casebook of s holmes

7/31/2019 Casebook of S Holmes

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The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes

by

Arthur Conan Doyle

CONTENTSPrefaceThe Mazarin StoneThe Problem of Thor Bridge

The Creeping ManThe Sussex VampireThe Three GarridebsThe Illustrious ClientThe Blanched Soldier The Retired ColourmanThe Three GablesThe ion!s ManeThe Veiled odger Shoscombe "ld Place

PREFACE

I fear that Mr# Sherloc$ %olmes ma& become li$e one of those popular tenors 'ho( ha)ingoutli)ed their time( are still tempted to ma$e repeated fare'ell bo's to their indulgentaudiences# This must cease and he must go the 'a& of all flesh( material or imaginar "neli$es to thin$ that there is some fantastic limbo for the children of imagination( some strange(impossible place 'here the beaux of *ielding ma& still ma$e lo)e to the belles of Richardson('here Scott!s heroes still ma& strut( +ic$ens!s delightful Coc$ne&s still raise a laugh( andThac$era&!s 'orldlings continue to carr& on their reprehensible careers# Perhaps in somehumble corner of such a Valhalla( Sherloc$ and his ,atson ma& for a time find a place( 'hile

some more astute sleuth 'ith some e)en less astute comrade ma& fill the stage 'hich the&ha)e )acated#

%is career has been a long one--though it is possible to exaggerate it. decrepit gentlemen'ho approach me and declare that his ad)entures formed the reading of their bo&hood do notmeet the response from me 'hich the& seem to expect# "ne is not anxious to ha)e one!spersonal dates handled so un$indl /s a matter of cold fact( %olmes made his debut in /Stud& in Scarlet and in The Sign of *our( t'o small boo$lets 'hich appeared bet'een 0112and 0113# It 'as in 0130 that 4/ Scandal in Bohemia(4 the first of the long series of shortstories( appeared in The Strand Magazine# The public seemed appreciati)e and desirous of
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more( so that from that date( thirt&-nine &ears ago( the& ha)e been produced in a bro$enseries 'hich no' contains no fe'er than fift&-six stories( republished in The /d)entures( TheMemoirs( The Return( and %is ast Bo'# and there remain these t'el)e published during thelast fe' &ears 'hich are here produced under the title of The Case Boo$ of Sherloc$ %olmes#%e began his ad)entures in the )er& heart of the later Victorian era( carried it through the all-too-short reign of 5d'ard( and has managed to hold his o'n little niche e)en in these fe)erish

da&s# Thus it 'ould be true to sa& that those 'ho first read of him( as &oung men( ha)e li)edto see their o'n gro'n-up children follo'ing the same ad)entures in the same magazine# It isa stri$ing example of the patience and lo&alt& of the British public#

I had full& determined at the conclusion of The Memoirs to bring %olmes to an end( as I feltthat m& literar& energies should not be directed too much into one channel# That pale( clear-cut face and loose-limbed figure 'ere ta$ing up an undue share of m& imagination# I did thedeed( but fortunatel& no coroner had pronounced upon the remains( and so( after a longinter)al( it 'as not difficult for me to respond to the flattering demand and to explain m& rashact a'a I ha)e ne)er regretted it( for I ha)e not in actual practice found that these lighters$etches ha)e pre)ented me from exploring and finding m& limitations in such )ariedbranches of literature as histor&( poetr&( historical no)els( ps&chic research( and the drama#

%ad %olmes ne)er existed I could not ha)e done more( though he ma& perhaps ha)e stood alittle in the 'a& of the recognition of m& more serious literar& 'or$#

/nd so( reader( fare'ell to Sherloc$ %olmes6 I than$ &ou for &our past constanc&( and can buthope that some return has been made in the shape of that distraction from the 'orries of lifeand stimulating change of thought 'hich can onl& be found in the fair& $ingdom of romance#

/RT%7R C"8/8 +"95#

ADVENTURE ! THE ADVENTURE OF THE "A#ARN STONE

It 'as pleasant to +r# ,atson to find himself once more in the untid& room of the first floor inBa$er Street 'hich had been the starting-point of so man& remar$able ad)entures# %e loo$edround him at the scientific charts upon the 'all( the acid-charred bench of chemicals( the)iolin-case leaning in the corner( the coal-scuttle( 'hich contained of old the pipes andtobacco# *inall&( his e&es came round to the fresh and smiling face of Bill&( the &oung but )er&'ise and tactful page( 'ho had helped a little to fill up the gap of loneliness and isolation'hich surrounded the saturnine figure of the great detecti)e#

4It all seems )er& unchanged( Bill 9ou don!t change( either# I hope the same can be said ofhim:4

Bill& glanced 'ith some solicitude at the closed door of the bedroom#

4I thin$ he!s in bed and asleep(4 he said#

It 'as se)en in the e)ening of a lo)el& summer!s da&( but +r# ,atson 'as sufficientl& familiar'ith the irregularit& of his old friend!s hours to feel no surprise at the idea#

4That means a case( I suppose:4

49es( sir( he is )er& hard at it ;ust no'# I!m frightened for his health# %e gets paler and thinner(and he eats nothing# !,hen 'ill &ou be pleased to dine( Mr# %olmes:! Mrs# %udson as$ed#!Se)en-thirt&( the da& after to-morro'(! said he# 9ou $no' his 'a& 'hen he is $een on a case#4


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49es( Bill&( I $no'#4

4%e!s follo'ing someone# 9esterda& he 'as out as a 'or$man loo$ing for a ;ob# To-da& he'as an old 'oman# *airl& too$ me in( he did( and I ought to $no' his 'a&s b& no'#4 Bill&pointed 'ith a grin to a )er& bagg& parasol 'hich leaned against the sofa# 4That!s part of theold 'oman!s outfit(4 he said#

4But 'hat is it all about( Bill&:4

Bill& san$ his )oice( as one 'ho discusses great secrets of State# 4I don!t mind telling &ou( sir(but it should go no farther# It!s this case of the Cro'n diamond#4

4,hat--the hundred-thousand-pound burglar&:4

49es( sir# The& must get it bac$( sir# ,h&( 'e had the Prime Minister and the %ome Secretar&both sitting on that )er& sofa# Mr# %olmes 'as )er& nice to them# %e soon put them at theirease and promised he 'ould do all he could# Then there is ord Cantlemere--4

4/h64

49es( sir( &ou $no' 'hat that means# %e!s a stiff!un( sir( if I ma& sa& so# I can get along 'iththe Prime Minister( and I!)e nothing against the %ome Secretar&( 'ho seemed a ci)il( obligingsort of man( but I can!t stand his ordship# 8either can Mr# %olmes( sir# 9ou see( he don!tbelie)e in Mr# %olmes and he 'as against emplo&ing him# %e!d rather he failed#4

4/nd Mr# %olmes $no's it:4

4Mr# %olmes al'a&s $no's 'hate)er there is to $no'#4

4,ell( 'e!ll hope he 'on!t fail and that ord Cantlemere 'ill be confounded# But I sa&( Bill&('hat is that curtain for across the 'indo':4

4Mr# %olmes had it put up there three da&s ago# ,e!)e got something funn& behind it#4

Bill& ad)anced and dre' a'a& the draper& 'hich screened the alco)e of the bo' 'indo'#

+r# ,atson could not restrain a cr& of amazement# There 'as a facsimile of his old friend(dressing-go'n and all( the face turned three-


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49ou can go( Bill That bo& is a problem( ,atson# %o' far am I ;ustified in allo'ing him to bein danger:4

4+anger of 'hat( %olmes:4

4"f sudden death# I!m expecting something this e)ening#4

45xpecting 'hat:4

4To be murdered( ,atson#4

48o( no( &ou are ;o$ing( %olmes64

45)en m& limited sense of humour could e)ol)e a better ;o$e than that# But 'e ma& becomfortable in the meantime( ma& 'e not: Is alcohol permitted: The gasogene and cigarsare in the old place# et me see &ou once more in the customar& armchair# 9ou ha)e not( Ihope( learned to despise m& pipe and m& lamentable tobacco: It has to ta$e the place of foodthese da&s#4

4But 'h& not eat:4

4Because the faculties become refined 'hen &ou star)e them# ,h&( surel&( as a doctor( m&

dear ,atson( &ou must admit that 'hat &our digestion gains in the 'a& of blood suppl& is somuch lost to the brain# I am a brain( ,atson# The rest of me is a mere appendix# Therefore( itis the brain I must consider#4

4But this danger( %olmes:4

4/h# &es( in case it should come off( it 'ould perhaps be as 'ell that &ou should burden &ourmemor& 'ith the name and address of the murderer# 9ou can gi)e it to Scotland 9ard( 'ith m&lo)e and a parting blessing# S&l)ius is the name--Count 8egretto S&l)ius# ,rite it do'n( man('rite it do'n6 0=> Moorside Gardens( 8# ,# Got it:4

,atson!s honest face 'as t'itching 'ith anxiet %e $ne' onl& too 'ell the immense ris$sta$en b& %olmes and 'as 'ell a'are that 'hat he said 'as more li$el& to be under-statement

than exaggeration# ,atson 'as al'a&s the man of action( and he rose to the occasion#

4Count me in( %olmes# I ha)e nothing to do for a da& or t'o#4

49our morals don!t impro)e( ,atson# 9ou ha)e added fibbing to &our other )ices# 9ou beare)er& sign of the bus& medical man( 'ith calls on him e)er& hour#4

