was taking us nearer to I tiptoed down the path and stooped behind the
our supreme adventure. low wall which surrounded the stunted orchard.
Creeping in its shadow I reached a point whence I
Our conversation was hampered by the pres- could look straight through the uncurtained win-
ence of the driver of the hired wagonette, so that dow.
we were forced to talk of trivial matters when our
nerves were tense with emotion and anticipation. It There were only two men in the room, Sir Henry
was a relief to me, after that unnatural restraint, and Stapleton. They sat with their profiles towards
when we at last passed Frankland’s house and me on either side of the round table. Both of them
knew that we were drawing near to the Hall and were smoking cigars, and coffee and wine were
to the scene of action. We did not drive up to the in front of them. Stapleton was talking with ani-
door but got down near the gate of the avenue. The mation, but the baronet looked pale and distrait.
wagonette was paid off and ordered to return to Perhaps the thought of that lonely walk across the
Coombe Tracey forthwith, while we started to walk ill-omened moor was weighing heavily upon his
to Merripit House. mind.
As I watched them Stapleton rose and left the
“Are you armed, Lestrade?”
room, while Sir Henry filled his glass again and
The little detective smiled. leaned back in his chair, puffing at his cigar. I heard
“As long as I have my trousers I have a hip- the creak of a door and the crisp sound of boots
pocket, and as long as I have my hip-pocket I have upon gravel. The steps passed along the path on
something in it.” the other side of the wall under which I crouched.
“Good! My friend and I are also ready for emer- Looking over, I saw the naturalist pause at the door
gencies.” of an out-house in the corner of the orchard. A key
turned in a lock, and as he passed in there was a
“You’re mighty close about this affair, Mr.
curious scuffling noise from within. He was only
Holmes. What’s the game now?”
a minute or so inside, and then I heard the key
“A waiting game.” turn once more and he passed me and re-entered
“My word, it does not seem a very cheerful the house. I saw him rejoin his guest, and I crept
place,” said the detective with a shiver, glancing quietly back to where my companions were waiting
round him at the gloomy slopes of the hill and at to tell them what I had seen.
the huge lake of fog which lay over the Grimpen “You say, Watson, that the lady is not there?”
Mire. “I see the lights of a house ahead of us.” Holmes asked, when I had finished my report.
“That is Merripit House and the end of our jour- “No.”
ney. I must request you to walk on tiptoe and not
“Where can she be, then, since there is no light
to talk above a whisper.”
in any other room except the kitchen?”
We moved cautiously along the track as if we “I cannot think where she is.”
were bound for the house, but Holmes halted us
when we were about two hundred yards from it. I have said that over the great Grimpen Mire
there hung a dense, white fog. It was drifting
“This will do,” said he. “These rocks upon the slowly in our direction, and banked itself up like
right make an admirable screen.” a wall on that side of us, low, but thick and well
“We are to wait here?” defined. The moon shone on it, and it looked like
“Yes, we shall make our little ambush here. Get a great shimmering ice-field, with the heads of
into this hollow, Lestrade. You have been inside the distant tors as rocks borne upon its surface.
the house, have you not, Watson? Can you tell Holmes’s face was turned towards it, and he mut-
the position of the rooms? What are those latticed tered impatiently as he watched its sluggish drift.
windows at this end?” “It’s moving towards us, Watson.”
“I think they are the kitchen windows.” “Is that serious?”

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Very serious, indeed—the one thing upon emerged into the clear, starlit night. Then he came
earth which could have disarranged my plans. He swiftly along the path, passed close to where we
can’t be very long, now. It is already ten o’clock. lay, and went on up the long slope behind us. As he
Our success and even his life may depend upon his walked he glanced continually over either shoulder,
coming out before the fog is over the path.” like a man who is ill at ease.
The night was clear and fine above us. The stars “Hist!” cried Holmes, and I heard the sharp
shone cold and bright, while a half-moon bathed click of a cocking pistol. “Look out! It’s coming!”
the whole scene in a soft, uncertain light. Before us
There was a thin, crisp, continuous patter from
lay the dark bulk of the house, its serrated roof and
somewhere in the heart of that crawling bank. The
bristling chimneys hard outlined against the silver-
cloud was within fifty yards of where we lay, and
spangled sky. Broad bars of golden light from the
we glared at it, all three, uncertain what horror
lower windows stretched across the orchard and
was about to break from the heart of it. I was at
the moor. One of them was suddenly shut off. The
Holmes’s elbow, and I glanced for an instant at
servants had left the kitchen. There only remained
his face. It was pale and exultant, his eyes shin-
the lamp in the dining-room where the two men,
ing brightly in the moonlight. But suddenly they
the murderous host and the unconscious guest, still
started forward in a rigid, fixed stare, and his lips
chatted over their cigars.
parted in amazement. At the same instant Lestrade
Every minute that white woolly plain which gave a yell of terror and threw himself face down-
covered one half of the moor was drifting closer ward upon the ground. I sprang to my feet, my
and closer to the house. Already the first thin wisps inert hand grasping my pistol, my mind paralyzed
of it were curling across the golden square of the by the dreadful shape which had sprung out upon
lighted window. The farther wall of the orchard us from the shadows of the fog. A hound it was, an
was already invisible, and the trees were standing enormous coal-black hound, but not such a hound
out of a swirl of white vapour. As we watched it as mortal eyes have ever seen. Fire burst from its
the fog-wreaths came crawling round both corners open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smouldering
of the house and rolled slowly into one dense bank, glare, its muzzle and hackles and dewlap were out-
on which the upper floor and the roof floated like lined in flickering flame. Never in the delirious
a strange ship upon a shadowy sea. Holmes struck dream of a disordered brain could anything more
his hand passionately upon the rock in front of us savage, more appalling, more hellish be conceived
and stamped his feet in his impatience. than that dark form and savage face which broke
“If he isn’t out in a quarter of an hour the path upon us out of the wall of fog.
will be covered. In half an hour we won’t be able With long bounds the huge black creature was
to see our hands in front of us.” leaping down the track, following hard upon the
“Shall we move farther back upon higher footsteps of our friend. So paralyzed were we by
ground?” the apparition that we allowed him to pass before
we had recovered our nerve. Then Holmes and I
“Yes, I think it would be as well.”
both fired together, and the creature gave a hideous
So as the fog-bank flowed onward we fell back howl, which showed that one at least had hit him.
before it until we were half a mile from the house, He did not pause, however, but bounded onward.
and still that dense white sea, with the moon sil- Far away on the path we saw Sir Henry looking
vering its upper edge, swept slowly and inexorably back, his face white in the moonlight, his hands
on. raised in horror, glaring helplessly at the frightful
“We are going too far,” said Holmes. “We dare thing which was hunting him down.
not take the chance of his being overtaken before But that cry of pain from the hound had blown
he can reach us. At all costs we must hold our all our fears to the winds. If he was vulnerable
ground where we are.” He dropped on his knees he was mortal, and if we could wound him we
and clapped his ear to the ground. “Thank God, I could kill him. Never have I seen a man run as
think that I hear him coming.” Holmes ran that night. I am reckoned fleet of foot,
A sound of quick steps broke the silence of the but he outpaced me as much as I outpaced the lit-
moor. Crouching among the stones we stared in- tle professional. In front of us as we flew up the
tently at the silver-tipped bank in front of us. The track we heard scream after scream from Sir Henry
steps grew louder, and through the fog, as through and the deep roar of the hound. I was in time to
a curtain, there stepped the man whom we were see the beast spring upon its victim, hurl him to
awaiting. He looked round him in surprise as he the ground, and worry at his throat. But the next

646
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

instant Holmes had emptied five barrels of his re- “We must leave you now,” said Holmes. “The
volver into the creature’s flank. With a last howl of rest of our work must be done, and every moment
agony and a vicious snap in the air, it rolled upon is of importance. We have our case, and now we
its back, four feet pawing furiously, and then fell only want our man.
limp upon its side. I stooped, panting, and pressed “It’s a thousand to one against our finding him
my pistol to the dreadful, shimmering head, but it at the house,” he continued as we retraced our steps
was useless to press the trigger. The giant hound swiftly down the path. “Those shots must have told
was dead. him that the game was up.”
Sir Henry lay insensible where he had fallen. “We were some distance off, and this fog may
We tore away his collar, and Holmes breathed a have deadened them.”
prayer of gratitude when we saw that there was no “He followed the hound to call him off—of that
sign of a wound and that the rescue had been in you may be certain. No, no, he’s gone by this time!
time. Already our friend’s eyelids shivered and he But we’ll search the house and make sure.”
made a feeble effort to move. Lestrade thrust his
The front door was open, so we rushed in and
brandy-flask between the baronet’s teeth, and two
hurried from room to room to the amazement of
frightened eyes were looking up at us.
a doddering old manservant, who met us in the
“My God!” he whispered. “What was it? What, passage. There was no light save in the dining-
in heaven’s name, was it?” room, but Holmes caught up the lamp and left no
“It’s dead, whatever it is,” said Holmes. “We’ve corner of the house unexplored. No sign could we
laid the family ghost once and forever.” see of the man whom we were chasing. On the
upper floor, however, one of the bedroom doors
In mere size and strength it was a terrible crea-
was locked.
ture which was lying stretched before us. It was
not a pure bloodhound and it was not a pure mas- “There’s someone in here,” cried Lestrade. “I
tiff; but it appeared to be a combination of the can hear a movement. Open this door!”
two—gaunt, savage, and as large as a small lioness. A faint moaning and rustling came from within.
Even now, in the stillness of death, the huge jaws Holmes struck the door just over the lock with the
seemed to be dripping with a bluish flame and the flat of his foot and it flew open. Pistol in hand, we
small, deep-set, cruel eyes were ringed with fire. I all three rushed into the room.
placed my hand upon the glowing muzzle, and as But there was no sign within it of that desper-
I held them up my own fingers smouldered and ate and defiant villain whom we expected to see.
gleamed in the darkness. Instead we were faced by an object so strange and
“Phosphorus,” I said. so unexpected that we stood for a moment staring
at it in amazement.
“A cunning preparation of it,” said Holmes,
sniffing at the dead animal. “There is no smell The room had been fashioned into a small mu-
which might have interfered with his power of seum, and the walls were lined by a number of
scent. We owe you a deep apology, Sir Henry, for glass-topped cases full of that collection of butter-
having exposed you to this fright. I was prepared flies and moths the formation of which had been
for a hound, but not for such a creature as this. the relaxation of this complex and dangerous man.
And the fog gave us little time to receive him.” In the centre of this room there was an upright
beam, which had been placed at some period as
“You have saved my life.” a support for the old worm-eaten baulk of timber
“Having first endangered it. Are you strong which spanned the roof. To this post a figure was
enough to stand?” tied, so swathed and muffled in the sheets which
“Give me another mouthful of that brandy and had been used to secure it that one could not for
I shall be ready for anything. So! Now, if you will the moment tell whether it was that of a man or
help me up. What do you propose to do?” a woman. One towel passed round the throat and
was secured at the back of the pillar. Another cov-
“To leave you here. You are not fit for further ered the lower part of the face, and over it two dark
adventures to-night. If you will wait, one or other eyes—eyes full of grief and shame and a dreadful
of us will go back with you to the Hall.” questioning—stared back at us. In a minute we had
He tried to stagger to his feet; but he was still torn off the gag, unswathed the bonds, and Mrs.
ghastly pale and trembling in every limb. We Stapleton sank upon the floor in front of us. As her
helped him to a rock, where he sat shivering with beautiful head fell upon her chest I saw the clear
his face buried in his hands. red weal of a whiplash across her neck.

647
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

“The brute!” cried Holmes. “Here, Lestrade, the truth about the woman whom he had loved. But
your brandy-bottle! Put her in the chair! She has the shock of the night’s adventures had shattered
fainted from ill-usage and exhaustion.” his nerves, and before morning he lay delirious in
She opened her eyes again. a high fever, under the care of Dr. Mortimer. The
two of them were destined to travel together round
“Is he safe?” she asked. “Has he escaped?”
the world before Sir Henry had become once more
“He cannot escape us, madam.” the hale, hearty man that he had been before he
“No, no, I did not mean my husband. Sir became master of that ill-omened estate.
Henry? Is he safe?” And now I come rapidly to the conclusion of
“Yes.” this singular narrative, in which I have tried to
“And the hound?” make the reader share those dark fears and vague
surmises which clouded our lives so long and
“It is dead.” ended in so tragic a manner. On the morning after
She gave a long sigh of satisfaction. the death of the hound the fog had lifted and we
“Thank God! Thank God! Oh, this villain! See were guided by Mrs. Stapleton to the point where
how he has treated me!” She shot her arms out they had found a pathway through the bog. It
from her sleeves, and we saw with horror that they helped us to realize the horror of this woman’s life
were all mottled with bruises. “But this is noth- when we saw the eagerness and joy with which she
ing—nothing! It is my mind and soul that he has laid us on her husband’s track. We left her standing
tortured and defiled. I could endure it all, ill-usage, upon the thin peninsula of firm, peaty soil which
solitude, a life of deception, everything, as long as I tapered out into the widespread bog. From the end
could still cling to the hope that I had his love, but of it a small wand planted here and there showed
now I know that in this also I have been his dupe where the path zigzagged from tuft to tuft of rushes
and his tool.” She broke into passionate sobbing as among those green-scummed pits and foul quag-
she spoke. mires which barred the way to the stranger. Rank
reeds and lush, slimy water-plants sent an odour
“You bear him no good will, madam,” said
of decay and a heavy miasmatic vapour onto our
Holmes. “Tell us then where we shall find him.
faces, while a false step plunged us more than once
If you have ever aided him in evil, help us now and
thigh-deep into the dark, quivering mire, which
so atone.”
shook for yards in soft undulations around our
“There is but one place where he can have fled,” feet. Its tenacious grip plucked at our heels as we
she answered. “There is an old tin mine on an walked, and when we sank into it it was as if some
island in the heart of the mire. It was there that malignant hand was tugging us down into those
he kept his hound and there also he had made obscene depths, so grim and purposeful was the
preparations so that he might have a refuge. That clutch in which it held us. Once only we saw a
is where he would fly.” trace that someone had passed that perilous way
The fog-bank lay like white wool against the before us. From amid a tuft of cotton grass which
window. Holmes held the lamp towards it. bore it up out of the slime some dark thing was
“See,” said he. “No one could find his way into projecting. Holmes sank to his waist as he stepped
the Grimpen Mire to-night.” from the path to seize it, and had we not been there
to drag him out he could never have set his foot
She laughed and clapped her hands. Her eyes upon firm land again. He held an old black boot
and teeth gleamed with fierce merriment. in the air. “Meyers, Toronto,” was printed on the
“He may find his way in, but never out,” she leather inside.
cried. “How can he see the guiding wands to-night? “It is worth a mud bath,” said he. “It is our
We planted them together, he and I, to mark the friend Sir Henry’s missing boot.”
pathway through the mire. Oh, if I could only have
plucked them out to-day. Then indeed you would “Thrown there by Stapleton in his flight.”
have had him at your mercy!” “Exactly. He retained it in his hand after using
It was evident to us that all pursuit was in vain it to set the hound upon the track. He fled when he
until the fog had lifted. Meanwhile we left Lestrade knew the game was up, still clutching it. And he
in possession of the house while Holmes and I went hurled it away at this point of his flight. We know
back with the baronet to Baskerville Hall. The story at least that he came so far in safety.”
of the Stapletons could no longer be withheld from But more than that we were never destined to
him, but he took the blow bravely when he learned know, though there was much which we might

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 The Hound of the Baskervilles

surmise. There was no chance of finding footsteps cret which we have not already fathomed. He could
in the mire, for the rising mud oozed swiftly in hide his hound, but he could not hush its voice, and
upon them, but as we at last reached firmer ground hence came those cries which even in daylight were
beyond the morass we all looked eagerly for them. not pleasant to hear. On an emergency he could
But no slightest sign of them ever met our eyes. keep the hound in the out-house at Merripit, but it
If the earth told a true story, then Stapleton never was always a risk, and it was only on the supreme
reached that island of refuge towards which he day, which he regarded as the end of all his efforts,
struggled through the fog upon that last night. that he dared do it. This paste in the tin is no doubt
Somewhere in the heart of the great Grimpen Mire, the luminous mixture with which the creature was
down in the foul slime of the huge morass which daubed. It was suggested, of course, by the story of
had sucked him in, this cold and cruel-hearted man the family hell-hound, and by the desire to frighten
is forever buried. old Sir Charles to death. No wonder the poor devil
of a convict ran and screamed, even as our friend
Many traces we found of him in the bog-girt
did, and as we ourselves might have done, when
island where he had hid his savage ally. A huge
he saw such a creature bounding through the dark-
driving-wheel and a shaft half-filled with rubbish
ness of the moor upon his track. It was a cunning
showed the position of an abandoned mine. Be-
device, for, apart from the chance of driving your
side it were the crumbling remains of the cottages
victim to his death, what peasant would venture to
of the miners, driven away no doubt by the foul
inquire too closely into such a creature should he
reek of the surrounding swamp. In one of these a
get sight of it, as many have done, upon the moor?
staple and chain with a quantity of gnawed bones
I said it in London, Watson, and I say it again now,
showed where the animal had been confined. A
that never yet have we helped to hunt down a more
skeleton with a tangle of brown hair adhering to it
dangerous man than he who is lying yonder”—he
lay among the debris.
swept his long arm towards the huge mottled ex-
“A dog!” said Holmes. “By Jove, a curly-haired panse of green-splotched bog which stretched away
spaniel. Poor Mortimer will never see his pet again. until it merged into the russet slopes of the moor.
Well, I do not know that this place contains any se-

CHAPTER XV.
A Retrospection

It was the end of November and Holmes and him to discuss the details of the Baskerville mys-
I sat, upon a raw and foggy night, on either side tery. I had waited patiently for the opportunity, for
of a blazing fire in our sitting-room in Baker Street. I was aware that he would never permit cases to
Since the tragic upshot of our visit to Devonshire he overlap, and that his clear and logical mind would
had been engaged in two affairs of the utmost im- not be drawn from its present work to dwell upon
portance, in the first of which he had exposed the memories of the past. Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer
atrocious conduct of Colonel Upwood in connec- were, however, in London, on their way to that
tion with the famous card scandal of the Nonpareil long voyage which had been recommended for the
Club, while in the second he had defended the un- restoration of his shattered nerves. They had called
fortunate Mme. Montpensier from the charge of upon us that very afternoon, so that it was natural
murder which hung over her in connection with that the subject should come up for discussion.
the death of her step-daughter, Mlle. Carere, the “The whole course of events,” said Holmes,
young lady who, as it will be remembered, was “from the point of view of the man who called
found six months later alive and married in New himself Stapleton was simple and direct, although
York. My friend was in excellent spirits over the to us, who had no means in the beginning of know-
success which had attended a succession of difficult ing the motives of his actions and could only learn
and important cases, so that I was able to induce part of the facts, it all appeared exceedingly com-

649
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

plex. I have had the advantage of two conversations fellow had evidently made inquiry and found that
with Mrs. Stapleton, and the case has now been so only two lives intervened between him and a valu-
entirely cleared up that I am not aware that there able estate. When he went to Devonshire his plans
is anything which has remained a secret to us. You were, I believe, exceedingly hazy, but that he meant
will find a few notes upon the matter under the mischief from the first is evident from the way in
heading B in my indexed list of cases.” which he took his wife with him in the character
“Perhaps you would kindly give me a sketch of of his sister. The idea of using her as a decoy was
the course of events from memory.” clearly already in his mind, though he may not
have been certain how the details of his plot were
“Certainly, though I cannot guarantee that I to be arranged. He meant in the end to have the
carry all the facts in my mind. Intense mental con- estate, and he was ready to use any tool or run
centration has a curious way of blotting out what any risk for that end. His first act was to establish
has passed. The barrister who has his case at his himself as near to his ancestral home as he could,
fingers’ ends, and is able to argue with an expert and his second was to cultivate a friendship with
upon his own subject finds that a week or two of Sir Charles Baskerville and with the neighbours.
the courts will drive it all out of his head once more.
So each of my cases displaces the last, and Mlle. “The baronet himself told him about the family
Carere has blurred my recollection of Baskerville hound, and so prepared the way for his own death.
Hall. To-morrow some other little problem may be Stapleton, as I will continue to call him, knew that
submitted to my notice which will in turn dispos- the old man’s heart was weak and that a shock
sess the fair French lady and the infamous Upwood. would kill him. So much he had learned from Dr.
So far as the case of the Hound goes, however, I Mortimer. He had heard also that Sir Charles was
will give you the course of events as nearly as I can, superstitious and had taken this grim legend very
and you will suggest anything which I may have seriously. His ingenious mind instantly suggested
forgotten. a way by which the baronet could be done to death,
and yet it would be hardly possible to bring home
“My inquiries show beyond all question that the the guilt to the real murderer.
family portrait did not lie, and that this fellow was
indeed a Baskerville. He was a son of that Rodger “Having conceived the idea he proceeded to
Baskerville, the younger brother of Sir Charles, who carry it out with considerable finesse. An ordinary
fled with a sinister reputation to South America, schemer would have been content to work with a
where he was said to have died unmarried. He did, savage hound. The use of artificial means to make
as a matter of fact, marry, and had one child, this the creature diabolical was a flash of genius upon
fellow, whose real name is the same as his father’s. his part. The dog he bought in London from Ross
He married Beryl Garcia, one of the beauties of and Mangles, the dealers in Fulham Road. It was
Costa Rica, and, having purloined a considerable the strongest and most savage in their possession.
sum of public money, he changed his name to Van- He brought it down by the North Devon line and
deleur and fled to England, where he established walked a great distance over the moor so as to get
a school in the east of Yorkshire. His reason for it home without exciting any remarks. He had al-
attempting this special line of business was that he ready on his insect hunts learned to penetrate the
had struck up an acquaintance with a consump- Grimpen Mire, and so had found a safe hiding-
tive tutor upon the voyage home, and that he had place for the creature. Here he kennelled it and
used this man’s ability to make the undertaking a waited his chance.
success. Fraser, the tutor, died however, and the “But it was some time coming. The old gentle-
school which had begun well sank from disrepute man could not be decoyed outside of his grounds
into infamy. The Vandeleurs found it convenient to at night. Several times Stapleton lurked about with
change their name to Stapleton, and he brought the his hound, but without avail. It was during these
remains of his fortune, his schemes for the future, fruitless quests that he, or rather his ally, was seen
and his taste for entomology to the south of Eng- by peasants, and that the legend of the demon dog
land. I learned at the British Museum that he was a received a new confirmation. He had hoped that
recognized 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 to
has proved to be of such intense interest to us. The say, blows refused to move her. She would have

650
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

nothing to do with it, and for a time Stapleton was against Stapleton. Mrs. Stapleton knew that he had
at a deadlock. designs upon the old man, and also of the existence
of the hound. Mrs. Lyons knew neither of these
“He found a way out of his difficulties through
things, but had been impressed by the death oc-
the chance that Sir Charles, who had conceived a
curring at the time of an uncancelled appointment
friendship for him, made him the minister of his
which was only known to him. However, both of
charity in the case of this unfortunate woman, Mrs.
them were under his influence, and he had nothing
Laura Lyons. By representing himself as a single
to fear from them. The first half of his task was
man he acquired complete influence over her, and
successfully accomplished but the more difficult
he gave her to understand that in the event of her
still remained.
obtaining a divorce from her husband he would
marry her. His plans were suddenly brought to a “It is possible that Stapleton did not know of
head by his knowledge that Sir Charles was about the existence of an heir in Canada. In any case
to leave the Hall on the advice of Dr. Mortimer, he would very soon learn it from his friend Dr.
with whose opinion he himself pretended to coin- Mortimer, and he was told by the latter all details
cide. He must act at once, or his victim might get about the arrival of Henry Baskerville. Stapleton’s
beyond his power. He therefore put pressure upon first idea was that this young stranger from Canada
Mrs. Lyons to write this letter, imploring the old might possibly be done to death in London without
man to give her an interview on the evening before coming down to Devonshire at all. He distrusted
his departure for London. He then, by a specious his wife ever since she had refused to help him in
argument, prevented her from going, and so had laying a trap for the old man, and he dared not
the chance for which he had waited. leave her long out of his sight for fear he should
lose his influence over her. It was for this reason
“Driving back in the evening from Coombe that he took her to London with him. They lodged,
Tracey he was in time to get his hound, to treat I find, at the Mexborough Private Hotel, in Craven
it with his infernal paint, and to bring the beast Street, which was actually one of those called upon
round to the gate at which he had reason to expect by my agent in search of evidence. Here he kept his
that he would find the old gentleman waiting. The wife imprisoned in her room while he, disguised in
dog, incited by its master, sprang over the wicket- a beard, followed Dr. Mortimer to Baker Street and
gate and pursued the unfortunate baronet, who afterwards to the station and to the Northumber-
fled screaming down the Yew Alley. In that gloomy land Hotel. His wife had some inkling of his plans;
tunnel it must indeed have been a dreadful sight to but she had such a fear of her husband—a fear
see that huge black creature, with its flaming jaws founded upon brutal ill-treatment—that she dare
and blazing eyes, bounding after its victim. He fell not write to warn the man whom she knew to be
dead at the end of the alley from heart disease and in danger. If the letter should fall into Stapleton’s
terror. The hound had kept upon the grassy border hands her own life would not be safe. Eventually,
while the baronet had run down the path, so that as we know, she adopted the expedient of cutting
no track but the man’s was visible. On seeing him out the words which would form the message, and
lying still the creature had probably approached addressing the letter in a disguised hand. It reached
to sniff at him, but finding him dead had turned the baronet, and gave him the first warning of his
away again. It was then that it left the print which danger.
was actually observed by Dr. Mortimer. The hound
“It was very essential for Stapleton to get some
was called off and hurried away to its lair in the
article of Sir Henry’s attire so that, in case he was
Grimpen Mire, and a mystery was left which puz-
driven to use the dog, he might always have the
zled the authorities, alarmed the country-side, and
means of setting him upon his track. With char-
finally brought the case within the scope of our
acteristic promptness and audacity he set about
observation.
this at once, and we cannot doubt that the boots
“So much for the death of Sir Charles or chamber-maid of the hotel was well bribed to
Baskerville. You perceive the devilish cunning of help him in his design. By chance, however, the
it, for really it would be almost impossible to make first boot which was procured for him was a new
a case against the real murderer. His only accom- one and, therefore, useless for his purpose. He
plice was one who could never give him away, and then had it returned and obtained another—a most
the grotesque, inconceivable nature of the device instructive incident, since it proved conclusively to
only served to make it more effective. Both of the my mind that we were dealing with a real hound,
women concerned in the case, Mrs. Stapleton and as no other supposition could explain this anxiety
Mrs. Laura Lyons, were left with a strong suspicion to obtain an old boot and this indifference to a new

651
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

one. The more outré and grotesque an incident is the hound, though he may never have known the
the more carefully it deserves to be examined, and purpose for which the beast was used.
the very point which appears to complicate a case “The Stapletons then went down to Devonshire,
is, when duly considered and scientifically handled, whither they were soon followed by Sir Henry and
the one which is most likely to elucidate it. you. One word now as to how I stood myself at that
“Then we had the visit from our friends next time. It may possibly recur to your memory that
morning, shadowed always by Stapleton in the cab. when I examined the paper upon which the printed
From his knowledge of our rooms and of my ap- words were fastened I made a close inspection for
pearance, as well as from his general conduct, I am the water-mark. In doing so I held it within a few
inclined to think that Stapleton’s career of crime has inches of my eyes, and was conscious of a faint
been by no means limited to this single Baskerville smell of the scent known as white jessamine. There
affair. It is suggestive that during the last three are seventy-five perfumes, which it is very neces-
years there have been four considerable burglar- sary that a criminal expert should be able to distin-
ies in the West Country, for none of which was guish from each other, and cases have more than
any criminal ever arrested. The last of these, at once within my own experience depended upon
Folkestone Court, in May, was remarkable for the their prompt recognition. The scent suggested the
cold-blooded pistoling of the page, who surprised presence of a lady, and already my thoughts be-
the masked and solitary burglar. I cannot doubt gan to turn towards the Stapletons. Thus I had
that Stapleton recruited his waning resources in this made certain of the hound, and had guessed at the
fashion, and that for years he has been a desperate criminal before ever we went to the west country.
and dangerous man. “It was my game to watch Stapleton. It was
“We had an example of his readiness of resource evident, however, that I could not do this if I were
that morning when he got away from us so success- with you, since he would be keenly on his guard.
fully, and also of his audacity in sending back my I deceived everybody, therefore, yourself included,
own name to me through the cabman. From that and I came down secretly when I was supposed
moment he understood that I had taken over the to be in London. My hardships were not so great
case in London, and that therefore there was no as you imagined, though such trifling details must
chance for him there. He returned to Dartmoor and never interfere with the investigation of a case. I
awaited the arrival of the baronet.” stayed for the most part at Coombe Tracey, and
“One moment!” said I. “You have, no doubt, de- only used the hut upon the moor when it was nec-
scribed the sequence of events correctly, but there is essary to be near the scene of action. Cartwright
one point which you have left unexplained. What had come down with me, and in his disguise as
became of the hound when its master was in Lon- a country boy he was of great assistance to me. I
don?” was dependent upon him for food and clean linen.
When I was watching Stapleton, Cartwright was
“I have given some attention to this matter and frequently watching you, so that I was able to keep
it is undoubtedly of importance. There can be no my hand upon all the strings.
question that Stapleton had a confidant, though it
is unlikely that he ever placed himself in his power “I have already told you that your reports
by sharing all his plans with him. There was an reached me rapidly, being forwarded instantly from
old manservant at Merripit House, whose name Baker Street to Coombe Tracey. They were of great
was Anthony. His connection with the Stapletons service to me, and especially that one incidentally
can be traced for several years, as far back as the truthful piece of biography of Stapleton’s. I was
schoolmastering days, so that he must have been able to establish the identity of the man and the
aware that his master and mistress were really hus- woman and knew at last exactly how I stood. The
band and wife. This man has disappeared and has case had been considerably complicated through
escaped from the country. It is suggestive that An- the incident of the escaped convict and the rela-
thony is not a common name in England, while tions between him and the Barrymores. This also
Antonio is so in all Spanish or Spanish-American you cleared up in a very effective way, though I
countries. The man, like Mrs. Stapleton herself, had already come to the same conclusions from my
spoke good English, but with a curious lisping ac- own observations.
cent. I have myself seen this old man cross the “By the time that you discovered me upon the
Grimpen Mire by the path which Stapleton had moor I had a complete knowledge of the whole
marked out. It is very probable, therefore, that in business, but I had not a case which could go to a
the absence of his master it was he who cared for jury. Even Stapleton’s attempt upon Sir Henry that

652
 The Hound of the Baskervilles

night which ended in the death of the unfortunate him. He tied her up, therefore, that she might have
convict did not help us much in proving murder no chance of warning Sir Henry, and he hoped,
against our man. There seemed to be no alternative no doubt, that when the whole country-side put
but to catch him red-handed, and to do so we had down the baronet’s death to the curse of his family,
to use Sir Henry, alone and apparently unprotected, as they certainly would do, he could win his wife
as a bait. We did so, and at the cost of a severe back to accept an accomplished fact and to keep
shock to our client we succeeded in completing our silent upon what she knew. In this I fancy that in
case and driving Stapleton to his destruction. That any case he made a miscalculation, and that, if we
Sir Henry should have been exposed to this is, I had not been there, his doom would none the less
must confess, a reproach to my management of the have been sealed. A woman of Spanish blood does
case, but we had no means of foreseeing the terrible not condone such an injury so lightly. And now,
and paralyzing spectacle which the beast presented, my dear Watson, without referring to my notes, I
nor could we predict the fog which enabled him to cannot give you a more detailed account of this
burst upon us at such short notice. We succeeded curious case. I do not know that anything essential
in our object at a cost which both the specialist and has been left unexplained.”
Dr. Mortimer assure me will be a temporary one. “He could not hope to frighten Sir Henry to
A long journey may enable our friend to recover death as he had done the old uncle with his bogie
not only from his shattered nerves but also from hound.”
his wounded feelings. His love for the lady was
“The beast was savage and half-starved. If its
deep and sincere, and to him the saddest part of all
appearance did not frighten its victim to death, at
this black business was that he should have been
least it would paralyze the resistance which might
deceived by her.
be offered.”
“It only remains to indicate the part which she
had played throughout. There can be no doubt that “No doubt. There only remains one difficulty.
Stapleton exercised an influence over her which If Stapleton came into the succession, how could
may have been love or may have been fear, or very he explain the fact that he, the heir, had been living
possibly both, since they are by no means incompat- unannounced under another name so close to the
ible emotions. It was, at least, absolutely effective. property? How could he claim it without causing
At his command she consented to pass as his sis- suspicion and inquiry?”
ter, though he found the limits of his power over “It is a formidable difficulty, and I fear that you
her when he endeavoured to make her the direct ask too much when you expect me to solve it. The
accessory to murder. She was ready to warn Sir past and the present are within the field of my in-
Henry so far as she could without implicating her quiry, but what a man may do in the future is a
husband, and again and again she tried to do so. hard question to answer. Mrs. Stapleton has heard
Stapleton himself seems to have been capable of her husband discuss the problem on several occa-
jealousy, and when he saw the baronet paying court sions. There were three possible courses. He might
to the lady, even though it was part of his own plan, claim the property from South America, establish
still he could not help interrupting with a passion- his identity before the British authorities there and
ate outburst which revealed the fiery soul which so obtain the fortune without ever coming to Eng-
his self-contained manner so cleverly concealed. land at all; or he might adopt an elaborate disguise
By encouraging the intimacy he made it certain during the short time that he need be in London;
that Sir Henry would frequently come to Merripit or, again, he might furnish an accomplice with
House and that he would sooner or later get the the proofs and papers, putting him in as heir, and
opportunity which he desired. On the day of the retaining a claim upon some proportion of his in-
crisis, however, his wife turned suddenly against come. We cannot doubt from what we know of
him. She had learned something of the death of the him that he would have found some way out of the
convict, and she knew that the hound was being difficulty. And now, my dear Watson, we have had
kept in the out-house on the evening that Sir Henry some weeks of severe work, and for one evening, I
was coming to dinner. She taxed her husband with think, we may turn our thoughts into more pleasant
his intended crime, and a furious scene followed, in channels. I have a box for ‘Les Huguenots.’ Have
which he showed her for the first time that she had you heard the De Reszkes? Might I trouble you
a rival in his love. Her fidelity turned in an instant then to be ready in half an hour, and we can stop
to bitter hatred and he saw that she would betray at Marcini’s for a little dinner on the way?”

653
The Valley Of Fear
 The Valley Of Fear

Table of contents

Part I
The Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 661
Sherlock Holmes Discourses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 664
The Tragedy of Birlstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668
Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672
The People Of the Drama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677
A Dawning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 682
The Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687

Part II
The Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 697
The Bodymaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700
Lodge 341, Vermissa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 707
The Valley of Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714
The Darkest Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724
The Trapping of Birdy Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 728
Epilogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 732

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 PART I.
The Tragedy of Birlstone
 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER I.

I
The Warning

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

“I should do so,” Sherlock Holmes you are uttering libel in the eyes of the law—and
remarked impatiently. there lie the glory and the wonder of it! The greatest
schemer of all time, the organizer of every deviltry,
I believe that I am one of the most
the controlling brain of the underworld, a brain
long-suffering of mortals; but I’ll admit that I was
which might have made or marred the destiny of
annoyed at the sardonic interruption.
nations—that’s the man! But so aloof is he from
“Really, Holmes,” said I severely, “you are a general suspicion, so immune from criticism, so
little trying at times.” admirable in his management and self-effacement,
He was too much absorbed with his own that for those very words that you have uttered he
thoughts to give any immediate answer to my re- could hale you to a court and emerge with your
monstrance. He leaned upon his hand, with his year’s pension as a solatium for his wounded char-
untasted breakfast before him, and he stared at the acter. Is he not the celebrated author of The Dy-
slip of paper which he had just drawn from its en- namics of an Asteroid, a book which ascends to such
velope. Then he took the envelope itself, held it rarefied heights of pure mathematics that it is said
up to the light, and very carefully studied both the that there was no man in the scientific press capable
exterior and the flap. of criticizing it? Is this a man to traduce? Foul-
“It is Porlock’s writing,” said he thoughtfully. “I mouthed doctor and slandered professor—such
can hardly doubt that it is Porlock’s writing, though would be your respective roles! That’s genius, Wat-
I have seen it only twice before. The Greek e with son. But if I am spared by lesser men, our day will
the peculiar top flourish is distinctive. But if it is surely come.”
Porlock, then it must be something of the very first
“May I be there to see!” I exclaimed devoutly.
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-
“Porlock, Watson, is a nom-de-plume, a mere selves. He is the only flaw in that chain so far as I
identification mark; but behind it lies a shifty and have been able to test it.”
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 rudimen-
not for himself, but for the great man with whom tary aspirations towards right, and encouraged
he is in touch. Picture to yourself the pilot fish by the judicious stimulation of an occasional ten-
with the shark, the jackal with the lion—anything pound note sent to him by devious methods, he
that is insignificant in companionship with what is has once or twice given me advance information
formidable: not only formidable, Watson, but sin- which has been of value—that highest value which
ister—in the highest degree sinister. That is where anticipates and prevents rather than avenges crime.
he comes within my purview. You have heard me I cannot doubt that, if we had the cipher, we should
speak of Professor Moriarty?” find that this communication is of the nature that I
“The famous scientific criminal, as famous indicate.”
among crooks as—”
“My blushes, Watson!” Holmes murmured in a Again Holmes flattened out the paper upon his
deprecating voice. unused plate. I rose and, leaning over him, stared
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 of DOUGLAS 109 293 5 37 BIRLSTONE
pawky humour, Watson, against which I must learn 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
column: such crude devices amuse the intelligence “No less! When any of that party talk about
without fatiguing it. But this is different. It is ‘He’ you know whom they mean. There is one
clearly a reference to the words in a page of some predominant ‘He’ for all of them.”
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
“But why ‘Douglas’ and ‘Birlstone’?” one of the first brains of Europe up against you,
“Clearly because those are words which were and all the powers of darkness at his back, there
not contained in the page in question.” are infinite possibilities. Anyhow, Friend Porlock is
evidently scared out of his senses—kindly compare
“Then why has he not indicated the book?”
the writing in the note to that upon its envelope;
“Your native shrewdness, my dear Watson, that which was done, he tells us, before this ill-omened
innate cunning which is the delight of your friends, visit. The one is clear and firm. The other hardly
would surely prevent you from inclosing cipher and legible.”
message in the same envelope. Should it miscarry,
“Why did he write at all? Why did he not sim-
you are undone. As it is, both have to go wrong
ply drop it?”
before any harm comes from it. Our second post is
now overdue, and I shall be surprised if it does not “Because he feared I would make some inquiry
bring us either a further letter of explanation, or, as after him in that case, and possibly bring trouble
is more probable, the very volume to which these on him.”
figures refer.” “No doubt,” said I. “Of course.” I had picked
Holmes’s calculation was fulfilled within a very up the original cipher message and was bending
few minutes by the appearance of Billy, the page, my brows over it. “It’s pretty maddening to think
with the very letter which we were expecting. that an important secret may lie here on this slip
“The same writing,” remarked Holmes, as he of paper, and that it is beyond human power to
opened the envelope, “and actually signed,” he penetrate it.”
added in an exultant voice as he unfolded the epis- Sherlock Holmes had pushed away his untasted
tle. “Come, we are getting on, Watson.” His brow breakfast and lit the unsavoury pipe which was the
clouded, however, as he glanced over the contents. companion of his deepest meditations. “I wonder!”
“Dear me, this is very disappointing! I fear, Wat- said he, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.
son, that all our expectations come to nothing. I “Perhaps there are points which have escaped your
trust that the man Porlock will come to no harm. Machiavellian intellect. Let us consider the problem
in the light of pure reason. This man’s reference is
“Dear Mr. Holmes [he says]: to a book. That is our point of departure.”
“I will go no further in this matter. It “A somewhat vague one.”
is too dangerous—he suspects me. I can
“Let us see then if we can narrow it down. As
see that he suspects me. He came to
I focus my mind upon it, it seems rather less im-
me quite unexpectedly after I had actu-
penetrable. What indications have we as to this
ally addressed this envelope with the
book?”
intention of sending you the key to the
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 cipher
— “Fred Porlock.” refers. So our book has already become a large book

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

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 The Valley Of Fear

I was staring at the strange message which I the affection and respect of the Scotchman for his
had scrawled, as he deciphered it, upon a sheet of amateur colleague were profound, and he showed
foolscap on my knee. them by the frankness with which he consulted
“What a queer, scrambling way of expressing Holmes in every difficulty. Mediocrity knows noth-
his meaning!” said I. ing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes
genius, and MacDonald had talent enough for his
“On the contrary, he has done quite remarkably
profession to enable him to perceive that there was
well,” said Holmes. “When you search a single col-
no humiliation in seeking the assistance of one who
umn for words with which to express your mean-
already stood alone in Europe, both in his gifts and
ing, you can hardly expect to get everything you
in his experience. Holmes was not prone to friend-
want. You are bound to leave something to the
ship, but he was tolerant of the big Scotchman, and
intelligence of your correspondent. The purport is
smiled at the sight of him.
perfectly clear. Some deviltry is intended against
one Douglas, whoever he may be, residing as stated, “You are an early bird, Mr. Mac,” said he. “I
a rich country gentleman. He is sure—‘confidence’ wish you luck with your worm. I fear this means
was as near as he could get to ‘confident’—that it that there is some mischief afoot.”
is pressing. There is our result—and a very work- “If you said ‘hope’ instead of ‘fear,’ it would be
manlike little bit of analysis it was!” nearer the truth, I’m thinking, Mr. Holmes,” the
Holmes had the impersonal joy of the true artist inspector answered, with a knowing grin. “Well,
in his better work, even as he mourned darkly maybe a wee nip would keep out the raw morning
when it fell below the high level to which he as- chill. No, I won’t smoke, I thank you. I’ll have to be
pired. He was still chuckling over his success when pushing on my way; for the early hours of a case
Billy swung open the door and Inspector MacDon- are the precious ones, as no man knows better than
ald of Scotland Yard was ushered into the room. your own self. But—but—”
Those were the early days at the end of the The inspector had stopped suddenly, and was
’80’s, when Alec MacDonald was far from hav- staring with a look of absolute amazement at a pa-
ing attained the national fame which he has now per upon the table. It was the sheet upon which I
achieved. He was a young but trusted member had scrawled the enigmatic message.
of the detective force, who had distinguished him-
“Douglas!” he stammered. “Birlstone! What’s
self in several cases which had been entrusted to
this, Mr. Holmes? Man, it’s witchcraft! Where in
him. His tall, bony figure gave promise of excep-
the name of all that is wonderful did you get those
tional physical strength, while his great cranium
names?”
and deep-set, lustrous eyes spoke no less clearly of
the keen intelligence which twinkled out from be- “It is a cipher that Dr. Watson and I have had
hind his bushy eyebrows. He was a silent, precise occasion to solve. But why—what’s amiss with the
man with a dour nature and a hard Aberdonian names?”
accent. The inspector looked from one to the other of us
Twice already in his career had Holmes helped in dazed astonishment. “Just this,” said he, “that
him to attain success, his own sole reward being Mr. Douglas of Birlstone Manor House was horribly
the intellectual joy of the problem. For this reason murdered last night!”

CHAPTER II.
Sherlock Holmes Discourses

It was one of those dramatic moments for which of cruelty in his singular composition, he was un-
my friend existed. It would be an overstatement doubtedly callous from long over-stimulation. Yet,
to say that he was shocked or even excited by the if his emotions were dulled, his intellectual per-
amazing announcement. Without having a tinge ceptions were exceedingly active. There was no

664
 The Valley Of Fear

trace then of the horror which I had myself felt at “This professor that I’ve heard you mention?”
this curt declaration; but his face showed rather “Exactly!”
the quiet and interested composure of the chemist Inspector MacDonald smiled, and his eyelid
who sees the crystals falling into position from his quivered as he glanced towards me. “I won’t con-
oversaturated solution. ceal from you, Mr. Holmes, that we think in the C.
“Remarkable!” said he. “Remarkable!” I. D. that you have a wee bit of a bee in your bonnet
“You don’t seem surprised.” over this professor. I made some inquiries myself
“Interested, Mr. Mac, but hardly surprised. Why about the matter. He seems to be a very respectable,
should I be surprised? I receive an anonymous learned, and talented sort of man.”
communication from a quarter which I know to “I’m glad you’ve got so far as to recognize the
be important, warning me that danger threatens a talent.”
certain person. Within an hour I learn that this dan- “Man, you can’t but recognize it! After I heard
ger has actually materialized and that the person your view I made it my business to see him. I
is dead. I am interested; but, as you observe, I am had a chat with him on eclipses. How the talk got
not surprised.” that way I canna think; but he had out a reflec-
In a few short sentences he explained to the tor lantern and a globe, and made it all clear in
inspector the facts about the letter and the cipher. a minute. He lent me a book; but I don’t mind
MacDonald sat with his chin on his hands and his saying that it was a bit above my head, though I
great sandy eyebrows bunched into a yellow tangle. had a good Aberdeen upbringing. He’d have made
a 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 come
hand on my shoulder as we were parting, it was
with me—you and your friend here. But from what
like a father’s blessing before you go out into the
you say we might perhaps be doing better work in
cold, cruel world.”
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
ever it occurred? We have only to lay our hands on “A fine room, is it not?”
that man, and the rest will follow.” “Very fine—very handsome indeed, Mr.
“No doubt, Mr. Mac. But how do you propose Holmes.”
to lay your hands on the so-called Porlock?” “You sat in front of his writing desk?”
MacDonald turned over the letter which “Just so.”
Holmes had handed him. “Posted in Camber- “Sun in your eyes and his face in the shadow?”
well—that doesn’t help us much. Name, you say, is “Well, it was evening; but I mind that the lamp
assumed. Not much to go on, certainly. Didn’t you was turned on my face.”
say that you have sent him money?”
“It would be. Did you happen to observe a
“Twice.” picture over the professor’s head?”
“And how?” “I don’t miss much, Mr. Holmes. Maybe I
“In notes to Camberwell post-office.” learned that from you. Yes, I saw the picture—a
“Did you ever trouble to see who called for young woman with her head on her hands, peeping
them?” at you sideways.”
“No.” “That painting was by Jean Baptiste Greuze.”
The inspector endeavoured to look interested.
The inspector looked surprised and a little
shocked. “Why not?” “Jean Baptiste Greuze,” Holmes continued, join-
ing 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
“You think there is someone behind him?” indorsed the high opinion formed of him by his
“I know there is.” contemporaries.”

665
 The Valley Of Fear

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

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 The Valley Of Fear

the Prime Minister gets. That gives you an idea so much down to manage it. Either is possible. But
of Moriarty’s gains and of the scale on which he whichever it may be, or if it is some third combina-
works. Another point: I made it my business to tion, it is down at Birlstone that we must seek the
hunt down some of Moriarty’s checks lately—just solution. I know our man too well to suppose that
common innocent checks that he pays his house- he has left anything up here which may lead us to
hold bills with. They were drawn on six different him.”
banks. Does that make any impression on your “Then to Birlstone we must go!” cried MacDon-
mind?” ald, jumping from his chair. “My word! it’s later
“Queer, certainly! But what do you gather from than I thought. I can give you, gentlemen, five
it?” 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 “All about it” proved to be disappointingly little,
to you the study of Professor Moriarty.” and yet there was enough to assure us that the case
Inspector MacDonald had grown steadily more before us might well be worthy of the expert’s clos-
impressed as the conversation proceeded. He had est attention. He brightened and rubbed his thin
lost himself in his interest. Now his practical Scotch hands together as he listened to the meagre but
intelligence brought him back with a snap to the remarkable details. A long series of sterile weeks
matter in hand. lay behind us, and here at last there was a fitting
object for those remarkable powers which, like all
“He can keep, anyhow,” said he. “You’ve got us
special gifts, become irksome to their owner when
side-tracked with your interesting anecdotes, Mr.
they are not in use. That razor brain blunted and
Holmes. What really counts is your remark that
rusted with inaction.
there is some connection between the professor and
the crime. That you get from the warning received Sherlock Holmes’s eyes glistened, his pale
through the man Porlock. Can we for our present cheeks took a warmer hue, and his whole eager
practical needs get any further than that?” face shone with an inward light when the call for
work reached him. Leaning forward in the cab,
“We may form some conception as to the mo-
he listened intently to MacDonald’s short sketch
tives of the crime. It is, as I gather from your
of the problem which awaited us in Sussex. The
original remarks, an inexplicable, or at least an un-
inspector was himself dependent, as he explained
explained, murder. Now, presuming that the source
to us, upon a scribbled account forwarded to him
of the crime is as we suspect it to be, there might be
by the milk train in the early hours of the morn-
two different motives. In the first place, I may tell
ing. White Mason, the local officer, was a personal
you that Moriarty rules with a rod of iron over his
friend, and hence MacDonald had been notified
people. His discipline is tremendous. There is only
much more promptly than is usual at Scotland Yard
one punishment in his code. It is death. Now we
when provincials need their assistance. It is a very
might suppose that this murdered man—this Dou-
cold scent upon which the Metropolitan expert is
glas whose approaching fate was known by one of
generally asked to run.
the arch-criminal’s subordinates—had in some way
betrayed the chief. His punishment followed, and “Dear Inspector MacDonald [said
would be known to all—if only to put the fear of the letter which he read to us]:
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 Mo-
morning you can get for Birlstone, and
riarty in the ordinary course of business. Was there
I will meet it—or have it met if I am too
any robbery?”
occupied. This case is a snorter. Don’t
“I have not heard.” waste a moment in getting started. If
“If so, it would, of course, be against the first you can bring Mr. Holmes, please do so;
hypothesis and in favour of the second. Mori- for he will find something after his own
arty may have been engaged to engineer it on a heart. We would think the whole thing
promise of part spoils, or he may have been paid had been fixed up for theatrical effect if

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

CHAPTER III.
The Tragedy of Birlstone

Now for a moment I will ask leave to remove ancient Manor House of Birlstone. Part of this ven-
my own insignificant personality and to describe erable building dates back to the time of the first
events which occurred before we arrived upon the crusade, when Hugo de Capus built a fortalice in
scene by the light of knowledge which came to us the centre of the estate, which had been granted to
afterwards. Only in this way can I make the reader him by the Red King. This was destroyed by fire
appreciate the people concerned and the strange in 1543, and some of its smoke-blackened corner
setting in which their fate was cast. stones were used when, in Jacobean times, a brick
country house rose upon the ruins of the feudal
The village of Birlstone is a small and very an- castle.
cient cluster of half-timbered cottages on the north-
The Manor House, with its many gables and
ern border of the county of Sussex. For centuries it
its small diamond-paned windows, was still much
had remained unchanged; but within the last few
as the builder had left it in the early seventeenth
years its picturesque appearance and situation have
century. Of the double moats which had guarded
attracted a number of well-to-do residents, whose
its more warlike predecessor, the outer had been
villas peep out from the woods around. These
allowed to dry up, and served the humble func-
woods are locally supposed to be the extreme fringe
tion of a kitchen garden. The inner one was still
of the great Weald forest, which thins away until
there, and lay forty feet in breadth, though now
it reaches the northern chalk downs. A number
only a few feet in depth, round the whole house.
of small shops have come into being to meet the
A small stream fed it and continued beyond it, so
wants of the increased population; so there seems
that the sheet of water, though turbid, was never
some prospect that Birlstone may soon grow from
ditch-like or unhealthy. The ground floor windows
an ancient village into a modern town. It is the
were within a foot of the surface of the water.
centre for a considerable area of country, since Tun-
bridge Wells, the nearest place of importance, is ten The only approach to the house was over a
or twelve miles to the eastward, over the borders of drawbridge, the chains and windlass of which had
Kent. long been rusted and broken. The latest tenants
of the Manor House had, however, with charac-
About half a mile from the town, standing in teristic energy, set this right, and the drawbridge
an old park famous for its huge beech trees, is the was not only capable of being raised, but actually

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

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 The Valley Of Fear

with his wife—a friendship which more than once in the face, blowing his head almost to pieces. The
seemed to cause some irritation to the husband, triggers had been wired together, so as to make the
so that even the servants were able to perceive his simultaneous discharge more destructive.
annoyance. Such was the third person who was The country policeman was unnerved and trou-
one of the family when the catastrophe occurred. bled by the tremendous responsibility which had
As to the other denizens of the old building, come so suddenly upon him. “We will touch noth-
it will suffice out of a large household to mention ing until my superiors arrive,” he said in a hushed
the prim, respectable, and capable Ames, and Mrs. voice, staring in horror at the dreadful head.
Allen, a buxom and cheerful person, who relieved “Nothing has been touched up to now,” said
the lady of some of her household cares. The other Cecil Barker. “I’ll answer for that. You see it all
six servants in the house bear no relation to the exactly as I found it.”
events of the night of January 6th. “When was that?” The sergeant had drawn out
It was at eleven forty-five that the first alarm his notebook.
reached the small local police station, in charge of “It was just half-past eleven. I had not begun
Sergeant Wilson of the Sussex Constabulary. Ce- to undress, and I was sitting by the fire in my bed-
cil Barker, much excited, had rushed up to the room when I heard the report. It was not very
door and pealed furiously upon the bell. A terri- loud—it seemed to be muffled. I rushed down—I
ble tragedy had occurred at the Manor House, and don’t suppose it was thirty seconds before I was in
John Douglas had been murdered. That was the the room.”
breathless burden of his message. He had hurried “Was the door open?”
back to the house, followed within a few minutes “Yes, it was open. Poor Douglas was lying as
by the police sergeant, who arrived at the scene of you see him. His bedroom candle was burning on
the crime a little after twelve o’clock, after taking the table. It was I who lit the lamp some minutes
prompt steps to warn the county authorities that afterward.”
something serious was afoot. “Did you see no one?”
On reaching the Manor House, the sergeant had “No. I heard Mrs. Douglas coming down the
found the drawbridge down, the windows lighted stair behind me, and I rushed out to prevent her
up, and the whole household in a state of wild con- from seeing this dreadful sight. Mrs. Allen, the
fusion and alarm. The white-faced servants were housekeeper, came and took her away. Ames had
huddling together in the hall, with the frightened arrived, and we ran back into the room once more.”
butler wringing his hands in the doorway. Only “But surely I have heard that the drawbridge is
Cecil Barker seemed to be master of himself and kept up all night.”
his emotions; he had opened the door which was
“Yes, it was up until I lowered it.”
nearest to the entrance and he had beckoned to
the sergeant to follow him. At that moment there “Then how could any murderer have got away?
arrived Dr. Wood, a brisk and capable general prac- It is out of the question! Mr. Douglas must have
titioner from the village. The three men entered the shot himself.”
fatal room together, while the horror-stricken but- “That was our first idea. But see!” Barker
ler followed at their heels, closing the door behind drew aside the curtain, and showed that the long,
him to shut out the terrible scene from the maid diamond-paned window was open to its full extent.
servants. “And look at this!” He held the lamp down and
illuminated a smudge of blood like the mark of
The dead man lay on his back, sprawling with a boot-sole upon the wooden sill. “Someone has
outstretched limbs in the centre of the room. He stood there in getting out.”
was clad only in a pink dressing gown, which cov-
“You mean that someone waded across the
ered his night clothes. There were carpet slippers
moat?”
on his bare feet. The doctor knelt beside him and
held down the hand lamp which had stood on the “Exactly!”
table. One glance at the victim was enough to show “Then if you were in the room within half a
the healer that his presence could be dispensed minute of the crime, he must have been in the wa-
with. The man had been horribly injured. Lying ter at that very moment.”
across his chest was a curious weapon, a shotgun “I have not a doubt of it. I wish to heaven
with the barrel sawed off a foot in front of the trig- that I had rushed to the window! But the curtain
gers. It was clear that this had been fired at close screened it, as you can see, and so it never occurred
range and that he had received the whole charge to me. Then I heard the step of Mrs. Douglas, and

670
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I could not let her enter the room. It would have “Mr. Douglas was altering the pictures yester-
been too horrible.” day,” he said. “I saw him myself, standing upon
“Horrible enough!” said the doctor, looking at that chair and fixing the big picture above it. That
the shattered head and the terrible marks which accounts for the hammer.”
surrounded it. “I’ve never seen such injuries since “We’d best put it back on the rug where we
the Birlstone railway smash.” found it,” said the sergeant, scratching his puzzled
“But, I say,” remarked the police sergeant, head in his perplexity. “It will want the best brains
whose slow, bucolic common sense was still pon- in the force to get to the bottom of this thing. It will
dering the open window. “It’s all very well your be a London job before it is finished.” He raised
saying that a man escaped by wading this moat, the hand lamp and walked slowly round the room.
but what I ask you is, how did he ever get into the “Hullo!” he cried, excitedly, drawing the window
house at all if the bridge was up?” curtain to one side. “What o’clock were those cur-
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 usu- boots were very visible in the corner. “I’m bound
ally raised at sunset. That would be nearer half-past to say this bears out your theory, Mr. Barker. It
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 it the bridge was raised. He slipped into this room,
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: “If behind this curtain. That all seems clear enough. It
anyone came from outside—if they did—they must is likely that his main idea was to burgle the house;
have got in across the bridge before six and been in but Mr. Douglas chanced to come upon him, so he
hiding ever since, until Mr. Douglas came into the murdered him and escaped.”
room after eleven.”
“That’s how I read it,” said Barker. “But, I say,
“That is so! Mr. Douglas went round the house aren’t we wasting precious time? Couldn’t we start
every night the last thing before he turned in to see out and scour the country before the fellow gets
that the lights were right. That brought him in here. away?”
The man was waiting and shot him. Then he got
away through the window and left his gun behind The sergeant considered for a moment.
him. That’s how I read it; for nothing else will fit “There are no trains before six in the morning;
the facts.” so he can’t get away by rail. If he goes by road with
The sergeant picked up a card which lay beside his legs all dripping, it’s odds that someone will
the dead man on the floor. The initials V. V. and notice him. Anyhow, I can’t leave here myself until
under them the number 341 were rudely scrawled I am relieved. But I think none of you should go
in ink upon it. 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-
rowly scrutinizing the body. “What’s this mark?”
Barker looked at it with curiosity. “I never no- he asked. “Could this have any connection with
ticed it before,” he said. “The murderer must have the crime?”
left it behind him.”
The dead man’s right arm was thrust out from
“V. V.—341. I can make no sense of that.” his dressing gown, and exposed as high as the el-
The sergeant kept turning it over in his big fin- bow. About halfway up the forearm was a curious
gers. “What’s V. V.? Somebody’s initials, maybe. brown design, a triangle inside a circle, standing
What have you got there, Dr. Wood?” out in vivid relief upon the lard-coloured skin.
It was a good-sized hammer which had been “It’s not tattooed,” said the doctor, peering
lying on the rug in front of the fireplace—a substan- through his glasses. “I never saw anything like
tial, workmanlike hammer. Cecil Barker pointed to it. The man has been branded at some time as they
a box of brass-headed nails upon the mantelpiece. brand cattle. What is the meaning of this?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“I don’t profess to know the meaning of it,” said There’s the nugget and there’s the snake, but the
Cecil Barker; “but I have seen the mark on Douglas wedding ring is gone.”
many times this last ten years.” “He’s right,” said Barker.
“And so have I,” said the butler. “Many a time
“Do you tell me,” said the sergeant, “that the
when the master has rolled up his sleeves I have
wedding ring was below the other?”
noticed that very mark. I’ve often wondered what
it could be.” “Always!”
“Then it has nothing to do with the crime, any- “Then the murderer, or whoever it was, first
how,” said the sergeant. “But it’s a rum thing all took off this ring you call the nugget ring, then the
the same. Everything about this case is rum. Well, wedding ring, and afterwards put the nugget ring
what is it now?” back again.”
The butler had given an exclamation of aston- “That is so!”
ishment and was pointing at the dead man’s out-
stretched hand. The worthy country policeman shook his head.
“Seems to me the sooner we get London on to this
“They’ve taken his wedding ring!” he gasped.
case the better,” said he. “White Mason is a smart
“What!” man. No local job has ever been too much for White
“Yes, indeed. Master always wore his plain gold Mason. It won’t be long now before he is here to
wedding ring on the little finger of his left hand. help us. But I expect we’ll have to look to London
That ring with the rough nugget on it was above before we are through. Anyhow, I’m not ashamed
it, and the twisted snake ring on the third finger. to say that it is a deal too thick for the likes of me.”

CHAPTER IV.
Darkness

At three in the morning the chief Sussex detec- Watson; for the medicos will have a word to say be-
tive, obeying the urgent call from Sergeant Wilson fore we finish. Your room is at the Westville Arms.
of Birlstone, arrived from headquarters in a light There’s no other place; but I hear that it is clean
dog-cart behind a breathless trotter. By the five- and good. The man will carry your bags. This way,
forty train in the morning he had sent his message gentlemen, if you please.”
to Scotland Yard, and he was at the Birlstone sta-
tion at twelve o’clock to welcome us. White Ma- He was a very bustling and genial person, this
son was a quiet, comfortable-looking person in a Sussex detective. In ten minutes we had all found
loose tweed suit, with a clean-shaved, ruddy face, our quarters. In ten more we were seated in the par-
a stoutish body, and powerful bandy legs adorned lour of the inn and being treated to a rapid sketch
with gaiters, looking like a small farmer, a retired of those events which have been outlined in the pre-
gamekeeper, or anything upon earth except a very vious chapter. MacDonald made an occasional note,
favourable specimen of the provincial criminal offi- while Holmes sat absorbed, with the expression of
cer. surprised and reverent admiration with which the
botanist surveys the rare and precious bloom.
“A real downright snorter, Mr. MacDonald!” he “Remarkable!” he said, when the story was un-
kept repeating. “We’ll have the pressmen down folded, “most remarkable! I can hardly recall any
like flies when they understand it. I’m hoping we case where the features have been more peculiar.”
will get our work done before they get poking their
noses into it and messing up all the trails. There “I thought you would say so, Mr. Holmes,” said
has been nothing like this that I can remember. White Mason in great delight. “We’re well up with
There are some bits that will come home to you, the times in Sussex. I’ve told you now how mat-
Mr. Holmes, or I am mistaken. And you also, Dr. ters were, up to the time when I took over from

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

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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
Mason, to our going down to the house at once? “Well, it wasn’t a fat man, anyhow. We don’t
There may possibly be some small point which need your deductions, Mr. Holmes, to tell us that.
might be suggestive.” But you or I could squeeze through all right.”
“I was going to propose it, Mr. Holmes; but I Holmes walked to the edge of the moat and
thought it well to put you in touch with all the looked across. Then he examined the stone ledge
facts before we go. I suppose if anything should and the grass border beyond it.
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 anyone
has landed—but why should he leave any sign?”
“I have worked with Mr. Holmes before,” said
Inspector MacDonald. “He plays the game.” “Exactly. Why should he? Is the water always
turbid?”
“My own idea of the game, at any rate,” said
Holmes, with a smile. “I go into a case to help the “Generally about this colour. The stream brings
ends of justice and the work of the police. If I have down the clay.”
ever separated myself from the official force, it is “How deep is it?”
because they have first separated themselves from “About two feet at each side and three in the
me. I have no wish ever to score at their expense. middle.”
At the same time, Mr. White Mason, I claim the “So we can put aside all idea of the man having
right to work in my own way and give my results been drowned in crossing.”
at my own time—complete rather than in stages.”
“No, a child could not be drowned in it.”
“I am sure we are honoured by your presence
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
was white and quivering from the shock. The vil-
We walked down the quaint village street with lage sergeant, a tall, formal, melancholy man, still
a row of pollarded elms on each side of it. Just held his vigil in the room of Fate. The doctor had
beyond were two ancient stone pillars, weather- departed.
stained and lichen-blotched bearing upon their
“Anything fresh, Sergeant Wilson?” asked
summits a shapeless something which had once
White Mason.
been the rampant lion of Capus of Birlstone. A
short walk along the winding drive with such “No, sir.”
sward and oaks around it as one only sees in rural “Then you can go home. You’ve had enough.
England, then a sudden turn, and the long, low We can send for you if we want you. The butler
Jacobean house of dingy, liver-coloured brick lay had better wait outside. Tell him to warn Mr. Cecil
before us, with an old-fashioned garden of cut yews Barker, Mrs. Douglas, and the housekeeper that
on each side of it. As we approached it, there was we may want a word with them presently. Now,
the wooden drawbridge and the beautiful broad gentlemen, perhaps you will allow me to give you

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 The Valley Of Fear

the views I have formed first, and then you will be him. He may have been a common burglar, or
able to arrive at your own.” he may have had some private grudge against Mr.
He impressed me, this country specialist. He Douglas. Since Mr. Douglas has spent most of his
had a solid grip of fact and a cool, clear, common- life in America, and this shotgun seems to be an
sense brain, which should take him some way in American weapon, it would seem that the private
his profession. Holmes listened to him intently, grudge is the more likely theory. He slipped into
with no sign of that impatience which the official this room because it was the first he came to, and
exponent too often produced. he hid behind the curtain. There he remained un-
til past eleven at night. At that time Mr. Douglas
“Is it suicide, or is it murder—that’s our first
entered the room. It was a short interview, if there
question, gentlemen, is it not? If it were suicide,
were any interview at all; for Mrs. Douglas declares
then we have to believe that this man began by
that her husband had not left her more than a few
taking off his wedding ring and concealing it; that
minutes when she heard the shot.”
he then came down here in his dressing gown,
trampled mud into a corner behind the curtain in “The candle shows that,” said Holmes.
order to give the idea someone had waited for him, “Exactly. The candle, which was a new one, is
opened the window, put blood on the—” not burned more than half an inch. He must have
“We can surely dismiss that,” said MacDonald. placed it on the table before he was attacked; other-
wise, of course, it would have fallen when he fell.
“So I think. Suicide is out of the question. Then This shows that he was not attacked the instant that
a murder has been done. What we have to deter- he entered the room. When Mr. Barker arrived the
mine is, whether it was done by someone outside candle was lit and the lamp was out.”
or inside the house.”
“That’s all clear enough.”
“Well, let’s hear the argument.”
“Well, now, we can reconstruct things on those
“There are considerable difficulties both ways, lines. Mr. Douglas enters the room. He puts down
and yet one or the other it must be. We will sup- the candle. A man appears from behind the cur-
pose first that some person or persons inside the tain. He is armed with this gun. He demands the
house did the crime. They got this man down here wedding ring—Heaven only knows why, but so it
at a time when everything was still and yet no one must have been. Mr. Douglas gave it up. Then
was asleep. They then did the deed with the queer- either in cold blood or in the course of a strug-
est and noisiest weapon in the world so as to tell gle—Douglas may have gripped the hammer that
everyone what had happened—a weapon that was was found upon the mat—he shot Douglas in this
never seen in the house before. That does not seem horrible way. He dropped his gun and also it would
a very likely start, does it?” seem this queer card—V. V. 341, whatever that may
“No, it does not.” mean—and he made his escape through the win-
“Well, then, everyone is agreed that after the dow and across the moat at the very moment when
alarm was given only a minute at the most had Cecil Barker was discovering the crime. How’s that,
passed before the whole household—not Mr. Cecil Mr. Holmes?”
Barker alone, though he claims to have been the “Very interesting, but just a little unconvincing.”
first, but Ames and all of them were on the spot. “Man, it would be absolute nonsense if it wasn’t
Do you tell me that in that time the guilty person that anything else is even worse!” cried MacDonald.
managed to make footmarks in the corner, open the “Somebody killed the man, and whoever it was I
window, mark the sill with blood, take the wedding could clearly prove to you that he should have done
ring off the dead man’s finger, and all the rest of it? it some other way. What does he mean by allowing
It’s impossible!” his retreat to be cut off like that? What does he
“You put it very clearly,” said Holmes. “I am mean by using a shotgun when silence was his one
inclined to agree with you.” chance of escape? Come, Mr. Holmes, it’s up to you
“Well, then, we are driven back to the theory to give us a lead, since you say Mr. White Mason’s
that it was done by someone from outside. We are theory is unconvincing.”
still faced with some big difficulties; but anyhow Holmes had sat intently observant during this
they have ceased to be impossibilities. The man got long discussion, missing no word that was said,
into the house between four-thirty and six; that is with his keen eyes darting to right and to left, and
to say, between dusk and the time when the bridge his forehead wrinkled with speculation.
was raised. There had been some visitors, and the “I should like a few more facts before I get so
door was open; so there was nothing to prevent far as a theory, Mr. Mac,” said he, kneeling down

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beside the body. “Dear me! these injuries are really “Well, we can adopt it as a working hypothe-
appalling. Can we have the butler in for a moment? sis and then see how far our difficulties disappear.
. . . Ames, I understand that you have often seen An agent from such a society makes his way into
this very unusual mark—a branded triangle inside the house, waits for Mr. Douglas, blows his head
a circle—upon Mr. Douglas’s forearm?” nearly off with this weapon, and escapes by wad-
“Frequently, sir.” ing the moat, after leaving a card beside the dead
man, which will when mentioned in the papers,
“You never heard any speculation as to what it tell other members of the society that vengeance
meant?” has been done. That all hangs together. But why
“No, sir.” this gun, of all weapons?”
“It must have caused great pain when it was “Exactly.”
inflicted. It is undoubtedly a burn. Now, I observe, “And why the missing ring?”
Ames, that there is a small piece of plaster at the “Quite so.”
angle of Mr. Douglas’s jaw. Did you observe that “And why no arrest? It’s past two now. I
in life?” take it for granted that since dawn every constable
“Yes, sir, he cut himself in shaving yesterday within forty miles has been looking out for a wet
morning.” stranger?”
“That is so, Mr. Holmes.”
“Did you ever know him to cut himself in shav-
“Well, unless he has a burrow close by or a
ing before?”
change of clothes ready, they can hardly miss him.
“Not for a very long time, sir.” And yet they have missed him up to now!” Holmes
“Suggestive!” said Holmes. “It may, of course, had gone to the window and was examining with
be a mere coincidence, or it may point to some ner- his lens the blood mark on the sill. “It is clearly the
vousness which would indicate that he had reason tread of a shoe. It is remarkably broad; a splay-foot,
to apprehend danger. Had you noticed anything one would say. Curious, because, so far as one can
unusual in his conduct, yesterday, Ames?” trace any footmark in this mud-stained corner, one
would say it was a more shapely sole. However,
“It struck me that he was a little restless and they are certainly very indistinct. What’s this under
excited, sir.” the side table?”
“Ha! The attack may not have been entirely un- “Mr. Douglas’s dumb-bells,” said Ames.
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 question- other?”
ing, Mr. Mac?” “I don’t know, Mr. Holmes. There may have
“No, Mr. Holmes, it’s in better hands than been only one. I have not noticed them for 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-
shaved man looked in at us. I had no difficulty
“I don’t think so.” in guessing that it was the Cecil Barker of whom
Holmes walked across to the desk and dabbed I had heard. His masterful eyes travelled quickly
a little ink from each bottle on to the blotting paper. with a questioning glance from face to face.
“It was not printed in this room,” he said; “this is “Sorry to interrupt your consultation,” said he,
black ink and the other purplish. It was done by “but you should hear the latest news.”
a thick pen, and these are fine. No, it was done “An arrest?”
elsewhere, I should say. Can you make anything of “No such luck. But they’ve found his bicycle.
the inscription, Ames?” The fellow left his bicycle behind him. Come and
“No, sir, nothing.” have a look. It is within a hundred yards of the hall
“What do you think, Mr. Mac?” door.”
We found three or four grooms and idlers stand-
“It gives me the impression of a secret society ing in the drive inspecting a bicycle which had been
of some sort; the same with his badge upon the drawn out from a clump of evergreens in which
forearm.” it had been concealed. It was a well used Rudge-
“That’s my idea, too,” said White Mason. Whitworth, splashed as from a considerable journey.

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There was a saddlebag with spanner and oilcan, but the name of all that is wonderful made the fellow
no clue as to the owner. leave it behind? And how in the world has he got
“It would be a grand help to the police,” said away without it? We don’t seem to get a gleam of
the inspector, “if these things were numbered and light in the case, Mr. Holmes.”
registered. But we must be thankful for what we’ve
got. If we can’t find where he went to, at least we “Don’t we?” my friend answered thoughtfully.
are likely to get where he came from. But what in “I wonder!”

CHAPTER V.
The People Of the Drama

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

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shot; but in any case the study was a long way off. a place in England, as being connected with this
She remembered hearing some sound which she peril. He imagined that some secret society, some
imagined to be the slamming of a door. That was a implacable organization, was on Douglas’s track,
good deal earlier—half an hour at least before the which would never rest until it killed him. Some
ringing of the bell. When Mr. Ames ran to the front remarks of his had given him this idea; though
she went with him. She saw Mr. Barker, very pale he had never told him what the society was, nor
and excited, come out of the study. He intercepted how he had come to offend it. He could only sup-
Mrs. Douglas, who was coming down the stairs. pose that the legend upon the placard had some
He entreated her to go back, and she answered reference to this secret society.
him, but what she said could not be heard. “How long were you with Douglas in Califor-
“Take her up! Stay with her!” he had said to nia?” asked Inspector MacDonald.
Mrs. Allen. “Five years altogether.”
She had therefore taken her to the bedroom, and “He was a bachelor, you say?”
endeavoured to soothe her. She was greatly excited,
“A widower.”
trembling all over, but made no other attempt to go
downstairs. She just sat in her dressing gown by “Have you ever heard where his first wife came
her bedroom fire, with her head sunk in her hands. from?”
Mrs. Allen stayed with her most of the night. As “No, I remember his saying that she was of Ger-
to the other servants, they had all gone to bed, and man extraction, and I have seen her portrait. She
the alarm did not reach them until just before the was a very beautiful woman. She died of typhoid
police arrived. They slept at the extreme back of the the year before I met him.”
house, and could not possibly have heard anything. “You don’t associate his past with any particular
So far the housekeeper could add nothing on part of America?”
cross-examination save lamentations and expres- “I have heard him talk of Chicago. He knew
sions of amazement. that city well and had worked there. I have heard
Cecil Barker succeeded Mrs. Allen as a witness. him talk of the coal and iron districts. He had
As to the occurrences of the night before, he had travelled a good deal in his time.”
very little to add to what he had already told the “Was he a politician? Had this secret society to
police. Personally, he was convinced that the mur- do with politics?”
derer had escaped by the window. The bloodstain
“No, he cared nothing about politics.”
was conclusive, in his opinion, on that point. Be-
sides, as the bridge was up, there was no other “You have no reason to think it was criminal?”
possible way of escaping. He could not explain “On the contrary, I never met a straighter man
what had become of the assassin or why he had not in my life.”
taken his bicycle, if it were indeed his. He could “Was there anything curious about his life in
not possibly have been drowned in the moat, which California?”
was at no place more than three feet deep.
“He liked best to stay and to work at our claim
In his own mind he had a very definite theory in the mountains. He would never go where other
about the murder. Douglas was a reticent man, and men were if he could help it. That’s why I first
there were some chapters in his life of which he thought that someone was after him. Then when
never spoke. He had emigrated to America when he left so suddenly for Europe I made sure that it
he was a very young man. He had prospered well, was so. I believe that he had a warning of some
and Barker had first met him in California, where sort. Within a week of his leaving half a dozen men
they had become partners in a successful mining were inquiring for him.”
claim at a place called Benito Canyon. They had
“What sort of men?”
done very well; but Douglas had suddenly sold
out and started for England. He was a widower “Well, they were a mighty hard-looking crowd.
at that time. Barker had afterwards realized his They came up to the claim and wanted to know
money and come to live in London. Thus they had where he was. I told them that he was gone to
renewed their friendship. Europe and that I did not know where to find him.
They meant him no good—it was easy to see that.”
Douglas had given him the impression that
some danger was hanging over his head, and he “Were these men Americans—Californians?”
had always looked upon his sudden departure from “Well, I don’t know about Californians. They
California, and also his renting a house in so quiet were Americans, all right. But they were not miners.

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 The Valley Of Fear

I don’t know what they were, and was very glad to cleared up. Did Mr. Douglas entirely approve your
see their backs.” friendship with his wife?”
“That was six years ago?” Barker grew paler, and his great, strong hands
were clasped convulsively together. “You have no
“Nearer seven.”
right to ask such questions!” he cried. “What has
“And then you were together five years in Cali- this to do with the matter you are investigating?”
fornia, so that this business dates back not less than “I must repeat the question.”
eleven years at the least?” “Well, I refuse to answer.”
“That is so.” “You can refuse to answer; but you must be
“It must be a very serious feud that would be aware that your refusal is in itself an answer, for
kept up with such earnestness for as long as that. you would not refuse if you had not something to
It would be no light thing that would give rise to conceal.”
it.” Barker stood for a moment with his face set
grimly and his strong black eyebrows drawn low
“I think it shadowed his whole life. It was never
in intense thought. Then he looked up with a smile.
quite out of his mind.”
“Well, I guess you gentlemen are only doing your
“But if a man had a danger hanging over him, clear duty after all, and I have no right to stand in
and knew what it was, don’t you think he would the way of it. I’d only ask you not to worry Mrs.
turn to the police for protection?” Douglas over this matter; for she has enough upon
“Maybe it was some danger that he could not her just now. I may tell you that poor Douglas had
be protected against. There’s one thing you should just one fault in the world, and that was his jeal-
know. He always went about armed. His revolver ousy. He was fond of me—no man could be fonder
was never out of his pocket. But, by bad luck, he of a friend. And he was devoted to his wife. He
was in his dressing gown and had left it in the bed- loved me to come here, and was forever sending
room last night. Once the bridge was up, I guess for me. And yet if his wife and I talked together
he thought he was safe.” or there seemed any sympathy between us, a kind
of wave of jealousy would pass over him, and he
“I should like these dates a little clearer,” said
would be off the handle and saying the wildest
MacDonald. “It is quite six years since Douglas left
things in a moment. More than once I’ve sworn off
California. You followed him next year, did you
coming for that reason, and then he would write
not?”
me such penitent, imploring letters that I just had
“That is so.” to. But you can take it from me, gentlemen, if it
“And he had been married five years. You must was my last word, that no man ever had a more
have returned about the time of his marriage.” loving, faithful wife—and I can say also no friend
could be more loyal than I!”
“About a month before. I was his best man.”
It was spoken with fervour and feeling, and yet
“Did you know Mrs. Douglas before her mar- Inspector MacDonald could not dismiss the subject.
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.
“But you have seen a good deal of her since.” “What do you mean by ‘appears’? You know it
Barker looked sternly at the detective. “I have as a fact.”
seen a good deal of him since,” he answered. “If I The man seemed confused and undecided.
have seen her, it is because you cannot visit a man “When I said ‘appears’ I meant that it was con-
without knowing his wife. If you imagine there is ceivable that he had himself taken off the ring.”
any connection—” “The mere fact that the ring should be absent,
whoever may have removed it, would suggest to
“I imagine nothing, Mr. Barker. I am bound to
anyone’s mind, would it not, that the marriage and
make every inquiry which can bear upon the case.
the tragedy were connected?”
But I mean no offense.”
Barker shrugged his broad shoulders. “I can’t
“Some inquiries are offensive,” Barker answered profess to say what it means.” he answered. “But
angrily. if you mean to hint that it could reflect in any way
“It’s only the facts that we want. It is in your upon this lady’s honour”—his eyes blazed for an
interest and everyone’s interest that they should be instant, and then with an evident effort he got a

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 The Valley Of Fear

grip upon his own emotions—“well, you are on the “Spare no money,” she said in a dead, even tone.
wrong track, that’s all.” “It is my desire that every possible effort should be
“I don’t know that I’ve anything else to ask you made.”
at present,” said MacDonald, coldly. “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 “I fear not; but all I know is at your service.”
was only a candle lighted on the table, was there “We have heard from Mr. Cecil Barker that you
not?” 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 had
“You at once rang for help?” at once come down.”
“I put on my dressing gown and then came
“Yes.”
down.”
“And it arrived very speedily?”
“How long was it after hearing the shot that
“Within a minute or so.” you were stopped on the stair by Mr. Barker?”
“And yet when they arrived they found that the “It may have been a couple of minutes. It is
candle was out and that the lamp had been lighted. so hard to reckon time at such a moment. He im-
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 of the house every night, for he was nervous of
us, which had, as it seemed to me, something of fire. It is the only thing that I have ever known him
defiance in it, turned and left the room. nervous of.”
Inspector MacDonald had sent up a note to the “That is just the point which I want to come to,
effect that he would wait upon Mrs. Douglas in Mrs. Douglas. You have known your husband only
her room; but she had replied that she would meet in England, have you not?”
us in the dining room. She entered now, a tall “Yes, we have been married five years.”
and beautiful woman of thirty, reserved and self- “Have you heard him speak of anything which
possessed to a remarkable degree, very different occurred in America and might bring some danger
from the tragic and distracted figure I had pictured. upon him?”
It is true that her face was pale and drawn, like Mrs. Douglas thought earnestly before she an-
that of one who has endured a great shock; but swered. “Yes.” she said at last, “I have always felt
her manner was composed, and the finely moulded that there was a danger hanging over him. He re-
hand which she rested upon the edge of the table fused to discuss it with me. It was not from want
was as steady as my own. Her sad, appealing eyes of confidence in me—there was the most complete
travelled from one to the other of us with a curi- love and confidence between us—but it was out
ously inquisitive expression. That questioning gaze of his desire to keep all alarm away from me. He
transformed itself suddenly into abrupt speech. thought I should brood over it if I knew all, and so
“Have you found anything out yet?” she asked. he was silent.”
Was it my imagination that there was an under- “How did you know it, then?”
tone of fear rather than of hope in the question? Mrs. Douglas’s face lit with a quick smile. “Can
“We have taken every possible step, Mrs. Dou- a husband ever carry about a secret all his life and
glas,” said the inspector. “You may rest assured a woman who loves him have no suspicion of it? I
that nothing will be neglected.” knew it by his refusal to talk about some episodes

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

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A few minutes later we were in the study. “Man,” he cried, “there’s not a doubt of it!
Holmes had brought with him the carpet slippers Barker has just marked the window himself. It’s a
from the hall. As Ames had observed, the soles of good deal broader than any bootmark. I mind that
both were dark with blood. you said it was a splay-foot, and here’s the expla-
“Strange!” murmured Holmes, as he stood nation. But what’s the game, Mr. Holmes—what’s
in the light of the window and examined them the game?”
minutely. “Very strange indeed!”
Stooping with one of his quick feline pounces, “Ay, what’s the game?” my friend repeated
he placed the slipper upon the blood mark on the thoughtfully.
sill. It exactly corresponded. He smiled in silence
at his colleagues. White Mason chuckled and rubbed his fat hands
The inspector was transfigured with excitement. together in his professional satisfaction. “I said it
His native accent rattled like a stick upon railings. was a snorter!” he cried. “And a real snorter it is!”

CHAPTER VI.
A Dawning Light

The three detectives had many matters of detail Her appearance gave me a shock. In the dining-
into which to inquire; so I returned alone to our room she had been demure and discreet. Now all
modest quarters at the village inn. But before doing pretense of grief had passed away from her. Her
so I took a stroll in the curious old-world garden eyes shone with the joy of living, and her face still
which flanked the house. Rows of very ancient quivered with amusement at some remark of her
yew trees cut into strange designs girded it round. companion. He sat forward, his hands clasped and
Inside was a beautiful stretch of lawn with an old his forearms on his knees, with an answering smile
sundial in the middle, the whole effect so soothing upon his bold, handsome face. In an instant—but
and restful that it was welcome to my somewhat it was just one instant too late—they resumed their
jangled nerves. solemn masks as my figure came into view. A hur-
In that deeply peaceful atmosphere one could ried word or two passed between them, and then
forget, or remember only as some fantastic night- Barker rose and came towards me.
mare, that darkened study with the sprawling, “Excuse me, sir,” said he, “but am I addressing
bloodstained figure on the floor. And yet, as I Dr. Watson?”
strolled round it and tried to steep my soul in its
gentle balm, a strange incident occurred, which I bowed with a coldness which showed, I dare
brought me back to the tragedy and left a sinister say, very plainly the impression which had been
impression in my mind. produced upon my mind.
I have said that a decoration of yew trees circled “We thought that it was probably you, as your
the garden. At the end farthest from the house they friendship with Mr. Sherlock Holmes is so well
thickened into a continuous hedge. On the other known. Would you mind coming over and speak-
side of this hedge, concealed from the eyes of any- ing to Mrs. Douglas for one instant?”
one approaching from the direction of the house, I followed him with a dour face. Very clearly I
there was a stone seat. As I approached the spot I could see in my mind’s eye that shattered figure on
was aware of voices, some remark in the deep tones the floor. Here within a few hours of the tragedy
of a man, answered by a little ripple of feminine were his wife and his nearest friend laughing to-
laughter. gether behind a bush in the garden which had been
An instant later I had come round the end of the his. I greeted the lady with reserve. I had grieved
hedge and my eyes lit upon Mrs. Douglas and the with her grief in the dining-room. Now I met her
man Barker before they were aware of my presence. appealing gaze with an unresponsive eye.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“I fear that you think me callous and hard- Watson; for they are mighty awkward if it comes to
hearted,” said she. an arrest for conspiracy and murder.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “It is no business of “You think it will come to that?”
mine,” said I. He was in his most cheerful and debonair hu-
“Perhaps some day you will do me justice. If mour. “My dear Watson, when I have exterminated
you only realized—” that fourth egg I shall be ready to put you in touch
with the whole situation. I don’t say that we have
“There is no need why Dr. Watson should real-
fathomed it—far from it—but when we have traced
ize,” said Barker quickly. “As he has himself said,
the missing dumb-bell—”
it is no possible business of his.”
“The dumb-bell!”
“Exactly,” said I, “and so I will beg leave to
resume my walk.” “Dear me, Watson, is it possible that you have
not penetrated the fact that the case hangs upon
“One moment, Dr. Watson,” cried the woman in the missing dumb-bell? Well, well, you need not be
a pleading voice. “There is one question which you downcast; for between ourselves I don’t think that
can answer with more authority than anyone else either Inspector Mac or the excellent local practi-
in the world, and it may make a very great differ- tioner has grasped the overwhelming importance
ence to me. You know Mr. Holmes and his relations of this incident. One dumb-bell, Watson! Consider
with the police better than anyone else can. Sup- an athlete with one dumb-bell! Picture to yourself
posing that a matter were brought confidentially the unilateral development, the imminent danger
to his knowledge, is it absolutely necessary that he of a spinal curvature. Shocking, Watson, shocking!”
should pass it on to the detectives?”
He sat with his mouth full of toast and his eyes
“Yes, that’s it,” said Barker eagerly. “Is he on sparkling with mischief, watching my intellectual
his own or is he entirely in with them?” entanglement. The mere sight of his excellent ap-
“I really don’t know that I should be justified in petite was an assurance of success, for I had very
discussing such a point.” clear recollections of days and nights without a
“I beg—I implore that you will, Dr. Watson! I thought of food, when his baffled mind had chafed
assure you that you will be helping us—helping before some problem while his thin, eager features
me greatly if you will guide us on that point.” became more attenuated with the asceticism of com-
plete mental concentration. Finally he lit his pipe,
There was such a ring of sincerity in the
and sitting in the inglenook of the old village inn he
woman’s voice that for the instant I forgot all about
talked slowly and at random about his case, rather
her levity and was moved only to do her will.
as one who thinks aloud than as one who makes a
“Mr. Holmes is an independent investigator,” considered statement.
I said. “He is his own master, and would act as “A lie, Watson—a great, big, thumping, obtru-
his own judgment directed. At the same time, he sive, uncompromising lie—that’s what meets us
would naturally feel loyalty towards the officials on the threshold! There is our starting point. The
who were working on the same case, and he would whole story told by Barker is a lie. But Barker’s
not conceal from them anything which would help story is corroborated by Mrs. Douglas. Therefore
them in bringing a criminal to justice. Beyond this she is lying also. They are both lying, and in a con-
I can say nothing, and I would refer you to Mr. spiracy. So now we have the clear problem. Why
Holmes himself if you wanted fuller information.” are they lying, and what is the truth which they are
So saying I raised my hat and went upon my trying so hard to conceal? Let us try, Watson, you
way, leaving them still seated behind that conceal- and I, if we can get behind the lie and reconstruct
ing hedge. I looked back as I rounded the far the truth.
end of it, and saw that they were still talking very “How do I know that they are lying? Because it
earnestly together, and, as they were gazing after is a clumsy fabrication which simply could not be
me, it was clear that it was our interview that was true. Consider! According to the story given to us,
the subject of their debate. the assassin had less than a minute after the murder
“I wish none of their confidences,” said Holmes, had been committed to take that ring, which was
when I reported to him what had occurred. He had under another ring, from the dead man’s finger,
spent the whole afternoon at the Manor House in to replace the other ring—a thing which he would
consultation with his two colleagues, and returned surely never have done—and to put that singular
about five with a ravenous appetite for a high tea card beside his victim. I say that this was obviously
which I had ordered for him. “No confidences, impossible.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“You may argue—but I have too much respect shot brought them down, until quarter past eleven,
for your judgment, Watson, to think that you will when they rang the bell and summoned the ser-
do so—that the ring may have been taken before vants. What were they doing, and why did they
the man was killed. The fact that the candle had not instantly give the alarm? That is the question
been lit only a short time shows that there had been which faces us, and when it has been answered
no lengthy interview. Was Douglas, from what we we shall surely have gone some way to solve our
hear of his fearless character, a man who would problem.”
be likely to give up his wedding ring at such short “I am convinced myself,” said I, “that there is
notice, or could we conceive of his giving it up at an understanding between those two people. She
all? No, no, Watson, the assassin was alone with must be a heartless creature to sit laughing at some
the dead man for some time with the lamp lit. Of jest within a few hours of her husband’s murder.”
that I have no doubt at all.
“Exactly. She does not shine as a wife even
“But the gunshot was apparently the cause of in her own account of what occurred. I am not a
death. Therefore the shot must have been fired whole-souled admirer of womankind, as you are
some time earlier than we are told. But there could aware, Watson, but my experience of life has taught
be no mistake about such a matter as that. We are me that there are few wives, having any regard for
in the presence, therefore, of a deliberate conspir- their husbands, who would let any man’s spoken
acy upon the part of the two people who heard word stand between them and that husband’s dead
the gunshot—of the man Barker and of the woman body. Should I ever marry, Watson, I should hope
Douglas. When on the top of this I am able to show to inspire my wife with some feeling which would
that the blood mark on the windowsill was delib- prevent her from being walked off by a housekeeper
erately placed there by Barker, in order to give a when my corpse was lying within a few yards of her.
false clue to the police, you will admit that the case It was badly stage-managed; for even the rawest
grows dark against him. investigators must be struck by the absence of the
“Now we have to ask ourselves at what hour usual feminine ululation. If there had been nothing
the murder actually did occur. Up to half-past ten else, this incident alone would have suggested a
the servants were moving about the house; so it prearranged conspiracy to my mind.”
was certainly not before that time. At a quarter to “You think then, definitely, that Barker and Mrs.
eleven they had all gone to their rooms with the 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 it
ald can make in the study can penetrate to me in that Mrs. Douglas and Barker know the truth about
the pantry when the doors are all shut. the murder, and are conspiring to conceal it, then I
“It is otherwise, however, from the house- can give you a whole-souled answer. I am sure they
keeper’s room. It is not so far down the corridor, do. But your more deadly proposition is not so
and from it I could vaguely hear a voice when it clear. Let us for a moment consider the difficulties
was very loudly raised. The sound from a shotgun which stand in the way.
is to some extent muffled when the discharge is “We will suppose that this couple are united
at very close range, as it undoubtedly was in this by the bonds of a guilty love, and that they have
instance. It would not be very loud, and yet in the determined to get rid of the man who stands be-
silence of the night it should have easily penetrated tween them. It is a large supposition; for discreet
to Mrs. Allen’s room. She is, as she has told us, inquiry among servants and others has failed to
somewhat deaf; but none the less she mentioned corroborate it in any way. On the contrary, there is
in her evidence that she did hear something like a a good deal of evidence that the Douglases were
door slamming half an hour before the alarm was very attached to each other.”
given. Half an hour before the alarm was given “That, I am sure, cannot he true.” said I, think-
would be a quarter to eleven. I have no doubt that ing of the beautiful smiling face in the garden.
what she heard was the report of the gun, and that “Well at least they gave that impression. How-
this was the real instant of the murder. ever, we will suppose that they are an extraordi-
“If this is so, we have now to determine what narily astute couple, who deceive everyone upon
Barker and Mrs. Douglas, presuming that they are this point, and conspire to murder the husband. He
not the actual murderers, could have been doing happens to be a man over whose head some danger
from quarter to eleven, when the sound of the hangs—”

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 The Valley Of Fear

“We have only their word for that.” “Before this avenger got away, Barker and the
wife had reached the room. The assassin convinced
Holmes looked thoughtful. “I see, Watson. You
them that any attempt to arrest him would lead
are sketching out a theory by which everything they
to the publication of some hideous scandal. They
say from the beginning is false. According to your
were converted to this idea, and preferred to let
idea, there was never any hidden menace, or secret
him go. For this purpose they probably lowered
society, or Valley of Fear, or Boss MacSomebody,
the bridge, which can be done quite noiselessly,
or anything else. Well, that is a good sweeping
and then raised it again. He made his escape, and
generalization. Let us see what that brings us to.
for some reason thought that he could do so more
They invent this theory to account for the crime.
safely on foot than on the bicycle. He therefore left
They then play up to the idea by leaving this bicy-
his machine where it would not be discovered until
cle in the park as proof of the existence of some
he had got safely away. So far we are within the
outsider. The stain on the windowsill conveys the
bounds of possibility, are we not?”
same idea. So does the card on the body, which
might have been prepared in the house. That all fits “Well, it is possible, no doubt,” said I, with some
into your hypothesis, Watson. But now we come reserve.
on the nasty, angular, uncompromising bits which “We have to remember, Watson, that whatever
won’t slip into their places. Why a cut-off shotgun occurred is certainly something very extraordinary.
of all weapons—and an American one at that? How Well, now, to continue our supposititious case, the
could they be so sure that the sound of it would couple—not necessarily a guilty couple—realize
not bring someone on to them? It’s a mere chance after the murderer is gone that they have placed
as it is that Mrs. Allen did not start out to inquire themselves in a position in which it may be diffi-
for the slamming door. Why did your guilty couple cult for them to prove that they did not themselves
do all this, Watson?” either do the deed or connive at it. They rapidly
and rather clumsily met the situation. The mark
“I confess that I can’t explain it.”
was put by Barker’s bloodstained slipper upon the
“Then again, if a woman and her lover conspire window-sill to suggest how the fugitive got away.
to murder a husband, are they going to advertise They obviously were the two who must have heard
their guilt by ostentatiously removing his wedding the sound of the gun; so they gave the alarm exactly
ring after his death? Does that strike you as very as they would have done, but a good half hour after
probable, Watson?” the event.”
“No, it does not.” “And how do you propose to prove all this?”
“Well, if there were an outsider, he may be
“And once again, if the thought of leaving a bi- traced and taken. That would be the most effective
cycle concealed outside had occurred to you, would of all proofs. But if not—well, the resources of sci-
it really have seemed worth doing when the dullest ence are far from being exhausted. I think that an
detective would naturally say this is an obvious evening alone in that study would help me much.”
blind, as the bicycle is the first thing which the
“An evening alone!”
fugitive needed in order to make his escape.”
“I propose to go up there presently. I have ar-
“I can conceive of no explanation.” ranged it with the estimable Ames, who is by no
“And yet there should be no combination of means whole-hearted about Barker. I shall sit in
events for which the wit of man cannot conceive an that room and see if its atmosphere brings me inspi-
explanation. Simply as a mental exercise, without ration. I’m a believer in the genius loci. You smile,
any assertion that it is true, let me indicate a possi- Friend Watson. Well, we shall see. By the way, you
ble line of thought. It is, I admit, mere imagination; have that big umbrella of yours, have you not?”
but how often is imagination the mother of truth? “It is here.”
“We will suppose that there was a guilty secret, “Well, I’ll borrow that if I may.”
a really shameful secret in the life of this man Dou- “Certainly—but what a wretched weapon! If
glas. This leads to his murder by someone who is, there is danger—”
we will suppose, an avenger, someone from out- “Nothing serious, my dear Watson, or I should
side. This avenger, for some reason which I confess certainly ask for your assistance. But I’ll take the
I am still at a loss to explain, took the dead man’s umbrella. At present I am only awaiting the return
wedding ring. The vendetta might conceivably date of our colleagues from Tunbridge Wells, where they
back to the man’s first marriage, and the ring be are at present engaged in trying for a likely owner
taken for some such reason. to the bicycle.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

It was nightfall before Inspector MacDonald and he will be reported to the police by the hotel man-
White Mason came back from their expedition, and ager and that his disappearance will be connected
they arrived exultant, reporting a great advance in with the murder.”
our investigation.
“So one would imagine. Still, he has been justi-
“Man, I’ll admeet that I had my doubts if there fied of his wisdom up to date, at any rate, since he
was ever an outsider,” said MacDonald, “but that’s has not been taken. But his description—what of
all past now. We’ve had the bicycle identified, and that?”
we have a description of our man; so that’s a long
MacDonald referred to his notebook. “Here we
step on our journey.”
have it so far as they could give it. They don’t seem
“It sounds to me like the beginning of the end,” to have taken any very particular stock of him; but
said Holmes. “I’m sure I congratulate you both still the porter, the clerk, and the chambermaid are
with all my heart.” all agreed that this about covers the points. He
“Well, I started from the fact that Mr. Douglas was a man about five foot nine in height, fifty or
had seemed disturbed since the day before, when so years of age, his hair slightly grizzled, a grayish
he had been at Tunbridge Wells. It was at Tun- moustache, a curved nose, and a face which all of
bridge Wells then that he had become conscious of them described as fierce and forbidding.”
some danger. It was clear, therefore, that if a man “Well, bar the expression, that might almost be a
had come over with a bicycle it was from Tunbridge description of Douglas himself,” said Holmes. “He
Wells that he might be expected to have come. We is just over fifty, with grizzled hair and moustache,
took the bicycle over with us and showed it at the and about the same height. Did you get anything
hotels. It was identified at once by the manager else?”
of the Eagle Commercial as belonging to a man
named Hargrave, who had taken a room there two “He was dressed in a heavy gray suit with a
days before. This bicycle and a small valise were reefer jacket, and he wore a short yellow overcoat
his whole belongings. He had registered his name and a soft cap.”
as coming from London, but had given no address. “What about the shotgun?”
The valise was London made, and the contents
“It is less than two feet long. It could very well
were British; but the man himself was undoubtedly
have fitted into his valise. He could have carried it
an American.”
inside his overcoat without difficulty.”
“Well, well,” said Holmes gleefully, “you have
“And how do you consider that all this bears
indeed done some solid work while I have been sit-
upon the general case?”
ting spinning theories with my friend! It’s a lesson
in being practical, Mr. Mac.” “Well, Mr. Holmes,” said MacDonald, “when
we have got our man—and you may be sure that
“Ay, it’s just that, Mr. Holmes,” said the inspec-
I had his description on the wires within five min-
tor with satisfaction.
utes of hearing it—we shall be better able to judge.
“But this may all fit in with your theories,” I But, even as it stands, we have surely gone a long
remarked. way. We know that an American calling himself
“That may or may not be. But let us hear the Hargrave came to Tunbridge Wells two days ago
end, Mr. Mac. Was there nothing to identify this with bicycle and valise. In the latter was a sawed-off
man?” shotgun; so he came with the deliberate purpose
of crime. Yesterday morning he set off for this
“So little that it was evident that he had care- place on his bicycle, with his gun concealed in his
fully guarded himself against identification. There overcoat. No one saw him arrive, so far as we can
were no papers or letters, and no marking upon learn; but he need not pass through the village to
the clothes. A cycle map of the county lay on his reach the park gates, and there are many cyclists
bedroom table. He had left the hotel after breakfast upon the road. Presumably he at once concealed
yesterday morning on his bicycle, and no more was his cycle among the laurels where it was found,
heard of him until our inquiries.” and possibly lurked there himself, with his eye on
“That’s what puzzles me, Mr. Holmes,” said the house, waiting for Mr. Douglas to come out.
White Mason. “If the fellow did not want the hue The shotgun is a strange weapon to use inside a
and cry raised over him, one would imagine that he house; but he had intended to use it outside, and
would have returned and remained at the hotel as there it has very obvious advantages, as it would be
an inoffensive tourist. As it is, he must know that impossible to miss with it, and the sound of shots is

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

CHAPTER VII.
The Solution

Next morning, after breakfast, we found Inspec- Holmes asked cheerfully. “What is the latest news
tor MacDonald and White Mason seated in close of the ruffian?”
consultation in the small parlour of the local police MacDonald pointed ruefully to his heap of cor-
sergeant. On the table in front of them were piled a respondence.
number of letters and telegrams, which they were “He is at present reported from Leicester, Not-
carefully sorting and docketing. Three had been tingham, Southampton, Derby, East Ham, Rich-
placed on one side. mond, and fourteen other places. In three of
“Still on the track of the elusive bicyclist?” them—East Ham, Leicester, and Liverpool—there

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 The Valley Of Fear

is a clear case against him, and he has actually “Ah, I can only give you a very general answer
been arrested. The country seems to be full of the to that for the moment. By the way, I have been
fugitives with yellow coats.” reading a short but clear and interesting account of
“Dear me!” said Holmes sympathetically. “Now, the old building, purchasable at the modest sum of
Mr. Mac and you, Mr. White Mason, I wish to give one penny from the local tobacconist.”
you a very earnest piece of advice. When I went Here Holmes drew a small tract, embellished
into this case with you I bargained, as you will with a rude engraving of the ancient Manor House,
no doubt remember, that I should not present you from his waistcoat pocket.
with half-proved theories, but that I should retain
“It immensely adds to the zest of an investiga-
and work out my own ideas until I had satisfied
tion, my dear Mr. Mac, when one is in conscious
myself that they were correct. For this reason I am
sympathy with the historical atmosphere of one’s
not at the present moment telling you all that is in
surroundings. Don’t look so impatient; for I assure
my mind. On the other hand, I said that I would
you that even so bald an account as this raises some
play the game fairly by you, and I do not think it
sort of picture of the past in one’s mind. Permit me
is a fair game to allow you for one unnecessary
to give you a sample. ‘Erected in the fifth year of
moment to waste your energies upon a profitless
the reign of James I, and standing upon the site of a
task. Therefore I am here to advise you this morn-
much older building, the Manor House of Birlstone
ing, and my advice to you is summed up in three
presents one of the finest surviving examples of the
words—abandon the case.”
moated Jacobean residence—’ ”
MacDonald and White Mason stared in amaze-
ment at their celebrated colleague. “You are making fools of us, Mr. Holmes!”
“You consider it hopeless!” cried the inspector. “Tut, tut, Mr. Mac!—the first sign of temper I
have detected in you. Well, I won’t read it verbatim,
“I consider your case to be hopeless. I do not
since you feel so strongly upon the subject. But
consider that it is hopeless to arrive at the truth.”
when I tell you that there is some account of the
“But this cyclist. He is not an invention. We taking of the place by a parliamentary colonel in
have his description, his valise, his bicycle. The 1644, of the concealment of Charles for several days
fellow must be somewhere. Why should we not get in the course of the Civil War, and finally of a visit
him?” there by the second George, you will admit that
“Yes, yes, no doubt he is somewhere, and no there are various associations of interest connected
doubt we shall get him; but I would not have you with this ancient house.”
waste your energies in East Ham or Liverpool. I am “I don’t doubt it, Mr. Holmes; but that is no
sure that we can find some shorter cut to a result.” business of ours.”
“You are holding something back. It’s hardly “Is it not? Is it not? Breadth of view, my dear
fair of you, Mr. Holmes.” The inspector was an- Mr. Mac, is one of the essentials of our profes-
noyed. sion. The interplay of ideas and the oblique uses of
“You know my methods of work, Mr. Mac. But knowledge are often of extraordinary interest. You
I will hold it back for the shortest time possible. I will excuse these remarks from one who, though a
only wish to verify my details in one way, which mere connoisseur of crime, is still rather older and
can very readily be done, and then I make my bow perhaps more experienced than yourself.”
and return to London, leaving my results entirely
“I’m the first to admit that,” said the detective
at your service. I owe you too much to act other-
heartily. “You get to your point, I admit; but you
wise; for in all my experience I cannot recall any
have such a deuced round-the-corner way of doing
more singular and interesting study.”
it.”
“This is clean beyond me, Mr. Holmes. We saw
you when we returned from Tunbridge Wells last “Well, well, I’ll drop past history and get down
night, and you were in general agreement with our to present-day facts. I called last night, as I have al-
results. What has happened since then to give you ready said, at the Manor House. I did not see either
a completely new idea of the case?” Barker or Mrs. Douglas. I saw no necessity to dis-
turb them; but I was pleased to hear that the lady
“Well, since you ask me, I spent, as I told you was not visibly pining and that she had partaken of
that I would, some hours last night at the Manor an excellent dinner. My visit was specially made to
House.” the good Mr. Ames, with whom I exchanged some
“Well, what happened?” amiabilities, which culminated in his allowing me,

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 The Valley Of Fear

without reference to anyone else, to sit alone for a “Well, well, spend the day as you like,” said
time in the study.” Holmes, patting him cheerfully upon the shoulder.
“What! With that?” I ejaculated. “Do what you like and go where you will, but meet
me here before dusk without fail—without fail, Mr.
“No, no, everything is now in order. You gave Mac.”
permission for that, Mr. Mac, as I am informed.
“That sounds more like sanity.”
The room was in its normal state, and in it I passed
an instructive quarter of an hour.” “All of it was excellent advice; but I don’t insist,
so long as you are here when I need you. But now,
“What were you doing?” before we part, I want you to write a note to Mr.
“Well, not to make a mystery of so simple a Barker.”
matter, I was looking for the missing dumb-bell. It “Well?”
has always bulked rather large in my estimate of “I’ll dictate it, if you like. Ready?
the case. I ended by finding it.”
“Dear Sir:
“Where?”
“It has struck me that it is our duty to
“Ah, there we come to the edge of the unex- drain the moat, in the hope that we may
plored. Let me go a little further, a very little further, find some—“
and I will promise that you shall share everything
that I know.” “It’s impossible,” said the inspector. “I’ve 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
of goodness should we abandon the case?” “Well, go on.”