48ot such important ones# But can!t &ou ha)e this fello' arrested:4

49es( ,atson( I could# That!s 'hat 'orries him so#4

4But 'h& don!t &ou:4

4Because I don!t $no' 'here the diamond is#4

4/h6 Bill& told me--the missing Cro'n ;e'el64

49es( the great &ello' Mazarin stone# I!)e cast m& net and I ha)e m& fish# But I ha)e not gotthe stone# ,hat is the use of ta$ing them: ,e can ma$e the 'orld a better place b& la&ingthem b& the heels# But that is not 'hat I am out for# It!s the stone I 'ant#4

4/nd is this Count S&l)ius one of &our fish:4

49es( and he!s a shar$# %e bites# The other is Sam Merton the boxer# 8ot a bad fello'( Sam(but the Count has used him# Sam!s not a shar$# %e is a great big sill& bull-headed gudgeon#But he is flopping about in m& net all the same#4


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4,here is this Count S&l)ius:4

4I!)e been at his )er& elbo' all the morning# 9ou!)e seen me as an old lad&( ,atson# I 'asne)er more con)incing# %e actuall& pic$ed up m& parasol for me once# !B& &our lea)e(madame(! said he--half-ltalian( &ou $no'( and 'ith the Southern graces of manner 'hen in themood( but a de)il incarnate in the other mood# ife is full of 'himsical happenings( ,atson#4

4It might ha)e been traged

4,ell( perhaps it might# I follo'ed him to old Straubenzee!s 'or$shop in the Minories#Straubenzee made the air-gun--a )er& prett& bit of 'or$( as I understand( and I rather fanc& itis in the opposite 'indo' at the present moment# %a)e &ou seen the dumm&: "f course( Bill&sho'ed it to &ou# ,ell( it ma& get a bullet through its beautiful head at an& moment# /h( Bill&('hat is it:4

The bo& had reappeared in the room 'ith a card upon a tra %olmes glanced at it 'ith raisede&ebro's and an amused smile#

4The man himself# I had hardl& expected this# Grasp the nettle( ,atson6 / man of ner)e#Possibl& &ou ha)e heard of his reputation as a shooter of big game# It 'ould indeed be a

triumphant ending to his excellent sporting record if he added me to his bag# This is a proofthat he feels m& toe )er& close behind his heel#4

4Send for the police#4

4I probabl& shall# But not ;ust &et# ,ould &ou glance carefull& out of the 'indo'( ,atson( andsee if an&one is hanging about in the street:4

,atson loo$ed 'aril& round the edge of the curtain#

49es( there is one rough fello' near the door#4

4That 'ill be Sam Merton--the faithful but rather fatuous Sam# ,here is this gentleman( Bill&:4

4In the 'aiting-room( sir#4

4Sho' him up 'hen I ring#4

49es( sir#4

4If I am not in the room( sho' him in all the same#4

49es( sir#4

,atson 'aited until the door 'as closed( and then he turned earnestl& to his companion#

4oo$ here( %olmes( this is simpl& impossible# This is a desperate man( 'ho stic$s at nothing#%e ma& ha)e come to murder &ou#4

4I should not be surprised#4

4I insist upon sta&ing 'ith &ou#4

49ou 'ould be horribl& in the 'a

4In his 'a&:4

48o( m& dear fello'--in m& 'a

4,ell( I can!t possibl& lea)e &ou#4


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49es( &ou can( ,atson# /nd &ou 'ill( for &ou ha)e ne)er failed to pla& the game# I am sure&ou 'ill pla& it to the end# This man has come for his o'n purpose( but he ma& sta& for mine#4

%olmes too$ out his noteboo$ and scribbled a fe' lines# 4Ta$e a cab to Scotland 9ard andgi)e this to 9oughal of the C# I# +# Come bac$ 'ith the police# The fello'!s arrest 'ill follo'#4

4I!ll do that 'ith ;o

4Before &ou return I ma& ha)e ;ust time enough to find out 'here the stone is#4 %e touchedthe bell# 4I thin$ 'e 'ill go out through the bedroom# This second exit is exceedingl& useful# Irather 'ant to see m& shar$ 'ithout his seeing me( and I ha)e( as &ou 'ill remember( m& o'n'a& of doing it#4

It 'as( therefore( an empt& room into 'hich Bill&( a minute later( ushered Count S&l)ius# Thefamous game-shot( sportsman( and man-about-to'n 'as a big( s'arth& fello'( 'ith aformidable dar$ moustache shading a cruel( thin-lipped mouth( and surmounted b& a long(cur)ed nose li$e the bea$ of an eagle# %e 'as 'ell dressed( but his brilliant nec$tie( shiningpin( and glittering rings 'ere flambo&ant in their effect# /s the door closed behind him heloo$ed round him 'ith fierce( startled e&es( li$e one 'ho suspects a trap at e)er& turn# Thenhe ga)e a )iolent start as he sa' the impassi)e head and the collar of the dressing-go'n

'hich pro;ected abo)e the armchair in the 'indo'# /t first his expression 'as one of pureamazement# Then the light of a horrible hope gleamed in his dar$( murderous e&es# %e too$one more glance round to see that there 'ere no 'itnesses( and then( on tiptoe( his thic$stic$ half raised( he approached the silent figure# %e 'as crouching for his final spring andblo' 'hen a cool( sardonic )oice greeted him from the open bedroom door?

4+on!t brea$ it( Count6 +on!t brea$ it64

The assassin staggered bac$( amazement in his con)ulsed face# *or an instant he half raisedhis loaded cane once more( as if he 'ould turn his )iolence from the effig& to the original. butthere 'as something in that stead& gra& e&e and moc$ing smile 'hich caused his hand tosin$ to his side#

4It!s a prett& little thing(4 said %olmes( ad)ancing to'ards the image# 4Ta)ernier( the *renchmodeller( made it# %e is as good at 'ax'or$s as &our friend Straubenzee is at air-guns#4

4/ir-guns( sir6 ,hat do &ou mean:4

4Put &our hat and stic$ on the side-table# Than$ &ou6 Pra& ta$e a seat# ,ould &ou care to put&our re)ol)er out also: "h( )er& good( if &ou prefer to sit upon it# 9our )isit is reall& mostopportune( for I 'anted badl& to ha)e a fe' minutes! chat 'ith &ou#4

The Count sco'led( 'ith hea)&( threatening e&ebro's#

4I( too( 'ished to ha)e some 'ords 'ith &ou( %olmes# That is 'h& I am here# I 'on!t den& thatI intended to assault &ou ;ust no'#4

%olmes s'ung his leg on the edge of the table#

4I rather gathered that &ou had some idea of the sort in &our head(4 said he# 4But 'h& thesepersonal attentions:4

4Because &ou ha)e gone out of &our 'a& to anno& me# Because &ou ha)e put &our creaturesupon m& trac$#4

4M& creatures6 I assure &ou no64

48onsense6 I ha)e had them follo'ed# T'o can pla& at that game( %olmes#4


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4It is a small point( Count S&l)ius( but perhaps &ou 'ould $indl& gi)e me m& prefix 'hen &ouaddress me# 9ou can understand that( 'ith m& routine of 'or$( I should find m&self on familiarterms 'ith half the rogues! galler&( and &ou 'ill agree that exceptions are in)idious#4

4,ell( Mr# %olmes( then#4

45xcellent6 But I assure &ou &ou are mista$en about m& alleged agents#4

Count S&l)ius laughed contemptuousl"ther people can obser)e as 'ell as &ou# 9esterda& there 'as an old sporting man# To-da& it'as an elderl& 'oman# The& held me in )ie' all da

4Reall&( sir( &ou compliment me# "ld Baron +o'son said the night before he 'as hanged thatin m& case 'hat the la' had gained the stage had lost# /nd no' &ou gi)e m& littleimpersonations &our $indl& praise:4

4It 'as &ou--&ou &ourself:4

%olmes shrugged his shoulders# 49ou can see in the corner the parasol 'hich &ou so politel&handed to me in the Minories before &ou began to suspect#4

4If I had $no'n( &ou might ne)er--4

4%a)e seen this humble home again# I 'as 'ell a'are of it# ,e all ha)e neglectedopportunities to deplore# /s it happens( &ou did not $no'( so here 'e are64

The Count!s $notted bro's gathered more hea)il& o)er his menacing e&es# 4,hat &ou sa&onl& ma$es the matter 'orse# It 'as not &our agents but &our pla&-acting( bus&bod& self6 9ouadmit that &ou ha)e dogged me# ,h&:4

4Come no'( Count# 9ou used to shoot lions in /lgeria#4

4,ell:4

4But 'h&:4

4,h&: The sport--the excitement--the danger64

4/nd( no doubt( to free the countr& from a pest:4

45xactl&64

4M& reasons in a nutshell64

The Count sprang to his feet( and his hand in)oluntaril& mo)ed bac$ to his hip-poc$et#

4Sit do'n( sir( sit do'n6 There 'as another( more practical( reason# I 'ant that &ello'diamond64

Count S&l)ius la& bac$ in his chair 'ith an e)il smile#

47pon m& 'ord64 said he#

49ou $ne' that I 'as after &ou for that# The real reason 'h& &ou are here to-night is to find outho' much I $no' about the matter and ho' far m& remo)al is absolutel& essential# ,ell( Ishould sa& that( from &our point of )ie'( it is absolutel& essential( for I $no' all about it( sa)eonl& one thing( 'hich &ou are about to tell me#4

4"h( indeed6 /nd pra&( 'hat is this missing fact:4

4,here the Cro'n diamond no' is#4


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The Count loo$ed sharpl& at his companion# 4"h( &ou 'ant to $no' that( do &ou: %o' thede)il should I be able to lell &ou 'here it is:4

49ou can( and &ou 'ill#4

4Indeed64

49ou can!t bluff me( Count S&l)ius#4 %olmes!s e&es( as he gazed at him( contracted and

lightened until the& 'ere li$e t'o menacing points of steel# 49ou are absolute plate-glass# Isee to the )er& bac$ of &our mind#4

4Then( of course( &ou see 'here the diamond is64

%olmes clapped his hands 'ith amusement( and then pointed a derisi)e finger# 4Then &ou do$no'# 9ou ha)e admitted it64

4I admit nothing#4

48o'( Count( if &ou 'ill be reasonable 'e can do business# If not( &ou 'ill get hurt#4

Count S&l)ius thre' up his e&es to the ceiling# 4/nd &ou tal$ about bluff64 said he#

%olmes loo$ed at him thoughtfull& li$e a master chess-pla&er 'ho meditates his cro'ningmo)e# Then he thre' open the table dra'er and dre' out a s


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4I ha)e the cabman 'ho too$ &ou to ,hitehall and the cabman 'ho brought &ou a'a I ha)ethe commissionaire 'ho sa' &ou near the case# I ha)e I$e& Sanders( 'ho refused to cut it upfor &ou# I$e& has peached( and the game is up#4

The )eins stood out on the Count!s forehead# %is dar$( hair& hands 'ere clenched in acon)ulsion of restrained emotion# %e tried to spea$( but the 'ords 'ould not shapethemsel)es#

4That!s the hand I pla& from(4 said %olmes# 4I put it all upon the table# But one card is missing#It!s the $ing of diamonds# I don!t $no' 'here the stone is#4

49ou ne)er shall $no'#4

48o: 8o'( be reasonable( Count# Consider the situation# 9ou are going to be loc$ed up fort'ent& &ears# So is Sam Merton# ,hat good are &ou going to get out of &our diamond: 8onein the 'orld# But if &ou hand it o)er--'ell( I!ll compound a felon ,e don!t 'ant &ou or Sam#,e 'ant the stone# Gi)e that up( and so far as I am concerned &ou can go free so long as&ou beha)e &ourself in the future# If &ou ma$e another slip 'ell( it 'ill be the last# But this timem& commission is to get the stone( not &ou#4

4But if I refuse:44,h&( then--alas6--it must be &ou and not the stone#4

Bill& had appeared in ans'er to a ring#

4I thin$( Count( that it 'ould be as 'ell to ha)e &our friend Sam at this conference# /fter all(his interests should be represented# Bill&( &ou 'ill see a large and ugl& gentleman outside thefront door# /s$ him to come up#4

4If he 'on!t come( sir:4

48o )iolence( Bill +on!t be rough 'ith him# If &ou tell him that Count S&l)ius 'ants him he 'illcertainl& come#4

4,hat are &ou going to do no':4 as$ed the Count as Bill& disappeared#

4M& friend ,atson 'as 'ith me ;ust no'# I told him that I had a shar$ and a gudgeon in m&net. no' I am dra'ing the net and up the& come together#4

The Count had risen from his chair( and his hand 'as behind his bac$# %olmes heldsomething half protruding from the poc$et of his dressing-go'n#

49ou 'on!t die in &our bed( %olmes#4

4I ha)e often had the same idea# +oes it matter )er& much: /her all( Count( &our o'n exit ismore li$el& to be perpendicular than horizontal# But these anticipations of the future aremorbid# ,h& not gi)e oursel)es up to the unrestrained en;o&ment of the present:4

/ sudden 'ild-beast light sprang up in the dar$( menacing e&es of the master criminal#%olmes!s figure seemed to gro' taller as he gre' tense and read

4It is no use &our fingering &our re)ol)er( m& friend(4 he said in a


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manner 'as a ne' experience( and though he )aguel& felt that it 'as hostile( he did not $no'ho' to counter it# %e turned to his more astute comrade for help#

4,hat!s the game no'( Count: ,hat!s this fello' 'ant: ,hat!s up:4 %is )oice 'as deep andraucous#

The Count shrugged his shoulders( and it 'as %olmes 'ho ans'ered#

4If I ma& put it in a nutshell( Mr# Merton( I should sa& it 'as all up#4The boxer still addressed his remar$s to his associate#

4Is this co)e tr&ing to be funn&( or 'hat: I!m not in the funn& mood m&self#4

48o( I expect not(4 said %olmes# 4I thin$ I can promise &ou that &ou 'ill feel e)en lesshumorous as the e)ening ad)ances# 8o'( loo$ here( Count S&l)ius# I!m a bus& man and Ican!t 'aste time# I!m going into that bedroom# Pra& ma$e &oursel)es


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4It!s one or the other#4

Merton scratched his short-cropped pate#

4%e!s alone in there# et!s do him in# If his light 'ere out 'e should ha)e nothing to fear#4

The Count shoo$ his head#

4%e is armed and read If 'e shot him 'e could hardl& get a'a& in a place li$e this# Besides(

it!s li$el& enough that the police $no' 'hate)er e)idence he has got# %allo6 ,hat 'as that:4

There 'as a )ague sound 'hich seemed to come from the 'indo'# Both men sprang round(but all 'as


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4Than$ &ou64

,ith a single spring %olmes had leaped from the dumm&!s chair and had grasped theprecious ;e'el# %e held it no' in one hand( 'hile his other pointed a re)ol)er at the Count!shead# The t'o )illains staggered bac$ in utter amazement# Before the& had reco)ered%olmes had pressed the electric bell#

48o )iolence( gentlemen--no )iolence( I beg of &ou6 Consider the furniture6 It must be )er&clear to &ou that &our position is an impossible one# The police are 'aiting belo'#4

The Count!s be'ilderment o)ermastered his rage and fear#

4But ho' the deuce--:4 he gasped#

49our surprise is )er& natural# 9ou are not a'are that a second door from m& bedroom leadsbehind that curtain# I fancied that &ou must ha)e heard me 'hen I displaced the figure( butluc$ 'as on m& side# It ga)e me a chance of listening to &our rac& con)ersation 'hich 'ouldha)e been painfull& constrained had &ou been a'are of m& presence#4

The Count ga)e a gesture of resignation#

4,e gi)e &ou best( %olmes# I belie)e &ou are the de)il himself#4

48ot far from him( at an& rate(4 %olmes ans'ered 'ith a polite smile#

Sam Merton!s slo' intellect had onl& graduall& appreciated the situation# 8o'( as the sound ofhea)& steps came from the stairs outside( he bro$e silence at last#

4/ fair cop64 said he# 4But( I sa&( 'hat about that bloomin! fiddle6 I hear it &et#4

4Tut( tut64 %olmes ans'ered# 49ou are perfectl& right# et it pla&6 These modern gramophonesare a remar$able in)ention#4

There 'as an inrush of police( the handcuffs clic$ed and the criminals 'ere led to the 'aitingcab# ,atson lingered 'ith %olmes( congratulating him upon this fresh leaf added to his

laurels# "nce more their con)ersation 'as interrupted b& the imperturbable Bill& 'ith his card-tra

4ord Cantlemere sir#4

4Sho' him up( Bill This is the eminent peer 'ho represents the )er& highest interests(4 said%olmes# 4%e is an excellent and lo&al person( but rather of the old regime# Shall 'e ma$e himunbend: +are 'e )enture upon a slight libert&: %e $no's( 'e ma& con;ecture( nothing of'hat has occurred#4

The door opened to admit a thin( austere figure 'ith a hatchet face and drooping mid-Victorian 'his$ers of a gloss& blac$ness 'hich hardl& corresponded 'ith the roundedshoulders and feeble gait# %olmes ad)anced affabl&( and shoo$ an unresponsi)e hand#

4%o' do &ou do( ord Cantlemere: It is chill& for the time of &ear( but rather 'arm indoors#Ma& I ta$e &our o)ercoat:4

48o( I than$ &ou. I 'ill not ta$e it off#4

%olmes laid his hand insistentl& upon the slee)e#

4Pra& allo' me6 M& friend +r# ,atson 'ould assure &ou that these changes of temperatureare most insidious#4

%is ordship shoo$ himself free 'ith some impatience#


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4I am


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4Come--come( do 'hat I as$#4

/n instant later the amazed peer 'as standing( blin$ing and stammering( 'ith the great&ello' stone on his sha$ing palm#

4,hat6 ,hat6 %o' is this( Mr# %olmes:4

4Too bad( ord Cantlemere( too bad64 cried %olmes# 4M& old friend here 'ill tell &ou that I ha)e

an impish habit of practical ;o$ing# /lso that I can ne)er resist a dramatic situation# I too$ thelibert&--the )er& great libert&( I admit--of putting the stone into &our poc$et at the beginning ofour inter)ie'#4

The old peer stared from the stone to the smiling face before him#

4Sir( I am be'ildered# But--&es--it is indeed the Mazarin stone# ,e are greatl& &our debtors(Mr# %olmes# 9our sense of humour ma&( as &ou admit( be some'hat per)erted( and itsexhibition remar$abl& untimel&( but at least I 'ithdra' an& reflection I ha)e made upon &ouramazing professional po'ers# But ho'--4

4The case is but half finished. the details can 'ait# 8o doubt( ord Cantlemere( &our pleasurein telling of this successful result in the exalted circle to 'hich &ou return 'ill be some small

atonement for m& practical ;o$e# Bill&( &ou 'ill sho' his ordship out( and tell Mrs# %udsonthat I should be glad if she 'ould send up dinner for t'o as soon as possible#4