“For the simple reason, my dear Mr. Mac, that “—in the hope that we may find
you have not got the first idea what it is that you something which may bear upon our
are investigating.” investigation. I have made arrange-
ments, and the workmen will be at work
“We are investigating the murder of Mr. John
early to-morrow morning diverting the
Douglas of Birlstone Manor.”
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.
“I will tell you exactly what to do, if you will “Now sign that, and send it by hand about four
do it.” o’clock. At that hour we shall meet again in this
“Well, I’m bound to say I’ve always found you room. Until then we may each do what we like;
had reason behind all your queer ways. I’ll do what for I can assure you that this inquiry has come to a
you advise.” definite pause.”
“And you, Mr. White Mason?” Evening was drawing in when we reassembled.
Holmes was very serious in his manner, myself
The country detective looked helplessly from curious, and the detectives obviously critical and
one to the other. Holmes and his methods were annoyed.
new to him. “Well, if it is good enough for the
“Well, gentlemen,” said my friend gravely, “I
inspector, it is good enough for me,” he said at last.
am asking you now to put everything to the test
“Capital!” said Holmes. “Well, then, I should with me, and you will judge for yourselves whether
recommend a nice, cheery country walk for both the observations I have made justify the conclusions
of you. They tell me that the views from Birlstone to which I have come. It is a chill evening, and I do
Ridge over the Weald are very remarkable. No not know how long our expedition may last; so I
doubt lunch could be got at some suitable hostelry; beg that you will wear your warmest coats. It is of
though my ignorance of the country prevents me the first importance that we should be in our places
from recommending one. In the evening, tired but before it grows dark; so with your permission we
happy—” shall get started at once.”
“Man, this is getting past a joke!” cried Mac- We passed along the outer bounds of the Manor
Donald, rising angrily from his chair. House park until we came to a place where there

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 The Valley Of Fear

was a gap in the rails which fenced it. Through this hundred feet from it. Presently it was thrown open
we slipped, and then in the gathering gloom we with a whining of hinges, and we could dimly see
followed Holmes until we had reached a shrubbery the dark outline of a man’s head and shoulders
which lies nearly opposite to the main door and looking out into the gloom. For some minutes he
the drawbridge. The latter had not been raised. peered forth in furtive, stealthy fashion, as one who
Holmes crouched down behind the screen of lau- wishes to be assured that he is unobserved. Then
rels, and we all three followed his example. he leaned forward, and in the intense silence we
“Well, what are we to do now?” asked MacDon- were aware of the soft lapping of agitated water.
ald with some gruffness. He seemed to be stirring up the moat with some-
“Possess our souls in patience and make as little thing which he held in his hand. Then suddenly
noise as possible,” Holmes answered. he hauled something in as a fisherman lands a
fish—some large, round object which obscured the
“What are we here for at all? I really think that
light as it was dragged through the open casement.
you might treat us with more frankness.”
“Now!” cried Holmes. “Now!”
Holmes laughed. “Watson insists that I am the
dramatist in real life,” said he. “Some touch of the We were all upon our feet, staggering after him
artist wells up within me, and calls insistently for with our stiffened limbs, while he ran swiftly across
a well-staged performance. Surely our profession, the bridge and rang violently at the bell. There
Mr. Mac, would be a drab and sordid one if we was the rasping of bolts from the other side, and
did not sometimes set the scene so as to glorify the amazed Ames stood in the entrance. Holmes
our results. The blunt accusation, the brutal tap brushed him aside without a word and, followed
upon the shoulder—what can one make of such by all of us, rushed into the room which had been
a dénouement? But the quick inference, the subtle occupied by the man whom we had been watching.
trap, the clever forecast of coming events, the tri- The oil lamp on the table represented the glow
umphant vindication of bold theories—are these which we had seen from outside. It was now in the
not the pride and the justification of our life’s work? hand of Cecil Barker, who held it towards us as we
At the present moment you thrill with the glamour entered. Its light shone upon his strong, resolute,
of the situation and the anticipation of the hunt. clean-shaved face and his menacing eyes.
Where would be that thrill if I had been as definite “What the devil is the meaning of all this?” he
as a timetable? I only ask a little patience, Mr. Mac, cried. “What are you after, anyhow?”
and all will be clear to you.”
Holmes took a swift glance round, and then
“Well, I hope the pride and justification and the pounced upon a sodden bundle tied together with
rest of it will come before we all get our death of cord which lay where it had been thrust under the
cold,” said the London detective with comic resig- writing table.
nation.
“This is what we are after, Mr. Barker—this bun-
We all had good reason to join in the aspiration;
dle, weighted with a dumb-bell, which you have
for our vigil was a long and bitter one. Slowly the
just raised from the bottom of the moat.”
shadows darkened over the long, sombre face of
the old house. A cold, damp reek from the moat Barker stared at Holmes with amazement in his
chilled us to the bones and set our teeth chattering. face. “How in thunder came you to know anything
There was a single lamp over the gateway and a about it?” he asked.
steady globe of light in the fatal study. Everything “Simply that I put it there.”
else was dark and still. “You put it there! You!”
“How long is this to last?” asked the inspector “Perhaps I should have said ‘replaced it there,’ ”
finally. “And what is it we are watching for?” said Holmes. “You will remember, Inspector Mac-
“I have no more notion than you how long it is Donald, that I was somewhat struck by the absence
to last,” Holmes answered with some asperity. “If of a dumb-bell. I drew your attention to it; but with
criminals would always schedule their movements the pressure of other events you had hardly the
like railway trains, it would certainly be more con- time to give it the consideration which would have
venient for all of us. As to what it is we—Well, enabled you to draw deductions from it. When
that’s what we are watching for!” water is near and a weight is missing it is not a very
As he spoke the bright, yellow light in the study far-fetched supposition that something has been
was obscured by somebody passing to and fro be- sunk in the water. The idea was at least worth test-
fore it. The laurels among which we lay were imme- ing; so with the help of Ames, who admitted me to
diately opposite the window and not more than a the room, and the crook of Dr. Watson’s umbrella,

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 The Valley Of Fear

I was able last night to fish up and inspect this “Oh, you think so, do you? Well, all I can say
bundle. is that if there’s any secret here it is not my secret,
and I am not the man to give it away.”
“It was of the first importance, however, that we
should be able to prove who placed it there. This “Well, if you take that line, Mr. Barker,” said the
we accomplished by the very obvious device of an- inspector quietly, “we must just keep you in sight
nouncing that the moat would be dried to-morrow, until we have the warrant and can hold you.”
which had, of course, the effect that whoever had “You can do what you damn please about that,”
hidden the bundle would most certainly withdraw said Barker defiantly.
it the moment that darkness enabled him to do so. The proceedings seemed to have come to a def-
We have no less than four witnesses as to who it inite end so far as he was concerned; for one had
was who took advantage of the opportunity, and only to look at that granite face to realize that no
so, Mr. Barker, I think the word lies now with you.” peine forte et dure would ever force him to plead
Sherlock Holmes put the sopping bundle upon against his will. The deadlock was broken, how-
the table beside the lamp and undid the cord which ever, by a woman’s voice. Mrs. Douglas had been
bound it. From within he extracted a dumb-bell, standing listening at the half opened door, and now
which he tossed down to its fellow in the corner. she entered the room.
Next he drew forth a pair of boots. “American, as “You have done enough for now, Cecil,” said
you perceive,” he remarked, pointing to the toes. she. “Whatever comes of it in the future, you have
Then he laid upon the table a long, deadly, sheathed done enough.”
knife. Finally he unravelled a bundle of clothing, “Enough and more than enough,” remarked
comprising a complete set of underclothes, socks, a Sherlock Holmes gravely. “I have every sympathy
gray tweed suit, and a short yellow overcoat. with you, madam, and should strongly urge you
to have some confidence in the common sense of
“The clothes are commonplace,” remarked
our jurisdiction and to take the police voluntarily
Holmes, “save only the overcoat, which is full of
into your complete confidence. It may be that I am
suggestive touches.” He held it tenderly towards
myself at fault for not following up the hint which
the light. “Here, as you perceive, is the inner pocket
you conveyed to me through my friend, Dr. Watson;
prolonged into the lining in such fashion as to give
but, at that time I had every reason to believe that
ample space for the truncated fowling piece. The
you were directly concerned in the crime. Now I
tailor’s tab is on the neck—‘Neal, Outfitter, Ver-
am assured that this is not so. At the same time,
missa, U. S. A.’ I have spent an instructive after-
there is much that is unexplained, and I should
noon in the rector’s library, and have enlarged my
strongly recommend that you ask Mr. Douglas to
knowledge by adding the fact that Vermissa is a
tell us his own story.”
flourishing little town at the head of one of the best
known coal and iron valleys in the United States. I Mrs. Douglas gave a cry of astonishment at
have some recollection, Mr. Barker, that you associ- Holmes’s words. The detectives and I must have
ated the coal districts with Mr. Douglas’s first wife, echoed it, when we were aware of a man who
and it would surely not be too far-fetched an infer- seemed to have emerged from the wall, who ad-
ence that the V. V. upon the card by the dead body vanced now from the gloom of the corner in which
might stand for Vermissa Valley, or that this very he had appeared. Mrs. Douglas turned, and in
valley which sends forth emissaries of murder may an instant her arms were round him. Barker had
be that Valley of Fear of which we have heard. So seized his outstretched hand.
much is fairly clear. And now, Mr. Barker, I seem to “It’s best this way, Jack,” his wife repeated; “I
be standing rather in the way of your explanation.” am sure that it is best.”
“Indeed, yes, Mr. Douglas,” said Sherlock
It was a sight to see Cecil Barker’s expressive
Holmes, “I am sure that you will find it best.”
face during this exposition of the great detective.
Anger, amazement, consternation, and indecision The man stood blinking at us with the dazed
swept over it in turn. Finally he took refuge in a look of one who comes from the dark into the light.
somewhat acrid irony. It was a remarkable face, bold gray eyes, a strong,
short-clipped, grizzled moustache, a square, pro-
“You know such a lot, Mr. Holmes, perhaps you jecting chin, and a humorous mouth. He took a
had better tell us some more,” he sneered. good look at us all, and then to my amazement he
“I have no doubt that I could tell you a great advanced to me and handed me a bundle of paper.
deal more, Mr. Barker; but it would come with a “I’ve heard of you,” said he in a voice which
better grace from you.” was not quite English and not quite American, but

691
 The Valley Of Fear

was altogether mellow and pleasing. “You are the but must be that of the bicyclist from Tunbridge
historian of this bunch. Well, Dr. Watson, you’ve Wells. No other conclusion was possible. Therefore
never had such a story as that pass through your I had to determine where Mr. John Douglas himself
hands before, and I’ll lay my last dollar on that. Tell could be, and the balance of probability was that
it your own way; but there are the facts, and you with the connivance of his wife and his friend he
can’t miss the public so long as you have those. I’ve was concealed in a house which had such conve-
been cooped up two days, and I’ve spent the day- niences for a fugitive, and awaiting quieter times
light hours—as much daylight as I could get in that when he could make his final escape.”
rat trap—in putting the thing into words. You’re “Well, you figured it out about right,” said Dou-
welcome to them—you and your public. There’s glas approvingly. “I thought I’d dodge your British
the story of the Valley of Fear.” law; for I was not sure how I stood under it, and
“That’s the past, Mr. Douglas,” said Sherlock also I saw my chance to throw these hounds once
Holmes quietly. “What we desire now is to hear for all off my track. Mind you, from first to last I
your story of the present.” have done nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing
“You’ll have it, sir,” said Douglas. “May I smoke that I would not do again; but you’ll judge that for
as I talk? Well, thank you, Mr. Holmes. You’re a yourselves when I tell you my story. Never mind
smoker yourself, if I remember right, and you’ll warning me, Inspector: I’m ready to stand pat upon
guess what it is to be sitting for two days with the truth.
tobacco in your pocket and afraid that the smell “I’m not going to begin at the beginning. That’s
will give you away.” He leaned against the mantel- all there,” he indicated my bundle of papers, “and
piece and sucked at the cigar which Holmes had a mighty queer yarn you’ll find it. It all comes
handed him. “I’ve heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I down to this: That there are some men that have
never guessed that I should meet you. But before good cause to hate me and would give their last
you are through with that,” he nodded at my pa- dollar to know that they had got me. So long as I
pers, “you will say I’ve brought you something am alive and they are alive, there is no safety in this
fresh.” world for me. They hunted me from Chicago to
California, then they chased me out of America; but
Inspector MacDonald had been staring at the
when I married and settled down in this quiet spot
newcomer with the greatest amazement. “Well, this
I thought my last years were going to be peaceable.
fairly beats me!” he cried at last. “If you are Mr.
John Douglas of Birlstone Manor, then whose death “I never explained to my wife how things were.
have we been investigating for these two days, and Why should I pull her into it? She would never
where in the world have you sprung from now? have a quiet moment again; but would always be
You seemed to me to come out of the floor like a imagining trouble. I fancy she knew something, for
jack-in-a-box.” I may have dropped a word here or a word there;
but until yesterday, after you gentlemen had seen
“Ah, Mr. Mac,” said Holmes, shaking a reprov- her, she never knew the rights of the matter. She
ing forefinger, “you would not read that excellent told you all she knew, and so did Barker here; for
local compilation which described the concealment on the night when this thing happened there was
of King Charles. People did not hide in those days mighty little time for explanations. She knows ev-
without excellent hiding places, and the hiding erything now, and I would have been a wiser man
place that has once been used may be again. I had if I had told her sooner. But it was a hard question,
persuaded myself that we should find Mr. Douglas dear,” he took her hand for an instant in his own,
under this roof.” “and I acted for the best.
“And how long have you been playing this trick “Well, gentlemen, the day before these happen-
upon us, Mr. Holmes?” said the inspector angrily. ings I was over in Tunbridge Wells, and I got a
“How long have you allowed us to waste ourselves glimpse of a man in the street. It was only a
upon a search that you knew to be an absurd one?” glimpse; but I have a quick eye for these things,
“Not one instant, my dear Mr. Mac. Only last and I never doubted who it was. It was the worst
night did I form my views of the case. As they enemy I had among them all—one who has been
could not be put to the proof until this evening, I after me like a hungry wolf after a caribou all these
invited you and your colleague to take a holiday for years. I knew there was trouble coming, and I came
the day. Pray what more could I do? When I found home and made ready for it. I guessed I’d fight
the suit of clothes in the moat, it at once became through it all right on my own, my luck was a
apparent to me that the body we had found could proverb in the States about ’76. I never doubted
not have been the body of Mr. John Douglas at all, that it would be with me still.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“I was on my guard all that next day, and never The man whom we had known as Douglas
went out into the park. It’s as well, or he’d have turned up his own coat and cuff to show a brown
had the drop on me with that buckshot gun of his triangle within a circle exactly like that which we
before ever I could draw on him. After the bridge had seen upon the dead man.
was up—my mind was always more restful when “It was the sight of that which started me on it. I
that bridge was up in the evenings—I put the thing seemed to see it all clear at a glance. There were his
clear out of my head. I never dreamed of his get- height and hair and figure, about the same as my
ting into the house and waiting for me. But when own. No one could swear to his face, poor devil! I
I made my round in my dressing gown, as was brought down this suit of clothes, and in a quarter
my habit, I had no sooner entered the study than of an hour Barker and I had put my dressing gown
I scented danger. I guess when a man has had on him and he lay as you found him. We tied all
dangers in his life—and I’ve had more than most in his things into a bundle, and I weighted them with
my time—there is a kind of sixth sense that waves the only weight I could find and put them through
the red flag. I saw the signal clear enough, and the window. The card he had meant to lay upon
yet I couldn’t tell you why. Next instant I spotted my body was lying beside his own.
a boot under the window curtain, and then I saw “My rings were put on his finger; but when it
why plain enough. came to the wedding ring,” he held out his mus-
cular hand, “you can see for yourselves that I had
“I’d just the one candle that was in my hand; but
struck the limit. I have not moved it since the day I
there was a good light from the hall lamp through
was married, and it would have taken a file to get it
the open door. I put down the candle and jumped
off. I don’t know, anyhow, that I should have cared
for a hammer that I’d left on the mantel. At the
to part with it; but if I had wanted to I couldn’t. So
same moment he sprang at me. I saw the glint of a
we just had to leave that detail to take care of itself.
knife, and I lashed at him with the hammer. I got
On the other hand, I brought a bit of plaster down
him somewhere; for the knife tinkled down on the
and put it where I am wearing one myself at this
floor. He dodged round the table as quick as an eel,
instant. You slipped up there, Mr. Holmes, clever
and a moment later he’d got his gun from under
as you are; for if you had chanced to take off that
his coat. I heard him cock it; but I had got hold of
plaster you would have found no cut underneath
it before he could fire. I had it by the barrel, and
it.
we wrestled for it all ends up for a minute or more.
It was death to the man that lost his grip. “Well, that was the situation. If I could lie low
for a while and then get away where I could be
“He never lost his grip; but he got it butt down- joined by my ‘widow’ we should have a chance
ward for a moment too long. Maybe it was I that at last of living in peace for the rest of our lives.
pulled the trigger. Maybe we just jolted it off be- These devils would give me no rest so long as I was
tween us. Anyhow, he got both barrels in the face, above ground; but if they saw in the papers that
and there I was, staring down at all that was left of Baldwin had got his man, there would be an end of
Ted Baldwin. I’d recognized him in the township, all my troubles. I hadn’t much time to make it all
and again when he sprang for me; but his own clear to Barker and to my wife; but they understood
mother wouldn’t recognize him as I saw him then. enough to be able to help me. I knew all about this
I’m used to rough work; but I fairly turned sick at hiding place, so did Ames; but it never entered his
the sight of him. head to connect it with the matter. I retired into it,
and it was up to Barker to do the rest.
“I was hanging on the side of the table when
“I guess you can fill in for yourselves what he
Barker came hurrying down. I heard my wife com-
did. He opened the window and made the mark
ing, and I ran to the door and stopped her. It was
on the sill to give an idea of how the murderer
no sight for a woman. I promised I’d come to her
escaped. It was a tall order, that; but as the bridge
soon. I said a word or two to Barker—he took it all
was up there was no other way. Then, when ev-
in at a glance—and we waited for the rest to come
erything was fixed, he rang the bell for all he was
along. But there was no sign of them. Then we un-
worth. What happened afterward you know. And
derstood that they could hear nothing, and that all
so, gentlemen, you can do what you please; but
that had happened was known only to ourselves.
I’ve told you the truth and the whole truth, so help
“It was at that instant that the idea came to me. I me God! What I ask you now is how do I stand by
was fairly dazzled by the brilliance of it. The man’s the English law?”
sleeve had slipped up and there was the branded There was a silence which was broken by Sher-
mark of the lodge upon his forearm. See here!” lock Holmes.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“The English law is in the main a just law. You the year of grace in which we made our eventful
will get no worse than your deserts from that, Mr. journey which ended with the strange story of the
Douglas. But I would ask you how did this man man who had been known as John Douglas. I wish
know that you lived here, or how to get into your you to journey back some twenty years in time, and
house, or where to hide to get you?” westward some thousands of miles in space, that
I may lay before you a singular and terrible narra-
“I know nothing of this.”
tive—so singular and so terrible that you may find
Holmes’s face was very white and grave. “The it hard to believe that even as I tell it, even so did it
story is not over yet, I fear,” said he. “You may find occur.
worse dangers than the English law, or even than
Do not think that I intrude one story before
your enemies from America. I see trouble before
another is finished. As you read on you will find
you, Mr. Douglas. You’ll take my advice and still
that this is not so. And when I have detailed those
be on your guard.”
distant events and you have solved this mystery of
And now, my long-suffering readers, I will ask the past, we shall meet once more in those rooms
you to come away with me for a time, far from the on Baker Street, where this, like so many other
Sussex Manor House of Birlstone, and far also from wonderful happenings, will find its end.

694
PART II.
The Scowrers
 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER I.
The Man

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

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

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 The Valley Of Fear

“I guess hell must look something like that,” A few minutes later the train ran into the ill-
said a voice. lit station, and there was a general clearing; for
McMurdo turned and saw that one of the po- Vermissa was by far the largest town on the line.
licemen had shifted in his seat and was staring out McMurdo picked up his leather gripsack and was
into the fiery waste. about to start off into the darkness, when one of
the miners accosted him.
“For that matter,” said the other policeman, “I
allow that hell must be something like that. If there “By Gar, mate! you know how to speak to the
are worse devils down yonder than some we could cops,” he said in a voice of awe. “It was grand to
name, it’s more than I’d expect. I guess you are hear you. Let me carry your grip and show you the
new to this part, young man?” road. I’m passing Shafter’s on the way to my own
shack.”
“Well, what if I am?” McMurdo answered in a
surly voice. There was a chorus of friendly “Good-nights”
from the other miners as they passed from the plat-
“Just this, mister, that I should advise you to be form. Before ever he had set foot in it, McMurdo
careful in choosing your friends. I don’t think I’d the turbulent had become a character in Vermissa.
begin with Mike Scanlan or his gang if I were you.”
The country had been a place of terror; but the
“What the hell is it to you who are my friends?” town was in its way even more depressing. Down
roared McMurdo in a voice which brought every that long valley there was at least a certain gloomy
head in the carriage round to witness the alterca- grandeur in the huge fires and the clouds of drift-
tion. “Did I ask you for your advice, or did you ing smoke, while the strength and industry of man
think me such a sucker that I couldn’t move with- found fitting monuments in the hills which he had
out it? You speak when you are spoken to, and spilled by the side of his monstrous excavations.
by the Lord you’d have to wait a long time if it But the town showed a dead level of mean ugliness
was me!” He thrust out his face and grinned at the and squalor. The broad street was churned up by
patrolmen like a snarling dog. the traffic into a horrible rutted paste of muddy
The two policemen, heavy, good-natured men, snow. The sidewalks were narrow and uneven. The
were taken aback by the extraordinary vehemence numerous gas-lamps served only to show more
with which their friendly advances had been re- clearly a long line of wooden houses, each with its
jected. veranda facing the street, unkempt and dirty.
“No offense, stranger,” said one. “It was a warn- As they approached the centre of the town the
ing for your own good, seeing that you are, by your scene was brightened by a row of well-lit stores,
own showing, new to the place.” and even more by a cluster of saloons and gam-
“I’m new to the place; but I’m not new to you ing houses, in which the miners spent their hard-
and your kind!” cried McMurdo in cold fury. “I earned but generous wages.
guess you’re the same in all places, shoving your “That’s the Union House,” said the guide, point-
advice in when nobody asks for it.” ing to one saloon which rose almost to the dignity
“Maybe we’ll see more of you before very long,” of being a hotel. “Jack McGinty is the boss there.”
said one of the patrolmen with a grin. “You’re a “What sort of a man is he?” McMurdo asked.
real hand-picked one, if I am a judge.” “What! have you never heard of the boss?”
“I was thinking the same,” remarked the other. “How could I have heard of him when you
“I guess we may meet again.” know that I am a stranger in these parts?”
“I’m not afraid of you, and don’t you think it!” “Well, I thought his name was known clear
cried McMurdo. “My name’s Jack McMurdo—see? across the country. It’s been in the papers often
If you want me, you’ll find me at Jacob Shafter’s enough.”
on Sheridan Street, Vermissa; so I’m not hiding
“What for?”
from you, am I? Day or night I dare to look the like
of you in the face—don’t make any mistake about “Well,” the miner lowered his voice—“over the
that!” affairs.”
There was a murmur of sympathy and admira- “What affairs?”
tion from the miners at the dauntless demeanour of “Good Lord, mister! you are queer, if I must say
the newcomer, while the two policemen shrugged it without offense. There’s only one set of affairs
their shoulders and renewed a conversation be- that you’ll hear of in these parts, and that’s the
tween themselves. affairs of the Scowrers.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

CHAPTER II.
The Bodymaster

McMurdo was a man who made his mark ten or a dozen boarders there; but they were honest
quickly. Wherever he was the folk around soon foremen or commonplace clerks from the stores, of
knew it. Within a week he had become infinitely a very different calibre from the young Irishman.
the most important person at Shafter’s. There were Of an evening when they gathered together his

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 The Valley Of Fear

joke was always the readiest, his conversation the evening from Mike Scanlan, the fellow member
brightest, and his song the best. He was a born whom he had met in the train. Scanlan, the small,
boon companion, with a magnetism which drew sharp-faced, nervous, black-eyed man, seemed glad
good humour from all around him. to see him once more. After a glass or two of
And yet he showed again and again, as he had whisky he broached the object of his visit.
shown in the railway carriage, a capacity for sud- “Say, McMurdo,” said he, “I remembered your
den, fierce anger, which compelled the respect and address, so l made bold to call. I’m surprised
even the fear of those who met him. For the law, that you’ve not reported to the Bodymaster. Why
too, and all who were connected with it, he exhib- haven’t you seen Boss McGinty yet?”
ited a bitter contempt which delighted some and “Well, I had to find a job. I have been busy.”
alarmed others of his fellow boarders.
“You must find time for him if you have none
From the first he made it evident, by his open
for anything else. Good Lord, man! you’re a fool
admiration, that the daughter of the house had won
not to have been down to the Union House and reg-
his heart from the instant that he had set eyes upon
istered your name the first morning after you came
her beauty and her grace. He was no backward
here! If you run against him—well, you mustn’t,
suitor. On the second day he told her that he loved
that’s all!”
her, and from then onward he repeated the same
story with an absolute disregard of what she might McMurdo showed mild surprise. “I’ve been a
say to discourage him. member of the lodge for over two years, Scanlan,
but I never heard that duties were so pressing as
“Someone else?” he would cry. “Well, the worse
all that.”
luck for someone else! Let him look out for himself!
Am I to lose my life’s chance and all my heart’s “Maybe not in Chicago.”
desire for someone else? You can keep on saying “Well, it’s the same society here.”
no, Ettie: the day will come when you will say yes,
“Is it?”
and I’m young enough to wait.”
He was a dangerous suitor, with his glib Irish Scanlan looked at him long and fixedly. There
tongue, and his pretty, coaxing ways. There was was something sinister in his eyes.
about him also that glamour of experience and of “Isn’t it?”
mystery which attracts a woman’s interest, and fi- “You’ll tell me that in a month’s time. I hear
nally her love. He could talk of the sweet valleys you had a talk with the patrolmen after I left the
of County Monaghan from which he came, of the train.”
lovely, distant island, the low hills and green mead-
“How did you know that?”
ows of which seemed the more beautiful when
imagination viewed them from this place of grime “Oh, it got about—things do get about for good
and snow. and for bad in this district.”
Then he was versed in the life of the cities of “Well, yes. I told the hounds what I thought of
the North, of Detroit, and the lumber camps of them.”
Michigan, and finally of Chicago, where he had “By the Lord, you’ll be a man after McGinty’s
worked in a planing mill. And afterwards came heart!”
the hint of romance, the feeling that strange things
had happened to him in that great city, so strange “What, does he hate the police too?”
and so intimate that they might not be spoken of. Scanlan burst out laughing. “You go and see
He spoke wistfully of a sudden leaving, a breaking him, my lad,” said he as he took his leave. “It’s not
of old ties, a flight into a strange world, ending in the police but you that he’ll hate if you don’t! Now,
this dreary valley, and Ettie listened, her dark eyes take a friend’s advice and go at once!”
gleaming with pity and with sympathy—those two It chanced that on the same evening McMurdo
qualities which may turn so rapidly and so natu- had another more pressing interview which urged
rally to love. him in the same direction. It may have been that
McMurdo had obtained a temporary job as his attentions to Ettie had been more evident than
bookkeeper; for he was a well-educated man. This before, or that they had gradually obtruded them-
kept him out most of the day, and he had not found selves into the slow mind of his good German host;
occasion yet to report himself to the head of the but, whatever the cause, the boarding-house keeper
lodge of the Eminent Order of Freemen. He was beckoned the young man into his private room and
reminded of his omission, however, by a visit one started on the subject without any circumlocution.

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 The Valley Of Fear

“It seems to me, mister,” said he, “that you find it through the length and breadth of the States,
are gettin’ set on my Ettie. Ain’t that so, or am I but always as an innocent one. Now, when I am
wrong?” counting upon joining it here, you tell me that it is
“Yes, that is so,” the young man answered. the same as a murder society called the Scowrers.
I guess you owe me either an apology or else an
“Vell, I vant to tell you right now that it ain’t no
explanation, 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. You
“Frighten!” McMurdo was on fire in a moment. vill soon be as bad as the rest. But you vill find
other lodgings, mister. I cannot have you here. Is it
“Ah, yes, my friend! You need not be ashamed
not bad enough that one of these people come court-
to be frightened of him. It is Teddy Baldwin.”
ing my Ettie, and that I dare not turn him down,
“And who the devil is he?” but that I should have another for my boarder? Yes,
“He is a boss of Scowrers.” indeed, you shall not sleep here after to-night!”
“Scowrers! I’ve heard of them before. It’s Scowr- McMurdo found himself under sentence of ban-
ers here and Scowrers there, and always in a whis- ishment both from his comfortable quarters and
per! What are you all afraid of? Who are the from the girl whom he loved. He found her alone in
Scowrers?” the sitting-room that same evening, and he poured
his troubles into her ear.
The boarding-house keeper instinctively sank
his voice, as everyone did who talked about that “Sure, your father is after giving me notice,” he
terrible society. “The Scowrers,” said he, “are the said. “It’s little I would care if it was just my room,
Eminent Order of Freemen!” but indeed, Ettie, though it’s only a week that I’ve
known you, you are the very breath of life to me,
The young man stared. “Why, I am a member
and I can’t live without you!”
of that order myself.”
“Oh, hush, Mr. McMurdo, don’t speak so!” said
“You! I vould never have had you in my house the girl. “I have told you, have I not, that you
if I had known it—not if you vere to pay me a are too late? There is another, and if I have not
hundred dollar a week.” promised to marry him at once, at least I can
“What’s wrong with the order? It’s for charity promise no one else.”
and good fellowship. The rules say so.” “Suppose I had been first, Ettie, would I have
“Maybe in some places. Not here!” had a chance?”
“What is it here?” The girl sank her face into her hands. “I wish
“It’s a murder society, that’s vat it is.” to heaven that you had been first!” she sobbed.
McMurdo laughed incredulously. “How can McMurdo was down on his knees before her in
you prove that?” he asked. an instant. “For God’s sake, Ettie, let it stand at
that!” he cried. “Will you ruin your life and my
“Prove it! Are there not fifty murders to prove own for the sake of this promise? Follow your heart,
it? Vat about Milman and Van Shorst, and the acushla! ’Tis a safer guide than any promise before
Nicholson family, and old Mr. Hyam, and little you knew what it was that you were saying.”
Billy James, and the others? Prove it! Is there a
He had seized Ettie’s white hand between his
man or a voman in this valley vat does not know
own strong brown ones.
it?”
“Say that you will be mine, and we will face it
“See here!” said McMurdo earnestly. “I want
out together!”
you to take back what you’ve said, or else make
it good. One or the other you must do before I “Not here?”
quit this room. Put yourself in my place. Here “Yes, here.”
am I, a stranger in the town. I belong to a soci- “No, no, Jack!” His arms were round her now.
ety that I know only as an innocent one. You’ll “It could not be here. Could you take me away?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

A struggle passed for a moment over Mc- to wicked men, I expect you may find that I am as
Murdo’s face; but it ended by setting like granite. bad as the worst of them before we’re through.”
“No, here,” he said. “I’ll hold you against the world, “No, no, Jack! I would trust you anywhere.”
Ettie, right here where we are!”
McMurdo laughed bitterly. “Good Lord! how
“Why should we not leave together?”
little you know of me! Your innocent soul, my dar-
“No, Ettie, I can’t leave here.” ling, could not even guess what is passing in mine.
“But why?” But, hullo, who’s the visitor?”

“I’d never hold my head up again if I felt that I The door had opened suddenly, and a young
had been driven out. Besides, what is there to be fellow came swaggering in with the air of one who
afraid of? Are we not free folks in a free country? is the master. He was a handsome, dashing young
If you love me, and I you, who will dare to come man of about the same age and build as McMurdo
between?” himself. Under his broad-brimmed black felt hat,
which he had not troubled to remove, a handsome
“You don’t know, Jack. You’ve been here too face with fierce, domineering eyes and a curved
short a time. You don’t know this Baldwin. You hawk-bill of a nose looked savagely at the pair who
don’t know McGinty and his Scowrers.” sat by the stove.
“No, I don’t know them, and I don’t fear them, Ettie had jumped to her feet full of confusion
and I don’t believe in them!” said McMurdo. “I’ve and alarm. “I’m glad to see you, Mr. Baldwin,” said
lived among rough men, my darling, and instead she. “You’re earlier than I had thought. Come and
of fearing them it has always ended that they have sit down.”
feared me—always, Ettie. It’s mad on the face of it!
If these men, as your father says, have done crime Baldwin stood with his hands on his hips look-
after crime in the valley, and if everyone knows ing at McMurdo. “Who is this?” he asked curtly.
them by name, how comes it that none are brought “It’s a friend of mine, Mr. Baldwin, a new
to justice? You answer me that, Ettie!” boarder here. Mr. McMurdo, may I introduce you
“Because no witness dares to appear against to Mr. Baldwin?”
them. He would not live a month if he did. Also The young men nodded in surly fashion to each
because they have always their own men to swear other.
that the accused one was far from the scene of the
crime. But surely, Jack, you must have read all this. “Maybe Miss Ettie has told you how it is with
I had understood that every paper in the United us?” said Baldwin.
States was writing about it.” “I didn’t understand that there was any relation
“Well, I have read something, it is true; but I had between you.”
thought it was a story. Maybe these men have some “Didn’t you? Well, you can understand it now.
reason in what they do. Maybe they are wronged You can take it from me that this young lady is
and have no other way to help themselves.” mine, and you’ll find it a very fine evening for a
“Oh, Jack, don’t let me hear you speak so! That walk.”
is how he speaks—the other one!” “Thank you, I am in no humour for a walk.”
“Baldwin—he speaks like that, does he?” “Aren’t you?” The man’s savage eyes were blaz-
“And that is why I loathe him so. Oh, Jack, now ing with anger. “Maybe you are in a humour for a
I can tell you the truth. I loathe him with all my fight, Mr. Boarder!”
heart; but I fear him also. I fear him for myself; but “That I am!” cried McMurdo, springing to his
above all I fear him for father. I know that some feet. “You never said a more welcome word.”
great sorrow would come upon us if I dared to say
“For God’s sake, Jack! Oh, for God’s sake!”
what I really felt. That is why I have put him off
cried poor, distracted Ettie. “Oh, Jack, Jack, he will
with half-promises. It was in real truth our only
hurt you!”
hope. But if you would fly with me, Jack, we could
take father with us and live forever far from the “Oh, it’s Jack, is it?” said Baldwin with an oath.
power of these wicked men.” “You’ve come to that already, have you?”
Again there was the struggle upon McMurdo’s “Oh, Ted, be reasonable—be kind! For my sake,
face, and again it set like granite. “No harm shall Ted, if ever you loved me, be big-hearted and for-
come to you, Ettie—nor to your father either. As giving!”

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“I think, Ettie, that if you were to leave us alone that I’ll sleep here to-night and find some other
we could get this thing settled,” said McMurdo qui- quarters in the morning.”
etly. “Or maybe, Mr. Baldwin, you will take a turn The bar of McGinty’s saloon was crowded as
down the street with me. It’s a fine evening, and usual, for it was the favourite loafing place of all the
there’s some open ground beyond the next block.” rougher elements of the town. The man was pop-
“I’ll get even with you without needing to dirty ular; for he had a rough, jovial disposition which
my hands,” said his enemy. “You’ll wish you had formed a mask, covering a great deal which lay
never set foot in this house before I am through behind it. But apart from this popularity, the fear
with you!” in which he was held throughout the township,
and indeed down the whole thirty miles of the val-
“No time like the present,” cried McMurdo.
ley and past the mountains on each side of it, was
“I’ll choose my own time, mister. You can leave enough in itself to fill his bar; for none could afford
the time to me. See here!” He suddenly rolled up to neglect his good will.
his sleeve and showed upon his forearm a peculiar
Besides those secret powers which it was uni-
sign which appeared to have been branded there. It
versally believed that he exercised in so pitiless a
was a circle with a triangle within it. “D’you know
fashion, he was a high public official, a municipal
what that means?”
councillor, and a commissioner of roads, elected
“I neither know nor care!” to the office through the votes of the ruffians who
“Well, you will know, I’ll promise you that. You in turn expected to receive favours at his hands.
won’t be much older, either. Perhaps Miss Ettie Assessments and taxes were enormous; the pub-
can tell you something about it. As to you, Ettie, lic works were notoriously neglected, the accounts
you’ll come back to me on your knees—d’ye hear, were slurred over by bribed auditors, and the de-
girl?—on your knees—and then I’ll tell you what cent citizen was terrorized into paying public black-
your punishment may be. You’ve sowed—and by mail, and holding his tongue lest some worse thing
the Lord, I’ll see that you reap!” He glanced at them befall him.
both in fury. Then he turned upon his heel, and Thus it was that, year by year, Boss McGinty’s
an instant later the outer door had banged behind diamond pins became more obtrusive, his gold
him. chains more weighty across a more gorgeous vest,
For a few moments McMurdo and the girl stood and his saloon stretched farther and farther, until it
in silence. Then she threw her arms around him. threatened to absorb one whole side of the Market
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 sev-
and gently pushed her back into a chair. “There, eral bartenders in their shirt sleeves, hard at work
acushla, there! Don’t be disturbed or fear for me. mixing drinks for the loungers who fringed the
I’m a Freeman myself. I’m after telling your father broad, brass-trimmed counter.
about it. Maybe I am no better than the others; so
At the far end, with his body resting upon the
don’t make a saint of me. Perhaps you hate me too,
bar and a cigar stuck at an acute angle from the cor-
now that I’ve told you as much?”
ner of his mouth, stood a tall, strong, heavily built
“Hate you, Jack? While life lasts I could never man who could be none other than the famous
do that! I’ve heard that there is no harm in being McGinty himself. He was a black-maned giant,
a Freeman anywhere but here; so why should I bearded to the cheek-bones, and with a shock of
think the worse of you for that? But if you are a raven hair which fell to his collar. His complex-
Freeman, Jack, why should you not go down and ion was as swarthy as that of an Italian, and his
make a friend of Boss McGinty? Oh, hurry, Jack, eyes were of a strange dead black, which, com-
hurry! Get your word in first, or the hounds will bined with a slight squint, gave them a particularly
be on your trail.” sinister appearance.
“I was thinking the same thing,” said McMurdo. All else in the man—his noble proportions, his
“I’ll go right now and fix it. You can tell your father fine features, and his frank bearing—fitted in with

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 The Valley Of Fear

that jovial, man-to-man manner which he affected. “McMurdo.”

Here, one would say, is a bluff, honest fellow, whose “A bit closer, Mr. McMurdo; for we don’t take
heart would be sound however rude his outspoken folk on trust in these parts, nor believe all we’re
words might seem. It was only when those dead, told neither. Come in here for a moment, behind
dark eyes, deep and remorseless, were turned upon the bar.”
a man that he shrank within himself, feeling that
There was a small room there, lined with barrels.
he was face to face with an infinite possibility of la-
McGinty carefully closed the door, and then seated
tent evil, with a strength and courage and cunning
himself on one of them, biting thoughtfully on his
behind it which made it a thousand times more
cigar and surveying his companion with those dis-
deadly.
quieting eyes. For a couple of minutes he sat in
Having had a good look at his man, McMurdo complete silence. McMurdo bore the inspection
elbowed his way forward with his usual careless au- cheerfully, one hand in his coat pocket, the other
dacity, and pushed himself through the little group twisting his brown moustache. Suddenly McGinty
of courtiers who were fawning upon the powerful stooped and produced a wicked-looking revolver.
boss, laughing uproariously at the smallest of his “See here, my joker,” said he, “if I thought you
jokes. The young stranger’s bold gray eyes looked were playing any game on us, it would be short
back fearlessly through their glasses at the deadly work for you.”
black ones which turned sharply upon 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
I’d ask for nothing better,” said McMurdo. “Hum! You seem glib enough in your tests.
What are you doing here?”
“By Gar! you’ve got an Irish tongue in your
“Working, the same as you—but a poorer job.”
head anyhow,” cried the saloon-keeper, not quite
certain whether to humour this audacious visitor “You have your back answer quick enough.”
or to stand upon his dignity. “Yes, I was always quick of speech.”
“So you are good enough to pass my appear- “Are you quick of action?”
ance?” “I have had that name among those that knew
“Sure,” said McMurdo. me best.”
“And you were told to see me?” “Well, we may try you sooner than you think.
Have you heard anything of the lodge in these
“I was.”
parts?”
“And who told you?”
“I’ve heard that it takes a man to be a brother.”
“Brother Scanlan of Lodge 341, Vermissa. I “True for you, Mr. McMurdo. Why did you
drink your health Councillor, and to our better ac- leave Chicago?”
quaintance.” He raised a glass with which he had
been served to his lips and elevated his little finger “I’m damned if I tell you that!”
as he drank it. McGinty opened his eyes. He was not used to
being answered in such fashion, and it amused him.
McGinty, who had been watching him narrowly,
“Why won’t you tell me?”
raised his thick black eyebrows. “Oh, it’s like that,
is it?” said he. “I’ll have to look a bit closer into “Because no brother may tell another a lie.”
this, Mister—” “Then the truth is too bad to tell?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

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 The Valley Of Fear

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

CHAPTER III.
Lodge 341, Vermissa

On the day following the evening which had shortly afterwards to move into Vermissa, and the
contained so many exciting events, McMurdo two lodged together. There was no other boarder,
moved his lodgings from old Jacob Shafter’s and and the hostess was an easy-going old Irishwoman
took up his quarters at the Widow MacNamara’s on who left them to themselves; so that they had a
the extreme outskirts of the town. Scanlan, his orig- freedom for speech and action welcome to men
inal acquaintance aboard the train, had occasion who had secrets in common.

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Shafter had relented to the extent of letting Mc- holding law and order in this township. Captain
Murdo come to his meals there when he liked; so Marvin is my name.”
that his intercourse with Ettie was by no means “We’d do better without you, Captain Marvin,”
broken. On the contrary, it drew closer and more said McGinty coldly; “for we have our own police
intimate as the weeks went by. of the township, and no need for any imported
In his bedroom at his new abode McMurdo felt goods. What are you but the paid tool of the capi-
it safe to take out the coining moulds, and under talists, hired by them to club or shoot your poorer
many a pledge of secrecy a number of brothers fellow citizen?”
from the lodge were allowed to come in and see “Well, well, we won’t argue about that,” said
them, each carrying away in his pocket some exam- the police officer good-humouredly. “I expect we
ples of the false money, so cunningly struck that all do our duty same as we see it; but we can’t all
there was never the slightest difficulty or danger in see it the same.” He had drunk off his glass and
passing it. Why, with such a wonderful art at his had turned to go, when his eyes fell upon the face
command, McMurdo should condescend to work of Jack McMurdo, who was scowling at his elbow.
at all was a perpetual mystery to his companions; “Hullo! Hullo!” he cried, looking him up and down.
though he made it clear to anyone who asked him “Here’s an old acquaintance!”
that if he lived without any visible means it would McMurdo shrank away from him. “I was never
very quickly bring the police upon his track. a friend to you nor any other cursed copper in my
One policeman was indeed after him already; life,” said he.
but the incident, as luck would have it, did the “An acquaintance isn’t always a friend,” said
adventurer a great deal more good than harm. Af- the police captain, grinning. “You’re Jack McMurdo
ter the first introduction there were few evenings of Chicago, right enough, and don’t you deny it!”
when he did not find his way to McGinty’s saloon, McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not
there to make closer acquaintance with “the boys,” denying it,” said he. “D’ye think I’m ashamed of
which was the jovial title by which the dangerous my own name?”
gang who infested the place were known to one “You’ve got good cause to be, anyhow.”
another. His dashing manner and fearlessness of “What the devil d’you mean by that?” he roared
speech made him a favourite with them all; while with his fists clenched.
the rapid and scientific way in which he polished
“No, no, Jack, bluster won’t do with me. I was
off his antagonist in an “all in” bar-room scrap
an officer in Chicago before ever I came to this
earned the respect of that rough community. An-
darned coal bunker, and I know a Chicago crook
other incident, however, raised him even higher in
when I see one.”
their estimation.
McMurdo’s face fell. “Don’t tell me that you’re
Just at the crowded hour one night, the door Marvin of the Chicago Central!” he cried.
opened and a man entered with the quiet blue “Just the same old Teddy Marvin, at your ser-
uniform and peaked cap of the mine police. This vice. We haven’t forgotten the shooting of Jonas
was a special body raised by the railways and col- Pinto up there.”
liery owners to supplement the efforts of the ordi-
“I never shot him.”
nary civil police, who were perfectly helpless in the
face of the organized ruffianism which terrorized “Did you not? That’s good impartial evidence,
the district. There was a hush as he entered, and ain’t it? Well, his death came in uncommon handy
many a curious glance was cast at him; but the rela- for you, or they would have had you for shoving
tions between policemen and criminals are peculiar the queer. Well, we can let that be bygones; for,
in some parts of the States, and McGinty himself between you and me—and perhaps I’m going fur-
standing behind his counter, showed no surprise ther than my duty in saying it—they could get no
when the policeman enrolled himself among his clear case against you, and Chicago’s open to you
customers. to-morrow.”
“I’m very well where I am.”
“A straight whisky, for the night is bitter,” said
“Well, I’ve given you the pointer, and you’re a
the police officer. “I don’t think we have met before,
sulky dog not to thank me for it.”
Councillor?”
“Well, I suppose you mean well, and I do thank
“You’ll be the new captain?” said McGinty. you,” said McMurdo in no very gracious manner.
“That’s so. We’re looking to you, Councillor, “It’s mum with me so long as I see you living
and to the other leading citizens, to help us in up- on the straight,” said the captain. “But, by the

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Lord! if you get off after this, it’s another story! So proficiency at the business, and looked with deep-
good-night to you—and goodnight, Councillor.” est respect at the man who had the reputation of
making what they called “a clean job.”
He left the bar-room; but not before he had cre-
ated a local hero. McMurdo’s deeds in far Chicago To their contorted natures it had become a spir-
had been whispered before. He had put off all ited and chivalrous thing to volunteer for service
questions with a smile, as one who did not wish to against some man who had never injured them, and
have greatness thrust upon him. But now the thing whom in many cases they had never seen in their
was officially confirmed. The bar loafers crowded lives. The crime committed, they quarrelled as to
round him and shook him heartily by the hand. He who had actually struck the fatal blow, and amused
was free of the community from that time on. He one another and the company by describing the
could drink hard and show little trace of it; but that cries and contortions of the murdered man.
evening, had his mate Scanlan not been at hand to At first they had shown some secrecy in their ar-
lead him home, the feted hero would surely have rangements; but at the time which this narrative de-
spent his night under the bar. scribes their proceedings were extraordinarily open,
for the repeated failures of the law had proved to
On a Saturday night McMurdo was introduced them that, on the one hand, no one would dare to
to the lodge. He had thought to pass in without witness against them, and on the other they had an
ceremony as being an initiate of Chicago; but there unlimited number of stanch witnesses upon whom
were particular rites in Vermissa of which they were they could call, and a well-filled treasure chest from
proud, and these had to be undergone by every pos- which they could draw the funds to engage the best
tulant. The assembly met in a large room reserved legal talent in the state. In ten long years of outrage
for such purposes at the Union House. Some sixty there had been no single conviction, and the only
members assembled at Vermissa; but that by no danger that ever threatened the Scowrers lay in the
means represented the full strength of the organiza- victim himself—who, however outnumbered and
tion, for there were several other lodges in the val- taken by surprise, might and occasionally did leave
ley, and others across the mountains on each side, his mark upon his assailants.
who exchanged members when any serious busi-
McMurdo had been warned that some ordeal
ness was afoot, so that a crime might be done by
lay before him; but no one would tell him in what
men who were strangers to the locality. Altogether
it consisted. He was led now into an outer room by
there were not less than five hundred scattered over
two solemn brothers. Through the plank partition
the coal district.
he could hear the murmur of many voices from
In the bare assembly room the men were gath- the assembly within. Once or twice he caught the
ered round a long table. At the side was a second sound of his own name, and he knew that they
one laden with bottles and glasses, on which some were discussing his candidacy. Then there entered
members of the company were already turning an inner guard with a green and gold sash across
their eyes. McGinty sat at the head with a flat black his chest.
velvet cap upon his shock of tangled black hair, “The Bodymaster orders that he shall be trussed,
and a coloured purple stole round his neck, so that blinded, and entered,” said he.
he seemed to be a priest presiding over some di-
The three of them removed his coat, turned up
abolical ritual. To right and left of him were the
the sleeve of his right arm, and finally passed a rope
higher lodge officials, the cruel, handsome face of
round above the elbows and made it fast. They next
Ted Baldwin among them. Each of these wore some
placed a thick black cap right over his head and the
scarf or medallion as emblem of his office.
upper part of his face, so that he could see nothing.
They were, for the most part, men of mature age; He was then led into the assembly hall.
but the rest of the company consisted of young fel- It was pitch dark and very oppressive under
lows from eighteen to twenty-five, the ready and ca- his hood. He heard the rustle and murmur of the
pable agents who carried out the commands of their people round him, and then the voice of McGinty
seniors. Among the older men were many whose sounded dull and distant through the covering of
features showed the tigerish, lawless souls within; his ears.
but looking at the rank and file it was difficult to be-
“John McMurdo,” said the voice, “are you al-
lieve that these eager and open-faced young fellows
ready a member of the Ancient Order of Freemen?”
were in very truth a dangerous gang of murderers,
whose minds had suffered such complete moral He bowed in assent.
perversion that they took a horrible pride in their “Is your lodge No. 29, Chicago?”

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 The Valley Of Fear

He bowed again. “Then in the name of Lodge 341, Vermissa, I

“Dark nights are unpleasant,” said the voice. welcome you to its privileges and debates. You will
put the liquor on the table, Brother Scanlan, and
“Yes, for strangers to travel,” he answered.
we will drink to our worthy brother.”
“The clouds are heavy.”
McMurdo’s coat had been brought to him; but
“Yes, a storm is approaching.” before putting it on he examined his right arm,
“Are the brethren satisfied?” asked the Body- which still smarted heavily. There on the flesh of
master. the forearm was a circle with a triangle within it,
There was a general murmur of assent. deep and red, as the branding iron had left it. One
“We know, Brother, by your sign and by your or two of his neighbours pulled up their sleeves
countersign that you are indeed one of us,” said and showed their own lodge marks.
McGinty. “We would have you know, however, that “We’ve all had it,” said one; “but not all as brave
in this county and in other counties of these parts as you over it.”
we have certain rites, and also certain duties of our “Tut! It was nothing,” said he; but it burned
own which call for good men. Are you ready to be and ached all the same.
tested?”
When the drinks which followed the ceremony
“I am.” of initiation had all been disposed of, the business
“Are you of stout heart?” of the lodge proceeded. McMurdo, accustomed
“I am.” only to the prosaic performances of Chicago, lis-
“Take a stride forward to prove it.” tened with open ears and more surprise than he
ventured to show to what followed.
As the words were said he felt two hard points
in front of his eyes, pressing upon them so that it “The first business on the agenda paper,” said
appeared as if he could not move forward without McGinty, “is to read the following letter from Divi-
a danger of losing them. None the less, he nerved sion Master Windle of Merton County Lodge 249.
himself to step resolutely out, and as he did so the He says:
pressure melted away. There was a low murmur of
“Dear Sir:
applause.
“There is a job to be done on Andrew
“He is of stout heart,” said the voice. “Can you Rae of Rae & Sturmash, coal owners
bear pain?” near this place. You will remember that
“As well as another,” he answered. your lodge owes us a return, having had
“Test him!” the service of two brethren in the mat-
ter of the patrolman last fall. You will
It was all he could do to keep himself from
send two good men, they will be taken
screaming out, for an agonizing pain shot through
charge of by Treasurer Higgins of this
his forearm. He nearly fainted at the sudden shock
lodge, whose address you know. He
of it; but he bit his lip and clenched his hands to
will show them when to act and where.
hide his agony.
Yours in freedom,
“I can take more than that,” said he. — “J. W. Windle D. M. A. O. F.
This time there was loud applause. A finer
first appearance had never been made in the lodge. “Windle has never refused us when we have had
Hands clapped him on the back, and the hood was occasion to ask for the loan of a man or two, and it
plucked from his head. He stood blinking and is not for us to refuse him.” McGinty paused and
smiling amid the congratulations of the brothers. looked round the room with his dull, malevolent
“One last word, Brother McMurdo,” said eyes. “Who will volunteer for the job?”
McGinty. “You have already sworn the oath of Several young fellows held up their hands. The
secrecy and fidelity, and you are aware that the Bodymaster looked at them with an approving
punishment for any breach of it is instant and in- smile.
evitable death?” “You’ll do, Tiger Cormac. If you handle it as
“I am,” said McMurdo. well as you did the last, you won’t be wrong. And
“And you accept the rule of the Bodymaster for you, Wilson.”
the time being under all circumstances?” “I’ve no pistol,” said the volunteer, a mere boy
“I do.” in his teens.

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“It’s your first, is it not? Well, you have to be To some of the elders it seemed that the progress
blooded some time. It will be a great start for you. was a little too rapid.
As to the pistol, you’ll find it waiting for you, or “I would move,” said the secretary, Harraway, a
I’m mistaken. If you report yourselves on Monday, vulture-faced old graybeard who sat near the chair-
it will be time enough. You’ll get a great welcome man, “that Brother McMurdo should wait until it
when you return.” is the good pleasure of the lodge to employ him.”
“Any reward this time?” asked Cormac, a thick- “Sure, that was what I meant; I’m in your
set, dark-faced, brutal-looking young man, whose hands,” said McMurdo.
ferocity had earned him the nickname of “Tiger.” “Your time will come, Brother,” said the chair-
“Never mind the reward. You just do it for the man. “We have marked you down as a willing man,
honour of the thing. Maybe when it is done there and we believe that you will do good work in these
will be a few odd dollars at the bottom of the box.” parts. There is a small matter to-night in which you
“What has the man done?” asked young Wilson. may take a hand if it so please you.”
“Sure, it’s not for the likes of you to ask what “I will wait for something that is worth while.”
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. Mean-
us. Speaking of that, two brothers from the Merton while,” he glanced at his agenda paper, “I have one
lodge are coming over to us next week to do some or two more points to bring before the meeting.
business in this quarter.” First of all, I will ask the treasurer as to our bank
“Who are they?” asked someone. balance. There is the pension to Jim Carnaway’s
widow. He was struck down doing the work of
“Faith, it is wiser not to ask. If you know noth- the lodge, and it is for us to see that she is not the
ing, you can testify nothing, and no trouble can loser.”
come of it. But they are men who will make a clean
“Jim was shot last month when they tried to
job when they are about it.”
kill Chester Wilcox of Marley Creek,” McMurdo’s
“And time, too!” cried Ted Baldwin. “Folk are neighbour informed him.
gettin’ out of hand in these parts. It was only last
“The funds are good at the moment,” said the
week that three of our men were turned off by Fore-
treasurer, with the bankbook in front of him. “The
man Blaker. It’s been owing him a long time, and
firms have been generous of late. Max Linder & Co.
he’ll get it full and proper.”
paid five hundred to be left alone. Walker Brothers
“Get what?” McMurdo whispered to his neigh- sent in a hundred; but I took it on myself to return
bour. it and ask for five. If I do not hear by Wednesday,
“The business end of a buckshot cartridge!” their winding gear may get out of order. We had to
cried the man with a loud laugh. “What think burn their breaker last year before they became rea-
you of our ways, Brother?” sonable. Then the West Section Coaling Company
McMurdo’s criminal soul seemed to have al- has paid its annual contribution. We have enough
ready absorbed the spirit of the vile association of on hand to meet any obligations.”
which he was now a member. “I like it well,” said “What about Archie Swindon?” asked a brother.
he. “’Tis a proper place for a lad of mettle.” “He has sold out and left the district. The old
Several of those who sat around heard his words devil left a note for us to say that he had rather be
and applauded them. a free crossing sweeper in New York than a large
mine owner under the power of a ring of blackmail-
“What’s that?” cried the black-maned Bodymas-
ers. By Gar! it was as well that he made a break
ter from the end of the table.
for it before the note reached us! I guess he won’t
“’Tis our new brother, sir, who finds our ways show his face in this valley again.”
to his taste.” An elderly, clean-shaved man with a kindly face
McMurdo rose to his feet for an instant. “I and a good brow rose from the end of the table
would say, Eminent Bodymaster, that if a man which faced the chairman. “Mr. Treasurer,” he
should be wanted I should take it as an honour asked, “may I ask who has bought the property of
to be chosen to help the lodge.” this man that we have driven out of the district?”
There was great applause at this. It was felt that “Yes, Brother Morris. It has been bought by the
a new sun was pushing its rim above the horizon. State & Merton County Railroad Company.”

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“And who bought the mines of Todman and of may be mentioned when we are parting. The time
Lee that came into the market in the same way last has now come for fraternal refreshment and for
year?” harmony.”
“The same company, Brother Morris.” Strange indeed is human nature. Here were
“And who bought the ironworks of Manson these men, to whom murder was familiar, who
and of Shuman and of Van Deher and of Atwood, again and again had struck down the father of the
which have all been given up of late?” family, some man against whom they had no per-
sonal feeling, without one thought of compunction
“They were all bought by the West Gilmerton or of compassion for his weeping wife or helpless
General Mining Company.” children, and yet the tender or pathetic in music
“I don’t see, Brother Morris,” said the chairman, could move them to tears. McMurdo had a fine
“that it matters to us who buys them, since they tenor voice, and if he had failed to gain the good
can’t carry them out of the district.” will of the lodge before, it could no longer have
“With all respect to you, Eminent Bodymaster, I been withheld after he had thrilled them with “I’m
think it may matter very much to us. This process Sitting on the Stile, Mary,” and “On the Banks of
has been going on now for ten long years. We are Allan Water.”
gradually driving all the small men out of trade. In his very first night the new recruit had made
What is the result? We find in their places great himself one of the most popular of the brethren,
companies like the Railroad or the General Iron, marked already for advancement and high office.
who have their directors in New York or Philadel- There were other qualities needed, however, besides
phia, and care nothing for our threats. We can those of good fellowship, to make a worthy Free-
take it out of their local bosses, but it only means man, and of these he was given an example before
that others will be sent in their stead. And we are the evening was over. The whisky bottle had passed
making it dangerous for ourselves. The small men round many times, and the men were flushed and
could not harm us. They had not the money nor ripe for mischief when their Bodymaster rose once
the power. So long as we did not squeeze them more to address them.
too dry, they would stay on under our power. But “Boys,” said he, “there’s one man in this town
if these big companies find that we stand between that wants trimming up, and it’s for you to see
them and their profits, they will spare no pains and that he gets it. I’m speaking of James Stanger of
no expense to hunt us down and bring us to court.” the Herald. You’ve seen how he’s been opening his
There was a hush at these ominous words, and mouth against us again?”
every face darkened as gloomy looks were ex- There was a murmur of assent, with many a
changed. So omnipotent and unchallenged had muttered oath. McGinty took a slip of paper from
they been that the very thought that there was his waistcoat pocket.
possible retribution in the background had been Law and Order!
banished from their minds. And yet the idea struck
a chill to the most reckless of them. That’s how he heads it.
“Reign of terror in the coal and
“It is my advice,” the speaker continued, “that
iron district
we go easier upon the small men. On the day that
“Twelve years have now elapsed since the
they have all been driven out the power of this
first assassinations which proved the ex-
society will have been broken.”
istence of a criminal organization in our
Unwelcome truths are not popular. There midst. From that day these outrages have
were angry cries as the speaker resumed his seat. never ceased, until now they have reached
McGinty rose with gloom upon his brow. a pitch which makes us the opprobrium of
“Brother Morris,” said he, “you were always a the civilized world. Is it for such results as
croaker. So long as the members of this lodge stand this that our great country welcomes to its
together there is no power in the United States that bosom the alien who flies from the despo-
can touch them. Sure, have we not tried it often tisms of Europe? Is it that they shall them-
enough in the law courts? I expect the big compa- selves become tyrants over the very men
nies will find it easier to pay than to fight, same who have given them shelter, and that a
as the little companies do. And now, Brethren,” state of terrorism and lawlessness should
McGinty took off his black velvet cap and his stole be established under the very shadow of the
as he spoke, “this lodge has finished its business sacred folds of the starry Flag of Freedom
for the evening, save for one small matter which which would raise horror in our minds if

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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.
And now, boys,” he continued, looking round at
Sure, I’ve read enough of the slush!“ cried the
the company, “I’ll say this much, that if Stanger got
chairman, tossing the paper down upon the table.
his full deserts there would be more trouble than
”That’s what he says of us. The question I’m asking
we need ask for. These editors hang together, and
you is what shall we say to him?“
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, the a pretty severe warning. Will you fix it, Brother
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. “Half a dozen, and two to guard the door. You’ll
James Stanger is an old man. He is respected in come, Gower, and you, Mansel, and you, Scanlan,
the township and the district. His paper stands for and the two Willabys.”
all that is solid in the valley. If that man is struck
“I promised the new brother he should go,” said
down, there will be a stir through this state that
the chairman.
will only end with our destruction.”
Ted Baldwin looked at McMurdo with eyes
“And how would they bring about our destruc- which showed that he had not forgotten nor for-
tion, Mr. Standback?” cried McGinty. “Is it by the given. “Well, he can come if he wants,” he said in
police? Sure, half of them are in our pay and half a surly voice. “That’s enough. The sooner we get
of them afraid of us. Or is it by the law courts and to work the better.”
the judge? Haven’t we tried that before now, and The company broke up with shouts and yells
what ever came of it?” and snatches of drunken song. The bar was still
“There is a Judge Lynch that might try the case,” crowded with revellers, and many of the brethren
said Brother Morris. remained there. The little band who had been told
off for duty passed out into the street, proceeding
A general shout of anger greeted the suggestion.
in twos and threes along the sidewalk so as not
“I have but to raise my finger,” cried McGinty, to provoke attention. It was a bitterly cold night,
“and I could put two hundred men into this town with a half-moon shining brilliantly in a frosty, star-
that would clear it out from end to end.” Then sud- spangled sky. The men stopped and gathered in
denly raising his voice and bending his huge black a yard which faced a high building. The words
brows into a terrible frown, “See here, Brother Mor- “Vermissa Herald” were printed in gold lettering
ris, I have my eye on you, and have had for some between the brightly lit windows. From within
time! You’ve no heart yourself, and you try to take came the clanking of the printing press.
the heart out of others. It will be an ill day for you, “Here, you,” said Baldwin to McMurdo, “you
Brother Morris, when your own name comes on can stand below at the door and see that the road is
our agenda paper, and I’m thinking that it’s just kept open for us. Arthur Willaby can stay with you.
there that I ought to place it.” You others come with me. Have no fears, boys; for
Morris had turned deadly pale, and his knees we have a dozen witnesses that we are in the Union
seemed to give way under him as he fell back into Bar at this very moment.”
his chair. He raised his glass in his trembling hand It was nearly midnight, and the street was de-
and drank before he could answer. “I apologize, serted save for one or two revellers upon their way
Eminent Bodymaster, to you and to every brother home. The party crossed the road, and, pushing
in this lodge if I have said more than I should. I open the door of the newspaper office, Baldwin
am a faithful member—you all know that—and it and his men rushed in and up the stair which
is my fear lest evil come to the lodge which makes faced them. McMurdo and another remained be-
me speak in anxious words. But I have greater trust low. From the room above came a shout, a cry for
in your judgment than in my own, Eminent Body- help, and then the sound of trampling feet and of
master, and I promise you that I will not offend falling chairs. An instant later a gray-haired man
again.” rushed out on the landing.

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 The Valley Of Fear

He was seized before he could get farther, and face in if you lay a hand on me. As to the lodge,
his spectacles came tinkling down to McMurdo’s wasn’t it the order of the Bodymaster that the man
feet. There was a thud and a groan. He was on was not to be killed—and what are you doing but
his face, and half a dozen sticks were clattering killing him?”
together as they fell upon him. He writhed, and “It’s truth he says,” remarked one of the men.
his long, thin limbs quivered under the blows. The
others ceased at last; but Baldwin, his cruel face set “By Gar! you’d best hurry yourselves!” cried
in an infernal smile, was hacking at the man’s head, the man below. “The windows are all lighting up,
which he vainly endeavoured to defend with his and you’ll have the whole town here inside of five
arms. His white hair was dabbled with patches of minutes.”
blood. Baldwin was still stooping over his victim, There was indeed the sound of shouting in the
putting in a short, vicious blow whenever he could street, and a little group of compositors and press-
see a part exposed, when McMurdo dashed up the men was forming in the hall below and nerving
stair and pushed him back. itself to action. Leaving the limp and motionless
“You’ll kill the man,” said he. “Drop it!” body of the editor at the head of the stair, the crimi-
nals rushed down and made their way swiftly along
Baldwin looked at him in amazement. “Curse the street. Having reached the Union House, some
you!” he cried. “Who are you to interfere—you that of them mixed with the crowd in McGinty’s saloon,
are new to the lodge? Stand back!” He raised his whispering across the bar to the Boss that the job
stick; but McMurdo had whipped his pistol out of had been well carried through. Others, and among
his hip pocket. them McMurdo, broke away into side streets, and
“Stand back yourself!” he cried. “I’ll blow your so by devious paths to their own homes.

CHAPTER IV.
The Valley of Fear

When McMurdo awoke next morning he had of the outrage was, it need hardly be said,
good reason to remember his initiation into the that infamous society which has held this
lodge. His head ached with the effect of the drink, community in bondage for so long a pe-
and his arm, where he had been branded, was hot riod, and against which the Herald has
and swollen. Having his own peculiar source of taken so uncompromising a stand. Mr.
income, he was irregular in his attendance at his Stanger’s many friends will rejoice to hear
work; so he had a late breakfast, and remained at that, though he has been cruelly and bru-
home for the morning writing a long letter to a tally beaten, and though he has sustained
friend. Afterwards he read the Daily Herald. In a severe injuries about the head, there is no
special column put in at the last moment he read: immediate danger to his life.
Outrage at the herald office — Below it stated that a guard of police, armed with
Editor seriously injured Winchester rifles, had been requisitioned for the
defense of the office.
It was a short account of the facts with which he
McMurdo had laid down the paper, and was
was himself more familiar than the writer could
lighting his pipe with a hand which was shaky from
have been. It ended with the statement:
the excesses of the previous evening, when there
The matter is now in the hands of the po- was a knock outside, and his landlady brought to
lice; but it can hardly be hoped that their him a note which had just been handed in by a lad.
exertions will be attended by any better re- It was unsigned, and ran thus:
sults than in the past. Some of the men
were recognized, and there is hope that a I should wish to speak to you, but
conviction may be obtained. The source would rather not do so in your house.

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You will find me beside the flagstaff bad pass when two free citizens cannot speak their
upon Miller Hill. If you will come there thoughts to each other.”
now, I have something which it is im- McMurdo, who had been watching his compan-
portant for you to hear and for me to ion very narrowly, relaxed somewhat in his bearing.
say. “Sure I spoke for myself only,” said he. “I am a
newcomer, as you know, and I am strange to it all.
McMurdo read the note twice with the utmost
It is not for me to open my mouth, Mr. Morris, and
surprise; for he could not imagine what it meant
if you think well to say anything to me I am here
or who was the author of it. Had it been in a femi-
to hear it.”
nine hand, he might have imagined that it was the
beginning of one of those adventures which had “And to take it back to Boss McGinty!” said
been familiar enough in his past life. But it was the Morris bitterly.
writing of a man, and of a well educated one, too. “Indeed, then, you do me injustice there,” cried
Finally, after some hesitation, he determined to see McMurdo. “For myself I am loyal to the lodge, and
the matter through. so I tell you straight; but I would be a poor creature
Miller Hill is an ill-kept public park in the very if I were to repeat to any other what you might say
centre of the town. In summer it is a favourite to me in confidence. It will go no further than me;
resort of the people; but in winter it is desolate though I warn you that you may get neither help
enough. From the top of it one has a view not only nor sympathy.”
of the whole straggling, grimy town, but of the “I have given up looking for either the one or
winding valley beneath, with its scattered mines the other,” said Morris. “I may be putting my very
and factories blackening the snow on each side of life in your hands by what I say; but, bad as you
it, and of the wooded and white-capped ranges are—and it seemed to me last night that you were
flanking it. shaping to be as bad as the worst—still you are new
McMurdo strolled up the winding path hedged to it, and your conscience cannot yet be as hard-
in with evergreens until he reached the deserted ened as theirs. That was why I thought to speak
restaurant which forms the centre of summer gai- with you.”
ety. Beside it was a bare flagstaff, and underneath “Well, what have you to say?”
it a man, his hat drawn down and the collar of “If you give me away, may a curse be on you!”
his overcoat turned up. When he turned his face
McMurdo saw that it was Brother Morris, he who “Sure, I said I would not.”
had incurred the anger of the Bodymaster the night “I would ask you, then, when you joined the
before. The lodge sign was given and exchanged Freeman’s society in Chicago and swore vows of
as they met. charity and fidelity, did ever it cross your mind that
“I wanted to have a word with you, Mr. Mc- you might find it would lead you to crime?”
Murdo,” said the older man, speaking with a hesita- “If you call it crime,” McMurdo answered.
tion which showed that he was on delicate ground. “Call it crime!” cried Morris, his voice vibrating
“It was kind of you to come.” with passion. “You have seen little of it if you can
“Why did you not put your name to the note?” call it anything else. Was it crime last night when a
“One has to be cautious, mister. One never man old enough to be your father was beaten till
knows in times like these how a thing may come the blood dripped from his white hairs? Was that
back to one. One never knows either who to trust crime—or what else would you call it?”
or who not to trust.” “There are some would say it was war,” said
“Surely one may trust brothers of the lodge.” McMurdo, “a war of two classes with all in, so that
“No, no, not always,” cried Morris with vehe- each struck as best it could.”
mence. “Whatever we say, even what we think, “Well, did you think of such a thing when you
seems to go back to that man McGinty.” joined the Freeman’s society at Chicago?”
“Look here!” said McMurdo sternly. “It was “No, I’m bound to say I did not.”
only last night, as you know well, that I swore good “Nor did I when I joined it at Philadelphia. It
faith to our Bodymaster. Would you be asking me was just a benefit club and a meeting place for one’s
to break my oath?” fellows. Then I heard of this place—curse the hour
“If that is the view you take,” said Morris sadly, that the name first fell upon my ears!—and I came
“I can only say that I am sorry I gave you the trou- to better myself! My God! to better myself! My
ble to come and meet me. Things have come to a wife and three children came with me. I started

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a dry goods store on Market Square, and I pros- “Too much! Wait till you have lived here longer.
pered well. The word had gone round that I was a Look down the valley! See the cloud of a hundred
Freeman, and I was forced to join the local lodge, chimneys that overshadows it! I tell you that the
same as you did last night. I’ve the badge of shame cloud of murder hangs thicker and lower than that
on my forearm and something worse branded on over the heads of the people. It is the Valley of Fear,
my heart. I found that I was under the orders of the Valley of Death. The terror is in the hearts of
a black villain and caught in a meshwork of crime. the people from the dusk to the dawn. Wait, young
What could I do? Every word I said to make things man, and you will learn for yourself.”
better was taken as treason, same as it was last “Well, I’ll let you know what I think when I have
night. I can’t get away; for all I have in the world is seen more,” said McMurdo carelessly. “What is
in my store. If I leave the society, I know well that it very clear is that you are not the man for the place,
means murder to me, and God knows what to my and that the sooner you sell out—if you only get a
wife and children. Oh, man, it is awful—awful!” dime a dollar for what the business is worth—the
He put his hands to his face, and his body shook better it will be for you. What you have said is safe
with convulsive sobs. with me; but, by Gar! if I thought you were an
McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. “You were informer—”
too soft for the job,” said he. “You are the wrong
“No, no!” cried Morris piteously.
sort for such work.”
“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
a job. If I backed down I knew well what would to it. I expect you meant kindly by speaking to me
come to me. Maybe I’m a coward. Maybe it’s the like this. Now I’ll be getting home.”
thought of my poor little woman and the children “One word before you go,” said Morris. “We
that makes me one. Anyhow I went. I guess it will may have been seen together. They may want to
haunt me forever. know what we have spoken about.”
“It was a lonely house, twenty miles from here, “Ah! that’s well thought of.”
over the range yonder. I was told off for the door,
“I offer you a clerkship in my store.”
same as you were last night. They could not trust
me with the job. The others went in. When they “And I refuse it. That’s our business. Well, so
came out their hands were crimson to the wrists. long, Brother Morris, and may you find things go
As we turned away a child was screaming out of better with you in the future.”
the house behind us. It was a boy of five who had That same afternoon, as McMurdo sat smoking,
seen his father murdered. I nearly fainted with the lost in thought beside the stove of his sitting-room,
horror of it, and yet I had to keep a bold and smil- the door swung open and its framework was filled
ing face; for well I knew that if I did not it would with the huge figure of Boss McGinty. He passed
be out of my house that they would come next with the sign, and then seating himself opposite to the
their bloody hands and it would be my little Fred young man he looked at him steadily for some time,
that would be screaming for his father. a look which was as steadily returned.
“But I was a criminal then, part sharer in a mur- “I’m not much of a visitor, Brother McMurdo,”
der, lost forever in this world, and lost also in the he said at last. “I guess I am too busy over the folk
next. I am a good Catholic; but the priest would that visit me. But I thought I’d stretch a point and
have no word with me when he heard I was a drop down to see you in your own house.”
Scowrer, and I am excommunicated from my faith.
That’s how it stands with me. And I see you going “I’m proud to see you here, Councillor,” Mc-
down the same road, and I ask you what the end is Murdo answered heartily, bringing his whisky bot-
to be. Are you ready to be a cold-blooded murderer tle out of the cupboard. “It’s an honour that I had
also, or can we do anything to stop it?” not expected.”
“What would you do?” asked McMurdo “How’s the arm?” asked the Boss.
abruptly. “You would not inform?” McMurdo made a wry face. “Well, I’m not for-
“God forbid!” cried Morris. “Sure, the very getting it,” he said; “but it’s worth it.”
thought would cost me my life.” “Yes, it’s worth it,” the other answered, “to
“That’s well,” said McMurdo. “I’m thinking those that are loyal and go through with it and
that you are a weak man and that you make too are a help to the lodge. What were you speaking to
much of the matter.” Brother Morris about on Miller Hill this morning?”

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The question came so suddenly that it was well McGinty laughed. “It’s my business to know
that he had his answer prepared. He burst into a what goes on in this township,” said he. “I guess
hearty laugh. “Morris didn’t know I could earn you’d best reckon on my hearing all that passes.
a living here at home. He shan’t know either; for Well, time’s up, and I’ll just say—”
he has got too much conscience for the likes of me. But his leavetaking was cut short in a very un-
But he’s a good-hearted old chap. It was his idea expected fashion. With a sudden crash the door
that I was at a loose end, and that he would do flew open, and three frowning, intent faces glared
me a good turn by offering me a clerkship in a dry in at them from under the peaks of police caps.
goods store.” McMurdo sprang to his feet and half drew his re-
“Oh, that was it?” volver; but his arm stopped midway as he became
“Yes, that was it.” conscious that two Winchester rifles were levelled
at his head. A man in uniform advanced into the
“And you refused it?”
room, a six-shooter in his hand. It was Captain
“Sure. Couldn’t I earn ten times as much in my Marvin, once of Chicago, and now of the Mine
own bedroom with four hours’ work?” Constabulary. He shook his head with a half-smile
“That’s so. But I wouldn’t get about too much at McMurdo.
with Morris.” “I thought you’d be getting into trouble, Mr.
“Why not?” Crooked McMurdo of Chicago,” said he. “Can’t
“Well, I guess because I tell you not. That’s keep out of it, can you? Take your hat and come
enough for most folk in these parts.” along with us.”
“It may be enough for most folk; but it ain’t “I guess you’ll pay for this, Captain Marvin,”
enough for me, Councillor,” said McMurdo boldly. said McGinty. “Who are you, I’d like to know,
“If you are a judge of men, you’ll know that.” to break into a house in this fashion and molest
honest, law-abiding men?”
The swarthy giant glared at him, and his hairy
paw closed for an instant round the glass as though “You’re standing out in this deal, Councillor
he would hurl it at the head of his companion. McGinty,” said the police captain. “We are not out
Then he laughed in his loud, boisterous, insincere after you, but after this man McMurdo. It is for you
fashion. to help, not to hinder us in our duty,”
“You’re a queer card, for sure,” said he. “Well, “He is a friend of mine, and I’ll answer for his
if you want reasons, I’ll give them. Did Morris say conduct,” said the Boss.
nothing to you against the lodge?” “By all accounts, Mr. McGinty, you may have to
“No.” answer for your own conduct some of these days,”
the captain answered. “This man McMurdo was a
“Nor against me?”
crook before ever he came here, and he’s a crook
“No.” still. Cover him, Patrolman, while I disarm him.”
“Well, that’s because he daren’t trust you. But “There’s my pistol,” said McMurdo coolly.
in his heart he is not a loyal brother. We know that “Maybe, Captain Marvin, if you and I were alone
well. So we watch him and we wait for the time and face to face you would not take me so easily.”
to admonish him. I’m thinking that the time is
drawing near. There’s no room for scabby sheep in “Where’s your warrant?” asked McGinty. “By
our pen. But if you keep company with a disloyal Gar! a man might as well live in Russia as in Ver-
man, we might think that you were disloyal, too. missa while folk like you are running the police.
See?” It’s a capitalist outrage, and you’ll hear more of it,
I reckon.”
“There’s no chance of my keeping company
with him; for I dislike the man,” McMurdo an- “You do what you think is your duty the best
swered. “As to being disloyal, if it was any man way you can, Councillor. We’ll look after ours.”
but you he would not use the word to me twice.” “What am I accused of?” asked McMurdo.
“Well, that’s enough,” said McGinty, draining “Of being concerned in the beating of old Editor
off his glass. “I came down to give you a word in Stanger at the Herald office. It wasn’t your fault
season, and you’ve had it.” that it isn’t a murder charge.”
“I’d like to know,” said McMurdo, “how you “Well, if that’s all you have against him,” cried
ever came to learn that I had spoken with Morris McGinty with a laugh, “you can save yourself a
at all?” deal of trouble by dropping it right now. This man

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was with me in my saloon playing poker up to bottles of whisky, some glasses, and a pack of cards.
midnight, and I can bring a dozen to prove it.” They spent a hilarious night, without an anxious
“That’s your affair, and I guess you can settle thought as to the ordeal of the morning.
it in court to-morrow. Meanwhile, come on, Mc- Nor had they cause, as the result was to show.
Murdo, and come quietly if you don’t want a gun The magistrate could not possibly, on the evidence,
across your head. You stand wide, Mr. McGinty; have held them for a higher court. On the one
for I warn you I will stand no resistance when I am hand the compositors and pressmen were forced
on duty!” to admit that the light was uncertain, that they
So determined was the appearance of the cap- were themselves much perturbed, and that it was
tain that both McMurdo and his boss were forced difficult for them to swear to the identity of the
to accept the situation. The latter managed to have assailants; although they believed that the accused
a few whispered words with the prisoner before were among them. Cross examined by the clever
they parted. attorney who had been engaged by McGinty, they
were even more nebulous in their evidence.
“What about—” he jerked his thumb upward to
signify the coining plant. The injured man had already deposed that he
was so taken by surprise by the suddenness of the
“All right,” whispered McMurdo, who had de-
attack that he could state nothing beyond the fact
vised a safe hiding place under the floor.
that the first man who struck him wore a mous-
“I’ll bid you good-bye,” said the Boss, shaking tache. He added that he knew them to be Scowrers,
hands. “I’ll see Reilly the lawyer and take the de- since no one else in the community could possibly
fense upon myself. Take my word for it that they have any enmity to him, and he had long been
won’t be able to hold you.” threatened on account of his outspoken editori-
“I wouldn’t bet on that. Guard the prisoner, you als. On the other hand, it was clearly shown by
two, and shoot him if he tries any games. I’ll search the united and unfaltering evidence of six citizens,
the house before I leave.” including that high municipal official, Councillor
He did so; but apparently found no trace of the McGinty, that the men had been at a card party
concealed plant. When he had descended he and at the Union House until an hour very much later
his men escorted McMurdo to headquarters. Dark- than the commission of the outrage.
ness had fallen, and a keen blizzard was blowing Needless to say that they were discharged with
so that the streets were nearly deserted; but a few something very near to an apology from the bench
loiterers followed the group, and emboldened by for the inconvenience to which they had been put,
invisibility shouted imprecations at the prisoner. together with an implied censure of Captain Mar-
“Lynch the cursed Scowrer!” they cried. “Lynch vin and the police for their officious zeal.
him!” They laughed and jeered as he was pushed The verdict was greeted with loud applause
into the police station. After a short, formal exami- by a court in which McMurdo saw many familiar
nation from the inspector in charge he was put into faces. Brothers of the lodge smiled and waved. But
the common cell. Here he found Baldwin and three there were others who sat with compressed lips
other criminals of the night before, all arrested that and brooding eyes as the men filed out of the dock.
afternoon and waiting their trial next morning. One of them, a little, dark-bearded, resolute fel-
But even within this inner fortress of the law the low, put the thoughts of himself and comrades into
long arm of the Freemen was able to extend. Late words as the ex-prisoners passed him.
at night there came a jailer with a straw bundle “You damned murderers!” he said. “We’ll fix
for their bedding, out of which he extracted two you yet!”

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 The Valley Of Fear

CHAPTER V.
The Darkest Hour

If anything had been needed to give an impetus hand was feeling for her throat. At the same instant
to Jack McMurdo’s popularity among his fellows with the other hand he crumpled up the paper that
it would have been his arrest and acquittal. That a lay before him. For an instant he stood glaring.
man on the very night of joining the lodge should Then astonishment and joy took the place of the
have done something which brought him before ferocity which had convulsed his features—a feroc-
the magistrate was a new record in the annals of ity which had sent her shrinking back in horror as
the society. Already he had earned the reputation from something which had never before intruded
of a good boon companion, a cheery reveller, and into her gentle life.
withal a man of high temper, who would not take “It’s you!” said he, mopping his brow. “And
an insult even from the all-powerful Boss himself. to think that you should come to me, heart of my
But in addition to this he impressed his comrades heart, and I should find nothing better to do than
with the idea that among them all there was not one to want to strangle you! Come then, darling,” and
whose brain was so ready to devise a bloodthirsty he held out his arms, “let me make it up to you.”
scheme, or whose hand would be more capable of
But she had not recovered from that sudden
carrying it out. “He’ll be the boy for the clean job,”
glimpse of guilty fear which she had read in the
said the oldsters to one another, and waited their
man’s face. All her woman’s instinct told her that
time until they could set him to his work.
it was not the mere fright of a man who is startled.
McGinty had instruments enough already; but Guilt—that was it—guilt and fear!
he recognized that this was a supremely able one.
“What’s come over you, Jack?” she cried. “Why
He felt like a man holding a fierce bloodhound in
were you so scared of me? Oh, Jack, if your con-
leash. There were curs to do the smaller work; but
science was at ease, you would not have looked at
some day he would slip this creature upon its prey.
me like that!”
A few members of the lodge, Ted Baldwin among
them, resented the rapid rise of the stranger and “Sure, I was thinking of other things, and when
hated him for it; but they kept clear of him, for he you came tripping so lightly on those fairy feet of
was as ready to fight as to laugh. yours—”
But if he gained favour with his fellows, there “No, no, it was more than that, Jack.” Then a
was another quarter, one which had become even sudden suspicion seized her. “Let me see that letter
more vital to him, in which he lost it. Ettie Shafter’s you were writing.”
father would have nothing more to do with him, “Ah, Ettie, I couldn’t do that.”
nor would he allow him to enter the house. Ettie
Her suspicions became certainties. “It’s to an-
herself was too deeply in love to give him up al-
other woman,” she cried. “I know it! Why else
together, and yet her own good sense warned her
should you hold it from me? Was it to your wife
of what would come from a marriage with a man
that you were writing? How am I to know that
who was regarded as a criminal.
you are not a married man—you, a stranger, that
One morning after a sleepless night she deter- nobody knows?”
mined to see him, possibly for the last time, and
“I am not married, Ettie. See now, I swear it!
make one strong endeavour to draw him from those
You’re the only one woman on earth to me. By the
evil influences which were sucking him down. She
cross of Christ I swear it!”
went to his house, as he had often begged her to do,
and made her way into the room which he used as He was so white with passionate earnestness
his sitting-room. He was seated at a table, with his that she could not but believe him.
back turned and a letter in front of him. A sudden “Well, then,” she cried, “why will you not show
spirit of girlish mischief came over her—she was me the letter?”
still only nineteen. He had not heard her when “I’ll tell you, acushla,” said he. “I’m under oath
she pushed open the door. Now she tiptoed for- not to show it, and just as I wouldn’t break my
ward and laid her hand lightly upon his bended word to you so I would keep it to those who hold
shoulders. my promise. It’s the business of the lodge, and
If she had expected to startle him, she certainly even to you it’s secret. And if I was scared when a
succeeded; but only in turn to be startled herself. hand fell on me, can’t you understand it when it
With a tiger spring he turned on her, and his right might have been the hand of a detective?”