ADVENTURE ! THE PRO$%E" OF THOR $RD&E

Some'here in the )aults of the ban$ of Cox and Co#( at Charing Cross( there is a tra)el-'ornand battered tin dispatchbox 'ith m& name( Aohn %# ,atson( M# +#( ate Indian /rm&( paintedupon the lid# It is crammed 'ith papers( nearl& all of 'hich are records of cases to illustratethe curious problems 'hich Mr# Sherloc$ %olmes had at )arious times to examine# Some( andnot the least interesting( 'ere complete failures( and as such 'ill hardl& bear narrating( sinceno final explanation is forthcoming# / problem 'ithout a solution ma& interest the student( butcan hardl& fail to anno& the casual reader# /mong these unfinished tales is that of Mr# AamesPhillimore( 'ho( stepping bac$ into his o'n house to get his umbrella( 'as ne)er more seenin this 'orld# 8o less remar$able is that of the cutter /licia( 'hich sailed one spring morninginto a small patch of mist from 'here she ne)er again emerged( nor 'as an&thing further e)erheard of herself and her cre'# / third case 'orth& of note is that of Isadora Persano( the 'ell-$no'n ;ournalist and duellist( 'ho 'as found star$ staring mad 'ith a match box in front ofhim 'hich contained a remar$able 'orm said to be un$no'n to science# /part from theseunfathomed cases( there are some 'hich in)ol)e the secrets of pri)ate families to an extent'hich 'ould mean consternation in man& exalted


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It 'as a 'ild morning in "ctober( and I obser)ed as I 'as dressing ho' the last remaininglea)es 'ere being 'hirled from the solitar& plane tree 'hich graces the &ard behind ourhouse# I descended to brea$fast prepared to find m& companion in depressed spirits( for( li$eall great artists( he 'as easil& impressed b& his surroundings# "n the contrar&( I found that hehad nearl& finished his meal( and that his mood 'as particularl& bright and ;o&ous( 'ith thatsome'hat sinister cheerfulness 'hich 'as characteristic of his lighter moments#

49ou ha)e a case( %olmes:4 I remar$ed#

4The facult& of deduction is certainl& contagious( ,atson(4 he ans'ered# 4It has enabled &outo probe m& secret# 9es( I ha)e a case# /fter a month of tri)ialities and stagnation the 'heelsmo)e once more#4

4Might I share it:4

4There is little to share( but 'e ma& discuss it 'hen &ou ha)e consumed the t'o hard-boiledeggs 'ith 'hich our ne' coo$ has fa)oured us# Their condition ma& not be unconnected 'iththe cop& of the *amil& %erald 'hich I obser)ed &esterda& upon the hall-table# 5)en so tri)ial amatter as coo$ing an egg demands an attention 'hich is conscious of the passage of timeand incompatible 'ith the lo)e romance in that excellent periodical#4

/


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+5/R MR# S%5R"C %"M5S?

I can!t see the best 'oman God e)er made go to her death 'ithout doing all that is possible tosa)e her# I can!t explain things--I can!t e)en tr& to explain them( but I $no' be&ond all doubtthat Miss +unbar is innocent# 9ou $no' the facts--'ho doesn!t: It has been the gossip of thecountr /nd ne)er a )oice raised for her6 It!s the damned in;ustice of it all that ma$es mecraz That 'oman has a heart that 'ouldn!t let her $ill a fl ,ell( I!ll come at ele)en to-

morro' and see if &ou can get some ra& of light in the dar$# Ma&be I ha)e a clue and don!t$no' it# /n&ho'( all I $no' and all I ha)e and all I am are for &our use if onl& &ou can sa)eher# If e)er in &our life &ou sho'ed &our po'ers( put them no' into this case#

9ours faithfull&(

A# 85I GIBS"8#

4There &ou ha)e it(4 said Sherloc$ %olmes( $noc$ing out the ashes of his after-brea$fast pipeand slo'l& refilling it# 4That is the gentleman I a'ait# /s to the stor&( &ou ha)e hardl& time tomaster all these papers( so I must gi)e it to &ou in a nutshell if &ou are to ta$e an intelligentinterest in the proceedings# This man is the greatest financial po'er in the 'orld( and a man(as I understand( of most )iolent and formidable character# %e married a 'ife( the )ictim of this

traged&( of 'hom I $no' nothing sa)e that she 'as past her prime( 'hich 'as the moreunfortunate as a )er& attracti)e go)erness superintended the education of t'o &oung children#These are the three people concerned( and the scene is a grand old manor house( the centreof a historical 5nglish state# Then as to the traged The 'ife 'as found in the grounds nearl&half a mile from the house( late at night( clad in her dinner dress( 'ith a sha'l o)er hershoulders and a re)ol)er bullet through her brain# 8o 'eapon 'as found near her and there'as no local clue as to the murder# 8o 'eapon near her( ,atson--mar$ that6 The crimeseems to ha)e been committed late in the e)ening( and the bod& 'as found b& a game$eeperabout ele)en o!cloc$( 'hen it 'as examined b& the police and b& a doctor before beingcarried up to the house# Is this too condensed( or can &ou follo' it clearl&:4

4It is all )er& clear# But 'h& suspect the go)erness:44,ell( in the first place there is some )er& direct e)idence# / re)ol)er 'ith one dischargedchamber and a calibre 'hich corresponded 'ith the bullet 'as found on the floor of her'ardrobe#4 %is e&es fixed and he repeated in bro$en 'ords( 4"n--the--floor--of--her--'ardrobe#4 Then he san$ into silence( and I sa' that some train of thought had been setmo)ing 'hich I should be foolish to interrupt# Suddenl& 'ith a start he emerged into bris$ lifeonce more# 49es( ,atson( it 'as found# Prett& damning( eh: So the t'o ;uries thought# Thenthe dead 'oman had a note upon her ma$ing an appointment at that )er& place and signedb& the go)erness# %o'!s that: *inall& there is the moti)e# Senator Gibson is an attracti)eperson# If his 'ife dies( 'ho more li$el& to succeed her than the &oung lad& 'ho had alread&b& all accounts recei)ed pressing attentions from her emplo&er: o)e( fortune( po'er( all

depending upon one middleaged life# 7gl&( ,atson-- )er& ugl&6449es( indeed( %olmes#4

48or could she pro)e an alibi# "n the contrar&( she had to admit that she 'as do'n near ThorBridge--that 'as the scene of the traged&-- about that hour# She couldn!t den& it( for somepassing )illager had seen her there#4

4That reall& seems final#4


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4/nd &et( ,atson--and &et6 This bridge--a single broad span of stone 'ith balustraded sides--carries the dri)e o)er the narro'est part of a long( deep( reed-girt sheet of 'ater# Thor Mere itis called# In the mouth of the bridge la& the dead 'oman# Such are the main facts# But here( ifI mista$e not( is our client( considerabl& before his time#4

Bill& had opened the door( but the name 'hich he announced 'as an unexpected one# Mr#Marlo' Bates 'as a stranger to both of us# %e 'as a thin( ner)ous 'isp of a man 'ith

frightened e&es and a t'itching( hesitating manner--a man 'hom m& o'n professional e&e'ould ;udge to be on the brin$ of an absolute ner)ous brea$do'n#

49ou seem agitated( Mr# Bates(4 said %olmes# 4Pra& sit do'n# I fear I can onl& gi)e &ou a shorttime( for I ha)e an appointment at ele)en#4

4I $no' &ou ha)e(4 our )isitor gasped( shooting out short sentences li$e a man 'ho is out ofbreath# 4Mr# Gibson is coming# Mr# Gibson is m& emplo&er# I am manager of his estate# Mr#%olmes( he is a )illain-- an infernal )illain#4

4Strong language( Mr# Bates#4

4I ha)e to be emphatic( Mr# %olmes( for the time is so limited# I 'ould not ha)e him find me

here for the 'orld# %e is almost due no'# But I 'as so situated that I could not come earlier#%is secretar&( Mr# *erguson( onl& told me this morning of his appointment 'ith &ou#4

4/nd &ou are his manager:4

4I ha)e gi)en him notice# In a couple of 'ee$s I shall ha)e sha$en off his accursed sla)er /hard man( Mr# %olmes( hard to all about him# Those public charities are a screen to co)er hispri)ate ini


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bo'ed in perfunctor& fashion as %olmes mentioned m& name( and then 'ith a masterful air ofpossession he dre' a chair up to m& companion and seated himself 'ith his bon& $neesalmost touching him#

4et me sa& right here( Mr# %olmes(4 he began( 4that mone& is nothing to me in this case# 9oucan burn it if it!s an& use in lighting &ou to the truth# This 'oman is innocent and this 'omanhas to be cleared( and it!s up to &ou to do it# 8ame &our figure64

4M& professional charges are upon a fixed scale(4 said %olmes coldl 4I do not )ar& them(sa)e 'hen I remit them altogether#4

4,ell( if dollars ma$e no difference to &ou( thin$ of the reputation# If &ou pull this off e)er&paper in 5ngland and /merica 'ill be booming &ou# 9ou!ll be the tal$ of t'o continents#4

4Than$ &ou( Mr# Gibson( I do not thin$ that I am in need of booming# It ma& surprise &ou to$no' that I prefer to 'or$ anon&mousl&( and that it is the problem itself 'hich attracts me# But'e are 'asting time# et us get do'n to the facts#4

4I thin$ that &ou 'ill find all the main ones in the press reports# I don!t $no' that I can addan&thing 'hich 'ill help &ou# But if there is an&thing &ou 'ould 'ish more light upon--'ell( I

am here to gi)e it#44,ell( there is ;ust one point#4

4,hat is it:4

4,hat 'ere the exact relations bet'een &ou and Miss +unbar:4

The Gold ing ga)e a )iolent start and half rose from his chair# Then his massi)e calm camebac$ to him#

4I suppose &ou are 'ithin &our rights--and ma&be doing &our dut&-- in as$ing such a


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4,ell( I 'as tr&ing to express it as delicatel& as I could( but if &ou insist upon the 'ord I 'illnot contradict &ou#4

I sprang to m& feet( for the expression upon the millionaire!s face 'as fiendish in its intensit&(and he had raised his great $notted fist# %olmes smiled languidl& and reached his hand outfor his pipe#

4+on!t be nois&( Mr# Gibson# I find that after brea$fast e)en the smallest argument isunsettling# I suggest that a stroll in the morning air and a little


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4That is for me to decide( is it not:4

49es( I guess that is so# 9ou!re li$e a surgeon 'ho 'ants e)er& s&mptom before he can gi)ehis diagnosis#4

45xactl That expresses it# /nd it is onl& a patient 'ho has an ob;ect in decei)ing his surgeon'ho 'ould conceal the facts of his case#4

4That ma& be so( but &ou 'ill admit( Mr# %olmes( that most men 'ould sh& off a bit 'hen the&are as$ed point-blan$ 'hat their relations 'ith a 'oman ma& be--if there is reall& someserious feeling in the case# I guess most men ha)e a little pri)ate reser)e of their o'n in somecorner of their souls 'here the& don!t 'elcome intruders# /nd &ou burst suddenl& into it# Butthe ob;ect excuses &ou( since it 'as to tr& and sa)e her# ,ell( the sta$es are do'n and thereser)e open( and &ou can explore 'here &ou 'ill# ,hat is it &ou 'ant:4

4The truth#4

The Gold ing paused for a moment as one 'ho marshals his thoughts# %is grim( deep-linedface had become e)en sadder and more gra)e#

4I can gi)e it to &ou in a )er& fe' 'ords( Mr# %olmes(4 said he at last# 4There are some things

that are painful as 'ell as difficult to sa&( so I 'on!t go deeper than is needful# I met m& 'ife'hen I 'as gold-hunting in Brazil# Maria Pinto 'as the daughter of a go)ernment official atManaos( and she 'as )er& beautiful# I 'as &oung and ardent in those da&s( but e)en no'( asI loo$ bac$ 'ith colder blood and a more critical e&e( I can see that she 'as rare and'onderful in her beaut It 'as a deep rich nature( too( passionate( 'hole-hearted( tropical( ill-balanced( )er& different from the /merican 'omen 'hom I had $no'n# ,ell( to ma$e a longstor& short( I lo)ed her and I married her# It 'as onl& 'hen the romance had passed--and itlingered for &ears--that I realized that 'e had nothing--absolutel& nothing-- in common# M&lo)e faded# If hers had faded also it might ha)e been easier# But &ou $no' the 'onderful 'a&of 'omen6 +o 'hat I might( nothing could turn her from me# If I ha)e been harsh to her( e)enbrutal as some ha)e said( it has been because I $ne' that if I could $ill her lo)e( or if it turned

to hate( it 'ould be easier for both of us# But nothing changed her# She adored me in those5nglish 'oods as she had adored me t'ent& &ears ago on the ban$s of the /mazon# +o 'hatI might( she 'as as de)oted as e)er#

4Then came Miss Grace +unbar# She ans'ered our ad)ertisement and became go)erness toour t'o children# Perhaps &ou ha)e seen her portrait in the papers# The 'hole 'orld hasproclaimed that she also is a )er& beautiful 'oman# 8o'( I ma$e no pretence to be moremoral than m& neighbours( and I 'ill admit to &ou that I could not li)e under the same roof'ith such a 'oman and in dail& contact 'ith her 'ithout feeling a passionate regard for her#+o &ou blame me( Mr# %olmes:4

4I do not blame &ou for feeling it# I should blame &ou if &ou expressed it( since this &oung lad&

'as in a sense under &our protection#44,ell( ma&be so(4 said the millionaire( though for a moment the reproof had brought the oldangr& gleam into his e&es# 4I!m not pretending to be an& better than I am# I guess all m& lifeI!)e been a man that reached out his hand for 'hat he 'anted( and I ne)er 'anted an&thingmore than the lo)e and possession of that 'oman# I told her so#4

4"h( &ou did( did &ou:4

%olmes could loo$ )er& formidable 'hen he 'as mo)ed#


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4I said to her that if I could marr& her I 'ould( but that it 'as out of m& po'er# I said thatmone& 'as no ob;ect and that all I could do to ma$e her happ& and comfortable 'ould bedone#4

4Ver& generous( I am sure(4 said %olmes 'ith a sneer#

4See here( Mr# %olmes# I came to &ou on a


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gun and so frighten her into lea)ing us# Then there might ha)e been a scuffle and the gungone off and shot the 'oman 'ho held it#4

4That possibilit& had alread& occurred to me(4 said %olmes# 4Indeed( it is the onl& ob)iousalternati)e to deliberate murder#4

4But she utterl& denies it#4

4,ell( that is not final--is it: "ne can understand that a 'oman placed in so a'ful a positionmight hurr& home still in her be'ilderment holding the re)ol)er# She might e)en thro' it do'namong her clothes( hardl& $no'ing 'hat she 'as doing( and 'hen it 'as found she might tr&to lie her 'a& out b& a total denial( since all explanation 'as impossible# ,hat is against sucha supposition:4

4Miss +unbar herself#4

4,ell( perhaps#4

%olmes loo$ed at his 'atch# 4I ha)e no doubt 'e can get the necessar& permits this morningand reach ,inchester b& the e)ening train# ,hen I ha)e seen this &oung lad& it is )er&possible that I ma& be of more use to &ou in the matter( though I cannot promise that m&

conclusions 'ill necessaril& be such as &ou desire#4

There 'as some dela& in the official pass( and instead of reaching ,inchester that da& 'e'ent do'n to Thor Place( the %ampshire estate of Mr# 8eil Gibson# %e did not accompan& ushimself( but 'e had the address of Sergeant Co)entr&( of the local police( 'ho had firstexamined into the affair# %e 'as a tall( thin( cada)erous man( 'ith a secreti)e and m&steriousmanner 'hich con)e&ed the idea that he $ne' or suspected a )er& great deal more than hedared sa %e had a tric$( too( of suddenl& sin$ing his )oice to a 'hisper as if he had comeupon something of )ital importance( though the information 'as usuall& commonplaceenough# Behind these tric$s of manner he soon sho'ed himself to be a decent( honest fello''ho 'as not too proud to admit that he 'as out of his depth and 'ould 'elcome an& help#

4/n&ho'( I!d rather ha)e &ou than Scotland 9ard( Mr# %olmes(4 said he# 4If the 9ard getscalled into a case( then the local loses all credit for success and ma& be blamed for failure#8o'( &ou pla& straight( so I!)e heard#4

4I need not appear in the matter at all(4 said %olmes to the e)ident relief of our melanchol&ac


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4,ell( the gentleman has a lot of firearms of one sort and another# ,e ne)er


24/146

4,hat 'as her explanation:4

4%er defence 'as reser)ed for the /ssizes# She 'ould sa& nothing#4

4The problem is certainl& a )er& interesting one# The point of the letter is )er& obscure( is itnot:4

4,ell( sir(4 said the guide( 4it seemed( if I ma& be so bold as to sa& so( the onl& reall& clear

point in the 'hole case#4%olmes shoo$ his head#

4Granting that the letter is genuine and 'as reall& 'ritten( it 'as certainl& recei)ed some timebefore--sa& one hour or t'o# ,h&( then( 'as this lad& still clasping it in her left hand: ,h&should she carr& it so carefull&: She did not need to refer to it in the inter)ie'# +oes it notseem remar$able:4

4,ell( sir( as &ou put it( perhaps it does#4

4I thin$ I should li$e to sit


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48o( I cannot sa& that# But I ha)e heard 'ords 'hich 'ere nearl& as bad --'ords of cold(cutting contempt( e)en before the ser)ants#4

4"ur millionaire does not seem to shine in pri)ate life(4 remar$ed %olmes as 'e made our'a& to the station# 4,ell( ,atson( 'e ha)e come on a good man& facts( some of them ne'ones( and &et I seem some 'a& from m& conclusion# In spite of the )er& e)ident disli$e 'hichMr# Bates has to his emplo&er( I gather from him that 'hen the alarm came he 'as

undoubtedl& in his librar +inner 'as o)er at 1?= and all 'as normal up to then# It is true thatthe alarm 'as some'hat late in the e)ening( but the traged& certainl& occurred about thehour named in the note# There is no e)idence at all that Mr# Gibson had been out of doorssince his return from to'n at fi)e o!cloc$# "n the other hand( Miss +unbar( as I understand it(admits that she had made an appointment to meet Mrs# Gibson at the bridge# Be&ond this she'ould sa& nothing( as her la'&er had ad)ised her to reser)e her defence# ,e ha)e se)eral)er& )ital