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She felt that he was telling the truth. He gath- it were not that he fears you, what do you suppose
ered her into his arms and kissed away her fears our chances would be? If you saw the look in those
and doubts. dark, hungry eyes of his when they fall on me!”
“Sit here by me, then. It’s a queer throne for “By Gar! I’d teach him better manners if I
such a queen; but it’s the best your poor lover can caught him at it! But see here, little girl. I can’t
find. He’ll do better for you some of these days, leave here. I can’t—take that from me once and for
I’m thinking. Now your mind is easy once again, all. But if you will leave me to find my own way, I
is it not?” will try to prepare a way of getting honourably out
“How can it ever be at ease, Jack, when I know of it.”
that you are a criminal among criminals, when I “There is no honour in such a matter.”
never know the day that I may hear you are in court “Well, well, it’s just how you look at it. But if
for murder? ‘McMurdo the Scowrer,’ that’s what you’ll give me six months, I’ll work it so that I can
one of our boarders called you yesterday. It went leave without being ashamed to look others in the
through my heart like a knife.” face.”
“Sure, hard words break no bones.” The girl laughed with joy. “Six months!” she
“But they were true.” cried. “Is it a promise?”
“Well, dear, it’s not so bad as you think. We are “Well, it may be seven or eight. But within a
but poor men that are trying in our own way to get year at the furthest we will leave the valley behind
our rights.” us.”
It was the most that Ettie could obtain, and yet
Ettie threw her arms round her lover’s neck.
it was something. There was this distant light to
“Give it up, Jack! For my sake, for God’s sake, give
illuminate the gloom of the immediate future. She
it up! It was to ask you that I came here to-day.
returned to her father’s house more light-hearted
Oh, Jack, see—I beg it of you on my bended knees!
than she had ever been since Jack McMurdo had
Kneeling here before you I implore you to give it
come into her life.
up!”
It might be thought that as a member, all the do-
He raised her and soothed her with her head
ings of the society would be told to him; but he was
against his breast.
soon to discover that the organization was wider
“Sure, my darlin’, you don’t know what it is and more complex than the simple lodge. Even
you are asking. How could I give it up when it Boss McGinty was ignorant as to many things; for
would be to break my oath and to desert my com- there was an official named the County Delegate,
rades? If you could see how things stand with me living at Hobson’s Patch farther down the line, who
you could never ask it of me. Besides, if I wanted had power over several different lodges which he
to, how could I do it? You don’t suppose that the wielded in a sudden and arbitrary way. Only once
lodge would let a man go free with all its secrets?” did McMurdo see him, a sly, little gray-haired rat
“I’ve thought of that, Jack. I’ve planned it all. of a man, with a slinking gait and a sidelong glance
Father has saved some money. He is weary of this which was charged with malice. Evans Pott was
place where the fear of these people darkens our his name, and even the great Boss of Vermissa felt
lives. He is ready to go. We would fly together to towards him something of the repulsion and fear
Philadelphia or New York, where we would be safe which the huge Danton may have felt for the puny
from them.” but dangerous Robespierre.
McMurdo laughed. “The lodge has a long arm. One day Scanlan, who was McMurdo’s fellow
Do you think it could not stretch from here to boarder, received a note from McGinty inclosing
Philadelphia or New York?” one from Evans Pott, which informed him that
he was sending over two good men, Lawler and
“Well, then, to the West, or to England, or to
Andrews, who had instructions to act in the neigh-
Germany, where father came from—anywhere to
bourhood; though it was best for the cause that
get away from this Valley of Fear!”
no particulars as to their objects should be given.
McMurdo thought of old Brother Morris. “Sure, Would the Bodymaster see to it that suitable ar-
it is the second time I have heard the valley so rangements be made for their lodgings and comfort
named,” said he. “The shadow does indeed seem until the time for action should arrive? McGinty
to lie heavy on some of you.” added that it was impossible for anyone to remain
“It darkens every moment of our lives. Do you secret at the Union House, and that, therefore, he
suppose that Ted Baldwin has ever forgiven us? If would be obliged if McMurdo and Scanlan would

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put the strangers up for a few days in their board- dressed they found that the others had stolen out,
ing house. leaving the door open behind them. It was not yet
The same evening the two men arrived, each dawn, and by the light of the lamps they could see
carrying his gripsack. Lawler was an elderly man, the two men some distance down the street. They
shrewd, silent, and self-contained, clad in an old followed them warily, treading noiselessly in the
black frock coat, which with his soft felt hat and deep snow.
ragged, grizzled beard gave him a general resem- The boarding house was near the edge of the
blance to an itinerant preacher. His companion town, and soon they were at the crossroads which is
Andrews was little more than a boy, frank-faced beyond its boundary. Here three men were waiting,
and cheerful, with the breezy manner of one who is with whom Lawler and Andrews held a short, ea-
out for a holiday and means to enjoy every minute ger conversation. Then they all moved on together.
of it. Both men were total abstainers, and behaved It was clearly some notable job which needed num-
in all ways as exemplary members of the society, bers. At this point there are several trails which
with the one simple exception that they were assas- lead to various mines. The strangers took that
sins who had often proved themselves to be most which led to the Crow Hill, a huge business which
capable instruments for this association of murder. was in strong hands which had been able, thanks to
Lawler had already carried out fourteen commis- their energetic and fearless New England manager,
sions of the kind, and Andrews three. Josiah H. Dunn, to keep some order and discipline
They were, as McMurdo found, quite ready to during the long reign of terror.
converse about their deeds in the past, which they Day was breaking now, and a line of workmen
recounted with the half-bashful pride of men who were slowly making their way, singly and in groups,
had done good and unselfish service for the com- along the blackened path.
munity. They were reticent, however, as to the
McMurdo and Scanlan strolled on with the oth-
immediate job in hand.
ers, keeping in sight of the men whom they fol-
“They chose us because neither I nor the boy lowed. A thick mist lay over them, and from the
here drink,” Lawler explained. “They can count heart of it there came the sudden scream of a steam
on us saying no more than we should. You must whistle. It was the ten-minute signal before the
not take it amiss, but it is the orders of the County cages descended and the day’s labour began.
Delegate that we obey.”
When they reached the open space round the
“Sure, we are all in it together,” said Scanlan, mine shaft there were a hundred miners waiting,
McMurdo’s mate, as the four sat together at supper. stamping their feet and blowing on their fingers; for
“That’s true enough, and we’ll talk till the cows it was bitterly cold. The strangers stood in a little
come home of the killing of Charlie Williams or of group under the shadow of the engine house. Scan-
Simon Bird, or any other job in the past. But till the lan and McMurdo climbed a heap of slag from
work is done we say nothing.” which the whole scene lay before them. They
“There are half a dozen about here that I have saw the mine engineer, a great bearded Scotchman
a word to say to,” said McMurdo, with an oath. “I named Menzies, come out of the engine house and
suppose it isn’t Jack Knox of Ironhill that you are blow his whistle for the cages to be lowered.
after. I’d go some way to see him get his deserts.” At the same instant a tall, loose-framed young
“No, it’s not him yet.” man with a clean-shaved, earnest face advanced
eagerly towards the pit head. As he came forward
“Or Herman Strauss?”
his eyes fell upon the group, silent and motionless,
“No, nor him either.” under the engine house. The men had drawn down
“Well, if you won’t tell us we can’t make you; their hats and turned up their collars to screen their
but I’d be glad to know.” faces. For a moment the presentiment of Death laid
its cold hand upon the manager’s heart. At the
Lawler smiled and shook his head. He was not
next he had shaken it off and saw only his duty
to be drawn.
towards intrusive strangers.
In spite of the reticence of their guests, Scanlan
and McMurdo were quite determined to be present “Who are you?” he asked as he advanced.
at what they called “the fun.” When, therefore, at “What are you loitering there for?”
an early hour one morning McMurdo heard them There was no answer; but the lad Andrews
creeping down the stairs he awakened Scanlan, and stepped forward and shot him in the stomach. The
the two hurried on their clothes. When they were hundred waiting miners stood as motionless and

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 The Valley Of Fear

helpless as if they were paralyzed. The manager his resolution, and so in a free, civilized country he
clapped his two hands to the wound and doubled 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. Men-
honour beside the Bodymaster, had been chief of
zies, the Scotchman, gave a roar of rage at the sight
the party. His flushed face and glazed, blood-shot
and rushed with an iron spanner at the murderers;
eyes told of sleeplessness and drink. He and his
but was met by two balls in the face which dropped
two comrades had spent the night before among
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; but hope, could have had a warmer welcome from their
a couple of the strangers emptied their six-shooters comrades.
over the heads of the crowd, and they broke and
The story was told and retold amid cries of de-
scattered, some of them rushing wildly back to
light and shouts of laughter. They had waited for
their homes in Vermissa.
their man as he drove home at nightfall, taking their
When a few of the bravest had rallied, and there station at the top of a steep hill, where his horse
was a return to the mine, the murderous gang had must be at a walk. He was so furred to keep out
vanished in the mists of morning, without a sin- the cold that he could not lay his hand on his pistol.
gle witness being able to swear to the identity of They had pulled him out and shot him again and
these men who in front of a hundred spectators again. He had screamed for mercy. The screams
had wrought this double crime. were repeated for the amusement of the lodge.
Scanlan and McMurdo made their way back; “Let’s hear again how he squealed,” they cried.
Scanlan somewhat subdued, for it was the first
None of them knew the man; but there is eter-
murder job that he had seen with his own eyes, and
nal drama in a killing, and they had shown the
it appeared less funny than he had been led to be-
Scowrers of Gilmerton that the Vermissa men were
lieve. The horrible screams of the dead manager’s
to be relied upon.
wife pursued them as they hurried to the town.
McMurdo was absorbed and silent; but he showed There had been one contretemps; for a man and
no sympathy for the weakening of his companion. his wife had driven up while they were still empty-
ing their revolvers into the silent body. It had been
“Sure, it is like a war,” he repeated. “What is it
suggested that they should shoot them both; but
but a war between us and them, and we hit back
they were harmless folk who were not connected
where we best can.”
with the mines, so they were sternly bidden to drive
There was high revel in the lodge room at the on and keep silent, lest a worse thing befall them.
Union House that night, not only over the killing of And so the blood-mottled figure had been left as a
the manager and engineer of the Crow Hill mine, warning to all such hard-hearted employers, and
which would bring this organization into line with the three noble avengers had hurried off into the
the other blackmailed and terror-stricken compa- mountains where unbroken nature comes down to
nies of the district, but also over a distant triumph the very edge of the furnaces and the slag heaps.
which had been wrought by the hands of the lodge Here they were, safe and sound, their work well
itself. done, and the plaudits of their companions in their
ears.
It would appear that when the County Delegate
had sent over five good men to strike a blow in It had been a great day for the Scowrers. The
Vermissa, he had demanded that in return three shadow had fallen even darker over the valley. But
Vermissa men should be secretly selected and sent as the wise general chooses the moment of victory
across to kill William Hales of Stake Royal, one of in which to redouble his efforts, so that his foes may
the best known and most popular mine owners in have no time to steady themselves after disaster, so
the Gilmerton district, a man who was believed not Boss McGinty, looking out upon the scene of his
to have an enemy in the world; for he was in all operations with his brooding and malicious eyes,
ways a model employer. He had insisted, however, had devised a new attack upon those who opposed
upon efficiency in the work, and had, therefore, him. That very night, as the half-drunken company
paid off certain drunken and idle employees who broke up, he touched McMurdo on the arm and
were members of the all-powerful society. Coffin led him aside into that inner room where they had
notices hung outside his door had not weakened their first interview.

722
 The Valley Of Fear

“See here, my lad,” said he, “I’ve got a job that’s “Well, you had best give me a night or two that
worthy of you at last. You’ll have the doing of it in I may see the house and make my plans. Then—”
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
“You can take two men with you—Manders and when you bring us the news. It’s just the last stroke
Reilly. They have been warned for service. We’ll that will bring them all to their knees.”
never be right in this district until Chester Wilcox McMurdo thought long and deeply over the
has been settled, and you’ll have the thanks of every commission which had been so suddenly placed
lodge in the coal fields if you can down him.” in his hands. The isolated house in which Chester
“I’ll do my best, anyhow. Who is he, and where Wilcox lived was about five miles off in an adja-
shall I find him?” cent valley. That very night he started off all alone
McGinty took his eternal half-chewed, half- to prepare for the attempt. It was daylight before
smoked cigar from the corner of his mouth, and he returned from his reconnaissance. Next day he
proceeded to draw a rough diagram on a page torn interviewed his two subordinates, Manders and
from his notebook. Reilly, reckless youngsters who were as elated as if
it were a deer-hunt.
“He’s the chief foreman of the Iron Dike Com-
pany. He’s a hard citizen, an old colour sergeant of Two nights later they met outside the town,
the war, all scars and grizzle. We’ve had two tries all three armed, and one of them carrying a sack
at him; but had no luck, and Jim Carnaway lost his stuffed with the powder which was used in the
life over it. Now it’s for you to take it over. That’s quarries. It was two in the morning before they
the house—all alone at the Iron Dike crossroad, came to the lonely house. The night was a windy
same as you see here on the map—without another one, with broken clouds drifting swiftly across
within earshot. It’s no good by day. He’s armed the face of a three-quarter moon. They had been
and shoots quick and straight, with no questions warned to be on their guard against bloodhounds;
asked. But at night—well, there he is with his wife, so they moved forward cautiously, with their pis-
three children, and a hired help. You can’t pick tols cocked in their hands. But there was no sound
or choose. It’s all or none. If you could get a bag save the howling of the wind, and no movement
of blasting powder at the front door with a slow but the swaying branches above them.
match to it—” McMurdo listened at the door of the lonely
“What’s the man done?” house; but all was still within. Then he leaned
“Didn’t I tell you he shot Jim Carnaway?” the powder bag against it, ripped a hole in it with
his knife, and attached the fuse. When it was well
“Why did he shoot him?”
alight he and his two companions took to their
“What in thunder has that to do with you? Car- heels, and were some distance off, safe and snug
naway was about his house at night, and he shot in a sheltering ditch, before the shattering roar of
him. That’s enough for me and you. You’ve got to the explosion, with the low, deep rumble of the
settle the thing right.” collapsing building, told them that their work was
“There’s these two women and the children. Do done. No cleaner job had ever been carried out in
they go up too?” the bloodstained annals of the society.
“They have to—else how can we get him?” But alas that work so well organized and boldly
“It seems hard on them; for they’ve done noth- carried out should all have gone for nothing!
ing.” Warned by the fate of the various victims, and
“What sort of fool’s talk is this? Do you back knowing that he was marked down for destruction,
out?” Chester Wilcox had moved himself and his family
only the day before to some safer and less known
“Easy, Councillor, easy! What have I ever said quarters, where a guard of police should watch over
or done that you should think I would be after them. It was an empty house which had been torn
standing back from an order of the Bodymaster of down by the gunpowder, and the grim old colour
my own lodge? If it’s right or if it’s wrong, it’s for sergeant of the war was still teaching discipline to
you to decide.” the miners of Iron Dike.
“You’ll do it, then?”
“Leave him to me,” said McMurdo. “He’s my
“Of course I will do it.” man, and I’ll get him sure if I have to wait a year
“When?” for him.”

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A vote of thanks and confidence was passed in planned at the Vermissa lodge and carried out in
full lodge, and so for the time the matter ended. cold blood upon two helpless and disarmed men.
When a few weeks later it was reported in the There also one may read of the shooting of Mrs.
papers that Wilcox had been shot at from an am- Larbey when she was nursing her husband, who
buscade, it was an open secret that McMurdo was had been beaten almost to death by orders of Boss
still at work upon his unfinished job. McGinty. The killing of the elder Jenkins, shortly
Such were the methods of the Society of followed by that of his brother, the mutilation of
Freemen, and such were the deeds of the Scowr- James Murdoch, the blowing up of the Staphouse
ers by which they spread their rule of fear over family, and the murder of the Stendals all followed
the great and rich district which was for so long hard upon one another in the same terrible winter.
a period haunted by their terrible presence. Why
should these pages be stained by further crimes? Darkly the shadow lay upon the Valley of Fear.
Have I not said enough to show the men and their The spring had come with running brooks and blos-
methods? soming trees. There was hope for all Nature bound
These deeds are written in history, and there are so long in an iron grip; but nowhere was there any
records wherein one may read the details of them. hope for the men and women who lived under the
There one may learn of the shooting of Policemen yoke of the terror. Never had the cloud above them
Hunt and Evans because they had ventured to ar- been so dark and hopeless as in the early summer
rest two members of the society—a double outrage of the year 1875.

CHAPTER VI.
Danger

It was the height of the reign of terror. Mc- creased with care, and his kindly face was drawn
Murdo, who had already been appointed Inner and haggard.
Deacon, with every prospect of some day succeed- “Can I speak with you freely, Mr. McMurdo?”
ing McGinty as Bodymaster, was now so necessary “Sure.”
to the councils of his comrades that nothing was
“I can’t forget that I spoke my heart to you once,
done without his help and advice. The more pop-
and that you kept it to yourself, even though the
ular he became, however, with the Freemen, the
Boss himself came to ask you about it.”
blacker were the scowls which greeted him as he
passed along the streets of Vermissa. In spite of “What else could I do if you trusted me? It
their terror the citizens were taking heart to band wasn’t that I agreed with what you said.”
themselves together against their oppressors. Ru- “I know that well. But you are the one that I
mours had reached the lodge of secret gatherings can speak to and be safe. I’ve a secret here,” he put
in the Herald office and of distribution of firearms his hand to his breast, “and it is just burning the
among the law-abiding people. But McGinty and life out of me. I wish it had come to any one of you
his men were undisturbed by such reports. They but me. If I tell it, it will mean murder, for sure. If I
were numerous, resolute, and well armed. Their don’t, it may bring the end of us all. God help me,
opponents were scattered and powerless. It would but I am near out of my wits over it!”
all end, as it had done in the past, in aimless talk McMurdo looked at the man earnestly. He was
and possibly in impotent arrests. So said McGinty, trembling in every limb. He poured some whisky
McMurdo, and all the bolder spirits. into a glass and handed it to him. “That’s the
physic for the likes of you,” said he. “Now let me
It was a Saturday evening in May. Saturday was hear of it.”
always the lodge night, and McMurdo was leav- Morris drank, and his white face took a tinge
ing his house to attend it when Morris, the weaker of colour. “I can tell it to you all in one sentence,”
brother of the order, came to see him. His brow was said he. “There’s a detective on our trail.”

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 The Valley Of Fear

McMurdo stared at him in astonishment. “Why, down into it. Pinkerton has taken hold
man, you’re crazy,” he said. “Isn’t the place full of under their orders, and his best man,
police and detectives and what harm did they ever Birdy Edwards, is operating. The thing
do us?” has got to be stopped right now.
“No, no, it’s no man of the district. As you say,
“Now read the postscript.”
we know them, and it is little that they can do. But
you’ve heard of Pinkerton’s?” Of course, what I give you is what I
“I’ve read of some folk of that name.” learned in business; so it goes no fur-
ther. It’s a queer cipher that you handle
“Well, you can take it from me you’ve no show
by the yard every day and can get no
when they are on your trail. It’s not a take-it-or-
meaning from.
miss-it government concern. It’s a dead earnest
business proposition that’s out for results and keeps McMurdo sat in silence for some time, with the
out till by hook or crook it gets them. If a Pinkerton letter in his listless hands. The mist had lifted for a
man is deep in this business, we are all destroyed.” moment, and there was the abyss before him.
“We must kill him.” “Does anyone else know of this?” he asked.
“Ah, it’s the first thought that came to you! So “I have told no one else.”
it will be up at the lodge. Didn’t I say to you that it “But this man—your friend—has he any other
would end in murder?” person that he would be likely to write to?”
“Sure, what is murder? Isn’t it common enough “Well, I dare say he knows one or two more.”
in these parts?”
“Of the lodge?”
“It is, indeed; but it’s not for me to point out “It’s likely enough.”
the man that is to be murdered. I’d never rest easy
“I was asking because it is likely that he may
again. And yet it’s our own necks that may be at
have given some description of this fellow Birdy
stake. In God’s name what shall I do?” He rocked
Edwards—then we could get on his trail.”
to and fro in his agony of indecision.
“Well, it’s possible. But I should not think he
But his words had moved McMurdo deeply. It
knew him. He is just telling me the news that came
was easy to see that he shared the other’s opinion
to him by way of business. How would he know
as to the danger, and the need for meeting it. He
this Pinkerton man?”
gripped Morris’s shoulder and shook him in his
earnestness. McMurdo gave a violent start.
“See here, man,” he cried, and he almost “By Gar!” he cried, “I’ve got him. What a fool
screeched the words in his excitement, “you won’t I was not to know it. Lord! but we’re in luck! We
gain anything by sitting keening like an old wife will fix him before he can do any harm. See here,
at a wake. Let’s have the facts. Who is the fellow? Morris, will you leave this thing in my hands?”
Where is he? How did you hear of him? Why did “Sure, if you will only take it off mine.”
you come to me?” “I’ll do that. You can stand right back and let
“I came to you; for you are the one man that me run it. Even your name need not be mentioned.
would advise me. I told you that I had a store in the I’ll take it all on myself, as if it were to me that this
East before I came here. I left good friends behind letter has come. Will that content you?”
me, and one of them is in the telegraph service. “It’s just what I would ask.”
Here’s a letter that I had from him yesterday. It’s “Then leave it at that and keep your head shut.
this part from the top of the page. You can read it Now I’ll get down to the lodge, and we’ll soon
yourself.” make old man Pinkerton sorry for himself.”
This was what McMurdo read: “You wouldn’t kill this man?”
How are the Scowrers getting on in “The less you know, Friend Morris, the easier
your parts? We read plenty of them in your conscience will be, and the better you will
the papers. Between you and me I ex- sleep. Ask no questions, and let these things settle
pect to hear news from you before long. themselves. I have hold of it now.”
Five big corporations and the two rail- Morris shook his head sadly as he left. “I feel
roads have taken the thing up in dead that his blood is on my hands,” he groaned.
earnest. They mean it, and you can bet “Self-protection is no murder, anyhow,” said
they’ll get there! They are right deep McMurdo, smiling grimly. “It’s him or us. I guess

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this man would destroy us all if we left him long “No, no, you shall come with me. If this valley
in the valley. Why, Brother Morris, we’ll have to is closed to me and I can never come back, how can
elect you Bodymaster yet; for you’ve surely saved I leave you behind, and me perhaps in hiding from
the lodge.” the police with never a chance of a message? It’s
And yet it was clear from his actions that he with me you must come. I know a good woman in
thought more seriously of this new intrusion than the place I come from, and it’s there I’d leave you
his words would show. It may have been his guilty till we can get married. Will you come?”
conscience, it may have been the reputation of the “Yes, Jack, I will come.”
Pinkerton organization, it may have been the knowl- “God bless you for your trust in me! It’s a fiend
edge that great, rich corporations had set them- out of hell that I should be if I abused it. Now,
selves the task of clearing out the Scowrers; but, mark you, Ettie, it will be just a word to you, and
whatever his reason, his actions were those of a when it reaches you, you will drop everything and
man who is preparing for the worst. Every paper come right down to the waiting room at the depot
which would incriminate him was destroyed before and stay there till I come for you.”
he left the house. After that he gave a long sigh “Day or night, I’ll come at the word, Jack.”
of satisfaction; for it seemed to him that he was Somewhat eased in mind, now that his own
safe. And yet the danger must still have pressed preparations for escape had been begun, McMurdo
somewhat upon him; for on his way to the lodge went on to the lodge. It had already assembled, and
he stopped at old man Shafter’s. The house was only by complicated signs and counter-signs could
forbidden him; but when he tapped at the window he pass through the outer guard and inner guard
Ettie came out to him. The dancing Irish deviltry who close-tiled it. A buzz of pleasure and welcome
had gone from her lover’s eyes. She read his danger greeted him as he entered. The long room was
in his earnest face. crowded, and through the haze of tobacco smoke
“Something has happened!” she cried. “Oh, he saw the tangled black mane of the Bodymaster,
Jack, you are in danger!” the cruel, unfriendly features of Baldwin, the vul-
“Sure, it is not very bad, my sweetheart. And ture face of Harraway, the secretary, and a dozen
yet it may be wise that we make a move before it is more who were among the leaders of the lodge.
worse.” He rejoiced that they should all be there to take
counsel over his news.
“Make a move?” “Indeed, it’s glad we are to see you, Brother!”
“I promised you once that I would go some day. cried the chairman. “There’s business here that
I think the time is coming. I had news to-night, bad wants a Solomon in judgment to set it right.”
news, and I see trouble coming.” “It’s Lander and Egan,” explained his neigh-
“The police?” bour as he took his seat. “They both claim the head
“Well, a Pinkerton. But, sure, you wouldn’t money given by the lodge for the shooting of old
know what that is, acushla, nor what it may mean man Crabbe over at Stylestown, and who’s to say
to the likes of me. I’m too deep in this thing, and I which fired the bullet?”
may have to get out of it quick. You said you would McMurdo rose in his place and raised his hand.
come with me if I went.” The expression of his face froze the attention of the
audience. There was a dead hush of expectation.
“Oh, Jack, it would be the saving of you!”
“Eminent Bodymaster,” he said, in a solemn
“I’m an honest man in some things, Ettie. I voice, “I claim urgency!”
wouldn’t hurt a hair of your bonny head for all “Brother McMurdo claims urgency,” said
that the world can give, nor ever pull you down McGinty. “It’s a claim that by the rules of this
one inch from the golden throne above the clouds lodge takes precedence. Now Brother, we attend
where I always see you. Would you trust me?” you.”
She put her hand in his without a word. “Well, McMurdo took the letter from his pocket.
then, listen to what I say, and do as I order you, for “Eminent Bodymaster and Brethren,” he said,
indeed it’s the only way for us. Things are going to “I am the bearer of ill news this day; but it is bet-
happen in this valley. I feel it in my bones. There ter that it should be known and discussed, than
may be many of us that will have to look out for that a blow should fall upon us without warning
ourselves. I’m one, anyhow. If I go, by day or night, which would destroy us all. I have information
it’s you that must come with me!” that the most powerful and richest organizations in
“I’d come after you, Jack.” this state have bound themselves together for our

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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 five more. Then I can talk freely of what I know
a rope round the necks of many of us, and send and of what I advise should be done.”
every man in this room into a felon’s cell. That The proposition was at once adopted, and the
is the situation for the discussion of which I have committee chosen. Besides the chairman and Bald-
made 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, fear-
“What is your evidence for this, Brother Mc- less and desperate men who would stick at nothing.
Murdo?” he asked. The usual revelry of the lodge was short and
subdued: for there was a cloud upon the men’s
“It is in this letter which has come into my
spirits, and many there for the first time began
hands,” said McMurdo. He read the passage aloud.
to see the cloud of avenging Law drifting up in
“It is a matter of honour with me that I can give no
that serene sky under which they had dwelt so
further particulars about the letter, nor put it into
long. The horrors they had dealt out to others had
your hands; but I assure you that there is nothing
been so much a part of their settled lives that the
else in it which can affect the interests of the lodge.
thought of retribution had become a remote one,
I put the case before you as it has reached me.”
and so seemed the more startling now that it came
“Let me say, Mr. Chairman,” said one of the so closely upon them. They broke up early and left
older brethren, “that I have heard of Birdy Edwards, their leaders to their council.
and that he has the name of being the best man in “Now, McMurdo!” said McGinty when they
the Pinkerton service.” were alone. The seven men sat frozen in their seats.
“Does anyone know him by sight?” asked “I said just now that I knew Birdy Edwards,”
McGinty. McMurdo explained. “I need not tell you that he is
“Yes,” said McMurdo, “I do.” not here under that name. He’s a brave man, but
There was a murmur of astonishment through not a crazy one. He passes under the name of Steve
the hall. Wilson, and he is lodging at Hobson’s Patch.”
“I believe we hold him in the hollow of our “How do you know this?”
hands,” he continued with an exulting smile upon “Because I fell into talk with him. I thought
his face. “If we act quickly and wisely, we can cut little of it at the time, nor would have given it a
this thing short. If I have your confidence and your second thought but for this letter; but now I’m sure
help, it is little that we have to fear.” it’s the man. I met him on the cars when I went
down the line on Wednesday—a hard case if ever
“What have we to fear, anyhow? What can he
there was one. He said he was a reporter. I be-
know of our affairs?”
lieved it for the moment. Wanted to know all he
“You might say so if all were as stanch as you, could about the Scowrers and what he called ‘the
Councillor. But this man has all the millions of the outrages’ for a New York paper. Asked me every
capitalists at his back. Do you think there is no kind of question so as to get something. You bet
weaker brother among all our lodges that could not I was giving nothing away. ‘I’d pay for it and pay
be bought? He will get at our secrets—maybe has well,’ said he, ‘if I could get some stuff that would
got them already. There’s only one sure cure.” suit my editor.’ I said what I thought would please
“That he never leaves the valley,” said Baldwin. him best, and he handed me a twenty-dollar bill
McMurdo nodded. “Good for you, Brother Bald- for my information. ‘There’s ten times that for you,’
win,” he said. “You and I have had our differences, said he, ‘if you can find me all that I want.’ ”
but you have said the true word to-night.” “What did you tell him, then?”
“Where is he, then? Where shall we know him?” “Any stuff I could make up.”
“Eminent Bodymaster,” said McMurdo, “How do you know he wasn’t a newspaper
earnestly, “I would put it to you that this is too man?”
vital a thing for us to discuss in open lodge. God “I’ll tell you. He got out at Hobson’s Patch, and
forbid that I should throw a doubt on anyone here; so did I. I chanced into the telegraph bureau, and
but if so much as a word of gossip got to the ears he was leaving it.
of this man, there would be an end of any chance “ ‘See here,’ said the operator after he’d gone
of our getting him. I would ask the lodge to choose out, ‘I guess we should charge double rates for

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this.’—‘I guess you should,’ said I. He had filled I guess. Well, then I’ll tell him that I’m a Freeman
the form with stuff that might have been Chinese, myself. I’ll offer him all the secrets of the lodge for
for all we could make of it. ‘He fires a sheet of a price. You bet he’ll tumble to it. I’ll tell him the
this off every day,’ said the clerk. ‘Yes,’ said I; ‘it’s papers are at my house, and that it’s as much as
special news for his paper, and he’s scared that the my life would be worth to let him come while folk
others should tap it.’ That was what the operator were about. He’ll see that that’s horse sense. Let
thought and what I thought at the time; but I think him come at ten o’clock at night, and he shall see
differently now.” everything. That will fetch him sure.”
“By Gar! I believe you are right,” said McGinty. “Well?”
“But what do you allow that we should do about “You can plan the rest for yourselves. Widow
it?” MacNamara’s is a lonely house. She’s as true as
“Why not go right down now and fix him?” steel and as deaf as a post. There’s only Scanlan
someone suggested. and me in the house. If I get his promise—and I’ll
“Ay, the sooner the better.” let you know if I do—I’d have the whole seven of
you come to me by nine o’clock. We’ll get him in.
“I’d start this next minute if I knew where we If ever he gets out alive—well, he can talk of Birdy
could find him,” said McMurdo. “He’s in Hobson’s Edwards’s luck for the rest of his days!”
Patch; but I don’t know the house. I’ve got a plan,
though, if you’ll only take my advice.” “There’s going to be a vacancy at Pinkerton’s
or I’m mistaken. Leave it at that, McMurdo. At
“Well, what is it?” nine to-morrow we’ll be with you. You once get the
“I’ll go to the Patch to-morrow morning. I’ll door shut behind him, and you can leave the rest
find him through the operator. He can locate him, with us.”

CHAPTER VII.
The Trapping of Birdy Edwards

As McMurdo had said, the house in which he not the first time that they had handled an unwill-
lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such ing witness.
a crime as they had planned. It was on the extreme
McMurdo went to Hobson’s Patch as agreed.
fringe of the town and stood well back from the
The police seemed to take particular interest in
road. In any other case the conspirators would have
him that morning, and Captain Marvin—he who
simply called out their man, as they had many a
had claimed the old acquaintance with him at
time before, and emptied their pistols into his body;
Chicago—actually addressed him as he waited at
but in this instance it was very necessary to find
the station. McMurdo turned away and refused
out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what
to speak with him. He was back from his mission
had been passed on to his employers.
in the afternoon, and saw McGinty at the Union
It was possible that they were already too late House.
and that the work had been done. If that was in-
“He is coming,” he said.
deed so, they could at least have their revenge upon
the man who had done it. But they were hopeful “Good!” said McGinty. The giant was in
that nothing of great importance had yet come to his shirt sleeves, with chains and seals gleam-
the detective’s knowledge, as otherwise, they ar- ing athwart his ample waistcoat and a diamond
gued, he would not have troubled to write down twinkling through the fringe of his bristling beard.
and forward such trivial information as McMurdo Drink and politics had made the Boss a very rich as
claimed to have given him. However, all this they well as powerful man. The more terrible, therefore,
would learn from his own lips. Once in their power, seemed that glimpse of the prison or the gallows
they would find a way to make him speak. It was which had risen before him the night before.

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“Do you reckon he knows much?” he asked “Ay, I heard of that,” said McGinty. “I guess the
anxiously. heavy end of this business is coming on to you. We
McMurdo shook his head gloomily. “He’s been could put him down an old shaft when we’ve done
here some time—six weeks at the least. I guess he with him; but however we work it we can’t get past
didn’t come into these parts to look at the prospect. the man living at Hobson’s Patch and you being
If he has been working among us all that time with there to-day.”
the railroad money at his back, I should expect that McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. “If we han-
he has got results, and that he has passed them dle it right, they can never prove the killing,” said
on.” he. “No one can see him come to the house after
dark, and I’ll lay to it that no one will see him go.
“There’s not a weak man in the lodge,” cried
Now see here, Councillor, I’ll show you my plan
McGinty. “True as steel, every man of them. And
and I’ll ask you to fit the others into it. You will all
yet, by the Lord! there is that skunk Morris. What
come in good time. Very well. He comes at ten. He
about him? If any man gives us away, it would be
is to tap three times, and me to open the door for
he. I’ve a mind to send a couple of the boys round
him. Then I’ll get behind him and shut it. He’s our
before evening to give him a beating up and see
man then.”
what they can get from him.”
“That’s all easy and plain.”
“Well, there would be no harm in that,” Mc-
“Yes; but the next step wants considering. He’s
Murdo answered. “I won’t deny that I have a liking
a hard proposition. He’s heavily armed. I’ve fooled
for Morris and would be sorry to see him come
him proper, and yet he is likely to be on his guard.
to harm. He has spoken to me once or twice over
Suppose I show him right into a room with seven
lodge matters, and though he may not see them
men in it where he expected to find me alone. There
the same as you or I, he never seemed the sort that
is going to be shooting, and somebody is going to
squeals. But still it is not for me to stand between
be hurt.”
him and you.”
“That’s so.”
“I’ll fix the old devil!” said McGinty with an
“And the noise is going to bring every damned
oath. “I’ve had my eye on him this year past.”
copper in the township on top of it.”
“Well, you know best about that,” McMurdo an- “I guess you are right.”
swered. “But whatever you do must be to-morrow;
“This is how I should work it. You will all be
for we must lie low until the Pinkerton affair is set-
in the big room—same as you saw when you had
tled up. We can’t afford to set the police buzzing,
a chat with me. I’ll open the door for him, show
to-day of all days.”
him into the parlour beside the door, and leave him
“True for you,” said McGinty. “And we’ll learn there while I get the papers. That will give me the
from Birdy Edwards himself where he got his news chance of telling you how things are shaping. Then
if we have to cut his heart out first. Did he seem to I will go back to him with some faked papers. As
scent a trap?” he is reading them I will jump for him and get my
McMurdo laughed. “I guess I took him on his grip on his pistol arm. You’ll hear me call and in
weak point,” he said. “If he could get on a good you will rush. The quicker the better; for he is as
trail of the Scowrers, he’s ready to follow it into strong a man as I, and I may have more than I can
hell. I took his money,” McMurdo grinned as he manage. But I allow that I can hold him till you
produced a wad of dollar notes, “and as much more come.”
when he has seen all my papers.” “It’s a good plan,” said McGinty. “The lodge
“What papers?” will owe you a debt for this. I guess when I move
out of the chair I can put a name to the man that’s
“Well, there are no papers. But I filled him up coming after me.”
about constitutions and books of rules and forms
“Sure, Councillor, I am little more than a re-
of membership. He expects to get right down to
cruit,” said McMurdo; but his face showed what he
the end of everything before he leaves.”
thought of the great man’s compliment.
“Faith, he’s right there,” said McGinty grimly. When he had returned home he made his own
“Didn’t he ask you why you didn’t bring him the preparations for the grim evening in front of him.
papers?” First he cleaned, oiled, and loaded his Smith & Wes-
“As if I would carry such things, and me a sus- son revolver. Then he surveyed the room in which
pected man, and Captain Marvin after speaking to the detective was to be trapped. It was a large
me this very day at the depot!” apartment, with a long deal table in the centre, and

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the big stove at one side. At each of the other sides all their ferocity. Cormac placed his hands on the
were windows. There were no shutters on these: stove for an instant—it had been lighted, for the
only light curtains which drew across. McMurdo nights were still cold.
examined these attentively. No doubt it must have “That will do,” said he, with an oath.
struck him that the apartment was very exposed for “Ay,” said Baldwin, catching his meaning. “If
so secret a meeting. Yet its distance from the road he is strapped to that, we will have the truth out of
made it of less consequence. Finally he discussed him.”
the matter with his fellow lodger. Scanlan, though a
“We’ll have the truth out of him, never fear,”
Scowrer, was an inoffensive little man who was too
said McMurdo. He had nerves of steel, this man;
weak to stand against the opinion of his comrades,
for though the whole weight of the affair was on
but was secretly horrified by the deeds of blood
him his manner was as cool and unconcerned as
at which he had sometimes been forced to assist.
ever. The others marked it and applauded.
McMurdo told him shortly what was intended.
“You are the one to handle him,” said the Boss
“And if I were you, Mike Scanlan, I would take approvingly. “Not a warning will he get till your
a night off and keep clear of it. There will be bloody hand is on his throat. It’s a pity there are no shut-
work here before morning.” ters to your windows.”
“Well, indeed then, Mac,” Scanlan answered. McMurdo went from one to the other and drew
“It’s not the will but the nerve that is wanting in the curtains tighter. “Sure no one can spy upon us
me. When I saw Manager Dunn go down at the now. It’s close upon the hour.”
colliery yonder it was just more than I could stand.
“Maybe he won’t come. Maybe he’ll get a sniff
I’m not made for it, same as you or McGinty. If the
of danger,” said the secretary.
lodge will think none the worse of me, I’ll just do
as you advise and leave you to yourselves for the “He’ll come, never fear,” McMurdo answered.
evening.” “He is as eager to come as you can be to see him.
Hark to that!”
The men came in good time as arranged. They
They all sat like wax figures, some with their
were outwardly respectable citizens, well clad and
glasses arrested halfway to their lips. Three loud
cleanly; but a judge of faces would have read little
knocks had sounded at the door.
hope for Birdy Edwards in those hard mouths and
remorseless eyes. There was not a man in the room “Hush!” McMurdo raised his hand in caution.
whose hands had not been reddened a dozen times An exulting glance went round the circle, and
before. They were as hardened to human murder hands were laid upon hidden weapons.
as a butcher to sheep. “Not a sound, for your lives!” McMurdo whis-
Foremost, of course, both in appearance and in pered, as he went from the room, closing the door
guilt, was the formidable Boss. Harraway, the sec- carefully behind him.
retary, was a lean, bitter man with a long, scraggy With strained ears the murderers waited. They
neck and nervous, jerky limbs, a man of incorrupt- counted the steps of their comrade down the pas-
ible fidelity where the finances of the order were sage. Then they heard him open the outer door.
concerned, and with no notion of justice or hon- There were a few words as of greeting. Then they
esty to anyone beyond. The treasurer, Carter, was a were aware of a strange step inside and of an un-
middle-aged man, with an impassive, rather sulky familiar voice. An instant later came the slam of
expression, and a yellow parchment skin. He was a the door and the turning of the key in the lock.
capable organizer, and the actual details of nearly Their prey was safe within the trap. Tiger Cormac
every outrage had sprung from his plotting brain. laughed horribly, and Boss McGinty clapped his
The two Willabys were men of action, tall, lithe great hand across his mouth.
young fellows with determined faces, while their “Be quiet, you fool!” he whispered. “You’ll be
companion, Tiger Cormac, a heavy, dark youth, was the undoing of us yet!”
feared even by his own comrades for the ferocity There was a mutter of conversation from the
of his disposition. These were the men who assem- next room. It seemed interminable. Then the door
bled that night under the roof of McMurdo for the opened, and McMurdo appeared, his finger upon
killing of the Pinkerton detective. his lip.
Their host had placed whisky upon the table, He came to the end of the table and looked
and they had hastened to prime themselves for the round at them. A subtle change had come over
work before them. Baldwin and Cormac were al- him. His manner was as of one who has great work
ready half-drunk, and the liquor had brought out to do. His face had set into granite firmness. His

730
 The Valley Of Fear

eyes shone with a fierce excitement behind his spec- “Maybe you think that the game is not over yet.
tacles. He had become a visible leader of men. They Well, I take my chance of that. Anyhow, some of
stared at him with eager interest; but he said noth- you will take no further hand, and there are sixty
ing. Still with the same singular gaze he looked more besides yourselves that will see a jail this
from man to man. night. I’ll tell you this, that when I was put upon
this job I never believed there was such a society
“Well!” cried Boss McGinty at last. “Is he here?
as yours. I thought it was paper talk, and that I
Is Birdy Edwards here?”
would prove it so. They told me it was to do with
“Yes,” McMurdo answered slowly. “Birdy Ed- the Freemen; so I went to Chicago and was made
wards is here. I am Birdy Edwards!” one. Then I was surer than ever that it was just
There were ten seconds after that brief speech paper talk; for I found no harm in the society, but a
during which the room might have been empty, so deal of good.
profound was the silence. The hissing of a kettle “Still, I had to carry out my job, and I came
upon the stove rose sharp and strident to the ear. to the coal valleys. When I reached this place I
Seven white faces, all turned upward to this man learned that I was wrong and that it wasn’t a dime
who dominated them, were set motionless with ut- novel after all. So I stayed to look after it. I never
ter terror. Then, with a sudden shivering of glass, a killed a man in Chicago. I never minted a dollar
bristle of glistening rifle barrels broke through each in my life. Those I gave you were as good as any
window, while the curtains were torn from their others; but I never spent money better. But I knew
hangings. the way into your good wishes and so I pretended
At the sight Boss McGinty gave the roar of a to you that the law was after me. It all worked just
wounded bear and plunged for the half-opened as I thought.
door. A levelled revolver met him there with the “So I joined your infernal lodge, and I took my
stern blue eyes of Captain Marvin of the Mine Po- share in your councils. Maybe they will say that I
lice gleaming behind the sights. The Boss recoiled was as bad as you. They can say what they like, so
and fell back into his chair. long as I get you. But what is the truth? The night
I joined you beat up old man Stanger. I could not
“You’re safer there, Councillor,” said the man
warn him, for there was no time; but I held your
whom they had known as McMurdo. “And you,
hand, Baldwin, when you would have killed him.
Baldwin, if you don’t take your hand off your pis-
If ever I have suggested things, so as to keep my
tol, you’ll cheat the hangman yet. Pull it out, or by
place among you, they were things which I knew
the Lord that made me—There, that will do. There
I could prevent. I could not save Dunn and Men-
are forty armed men round this house, and you
zies, for I did not know enough; but I will see that
can figure it out for yourself what chance you have.
their murderers are hanged. I gave Chester Wilcox
Take their pistols, Marvin!”
warning, so that when I blew his house in he and
There was no possible resistance under the men- his folk were in hiding. There was many a crime
ace of those rifles. The men were disarmed. Sulky, that I could not stop; but if you look back and think
sheepish, and amazed, they still sat round the table. how often your man came home the other road,
“I’d like to say a word to you before we sep- or was down in town when you went for him, or
arate,” said the man who had trapped them. “I stayed indoors when you thought he would come
guess we may not meet again until you see me on out, you’ll see my work.”
the stand in the courthouse. I’ll give you something “You blasted traitor!” hissed McGinty through
to think over between now and then. You know his closed teeth.
me now for what I am. At last I can put my cards
“Ay, John McGinty, you may call me that if it
on the table. I am Birdy Edwards of Pinkerton’s. I
eases your smart. You and your like have been the
was chosen to break up your gang. I had a hard
enemy of God and man in these parts. It took a
and dangerous game to play. Not a soul, not one
man to get between you and the poor devils of men
soul, not my nearest and dearest, knew that I was
and women that you held under your grip. There
playing it. Only Captain Marvin here and my em-
was just one way of doing it, and I did it. You call
ployers knew that. But it’s over to-night, thank God,
me a traitor; but I guess there’s many a thousand
and I am the winner!”
will call me a deliverer that went down into hell to
The seven pale, rigid faces looked up at him. save them. I’ve had three months of it. I wouldn’t
There was unappeasable hatred in their eyes. He have three such months again if they let me loose
read the relentless threat. in the treasury at Washington for it. I had to stay

731
 The Valley Of Fear

till I had it all, every man and every secret right McGinty met his fate upon the scaffold, cring-
here in this hand. I’d have waited a little longer if it ing and whining when the last hour came. Eight
hadn’t come to my knowledge that my secret was of his chief followers shared his fate. Fifty-odd
coming out. A letter had come into the town that had various degrees of imprisonment. The work of
would have set you wise to it all. Then I had to act Birdy Edwards was complete.
and act quickly.
“I’ve nothing more to say to you, except that And yet, as he had guessed, the game was not
when my time comes I’ll die the easier when I think over yet. There was another hand to be played, and
of the work I have done in this valley. Now, Mar- yet another and another. Ted Baldwin, for one, had
vin, I’ll keep you no more. Take them in and get it escaped the scaffold; so had the Willabys; so had
over.” several others of the fiercest spirits of the gang. For
There is little more to tell. Scanlan had been ten years they were out of the world, and then came
given a sealed note to be left at the address of Miss a day when they were free once more—a day which
Ettie Shafter, a mission which he had accepted with Edwards, who knew his men, was very sure would
a wink and a knowing smile. In the early hours of be an end of his life of peace. They had sworn an
the morning a beautiful woman and a much muf- oath on all that they thought holy to have his blood
fled man boarded a special train which had been as a vengeance for their comrades. And well they
sent by the railroad company, and made a swift, strove to keep their vow!
unbroken journey out of the land of danger. It
was the last time that ever either Ettie or her lover From Chicago he was chased, after two attempts
set foot in the Valley of Fear. Ten days later they so near success that it was sure that the third would
were married in Chicago, with old Jacob Shafter as get him. From Chicago he went under a changed
witness of the wedding. name to California, and it was there that the light
The trial of the Scowrers was held far from the went for a time out of his life when Ettie Edwards
place where their adherents might have terrified died. Once again he was nearly killed, and once
the guardians of the law. In vain they struggled. again under the name of Douglas he worked in
In vain the money of the lodge—money squeezed a lonely canyon, where with an English partner
by blackmail out of the whole countryside—was named Barker he amassed a fortune. At last there
spent like water in the attempt to save them. That came a warning to him that the bloodhounds were
cold, clear, unimpassioned statement from one who on his track once more, and he cleared—only just
knew every detail of their lives, their organization, in time—for England. And thence came the John
and their crimes was unshaken by all the wiles of Douglas who for a second time married a worthy
their defenders. At last after so many years they mate, and lived for five years as a Sussex county
were broken and scattered. The cloud was lifted gentleman, a life which ended with the strange
forever from the valley. happenings of which we have heard.

CHAPTER VIII.
Epilogue

The police trial had passed, in which the case of Two months had gone by, and the case had to
John Douglas was referred to a higher court. So had some extent passed from our minds. Then one
the Quarter Sessions, at which he was acquitted as morning there came an enigmatic note slipped into
having acted in self-defense. our letter box. “Dear me, Mr. Holmes. Dear me!”
said this singular epistle. There was neither super-
“Get him out of England at any cost,” wrote scription nor signature. I laughed at the quaint
Holmes to the wife. “There are forces here which message; but Holmes showed unwonted serious-
may be more dangerous than those he has escaped. ness.
There is no safety for your husband in England.”

732
 The Valley Of Fear

“Deviltry, Watson!” he remarked, and sat long shot-guns and clumsy six-shooters. You can tell
with a clouded brow. an old master by the sweep of his brush. I can
Late last night Mrs. Hudson, our landlady, tell a Moriarty when I see one. This crime is from
brought up a message that a gentleman wished to London, not from America.”
see Holmes, and that the matter was of the utmost “But for what motive?”
importance. Close at the heels of his messenger “Because it is done by a man who cannot afford
came Cecil Barker, our friend of the moated Manor to fail—one whose whole unique position depends
House. His face was drawn and haggard. upon the fact that all he does must succeed. A great
“I’ve had bad news—terrible news, Mr. brain and a huge organization have been turned
Holmes,” said he. to the extinction of one man. It is crushing the
“I feared as much,” said Holmes. nut with the hammer—an absurd extravagance of
“You have not had a cable, have you?” energy—but the nut is very effectually crushed all
the same.”
“I have had a note from someone who has.”
“How came this man to have anything to do
“It’s poor Douglas. They tell me his name is Ed-
with it?”
wards; but he will always be Jack Douglas of Benito
Canyon to me. I told you that they started together “I can only say that the first word that ever
for South Africa in the Palmyra three weeks ago.” came to us of the business was from one of his
lieutenants. These Americans were well advised.
“Exactly.”
Having an English job to do, they took into partner-
“The ship reached Cape Town last night. I re- ship, as any foreign criminal could do, this great
ceived this cable from Mrs. Douglas this morn- consultant in crime. From that moment their man
ing:— was doomed. At first he would content himself by
using his machinery in order to find their victim.
“Jack has been lost overboard in gale off Then he would indicate how the matter might be
St. Helena. No one knows how accident treated. Finally, when he read in the reports of the
occurred. failure of this agent, he would step in himself with
— “Ivy Douglas.” a master touch. You heard me warn this man at
Birlstone Manor House that the coming danger was
“Ha! It came like that, did it?” said Holmes, greater than the past. Was I right?”
thoughtfully. “Well, I’ve no doubt it was well stage-
Barker beat his head with his clenched fist in
managed.”
his impotent anger.
“You mean that you think there was no acci-
“Do you tell me that we have to sit down under
dent?”
this? Do you say that no one can ever get level with
“None in the world.” this king-devil?”
“He was murdered?” “No, I don’t say that,” said Holmes, and his
“Surely!” eyes seemed to be looking far into the future. “I
“So I think also. These infernal Scowrers, this don’t say that he can’t be beat. But you must give
cursed vindictive nest of criminals—” me time—you must give me time!”
“No, no, my good sir,” said Holmes. “There We all sat in silence for some minutes, while
is a master hand here. It is no case of sawed-off those fateful eyes still strained to pierce the veil.

733
His Last Bow
 Preface

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 small farm upon the downs five miles from Eastbourne, where his time is divided 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 historical 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.

737
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

Table of contents
The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743
The Tiger of San Pedro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748

741
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

CHAPTER I.

I
The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles

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

743
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

due sequence, exactly what those events are which “Oh, you did, did you?”
have sent you out unbrushed and unkempt, with Out came the official notebook.
dress boots and waistcoat buttoned awry, in search
“Wait a bit, Gregson,” said Sherlock Holmes.
of advice and assistance.”
“All you desire is a plain statement, is it not?”
Our client looked down with a rueful face at his
“And it is my duty to warn Mr. Scott Eccles that
own unconventional appearance.
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
But his narrative was nipped in the bud. There been interrupted.”
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 as
glance at the inspector’s notebook, he plunged at
Inspector Gregson of Scotland Yard, an energetic,
once into his extraordinary statement.
gallant, and, within his limitations, a capable officer.
He shook hands with Holmes and introduced his “I am a bachelor,” said he, “and being of a so-
comrade as Inspector Baynes, of the Surrey Con- ciable turn I cultivate a large number of friends.
stabulary. Among these are the family of a retired brewer
called Melville, living at Abermarle Mansion, Kens-
“We are hunting together, Mr. Holmes, and our
ington. It was at his table that I met some weeks
trail lay in this direction.” He turned his bulldog
ago a young fellow named Garcia. He was, I under-
eyes upon our visitor. “Are you Mr. John Scott
stood, of Spanish descent and connected in some
Eccles, of Popham House, Lee?”
way with the embassy. He spoke perfect English,
“I am.” was pleasing in his manners, and as good-looking
“We have been following you about all the morn- a man as ever I saw in my life.
ing.” “In some way we struck up quite a friendship,
“You traced him through the telegram, no this young fellow and I. He seemed to take a fancy
doubt,” said Holmes. to me from the first, and within two days of our
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, be-
“But why do you follow me? What do you tween Esher and Oxshott. Yesterday evening I went
want?” to Esher to fulfil this engagement.
“We wish a statement, Mr. Scott Eccles, as to the “He had described his household to me before
events which let up to the death last night of Mr. I went there. He lived with a faithful servant, a
Aloysius Garcia, of Wisteria Lodge, near Esher.” countryman of his own, who looked after all his
Our client had sat up with staring eyes and needs. This fellow could speak English and did his
every tinge of colour struck from his astonished housekeeping for him. Then there was a wonderful
face. cook, he said, a half-breed whom he had picked up
in his travels, who could serve an excellent dinner.
“Dead? Did you say he was dead?”
I remember that he remarked what a queer house-
“Yes, sir, he is dead.” hold it was to find in the heart of Surrey, and that I
“But how? An accident?” agreed with him, though it has proved a good deal
“Murder, if ever there was one upon earth.” queerer than I thought.

“Good God! This is awful! You don’t “I drove to the place—about two miles on the
mean—you don’t mean that I am suspected?” south side of Esher. The house was a fair-sized
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 to shrubs. It was an old, tumbledown building in a
pass last night at his house.” crazy state of disrepair. When the trap pulled up
“So I did.” on the grass-grown drive in front of the blotched

744
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

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

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 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

“It was a dog-grate, Mr. Holmes, and he over- of a sandbag or some such instrument, which had
pitched it. I picked this out unburned from the crushed rather than wounded. It is a lonely corner,
back of it.” and there is no house within a quarter of a mile of
Holmes smiled his appreciation. the spot. He had apparently been struck down first
from behind, but his assailant had gone on beating
“You must have examined the house very care-
him long after he was dead. It was a most furious
fully to find a single pellet of paper.”
assault. There are no footsteps nor any clue to the
“I did, Mr. Holmes. It’s my way. Shall I read it, criminals.”
Mr. Gregson?” “Robbed?”
The Londoner nodded. “No, there was no attempt at robbery.”
“The note is written upon ordinary cream-laid “This is very painful—very painful and terrible,”
paper without watermark. It is a quarter-sheet. said Mr. Scott Eccles in a querulous voice, “but it is
The paper is cut off in two snips with a short- really uncommonly hard on me. I had nothing to
bladed scissors. It has been folded over three times do with my host going off upon a nocturnal excur-
and sealed with purple wax, put on hurriedly and sion and meeting so sad an end. How do I come to
pressed down with some flat oval object. It is ad- be mixed up with the case?”
dressed to Mr. Garcia, Wisteria Lodge. It says:
“Very simply, sir,” Inspector Baynes answered.
“The only document found in the pocket of the
“Our own colours, green and white.
deceased was a letter from you saying that you
Green open, white shut. Main stair,
would be with him on the night of his death. It was
first corridor, seventh right, green baize.
the envelope of this letter which gave us the dead
Godspeed.
man’s name and address. It was after nine this
— 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 “Certainly, I will come at once. But I retain
be added. The oval seal is undoubtedly a plain your services, Mr. Holmes. I desire you to spare no
sleeve-link—what else is of such a shape? The scis- expense and no pains to get at the truth.”
sors were bent nail scissors. Short as the two snips
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 busi-
bound to say that I make nothing of the note ex- nesslike in all that you have done. Was there any
cept that there was something on hand, and that a clue, may I ask, as to the exact hour that the man
woman, as usual, was at the bottom of it.” met his death?”
Mr. Scott Eccles had fidgeted in his seat during “He had been there since one o’clock. There was
this conversation. rain about that time, and his death had certainly
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 could
Garcia, nor what has become of his household.” swear to it that it was he who addressed me in my
bedroom at that very hour.”
“As to Garcia,” said Gregson, “that is easily an-
swered. He was found dead this morning upon “Remarkable, but by no means impossible,”
Oxshott Common, nearly a mile from his home. His said Holmes, smiling.
head had been smashed to pulp by heavy blows “You have a clue?” asked Gregson.

746
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

“On the face of it the case is not a very complex Holmes leaned back in his chair with half-closed
one, though it certainly presents some novel and eyes.
interesting features. A further knowledge of facts “You must admit, my dear Watson, that the idea
is necessary before I would venture to give a final of a joke is impossible. There were grave events
and definite opinion. By the way, Mr. Baynes, did afoot, as the sequel showed, and the coaxing of
you find anything remarkable besides this note in Scott Eccles to Wisteria Lodge had some connec-
your examination of the house?” tion with them.”
The detective looked at my friend in a singular “But what possible connection?”
way.
“Let us take it link by link. There is, on the face
“There were,” said he, “one or two very remark- of it, something unnatural about this strange and
able things. Perhaps when I have finished at the sudden friendship between the young Spaniard and
police-station you would care to come out and give Scott Eccles. It was the former who forced the pace.
me your opinion of them.” He called upon Eccles at the other end of London
“In am entirely at your service,” said Sherlock on the very day after he first met him, and he kept
Holmes, ringing the bell. “You will show these in close touch with him until he got him down to
gentlemen out, Mrs. Hudson, and kindly send the Esher. Now, what did he want with Eccles? What
boy with this telegram. He is to pay a five-shilling could Eccles supply? I see no charm in the man.
reply.” He is not particulary intelligent—not a man likely
We sat for some time in silence after our visitors to be congenial to a quick-witted Latin. Why, then,
had left. Holmes smoked hard, with his browns was he picked out from all the other people whom
drawn down over his keen eyes, and his head thrust Garcia met as particularly suited to his purpose?
forward in the eager way characteristic of the man. Has he any one outstanding quality? I say that he
has. He is the very type of conventional British
“Well, Watson,” he asked, turning suddenly respectability, and the very man as a witness to
upon me, “what do you make of it?” impress another Briton. You saw yourself how nei-
“I can make nothing of this mystification of ther of the inspectors dreamed of questioning his
Scott Eccles.” statement, extraordinary as it was.”
“But the crime?” “But what was he to witness?”
“Well, taken with the disappearance of the “Nothing, as things turned out, but everything
man’s companions, I should say that they were had they gone another way. That is how I read the
in some way concerned in the murder and had fled matter.”
from justice.” “I see, he might have proved an alibi.”
“That is certainly a possible point of view. On “Exactly, my dear Watson; he might have proved
the face of it you must admit, however, that it is very an alibi. We will suppose, for argument’s sake, that
strange that his two servants should have been in a the household of Wisteria Lodge are confederates
conspiracy against him and should have attacked in some design. The attempt, whatever it may be,
him on the one night when he had a guest. They is to come off, we will say, before one o’clock. By
had him alone at their mercy every other night in some juggling of the clocks it is quite possible that
the week.” they may have got Scott Eccles to bed earlier than
“Then why did they fly?” he thought, but in any case it is likely that when
“Quite so. Why did they fly? There is a big fact. Garcia went out of his way to tell him that it was
Another big fact is the remarkable experience of one it was really not more than twelve. If Garcia
our client, Scott Eccles. Now, my dear Watson, is could do whatever he had to do and be back by the
it beyond the limits of human ingenuity to furnish hour mentioned he had evidently a powerful reply
an explanation which would cover both of these to any accusation. Here was this irreproachable
big facts? If it were one which would also admit of Englishman ready to swear in any court of law that
the mysterious note with its very curious phrase- the accused was in the house all the time. It was an
ology, why, then it would be worth accepting as insurance against the worst.”
a temporary hypothesis. If the fresh facts which “Yes, yes, I see that. But how about the disap-
come to our knowledge all fit themselves into the pearance of the others?”
scheme, then our hypothesis may gradually become “I have not all my facts yet, but I do not think
a solution.” there are any insuperable difficulties. Still, it is
“But what is our hypothesis?” an error to argue in front of your data. You find

747
 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
corridor, seventh right, green baize.’ This is an “Well, my dear fellow, we have already arrived
assignation. We may find a jealous husband at the at the conclusion that the massage received by Gar-
bottom of it all. It was clearly a dangerous quest. cia at dinner was an appointment or an assignation.
She would not have said ‘Godspeed’ had it not been Now, if the obvious reading of it is correct, and in
so. ‘D’—that should be a guide.” order to keep the tryst one has to ascend a main
stair and seek the seventh door in a corridor, it is
“The man was a Spaniard. I suggest that ‘D’
perfectly clear that the house is a very large one. It
stands for Dolores, a common female name in
is equally certain that this house cannot be more
Spain.”
than a mile or two from Oxshott, since Garcia was
“Good, Watson, very good—but quite inadmiss- walking in that direction and hoped, according to
able. A Spaniard would write to a Spaniard in my reading of the facts, to be back in Wisteria
Spanish. The writer of this note is certainly English. Lodge in time to avail himself of an alibi, which
Well, we can only possess our soul in patience until would only be valid up to one o’clock. As the
this excellent inspector come back for us. Mean- number of large houses close to Oxshott must be
while we can thank our lucky fate which has res- limited, I adopted the obvious method of sending
cued us for a few short hours from the insufferable to the agents mentioned by Scott Eccles and obtain-
fatigues of idleness.” ing a list of them. Here they are in this telegram,
An answer had arrived to Holmes’s telegram and the other end of our tangled skein must lie
before our Surrey officer had returned. Holmes among them.”
read it and was about to place it in his notebook
when he caught a glimpse of my expectant face. He It was nearly six o’clock before we found our-
tossed it across with a laugh. selves in the pretty Surrey village of Esher, with
Inspector Baynes as our companion.
“We are moving in exalted circles,” said he.
The telegram was a list of names and addresses: Holmes and I had taken things for the night,
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 miles “There’s a constable in possession,” said Baynes.
brought us to a high wooden gate, which opened “I’ll knock at the window.” He stepped across the
into a gloomy avenue of chestnuts. The curved and grass plot and tapped with his hand on the pane.
shadowed drive led us to a low, dark house, pitch- Through the fogged glass I dimly saw a man spring
black against a slate-coloured sky. From the front up from a chair beside the fire, and heard a sharp
window upon the left of the door there peeped a cry from within the room. An instant later a white-
glimmer of a feeble light. faced, hard-breathing policeman had opened the

748
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

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

749
 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

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

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 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
and pursued by Constable Walters on the “I didn’t say so, Mr. Holmes; I didn’t say so. We
same evening, when he had the audacity to all have our little ways. You try yours and I will try
revisit Wisteria Lodge. Inspector Baynes, mine. That’s the agreement.”
considering that such a visit must have Holmes shrugged his shoulders as we walked
some purpose in view and was likely, there- away together. “I can’t make the man out. He
fore, to be repeated, abandoned the house seems to be riding for a fall. Well, as he says, we
but left an ambuscade in the shrubbery. The must each try our own way and see what comes of
man walked into the trap and was captured it. But there’s something in Inspector Baynes which
last night after a struggle in which Consta- I can’t quite understand.”
ble Downing was badly bitten by the sav-
age. We understand that when the prison “Just sit down in that chair, Watson,” said Sher-
is brought before the magistrates a remand lock Holmes when we had returned to our apart-
will be applied for by the police, and that ment at the Bull. “I want to put you in touch with
great developments are hoped from his cap- the situation, as I may need your help to-night. Let
ture.” me show you the evolution of this case so far as I
have been able to follow it. Simple as it has been in
“Really we must see Baynes at once,” cried Holmes, its leading features, it has none the less presented
picking up his hat. “We will just catch him before surprising difficulties in the way of an arrest. There
he starts.” We hurried down the village street and are gaps in that direction which we have still to fill.
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 asked, put aside this idea of Baynes’s that Garcia’s servants
holding one out to us. were concerned in the matter. The proof of this lies
“Yes, Baynes, I’ve seen it. Pray don’t think it a in the fact that it was he who had arranged for the
liberty if I give you a word of friendly warning.” presence of Scott Eccles, which could only have
“Of warning, Mr. Holmes?” been done for the purpose of an alibi. It was Gar-
cia, then, who had an enterprise, and apparently a
“I have looked into this case with some care, criminal enterprise, in hand that night in the course
and I am not convinced that you are on the right of which he met his death. I say ‘criminal’ because
lines. I don’t want you to commit yourself too far only a man with a criminal enterprise desires to
unless you are sure.” establish an alibi. Who, then, is most likely to have
“You’re very kind, Mr. Holmes.” taken his life? Surely the person against whom the
“I assure you I speak for your good.” criminal enterprise was directed. So far it seems to
me that we are on safe ground.
It seemed to me that something like a wink
quivered for an instant over one of Mr. Baynes’s “We can now see a reason for the disappearance
tiny eyes. of Garcia’s household. They were all confederates
in the same unknown crime. If it came off when
“We agreed to work on our own lines, Mr. Garcia returned, any possible suspicion would be
Holmes. That’s what I am doing.” warded off by the Englishman’s evidence, and all
“Oh, very good,” said Holmes. “Don’t blame would be well. But the attempt was a dangerous
me.” one, and if Garcia did not return by a certain hour

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 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

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

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 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

rate, we may take it as a hypothesis and see what evening were beginning to fall, when an excited
consequences it would entail. I may add that Miss rustic rushed into our room.
Burnet’s age and character make it certain that my “They’ve gone, Mr. Holmes. They went by the
first idea that there might be a love interest in our last train. The lady broke away, and I’ve got her in
story is out of the question. a cab downstairs.”
“If she wrote the note she was presumably the “Excellent, Warner!” cried Holmes, springing to
friend and confederate of Garcia. What, then, might his feet. “Watson, the gaps are closing rapidly.”
she be expected to do if she heard of his death? If he In the cab was a woman, half-collapsed from
met it in some nefarious enterprise her lips might nervous exhaustion. She bore upon her aquiline
be sealed. Still, in her heart, she must retain bitter- and emaciated face the traces of some recent
ness and hatred against those who had killed him tragedy. Her head hung listlessly upon her breast,
and would presumably help so far as she could to but as she raised it and turned her dull eyes upon
have revenge upon them. Could we see her, then us I saw that her pupils were dark dots in the cen-
and try to use her? That was my first thought. But tre of the broad gray iris. She was drugged with
now we come to a sinister fact. Miss Burnet has opium.
not been seen by any human eye since the night “I watched at the gate, same as you advised,
of the murder. From that evening she has utterly Mr. Holmes,” said our emissary, the discharged
vanished. Is she alive? Has she perhaps met her gardener. “When the carriage came out I followed
end on the same night as the friend whom she had it to the station. She was like one walking in her
summoned? Or is she merely a prisoner? There is sleep, but when they tried to get her into the train
the point which we still have to decide. she came to life and struggled. They pushed her
“You will appreciate the difficulty of the situa- into the carriage. She fought her way out again. I
tion, Watson. There is nothing upon which we can took her part, got her into a cab, and here we are.
apply for a warrant. Our whole scheme might seem I shan’t forget the face at the carriage window as
fantastic if laid before a magistrate. The woman’s I led her away. I’d have a short life if he had his
disappearance counts for nothing, since in that ex- way—the black-eyed, scowling, yellow devil.”
traordinary household any member of it might be We carried her upstairs, laid her on the sofa,
invisible for a week. And yet she may at the present and a couple of cups of the strongest coffee soon
moment be in danger of her life. All I can do is to cleared her brain from the mists of the drug. Baynes
watch the house and leave my agent, Warner, on had been summoned by Holmes, and the situation
guard at the gates. We can’t let such a situation rapidly explained to him.
continue. If the law can do nothing we must take “Why, sir, you’ve got me the very evidence
the risk ourselves.” I want,” said the inspector warmly, shaking my
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
It was not, I must confess, a very alluring 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 have
should have so adventurous an ending. It was instinct and intuition,” said he.
about five o’clock, and the shadows of the March Baynes flushed with pleasure.

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 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

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

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 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

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

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 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

and winding path. Is there any point which is not “The torn bird, the pail of blood, the charred
quite clear to you?” bones, all the mystery of that weird kitchen?”
Holmes smiled as he turned up an entry in his
“The object of the mulatto cook’s return?” note-book.
“I spent a morning in the British Museum read-
“I think that the strange creature in the kitchen
ing up on that and other points. Here is a quotation
may account for it. The man was a primitive savage
from Eckermann’s Voodooism and the Negroid Reli-
from the backwoods of San Pedro, and this was
gions:
his fetish. When his companion and he had fled
to some prearranged retreat—already occupied, no “ ‘The true voodoo-worshipper attempts noth-
doubt by a confederate—the companion had per- ing of importance without certain sacrifices which
suaded him to leave so compromising an article of are intended to propitiate his unclean gods. In
furniture. But the mulatto’s heart was with it, and extreme cases these rites take the form of human
he was driven back to it next day, when, on recon- sacrifices followed by cannibalism. The more usual
noitering through the window, he found policeman victims are a white cock, which is plucked in pieces
Walters in possession. He waited three days longer, alive, or a black goat, whose throat is cut and body
and then his piety or his superstition drove him burned.’
to try once more. Inspector Baynes, who, with his “So you see our savage friend was very ortho-
usual astuteness, had minimized the incident be- dox in his ritual. It is grotesque, Watson,” Holmes
fore me, had really recognized its importance and added, as he slowly fastened his notebook, “but, as
had left a trap into which the creature walked. Any I have had occasion to remark, there is but one step
other point, Watson?” from the grotesque to the horrible.”

756
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box
I
The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

n choosing a few typical cases which il- He laughed heartily at my perplexity.

lustrate the remarkable mental qualities “You remember,” said he, “that some little time
of my friend, Sherlock Holmes, I have ago when I read you the passage in one of Poe’s
endeavoured, as far as possible, to select sketches in which a close reasoner follows the un-
those which presented the minimum of sensation- spoken thoughts of his companion, you were in-
alism, while offering a fair field for his talents. It clined to treat the matter as a mere tour-de-force of
is, however, unfortunately impossible entirely to the author. On my remarking that I was constantly
separate the sensational from the criminal, and a in the habit of doing the same thing you expressed
chronicler is left in the dilemma that he must either incredulity.”
sacrifice details which are essential to his statement
“Oh, no!”
and so give a false impression of the problem, or he
must use matter which chance, and not choice, has “Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Wat-
provided him with. With this short preface I shall son, but certainly with your eyebrows. So when I
turn to my notes of what proved to be a strange, saw you throw down your paper and enter upon
though a peculiarly terrible, chain of events. a train of thought, I was very happy to have the
opportunity of reading it off, and eventually of
It was a blazing hot day in August. Baker Street breaking into it, as a proof that I had been in rap-
was like an oven, and the glare of the sunlight port with you.”
upon the yellow brickwork of the house across the
road was painful to the eye. It was hard to believe But I was still far from satisfied. “In the example
that these were the same walls which loomed so which you read to me,” said I, “the reasoner drew
gloomily through the fogs of winter. Our blinds his conclusions from the actions of the man whom
were half-drawn, and Holmes lay curled upon the he observed. If I remember right, he stumbled over
sofa, reading and re-reading a letter which he had a heap of stones, looked up at the stars, and so
received by the morning post. For myself, my term on. But I have been seated quietly in my chair, and
of service in India had trained me to stand heat what clues can I have given you?”
better than cold, and a thermometer at ninety was “You do yourself an injustice. The features are
no hardship. But the morning paper was uninter- given to man as the means by which he shall ex-
esting. Parliament had risen. Everybody was out press his emotions, and yours are faithful servants.”
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. He commenced?”
loved to lie in the very center of five millions of peo-
“No, I cannot.”
ple, with his filaments stretching out and running
through them, responsive to every little rumour “Then I will tell you. After throwing down your
or suspicion of unsolved crime. Appreciation of paper, which was the action which drew my atten-
nature found no place among his many gifts, and tion to you, you sat for half a minute with a vacant
his only change was when he turned his mind from expression. Then your eyes fixed themselves upon
the evil-doer of the town to track down his brother your newly framed picture of General Gordon, and
of the country. I saw by the alteration in your face that a train of
thought had been started. But it did not lead very
Finding that Holmes was too absorbed for con-
far. Your eyes flashed across to the unframed por-
versation I had tossed side the barren paper, and
trait of Henry Ward Beecher which stands upon
leaning back in my chair I fell into a brown study.
the top of your books. Then you glanced up at
Suddenly my companion’s voice broke in upon my
the wall, and of course your meaning was obvious.
thoughts:
You were thinking that if the portrait were framed
“You are right, Watson,” said he. “It does seem it would just cover that bare space and correspond
a most preposterous way of settling a dispute.” with Gordon’s picture there.”
“Most preposterous!” I exclaimed, and then “You have followed me wonderfully!” I ex-
suddenly realizing how he had echoed the inmost claimed.
thought of my soul, I sat up in my chair and stared “So far I could hardly have gone astray. But
at him in blank amazement. now your thoughts went back to Beecher, and you
“What is this, Holmes?” I cried. “This is beyond looked hard across as if you were studying the
anything which I could have imagined.” character in his features. Then your eyes ceased

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 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

to pucker, but you continued to look across, and the incident. At two o’clock yesterday after-
your face was thoughtful. You were recalling the noon a small packet, wrapped in brown pa-
incidents of Beecher’s career. I was well aware that per, was handed in by the postman. A card-
you could not do this without thinking of the mis- board box was inside, which was filled with
sion which he undertook on behalf of the North at coarse salt. On emptying this, Miss Cush-
the time of the Civil War, for I remember your ex- ing was horrified to find two human ears,
pressing your passionate indignation at the way in apparently quite freshly severed. The box
which he was received by the more turbulent of our had been sent by parcel post from Belfast
people. You felt so strongly about it that I knew you upon the morning before. There is no in-
could not think of Beecher without thinking of that dication as to the sender, and the matter
also. When a moment later I saw your eyes wander is the more mysterious as Miss Cushing,
away from the picture, I suspected that your mind who is a maiden lady of fifty, has led a most
had now turned to the Civil War, and when I ob- retired life, and has so few acquaintances
served that your lips set, your eyes sparkled, and or correspondents that it is a rare event for
your hands clenched I was positive that you were her to receive anything through the post.
indeed thinking of the gallantry which was shown Some years ago, however, when she resided
by both sides in that desperate struggle. But then, at Penge, she let apartments in her house
again, your face grew sadder, you shook your head. to three young medical students, whom she
You were dwelling upon the sadness and horror was obliged to get rid of on account of their
and useless waste of life. Your hand stole towards noisy and irregular habits. The police are
your own old wound and a smile quivered on your of opinion that this outrage may have been
lips, which showed me that the ridiculous side of perpetrated upon Miss Cushing by these
this method of settling international questions had youths, who owed her a grudge and who
forced itself upon your mind. At this point I agreed hoped to frighten her by sending her these
with you that it was preposterous and was glad to relics of the dissecting-rooms. Some proba-
find that all my deductions 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 in 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 day,
column. Perhaps you would be good enough to and they have no means of identifying
read it aloud.” this particular one, or of remembering
the sender. The box is a half-pound box
I picked up the paper which he had thrown of honeydew tobacco and does not help
back to me and read the paragraph indicated. It us in any way. The medical student the-
was headed, “A Gruesome Packet.” ory still appears to me to be the most
“Miss Susan Cushing, living at Cross feasible, but if you should have a few
Street, Croydon, has been made the victim hours to spare I should be very happy
of what must be regarded as a peculiarly re- to see you out here. I shall be either
volting practical joke unless some more sin- at the house or in the police-station all
ister meaning should prove to be attached to day.

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 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

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

761
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

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

762
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

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

763
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

“I have found out everything!” secret, and a portrait which showed me that she
“What!” Lestrade stared at him in amazement. had two younger sisters. It instantly flashed across
“You are joking.” my mind that the box might have been meant for
one of these. I set the idea aside as one which could
“I was never more serious in my life. A shock- be disproved or confirmed at our leisure. Then we
ing crime has been committed, and I think I have went to the garden, as you remember, and we saw
now laid bare every detail of it.” the very singular contents of the little yellow box.
“And the criminal?”
“The string was of the quality which is used
Holmes scribbled a few words upon the back by sail-makers aboard ship, and at once a whiff of
of one of his visiting cards and threw it over to the sea was perceptible in our investigation. When
Lestrade. I observed that the knot was one which is popu-
“That is the name,” he said. “You cannot effect lar with sailors, that the parcel had been posted at
an arrest until to-morrow night at the earliest. I a port, and that the male ear was pierced for an
should prefer that you do not mention my name earring which is so much more common among
at all in connection with the case, as I choose to be sailors than landsmen, I was quite certain that all
only associated with those crimes which present the actors in the tragedy were to be found among
some difficulty in their solution. Come on, Wat- our seafaring classes.
son.” We strode off together to the station, leaving “When I came to examine the address of the
Lestrade still staring with a delighted face at the packet I observed that it was to Miss S. Cushing.
card which Holmes had thrown him. Now, the oldest sister would, of course, be Miss
“The case,” said Sherlock Holmes as we chat- Cushing, and although her initial was ‘S’ it might
ted over or cigars that night in our rooms at Baker belong to one of the others as well. In that case we
Street, “is one where, as in the investigations which should have to commence our investigation from
you have chronicled under the names of ‘A Study a fresh basis altogether. I therefore went into the
in Scarlet’ and of ‘The Sign of Four,’ we have house with the intention of clearing up this point.
been compelled to reason backward from effects to I was about to assure Miss Cushing that I was con-
causes. I have written to Lestrade asking him to vinced that a mistake had been made when you
supply us with the details which are now wanting, may remember that I came suddenly to a stop. The
and which he will only get after he had secured fact was that I had just seen something which filled
his man. That he may be safely trusted to do, for me with surprise and at the same time narrowed
although he is absolutely devoid of reason, he is as the field of our inquiry immensely.
tenacious as a bulldog when he once understands “As a medical man, you are aware, Watson, that
what he has to do, and indeed, it is just this tenac- there is no part of the body which varies so much as
ity which has brought him to the top at Scotland the human ear. Each ear is as a rule quite distinctive
Yard.” and differs from all other ones. In last year’s An-
“Your case is not complete, then?” I asked. thropological Journal you will find two short mono-
“It is fairly complete in essentials. We know graphs from my pen upon the subject. I had, there-
who the author of the revolting business is, al- fore, examined the ears in the box with the eyes of
though one of the victims still escapes us. Of course, an expert and had carefully noted their anatomical
you have formed your own conclusions.” peculiarities. Imagine my surprise, then, when on
looking at Miss Cushing I perceived that her ear
“I presume that this Jim Browner, the steward of
corresponded exactly with the female ear which
a Liverpool boat, is the man whom you suspect?”
I had just inspected. The matter was entirely be-
“Oh! it is more than a suspicion.” yond coincidence. There was the same shortening
“And yet I cannot see anything save very vague of the pinna, the same broad curve of the upper
indications.” lobe, the same convolution of the inner cartilage.
“On the contrary, to my mind nothing could be In all essentials it was the same ear.
more clear. Let me run over the principal steps. We “In the first place, her sister’s name was Sarah,
approached the case, you remember, with an abso- and her address had until recently been the same,
lutely blank mind, which is always an advantage. so that it was quite obvious how the mistake had oc-
We had formed no theories. We were simply there curred and for whom the packet was meant. Then
to observe and to draw inferences from our obser- we heard of this steward, married to the third sister,
vations. What did we see first? A very placid and and learned that he had at one time been so inti-
respectable lady, who seemed quite innocent of any mate with Miss Sarah that she had actually gone up

764
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

to Liverpool to be near the Browners, but a quarrel clear that we should have to wait some time for any
had afterwards divided them. This quarrel had put assistance from her.
a stop to all communications for some months, so “However, we were really independent of her
that if Browner had occasion to address a packet to help. Our answers were waiting for us at the police-
Miss Sarah, he would undoubtedly have done so to station, where I had directed Algar to send them.
her old address. Nothing could be more conclusive. Mrs. Browner’s
“And now the matter had begun to straighten house had been closed for more than three days,
itself out wonderfully. We had learned of the and the neighbours were of opinion that she had
existence of this steward, an impulsive man, of gone south to see her relatives. It had been ascer-
strong passions—you remember that he threw up tained at the shipping offices that Browner had left
what must have been a very superior berth in or- aboard of the May Day, and I calculate that she
der to be nearer to his wife—subject, too, to oc- is due in the Thames tomorrow night. When he
casional fits of hard drinking. We had reason to arrives he will be met by the obtuse but resolute
believe that his wife had been murdered, and that a Lestrade, and I have no doubt that we shall have
man—presumably a seafaring man—had been mur- all our details filled in.”
dered at the same time. Jealousy, of course, at once Sherlock Holmes was not disappointed in his
suggests itself as the motive for the crime. And expectations. Two days later he received a bulky
why should these proofs of the deed be sent to Miss envelope, which contained a short note from the de-
Sarah Cushing? Probably because during her resi- tective, and a typewritten document, which covered
dence in Liverpool she had some hand in bringing several pages of foolscap.
about the events which led to the tragedy. You will “Lestrade has got him all right,” said Holmes,
observe that this line of boats call at Belfast, Dublin, glancing up at me. “Perhaps it would interest you
and Waterford; so that, presuming that Browner to hear what he says.
had committed the deed and had embarked at once
upon his steamer, the May Day, Belfast would be “My dear Mr. Holmes:
the first place at which he could post his terrible “In accordance with the scheme which
packet. we had formed in order to test our
theories” [“the ‘we’ is rather fine, Wat-
“A second solution was at this stage obviously
son, is it not?”] “I went down to the
possible, and although I thought it exceedingly un-
Albert Dock yesterday at 6 p.m., and
likely, I was determined to elucidate it before going
boarded the S.S. May Day, belonging
further. An unsuccessful lover might have killed
to the Liverpool, Dublin, and London
Mr. and Mrs. Browner, and the male ear might have
Steam Packet Company. On inquiry,
belonged to the husband. There were many grave
I found that there was a steward on
objections to this theory, but it was conceivable. I
board of the name of James Browner
therefore sent off a telegram to my friend Algar, of
and that he had acted during the voy-
the Liverpool force, and asked him to find out if
age in such an extraordinary manner
Mrs. Browner were at home, and if Browner had
that the captain had been compelled to
departed in the May Day. Then we went on to
relieve him of his duties. On descending
Wallington to visit Miss Sarah.
to his berth, I found him seated upon
“I was curious, in the first place, to see how far a chest with his head sunk upon his
the family ear had been reproduced in her. Then, hands, rocking himself to and fro. He is
of course, she might give us very important infor- a big, powerful chap, clean-shaven, and
mation, but I was not sanguine that she would. very swarthy—something like Aldrige,
She must have heard of the business the day be- who helped us in the bogus laundry af-
fore, since all Croydon was ringing with it, and she fair. He jumped up when he heard my
alone could have understood for whom the packet business, and I had my whistle to my
was meant. If she had been willing to help justice lips to call a couple of river police, who
she would probably have communicated with the were round the corner, but he seemed
police already. However, it was clearly our duty to have no heart in him, and he held
to see her, so we went. We found that the news out his hands quietly enough for the
of the arrival of the packet—for her illness dated darbies. We brought him along to the
from that time—had such an effect upon her as to cells, and his box as well, for we thought
bring on brain fever. It was clearer than ever that there might be something incriminating;
she understood its full significance, but equally but, bar a big sharp knife such as most

765
 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

sailors have, we got nothing for our gel. Sarah was thirty-three, and Mary was
trouble. However, we find that we shall twenty-nine when I married. We were just
want no more evidence, for on being as happy as the day was long when we set
brought before the inspector at the sta- up house together, and in all Liverpool there
tion he asked leave to make a statement, was no better woman than my Mary. And
which was, of course, taken down, just then we asked Sarah up for a week, and the
as he made it, by our shorthand man. week grew into a month, and one thing led
We had three copies typewritten, one of to another, until she was just one of our-
which I enclose. The affair proves, as selves.
I always thought it would, to be an ex- “ ‘I was blue ribbon at that time, and we
tremely simple one, but I am obliged to were putting a little money by, and all was
you for assisting me in my investigation. as bright as a new dollar. My God, whoever
With kind regards, would have thought that it could have come
— “Yours very truly, to this? Whoever would have dreamed it?
“G. Lestrade. “ ‘I used to be home for the week-ends very
often, and sometimes if the ship were held
“Hum! The investigation really was a very sim- back for cargo I would have a whole week
ple one,” remarked Holmes, “but I don’t think it at a time, and in this way I saw a deal of
struck him in that light when he first called us in. my sister-in-law, Sarah. She was a fine tall
However, let us see what Jim Browner has to say woman, black and quick and fierce, with a
for himself. This is his statement as made before In- proud way of carrying her head, and a glint
spector Montgomery at the Shadwell Police Station, from her eye like a spark from a flint. But
and it has the advantage of being verbatim.” when little Mary was there I had never a
“ ‘Have I anything to say? Yes, I have a thought of her, and that I swear as I hope
deal to say. I have to make a clean breast of for God’s mercy.
it all. You can hang me, or you can leave “ ‘It had seemed to me sometimes that she
me alone. I don’t care a plug which you do. liked to be alone with me, or to coax me
I tell you I’ve not shut an eye in sleep since out for a walk with her, but I had never
I did it, and I don’t believe I ever will again thought anything of that. But one evening
until I get past all waking. Sometimes it’s my eyes were opened. I had come up from
his face, but most generally it’s hers. I’m the ship and found my wife out, but Sarah
never without one or the other before me. at home. “Where’s Mary?” I asked. “Oh,
He looks frowning and black-like, but she she has gone to pay some accounts.” I was
has a kind o’ surprise upon her face. Ay, impatient and paced up and down the room.
the white lamb, she might well be surprised “Can’t you be happy for five minutes with-
when she read death on a face that had sel- out Mary, Jim?” says she. “It’s a bad
dom looked anything but love upon her be- compliment to me that you can’t be con-
fore. tented with my society for so short a time.”
“ ‘But it was Sarah’s fault, and may the “That’s all right, my lass,” said I, putting
curse of a broken man put a blight on her out my hand towards her in a kindly way,
and set the blood rotting in her veins! It’s but she had it in both hers in an instant,
not that I want to clear myself. I know that and they burned as if they were in a fever.
I went back to drink, like the beast that I I looked into her eyes and I read it all there.
was. But she would have forgiven me; she There was no need for her to speak, nor for
would have stuck as close to me as a rope me either. I frowned and drew my hand
to a block if that woman had never dark- away. Then she stood by my side in silence
ened our door. For Sarah Cushing loved for a bit, and then put up her hand and pat-
me—that’s the root of the business—she ted me on the shoulder. “Steady old Jim!”
loved me until all her love turned to poi- said she, and with a kind o’ mocking laugh,
sonous hate when she knew that I thought she ran out of the room.
more of my wife’s footmark in the mud than “ ‘Well, from that time Sarah hated me with
I did of her whole body and soul. her whole heart and soul, and she is a
“ ‘There were three sisters altogether. The woman who can hate, too. I was a fool
old one was just a good woman, the sec- to let her go on biding with us—a besot-
ond was a devil, and the third was an an- ted fool—but I never said a word to Mary,

766
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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 “ ‘Well, I don’t know now whether it was
mind against me, but I was such a blind pure devilry on the part of this woman, or
beetle that I could not understand it at the whether she thought that she could turn me
time. Then I broke my blue ribbon and be- against my wife by encouraging her to mis-
gan to drink again, but I think I should not behave. Anyway, she took a house just two
have done it if Mary had been the same as streets off and let lodgings to sailors. Fair-
ever. She had some reason to be disgusted bairn used to stay there, and Mary would
with me now, and the gap between us began go round to have tea with her sister and
to be wider and wider. And then this Alec him. How often she went I don’t know, but
Fairbairn chipped in, and things became a I followed her one day, and as I broke in at
thousand times blacker. the door Fairbairn got away over the back
“ ‘It was to see Sarah that he came to my garden wall, like the cowardly skunk that
house first, but soon it was to see us, for he was. I swore to my wife that I would
he was a man with winning ways, and kill her if I found her in his company again,
he made friends wherever he went. He and I led her back with me, sobbing and
was a dashing, swaggering chap, smart and trembling, and as white as a piece of paper.
curled, who had seen half the world and There was no trace of love between us any
could talk of what he had seen. He was longer. I could see that she hated me and
good company, I won’t deny it, and he had feared me, and when the thought of it drove
wonderful polite ways with him for a sailor me to drink, then she despised me as well.
man, so that I think there must have been “ ‘Well, Sarah found that she could not
a time when he knew more of the poop than make a living in Liverpool, so she went
the forecastle. For a month he was in and back, as I understand, to live with her sister
out of my house, and never once did it cross in Croydon, and things jogged on much the
my mind that harm might come of his soft, same as ever at home. And then came this
tricky ways. And then at last something week and all the misery and ruin.
made me suspect, and from that day my “ ‘It was in this way. We had gone on the
peace was gone forever. May Day for a round voyage of seven days,
“ ‘It was only a little thing, too. I had but a hogshead got loose and started one
come into the parlour unexpected, and as of our plates, so that we had to put back
I walked in at the door I saw a light of wel- into port for twelve hours. I left the ship
come on my wife’s face. But as she saw and came home, thinking what a surprise
who it was it faded again, and she turned it would be for my wife, and hoping that
away with a look of disappointment. That maybe she would be glad to see me so soon.
was enough for me. There was no one but The thought was in my head as I turned
Alec Fairbairn whose step she could have into my own street, and at that moment a
mistaken for mine. If I could have seen him cab passed me, and there she was, sitting by
then I should have killed him, for I have the side of Fairbairn, the two chatting and
always been like a madman when my tem- laughing, with never a thought for me as I
per gets loose. Mary saw the devil’s light stood watching them from the footpath.

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 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

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

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

Table of contents
Part One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 773
Part Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

CHAPTER I.

W
Part One

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

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

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

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

“But for what possible end?” “It’s a police matter, Mr. Holmes!” she cried.
“Ah! there lies our problem. There is one rather “I’ll have no more of it! He shall pack out of there
obvious line of investigation.” He took down the with his baggage. I would have gone straight up
great book in which, day by day, he filed the agony and told him so, only I thought it was but fair to
columns of the various London journals. “Dear you to take your opinion first. But I’m at the end
me!” said he, turning over the pages, “what a cho- of my patience, and when it comes to knocking my
rus of groans, cries, and bleatings! What a rag- old man about—”
bag of singular happenings! But surely the most “Knocking Mr. Warren about?”
valuable hunting-ground that ever was given to a
“Using him roughly, anyway.”
student of the unusual! This person is alone and
cannot be approached by letter without a breach “But who used him roughly?”
of that absolute secrecy which is desired. How “Ah! that’s what we want to know! It was this
is any news or any message to reach him from morning, sir. Mr. Warren is a timekeeper at Mor-
without? Obviously by advertisement through a ton and Waylight’s, in Tottenham Court Road. He
newspaper. There seems no other way, and for- has to be out of the house before seven. Well, this
tunately we need concern ourselves with the one morning he had not gone ten paces down the road
paper only. Here are the Daily Gazette extracts of when two men came up behind him, threw a coat
the last fortnight. ‘Lady with a black boa at Prince’s over his head, and bundled him into a cab that was
Skating Club’—that we may pass. ‘Surely Jimmy beside the curb. They drove him an hour, and then
will not break his mother’s heart’—that appears opened the door and shot him out. He lay in the
to be irrelevant. ‘If the lady who fainted on Brix- roadway so shaken in his wits that he never saw
ton bus’—she does not interest me. ‘Every day my what became of the cab. When he picked himself
heart longs—’ Bleat, Watson—unmitigated bleat! up he found he was on Hampstead Heath; so he
Ah, this is a little more possible. Listen to this: ‘Be took a bus home, and there he lies now on his sofa,
patient. Will find some sure means of communi- while I came straight round to tell you what had
cations. Meanwhile, this column. G.’ That is two happened.”
days after Mrs. Warren’s lodger arrived. It sounds “Most interesting,” said Holmes. “Did he ob-
plausible, does it not? The mysterious one could serve the appearance of these men—did he hear
understand English, even if he could not print it. them talk?”
Let us see if we can pick up the trace again. Yes,
here we are—three days later. ‘Am making suc- “No; he is clean dazed. He just knows that he
cessful arrangements. Patience and prudence. The was lifted up as if by magic and dropped as if by
clouds will pass. G.’ Nothing for a week after that. magic. Two a least were in it, and maybe three.”
Then comes something much more definite: ‘The “And you connect this attack with your lodger?”
path is clearing. If I find chance signal message “Well, we’ve lived there fifteen years and no
remember code agreed—One A, two B, and so on. such happenings ever came before. I’ve had enough
You will hear soon. G.’ That was in yesterday’s of him. Money’s not everything. I’ll have him out
paper, and there is nothing in to-day’s. It’s all very of my house before the day is done.”
appropriate to Mrs. Warren’s lodger. If we wait a
“Wait a bit, Mrs. Warren. Do nothing rash. I
little, Watson, I don’t doubt that the affair will grow
begin to think that this affair may be very much
more intelligible.”
more important than appeared at first sight. It is
So it proved; for in the morning I found my clear now that some danger is threatening your
friend standing on the hearthrug with his back to lodger. It is equally clear that his enemies, lying in
the fire and a smile of complete satisfaction upon wait for him near your door, mistook your husband
his face. for him in the foggy morning light. On discovering
“How’s this, Watson?” he cried, picking up the their mistake they released him. What they would
paper from the table. “’High red house with white have done had it not been a mistake, we can only
stone facings. Third floor. Second window left. Af- conjecture.”
ter dusk. G.’ That is definite enough. I think after
“Well, what am I to do, Mr. Holmes?”
breakfast we must make a little reconnaissance of
Mrs. Warren’s neighbourhood. Ah, Mrs. Warren! “I have a great fancy to see this lodger of yours,
what news do you bring us this morning?” Mrs. Warren.”
Our client had suddenly burst into the room “I don’t see how that is to be managed, unless
with an explosive energy which told of some new you break in the door. I always hear him unlock it
and momentous development. as I go down the stair after I leave the tray.”

775
 The Adventure of the Red Circle

“He has to take the tray in. Surely we could “I will call again in the evening,” said he to
conceal ourselves and see him do it.” the expectant landlady. “I think, Watson, we can
discuss this business better in our own quarters.”
The landlady thought for a moment.
“My surmise, as you saw, proved to be correct,”
“Well, sir, there’s the box-room opposite. I could said he, speaking from the depths of his easy-chair.
arrange a looking-glass, maybe, and if you were “There has been a substitution of lodgers. What
behind the door—” I did not foresee is that we should find a woman,
“Excellent!” said Holmes. “When does he and no ordinary woman, Watson.”
lunch?” “She saw us.”
“About one, sir.” “Well, she saw something to alarm her. That is
certain. The general sequence of events is pretty
“Then Dr. Watson and I will come round in time. clear, is it not? A couple seek refuge in London
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 precautions.
the steps of Mrs. Warren’s house—a high, thin, The man, who has some work which he must do,
yellow-brick edifice in Great Orme Street, a narrow desires to leave the woman in absolute safety while
thoroughfare at the northeast side of the British he does it. It is not an easy problem, but he solved
Museum. Standing as it does near the corner of it in an original fashion, and so effectively that her
the street, it commands a view down Howe Street, presence was not even known to the landlady who
with its ore pretentious houses. Holmes pointed supplies her with food. The printed messages, as
with a chuckle to one of these, a row of residential is now evident, were to prevent her sex being dis-
flats, which projected so that they could not fail to covered by her writing. The man cannot come near
catch the eye. the woman, or he will guide their enemies to her.
Since he cannot communicate with her direct, he
“See, Watson!” said he. “ ‘High red house with has recourse to the agony column of a paper. So
stone facings.’ There is the signal station all right. far all is clear.”
We know the place, and we know the code; so
surely our task should be simple. There’s a ‘to let’ “But what is at the root of it?”
card in that window. It is evidently an empty flat “Ah, yes, Watson—severely practical, as usual!
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
more sinister aspect as we proceed. This much
“I have it all ready for you. If you will both we can say: that it is no ordinary love escapade.
come up and leave your boots below on the land- You saw the woman’s face at the sign of danger.
ing, I’ll put you there now.” We have heard, too, of the attack upon the land-
It was an excellent hiding-place which she had lord, which was undoubtedly meant for the lodger.
arranged. The mirror was so placed that, seated These alarms, and the desperate need for secrecy,
in the dark, we could very plainly see the door op- argue that the matter is one of life or death. The
posite. We had hardly settled down in it, and Mrs. attack upon Mr. Warren further shows that the en-
Warren left us, when a distant tinkle announced emy, whoever they are, are themselves not aware of
that our mysterious neighbour had rung. Presently the substitution of the female lodger for the male.
the landlady appeared with the tray, laid it down It is very curious and complex, Watson.”
upon a chair beside the closed door, and then, tread- “Why should you go further in it? What have
ing heavily, departed. Crouching together in the you to gain from it?”
angle of the door, we kept our eyes fixed upon the
“What, indeed? It is art for art’s sake, Watson.
mirror. Suddenly, as the landlady’s footsteps died
I suppose when you doctored you found yourself
away, there was the creak of a turning key, the han-
studying cases without thought of a fee?”
dle revolved, and two thin hands darted out and
lifted the tray form the chair. An instant later it “For my education, Holmes.”
was hurriedly replaced, and I caught a glimpse of a “Education never ends, Watson. It is a series
dark, beautiful, horrified face glaring at the narrow of lessons with the greatest for the last. This is an
opening of the box-room. Then the door crashed instructive case. There is neither money nor credit
to, the key turned once more, and all was silence. in it, and yet one would wish to tidy it up. When
Holmes twitched my sleeve, and together we stole dusk comes we should find ourselves one stage
down the stair. advanced in our investigation.”

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

When we returned to Mrs. Warren’s rooms, the means that it is addressed to a woman. ‘Beware!
gloom of a London winter evening had thickened Beware! Beware!’ How’s that, Watson?
into one gray curtain, a dead monotone of colour, “I believe you have hit it.”
broken only by the sharp yellow squares of the
“Not a doubt of it. It is a very urgent message,
windows and the blurred haloes of the gas-lamps.
thrice repeated to make it more so. But beware of
As we peered from the darkened sitting-room of
what? Wait a bit, he is coming to the window once
the lodging-house, one more dim light glimmered
more.”
high up through the obscurity.
Again we saw the dim silhouette of a crouching
“Someone is moving in that room,” said Holmes man and the whisk of the small flame across the
in a whisper, his gaunt and eager face thrust for- window as the signals were renewed. They came
ward to the window-pane. “Yes, I can see his more rapidly than before—so rapid that it was hard
shadow. There he is again! He has a candle in to follow them.
his hand. Now he is peering across. He wants to “PERICOLO—pericolo—eh, what’s that, Wat-
be sure that she is on the lookout. Now he begins son? ‘Danger,’ isn’t it? Yes, by Jove, it’s a danger
to flash. Take the message also, Watson, that we signal. There he goes again! PERI. Halloa, what on
may check each other. A single flash—that is A, earth—”
surely. Now, then. How many did you make it?
Twenty. Do did In. That should mean T. AT—that’s The light had suddenly gone out, the glimmer-
intelligible enough. Another T. Surely this is the ing square of window had disappeared, and the
beginning of a second word. Now, then—TENTA. third floor formed a dark band round the lofty
Dead stop. That can’t be all, Watson? ATTENTA building, with its tiers of shining casements. That
gives no sense. Nor is it any better as three words last warning cry had been suddenly cut short. How,
AT, TEN, TA, unless T. A. are a person’s initials. and by whom? The same thought occurred on the
There it goes again! What’s that? ATTE—why, it instant to us both. Holmes sprang up from where
is the same message over again. Curious, Watson, he crouched by the window.
very curious. Now he is off once more! AT—why “This is serious, Watson,” he cried. “There is
he is repeating it for the third time. ATTENTA some devilry going forward! Why should such a
three times! How often will he repeat it? No, that message stop in such a way? I should put Scotland
seems to be the finish. He has withdrawn form the Yard in touch with this business—and yet, it is too
window. What do you make of it, Watson?” pressing for us to leave.”
“Shall I go for the police?”
“A cipher message, Holmes.”
“We must define the situation a little more
My companion gave a sudden chuckle of com- clearly. It may bear some more innocent interpreta-
prehension. “And not a very obscure cipher, Wat- tion. Come, Watson, let us go across ourselves and
son,” said he. “Why, of course, it is Italian! The A see what we can make of it.”

CHAPTER II.
Part Two

As we walked rapidly down Howe Street I leaning against the railing. He started as the hall-
glanced back at the building which we had left. light fell upon our faces.
There, dimly outlined at the top window, I could
“Holmes!” he cried.
see the shadow of a head, a woman’s head, gazing
tensely, rigidly, out into the night, waiting with “Why, Gregson!” said my companion as he
breathless suspense for the renewal of that inter- shook hands with the Scotland Yard detective.
rupted message. At the doorway of the Howe Street “Journeys end with lovers’ meetings. What brings
flats a man, muffled in a cravat and greatcoat, was you here?”

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

“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
this business.” suggest, 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
“He is in unoccupied premises under suspi-
side. There’s only the one exit to these flats, so we
cious circumstances,” said Gregson. “That is good
have him safe.”
enough for the moment. When we have him by the
“Who is he?” heels we can see if New York can’t help us to keep
“Well, well, we score over you for once, Mr. him. I’ll take the responsibility of arresting him
Holmes. You must give us best this time.” He 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 at The door of the left-hand flat upon the third
the words of commendation. “I am on the trail of landing was standing ajar. Gregson pushed it open.
my life now, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “If I can get Within all was absolute silence and darkness. I
Gorgiano—” struck a match and lit the detective’s lantern. As I
did so, and as the flicker steadied into a flame, we
“What! Gorgiano of the Red Circle?” all gave a gasp of surprise. On the deal boards of
“Oh, he has a European fame, has he? Well, the carpetless floor there was outlined a fresh track
we’ve learned all about him in America. We know of blood. The red steps pointed towards us and led
he is at the bottom of fifty murders, and yet we have away from an inner room, the door of which was
nothing positive we can take him on. I tracked him closed. Gregson flung it open and held his light full
over from New York, and I’ve been close to him blaze in front of him, while we all peered eagerly
for a week in London, waiting some excuse to get over his shoulders.
my hand on his collar. Mr. Gregson and I ran him In the middle of the floor of the empty room
to ground in that big tenement house, and there’s was huddled the figure of an enormous man, his
only one door, so he can’t slip us. There’s three folk clean-shaven, swarthy face grotesquely horrible in
come out since he went in, but I’ll swear he wasn’t its contortion and his head encircled by a ghastly
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
In a few clear words Holmes explained the situ- projected the white haft of a knife driven blade-
ation as it had appeared to us. The American struck deep into his body. Giant as he was, the man must
his hands together with vexation. have gone down like a pole-axed ox before that ter-
rific blow. Beside his right hand a most formidable
“He’s on to us!” he cried. horn-handled, two-edged dagger lay upon the floor,
“Why do you think so?” and near it a black kid glove.

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

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

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 The Adventure of the Red Circle

the chief lawyer and once the deputy of that part. fear—a deep, secret, shrinking fear. That night—the
Gennaro was in my father’s employment, and I night that I read his terror—I put my arms round
came to love him, as any woman must. He had nei- him and I implored him by his love for me and by
ther money nor position—nothing but his beauty all that he held dear to hold nothing from me, and
and strength and energy—so my father forbade the to tell me why this huge man overshadowed him
match. We fled together, were married at Bari, and so.
sold my jewels to gain the money which would
“He told me, and my own heart grew cold as
take us to America. This was four years ago, and
ice as I listened. My poor Gennaro, in his wild and
we have been in New York ever since.
fiery days, when all the world seemed against him
“Fortune was very good to us at first. Gennaro and his mind was driven half mad by the injustices
was able to do a service to an Italian gentleman—he of life, had joined a Neapolitan society, the Red
saved him from some ruffians in the place called the Circle, which was allied to the old Carbonari. The
Bowery, and so made a powerful friend. His name oaths and secrets of this brotherhood were fright-
was Tito Castalotte, and he was the senior partner ful, but once within its rule no escape was possible.
of the great firm of Castalotte and Zamba, who When we had fled to America Gennaro thought
are the chief fruit importers of New York. Signor that he had cast it all off forever. What was his hor-
Zamba is an invalid, and our new friend Castalotte ror one evening to meet in the streets the very man
has all power within the firm, which employs more who had initiated him in Naples, the giant Gor-
than three hundred men. He took my husband into giano, a man who had earned the name of ‘Death’
his employment, made him head of a department, in the south of Italy, for he was red to the elbow
and showed his good-will towards him in every in murder! He had come to New York to avoid
way. Signor Castalotte was a bachelor, and I believe the Italian police, and he had already planted a
that he felt as if Gennaro was his son, and both branch of this dreadful society in his new home.
my husband and I loved him as if he were our fa- All this Gennaro told me and showed me a sum-
ther. We had taken and furnished a little house in mons which he had received that very day, a Red
Brooklyn, and our whole future seemed assured Circle drawn upon the head of it telling him that a
when that black cloud appeared which was soon to lodge would be held upon a certain date, and that
overspread our sky. his presence at it was required and ordered.
“One night, when Gennaro returned from his “That was bad enough, but worse was to come.
work, he brought a fellow-countryman back with I had noticed for some time that when Gorgiano
him. His name was Gorgiano, and he had come came to us, as he constantly did, in the evening,
also from Posilippo. He was a huge man, as you can he spoke much to me; and even when his words
testify, for you have looked upon his corpse. Not were to my husband those terrible, glaring, wild-
only was his body that of a giant but everything beast eyes of his were always turned upon me. One
about him was grotesque, gigantic, and terrifying. night his secret came out. I had awakened what he
His voice was like thunder in our little house. There called ‘love’ within him—the love of a brute—a sav-
was scarce room for the whirl of his great arms as age. Gennaro had not yet returned when he came.
he talked. His thoughts, his emotions, his passions, He pushed his way in, seized me in his mighty
all were exaggerated and monstrous. He talked, or arms, hugged me in his bear’s embrace, covered
rather roared, with such energy that others could me with kisses, and implored me to come away
but sit and listen, cowed with the mighty stream with him. I was struggling and screaming when
of words. His eyes blazed at you and held you at Gennaro entered and attacked him. He struck Gen-
his mercy. He was a terrible and wonderful man. I naro senseless and fled from the house which he
thank God that he is dead! was never more to enter. It was a deadly enemy
that we made that night.
“He came again and again. Yet I was aware that
Gennaro was no more happy than I was in his pres- “A few days later came the meeting. Gennaro
ence. My poor husband would sit pale and listless, returned from it with a face which told me that
listening to the endless raving upon politics and something dreadful had occurred. It was worse
upon social questions which made up or visitor’s than we could have imagined possible. The funds
conversation. Gennaro said nothing, but I, who of the society were raised by blackmailing rich Ital-
knew him so well, could read in his face some emo- ians and threatening them with violence should
tion which I had never seen there before. At first they refuse the money. It seems that Castalotte, our
I thought that it was dislike. And then, gradually, dear friend and benefactor, had been approached.
I understood that it was more than dislike. It was He had refused to yield to threats, and he had

780
 The Adventure of the Red Circle

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

781
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington
Plans
I
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

n the third week of November, in the year It was the maid with a telegram. Holmes tore it
1895, a dense yellow fog settled down open and burst out laughing.
upon London. From the Monday to the “Well, well! What next?” said he. “Brother
Thursday I doubt whether it was ever pos- Mycroft is coming round.”
sible from our windows in Baker Street to see the “Why not?” I asked.
loom of the opposite houses. The first day Holmes
“Why not? It is as if you met a tram-car coming
had spent in cross-indexing his huge book of ref-
down a country lane. Mycroft has his rails and he
erences. The second and third had been patiently
runs on them. His Pall Mall lodgings, the Diogenes
occupied upon a subject which he hand recently
Club, Whitehall—that is his cycle. Once, and only
made his hobby—the music of the Middle Ages.
once, he has been here. What upheaval can possibly
But when, for the fourth time, after pushing back
have derailed him?”
our chairs from breakfast we saw the greasy, heavy
brown swirl still drifting past us and condensing in “Does he not explain?”
oily drops upon the window-panes, my comrade’s Holmes handed me his brother’s telegram.
impatient and active nature could endure this drab
existence no longer. He paced restlessly about our Must see you over Cadogen West. Com-
sitting-room in a fever of suppressed energy, biting ing at once.
his nails, tapping the furniture, and chafing against — Mycroft.
inaction.
“Cadogen West? I have heard the name.”
“Nothing of interest in the paper, Watson?” he
said. “It recalls nothing to my mind. But that Mycroft
should break out in this erratic fashion! A planet
In was aware that by anything of interest, might as well leave its orbit. By the way, do you
Holmes meant anything of criminal interest. There know what Mycroft is?”
was the news of a revolution, of a possible war, and
I had some vague recollection of an explanation
of an impending change of government; but these
at the time of the Adventure of the Greek Inter-
did not come within the horizon of my companion.
preter.
I could see nothing recorded in the shape of crime
which was not commonplace and futile. Holmes “You told me that he had some small office
groaned and resumed hs restless meanderings. under the British government.”
“The London criminal is certainly a dull fellow,” Holmes chuckled.
said he in the querulous voice of the sportsman “I did not know you quite so well in those days.
whose game has failed him. “Look out this win- One has to be discreet when one talks of high mat-
dow, Watson. See how the figures loom up, are ters of state. You are right in thinking that he under
dimly seen, and then blend once more into the the British government. You would also be right in
cloud-bank. The thief or the murderer could roam a sense if you said that occasionally he is the British
London on such a day as the tiger does the jungle, government.”
unseen until he pounces, and then evident only to “My dear Holmes!”
his victim.” “I thought I might surprise you. Mycroft draws
“There have,” said I, “been numerous petty four hundred and fifty pounds a year, remains a
thefts.” subordinate, has no ambitions of any kind, will
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-
nate for this community that I am not a criminal.” “Well, his position is unique. He has made it
for himself. There has never been anything like it
“It is, indeed!” said I heartily. before, nor will be again. He has the tidiest and
“Suppose that I were Brooks or Woodhouse, or most orderly brain, with the greatest capacity for
any of the fifty men who have good reason for tak- storing facts, of any man living. The same great
ing my life, how long could I survive against my powers which I have turned to the detection of
own pursuit? A summons, a bogus appointment, crime he has used for this particular business. The
and all would be over. It is well they don’t have conclusions of every department are passed to him,
days of fog in the Latin countries—the countries of and he is the central exchange, the clearinghouse,
assassination. By Jove! here comes something at which makes out the balance. All other men are
last to break our dead monotony.” specialists, but his specialism is omniscience. We

785
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

will suppose that a minister needs information as “When?”

to a point which involves the Navy, India, Canada “The body was found at six on Tuesday morn-
and the bimetallic question; he could get his sepa- ing. It was lying wide of the metals upon the left
rate advices from various departments upon each, hand of the track as one goes eastward, at a point
but only Mycroft can focus them all, and say off- close to the station, where the line emerges from
hand how each factor would affect the other. They the tunnel in which it runs. The head was badly
began by using him as a short-cut, a convenience; crushed—an injury which might well have been
now he has made himself an essential. In that great caused by a fall from the train. The body could
brain of his everything is pigeon-holed and can be only have come on the line in that way. Had it been
handed out in an instant. Again and again his word carried down from any neighbouring street, it must
has decided the national policy. He lives in it. He have passed the station barriers, where a collector
thinks of nothing else save when, as an intellectual is always standing. This point seems absolutely
exercise, he unbends if I call upon him and ask certain.”
him to advise me on one of my little problems. But
“Very good. The case is definite enough. The
Jupiter is descending to-day. What on earth can it
man, dead or alive, either fell or was precipitated
mean? Who is Cadogan West, and what is he to
from a train. So much is clear to me. Continue.”
Mycroft?”
“The trains which traverse the lines of rail be-
“I have it,” I cried, and plunged among the litter
side which the body was found are those which run
of papers upon the sofa. “Yes, yes, here he is, sure
from west to east, some being purely Metropolitan,
enough! Cadogen West was the young man who
and some from Willesden and outlying junctions. It
was found dead on the Underground on Tuesday
can be stated for certain that this young man, when
morning.”
he met his death, was travelling in this direction at
Holmes sat up at attention, his pipe halfway to some late hour of the night, but at what point he
his lips. entered the train it is impossible to state.”
“This must be serious, Watson. A death which
“His ticket, of course, would show that.”
has caused my brother to alter his habits can be no
ordinary one. What in the world can he have to do “There was no ticket in his pockets.”
with it? The case was featureless as I remember it. “No ticket! Dear me, Watson, this is really very
The young man had apparently fallen out of the singular. According to my experience it is not pos-
train and killed himself. He had not been robbed, sible to reach the platform of a Metropolitan train
and there was no particular reason to suspect vio- without exhibiting one’s ticket. Presumably, then,
lence. Is that not so?” the young man had one. Was it taken from him in
“There has been an inquest,” said I, “and a good order to conceal the station from which he came? It
many fresh facts have come out. Looked at more is possible. Or did he drop it in the carriage? That
closely, I should certainly say that it was a curious is also possible. But the point is of curious interest.
case.” I understand that there was no sign of robbery?”
“Judging by its effect upon my brother, I should “Apparently not. There is a list here of his pos-
think it must be a most extraordinary one.” He sessions. His purse contained two pounds fifteen.
snuggled down in his armchair. “Now, Watson, let He had also a check-book on the Woolwich branch
us have the facts.” of the Capital and Counties Bank. Through this his
“The man’s name was Arthur Cadogan West. identity was established. There were also two dress-
He was twenty-seven years of age, unmarried, and circle tickets for the Woolwich Theatre, dated for
a clerk at Woolwich Arsenal.” that very evening. Also a small packet of technical
papers.”
“Government employ. Behold the link with
Brother Mycroft!” Holmes gave an exclamation of satisfaction.
“He left Woolwich suddenly on Monday night. “There we have it at last, Watson! British
Was last seen by his fiancee, Miss Violet Westbury, government—Woolwich. Arsenal—technical pa-
whom he left abruptly in the fog about 7.30 that pers—Brother Mycroft, the chain is complete. But
evening. There was no quarrel between them and here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to speak for
she can give no motive for his action. The next himself.”
thing heard of him was when his dead body was A moment later the tall and portly form of My-
discovered by a plate-layer named Mason, just out- croft Holmes was ushered into the room. Heavily
side Aldgate Station on the Underground system built and massive, there was a suggestion of un-
in London.” couth physical inertia in the figure, but above this

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

unwieldy frame there was perched a head so mas- “No, Sherlock, no! That’s the pinch. We have
terful in its brow, so alert in its steel-gray, deep-set not. Ten papers were taken from Woolwich. There
eyes, so firm in its lips, and so subtle in its play were seven in the pocket of Cadogan West. The
of expression, that after the first glance one forgot three most essential are gone—stolen, vanished.
the gross body and remembered only the dominant You must drop everything, Sherlock. Never mind
mind. your usual petty puzzles of the police-court. It’s a
At his heels came our old friend Lestrade, of vital international problem that you have to solve.
Scotland Yard—thin and austere. The gravity of Why did Cadogan West take the papers, where are
both their faces foretold some weighty quest. The the missing ones, how did he die, how came his
detective shook hands without a word. Mycroft body where it was found, how can the evil be set
Holmes struggled out of his overcoat and subsided right? Find an answer to all these questions, and
into an armchair. you will have done good service for your country.”
“A most annoying business, Sherlock,” said he. “Why do you not solve it yourself, Mycroft?
“I extremely dislike altering my habits, but the pow- You can see as far as I.”
ers that be would take no denial. In the present “Possibly, Sherlock. But it is a question of get-
state of Siam it is most awkward that I should be ting details. Give me your details, and from an
away from the office. But it is a real crisis. I have armchair I will return you an excellent expert opin-
never seen the Prime Minister so upset. As to the ion. But to run here and run there, to cross-question
Admiralty—it is buzzing like an overturned bee- railway guards, and lie on my face with a lens to
hive. Have you read up the case?” my eye—it is not my métier. No, you are the one
man who can clear the matter up. If you have a
“We have just done so. What were the technical
fancy to see your name in the next honours list—”
papers?”
My friend smiled and shook his head.
“Ah, there’s the point! Fortunately, it has not
“I play the game for the game’s own sake,” said
come out. The press would be furious if it did. The
he. “But the problem certainly presents some points
papers which this wretched youth had in his pocket
of interest, and I shall be very pleased to look into
were the plans of the Bruce-Partington submarine.”
it. Some more facts, please.”
Mycroft Holmes spoke with a solemnity which
“I have jotted down the more essential ones
showed his sense of the importance of the subject.
upon this sheet of paper, together with a few ad-
His brother and I sat expectant.
dresses which you will find of service. The actual
“Surely you have heard of it? I thought every- official guardian of the papers is the famous govern-
one had heard of it.” ment expert, Sir James Walter, whose decorations
“Only as a name.” and sub-titles fill two lines of a book of reference.
“Its importance can hardly be exaggerated. It He has grown gray in the service, is a gentleman,
has been the most jealously guarded of all govern- a favoured guest in the most exalted houses, and,
ment secrets. You may take it from me that naval above all, a man whose patriotism is beyond suspi-
warfare becomes impossible within the radius of a cion. He is one of two who have a key of the safe. I
Bruce-Partington’s operation. Two years ago a very may add that the papers were undoubtedly in the
large sum was smuggled through the Estimates office during working hours on Monday, and that
and was expended in acquiring a monopoly of the Sir James left for London about three o’clock taking
invention. Every effort has been made to keep the his key with him. He was at the house of Admiral
secret. The plans, which are exceedingly intricate, Sinclair at Barclay Square during the whole of the
comprising some thirty separate patents, each es- evening when this incident occurred.”
sential to the working of the whole, are kept in “Has the fact been verified?”
an elaborate safe in a confidential office adjoining “Yes; his brother, Colonel Valentine Walter, has
the arsenal, with burglar-proof doors and windows. testified to his departure from Woolwich, and Ad-
Under no conceivable circumstances were the plans miral Sinclair to his arrival in London; so Sir James
to be taken from the office. If the chief constructor is no longer a direct factor in the problem.”
of the Navy desired to consult them, even he was “Who was the other man with a key?”
forced to go to the Woolwich office for the purpose. “The senior clerk and draughtsman, Mr. Sidney
And yet here we find them in the pocket of a dead Johnson. He is a man of forty, married, with five
junior clerk in the heart of London. From an official children. He is a silent, morose man, but he has, on
point of view it’s simply awful.” the whole, an excellent record in the public service.
“But you have recovered them?” He is unpopular with his colleagues, but a hard

787
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

worker. According to his own account, corrobo- Possibly he tried to leave the carriage, fell out on
rated only by the word of his wife, he was at home the line, and so met his end. The other closed the
the whole of Monday evening after office hours, door. There was a thick fog, and nothing could be
and his key has never left the watch-chain upon seen.”
which it hangs.” “No better explanation can be given with our
“Tell us about Cadogan West.” present knowledge; and yet consider, Sherlock, how
“He has been ten years in the service and has much you leave untouched. We will suppose, for
done good work. He has the reputation of being argument’s sake, that young Cadogan West had de-
hot-headed and imperious, but a straight, honest termined 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-
denly disappeared.”
“Who locked up the plans that night?”
“A blind,” said Lestrade, who had sat listening
“Mr. Sidney Johnson, the senior clerk.” with some impatience to the conversation.
“Well, it is surely perfectly clear who took them “A very singular one. That is objection No. 1.
away. They are actually found upon the person of Objection No. 2: We will suppose that he reaches
this junior clerk, Cadogan West. That seems final, London and sees the foreign agent. He must bring
does it not?” back the papers before morning or the loss will be
“It does, Sherlock, and yet it leaves so much discovered. He took away ten. Only seven were in
unexplained. In the first place, why did he take his pocket. What had become of the other three?
them?” 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?
Once would have expected to find a large sum of
“He could have got several thousands for them money in his pocket.”
very easily.”
“It seems to me perfectly clear,” said Lestrade.
“Can you suggest any possible motive for taking “I have no doubt at all as to what occurred. He
the papers to London except to sell them?” 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
pothesis. Young West took the papers. Now this the agent murdered him, took the more essential
could only be done by having a false key—” papers, and threw his body from the carriage. That
would account for everything, would it not?”
“Several false keys. He had to open the building
and the room.” “Why had he no ticket?”
“The ticket would have shown which station
“He had, then, several false keys. He took the
was nearest the agent’s house. Therefore he took it
papers to London to sell the secret, intending, no
from the murdered man’s pocket.”
doubt, to have the plans themselves back in the
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, the
traitor is dead. On the other, the plans of the Bruce-
“How?”
Partington submarine are presumably already on
“We will suppose that he was travelling back to the Continent. What is there for us to do?”
Woolwich when he was killed and thrown out of “To act, Sherlock—to act!” cried Mycroft, spring-
the compartment.” ing to his feet. “All my instincts are against this
“Aldgate, where the body was found, is con- explanation. Use your powers! Go to the scene
siderably past the station London Bridge, which of the crime! See the people concerned! Leave no
would be his route to Woolwich.” stone unturned! In all your career you have never
“Many circumstances could be imagined under had so great a chance of serving your country.”
which he would pass London Bridge. There was “Well, well!” said Holmes, shrugging his shoul-
someone in the carriage, for example, with whom ders. “Come, Watson! And you, Lestrade, could
he was having an absorbing interview. This inter- you favour us with your company for an hour or
view led to a violent scene in which he lost his life. two? We will begin our investigation by a visit to

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

Aldgate Station. Good-bye, Mycroft. I shall let you “There were hardly any.”
have a report before evening, but I warn you in “But I understand that there was a considerable
advance that you have little to expect.” wound.”
An hour later Holmes, Lestrade and I stood “The bone was crushed, but there was no great
upon the Underground railroad at the point where external injury.”
it emerges from the tunnel immediately before
“And yet one would have expected some bleed-
Aldgate Station. A courteous red-faced old gen-
ing. Would it be possible for me to inspect the train
tleman represented the railway company.
which contained the passenger who heard the thud
“This is where the young man’s body lay,” said of a fall in the fog?”
he, indicating a spot about three feet from the met- “I fear not, Mr. Holmes. The train has been
als. “It could not have fallen from above, for these, broken up before now, and the carriages redis-
as you see, are all blank walls. Therefore, it could tributed.”
only have come from a train, and that train, so far
as we can trace it, must have passed about midnight “I can assure you, Mr. Holmes,” said Lestrade,
on Monday.” “that every carriage has been carefully examined. I
saw to it myself.”
“Have the carriages been examined for any sign
of violence?” It was one of my friend’s most obvious weak-
nesses that he was impatient with less alert intelli-
“There are no such signs, and no ticket has been gences than his own.
found.”
“Very likely,” said he, turning away. “As it hap-
“No record of a door being found open?” pens, it was not the carriages which I desired to
“None.” examine. Watson, we have done all we can here.
“We have had some fresh evidence this morn- We need not trouble you any further, Mr. Lestrade.
ing,” said Lestrade. “A passenger who passed I think our investigations must now carry us to
Aldgate in an ordinary Metropolitan train about Woolwich.”
11.40 on Monday night declares that he heard a At London Bridge, Holmes wrote a telegram
heavy thud, as of a body striking the line, just be- to his brother, which he handed to me before dis-
fore the train reached the station. There was dense patching it. It ran thus:
fog, however, and nothing could be seen. He made
no report of it at the time. Why, whatever is the See some light in the darkness, but it
matter with Mr. Holmes?” may possibly flicker out. Meanwhile,
My friend was standing with an expression of please send by messenger, to await re-
strained intensity upon his face, staring at the rail- turn at Baker Street, a complete list of
way metals where they curved out of the tunnel. all foreign spies or international agents
Aldgate is a junction, and there was a network of known to be in England, with full ad-
points. On these his eager, questioning eyes were dress.
fixed, and I saw on his keen, alert face that tight- — Sherlock.
ening of the lips, that quiver of the nostrils, and
concentration of the heavy, tufted brows which I “That should be helpful, Watson,” he remarked
knew so well. as we took our seats in the Woolwich train. “We
certainly owe Brother Mycroft a debt for having
“Points,” he muttered; “the points.”
introduced us to what promises to be a really very
“What of it? What do you mean?” remarkable case.”
“I suppose there are no great number of points His eager face still wore that expression of in-
on a system such as this?” tense and high-strung energy, which showed me
“No; they are very few.” that some novel and suggestive circumstance had
“And a curve, too. Points, and a curve. By Jove! opened up a stimulating line of thought. See the
if it were only so.” foxhound with hanging ears and drooping tail as
it lolls about the kennels, and compare it with the
“What is it, Mr. Holmes? Have you a clue?” same hound as, with gleaming eyes and straining
“An idea—an indication, no more. But the muscles, it runs upon a breast-high scent—such
case certainly grows in interest. Unique, perfectly was the change in Holmes since the morning. He
unique, and yet why not? I do not see any indica- was a different man from the limp and lounging
tions of bleeding on the line.” figure in the mouse-coloured dressing-gown who

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

had prowled so restlessly only a few hours before We were ushered into a dim-lit drawing-room,
round the fog-girt room. where an instant later we were joined by a very tall,
“There is material here. There is scope,” said handsome, light-beared man of fifty, the younger
he. “I am dull indeed not to have understood its brother of the dead scientist. His wild eyes, stained
possibilities.” cheeks, and unkempt hair all spoke of the sudden
blow which had fallen upon the household. He
“Even now they are dark to me.” was hardly articulate as he spoke of it.
“The end is dark to me also, but I have hold of “It was this horrible scandal,” said he. “My
one idea which may lead us far. The man met his brother, Sir James, was a man of very sensitive hon-
death elsewhere, and his body was on the roof of a our, and he could not survive such an affair. It
carriage.” broke his heart. He was always so proud of the ef-
“On the roof!” ficiency of his department, and this was a crushing
blow.”
“Remarkable, is it not? But consider the facts.
“We had hoped that he might have given us
Is it a coincidence that it is found at the very point
some indications which would have helped us to
where the train pitches and sways as it comes round
clear the matter up.”
on the points? Is not that the place where an ob-
“I assure you that it was all a mystery to him
ject upon the roof might be expected to fall off?
as it is to you and to all of us. He had already
The points would affect no object inside the train.
put all his knowledge at the disposal of the police.
Either the body fell from the roof, or a very curi-
Naturally he had no doubt that Cadogan West was
ous coincidence has occurred. But now consider
guilty. But all the rest was inconceivable.”
the question of the blood. Of course, there was no
bleeding on the line if the body had bled elsewhere. “You cannot throw any new light upon the af-
Each fact is suggestive in itself. Together they have fair?”
a cumulative force.” “I know nothing myself save what I have read
or heard. I have no desire to be discourteous, but
“And the ticket, too!” I cried.
you can understand, Mr. Holmes, that we are much
“Exactly. We could not explain the absence of disturbed at present, and I must ask you to hasten
a ticket. This would explain it. Everything fits this interview to an end.”
together.” “This is indeed an unexpected development,”
“But suppose it were so, we are still as far as said my friend when we had regained the cab. “I
ever from unravelling the mystery of his death. In- wonder if the death was natural, or whether the
deed, it becomes not simpler but stranger.” poor old fellow killed himself! If the latter, may it
be taken as some sign of self-reproach for duty ne-
“Perhaps,” said Holmes, thoughtfully, “per-
glected? We must leave that question to the future.
haps.” He relapsed into a silent reverie, which
Now we shall turn to the Cadogan Wests.”
lasted until the slow train drew up at last in Wool-
wich Station. There he called a cab and drew My- A small but well-kept house in the outskirts of
croft’s paper from his pocket. the town sheltered the bereaved mother. The old
lady was too dazed with grief to be of any use to
“We have quite a little round of afternoon calls us, but at her side was a white-faced young lady,
to make,” said he. “I think that Sir James Walter who introduced herself as Miss Violet Westbury,
claims our first attention.” the fiancee of the dead man, and the last to see him
The house of the famous official was a fine villa upon that fatal night.
with green lawns stretching down to the Thames. “I cannot explain it, Mr. Holmes,” she said. “I
As we reached it the fog was lifting, and a thin, have not shut an eye since the tragedy, thinking,
watery sunshine was breaking through. A butler thinking, thinking, night and day, what the true
answered our ring. meaning of it can be. Arthur was the most single-
“Sir James, sir!” said he with solemn face. “Sir minded, chivalrous, patriotic man upon earth. He
James died this morning.” would have cut his right hand off before he would
sell a State secret confided to his keeping. It is
“Good heavens!” cried Holmes in amazement. absurd, impossible, preposterous to anyone who
“How did he die?” knew him.”
“Perhaps you would care to step in, sir, and see “But the facts, Miss Westbury?”
his brother, Colonel Valentine?” “Yes, yes; I admit I cannot explain them.”
“Yes, we had best do so.” “Was he in any want of money?”

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“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
“No signs of any mental excitement? Come, marriage gives a motive for the crime. He natu-
Miss Westbury, be absolutely frank with us.” rally wanted money. The idea was in his head,
since he spoke about it. He nearly made the girl an
The quick eye of my companion had noted some
accomplice in the treason by telling her his plans.
change in her manner. She coloured and hesitated.
It is all very bad.”
“Yes,” she said at last, “I had a feeling that there “But surely, Holmes, character goes for some-
was something on his mind.” thing? Then, again, why should he leave the girl in
“For long?” the street and dart away to commit a felony?”
“Only for the last week or so. He was thought- “Exactly! There are certainly objections. But it
ful and worried. Once I pressed him about it. He is a formidable case which they have to meet.”
admitted that there was something, and that it was Mr. Sidney Johnson, the senior clerk, met us at
concerned with his official life. ’It is too serious for the office and received us with that respect which
me to speak about, even to you,’ said he. I could my companion’s card always commanded. He was
get nothing more.” a thin, gruff, bespectacled man of middle age, his
Holmes looked grave. cheeks haggard, and his hands twitching from the
nervous strain to which he had been subjected.
“Go on, Miss Westbury. Even if it seems to tell
against him, go on. We cannot say what it may lead “It is bad, Mr. Holmes, very bad! Have you
to.” heard of the death of the chief?”
“We have just come from his house.”
“Indeed, I have nothing more to tell. Once or
twice it seemed to me that he was on the point of “The place is disorganized. The chief dead,
telling me something. He spoke one evening of the Cadogan West dead, our papers stolen. And yet,
importance of the secret, and I have some recollec- when we closed our door on Monday evening, we
tion that he said that no doubt foreign spies would were as efficient an office as any in the government
pay a great deal to have it.” service. Good God, it’s dreadful to think of! That
West, of all men, should have done such a thing!”
My friend’s face grew graver still.
“You are sure of his guilt, then?”
“Anything else?”
“I can see no other way out of it. And yet I
“He said that we were slack about such mat- would have trusted him as I trust myself.”
ters—that it would be easy for a traitor to get the “At what hour was the office closed on Mon-
plans.” day?”
“Was it only recently that he made such re- “At five.”
marks?”
“Did you close it?”
“Yes, quite recently.” “I am always the last man out.”
“Now tell us of that last evening.” “Where were the plans?”
“We were to go to the theatre. The fog was so “In that safe. I put them there myself.”
thick that a cab was useless. We walked, and our “Is there no watchman to the building?”
way took us close to the office. Suddenly he darted
“There is, but he has other departments to look
away into the fog.”
after as well. He is an old soldier and a most trust-
“Without a word?” worthy man. He saw nothing that evening. Of
“He gave an exclamation; that was all. I waited course the fog was very thick.”
but he never returned. Then I walked home. Next “Suppose that Cadogan West wished to make
morning, after the office opened, they came to in- his way into the building after hours; he would
quire. About twelve o’clock we heard the terrible need three keys, would he not, before the could
news. Oh, Mr. Holmes, if you could only, only save reach the papers?”
his honour! It was so much to him.” “Yes, he would. The key of the outer door, the
Holmes shook his head sadly. key of the office, and the key of the safe.”
“Come, Watson,” said he, “our ways lie else- “Only Sir James Walter and you had those
where. Our next station must be the office from keys?”
which the papers were taken. “I had no keys of the doors—only of the safe.”

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“Was Sir James a man who was orderly in his He examined the lock of the safe, the door of the
habits?” room, and finally the iron shutters of the window.
“Yes, I think he was. I know that so far as those It was only when we were on the lawn outside
three keys are concerned he kept them on the same that his interest was strongly excited. There was
ring. I have often seen them there.” a laurel bush outside the window, and several of
the branches bore signs of having been twisted or
“And that ring went with him to London?” snapped. He examined them carefully with his
“He said so.” lens, and then some dim and vague marks upon
the earth beneath. Finally he asked the chief clerk
“And your key never left your possession?”
to close the iron shutters, and he pointed out to
“Never.” me that they hardly met in the centre, and that it
“Then West, if he is the culprit, must have had a would be possible for anyone outside to see what
duplicate. And yet none was found upon his body. was going on within the room.
One other point: if a clerk in this office desired to “The indications are ruined by three days’ de-
sell the plans, would it not be simply to copy the lay. They may mean something or nothing. Well,
plans for himself than to take the originals, as was Watson, I do not think that Woolwich can help us
actually done?” further. It is a small crop which we have gathered.
“It would take considerable technical knowl- Let us see if we can do better in London.”
edge to copy the plans in an effective way.” Yet we added one more sheaf to our harvest
“But I suppose either Sir James, or you, or West before we left Woolwich Station. The clerk in the
has that technical knowledge?” ticket office was able to say with confidence that
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 original
alone and took a single third-class ticket. The clerk
plans were actually found on West?”
was struck at the time by his excited and nervous
“Well, it is certainly singular that he should run manner. So shaky was he that he could hardly pick
the risk of taking originals if he could safely have up his change, and the clerk had helped him with
taken copies, which would have equally served his it. A reference to the timetable showed that the 8.15
turn.” was the first train which it was possible for West to
“Singular, no doubt—and yet he did so.” take after he had left the lady about 7.30.
“Every inquiry in this case reveals something in- “Let us reconstruct, Watson,” said Holmes after
explicable. Now there are three papers still missing. half an hour of silence. “I am not aware that in all
They are, as I understand, the vital ones.” our joint researches we have ever had a case which
was more difficult to get at. Every fresh advance
“Yes, that is so.”
which we make only reveals a fresh ridge beyond.
“Do you mean to say that anyone holding these And yet we have surely made some appreciable
three papers, and without the seven others, could progress.
construct a Bruce-Partington submarine?”
“The effect of our inquiries at Woolwich has in
“I reported to that effect to the Admiralty. But the main been against young Cadogan West; but the
to-day I have been over the drawings again, and I indications at the window would lend themselves
am not so sure of it. The double valves with the to a more favourable hypothesis. Let us suppose,
automatic self-adjusting slots are drawn in one of for example, that he had been approached by some
the papers which have been returned. Until the foreign agent. It might have been done under such
foreigners had invented that for themselves they pledges as would have prevented him from speak-
could not make the boat. Of course they might ing of it, and yet would have affected his thoughts
soon get over the difficulty.” in the direction indicated by his remarks to his
“But the three missing drawings are the most fiancee. Very good. We will now suppose that
important?” as he went to the theatre with the young lady he
suddenly, in the fog, caught a glimpse of this same
“Undoubtedly.” agent going in the direction of the office. He was an
“I think, with your permission, I will now take a impetuous man, quick in his decisions. Everything
stroll round the premises. I do not recall any other gave way to his duty. He followed the man, reached
question which I desired to ask.” the window, saw the abstraction of the documents,

792
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

and pursued the thief. In this way we get over the the shoulder with a sudden burst of hilarity. “I am
objection that no one would take originals when going out now. It is only a reconnaissance. I will
he could make copies. This outsider had to take do nothing serious without my trusted comrade
originals. So far it holds together.” and biographer at my elbow. Do you stay here,
“What is the next step?” and the odds are that you will see me again in an
hour or two. If time hangs heavy get foolscap and
“Then we come into difficulties. One would a pen, and begin your narrative of how we saved
imagine that under such circumstances the first act the State.”
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 so
Could it have been an official superior who took
far from his usual austerity of demeanour unless
the papers? That would explain West’s conduct. Or
there was good cause for exultation. All the long
could the chief have given West the slip in the fog,
November evening I waited, filled with impatience
and West started at once to London to head him
for his return. At last, shortly after nine o’clock,
off from his own rooms, presuming that he knew
there arrived a messenger with a note:
where the rooms were? The call must have been
very pressing, since he left his girl standing in the Am dining at Goldini’s Restaurant,
fog and made no effort to communicate with her. Gloucester Road, Kensington. Please
Our scent runs cold here, and there is a vast gap come at once and join me there. Bring
between either hypothesis and the laying of West’s with you a jemmy, a dark lantern, a
body, with seven papers in his pocket, on the roof chisel, and a revolver.
of a Metropolitan train. My instinct now is to work — S.H.
form the other end. If Mycroft has given us the list
of addresses we may be able to pick our man and It was a nice equipment for a respectable citi-
follow two tracks instead of one.” zen to carry through the dim, fog-draped streets.
Surely enough, a note awaited us at Baker Street. I stowed them all discreetly away in my overcoat
A government messenger had brought it post-haste. and drove straight to the address given. There sat
Holmes glanced at it and threw it over to me. my friend at a little round table near the door of
the garish Italian restaurant.
There are numerous small fry, but few “Have you had something to eat? Then join me
who would handle so big an affair. The in a coffee and curacao. Try one of the proprietor’s
only men worth considering are Adolph cigars. They are less poisonous than one would
Mayer, of 13 Great George Street, West- expect. Have you the tools?”
minster; Louis La Rothiere, of Campden “They are here, in my overcoat.”
Mansions, Notting Hill; and Hugo Ober- “Excellent. Let me give you a short sketch of
stein, 13 Caulfield Gardens, Kensington. what I have done, with some indication of what we
The latter was known to be in town on are about to do. Now it must be evident to you,
Monday and is now reported as having Watson, that this young man’s body was placed on
left. Glad to hear you have seen some the roof of the train. That was clear from the instant
light. The Cabinet awaits your final re- that I determined the fact that it was from the roof,
port with the utmost anxiety. Urgent and not from a carriage, that he had fallen.”
representations have arrived from the “Could it not have been dropped from a
very highest quarter. The whole force of bridge?”
the State is at your back if you should “I should say it was impossible. If you exam-
need it. ine the roofs you will find that they are slightly
— Mycroft. rounded, and there is no railing round them. There-
fore, we can say for certain that young Cadogan
“I’m afraid,” said Holmes, smiling, “that all the West was placed on it.”
queen’s horses and all the queen’s men cannot avail “How could he be placed there?”
in this matter.” He had spread out his big map of “That was the question which we had to answer.
London and leaned eagerly over it. “Well, well,” There is only one possible way. You are aware that
said he presently with an exclamation of satisfac- the Underground runs clear of tunnels at some
tion, “things are turning a little in our direction at points in the West End. I had a vague memory that
last. Why, Watson, I do honestly believe that we as I have travelled by it I have occasionally seen
are going to pull it off, after all.” He slapped me on windows just above my head. Now, suppose that a

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

train halted under such a window, would there be He sprang up and shook me by the hand.
any difficulty in laying a body upon the roof?” “I knew you would not shrink at the last,” said
“It seems most improbable.” he, and for a moment I saw something in his eyes
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, practi-
when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains,
cal self once more.
however improbable, must be the truth. Here all
other contingencies have failed. When I found that “It is nearly half a mile, but there is no hurry.
the leading international agent, who had just left Let us walk,” said he. “Don’t drop the instruments,
London, lived in a row of houses which abutted I beg. Your arrest as a suspicious character would
upon the Underground, I was so pleased that you be a most unfortunate complication.”
were a little astonished at my sudden frivolity.” Caulfield Gardens was one of those lines of
“Oh, that was it, was it?” flat-faced pillared, and porticoed houses which
are so prominent a product of the middle Victo-
“Yes, that was it. Mr. Hugo Oberstein, of 13 rian epoch in the West End of London. Next door
Caulfield Gardens, had become my objective. I there appeared to be a children’s party, for the
began my operations at Gloucester Road Station, merry buzz of young voices and the clatter of a
where a very helpful official walked with me along piano resounded through the night. The fog still
the track and allowed me to satisfy myself not hung about and screened us with its friendly shade.
only that the back-stair windows of Caulfield Gar- Holmes had lit his lantern and flashed it upon the
dens open on the line but the even more essential massive door.
fact that, owing to the intersection of one of the
“This is a serious proposition,” said he. “It is
larger railways, the Underground trains are fre-
certainly bolted as well as locked. We would do bet-
quently held motionless for some minutes at that
ter in the area. There is an excellent archway down
very spot.”
yonder in case a too zealous policeman should in-
“Splendid, Holmes! You have got it!” trude. Give me a hand, Watson, and I’ll do the
“So far—so far, Watson. We advance, but the same for you.”
goal is afar. Well, having seen the back of Caulfield A minute later we were both in the area. Hardly
Gardens, I visited the front and satisfied myself had we reached the dark shadows before the step
that the bird was indeed flown. It is a considerable of the policeman was heard in the fog above. As its
house, unfurnished, so far as I could judge, in the soft rhythm died away, Holmes set to work upon
upper rooms. Oberstein lived there with a single the lower door. I saw him stoop and strain until
valet, who was probably a confederate entirely in with a sharp crash it flew open. We sprang through
his confidence. We must bear in mind that Ober- into the dark passage, closing the area door behind
stein has gone to the Continent to dispose of his us. Holmes let the way up the curving, uncarpeted
booty, but not with any idea of flight; for he had stair. His little fan of yellow light shone upon a low
no reason to fear a warrant, and the idea of an am- window.
ateur domiciliary visit would certainly never occur “Here we are, Watson—this must be the one.”
to him. Yet that is precisely what we are about to He threw it open, and as he did so there was a low,
make.” harsh murmur, growing steadily into a loud roar
“Could we not get a warrant and legalize it?” as a train dashed past us in the darkness. Holmes
swept his light along the window-sill. It was thickly
“Hardly on the evidence.”
coated with soot from the passing engines, but the
“What can we hope to do?” black surface was blurred and rubbed in places.
“We cannot tell what correspondence may be “You can see where they rested the body. Hal-
there.” loa, Watson! what is this? There can be no doubt
“I don’t like it, Holmes.” that it is a blood mark.” He was pointing to faint
discolourations along the woodwork of the win-
“My dear fellow, you shall keep watch in the
dow. “Here it is on the stone of the stair also. The
street. I’ll do the criminal part. It’s not a time to
demonstration is complete. Let us stay here until a
stick at trifles. Think of Mycroft’s note, of the Ad-
train stops.”
miralty, the Cabinet, the exalted person who waits
for news. We are bound to go.” We had not long to wait. The very next train
roared from the tunnel as before, but slowed in the
My answer was to rise from the table. open, and then, with a creaking of brakes, pulled
“You are right, Holmes. We are bound to go.” up immediately beneath us. It was not four feet

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

from the window-ledge to the roof of the carriages. “Next comes:

Holmes softly closed the window.
“So far we are justified,” said he. “What do you “Too complex for description. Must
think of it, Watson?” have full report, Stuff awaits you when
goods delivered.
“A masterpiece. You have never risen to a
greater height.” — Pierrot.
“I cannot agree with you there. From the mo- “Then comes:
ment that I conceived the idea of the body being
upon the roof, which surely was not a very abstruse “Matter presses. Must withdraw offer
one, all the rest was inevitable. If it were not for unless contract completed. Make ap-
the grave interests involved the affair up to this pointment by letter. Will confirm by
point would be insignificant. Our difficulties are advertisement.
still before us. But perhaps we may find something — Pierrot.
here which may help us.”
We had ascended the kitchen stair and entered “Finally:
the suite of rooms upon the first floor. One was a
dining-room, severely furnished and containing “Monday night after nine. Two taps.
nothing of interest. A second was a bedroom, Only ourselves. Do not be so suspicious.
which also drew blank. The remaining room ap- Payment in hard cash when goods de-
peared more promising, and my companion settled livered.
down to a systematic examination. It was littered — Pierrot.
with books and papers, and was evidently used as
a study. Swiftly and methodically Holmes turned “A fairly complete record, Watson! If we could
over the contents of drawer after drawer and cup- only get at the man at the other end!” He sat lost
board after cupboard, but no gleam of success came in thought, tapping his fingers on the table. Finally
to brighten his austere face. At the end of an hour he sprang to his feet.
he was no further than when he started. “Well, perhaps it won’t be so difficult, after all.
“The cunning dog has covered his tracks,” said There is nothing more to be done here, Watson. I
he. “He has left nothing to incriminate him. His think we might drive round to the offices of the
dangerous correspondence has been destroyed or Daily Telegraph, and so bring a good day’s work
removed. This is our last chance.” to a conclusion.”
It was a small tin cash-box which stood upon Mycroft Holmes and Lestrade had come round
the writing-desk. Holmes pried it open with his by appointment after breakfast next day and Sher-
chisel. Several rolls of paper were within, covered lock Holmes had recounted to them our proceed-
with figures and calculations, without any note to ings of the day before. The professional shook his
show to what they referred. The recurring words, head over our confessed burglary.
“water pressure” and “pressure to the square inch” “We can’t do these things in the force, Mr.
suggested some possible relation to a submarine. Holmes,” said he. “No wonder you get results
Holmes tossed them all impatiently aside. There that are beyond us. But some of these days you’ll
only remained an envelope with some small news- go too far, and you’ll find yourself and your friend
paper slips inside it. He shook them out on the in trouble.”
table, and at once I saw by his eager face that his
“For England, home and beauty—eh, Watson?
hopes had been raised.
Martyrs on the altar of our country. But what do
“What’s this, Watson? Eh? What’s this? Record you think of it, Mycroft?”
of a series of messages in the advertisements of
“Excellent, Sherlock! Admirable! But what use
a paper. Daily Telegraph agony column by the
will you make of it?”
print and paper. Right-hand top corner of a page.
No dates—but messages arrange themselves. This Holmes picked up the Daily Telegraph which
must be the first: lay upon the table.
“Have you seen Pierrot’s advertisement to-
“Hoped to hear sooner. Terms agreed day?”
to. Write fully to address given on card. “What? Another one?”
“Yes, here it is:
— Pierrot.

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

“To-night. Same hour. Same place. Two caught him by the collar and threw him back into
taps. Most vitally important. Your own the room. Before our prisoner had recovered his
safety at stake. balance the door was shut and Holmes standing
— Pierrot. with his back against it. The man glared round
him, staggered, and fell senseless upon the floor.
“By George!” cried Lestrade. “If he answers With the shock, his broad-brimmed hat flew from
that we’ve got him!” his head, his cravat slipped sown from his lips,
and there were the long light beard and the soft,
“That was my idea when I put it in. I think if
handsome delicate features of Colonel Valentine
you could both make it convenient to come with us
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-
son,” said he. “This was not the bird that I was
Sherlock Holmes was his power of throwing his
looking for.”
brain out of action and switching all his thoughts
on to lighter things whenever he had convinced “Who is he?” asked Mycroft eagerly.
himself that he could no longer work to advantage. “The younger brother of the late Sir James Wal-
I remember that during the whole of that memo- ter, the head of the Submarine Department. Yes,
rable day he lost himself in a monograph which yes; I see the fall of the cards. He is coming to. I
he had undertaken upon the Polyphonic Motets think that you had best leave his examination to
of Lassus. For my own part I had none of this me.”
power of detachment, and the day, in consequence, We had carried the prostrate body to the sofa.
appeared to be interminable. The great national Now our prisoner sat up, looked round him with
importance of the issue, the suspense in high quar- a horror-stricken face, and passed his hand over
ters, the direct nature of the experiment which we his forehead, like one who cannot believe his own
were trying—all combined to work upon my nerve. senses.
It was a relief to me when at last, after a light din- “What is this?” he asked. “I came here to visit
ner, we set out upon our expedition. Lestrade and Mr. Oberstein.”
Mycroft met us by appointment at the outside of
“Everything is known, Colonel Walter,” said
Gloucester Road Station. The area door of Ober-
Holmes. “How an English gentleman could be-
stein’s house had been left open the night before,
have in such a manner is beyond my comprehen-
and it was necessary for me, as Mycroft Holmes
sion. But your whole correspondence and relations
absolutely and indignantly declined to climb the
with Oberstein are within our knowledge. So also
railings, to pass in and open the hall door. By nine
are the circumstances connected with the death of
o’clock we were all seated in the study, waiting
young Cadogan West. Let me advise you to gain at
patently for our man.
least the small credit for repentance and confession,
An hour passed and yet another. When eleven since there are still some details which we can only
struck, the measured beat of the great church clock learn from your lips.”
seemed to sound the dirge of our hopes. Lestrade The man groaned and sank his face in his hands.
and Mycroft were fidgeting in their seats and look- We waited, but he was silent.
ing twice a minute at their watches. Holmes sat
“I can assure you,” said Holmes, “that every
silent and composed, his eyelids half shut, but ev-
essential is already known. We know that you were
ery sense on the alert. He raised his head with a
pressed for money; that you took an impress of
sudden jerk.
the keys which your brother held; and that you
“He is coming,” said he. entered into a correspondence with Oberstein, who
There had been a furtive step past the door. answered your letters through the advertisement
Now it returned. We heard a shuffling sound out- columns of the Daily Telegraph. We are aware that
side, and then two sharp taps with the knocker. you went down to the office in the fog on Mon-
Holmes rose, motioning us to remain seated. The day night, but that you were seen and followed
gas in the hall was a mere point of light. He opened by young Cadogan West, who had probably some
the outer door, and then as a dark figure slipped previous reason to suspect you. He saw your theft,
past him he closed and fastened it. “This way!” we but could not give the alarm, as it was just possible
heard him say, and a moment later our man stood that you were taking the papers to your brother in
before us. Holmes had followed him closely, and as London. Leaving all his private concerns, like the
the man turned with a cry of surprise and alarm he good citizen that he was, he followed you closely

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 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

in the fog and kept at your heels until you reached There was silence in the room. It was broken by
this very house. There he intervened, and then it Mycroft Holmes.
was, Colonel Walter, that to treason you added the “Can you not make reparation? It would ease
more terrible crime of murder.” your conscience, and possibly your punishment.”
“I did not! I did not! Before God I swear that I “What reparation can I make?”
did not!” cried our wretched prisoner. “Where is Oberstein with the papers?”
“Tell us, then, how Cadogan West met his end “I do not know.”
before you laid him upon the roof of a railway “Did he give you no address?”
carriage.” “He said that letters to the Hôtel du Louvre,
“I will. I swear to you that I will. I did the Paris, would eventually reach him.”
rest. I confess it. It was just as you say. A Stock “Then reparation is still within your power,”
Exchange debt had to be paid. I needed the money said Sherlock Holmes.
badly. Oberstein offered me five thousand. It was “I will do anything I can. I owe this fellow no
to save myself from ruin. But as to murder, I am as particular good-will. He has been my ruin and my
innocent as you.” downfall.”
“What happened, then?” “Here are paper and pen. Sit at this desk and
write to my dictation. Direct the envelope to the
“He had his suspicions before, and he followed address given. That is right. Now the letter:
me as you describe. I never knew it until I was at
the very door. It was thick fog, and one could not “Dear Sir:
see three yards. I had given two taps and Ober- “With regard to our transaction, you
stein had come to the door. The young man rushed will no doubt have observed by now
up and demanded to know what we were about that one essential detail is missing. I
to do with the papers. Oberstein had a short life- have a tracing which will make it com-
preserver. He always carried it with him. As West plete. This has involved me in extra
forced his way after us into the house Oberstein trouble, however, and I must ask you
struck him on the head. The blow was a fatal one. for a further advance of five hundred
He was dead within five minutes. There he lay pounds. I will not trust it to the post,
in the hall, and we were at our wit’s end what to nor will I take anything but gold or
do. Then Oberstein had this idea about the trains notes. I would come to you abroad, but
which halted under his back window. But first he it would excite remark if I left the coun-
examined the papers which I had brought. He said try at present. Therefore I shall expect
that three of them were essential, and that he must to meet you in the smoking-room of the
keep them. ’You cannot keep them,’ said I. ’There Charing Cross Hotel at noon on Satur-
will be a dreadful row at Woolwich if they are not day. Remember that only English notes,
returned.’ ’I must keep them,’ said he, ’for they or gold, will be taken.
are so technical that it is impossible in the time to
“That will do very well. I shall be very much
make copies.’ ’Then they must all go back together
surprised if it does not fetch our man.”
to-night,’ said I. He thought for a little, and then
he cried out that he had it. ’Three I will keep,’ said And it did! It is a matter of history—that se-
he. ’The others we will stuff into the pocket of this cret history of a nation which is often so much
young man. When he is found the whole business more intimate and interesting than its public chron-
will assuredly be put to his account.’ I could see no icles—that Oberstein, eager to complete the coup
other way out of it, so we did as he suggested. We of his lifetime, came to the lure and was safely en-
waited half an hour at the window before a train gulfed for fifteen years in a British prison. In his
stopped. It was so thick that nothing could be seen, trunk were found the invaluable Bruce-Partington
and we had no difficulty in lowering West’s body plans, which he had put up for auction in all the
on to the train. That was the end of the matter so naval centres of Europe.
far as I was concerned.” Colonel Walter died in prison towards the end
of the second year of his sentence. As to Holmes,
“And your brother?” he returned refreshed to his monograph upon the
“He said nothing, but he had caught me once Polyphonic Motets of Lassus, which has since been
with his keys, and I think that he suspected. I read printed for private circulation, and is said by ex-
in his eyes that he suspected. As you know, he perts to be the last word upon the subject. Some
never held up his head again.” weeks afterwards I learned incidentally that my

797
 The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

friend spent a day at Windsor, whence be returned to carry out a small commission. He said no more;
with a remarkably fine emerald tie-pin. When I but I fancy that I could guess at that lady’s au-
asked him if he had bought it, he answered that gust name, and I have little doubt that the emerald
it was a present from a certain gracious lady in pin will forever recall to my friend’s memory the
whose interests he had once been fortunate enough adventure of the Bruce-Partington plans.

798
The Adventure of the Dying Detective
M
The Adventure of the Dying Detective

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

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 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

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

802
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

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

803
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

the world, then, be overrun by oysters? No, no; stand upon ceremony. His life depended upon my
horrible! You’ll convey all that is in your mind.” promptness. Before the apologetic butler had deliv-
I left him full of the image of this magnificent in- ered his message I had pushed past him and was
tellect babbling like a foolish child. He had handed in the room.
me the key, and with a happy thought I took it with With a shrill cry of anger a man rose from a
me lest he should lock himself in. Mrs. Hudson reclining chair beside the fire. I saw a great yellow
was waiting, trembling and weeping, in the pas- face, coarse-grained and greasy, with heavy, double-
sage. Behind me as I passed from the flat I heard chin, and two sullen, menacing gray eyes which
Holmes’s high, thin voice in some delirious chant. glared at me from under tufted and sandy brows.
Below, as I stood whistling for a cab, a man came A high bald head had a small velvet smoking-cap
on me through the fog. poised coquettishly upon one side of its pink curve.
The skull was of enormous capacity, and yet as I
“How is Mr. Holmes, sir?” he asked.
looked down I saw to my amazement that the fig-
It was an old acquaintance, Inspector Morton, ure of the man was small and frail, twisted in the
of Scotland Yard, dressed in unofficial tweeds. shoulders and back like one who has suffered from
“He is very ill,” I answered. rickets in his childhood.
He looked at me in a most singular fashion. “What’s this?” he cried in a high, screaming
Had it not been too fiendish, I could have imagined voice. “What is the meaning of this intrusion?
that the gleam of the fanlight showed exultation in Didn’t I send you word that I would see you to-
his face. morrow morning?”
“I heard some rumour of it,” said he. “I am sorry,” said I, “but the matter cannot be
delayed. Mr. Sherlock Holmes—”
The cab had driven up, and I left him.
The mention of my friend’s name had an ex-
Lower Burke Street proved to be a line of fine traordinary effect upon the little man. The look
houses lying in the vague borderland between Not- of anger passed in an instant from his face. His
ting Hill and Kensington. The particular one at features became tense and alert.
which my cabman pulled up had an air of smug “Have you come from Holmes?” he asked.
and demure respectability in its old-fashioned iron
“I have just left him.”
railings, its massive folding-door, and its shining
brasswork. All was in keeping with a solemn but- “What about Holmes? How is he?”
ler who appeared framed in the pink radiance of a “He is desperately ill. That is why I have come.”
tinted electrical light behind him. The man motioned me to a chair, and turned to
“Yes, Mr. Culverton Smith is in. Dr. Watson! resume his own. As he did so I caught a glimpse
Very good, sir, I will take up your card.” of his face in the mirror over the mantelpiece. I
could have sworn that it was set in a malicious and
My humble name and title did not appear to im- abominable smile. Yet I persuaded myself that it
press Mr. Culverton Smith. Through the half-open must have been some nervous contraction which I
door I heard a high, petulant, penetrating voice. had surprised, for he turned to me an instant later
“Who is this person? What does he want? Dear with genuine concern upon his features.
me, Staples, how often have I said that I am not to “I am sorry to hear this,” said he. “I only know
be disturbed in my hours of study?” Mr. Holmes through some business dealings which
There came a gentle flow of soothing explana- we have had, but I have every respect for his tal-
tion from the butler. ents and his character. He is an amateur of crime,
“Well, I won’t see him, Staples. I can’t have my as I am of disease. For him the villain, for me
work interrupted like this. I am not at home. Say the microbe. There are my prisons,” he continued,
so. Tell him to come in the morning if he really pointing to a row of bottles and jars which stood
must see me.” upon a side table. ”Among those gelatine cultiva-
tions some of the very worst offenders in the world
Again the gentle murmur. are now doing time.”
“Well, well, give him that message. He can come “It was on account of your special knowledge
in the morning, or he can stay away. My work must that Mr. Holmes desired to see you. He has a high
not be hindered.” opinion of you and thought that you were the one
I thought of Holmes tossing upon his bed of man in London who could help him.”
sickness and counting the minutes, perhaps, until The little man started, and the jaunty smoking-
I could bring help to him. It was not a time to cap slid to the floor.

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 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

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

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 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

notice it, but rather uncharitable to suggest that it “Well, you can hear what I say, anyhow. Lis-
was cause and effect.” ten now! Can you remember any unusual incident
“I knew that you did it.” in your life just about the time your symptoms
began?”
“Oh, you did, did you? Well, you couldn’t prove
“No, no; nothing.”
it, anyhow. But what do you think of yourself
spreading reports about me like that, and then “Think again.”
crawling to me for help the moment you are in “I’m too ill to think.”
trouble? What sort of a game is that—eh?” “Well, then, I’ll help you. Did anything come
I heard the rasping, laboured breathing of the by post?”
sick man. “Give me the water!” he gasped. “By post?”
“You’re precious near your end, my friend, but “A box by chance?”
I don’t want you to go till I have had a word with “I’m fainting—I’m gone!”
you. That’s why I give you water. There, don’t slop “Listen, Holmes!” There was a sound as if he
it about! That’s right. Can you understand what I was shaking the dying man, and it was all that I
say?” could do to hold myself quiet in my hiding-place.
Holmes groaned. “You must hear me. You shall hear me. Do you re-
member a box—an ivory box? It came on Wednes-
“Do what you can for me. Let bygones be by- day. You opened it—do you remember?”
gones,” he whispered. “I’ll put the words out of
“Yes, yes, I opened it. There was a sharp spring
my head—I swear I will. Only cure me, and I’ll
inside it. Some joke—”
forget it.”
“It was no joke, as you will find to your cost.
“Forget what?” You fool, you would have it and you have got it.
“Well, about Victor Savage’s death. You as good Who asked you to cross my path? If you had left
as admitted just now that you had done it. I’ll me alone I would not have hurt you.”
forget it.” “I remember,” Holmes gasped. “The spring! It
“You can forget it or remember it, just as you drew blood. This box—this on the table.”
like. I don’t see you in the witnessbox. Quite an- “The very one, by George! And it may as well
other shaped box, my good Holmes, I assure you. leave the room in my pocket. There goes your last
It matters nothing to me that you should know how shred of evidence. But you have the truth now,
my nephew died. It’s not him we are talking about. Holmes, and you can die with the knowledge that I
It’s you.” killed you. You knew too much of the fate of Victor
“Yes, yes.” Savage, so I have sent you to share it. You are very
near your end, Holmes. I will sit here and I will
“The fellow who came for me—I’ve forgotten watch you die.”
his name—said that you contracted it down in the
Holmes’s voice had sunk to an almost inaudible
East End among the sailors.”
whisper.
“I could only account for it so.” “What is that?” said Smith. “Turn up the gas?
“You are proud of your brains, Holmes, are you Ah, the shadows begin to fall, do they? Yes, I will
not? Think yourself smart, don’t you? You came turn it up, that I may see you the better.” He crossed
across someone who was smarter this time. Now the room and the light suddenly brightened. ”Is
cast your mind back, Holmes. Can you think of no there any other little service that I can do you, my
other way you could have got this thing?” friend?”
“I can’t think. My mind is gone. For heaven’s “A match and a cigarette.”
sake help me!” I nearly called out in my joy and my amazement.
“Yes, I will help you. I’ll help you to understand He was speaking in his natural voice—a little weak,
just where you are and how you got there. I’d like perhaps, but the very voice I knew. There was a
you to know before you die.” long pause, and I felt that Culverton Smith was
standing in silent amazement looking down at his
“Give me something to ease my pain.” companion.
“Painful, is it? Yes, the coolies used to do some “What’s the meaning of this?” I heard him say
squealing towards the end. Takes you as cramp, I at last in a dry, rasping tone.
fancy.” “The best way of successfully acting a part is to
“Yes, yes; it is cramp.” be it,” said Holmes. “I give you my word that for

806
 The Adventure of the Dying Detective

three days I have tasted neither food nor drink until essential that I should impress Mrs. Hudson with
you were good enough to pour me out that glass the reality of my condition, since she was to convey
of water. But it is the tobacco which I find most it to you, and you in turn to him. You won’t be of-
irksome. Ah, here are some cigarettes.” I heard fended, Watson? You will realize that among your
the striking of a match. ”That is very much better. many talents dissimulation finds no place, and that
Halloa! halloa! Do I hear the step of a friend?” if you had shared my secret you would never have
There were footfalls outside, the door opened, been able to impress Smith with the urgent neces-
and Inspector Morton appeared. sity of his presence, which was the vital point of
the whole scheme. Knowing his vindictive nature,
“All is in order and this is your man,” said
I was perfectly certain that he would come to look
Holmes.
upon his handiwork.”
The officer gave the usual cautions.
“But your appearance, Holmes—your ghastly
“I arrest you on the charge of the murder of one face?”
Victor Savage,” he concluded.
“Three days of absolute fast does not improve
“And you might add of the attempted murder
one’s beauty, Watson. For the rest, there is nothing
of one Sherlock Holmes,” remarked my friend with
which a sponge may not cure. With vaseline upon
a chuckle. “To save an invalid trouble, Inspector,
one’s forehead, belladonna in one’s eyes, rouge
Mr. Culverton Smith was good enough to give our
over the cheek-bones, and crusts of beeswax round
signal by turning up the gas. By the way, the pris-
one’s lips, a very satisfying effect can be produced.
oner has a small box in the right-hand pocket of his
Malingering is a subject upon which I have some-
coat which it would be as well to remove. Thank
times thought of writing a monograph. A little
you. I would handle it gingerly if I were you. Put
occasional talk about half-crowns, oysters, or any
it down here. It may play its part in the trial.”
other extraneous subject produces a pleasing effect
There was a sudden rush and a scuffle, followed of delirium.”
by the clash of iron and a cry of pain.
“But why would you not let me near you, since
“You’ll only get yourself hurt,” said the inspec- there was in truth no infection?”
tor. “Stand still, will you?” There was the click of
the closing handcuffs. “Can you ask, my dear Watson? Do you imag-
ine that I have no respect for your medical talents?
“A nice trap!” cried the high, snarling voice. “It
Could I fancy that your astute judgment would
will bring you into the dock, Holmes, not me. He
pass a dying man who, however weak, had no rise
asked me to come here to cure him. I was sorry for
of pulse or temperature? At four yards, I could
him and I came. Now he will pretend, no doubt,
deceive you. If I failed to do so, who would bring
that I have said anything which he may invent
my Smith within my grasp? No, Watson, I would
which will corroborate his insane suspicions. You
not touch that box. You can just see if you look at
can lie as you like, Holmes. My word is always as
it sideways where the sharp spring like a viper’s
good as yours.”
tooth emerges as you open it. I dare say it was
“Good heavens!” cried Holmes. “I had totally by some such device that poor Savage, who stood
forgotten him. My dear Watson, I owe you a thou- between this monster and a reversion, was done
sand apologies. To think that I should have over- to death. My correspondence, however, is, as you
looked you! I need not introduce you to Mr. Culver- know, a varied one, and I am somewhat upon my
ton Smith, since I understand that you met some- guard against any packages which reach me. It
what earlier in the evening. Have you the cab be- was clear to me, however, that by pretending that
low? I will follow you when I am dressed, for I he had really succeeded in his design I might sur-
may be of some use at the station. prise a confession. That pretence I have carried out
“I never needed it more,” said Holmes as he with the thoroughness of the true artist. Thank you,
refreshed himself with a glass of claret and some Watson, you must help me on with my coat. When
biscuits in the intervals of his toilet. “However, as we have finished at the police-station I think that
you know, my habits are irregular, and such a feat something nutritious at Simpson’s would not be
means less to me than to most men. It was very out of place.”

807
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 “One of the most dangerous classes in the
patience. world,” said he, “is the drifting and friendless
“The bath!” he said; “the bath! Why the relaxing woman. She is the most harmless and often the
and expensive Turkish rather than the invigorating most useful of mortals, but she is the inevitable
home-made article?” inciter of crime in others. She is helpless. She is
migratory. She has sufficient means to take her
“Because for the last few days I have been feel-
from country to country and from hotel to hotel.
ing rheumatic and old. A Turkish bath is what
She is lost, as often as not, in a maze of obscure
we call an alterative in medicine—a fresh starting-
pensions and boardinghouses. She is a stray chicken
point, a cleanser of the system.
in a world of foxes. When she is gobbled up she
“By the way, Holmes,” I added, “I have no doubt is hardly missed. I much fear that some evil has
the connection between my boots and a Turkish come to the Lady Frances Carfax.”
bath is a perfectly self-evident one to a logical mind, I was relieved at this sudden descent from the
and yet I should be obliged to you if you would general to the particular. Holmes consulted his
indicate it.” notes.
“The train of reasoning is not very obscure, Wat- “Lady Frances,” he continued, “is the sole sur-
son,” said Holmes with a mischievous twinkle. “It vivor of the direct family of the late Earl of Rufton.
belongs to the same elementary class of deduction The estates went, as you may remember, in the
which I should illustrate if I were to ask you who male line. She was left with limited means, but
shared your cab in your drive this morning.” 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 carried
remonstrance. Let me see, what were the points? them about with her. A rather pathetic figure, the
Take the last one first—the cab. You observe that Lady Frances, a beautiful woman, still in fresh
you have some splashes on the left sleeve and shoul- middle age, and yet, by a strange change, the last
der of your coat. Had you sat in the centre of a derelict of what only twenty years ago was a goodly
hansom you would probably have had no splashes, fleet.”
and if you had they would certainly have been sym- “What has happened to her, then?”
metrical. Therefore it is clear that you sat at the “Ah, what has happened to the Lady Frances?
side. Therefore it is equally clear that you had a Is she alive or dead? There is our problem. She is
companion.” a lady of precise habits, and for four years it has
“That is very evident.” been her invariable custom to write every second
week to Miss Dobney, her old governess, who has
“Absurdly commonplace, is it not?”
long retired and lives in Camberwell. It is this Miss
“But the boots and the bath?” Dobney who has consulted me. Nearly five weeks
“Equally childish. You are in the habit of doing have passed without a word. The last letter was
up your boots in a certain way. I see them on this from the Hotel National at Lausanne. Lady Frances
occasion fastened with an elaborate double bow, seems to have left there and given no address. The
which is not your usual method of tying them. You family are anxious, and as they are exceedingly
have, therefore, had them off. Who has tied them? wealthy no sum will be spared if we can clear the
A bootmaker—or the boy at the bath. It is unlikely matter up.”
that it is the bootmaker, since your boots are nearly “Is Miss Dobney the only source of information?
new. Well, what remains? The bath. Absurd, is it Surely she had other correspondents?”
not? But, for all that, the Turkish bath has served a “There is one correspondent who is a sure draw,
purpose.” Watson. That is the bank. Single ladies must live,
“What is that?” and their passbooks are compressed diaries. She

811
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

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

812
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

leaving service forever. Dr. Shlessinger had paid on the public promenade by the lake. He was a
the bill of the whole party before his departure. fierce and terrible man. She believed that it was out
“By the way,” said the landlord in conclusion, of dread of him that Lady Frances had accepted the
“you are not the only friend of Lady Frances Carfax escort of the Shlessingers to London. She had never
who is inquiring after her just now. Only a week or spoken to Marie about it, but many little signs had
so ago we had a man here upon the same errand.” convinced the maid that her mistress lived in a state
of continual nervous apprehension. So far she had
“Did he give a name?” I asked. got in her narrative, when suddenly she sprang
“None; but he was an Englishman, though of from her chair and her face was convulsed with
an unusual type.” surprise and fear. “See!” she cried. “The miscre-
“A savage?” said I, linking my facts after the ant follows still! There is the very man of whom I
fashion of my illustrious friend. speak.”
“Exactly. That describes him very well. He is a Through the open sitting-room window I saw
bulky, bearded, sunburned fellow, who looks as if a huge, swarthy man with a bristling black beard
he would be more at home in a farmers’ inn than walking slowly down the centre of the street and
in a fashionable hotel. A hard, fierce man, I should staring eagerly at he numbers of the houses. It was
think, and one whom I should be sorry to offend.” clear that, like myself, he was on the track of the
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
to place by a sinister and unrelenting figure. She “What if I am?” he asked with a most villainous
feared him, or she would not have fled from Lau- scowl.
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-
hind this long pursuit? There was the problem He stared at me with amazement.
which I had to solve. “What have you done with her? Why have you
To Holmes I wrote showing how rapidly and pursued her? I insist upon an answer!” said I.
surely I had got down to the roots of the matter. The fellow gave a below of anger and sprang
In reply I had a telegram asking for a description upon me like a tiger. I have held my own in many
of Dr. Shlessinger’s left ear. Holmes’s ideas of hu- a struggle, but the man had a grip of iron and the
mour are strange and occasionally offensive, so I fury of a fiend. His hand was on my throat and my
took no notice of his ill-timed jest—indeed, I had senses were nearly gone before an unshaven French
already reached Montpellier in my pursuit of the ouvrier in a blue blouse darted out from a cabaret
maid, Marie, before his message came. opposite, with a cudgel in his hand, and struck
my assailant a sharp crack over the forearm, which
I had no difficulty in finding the ex-servant and
made him leave go his hold. He stood for an instant
in learning all that she could tell me. She was a
fuming with rage and uncertain whether he should
devoted creature, who had only left her mistress
not renew his attack. Then, with a snarl of anger,
because she was sure that she was in good hands,
he left me and entered the cottage from which I
and because her own approaching marriage made
had just come. I turned to thank my preserver, who
a separation inevitable in any case. Her mistress
stood beside me in the roadway.
had, as she confessed with distress, shown some
irritability of temper towards her during their stay “Well, Watson,” said he, “a very pretty hash you
in Baden, and had even questioned her once as if have made of it! I rather think you had better come
she had suspicions of her honesty, and this had back with me to London by the night express.”
made the parting easier than it would otherwise An hour afterwards, Sherlock Holmes, in his
have been. Lady Frances had given her fifty pounds usual garb and style, was seated in my private
as a wedding-present. Like me, Marie viewed with room at the hotel. His explanation of his sudden
deep distrust the stranger who had driven her mis- and opportune appearance was simplicity itself, for,
tress from Lausanne. With her own eyes she had finding that he could get away from London, he de-
seen him seize the lady’s wrist with great violence termined to head me off at the next obvious point

813
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

of my travels. In the disguise of a workingman he years had passed and I had made my money at Bar-
had sat in the cabaret waiting for my appearance. berton I thought perhaps I could seek her out and
“And a singularly consistent investigation you soften her. I had heard that she was still unmarried,
have made, my dear Watson,” said he. “I cannot at I found her at Lausanne and tried all I knew. She
the moment recall any possible blunder which you weakened, I think, but her will was strong, and
have omitted. The total effect of your proceeding when next I called she had left the town. I traced
has been to give the alarm everywhere and yet to her to Baden, and then after a time heard that her
discover nothing.” maid was here. I’m a rough fellow, fresh from a
rough life, and when Dr. Watson spoke to me as
“Perhaps you would have done no better,” I he did I lost hold of myself for a moment. But for
answered bitterly. God’s sake tell me what has become of the Lady
“There is no ‘perhaps’ about it. I have done Frances.”
better. Here is the Hon. Philip Green, who is a “That is for us to find out,” said Sherlock
fellow-lodger with you in this hotel, and we may Holmes with peculiar gravity. “What is your Lon-
find him the starting-point for a more successful don address, Mr. Green?”
investigation.”
“The Langham Hotel will find me.”
A card had come up on a salver, and it was “Then may I recommend that you return there
followed by the same bearded ruffian who had at- and be on hand in case I should want you? I have
tacked me in the street. He started when he saw no desire to encourage false hopes, but you may
me. rest assured that all that can be done will be done
“What is this, Mr. Holmes?” he asked. “I had for the safety of Lady Frances. I can say no more
your note and I have come. But what has this man for the instant. I will leave you this card so that
to do with the matter?” you may be able to keep in touch with us. Now,
“This is my old friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Watson, if you will pack your bag I will cable to
who is helping us in this affair.” Mrs. Hudson to make one of her best efforts for
two hungry travellers at 7.30 to-morrow.”
The stranger held out a huge, sunburned hand,
A telegram was awaiting us when we reached
with a few words of apology.
our Baker Street rooms, which Holmes read with
“I hope I didn’t harm you. When you accused an exclamation of interest and threw across to me.
me of hurting her I lost my grip of myself. In- “Jagged or torn,” was the message, and the place
deed, I’m not responsible in these days. My nerves of origin, Baden.
are like live wires. But this situation is beyond “What is this?” I asked.
me. What I want to know, in the first place, Mr.
“It is everything,” Holmes answered. “You may
Holmes, is, how in the world you came to hear of
remember my seemingly irrelevant question as to
my existence at all.”
this clerical gentleman’s left ear. You did not an-
“I am in touch with Miss Dobney, Lady swer it.”
Frances’s governess.”
“I had left Baden and could not inquire.”
“Old Susan Dobney with the mob cap! I remem- “Exactly. For this reason I sent a duplicate to
ber her well.” the manager of the Englischer Hof, whose answer
“And she remembers you. It was in the days lies here.”
before—before you found it better to go to South “What does it show?”
Africa.” “It shows, my dear Watson, that we are dealing
“Ah, I see you know my whole story. I need with an exceptionally astute and dangerous man.
hide nothing from you. I swear to you, Mr. Holmes, The Rev. Dr. Shlessinger, missionary from South
that there never was in this world a man who loved America, is none other than Holy Peters, one of the
a woman with a more wholehearted love than I had most unscrupulous rascals that Australia has ever
for Frances. I was a wild youngster, I know—not evolved—and for a young country it has turned out
worse than others of my class. But her mind was some very finished types. His particular specialty
pure as snow. She could not bear a shadow of is the beguiling of lonely ladies by playing upon
coarseness. So, when she came to hear of things their religious feelings, and his so-called wife, an
that I had done, she would have no more to say Englishwoman named Fraser, is a worthy helpmate.
to me. And yet she loved me—that is the wonder The nature of his tactics suggested his identity to
of it!—loved me well enough to remain single all me, and this physical peculiarity—he was badly bit-
her sainted days just for my sake alone. When the ten in a saloon-fight at Adelaide in ’89—confirmed

814
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

my suspicion. This poor lady is in the hands of “These people do not know you by sight?”
a most infernal couple, who will stick at nothing, “No.”
Watson. That she is already dead is a very likely “It is possible that he will go to some other
supposition. If not, she is undoubtedly in some pawnbroker in the future. in that case, we must
sort of confinement and unable to write to Miss begin again. On the other hand, he has had a fair
Dobney or her other friends. It is always possible price and no questions asked, so if he is in need of
that she never reached London, or that she has ready-money he will probably come back to Bov-
passed through it, but the former is improbable, as, ington’s. I will give you a note to them, and they
with their system of registration, it is not easy for will let you wait in the shop. If the fellow comes
foreigners to play tricks with the Continental po- you will follow him home. But no indiscretion, and,
lice; and the latter is also unlikely, as these rouges above all, no violence. I put you on your honour
could not hope to find any other place where it that you will take no step without my knowledge
would be as easy to keep a person under restraint. and consent.”
All my instincts tell me that she is in London, but
For two days the Hon. Philip Green (he was, I
as we have at present no possible means of telling
may mention, the son of the famous admiral of that
where, we can only take the obvious steps, eat our
name who commanded the Sea of Azof fleet in the
dinner, and possess our souls in patience. Later
Crimean War) brought us no news. On the evening
in the evening I will stroll down and have a word
of the third he rushed into our sitting-room, pale,
with friend Lestrade at Scotland Yard.”
trembling, with every muscle of his powerful frame
But neither the official police nor Holmes’s own quivering with excitement.
small but very efficient organization sufficed to “We have him! We have him!” he cried.
clear away the mystery. Amid the crowded mil-
lions of London the three persons we sought were He was incoherent in his agitation. Holmes
as completely obliterated as if they had never lived. soothed him with a few words and thrust him into
Advertisements were tried, and failed. Clues were an armchair.
followed, and led to nothing. Every criminal resort “Come, now, give us the order of events,” said
which Shlessinger might frequent was drawn in he.
vain. His old associates were watched, but they “She came only an hour ago. It was the wife,
kept clear of him. And then suddenly, after a week this time, but the pendant she brought was the fel-
of helpless suspense there came a flash of light. A low of the other. She is a tall, pale woman, with
silver-and-brilliant pendant of old Spanish design ferret eyes.”
had been pawned at Bovington’s, in Westminster “That is the lady,” said Holmes.
Road. The pawner was a large, clean-shaven man “She left the office and I followed her. She
of clerical appearance. His name and address were walked up the Kennington Road, and I kept behind
demonstrably false. The ear had escaped notice, her. Presently she went into a shop. Mr. Holmes, it
but the description was surely that of Shlessinger. was an undertaker’s.”
Three times had our bearded friend from the My companion started. “Well?” he asked in that
Langham called for news—the third time within an vibrant voice which told of the fiery soul behind
hour of this fresh development. His clothes were the cold gray face.
getting looser on his great body. He seemed to be “She was talking to the woman behind the
wilting away in his anxiety. “If you will only give counter. I entered as well. ‘It is late,’ I heard her
me something to do!” was his constant wail. At last say, or words to that effect. The woman was ex-
Holmes could oblige him. cusing herself. ‘It should be there before now,’ she
“He has begun to pawn the jewels. We should answered. ‘It took longer, being out of the ordinary.’
get him now.” They both stopped and looked at me, so I asked
“But does this mean that any harm has befallen some questions and then left the shop.”
the Lady Frances?” “You did excellently well. What happened
next?”
Holmes shook his head very gravely.
“The woman came out, but I had hid myself
“Supposing that they have held her prisoner up in a doorway. Her suspicions had been aroused, I
to now, it is clear that they cannot let her loose think, for she looked round her. Then she called a
without their own destruction. We must prepare cab and got in. I was lucky enough to get another
for the worst.” and so to follow her. She got down at last at No.
“What can I do?” 36, Poultney Square, Brixton. I drove past, left my

815
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

cab at the corner of the square, and watched the released. But they cannot keep her under lock and
house.” key forever. So murder is their only solution.”
“Did you see anyone?” “That seems very clear.”
“The windows were all in darkness save one on “Now we will take another line of reasoning.
the lower floor. The blind was down, and I could When you follow two separate chains of thought,
not see in. I was standing there, wondering what I Watson, you will find some point of intersection
should do next, when a covered van drove up with which should approximate to the truth. We will
two men in it. They descended, took something out start now, not from the lady but from the coffin
of the van, and carried it up the steps to the hall and argue backward. That incident proves, I fear,
door. Mr. Holmes, it was a coffin.” beyond all doubt that the lady is dead. It points
also to an orthodox burial with proper accompa-
“Ah!”
niment of medical certificate and official sanction.
“For an instant I was on the point of rushing in. Had the lady been obviously murdered, they would
The door had been opened to admit the men and have buried her in a hole in the back garden. But
their burden. It was the woman who had opened here all is open and regular. What does this mean?
it. But as I stood there she caught a glimpse of me, Surely that they have done her to death in some
and I think that she recognized me. I saw her start, way which has deceived the doctor and simulated
and she hastily closed the door. I remembered my a natural end—poisoning, perhaps. And yet how
promise to you, and here I am.” strange that they should ever let a doctor approach
“You have done excellent work,” said Holmes, her unless he were a confederate, which is hardly a
scribbling a few words upon a half-sheet of paper. 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 may hardly see them doing that. Pull up, cabby! This is
be some difficulty, but I should think that the sale evidently the undertaker’s, for we have just passed
of the jewellery should be sufficient. Lestrade will the pawnbroker’s. Would go in, Watson? Your
see to all details.” appearance 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; everything
Not a moment will be lost. Leave it in our hands. above-board! In some way the legal forms have un-
Now Watson,” he added as our client hurried away, doubtedly been complied with, and they think that
“he will set the regular forces on the move. We are, they have little to fear. Well, there’s nothing for it
as usual, the irregulars, and we must take our own now but a direct frontal attack. Are you armed?”
line of action. The situation strikes me as so des- “My stick!”
perate that the most extreme measures are justified. “Well, well, we shall be strong enough. ‘Thrice
Not a moment is to be lost in getting to Poultney is he armed who hath his quarrel just.’ We simply
Square. can’t afford to wait for the police or to keep within
“Let us try to reconstruct the situation,” said the four corners of the law. You can drive off, cabby.
he as we drove swiftly past the Houses of Parlia- Now, Watson, we’ll just take our luck together, as
ment and over Westminster Bridge. “These villains we have occasionally in the past.”
have coaxed this unhappy lady to London, after He had rung loudly at the door of a great dark
first alienating her from her faithful maid. If she house in the centre of Poultney Square. It was
has written any letters they have been intercepted. opened immediately, and the figure of a tall woman
Through some confederate they have engaged a was outlined against the dim-lit hall.
furnished house. Once inside it, they have made
“Well, what do you want?” she asked sharply,
her a prisoner, and they have become possessed of
peering at us through the darkness.
the valuable jewellery which has been their object
from the first. Already they have begun to sell part “I want to speak to Dr. Shlessinger,” said
of it, which seems safe enough to them, since they Holmes.
have no reason to think that anyone is interested “There is no such person here,” she answered,
in the lady’s fate. When she is released she will, of and tried to close the door, but Holmes had jammed
course, denounce them. Therefore, she must not be it with his foot.