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,e 'ere compelled to spend the night at ,inchester( as the formalities had not &et beencompleted( but next morning( in the compan& of Mr# Ao&ce Cummings( the rising barrister 'ho'as entrusted 'ith the defence( 'e 'ere allo'ed to see the &oung lad& in her cell# I hadexpected from all that 'e had heard to see a beautiful 'oman( but I can ne)er forget theeffect 'hich Miss +unbar produced upon me# It 'as no 'onder that e)en the masterfulmillionaire had found in her something more po'erful than himself--something 'hich could

control and guide him# "ne felt( too( as one loo$ed at the strong( clear-cut( and &et sensiti)eface( that e)en should she be capable of some impetuous deed( none the less there 'as aninnate nobilit& of character 'hich 'ould ma$e her influence al'a&s for the good# She 'as abrunette( tall( 'ith a noble figure and commanding presence( but her dar$ e&es had in themthe appealing( helpless expression of the hunted creature 'ho feels the nets around it( butcan see no 'a& out from the toils# 8o'( as she realized the presence and the help of m&famous friend( there came a touch of colour in her 'an chee$s and a light of hope began toglimmer in the glance 'hich she turned upon us#

4Perhaps Mr# 8eil Gibson has told &ou something of 'hat occurred bet'een us:4 she as$edin a lo'( agitated )oice#

49es(4 %olmes ans'ered( 4&ou need not pain &ourself b& entering into that part of the stor/fter seeing &ou( I am prepared to accept Mr# Gibson!s statement both as to the influence'hich &ou had o)er him and as to the innocence of &our relations 'ith him# But 'h& 'as the'hole situation not brought out in court:4

4It seemed to me incredible that such a charge could be sustained# I thought that if 'e 'aitedthe 'hole thing must clear itself up 'ithout our being compelled to enter into painful details ofthe inner life of the famil But I understand that far from clearing it has become e)en moreserious#4

4M& dear &oung lad&(4 cried %olmes earnestl&( 4I beg &ou to ha)e no illusions upon the point#Mr# Cummings here 'ould assure &ou that all the cards are at present against us( and that 'emust do e)er&thing that is possible if 'e are to 'in clear# It 'ould be a cruel deception to

pretend that &ou are not in )er& great danger# Gi)e me all the help &ou can( then( to get at thetruth#4

4I 'ill conceal nothing#4

4Tell us( then( of &our true relations 'ith Mr# Gibson!s 'ife#4

4She hated me( Mr# %olmes# She hated me 'ith all the fer)our of her tropical nature# She 'asa 'oman 'ho 'ould do nothing b& hal)es( and the measure of her lo)e for her husband 'asthe measure also of her hatred for me# It is probable that she misunderstood our relations# I'ould not 'ish to 'rong her( but she lo)ed so )i)idl& in a ph&sical sense that she could hardl&understand the mental( and e)en spiritual( tie 'hich held her husband to me( or imagine that it'as onl& m& desire to influence his po'er to good ends 'hich $ept me under his roof# I cansee no' that I 'as 'rong# 8othing could ;ustif& me in remaining 'here I 'as a cause ofunhappiness( and &et it is certain that the unhappiness 'ould ha)e remained e)en if I had leftthe house#4

48o'( Miss +unbar(4 said %olmes( 4I beg &ou to tell us exactl& 'hat occurred that e)ening#4

4I can tell &ou the truth so far as I $no' it( Mr# %olmes( but I am in a position to pro)e nothing(and there are points--the most )ital points--'hich I can neither explain nor can I imagine an&explanation#4


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4If &ou 'ill find the facts( perhaps others ma& find the explanation#4

4,ith regard( then( to m& presence at Thor Bridge that night( I recei)ed a note from Mrs#Gibson in the morning# It la& on the table of the schoolroom( and it ma& ha)e been left thereb& her o'n hand# It implored me to see her there after dinner( said she had somethingimportant to sa& to me( and as$ed me to lea)e an ans'er on the sundial in the garden( as shedesired no one to be in our confidence# I sa' no reason for such secrec&( but I did as she

as$ed( accepting the appointment# She as$ed me to destro& her note and I burned it in theschoolroom grate# She 'as )er& much afraid of her husband( 'ho treated her 'ith aharshness for 'hich I fre


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48ext morning( 'hen the police made their search#4

4/mong &our clothes:4

49es( on the floor of m& 'ardrobe under m& dresses#4

49ou could not guess ho' long it had been there:4

4It had not been there the morning before#4

4%o' do &ou $no':4

4Because I tidied out the 'ardrobe#4

4That is final# Then someone came into &our room and placed the pistol there in order toinculpate &ou#4

4It must ha)e been so#4

4/nd 'hen:4

4It could onl& ha)e been at meal-time( or else at the hours 'hen I 'ould be in the schoolroom'ith the children#4

4/s &ou 'ere 'hen &ou got the note:4

49es( from that time on'ard for the 'hole morning#4

4Than$ &ou( Miss +unbar# Is there an& other point 'hich could help me in the in)estigation:4

4I can thin$ of none#4

4There 'as some sign of )iolence on the stone'or$ of the bridge--a perfectl& fresh chip ;ustopposite the bod Could &ou suggest an& possible explanation of that:4

4Surel& it must be a mere coincidence#4

4Curious( Miss +unbar( )er& curious# ,h& should it appear at the )er& time of the traged&( and

'h& at the )er& place:44But 'hat could ha)e caused it: "nl& great )iolence could ha)e such an effect#4

%olmes did not ans'er# %is pale( eager face had suddenl& assumed that tense( far-a'a&expression 'hich I had learned to associate 'ith the supreme manifestations of his genius#So e)ident 'as the crisis in his mind that none of us dared to spea$( and 'e sat( barrister(prisoner( and m&self( 'atching him in a concentrated and absorbed silence# Suddenl& hesprang from his chair( )ibrating 'ith ner)ous energ& and the pressing need for action#

4Come( ,atson( come64 he cried#

4,hat is it( Mr# %olmes:4

48e)er mind( m& dear lad 9ou 'ill hear from me( Mr# Cummings# ,ith the help of the god of;ustice I 'ill gi)e &ou a case 'hich 'ill ma$e 5ngland ring# 9ou 'ill get ne's b& to-morro'(Miss +unbar( and mean'hile ta$e m& assurance that the clouds are lifting and that I ha)ee)er& hope that the light of truth is brea$ing through#4

It 'as not a long ;ourne& from ,inchester to Thor Place( but it 'as long to me in m&impatience( 'hile for %olmes it 'as e)ident that it seemed endless. for( in his ner)ousrestlessness he could not sit still( but paced the carriage or drummed 'ith his long( sensiti)efingers upon the cushions beside him# Suddenl&( ho'e)er( as 'e neared our destination heseated himself opposite to me--'e had a first-class carriage to oursel)es--and la&ing a hand


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upon each of m& $nees he loo$ed into m& e&es 'ith the peculiarl& mischie)ous gaze 'hich'as charactenstic of his more imp-li$e moods#

4,atson(4 said he( 4I ha)e some recollection that &ou go armed upon these excursions ofours#4

It 'as as 'ell for him that I did so( for he too$ little care for his o'n safet& 'hen his mind 'asonce absorbed b& a problem so that more than once m& re)ol)er had been a good friend inneed# I reminded him of the fact#

49es( &es( I am a little absent-minded in such matters# But ha)e &ou &our re)ol)er on &ou:4

I produced it from m& hip-poc$et( a short( hand&( but )er& ser)iceable little 'eapon# %e undidthe catch( shoo$ out the cartridges( and examined it 'ith care#

4It!s hea)&--remar$abl& hea)&(4 said he#

49es( it is a solid bit of 'or$#4

%e mused o)er it for a minute#

4+o &ou $no'( ,atson(4 said he( 4I belie)e &our re)ol)er is going to ha)e a )er& intimate

connection 'ith the m&ster& 'hich 'e are in)estigating#4

4M& dear %olmes( &ou are ;o$ing#4

48o( ,atson( I am )er& serious# There is a test before us# If the test comes off( all 'ill beclear# /nd the test 'ill depend upon the conduct of this little 'eapon# "ne cartridge out# 8o''e 'ill replace the other fi)e and put on the safet&-catch# So6 That increases the 'eight andma$es it a better reproduction#4

I had no glimmer of 'hat 'as in his mind( nor did he enlighten me( but sat lost in thought until'e pulled up in the little %ampshire station# ,e secured a ramshac$le trap( and in a


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the policeman the exact spot 'here the bod& had been stretched# %e then hunted among theheather and the ferns until he found a considerable stone# This he secured to the other end ofhis line of string( and he hung it o)er the parapet of the bridge so that it s'ung clear abo)ethe 'ater# %e then stood on the fatal spot( some distance from the edge of the bridge( 'ith m&re)ol)er in his hand( the string being taut bet'een the 'eapon and the hea)& stone on thefarther side#

48o' for it64 he cried#

/t the 'ords he raised the pistol to his head( and then let go his grip# In an instant it had been'his$ed a'a& b& the 'eight of the stone( had struc$ 'ith a sharp crac$ against the parapet(and had )anished o)er the side into the 'ater# It had hardl& gone before %olmes 'as $neelingbeside the stone'or$( and a ;o&ous cr& sho'ed that he had found 'hat he expected#

4,as there e)er a more exact demonstration:4 he cried# 4See( ,atson( &our re)ol)er hassol)ed the problem64 /s he spo$e he pointed to a second chip of the exact size and shape ofthe first 'hich had appeared on the under edge of the stone balustrade#

4,e!ll sta& at the inn to-night(4 he continued as he rose and faced the astonished sergeant#49ou 'ill( of course( get a grappling-hoo$ and &ou 'ill easil& restore m& friend!s re)ol)er# 9ou