816
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

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

817
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

“I am going through your house,” said he. they should have no servant. So far and no further
“Are you, though!” cried Peters as a woman’s went the doctor.
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 until
to put them out.” next morning. If Holmes would call about nine
A sergeant and a constable stood in the doorway. he could go down with Lestrade and see it acted
Holmes drew his card from his case. upon. So ended the day, save that near midnight
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 windows
friend, Dr. Watson.” of the great dark house, but that no one had left
“Bless you, sir, we know you very well,” said it and none had entered. We could but pray for
the sergeant, “but you can’t stay here without a 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
hard, with his heavy, dark brows knotted together,
“Arrest him!” cried Peters.
and his long, nervous fingers tapping upon the
“We know where to lay our hands on this gentle- arms of his chair, as he turned over in his mind ev-
man if he is wanted,” said the sergeant majestically, ery possible solution of the mystery. Several times
“but you’ll have to go, Mr. Holmes.” in the course of the night I heard him prowling
“Yes, Watson, we shall have to go.” about the house. Finally, just after I had been called
in the morning, he rushed into my room. He was in
A minute later we were in the street once more.
his dressing-gown, but his pale, hollow-eyed face
Holmes was as cool as ever, but I was hot with
told me that his night had been a sleepless one.
anger and humiliation. The sergeant had followed
us. “What time was the funeral? Eight, was it not?”
he asked eagerly. “Well, it is 7.20 now. Good heav-
“Sorry, Mr. Holmes, but that’s the law.”
ens, Watson, what has become of any brains that
“Exactly, Sergeant, you could not do otherwise.” 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 so
it was twenty-five to eight as we passed Big Ben,
“Then I’ll keep my eye on the parties, Mr.
and eight struck as we tore down the Brixton Road.
Holmes. If anything comes along, I will surely
But others were late as well as we. Ten minutes
let you know.”
after the hour the hearse was still standing at the
It was only nine o’clock, and we were off full door of the house, and even as our foaming horse
cry upon the trail at once. First we drove to Brixton came to a halt the coffin, supported by three men,
Workhoused Infirmary, where we found that it was appeared on the threshold. Holmes darted forward
indeed the truth that a charitable couple had called and barred their way.
some days before, that they had claimed an imbe- “Take it back!” he cried, laying his hand on the
cile old woman as a former servant, and that they breast of the foremost. “Take it back this instant!”
had obtained permission to take her away with
them. No surprise was expressed at the news that “What the devil do you mean? Once again I ask
she had since died. you, where is your warrant?” shouted the furious
Peters, his big red face glaring over the farther end
The doctor was our next goal. He had been of the coffin.
called in, had found the woman dying of pure se-
nility, had actually seen her pass away, and had “The warrant is on its way. The coffin shall
signed the certificate in due form. “I assure you remain in the house until it comes.”
that everything was perfectly normal and there was The authority in Holmes’s voice had its effect
no room for foul play in the matter,” said he. Noth- upon the bearers. Peters had suddenly vanished
ing in the house had struck him as suspicious save into the house, and they obeyed these new orders.
that for people of their class it was remarkable that “Quick, Watson, quick! Here is a screw-driver!” he

818
 The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

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

819
The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot
I
The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

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

823
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

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

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

The other had been silent all this time, but I it was all forgiven and forgotten, and we were the
had observed that his more controlled excitement 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 show
gerly. “It is a bad thing to speak of, but I will
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 go. I left them all round the table, as merry as “There is one thing occurs to me,” said he at
could be.” last. “As we sat at the table my back was to the win-
dow, and my brother George, he being my partner
“Who let you out?” at cards, was facing it. I saw him once look hard
“Mrs. Porter had gone to bed, so I let myself over my shoulder, so I turned round and looked
out. I shut the hall door behind me. The window also. The blind was up and the window shut, but
of the room in which they sat was closed, but the I could just make out the bushes on the lawn, and
blind was not drawn down. There was no change it seemed to me for a moment that I saw some-
in door or window this morning, or any reason to thing moving among them. I couldn’t even say if
think that any stranger had been to the house. Yet it was man or animal, but I just thought there was
there they sat, driven clean mad with terror, and something there. When I asked him what he was
Brenda lying dead of fright, with her head hanging looking at, he told me that he had the same feeling.
over the arm of the chair. I’ll never get the sight of That is all that I can say.”
that room out of my mind so long as I live.” “Did you not investigate?”
“The facts, as you state them, are certainly most “No; the matter passed as unimportant.”
remarkable,” said Holmes. “I take it that you have “You left them, then, without any premonition
no theory yourself which can in any way account of evil?”
for them?”
“None at all.”
“It’s devilish, Mr. Holmes, devilish!” cried Mor- “I am not clear how you came to hear the news
timer Tregennis. “It is not of this world. Something so early this morning.”
has come into that room which has dashed the
“I am an early riser and generally take a walk
light of reason from their minds. What human
before breakfast. This morning I had hardly started
contrivance could do that?”
when the doctor in his carriage overtook me. He
“I fear,” said Holmes, “that if the matter is be- told me that old Mrs. Porter had sent a boy down
yond humanity it is certainly beyond me. Yet we with an urgent message. I sprang in beside him
must exhaust all natural explanations before we fall and we drove on. When we got there we looked
back upon such a theory as this. As to yourself, Mr. into that dreadful room. The candles and the fire
Tregennis, I take it you were divided in some way must have burned out hours before, and they had
from your family, since they lived together and you been sitting there in the dark until dawn had bro-
had rooms apart?” ken. The doctor said Brenda must have been dead
“That is so, Mr. Holmes, though the matter is at least six hours. There were no signs of violence.
past and done with. We were a family of tin-miners She just lay across the arm of the chair with that
at Redruth, but we sold our venture to a company, look on her face. George and Owen were singing
and so retired with enough to keep us. I won’t deny snatches of songs and gibbering like two great apes.
that there was some feeling about the division of Oh, it was awful to see! I couldn’t stand it, and the
the money and it stood between us for a time, but doctor was as white as a sheet. Indeed, he fell into

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

a chair in a sort of faint, and we nearly had him on men to get the brothers into the asylum carriage.
our hands as well.” She would not herself stay in the house another day
“Remarkable—most remarkable!” said Holmes, and was starting that very afternoon to rejoin her
rising and taking his hat. “I think, perhaps, we family at St. Ives.
had better go down to Tredannick Wartha without We ascended the stairs and viewed the body.
further delay. I confess that I have seldom known a Miss Brenda Tregennis had been a very beautiful
case which at first sight presented a more singular girl, though now verging upon middle age. Her
problem.” dark, clear-cut face was handsome, even in death,
Our proceedings of that first morning did lit- but there still lingered upon it something of that
tle to advance the investigation. It was marked, convulsion of horror which had been her last hu-
however, at the outset by an incident which left man emotion. From her bedroom we descended to
the most sinister impression upon my mind. The the sitting-room, where this strange tragedy had ac-
approach to the spot at which the tragedy occurred tually occurred. The charred ashes of the overnight
is down a narrow, winding, country lane. While fire lay in the grate. On the table were the four
we made our way along it we heard the rattle of guttered and burned-out candles, with the cards
a carriage coming towards us and stood aside to scattered over its surface. The chairs had been
let it pass. As it drove by us I caught a glimpse moved back against the walls, but all else was as
through the closed window of a horribly contorted, it had been the night before. Holmes paced with
grinning face glaring out at us. Those staring eyes light, swift steps about the room; he sat in the var-
and gnashing teeth flashed past us like a dreadful ious chairs, drawing them up and reconstructing
vision. their positions. He tested how much of the garden
was visible; he examined the floor, the ceiling, and
“My brothers!” cried Mortimer Tregennis, white the fireplace; but never once did I see that sudden
to his lips. “They are taking them to Helston.” brightening of his eyes and tightening of his lips
We looked with horror after the black carriage, which would have told me that he saw some gleam
lumbering upon its way. Then we turned our steps 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, according
My friend smiled and laid his hand upon my
to Mortimer Tregennis, must have come that thing
arm. “I think, Watson, that I shall resume that
of evil which had by sheer horror in a single in-
course of tobacco-poisoning which you have so of-
stant blasted their minds. Holmes walked slowly
ten and so justly condemned,” said he. “With your
and thoughtfully among the flower-plots and along
permission, gentlemen, we will now return to our
the path before we entered the porch. So absorbed
cottage, for I am not aware that any new factor is
was he in his thoughts, I remember, that he stum-
likely to come to our notice here. I will turn the
bled over the watering-pot, upset its contents, and
facts over in my mid, Mr, Tregennis, and should
deluged both our feet and the garden path. In-
anything occur to me I will certainly ommunicate
side the house we were met by the elderly Cornish
with you and the vicar. In the meantime I wish you
housekeeper, Mrs. Porter, who, with the aid of a
both good-morning.”
young girl, looked after the wants of the family. She
readily answered all Holmes’s questions. She had It was not until long after we were back in
heard nothing in the night. Her employers had all Poldhu Cottage that Holmes broke his complete
been in excellent spirits lately, and she had never and absorbed silence. He sat coiled in his armchair,
known them more cheerful and prosperous. She his haggard and ascetic face hardly visible amid the
had fainted with horror upon entering the room blue swirl of his tobacco smoke, his black brows
in the morning and seeing that dreadful company drawn down, his forehead contracted, his eyes va-
round the table. She had, when she recovered, cant and far away. Finally he laid down his pipe
thrown open the window to let the morning air in, and sprang to his feet.
and had run down to the lane, whence she sent a “It won’t do, Watson!” said he with a laugh.
farm-lad for the doctor. The lady was on her bed “Let us walk along the cliffs together and search
upstairs if we cared to see her. It took four strong for flint arrows. We are more likely to find them

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

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

827
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

conceivable explanation. My only claim to being to make certain that Dr. Leon Sterndale’s account
taken into your confidence is that during my many was true. It appears that he did indeed spend last
residences here I have come to know this family night there, and that he has actually allowed some
of Tregennis very well—indeed, upon my Cornish of his baggage to go on to Africa, while he returned
mother’s side I could call them cousins—and their to be present at this investigation. What do you
strange fate has naturally been a great shock to me. make of that, Watson?”
I may tell you that I had got as far as Plymouth “He is deeply interested.”
upon my way to Africa, but the news reached me “Deeply interested—yes. There is a thread here
this morning, and I came straight back again to which we had not yet grasped and which might
help in the inquiry.” lead us through the tangle. Cheer up, Watson, for
Holmes raised his eyebrows. I am very sure that our material has not yet all
“Did you lose your boat through it?” come to hand. When it does we may soon leave
our difficulties behind us.”
“I will take the next.”
Little did I think how soon the words of Holmes
“Dear me! that is friendship indeed.” would be realized, or how strange and sinister
“I tell you they were relatives.” would be that new development which opened up
“Quite so—cousins of your mother. Was your an entirely fresh line of investigation. I was shaving
baggage aboard the ship?” at my window in the morning when I heard the
rattle of hoofs and, looking up, saw a dog-cart com-
“Some of it, but the main part at the hotel.”
ing at a gallop down the road. It pulled up at our
“I see. But surely this event could not have door, and our friend, the vicar, sprang from it and
found its way into the Plymouth morning papers.” rushed up our garden path. Holmes was already
“No, sir; I had a telegram.” dressed, and we hastened down to meet him.
“Might I ask from whom?” Our visitor was so excited that he could hardly
articulate, but at last in gasps and bursts his tragic
A shadow passed over the gaunt face of the
story came out of him.
explorer.
“We are devil-ridden, Mr. Holmes! My poor
“You are very inquisitive, Mr. Holmes.” parish is devil-ridden!” he cried. “Satan himself is
“It is my business.” loose in it! We are given over into his hands!” He
With an effort Dr. Sterndale recovered his ruf- danced about in his agitation, a ludicrous object
fled composure. if it were not for his ashy face and startled eyes.
Finally he shot out his terrible news.
“I have no objection to telling you,” he said.
“It was Mr. Roundhay, the vicar, who sent me the “Mr. Mortimer Tregennis died during the night,
telegram which recalled me.” and with exactly the same symptoms as the rest of
his family.”
“Thank you,” said Holmes. “I may say in an-
Holmes sprang to his feet, all energy in an in-
swer to your original question that I have not
stant.
cleared my mind entirely on the subject of this
case, but that I have every hope of reaching some “Can you fit us both into your dog-cart?”
conclusion. It would be premature to say more.” “Yes, I can.”
“Then, Watson, we will postpone our breakfast.
“Perhaps you would not mind telling me if your
Mr. Roundhay, we are entirely at your disposal.
suspicions point in any particular direction?”
Hurry—hurry, before things get disarranged.”
“No, I can hardly answer that.”
The lodger occupied two rooms at the vicarage,
“Then I have wasted my time and need not pro- which were in an angle by themselves, the one
long my visit.” The famous doctor strode out of our above the other. Below was a large sitting-room;
cottage in considerable ill-humour, and within five above, his bedroom. They looked out upon a cro-
minutes Holmes had followed him. I saw him no quet lawn which came up to the windows. We
more until the evening, when he returned with a had arrived before the doctor or the police, so that
slow step and haggard face which assured me that everything was absolutely undisturbed. Let me
he had made no great progress with his investiga- describe exactly the scene as we saw it upon that
tion. He glanced at a telegram which awaited him misty March morning. It has left an impression
and threw it into the grate. which can never be effaced from my mind.
“From the Plymouth hotel, Watson,” he said. “I The atmosphere of the room was of a horri-
learned the name of it from the vicar, and I wired ble and depressing stuffiness. The servant who

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

had first entered had thrown up the window, or I think that, perhaps, we shall be better employed
it would have been even more intolerable. This elsewhere.”
might partly be due to the fact that a lamp stood It may be that the police resented the intrusion
flaring and smoking on the centre table. Beside it of an amateur, or that they imagined themselves to
sat the dead man, leaning back in his chair, his thin be upon some hopeful line of investigation; but it
beard projecting, his spectacles pushed up on to is certain that we heard nothing from them for the
his forehead, and his lean dark face turned towards next two days. During this time Holmes spent some
the window and twisted into the same distortion of of his time smoking and dreaming in the cottage;
terror which had marked the features of his dead but a greater portion in country walks which he un-
sister. His limbs were convulsed and his fingers dertook alone, returning after many hours without
contorted as though he had died in a very parox- remark as to where he had been. One experiment
ysm of fear. He was fully clothed, though there served to show me the line of his investigation. He
were signs that his dressing had been done in a had bought a lamp which was the duplicate of the
hurry. We had already learned that his bed had one which had burned in the room of Mortimer
been slept in, and that the tragic end had come to Tregennis on the morning of the tragedy. This he
him in the early morning. filled with the same oil as that used at the vicarage,
and he carefully timed the period which it would
One realized the red-hot energy which under- take to be exhausted. Another experiment which
lay Holmes’s phlegmatic exterior when one saw he made was of a more unpleasant nature, and one
the sudden change which came over him from the which I am not likely ever to forget.
moment that he entered the fatal apartment. In
“You will remember, Watson,” he remarked one
an instant he was tense and alert, his eyes shining,
afternoon, “that there is a single common point
his face set, his limbs quivering with eager activity.
of resemblance in the varying reports which have
He was out on the lawn, in through the window,
reached us. This concerns the effect of the atmo-
round the room, and up into the bedroom, for all
sphere of the room in each case upon those who
the world like a dashing foxhound drawing a cover.
had first entered it. You will recollect that Mortimer
In the bedroom he made a rapid cast around and
Tregennis, in describing the episode of his last visit
ended by throwing open the window, which ap-
to his brother’s house, remarked that the doctor
peared to give him some fresh cause for excitement,
on entering the room fell into a chair? You had
for he leaned out of it with loud ejaculations of
forgotten? Well I can answer for it that it was so.
interest and delight. Then he rushed down the
Now, you will remember also that Mrs. Porter, the
stair, out through the open window, threw himself
housekeeper, told us that she herself fainted upon
upon his face on the lawn, sprang up and into the
entering the room and had afterwards opened the
room once more, all with the energy of the hunter
window. In the second case—that of Mortimer
who is at the very heels of his quarry. The lamp,
Tregennis himself—you cannot have forgotten the
which was an ordinary standard, he examined with
horrible stuffiness of the room when we arrived,
minute care, making certain measurements upon
though the servant had thrown open the window.
its bowl. He carefully scrutinized with his lens the
That servant, I found upon inquiry, was so ill that
talc shield which covered the top of the chimney
she had gone to her bed. You will admit, Watson,
and scraped off some ashes which adhered to its
that these facts are very suggestive. In each case
upper surface, putting some of them into an enve-
there is evidence of a poisonous atmosphere. In
lope, which he placed in his pocketbook. Finally,
each case, also, there is combustion going on in the
just as the doctor and the official police put in an
room—in the one case a fire, in the other a lamp.
appearance, he beckoned to the vicar and we all
The fire was needed, but the lamp was lit—as a
three went out upon the lawn.
comparison of the oil consumed will show—long
“I am glad to say that my investigation has not after it was broad daylight. Why? Surely because
been entirely barren,” he remarked. “I cannot re- there is some connection between three things—the
main to discuss the matter with the police, but I burning, the stuffy atmosphere, and, finally, the
should be exceedingly obliged, Mr. Roundhay, if madness or death of those unfortunate people. That
you would give the inspector my compliments and is clear, is it not?”
direct his attention to the bedroom window and “It would appear so.”
to the sitting-room lamp. Each is suggestive, and “At least we may accept it as a working hypoth-
together they are almost conclusive. If the police esis. We will suppose, then, that something was
would desire further information I shall be happy burned in each case which produced an atmosphere
to see any of them at the cottage. And now, Watson, causing strange toxic effects. Very good. In the first

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

instance—that of the Tregennis family—this sub- wicked in the universe. Vague shapes swirled and
stance was placed in the fire. Now the window swam amid the dark cloud-bank, each a menace
was shut, but the fire would naturally carry fumes and a warning of something coming, the advent
to some extent up the chimney. Hence one would of some unspeakable dweller upon the threshold,
expect the effects of the poison to be less than in whose very shadow would blast my soul. A freez-
the second case, where there was less escape for the ing horror took possession of me. I felt that my
vapour. The result seems to indicate that it was so, hair was rising, that my eyes were protruding, that
since in the first case only the woman, who had pre- my mouth was opened, and my tongue like leather.
sumably the more sensitive organism, was killed, The turmoil within my brain was such that some-
the others exhibiting that temporary or permanent thing must surely snap. I tried to scream and was
lunacy which is evidently the first effect of the drug. vaguely aware of some hoarse croak which was
In the second case the result was complete. The my own voice, but distant and detached from my-
facts, therefore, seem to bear out the theory of a self. At the same moment, in some effort of es-
poison which worked by combustion. cape, I broke through that cloud of despair and
“With this train of reasoning in my head I natu- had a glimpse of Holmes’s face, white, rigid, and
rally looked about in Mortimer Tregennis’s room to drawn with horror—the very look which I had seen
find some remains of this substance. The obvious upon the features of the dead. It was that vision
place to look was the talc shelf or smoke-guard of which gave me an instant of sanity and of strength.
the lamp. There, sure enough, I perceived a num- I dashed from my chair, threw my arms round
ber of flaky ashes, and round the edges a fringe Holmes, and together we lurched through the door,
of brownish powder, which had not yet been con- and an instant afterwards had thrown ourselves
sumed. Half of this I took, as you saw, and I placed down upon the grass plot and were lying side by
it in an envelope.” side, conscious only of the glorious sunshine which
was bursting its way through the hellish cloud of
“Why half, Holmes?” terror which had girt us in. Slowly it rose from our
“It is not for me, my dear Watson, to stand in souls like the mists from a landscape until peace
the way of the official police force. I leave them and reason had returned, and we were sitting upon
all the evidence which I found. The poison still the grass, wiping our clammy foreheads, and look-
remained upon the talc had they the wit to find ing with apprehension at each other to mark the
it. Now, Watson, we will light our lamp; we will, last traces of that terrific experience which we had
however, take the precaution to open our window undergone.
to avoid the premature decease of two deserving “Upon my word, Watson!” said Holmes at last
members of society, and you will seat yourself near with an unsteady voice, “I owe you both my thanks
that open window in an armchair unless, like a and an apology. It was an unjustifiable experiment
sensible man, you determine to have nothing to even for one’s self, and doubly so for a friend. I am
do with the affair. Oh, you will see it out, will 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. The before, “that it is my greatest joy and privilege to
door we will leave ajar. Each is now in a position help you.”
to watch the other and to bring the experiment to He relapsed at once into the half-humorous,
an end should the symptoms seem alarming. Is half-cynical vein which was his habitual attitude
that all clear? Well, then, I take our powder—or to those about him. “It would be superfluous to
what remains of it—from the envelope, and I lay it drive us mad, my dear Watson,” said he. “A can-
above the burning lamp. So! Now, Watson, let us did observer would certainly declare that we were
sit down and await developments.” so already before we embarked upon so wild an
They were not long in coming. I had hardly set- experiment. I confess that I never imagined that
tled in my chair before I was conscious of a thick, the effect could be so sudden and so severe.” He
musky odour, subtle and nauseous. At the very dashed into the cottage, and, reappearing with the
first whiff of it my brain and my imagination were burning lamp held at full arm’s length, he threw
beyond all control. A thick, black cloud swirled it among a bank of brambles. “We must give the
before my eyes, and my mind told me that in this room a little time to clear. I take it, Watson, that
cloud, unseen as yet, but about to spring out upon you have no longer a shadow of a doubt as to how
my appalled senses, lurked all that was vaguely these tragedies were produced?”
horrible, all that was monstrous and inconceivably “None whatever.”

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 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

“But the cause remains as obscure as before. air, but my friend Watson and I have nearly fur-
Come into the arbour here and let us discuss it nished an additional chapter to what the papers
together. That villainous stuff seems still to linger call the Cornish Horror, and we prefer a clear atmo-
round my throat. I think we must admit that all the sphere for the present. Perhaps, since the matters
evidence points to this man, Mortimer Tregennis, which we have to discuss will affect you person-
having been the criminal in the first tragedy, though ally in a very intimate fashion, it is as well that we
he was the victim in the second one. We must re- should talk where there can be no eavesdropping.”
member, in the first place, that there is some story The explorer took his cigar from his lips and
of a family quarrel, followed by a reconciliation. gazed sternly at my companion.
How bitter that quarrel may have been, or how
“I am at a loss to know, sir,” he said, “what you
hollow the reconciliation we cannot tell. When I
can have to speak about which affects me person-
think of Mortimer Tregennis, with the foxy face and
ally in a very intimate fashion.”
the small shrewd, beady eyes behind the spectacles,
he is not a man whom I should judge to be of a “The killing of Mortimer Tregennis,” said
particularly forgiving disposition. Well, in the next Holmes.
place, you will remember that this idea of someone For a moment I wished that I were armed. Stern-
moving in the garden, which took our attention for dale’s fierce face turned to a dusky red, his eyes
a moment from the real cause of the tragedy, em- glared, and the knotted, passionate veins started
anated from him. He had a motive in misleading out in his forehead, while he sprang forward with
us. Finally, if he did not throw the substance into clenched hands towards my companion. Then he
the fire at the moment of leaving the room, who stopped, and with a violent effort he resumed a
did do so? The affair happened immediately after cold, rigid calmness, which was, perhaps, more
his departure. Had anyone else come in, the family suggestive of danger than his hot-headed outburst.
would certainly have risen from the table. Besides, “I have lived so long among savages and be-
in peaceful Cornwall, visitors did not arrive after yond the law,” said he, “that I have got into the way
ten o’clock at night. We may take it, then, that all of being a law to myself. You would do well, Mr.
the evidence points to Mortimer Tregennis as the Holmes, not to forget it, for I have no desire to do
culprit.” you an injury.”
“Then his own death was suicide!” “Nor have I any desire to do you an injury, Dr.
“Well, Watson, it is on the face of it a not im- Sterndale. Surely the clearest proof of it is that,
possible supposition. The man who had the guilt knowing what I know, I have sent for you and not
upon his soul of having brought such a fate upon for the police.”
his own family might well be driven by remorse to Sterndale sat down with a gasp, overawed for,
inflict it upon himself. There are, however, some perhaps, the first time in his adventurous life. There
cogent reasons against it. Fortunately, there is one was a calm assurance of power in Holmes’s manner
man in England who knows all about it, and I have which could not be withstood. Our visitor stam-
made arrangements by which we shall hear the mered for a moment, his great hands opening and
facts this afternoon from his own lips. Ah! he is shutting in his agitation.
a little before his time. Perhaps you would kindly “What do you mean?” he asked at last. “If this
step this way, Dr. Leon Sterndale. We have been is bluff upon your part, Mr. Holmes, you have cho-
conducing a chemical experiment indoors which sen a bad man for your experiment. Let us have no
has left our little room hardly fit for the reception more beating about the bush. What do you mean?”
of so distinguished a visitor.”
“I will tell you,” said Holmes, “and the reason
I had heard the click of the garden gate, and why I tell you is that I hope frankness may beget
now the majestic figure of the great African ex- frankness. What my next step may be will depend
plorer appeared upon the path. He turned in some entirely upon the nature of your own defence.”
surprise towards the rustic arbour in which we sat.
“My defence?”
“You sent for me, Mr. Holmes. I had your note
“Yes, sir.”
about an hour ago, and I have come, though I really
do not know why I should obey your summons.” “My defence against what?”
“Perhaps we can clear the point up before we “Against the charge of killing Mortimer Tregen-
separate,” said Holmes. “Meanwhile, I am much nis.”
obliged to you for your courteous acquiescence. Sterndale mopped his forehead with his hand-
You will excuse this informal reception in the open kerchief. “Upon my word, you are getting on,”

831
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

said he. “Do all your successes depend upon this as you had come. Now, Dr. Sterndale, how do you
prodigious power of bluff?” justify such conduct, and what were the motives
“The bluff,” said Holmes sternly, “is upon your for your actions? If you prevaricate or trifle with
side, Dr. Leon Sterndale, and not upon mine. As a me, I give you my assurance that the matter will
proof I will tell you some of the facts upon which pass out of my hands forever.”
my conclusions are based. Of your return from Ply- Our visitor’s face had turned ashen gray as he
mouth, allowing much of your property to go on to listened to the words of his accuser. Now he sat
Africa, I will say nothing save that it first informed for some time in thought with his face sunk in his
me that you were one of the factors which had to be hands. Then with a sudden impulsive gesture he
taken into account in reconstructing this drama—” plucked a photograph from his breast-pocket and
“I came back—” threw it on the rustic table before us.
“I have heard your reasons and regard them “That is why I have done it,” said he.
as unconvincing and inadequate. We will pass It showed the bust and face of a very beautiful
that. You came down here to ask me whom I sus- woman. Holmes stooped over it.
pected. I refused to answer you. You then went to “Brenda Tregennis,” said he.
the vicarage, waited outside it for some time, and “Yes, Brenda Tregennis,” repeated our visitor.
finally 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 to me.
“I saw no one.”
I could not marry her, for I have a wife who has
“That is what you may expect to see when I left me for years and yet whom, by the deplorable
follow you. You spent a restless night at your cot- laws of England, I could not divorce. For years
tage, and you formed certain plans, which in the Brenda waited. For years I waited. And this is
early morning you proceeded to put into execution. what we have waited for.” A terrible sob shook his
Leaving your door just as day was breaking, you great frame, and he clutched his throat under his
filled your pocket with some reddish gravel that brindled beard. Then with an effort he mastered
was lying heaped beside your gate.” 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 I
separated you from the vicarage. You were wear- 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 my
shoes which are at the present moment upon your darling? There you have the missing clue to my
feet. At the vicarage you passed through the or- action, Mr. Holmes.”
chard and the side hedge, coming out under the “Proceed,” said my friend.
window of the lodger Tregennis. It was now day- Dr. Sterndale drew from his pocket a paper
light, but the household was not yet stirring. You packet and laid it upon the table. On the outside
drew some of the gravel from your pocket, and you was written “Radix pedis diaboli” with a red poi-
threw it up at the window above you.” son label beneath it. He pushed it towards me. “I
Sterndale sprang to his feet. understand that you are a doctor, sir. Have you
“I believe that you are the devil himself!” he ever heard of this preparation?”
cried. “Devil’s-foot root! No, I have never heard of it.”
Holmes smiled at the compliment. “It took two, “It is no reflection upon your professional
or possibly three, handfuls before the lodger came knowledge,” said he, “for I believe that, save for
to the window. You beckoned him to come down. one sample in a laboratory at Buda, there is no
He dressed hurriedly and descended to his sitting- other specimen in Europe. It has not yet found its
room. You entered by the window. There was an way either into the pharmacopoeia or into the liter-
interview—a short one—during which you walked ature of toxicology. The root is shaped like a foot,
up and down the room. Then you passed out and half human, half goatlike; hence the fanciful name
closed the window, standing on the lawn outside given by a botanical missionary. It is used as an or-
smoking a cigar and watching what occurred. Fi- deal poison by the medicine-men in certain districts
nally, after the death of Tregennis, you withdrew of West Africa and is kept as a secret among them.

832
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

This particular specimen I obtained under very ex- “Should I appeal to the law? Where were my
traordinary circumstances in the Ubangi country.” proofs? I knew that the facts were true, but could I
He opened the paper as he spoke and disclosed a help to make a jury of countrymen believe so fan-
heap of reddish-brown, snuff-like powder. tastic a story? I might or I might not. But I could
not afford to fail. My soul cried out for revenge. I
“Well, sir?” asked Holmes sternly. have said to you once before, Mr. Holmes, that I
“I am about to tell you, Mr. Holmes, all that ac- have spent much of my life outside the law, and
tually occurred, for you already know so much that that I have come at last to be a law to myself. So
it is clearly to my interest that you should know all. it was even now. I determined that the fate which
I have already explained the relationship in which he had given to others should be shared by himself.
I stood to the Tregennis family. For the sake of the Either that or I would do justice upon him with my
sister I was friendly with the brothers. There was a own hand. In all England there can be no man who
family quarrel about money which estranged this sets less value upon his own life than I do at the
man Mortimer, but it was supposed to be made up, present moment.
and I afterwards met him as I did the others. He “Now I have told you all. You have yourself
was a sly, subtle, scheming man, and several things supplied the rest. I did, as you say, after a rest-
arose which gave me a suspicion of him, but I had less night, set off early from my cottage. I foresaw
no cause for any positive quarrel. the difficulty of arousing him, so I gathered some
gravel from the pile which you have mentioned,
“One day, only a couple of weeks ago, he came
and I used it to throw up to his window. He came
down to my cottage and I showed him some of my
down and admitted me through the window of the
African curiosities. Among other things I exhibited
sitting-room. I laid his offence before him. I told
this powder, and I told him of its strange properties,
him that I had come both as judge and executioner.
how it stimulates those brain centres which control
The wretch sank into a chair, paralyzed at the sight
the emotion of fear, and how either madness or
of my revolver. I lit the lamp, put the powder above
death is the fate of the unhappy native who is sub-
it, and stood outside the window, ready to carry
jected to the ordeal by the priest of his tribe. I told
out my threat to shoot him should he try to leave
him also how powerless European science would
the room. In five minutes he died. My God! how
be to detect it. How he took it I cannot say, for I
he died! But my heart was flint, for he endured
never left the room, but there is no doubt that it was
nothing which my innocent darling had not felt
then, while I was opening cabinets and stooping
before him. There is my story, Mr. Holmes. Per-
to boxes, that he managed to abstract some of the
haps, if you loved a woman, you would have done
devil’s-foot root. I well remember how he plied me
as much yourself. At any rate, I am in your hands.
with questions as to the amount and the time that
You can take what steps you like. As I have already
was needed for its effect, but I little dreamed that
said, there is no man living who can fear death less
he could have a personal reason for asking.
than I do.”
“I thought no more of the matter until the Holmes sat for some little time in silence.
vicar’s telegram reached me at Plymouth. This
villain had thought that I would be at sea before “What were your plans?” he asked at last.
the news could reach me, and that I should be lost “I had intended to bury myself in central Africa.
for years in Africa. But I returned at once. Of My work there is but half finished.”
course, I could not listen to the details without
feeling assured that my poison had been used. I “Go and do the other half,” said Holmes. “I, at
came round to see you on the chance that some least, am not prepared to prevent you.”
other explanation had suggested itself to you. But Dr. Sterndale raised his giant figure, bowed
there could be none. I was convinced that Mortimer gravely, and walked from the arbour. Holmes lit
Tregennis was the murderer; that for the sake of his pipe and handed me his pouch.
money, and with the idea, perhaps, that if the other
“Some fumes which are not poisonous would
members of his family were all insane he would
be a welcome change,” said he. “I think you must
be the sole guardian of their joint property, he had
agree, Watson, that it is not a case in which we are
used the devil’s-foot powder upon them, driven
called upon to interfere. Our investigation has been
two of them out of their senses, and killed his sister
independent, and our action shall be so also. You
Brenda, the one human being whom I have ever
would not denounce the man?”
loved or who has ever loved me. There was his
crime; what was to be his punishment? “Certainly not,” I answered.

833
 The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

“I have never loved, Watson, but if I did and if counterpart. The lamp shining in broad daylight
the woman I loved had met such an end, I might and the remains of powder upon the shield were
act even as our lawless lion-hunter has done. Who successive links in a fairly obvious chain. And now,
knows? Well, Watson, I will not offend your intel- my dear Watson, I think we may dismiss the matter
ligence by explaining what is obvious. The gravel from our mind and go back with a clear conscience
upon the window-sill was, of course, the starting- to the study of those Chaldean roots which are
point of my research. It was unlike anything in the surely to be traced in the Cornish branch of the
vicarage garden. Only when my attention had been great Celtic speech.”
drawn to Dr. Sterndale and his cottage did I find its

834
 His Last Bow
An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes
I
His Last Bow

t was nine o’clock at night upon the sec- Then one comes suddenly upon something very
ond of August—the most terrible August hard, and you know that you have reached the
in the history of the world. One might limit and must adapt yourself to the fact. They
have thought already that God’s curse have, for example, their insular conventions which
hung heavy over a degenerate world, for there was simply must be observed.”
an awesome hush and a feeling of vague expectancy “Meaning ‘good form’ and that sort of thing?”
in the sultry and stagnant air. The sun had long Von Bork sighed as one who had suffered much.
set, but one blood-red gash like an open wound lay
low in the distant west. Above, the stars were shin- “Meaning British prejudice in all its queer man-
ing brightly, and below, the lights of the shipping ifestations. As an example I may quote one of my
glimmered in the bay. The two famous Germans own worst blunders—I can afford to talk of my
stood beside the stone parapet of the garden walk, blunders, for you know my work well enough to be
with the long, low, heavily gabled house behind aware of my successes. It was on my first arrival. I
them, and they looked down upon the broad sweep was invited to a week-end gathering at the country
of the beach at the foot of the great chalk cliff in house of a cabinet minister. The conversation was
which Von Bork, like some wandering eagle, had amazingly indiscreet.”
perched himself four years before. They stood with Von Bork nodded. “I’ve been there,” said he
their heads close together, talking in low, confi- dryly.
dential tones. From below the two glowing ends “Exactly. Well, I naturally sent a resume of
of their cigars might have been the smouldering the information to Berlin. Unfortunately our good
eyes of some malignant fiend looking down in the chancellor is a little heavy-handed in these matters,
darkness. and he transmitted a remark which showed that he
A remarkable man this Von Bork—a man who was aware of what had been said. This, of course,
could hardly be matched among all the devoted took the trail straight up to me. You’ve no idea the
agents of the Kaiser. It was his talents which had harm that it did me. There was nothing soft about
first recommended him for the English mission, our British hosts on that occasion, I can assure you.
the most important mission of all, but since he I was two years living it down. Now you, with this
had taken it over those talents had become more sporting pose of yours—”
and more manifest to the half-dozen people in the “No, no, don’t call it a pose. A pose is an ar-
world who were really in touch with the truth. One tificial thing. This is quite natural. I am a born
of these was his present companion, Baron Von sportsman. I enjoy it.”
Herling, the chief secretary of the legation, whose
“Well, that makes it the more effective. You
huge 100-horse-power Benz car was blocking the
yacht against them, you hunt with them, you play
country lane as it waited to waft its owner back to
polo, you match them in every game, your four-in-
London.
hand takes the prize at Olympia. I have even heard
“So far as I can judge the trend of events, you that you go the length of boxing with the young
will probably be back in Berlin within the week,” officers. What is the result? Nobody takes you se-
the secretary was saying. “When you get there, my riously. You are a ‘good old sport,’ ‘quite a decent
dear Von Bork, I think you will be surprised at the fellow for a German,’ a hard-drinking, night-club,
welcome you will receive. I happen to know what knock-about-town, devil-may-care young fellow.
is thought in the highest quarters of your work in And all the time this quiet country house of yours
this country.” He was a huge man, the secretary, is the centre of half the mischief in England, and the
deep, broad, and tall, with a slow, heavy fashion sporting squire the most astute secret-service man
of speech which had been his main asset in his in Europe. Genius, my dear Von Bork—genius!”
political career.
“You flatter me, Baron. But certainly I may
Von Bork laughed. claim my four years in this country have not been
“They are not very hard to deceive,” he re- unproductive. I’ve never shown you my little store.
marked. “A more docile, simple folk could not Would you mind stepping in for a moment?”
be imagined.” The door of the study opened straight on to the
“I don’t know about that,” said the other terrace. Von Bork pushed it back, and, leading the
thoughtfully. “They have strange limits and one way, he clicked the switch of the electric light. He
must learn to observe them. It is that surface sim- then closed the door behind the bulky form which
plicity of theirs which makes a trap for the stranger. followed him and carefully adjusted the heavy cur-
One’s first impression is that they are entirely soft. tain over the latticed window. Only when all these

837
 His Last Bow

precautions had been taken and tested did he turn drawn it disclosed a large, brass-bound safe. Von
his sunburned aquiline face to his guest. Bork detached a small key from his watch chain,
“Some of my papers have gone,” said he. and after some considerable manipulation of the
“When my wife and the household left yesterday lock he swung open the heavy door.
for Flushing they took the less important with them.
I must, of course, claim the protection of the em- “Look!” said he, standing clear, with a wave of
bassy for the others.” his hand.
“Your name has already been filed as one of the
personal suite. There will be no difficulties for you The light shone vividly into the opened safe,
or your baggage. Of course, it is just possible that and the secretary of the embassy gazed with an
we may not have to go. England may leave France absorbed interest at the rows of stuffed pigeon-
to her fate. We are sure that there is no binding holes with which it was furnished. Each pigeon-
treaty between them.” hole had its label, and his eyes as he glanced
“And Belgium?” along them read a long series of such titles as
“Fords,” “Harbour-defences,” “Aeroplanes,” “Ire-
“Yes, and Belgium, too.”
land,” “Egypt,” “Portsmouth forts,” “The Channel,”
Von Bork shook his head. “I don’t see how that “Rosythe,” and a score of others. Each compartment
could be. There is a definite treaty there. She could was bristling with papers and plans.
never recover from such a humiliation.”
“She would at least have peace for the moment.” “Colossal!” said the secretary. Putting down his
“But her honor?” 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 a
had advertised it on the front page of the Times, has space over which “Naval Signals” was printed.
not roused these people from their slumbers. Here
and there one hears a question. It is my business “But you have a good dossier there already.”
to find an answer. Here and there also there is an
irritation. It is my business to soothe it. But I can “Out of date and waste paper. The Admiralty
assure you that so far as the essentials go—the stor- in some way got the alarm and every code has
age of munitions, the preparation for submarine been changed. It was a blow, Baron—the worst
attack, the arrangements for making high explo- setback in my whole campaign. But thanks to my
sives—nothing is prepared. How, then, can Eng- check-book and the good Altamont all will be well
land come in, especially when we have stirred her to-night.”
up such a devil’s brew of Irish civil war, window-
breaking Furies, and God knows what to keep her
The Baron looked at his watch and gave a gut-
thoughts at home.”
tural exclamation of disappointment.
“She must think of her future.”
“Ah, that is another matter. I fancy that in the “Well, I really can wait no longer. You can imag-
future we have our own very definite plans about ine that things are moving at present in Carlton
England, and that your information will be very Terrace and that we have all to be at our posts. I
vital to us. It is to-day or to-morrow with Mr. John had hoped to be able to bring news of your great
Bull. If he prefers to-day we are perfectly ready. coup. Did Altamont name no hour?”
If it is to-morrow we shall be more ready still. I
should think they would be wiser to fight with al-
Von Bork pushed over a telegram.
lies than without them, but that is their own affair.
This week is their week of destiny. But you were
speaking of your papers.” He sat in the armchair
with the light shining upon his broad bald head, Will come without fail to-night and
while he puffed sedately at his cigar. bring new sparking plugs.
The large oak-panelled, book-lined room had a
curtain hung in the future corner. When this was — —Altamont.

838
 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 into
Of course he has a salary as well.” the car, and a moment later the two golden cones
“The greedy rouge. They are useful, these from the headlights shot through the darkness. The
traitors, but I grudge them their blood money.” secretary lay back in the cushions of the luxurious
limousine, with his thoughts so full of the impend-
“I grudge Altamont nothing. He is a wonder-
ing European tragedy that he hardly observed that
ful worker. If I pay him well, at least he deliv-
as his car swung round the village street it nearly
ers the goods, to use his own phrase. Besides he
passed over a little Ford coming in the opposite
is not a traitor. I assure you that our most pan-
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 when
Irish-American.” the last gleams of the motor lamps had faded into
the distance. As he passed he observed that his
“Oh, an Irish-American?”
old housekeeper had put out her lamp and retired.
“If you heard him talk you would not doubt it. It was a new experience to him, the silence and
Sometimes I assure you I can hardly understand darkness of his widespread house, for his family
him. He seems to have declared war on the King’s and household had been a large one. It was a re-
English as well as on the English king. Must you lief to him, however, to think that they were all in
really go? He may be here any moment.” 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, and to himself. There was a good deal of tidying up
when you get that signal book through the little to do inside his study and he set himself to do it
door on the Duke of York’s steps you can put a until his keen, handsome face was flushed with the
triumphant finis to your record in England. What! heat of the burning papers. A leather valise stood
Tokay!” He indicated a heavily sealed dust-covered beside his table, and into this he began to pack very
bottle which stood with two high glasses upon a neatly and systematically the precious contents of
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 took locked it, and hurried out on to the terrace. He was
a fancy to my Tokay. He is a touchy fellow and just in time to see the lights of a small car come to
needs humouring in small things. I have to study a halt at the gate. A passenger sprang out of it and
him, I assure you.” They had strolled out on to advanced swiftly towards him, while the chauffeur,
the terrace again, and along it to the further end a heavily built, elderly man with a gray moustache,
where at a touch from the Baron’s chauffeur the settled down like one who resigns himself to a long
great car shivered and chuckled. “Those are the 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-paper
The heavens, too, may not be quite so peaceful if 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?”

839
 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 danger- “Yes, a few of us even then could have guessed
ous. But it’s the real goods, and you can lay to that.” the date. Here it is, and I’m shutting down to-
He slapped the German upon the shoulder with a morrow morning.”
rough familiarity from which the other winced. “Well, I guess you’ll have to fix me up also. I’m
“Come in,” he said. “I’m all alone in the house. not staying is this gol-darned country all on my
I was only waiting for this. Of course a copy is lonesome. In a week or less, from what I see, John
better than the original. If an original were missing Bull will be on his hind legs and fair ramping. I’d
they would change the whole thing. You think it’s rather watch him from over the water.”
all safe about the copy?” “But you’re an American citizen?”
The Irish-American had entered the study and “Well, so was Jack James an American citizen,
stretched his long limbs from the armchair. He was but he’s doing time in Portland all the same. It cuts
a tall, gaunt man of sixty, with clear-cut features no ice with a British copper to tell him you’re an
and a small goatee beard which gave him a general American citizen. ‘It’s British law and order over
resemblance to the caricatures of Uncle Sam. A here,’ says he. By the way, mister, talking of Jack
half-smoked, sodden cigar hung from the corner of James, it seems to me you don’t do much to cover
his mouth, and as he sat down he struck a match your men.”
and relit it. “Making ready for a move?” he re- “What do you mean?” Von Bork asked sharply.
marked as he looked round him. “Say, mister,” he “Well, you are their employer, ain’t you? It’s up
added, as his eyes fell upon the safe from which to you to see that they don’t fall down. But they do
the curtain was now removed, “you don’t tell me fall down, and when did you ever pick them up?
you keep your papers in that?” There’s James—”
“Why not?” “It was James’s own fault. You know that your-
“Gosh, in a wide-open contraption like that! self. He was too self-willed for the job.”
And they reckon you to be some spy. Why, a Yan- “James was a bonehead—I give you that. Then
kee crook would be into that with a can-opener. If there was Hollis.”
I’d known that any letter of mine was goin’ to lie “The man was mad.”
loose in a thing like that I’d have been a mug to “Well, he went a bit woozy towards the end. It’s
write to you at all.” enough to make a man bug-house when he has to
“It would puzzle any crook to force that safe,” play a part from morning to night with a hundred
Von Bork answered. “You won’t cut that metal with guys all ready to set the coppers wise to him. But
any tool.” now there is Steiner—”
“But the lock?” Von Bork started violently, and his ruddy face
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
“Well, you need a word as well as a set of fig- in Portsmouth jail. You’ll go off and he, poor devil,
ures before you can get the lock to work.” He rose will have to stand the racket, and lucky if he gets
and showed a double-radiating disc round the key- off with his life. That’s why I want to get over the
hole. “This outer one is for the letters, the inner water as soon as you do.”
one for the figures.” Von Bork was a strong, self-contained man, but
“Well, well, that’s fine.” it was easy to see that the news had shaken him.
“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 do
you think I chose for the word and figures?” “Well, you nearly had a worse one, for I believe
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

840
 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-
pers of paper. Then he sat dazing for a moment in
“How dare you speak in such a way!”
silent amazement at a small blue book which lay
“If I didn’t dare things, mister, I wouldn’t be in before him. Across the cover was printed in golden
your service. But I’ll tell you straight what is in my letters Practical Handbook of Bee Culture. Only for
mind. I’ve heard that with you German politicians one instant did the master spy glare at this strangely
when an agent has done his work you are not sorry irrelevant inscription. The next he was gripped at
to see him put away.” the back of his neck by a grasp of iron, and a chlo-
Von Bork sprang to his feet. roformed sponge was held in front of his writhing
“Do you dare to suggest that I have given away face.
my own agents!” “Another glass, Watson!” said Mr. Sherlock
Holmes as he extended the bottle of Imperial Tokay.
“I don’t stand for that, mister, but there’s a stool
The thickset chauffeur, who had seated himself
pigeon or a cross somewhere, and it’s up to you to
by the table, pushed forward his glass with some
find out where it is. Anyhow I am taking no more
eagerness.
chances. It’s me for little Holland, and the sooner
the better.” “It is a good wine, Holmes.”
“A remarkable wine, Watson. Our friend upon
Von Bork had mastered his anger.
the sofa has assured me that it is from Franz Josef’s
“We have been allies too long to quarrel now at special cellar at the Schoenbrunn Palace. Might I
the very hour of victory,” he said. “You’ve done trouble you to open the window, for chloroform
splendid work and taken risks, and I can’t forget it. vapour does not help the palate.”
By all means go to Holland, and you can get a boat The safe was ajar, and Holmes standing in front
from Rotterdam to New York. No other line will be of it was removing dossier after dossier, swiftly
safe a week from now. I’ll take that book and pack examining each, and then packing it neatly in Von
it with the rest.” Bork’s valise. The German lay upon the sofa sleep-
The American held the small parcel in his hand, ing stertorously with a strap round his upper arms
but made no motion to give it up. and another round his legs.
“What about the dough?” he asked. “We need not hurry ourselves, Watson. We are
safe from interruption. Would you mind touching
“The what?”
the bell? There is no one in the house except old
“The boodle. The reward. The £500. The gun- Martha, who has played her part to admiration.
ner turned damned nasty at the last, and I had I got her the situation here when first I took the
to square him with an extra hundred dollars or it matter up. Ah, Martha, you will be glad to hear
would have been nitsky for you and me. ‘Nothin’ that all is well.”
doin’!’ says he, and he meant it, too, but the last The pleasant old lady had appeared in the door-
hundred did it. It’s cost me two hundred pound way. She curtseyed with a smile to Mr. Holmes, but
from first to last, so it isn’t likely I’d give it up glanced with some apprehension at the figure upon
without gettin’ my wad.” the sofa.
Von Bork smiled with some bitterness. “You “It is all right, Martha. He has not been hurt at
don’t seem to have a very high opinion of my hon- all.”
our,” said he, “you want the money before you give “I am glad of that, Mr. Holmes. According to
up the book.” his lights he has been a kind master. He wanted
“Well, mister, it is a business proposition.” me to go with his wife to Germany yesterday, but
“All right. Have your way.” He sat down at the that would hardly have suited your plans, would it,
table and scribbled a check, which he tore from sir?”
the book, but he refrained from handing it to his “No, indeed, Martha. So long as you were here
companion. “After all, since we are to be on such I was easy in my mind. We waited some time for
terms, Mr. Altamont,” said he, “I don’t see why I your signal to-night.”
should trust you any more than you trust me. Do “It was the secretary, sir.”

841
 His Last Bow

“I know. His car passed ours.” He picked up the volume from the table and read
“I thought he would never go. I knew that it out the whole title, Practical Handbook of Bee Cul-
would not suit your plans, sir, to find him here.” ture, with Some Observations upon the Segregation of
the Queen. “Alone I did it. Behold the fruit of pen-
“No, indeed. Well, it only meant that we waited sive nights and laborious days when I watched the
half an hour or so until I saw your lamp go out little working gangs as once I watched the criminal
and knew that the coast was clear. You can report world of London.”
to me to-morrow in London, Martha, at Claridge’s
Hotel.” “But how did you get to work again?”
“Very good, sir.”
“Ah, I have often marvelled at it myself. The
“I suppose you have everything ready to 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
“Very good, Martha. I will look into them to- upon the sofa was a bit too good for our people.
morrow. Good-night. These papers,” he continued He was in a class by himself. Things were going
as the old lady vanished, “are not of very great wrong, and no one could understand why they
importance, for, of course, the information which were going wrong. Agents were suspected or even
they represent has been sent off long ago to the caught, but there was evidence of some strong and
German government. These are the originals which secret central force. It was absolutely necessary to
cold not safely be got out of the country.” expose it. Strong pressure was brought upon me
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 him-
seldom felt so happy as when I got your wire ask-
self, who after much gasping and blinking had lain
ing me to meet you at Harwich with the car. But
quietly listening to Holmes’s statement. He broke
you, Holmes—you have changed very little—save
out now into a furious stream of German invective,
for that horrible goatee.”
his face convulsed with passion. Holmes contin-
“These are the sacrifices one makes for one’s ued his swift investigation of documents while his
country, Watson,” said Holmes, pulling at his little prisoner cursed and swore.
tuft. “To-morrow it will be but a dreadful mem-
ory. With my hair cut and a few other superficial “Though unmusical, German is the most ex-
changes I shall no doubt reappear at Claridge’s to- pressive of all languages,” he observed when Von
morrow as I was before this American stunt—I beg Bork had stopped from pure exhaustion. “Hullo!
your pardon, Watson, my well of English seems to Hullo!” he added as he looked hard at the corner of
be permanently defiled—before this American job a tracing before putting it in the box. “This should
came my way.” put another bird in the cage. I had no idea that the
“But you have retired, Holmes. We heard of paymaster was such a rascal, though I have long
you as living the life of a hermit among your bees had an eye upon him. Mister Von Bork, you have a
and your books in a small farm upon the South great deal to answer for.”
Downs.” The prisoner had raised himself with some diffi-
“Exactly, Watson. Here is the fruit of my culty upon the sofa and was staring with a strange
leisured ease, the magnum opus of my latter years!” mixture of amazement and hatred at his captor.

842
 His Last Bow

“I shall get level with you, Altamont,” he said, done my best for mine, and what could be more
speaking with slow deliberation. “If it takes me all natural? Besides,” he added, not unkindly, as he
my life I shall get level with you!” laid his hand upon the shoulder of the prostrate
“The old sweet song,” said Holmes. “How of- man, “it is better than to fall before some ignoble
ten have I heard it in days gone by. It was a fa- foe. These papers are now ready, Watson. If you
vorite ditty of the late lamented Professor Moriarty. will help me with our prisoner, I think that we may
Colonel Sebastian Moran has also been known to get started for London at once.”
warble it. And yet I live and keep bees upon the It was no easy task to move Von Bork, for he
South Downs.” was a strong and a desperate man. Finally, hold-
“Curse you, you double traitor!” cried the Ger- ing either arm, the two friends walked him very
man, straining against his bonds and glaring mur- slowly down the garden walk which he had trod
der from his furious eyes. with such proud confidence when he received the
congratulations of the famous diplomatist only a
“No, no, it is not so bad as that,” said Holmes,
few hours before. After a short, final struggle he
smiling. “As my speech surely shows you, Mr. Al-
was hoisted, still bound hand and foot, into the
tamont of Chicago had no existence in fact. I used
spare seat of the little car. His precious valise was
him and he is gone.”
wedged in beside him.
“Then who are you?”
“I trust that you are as comfortable as circum-
“It is really immaterial who I am, but since the stances permit,” said Holmes when the final ar-
matter seems to interest you, Mr. Von Bork, I may rangements were made. “Should I be guilty of a
say that this is not my first acquaintance with the liberty if I lit a cigar and placed it between your
members of your family. I have done a good deal lips?”
of business in Germany in the past and my name
But all amenities were wasted upon the angry
is probably familiar to you.”
German.
“I would wish to know it,” said the Prussian “I suppose you realize, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,”
grimly. said he, “that if your government bears you out in
“It was I who brought about the separation be- this treatment it becomes an act of war.”
tween Irene Adler and the late King of Bohemia “What about your government and all this treat-
when your cousin Heinrich was the Imperial En- ment?” said Holmes, tapping the valise.
voy. It was I also who saved from murder, by the
Nihilist Klopman, Count Von und Zu Grafenstein, “You are a private individual. You have no
who was your mother’s elder brother. It was I—” warrant for my arrest. The whole proceeding is
absolutely illegal and outrageous.”
Von Bork sat up in amazement.
“Absolutely,” said Holmes.
“There is only one man,” he cried.
“Kidnapping a German subject.”
“Exactly,” said Holmes.
“And stealing his private papers.”
Von Bork groaned and sank back on the sofa.
“Well, you realize your position, you and your
“And most of that information came through you,”
accomplice here. If I were to shout for help as we
he cried. “What is it worth? What have I done? It
pass through the village—”
is my ruin forever!”
“My dear sir, if you did anything so foolish you
“It is certainly a little untrustworthy,” said
would probably enlarge the two limited titles of our
Holmes. “It will require some checking and you
village inns by giving us ‘The Dangling Prussian’
have little time to check it. Your admiral may find
as a signpost. The Englishman is a patient creature,
the new guns rather larger than he expects, and the
but at present his temper is a little inflamed, and
cruisers perhaps a trifle faster.”
it would be as well not to try him too far. No, Mr.
Von Bork clutched at his own throat in despair. Von Bork, you will go with us in a quiet, sensible
“There are a good many other points of detail fashion to Scotland Yard, whence you can send for
which will, no doubt, come to light in good time. your friend, Baron Von Herling, and see if even now
But you have one quality which is very rare in a you may not fill that place which he has reserved
German, Mr. Von Bork: you are a sportsman and for you in the ambassadorial suite. As to you, Wat-
you will bear me no ill-will when you realize that son, you are joining us with your old service, as I
you, who have outwitted so many other people, understand, so London won’t be out of your way.
have at last been outwitted yourself. After all, you Stand with me here upon the terrace, for it may be
have done your best for your country, and I have the last quiet talk that we shall ever have.”

843
 His Last Bow

The two friends chatted in intimate converse for all the same, such a wind as never blew on Eng-
a few minutes, recalling once again the days of the land yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson, and a
past, while their prisoner vainly wriggled to undo good many of us may wither before its blast. But
the bonds that held him. As they turned to the car it’s God’s own wind none the less, and a cleaner,
Holmes pointed back to the moonlit sea and shook better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when
a thoughtful head. the storm has cleared. Start her up, Watson, for it’s
“There’s an east wind coming, Watson.” time that we were on our way. I have a check for
“I think not, Holmes. It is very warm.” five hundred pounds which should be cashed early,
“Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point for the drawer is quite capable of stopping it if he
in a changing age. There’s an east wind coming can.”

844
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
 Preface

Preface

I fear that Mr. Sherlock Holmes may become like one of those popular tenors who, having
outlived their time, are still tempted to make repeated farewell bows to their indulgent
audiences. This must cease and he must go the way of all flesh, material or imaginary. One
likes to think that there is some fantastic limbo for the children of imagination, some strange,
impossible place where the beaux of Fielding may still make love to the belles of Richardson,
where Scott’s heroes still may strut, Dickens’s delightful Cockneys still raise a laugh, and
Thackeray’s worldlings continue to carry on their reprehensible careers. Perhaps in some
humble corner of such a Valhalla, Sherlock and his Watson may for a time find a place, while
some more astute sleuth with some even less astute comrade may fill the stage which they
have vacated.
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
series 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

847
The Illustrious Client
I
The Illustrious Client

t can’t hurt now,” was Mr. Sherlock “I shall be honoured.”

Holmes’s comment when, for the tenth “Then you have the hour—4.30. Until then we
time in as many years, I asked his leave to can put the matter out of our heads.”
reveal the following narrative. So it was I was living in my own rooms in Queen Anne
that at last I obtained permission to put on record Street at the time, but I was round at Baker Street
what was, in some ways, the supreme moment of before the time named. Sharp to the half-hour,
my friend’s career. Colonel Sir James Damery was announced. It is
Both Holmes and I had a weakness for the Turk- hardly necessary to describe him, for many will
ish bath. It was over a smoke in the pleasant las- remember that large, bluff, honest personality, that
situde of the drying-room that I have found him broad, clean-shaven face, and, above all, that pleas-
less reticent and more human than anywhere else. ant, mellow voice. Frankness shone from his gray
On the upper floor of the Northumberland Avenue Irish eyes, and good humour played round his mo-
establishment there is an isolated corner where two bile, smiling lips. His lucent top-hat, his dark frock-
couches lie side by side, and it was on these that coat, indeed, every detail, from the pearl pin in the
we lay upon September 3, 1902, the day when my black satin cravat to the lavender spats over the
narrative begins. I had asked him whether any- varnished shoes, spoke of the meticulous care in
thing was stirring, and for answer he had shot his dress for which he was famous. The big, masterful
long, thin, nervous arm out of the sheets which aristocrat dominated the little room.
enveloped him and had drawn an envelope from “Of course, I was prepared to find Dr. Watson,”
the inside pocket of the coat which hung beside he remarked with a courteous bow. “His collabo-
him. ration may be very necessary, for we are dealing
“It may be some fussy, self-important fool; it on this occasion, Mr. Holmes, with a man to whom
may be a matter of life or death,” said he as he violence is familiar and who will, literally, stick at
handed me the note. “I know no more than this nothing. I should say that there is no more danger-
message tells me.” ous man in Europe.”
It was from the Carlton Club and dated the “I have had several opponents to whom that flat-
evening before. This is what I read: tering term has been applied,” said Holmes with a
smile. “Don’t you smoke? Then you will excuse me
Sir James Damery presents his compli- if I light my pipe. If your man is more dangerous
ments to Mr. Sherlock Holmes and will than the late Professor Moriarty, or than the living
call upon him at 4.30 to-morrow. Sir Colonel Sebastian Moran, then he is indeed worth
James begs to say that the matter upon meeting. May I ask his name?”
which he desires to consult Mr. Holmes “Have you ever heard of Baron Gruner?”
is very delicate and also very important.
“You mean the Austrian murderer?”
He trusts, therefore, that Mr. Holmes
will make every effort to grant this in- Colonel Damery threw up his kid-gloved hands
terview, and that he will confirm it over with a laugh. “There is no getting past you, Mr.
the telephone to the Carlton Club. Holmes! Wonderful! So you have already sized
him up as a murderer?”
“I need not say that I have confirmed it, Wat- “It is my business to follow the details of Conti-
son,” said Holmes as I returned the paper. “Do you nental crime. Who could possibly have read what
know anything of this man Damery?” happened at Prague and have any doubts as to the
“Only that this name is a household word in man’s guilt! It was a purely technical legal point
society.” and the suspicious death of a witness that saved
him! I am as sure that he killed his wife when the
“Well, I can tell you a little more than that. He so-called ‘accident’ happened in the Splugen Pass
has rather a reputation for arranging delicate mat- as if I had seen him do it. I knew, also, that he
ters which are to be kept out of the papers. You may had come to England and had a presentiment that
remember his negotiations with Sir George Lewis sooner or later he would find me some work to
over the Hammerford Will case. He is a man of do. Well, what has Baron Gruner been up to? I
the world with a natural turn for diplomacy. I am presume it is not this old tragedy which has come
bound, therefore, to hope that it is not a false scent up again?”
and that he has some real need for our assistance.”
“No, it is more serious than that. To revenge
“Our?” crime is important, but to prevent it is more so. It is
“Well, if you will be so good, Watson.” a terrible thing, Mr. Holmes, to see a dreadful event,

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an atrocious situation, preparing itself before your “But how came such a man to meet a lady of
eyes, to clearly understand whither it will lead and the standing of Miss Violet de Merville?”
yet to be utterly unable to avert it. Can a human
“It was on a Mediterranean yachting voyage.
being be placed in a more trying position?”
The company, though select, paid their own pas-
“Perhaps not.” sages. No doubt the promoters hardly realized the
“Then you will sympathize with the client in Baron’s true character until it was too late. The
whose interests I am acting.” villain attached himself to the lady, and with such
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
“Mr. Holmes, I must beg you not to press that him. Outside of him there is nothing on earth. She
question. It is important that I should be able to will not hear one word against him. Everything has
assure him that his honoured name has been in no been done to cure her of her madness, but in vain.
way dragged into the matter. His motives are, to To sum up, she proposes to marry him next month.
the last degree, honourable and chivalrous, but he As she is of age and has a will of iron, it is hard to
prefers to remain unknown. I need not say that know how to prevent her.”
your fees will be assured and that you will be given
“Does she know about the Austrian episode?”
a perfectly free hand. Surely the actual name of
your client is immaterial?” “The cunning devil has told her every un-
savoury public scandal of his past life, but always
“I am sorry,” said Holmes. “I am accustomed to
in such a way as to make himself out to be an inno-
have mystery at one end of my cases, but to have it
cent martyr. She absolutely accepts his version and
at both ends is too confusing. I fear, Sir James, that
will listen to no other.”
I must decline to act.”
Our visitor was greatly disturbed. His large, “Dear me! But surely you have inadvertently let
sensitive face was darkened with emotion and dis- out the name of your client? It is no doubt General
appointment. de Merville.”

“You hardly realize the effect of your own ac- Our visitor fidgeted in his chair.
tion, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “You place me in a “I could deceive you by saying so, Mr. Holmes,
most serious dilemma, for I am perfectly certain but it would not be true. De Merville is a broken
that you would be proud to take over the case if I man. The strong soldier has been utterly demoral-
could give you the facts, and yet a promise forbids ized by this incident. He has lost the nerve which
me from revealing them all. May I, at least, lay all never failed him on the battlefield and has become
that I can before you?” a weak, doddering old man, utterly incapable of
“By all means, so long as it is understood that I contending with a brilliant, forceful rascal like this
commit myself to nothing.” Austrian. My client, however, is an old friend, one
who has known the General intimately for many
“That is understood. In the first place, you have
years and taken a paternal interest in this young
no doubt heard of General de Merville?”
girl since she wore short frocks. He cannot see
“De Merville of Khyber fame? Yes, I have heard this tragedy consummated without some attempt
of him.” to stop it. There is nothing in which Scotland Yard
“He has a daughter, Violet de Merville, young, can act. It was his own suggestion that you should
rich, beautiful, accomplished, a wonder-woman in be called in, but it was, as I have said, on the ex-
every way. It is this daughter, this lovely, innocent press stipulation that he should not be personally
girl, whom we are endeavouring to save from the involved in the matter. I have no doubt, Mr. Holmes,
clutches of a fiend.” with your great powers you could easily trace my
client back through me, but I must ask you, as a
“Baron Gruner has some hold over her, then?”
point of honour, to refrain from doing so, and not
“The strongest of all holds where a woman is to break in upon his incognito.”
concerned—the hold of love. The fellow is, as you
Holmes gave a whimsical smile.
may have heard, extraordinarily handsome, with a
most fascinating manner, a gentle voice, and that “I think I may safely promise that,” said he. “I
air of romance and mystery which means so much may add that your problem interests me, and that I
to a woman. He is said to have the whole sex at his shall be prepared to look into it. How shall I keep
mercy and to have made ample use of the fact.” in touch with you?”

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 The Illustrious Client

“The Carlton Club will find me. But in case agent in the huge criminal underworld of London
of emergency, there is a private telephone call, and obtaining information which often proved to
‘XX.31.’ ” be of vital importance. Had Johnson been a “nark”
Holmes noted it down and sat, still smiling, of the police he would soon have been exposed, but
with the open memorandum-book upon his knee. as he dealt with cases which never came directly
into the courts, his activities were never realized
“The Baron’s present address, please?”
by his companions. With the glamour of his two
“Vernon Lodge, near Kingston. It is a large convictions upon him, he had the entree of every
house. He has been fortunate in some rather shady night-club, doss house, and gambling-den in the
speculations and is a rich man, which naturally town, and his quick observation and active brain
makes him a more dangerous antagonist.” made him an ideal agent for gaining information.
“Is he at home at present?” It was to him that Sherlock Holmes now proposed
“Yes.” 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
pressing professional business of my own, but I
“He has expensive tastes. He is a horse fancier. met him by appointment that evening at Simpson’s,
For a short time he played polo at Hurlingham, where, sitting at a small table in the front window
but then this Prague affair got noised about and he and looking down at the rushing stream of life
had to leave. He collects books and pictures. He in the Strand, he told me something of what had
is a man with a considerable artistic side to his na- passed.
ture. He is, I believe, a recognized authority upon
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
underworld, for it is down there, amid the black
“A complex mind,” said Holmes. “All great roots of crime, that we must hunt for this man’s
criminals have that. My old friend Charlie Peace secrets.”
was a violin virtuoso. Wainwright was no mean
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 have turn her from her purpose?”
some sources of information of my own, and I dare “Who knows, Watson? Woman’s heart and
say we may find some means of opening the matter mind are insoluble puzzles to the male. Murder
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 my
“I should think you had better see the young man. I like to meet him eye to eye and read for
lady herself.” myself the stuff that he is made of. When I had
given Johnson his instructions I took a cab out to
“My dear Watson, if her poor old broken father
Kingston and found the Baron in a most affable
cannot move her, how shall I, a stranger, prevail?
mood.”
And yet there is something in the suggestion if all
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 simply
might be a help.” sent in my card. He is an excellent antagonist, cool
I have not had occasion to mention Shinwell as ice, silky voiced and soothing as one of your
Johnson in these memoirs because I have seldom fashionable consultants, and poisonous as a cobra.
drawn my cases from the latter phases of my He has breeding in him—a real aristocrat of crime,
friend’s career. During the first years of the century with a superficial suggestion of afternoon tea and
he became a valuable assistant. Johnson, I grieve to all the cruelty of the grave behind it. Yes, I am glad
say, made his name first as a very dangerous villain to have had my attention called to Baron Adelbert
and served two terms at Parkhurst. Finally he re- Gruner.”
pented and allied himself to Holmes, acting as his “You say he was affable?”

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 The Illustrious Client

“A purring cat who thinks he sees prospective is 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 matter.’
characteristic. ‘I rather thought I should see you “Well, Watson, there seemed to be no more to
sooner or later, Mr. Holmes,’ said he. ‘You have say, so I took my leave with as much cold dignity
been engaged, no doubt by General de Merville, to as I could summon, but, as I had my hand on the
endeavour to stop my marriage with his daughter, door-handle, he stopped me.
Violet. That is so, is it not?’ “ ‘By the way, Mr. Holmes,’ said he, ‘did you
“I acquiesced. know Le Brun, the French agent?’
“ ‘My dear man,’ said he, ‘you will only ruin “ ‘Yes,’ said I.
your own well-deserved reputation. It is not a case “ ‘Do you know what befell him?’
in which you can possibly succeed. You will have “ ‘I heard that he was beaten by some Apaches
barren work, to say nothing of incurring some dan- in the Montmartre district and crippled for life.’
ger. Let me very strongly advise you to draw off at “ ‘Quite true, Mr. Holmes. By a curious coinci-
once.’ dence he had been inquiring into my affairs only
a week before. Don’t do it, Mr. Holmes; it’s not a
“ ‘It is curious,’ I answered, ‘but that was the
lucky thing to do. Several have found that out. My
very advice which I had intended to give you. I
last word to you is, go your own way and let me
have a respect for your brains, Baron, and the little
go mine. Good-bye!’
which I have seen of your personality has not less-
ened it. Let me put it to you as man to man. No “So there you are, Watson. You are up to date
one wants to rake up your past and make you un- now.”
duly uncomfortable. It is over, and you are now in “The fellow seems dangerous.”
smooth waters, but if you persist in this marriage “Mighty dangerous. I disregard the blusterer,
you will raise up a swarm of powerful enemies but this is the sort of man who says rather less than
who will never leave you alone until they have he means.”
made England too hot to hold you. Is the game “Must you interfere? Does it really matter if he
worth it? Surely you would be wiser if you left the marries the girl?”
lady alone. It would not be pleasant for you if these “Considering that he undoubtedly murdered
facts of your past were brought to her notice.’ his last wife, I should say it mattered very much.
“The Baron has little waxed tips of hair under Besides, the client! Well, well, we need not discuss
his nose, like the short antennae of an insect. These that. When you have finished your coffee you had
quivered with amusement as he listened, and he best come home with me, for the blithe Shinwell
finally broke into a gentle chuckle. will be there with his report.”
We found him sure enough, a huge, coarse, red-
“ ‘Excuse my amusement, Mr. Holmes,’ said he,
faced, scorbutic man, with a pair of vivid black
‘but it is really funny to see you trying to play a
eyes which were the only external sign of the very
hand with no cards in it. I don’t think anyone could
cunning mind within. It seems that he had dived
do it better, but it is rather pathetic, all the same.
down into what was peculiarly his kingdom, and
Not a colour card there, Mr. Holmes, nothing but
beside him on the settee was a brand which he
the smallest of the small.’
had brought up in the shape of a slim, flame-like
“ ‘So you think.’ young woman with a pale, intense face, youthful,
“ ‘So I know. Let me make the thing clear to and yet so worn with sin and sorrow that one read
you, for my own hand is so strong that I can afford the terrible years which had left their leprous mark
to show it. I have been fortunate enough to win the upon her.
entire affection of this lady. This was given to me “This is Miss Kitty Winter,” said Shinwell John-
in spite of the fact that I told her very clearly of all son, waving his fat hand as an introduction. “What
the unhappy incidents in my past life. I also told she don’t know—well, there, she’ll speak for her-
her that certain wicked and designing persons—I self. Put my hand right on her, Mr. Holmes, within
hope you recognize yourself—would come to her an hour of your message.”
and tell her these things, and I warned her how “I’m easy to find,” said the young woman.
to treat them. You have heard of post-hypnotic “Hell, London, gets me every time. Same address
suggestion, Mr. Holmes? Well, you will see how it for Porky Shinwell. We’re old mates, Porky, you
works, for a man of personality can use hypnotism and I. But, by cripes! there is another who ought to
without any vulgar passes or tomfoolery. So she be down in a lower hell than we if there was any

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 The Illustrious Client

justice in the world! That is the man you are after, “What was it, then?”
Mr. Holmes.” “I tell you, Mr. Holmes, this man collects
Holmes smiled. “I gather we have your good women, and takes a pride in his collection, as some
wishes, Miss Winter.” men collect moths or butterflies. He had it all in
that book. Snapshot photographs, names, details,
“If I can help to put him where he belongs, I’m
everything about them. It was a beastly book—a
yours to the rattle,” said our visitor with fierce en-
book no man, even if he had come from the gut-
ergy. There was an intensity of hatred in her white,
ter, could have put together. But it was Adelbert
set face and her blazing eyes such as woman sel-
Gruner’s book all the same. ‘Souls I have ruined.’
dom and man never can attain. “You needn’t go
He could have put that on the outside if he had
into my past, Mr. Holmes. That’s neither here nor
been so minded. However, that’s neither here nor
there. But what I am Adelbert Gruner made me.
there, for the book would not serve you, and, if it
If I could pull him down!” She clutched frantically
would, you can’t get it.”
with her hands into the air. “Oh, if I could only pull
him into the pit where he has pushed so many!” “Where is it?”
“How can I tell you where it is now? It’s more
“You know how the matter stands?”
than a year since I left him. I know where he kept
“Porky Shinwell has been telling me. He’s after it then. He’s a precise, tidy cat of a man in many
some other poor fool and wants to marry her this of his ways, so maybe it is still in the pigeon-hole
time. You want to stop it. Well, you surely know of the old bureau in the inner study. Do you know
enough about this devil to prevent any decent girl his house?”
in her senses wanting to be in the same parish with
“I’ve been in the study,” said Holmes.
him.”
“Have you, though? You haven’t been slow on
“She is not in her senses. She is madly in love. the job if you only started this morning. Maybe
She has been told all about him. She cares nothing.” dear Adelbert has met his match this time. The
“Told about the murder?” outer study is the one with the Chinese crockery in
“Yes.” it—big glass cupboard between the windows. Then
behind his desk is the door that leads to the inner
“My Lord, she must have a nerve!”
study—a small room where he keeps papers and
“She puts them all down as slanders.” things.”
“Couldn’t you lay proofs before her silly eyes?” “Is he not afraid of burglars?”
“Well, can you help us do so?” “Adelbert is no coward. His worst enemy
couldn’t say that of him. He can look after himself.
“Ain’t I a proof myself? If I stood before her
There’s a burglar alarm at night. Besides, what is
and told her how he used me—”
there for a burglar—unless they got away with all
“Would you do this?” this fancy crockery?”
“Would I? Would I not!” “No good,” said Shinwell Johnson with the de-
“Well, it might be worth trying. But he has told cided voice of the expert. “No fence wants stuff of
her most of his sins and had pardon from her, and that sort that you can neither melt nor sell.”
I understand she will not reopen the question.” “Quite so,” said Holmes. “Well, now, Miss Win-
“I’ll lay he didn’t tell her all,” said Miss Win- ter, if you would call here to-morrow evening at
ter. “I caught a glimpse of one or two murders five, I would consider in the meanwhile whether
besides the one that made such a fuss. He would your suggestion of seeing this lady personally may
speak of someone in his velvet way and then look not be arranged. I am exceedingly obliged to you
at me with a steady eye and say: ‘He died within for your cooperation. I need not say that my clients
a month.’ It wasn’t hot air, either. But I took little will consider liberally—”
notice—you see, I loved him myself at that time. “None of that, Mr. Holmes,” cried the young
Whatever he did went with me, same as with this woman. “I am not out for money. Let me see
poor fool! There was just one thing that shook me. this man in the mud, and I’ve got all I’ve worked
Yes, by cripes! if it had not been for his poisonous, for—in the mud with my foot on his cursed face.
lying tongue that explains and soothes, I’d have left That’s my price. I’m with you to-morrow or any
him that very night. It’s a book he has—a brown other day so long as you are on his track. Porky
leather book with a lock, and his arms in gold on here can tell you always where to find me.”
the outside. I think he was a bit drunk that night, I did not see Holmes again until the following
or he would not have shown it to me.” evening when we dined once more at our Strand

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restaurant. He shrugged his shoulders when I after she is his wife—a woman who has to sub-
asked him what luck he had had in his interview. mit to be caressed by bloody hands and lecherous
Then he told the story, which I would repeat in lips. I spared her nothing—the shame, the fear,
this way. His hard, dry statement needs some little the agony, the hopelessness of it all. All my hot
editing to soften it into the terms of real life. words could not bring one tinge of colour to those
ivory cheeks or one gleam of emotion to those ab-
“There was no difficulty at all about the appoint-
stracted eyes. I thought of what the rascal had said
ment,” said Holmes, “for the girl glories in showing
about a post-hypnotic influence. One could really
abject filial obedience in all secondary things in an
believe that she was living above the earth in some
attempt to atone for her flagrant breach of it in
ecstatic dream. Yet there was nothing indefinite in
her engagement. The General ’phoned that all was
her replies.
ready, and the fiery Miss W. turned up according to
schedule, so that at half-past five a cab deposited us “ ‘I have listened to you with patience, Mr.
outside 104 Berkeley Square, where the old soldier Holmes,’ said she. ‘The effect upon my mind is
resides—one of those awful gray London castles exactly as predicted. I am aware that Adelbert,
which would make a church seem frivolous. A that my fiancé, has had a stormy life in which he
footman showed us into a great yellow-curtained has incurred bitter hatreds and most unjust asper-
drawing-room, and there was the lady awaiting sions. You are only the last of a series who have
us, demure, pale, self-contained, as inflexible and brought their slanders before me. Possibly you
remote as a snow image on a mountain. mean well, though I learn that you are a paid agent
who would have been equally willing to act for
“I don’t quite know how to make her clear to the Baron as against him. But in any case I wish
you, Watson. Perhaps you may meet her before you to understand once for all that I love him and
we are through, and you can use your own gift that he loves me, and that the opinion of all the
of words. She is beautiful, but with the ethereal world is no more to me than the twitter of those
other-world beauty of some fanatic whose thoughts birds outside the window. If his noble nature has
are set on high. I have seen such faces in the pic- ever for an instant fallen, it may be that I have been
tures of the old masters of the Middle Ages. How a specially sent to raise it to its true and lofty level.
beastman could have laid his vile paws upon such I am not clear’—here she turned eyes upon my
a being of the beyond I cannot imagine. You may companion—‘who this young lady may be.’
have noticed how extremes call to each other, the
spiritual to the animal, the cave-man to the angel. “I was about to answer when the girl broke in
You never saw a worse case than this. like a whirlwind. If ever you saw flame and ice face
to face, it was those two women.
“She knew what we had come for, of
course—that villain had lost no time in poisoning “ ‘I’ll tell you who I am,’ she cried, springing out
her mind against us. Miss Winter’s advent rather of her chair, her mouth all twisted with passion—‘I
amazed her, I think, but she waved us into our re- am his last mistress. I am one of a hundred that
spective chairs like a reverend abbess receiving two he has tempted and used and ruined and thrown
rather leprous mendicants. If your head is inclined into the refuse heap, as he will you also. Your
to swell, my dear Watson, take a course of Miss refuse heap is more likely to be a grave, and maybe
Violet de Merville. that’s the best. I tell you, you foolish woman, if you
marry this man he’ll be the death of you. It may be
“ ‘Well, sir,’ said she in a voice like the wind a broken heart or it may be a broken neck, but he’ll
from an iceberg, ‘your name is familiar to me. You have you one way or the other. It’s not out of love
have called, as I understand, to malign my fiancé, for you I’m speaking. I don’t care a tinker’s curse
Baron Gruner. It is only by my father’s request that whether you live or die. It’s out of hate for him and
I see you at all, and I warn you in advance that to spite him and to get back on him for what he
anything you can say could not possibly have the did to me. But it’s all the same, and you needn’t
slightest effect upon my mind.’ look at me like that, my fine lady, for you may be
“I was sorry for her, Watson. I thought of her for lower than I am before you are through with it.’
the moment as I would have thought of a daughter “ ‘I should prefer not to discuss such matters,’
of my own. I am not often eloquent. I use my said Miss de Merville coldly. ‘Let me say once for
head, not my heart. But I really did plead with her all that I am aware of three passages in my fiancé’s
with all the warmth of words that I could find in life in which he became entangled with designing
my nature. I pictured to her the awful position of women, and that I am assured of his hearty repen-
the woman who only wakes to a man’s character tance for any evil that he may have done.’

856
 The Illustrious Client

“ ‘Three passages!’ screamed my companion. insisted upon being taken to his rooms in
‘You fool! You unutterable fool!’ Baker Street. The miscreants who attacked
“ ‘Mr. Holmes, I beg that you will bring this him appear to have been respectably dressed
interview to an end,’ said the icy voice. ‘I have men, who escaped from the bystanders by
obeyed my father’s wish in seeing you, but I am passing through the Cafe Royal and out
not compelled to listen to the ravings of this per- into Glasshouse Street behind it. No doubt
son.’ they belonged to that criminal fraternity
which has so often had occasion to bewail
“With an oath Miss Winter darted forward, the activity and ingenuity of the injured
and if I had not caught her wrist she would have man.
clutched this maddening woman by the hair. I
I need not say that my eyes had hardly glanced over
dragged her towards the door and was lucky to
the paragraph before I had sprung into a hansom
get her back into the cab without a public scene,
and was on my way to Baker Street. I found Sir
for she was beside herself with rage. In a cold
Leslie Oakshott, the famous surgeon, in the hall
way I felt pretty furious myself, Watson, for there
and his brougham waiting at the curb.
was something indescribably annoying in the calm
aloofness and supreme self-complaisance of the “No immediate danger,” was his report. “Two
woman whom we were trying to save. So now once lacerated scalp wounds and some considerable
again you know exactly how we stand, and it is bruises. Several stitches have been necessary. Mor-
clear that I must plan some fresh opening move, for phine has been injected and quiet is essential, but
this gambit won’t work. I’ll keep in touch with you, an interview of a few minutes would not be abso-
Watson, for it is more than likely that you will have lutely forbidden.”
your part to play, though it is just possible that the With this permission I stole into the darkened
next move may lie with them rather than with us.” room. The sufferer was wide awake, and I heard
my name in a hoarse whisper. The blind was three-
And it did. Their blow fell—or his blow rather, quarters down, but one ray of sunlight slanted
for never could I believe that the lady was privy to through and struck the bandaged head of the in-
it. I think I could show you the very paving-stone jured man. A crimson patch had soaked through
upon which I stood when my eyes fell upon the the white linen compress. I sat beside him and bent
placard, and a pang of horror passed through my my head.
very soul. It was between the Grand Hotel and
“All right, Watson. Don’t look so scared,” he
Charing Cross Station, where a one-legged news-
muttered in a very weak voice. “It’s not as bad as
vender displayed his evening papers. The date was
it seems.”
just two days after the last conversation. There,
black upon yellow, was the terrible news-sheet: “Thank God for that!”
Murderous Attack Upon Sherlock “I’m a bit of a single-stick expert, as you know. I
Holmes took most of them on my guard. It was the second
man that was too much for me.”
I think I stood stunned for some moments. Then I
“What can I do, Holmes? Of course, it was that
have a confused recollection of snatching at a pa-
damned fellow who set them on. I’ll go and thrash
per, of the remonstrance of the man, whom I had
the hide off him if you give the word.”
not paid, and, finally, of standing in the doorway
of a chemist’s shop while I turned up the fateful “Good old Watson! No, we can do nothing there
paragraph. This was how it ran: unless the police lay their hands on the men. But
their get-away had been well prepared. We may be
We learn with regret that Mr. Sherlock
sure of that. Wait a little. I have my plans. The first
Holmes, the well-known private detective,
thing is to exaggerate my injuries. They’ll come to
was the victim this morning of a murder-
you for news. Put it on thick, Watson. Lucky if
ous assault which has left him in a precar-
I live the week out—concussion—delirium—what
ious position. There are no exact details to
you like! You can’t overdo it.”
hand, but the event seems to have occurred
about twelve o’clock in Regent Street, out- “But Sir Leslie Oakshott?”
side the Cafe Royal. The attack was made “Oh, he’s all right. He shall see the worst side
by two men armed with sticks, and Mr. of me. I’ll look after that.”
Holmes was beaten about the head and “Anything else?”
body, receiving injuries which the doctors “Yes. Tell Shinwell Johnson to get that girl out
describe as most serious. He was carried of the way. Those beauties will be after her now.
to Charing Cross Hospital and afterwards They know, of course, that she was with me in the

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 The Illustrious Client

case. If they dared to do me in it is not likely they and departed to my rooms with a goodly volume
will neglect her. That is urgent. Do it to-night.” under my arm.
“I’ll go now. Anything more?” It is said that the barrister who crams up a case
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 ceramics.
I arranged with Johnson that evening to take And yet all that evening, and all that night with a
Miss Winter to a quiet suburb and see that she lay short interval for rest, and all next morning, I was
low until the danger was past. sucking in knowledge and committing names to
For six days the public were under the impres- memory. There I learned of the hall-marks of the
sion that Holmes was at the door of death. The great artist-decorators, of the mystery of cyclical
bulletins were very grave and there were sinister dates, the marks of the Hung-wu and the beauties
paragraphs in the papers. My continual visits as- of the Yung-lo, the writings of Tang-ying, and the
sured me that it was not so bad as that. His wiry glories of the primitive period of the Sung and the
constitution and his determined will were working Yuan. I was charged with all this information when
wonders. He was recovering fast, and I had sus- I called upon Holmes next evening. He was out
picions at times that he was really finding himself of bed now, though you would not have guessed
faster than he pretended even to me. There was it from the published reports, and he sat with his
a curious secretive streak in the man which led much-bandaged head resting upon his hand in the
to many dramatic effects, but left even his closest depth of his favourite armchair.
friend guessing as to what his exact plans might “Why, Holmes,” I said, “if one believed the pa-
be. He pushed to an extreme the axiom that the pers, you are dying.”
only safe plotter was he who plotted alone. I was “That,” said he, “is the very impression which
nearer him than anyone else, and yet I was always I intended to convey. And now, Watson, have you
conscious of the gap between. learned your lessons?”
On the seventh day the stitches were taken out, “At least I have tried to.”
in spite of which there was a report of erysipelas in “Good. You could keep up an intelligent con-
the evening papers. The same evening papers had versation on the subject?”
an announcement which I was bound, sick or well, “I believe I could.”
to carry to my friend. It was simply that among the
“Then hand me that little box from the mantel-
passengers on the Cunard boat Ruritania, starting
piece.”
from Liverpool on Friday, was the Baron Adelbert
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 the
told me that it hit him hard. real egg-shell pottery of the Ming dynasty. No finer
piece ever passed through Christie’s. A complete
“Friday!” he cried. “Only three clear days. I be-
set of this would be worth a king’s ransom—in fact,
lieve the rascal wants to put himself out of danger’s
it is doubtful if there is a complete set outside the
way. But he won’t, Watson! By the Lord Harry, he
imperial palace of Peking. The sight of this would
won’t! Now, Watson, I want you to do something
drive a real connoisseur wild.”
for me.”
“What am I to do with it?”
“I am here to be used, Holmes.”
Holmes handed me a card upon which was
“Well, then, spend the next twenty-four hours printed: “Dr. Hill Barton, 369 Half Moon Street.”
in an intensive study of Chinese pottery.” “That is your name for the evening, Watson.
He gave no explanations and I asked for none. You will call upon Baron Gruner. I know some-
By long experience I had learned the wisdom of thing of his habits, and at half-past eight he would
obedience. But when I had left his room I walked probably be disengaged. A note will tell him in
down Baker Street, revolving in my head how on advance that you are about to call, and you will say
earth I was to carry out so strange an order. Finally that you are bringing him a specimen of an abso-
I drove to the London Library in St. James’s Square, lutely unique set of Ming china. You may as well be
put the matter to my friend Lomax, the sublibrarian, a medical man, since that is a part which you can

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 The Illustrious Client

play without duplicity. You are a collector, this set I carefully unpacked it and handed it to him.
has come your way, you have heard of the Baron’s He seated himself at his desk, pulled over the lamp,
interest in the subject, and you are not averse to for it was growing dark, and set himself to examine
selling at a price.” it. As he did so the yellow light beat upon his own
“What price?” features, and I was able to study them at my ease.
“Well asked, Watson. You would certainly fall He was certainly a remarkably handsome man.
down badly if you did not know the value of your His European reputation for beauty was fully de-
own wares. This saucer was got for me by Sir James, served. In figure he was not more than of mid-
and comes, I understand, from the collection of his dle size, but was built upon graceful and active
client. You will not exaggerate if you say that it lines. His face was swarthy, almost Oriental, with
could hardly be matched in the world.” large, dark, languorous eyes which might easily
hold an irresistible fascination for women. His
“I could perhaps suggest that the set should be hair and moustache were raven black, the latter
valued by an expert.” short, pointed, and carefully waxed. His features
“Excellent, Watson! You scintillate to-day. Sug- were regular and pleasing, save only his straight,
gest Christie or Sotheby. Your delicacy prevents thin-lipped mouth. If ever I saw a murderer’s
your putting a price for yourself.” mouth it was there—a cruel, hard gash in the face,
“But if he won’t see me?” compressed, inexorable, and terrible. He was ill-
“Oh, yes, he will see you. He has the collection advised to train his moustache away from it, for it
mania in its most acute form—and especially on was Nature’s danger-signal, set as a warning to his
this subject, on which he is an acknowledged au- victims. His voice was engaging and his manners
thority. Sit down, Watson, and I will dictate the perfect. In age I should have put him at little over
letter. No answer needed. You will merely say that thirty, though his record afterwards showed that he
you are coming, and why.” was forty-two.
“Very fine—very fine indeed!” he said at last.
It was an admirable document, short, courteous,
“And you say you have a set of six to correspond.
and stimulating to the curiosity of the connoisseur.
What puzzles me is that I should not have heard of
A district messenger was duly dispatched with it.
such magnificent specimens. I only know of one in
On the same evening, with the precious saucer in
England to match this, and it is certainly not likely
my hand and the card of Dr. Hill Barton in my
to be in the market. Would it be indiscreet if I were
pocket, I set off on my own adventure.
to ask you, Dr. Hill Barton, how you obtained this?”
The beautiful house and grounds indicated that
“Does it really matter?” I asked with as careless
Baron Gruner was, as Sir James had said, a man of
an air as I could muster. “You can see that the piece
considerable wealth. A long winding drive, with
is genuine, and, as to the value, I am content to
banks of rare shrubs on either side, opened out into
take an expert’s valuation.”
a great gravelled square adorned with statues. The
place had been built by a South African gold king “Very mysterious,” said he with a quick, sus-
in the days of the great boom, and the long, low picious flash of his dark eyes. “In dealing with
house with the turrets at the corners, though an objects of such value, one naturally wishes to know
architectural nightmare, was imposing in its size all about the transaction. That the piece is genuine
and solidity. A butler, who would have adorned a is certain. I have no doubts at all about that. But
bench of bishops, showed me in and handed me suppose—I am bound to take every possibility into
over to a plush-clad footman, who ushered me into account—that it should prove afterwards that you
the Baron’s presence. had no right to sell?”
“I would guarantee you against any claim of
He was standing at the open front of a great
the sort.”
case which stood between the windows and which
contained part of his Chinese collection. He turned “That, of course, would open up the question
as I entered with a small brown vase in his hand. as to what your guarantee was worth.”
“Pray sit down, Doctor,” said he. “I was looking “My bankers would answer that.”
over my own treasures and wondering whether I “Quite so. And yet the whole transaction strikes
could really afford to add to them. This little Tang me as rather unusual.”
specimen, which dates from the seventh century, “You can do business or not,” said I with in-
would probably interest you. I am sure you never difference. “I have given you the first offer as I
saw finer workmanship or a richer glaze. Have you understood that you were a connoisseur, but I shall
the Ming saucer with you of which you spoke?” have no difficulty in other quarters.”

859
 The Illustrious Client

“Who told you I was a connoisseur?” “Ah!” he cried. “Ah!” and dashed into the room
“I was aware that you had written a book upon behind him.
the subject.” Two steps took me to the open door, and my
mind will ever carry a clear picture of the scene
“Have you read the book?”
within. The window leading out to the garden was
“No.” wide open. Beside it, looking like some terrible
“Dear me, this becomes more and more difficult ghost, his head girt with bloody bandages, his face
for me to understand! You are a connoisseur and drawn and white, stood Sherlock Holmes. The next
collector with a very valuable piece in your collec- instant he was through the gap, and I heard the
tion, and yet you have never troubled to consult the crash of his body among the laurel bushes outside.
one book which would have told you of the real With a howl of rage the master of the house rushed
meaning and value of what you held. How do you after him to the open window.
explain that?” And then! It was done in an instant, and yet
“I am a very busy man. I am a doctor in prac- I clearly saw it. An arm—a woman’s arm—shot
tice.” out from among the leaves. At the same instant
the Baron uttered a horrible cry—a yell which will
“That is no answer. If a man has a hobby he
always ring in my memory. He clapped his two
follows it up, whatever his other pursuits may be.
hands to his face and rushed round the room, beat-
You said in your note that you were a connoisseur.”
ing his head horribly against the walls. Then he
“So I am.” fell upon the carpet, rolling and writhing, while
“Might I ask you a few questions to test you? I scream after scream resounded through the house.
am obliged to tell you, Doctor—if you are indeed a “Water! For God’s sake, water!” was his cry.
doctor—that the incident becomes more and more I seized a carafe from a side-table and rushed to
suspicious. I would ask you what do you know of his aid. At the same moment the butler and several
the Emperor Shomu and how do you associate him footmen ran in from the hall. I remember that one
with the Shoso-in near Nara? Dear me, does that of them fainted as I knelt by the injured man and
puzzle you? Tell me a little about the Northern Wei turned that awful face to the light of the lamp. The
dynasty and its place in the history of ceramics.” vitriol was eating into it everywhere and dripping
I sprang from my chair in simulated anger. from the ears and the chin. One eye was already
white and glazed. The other was red and inflamed.
“This is intolerable, sir,” said I. “I came here
The features which I had admired a few minutes
to do you a favour, and not to be examined as if I
before were now like some beautiful painting over
were a schoolboy. My knowledge on these subjects
which the artist has passed a wet and foul sponge.
may be second only to your own, but I certainly
They were blurred, discoloured, inhuman, terrible.
shall not answer questions which have been put in
so offensive a way.” In a few words I explained exactly what had
occurred, so far as the vitriol attack was concerned.
He looked at me steadily. The languor had gone
Some had climbed through the window and others
from his eyes. They suddenly glared. There was a
had rushed out on to the lawn, but it was dark
gleam of teeth from between those cruel lips.
and it had begun to rain. Between his screams the
“What is the game? You are here as a spy. You victim raged and raved against the avenger. “It
are an emissary of Holmes. This is a trick that you was that hell-cat, Kitty Winter!” he cried. “Oh, the
are playing upon me. The fellow is dying I hear, so she-devil! She shall pay for it! She shall pay! Oh,
he sends his tools to keep watch upon me. You’ve God in heaven, this pain is more than I can bear!”
made your way in here without leave, and, by God! I bathed his face in oil, put cotton wadding on
you may find it harder to get out than to get in.” the raw surfaces, and administered a hypodermic
He had sprung to his feet, and I stepped back, of morphia. All suspicion of me had passed from
bracing myself for an attack, for the man was be- his mind in the presence of this shock, and he clung
side himself with rage. He may have suspected me to my hands as if I might have the power even yet
from the first; certainly this cross-examination had to clear those dead-fish eyes which gazed up at
shown him the truth; but it was clear that I could me. I could have wept over the ruin had I not re-
not hope to deceive him. He dived his hand into a membered very clearly the vile life which had led
side-drawer and rummaged furiously. Then some- up to so hideous a change. It was loathsome to
thing struck upon his ear, for he stood listening feel the pawing of his burning hands, and I was
intently. relieved when his family surgeon, closely followed

860
 The Illustrious Client

by a specialist, came to relieve me of my charge. An Our courtly friend had appeared in answer to a
inspector of police had also arrived, and to him I previous summons. He listened with the deepest at-
handed my real card. It would have been useless as tention to Holmes’s account of what had occurred.
well as foolish to do otherwise, for I was nearly as “You have done wonders—wonders!” he cried
well known by sight at the Yard as Holmes himself. when he had heard the narrative. “But if these in-
Then I left that house of gloom and terror. Within juries are as terrible as Dr. Watson describes, then
an hour I was at Baker Street. surely our purpose of thwarting the marriage is
Holmes was seated in his familiar chair, looking sufficiently gained without the use of this horrible
very pale and exhausted. Apart from his injuries, book.”
even his iron nerves had been shocked by the events Holmes shook his head.
of the evening, and he listened with horror to my “Women of the De Merville type do not act like
account of the Baron’s transformation. that. She would love him the more as a disfigured
martyr. No, no. It is his moral side, not his physical,
“The wages of sin, Watson—the wages of sin!”
which we have to destroy. That book will bring her
said he. “Sooner or later it will always come. God
back to earth—and I know nothing else that could.
knows, there was sin enough,” he added, taking up
It is in his own writing. She cannot get past it.”
a brown volume from the table. “Here is the book
the woman talked of. If this will not break off the Sir James carried away both it and the precious
marriage, nothing ever could. But it will, Watson. saucer. As I was myself overdue, I went down with
It must. No self-respecting woman could stand it.” him into the street. A brougham was waiting for
him. He sprang in, gave a hurried order to the
“It is his love diary?” cockaded coachman, and drove swiftly away. He
flung his overcoat half out of the window to cover
“Or his lust diary. Call it what you will. The
the armorial bearings upon the panel, but I had
moment the woman told us of it I realized what a
seen them in the glare of our fanlight none the less.
tremendous weapon was there if we could but lay
I gasped with surprise. Then I turned back and
our hands on it. I said nothing at the time to indi-
ascended the stair to Holmes’s room.
cate my thoughts, for this woman might have given
it away. But I brooded over it. Then this assault “I have found out who our client is,” I cried,
upon me gave me the chance of letting the Baron bursting with my great news. “Why, Holmes, it
think that no precautions need be taken against is—”
me. That was all to the good. I would have waited “It is a loyal friend and a chivalrous gentleman,”
a little longer, but his visit to America forced my said Holmes, holding up a restraining hand. “Let
hand. He would never have left so compromising a that now and forever be enough for us.”
document behind him. Therefore we had to act at I do not know how the incriminating book was
once. Burglary at night is impossible. He takes pre- used. Sir James may have managed it. Or it is
cautions. But there was a chance in the evening if I more probable that so delicate a task was entrusted
could only be sure that his attention was engaged. to the young lady’s father. The effect, at any rate,
That was where you and your blue saucer came was all that could be desired. Three days later ap-
in. But I had to be sure of the position of the book, peared a paragraph in the Morning Post to say that
and I knew I had only a few minutes in which to the marriage between Baron Adelbert Gruner and
act, for my time was limited by your knowledge of Miss Violet de Merville would not take place. The
Chinese pottery. Therefore I gathered the girl up at same paper had the first police-court hearing of
the last moment. How could I guess what the little the proceedings against Miss Kitty Winter on the
packet was that she carried so carefully under her grave charge of vitriol-throwing. Such extenuating
cloak? I thought she had come altogether on my circumstances came out in the trial that the sen-
business, but it seems she had some of her own.” tence, as will be remembered, was the lowest that
“He guessed I came from you.” was possible for such an offence. Sherlock Holmes
was threatened with a prosecution for burglary, but
“I feared he would. But you held him in play when an object is good and a client is sufficiently
just long enough for me to get the book, though illustrious, even the rigid British law becomes hu-
not long enough for an unobserved escape. Ah, Sir man and elastic. My friend has not yet stood in the
James, I am very glad you have come!” dock.

861
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. For his sleeve instead of in his pocket, it is not difficult
a long time he has worried me to write to place him. You wear a short beard, which shows
an experience of my own. Perhaps I have that you were not a regular. You have the cut of
rather invited this persecution, since I have often a riding-man. As to Middlesex, your card has al-
had occasion to point out to him how superficial are ready shown me that you are a stockbroker from
his own accounts and to accuse him of pandering Throgmorton Street. What other regiment would
to popular taste instead of confining himself rigidly you join?”
to facts and figures. “Try it yourself, Holmes!” he “You see everything.”
has retorted, and I am compelled to admit that,
“I see no more than you, but I have trained my-
having taken my pen in my hand, I do begin to
self to notice what I see. However, Mr. Dodd, it
realize that the matter must be presented in such
was not to discuss the science of observation that
a way as may interest the reader. The following
you called upon me this morning. What has been
case can hardly fail to do so, as it is among the
happening at Tuxbury Old Park?”
strangest happenings in my collection, though it
chanced that Watson had no note of it in his col- “Mr. Holmes—!”
lection. Speaking of my old friend and biographer, “My dear sir, there is no mystery. Your letter
I would take this opportunity to remark that if I came with that heading, and as you fixed this ap-
burden myself with a companion in my various pointment in very pressing terms it was clear that
little inquiries it is not done out of sentiment or something sudden and important had occurred.”
caprice, but it is that Watson has some remarkable “Yes, indeed. But the letter was written in the af-
characteristics of his own to which in his modesty ternoon, and a good deal has happened since then.
he has given small attention amid his exaggerated If Colonel Emsworth had not kicked me out—”
estimates of my own performances. A confeder- “Kicked you out!”
ate who foresees your conclusions and course of
“Well, that was what it amounted to. He is
action is always dangerous, but one to whom each
a hard nail, is Colonel Emsworth. The greatest
development comes as a perpetual surprise, and to
martinet in the Army in his day, and it was a day
whom the future is always a closed book, is indeed
of rough language, too. I couldn’t have stuck the
an ideal helpmate.
colonel if it had not been for Godfrey’s sake.”
I find from my notebook that it was in January,
I lit my pipe and leaned back in my chair.
1903, just after the conclusion of the Boer War, that I
had my visit from Mr. James M. Dodd, a big, fresh, “Perhaps you will explain what you are talking
sunburned, upstanding Briton. The good Watson about.”
had at that time deserted me for a wife, the only My client grinned mischievously.
selfish action which I can recall in our association. “I had got into the way of supposing that you
I was alone. knew everything without being told,” said he. “But
It is my habit to sit with my back to the win- I will give you the facts, and I hope to God that you
dow and to place my visitors in the opposite chair, will be able to tell me what they mean. I’ve been
where the light falls full upon them. Mr. James M. awake all night puzzling my brain, and the more I
Dodd seemed somewhat at a loss how to begin the think the more incredible does it become.
interview. I did not attempt to help him, for his “When I joined up in January, 1901—just two
silence gave me more time for observation. I have years ago—young Godfrey Emsworth had joined
found it wise to impress clients with a sense of the same squadron. He was Colonel Emsworth’s
power, and so I gave him some of my conclusions. only son—Emsworth, the Crimean V. C.—and he
“From South Africa, sir, I perceive.” had the fighting blood in him, so it is no wonder
he volunteered. There was not a finer lad in the
“Yes, sir,” he answered, with some surprise.
regiment. We formed a friendship—the sort of
“Imperial Yeomanry, I fancy.” friendship which can only be made when one lives
“Exactly.” the same life and shares the same joys and sorrows.
“Middlesex Corps, no doubt.” He was my mate—and that means a good deal in
the Army. We took the rough and the smooth to-
“That is so. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard.”
gether for a year of hard fighting. Then he was hit
I smiled at his bewildered expression. with a bullet from an elephant gun in the action
“When a gentleman of virile appearance enters near Diamond Hill outside Pretoria. I got one let-
my room with such tan upon his face as an English ter from the hospital at Cape Town and one from

865
 The Blanched Soldier

Southampton. Since then not a word—not one been older. She had been Godfrey’s nurse, and I
word, Mr. Holmes, for six months and more, and had heard him speak of her as second only to his
he my closest pal. mother in his affections, so I was drawn to her in
“Well, when the war was over, and we all got spite of her queer appearance. The mother I liked
back, I wrote to his father and asked where Godfrey also—a gentle little white mouse of a woman. It
was. No answer. I waited a bit and then I wrote was only the colonel himself whom I barred.
again. This time I had a reply, short and gruff. God- “We had a bit of barney right away, and I should
frey had gone on a voyage round the world, and have walked back to the station if I had not felt that
it was not likely that he would be back for a year. it might be playing his game for me to do so. I was
That was all. shown straight into his study, and there I found
“I wasn’t satisfied, Mr. Holmes. The whole him, a huge, bow-backed man with a smoky skin
thing seemed to me so damned unnatural. He and a straggling gray beard, seated behind his lit-
was a good lad, and he would not drop a pal like tered desk. A red-veined nose jutted out like a
that. It was not like him. Then, again, I happened vulture’s beak, and two fierce gray eyes glared at
to know that he was heir to a lot of money, and me from under tufted brows. I could understand
also that his father and he did not always hit it off now why Godfrey seldom spoke of his father.
too well. The old man was sometimes a bully, and “ ‘Well, sir,’ said he in a rasping voice, ‘I should
young Godfrey had too much spirit to stand it. No, be interested to know the real reasons for this visit.’
I wasn’t satisfied, and I determined that I would “I answered that I had explained them in my
get to the root of the matter. It happened, however, letter to his wife.
that my own affairs needed a lot of straightening “ ‘Yes, yes, you said that you had known God-
out, after two years’ absence, and so it is only this frey in Africa. We have, of course, only your word
week that I have been able to take up Godfrey’s for that.’
case again. But since I have taken it up I mean to
“ ‘I have his letters to me in my pocket.’
drop everything in order to see it through.”
“ ‘Kindly let me see them.’
Mr. James M. Dodd appeared to be the sort of
person whom it would be better to have as a friend “He glanced at the two which I handed him,
than as an enemy. His blue eyes were stern and his and then he tossed them back.
square jaw had set hard as he spoke. “ ‘Well, what then?’ he asked.
“Well, what have you done?” I asked. “ ‘I was fond of your son Godfrey, sir. Many
“My first move was to get down to his home, ties and memories united us. Is it not natural that
Tuxbury Old Park, near Bedford, and to see for I should wonder at his sudden silence and should
myself how the ground lay. I wrote to the mother, wish to know what has become of him?’
therefore—I had had quite enough of the curmud- “ ‘I have some recollections, sir, that I had al-
geon of a father—and I made a clean frontal attack: ready corresponded with you and had told you
Godfrey was my chum, I had a great deal of interest what had become of him. He has gone upon a voy-
which I might tell her of our common experiences, age round the world. His health was in a poor way
I should be in the neighbourhood, would there be after his African experiences, and both his mother
any objection, et cetera? In reply I had quite an and I were of opinion that complete rest and change
amiable answer from her and an offer to put me were needed. Kindly pass that explanation on to
up for the night. That was what took me down on any other friends who may be interested in the
Monday. matter.’
“Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible—five miles “ ‘Certainly,’ I answered. ‘But perhaps you
from anywhere. There was no trap at the station, would have the goodness to let me have the name
so I had to walk, carrying my suitcase, and it was of the steamer and of the line by which he sailed, to-
nearly dark before I arrived. It is a great wandering gether with the date. I have no doubt that I should
house, standing in a considerable park. I should be able to get a letter through to him.’
judge it was of all sorts of ages and styles, start- “My request seemed both to puzzle and to irri-
ing on a half-timbered Elizabethan foundation and tate my host. His great eyebrows came down over
ending in a Victorian portico. Inside it was all pan- his eyes, and he tapped his fingers impatiently on
elling and tapestry and half-effaced old pictures, a the table. He looked up at last with the expression
house of shadows and mystery. There was a butler, of one who has seen his adversary make a danger-
old Ralph, who seemed about the same age as the ous move at chess, and has decided how to meet
house, and there was his wife, who might have it.