'ill also find beside it the re)ol)er( string and 'eight 'ith 'hich this )indicti)e 'omanattempted to disguise her o'n crime and to fasten a charge of murder upon an innocent)ictim# 9ou can let Mr# Gibson $no' that I 'ill see him in the morning( 'hen steps can beta$en for Miss +unbar!s )indication#4

ate that e)ening( as 'e sat together smo$ing our pipes in the )illage inn( %olmes ga)e me abrief re)ie' of 'hat had passed#

4I fear( ,atson(4 said he( 4that &ou 'ill not impro)e an& reputation 'hich I ma& ha)e ac


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she used her last breath in pouring out her hatred( and then( 'hen she 'as out of hearing(carried out her terrible purpose# 5)er& lin$ is no' in its place and the chain is complete# Thepapers ma& as$ 'h& the mere 'as not dragged in the first instance( but it is eas& to be 'iseafter the e)ent( and in an& case the expanse of a reed-filled la$e is no eas& matter to dragunless &ou ha)e a clear perception of 'hat &ou are loo$ing for and 'here# ,ell( ,atson( 'eha)e helped a remar$able 'oman( and also a formidable man# Should the& in the future ;oin

their forces( as seems not unli$el&( the financial 'orld ma& find that Mr# 8eil Gibson haslearned something in that schoolroom of sorro' 'here our earthl& lessons are taught#4

ADVENTURE ! THE ADVENTURE OF THE CREEPN& "AN

Mr# Sherloc$ %olmes 'as al'a&s of opinion that I should publish the singular facts connected'ith Professor Presbur&( if onl& to dispel once for all the ugl& rumours 'hich some t'ent&&ears ago agitated the uni)ersit& and 'ere echoed in the learned societies of ondon# There'ere( ho'e)er( certain obstacles in the 'a&( and the true histor& of this curious caseremained entombed in the tin box 'hich contains so man& records of m& friend!s ad)entures#

8o' 'e ha)e at last obtained permission to )entilate the facts 'hich formed one of the )er&last cases handled b& %olmes before his retirement from practice# 5)en no' a certainreticence and discretion ha)e to be obser)ed in la&ing the matter before the public#

It 'as one Sunda& e)ening earl& in September of the &ear 03= that I recei)ed one of%olmes!s laconic messages?

Come at once if con)enient--if incon)enient come all the same# S#%#

The relations bet'een us in those latter da&s 'ere peculiar# %e 'as a man of habits( narro'and concentrated habits( and I had become one of them# /s an institution I 'as li$e the )iolin(the shag tobacco( the old blac$ pipe( the index boo$s( and others perhaps less excusable#,hen it 'as a case of acti)e 'or$ and a comrade 'as needed upon 'hose ner)e he could

place some reliance( m& role 'as ob)ious# But apart from this I had uses# I 'as a 'hetstonefor his mind# I stimulated him# %e li$ed to thin$ aloud in m& presence# %is remar$s couldhardl& be said to be made to me--man& of them 'ould ha)e been as appropriatel& addressedto his bedstead--but none the less( ha)ing formed the habit( it had become in some 'a&helpful that I should register and inter;ect# If I irritated him b& a certain methodical slo'ness inm& mentalit&( that irritation ser)ed onl& to ma$e his o'n flame-li$e intuitions and impressionsflash up the more )i)idl& and s'iftl Such 'as m& humble role in our alliance#

,hen I arri)ed at Ba$er Street I found him huddled up in his armchair 'ith updra'n $nees(his pipe in his mouth and his bro' furro'ed 'ith thought# It 'as clear that he 'as in thethroes of some )exatious problem# ,ith a 'a)e of his hand he indicated m& old armchair( butother'ise for half an hour he ga)e no sign that he 'as a'are of m& presence# Then 'ith astart he seemed to come from his re)erie( and 'ith his usual 'himsical smile he greeted mebac$ to 'hat had once been m& home#

49ou 'ill excuse a certain abstraction of mind( m& dear ,atson(4 said he# 4Some curious factsha)e been submitted to me 'ithin the last t'ent&-four hours( and the& in turn ha)e gi)en riseto some speculations of a more general character# I ha)e serious thoughts of 'riting a smallmonograph upon the uses of dogs in the 'or$ of the detecti)e#4

4But surel&( %olmes( this has been explored(4 said I# 4Bloodhounds-- sleuth-hounds--4


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48o( no( ,atson( that side of the matter is( of course( ob)ious# But there is another 'hich isfar more subtle# 9ou ma& recollect that in the case 'hich &ou( in &our sensational 'a&(coupled 'ith the Copper Beeches( I 'as able( b& 'atching the mind of the child( to form adeduction as to the criminal habits of the )er& smug and respectable father#4

49es( I remember it 'ell#4

4M& line of thoughts about dogs is analogous# / dog reflects the famil& life# ,hoe)er sa' afris$& dog in a gloom& famil&( or a sad dog in a happ& one: Snarling people ha)e snarlingdogs( dangerous people ha)e dangerous ones# /nd their passing moods ma& reflect thepassing moods of others#4

I shoo$ m& head# 4Surel&( %olmes( this is a little far-fetched(4 said I#

%e had refilled his pipe and resumed his seat( ta$ing no notice of m& comment#

4The practical application of 'hat I ha)e said is )er& close to the problem 'hich I amin)estigating# It is a tangled s$ein( &ou understand# and I am loo$ing for a loose end# "nepossible loose end lies in the


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de)otion# But it ma& best be sho'n b& ta$ing the necessar& steps to clear up this strangem&ster

4I hope so( Mr# %olmes# That is m& one ob;ect# +oes +r# ,atson $no' the situation:4

4I ha)e not had time to explain it#4

4Then perhaps I had better go o)er the ground again before explaining some fresh

de)elopments#44I 'ill do so m&self(4 said %olmes( 4in order to sho' that I ha)e the e)ents in their due order#The professor( ,atson( is a man of 5uropean reputation# %is life has been academic# Therehas ne)er been a breath of scandal# %e is a 'ido'er 'ith one daughter( 5dith# %e is( I gather(a man of )er& )irile and positi)e( one might almost sa& combati)e( character# So the matterstood until a )er& fe' months ago#

4Then the current of his life 'as bro$en# %e is sixt&-one &ears of age( but he became engagedto the daughter of Professor Morph&( his colleague in the chair of comparati)e anatom It 'asnot( as I understand( the reasoned courting of an elderl& man but rather the passionate frenz&of &outh( for no one could ha)e sho'n himself a more de)oted lo)er# The lad&( /lice Morph&(

'as a )er& perfect girl both in mind and bod&( so that there 'as e)er& excuse for theprofessor!s infatuation# 8one the less( it did not meet 'ith full appro)al in his o'n famil

4,e thought it rather excessi)e(4 said our )isitor#

45xactl 5xcessi)e and a little )iolent and unnatural# Professor Presbur& 'as rich( ho'e)er(and there 'as no ob;ection upon the part of the father# The daughter( ho'e)er( had other)ie's( and there 'ere alread& se)eral candidates for her hand( 'ho( if the& 'ere less eligiblefrom a 'orldl& point of )ie'( 'ere at least more of an age# The girl seemed to li$e theprofessor in spite of his eccentricities# It 'as onl& age 'hich stood in the 'a

4/bout this time a little m&ster& suddenl& clouded the normal routine of the professor!s life# %edid 'hat he had ne)er done before# %e left home and ga)e no indication 'here he 'as going#

%e 'as a'a& a fortnight and returned loo$ing rather tra)el-'orn# %e made no allusion to'here he had been( although he 'as usuall& the fran$est of men# It chanced( ho'e)er( thatour client here( Mr# Bennett( recei)ed a letter from a fello'student in Prague( 'ho said that he'as glad to ha)e seen Professor Presbur& there( although he had not been able to tal$ tohim# "nl& in this 'a& did his o'n household learn 'here he had been#

48o' comes the point# *rom that time on'ard a curious change came o)er the professor# %ebecame furti)e and sl Those around him had al'a&s the feeling that he 'as not the manthat the& had $no'n( but that he 'as under some shado' 'hich had dar$ened his higher


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had the 5# C# mar$( and 'ere in an illiterate hand'riting# If he ans'ered them at all theans'ers did not pass through m& hands nor into the letterbas$et in 'hich our correspondence'as collected#4

4/nd the box(4 said %olmes#

4/h( &es( the box# The professor brought bac$ a little 'ooden box from his tra)els# It 'as theone thing 'hich suggested a Continental tour( for it 'as one of those


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9et he seemed to mo)e 'ith ease# I 'as so paral&zed b& the sight that it 'as not until he hadreached m& door that I 'as able to step for'ard and as$ if I could assist him# %is ans'er 'asextraordinar %e sprang up( spat out some atrocious 'ord at me( and hurried on past me(and do'n the staircase# I 'aited about for an hour( but he did not come bac$# It must ha)ebeen da&light before he regained his room#4

4,ell( ,atson( 'hat ma$e &ou of that:4 as$ed %olmes 'ith the air of the pathologist 'ho

presents a rare specimen#

4umbago( possibl I ha)e $no'n a se)ere attac$ ma$e a man 'al$ in ;ust such a 'a&( andnothing 'ould be more tr&ing to the temper#4

4Good( ,atson6 9ou al'a&s $eep us flat-footed on the ground# But 'e can hardl& acceptlumbago( since he 'as able to stand erect in a moment#4

4%e 'as ne)er better in health(4 said Bennett# 4In fact( he is stronger than I ha)e $no'n himfor &ears# But there are the facts( Mr# %olmes# It is not a case in 'hich 'e can consult thepolice( and &et 'e are utterl& at our 'it!s end as to 'hat to do( and 'e feel in some strange'a& that 'e are drifting to'ards disaster# 5dith--Miss Presbur&-- feels as I do( that 'e cannot'ait passi)el& an& longer#4