866
 The Blanched Soldier

“ ‘Many people, Mr. Dodd,’ said he, ‘would “The old butler rubbed his skinny hands.
take offence at your infernal pertinacity and would “ ‘Yes, sir, yes, that is Master Godfrey all over.
think that this insistence had reached the point of He was always courageous. There’s not a tree in the
damned impertinence.’ park, sir, that he has not climbed. Nothing would
“ ‘You must put it down, sir, to my real love for stop him. He was a fine boy—and oh, sir, he was a
your son.’ fine man.’
“ ‘Exactly. I have already made every allowance “I sprang to my feet.
upon that score. I must ask you, however, to drop “ ‘Look here!’ I cried. ‘You say he was. You
these inquiries. Every family has its own inner speak as if he were dead. What is all this mystery?
knowledge and its own motives, which cannot al- What has become of Godfrey Emsworth?’
ways be made clear to outsiders, however well- “I gripped the old man by the shoulder, but he
intentioned. My wife is anxious to hear something shrank away.
of Godfrey’s past which you are in a position to “ ‘I don’t know what you mean, sir. Ask the
tell her, but I would ask you to let the present and master about Master Godfrey. He knows. It is not
the future alone. Such inquiries serve no useful for me to interfere.’
purpose, 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
“So I came to a dead end, Mr. Holmes. There question before you leave if I have to hold you all
was no getting past it. I could only pretend to ac- night. Is Godfrey dead?’
cept the situation and register a vow inwardly that
“He could not face my eyes. He was like a man
I would never rest until my friend’s fate had been
hypnotized. The answer was dragged from his lips.
cleared up. It was a dull evening. We dined quietly,
It was a terrible and unexpected one.
the three of us, in a gloomy, faded old room. The
lady questioned me eagerly about her son, but the “ ‘I wish to God he was!’ he cried, and, tearing
old man seemed morose and depressed. I was so himself free, he dashed from the room.
bored by the whole proceeding that I made an ex- “You will think, Mr. Holmes, that I returned
cuse as soon as I decently could and retired to my to my chair in no very happy state of mind. The
bedroom. It was a large, bare room on the ground old man’s words seemed to me to bear only one
floor, as gloomy as the rest of the house, but af- interpretation. Clearly my poor friend had become
ter a year of sleeping upon the veldt, Mr. Holmes, involved in some criminal or, at the least, disrep-
one is not too particular about one’s quarters. I utable transaction which touched the family honour.
opened the curtains and looked out into the gar- That stern old man had sent his son away and hid-
den, remarking that it was a fine night with a bright den him from the world lest some scandal should
half-moon. Then I sat down by the roaring fire with come to light. Godfrey was a reckless fellow. He
the lamp on a table beside me, and endeavoured to was easily influenced by those around him. No
distract my mind with a novel. I was interrupted, doubt he had fallen into bad hands and been mis-
however, by Ralph, the old butler, who came in led to his ruin. It was a piteous business, if it was
with a fresh supply of coals. indeed so, but even now it was my duty to hunt
him out and see if I could aid him. I was anxiously
“ ‘I thought you might run short in the night-
pondering the matter when I looked up, and there
time, sir. It is bitter weather and these rooms are
was Godfrey Emsworth standing before me.”
cold.’
My client had paused as one in deep emotion.
“He hesitated before leaving the room, and
“Pray continue,” I said. “Your problem presents
when I looked round he was standing facing me
some very unusual features.”
with a wistful look upon his wrinkled face.
“He was outside the window, Mr. Holmes, with
“ ‘Beg your pardon, sir, but I could not help his face pressed against the glass. I have told
hearing what you said of young Master Godfrey you that I looked out at the night. When I did
at dinner. You know, sir, that my wife nursed him, so I left the curtains partly open. His figure was
and so I may say I am his foster-father. It’s natural framed in this gap. The window came down to the
we should take an interest. And you say he carried ground and I could see the whole length of it, but
himself well, sir?’ it was his face which held my gaze. He was deadly
“ ‘There was no braver man in the regiment. He pale—never have I seen a man so white. I reckon
pulled me out once from under the rifles of the ghosts may look like that; but his eyes met mine,
Boers, or maybe I should not be here.’ and they were the eyes of a living man. He sprang

867
 The Blanched Soldier

back when he saw that I was looking at him, and of some size—large enough for a gardener’s or a
he vanished into the darkness. gamekeeper’s residence. Could this be the place
“There was something shocking about the man, whence the sound of that shutting door had come?
Mr. Holmes. It wasn’t merely that ghastly face glim- I approached it in a careless fashion as though I
mering as white as cheese in the darkness. It was were strolling aimlessly round the grounds. As I
more subtle than that—something slinking, some- did so, a small, brisk, bearded man in a black coat
thing furtive, something guilty— something very and bowler hat—not at all the gardener type—came
unlike the frank, manly lad that I had known. It out of the door. To my surprise, he locked it after
left a feeling of horror in my mind. him and put the key in his pocket. Then he looked
at me with some surprise on his face.
“But when a man has been soldiering for a year
or two with brother Boer as a playmate, he keeps “ ‘Are you a visitor here?’ he asked.
his nerve and acts quickly. Godfrey had hardly “I explained that I was and that I was a friend
vanished before I was at the window. There was an of Godfrey’s.
awkward catch, and I was some little time before “ ‘What a pity that he should be away on his
I could throw it up. Then I nipped through and travels, for he would have so liked to see me,’ I
ran down the garden path in the direction that I continued.
thought he might have taken.
“ ‘Quite so. Exactly,’ said he with a rather guilty
“It was a long path and the light was not very air. ‘No doubt you will renew your visit at some
good, but it seemed to me something was moving more propitious time.’ He passed on, but when I
ahead of me. I ran on and called his name, but turned I observed that he was standing watching
it was no use. When I got to the end of the path me, half-concealed by the laurels at the far end of
there were several others branching in different di- the garden.
rections to various outhouses. I stood hesitating,
and as I did so I heard distinctly the sound of a “I had a good look at the little house as I passed
closing door. It was not behind me in the house, it, but the windows were heavily curtained, and, so
but ahead of me, somewhere in the darkness. That far as one could see, it was empty. I might spoil my
was enough, Mr. Holmes, to assure me that what I own game and even be ordered off the premises if
had seen was not a vision. Godfrey had run away I were too audacious, for I was still conscious that
from me, and he had shut a door behind him. Of I was being watched. Therefore, I strolled back to
that I was certain. the house and waited for night before I went on
with my inquiry. When all was dark and quiet I
“There was nothing more I could do, and I
slipped out of my window and made my way as
spent an uneasy night turning the matter over in
silently as possible to the mysterious lodge.
my mind and trying to find some theory which
would cover the facts. Next day I found the colonel “I have said that it was heavily curtained, but
rather more conciliatory, and as his wife remarked now I found that the windows were shuttered as
that there were some places of interest in the neigh- well. Some light, however, was breaking through
bourhood, it gave me an opening to ask whether one of them, so I concentrated my attention upon
my presence for one more night would incommode this. I was in luck, for the curtain had not been
them. A somewhat grudging acquiescence from quite closed, and there was a crack in the shutter,
the old man gave me a clear day in which to make so that I could see the inside of the room. It was
my observations. I was already perfectly convinced a cheery place enough, a bright lamp and a blaz-
that Godfrey was in hiding somewhere near, but ing fire. Opposite to me was seated the little man
where and why remained to be 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 explore “Can it matter?” he asked.
the garden and see what I could find. There was
no difficulty in the way, for the old people were “It is most essential.”
busy in their own fashion and left me to my own “I really took no notice.”
devices. “Possibly you observed whether it was a broad-
“There were several small outhouses, but at the leafed paper or of that smaller type which one
end of the garden there was a detached building associates with weeklies.”

868
 The Blanched Soldier

“Now that you mention it, it was not large. It Such was the problem which my visitor laid be-
might have been the Spectator. However, I had little fore me. It presented, as the astute reader will have
thought to spare upon such details, for a second already perceived, few difficulties in its solution,
man was seated with his back to the window, and for a very limited choice of alternatives must get to
I could swear that this second man was Godfrey. the root of the matter. Still, elementary as it was,
I could not see his face, but I knew the familiar there were points of interest and novelty about it
slope of his shoulders. He was leaning upon his which may excuse my placing it upon record. I
elbow in an attitude of great melancholy, his body now proceeded, using my familiar method of logi-
turned towards the fire. I was hesitating as to what cal analysis, to narrow down the possible solutions.
I should do when there was a sharp tap on my “The servants,” I asked; “how many were in the
shoulder, and there was Colonel Emsworth beside house?”
me. “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- “There was no servant, then, in the detached
table in the hall. house?”
“None, unless the little man with the beard
“ ‘There is a train to London at 8.30,’ said he.
acted as such. He seemed, however, to be quite a
‘The trap will be at the door at eight.’
superior person.”
“He was white with rage, and, indeed, I felt “That seems very suggestive. Had you any indi-
myself in so difficult a position that I could only cation that food was conveyed from the one house
stammer out a few incoherent apologies in which I to the other?”
tried to excuse myself by urging my anxiety for my “Now that you mention it, I did see old Ralph
friend. carrying a basket down the garden walk and going
“ ‘The matter will not bear discussion,’ said he in the direction of this house. The idea of food did
abruptly. ‘You have made a most damnable intru- not occur to me at the moment.”
sion into the privacy of our family. You were here “Did you make any local inquiries?”
as a guest and you have become a spy. I have noth- “Yes, I did. I spoke to the station-master and
ing more to say, sir, save that I have no wish ever also to the innkeeper in the village. I simply asked
to see you again.’ if they knew anything of my old comrade, Godfrey
Emsworth. Both of them assured me that he had
“At this I lost my temper, Mr. Holmes, and I
gone for a voyage round the world. He had come
spoke with some warmth.
home and then had almost at once started off again.
“ ‘I have seen your son, and I am convinced that The story was evidently universally accepted.”
for some reason of your own you are concealing “You said nothing of your suspicions?”
him from the world. I have no idea what your mo- “Nothing.”
tives are in cutting him off in this fashion, but I “That was very wise. The matter should cer-
am sure that he is no longer a free agent. I warn tainly be inquired into. I will go back with you to
you, Colonel Emsworth, that until I am assured as Tuxbury Old Park.”
to the safety and well-being of my friend I shall “To-day?”
never desist in my efforts to get to the bottom of
It happened that at the moment I was clearing
the mystery, and I shall certainly not allow myself
up the case which my friend Watson has described
to be intimidated by anything which you may say
as that of the Abbey School, in which the Duke of
or do.’
Greyminster was so deeply involved. I had also a
“The old fellow looked diabolical, and I really commission from the Sultan of Turkey which called
thought he was about to attack me. I have said that for immediate action, as political consequences of
he was a gaunt, fierce old giant, and though I am no the gravest kind might arise from its neglect. There-
weakling I might have been hard put to it to hold fore it was not until the beginning of the next week,
my own against him. However, after a long glare of as my diary records, that I was able to start forth
rage he turned upon his heel and walked out of the on my mission to Bedfordshire in company with
room. For my part, I took the appointed train in the Mr. James M. Dodd. As we drove to Euston we
morning, with the full intention of coming straight picked up a grave and taciturn gentleman of iron-
to you and asking for your advice and assistance at gray aspect, with whom I had made the necessary
the appointment for which I had already written.” arrangements.

869
 The Blanched Soldier

“This is an old friend,” said I to Dodd. “It is of the gloves. Yes, it was undoubtedly from them
possible that his presence may be entirely unneces- that the curious tarry odour was oozing. I passed
sary, and, on the other hand, it may be essential. It on into the study with my case complete. Alas,
is not necessary at the present stage to go further that I should have to show my hand so when I tell
into the matter.” my own story! It was by concealing such links in
The narratives of Watson have accustomed the the chain that Watson was enabled to produce his
reader, no doubt, to the fact that I do not waste meretricious finales.
words or disclose my thoughts while a case is actu- Colonel Emsworth was not in his room, but
ally under consideration. Dodd seemed surprised, he came quickly enough on receipt of Ralph’s mes-
but nothing more was said, and the three of us sage. We heard his quick, heavy step in the passage.
continued our journey together. In the train I asked The door was flung open and he rushed in with
Dodd one more question which I wished our com- bristling beard and twisted features, as terrible an
panion to hear. old man as ever I have seen. He held our cards in
“You say that you saw your friend’s face quite his hand, and he tore them up and stamped on the
clearly at the window, so clearly that you are sure fragments.
of his identity?” “Have I not told you, you infernal busybody,
“I have no doubt about it whatever. His nose that you are warned off the premises? Never dare
was pressed against the glass. The lamplight shone to show your damned face here again. If you en-
full upon him.” ter again without my leave I shall be within my
rights if I use violence. I’ll shoot you, sir! By God,
“It could not have been someone resembling I will! As to you, sir,” turning upon me, “I extend
him?” the same warning to you. I am familiar with your
“No, no, it was he.” ignoble 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, “un-
bleached.” til 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 county
police and ask the inspector to send up two consta-
“Did you call to him?” bles. Tell him there are burglars in the house.”
“I was too startled and horrified for the moment. “One moment,” said I. “You must be aware, Mr.
Then I pursued him, as I have told you, but without Dodd, that Colonel Emsworth is within his rights
result.” and that we have no legal status within his house.
My case was practically complete, and there On the other hand, he should recognize that your
was only one small incident needed to round it off. action is prompted entirely by solicitude for his
When, after a considerable drive, we arrived at the son. I venture to hope that if I were allowed to have
strange old rambling house which my client had five minutes’ conversation with Colonel Emsworth
described, it was Ralph, the elderly butler, who I could certainly alter his view of the matter.”
opened the door. I had requisitioned the carriage “I am not so easily altered,” said the old soldier.
for the day and had asked my elderly friend to “Ralph, do what I have told you. What the devil
remain within it unless we should summon him. are you waiting for? Ring up the police!”
Ralph, a little wrinkled old fellow, was in the con-
“Nothing of the sort,” I said, putting my back
ventional costume of black coat and pepper-and-
to the door. “Any police interference would bring
salt trousers, with only one curious variant. He
about the very catastrophe which you dread.” I took
wore brown leather gloves, which at sight of us
out my notebook and scribbled one word upon a
he instantly shuffled off, laying them down on the
loose sheet. “That,” said I as I handed it to Colonel
hall-table as we passed in. I have, as my friend Wat-
Emsworth, “is what has brought us here.”
son may have remarked, an abnormally acute set
of senses, and a faint but incisive scent was appar- He stared at the writing with a face from which
ent. It seemed to centre on the hall-table. I turned, every expression save amazement had vanished.
placed my hat there, knocked it off, stooped to pick “How do you know?” he gasped, sitting down
it up, and contrived to bring my nose within a foot heavily in his chair.

870
 The Blanched Soldier

“It is my business to know things. That is my “Yes, I heard that, but I never got particulars.”
trade.” “Three of us got separated from the others.
He sat in deep thought, his gaunt hand tugging It was very broken country, you may remember.
at his straggling beard. Then he made a gesture of There was Simpson—the fellow we called Baldy
resignation. Simpson— and Anderson, and I. We were clearing
“Well, if you wish to see Godfrey, you shall. It brother Boer, but he lay low and got the three of
is no doing of mine, but you have forced my hand. us. The other two were killed. I got an elephant
Ralph, tell Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Kent that in five bullet through my shoulder. I stuck on to my horse,
minutes we shall be with them.” however, and he galloped several miles before I
fainted and rolled off the saddle.
At the end of that time we passed down the
garden path and found ourselves in front of the “When I came to myself it was nightfall, and
mystery house at the end. A small bearded man I raised myself up, feeling very weak and ill. To
stood at the door with a look of considerable aston- my surprise there was a house close beside me,
ishment upon his face. a fairly large house with a broad stoep and many
windows. It was deadly cold. You remember the
“This is very sudden, Colonel Emsworth,” said
kind of numb cold which used to come at evening,
he. “This will disarrange all our plans.”
a deadly, sickening sort of cold, very different from
“I can’t help it, Mr. Kent. Our hands have been a crisp healthy frost. Well, I was chilled to the bone,
forced. Can Mr. Godfrey see us?” and my only hope seemed to lie in reaching that
“Yes, he is waiting inside.” He turned and led house. I staggered to my feet and dragged myself
us into a large, plainly furnished front room. A along, hardly conscious of what I did. I have a dim
man was standing with his back to the fire, and memory of slowly ascending the steps, entering a
at the sight of him my client sprang forward with wide-opened door, passing into a large room which
outstretched hand. contained several beds, and throwing myself down
“Why, Godfrey, old man, this is fine!” with a gasp of satisfaction upon one of them. It was
unmade, but that troubled me not at all. I drew the
But the other waved him back. clothes over my shivering body and in a moment I
“Don’t touch me, Jimmie. Keep your distance. was in a deep sleep.
Yes, you may well stare! I don’t quite look the smart
“It was morning when I wakened, and it seemed
Lance-Corporal Emsworth, of B Squadron, do I?”
to me that instead of coming out into a world of san-
His appearance was certainly extraordinary. ity I had emerged into some extraordinary night-
One could see that he had indeed been a hand- mare. The African sun flooded through the big,
some man with clear-cut features sunburned by curtainless windows, and every detail of the great,
an African sun, but mottled in patches over this bare, whitewashed dormitory stood out hard and
darker surface were curious whitish patches which clear. In front of me was standing a small, dwarf-
had bleached his skin. like man with a huge, bulbous head, who was
“That’s why I don’t court visitors,” said he. “I jabbering excitedly in Dutch, waving two horrible
don’t mind you, Jimmie, but I could have done hands which looked to me like brown sponges. Be-
without your friend. I suppose there is some good hind him stood a group of people who seemed to
reason for it, but you have me at a disadvantage.” be intensely amused by the situation, but a chill
came over me as I looked at them. Not one of
“I wanted to be sure that all was well with you,
them was a normal human being. Every one was
Godfrey. I saw you that night when you looked
twisted or swollen or disfigured in some strange
into my window, and I could not let the matter rest
way. The laughter of these strange monstrosities
till I had cleared things up.”
was a dreadful thing to hear.
“Old Ralph told me you were there, and I
couldn’t help taking a peep at you. I hoped you “It seemed that none of them could speak En-
would not have seen me, and I had to run to my glish, but the situation wanted clearing up, for the
burrow when I heard the window go up.” creature with the big head was growing furiously
angry, and, uttering wild-beast cries, he had laid
“But what in heaven’s name is the matter?” his deformed hands upon me and was dragging
“Well, it’s not a long story to tell,” said he, light- me out of bed, regardless of the fresh flow of blood
ing a cigarette. “You remember that morning fight from my wound. The little monster was as strong
at Buffelsspruit, outside Pretoria, on the Eastern as a bull, and I don’t know what he might have
railway line? You heard I was hit?” done to me had not an elderly man who was clearly

871
 The Blanched Soldier

in authority been attracted to the room by the hub- such a case a second opinion is valuable. You have
bub. He said a few stern words in Dutch, and my avoided this, I understand, for fear that pressure
persecutor shrank away. Then he turned upon me, should be put upon you to segregate the patient.”
gazing at me in the utmost amazement. “That is so,” said Colonel Emsworth.
“ ‘How in the world did you come here?’ he “I foresaw this situation,” I explained, “and I
asked in amazement. ‘Wait a bit! I see that you have brought with me a friend whose discretion
are tired out and that wounded shoulder of yours may absolutely be trusted. I was able once to do
wants looking after. I am a doctor, and I’ll soon him a professional service, and he is ready to ad-
have you tied up. But, man alive! you are in far vise as a friend rather than as a specialist. His name
greater danger here than ever you were on the bat- is Sir James Saunders.”
tlefield. You are in the Leper Hospital, and you
have slept in a leper’s bed.’ The prospect of an interview with Lord Roberts
would not have excited greater wonder and plea-
“Need I tell you more, Jimmie? It seems that in sure in a raw subaltern than was now reflected
view of the approaching battle all these poor crea- upon the face of Mr. Kent.
tures had been evacuated the day before. Then, as
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. He
me that, though he believed he was immune to the is at present in the carriage outside the door. Mean-
disease, he would none the less never have dared to while, Colonel Emsworth, we may perhaps assem-
do what I had done. He put me in a private room, ble in your study, where I could give the necessary
treated me kindly, and within a week or so I was explanations.”
removed to the general hospital at Pretoria. And here it is that I miss my Watson. By cun-
“So there you have my tragedy. I hoped against ning questions and ejaculations of wonder he could
hope, but it was not until I had reached home that elevate my simple art, which is but systematized
the terrible signs which you see upon my face told common sense, into a prodigy. When I tell my own
me that I had not escaped. What was I to do? I was story I have no such aid. And yet I will give my
in this lonely house. We had two servants whom process of thought even as I gave it to my small
we could utterly trust. There was a house where audience, which included Godfrey’s mother in the
I could live. Under pledge of secrecy, Mr. Kent, study of Colonel Emsworth.
who is a surgeon, was prepared to stay with me. It “That process,” said I, “starts upon the suppo-
seemed simple enough on those lines. The alterna- sition that when you have eliminated all which is
tive was a dreadful one—segregation for life among impossible, then whatever remains, however im-
strangers with never a hope of release. But absolute probable, must be the truth. It may well be that
secrecy was necessary, or even in this quiet country- several explanations remain, in which case one tries
side there would have been an outcry, and I should test after test until one or other of them has a con-
have been dragged to my horrible doom. Even you, vincing amount of support. We will now apply
Jimmie—even you had to be kept in the dark. Why this principle to the case in point. As it was first
my father has relented I cannot imagine.” presented to me, there were three possible expla-
Colonel Emsworth pointed to me. nations of the seclusion or incarceration of this
“This is the gentleman who forced my hand.” gentleman in an outhouse of his father’s mansion.
He unfolded the scrap of paper on which I had There was the explanation that he was in hiding for
written the word “Leprosy.” “It seemed to me that a crime, or that he was mad and that they wished
if he knew so much as that it was safer that he to avoid an asylum, or that he had some disease
should know all.” which caused his segregation. I could think of no
other adequate solutions. These, then, had to be
“And so it was,” said I. “Who knows but good sifted and balanced against each other.
may come of it? I understand that only Mr. Kent
has seen the patient. May I ask, sir, if you are an “The criminal solution would not bear inspec-
authority on such complaints, which are, I under- tion. No unsolved crime had been reported from
stand, tropical or semi-tropical in their nature?” that district. I was sure of that. If it were some
crime not yet discovered, then clearly it would be
“I have the ordinary knowledge of the educated to the interest of the family to get rid of the delin-
medical man,” he observed with some stiffness. quent and send him abroad rather than keep him
“I have no doubt, sir, that you are fully com- concealed at home. I could see no explanation for
petent, but I am sure that you will agree that in such a line of conduct.

872
 The Blanched Soldier

“Insanity was more plausible. The presence act as if it were actually proved. When on arriving
of the second person in the outhouse suggested a here I noticed that Ralph, who carries out the meals,
keeper. The fact that he locked the door when he had gloves which are impregnated with disinfec-
came out strengthened the supposition and gave tants, my last doubts were removed. A single word
the idea of constraint. On the other hand, this con- showed you, sir, that your secret was discovered,
straint could not be severe or the young man could and if I wrote rather than said it, it was to prove to
not have got loose and come down to have a look you that my discretion was to be trusted.”
at his friend. You will remember, Mr. Dodd, that I was finishing this little analysis of the case
I felt round for points, asking you, for example, when the door was opened and the austere figure
about the paper which Mr. Kent was reading. Had of the great dermatologist was ushered in. But for
it been the Lancet or the British Medical Journal it once his sphinx-like features had relaxed and there
would have helped me. It is not illegal, however, was a warm humanity in his eyes. He strode up to
to keep a lunatic upon private premises so long as Colonel Emsworth and shook him by the hand.
there is a qualified person in attendance and that
“It is often my lot to bring ill-tidings and sel-
the authorities have been duly notified. Why, then,
dom good,” said he. “This occasion is the more
all this desperate desire for secrecy? Once again I
welcome. It is not leprosy.”
could not get the theory to fit the facts.
“There remained the third possibility, into “What?”
which, rare and unlikely as it was, everything “A well-marked case of pseudo-leprosy or
seemed to fit. Leprosy is not uncommon in South ichthyosis, a scale-like affection of the skin, un-
Africa. By some extraordinary chance this youth sightly, obstinate, but possibly curable, and cer-
might have contracted it. His people would be tainly noninfective. Yes, Mr. Holmes, the coinci-
placed in a very dreadful position, since they would dence is a remarkable one. But is it coincidence?
desire to save him from segregation. Great secrecy Are there not subtle forces at work of which we
would be needed to prevent rumours from getting know little? Are we assured that the apprehen-
about and subsequent interference by the author- sion from which this young man has no doubt
ities. A devoted medical man, if sufficiently paid, suffered terribly since his exposure to its contagion
would easily be found to take charge of the sufferer. may not produce a physical effect which simulates
There would be no reason why the latter should that which it fears? At any rate, I pledge my pro-
not be allowed freedom after dark. Bleaching of the fessional reputation— But the lady has fainted! I
skin is a common result of the disease. The case think that Mr. Kent had better be with her until she
was a strong one—so strong that I determined to recovers from this joyous shock.”

873
The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone
I
The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

t was pleasant to Dr. Watson to find him- “Yes, sir, you know what that means. He’s a
self once more in the untidy room of the stiff ’un, sir, if I may say so. I can get along with
first floor in Baker Street which had been the Prime Minister, and I’ve nothing against the
the starting-point of so many remarkable Home Secretary, who seemed a civil, obliging sort
adventures. He looked round him at the scientific of man, but I can’t stand his Lordship. Neither can
charts upon the wall, the acid-charred bench of Mr. Holmes, sir. You see, he don’t believe in Mr.
chemicals, the violin-case leaning in the corner, the Holmes and he was against employing him. He’d
coal-scuttle, which contained of old the pipes and rather he failed.”
tobacco. Finally, his eyes came round to the fresh “And Mr. Holmes knows it?”
and smiling face of Billy, the young but very wise “Mr. Holmes always knows whatever there is to
and tactful page, who had helped a little to fill know.”
up the gap of loneliness and isolation which sur-
“Well, we’ll hope he won’t fail and that Lord
rounded the saturnine figure of the great 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 him?” “Mr. Holmes had it put up there three days ago.
Billy glanced with some solicitude at the closed We’ve got something funny behind it.”
door of the bedroom. Billy advanced and drew away the drapery
“I think he’s in bed and asleep,” he said. which screened the alcove of the bow window.
It was seven in the evening of a lovely summer’s Dr. Watson could not restrain a cry of amaze-
day, but Dr. Watson was sufficiently familiar with ment. There was a facsimile of his old friend,
the irregularity of his old friend’s hours to feel no dressing-gown and all, the face turned three-
surprise at the idea. quarters towards the window and downward, as
though reading an invisible book, while the body
“That means a case, I suppose?” was sunk deep in an armchair. Billy detached the
“Yes, sir, he is very hard at it just now. I’m head and held it in the air.
frightened for his health. He gets paler and thinner, “We put it at different angles, so that it may
and he eats nothing. ‘When will you be pleased to seem more lifelike. I wouldn’t dare touch it if the
dine, Mr. Holmes?’ Mrs. Hudson asked. ‘Seven- blind were not down. But when it’s up you can see
thirty, the day after to-morrow,’ said he. You know this from across the way.”
his way when he is keen on a case.” “We used something of the sort once before.”
“Yes, Billy, I know.” “Before my time,” said Billy. He drew the win-
“He’s following someone. Yesterday he was out dow curtains apart and looked out into the street.
as a workman looking for a job. To-day he was an “There are folk who watch us from over yonder. I
old woman. Fairly took me in, he did, and I ought can see a fellow now at the window. Have a look
to know his ways by now.” Billy pointed with a for yourself.”
grin to a very baggy parasol which leaned against Watson had taken a step forward when the
the sofa. “That’s part of the old woman’s outfit,” bedroom door opened, and the long, thin form
he said. of Holmes emerged, his face pale and drawn, but
his step and bearing as active as ever. With a single
“But what is it all about, Billy?”
spring he was at the window, and had drawn the
Billy sank his voice, as one who discusses great blind once more.
secrets of State. “I don’t mind telling you, sir, but “That will do, Billy,” said he. “You were in dan-
it should go no farther. It’s this case of the Crown ger of your life then, my boy, and I can’t do without
diamond.” you just yet. Well, Watson, it is good to see you in
“What—the hundred-thousand-pound bur- your old quarters once again. You come at a critical
glary?” moment.”
“Yes, sir. They must get it back, sir. Why, we “So I gather.”
had the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary “You can go, Billy. That boy is a problem, Wat-
both sitting on that very sofa. Mr. Holmes was very son. How far am I justified in allowing him to be
nice to them. He soon put them at their ease and in danger?”
promised he would do all he could. Then there is “Danger of what, Holmes?”
Lord Cantlemere—” “Of sudden death. I’m expecting something this
“Ah!” evening.”

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 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

“Expecting what?” But that is not what I am out for. It’s the stone I
“To be murdered, Watson.” 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 evolve
Sam Merton, the boxer. Not a bad fellow, Sam, but
a better joke than that. But we may be comfortable
the Count has used him. Sam’s not a shark. He
in the meantime, may we not? Is alcohol permitted?
is a great big silly bull-headed gudgeon. But he is
The gasogene and cigars are in the old place. Let
flopping about in my net all the same.”
me see you once more in the customary armchair.
You have not, I hope, learned to despise my pipe “Where is this Count Sylvius?”
and my lamentable tobacco? It has to take the place “I’ve been at his very elbow all the morning.
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 you he—half-Italian, you know, and with the Southern
starve them. Why, surely, as a doctor, my dear Wat- graces of manner when in the mood, but a devil in-
son, you must admit that what your digestion gains carnate in the other mood. Life is full of whimsical
in the way of blood supply is so much lost to the happenings, Watson.”
brain. I am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is a
“It might have been tragedy.”
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. Strauben-
“But this danger, Holmes?”
zee made the air-gun—a very pretty bit of work, as
“Ah, yes, in case it should come off, it would I understand, and I rather fancy it is in the opposite
perhaps be as well that you should burden your window at the present moment. Have you seen the
memory with the name and address of the mur- dummy? Of course, Billy showed it to you. Well, it
derer. You can give it to Scotland Yard, with may get a bullet through its beautiful head at any
my love and a parting blessing. Sylvius is the 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. W. card upon a tray. Holmes glanced at it with raised
Got it?” eyebrows and an amused smile.
Watson’s honest face was twitching with anxiety. “The man himself. I had hardly expected this.
He knew only too well the immense risks taken by Grasp the nettle, Watson! A man of nerve. Possibly
Holmes and was well aware that what he said was you have heard of his reputation as a shooter of big
more likely to be under-statement than exaggera- game. It would indeed be a triumphant ending to
tion. Watson was always the man of action, and he his excellent sporting record if he added me to his
rose to the occasion. bag. This is a proof that he feels my toe very close
“Count me in, Holmes. I have nothing to do for behind his heel.”
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 make same.”
the world a better place by laying them by the heels. “Yes, sir.”

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 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

Watson waited until the door was closed, and violence from the effigy to the original; but there
then he turned earnestly to his companion. was something in that steady gray eye and mocking
“Look here, Holmes, this is simply impossible. smile which caused his hand to sink to his side.
This is a desperate man, who sticks at nothing. He “It’s a pretty little thing,” said Holmes, advanc-
may have come to murder you.” ing towards the image. “Tavernier, the French mod-
“I should not be surprised.” eller, made it. He is as good at waxworks as your
friend Straubenzee is at air-guns.”
“I insist upon staying with you.”
“Air-guns, sir! What do you mean?”
“You would be horribly in the way.”
“Put your hat and stick on the side-table. Thank
“In his way?” you! Pray take a seat. Would you care to put your
“No, my dear fellow—in my way.” revolver out also? Oh, very good, if you prefer to
“Well, I can’t possibly leave you.” sit upon it. Your visit is really most opportune, for
“Yes, you can, Watson. And you will, for you I wanted badly to have a few minutes’ chat with
have never failed to play the game. I am sure you.”
you will play it to the end. This man has come The Count scowled, with heavy, threatening
for his own purpose, but he may stay for mine.” eyebrows.
Holmes took out his notebook and scribbled a few “I, too, wished to have some words with you,
lines. “Take a cab to Scotland Yard and give this to Holmes. That is why I am here. I won’t deny that I
Youghal of the C. I. D. Come back with the police. intended to assault you just now.”
The fellow’s arrest will follow.” Holmes swung his leg on the edge of the table.
“I’ll do that with joy.” “I rather gathered that you had some idea of
“Before you return I may have just time enough the sort in your head,” said he. “But why these
to find out where the stone is.” He touched the bell. personal attentions?”
“I think we will go out through the bedroom. This “Because you have gone out of your way to an-
second exit is exceedingly useful. I rather want to noy me. Because you have put your creatures upon
see my shark without his seeing me, and I have, as my track.”
you will remember, my own way of doing it.”
“My creatures! I assure you no!”
It was, therefore, an empty room into which
“Nonsense! I have had them followed. Two can
Billy, a minute later, ushered Count Sylvius. The fa-
play at that game, Holmes.”
mous game-shot, sportsman, and man-about-town
was a big, swarthy fellow, with a formidable dark “It is a small point, Count Sylvius, but perhaps
moustache shading a cruel, thin-lipped mouth, and you would kindly give me my prefix when you
surmounted by a long, curved nose like the beak address me. You can understand that, with my
of an eagle. He was well dressed, but his brilliant routine of work, I should find myself on familiar
necktie, shining pin, and glittering rings were flam- terms with half the rogues’ gallery, and you will
boyant in their effect. As the door closed behind agree that exceptions are invidious.”
him he looked round him with fierce, startled eyes, “Well, Mr. Holmes, then.”
like one who suspects a trap at every turn. Then he “Excellent! But I assure you you are mistaken
gave a violent start as he saw the impassive head about my alleged agents.”
and the collar of the dressing-gown which pro-
Count Sylvius laughed contemptuously.
jected above the armchair in the window. At first
his expression was one of pure amazement. Then “Other people can observe as well as you. Yes-
the light of a horrible hope gleamed in his dark, terday there was an old sporting man. To-day it
murderous eyes. He took one more glance round was an elderly woman. They held me in view all
to see that there were no witnesses, and then, on day.”
tiptoe, his thick stick half raised, he approached the “Really, sir, you compliment me. Old Baron
silent figure. He was crouching for his final spring Dowson said the night before he was hanged that
and blow when a cool, sardonic voice greeted him in my case what the law had gained the stage had
from the open bedroom door: lost. And now you give my little impersonations
“Don’t break it, Count! Don’t break it!” your kindly praise?”
The assassin staggered back, amazement in his “It was you—you yourself?”
convulsed face. For an instant he half raised his Holmes shrugged his shoulders. “You can see
loaded cane once more, as if he would turn his in the corner the parasol which you so politely

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 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

handed to me in the Minories before you began to “Then, of course, you see where the diamond
suspect.” is!”
“If I had known, you might never—” Holmes clapped his hands with amusement,
“Have seen this humble home again. I was well and then pointed a derisive finger. “Then you do
aware of it. We all have neglected opportunities to know. You have admitted it!”
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 heav- do business. If not, you will get hurt.”
ily over his menacing eyes. “What you say only Count Sylvius threw up his eyes to the ceiling.
makes the matter worse. It was not your agents but “And you talk about bluff!” said he.
your play-acting, busybody self! You admit that Holmes looked at him thoughtfully like a mas-
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.
“Well?” “Do you know what I keep in this book?”
“But why?” “No, sir, I do not!”
“Why? The sport—the excitement—the dan- “You!”
ger!” “Me!”
“And, no doubt, to free the country from a “Yes, sir, you! You are all here—every action of
pest?” your vile and dangerous life.”
“Exactly!” “Damn you, Holmes!” cried the Count with
“My reasons in a nutshell!” blazing eyes. “There are limits to my patience!”
“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-
mond!” “And the complete life history of Miss Minnie
Warrender.”
Count Sylvius lay back in his chair with an evil
smile. “Tut! You will make nothing of that!”
“Upon my word!” said he. “Plenty more here, Count. Here is the robbery
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
say that, from your point of view, it is absolutely es- “Then I am right on the others! Now, Count,
sential, for I know all about it, save only one thing, you are a card-player. When the other fellow has
which you are about to tell me.” all the trumps, it saves time to throw down your
hand.”
“Oh, indeed! And pray, what is this missing
fact?” “What has all this talk to do with the jewel of
which you spoke?”
“Where the Crown diamond now is.”
“Gently, Count. Restrain that eager mind! Let
The Count looked sharply at his companion. me get to the points in my own humdrum fashion.
“Oh, you want to know that, do you? How the I have all this against you; but, above all, I have a
devil should I be able to tell you where it is?” clear case against both you and your fighting bully
“You can, and you will.” in the case of the Crown diamond.”
“Indeed!” “Indeed!”
“You can’t bluff me, Count Sylvius.” Holmes’s “I have the cabman who took you to Whitehall
eyes, as he gazed at him, contracted and lightened and the cabman who brought you away. I have the
until they were like two menacing points of steel. commissionaire who saw you near the case. I have
“You are absolute plate-glass. I see to the very back Ikey Sanders, who refused to cut it up for you. Ikey
of your mind.” has peached, and the game is up.”

880
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

The veins stood out on the Count’s forehead. figure seemed to grow taller as he grew tense and
His dark, hairy hands were clenched in a convul- ready.
sion of restrained emotion. He tried to speak, but “It is no use your fingering your revolver, my
the words would not shape themselves. friend,” he said in a quiet voice. “You know per-
“That’s the hand I play from,” said Holmes. “I fectly well that you dare not use it, even if I gave
put it all upon the table. But one card is missing. you time to draw it. Nasty, noisy things, revolvers,
It’s the king of diamonds. I don’t know where the Count. Better stick to air-guns. Ah! I think I hear
stone is.” the fairy footstep of your estimable partner. Good
“You never shall know.” day, Mr. Merton. Rather dull in the street, is it not?”
“No? Now, be reasonable, Count. Consider The prize-fighter, a heavily built young man
the situation. You are going to be locked up for with a stupid, obstinate, slab-sided face, stood awk-
twenty years. So is Sam Merton. What good are wardly at the door, looking about him with a puz-
you going to get out of your diamond? None in the zled expression. Holmes’s debonair manner was a
world. But if you hand it over—well, I’ll compound new experience, and though he vaguely felt that it
a felony. We don’t want you or Sam. We want the was hostile, he did not know how to counter it. He
stone. Give that up, and so far as I am concerned turned to his more astute comrade for help.
you can go free so long as you behave yourself in “What’s the game now, Count? What’s this fel-
the future. If you make another slip—well, it will low want? What’s up?” His voice was deep and
be the last. But this time my commission is to get raucous.
the stone, not you.” The Count shrugged his shoulders, and it was
“But if I refuse?” Holmes who answered.
“Why, then—alas!—it must be you and not the “If I may put it in a nutshell, Mr. Merton, I
stone.” should say it was all up.”
Billy had appeared in answer to a ring. The boxer still addressed his remarks to his
“I think, Count, that it would be as well to have associate.
your friend Sam at this conference. After all, his “Is this cove trying to be funny, or what? I’m
interests should be represented. Billy, you will see not in the funny mood myself.”
a large and ugly gentleman outside the front door.
“No, I expect not,” said Holmes. “I think I can
Ask him to come up.”
promise you that you will feel even less humorous
“If he won’t come, sir?” as the evening advances. Now, look here, Count
“No violence, Billy. Don’t be rough with him. If Sylvius. I’m a busy man and I can’t waste time.
you tell him that Count Sylvius wants him he will I’m going into that bedroom. Pray make yourselves
certainly come.” quite at home in my absence. You can explain
“What are you going to do now?” asked the to your friend how the matter lies without the re-
Count as Billy disappeared. straint of my presence. I shall try over the Hoffman
“My friend Watson was with me just now. I ‘Barcarole’ upon my violin. In five minutes I shall
told him that I had a shark and a gudgeon in my return for your final answer. You quite grasp the
net; now I am drawing the net and up they come alternative, do you not? Shall we take you, or shall
together.” we have the stone?”
The Count had risen from his chair, and his Holmes withdrew, picking up his violin from
hand was behind his back. Holmes held something the corner as he passed. A few moments later the
half protruding from the pocket of his dressing- long-drawn, wailing notes of that most haunting of
gown. tunes came faintly through the closed door of the
bedroom.
“You won’t die in your bed, Holmes.”
“What is it, then?” asked Merton anxiously as
“I have often had the same idea. Does it matter
his companion turned to him. “Does he know
very much? After all, Count, your own exit is more
about the stone?”
likely to be perpendicular than horizontal. But
these anticipations of the future are morbid. Why “He knows a damned sight too much about it.
not give ourselves up to the unrestrained enjoyment I’m not sure that he doesn’t know all about it.”
of the present?” “Good Lord!” The boxer’s sallow face turned a
A sudden wild-beast light sprang up in the dark, shade whiter.
menacing eyes of the master criminal. Holmes’s “Ikey Sanders has split on us.”

881
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

“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
“That won’t help us much. We’ve got to make stone to Lime Street and tell him.”
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
“How can he be listening with that music go- the sportsman, he paused and looked hard at the
ing?” window. Yes, it was surely from the street that the
faint sound had come.
“That’s right. Maybe somebody’s behind a cur-
tain. Too many curtains in this room.” As he looked “As to Holmes,” he continued, “we can fool
round he suddenly saw for the first time the effigy him easily enough. You see, the damned fool won’t
in the window, and stood staring and pointing, too arrest us if he can get the stone. Well, we’ll promise
amazed for words. him the stone. We’ll put him on the wrong track
about it, and before he finds that it is the wrong
“Tut! it’s only a dummy,” said the Count. track it will be in Holland and we out of the coun-
“A fake, is it? Well, strike me! Madame Tussaud try.”
ain’t in it. It’s the living spit of him, gown and all. “That sounds good to me!” cried Sam Merton
But them curtains, Count!” with a grin.
“Oh, confound the curtains! We are wasting our “You go on and tell the Dutchman to get a move
time, and there is none too much. He can lag us on him. I’ll see this sucker and fill him up with a
over this stone.” bogus confession. I’ll tell him that the stone is in
“The deuce he can!” Liverpool. Confound that whining music; it gets
“But he’ll let us slip if we only tell him where on my nerves! By the time he finds it isn’t in Liver-
the swag is.” pool it will be in quarters and we on the blue water.
Come back here, out of a line with that keyhole.
“What! Give it up? Give up a hundred thou- 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 light it out of my lodgings.”
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 your
There was a vague sound which seemed to come ways.”
from the window. Both men sprang round, but all “Well, well, no offence, Sam. We can’t afford to
was quiet. Save for the one strange figure seated in quarrel. Come over to the window if you want to
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
take no chances leaving it about. It can be out of villains staggered back in utter amazement. Before
England to-night and cut into four pieces in Ams- they had recovered Holmes had pressed the electric
terdam before Sunday. He knows nothing of Van bell.
Seddar.” “No violence, gentlemen—no violence, I beg of
“I thought Van Seddar was going next week.” you! Consider the furniture! It must be very clear

882
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

to you that your position is an impossible one. The Holmes laid his hand insistently upon the
police are waiting below.” sleeve.
The Count’s bewilderment overmastered his “Pray allow me! My friend Dr. Watson would
rage and fear. assure you that these changes of temperature are
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 was self-appointed task was progressing.”
on my side. It gave me a chance of listening to your
“It is difficult—very difficult.”
racy conversation which would have been painfully
constrained had you been aware of my presence.” “I feared that you would find it so.”
There was a distinct sneer in the old courtier’s
The Count gave a gesture of resignation.
words and manner.
“We give you best, Holmes. I believe you are “Every man finds his limitations, Mr. Holmes,
the devil himself.” but at least it cures us of the weakness of self-
“Not far from him, at any rate,” Holmes an- satisfaction.”
swered with a polite smile. “Yes, sir, I have been much perplexed.”
Sam Merton’s slow intellect had only gradually “No doubt.”
appreciated the situation. Now, as the sound of “Especially upon one point. Possibly you could
heavy steps came from the stairs outside, he broke help me upon it?”
silence at last. “You apply for my advice rather late in the day.
“A fair cop!” said he. “But, I say, what about I thought that you had your own all-sufficient meth-
that bloomin’ fiddle! I hear it yet.” ods. Still, I am ready to help you.”
“You see, Lord Cantlemere, we can no doubt
“Tut, tut!” Holmes answered. “You are perfectly
frame a case against the actual thieves.”
right. Let it play! These modern gramophones are
a remarkable invention.” “When you have caught them.”
“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
cab. Watson lingered with Holmes, congratulat- “Is this not rather premature?”
ing him upon this fresh leaf added to his laurels. “It is as well to have our plans ready. Now,
Once more their conversation was interrupted by what would you regard as final evidence against
the imperturbable Billy with his card-tray. the receiver?”
“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
ancient fires flickered up into his sallow cheeks.
The door opened to admit a thin, austere fig-
ure 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 am
responded with the rounded shoulders and feeble a busy man, sir, engaged upon important affairs,
gait. Holmes advanced affably, and shook an unre- and I have no time or taste for foolish jokes. I may
sponsive hand. tell you frankly, sir, that I have never been a believer
in your powers, and that I have always been of the
“How do you do, Lord Cantlemere? It is chilly opinion that the matter was far safer in the hands
for the time of year, but rather warm indoors. May of the regular police force. Your conduct confirms
I take your overcoat?” all my conclusions. I have the honour, sir, to wish
“No, I thank you; I will not take it off.” you good-evening.”

883
 The Adventure Of The Mazarin Stone

Holmes had swiftly changed his position and liberty—the very great liberty, I admit—of putting
was between the peer and the door. the stone into your pocket at the beginning of our
“One moment, sir,” said he. “To actually go off interview.”
with the Mazarin stone would be a more serious The old peer stared from the stone to the smil-
offence than to be found in temporary possession ing face before him.
of it.” “Sir, I am bewildered. But—yes—it is indeed
“Sir, this is intolerable! Let me pass.” the Mazarin stone. We are greatly your debtors,
“Put your hand in the right-hand pocket of your Mr. Holmes. Your sense of humour may, as you
overcoat.” admit, be somewhat perverted, and its exhibition
“What do you mean, sir?” remarkably untimely, but at least I withdraw any
reflection I have made upon your amazing profes-
“Come—come, do what I ask.” sional powers. But how—”
An instant later the amazed peer was standing,
“The case is but half finished; the details can
blinking and stammering, with the great yellow
wait. No doubt, Lord Cantlemere, your pleasure in
stone on his shaking palm.
telling of this successful result in the exalted circle
“What! What! How is this, Mr. Holmes?” to which you return will be some small atonement
“Too bad, Lord Cantlemere, too bad!” cried for my practical joke. Billy, you will show his Lord-
Holmes. “My old friend here will tell you that ship out, and tell Mrs. Hudson that I should be
I have an impish habit of practical joking. Also that glad if she would send up dinner for two as soon
I can never resist a dramatic situation. I took the as possible.”

884
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, the
with Mr. Sherlock Holmes opened quite 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
idea of the new channel into which his activities “It is certainly the last thing you need,” said
had been directed. He was in a chatty mood that Holmes, staring at our visitor’s hideous mouth.
morning, however, and had just settled me into “But it was the killing of young Perkins outside the
the well-worn low armchair on one side of the fire, Holborn Bar— What! you’re not going?”
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 “Yes, you’ll tell the magistrate about it, Steve,”
a comic figure if he had not been terrific, for he said Holmes. “I’ve been watching you and Barney
was dressed in a very loud gray check suit with a Stockdale—”
flowing salmon-coloured tie. His broad face and “So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes—”
flattened nose were thrust forward, as his sullen
“That’s enough. Get out of it. I’ll pick you up
dark eyes, with a smouldering gleam of malice in
when I want you.”
them, 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 you.”
Holmes raised his pipe with a languid smile.
“Why, there ain’t no secret about that, Masser
“Oh! it’s you, is it?” said our visitor, coming Holmes. It was that same gen’l’man that you have
with an unpleasant, stealthy step round the an- just done gone mention.”
gle of the table. “See here, Masser Holmes, you
keep 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
him his life ain’t safe if he go down Harrow way.’
“Keep on talking,” said Holmes. “It’s fine.”
That’s the whole truth.” Without waiting for any
“Oh! it’s fine, is it?” growled the savage. “It further questioning, our visitor bolted out of the
won’t be so damn fine if I have to trim you up a bit. room almost as precipitately as he had entered.
I’ve handled your kind before now, and they didn’t Holmes knocked out the ashes of his pipe with a
look fine when I was through with them. Look at quiet chuckle.
that, Masser Holmes!”
“I am glad you were not forced to break his
He swung a huge knotted lump of a fist under woolly head, Watson. I observed your manoeuvres
my friend’s nose. Holmes examined it closely with with the poker. But he is really rather a harmless
an air of great interest. “Were you born so?” he fellow, a great muscular, foolish, blustering baby,
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 have
as I picked up the poker. In any case, our visitor’s time. His immediate principal, Barney, is a more
manner became less flamboyant. astute person. They specialize in assaults, intimida-
tion, and the like. What I want to know is, who is
“Well, I’ve given you fair warnin’,” said
at the back of them on this particular occasion?”
he. “I’ve a friend that’s interested out Harrow
way—you know what I’m meaning—and he don’t “But why do they want to intimidate you?”
intend to have no buttin’ in by you. Got that? You “It is this Harrow Weald case. It decides me to
ain’t the law, and I ain’t the law either, and if you look into the matter, for if it is worth anyone’s while
come in I’ll be on hand also. Don’t you forget it.” to take so much trouble, there must be something
“I’ve wanted to meet you for some time,” said in it.”
Holmes. “I won’t ask you to sit down, for I don’t “But what is it?”

887
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

“I was going to tell you when we had this comic heart was broken. In a single month I seemed to
interlude. Here is Mrs. Maberley’s note. If you care see my gallant boy turn into a worn-out cynical
to come with me we will wire her and go out at man.”
once.” “A love affair—a woman?”
“Or a fiend. Well, it was not to talk of my poor
Dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes [I read]:
lad that I asked you to come, Mr. Holmes.”
I have had a succession of strange in-
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
which appear to be equally eligible, but naturally I
The address was “The Three Gables, Harrow was interested in what he said. I therefore named a
Weald.” price which was five hundred pounds more than I
gave. He at once closed with the offer, but added
“So that’s that!” said Holmes. “And now, if you
that his client desired to buy the furniture as well
can spare the time, Watson, we will get upon our
and would I put a price upon it. Some of this fur-
way.”
niture is from my old home, and it is, as you see,
A short railway journey, and a shorter drive, very good, so that I named a good round sum. To
brought us to the house, a brick and timber villa, this also he at once agreed. I had always wanted
standing in its own acre of undeveloped grassland. to travel, and the bargain was so good a one that it
Three small projections above the upper windows really seemed that I should be my own mistress for
made a feeble attempt to justify its name. Behind the rest of my life.
was a grove of melancholy, half-grown pines, and “Yesterday the man arrived with the agreement
the whole aspect of the place was poor and de- all drawn out. Luckily I showed it to Mr. Sutro, my
pressing. None the less, we found the house to be lawyer, who lives in Harrow. He said to me, ‘This
well furnished, and the lady who received us was is a very strange document. Are you aware that if
a most engaging elderly person, who bore every you sign it you could not legally take anything out
mark of refinement and culture. of the house—not even your own private posses-
“I remember your husband well, madam,” said sions?’ When the man came again in the evening
Holmes, “though it is some years since he used my I pointed this out, and I said that I meant only to
services in some trifling matter.” sell the furniture.
“Probably you would be more familiar with the “ ‘No, no, everything,’ said he.
name of my son Douglas.” “ ‘But my clothes? My jewels?’
Holmes looked at her with great interest. “ ‘Well, well, some concession might be made
for your personal effects. But nothing shall go out
“Dear me! Are you the mother of Douglas
of the house unchecked. My client is a very liberal
Maberley? I knew him slightly. But of course all
man, but he has his fads and his own way of doing
London knew him. What a magnificent creature he
things. It is everything or nothing with him.’
was! Where is he now?”
“ ‘Then it must be nothing,’ said I. And there
“Dead, Mr. Holmes, dead! He was attache at the matter was left, but the whole thing seemed to
Rome, and he died there of pneumonia last 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
and splendid. You did not see the moody, morose, struggle like some huge awkward chicken, torn,
brooding creature into which he developed. His squawking, out of its coop.

888
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

“Leave me alone! What are you a-doin’ of?” she “Good-bye, Susan. Paregoric is the stuff. . .
screeched. Now,” he continued, turning suddenly from lively
“Why, Susan, what is this?” to severe when the door had closed behind the
flushed and angry woman, “this gang means busi-
“Well, ma’am, I was comin’ in to ask if the visi-
ness. Look how close they play the game. Your
tors was stayin’ for lunch when this man jumped
letter to me had the 10 P. M. postmark. And yet
out at me.”
Susan passes the word to Barney. Barney has time
“I have been listening to her for the last five to go to his employer and get instructions; he
minutes, but did not wish to interrupt your most or she—I incline to the latter from Susan’s grin
interesting narrative. Just a little wheezy, Susan, when she thought I had blundered—forms a plan.
are you not? You breathe too heavily for that kind Black Steve is called in, and I am warned off by
of work.” 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 “But what do they want?”
you a-pullin’ me about like this?” “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, mention “A retired sea captain called Ferguson.”
to anyone that you were going to write to me and
“Anything remarkable about him?”
consult me?”
“Not that ever I heard of.”
“No, Mr. Holmes, I did not.”
“I was wondering whether he could have buried
“Who posted your letter?”
something. Of course, when people bury treasure
“Susan did.” nowadays they do it in the Post-Office bank. But
“Exactly. Now, Susan, to whom was it that you there are always some lunatics about. It would
wrote or sent a message to say that your mistress be a dull world without them. At first I thought
was asking advice from me?” of some buried valuable. But why, in that case,
“It’s a lie. I sent no message.” should they want your furniture? You don’t hap-
pen to have a Raphael or a first folio Shakespeare
“Now, Susan, wheezy people may not live long,
without knowing it?”
you know. It’s a wicked thing to tell fibs. Whom
did you tell?” “No, I don’t think I have anything rarer than a
Crown Derby tea-set.”
“Susan!” cried her mistress, “I believe you are
a bad, treacherous woman. I remember now that I “That would hardly justify all this mystery. Be-
saw you speaking to someone over the hedge.” sides, why should they not openly state what they
want? If they covet your tea-set, they can surely
“That was my own business,” said the woman offer a price for it without buying you out, lock,
sullenly. stock, and barrel. No, as I read it, there is some-
“Suppose I tell you that it was Barney Stockdale thing which you do not know that you have, and
to whom you spoke?” said Holmes. which you would not give up if you did know.”
“Well, if you know, what do you want to ask “That is how I read it,” said I.
for?” “Dr. Watson agrees, so that settles it.”
“I was not sure, but I know now. Well now, “Well, Mr. Holmes, what can it be?”
Susan, it will be worth ten pounds to you if you
“Let us see whether by this purely mental anal-
will tell me who is at the back of Barney.”
ysis we can get it to a finer point. You have been in
“Someone that could lay down a thousand this house a year.”
pounds for every ten you have in the world.” “Nearly two.”
“So, a rich man? No; you smiled—a rich woman. “All the better. During this long period no one
Now we have got so far, you may as well give the wants anything from you. Now suddenly within
name and earn the tenner.” three or four days you have urgent demands. What
“I’ll see you in hell first.” would you gather from that?”
“Oh, Susan! Language!” “It can only mean,” said I, “that the object, what-
“I am clearing out of here. I’ve had enough ever it may be, has only just come into the house.”
of you all. I’ll send for my box to-morrow.” She “Settled once again,” said Holmes. “Now, Mrs.
flounced for the door. Maberley, has any object just arrived?”

889
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

“No, I have bought nothing new this year.” came on him quite suddenly, and a grim and men-
“Indeed! That is very remarkable. Well, I think acing figure he looked in that lonely place. Holmes
we had best let matters develop a little further un- clapped his hand to his pocket.
til we have clearer data. Is that lawyer of yours a “Lookin’ for your gun, Masser Holmes?”
capable man?” “No, for my scent-bottle, Steve.”
“Mr. Sutro is most capable.”
“You are funny, Masser Holmes, ain’t you?”
“Have you another maid, or was the fair Susan,
“It won’t be funny for you, Steve, if I get after
who has just banged your front door, alone?”
you. I gave you fair warning this morning.”
“I have a young girl.”
“Well, Masser Holmes, I done gone think over
“Try and get Sutro to spend a night or two in what you said, and I don’t want no more talk about
the house. You might possibly want protection.” that affair of Masser Perkins. S’pose I can help you,
“Against whom?” Masser Holmes, I will.”
“Who knows? The matter is certainly obscure. “Well, then, tell me who is behind you on this
If I can’t find what they are after, I must approach job.”
the matter from the other end and try to get at “So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes, I told
the principal. Did this house-agent man give any you the truth before. I don’t know. My boss Barney
address?” gives me orders and that’s all.”
“Simply his card and occupation. Haines- “Well, just bear in mind, Steve, that the lady
Johnson, Auctioneer and Valuer.” in that house, and everything under that roof, is
“I don’t think we shall find him in the directory. under my protection. Don’t forget it.”
Honest business men don’t conceal their place of “All right, Masser Holmes. I’ll remember.”
business. Well, you will let me know any fresh
development. I have taken up your case, and you “I’ve got him thoroughly frightened for his own
may rely upon it that I shall see it through.” skin, Watson,” Holmes remarked as we walked on.
“I think he would double-cross his employer if he
As we passed through the hall Holmes’s eyes, knew who he was. It was lucky I had some knowl-
which missed nothing, lighted upon several trunks edge of the Spencer John crowd, and that Steve was
and cases which were piled in a corner. The labels one of them. Now, Watson, this is a case for Lang-
shone out upon them. dale Pike, and I am going to see him now. When I
“ ‘Milano.’ ‘Lucerne.’ These are from Italy.” get back I may be clearer in the matter.”
“They are poor Douglas’s things.” I saw no more of Holmes during the day, but I
“You have not unpacked them? How long have could well imagine how he spent it, for Langdale
you had them?” Pike was his human book of reference upon all mat-
ters of social scandal. This strange, languid creature
“They arrived last week.” spent his waking hours in the bow window of a St.
“But you said—why, surely this might be the James’s Street club and was the receiving-station
missing link. How do we know that there is not as well as the transmitter for all the gossip of the
something of value there?” metropolis. He made, it was said, a four-figure
income by the paragraphs which he contributed
“There could not possibly be, Mr. Holmes. Poor
every week to the garbage papers which cater to
Douglas had only his pay and a small annuity.
an inquisitive public. If ever, far down in the tur-
What could he have of value?”
bid depths of London life, there was some strange
Holmes was lost in thought. swirl or eddy, it was marked with automatic exact-
“Delay no longer, Mrs. Maberley,” he said at last. ness by this human dial upon the surface. Holmes
“Have these things taken upstairs to your bedroom. discreetly helped Langdale to knowledge, and on
Examine them as soon as possible and see what occasion was helped in turn.
they contain. I will come to-morrow and hear your When I met my friend in his room early next
report.” morning, I was conscious from his bearing that
It was quite evident that The Three Gables was all was well, but none the less a most unpleasant
under very close surveillance, for as we came round surprise was awaiting us. It took the shape of the
the high hedge at the end of the lane there was the following telegram:
negro prize-fighter standing in the shadow. We

890
 The Adventure of the Three Gables

Please come out at once. Client’s house “It is all here,” said the inspector, tapping a
burgled in the night. Police in posses- bulky notebook.
sion. “Still, if the lady is not too exhausted—”
— Sutro. “There is really so little to tell. I have no doubt
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 inch.
crisis, and quicker than I had expected. There is I was conscious for a moment of the chloroform
a great driving-power at the back of this business, rag which was thrust over my mouth, but I have no
Watson, which does not surprise me after what I notion how long I may have been senseless. When
have heard. This Sutro, of course, is her lawyer. I I woke, one man was at the bedside and another
made a mistake, I fear, in not asking you to spend was rising with a bundle in his hand from among
the night on guard. This fellow has clearly proved my son’s baggage, which was partially opened and
a broken reed. Well, there is nothing for it but littered over the floor. Before he could get away I
another journey to Harrow Weald.” sprang up and seized him.”
We found The Three Gables a very different “You took a big risk,” said the inspector.
establishment to the orderly household of the pre- “I clung to him, but he shook me off, and the
vious 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 “What did they take?”
bustling, rubicund inspector, who greeted Holmes
as an old friend. “Well, I don’t think there is anything of value
missing. I am sure there was nothing in my son’s
“Well, Mr. Holmes, no chance for you in this trunks.”
case, I’m afraid. Just a common, ordinary burglary,
“Did the men leave no clue?”
and well within the capacity of the poor old police.
No experts need apply.” “There was one sheet of paper which I may
have torn from the man that I grasped. It was ly-
“I am sure the case is in very good hands,” said
ing all crumpled on the floor. It is in my son’s
Holmes. “Merely a common burglary, you say?”
handwriting.”
“Quite so. We know pretty well who the men “Which means that it is not of much use,” said
are and where to find them. It is that gang of Bar- the inspector. “Now if it had been in the bur-
ney Stockdale, with the big nigger in it—they’ve glar’s—”
been seen about here.”
“Exactly,” said Holmes. “What rugged common
“Excellent! What did they get?” sense! None the less, I should be curious to see it.”
“Well, they don’t seem to have got much. Mrs. The inspector drew a folded sheet of foolscap
Maberley was chloroformed and the house was— from his pocketbook.
Ah! here is the lady herself.” “I never pass anything, however trifling,” said
Our friend of yesterday, looking very pale and he with some pomposity. “That is my advice to
ill, had entered the room, leaning upon a little you, Mr. Holmes. In twenty-five years’ experience I
maidservant. have learned my lesson. There is always the chance
“You gave me good advice, Mr. Holmes,” said of finger-marks or something.”
she, smiling ruefully. “Alas, I did not take it! I Holmes inspected the sheet of paper.
did not wish to trouble Mr. Sutro, and so I was “What do you make of it, Inspector?”
unprotected.”
“Seems to be the end of some queer novel, so
“I only heard of it this morning,” the lawyer far as I can see.”
explained. “It may certainly prove to be the end of a queer
“Mr. Holmes advised me to have some friend in tale,” said Holmes. “You have noticed the num-
the house. I neglected his advice, and I have paid ber on the top of the page. It is two hundred and
for it.” forty-five. Where are the odd two hundred and
“You look wretchedly ill,” said Holmes. “Per- forty-four pages?”
haps you are hardly equal to telling me what oc- “Well, I suppose the burglars got those. Much
curred.” good may it do them!”

891
 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
window, Watson.” Then, as we stood together, he “No, I can’t say that I do. I only gather that
read over the fragment of paper. It began in the we are going to see the lady who is behind all this
middle of a sentence and ran like this: mischief.”
“. . . face bled considerably from the cuts “Exactly! But does the name Isadora Klein
and blows, but it was nothing to the bleed- convey nothing to you? She was, of course, the
ing of his heart as he saw that lovely face, celebrated beauty. There was never a woman to
the face for which he had been prepared to touch her. She is pure Spanish, the real blood of
sacrifice his very life, looking out at his the masterful Conquistadors, and her people have
agony and humiliation. She smiled—yes, been leaders in Pernambuco for generations. She
by Heaven! she smiled, like the heartless married the aged German sugar king, Klein, and
fiend she was, as he looked up at her. It presently found herself the richest as well as the
was at that moment that love died and hate most lovely widow upon earth. Then there was an
was born. Man must live for something. If interval of adventure when she pleased her own
it is not for your embrace, my lady, then tastes. She had several lovers, and Douglas Maber-
it shall surely be for your undoing and my ley, one of the most striking men in London, was
complete revenge.” one of them. It was by all accounts more than an
“Queer grammar!” said Holmes with a smile as adventure with him. He was not a society butterfly
he handed the paper back to the inspector. “Did but a strong, proud man who gave and expected all.
you notice how the ‘he’ suddenly changed to ‘my’? But she is the ‘belle dame sans merci’ of fiction. When
The writer was so carried away by his own story her caprice is satisfied the matter is ended, and if
that he imagined himself at the supreme moment the other party in the matter can’t take her word
to be the hero.” for it she knows how to bring it home to 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 that
off, Mr. Holmes?” she is about to marry the young Duke of Lomond,
“I don’t think there is anything more for me to who might almost be her son. His Grace’s ma
do now that the case is in such capable hands. By might overlook the age, but a big scandal would be
the way, Mrs. Maberley, did you say you wished to a different matter, so it is imperative— Ah! here we
travel?” are.”
“It has always been my dream, Mr. Holmes.” It was one of the finest corner-houses of the
West End. A machine-like footman took up our
“Where would you like to go—Cairo, Madeira,
cards and returned with word that the lady was
the Riviera?”
not at home. “Then we shall wait until she is,” said
“Oh, if I had the money I would go round the 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.”

892
 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 least
“What did you say, Holmes?” I asked. 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
we were in an Arabian Nights drawing-room, vast “They are good hounds who run silent.”
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 after
beauty finds the half light more welcome. She rose 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 mes- “Unless I bring you into it.”
sage?” she asked, holding up the slip of paper.
“No, no, you would not. You are a gentleman.
“I need not explain, madame. I have too much It is a woman’s secret.”
respect for your intelligence to do so—though I
confess that intelligence has been surprisingly at “In the first place, you must give back this
fault of late.” manuscript.”
“How so, sir?” She broke into a ripple of laughter and walked
to the fireplace. There was a calcined mass which
“By supposing that your hired bullies could she broke up with the poker. “Shall I give this
frighten me from my work. Surely no man would back?” she asked. So roguish and exquisite did she
take up my profession if it were not that danger look as she stood before us with a challenging smile
attracts him. It was you, then, who forced me to that I felt of all Holmes’s criminals this was the one
examine the case of young Maberley.” whom he would find it hardest to face. However,
“I have no idea what you are talking about. he was immune from sentiment.
What have I to do with hired bullies?” “That seals your fate,” he said coldly. “You are
Holmes turned away wearily. very prompt in your actions, madame, but you have
“Yes, I have underrated your intelligence. Well, overdone it on this occasion.”
good-afternoon!” She threw the poker down with a clatter.
“Stop! Where are you going?” “How hard you are!” she cried. “May I tell you
“To Scotland Yard.” the whole story?”
We had not got halfway to the door before she “I fancy I could tell it to you.”
had overtaken us and was holding his arm. She “But you must look at it with my eyes, Mr.
had turned in a moment from steel to velvet. Holmes. You must realize it from the point of
“Come and sit down, gentlemen. Let us talk view of a woman who sees all her life’s ambition
this matter over. I feel that I may be frank with you, about to be ruined at the last moment. Is such a
Mr. Holmes. You have the feelings of a gentleman. woman to be blamed if she protects herself?”
How quick a woman’s instinct is to find it out. I “The original sin was yours.”
will treat you as a friend.”
“Yes, yes! I admit it. He was a dear boy, Dou-
“I cannot promise to reciprocate, madame. I glas, but it so chanced that he could not fit into
am not the law, but I represent justice so far as my my plans. He wanted marriage—marriage, Mr.
feeble powers go. I am ready to listen, and then I Holmes—with a penniless commoner. Nothing less
will tell you how I will act.” would serve him. Then he became pertinacious.
“No doubt it was foolish of me to threaten a Because I had given he seemed to think that I still
brave man like yourself.” must give, and to him only. It was intolerable. At
“What was really foolish, madame, is that you last I had to make him realize it.”
have placed yourself in the power of a band of “By hiring ruffians to beat him under your own
rascals who may blackmail or give you away.” window.”

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 The Adventure of the Three Gables

“You do indeed seem to know everything. Well, among his effects, and these would be returned to
it is true. Barney and the boys drove him away, his mother. I set the gang at work. One of them
and were, I admit, a little rough in doing so. But got into the house as servant. I wanted to do the
what did he do then? Could I have believed that a thing honestly. I really and truly did. I was ready
gentleman would do such an act? He wrote a book to buy the house and everything in it. I offered any
in which he described his own story. I, of course, price she cared to ask. I only tried the other way
was the wolf; he the lamb. It was all there, under when everything else had failed. Now, Mr. Holmes,
different names, of course; but who in all London granting that I was too hard on Douglas—and, God
would have failed to recognize it? What do you say knows, I am sorry for it!—what else could I do with
to that, Mr. Holmes?” my whole future at stake?”
“Well, he was within his rights.” Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
“It was as if the air of Italy had got into his “Well, well,” said he, “I suppose I shall have to
blood and brought with it the old cruel Italian compound a felony as usual. How much does it
spirit. He wrote to me and sent me a copy of his cost to go round the world in first-class style?”
book that I might have the torture of anticipation.
The lady stared in amazement.
There were two copies, he said—one for me, one
for his publisher.” “Could it be done on five thousand pounds?”
“How did you know the publisher’s had not “Well, I should think so, indeed!”
reached him?” “Very good. I think you will sign me a check
“I knew who his publisher was. It is not his only for that, and I will see that it comes to Mrs. Maber-
novel, you know. I found out that he had not heard ley. You owe her a little change of air. Meantime,
from Italy. Then came Douglas’s sudden death. lady”—he wagged a cautionary forefinger—“have
So long as that other manuscript was in the world a care! Have a care! You can’t play with edged
there was no safety for me. Of course, it must be tools forever without cutting those dainty hands.”

894
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire
H
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

olmes had read carefully a note which Listen to this, Watson. Vampirism in Hungary. And
the last post had brought him. Then, with again, Vampires in Transylvania.” He turned over
the dry chuckle which was his nearest ap- the pages with eagerness, but after a short intent
proach to a laugh, he tossed it over to me. perusal he threw down the great book with a snarl
“For a mixture of the modern and the mediae- of disappointment.
val, of the practical and of the wildly fanciful, I “Rubbish, Watson, rubbish! What have we to
think this is surely the limit,” said he. “What do do with walking corpses who can only be held in
you make of it, Watson?” their grave by stakes driven through their hearts?
I read as follows: It’s pure lunacy.”
“But surely,” said I, “the vampire was not nec-
46, Old Jewry, essarily a dead man? A living person might have
Nov. 19th. the habit. I have read, for example, of the old suck-
Re Vampires ing the blood of the young in order to retain their
Sir: youth.”
Our client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of “You are right, Watson. It mentions the legend
Ferguson and Muirhead, tea brokers, of in one of these references. But are we to give seri-
Mincing Lane, has made some inquiry ous attention to such things? This agency stands
from us in a communication of even flat-footed upon the ground, and there it must re-
date concerning vampires. As our firm main. The world is big enough for us. No ghosts
specializes entirely upon the assessment need apply. I fear that we cannot take Mr. Robert
of machinery the matter hardly comes Ferguson very seriously. Possibly this note may be
within our purview, and we have there- from him and may throw some light upon what is
fore recommended Mr. Ferguson to call worrying him.”
upon you and lay the matter before you.
We have not forgotten your successful He took up a second letter which had lain un-
action in the case of Matilda Briggs. noticed upon the table while he had been absorbed
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 con-
Morrison, Morrison, and Dodd.
centration. When he had finished he sat for some
per E. J. C.
little time lost in thought with the letter dangling
from his fingers. Finally, with a start, he aroused
“Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young
himself from his reverie.
woman, Watson,” said Holmes in a reminiscent
voice. “It was a ship which is associated with the “Cheeseman’s, Lamberley. Where is Lamberley,
giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world Watson?”
is not yet prepared. But what do we know about “It is in Sussex, south of Horsham.”
vampires? Does it come within our purview either?
“Not very far, eh? And Cheeseman’s?”
Anything is better than stagnation, but really we
seem to have been switched on to a Grimms’ fairy “I know that country, Holmes. It is full of old
tale. Make a long arm, Watson, and see what V has houses which are named after the men who built
to say.” them centuries ago. You get Odley’s and Harvey’s
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
on his knee, and his eyes moved slowly and lov- “Precisely,” said Holmes coldly. It was one of
ingly over the record of old cases, mixed with the the peculiarities of his proud, self-contained na-
accumulated information of a lifetime. ture that though he docketed any fresh information
very quietly and accurately in his brain, he sel-
“Voyage of the Gloria Scott,” he read. “That was dom 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 to Cheeseman’s, Lamberley, before we are through.
congratulate you upon the result. Victor Lynch, the The letter is, as I had hoped, from Robert Ferguson.
forger. Venomous lizard or gila. Remarkable case, By the way, he claims acquaintance with you.”
that! Vittoria, the circus belle. Vanderbilt and the
Yeggman. Vipers. Vigor, the Hammersmith wonder. “With me!”
Hullo! Hullo! Good old index. You can’t beat it. “You had better read it.”

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 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

He handed the letter across. It was headed with from which a stream of blood had es-
the address quoted. caped. The nurse was so horrified that
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 ever
extraordinarily delicate that it is most given, and for the moment the matter
difficult to discuss. It concerns a friend 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 of seemed to her that even as she watched
her foreign birth and of her alien reli- the mother, so the mother watched her,
gion always caused a separation of in- and that every time she was compelled
terests and of feelings between husband to leave the baby alone the mother was
and wife, so that after a time his love waiting to get at it. Day and night
may have cooled towards her and he the nurse covered the child, and day
may have come to regard their union as and night the silent, watchful mother
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 take it seriously, for a child’s life and a
a man could have—to all appearance man’s sanity may depend upon it.
absolutely 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, this cealed from the husband. The nurse’s
note is merely to give you a general idea nerve had given way; she could stand
of the situation and to ascertain whether the strain no longer, and she made a
you would care to interest yourself in clean breast of it all to the man. To him
the matter. The lady began to show it seemed as wild a tale as it may now
some curious traits quite alien to her seem to you. He knew his wife to be a
ordinarily sweet and gentle disposition. loving wife, and, save for the assaults
The gentleman had been married twice upon her stepson, a loving mother. Why,
and he had one son by the first wife. then, should she wound her own dear
This boy was now fifteen, a very charm- little baby? He told the nurse that she
ing and affectionate youth, though un- was dreaming, that her suspicions were
happily injured through an accident in those of a lunatic, and that such libels
childhood. Twice the wife was caught upon her mistress were not to be tol-
in the act of assaulting this poor lad in erated. While they were talking a sud-
the most unprovoked way. Once she den cry of pain was heard. Nurse and
struck him with a stick and left a great master rushed together to the nursery.
weal on his arm. Imagine his feelings, Mr. Holmes, as
This was a small matter, however, com- he saw his wife rise from a kneeling
pared with her conduct to her own position beside the cot and saw blood
child, a dear boy just under one year upon the child’s exposed neck and upon
of age. On one occasion about a month the sheet. With a cry of horror, he
ago this child had been left by its nurse turned his wife’s face to the light and
for a few minutes. A loud cry from saw blood all round her lips. It was
the baby, as of pain, called the nurse she—she beyond all question—who had
back. As she ran into the room she drunk the poor baby’s blood.
saw her employer, the lady, leaning over So the matter stands. She is now con-
the baby and apparently biting his neck. fined to her room. There has been no
There was a small wound in the neck explanation. The husband is half de-

898
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

mented. He knows, and I know, little of “Of course it is. But you can imagine how diffi-
vampirism beyond the name. We had cult it is when you are speaking of the one woman
thought it was some wild tale of for- whom you are bound to protect and help. What
eign parts. And yet here in the very can I do? How am I to go to the police with such a
heart of the English Sussex—well, all story? And yet the kiddies have got to be protected.
this can be discussed with you in the Is it madness, Mr. Holmes? Is it something in the
morning. Will you see me? Will you use blood? Have you any similar case in your experi-
your great powers in aiding a distracted ence? For God’s sake, give me some advice, for I
man? If so, kindly wire to Ferguson, am at my wit’s end.”
Cheeseman’s, Lamberley, and I will be “Very naturally, Mr. Ferguson. Now sit here
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 loving
can give. woman, Mr. Holmes. If ever a woman loved a man
with all her heart and soul, she loves me. She was
“Of course I remembered him,” said I as I laid cut to the heart that I should have discovered this
down the letter. “Big Bob Ferguson, the finest three- horrible, this incredible, secret. She would not even
quarter Richmond ever had. He was always a good- speak. She gave no answer to my reproaches, save
natured chap. It’s like him to be so concerned over to gaze at me with a sort of wild, despairing look in
a friend’s case.” her eyes. Then she rushed to her room and locked
Holmes looked at me thoughtfully and shook herself in. Since then she has refused to see me. She
his head. has a maid who was with her before her marriage,
Dolores by name—a friend rather than a servant.
“I never get your limits, Watson,” said he.
She takes her food to her.”
“There are unexplored possibilities about you. Take
“Then the child is in no immediate danger?”
a wire down, like a good fellow. ‘Will examine your
case with pleasure.’ ” “Mrs. Mason, the nurse, has sworn that she will
not leave it night or day. I can absolutely trust her.
“Your case!” I am more uneasy about poor little Jack, for, as I
“We must not let him think that this agency is told you in my note, he has twice been assaulted
a home for the weak-minded. Of course it is his by her.”
case. Send him that wire and let the matter rest till “But never wounded?”
morning.” “No, she struck him savagely. It is the more
Promptly at ten o’clock next morning Fergu- terrible as he is a poor little inoffensive cripple.”
son strode into our room. I had remembered him Ferguson’s gaunt features softened as he spoke
as a long, slab-sided man with loose limbs and a of his boy. “You would think that the dear lad’s
fine turn of speed which had carried him round condition would soften anyone’s heart. A fall in
many an opposing back. There is surely nothing childhood and a twisted spine, Mr. Holmes. But
in life more painful than to meet the wreck of a the dearest, most loving heart within.”
fine athlete whom one has known in his prime. His Holmes had picked up the letter of yesterday
great frame had fallen in, his flaxen hair was scanty, and was reading it over. “What other inmates are
and his shoulders were bowed. I fear that I roused there in your house, Mr. Ferguson?”
corresponding emotions in him. “Two servants who have not been long with us.
“Hullo, Watson,” said he, and his voice was still One stable-hand, Michael, who sleeps in the house.
deep and hearty. “You don’t look quite the man you My wife, myself, my boy Jack, baby, Dolores, and
did when I threw you over the ropes into the crowd Mrs. Mason. That is all.”
at the Old Deer Park. I expect I have changed a bit “I gather that you did not know your wife well
also. But it’s this last day or two that has aged me. at the time of your marriage?”
I see by your telegram, Mr. Holmes, that it is no “I had only known her a few weeks.”
use my pretending to be anyone’s deputy.” “How long had this maid Dolores been with
“It is simpler to deal direct,” said Holmes. her?”

899
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

“Some years.” “No doubt you and the boy were great com-
“Then your wife’s character would really be rades before this second marriage. You were
better known by Dolores than by you?” thrown very close together, were you not?”

“Yes, you may say so.” “Very much so.”

“And the boy, having so affectionate a nature,
Holmes made a note.
was devoted, no doubt, to the memory of his
“I fancy,” said he, “that I may be of more use at mother?”
Lamberley than here. It is eminently a case for per-
“Most devoted.”
sonal investigation. If the lady remains in her room,
our presence could not annoy or inconvenience her. “He would certainly seem to be a most inter-
Of course, we would stay at the inn.” esting lad. There is one other point about these
assaults. Were the strange attacks upon the baby
Ferguson gave a gesture of relief.
and the assaults upon your son at the same pe-
“It is what I hoped, Mr. Holmes. There is an riod?”
excellent train at two from Victoria if you could
“In the first case it was so. It was as if some
come.”
frenzy had seized her, and she had vented her rage
“Of course we could come. There is a lull at upon both. In the second case it was only Jack who
present. I can give you my undivided energies. suffered. Mrs. Mason had no complaint to make
Watson, of course, comes with us. But there are one about the baby.”
or two points upon which I wish to be very sure “That certainly complicates matters.”
before I start. This unhappy lady, as I understand
it, has appeared to assault both the children, her “I don’t quite follow you, Mr. Holmes.”
own baby and your little son?” “Possibly not. One forms provisional theories
“That is so.” and waits for time or fuller knowledge to explode
them. A bad habit, Mr. Ferguson, but human na-
“But the assaults take different forms, do they ture is weak. I fear that your old friend here has
not? She has beaten your son.” given an exaggerated view of my scientific meth-
“Once with a stick and once very savagely with ods. However, I will only say at the present stage
her hands.” that your problem does not appear to me to be
“Did she give no explanation why she struck insoluble, and that you may expect to find us at
him?” Victoria at two o’clock.”
It was evening of a dull, foggy November day
“None save that she hated him. Again and again
when, having left our bags at the Chequers, Lam-
she said so.”
berley, we drove through the Sussex clay of a long
“Well, that is not unknown among stepmothers. winding lane and finally reached the isolated and
A posthumous jealousy, we will say. Is the lady ancient farmhouse in which Ferguson dwelt. It
jealous by nature?” was a large, straggling building, very old in the
“Yes, she is very jealous—jealous with all the centre, very new at the wings with towering Tudor
strength of her fiery tropical love.” chimneys and a lichen-spotted, high-pitched roof
of Horsham slabs. The doorsteps were worn into
“But the boy—he is fifteen, I understand, and
curves, and the ancient tiles which lined the porch
probably very developed in mind, since his body
were marked with the rebus of a cheese and a man
has been circumscribed in action. Did he give you
after the original builder. Within, the ceilings were
no explanation of these assaults?”
corrugated with heavy oaken beams, and the un-
“No, he declared there was no reason.” even floors sagged into sharp curves. An odour
“Were they good friends at other times?” of age and decay pervaded the whole crumbling
building.
“No, there was never any love between them.”
There was one very large central room into
“Yet you say he is affectionate?” which Ferguson led us. Here, in a huge old-
“Never in the world could there be so devoted fashioned fireplace with an iron screen behind it
a son. My life is his life. He is absorbed in what I dated 1670, there blazed and spluttered a splendid
say or do.” log fire.
Once again Holmes made a note. For some time The room, as I gazed round, was a most singular
he sat lost in thought. mixture of dates and of places. The half-panelled

900
 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

walls may well have belonged to the original yeo- He was away some minutes, during which
man farmer of the seventeenth century. They were Holmes resumed his examination of the curiosi-
ornamented, however, on the lower part by a line ties upon the wall. When our host returned it was
of well-chosen modern water-colours; while above, clear from his downcast face that he had made no
where yellow plaster took the place of oak, there progress. He brought with him a tall, slim, brown-
was hung a fine collection of South American uten- faced girl.
sils and weapons, which had been brought, no “The tea is ready, Dolores,” said Ferguson. “See
doubt, by the Peruvian lady upstairs. Holmes rose, that your mistress has everything she can wish.”
with that quick curiosity which sprang from his “She verra ill,” cried the girl, looking with in-
eager mind, and examined them with some care. dignant eyes at her master. “She no ask for food.
He returned with his eyes full of thought. She verra ill. She need doctor. I frightened stay
“Hullo!” he cried. “Hullo!” alone with her without doctor.”
A spaniel had lain in a basket in the corner. It Ferguson looked at me with a question in his
came slowly forward towards its master, walking eyes.
with difficulty. Its hind legs moved irregularly and “I should be so glad if I could be of use.”
its tail was on the ground. It licked Ferguson’s “Would your mistress see Dr. Watson?”
hand. “I take him. I no ask leave. She needs doctor.”
“What is it, Mr. Holmes?” “Then I’ll come with you at once.”
“The dog. What’s the matter with it?” I followed the girl, who was quivering with
strong emotion, up the staircase and down an an-
“That’s what puzzled the vet. A sort of paraly-
cient corridor. At the end was an iron-clamped
sis. Spinal meningitis, he thought. But it is passing.
and massive door. It struck me as I looked at it
He’ll be all right soon—won’t you, Carlo?”
that if Ferguson tried to force his way to his wife
A shiver of assent passed through the drooping he would find it no easy matter. The girl drew a
tail. The dog’s mournful eyes passed from one of key from her pocket, and the heavy oaken planks
us to the other. He knew that we were discussing creaked upon their old hinges. I passed in and she
his case. swiftly followed, fastening the door behind her.
“Did it come on suddenly?” On the bed a woman was lying who was clearly
“In a single night.” in a high fever. She was only half conscious, but as
I entered she raised a pair of frightened but beauti-
“How long ago?” ful eyes and glared at me in apprehension. Seeing
“It may have been four months ago.” a stranger, she appeared to be relieved and sank
“Very remarkable. Very suggestive.” back with a sigh upon the pillow. I stepped up to
her with a few reassuring words, and she lay still
“What do you see in it, Mr. Holmes?”
while I took her pulse and temperature. Both were
“A confirmation of what I had already thought.” high, and yet my impression was that the condition
“For God’s sake, what do you think, Mr. was rather that of mental and nervous excitement
Holmes? It may be a mere intellectual puzzle to than of any actual seizure.
you, but it is life and death to me! My wife a “She lie like that one day, two day. I ’fraid she
would-be murderer—my child in constant danger! die,” said the girl.
Don’t play with me, Mr. Holmes. It is too terribly The woman turned her flushed and handsome
serious.” face towards me.
The big Rugby three-quarter was trembling all “Where is my husband?”
over. Holmes put his hand soothingly upon his “He is below and would wish to see you.”
arm. “I will not see him. I will not see him.” Then
“I fear that there is pain for you, Mr. Ferguson, she seemed to wander off into delirium. “A fiend!
whatever the solution may be,” said he. “I would A fiend! Oh, what shall I do with this devil?”
spare you all I can. I cannot say more for the in- “Can I help you in any way?”
stant, but before I leave this house I hope I may “No. No one can help. It is finished. All is
have something definite.” destroyed. Do what I will, all is destroyed.”
“Please God you may! If you will excuse me, The woman must have some strange delusion. I
gentlemen, I will go up to my wife’s room and see could not see honest Bob Ferguson in the character
if there has been any change.” of fiend or devil.

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 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

“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?”

“He loves me. Yes. But do I not love him? Do “Ask Mrs. Mason to bring baby down,” said
I not love him even to sacrifice myself rather than Ferguson. The boy went off with a curious, sham-
break his dear heart? That is how I love him. And bling gait which told my surgical eyes that he was
yet he could think of me—he could speak of me suffering from a weak spine. Presently he returned,
so.” and behind him came a tall, gaunt woman bear-
ing in her arms a very beautiful child, dark-eyed,
“He is full of grief, but he cannot understand.” golden-haired, a wonderful mixture of the Saxon
“No, he cannot understand. But he should and the Latin. Ferguson was evidently devoted to
trust.” 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 nor
he muttered as he glanced down at the small, angry
the look upon his face. I will not see him. Go now.
red pucker upon the cherub throat.
You can do nothing for me. Tell him only one thing.
I want my child. I have a right to my child. That is It was at this moment that I chanced to glance
the only message I can send him.” She turned her at Holmes and saw a most singular intentness in
face to the wall and would say no more. his expression. His face was as set as if it had been
carved out of old ivory, and his eyes, which had
I returned to the room downstairs, where Fer-
glanced for a moment at father and child, were now
guson and Holmes still sat by the fire. Ferguson
fixed with eager curiosity upon something at the
listened moodily to my account of the interview.
other side of the room. Following his gaze I could
“How can I send her the child?” he said. “How only guess that he was looking out through the
do I know what strange impulse might come upon window at the melancholy, dripping garden. It is
her? How can I ever forget how she rose from be- true that a shutter had half closed outside and ob-
side it with its blood upon her lips?” He shuddered structed the view, but none the less it was certainly
at the recollection. “The child is safe with Mrs. at the window that Holmes was fixing his concen-
Mason, and there he must remain.” trated attention. Then he smiled, and his eyes came
A smart maid, the only modern thing which back to the baby. On its chubby neck there was this
we had seen in the house, had brought in some small puckered mark. Without speaking, Holmes
tea. As she was serving it the door opened and a examined it with care. Finally he shook one of the
youth entered the room. He was a remarkable lad, dimpled fists which waved in front of him.
pale-faced and fair-haired, with excitable light blue “Good-bye, little man. You have made a strange
eyes which blazed into a sudden flame of emotion start in life. Nurse, I should wish to have a word
and joy as they rested upon his father. He rushed with you in private.”
forward and threw his arms round his neck with
He took her aside and spoke earnestly for a few
the abandon of a loving girl.
minutes. I only heard the last words, which were:
“Oh, daddy,” he cried, “I did not know that you “Your anxiety will soon, I hope, be set at rest.” The
were due yet. I should have been here to meet you. woman, who seemed to be a sour, silent kind of
Oh, I am so glad to see you!” creature, withdrew with the child.
Ferguson gently disengaged himself from the “What is Mrs. Mason like?” asked Holmes.
embrace with some little show of embarrassment. “Not very prepossessing externally, as you can
“Dear old chap,” said he, patting the flaxen see, but a heart of gold, and devoted to the child.”
head with a very tender hand. “I came early be- “Do you like her, Jack?” Holmes turned sud-
cause my friends, Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson, denly upon the boy. His expressive mobile face
have been persuaded to come down and spend shadowed over, and he shook his head.
an evening with us.”
“Jacky has very strong likes and dislikes,” said
“Is that Mr. Holmes, the detective?” Ferguson, putting his arm round the boy. “Luckily
“Yes.” I am one of his likes.”
The youth looked at us with a very penetrating The boy cooed and nestled his head upon his
and, as it seemed to me, unfriendly gaze. father’s breast. Ferguson gently disengaged him.

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 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

“Run away, little Jacky,” said he, and he watched rather she stayed I can see no objection. Now, Mr.
his son with loving eyes until he disappeared. Ferguson, I am a busy man with many calls, and my
“Now, Mr. Holmes,” he continued when the boy methods have to be short and direct. The swiftest
was gone, “I really feel that I have brought you surgery is the least painful. Let me first say what
on a fool’s errand, for what can you possibly do will ease your mind. Your wife is a very good, a
save give me your sympathy? It must be an exceed- very loving, and a very ill-used woman.”
ingly delicate and complex affair from your point Ferguson sat up with a cry of joy.
of view.” “Prove that, Mr. Holmes, and I am your debtor
“It is certainly delicate,” said my friend with forever.”
an amused smile, “but I have not been struck up “I will do so, but in doing so I must wound you
to now with its complexity. It has been a case for deeply in another direction.”
intellectual deduction, but when this original intel-
“I care nothing so long as you clear my wife.
lectual deduction is confirmed point by point by
Everything on earth is insignificant compared to
quite a number of independent incidents, then the
that.”
subjective becomes objective and we can say confi-
dently that we have reached our goal. I had, in fact, “Let me tell you, then, the train of reasoning
reached it before we left Baker Street, and the rest which passed through my mind in Baker Street.
has merely been observation and confirmation.” The idea of a vampire was to me absurd. Such
things do not happen in criminal practice in Eng-
Ferguson put his big hand to his furrowed fore- land. And yet your observation was precise. You
head. had seen the lady rise from beside the child’s cot
“For heaven’s sake, Holmes,” he said hoarsely; with the blood upon her lips.”
“if you can see the truth in this matter, do not keep “I did.”
me in suspense. How do I stand? What shall I do?
“Did it not occur to you that a bleeding wound
I care nothing as to how you have found your facts
may be sucked for some other purpose than to
so long as you have really got them.”
draw the blood from it? Was there not a queen in
“Certainly I owe you an explanation, and you English history who sucked such a wound to draw
shall have it. But you will permit me to handle poison from it?”
the matter in my own way? Is the lady capable of “Poison!”
seeing us, Watson?”
“A South American household. My instinct felt
“She is ill, but she is quite rational.” the presence of those weapons upon the wall before
“Very good. It is only in her presence that we my eyes ever saw them. It might have been other
can clear the matter up. Let us go up to her.” poison, but that was what occurred to me. When I
“She will not see me,” cried Ferguson. saw that little empty quiver beside the small bird-
bow, it was just what I expected to see. If the child
“Oh, yes, she will,” said Holmes. He scribbled a were pricked with one of those arrows dipped in
few lines upon a sheet of paper. “You at least have curare or some other devilish drug, it would mean
the entree, Watson. Will you have the goodness to death if the venom were not sucked out.
give the lady this note?”
“And the dog! If one were to use such a poison,
I ascended again and handed the note to Do- would one not try it first in order to see that it had
lores, who cautiously opened the door. A minute not lost its power? I did not foresee the dog, but
later I heard a cry from within, a cry in which joy at least I understand him and he fitted into my
and surprise seemed to be blended. Dolores looked reconstruction.
out.
“Now do you understand? Your wife feared
“She will see them. She will leesten,” said she. such an attack. She saw it made and saved the
At my summons Ferguson and Holmes came child’s life, and yet she shrank from telling you all
up. As we entered the room Ferguson took a step the truth, for she knew how you loved the boy and
or two towards his wife, who had raised herself in feared lest it break your heart.”
the bed, but she held out her hand to repulse him. “Jacky!”
He sank into an armchair, while Holmes seated “I watched him as you fondled the child just
himself beside him, after bowing to the lady, who now. His face was clearly reflected in the glass
looked at him with wide-eyed amazement. of the window where the shutter formed a back-
“I think we can dispense with Dolores,” said ground. I saw such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as I
Holmes. “Oh, very well, madame, if you would have seldom seen in a human face.”

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 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

“My Jacky!” “Exactly. So I imagined.”

“You have to face it, Mr. Ferguson. It is the Ferguson was standing by the bed, choking, his
more painful because it is a distorted love, a mani- hands outstretched and quivering.
acal exaggerated love for you, and possibly for his “This, I fancy, is the time for our exit, Watson,”
dead mother, which has prompted his action. His said Holmes in a whisper. “If you will take one
very soul is consumed with hatred for this splendid elbow of the too faithful Dolores, I will take the
child, whose health and beauty are a contrast to his other. There, now,” he added as he closed the door
own weakness.” behind him, “I think we may leave them to settle
“Good God! It is incredible!” the rest among themselves.”
“Have I spoken the truth, madame?” I have only one further note of this case. It is
The lady was sobbing, with her face buried in the letter which Holmes wrote in final answer to
the pillows. Now she turned to her husband. that with which the narrative begins. It ran thus:
“How could I tell you, Bob? I felt the blow it Baker Street,
would be to you. It was better that I should wait Nov. 21st.
and that it should come from some other lips than Re Vampires
mine. When this gentleman, who seems to have
Sir:
powers of magic, wrote that he knew all, I was
Referring to your letter of the 19th, I
glad.”
beg to state that I have looked into the
“I think a year at sea would be my prescrip- inquiry of your client, Mr. Robert Fer-
tion for Master Jacky,” said Holmes, rising from his guson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea
chair. “Only one thing is still clouded, madame. brokers, of Mincing Lane, and that the
We can quite understand your attacks upon Master matter has been brought to a satisfac-
Jacky. There is a limit to a mother’s patience. But tory conclusion. With thanks for your
how did you dare to leave the child these last two recommendation, I am, sir,
days?” — Faithfully yours,
“I had told Mrs. Mason. She knew.” Sherlock Holmes.

904
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs
I
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

t may have been a comedy, or it may have morning. However, he is in a position to tell us a
been a tragedy. It cost one man his rea- good deal which I want to know.”
son, it cost me a blood-letting, and it cost A moment later he was in the room. Mr. John
yet another man the penalties of the law. Garrideb, Counsellor at Law, was a short, powerful
Yet there was certainly an element of comedy. Well, man with the round, fresh, clean-shaven face char-
you shall judge for yourselves. acteristic of so many American men of affairs. The
I remember the date very well, for it was in the general effect was chubby and rather childlike, so
same month that Holmes refused a knighthood for that one received the impression of quite a young
services which may perhaps some day be described. man with a broad set smile upon his face. His eyes,
I only refer to the matter in passing, for in my po- however, were arresting. Seldom in any human
sition of partner and confidant I am obliged to be head have I seen a pair which bespoke a more in-
particularly careful to avoid any indiscretion. I re- tense inward life, so bright were they, so alert, so
peat, however, that this enables me to fix the date, responsive to every change of thought. His accent
which was the latter end of June, 1902, shortly after was American, but was not accompanied by any
the conclusion of the South African War. Holmes eccentricity of speech.
had spent several days in bed, as was his habit from “Mr. Holmes?” he asked, glancing from one to
time to time, but he emerged that morning with a the other. “Ah, yes! Your pictures are not unlike
long foolscap document in his hand and a twinkle you, sir, if I may say so. I believe you have had
of amusement in his austere gray eyes. a letter from my namesake, Mr. Nathan Garrideb,
“There is a chance for you to make some money, have you not?”
friend Watson,” said he. “Have you ever heard the “Pray sit down,” said Sherlock Holmes. “We
name of Garrideb?” shall, I fancy, have a good deal to discuss.” He
I admitted that I had not. took up his sheets of foolscap. “You are, of course,
the Mr. John Garrideb mentioned in this document.
“Well, if you can lay your hand upon a Garrideb, But surely you have been in England some time?”
there’s money in it.”
“Why do you say that, Mr. Holmes?” I seemed
“Why?” to read sudden suspicion in those expressive eyes.
“Ah, that’s a long story—rather a whimsical one, “Your whole outfit is English.”
too. I don’t think in all our explorations of human Mr. Garrideb forced a laugh. “I’ve read of your
complexities we have ever come upon anything tricks, Mr. Holmes, but I never thought I would be
more singular. The fellow will be here presently for the subject of them. Where do you read that?”
cross-examination, so I won’t open the matter up “The shoulder cut of your coat, the toes of your
till he comes. But, meanwhile, that’s the name we boots—could anyone doubt it?”
want.”
“Well, well, I had no idea I was so obvious a
The telephone directory lay on the table beside Britisher. But business brought me over here some
me, and I turned over the pages in a rather hopeless time ago, and so, as you say, my outfit is nearly all
quest. But to my amazement there was this strange London. However, I guess your time is of value,
name in its due place. I gave a cry of triumph. and we did not meet to talk about the cut of my
“Here you are, Holmes! Here it is!” socks. What about getting down to that paper you
Holmes took the book from my hand. hold in your hand?”
Holmes had in some way ruffled our visitor,
“ ‘Garrideb, N.,’ ” he read, “ ‘136 Little Ryder
whose chubby face had assumed a far less amiable
Street, W.’ Sorry to disappoint you, my dear Wat-
expression.
son, but this is the man himself. That is the address
upon his letter. We want another to match him.” “Patience! Patience, Mr. Garrideb!” said my
friend in a soothing voice. “Dr. Watson would tell
Mrs. Hudson had come in with a card upon a you that these little digressions of mine sometimes
tray. I took it up and glanced at it. prove in the end to have some bearing on the mat-
“Why, here it is!” I cried in amazement. “This ter. But why did Mr. Nathan Garrideb not come
is a different initial. John Garrideb, Counsellor at with you?”
Law, Moorville, Kansas, U. S. A.” “Why did he ever drag you into it at all?” asked
Holmes smiled as he looked at the card. “I am our visitor with a sudden outflame of anger. “What
afraid you must make yet another effort, Watson,” in thunder had you to do with it? Here was a bit of
said he. “This gentleman is also in the plot already, professional business between two gentlemen, and
though I certainly did not expect to see him this one of them must needs call in a detective! I saw

907
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

him this morning, and he told me this fool-trick he “For he died within a year of saying them, and
had played me, and that’s why I am here. But I feel he left a will behind him. It was the queerest will
bad about it, all the same.” that has ever been filed in the State of Kansas. His
“There was no reflection upon you, Mr. Gar- property was divided into three parts, and I was to
rideb. It was simply zeal upon his part to gain have one on condition that I found two Garridebs
your end—an end which is, I understand, equally who would share the remainder. It’s five million
vital for both of you. He knew that I had means dollars for each if it is a cent, but we can’t lay a
of getting information, and, therefore, it was very finger on it until we all three stand in a row.
natural that he should apply to me.” “It was so big a chance that I just let my le-
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 address old country. Sure enough there was the name in
and came right away. I don’t want police butting the London telephone directory. I went after him
into a private matter. But if you are content just two days ago and explained the whole matter to
to help us find the man, there can be no harm in him. But he is a lone man, like myself, with some
that.” women relations, but no men. It says three adult
“Well, that is just how it stands,” said Holmes. men in the will. So you see we still have a vacancy,
“And now, sir, since you are here, we had best have and if you can help to fill it we will be very ready
a clear account from your own lips. My friend here to pay your charges.”
knows nothing of the details.” “Well, Watson,” said Holmes with a smile, “I
Mr. Garrideb surveyed me with not too friendly said it was rather whimsical, did I not? I should
a gaze. have thought, sir, that your obvious way was to
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 curious lit-
“Well, there’s no reason it should be kept a se- tle problem. I may take a glance at it in my leisure.
cret. I’ll give you the facts as short as I can make By the way, it is curious that you should have come
them. If you came from Kansas I would not need to from Topeka. I used to have a correspondent—he is
explain to you who Alexander Hamilton Garrideb dead now—old Dr. Lysander Starr, who was mayor
was. He made his money in real estate, and after- in 1890.”
wards in the wheat pit at Chicago, but he spent it
“Good old Dr. Starr!” said our visitor. “His
in buying up as much land as would make one of
name is still honoured. Well, Mr. Holmes, I suppose
your counties, lying along the Arkansas River, west
all we can do is to report to you and let you know
of Fort Dodge. It’s grazing-land and lumber-land
how we progress. I reckon you will hear within
and arable-land and mineralized-land, and just ev-
a day or two.” With this assurance our American
ery sort of land that brings dollars to the man that
bowed and departed.
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 could
‘Find me another!’ said he. I told him I was a busy be the object of this man in telling us such a rig-
man and could not spend my life hiking round the marole 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
he, ‘that is just what you will do if things pan out policy—but I judged it better to let him think he
as I planned them.’ I thought he was joking, but had fooled us. Here is a man with an English coat
there was a powerful lot of meaning in the words, frayed at the elbow and trousers bagged at the
as I was soon to discover. knee with a year’s wear, and yet by this document

908
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

and by his own account he is a provincial Ameri- collection of residential flats, but rather the abode
can lately landed in London. There have been no of Bohemian bachelors. Our client opened the door
advertisements in the agony columns. You know for us himself and apologized by saying that the
that I miss nothing there. They are my favourite woman in charge left at four o’clock. Mr. Nathan
covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have Garrideb proved to be a very tall, loose-jointed,
overlooked such a cock pheasant as that. I never round-backed person, gaunt and bald, some sixty-
knew a Dr. Lysander Starr, of Topeka. Touch him odd years of age. He had a cadaverous face, with
where you would he was false. I think the fellow the dull dead skin of a man to whom exercise was
is really an American, but he has worn his accent unknown. Large round spectacles and a small pro-
smooth with years of London. What is his game, jecting goat’s beard combined with his stooping
then, and what motive lies behind this preposter- attitude to give him an expression of peering cu-
ous search for Garridebs? It’s worth our attention, riosity. The general effect, however, was amiable,
for, granting that the man is a rascal, he is certainly though eccentric.
a complex and ingenious one. We must now find The room was as curious as its occupant. It
out if our other correspondent is a fraud also. Just looked like a small museum. It was both broad
ring him up, Watson.” and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round,
I did so, and heard a thin, quavering voice at crowded with specimens, geological and anatom-
the other end of the line. ical. Cases of butterflies and moths flanked each
“Yes, yes, I am Mr. Nathan Garrideb. Is Mr. side of the entrance. A large table in the centre
Holmes there? I should very much like to have a was littered with all sorts of debris, while the tall
word with Mr. Holmes.” brass tube of a powerful microscope bristled up
among them. As I glanced round I was surprised
My friend took the instrument and I heard the
at the universality of the man’s interests. Here was
usual syncopated dialogue.
a case of ancient coins. There was a cabinet of
“Yes, he has been here. I understand that you flint instruments. Behind his central table was a
don’t know him. . . . How long? . . . Only two large cupboard of fossil bones. Above was a line of
days! . . . Yes, yes, of course, it is a most captivat- plaster skulls with such names as “Neanderthal,”
ing prospect. Will you be at home this evening? “Heidelberg,” “Cro-Magnon” printed beneath them.
I suppose your namesake will not be there? . . . It was clear that he was a student of many subjects.
Very good, we will come then, for I would rather As he stood in front of us now, he held a piece of
have a chat without him. . . . Dr. Watson will come chamois leather in his right hand with which he
with me. . . . I understand from your note that you was polishing a coin.
did not go out often. . . . Well, we shall be round “Syracusan—of the best period,” he explained,
about six. You need not mention it to the American holding it up. “They degenerated greatly towards
lawyer. . . . Very good. Good-bye!” 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 offshoots a chair here, Mr. Holmes. Pray allow me to clear
from the Edgware Road, within a stone-cast of old these bones. And you, sir—ah, yes, Dr. Watson—if
Tyburn Tree of evil memory, looked golden and you would have the goodness to put the Japanese
wonderful in the slanting rays of the setting sun. vase to one side. You see round me my little in-
The particular house to which we were directed terests in life. My doctor lectures me about never
was a large, old-fashioned, Early Georgian edifice, going out, but why should I go out when I have
with a flat brick face broken only by two deep bay so much to hold me here? I can assure you that
windows on the ground floor. It was on this ground the adequate cataloguing of one of those cabinets
floor that our client lived, and, indeed, the low win- would take me three good months.”
dows proved to be the front of the huge room in Holmes looked round him with curiosity.
which he spent his waking hours. Holmes pointed “But do you tell me that you never go out?” he
as we passed to the small brass plate which bore said.
the curious name.
“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby’s or
“Up some years, Watson,” he remarked, indi- Christie’s. Otherwise I very seldom leave my room.
cating its discoloured surface. “It’s his real name, I am not too strong, and my researches are very
anyhow, and that is something to note.” absorbing. But you can imagine, Mr. Holmes, what
The house had a common stair, and there were a a terrific shock—pleasant but terrific—it was for
number of names painted in the hall, some indicat- me when I heard of this unparalleled good fortune.
ing offices and some private chambers. It was not a It only needs one more Garrideb to complete the

909
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

matter, and surely we can find one. I had a brother, Holmes was lost in thought. I could see that he
but he is dead, and female relatives are disquali- was puzzled.
fied. But there must surely be others in the world. I “Have you any articles of great value in your
had heard that you handled strange cases, and that collection?”
was why I sent to you. Of course, this American
gentleman is quite right, and I should have taken “No, sir. I am not a rich man. It is a good
his advice first, but I acted for the best.” collection, but not a very valuable one.”
“I think you acted very wisely indeed,” said “You have no fear of burglars?”
Holmes. “But are you really anxious to acquire an “Not the least.”
estate in America?” “How long have you been in these rooms?”
“Certainly not, sir. Nothing would induce me to “Nearly five years.”
leave my collection. But this gentleman has assured
Holmes’s cross-examination was interrupted by
me that he will buy me out as soon as we have es-
an imperative knocking at the door. No sooner had
tablished our claim. Five million dollars was the
our client unlatched it than the American lawyer
sum named. There are a dozen specimens in the
burst excitedly into the room.
market at the present moment which fill gaps in
my collection, and which I am unable to purchase “Here you are!” he cried, waving a paper over
for want of a few hundred pounds. Just think what his head. “I thought I should be in time to get you.
I could do with five million dollars. Why, I have Mr. Nathan Garrideb, my congratulations! You are
the nucleus of a national collection. I shall be the a rich man, sir. Our business is happily finished
Hans Sloane of my age.” and all is well. As to you, Mr. Holmes, we can only
His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles. It say we are sorry if we have given you any useless
was very clear that no pains would be spared by trouble.”
Mr. Nathan Garrideb in finding a namesake. He handed over the paper to our client, who
“I merely called to make your acquaintance, and stood staring at a marked advertisement. Holmes
there is no reason why I should interrupt your stud- and I leaned forward and read it over his shoulder.
ies,” said Holmes. “I prefer to establish personal This is how it ran:
touch with those with whom I do business. There Howard Garrideb
are few questions I need ask, for I have your very Constructor of Agricultural Machinery
clear narrative in my pocket, and I filled up the Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills,
blanks when this American gentleman called. I harrows, farmers’ carts, buckboards, and all other
understand that up to this week you were unaware appliances.
of his existence.” Estimates for Artesian Wells
“That is so. He called last Tuesday.” Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston
“Did he tell you of our interview to-day?” “Glorious!” gasped our host. “That makes our third
man.”
“Yes, he came straight back to me. He had been
very angry.” “I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham,”
said the American, “and my agent there has sent
“Why should he be angry?”
me this advertisement from a local paper. We must
“He seemed to think it was some reflection on hustle and put the thing through. I have written to
his honour. But he was quite cheerful again when this man and told him that you will see him in his
he returned.” office to-morrow afternoon at four o’clock.”
“Did he suggest any course of action?” “You want me to see him?”
“No, sir, he did not.” “What do you say, Mr. Holmes? Don’t you think
“Has he had, or asked for, any money from it would be wiser? Here am I, a wandering Ameri-
you?” can with a wonderful tale. Why should he believe
“No, sir, never!” what I tell him? But you are a Britisher with solid
references, and he is bound to take notice of what
“You see no possible object he has in view?”
you say. I would go with you if you wished, but
“None, except what he states.” I have a very busy day to-morrow, and I could
“Did you tell him of our telephone appoint- always follow you if you are in any trouble.”
ment?” “Well, I have not made such a journey for
“Yes, sir, I did.” years.”

910
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

“It is nothing, Mr. Garrideb. I have figured out “Holloway and Steele, in the Edgware Road.
our connections. You leave at twelve and should But why?”
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, it “Really. I should have thought a little earlier.
is surely little enough if you go a hundred miles in However, it is easily ascertained. Well, good-bye,
order to put this matter through.” Mr. Garrideb, and may you have every success in
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “I think what this your Birmingham journey.”
gentleman says is very true.” The house-agent’s was close by, but we found
Mr. Nathan Garrideb shrugged his shoulders that it was closed for the day, so we made our way
with a disconsolate air. “Well, if you insist I shall back to Baker Street. It was not till after dinner that
go,” said he. “It is certainly hard for me to refuse Holmes reverted to the subject.
you anything, considering the glory of hope that “Our little problem draws to a close,” said he.
you have brought into my life.” “No doubt you have outlined the solution in your
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
then, good-bye, and we may have good news for English but good American. The printer had set
you to-morrow night.” it up as received. Then the buckboards. That is
I noticed that my friend’s face cleared when the American also. And artesian wells are commoner
American left the room, and the look of thoughtful with them than with us. It was a typical Ameri-
perplexity had vanished. can advertisement, but purporting to be from an
“I wish I could look over your collection, Mr. English firm. What do you make of that?”
Garrideb,” said he. “In my profession all sorts of “I can only suppose that this American lawyer
odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of put it in himself. What his object was I fail to
yours is a storehouse of it.” understand.”
“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
“I had always heard, sir, that you were a very him that he was clearly going on a wild-goose
intelligent man,” said he. “I could take you round chase, but, on second thoughts, it seemed better
now if you have the time.” to clear the stage by letting him go. To-morrow,
“Unfortunately, I have not. But these specimens Watson—well, to-morrow will speak for itself.”
are so well labelled and classified that they hardly Holmes was up and out early. When he re-
need your personal explanation. If I should be able turned at lunchtime I noticed that his face was very
to look in to-morrow, I presume that there would grave.
be no objection to my glancing over them?” “This is a more serious matter than I had ex-
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
the basement up to four o’clock and would let you
know my Watson by now. But there is danger, and
in with her key.”
you should know it.”
Well, I happen to be clear to-morrow afternoon. “Well, it is not the first we have shared, Holmes.
If you would say a word to Mrs. Saunders it would I hope it may not be the last. What is the particular
be quite in order. By the way, who is your house- danger this time?”
agent?” “We are up against a very hard case. I have
Our client was amazed at the sudden question. identified Mr. John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law.

911
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

He is none other than ‘Killer’ Evans, of sinister and siesta, Watson, and then I think it will be time for
murderous reputation.” our Ryder Street adventure.”
“I fear I am none the wiser.” It was just four o’clock when we reached the
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 with
ory. I have been down to see friend Lestrade at the a spring lock, and Holmes promised to see that all
Yard. There may be an occasional want of imagina- was safe before we left. Shortly afterwards the outer
tive intuition down there, but they lead the world door closed, her bonnet passed the bow window,
for thoroughness and method. I had an idea that and we knew that we were alone in the lower floor
we might get on the track of our American friend in of the house. Holmes made a rapid examination of
their records. Sure enough, I found his chubby face the premises. There was one cupboard in a dark
smiling up at me from the rogues’ portrait gallery. corner which stood out a little from the wall. It
‘James Winter, alias Morecroft, alias Killer Evans,’ was behind this that we eventually crouched while
was the inscription below.” Holmes drew an en- Holmes in a whisper outlined his intentions.
velope from his pocket. “I scribbled down a few “He wanted to get our amiable friend out of his
points from his dossier: Aged forty-four. Native room—that is very clear, and, as the collector never
of Chicago. Known to have shot three men in the went out, it took some planning to do it. The whole
States. Escaped from penitentiary through political of this Garrideb invention was apparently for no
influence. Came to London in 1893. Shot a man other end. I must say, Watson, that there is a certain
over cards in a night-club in the Waterloo Road devilish ingenuity about it, even if the queer name
in January, 1895. Man died, but he was shown to of the tenant did give him an opening which he
have been the aggressor in the row. Dead man was could hardly have expected. He wove his plot with
identified as Rodger Prescott, famous as forger and remarkable cunning.”
coiner in Chicago. Killer Evans released in 1901.
“But what did he want?”
Has been under police supervision since, but so far
“Well, that is what we are here to find out. It
as known has led an honest life. Very dangerous
has nothing whatever to do with our client, so far
man, usually carries arms and is prepared to use
as I can read the situation. It is something con-
them. That is our bird, Watson—a sporting bird, as
nected with the man he murdered—the man who
you must admit.”
may have been his confederate in crime. There
“But what is his game?” is some guilty secret in the room. That is how I
“Well, it begins to define itself. I have been to read it. At first I thought our friend might have
the house-agent’s. Our client, as he told us, has something in his collection more valuable than he
been there five years. It was unlet for a year before knew—something worth the attention of a big crim-
then. The previous tenant was a gentleman at large inal. But the fact that Rodger Prescott of evil mem-
named Waldron. Waldron’s appearance was well ory inhabited these rooms points to some deeper
remembered at the office. He had suddenly van- reason. Well, Watson, we can but possess our souls
ished and nothing more been heard of him. He was in patience and see what the hour may bring.”
a tall, bearded man with very dark features. Now, That hour was not long in striking. We crouched
Prescott, the man whom Killer Evans had shot, was, closer in the shadow as we heard the outer door
according to Scotland Yard, a tall, dark man with open and shut. Then came the sharp, metallic snap
a beard. As a working hypothesis, I think we may of a key, and the American was in the room. He
take it that Prescott, the American criminal, used closed the door softly behind him, took a sharp
to live in the very room which our innocent friend glance around him to see that all was safe, threw
now devotes to his museum. So at last we get a off his overcoat, and walked up to the central table
link, you see.” with the brisk manner of one who knows exactly
what he has to do and how to do it. He pushed
“And the next link?” the table to one side, tore up the square of carpet
“Well, we must go now and look for that.” on which it rested, rolled it completely back, and
then, drawing a jemmy from his inside pocket, he
He took a revolver from the drawer and handed
knelt down and worked vigorously upon the floor.
it to me.
Presently we heard the sound of sliding boards,
“I have my old favourite with me. If our Wild and an instant later a square had opened in the
West friend tries to live up to his nickname, we planks. Killer Evans struck a match, lit a stump of
must be ready for him. I’ll give you an hour for a candle, and vanished from our view.

912
 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

Clearly our moment had come. Holmes touched “A printing press—a counterfeiter’s outfit,” said
my wrist as a signal, and together we stole across to Holmes.
the open trap-door. Gently as we moved, however, “Yes, sir,” said our prisoner, staggering slowly to
the old floor must have creaked under our feet, for his feet and then sinking into the chair. “The great-
the head of our American, peering anxiously round, est counterfeiter London ever saw. That’s Prescott’s
emerged suddenly from the open space. His face machine, and those bundles on the table are two
turned upon us with a glare of baffled rage, which thousand of Prescott’s notes worth a hundred each
gradually softened into a rather shamefaced grin and fit to pass anywhere. Help yourselves, gentle-
as he realized that two pistols were pointed at his men. Call it a deal and let me beat it.”
head.
Holmes laughed.
“Well, well!” said he coolly as he scrambled to
“We don’t do things like that, Mr. Evans. There
the surface. “I guess you have been one too many
is no bolt-hole for you in this country. You shot this
for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I sup-
man Prescott, did you not?”
pose, and played me for a sucker from the first.
Well, sir, I hand it to you; you have me beat and—” “Yes, sir, and got five years for it, though it was
he who pulled on me. Five years—when I should
In an instant he had whisked out a revolver have had a medal the size of a soup plate. No living
from his breast and had fired two shots. I felt a sud- man could tell a Prescott from a Bank of England,
den hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been pressed and if I hadn’t put him out he would have flooded
to my thigh. There was a crash as Holmes’s pistol London with them. I was the only one in the world
came down on the man’s head. I had a vision of who knew where he made them. Can you wonder
him sprawling upon the floor with blood running that I wanted to get to the place? And can you
down his face while Holmes rummaged him for wonder that when I found this crazy boob of a bug-
weapons. Then my friend’s wiry arms were round hunter with the queer name squatting right on the
me, and he was leading me to a chair. top of it, and never quitting his room, I had to do
“You’re not hurt, Watson? For God’s sake, say the best I could to shift him? Maybe I would have
that you are not hurt!” been wiser if I had put him away. It would have
It was worth a wound—it was worth many been easy enough, but I’m a soft-hearted guy that
wounds—to know the depth of loyalty and love can’t begin shooting unless the other man has a
which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard gun also. But say, Mr. Holmes, what have I done
eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips wrong, anyhow? I’ve not used this plant. I’ve not
were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a hurt this old stiff. Where do you get me?”
glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. “Only attempted murder, so far as I can see,”
All my years of humble but single-minded service said Holmes. “But that’s not our job. They take
culminated in that moment of revelation. that at the next stage. What we wanted at present
“It’s nothing, Holmes. It’s a mere scratch.” was just your sweet self. Please give the Yard a call,
Watson. It won’t be entirely unexpected.”
He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-
knife. So those were the facts about Killer Evans and
his remarkable invention of the three Garridebs.
“You are right,” he cried with an immense sigh We heard later that our poor old friend never got
of relief. “It is quite superficial.” His face set like over the shock of his dissipated dreams. When his
flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting castle in the air fell down, it buried him beneath
up with a dazed face. “By the Lord, it is as well for the ruins. He was last heard of at a nursing-home
you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have in Brixton. It was a glad day at the Yard when
got out of this room alive. Now, sir, what have you the Prescott outfit was discovered, for, though they
to say for yourself?” knew that it existed, they had never been able, af-
He had nothing to say for himself. He only sat ter the death of the man, to find out where it was.
and scowled. I leaned on Holmes’s arm, and to- Evans had indeed done great service and caused
gether we looked down into the small cellar which several worthy C. I. D. men to sleep the sounder,
had been disclosed by the secret flap. It was still for the counterfeiter stands in a class by himself
illuminated by the candle which Evans had taken as a public danger. They would willingly have
down with him. Our eyes fell upon a mass of rusted subscribed to that soup-plate medal of which the
machinery, great rolls of paper, a litter of bottles, criminal had spoken, but an unappreciative bench
and, neatly arranged upon a small table, a number took a less favourable view, and the Killer returned
of neat little bundles. to those shades from which he had just emerged.

913
The Problem of Thor Bridge
S
The Problem of Thor Bridge

omewhere in the vaults of the bank of “The faculty of deduction is certainly conta-
Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a gious, Watson,” he answered. “It has enabled you
travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-box to probe my secret. Yes, I have a case. After a month
with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., of trivialities and stagnation the wheels move once
Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is more.”
crammed with papers, nearly all of which are “Might I share it?”
records of cases to illustrate the curious problems
“There is little to share, but we may discuss it
which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times
when you have consumed the two hard-boiled eggs
to examine. Some, and not the least interesting,
with which our new cook has favoured us. Their
were complete failures, and as such will hardly
condition may not be unconnected with the copy of
bear narrating, since no final explanation is forth-
the Family Herald which I observed yesterday upon
coming. A problem without a solution may interest
the hall-table. Even so trivial a matter as cooking
the student, but can hardly fail to annoy the casual
an egg demands an attention which is conscious of
reader. Among these unfinished tales is that of Mr.
the passage of time and incompatible with the love
James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own
romance in that excellent periodical.”
house to get his umbrella, was never more seen
in this world. No less remarkable is that of the A quarter of an hour later the table had been
cutter Alicia, which sailed one spring morning into cleared and we were face to face. He had drawn a
a small patch of mist from where she never again letter from his pocket.
emerged, nor was anything further ever heard of “You have heard of Neil Gibson, the Gold King?”
herself and her crew. A third case worthy of note he said.
is that of Isadora Persano, the well-known journal- “You mean the American Senator?”
ist and duellist, who was found stark staring mad “Well, he was once Senator for some Western
with a match box in front of him which contained state, but is better known as the greatest gold-
a remarkable worm said to be unknown to science. mining magnate in the world.”
Apart from these unfathomed cases, there are some
“Yes, I know of him. He has surely lived in
which involve the secrets of private families to an
England for some time. His name is very familiar.”
extent which would mean consternation in many
exalted quarters if it were thought possible that “Yes, he bought a considerable estate in Hamp-
they might find their way into print. I need not say shire some five years ago. Possibly you have al-
that such a breach of confidence is unthinkable, and ready heard of the tragic end of his wife?”
that these records will be separated and destroyed “Of course. I remember it now. That is why the
now that my friend has time to turn his energies to name is familiar. But I really know nothing of the
the matter. There remain a considerable residue of details.”
cases of greater or less interest which I might have Holmes waved his hand towards some papers
edited before had I not feared to give the public a on a chair. “I had no idea that the case was coming
surfeit which might react upon the reputation of my way or I should have had my extracts ready,”
the man whom above all others I revere. In some said he. “The fact is that the problem, though ex-
I was myself concerned and can speak as an eye- ceedingly sensational, appeared to present no dif-
witness, while in others I was either not present ficulty. The interesting personality of the accused
or played so small a part that they could only be does not obscure the clearness of the evidence. That
told as by a third person. The following narrative was the view taken by the coroner’s jury and also
is drawn from my own experience. in the police-court proceedings. It is now referred
It was a wild morning in October, and I ob- to the Assizes at Winchester. I fear it is a thankless
served as I was dressing how the last remaining business. I can discover facts, Watson, but I cannot
leaves were being whirled from the solitary plane change them. Unless some entirely new and un-
tree which graces the yard behind our house. I expected ones come to light I do not see what my
descended to breakfast prepared to find my com- client can hope for.”
panion in depressed spirits, for, like all great artists, “Your client?”
he was easily impressed by his surroundings. On “Ah, I forgot I had not told you. I am getting
the contrary, I found that he had nearly finished his into your involved habit, Watson, of telling a story
meal, and that his mood was particularly bright and backward. You had best read this first.”
joyous, with that somewhat sinister cheerfulness
which was characteristic of his lighter moments. The letter which he handed to me, written in a
bold, masterful hand, ran as follows:
“You have a case, Holmes?” I remarked.

917
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

Claridge’s Hotel “Well, in the first place there is some very direct
October 3rd. evidence. A revolver with one discharged cham-
Dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes: ber and a calibre which corresponded with the
I can’t see the best woman God ever bullet was found on the floor of her wardrobe.”
made go to her death without doing all His eyes fixed and he repeated in broken words,
that is possible to save her. I can’t ex- “On—the—floor—of—her—wardrobe.” Then he
plain things—I can’t even try to explain sank into silence, and I saw that some train of
them, but I know beyond all doubt that thought had been set moving which I should be
Miss Dunbar is innocent. You know the foolish to interrupt. Suddenly with a start he
facts—who doesn’t? It has been the gos- emerged into brisk life once more. “Yes, Watson, it
sip of the country. And never a voice was found. Pretty damning, eh? So the two juries
raised for her! It’s the damned injus- thought. Then the dead woman had a note upon
tice of it all that makes me crazy. That her making an appointment at that very place and
woman has a heart that wouldn’t let her signed by the governess. How’s that? Finally there
kill a fly. Well, I’ll come at eleven to- is the motive. Senator Gibson is an attractive per-
morrow and see if you can get some ray son. If his wife dies, who more likely to succeed
of light in the dark. Maybe I have a clue her than the young lady who had already by all
and don’t know it. Anyhow, all I know accounts received pressing attentions from her em-
and all I have and all I am are for your ployer? Love, fortune, power, all depending upon
use if only you can save her. If ever in one middle-aged life. Ugly, Watson—very ugly!”
your life you showed your powers, put “Yes, indeed, Holmes.”
them now into this case. “Nor could she prove an alibi. On the contrary,
— Yours faithfully, she had to admit that she was down near Thor
J. Neil Gibson. Bridge—that was the scene of the tragedy—about
that hour. She couldn’t deny it, for some passing
“There you have it,” said Sherlock Holmes, villager had seen her there.”
knocking out the ashes of his after-breakfast pipe “That really seems final.”
and slowly refilling it. “That is the gentleman I
“And yet, Watson—and yet! This bridge—a
await. As to the story, you have hardly time to
single broad span of stone with balustraded
master all these papers, so I must give it to you in a
sides—carries the drive over the narrowest part
nutshell if you are to take an intelligent interest in
of a long, deep, reed-girt sheet of water. Thor Mere
the proceedings. This man is the greatest financial
it is called. In the mouth of the bridge lay the dead
power in the world, and a man, as I understand, of
woman. Such are the main facts. But here, if I
most violent and formidable character. He married
mistake not, is our client, considerably before his
a wife, the victim of this tragedy, of whom I know
time.”
nothing save that she was past her prime, which
was the more unfortunate as a very attractive gov- Billy had opened the door, but the name which
erness superintended the education of two young he announced was an unexpected one. Mr. Mar-
children. These are the three people concerned, and low Bates was a stranger to both of us. He was a
the scene is a grand old manor house, the centre thin, nervous wisp of a man with frightened eyes
of a historical English state. Then as to the tragedy. and a twitching, hesitating manner—a man whom
The wife was found in the grounds nearly half a my own professional eye would judge to be on the
mile from the house, late at night, clad in her din- brink of an absolute nervous breakdown.
ner dress, with a shawl over her shoulders and a “You seem agitated, Mr. Bates,” said Holmes.
revolver bullet through her brain. No weapon was “Pray sit down. I fear I can only give you a short
found near her and there was no local clue as to the time, for I have an appointment at eleven.”
murder. No weapon near her, Watson—mark that! “I know you have,” our visitor gasped, shooting
The crime seems to have been committed late in the out short sentences like a man who is out of breath.
evening, and the body was found by a game-keeper “Mr. Gibson is coming. Mr. Gibson is my employer.
about eleven o’clock, when it was examined by the I am manager of his estate. Mr. Holmes, he is a
police and by a doctor before being carried up to villain—an infernal villain.”
the house. Is this too condensed, or can you follow “Strong language, Mr. Bates.”
it clearly?” “I have to be emphatic, Mr. Holmes, for the time
“It is all very clear. But why suspect the gov- is so limited. I would not have him find me here
erness?” for the world. He is almost due now. But I was so

918
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

situated that I could not come earlier. His secretary, “Let me say right here, Mr. Holmes,” he began,
Mr. Ferguson, only told me this morning of his “that money is nothing to me in this case. You can
appointment with you.” burn it if it’s any use in lighting you to the truth.
This woman is innocent and this woman has to be
“And you are his manager?”
cleared, and it’s up to you to do it. Name your
“I have given him notice. In a couple of weeks I figure!”
shall have shaken off his accursed slavery. A hard “My professional charges are upon a fixed
man, Mr. Holmes, hard to all about him. Those scale,” said Holmes coldly. “I do not vary them,
public charities are a screen to cover his private in- save when I remit them altogether.”
iquities. But his wife was his chief victim. He was
“Well, if dollars make no difference to you, think
brutal to her—yes, sir, brutal! How she came by
of the reputation. If you pull this off every paper in
her death I do not know, but I am sure that he had
England and America will be booming you. You’ll
made her life a misery to her. She was a creature
be the talk of two continents.”
of the tropics, a Brazilian by birth, as no doubt you
know.” “Thank you, Mr. Gibson, I do not think that I
am in need of booming. It may surprise you to
“No, it had escaped me.” know that I prefer to work anonymously, and that
“Tropical by birth and tropical by nature. A it is the problem itself which attracts me. But we
child of the sun and of passion. She had loved him are wasting time. Let us get down to the facts.”
as such women can love, but when her own phys- “I think that you will find all the main ones in
ical charms had faded—I am told that they once the press reports. I don’t know that I can add any-
were great—there was nothing to hold him. We all thing which will help you. But if there is anything
liked her and felt for her and hated him for the way you would wish more light upon—well, I am here
that he treated her. But he is plausible and cunning. to give it.”
That is all I have to say to you. Don’t take him at “Well, there is just one point.”
his face value. There is more behind. Now I’ll go.
No, no, don’t detain me! He is almost due.” “What is it?”
“What were the exact relations between you and
With a frightened look at the clock our strange
Miss Dunbar?”
visitor literally ran to the door and disappeared.
The Gold King gave a violent start and half rose
“Well! Well!” said Holmes after an interval of from his chair. Then his massive calm came back
silence. “Mr. Gibson seems to have a nice loyal to him.
household. But the warning is a useful one, and
“I suppose you are within your rights—and
now we can only wait till the man himself appears.”
maybe doing your duty—in asking such a question,
Sharp at the hour we heard a heavy step upon Mr. Holmes.”
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 understood
not only the fears and dislike of his manager but “Then I can assure you that our relations were
also the execrations which so many business rivals entirely and always those of an employer towards
have heaped upon his head. If I were a sculptor a young lady whom he never conversed with, or
and desired to idealize the successful man of affairs, ever saw, save when she was in the company of his
iron of nerve and leathery of conscience, I should children.”
choose Mr. Neil Gibson as my model. His tall, Holmes rose from his chair.
gaunt, craggy figure had a suggestion of hunger “I am a rather busy man, Mr. Gibson,” said he,
and rapacity. An Abraham Lincoln keyed to base “and I have no time or taste for aimless conversa-
uses instead of high ones would give some idea tions. I wish you good-morning.”
of the man. His face might have been chiselled in
Our visitor had risen also, and his great loose
granite, hard-set, craggy, remorseless, with deep
figure towered above Holmes. There was an angry
lines upon it, the scars of many a crisis. Cold gray
gleam from under those bristling brows and a tinge
eyes, looking shrewdly out from under bristling
of colour in the sallow cheeks.
brows, surveyed us each in turn. He bowed in per-
functory fashion as Holmes mentioned my name, “What the devil do you mean by this, Mr.
and then with a masterful air of possession he drew Holmes? Do you dismiss my case?”
a chair up to my companion and seated himself “Well, Mr. Gibson, at least I dismiss you. I
with his bony knees almost touching him. should have thought my words were plain.”

919
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“Plain enough, but what’s at the back of it? Rais- We’ve got to understand the exact relations of those
ing the price on me, or afraid to tackle it, or what? three people if we are to reach the truth. You saw
I’ve a right to a plain answer.” 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 compli- him by giving him the impression that I was abso-
cated to start with without the further difficulty of lutely certain, when in reality I was only extremely
false information.” suspicious.”
“Meaning that I lie.” “Perhaps he will come back?”
“He is sure to come back. He must come back.
“Well, I was trying to express it as delicately as
He can’t leave it where it is. Ha! isn’t that a ring?
I could, but if you insist upon the word I will not
Yes, there is his footstep. Well, Mr. Gibson, I was
contradict you.”
just saying to Dr. Watson that you were somewhat
I sprang to my feet, for the expression upon the overdue.”
millionaire’s face was fiendish in its intensity, and The Gold King had reentered the room in a
he had raised his great knotted fist. Holmes smiled more chastened mood than he had left it. His
languidly and reached his hand out for 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 must
breakfast even the smallest argument is unsettling. 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 facts,
I could not but admire him, for by a supreme self- whatever they may be, and I think the more of you
command he had turned in a minute from a hot for it. I can assure you, however, that the relations
flame of anger to a frigid and contemptuous indif- between Miss Dunbar and me don’t really touch
ference. 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. Gibson. “That may be so, but you will admit, Mr.
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 with
smoked in imperturbable silence with dreamy eyes a woman may be—if there is really some serious
fixed upon the ceiling. feeling in the case. I guess most men have a little
“Any views, Watson?” he asked at last. private reserve of their own in some corner of their
souls where they don’t welcome intruders. And
“Well, Holmes, I must confess that when I con- you burst suddenly into it. But the object excuses
sider that this is a man who would certainly brush you, since it was to try and save her. Well, the
any obstacle from his path, and when I remember stakes are down and the reserve open, and you can
that his wife may have been an obstacle and an explore where you will. What is it you want?”
object of dislike, as that man Bates plainly told us,
“The truth.”
it seems to me—”
The Gold King paused for a moment as one
“Exactly. And to me also.” who marshals his thoughts. His grim, deep-lined
“But what were his relations with the governess, face had become even sadder and more grave.
and how did you discover them?” “I can give it to you in a very few words, Mr.
“Bluff, Watson, bluff! When I considered the Holmes,” said he at last. “There are some things
passionate, unconventional, unbusinesslike tone of that are painful as well as difficult to say, so I won’t
his letter and contrasted it with his self-contained go deeper than is needful. I met my wife when I
manner and appearance, it was pretty clear that was gold-hunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto was the
there was some deep emotion which centred upon daughter of a government official at Manaos, and
the accused woman rather than upon the victim. she was very beautiful. I was young and ardent

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 The Problem of Thor Bridge

in those days, but even now, as I look back with “It is only for the young lady’s sake that I touch
colder blood and a more critical eye, I can see that your case at all,” said Holmes sternly. “I don’t know
she was rare and wonderful in her beauty. It was that anything she is accused of is really worse than
a deep rich nature, too, passionate, whole-hearted, what you have yourself admitted, that you have
tropical, ill-balanced, very different from the Amer- tried to ruin a defenceless girl who was under your
ican women whom I had known. Well, to make roof. Some of you rich men have to be taught that
a long story short, I loved her and I married her. all the world cannot be bribed into condoning your
It was only when the romance had passed—and offences.”
it lingered for years—that I realized that we had To my surprise the Gold King took the reproof
nothing—absolutely nothing—in common. My love with equanimity.
faded. If hers had faded also it might have been “That’s how I feel myself about it now. I thank
easier. But you know the wonderful way of women! God that my plans did not work out as I intended.
Do what I might, nothing could turn her from me. She would have none of it, and she wanted to leave
If I have been harsh to her, even brutal as some the house instantly.”
have said, it has been because I knew that if I could
“Why did she not?”
kill her love, or if it turned to hate, it would be
easier for both of us. But nothing changed her. “Well, in the first place, others were dependent
She adored me in those English woods as she had upon her, and it was no light matter for her to let
adored me twenty years ago on the banks of the them all down by sacrificing her living. When I
Amazon. Do what I might, she was as devoted as had sworn—as I did—that she should never be mo-
ever. lested again, she consented to remain. But there
was another reason. She knew the influence she
“Then came Miss Grace Dunbar. She answered had over me, and that it was stronger than any
our advertisement and became governess to our other influence in the world. She wanted to use it
two children. Perhaps you have seen her portrait in for good.”
the papers. The whole world has proclaimed that
“How?”
she also is a very beautiful woman. Now, I make
no pretence to be more moral than my neighbours, “Well, she knew something of my affairs. They
and I will admit to you that I could not live under are large, Mr. Holmes—large beyond the belief of
the same roof with such a woman and in daily con- an ordinary man. I can make or break—and it is
tact with her without feeling a passionate regard usually break. It wasn’t individuals only. It was
for her. Do you blame me, Mr. Holmes?” communities, cities, even nations. Business is a
hard game, and the weak go to the wall. I played
“I do not blame you for feeling it. I should the game for all it was worth. I never squealed my-
blame you if you expressed it, since this young self, and I never cared if the other fellow squealed.
lady was in a sense under your protection.” But she saw it different. I guess she was right. She
“Well, maybe so,” said the millionaire, though believed and said that a fortune for one man that
for a moment the reproof had brought the old an- was more than he needed should not be built on
gry gleam into his eyes. “I’m not pretending to be ten thousand ruined men who were left without
any better than I am. I guess all my life I’ve been a the means of life. That was how she saw it, and I
man that reached out his hand for what he wanted, guess she could see past the dollars to something
and I never wanted anything more than the love that was more lasting. She found that I listened
and possession of that woman. I told her so.” to what she said, and she believed she was serv-
“Oh, you did, did you?” ing the world by influencing my actions. So she
stayed—and then this came along.”
Holmes could look very formidable when he
was moved. “Can you throw any light upon that?”
The Gold King paused for a minute or more,
“I said to her that if I could marry her I would,
his head sunk in his hands, lost in deep thought.
but that it was out of my power. I said that money
was no object and that all I could do to make her “It’s very black against her. I can’t deny that.
happy and comfortable would be done.” And women lead an inward life and may do things
beyond the judgment of a man. At first I was so
“Very generous, I am sure,” said Holmes with a rattled and taken aback that I was ready to think
sneer. she had been led away in some extraordinary fash-
“See here, Mr. Holmes. I came to you on a ques- ion that was clean against her usual nature. One
tion of evidence, not on a question of morals. I’m explanation came into my head. I give it to you,
not asking for your criticism.” Mr. Holmes, for what it is worth. There is no doubt

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that my wife was bitterly jealous. There is a soul- “Anyhow, I’d rather have you than Scotland
jealousy that can be as frantic as any body-jealousy, Yard, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “If the Yard gets called
and though my wife had no cause—and I think into a case, then the local loses all credit for suc-
she understood this—for the latter, she was aware cess and may be blamed for failure. Now, you play
that this English girl exerted an influence upon my straight, so I’ve heard.”
mind and my acts that she herself never had. It “I need not appear in the matter at all,” said
was an influence for good, but that did not mend Holmes to the evident relief of our melancholy ac-
the matter. She was crazy with hatred, and the heat quaintance. “If I can clear it up I don’t ask to have
of the Amazon was always in her blood. She might my name mentioned.”
have planned to murder Miss Dunbar—or we will
“Well, it’s very handsome of you, I am sure.
say to threaten her with a gun and so frighten her
And your friend, Dr. Watson, can be trusted, I know.
into leaving us. Then there might have been a scuf-
Now, Mr. Holmes, as we walk down to the place
fle and the gun gone off and shot the woman who
there is one question I should like to ask you. I’d
held it.”
breathe it to no soul but you.” He looked round as
“That possibility had already occurred to me,” though he hardly dare utter the words. “Don’t you
said Holmes. “Indeed, it is the only obvious alter- think there might be a case against Mr. Neil Gibson
native to deliberate murder.” himself?”
“But she utterly denies it.” “I have been considering that.”
“Well, that is not final—is it? One can under- “You’ve not seen Miss Dunbar. She is a wonder-
stand that a woman placed in so awful a position ful fine woman in every way. He may well have
might hurry home still in her bewilderment hold- wished his wife out of the road. And these Amer-
ing the revolver. She might even throw it down icans are readier with pistols than our folk are. It
among her clothes, hardly knowing what she was was his pistol, you know.”
doing, and when it was found she might try to lie “Was that clearly made out?”
her way out by a total denial, since all explanation
“Yes, sir. It was one of a pair that he had.”
was impossible. What is against such a supposi-
tion?” “One of a pair? Where is the other?”
“Miss Dunbar herself.” “Well, the gentleman has a lot of firearms of
one sort and another. We never quite matched that
“Well, perhaps.” particular pistol—but the box was made for two.”
Holmes looked at his watch. “I have no doubt “If it was one of a pair you should surely be
we can get the necessary permits this morning and able to match it.”
reach Winchester by the evening train. When I have
“Well, we have them all laid out at the house if
seen this young lady it is very possible that I may
you would care to look them over.”
be of more use to you in the matter, though I can-
not promise that my conclusions will necessarily “Later, perhaps. I think we will walk down to-
be such as you desire.” gether and have a look at the scene of the tragedy.”
There was some delay in the official pass, and This conversation had taken place in the little
instead of reaching Winchester that day we went front room of Sergeant Coventry’s humble cottage
down to Thor Place, the Hampshire estate of Mr. which served as the local police-station. A walk
Neil Gibson. He did not accompany us himself, of half a mile or so across a wind-swept heath, all
but we had the address of Sergeant Coventry, of gold and bronze with the fading ferns, brought us
the local police, who had first examined into the to a side-gate opening into the grounds of the Thor
affair. He was a tall, thin, cadaverous man, with a Place estate. A path led us through the pheasant
secretive and mysterious manner which conveyed preserves, and then from a clearing we saw the
the idea that he knew or suspected a very great widespread, half-timbered house, half Tudor and
deal more than he dared say. He had a trick, too, half Georgian, upon the crest of the hill. Beside
of suddenly sinking his voice to a whisper as if us there was a long, reedy pool, constricted in the
he had come upon something of vital importance, centre where the main carriage drive passed over a
though the information was usually commonplace stone bridge, but swelling into small lakes on either
enough. Behind these tricks of manner he soon side. Our guide paused at the mouth of this bridge,
showed himself to be a decent, honest fellow who and he pointed to the ground.
was not too proud to admit that he was out of his “That was where Mrs. Gibson’s body lay. I
depth and would welcome any help. marked it by that stone.”

922
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“I understand that you were there before it was “I think I should like to sit quietly for a few
moved?” 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
quick gray eyes darting their questioning glances
“Who did?” in every direction. Suddenly he sprang up again
“Mr. Gibson himself. The moment the alarm and ran across to the opposite parapet, whipped
was given and he had rushed down with others his lens from his pocket, and began to examine the
from the house, he insisted that nothing should be stonework.
moved until the police should arrive.” “This is curious,” said he.
“That was sensible. I gathered from the news- “Yes, sir, we saw the chip on the ledge. I expect
paper report that the shot was fired from close it’s been done by some passer-by.”
quarters.” The stonework was gray, but at this one point
“Yes, sir, very close.” it showed white for a space not larger than a six-
“Near the right temple?” pence. When examined closely one could see that
the surface was chipped as by a sharp blow.
“Just behind it, sir.”
“It took some violence to do that,” said Holmes
“How did the body lie?” thoughtfully. With his cane he struck the ledge
“On the back, sir. No trace of a struggle. No several times without leaving a mark. “Yes, it was
marks. No weapon. The short note from Miss a hard knock. In a curious place, too. It was not
Dunbar was clutched in her left hand.” from above but from below, for you see that it is on
“Clutched, you say?” the lower edge of the parapet.”
“But it is at least fifteen feet from the body.”
“Yes, sir, we could hardly open the fingers.”
“Yes, it is fifteen feet from the body. It may
“That is of great importance. It excludes the
have nothing to do with the matter, but it is a point
idea that anyone could have placed the note there
worth noting. I do not think that we have anything
after death in order to furnish a false clue. Dear
more to learn here. There were no footsteps, you
me! The note, as I remember, was quite short:
say?”
“The ground was iron hard, sir. There were no
“I will be at Thor Bridge at nine o’clock.
traces at all.”
— “G. Dunbar.
“Then we can go. We will go up to the house
first and look over these weapons of which you
“Was that not so?” speak. Then we shall get on to Winchester, for I
“Yes, sir.” should desire to see Miss Dunbar before we go
“Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it?” farther.”
Mr. Neil Gibson had not returned from town,
“Yes, sir.”
but we saw in the house the neurotic Mr. Bates who
“What was her explanation?” had called upon us in the morning. He showed
“Her defence was reserved for the Assizes. She us with a sinister relish the formidable array of
would say nothing.” firearms of various shapes and sizes which his em-
“The problem is certainly a very interesting one. ployer had accumulated in the course of an adven-
The point of the letter is very obscure, is it not?” turous life.
“Mr. Gibson has his enemies, as anyone would
“Well, sir,” said the guide, “it seemed, if I may
expect who knew him and his methods,” said he.
be so bold as to say so, the only really clear point
“He sleeps with a loaded revolver in the drawer
in the whole case.”
beside his bed. He is a man of violence, sir, and
Holmes shook his head. there are times when all of us are afraid of him. I
“Granting that the letter is genuine and was am sure that the poor lady who has passed was
really written, it was certainly received some time often terrified.”
before—say one hour or two. Why, then, was this “Did you ever witness physical violence to-
lady still clasping it in her left hand? Why should wards her?”
she carry it so carefully? She did not need to refer “No, I cannot say that. But I have heard words
to it in the interview. Does it not seem remarkable?” which were nearly as bad—words of cold, cutting
“Well, sir, as you put it, perhaps it does.” contempt, even before the servants.”

923
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“Our millionaire does not seem to shine in pri- the means of covering it are coolly premeditated
vate life,” remarked Holmes as we made our way to also. I hope, therefore, that we are in the presence
the station. “Well, Watson, we have come on a good of a serious misconception.”
many facts, some of them new ones, and yet I seem
“But there is so much to explain.”
some way from my conclusion. In spite of the very
evident dislike which Mr. Bates has to his employer, “Well, we shall set about explaining it. When
I gather from him that when the alarm came he once your point of view is changed, the very thing
was undoubtedly in his library. Dinner was over which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth.
at 8.30 and all was normal up to then. It is true For example, there is this revolver. Miss Dunbar
that the alarm was somewhat late in the evening, disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory
but the tragedy certainly occurred about the hour she is speaking truth when she says so. Therefore,
named in the note. There is no evidence at all that it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there?
Mr. Gibson had been out of doors since his return Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not
from town at five o’clock. On the other hand, Miss that person the actual criminal? You see how we
Dunbar, as I understand it, admits that she had come at once upon a most fruitful line of inquiry.”
made an appointment to meet Mrs. Gibson at the We were compelled to spend the night at Winch-
bridge. Beyond this she would say nothing, as her ester, as the formalities had not yet been completed,
lawyer had advised her to reserve her defence. We but next morning, in the company of Mr. Joyce
have several very vital questions to ask that young Cummings, the rising barrister who was entrusted
lady, and my mind will not be easy until we have with the defence, we were allowed to see the young
seen her. I must confess that the case would seem lady in her cell. I had expected from all that we had
to me to be very black against her if it were not for heard to see a beautiful woman, but I can never for-
one thing.” get the effect which Miss Dunbar produced upon
“And what is that, Holmes?” me. It was no wonder that even the masterful mil-
“The finding of the pistol in her wardrobe.” lionaire had found in her something more powerful
than himself—something which could control and
“Dear me, Holmes!” I cried, “that seemed to me guide him. One felt, too, as one looked at the
to be the most damning incident of all.” strong, clear-cut, and yet sensitive face, that even
“Not so, Watson. It had struck me even at my should she be capable of some impetuous deed,
first perfunctory reading as very strange, and now none the less there was an innate nobility of charac-
that I am in closer touch with the case it is my only ter which would make her influence always for the
firm ground for hope. We must look for consis- good. She was a brunette, tall, with a noble figure
tency. Where there is a want of it we must suspect and commanding presence, but her dark eyes had
deception.” in them the appealing, helpless expression of the
“I hardly follow you.” hunted creature who feels the nets around it, but
can see no way out from the toils. Now, as she
“Well now, Watson, suppose for a moment that realized the presence and the help of my famous
we visualize you in the character of a woman who, friend, there came a touch of colour in her wan
in a cold, premeditated fashion, is about to get cheeks and a light of hope began to glimmer in the
rid of a rival. You have planned it. A note has glance which she turned upon us.
been written. The victim has come. You have your
weapon. The crime is done. It has been work- “Perhaps Mr. Neil Gibson has told you some-
manlike and complete. Do you tell me that after thing of what occurred between us?” she asked in
carrying out so crafty a crime you would now ruin a low, agitated voice.
your reputation as a criminal by forgetting to fling “Yes,” Holmes answered, “you need not pain
your weapon into those adjacent reed-beds which yourself by entering into that part of the story. After
would forever cover it, but you must needs carry it seeing you, I am prepared to accept Mr. Gibson’s
carefully home and put it in your own wardrobe, statement both as to the influence which you had
the very first place that would be searched? Your over him and as to the innocence of your relations
best friends would hardly call you a schemer, Wat- with him. But why was the whole situation not
son, and yet I could not picture you doing anything brought out in court?”
so crude as that.”
“It seemed to me incredible that such a charge
“In the excitement of the moment—” could be sustained. I thought that if we waited the
“No, no, Watson, I will not admit that it is pos- whole thing must clear itself up without our being
sible. Where a crime is coolly premeditated, then compelled to enter into painful details of the inner

924
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

life of the family. But I understand that far from only imagine that she acted in this way because she
clearing it has become even more serious.” did not wish him to know of our interview.”
“My dear young lady,” cried Holmes earnestly, “Yet she kept your reply very carefully?”
“I beg you to have no illusions upon the point. Mr. “Yes. I was surprised to hear that she had it in
Cummings here would assure you that all the cards her hand when she died.”
are at present against us, and that we must do ev- “Well, what happened then?”
erything that is possible if we are to win clear. It “I went down as I had promised. When I
would be a cruel deception to pretend that you are reached the bridge she was waiting for me. Never
not in very great danger. Give me all the help you did I realize till that moment how this poor creature
can, then, to get at the truth.” hated me. She was like a mad woman—indeed, I
“I will conceal nothing.” think she was a mad woman, subtly mad with the
deep power of deception which insane people may
“Tell us, then, of your true relations with Mr. have. How else could she have met me with un-
Gibson’s wife.” concern every day and yet had so raging a hatred
“She hated me, Mr. Holmes. She hated me with of me in her heart? I will not say what she said.
all the fervour of her tropical nature. She was a She poured her whole wild fury out in burning
woman who would do nothing by halves, and the and horrible words. I did not even answer—I could
measure of her love for her husband was the mea- not. It was dreadful to see her. I put my hands to
sure also of her hatred for me. It is probable that my ears and rushed away. When I left her she was
she misunderstood our relations. I would not wish standing, still shrieking out her curses at me, in the
to wrong her, but she loved so vividly in a physical mouth of the bridge.”
sense that she could hardly understand the men- “Where she was afterwards found?”
tal, and even spiritual, tie which held her husband “Within a few yards from the spot.”
to me, or imagine that it was only my desire to “And yet, presuming that she met her death
influence his power to good ends which kept me shortly after you left her, you heard no shot?”
under his roof. I can see now that I was wrong. “No, I heard nothing. But, indeed, Mr. Holmes,
Nothing could justify me in remaining where I was I was so agitated and horrified by this terrible out-
a cause of unhappiness, and yet it is certain that the break that I rushed to get back to the peace of my
unhappiness would have remained even if I had own room, and I was incapable of noticing any-
left the house.” thing which happened.”
“Now, Miss Dunbar,” said Holmes, “I beg you “You say that you returned to your room. Did
to tell us exactly what occurred that evening.” you leave it again before next morning?”
“I can tell you the truth so far as I know it, Mr. “Yes, when the alarm came that the poor crea-
Holmes, but I am in a position to prove nothing, ture had met her death I ran out with the others.”
and there are points—the most vital points—which “Did you see Mr. Gibson?”
I can neither explain nor can I imagine any expla- “Yes, he had just returned from the bridge when
nation.” I saw him. He had sent for the doctor and the po-
lice.”
“If you will find the facts, perhaps others may
“Did he seem to you much perturbed?”
find the explanation.”
“Mr. Gibson is a very strong, self-contained man.
“With regard, then, to my presence at Thor I do not think that he would ever show his emo-
Bridge that night, I received a note from Mrs. Gib- tions on the surface. But I, who knew him so well,
son in the morning. It lay on the table of the school- could see that he was deeply concerned.”
room, and it may have been left there by her own “Then we come to the all-important point. This
hand. It implored me to see her there after dinner, pistol that was found in your room. Had you ever
said she had something important to say to me, seen it before?”
and asked me to leave an answer on the sundial
“Never, I swear it.”
in the garden, as she desired no one to be in our
confidence. I saw no reason for such secrecy, but I “When was it found?”
did as she asked, accepting the appointment. She “Next morning, when the police made their
asked me to destroy her note and I burned it in search.”
the schoolroom grate. She was very much afraid “Among your clothes?”
of her husband, who treated her with a harshness “Yes, on the floor of my wardrobe under my
for which I frequently reproached him, and I could dresses.”

925
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

“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
beside him. Suddenly, however, as we neared our
“How do you know?”
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
that you go armed upon these excursions of ours.”
“And when?”
It was as well for him that I did so, for he took
“It could only have been at meal-time, or else at
little care for his own safety when his mind was
the hours when I would be in the schoolroom with
once absorbed by a problem, so that more than
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 morn- “Yes, yes, I am a little absent-minded in such
ing.” 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 undid
“I can think of none.” the catch, shook out the cartridges, and examined
it with care.
“There was some sign of violence on the
stonework of the bridge—a perfectly fresh chip just “It’s heavy—remarkably heavy,” said he.
opposite the body. Could you suggest any possible “Yes, it is a solid bit of work.”
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
“Curious, Miss Dunbar, very curious. Why revolver is going to have a very intimate connection
should it appear at the very time of the tragedy, with the mystery which we are investigating.”
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 had And the test will depend upon the conduct of this
suddenly assumed that tense, far-away expression little weapon. One cartridge out. Now we will
which I had learned to associate with the supreme replace the other five and put on the safety-catch.
manifestations of his genius. So evident was the So! That increases the weight and makes it a better
crisis in his mind that none of us dared to speak, reproduction.”
and we sat, barrister, prisoner, and myself, watch- I had no glimmer of what was in his mind, nor
ing him in a concentrated and absorbed silence. did he enlighten me, but sat lost in thought until
Suddenly he sprang from his chair, vibrating with we pulled up in the little Hampshire station. We
nervous energy and the pressing need for action. secured a ramshackle trap, and in a quarter of an
“Come, Watson, come!” he cried. hour were at the house of our confidential friend,
the sergeant.
“What is it, Mr. Holmes?”
“A clue, Mr. Holmes? What is it?”
“Never mind, my dear lady. You will hear from
me, Mr. Cummings. With the help of the god of “It all depends upon the behaviour of Dr. Wat-
justice I will give you a case which will make Eng- son’s revolver,” said my friend. “Here it is. Now,
land ring. You will get news by to-morrow, Miss officer, can you give me ten yards of string?”
Dunbar, and meanwhile take my assurance that the The village shop provided a ball of stout twine.
clouds are lifting and that I have every hope that “I think that this is all we will need,” said
the light of truth is breaking through.” Holmes. “Now, if you please, we will get off on
It was not a long journey from Winchester to what I hope is the last stage of our journey.”
Thor Place, but it was long to me in my impatience, The sun was setting and turning the rolling
while for Holmes it was evident that it seemed Hampshire moor into a wonderful autumnal

926
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

panorama. The sergeant, with many critical and in- Late that evening, as we sat together smoking
credulous glances, which showed his deep doubts our pipes in the village inn, Holmes gave me a brief
of the sanity of my companion, lurched along be- review of what had passed.
side us. As we approached the scene of the crime “I fear, Watson,” said he, “that you will not im-
I could see that my friend under all his habitual prove any reputation which I may have acquired by
coolness was in truth deeply agitated. adding the case of the Thor Bridge mystery to your
“Yes,” he said in answer to my remark, “you annals. I have been sluggish in mind and wanting
have seen me miss my mark before, Watson. I have in that mixture of imagination and reality which is
an instinct for such things, and yet it has sometimes the basis of my art. I confess that the chip in the
played me false. It seemed a certainty when first stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest the true
it flashed across my mind in the cell at Winchester, solution, and that I blame myself for not having
but one drawback of an active mind is that one attained it sooner.
can always conceive alternative explanations which “It must be admitted that the workings of this
would make our scent a false one. And yet—and unhappy woman’s mind were deep and subtle, so
yet— Well, Watson, we can but try.” that it was no very simple matter to unravel her
As he walked he had firmly tied one end of plot. I do not think that in our adventures we have
the string to the handle of the revolver. We had ever come across a stranger example of what per-
now reached the scene of the tragedy. With great verted love can bring about. Whether Miss Dunbar
care he marked out under the guidance of the po- was her rival in a physical or in a merely mental
liceman the exact spot where the body had been sense seems to have been equally unforgivable in
stretched. He then hunted among the heather and her eyes. No doubt she blamed this innocent lady
the ferns until he found a considerable stone. This for all those harsh dealings and unkind words with
he secured to the other end of his line of string, which her husband tried to repel her too demon-
and he hung it over the parapet of the bridge so strative affection. Her first resolution was to end
that it swung clear above the water. He then stood her own life. Her second was to do it in such a way
on the fatal spot, some distance from the edge of as to involve her victim in a fate which was worse
the bridge, with my revolver in his hand, the string far than any sudden death could be.
being taut between the weapon and the heavy stone “We can follow the various steps quite clearly,
on the farther side. and they show a remarkable subtlety of mind. A
“Now for it!” he cried. note was extracted very cleverly from Miss Dunbar
which would make it appear that she had chosen
At the words he raised the pistol to his head, the scene of the crime. In her anxiety that it should
and then let go his grip. In an instant it had been be discovered she somewhat overdid it by holding
whisked away by the weight of the stone, had it in her hand to the last. This alone should have
struck with a sharp crack against the parapet, and excited my suspicions earlier than it did.
had vanished over the side into the water. It had
“Then she took one of her husband’s re-
hardly gone before Holmes was kneeling beside the
volvers—there was, as you saw, an arsenal in the
stonework, and a joyous cry showed that he had
house—and kept it for her own use. A similar
found what he expected.
one she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar’s
“Was there ever a more exact demonstration?” wardrobe after discharging one barrel, which she
he cried. “See, Watson, your revolver has solved could easily do in the woods without attracting
the problem!” As he spoke he pointed to a sec- attention. She then went down to the bridge
ond chip of the exact size and shape of the first where she had contrived this exceedingly ingenious
which had appeared on the under edge of the stone method for getting rid of her weapon. When Miss
balustrade. Dunbar appeared she used her last breath in pour-
“We’ll stay at the inn to-night,” he continued as ing out her hatred, and then, when she was out
he rose and faced the astonished sergeant. “You of hearing, carried out her terrible purpose. Every
will, of course, get a grappling-hook and you will link is now in its place and the chain is complete.
easily restore my friend’s revolver. You will also The papers may ask why the mere was not dragged
find beside it the revolver, string and weight with in the first instance, but it is easy to be wise after
which this vindictive woman attempted to disguise the event, and in any case the expanse of a reed-
her own crime and to fasten a charge of murder filled lake is no easy matter to drag unless you have
upon an innocent victim. You can let Mr. Gibson a clear perception of what you are looking for and
know that I will see him in the morning, when where. Well, Watson, we have helped a remark-
steps can be taken for Miss Dunbar’s vindication.” able woman, and also a formidable man. Should

927
 The Problem of Thor Bridge

they in the future join their forces, as seems not Gibson has learned something in that schoolroom
unlikely, the financial world may find that Mr. Neil of sorrow where our earthly lessons are taught.”

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The Adventure of the Creeping Man
M
The Adventure of the Creeping Man

r. Sherlock Holmes was always of opin- “You will excuse a certain abstraction of mind,
ion that I should publish the singular my dear Watson,” said he. “Some curious facts
facts connected with Professor Presbury, have been submitted to me within the last twenty-
if only to dispel once for all the ugly ru- four hours, and they in turn have given rise to some
mours which some twenty years ago agitated the speculations of a more general character. I have se-
university and were echoed in the learned societies rious thoughts of writing a small monograph upon
of London. There were, however, certain obstacles the uses of dogs in the work of the detective.”
in the way, and the true history of this curious case “But surely, Holmes, this has been explored,”
remained entombed in the tin box which contains said I. “Bloodhounds—sleuth-hounds—”
so many records of my friend’s adventures. Now
we have at last obtained permission to ventilate the “No, no, Watson, that side of the matter is, of
facts which formed one of the very last cases han- course, obvious. But there is another which is far
dled by Holmes before his retirement from practice. more subtle. You may recollect that in the case
Even now a certain reticence and discretion have to which you, in your sensational way, coupled with
be observed in laying 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 inconve- “My line of thoughts about dogs is analogous.
nient come all the same. A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky
— S. H. dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy
one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, danger-
The relations between us in those latter days ous people have dangerous ones. And their passing
were peculiar. He was a man of habits, narrow and moods may reflect the passing moods of others.”
concentrated habits, and I had become one of them. I shook my head. “Surely, Holmes, this is a little
As an institution I was like the violin, the shag far-fetched,” said I.
tobacco, the old black pipe, the index books, and
others perhaps less excusable. When it was a case He had refilled his pipe and resumed his seat,
of active work and a comrade was needed upon taking no notice of my comment.
whose nerve he could place some reliance, my role “The practical application of what I have said is
was obvious. But apart from this I had uses. I was very close to the problem which I am investigating.
a whetstone for his mind. I stimulated him. He It is a tangled skein, you understand, and I am
liked to think aloud in my presence. His remarks looking for a loose end. One possible loose end
could hardly be said to be made to me—many of lies in the question: Why does Professor Presbury’s
them would have been as appropriately addressed wolfhound, Roy, endeavour to bite him?”
to his bedstead—but none the less, having formed I sank back in my chair in some disappointment.
the habit, it had become in some way helpful that Was it for so trivial a question as this that I had
I should register and interject. If I irritated him been summoned from my work? Holmes glanced
by a certain methodical slowness in my mentality, across at me.
that irritation served only to make his own flame-
like intuitions and impressions flash up the more “The same old Watson!” said he. “You never
vividly and swiftly. Such was my humble role in learn that the gravest issues may depend upon the
our alliance. smallest things. But is it not on the face of it strange
that a staid, elderly philosopher—you’ve heard of
When I arrived at Baker Street I found him hud- Presbury, of course, the famous Camford physiolo-
dled up in his armchair with updrawn knees, his gist?—that such a man, whose friend has been his
pipe in his mouth and his brow furrowed with devoted wolfhound, should now have been twice
thought. It was clear that he was in the throes of attacked by his own dog? What do you make of
some vexatious problem. With a wave of his hand it?”
he indicated my old armchair, but otherwise for
half an hour he gave no sign that he was aware “The dog is ill.”
of my presence. Then with a start he seemed to “Well, that has to be considered. But he attacks
come from his reverie, and with his usual whim- no one else, nor does he apparently molest his
sical smile he greeted me back to what had once master, save on very special occasions. Curious,
been my home. Watson—very curious. But young Mr. Bennett is

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 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

before his time if that is his ring. I had hoped to excuse for the professor’s infatuation. None the
have a longer chat with you before he came.” less, it did not meet with full approval in his own
There was a quick step on the stairs, a sharp family.”
tap at the door, and a moment later the new client “We thought it rather excessive,” said our visi-
presented himself. He was a tall, handsome youth tor.
about thirty, well dressed and elegant, but with “Exactly. Excessive and a little violent and un-
something in his bearing which suggested the shy- natural. Professor Presbury was rich, however, and
ness of the student rather than the self-possession there was no objection upon the part of the father.
of the man of the world. He shook hands with The daughter, however, had other views, and there
Holmes, and then looked with some surprise at were already several candidates for her hand, who,
me. if they were less eligible from a worldly point of
“This matter is very delicate, Mr. Holmes,” he view, were at least more of an age. The girl seemed
said. “Consider the relation in which I stand to to like the professor in spite of his eccentricities. It
Professor Presbury both privately and publicly. I was only age which stood in the way.
really can hardly justify myself if I speak before “About this time a little mystery suddenly
any third person.” clouded the normal routine of the professor’s life.
He did what he had never done before. He left
“Have no fear, Mr. Bennett. Dr. Watson is the
home and gave no indication where he was go-
very soul of discretion, and I can assure you that
ing. He was away a fortnight and returned looking
this is a matter in which I am very likely to need
rather travel-worn. He made no allusion to where
an assistant.”
he had been, although he was usually the frankest
“As you like, Mr. Holmes. You will, I am sure, of men. It chanced, however, that our client here,
understand my having some reserves in the mat- Mr. Bennett, received a letter from a fellow-student
ter.” in Prague, who said that he was glad to have seen
“You will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you Professor Presbury there, although he had not been
that this gentleman, Mr. Trevor Bennett, is profes- able to talk to him. Only in this way did his own
sional assistant to the great scientist, lives under his household learn where he had been.
roof, and is engaged to his only daughter. Certainly “Now comes the point. From that time onward
we must agree that the professor has every claim a curious change came over the professor. He be-
upon his loyalty and devotion. But it may best be came furtive and sly. Those around him had always
shown by taking the necessary steps to clear up the feeling that he was not the man that they had
this strange mystery.” known, but that he was under some shadow which
“I hope so, Mr. Holmes. That is my one object. had darkened his higher qualities. His intellect was
Does Dr. Watson know the situation?” not affected. His lectures were as brilliant as ever.
“I have not had time to explain it.” But always there was something new, something
sinister and unexpected. His daughter, who was
“Then perhaps I had better go over the ground devoted to him, tried again and again to resume the
again before explaining some fresh developments.” old relations and to penetrate this mask which her
“I will do so myself,” said Holmes, “in order to father seemed to have put on. You, sir, as I under-
show that I have the events in their due order. The stand, did the same—but all was in vain. And now,
professor, Watson, is a man of European reputation. Mr. Bennett, tell in your own words the incident of
His life has been academic. There has never been a the letters.”
breath of scandal. He is a widower with one daugh- “You must understand, Dr. Watson, that the
ter, Edith. He is, I gather, a man of very virile and professor had no secrets from me. If I were his
positive, one might almost say combative, character. son or his younger brother I could not have more
So the matter stood until a very few months ago. completely enjoyed his confidence. As his secre-
“Then the current of his life was broken. He is tary I handled every paper which came to him,
sixty-one years of age, but he became engaged to and I opened and subdivided his letters. Shortly
the daughter of Professor Morphy, his colleague in after his return all this was changed. He told me
the chair of comparative anatomy. It was not, as that certain letters might come to him from London
I understand, the reasoned courting of an elderly which would be marked by a cross under the stamp.
man but rather the passionate frenzy of youth, for These were to be set aside for his own eyes only. I
no one could have shown himself a more devoted may say that several of these did pass through my
lover. The lady, Alice Morphy, was a very perfect hands, that they had the E. C. mark, and were in
girl both in mind and body, so that there was every an illiterate handwriting. If he answered them at

932
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

all the answers did not pass through my hands nor Our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant
into the letter-basket in which our correspondence an interruption.
was collected.” “I have said, sir, that it was the night before
“And the box,” said Holmes. last—that is, September 4th.”
“Ah, yes, the box. The professor brought back a Holmes nodded and smiled.
little wooden box from his travels. It was the one “Pray continue,” said he.
thing which suggested a Continental tour, for it
“He sleeps at the end of the passage and would
was one of those quaint carved things which one
have to pass my door in order to reach the staircase.
associates with Germany. This he placed in his
It was a really terrifying experience, Mr. Holmes.
instrument cupboard. One day, in looking for a
I think that I am as strong-nerved as my neigh-
canula, I took up the box. To my surprise he was
bours, but I was shaken by what I saw. The passage
very angry, and reproved me in words which were
was dark save that one window halfway along it
quite savage for my curiosity. It was the first time
threw a patch of light. I could see that something
such a thing had happened, and I was deeply hurt.
was coming along the passage, something dark and
I endeavoured to explain that it was a mere acci-
crouching. Then suddenly it emerged into the light,
dent that I had touched the box, but all the evening
and I saw that it was he. He was crawling, Mr.
I was conscious that he looked at me harshly and
Holmes—crawling! He was not quite on his hands
that the incident was rankling in his mind.” Mr.
and knees. I should rather say on his hands and
Bennett drew a little diary book from his pocket.
feet, with his face sunk between his hands. Yet he
“That was on July 2d,” said he.
seemed to move with ease. I was so paralyzed by
“You are certainly an admirable witness,” said the sight that it was not until he had reached my
Holmes. “I may need some of these dates which door that I was able to step forward and ask if I
you have noted.” could assist him. His answer was extraordinary.
“I learned method among other things from my He sprang up, spat out some atrocious word at me,
great teacher. From the time that I observed abnor- and hurried on past me, and down the staircase. I
mality in his behaviour I felt that it was my duty waited about for an hour, but he did not come back.
to study his case. Thus I have it here that it was It must have been daylight before he regained his
on that very day, July 2d, that Roy attacked the room.”
professor as he came from his study into the hall. “Well, Watson, what make you of that?” asked
Again, on July 11th, there was a scene of the same Holmes with the air of the pathologist who presents
sort, and then I have a note of yet another upon a rare specimen.
July 20th. After that we had to banish Roy to the “Lumbago, possibly. I have known a severe
stables. He was a dear, affectionate animal—but I attack make a man walk in just such a way, and
fear I weary you.” nothing would be more trying to the temper.”
Mr. Bennett spoke in a tone of reproach, for it “Good, Watson! You always keep us flat-footed
was very clear that Holmes was not listening. His on the ground. But we can hardly accept lumbago,
face was rigid and his eyes gazed abstractedly at since he was able to stand erect in a moment.”
the ceiling. With an effort he recovered himself.
“He was never better in health,” said Bennett.
“Singular! Most singular!” he murmured. “In fact, he is stronger than I have known him for
“These details were new to me, Mr. Bennett. I think years. But there are the facts, Mr. Holmes. It is not
we have now fairly gone over the old ground, have a case in which we can consult the police, and yet
we not? But you spoke of some fresh develop- we are utterly at our wit’s end as to what to do, and
ments.” we feel in some strange way that we are drifting
The pleasant, open face of our visitor clouded towards disaster. Edith—Miss Presbury—feels as I
over, shadowed by some grim remembrance. “What do, that we cannot wait passively any longer.”
I speak of occurred the night before last,” said he. “It is certainly a very curious and suggestive
“I was lying awake about two in the morning, when case. What do you think, Watson?”
I was aware of a dull muffled sound coming from
“Speaking as a medical man,” said I, “it appears
the passage. I opened my door and peeped out. I
to be a case for an alienist. The old gentleman’s
should explain that the professor sleeps at the end
cerebral processes were disturbed by the love affair.
of the passage—”
He made a journey abroad in the hope of break-
“The date being—?” asked Holmes. ing himself of the passion. His letters and the box

933
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

may be connected with some other private transac- died of surprise and horror. There it was pressed
tion—a loan, perhaps, or share certificates, which against the window-pane, and one hand seemed to
are in the box.” be raised as if to push up the window. If that win-
“And the wolfhound no doubt disapproved of dow had opened, I think I should have gone mad.
the financial bargain. No, no, Watson, there is more It was no delusion, Mr. Holmes. Don’t deceive
in it than this. Now, I can only suggest—” yourself by thinking so. I dare say it was twenty
seconds or so that I lay paralyzed and watched the
What Sherlock Holmes was about to suggest face. Then it vanished, but I could not—I could not
will never be known, for at this moment the door spring out of bed and look out after it. I lay cold
opened and a young lady was shown into the room. and shivering till morning. At breakfast he was
As she appeared Mr. Bennett sprang up with a cry sharp and fierce in manner, and made no allusion
and ran forward with his hands out to meet those to the adventure of the night. Neither did I, but
which she had herself outstretched. I gave an excuse for coming to town—and here I
“Edith, dear! Nothing the matter, I hope?” am.”
“I felt I must follow you. Oh, Jack, I have been Holmes looked thoroughly surprised at Miss
so dreadfully frightened! It is awful to be there Presbury’s narrative.
alone.” “My dear young lady, you say that your room
“Mr. Holmes, this is the young lady I spoke of. is on the second floor. Is there a long ladder in the
This is my fiancee.” garden?”
“We were gradually coming to that conclusion, “No, Mr. Holmes, that is the amazing part of
were we not, Watson?” Holmes answered with a it. There is no possible way of reaching the win-
smile. “I take it, Miss Presbury, that there is some dow—and yet he was there.”
fresh development in the case, and that you thought “The date being September 5th,” said Holmes.
we should know?” “That certainly complicates matters.”
Our new visitor, a bright, handsome girl of a It was the young lady’s turn to look surprised.
conventional English type, smiled back at Holmes “This is the second time that you have alluded to
as she seated herself beside Mr. Bennett. 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
“Possibly you are thinking of the connection
poor father?”
between insanity and phases of the moon?”
“I have hopes, Miss Presbury, but the case is “No, I assure you. It was quite a different line
still obscure. Perhaps what you have to say may of thought. Possibly you can leave your notebook
throw some fresh light upon it.” with me, and I will check the dates. Now I think,
“It was last night, Mr. Holmes. He had been Watson, that our line of action is perfectly clear.
very strange all day. I am sure that there are times This young lady has informed us—and I have the
when he has no recollection of what he does. He greatest confidence in her intuition—that her father
lives as in a strange dream. Yesterday was such a remembers little or nothing which occurs upon cer-
day. It was not my father with whom I lived. His tain dates. We will therefore call upon him as if he
outward shell was there, but it was not really he.” had given us an appointment upon such a date. He
“Tell me what happened.” will put it down to his own lack of memory. Thus
we will open our campaign by having a good close
“I was awakened in the night by the dog bark-
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
fixed upon the square of light, listening to the fren- certainly see us in Camford. There is, if I remem-
zied barkings of the dog, I was amazed to see my ber right, an inn called the Chequers where the
father’s face looking in at me. Mr. Holmes, I nearly port used to be above mediocrity and the linen was

934
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

above reproach. I think, Watson, that our lot for the “Possibly there is some mistake. I heard
next few days might lie in less pleasant places.” through a second person that Professor Presbury
Monday morning found us on our way to the of Camford had need of my services.”
famous university town—an easy effort on the part “Oh, indeed!” It seemed to me that there was
of Holmes, who had no roots to pull up, but one a malicious sparkle in the intense gray eyes. “You
which involved frantic planning and hurrying on heard that, did you? May I ask the name of your
my part, as my practice was by this time not in- informant?”
considerable. Holmes made no allusion to the case “I am sorry, Professor, but the matter was rather
until after we had deposited our suitcases at the confidential. If I have made a mistake there is no
ancient hostel of which he had spoken. harm done. I can only express my regret.”
“I think, Watson, that we can catch the professor “Not at all. I should wish to go further into
just before lunch. He lectures at eleven and should this matter. It interests me. Have you any scrap
have an interval at home.” of writing, any letter or telegram, to bear out your
assertion?”
“What possible excuse have we for calling?”
“No, I have not.”
Holmes glanced at his notebook.
“I presume that you do not go so far as to assert
“There was a period of excitement upon August that I summoned you?”
26th. We will assume that he is a little hazy as to
“I would rather answer no questions,” said
what he does at such times. If we insist that we are
Holmes.
there by appointment I think he will hardly venture
to contradict us. Have you the effrontery necessary “No, I dare say not,” said the professor with
to put it through?” asperity. “However, that particular one can be an-
swered very easily without your aid.”
“We can but try.”
He walked across the room to the bell. Our
“Excellent, Watson! Compound of the Busy Bee London friend, Mr. Bennett, answered the call.
and Excelsior. We can but try—the motto of the
“Come in, Mr. Bennett. These two gentlemen
firm. A friendly native will surely guide us.”
have come from London under the impression that
Such a one on the back of a smart hansom swept they have been summoned. You handle all my cor-
us past a row of ancient colleges and, finally turn- respondence. Have you a note of anything going
ing into a tree-lined drive, pulled up at the door to a person named Holmes?”
of a charming house, girt round with lawns and “No, sir,” Bennett answered with a flush.
covered with purple wisteria. Professor Presbury
“That is conclusive,” said the professor, glaring
was certainly surrounded with every sign not only
angrily at my companion. “Now, sir”—he leaned
of comfort but of luxury. Even as we pulled up, a
forward with his two hands upon the table—“it
grizzled head appeared at the front window, and
seems to me that your position is a very question-
we were aware of a pair of keen eyes from under
able one.”
shaggy brows which surveyed us through large
horn glasses. A moment later we were actually in Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
his sanctum, and the mysterious scientist, whose va- “I can only repeat that I am sorry that we have
garies had brought us from London, was standing made a needless intrusion.”
before us. There was certainly no sign of eccen- “Hardly enough, Mr. Holmes!” the old man
tricity either in his manner or appearance, for he cried in a high screaming voice, with extraordinary
was a portly, large-featured man, grave, tall, and malignancy upon his face. He got between us and
frock-coated, with the dignity of bearing which a the door as he spoke, and he shook his two hands
lecturer needs. His eyes were his most remarkable at us with furious passion. “You can hardly get
feature, keen, observant, and clever to the verge of out of it so easily as that.” His face was convulsed,
cunning. and he grinned and gibbered at us in his senseless
He looked at our cards. “Pray sit down, gentle- rage. I am convinced that we should have had to
men. What can I do for you?” fight our way out of the room if Mr. Bennett had
not intervened.
Mr. Holmes smiled amiably.
“My dear Professor,” he cried, “consider your
“It was the question which I was about to put position! Consider the scandal at the university! Mr.
to you, Professor.” Holmes is a well-known man. You cannot possibly
“To me, sir!” treat him with such discourtesy.”

935
 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 soon
selves outside the house and in the quiet of the develop. Unless I am mistaken, next Tuesday may
tree-lined drive. Holmes seemed greatly amused mark a crisis. Certainly we shall be in Camford
by the episode. on that day. Meanwhile, the general position is
“Our learned friend’s nerves are somewhat out undeniably unpleasant, and if Miss Presbury can
of order,” said he. “Perhaps our intrusion was a 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 profes- humour all is well.”
sor 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 whisper.
Looking between the branches we saw the tall, erect
“I am so sorry, Mr. Holmes. I wished to apolo- figure emerge from the hall door and look around
gize.” him. He stood leaning forward, his hands swinging
“My dear sir, there is no need. It is all in the straight before him, his head turning from side to
way of professional experience.” side. The secretary with a last wave slipped off
“I have never seen him in a more dangerous among the trees, and we saw him presently rejoin
mood. But he grows more sinister. You can un- his employer, the two entering the house together
derstand now why his daughter and I are alarmed. in what seemed to be animated and even excited
And yet his mind is perfectly clear.” 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 the
a water-pipe above which give some foothold.”
evening, and he tossed it across to me.
“I could not climb it myself,” said Mr. Bennett.
“Very likely. It would certainly be a dangerous Have visited the Commercial Road and
exploit for any normal man.” seen Dorak. Suave person, Bohemian,
“There was one other thing I wish to tell you, elderly. Keeps large general store.
Mr. Holmes. I have the address of the man in — Mercer.
London to whom the professor writes. He seems
to have written this morning, and I got it from “Mercer is since your time,” said Holmes. “He
his blotting-paper. It is an ignoble position for a is my general utility man who looks up routine
trusted secretary, but what else can I do?” business. It was important to know something of
Holmes glanced at the paper and put it into his the man with whom our professor was so secretly
pocket. corresponding. His nationality connects up with
“Dorak—a curious name. Slavonic, I imagine. the Prague visit.”
Well, it is an important link in the chain. We return “Thank goodness that something connects with
to London this afternoon, Mr. Bennett. I see no something,” said I. “At present we seem to be faced
good purpose to be served by our remaining. We by a long series of inexplicable incidents with no
cannot arrest the professor because he has done no bearing upon each other. For example, what pos-
crime, nor can we place him under constraint, for sible connection can there be between an angry
he cannot be proved to be mad. No action is as yet wolfhound and a visit to Bohemia, or either of them
possible.” with a man crawling down a passage at night? As

936
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

to your dates, that is the biggest mystification of I saw nothing of my friend for the next few days,
all.” but on the following Monday evening I had a short
Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands. We were, note asking me to meet him next day at the train.
I may say, seated in the old sitting-room of the an- From what he told me as we travelled up to Cam-
cient hotel, with a bottle of the famous vintage of ford all was well, the peace of the professor’s house
which Holmes had spoken on the table between us. had been unruffled, and his own conduct perfectly
normal. This also was the report which was given
“Well, now, let us take the dates first,” said he, us by Mr. Bennett himself when he called upon us
his finger-tips together and his manner as if he were that evening at our old quarters in the Chequers.
addressing a class. “This excellent young man’s di- “He heard from his London correspondent to-day.
ary shows that there was trouble upon July 2d, and There was a letter and there was a small packet,
from then onward it seems to have been at nine- each with the cross under the stamp which warned
day intervals, with, so far as I remember, only one me not to touch them. There has been nothing
exception. Thus the last outbreak upon Friday was else.”
on September 3d, which also falls into the series, as
“That may prove quite enough,” said Holmes
did August 26th, which preceded it. The thing is
grimly. “Now, Mr. Bennett, we shall, I think, come
beyond coincidence.”
to some conclusion to-night. If my deductions are
I was forced to agree. correct we should have an opportunity of bringing
“Let us, then, form the provisional theory that matters to a head. In order to do so it is necessary
every nine days the professor takes some strong to hold the professor under observation. I would
drug which has a passing but highly poisonous suggest, therefore, that you remain awake and on
effect. His naturally violent nature is intensified by the lookout. Should you hear him pass your door,
it. He learned to take this drug while he was in do not interrupt him, but follow him as discreetly
Prague, and is now supplied with it by a Bohemian as you can. Dr. Watson and I will not be far off. By
intermediary in London. This all hangs together, the way, where is the key of that little box of which
Watson!” 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 should tion. At the worst the lock should not be very
not expect any fresh developments until next Tues- formidable. Have you any other able-bodied man
day. In the meantime we can only keep in touch on the premises?”
with friend Bennett and enjoy the amenities of this “There is the coachman, Macphail.”
charming town.” “Where does he sleep?”
In the morning Mr. Bennett slipped round to “Over the stables.”
bring us the latest report. As Holmes had imagined, “We might possibly want him. Well, we can do
times had not been easy with him. Without exactly no more until we see how things develop. Good-
accusing him of being responsible for our presence, bye—but I expect that we shall see you before morn-
the professor had been very rough and rude in his ing.”
speech, and evidently felt some strong grievance. It was nearly midnight before we took our sta-
This morning he was quite himself again, however, tion among some bushes immediately opposite the
and had delivered his usual brilliant lecture to a hall door of the professor. It was a fine night, but
crowded class. “Apart from his queer fits,” said chilly, and we were glad of our warm overcoats.
Bennett, “he has actually more energy and vitality There was a breeze, and clouds were scudding
than I can ever remember, nor was his brain ever across the sky, obscuring from time to time the half-
clearer. But it’s not he—it’s never the man whom moon. It would have been a dismal vigil were it not
we have known.” for the expectation and excitement which carried
“I don’t think you have anything to fear now us along, and the assurance of my comrade that
for a week at least,” Holmes answered. “I am a we had probably reached the end of the strange se-
busy man, and Dr. Watson has his patients to at- quence of events which had engaged our attention.
tend to. Let us agree that we meet here at this hour “If the cycle of nine days holds good then we
next Tuesday, and I shall be surprised if before we shall have the professor at his worst to-night,” said
leave you again we are not able to explain, even Holmes. “The fact that these strange symptoms
if we cannot perhaps put an end to, your troubles. began after his visit to Prague, that he is in secret
Meanwhile, keep us posted in what occurs.” correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in London,

937
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

who presumably represents someone in Prague, Presently he tired of this amusement, and, drop-
and that he received a packet from him this very ping from branch to branch, he squatted down
day, all point in one direction. What he takes and into the old attitude and moved towards the sta-
why he takes it are still beyond our ken, but that it bles, creeping along in the same strange way as
emanates in some way from Prague is clear enough. before. The wolfhound was out now, barking furi-
He takes it under definite directions which regu- ously, and more excited than ever when it actually
late this ninth-day system, which was the first point caught sight of its master. It was straining on its
which attracted my attention. But his symptoms are chain and quivering with eagerness and rage. The
most remarkable. Did you observe his knuckles?” professor squatted down very deliberately just out
I had to confess that I did not. of reach of the hound and began to provoke it in
every possible way. He took handfuls of pebbles
“Thick and horny in a way which is quite new from the drive and threw them in the dog’s face,
in my experience. Always look at the hands first, prodded him with a stick which he had picked up,
Watson. Then cuffs, trouser-knees, and boots. Very flicked his hands about only a few inches from the
curious knuckles which can only be explained by gaping mouth, and endeavoured in every way to in-
the mode of progression observed by—” Holmes crease the animal’s fury, which was already beyond
paused and suddenly clapped his hand to his fore- all control. In all our adventures I do not know
head. “Oh, Watson, Watson, what a fool I have that I have ever seen a more strange sight than
been! It seems incredible, and yet it must be true. this impassive and still dignified figure crouching
All points in one direction. How could I miss see- frog-like upon the ground and goading to a wilder
ing the connection of ideas? Those knuckles—how exhibition of passion the maddened hound, which
could I have passed those knuckles? And the dog! ramped and raged in front of him, by all manner
And the ivy! It’s surely time that I disappeared into of ingenious and calculated cruelty.
that little farm of my dreams. Look out, Watson!
Here he is! We shall have the chance of seeing for And then in a moment it happened! It was
ourselves.” not the chain that broke, but it was the collar that
The hall door had slowly opened, and against slipped, for it had been made for a thick-necked
the lamplit background we saw the tall figure of Newfoundland. We heard the rattle of falling metal,
Professor Presbury. He was clad in his dressing- and the next instant dog and man were rolling on
gown. As he stood outlined in the doorway he was the ground together, the one roaring in rage, the
erect but leaning forward with dangling arms, as other screaming in a strange shrill falsetto of ter-
when we saw him last. ror. It was a very narrow thing for the professor’s
life. The savage creature had him fairly by the
Now he stepped forward into the drive, and throat, its fangs had bitten deep, and he was sense-
an extraordinary change came over him. He sank less before we could reach them and drag the two
down into a crouching position and moved along apart. It might have been a dangerous task for us,
upon his hands and feet, skipping every now and but Bennett’s voice and presence brought the great
then as if he were overflowing with energy and wolfhound instantly to reason. The uproar had
vitality. He moved along the face of the house and brought the sleepy and astonished coachman from
then round the corner. As he disappeared Bennett his room above the stables. “I’m not surprised,”
slipped through the hall door and softly followed said he, shaking his head. “I’ve seen him at it
him. before. I knew the dog would get him sooner or
“Come, Watson, come!” cried Holmes, and we later.”
stole as softly as we could through the bushes until
The hound was secured, and together we car-
we had gained a spot whence we could see the
ried the professor up to his room, where Bennett,
other side of the house, which was bathed in the
who had a medical degree, helped me to dress his
light of the half-moon. The professor was clearly
torn throat. The sharp teeth had passed danger-
visible crouching at the foot of the ivy-covered wall.
ously near the carotid artery, and the haemorrhage
As we watched him he suddenly began with in-
was serious. In half an hour the danger was past, I
credible agility to ascend it. From branch to branch
had given the patient an injection of morphia, and
he sprang, sure of foot and firm of grasp, climbing
he had sunk into deep sleep. Then, and only then,
apparently in mere joy at his own powers, with
were we able to look at each other and to take stock
no definite object in view. With his dressing-gown
of the situation.
flapping on each side of him, he looked like some
huge bat glued against the side of his own house, “I think a first-class surgeon should see him,”
a great square dark patch upon the moonlit wall. said I.

938
 The Adventure of the Creeping Man

“For God’s sake, no!” cried Bennett. “At present H. Lowenstein.

the scandal is confined to our own household. It
is safe with us. If it gets beyond these walls it will Lowenstein! The name brought back to me the
never stop. Consider his position at the univer- memory of some snippet from a newspaper which
sity, his European reputation, the feelings of his spoke of an obscure scientist who was striving in
daughter.” some unknown way for the secret of rejuvenescence
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “I think it may be and the elixir of life. Lowenstein of Prague! Lowen-
quite possible to keep the matter to ourselves, and stein with the wondrous strength-giving serum,
also to prevent its recurrence now that we have a tabooed by the profession because he refused to
free hand. The key from the watch-chain, Mr. Ben- reveal its source. In a few words I said what I
nett. Macphail will guard the patient and let us remembered. Bennett had taken a manual of zool-
know if there is any change. Let us see what we ogy from the shelves. “ ‘Langur,’ ” he read, “ ‘the
can find in the professor’s mysterious box.” great black-faced monkey of the Himalayan slopes,
There was not much, but there was enough—an biggest and most human of climbing monkeys.’
empty phial, another nearly full, a hypodermic sy- Many details are added. Well, thanks to you, Mr.
ringe, several letters in a crabbed, foreign hand. Holmes, it is very clear that we have traced the evil
The marks on the envelopes showed that they were to its source.”
those which had disturbed the routine of the sec- “The real source,” said Holmes, “lies, of course,
retary, and each was dated from the Commercial in that untimely love affair which gave our impetu-
Road and signed “A. Dorak.” They were mere in- ous professor the idea that he could only gain his
voices to say that a fresh bottle was being sent wish by turning himself into a younger man. When
to Professor Presbury, or receipt to acknowledge one tries to rise above Nature one is liable to fall
money. There was one other envelope, however, in below it. The highest type of man may revert to the
a more educated hand and bearing the Austrian animal if he leaves the straight road of destiny.” He
stamp with the postmark of Prague. “Here we sat musing for a little with the phial in his hand,
have our material!” cried Holmes as he tore out the looking at the clear liquid within. “When I have
enclosure. written to this man and told him that I hold him
criminally responsible for the poisons which he
Honoured Colleague [it ran]: circulates, we will have no more trouble. But it
Since your esteemed visit I have may recur. Others may find a better way. There
thought much of your case, and though is danger there—a very real danger to humanity.
in your circumstances there are some Consider, Watson, that the material, the sensual,
special reasons for the treatment, I the worldly would all prolong their worthless lives.
would none the less enjoin caution, as The spiritual would not avoid the call to something
my results have shown that it is not higher. It would be the survival of the least fit.
without danger of a kind. What sort of cesspool may not our poor world be-
It is possible that the serum of anthro- come?” Suddenly the dreamer disappeared, and
poid would have been better. I have, Holmes, the man of action, sprang from his chair.
as I explained to you, used black-faced “I think there is nothing more to be said, Mr. Ben-
langur because a specimen was accessi- nett. The various incidents will now fit themselves
ble. Langur is, of course, a crawler and easily into the general scheme. The dog, of course,
climber, while anthropoid walks erect was aware of the change far more quickly than you.
and is in all ways nearer. His smell would insure that. It was the monkey, not
I beg you to take every possible pre- the professor, whom Roy attacked, just as it was
caution that there be no premature rev- the monkey who teased Roy. Climbing was a joy
elation of the process. I have one other to the creature, and it was a mere chance, I take it,
client in England, and Dorak is my that the pastime brought him to the young lady’s
agent for both. window. There is an early train to town, Watson,
Weekly reports will oblige. but I think we shall just have time for a cup of tea
— Yours with high esteem, at the Chequers before we catch it.”

939
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
“Going for a swim, I see.”
Nature for which I had so often yearned during the
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 Fitzroy McPherson was the science master, a
must act as my own chronicler. Ah! had he but fine upstanding young fellow whose life had been
been with me, how much he might have made of crippled by heart trouble following rheumatic fever.
so wonderful a happening and of my eventual tri- He was a natural athlete, however, and excelled in
umph against every difficulty! As it is, however, I every game which did not throw too great a strain
must needs tell my tale in my own plain way, show- upon him. Summer and winter he went for his
ing by my words each step upon the difficult road swim, and, as I am a swimmer myself, I have often
which lay before me as I searched for the mystery joined him.
of the Lion’s Mane. At this moment we saw the man himself. His
My villa is situated upon the southern slope of head showed above the edge of the cliff where the
the downs, commanding a great view of the Chan- path ends. Then his whole figure appeared at the
nel. At this point the coast-line is entirely of chalk top, staggering like a drunken man. The next in-
cliffs, which can only be descended by a single, stant he threw up his hands and, with a terrible
long, tortuous path, which is steep and slippery. At cry, fell upon his face. Stackhurst and I rushed
the bottom of the path lie a hundred yards of peb- forward—it may have been fifty yards—and turned
bles and shingle, even when the tide is at full. Here him on his back. He was obviously dying. Those
and there, however, there are curves and hollows glazed sunken eyes and dreadful livid cheeks could
which make splendid swimming-pools filled afresh mean nothing else. One glimmer of life came into
with each flow. This admirable beach extends for his face for an instant, and he uttered two or three
some miles in each direction, save only at one point words with an eager air of warning. They were
where the little cove and village of Fulworth break slurred and indistinct, but to my ear the last of
the line. them, which burst in a shriek from his lips, were
“the Lion’s Mane.” It was utterly irrelevant and
My house is lonely. I, my old housekeeper, and unintelligible, and yet I could twist the sound into
my bees have the estate all to ourselves. Half a mile no other sense. Then he half raised himself from
off, however, is Harold Stackhurst’s well-known the ground, threw his arms into the air, and fell
coaching establishment, The Gables, quite a large forward on his side. He was dead.
place, which contains some score of young fellows
My companion was paralyzed by the sudden
preparing for various professions, with a staff of
horror of it, but I, as may well be imagined, had
several masters. Stackhurst himself was a well-
every sense on the alert. And I had need, for it was
known rowing Blue in his day, and an excellent
speedily evident that we were in the presence of an
all-round scholar. He and I were always friendly
extraordinary case. The man was dressed only in
from the day I came to the coast, and he was the
his Burberry overcoat, his trousers, and an unlaced
one man who was on such terms with me that we
pair of canvas shoes. As he fell over, his Burberry,
could drop in on each other in the evenings without
which had been simply thrown round his shoul-
an invitation.
ders, slipped off, exposing his trunk. We stared at it
Towards the end of July, 1907, there was a se- in amazement. His back was covered with dark red
vere gale, the wind blowing up-channel, heaping lines as though he had been terribly flogged by a
the seas to the base of the cliffs and leaving a la- thin wire scourge. The instrument with which this
goon at the turn of the tide. On the morning of punishment had been inflicted was clearly flexible,
which I speak the wind had abated, and all Nature for the long, angry weals curved round his shoul-
was newly washed and fresh. It was impossible to ders and ribs. There was blood dripping down his
work upon so delightful a day, and I strolled out chin, for he had bitten through his lower lip in the

943
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

paroxysm of his agony. His drawn and distorted down upon his knees more than once. At the bot-
face told how terrible that agony had been. tom of the path was the considerable lagoon left
I was kneeling and Stackhurst standing by the by the retreating tide. At the side of it McPherson
body when a shadow fell across us, and we found had undressed, for there lay his towel on a rock.
that Ian Murdoch was by our side. Murdoch was It was folded and dry, so that it would seem that,
the mathematical coach at the establishment, a tall, after all, he had never entered the water. Once or
dark, thin man, so taciturn and aloof that none can twice as I hunted round amid the hard shingle I
be said to have been his friend. He seemed to live came on little patches of sand where the print of
in some high, abstract region of surds and conic his canvas shoe, and also of his naked foot, could
sections, with little to connect him with ordinary be seen. The latter fact proved that he had made
life. He was looked upon as an oddity by the stu- all ready to bathe, though the towel indicated that
dents, and would have been their butt, but there 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 man
and swarthy face but also in occasional outbreaks had not been on the beach more than a quarter of
of temper, which could only be described as fero- an hour at the most. Stackhurst had followed him
cious. On one occasion, being plagued by a little from The Gables, so there could be no doubt about
dog belonging to McPherson, he had caught the that. He had gone to bathe and had stripped, as
creature up and hurled it through the plate-glass the naked footsteps showed. Then he had suddenly
window, an action for which Stackhurst would cer- huddled on his clothes again—they were all dishev-
tainly have given him his dismissal had he not elled and unfastened—and he had returned with-
been a very valuable teacher. Such was the strange out bathing, or at any rate without drying himself.
complex man who now appeared beside us. He And the reason for his change of purpose had been
seemed to be honestly shocked at the sight before that he had been scourged in some savage, inhu-
him, though the incident of the dog may show that man fashion, tortured until he bit his lip through in
there was no great sympathy between the dead his agony, and was left with only strength enough
man and himself. to crawl away and to die. Who had done this bar-
“Poor fellow! Poor fellow! What can I do? How barous deed? There were, it is true, small grottos
can I help?” and caves in the base of the cliffs, but the low sun
shone directly into them, and there was no place for
“Were you with him? Can you tell us what has concealment. Then, again, there were those distant
happened?” figures on the beach. They seemed too far away to
“No, no, I was late this morning. I was not on have been connected with the crime, and the broad
the beach at all. I have come straight from The lagoon in which McPherson had intended to bathe
Gables. What can I do?” lay between him and them, lapping up to the rocks.
“You can hurry to the police-station at Fulworth. On the sea two or three fishing-boats were at no
Report the matter at once.” great distance. Their occupants might be examined
Without a word he made off at top speed, and I at our leisure. There were several roads for inquiry,
proceeded to take the matter in hand, while Stack- but none which led to any very obvious goal.
hurst, dazed at this tragedy, remained by the body. When I at last returned to the body I found
My first task naturally was to note who was on the that a little group of wondering folk had gathered
beach. From the top of the path I could see the round it. Stackhurst was, of course, still there, and
whole sweep of it, and it was absolutely deserted Ian Murdoch had just arrived with Anderson, the
save that two or three dark figures could be seen village constable, a big, ginger-moustached man of
far away moving towards the village of Fulworth. the slow, solid Sussex breed—a breed which covers
Having satisfied myself upon this point, I walked much good sense under a heavy, silent exterior. He
slowly down the path. There was clay or soft marl listened to everything, took note of all we said, and
mixed with the chalk, and every here and there I finally drew me aside.
saw the same footstep, both ascending and descend- “I’d be glad of your advice, Mr. Holmes. This
ing. No one else had gone down to the beach by is a big thing for me to handle, and I’ll hear of it
this track that morning. At one place I observed the from Lewes if I go wrong.”
print of an open hand with the fingers towards the I advised him to send for his immediate supe-
incline. This could only mean that poor McPherson rior, and for a doctor; also to allow nothing to be
had fallen as he ascended. There were rounded de- moved, and as few fresh footmarks as possible to be
pressions, too, which suggested that he had come made, until they came. In the meantime I searched

944
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

the dead man’s pockets. There were his handker- “No, no, I am sure they were real friends.”
chief, a large knife, and a small folding card-case. “Well, then, we must explore the matter of the
From this projected a slip of paper, which I un- girl. Do you know her?”
folded and handed to the constable. There was “Everyone knows her. She is the beauty of the
written on it in a scrawling, feminine hand: neighbourhood—a real beauty, Holmes, who would
I will be there, you may be sure. draw attention everywhere. I knew that McPherson
was attracted by her, but I had no notion that it had
— Maudie.
gone so far as these letters would seem to indicate.”
It read like a love affair, an assignation, though “But who is she?”
when and where were a blank. The constable re- “She is the daughter of old Tom Bellamy, who
placed it in the card-case and returned it with the owns all the boats and bathing-cots at Fulworth.
other things to the pockets of the Burberry. Then, as He was a fisherman to start with, but is now a man
nothing more suggested itself, I walked back to my of some substance. He and his son William run the
house for breakfast, having first arranged that the business.”
base of the cliffs should be thoroughly 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, “Oh, we can easily find a pretext. After all,
where the inquest would be held. He brought with this poor man did not ill-use himself in this outra-
him some serious and definite news. As I expected, geous way. Some human hand was on the handle
nothing had been found in the small caves below of that scourge, if indeed it was a scourge which
the cliff, but he had examined the papers in McPher- inflicted the injuries. His circle of acquaintances in
son’s desk, and there were several which showed an this lonely place was surely limited. Let us follow
intimate correspondence with a certain Miss Maud it up in every direction and we can hardly fail to
Bellamy, of Fulworth. We had then established the come upon the motive, which in turn should lead
identity of the writer of the note. 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 village
to connect it with that horrible happening save, in- of Fulworth lies in a hollow curving in a semicircle
deed, that the lady had made an appointment with round the bay. Behind the old-fashioned hamlet
him.” several modern houses have been built upon the
“But hardly at a bathing-pool which all of you rising ground. It was to one of these that Stackhurst
were in the habit of using,” I remarked. 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
for a man who started with nothing but— By Jove,
“Was it mere chance?” 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 Murdoch,
before breakfast. Poor chap, he is dreadfully cut up the mathematician. A moment later we confronted
about it all.” him upon the road.
“And yet I gather that they were not friends.” “Hullo!” said Stackhurst. The man nodded,
gave us a sideways glance from his curious dark
“At one time they were not. But for a year or eyes, and would have passed us, but his principal
more Murdoch has been as near to McPherson as pulled him up.
he ever could be to anyone. He is not of a very
sympathetic disposition by nature.” “What were you doing there?” he asked.
Murdoch’s face flushed with anger. “I am your
“So I understand. I seem to remember your
subordinate, sir, under your roof. I am not aware
telling me once about a quarrel over the ill-usage
that I owe you any account of my private actions.”
of a dog.”
Stackhurst’s nerves were near the surface after
“That blew over all right.” all he had endured. Otherwise, perhaps, he would
“But left some vindictive feeling, perhaps.” have waited. Now he lost his temper completely.

945
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

“In the circumstances your answer is pure im- “This other gentleman of yours let us know the
pertinence, Mr. Murdoch.” news,” explained the father.
“Your own question might perhaps come under “There is no reason why my sister should be
the same heading.” brought into the matter,” growled the younger man.
“This is not the first time that I have had to over- The sister turned a sharp, fierce look upon him.
look your insubordinate ways. It will certainly be “This is my business, William. Kindly leave me to
the last. You will kindly make fresh arrangements manage it in my own way. By all accounts there
for your future as speedily as you can.” has been a crime committed. If I can help to show
who did it, it is the least I can do for him who is
“I had intended to do so. I have lost to-day the
gone.”
only person who made The Gables habitable.”
She listened to a short account from my compan-
He strode off upon his way, while Stackhurst, ion, with a composed concentration which showed
with angry eyes, stood glaring after him. “Is he not me that she possessed strong character as well as
an impossible, intolerable man?” he cried. great beauty. Maud Bellamy will always remain in
The one thing that impressed itself forcibly my memory as a most complete and remarkable
upon my mind was that Mr. Ian Murdoch was woman. It seems that she already knew me by sight,
taking the first chance to open a path of escape for she turned to me at the end.
from the scene of the crime. Suspicion, vague and “Bring them to justice, Mr. Holmes. You have
nebulous, was now beginning to take outline in my sympathy and my help, whoever they may be.”
my mind. Perhaps the visit to the Bellamys might It seemed to me that she glanced defiantly at her
throw some further light upon the matter. Stack- father and brother as she spoke.
hurst pulled himself together, and we went forward
to the house. “Thank you,” said I. “I value a woman’s instinct
in such matters. You use the word ‘they.’ You think
Mr. Bellamy proved to be a middle-aged man that more than one was concerned?”
with a flaming red beard. He seemed to be in a
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
single person could ever have inflicted such an out-
“No, sir, I do not desire any particulars. My rage upon him.”
son here”—indicating a powerful young man, with
“Might I have one word with you alone?”
a heavy, sullen face, in the corner of the sitting-
room—“is of one mind with me that Mr. McPher- “I tell you, Maud, not to mix yourself up in the
son’s attentions to Maud were insulting. Yes, sir, matter,” cried her father angrily.
the word ‘marriage’ was never mentioned, and yet She looked at me helplessly. “What can I do?”
there were letters and meetings, and a great deal
“The whole world will know the facts presently,
more of which neither of us could approve. She
so there can be no harm if I discuss them here,”
has no mother, and we are her only guardians. We
said I. “I should have preferred privacy, but if your
are determined—”
father will not allow it he must share the deliber-
But the words were taken from his mouth by ations.” Then I spoke of the note which had been
the appearance of the lady herself. There was no found in the dead man’s pocket. “It is sure to be
gainsaying that she would have graced any assem- produced at the inquest. May I ask you to throw
bly in the world. Who could have imagined that any light upon it that you can?”
so rare a flower would grow from such a root and
“I see no reason for mystery,” she answered.
in such an atmosphere? Women have seldom been
“We were engaged to be married, and we only kept
an attraction to me, for my brain has always gov-
it secret because Fitzroy’s uncle, who is very old
erned my heart, but I could not look upon her
and said to be dying, might have disinherited him
perfect clear-cut face, with all the soft freshness of
if he had married against his wish. There was no
the downlands in her delicate colouring, without
other reason.”
realizing that no young man would cross her path
unscathed. Such was the girl who had pushed open “You could have told us,” growled Mr. Bellamy.
the door and stood now, wide-eyed and intense, in “So I would, father, if you had ever shown sym-
front of Harold Stackhurst. pathy.”
“I know already that Fitzroy is dead,” she said. “I object to my girl picking up with men outside
“Do not be afraid to tell me the particulars.” her own station.”

946
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

“It was your prejudice against him which pre- “Sad story this, sir, about Mr. McPherson’s dog,”
vented us from telling you. As to this appoint- 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-
day two of the young gentlemen from The Gables
“Tuesday was to-day, and I had meant to meet found it dead—down on the beach, sir, at the very
him to-night.” place where its master met his end.”
I turned over the paper. “This never came by “At the very place.” The words stood out clear
post. How did you get it?” in my memory. Some dim perception that the mat-
ter was vital rose in my mind. That the dog should
“I would rather not answer that question. It has
die was after the beautiful, faithful nature of dogs.
really nothing to do with the matter which you are
But “in the very place”! Why should this lonely
investigating. But anything which bears upon that
beach be fatal to it? Was it possible that it also had
I will most freely answer.”
been sacrificed to some revengeful feud? Was it
She was as good as her word, but there was possible—? Yes, the perception was dim, but al-
nothing which was helpful in our investigation. ready something was building up in my mind. In a
She had no reason to think that her fiance had any few minutes I was on my way to The Gables, where
hidden enemy, but she admitted that she had had I found Stackhurst in his study. At my request he
several warm admirers. sent for Sudbury and Blount, the two students who
“May I ask if Mr. Ian Murdoch was one of had found the dog.
them?” “Yes, it lay on the very edge of the pool,” said
She blushed and seemed confused. one of them. “It must have followed the trail of its
dead master.”
“There was a time when I thought he was. But
that was all changed when he understood the rela- I saw the faithful little creature, an Airedale ter-
tions between Fitzroy and myself.” rier, laid out upon the mat in the hall. The body
was stiff and rigid, the eyes projecting, and the
Again the shadow round this strange man limbs contorted. There was agony in every line of
seemed to me to be taking more definite shape. it.
His record must be examined. His rooms must be
From The Gables I walked down to the bathing-
privately searched. Stackhurst was a willing collab-
pool. The sun had sunk and the shadow of the
orator, for in his mind also suspicions were forming.
great cliff lay black across the water, which glim-
We returned from our visit to The Haven with the
mered dully like a sheet of lead. The place was
hope that one free end of this tangled skein was
deserted and there was no sign of life save for two
already in our hands.
sea-birds circling and screaming overhead. In the
A week passed. The inquest had thrown no fading light I could dimly make out the little dog’s
light upon the matter and had been adjourned for spoor upon the sand round the very rock on which
further evidence. Stackhurst had made discreet his master’s towel had been laid. For a long time I
inquiry about his subordinate, and there had been stood in deep meditation while the shadows grew
a superficial search of his room, but without re- darker around me. My mind was filled with racing
sult. Personally, I had gone over the whole ground thoughts. You have known what it was to be in
again, both physically and mentally, but with no a nightmare in which you feel that there is some
new conclusions. In all my chronicles the reader all-important thing for which you search and which
will find no case which brought me so completely you know is there, though it remains forever just be-
to the limit of my powers. Even my imagination yond your reach. That was how I felt that evening
could conceive no solution to the mystery. And as I stood alone by that place of death. Then at last
then there came the incident of the dog. I turned and walked slowly homeward.
It was my old housekeeper who heard of it first I had just reached the top of the path when it
by that strange wireless by which such people col- came to me. Like a flash, I remembered the thing
lect the news of the countryside. for which I had so eagerly and vainly grasped. You

947
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

will know, or Watson has written in vain, that I hold “Consider,” I said, “all the essential gaps in your
a vast store of out-of-the-way knowledge without case. On the morning of the crime he can surely
scientific system, but very available for the needs prove an alibi. He had been with his scholars till the
of my work. My mind is like a crowded box-room last moment, and within a few minutes of McPher-
with packets of all sorts stowed away therein—so son’s appearance he came upon us from behind.
many that I may well have but a vague perception Then bear in mind the absolute impossibility that
of what was there. I had known that there was he could single-handed have inflicted this outrage
something which might bear upon this matter. It upon a man quite as strong as himself. Finally,
was still vague, but at least I knew how I could there is this question of the instrument with which
make it clear. It was monstrous, incredible, and yet these injuries were inflicted.”
it was always a possibility. I would test it to the “What could it be but a scourge or flexible whip
full. of some sort?”
There is a great garret in my little house which “Have you examined the marks?” I asked.
is stuffed with books. It was into this that I plunged “I have seen them. So has the doctor.”
and rummaged for an hour. At the end of that time
“But I have examined them very carefully with
I emerged with a little chocolate and silver volume.
a lens. They have peculiarities.”
Eagerly I turned up the chapter of which I had a
dim remembrance. Yes, it was indeed a far-fetched “What are they, Mr. Holmes?”
and unlikely proposition, and yet I could not be at I stepped to my bureau and brought out an en-
rest until I had made sure if it might, indeed, be so. larged photograph. “This is my method in such
It was late when I retired, with my mind eagerly cases,” I explained.
awaiting the work of the 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 “I should hardly be what I am if I did not. Now
tea and was starting for the beach when I had a let us consider this weal which extends round the
call from Inspector Bardle of the Sussex Constabu- right shoulder. Do you observe nothing remark-
lary—a steady, solid, bovine man with thoughtful able?”
eyes, which looked at me now with a very troubled “I can’t say I do.”
expression. “Surely it is evident that it is unequal in its in-
“I know your immense experience, sir,” said tensity. There is a dot of extravasated blood here,
he. “This is quite unofficial, of course, and need and another there. There are similar indications in
go no farther. But I am fairly up against it in this this other weal down here. What can that mean?”
McPherson case. The question is, shall I make an “I have no idea. Have you?”
arrest, or shall I not?” “Perhaps I have. Perhaps I haven’t. I may be
“Meaning Mr. Ian Murdoch?” able to say more soon. Anything which will de-
“Yes, sir. There is really no one else when you fine what made that mark will bring us a long way
come to think of it. That’s the advantage of this soli- towards the criminal.”
tude. We narrow it down to a very small compass. “It is, of course, an absurd idea,” said the po-
If he did not do it, then who did?” liceman, “but if a red-hot net of wire had been laid
“What have you against him?” across the back, then these better marked points
would represent where the meshes crossed each
He had gleaned along the same furrows as I other.”
had. There was Murdoch’s character and the mys-
“A most ingenious comparison. Or shall we say
tery which seemed to hang round the man. His
a very stiff cat-o’-nine-tails with small hard knots
furious bursts of temper, as shown in the incident
upon it?”
of the dog. The fact that he had quarrelled with
McPherson in the past, and that there was some “By Jove, Mr. Holmes, I think you have hit it.”
reason to think that he might have resented his “Or there may be some very different cause, Mr.
attentions to Miss Bellamy. He had all my points, Bardle. But your case is far too weak for an ar-
but no fresh ones, save that Murdoch seemed to be rest. Besides, we have those last words—the ‘Lion’s
making every preparation for departure. Mane.’ ”
“What would my position be if I let him slip “I have wondered whether Ian—”
away with all this evidence against him?” The burly, “Yes, I have considered that. If the second word
phlegmatic man was sorely troubled in his mind. had borne any resemblance to Murdoch—but it did

948
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

not. He gave it almost in a shriek. I am sure that it was poured down his throat, each fresh dose bring-
was ‘Mane.’ ” ing him back to life. Pads of cotton-wool soaked in
“Have you no alternative, Mr. Holmes?” salad-oil seemed to take the agony from the strange
wounds. At last his head fell heavily upon the cush-
“Perhaps I have. But I do not care to discuss it
ion. Exhausted Nature had taken refuge in its last
until there is something more solid to discuss.”
storehouse of vitality. It was half a sleep and half a
“And when will that be?” faint, but at least it was ease from pain.
“In an hour—possibly less.” To question him had been impossible, but the
The inspector rubbed his chin and looked at me moment we were assured of his condition Stack-
with dubious eyes. hurst turned upon me.
“I wish I could see what was in your mind, Mr. “My God!” he cried, “what is it, Holmes? What
Holmes. Perhaps it’s those fishing-boats.” is it?”
“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. McPherson. been weak as McPherson’s was, he would not be
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
blundering footsteps in the passage, and Ian Mur- no pains to lift the curse from this place, for life
doch staggered into the room, pallid, dishevelled, is 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 Stackhurst, Leaving the unconscious man in the charge of
hatless and panting, almost as distrait as his com- my housekeeper, we all three went down to the
panion. deadly lagoon. On the shingle there was piled a
little heap of towels and clothes left by the stricken
“Yes, yes, brandy!” he cried. “The man is at his
man. Slowly I walked round the edge of the water,
last gasp. It was all I could do to bring him here.
my comrades in Indian file behind me. Most of the
He fainted twice upon the way.”
pool was quite shallow, but under the cliff where
Half a tumbler of the raw spirit brought about the beach was hollowed out it was four or five feet
a wondrous change. He pushed himself up on deep. It was to this part that a swimmer would nat-
one arm and swung his coat from his shoulders. urally go, for it formed a beautiful pellucid green
“For God’s sake, oil, opium, morphia!” he cried. pool as clear as crystal. A line of rocks lay above it
“Anything to ease this infernal agony!” at the base of the cliff, and along this I led the way,
The inspector and I cried out at the sight. There, peering eagerly into the depths beneath me. I had
crisscrossed upon the man’s naked shoulder, was reached the deepest and stillest pool when my eyes
the same strange reticulated pattern of red, in- caught that for which they were searching, and I
flamed lines which had been the death-mark of burst into a shout of triumph.
Fitzroy McPherson. “Cyanea!” I cried. “Cyanea! Behold the Lion’s
The pain was evidently terrible and was more Mane!”
than local, for the sufferer’s breathing would stop The strange object at which I pointed did in-
for a time, his face would turn black, and then with deed look like a tangled mass torn from the mane
loud gasps he would clap his hand to his heart, of a lion. It lay upon a rocky shelf some three feet
while his brow dropped beads of sweat. At any under the water, a curious waving, vibrating, hairy
moment he might die. More and more brandy creature with streaks of silver among its yellow

949
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

tresses. It pulsated with a slow, heavy dilation and was in danger of death. Even at a distance the effect
contraction. upon Wood was almost fatal.
“It has done mischief enough. Its day is over!” I “The multitudinous threads caused light
cried. “Help me, Stackhurst! Let us end the mur- scarlet lines upon the skin which on closer
derer forever.” examination resolved into minute dots or
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 tremendous
nerves.
splash into the water. When the ripples had cleared
we saw that it had settled upon the ledge below. “The local pain was, as he explains, the least part
One flapping edge of yellow membrane showed of the exquisite torment.
that our victim was beneath it. A thick oily scum “Pangs shot through the chest, causing me
oozed out from below the stone and stained the to fall as if struck by a bullet. The pulsa-
water round, rising slowly to the surface. tion would cease, and then the heart would
“Well, this gets me!” cried the inspector. “What give six or seven leaps as if it would force
was it, Mr. Holmes? I’m born and bred in these its way through the chest.
parts, but I never saw such a thing. It don’t belong “It nearly killed him, although he had only been
to Sussex.” exposed to it in the disturbed ocean and not in
“Just as well for Sussex,” I remarked. “It may the narrow calm waters of a bathing-pool. He says
have been the southwest gale that brought it up. that he could hardly recognize himself afterwards,
Come back to my house, both of you, and I will so white, wrinkled and shrivelled was his face.
give you the terrible experience of one who has He gulped down brandy, a whole bottleful, and
good reason to remember his own meeting with it seems to have saved his life. There is the book,
the same peril of the seas.” Inspector. I leave it with you, and you cannot doubt
that it contains a full explanation of the tragedy of
When we reached my study we found that Mur- poor McPherson.”
doch was so far recovered that he could sit up. He
was dazed in mind, and every now and then was “And incidentally exonerates me,” remarked
shaken by a paroxysm of pain. In broken words he Ian Murdoch with a wry smile. “I do not blame
explained that he had no notion what had occurred you, Inspector, nor you, Mr. Holmes, for your sus-
to him, save that terrific pangs had suddenly shot picions were natural. I feel that on the very eve of
through him, and that it had taken all his fortitude my arrest I have only cleared myself by sharing the
to reach the bank. fate of my poor friend.”
“Here is a book,” I said, taking up the little vol- “No, Mr. Murdoch. I was already upon the
ume, “which first brought light into what might track, and had I been out as early as I intended I
have been forever dark. It is Out of Doors, by the might well have saved you from this terrific experi-
famous observer, J. G. Wood. Wood himself very ence.”
nearly perished from contact with this vile creature, “But how did you know, Mr. Holmes?”
so he wrote with a very full knowledge. Cyanea “I am an omnivorous reader with a strangely re-
capillata is the miscreant’s full name, and he can tentive memory for trifles. That phrase ‘the Lion’s
be as dangerous to life as, and far more painful Mane’ haunted my mind. I knew that I had seen it
than, the bite of the cobra. Let me briefly give this somewhere in an unexpected context. You have
extract. seen that it does describe the creature. I have
“If the bather should see a loose roundish no doubt that it was floating on the water when
mass of tawny membranes and fibres, some- McPherson saw it, and that this phrase was the
thing like very large handfuls of lion’s mane only one by which he could convey to us a warning
and silver paper, let him beware, for this is as to the creature which had been his death.”
the fearful stinger, Cyanea capillata.
“Then I, at least, am cleared,” said Murdoch,
Could our sinister acquaintance be more clearly rising slowly to his feet. “There are one or two
described? words of explanation which I should give, for I
“He goes on to tell of his own encounter with know the direction in which your inquiries have
one when swimming off the coast of Kent. He run. It is true that I loved this lady, but from the
found that the creature radiated almost invisible fil- day when she chose my friend McPherson my one
aments to the distance of fifty feet, and that anyone desire was to help her to happiness. I was well
within that circumference from the deadly centre content to stand aside and act as their go-between.

950
 The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane

Often I carried their messages, and it was because “Well, you’ve done it!” he cried at last. “I had
I was in their confidence and because she was so read of you, but I never believed it. It’s wonderful!”
dear to me that I hastened to tell her of my friend’s
I was forced to shake my head. To accept such
death, lest someone should forestall me in a more
praise was to lower one’s own standards.
sudden and heartless manner. She would not tell
you, sir, of our relations lest you should disapprove “I was slow at the outset—culpably slow. Had
and I might suffer. But with your leave I must try the body been found in the water I could hardly
to get back to The Gables, for my bed will be very have missed it. It was the towel which misled me.
welcome.” The poor fellow had never thought to dry himself,
Stackhurst held out his hand. “Our nerves have and so I in turn was led to believe that he had never
all been at concert-pitch,” said he. “Forgive what been in the water. Why, then, should the attack of
is past, Murdoch. We shall understand each other any water creature suggest itself to me? That was
better in the future.” They passed out together with where I went astray. Well, well, Inspector, I often
their arms linked in friendly fashion. The inspector ventured to chaff you gentlemen of the police force,
remained, staring at me in silence with his ox-like but Cyanea capillata very nearly avenged Scotland
eyes. Yard.”

951
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
lock Holmes was in active practice for I come to Mrs. Ronder I should prefer to have a
twenty-three years, and that during sev- witness. You will make her understand that before
enteen of these I was allowed to cooper- we arrive.”
ate with him and to keep notes of his doings, it will “Lord bless you, Mr. Holmes,” said our visitor,
be clear that I have a mass of material at my com- “she is that anxious to see you that you might bring
mand. The problem has always been not to find the whole parish at your heels!”
but to choose. There is the long row of year-books “Then we shall come early in the afternoon. Let
which fill a shelf, and there are the dispatch-cases us see that we have our facts correct before we start.
filled with documents, a perfect quarry for the stu- If we go over them it will help Dr. Watson to un-
dent not only of crime but of the social and official derstand the situation. You say that Mrs. Ronder
scandals of the late Victorian era. Concerning these has been your lodger for seven years and that you
latter, I may say that the writers of agonized letters, have only once seen her face.”
who beg that the honour of their families or the “And I wish to God I had not!” said Mrs. Mer-
reputation of famous forebears may not be touched, rilow.
have nothing to fear. The discretion and high sense “It was, I understand, terribly mutilated.”
of professional honour which have always distin-
“Well, Mr. Holmes, you would hardly say it was
guished my friend are still at work in the choice of
a face at all. That’s how it looked. Our milkman
these memoirs, and no confidence will be abused.
got a glimpse of her once peeping out of the upper
I deprecate, however, in the strongest way the at-
window, and he dropped his tin and the milk all
tempts which have been made lately to get at and
over the front garden. That is the kind of face it is.
to destroy these papers. The source of these out-
When I saw her—I happened on her unawares—she
rages is known, and if they are repeated I have
covered up quick, and then she said, ‘Now, Mrs.
Mr. Holmes’s authority for saying that the whole
Merrilow, you know at last why it is that I never
story concerning the politician, the lighthouse, and
raise my veil.’ ”
the trained cormorant will be given to the public.
There is at least one reader who will understand. “Do you know anything about her history?”
“Nothing at all.”
It is not reasonable to suppose that every one of “Did she give references when she came?”
these cases gave Holmes the opportunity of show- “No, sir, but she gave hard cash, and plenty of it.
ing those curious gifts of instinct and observation A quarter’s rent right down on the table in advance
which I have endeavoured to set forth in these mem- and no arguing about terms. In these times a poor
oirs. Sometimes he had with much effort to pick woman like me can’t afford to turn down a chance
the fruit, sometimes it fell easily into his lap. But like that.”
the most terrible human tragedies were often in- “Did she give any reason for choosing your
volved in those cases which brought him the fewest house?”
personal opportunities, and it is one of these which
“Mine stands well back from the road and is
I now desire to record. In telling it, I have made a
more private than most. Then, again, I only take
slight change of name and place, but otherwise the
the one, and I have no family of my own. I reckon
facts are as stated.
she had tried others and found that mine suited
One forenoon—it was late in 1896—I received her best. It’s privacy she is after, and she is ready
a hurried note from Holmes asking for my atten- to pay for it.”
dance. When I arrived I found him seated in a “You say that she never showed her face from
smoke-laden atmosphere, with an elderly, moth- first to last save on the one accidental occasion.
erly woman of the buxom landlady type in the Well, it is a very remarkable story, most remarkable,
corresponding chair in front of him. and I don’t wonder that you want it examined.”
“I don’t, Mr. Holmes. I am quite satisfied so
“This is Mrs. Merrilow, of South Brixton,” said
long as I get my rent. You could not have a quieter
my friend with a wave of the hand. “Mrs. Merrilow
lodger, or one who gives less trouble.”
does not object to tobacco, Watson, if you wish to
“Then what has brought matters to a head?”
indulge your filthy habits. Mrs. Merrilow has an
interesting story to tell which may well lead to fur- “Her health, Mr. Holmes. She seems to be wast-
ther developments in which your presence may be ing away. And there’s something terrible on her
useful.” mind. ‘Murder!’ she cries. ‘Murder!’ And once
I heard her: ‘You cruel beast! You monster!’ she
“Anything I can do—” cried. It was in the night, and it fair rang through

955
 The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

the house and sent the shivers through me. So I caravan had halted for the night at Abbas Parva,
went to her in the morning. ‘Mrs. Ronder,’ I says, which is a small village in Berkshire, when this
‘if you have anything that is troubling your soul, horror occurred. They were on their way to Wim-
there’s the clergy,’ I says, ‘and there’s the police. Be- bledon, travelling by road, and they were simply
tween them you should get some help.’ ‘For God’s camping and not exhibiting, as the place is so small
sake, not the police!’ says she, ‘and the clergy can’t a one that it would not have paid them to open.
change what is past. And yet,’ she says, ‘it would
ease my mind if someone knew the truth before “They had among their exhibits a very fine
I died.’ ‘Well,’ says I, ‘if you won’t have the reg- North African lion. Sahara King was its name,
ulars, there is this detective man what we read and it was the habit, both of Ronder and his wife,
about’—beggin’ your pardon, Mr. Holmes. And to give exhibitions inside its cage. Here, you see, is
she, she fair jumped at it. ‘That’s the man,’ says a photograph of the performance by which you will
she. ‘I wonder I never thought of it before. Bring perceive that Ronder was a huge porcine person
him here, Mrs. Merrilow, and if he won’t come, tell and that his wife was a very magnificent woman.
him I am the wife of Ronder’s wild beast show. Say It was deposed at the inquest that there had been
that, and give him the name Abbas Parva. Here it some signs that the lion was dangerous, but, as
is as she wrote it, Abbas Parva. ‘That will bring usual, familiarity begat contempt, and no notice
him if he’s the man I think 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 us do it, for they believed that so long as they were the
at your house in Brixton.” food-carriers he would regard them as benefactors
and would never molest them. On this particular
Our visitor had no sooner waddled out of the
night, seven years ago, they both went, and a very
room—no other verb can describe Mrs. Merrilow’s
terrible happening followed, the details of which
method of progression—than Sherlock Holmes
have never been made clear.
threw himself with fierce energy upon the pile
of commonplace books in the corner. For a few “It seems that the whole camp was roused near
minutes there was a constant swish of the leaves, midnight by the roars of the animal and the screams
and then with a grunt of satisfaction he came upon of the woman. The different grooms and employ-
what he sought. So excited was he that he did not ees rushed from their tents, carrying lanterns, and
rise, but sat upon the floor like some strange Bud- by their light an awful sight was revealed. Ronder
dha, with crossed legs, the huge books all round lay, with the back of his head crushed in and deep
him, and one open upon his knees. claw-marks across his scalp, some ten yards from
“The case worried me at the time, Watson. Here the cage, which was open. Close to the door of
are my marginal notes to prove it. I confess that the cage lay Mrs. Ronder upon her back, with the
I could make nothing of it. And yet I was con- creature squatting and snarling above her. It had
vinced that the coroner was wrong. Have you no torn her face in such a fashion that it was never
recollection of the Abbas Parva tragedy?” thought that she could live. Several of the circus
men, headed by Leonardo, the strong man, and
“None, Holmes.”
Griggs, the clown, drove the creature off with poles,
“And yet you were with me then. But certainly upon which it sprang back into the cage and was
my own impression was very superficial. For there at once locked in. How it had got loose was a mys-
was nothing to go by, and none of the parties had tery. It was conjectured that the pair intended to
engaged my services. Perhaps you would care to enter the cage, but that when the door was loosed
read the papers?” the creature bounded out upon them. There was
“Could you not give me the points?” no other point of interest in the evidence save that
the woman in a delirium of agony kept screaming,
“That is very easily done. It will probably come ‘Coward! Coward!’ as she was carried back to the
back to your memory as I talk. Ronder, of course, van in which they lived. It was six months before
was a household word. He was the rival of Womb- she was fit to give evidence, but the inquest was
well, and of Sanger, one of the greatest showmen of duly held, with the obvious verdict of death from
his day. There is evidence, however, that he took to misadventure.”
drink, and that both he and his show were on the
down grade at the time of the great tragedy. The “What alternative could be conceived?” said I.

956
 The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

“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.”
Holmes looked thoughtful and remained in si-
“But what worried him?”
lence for some moments.
“Well, we were both worried. It was so deucedly “Well, Watson, there is this to be said for your
difficult to reconstruct the affair. Look at it from the theory. Ronder was a man of many enemies. Ed-
lion’s point of view. He is liberated. What does he munds told me that in his cups he was horrible.
do? He takes half a dozen bounds forward, which A huge bully of a man, he cursed and slashed at
brings him to Ronder. Ronder turns to fly—the everyone who came in his way. I expect those cries
claw-marks were on the back of his head—but the about a monster, of which our visitor has spoken,
lion strikes him down. Then, instead of bounding were nocturnal reminiscences of the dear departed.
on and escaping, he returns to the woman, who However, our speculations are futile until we have
was close to the cage, and he knocks her over and all the facts. There is a cold partridge on the side-
chews her face up. Then, again, those cries of hers board, Watson, and a bottle of Montrachet. Let
would seem to imply that her husband had in some us renew our energies before we make a fresh call
way failed her. What could the poor devil have upon them.”
done to help her? You see the difficulty?”
When our hansom deposited us at the house of
“Quite.” Mrs. Merrilow, we found that plump lady blocking
“And then there was another thing. It comes up the open door of her humble but retired abode.
back to me now as I think it over. There was some It was very clear that her chief preoccupation was
evidence that just at the time the lion roared and lest she should lose a valuable lodger, and she im-
the woman screamed, a man began shouting in plored us, before showing us up, to say and do
terror.” nothing which could lead to so undesirable an end.
Then, having reassured her, we followed her up the
“This man Ronder, no doubt.”
straight, badly carpeted staircase and were shown
“Well, if his skull was smashed in you would 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,
“I should think the whole camp was crying out by some retribution of fate, to have become herself
by then. As to the other points, I think I could a beast in a cage. She sat now in a broken armchair
suggest a solution.” in the shadowy corner of the room. Long years of
“I should be glad to consider it.” inaction had coarsened the lines of her figure, but
at some period it must have been beautiful, and
“The two were together, ten yards from the cage, was still full and voluptuous. A thick dark veil cov-
when the lion got loose. The man turned and was ered her face, but it was cut off close at her upper
struck down. The woman conceived the idea of lip and disclosed a perfectly shaped mouth and a
getting into the cage and shutting the door. It was delicately rounded chin. I could well conceive that
her only refuge. She made for it, and just as she she had indeed been a very remarkable woman.
reached it the beast bounded after her and knocked Her voice, too, was well modulated and pleasing.
her over. She was angry with her husband for hav- “My name is not unfamiliar to you, Mr.
ing encouraged the beast’s rage by turning. If they Holmes,” said she. “I thought that it would bring
had faced it they might have cowed it. Hence her you.”
cries of ‘Coward!’ ”
“That is so, madam, though I do not know how
“Brilliant, Watson! Only one flaw in your dia- you are aware that I was interested in your case.”
mond.” “I learned it when I had recovered my health
“What is the flaw, Holmes?” and was examined by Mr. Edmunds, the county

957
 The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

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
wife. From that day I was in hell, and he the devil
“Because the fate of someone else depended
who tormented me. There was no one in the show
upon it. I know that he was a very worthless being,
who did not know of his treatment. He deserted
and yet I would not have his destruction upon my
me for others. He tied me down and lashed me
conscience. We had been so close—so close!”
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 stand money and the fines were nothing to him. The best
the scandal and publicity which would come from men all left us, and the show began to go downhill.
a police examination. I have not long to live, but It was only Leonardo and I who kept it up—with
I wish to die undisturbed. And yet I wanted to little Jimmy Griggs, the clown. Poor devil, he had
find one man of judgment to whom I could tell my not much to be funny about, but he did what he
terrible story, so that when I am gone all might be could to hold things together.
understood.” “Then Leonardo came more and more into my
life. You see what he was like. I know now the
“You compliment me, madam. At the same
poor spirit that was hidden in that splendid body,
time, I am a responsible person. I do not promise
but compared to my husband he seemed like the
you that when you have spoken I may not myself
angel Gabriel. He pitied me and helped me, till
think it my duty to refer the case to the police.”
at last our intimacy turned to love—deep, deep,
“I think not, Mr. Holmes. I know your char- passionate love, such love as I had dreamed of but
acter and methods too well, for I have followed never hoped to feel. My husband suspected it, but
your work for some years. Reading is the only plea- I think that he was a coward as well as a bully, and
sure which fate has left me, and I miss little which that Leonardo was the one man that he was afraid
passes in the world. But in any case, I will take of. He took revenge in his own way by torturing
my chance of the use which you may make of my me more than ever. One night my cries brought
tragedy. It will ease my mind to tell it.” 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 under-
The woman rose and took from a drawer the stood 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
steel nails, the points outward, with just such a
“Leonardo, the strong man, who gave evi-
spread as the lion’s paw. This was to give my hus-
dence?”
band his death-blow, and yet to leave the evidence
“The same. And this—this is my husband.” that it was the lion which we would loose who had
It was a dreadful face—a human pig, or rather a done the deed.
human wild boar, for it was formidable in its bestial- “It was a pitch-dark night when my husband
ity. One could imagine that vile mouth champing and I went down, as was our custom, to feed the
and foaming in its rage, and one could conceive beast. We carried with us the raw meat in a zinc
those small, vicious eyes darting pure malignancy pail. Leonardo was waiting at the corner of the
as they looked forth upon the world. Ruffian, bully, big van which we should have to pass before we
beast—it was all written on that heavy-jowled face. reached the cage. He was too slow, and we walked
“Those two pictures will help you, gentlemen, past him before he could strike, but he followed us
to understand the story. I was a poor circus girl on tiptoe and I heard the crash as the club smashed

958
 The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

my husband’s skull. My heart leaped with joy at so easily set aside. He had left me under the beast’s
the sound. I sprang forward, and I undid the catch claws, he had deserted me in my need, and yet I
which held the door of the great lion’s cage. could not bring myself to give him to the gallows.
“And then the terrible thing happened. You For myself, I cared nothing what became of me.
may have heard how quick these creatures are to What could be more dreadful than my actual life?
scent human blood, and how it excites them. Some But I stood between Leonardo and his fate.”
strange instinct had told the creature in one instant “And he is dead?”
that a human being had been slain. As I slipped the “He was drowned last month when bathing
bars it bounded out and was on me in an instant. near Margate. I saw his death in the paper.”
Leonardo could have saved me. If he had rushed
“And what did he do with this five-clawed club,
forward and struck the beast with his club he might
which is the most singular and ingenious part of
have cowed it. But the man lost his nerve. I heard
all your story?”
him shout in his terror, and then I saw him turn
and fly. At the same instant the teeth of the lion “I cannot tell, Mr. Holmes. There is a chalk-pit
met in my face. Its hot, filthy breath had already by the camp, with a deep green pool at the base of
poisoned me and I was hardly conscious of pain. it. Perhaps in the depths of that pool—”
With the palms of my hands I tried to push the “Well, well, it is of little consequence now. The
great steaming, blood-stained jaws away from me, case is closed.”
and I screamed for help. I was conscious that the “Yes,” said the woman, “the case is closed.”
camp was stirring, and then dimly I remembered a
We had risen to go, but there was something in
group of men. Leonardo, Griggs, and others, drag-
the woman’s voice which arrested Holmes’s atten-
ging me from under the creature’s paws. That was
tion. He turned swiftly upon her.
my last memory, Mr. Holmes, for many a weary
month. When I came to myself and saw myself “Your life is not your own,” he said. “Keep your
in the mirror, I cursed that lion—oh, how I cursed hands off it.”
him!—not because he had torn away my beauty but “What use is it to anyone?”
because he had not torn away my life. I had but “How can you tell? The example of patient suf-
one desire, Mr. Holmes, and I had enough money fering is in itself the most precious of all lessons to
to gratify it. It was that I should cover myself so an impatient world.”
that my poor face should be seen by none, and that
I should dwell where none whom I had ever known The woman’s answer was a terrible one. She
should find me. That was all that was left to me to raised her veil and stepped forward into the light.
do—and that is what I have done. A poor wounded “I wonder if you would bear it,” she said.
beast that has crawled into its hole to die—that is It was horrible. No words can describe the
the end of Eugenia Ronder.” framework of a face when the face itself is gone.
We sat in silence for some time after the un- Two living and beautiful brown eyes looking sadly
happy woman had told her story. Then Holmes out from that grisly ruin did but make the view
stretched out his long arm and patted her hand more awful. Holmes held up his hand in a gesture
with such a show of sympathy as I had seldom of pity and protest, and together we left the room.
known him to exhibit. Two days later, when I called upon my friend,
“Poor girl!” he said. “Poor girl! The ways of he pointed with some pride to a small blue bottle
fate are indeed hard to understand. If there is not upon his mantelpiece. I picked it up. There was a
some compensation hereafter, then the world is a red poison label. A pleasant almondy odour rose
cruel jest. But what of this man Leonardo?” when I opened it.
“I never saw him or heard from him again. Per- “Prussic acid?” said I.
haps I have been wrong to feel so bitterly against “Exactly. It came by post. ‘I send you my temp-
him. He might as soon have loved one of the freaks tation. I will follow your advice.’ That was the
whom we carried round the country as the thing message. I think, Watson, we can guess the name
which the lion had left. But a woman’s love is not of the brave woman who sent it.”

959
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place
S
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

herlock Holmes had been bending for a “Capital, Watson! A thumb-nail sketch. I seem
long time over a low-power microscope. to know the man. Now, can you give me some idea
Now he straightened himself up and of Shoscombe Old Place?”
looked round at me in triumph. “Only that it is in the centre of Shoscombe Park,
“It is glue, Watson,” said he. “Unquestionably and that the famous Shoscombe stud and training
it is glue. Have a look at these scattered objects in quarters are to be found there.”
the field!” “And the head trainer,” said Holmes, “is John
I stooped to the eyepiece and focussed for my Mason. You need not look surprised at my knowl-
vision. edge, Watson, for this is a letter from him which
“Those hairs are threads from a tweed coat. The I am unfolding. But let us have some more about
irregular gray masses are dust. There are epithelial Shoscombe. I seem to have struck a rich vein.”
scales on the left. Those brown blobs in the centre “There are the Shoscombe spaniels,” said I.
are undoubtedly glue.” “You hear of them at every dog show. The most
“Well,” I said, laughing, “I am prepared to take exclusive breed in England. They are the special
your word for it. Does anything depend upon it?” pride of the lady of Shoscombe Old Place.”
“It is a very fine demonstration,” he answered. “Sir Robert Norberton’s wife, I presume!”
“In the St. Pancras case you may remember that “Sir Robert has never married. Just as well, I
a cap was found beside the dead policeman. The think, considering his prospects. He lives with his
accused man denies that it is his. But he is a picture- widowed sister, Lady Beatrice Falder.”
frame maker who habitually handles glue.” “You mean that she lives with him?”
“Is it one of your cases?” “No, no. The place belonged to her late hus-
“No; my friend, Merivale, of the Yard, asked me band, Sir James. Norberton has no claim on it at all.
to look into the case. Since I ran down that coiner It is only a life interest and reverts to her husband’s
by the zinc and copper filings in the seam of his cuff brother. Meantime, she draws the rents every year.”
they have begun to realize the importance of the “And brother Robert, I suppose, spends the said
microscope.” He looked impatiently at his watch. rents?”
“I had a new client calling, but he is overdue. By
the way, Watson, you know something of racing?” “That is about the size of it. He is a devil of a
fellow and must lead her a most uneasy life. Yet I
“I ought to. I pay for it with about half my have heard that she is devoted to him. But what is
wound pension.” amiss at Shoscombe?”
“Then I’ll make you my ‘Handy Guide to the “Ah, that is just what I want to know. And here,
Turf.’ What about Sir Robert Norberton? Does the I expect, is the man who can tell us.”
name recall anything?”
The door had opened and the page had shown
“Well, I should say so. He lives at Shoscombe in a tall, clean-shaven man with the firm, austere ex-
Old Place, and I know it well, for my summer quar- pression which is only seen upon those who have to
ters were down there once. Norberton nearly came control horses or boys. Mr. John Mason had many
within your province once.” of both under his sway, and he looked equal to
“How was that?” the task. He bowed with cold self-possession and
“It was when he horsewhipped Sam Brewer, seated himself upon the chair to which Holmes had
the well-known Curzon Street money-lender, on waved him.
Newmarket Heath. He nearly killed the man.” “You had my note, Mr. Holmes?”
“Ah, he sounds interesting! Does he often in- “Yes, but it explained nothing.”
dulge in that way?”
“It was too delicate a thing for me to put the
“Well, he has the name of being a dangerous details on paper. And too complicated. It was only
man. He is about the most daredevil rider in Eng- face to face I could do it.”
land—second in the Grand National a few years
“Well, we are at your disposal.”
back. He is one of those men who have overshot
their true generation. He should have been a buck “First of all, Mr. Holmes, I think that my em-
in the days of the Regency—a boxer, an athlete, a ployer, Sir Robert, has gone mad.”
plunger on the turf, a lover of fair ladies, and, by Holmes raised his eyebrows. “This is Baker
all account, so far down Queer Street that he may Street, not Harley Street,” said he. “But why do
never find his way back again.” you say so?”

963
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

“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 has
the Derby have turned his brain.” been a rare good friend to him. But that’s all over,
“That is a colt you are running?” too. He never goes near her. And she takes it to
heart. She is brooding and sulky and drinking, Mr.
“The best in England, Mr. Holmes. I should
Holmes—drinking like a fish.”
know, if anyone does. Now, I’ll be plain with you,
for I know you are gentlemen of honour and that “Did she drink before this estrangement?”
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 butler,
last chance. Everything he could raise or borrow is told me. It’s all changed, Mr. Holmes, and there
on the horse—and at fine odds, too! You can get is something damned rotten about it. But then,
forties now, but it was nearer the hundred when he again, what is master doing down at the old church
began to back him.” 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 the
interesting.”
Prince’s half-brother out for spins. You can’t tell
’em apart. But there are two lengths in a furlong “It was the butler who saw him go. Twelve
between them when it comes to a gallop. He thinks o’clock at night and raining hard. So next night I
of nothing but the horse and the race. His whole was up at the house and, sure enough, master was
life is on it. He’s holding off the Jews till then. If off again. Stephens and I went after him, but it was
the Prince fails him he is done.” jumpy work, for it would have been a bad job if he
had seen us. He’s a terrible man with his fists if
“It seems a rather desperate gamble, but where he gets started, and no respecter of persons. So we
does the madness come in?” were shy of getting too near, but we marked him
“Well, first of all, you have only to look at him. down all right. It was the haunted crypt that he
I don’t believe he sleeps at night. He is down at was making for, and there was a man waiting for
the stables at all hours. His eyes are wild. It has 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
to the carriage to get his lump of sugar. But that’s another man there. It must be one of your own
all over now.” stablemen, or someone from the house! Surely you
“Why?” have only to spot who it is and question him?”
“It’s no one I know.”
“Well, she seems to have lost all interest in the
horses. For a week now she has driven past the “How can you say that?”
stables with never so much as ‘Good-morning’!” “Because I have seen him, Mr. Holmes. It was
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 when
few days ago to old Barnes, what keeps the Green Sir Robert was gone and pretended we were just
Dragon, three miles off, at Crendall.” having a walk like in the moonlight, and so we
“That certainly did seem strange.” came right on him as casual and innocent as you

964
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

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 away Our visitor smiled grimly.
he went as hard as he could lick it in the darkness.
“Well, sir, I think it would hardly interest them.
He could run!—I’ll give him that. In a minute he
It was just the head and a few bones of a mummy. It
was out of sight and hearing, and who he was, or
may have been a thousand years old. But it wasn’t
what he was, we never found.”
there before. That I’ll swear, and so will Stephens.
“But you saw him clearly in the moonlight?” It had been stowed away in a corner and covered
“Yes, I would swear to his yellow face—a mean over with a board, but that corner had always been
dog, I should say. What could he have in common 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.”
“Who keeps Lady Beatrice Falder company?” “That was wise. You say Sir Robert was away
he asked at last. yesterday. Has he returned?”
“There is her maid, Carrie Evans. She has been “We expect him back to-day.”
with her this five years.” “When did Sir Robert give away his sister’s
dog?”
“And is, no doubt, devoted?”
“It was just a week ago to-day. The creature was
Mr. Mason shuffled uncomfortably.
howling outside the old well-house, and Sir Robert
“She’s devoted enough,” he answered at last. was in one of his tantrums that morning. He caught
“But I won’t say to whom.” it up, and I thought he would have killed it. Then
“Ah!” said Holmes. he gave it to Sandy Bain, the jockey, and told him
to take the dog to old Barnes at the Green Dragon,
“I can’t tell tales out of school.”
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.
“But she may not have seen it before. Let us He took a paper from his pocket, and, unwrap-
suppose that she has suddenly found it out. She ping it carefully, he exposed a charred fragment of
wants to get rid of the woman. Her brother will bone.
not permit it. The invalid, with her weak heart and
Holmes examined it with interest.
inability to get about, has no means of enforcing
her will. The hated maid is still tied to her. The “Where did you get it?”
lady refuses to speak, sulks, takes to drink. Sir “There is a central heating furnace in the cellar
Robert in his anger takes her pet spaniel away from under Lady Beatrice’s room. It’s been off for some
her. Does not all this hang together?” time, but Sir Robert complained of cold and had
it on again. Harvey runs it—he’s one of my lads.
“Well, it might do—so far as it goes.”
This very morning he came to me with this which
“Exactly! As far as it goes. How would all that he found raking out the cinders. He didn’t like the
bear upon the visits by night to the old crypt? We look of it.”
can’t fit that into our plot.” “Nor do I,” said Holmes. “What do you make
“No, sir, and there is something more that I of it, Watson?”
can’t fit in. Why should Sir Robert want to dig up It was burned to a black cinder, but there could
a dead body?” be no question as to its anatomical significance.
Holmes sat up abruptly. “It’s the upper condyle of a human femur,” said
“We only found it out yesterday—after I had I.
written to you. Yesterday Sir Robert had gone to “Exactly!” Holmes had become very serious.
London, so Stephens and I went down to the crypt. “When does this lad tend to the furnace?”

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 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

“He makes it up every evening and then leaves “I’ve heard he has a horse entered for the
it.” Derby.”
“Then anyone could visit it during the night?” “Yes, and a good colt, too. He carries all our
“Yes, sir.” money for the race, and all Sir Robert’s into the bar-
gain. By the way”—he looked at us with thoughtful
“Can you enter it from outside?”
eyes—“I suppose you ain’t on the turf yourselves?”
“There is one door from outside. There is an-
“No, indeed. Just two weary Londoners who
other which leads up by a stair to the passage in
badly need some good Berkshire air.”
which Lady Beatrice’s room is situated.”
“Well, you are in the right place for that. There
“These are deep waters, Mr. Mason; deep and is a deal of it lying about. But mind what I have told
rather dirty. You say that Sir Robert was not at you about Sir Robert. He’s the sort that strikes first
home last night?” and speaks afterwards. Keep clear of the park.”
“No, sir.” “Surely, Mr. Barnes! We certainly shall. By the
“Then, whoever was burning bones, it was not way, that was a most beautiful spaniel that was
he.” whining in the hall.”
“That’s true, sir.” “I should say it was. That was the real
“What is the name of that inn you spoke of?” Shoscombe breed. There ain’t a better in England.”
“The Green Dragon.” “I am a dog-fancier myself,” said Holmes.
“Now, if it is a fair question, what would a prize
“Is there good fishing in that part of Berkshire?”
dog like that cost?”
The honest trainer showed very clearly upon his
face that he was convinced that yet another lunatic “More than I could pay, sir. It was Sir Robert
had come into his harassed life. himself who gave me this one. That’s why I have
to keep it on a lead. It would be off to the Hall in a
“Well, sir, I’ve heard there are trout in the mill-
jiffy if I gave it its head.”
stream and pike in the Hall lake.”
“We are getting some cards in our hand, Wat-
“That’s good enough. Watson and I are famous
son,” said Holmes when the landlord had left us.
fishermen—are we not, Watson? You may address
“It’s not an easy one to play, but we may see our
us in future at the Green Dragon. We should reach
way in a day or two. By the way, Sir Robert is still
it to-night. I need not say that we don’t want to
in London, I hear. We might, perhaps, enter the sa-
see you, Mr. Mason, but a note will reach us, and
cred domain to-night without fear of bodily assault.
no doubt I could find you if I want you. When we
There are one or two points on which I should like
have gone a little farther into the matter I will let
reassurance.”
you have a considered opinion.”
“Have you any theory, Holmes?”
Thus it was that on a bright May evening
Holmes and I found ourselves alone in a first-class “Only this, Watson, that something happened
carriage and bound for the little “halt-on-demand” a week or so ago which has cut deep into the life
station of Shoscombe. The rack above us was cov- of the Shoscombe household. What is that some-
ered with a formidable litter of rods, reels, and thing? We can only guess at it from its effects. They
baskets. On reaching our destination a short drive seem to be of a curiously mixed character. But that
took us to an old-fashioned tavern, where a sport- should surely help us. It is only the colourless,
ing host, Josiah Barnes, entered eagerly into our uneventful case which is hopeless.
plans for the extirpation of the fish of the neigh- “Let us consider our data. The brother no longer
bourhood. visits the beloved invalid sister. He gives away her
favourite dog. Her dog, Watson! Does that suggest
“What about the Hall lake and the chance of a
nothing to you?”
pike?” said Holmes.
“Nothing but the brother’s spite.”
The face of the innkeeper clouded.
“Well, it might be so. Or—well, there is an alter-
“That wouldn’t do, sir. You might chance to
native. Now to continue our review of the situation
find yourself in the lake before you were through.”
from the time that the quarrel, if there is a quarrel,
“How’s that, then?” began. The lady keeps her room, alters her habits,
“It’s Sir Robert, sir. He’s terrible jealous of touts. is not seen save when she drives out with her maid,
If you two strangers were as near his training quar- refuses to stop at the stables to greet her favourite
ters as that he’d be after you as sure as fate. He horse, and apparently takes to drink. That covers
ain’t taking no chances, Sir Robert ain’t.” the case, does it not?”

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 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

“Save for the business in the crypt.” “This is the place,” said he as we came to two
“That is another line of thought. There are high park gates with heraldic griffins towering
two, and I beg you will not tangle them. Line above them. “About midday, Mr. Barnes informs
A, which concerns Lady Beatrice, has a vaguely me, the old lady takes a drive, and the carriage
sinister flavour, has it not?” must slow down while the gates are opened. When
it comes through, and before it gathers speed, I
“I can make nothing of it.”
want you, Watson, to stop the coachman with some
“Well, now, let us take up line B, which con- question. Never mind me. I shall stand behind this
cerns Sir Robert. He is mad keen upon winning 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 an
at any moment be sold up and his racing stables
hour we saw the big open yellow barouche coming
seized by his creditors. He is a daring and desper-
down the long avenue, with two splendid, high-
ate man. He derives his income from his sister. His
stepping gray carriage horses in the shafts. Holmes
sister’s maid is his willing tool. So far we seem to
crouched behind his bush with the dog. I stood
be on fairly safe ground, do we not?”
unconcernedly swinging a cane in the roadway. A
“But the crypt?” 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 impu-
has done away with his sister.” dent eyes sat on the left. At her right was an elderly
“My dear Holmes, it is out of the question.” person with rounded back and a huddle of shawls
“Very possibly, Watson. Sir Robert is a man of about her face and shoulders which proclaimed the
an honourable stock. But you do occasionally find invalid. When the horses reached the highroad I
a carrion crow among the eagles. Let us for a mo- held up my hand with an authoritative gesture, and
ment argue upon this supposition. He could not as the coachman pulled up I inquired if Sir Robert
fly the country until he had realized his fortune, 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
would also have to find a substitute who would furious 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
we may try to-morrow, Watson, in order to throw “But it was the voice of a man!” I cried.
some light on the matter. Meanwhile, if we mean to “Exactly! We have added one card to our hand,
keep up our characters, I suggest that we have our Watson, but it needs careful playing, all the same.”
host in for a glass of his own wine and hold some My companion seemed to have no further plans
high converse upon eels and dace, which seems for the day, and we did actually use our fishing
to be the straight road to his affections. We may tackle in the mill-stream, with the result that we
chance to come upon some useful local gossip in had a dish of trout for our supper. It was only after
the process.” that meal that Holmes showed signs of renewed
In the morning Holmes discovered that we had activity. Once more we found ourselves upon the
come without our spoon-bait for jack, which ab- same road as in the morning, which led us to the
solved us from fishing for the day. About eleven park gates. A tall, dark figure was awaiting us
o’clock we started for a walk, and he obtained leave there, who proved to be our London acquaintance,
to take the black spaniel with us. Mr. John Mason, the trainer.

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 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

“Good-evening, gentlemen,” said he. “I got long line of Norman Hugos and Odos, until we
your note, Mr. Holmes. Sir Robert has not returned reached the Sir William and Sir Denis Falder of the
yet, but I hear that he is expected to-night.” eighteenth century. It was an hour or more before
“How far is this crypt from the house?” asked Holmes came to a leaden coffin standing on end
Holmes. before the entrance to the vault. I heard his little cry
of satisfaction and was aware from his hurried but
“A good quarter of a mile.” purposeful movements that he had reached a goal.
“Then I think we can disregard him altogether.” With his lens he was eagerly examining the edges
“I can’t afford to do that, Mr. Holmes. The mo- of the heavy lid. Then he drew from his pocket a
ment he arrives he will want to see me to get the short jemmy, a box-opener, which he thrust into a
last news of Shoscombe Prince.” chink, levering back the whole front, which seemed
to be secured by only a couple of clamps. There
“I see! In that case we must work without you,
was a rending, tearing sound as it gave way, but
Mr. Mason. You can show us the crypt and then
it had hardly hinged back and partly revealed the
leave us.”
contents before we had an unforeseen interruption.
It was pitch-dark and without a moon, but Ma-
Someone was walking in the chapel above. It
son led us over the grass-lands until a dark mass
was the firm, rapid step of one who came with a
loomed up in front of us which proved to be the an-
definite purpose and knew well the ground upon
cient chapel. We entered the broken gap which was
which he walked. A light streamed down the
once the porch, and our guide, stumbling among
stairs, and an instant later the man who bore it
heaps of loose masonry, picked his way to the cor-
was framed in the Gothic archway. He was a terri-
ner of the building, where a steep stair led down
ble figure, huge in stature and fierce in manner. A
into the crypt. Striking a match, he illuminated the
large stable-lantern which he held in front of him
melancholy place—dismal and evil-smelling, with
shone upward upon a strong, heavily moustached
ancient crumbling walls of rough-hewn stone, and
face and angry eyes, which glared round him into
piles of coffins, some of lead and some of stone,
every recess of the vault, finally fixing themselves
extending upon one side right up to the arched
with a deadly stare upon my companion and my-
and groined roof which lost itself in the shadows
self.
above our heads. Holmes had lit his lantern, which
shot a tiny tunnel of vivid yellow light upon the “Who the devil are you?” he thundered. “And
mournful scene. Its rays were reflected back from what are you doing upon my property?” Then, as
the coffin-plates, many of them adorned with the Holmes returned no answer, he took a couple of
griffin and coronet of this old family which carried steps forward and raised a heavy stick which he car-
its honours even to the gate of Death. ried. “Do you hear me?” he cried. “Who are you?
What are you doing here?” His cudgel quivered in
“You spoke of some bones, Mr. Mason. Could the air.
you show them before you go?”
But instead of shrinking Holmes advanced to
“They are here in this corner.” The trainer strode meet him.
across and then stood in silent surprise as our light “I also have a question to ask you, Sir Robert,”
was turned upon the place. “They are gone,” said he said in his sternest tone. “Who is this? And
he. what is it doing here?”
“So I expected,” said Holmes, chuckling. “I He turned and tore open the coffin-lid behind
fancy the ashes of them might even now be found him. In the glare of the lantern I saw a body
in that oven which had already consumed a part.” swathed in a sheet from head to foot, with dreadful,
“But why in the world would anyone want to witch-like features, all nose and chin, projecting at
burn the bones of a man who has been dead a one end, the dim, glazed eyes staring from a dis-
thousand years?” asked John Mason. coloured and crumbling face.
“That is what we are here to find out,” said The baronet had staggered back with a cry and
Holmes. “It may mean a long search, and we need supported himself against a stone sarcophagus.
not detain you. I fancy that we shall get our solu- “How came you to know of this?” he cried. And
tion before morning.” then, with some return of his truculent manner:
When John Mason had left us, Holmes set to “What business is it of yours?”
work making a very careful examination of the “My name is Sherlock Holmes,” said my com-
graves, ranging from a very ancient one, which panion. “Possibly it is familiar to you. In any case,
appeared to be Saxon, in the centre, through a my business is that of every other good citizen—to

968
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

uphold the law. It seems to me that you have much my creditors would be on to my estate like a flock
to answer for.” of vultures. Everything would be seized—my sta-
Sir Robert glared for a moment, but Holmes’s bles, my horses—everything. Well, Mr. Holmes, my
quiet voice and cool, assured manner had their sister did die just a week ago.”
effect. “And you told no one!”
“ ‘Fore God, Mr. Holmes, it’s all right,” said he. “What could I do? Absolute ruin faced me. If
“Appearances are against me, I’ll admit, but I could I could stave things off for three weeks all would
act no otherwise.” be well. Her maid’s husband—this man here—is
“I should be happy to think so, but I fear your an actor. It came into our heads—it came into my
explanations must be before the police.” head—that he could for that short period personate
my sister. It was but a case of appearing daily in
Sir Robert shrugged his broad shoulders. the carriage, for no one need enter her room save
“Well, if it must be, it must. Come up to the the maid. It was not difficult to arrange. My sister
house and you can judge for yourself how the mat- died of the dropsy which had long afflicted her.”
ter stands.” “That will be for a coroner to decide.”
A quarter of an hour later we found ourselves “Her doctor would certify that for months her
in what I judge, from the lines of polished barrels symptoms have threatened such an end.”
behind glass covers, to be the gun-room of the old
“Well, what did you do?”
house. It was comfortably furnished, and here Sir
Robert left us for a few moments. When he re- “The body could not remain there. On the first
turned he had two companions with him; the one, night Norlett and I carried it out to the old well-
the florid young woman whom we had seen in the house, which is now never used. We were followed,
carriage; the other, a small rat-faced man with a however, by her pet spaniel, which yapped contin-
disagreeably furtive manner. These two wore an ually at the door, so I felt some safer place was
appearance of utter bewilderment, which showed needed. I got rid of the spaniel, and we carried
that the baronet had not yet had time to explain to the body to the crypt of the church. There was no
them the turn events had taken. indignity or irreverence, Mr. Holmes. I do not feel
that I have wronged the dead.”
“There,” said Sir Robert with a wave of his hand,
“are Mr. and Mrs. Norlett. Mrs. Norlett, under her “Your conduct seems to me inexcusable, Sir
maiden name of Evans, has for some years been my Robert.”
sister’s confidential maid. I have brought them here The baronet shook his head impatiently. “It
because I feel that my best course is to explain the is easy to preach,” said he. “Perhaps you would
true position to you, and they are the two people have felt differently if you had been in my position.
upon earth who can substantiate what I say.” One cannot see all one’s hopes and all one’s plans
“Is this necessary, Sir Robert? Have you thought shattered at the last moment and make no effort
what you are doing?” cried the woman. to save them. It seemed to me that it would be no
unworthy resting-place if we put her for the time in
“As to me, I entirely disclaim all responsibility,” one of the coffins of her husband’s ancestors lying
said her husband. in what is still consecrated ground. We opened
Sir Robert gave him a glance of contempt. “I such a coffin, removed the contents, and placed her
will take all responsibility,” said he. “Now, Mr. as you have seen her. As to the old relics which
Holmes, listen to a plain statement of the facts. we took out, we could not leave them on the floor
“You have clearly gone pretty deeply into my of the crypt. Norlett and I removed them, and he
affairs or I should not have found you where I did. descended at night and burned them in the central
Therefore, you know already, in all probability, that furnace. There is my story, Mr. Holmes, though
I am running a dark horse for the Derby and that how you forced my hand so that I have to tell it is
everything depends upon my success. If I win, all more than I can say.”
is easy. If I lose—well, I dare not think of that!” Holmes sat for some time lost in thought.
“I understand the position,” said Holmes. “There is one flaw in your narrative, Sir Robert,”
“I am dependent upon my sister, Lady Beat- he said at last. “Your bets on the race, and therefore
rice, for everything. But it is well known that her your hopes for the future, would hold good even if
interest in the estate is for her own life only. For your creditors seized your estate.”
myself, I am deeply in the hands of the Jews. I “The horse would be part of the estate. What
have always known that if my sister were to die do they care for my bets? As likely as not they

969
 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

would not run him at all. My chief creditor is, un- lar episode ended upon a happier note than Sir
happily, my most bitter enemy—a rascally fellow, Robert’s actions deserved. Shoscombe Prince did
Sam Brewer, whom I was once compelled to horse- win the Derby, the sporting owner did net eighty
whip on Newmarket Heath. Do you suppose that thousand pounds in bets, and the creditors did
he would try to save me?” hold their hand until the race was over, when they
“Well, Sir Robert,” said Holmes, rising, “this were paid in full, and enough was left to reestab-
matter must, of course, be referred to the police. It lish Sir Robert in a fair position in life. Both police
was my duty to bring the facts to light, and there and coroner took a lenient view of the transaction,
I must leave it. As to the morality or decency of and beyond a mild censure for the delay in register-
your conduct, it is not for me to express an opinion. ing the lady’s decease, the lucky owner got away
It is nearly midnight, Watson, and I think we may scatheless from this strange incident in a career
make our way back to our humble abode.” which has now outlived its shadows and promises
to end in an honoured old age.
It is generally known now that this singu-

970
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman
S
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

herlock Holmes was in a melancholy a natural sequence, for you must admit that our
and philosophic mood that morning. His unfortunate client has few outward graces, what-
alert practical nature was subject to such ever his inner virtues may be. The couple went off
reactions. together last week—destination untraced. What is
“Did you see him?” he asked. more, the faithless spouse carried off the old man’s
deed-box as her personal luggage with a good part
“You mean the old fellow who has just gone
of his life’s savings within. Can we find the lady?
out?”
Can we save the money? A commonplace problem
“Precisely.” so far as it has developed, and yet a vital one for
“Yes, I met him at the door.” 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 Watson,
“Exactly, Watson. Pathetic and futile. But is happens to be, What will you do?—if you will be
not all life pathetic and futile? Is not his story a good enough to understudy me. You know that I
microcosm of the whole? We reach. We grasp. And am preoccupied with this case of the two Coptic
what is left in our hands at the end? A shadow. Or Patriarchs, which should come to a head to-day. I
worse than a shadow—misery.” really have not time to go out to Lewisham, and yet
evidence taken on the spot has a special value. The
“Is he one of your clients?”
old fellow was quite insistent that I should go, but
“Well, I suppose I may call him so. He has been I explained my difficulty. He is prepared to meet a
sent on by the Yard. Just as medical men occasion- 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 to
happens the patient can be no worse than he is.”
do my best.” And so it was that on a summer after-
“What is the matter?” noon I set forth to Lewisham, little dreaming that
Holmes took a rather soiled card from the table. within a week the affair in which I was engaging
“Josiah Amberley. He says he was junior partner of would be the eager debate of all England.
Brickfall and Amberley, who are manufacturers of It was late that evening before I returned to
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 of
Lewisham, and settled down to rest after a life of acrid tobacco, while his eyelids drooped over his
ceaseless grind. One would think his future was eyes so lazily that he might almost have been asleep
tolerably assured.” were it not that at any halt or questionable passage
“Yes, indeed.” of my narrative they half lifted, and two gray eyes,
Holmes glanced over some notes which he had as bright and keen as rapiers, transfixed me with
scribbled upon the back of an envelope. their searching glance.
“Retired in 1896, Watson. Early in 1897 he “The Haven is the name of Mr. Josiah Amber-
married a woman twenty years younger than him- ley’s house,” I explained. “I think it would interest
self—a good-looking woman, too, if the photograph you, Holmes. It is like some penurious patrician
does not flatter. A competence, a wife, leisure—it who has sunk into the company of his inferiors.
seemed a straight road which lay before him. And You know that particular quarter, the monotonous
yet within two years he is, as you have seen, as brick streets, the weary suburban highways. Right
broken and miserable a creature as crawls beneath in the middle of them, a little island of ancient cul-
the sun.” ture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded
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
and a fickle wife. It would appear that Amberley “Cut out the poetry, Watson,” said Holmes
has one hobby in life, and it is chess. Not far from severely. “I note that it was a high brick wall.”
him at Lewisham there lives a young doctor who “Exactly. I should not have known which was
is also a chess-player. I have noted his name as Dr. The Haven had I not asked a lounger who was
Ray Ernest. Ernest was frequently in the house, and smoking in the street. I have a reason for mention-
an intimacy between him and Mrs. Amberley was ing him. He was a tall, dark, heavily moustached,

973
 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

rather military-looking man. He nodded in answer of crime he might have found something here to
to my inquiry and gave me a curiously questioning study. And human nature, Dr. Watson—the black
glance, which came back to my memory a little ingratitude of it all! When did I ever refuse one
later. of her requests? Was ever a woman so pampered?
“I had hardly entered the gateway before I saw And that young man—he might have been my own
Mr. Amberley coming down the drive. I only had a son. He had the run of my house. And yet see
glimpse of him this morning, and he certainly gave how they have treated me! Oh, Dr. Watson, it is a
me the impression of a strange creature, but when I dreadful, dreadful world!’
saw him in full light his appearance was even more “That was the burden of his song for an hour or
abnormal.” more. He had, it seems, no suspicion of an intrigue.
They lived alone save for a woman who comes in
“I have, of course, studied it, and yet I should be
by the day and leaves every evening at six. On that
interested to have your impression,” said Holmes.
particular evening old Amberley, wishing to give
“He seemed to me like a man who was liter- his wife a treat, had taken two upper circle seats
ally bowed down by care. His back was curved at the Haymarket Theatre. At the last moment she
as though he carried a heavy burden. Yet he was had complained of a headache and had refused to
not the weakling that I had at first imagined, for go. He had gone alone. There seemed to be no
his shoulders and chest have the framework of a doubt about the fact, for he produced the unused
giant, though his figure tapers away into a pair of ticket which he had taken for his wife.”
spindled legs.” “That is remarkable—most remarkable,” said
“Left shoe wrinkled, right one smooth.” Holmes, whose interest in the case seemed to be ris-
“I did not observe that.” ing. “Pray continue, Watson. I find your narrative
most arresting. Did you personally examine this
“No, you wouldn’t. I spotted his artificial limb. ticket? You did not, perchance, take the number?”
But proceed.”
“It so happens that I did,” I answered with some
“I was struck by the snaky locks of grizzled hair pride. “It chanced to be my old school number,
which curled from under his old straw hat, and his thirty-one, and so is stuck in my head.”
face with its fierce, eager expression and the deeply “Excellent, Watson! His seat, then, was either
lined features.” thirty or thirty-two.”
“Very good, Watson. What did he say?” “Quite so,” I answered with some mystification.
“He began pouring out the story of his “And on B row.”
grievances. We walked down the drive together, “That is most satisfactory. What else did he tell
and of course I took a good look round. I have you?”
never seen a worse-kept place. The garden was all “He showed me his strong-room, as he called it.
running to seed, giving me an impression of wild It really is a strong-room—like a bank—with iron
neglect in which the plants had been allowed to door and shutter—burglar-proof, as he claimed.
find the way of Nature rather than of art. How any However, the woman seems to have had a dupli-
decent woman could have tolerated such a state of cate key, and between them they had carried off
things, I don’t know. The house, too, was slatternly some seven thousand pounds’ worth of cash and
to the last degree, but the poor man seemed himself securities.”
to be aware of it and to be trying to remedy it, for “Securities! How could they dispose of those?”
a great pot of green paint stood in the centre of the “He said that he had given the police a list
hall, and he was carrying a thick brush in his left and that he hoped they would be unsaleable. He
hand. He had been working on the woodwork. had got back from the theatre about midnight and
“He took me into his dingy sanctum, and we found the place plundered, the door and window
had a long chat. Of course, he was disappointed open, and the fugitives gone. There was no letter
that you had not come yourself. ‘I hardly expected,’ or message, nor has he heard a word since. He at
he said, ‘that so humble an individual as myself, once gave the alarm to the police.”
especially after my heavy financial loss, could ob- Holmes brooded for some minutes.
tain the complete attention of so famous a man as “You say he was painting. What was he paint-
Mr. Sherlock Holmes.’ ing?”
“I assured him that the financial question did “Well, he was painting the passage. But he had
not arise. ‘No, of course, it is art for art’s sake already painted the door and woodwork of this
with him,’ said he, ‘but even on the artistic side room I spoke of.”

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 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

“Does it not strike you as a strange occupation “It has been done. Thanks to the telephone and
in the circumstances?” the help of the Yard, I can usually get my essentials
“ ‘One must do something to ease an aching without leaving this room. As a matter of fact, my
heart.’ That was his own explanation. It was eccen- information confirms the man’s story. He has the
tric, no doubt, but he is clearly an eccentric man. local repute of being a miser as well as a harsh
He tore up one of his wife’s photographs in my and exacting husband. That he had a large sum
presence—tore it up furiously in a tempest of pas- of money in that strong-room of his is certain. So
sion. ‘I never wish to see her damned face again,’ also is it that young Dr. Ernest, an unmarried man,
he shrieked.” played chess with Amberley, and probably played
the fool with his wife. All this seems plain sailing,
“Anything more, Watson?” and one would think that there was no more to be
“Yes, one thing which struck me more than any- said—and yet!—and yet!”
thing else. I had driven to the Blackheath Station
and had caught my train there when, just as it was “Where lies the difficulty?”
starting, I saw a man dart into the carriage next “In my imagination, perhaps. Well, leave it
to my own. You know that I have a quick eye for there, Watson. Let us escape from this weary worka-
faces, Holmes. It was undoubtedly the tall, dark day world by the side door of music. Carina sings
man whom I had addressed in the street. I saw to-night at the Albert Hall, and we still have time
him once more at London Bridge, and then I lost to dress, dine, and enjoy.”
him in the crowd. But I am convinced that he was
following me.” In the morning I was up betimes, but some toast
“No doubt! No doubt!” said Holmes. “A tall, crumbs and two empty egg-shells told me that my
dark, heavily moustached man, you say, with gray- companion was earlier still. I found a scribbled
tinted sun-glasses?” note upon the table.

“Holmes, you are a wizard. I did not say so, but Dear Watson:
he had gray-tinted sun-glasses.” There are one or two points of contact
“And a Masonic tie-pin?” which I should wish to establish with
Mr. Josiah Amberley. When I have done
“Holmes!”
so we can dismiss the case—or not. I
“Quite simple, my dear Watson. But let us get would only ask you to be on hand about
down to what is practical. I must admit to you that three o’clock, as I conceive it possible
the case, which seemed to me to be so absurdly that I may want you.
simple as to be hardly worth my notice, is rapidly — S. H.
assuming a very different aspect. It is true that
though in your mission you have missed every-
thing of importance, yet even those things which I saw nothing of Holmes all day, but at the hour
have obtruded themselves upon your notice give named he returned, grave, preoccupied, and aloof.
rise to serious thought.” At such times it was wiser to leave him to himself.
“What have I missed?” “Has Amberley been here yet?”
“Don’t be hurt, my dear fellow. You know that I “No.”
am quite impersonal. No one else would have done
better. Some possibly not so well. But clearly you “Ah! I am expecting him.”
have missed some vital points. What is the opinion
of the neighbours about this man Amberley and He was not disappointed, for presently the old
his wife? That surely is of importance. What of Dr. fellow arrived with a very worried and puzzled
Ernest? Was he the gay Lothario one would expect? expression upon his austere face.
With your natural advantages, Watson, every lady “I’ve had a telegram, Mr. Holmes. I can make
is your helper and accomplice. What about the girl nothing of it.” He handed it over, and Holmes read
at the post-office, or the wife of the greengrocer? it aloud.
I can picture you whispering soft nothings with
the young lady at the Blue Anchor, and receiving “Come at once without fail. Can give
hard somethings in exchange. All this you have left you information as to your recent loss.
undone.” — “Elman.
“It can still be done.” “The Vicarage.

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 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

“Dispatched at 2.10 from Little Purlington,” said “Well, gentlemen,” he asked, “what can I do for
Holmes. “Little Purlington is in Essex, I believe, not you?”
far from Frinton. Well, of course you will start at “We came,” I explained, “in answer to your
once. This is evidently from a responsible person, wire.”
the vicar of the place. Where is my Crockford? Yes, “My wire! I sent no wire.”
here we have him: ‘J. C. Elman, M. A., Living of “I mean the wire which you sent to Mr. Josiah
Moosmoor cum Little Purlington.’ Look up the Amberley about his wife and his money.”
trains, Watson.”
“If this is a joke, sir, it is a very questionable
“There is one at 5.20 from Liverpool Street.” one,” said the vicar angrily. “I have never heard
“Excellent. You had best go with him, Watson. of the gentleman you name, and I have not sent a
He may need help or advice. Clearly we have come wire to anyone.”
to a crisis in this affair.” Our client and I looked at each other in amaze-
But our client seemed by no means eager to ment.
start. “Perhaps there is some mistake,” said I; “are
“It’s perfectly absurd, Mr. Holmes,” he said. there perhaps two vicarages? Here is the wire itself,
“What can this man possibly know of what has signed Elman and dated from the Vicarage.”
occurred? It is waste of time and money.” “There is only one vicarage, sir, and only one
vicar, and this wire is a scandalous forgery, the ori-
“He would not have telegraphed to you if he
gin of which shall certainly be investigated by the
did not know something. Wire at once that you are
police. Meanwhile, I can see no possible object in
coming.”
prolonging this interview.”
“I don’t think I shall go.” So Mr. Amberley and I found ourselves on the
Holmes assumed his sternest aspect. roadside in what seemed to me to be the most prim-
“It would make the worst possible impression itive village in England. We made for the telegraph
both on the police and upon myself, Mr. Amberley, office, but it was already closed. There was a tele-
if when so obvious a clue arose you should refuse phone, however, at the little Railway Arms, and by
to follow it up. We should feel that you were not it I got into touch with Holmes, who shared in our
really in earnest in this investigation.” amazement at the result of our journey.
“Most singular!” said the distant voice. “Most
Our client seemed horrified at the suggestion.
remarkable! I much fear, my dear Watson, that
“Why, of course I shall go if you look at it in that there is no return train to-night. I have unwittingly
way,” said he. “On the face of it, it seems absurd condemned you to the horrors of a country inn.
to suppose that this person knows anything, but if However, there is always Nature, Watson—Nature
you think—” and Josiah Amberley—you can be in close com-
“I do think,” said Holmes with emphasis, and mune with both.” I heard his dry chuckle as he
so we were launched upon our journey. Holmes turned away.
took me aside before we left the room and gave me It was soon apparent to me that my compan-
one word of counsel, which showed that he consid- ion’s reputation as a miser was not undeserved. He
ered the matter to be of importance. “Whatever you had grumbled at the expense of the journey, had
do, see that he really does go,” said he. “Should he insisted upon travelling third-class, and was now
break away or return, get to the nearest telephone clamorous in his objections to the hotel bill. Next
exchange and send the single word ‘Bolted.’ I will morning, when we did at last arrive in London,
arrange here that it shall reach me wherever I am.” it was hard to say which of us was in the worse
Little Purlington is not an easy place to reach, humour.
for it is on a branch line. My remembrance of “You had best take Baker Street as we pass,”
the journey is not a pleasant one, for the weather said I. “Mr. Holmes may have some fresh instruc-
was hot, the train slow, and my companion sullen tions.”
and silent, hardly talking at all save to make an “If they are not worth more than the last ones
occasional sardonic remark as to the futility of our they are not of much use, ” said Amberley with a
proceedings. When we at last reached the little malevolent scowl. None the less, he kept me com-
station it was a two-mile drive before we came to pany. I had already warned Holmes by telegram
the Vicarage, where a big, solemn, rather pompous of the hour of our arrival, but we found a message
clergyman received us in his study. Our telegram waiting that he was at Lewisham and would expect
lay before him. us there. That was a surprise, but an even greater

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 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

one was to find that he was not alone in the sitting- warning about whatever he said being used against
room of our client. A stern-looking, impassive man him, could never have bluffed this rascal into what
sat beside him, a dark man with gray-tinted glasses is virtually a confession.”
and a large Masonic pin projecting from his tie. “Perhaps not. But we get there all the same, Mr.
“This is my friend Mr. Barker,” said Holmes. Holmes. Don’t imagine that we had not formed
“He has been interesting himself also in your busi- our own views of this case, and that we would not
ness, Mr. Josiah Amberley, though we have been have laid our hands on our man. You will excuse
working independently. But we both have the same us for feeling sore when you jump in with methods
question to ask you!” which we cannot use, and so rob us of the credit.”
Mr. Amberley sat down heavily. He sensed im- “There shall be no such robbery, MacKinnon. I
pending danger. I read it in his straining eyes and assure you that I efface myself from now onward,
his twitching features. and as to Barker, he has done nothing save what I
told him.”
“What is the question, Mr. Holmes?”
The inspector seemed considerably relieved.
“Only this: What did you do with the bodies?” “That is very handsome of you, Mr. Holmes.
The man sprang to his feet with a hoarse scream. Praise or blame can matter little to you, but it is
He clawed into the air with his bony hands. His very different to us when the newspapers begin to
mouth was open, and for the instant he looked ask questions.”
like some horrible bird of prey. In a flash we got a “Quite so. But they are pretty sure to ask ques-
glimpse of the real Josiah Amberley, a misshapen tions anyhow, so it would be as well to have an-
demon with a soul as distorted as his body. As swers. What will you say, for example, when the
he fell back into his chair he clapped his hand to intelligent and enterprising reporter asks you what
his lips as if to stifle a cough. Holmes sprang at the exact points were which aroused your suspi-
his throat like a tiger and twisted his face towards cion, and finally gave you a certain conviction as to
the ground. A white pellet fell from between his the real facts?”
gasping lips. The inspector looked puzzled.
“No short cuts, Josiah Amberley. Things must “We don’t seem to have got any real facts yet,
be done decently and in order. What about it, Mr. Holmes. You say that the prisoner, in the pres-
Barker?” ence of three witnesses, practically confessed by
“I have a cab at the door,” said our taciturn trying to commit suicide, that he had murdered his
companion. wife and her lover. What other facts have you?”
“It is only a few hundred yards to the station. “Have you arranged for a search?”
We will go together. You can stay here, Watson. I “There are three constables on their way.”
shall be back within half an hour.” “Then you will soon get the clearest fact of all.
The old colourman had the strength of a lion The bodies cannot be far away. Try the cellars and
in that great trunk of his, but he was helpless in the garden. It should not take long to dig up the
the hands of the two experienced man-handlers. likely places. This house is older than the water-
Wriggling and twisting he was dragged to the wait- pipes. There must be a disused well somewhere.
ing cab, and I was left to my solitary vigil in the Try your luck there.”
ill-omened house. In less time than he had named, “But how did you know of it, and how was it
however, Holmes was back, in company with a done?”
smart young police inspector. “I’ll show you first how it was done, and then I
“I’ve left Barker to look after the formalities,” will give the explanation which is due to you, and
said Holmes. “You had not met Barker, Watson. He even more to my long-suffering friend here, who
is my hated rival upon the Surrey shore. When you has been invaluable throughout. But, first, I would
said a tall dark man it was not difficult for me to give you an insight into this man’s mentality. It is
complete the picture. He has several good cases to a very unusual one—so much so that I think his
his credit, has he not, Inspector?” destination is more likely to be Broadmoor than the
scaffold. He has, to a high degree, the sort of mind
“He has certainly interfered several times,” the which one associates with the mediaeval Italian na-
inspector answered with reserve. ture rather than with the modern Briton. He was a
“His methods are irregular, no doubt, like my miserable miser who made his wife so wretched by
own. The irregulars are useful sometimes, you his niggardly ways that she was a ready prey for
know. You, for example, with your compulsory any adventurer. Such a one came upon the scene in

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 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

the person of this chess-playing doctor. Amberley be flooded with gas. With door and shutter closed
excelled at chess—one mark, Watson, of a schem- and the tap full on I would not give two minutes of
ing mind. Like all misers, he was a jealous man, conscious sensation to anyone shut up in that little
and his jealousy became a frantic mania. Rightly chamber. By what devilish device he decoyed them
or wrongly, he suspected an intrigue. He deter- there I do not know, but once inside the door they
mined to have his revenge, and he planned it with were at his mercy.”
diabolical cleverness. Come here!” The inspector examined the pipe with interest.
Holmes led us along the passage with as much “One of our officers mentioned the smell of gas,”
certainty as if he had lived in the house and halted said he, “but of course the window and door were
at the open door of the strong-room. open then, and the paint—or some of it—was al-
“Pooh! What an awful smell of paint!” cried the ready about. He had begun the work of painting
inspector. the day before, according to his story. But what
next, Mr. Holmes?”
“That was our first clue,” said Holmes. “You
can thank Dr. Watson’s observation for that, though “Well, then came an incident which was rather
he failed to draw the inference. It set my foot upon unexpected to myself. I was slipping through the
the trail. Why should this man at such a time be pantry window in the early dawn when I felt a
filling his house with strong odours? Obviously, hand inside my collar, and a voice said: ‘Now, you
to cover some other smell which he wished to con- rascal, what are you doing in there?’ When I could
ceal—some guilty smell which would suggest sus- twist my head round I looked into the tinted spec-
picions. Then came the idea of a room such as tacles of my friend and rival, Mr. Barker. It was a
you see here with iron door and shutter—a hermet- curious foregathering and set us both smiling. It
ically sealed room. Put those two facts together, seems that he had been engaged by Dr. Ray Ernest’s
and whither do they lead? I could only determine family to make some investigations and had come
that by examining the house myself. I was already to the same conclusion as to foul play. He had
certain that the case was serious, for I had exam- watched the house for some days and had spotted
ined the box-office chart at the Haymarket The- Dr. Watson as one of the obviously suspicious char-
atre—another of Dr. Watson’s bull’s-eyes—and as- acters who had called there. He could hardly arrest
certained that neither B thirty nor thirty-two of the Watson, but when he saw a man actually climbing
upper circle had been occupied that night. There- out of the pantry window there came a limit to his
fore, Amberley had not been to the theatre, and his restraint. Of course, I told him how matters stood
alibi fell to the ground. He made a bad slip when and we continued the case together.”
he allowed my astute friend to notice the number “Why him? Why not us?”
of the seat taken for his wife. The question now “Because it was in my mind to put that little test
arose how I might be able to examine the house. I which answered so admirably. I fear you would not
sent an agent to the most impossible village I could have gone so far.”
think of, and summoned my man to it at such an
The inspector smiled.
hour that he could not possibly get back. To pre-
vent any miscarriage, Dr. Watson accompanied him. “Well, maybe not. I understand that I have your
The good vicar’s name I took, of course, out of my word, Mr. Holmes, that you step right out of the
Crockford. Do I make it all clear to you?” case now and that you turn all your results over to
us.”
“It is masterly,” said the inspector in an awed
voice. “Certainly, that is always my custom.”
“There being no fear of interruption I proceeded “Well, in the name of the force I thank you. It
to burgle the house. Burglary has always been an seems a clear case, as you put it, and there can’t be
alternative profession had I cared to adopt it, and much difficulty over the bodies.”
I have little doubt that I should have come to the “I’ll show you a grim little bit of evidence,” said
front. Observe what I found. You see the gas-pipe Holmes, “and I am sure Amberley himself never
along the skirting here. Very good. It rises in the observed it. You’ll get results, Inspector, by always
angle of the wall, and there is a tap here in the putting yourself in the other fellow’s place, and
corner. The pipe runs out into the strong-room, as thinking what you would do yourself. It takes
you can see, and ends in that plaster rose in the some imagination, but it pays. Now, we will sup-
centre of the ceiling, where it is concealed by the pose that you were shut up in this little room, had
ornamentation. That end is wide open. At any not two minutes to live, but wanted to get even
moment by turning the outside tap the room could with the fiend who was probably mocking at you

978
 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman

from the other side of the door. What would you one could touch him. He could say to any suspi-
do?” cious neighbour, ‘Look at the steps I have taken. I
“Write a message.” have consulted not only the police but even Sher-
lock Holmes.’ ”
“Exactly. You would like to tell people how you
died. No use writing on paper. That would be The inspector laughed.
seen. If you wrote on the wall someone might rest
upon it. Now, look here! Just above the skirting is “We must forgive you your ‘even,’ Mr. Holmes,”
scribbled with a purple indelible pencil: ‘We we—’ said he, “it’s as workmanlike a job as I can remem-
That’s all.” ber.”
“What do you make of that?” A couple of days later my friend tossed across
“Well, it’s only a foot above the ground. The to me a copy of the bi-weekly North Surrey Ob-
poor devil was on the floor dying when he wrote it. server. Under a series of flaming headlines, which
He lost his senses before he could finish.” began with “The Haven Horror” and ended with
“Brilliant Police Investigation,” there was a packed
“He was writing, ‘We were murdered.’ ”
column of print which gave the first consecutive
“That’s how I read it. If you find an indelible account of the affair. The concluding paragraph is
pencil on the body—” typical of the whole. It ran thus:
“We’ll look out for it, you may be sure. But The remarkable acumen by which Inspec-
those securities? Clearly there was no robbery at tor MacKinnon deduced from the smell of
all. And yet he did possess those bonds. We veri- paint that some other smell, that of gas, for
fied that.” example, might be concealed; the bold de-
“You may be sure he has them hidden in a safe duction that the strong-room might also be
place. When the whole elopement had passed into the death-chamber, and the subsequent in-
history, he would suddenly discover them and an- quiry which led to the discovery of the bod-
nounce that the guilty couple had relented and sent ies in a disused well, cleverly concealed by
back the plunder or had dropped it on the way.” a dog-kennel, should live in the history of
“You certainly seem to have met every diffi- crime as a standing example of the intelli-
culty,” said the inspector. “Of course, he was bound gence of our professional detectives.
to call us in, but why he should have gone to you I “Well, well, MacKinnon is a good fellow,” said
can’t understand.” Holmes with a tolerant smile. “You can file it in
“Pure swank!” Holmes answered. “He felt so our archives, Watson. Some day the true story may
clever and so sure of himself that he imagined no be told.”

979