4It is certainl& a )er& curious and suggesti)e case# ,hat do &ou thin$( ,atson:4

4Spea$ing as a medical man(4 said I( 4it appears to be a case for an alienist# The oldgentleman!s cerebral processes 'ere disturbed b& the lo)e affair# %e made a ;ourne& abroadin the hope of brea$ing himself of the passion# %is letters and the box ma& be connected 'ithsome other pri)ate transaction--a loan( perhaps( or share cenificates( 'hich are in the box#4

4/nd the 'olfhound no doubt disappro)ed of the financial bargain# 8o( no( ,atson( there ismore in it than this# 8o'( I can onl& suggest--4

,hat Sherloc$ %olmes 'as about to suggest 'ill ne)er be $no'n( for at this moment the dooropened and a &oung lad& 'as sho'n into the room# /s she appeared Mr# Bennett sprang up

'ith a cr& and ran for'ard 'ith his hands out to meet those 'hich she had herselfoutstretched#

45dith( dear6 8othing the matter( I hope:4

4I felt I must follo' &ou# "h( Aac$( I ha)e been so dreadfull& frightened6 It is a'ful to be therealone#4

4Mr# %olmes( this is the &oung lad& I spo$e of# This is m& fiancee#4

4,e 'ere graduall& coming to that conclusion( 'ere 'e not( ,atson:4 %olmes ans'ered 'itha smile# 4I ta$e it( Miss Presbur&( that there is some fresh de)elopment in the case( and that&ou thought 'e should $no':4

"ur ne' )isitor( a bright( handsome girl of a con)entional 5nglish t&pe( smiled bac$ at %olmesas she seated herself beside Mr# Bennett#

4,hen I found Mr# Bennett had left his hotel I thought I should probabl& find him here# "fcourse( he had told me that he 'ould consult &ou# But( oh( Mr# %olmes( can &ou do nothing form& poor father:4

4I ha)e hopes( Miss Presbur&( but the case is still obscure# Perhaps 'hat &ou ha)e to sa&ma& thro' some fresh light upon it#4


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4It 'as last night( Mr# %olmes# %e had been )er& strange all da I am sure that there aretimes 'hen he has no recollection of 'hat he does# %e li)es as in a strange dream# 9esterda&'as such a da It 'as not m& father 'ith 'hom I li)ed# %is out'ard shell 'as there( but it'as not reall& he#4

4Tell me 'hat happened#4

4I 'as a'a$ened in the night b& the dog bar$ing most furiousl Poor Ro&( he is chained no'near the stable# I ma& sa& that I al'a&s sleep 'ith m& door loc$ed. for( as Aac$--as Mr#Bennett--'ill tell &ou( 'e all ha)e a feeling of impending danger# M& room is on the secondfloor# It happened that the blind 'as up in m& 'indo'( and there 'as bright moonlight outside#

/s I la& 'ith m& e&es fixed upon the s


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Monda& morning found us on our 'a& to the famous uni)ersit& to'n--an eas& effort on thepart of %olmes( 'ho had no roots to pull up( but one 'hich in)ol)ed frantic planning andhurr&ing on m& part( as m& practice 'as b& this time not inconsiderable# %olmes made noallusion to the case until after 'e had deposited our suitcases at the ancient hostel of 'hichhe had spo$en#

4I thin$( ,atson( that 'e can catch the professor ;ust before lunch# %e lectures at ele)en and

should ha)e an inter)al at home#4

4,hat possible excuse ha)e 'e for calling:4

%olmes glanced at his noteboo$#

4There 'as a period of excitement upon /ugust @>th# ,e 'ill assume that he is a little haz&as to 'hat he does at such times# If 'e insist that 'e are there b& appointment I thin$ he 'illhardl& )enture to contradict us# %a)e &ou the effronter& necessar& to put it through:4

4,e can but tr

45xcellent( ,atson6 Compound of the Bus& Bee and 5xcelsior# ,e can but tr&--the motto ofthe firm# / friendl& nati)e 'ill surel& guide us#4

Such a one on the bac$ of a smart hansom s'ept us past a ro' of ancient colleges and(finall& turning into a tree-lined dri)e( pulled up at the door of a charming house( girt round 'ithla'ns and co)ered 'ith purple 'istaria# Professor Presbur& 'as certainl& surrounded 'ithe)er& sign not onl& of comfort but of luxur 5)en as 'e pulled up( a grizzled head appearedat the front 'indo'( and 'e 'ere a'are of a pair of $een e&es from under shagg& bro's'hich sur)e&ed us through large horn glasses# / moment later 'e 'ere actuall& in hissanctum( and the m&sterious scientist( 'hose )agaries had brought us from ondon( 'asstanding before us# There 'as certainl& no sign of eccentricit& either in his manner orappearance( for he 'as a portl&( largefeatured man( gra)e( tall( and froc$-coated( 'ith thedignit& of bearing 'hich a lecturer needs# %is e&es 'ere his most remar$able feature( $een(obser)ant( and cle)er to the )erge of cunning#

%e loo$ed at our cards# 4Pra& sit do'n( gentlemen# ,hat can I do for &ou:4

Mr# %olmes smiled amiabl

4It 'as the


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48o( I dare sa& not(4 said the professor 'ith asperit 4%o'e)er( that particular one can beans'ered )er& easil& 'ithout &our aid#4

%e 'al$ed across the room to the bell# "ur ondon friend Mr# Bennett( ans'ered the call#

4Come in( Mr# Bennett# These t'o gentlemen ha)e come from ondon under the impressionthat the& ha)e been summoned# 9ou handle all m& correspondence# %a)e &ou a note ofan&thing going to a person named %olmes:4

48o( sir(4 Bennett ans'ered 'ith a flush#

4That is conclusi)e(4 said the professor( glaring angril& at m& companion# 48o'( sir4--heleaned for'ard 'ith his t'o hands upon the table--4 it seems to me that &our position is a )er&


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4I could not climb it m&self(4 said Mr# Bennett#

4Ver& li$el It 'ould certainl& be a dangerous exploit for an& normal man#4

4There 'as one other thing I 'ish to tell &ou( Mr# %olmes# I ha)e the address of the man inondon to 'hom the professor 'rites# %e seems to ha)e 'ritten this morning( and I got it fromhis blotting-paper# It is an ignoble position for a trusted secretar&( but 'hat else can I do:4

%olmes glanced at the paper and put it into his poc$et#4+ora$--a curious name# Sla)onic( I imagine# ,ell( it is an important lin$ in the chain# ,ereturn to ondon this afternoon( Mr# Bennett# I see no good purpose to be ser)ed b& ourremaining# ,e cannot arrest the professor because he has done no crime( nor can 'e placehim under constraint( for he cannot be pro)ed to be mad# 8o action is as &et possible#4

4Then 'hat on earth are 'e to do:4

4/ little patience( Mr# Bennett# Things 'ill soon de)elop# 7nless I am mista$en( next Tuesda&ma& mar$ a crisis# Certainl& 'e shall be in Camford on that da Mean'hile( the generalposition is undeniabl& unpleasant( and if Miss Presbur& can prolong her )isit4

4That is eas

4Then let her sta& till 'e can assure her that all danger is past# Mean'hile( let him ha)e his'a& and do not cross him# So long as he is in a good humour all is 'ell#4

4There he is64 said Bennett in a startled 'hisper# oo$ing bet'een the branches 'e sa' thetall( erect figure emerge from the hall door and loo$ around him# %e stood leaning for'ard( hishands s'inging straight before him( his head turning from side to side# The secretar& 'ith alast 'a)e slipped off among the trees( and 'e sa' him presentl& re;oin his emplo&er( the t'oentering the house together in 'hat seemed to be animated and e)en excited con)ersation#

4I expect the old gentleman has been putting t'o and t'o together(4 said %olmes as 'e'al$ed hotel'ard# 4%e struc$ me as ha)ing a particularl& clear and logical brain from the little

I sa' of him# 5xplosi)e( no doubt( but then from his point of )ie' he has something to explodeabout if detecti)es are put on his trac$ and he suspects his o'n household of doing it# I ratherfanc& that friend Bennett is in for an uncomfortable time#4

%olmes stopped at a post-office and sent off a telegram on our 'a The ans'er reached usin the e)ening( and he tossed it across to me#

%a)e )isited the Commercial Road and seen +ora$# Sua)e person( Bohemian( elderl eepslarge general store# M5RC5R#

4Mercer is since &our time(4 said %olmes# 4%e is m& general utilit& man 'ho loo$s up routinebusiness# It 'as important to $no' something of the man 'ith 'hom our professor 'as sosecretl& corresponding# %is nationalit& connects up 'ith the Prague )isit#4

4Than$ goodness that something connects 'ith something(4 said I# 4/t present 'e seem to befaced b& a long series of inexplicable incidents 'ith no bearing upon each other# *or example('hat possible connection can there be bet'een an angr& 'olfhound and a )isit to Bohemia(or either of them 'ith a man cra'ling do'n a passage at night: /s to &our dates( that is thebiggest m&stification of all#4

%olmes smiled and rubbed his hands# ,e 'ere( I ma& sa&( seated in the old sitting-room ofthe ancient hotel( 'ith a bottle of the famous )intage of 'hich %olmes had spo$en on thetable bet'een us#


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4,ell( no'( let us ta$e the dates first(4 said he( his fingertips together and his manner as if he'ere addressing a class# 4This excellent &oung man!s diar& sho's that there 'as troubleupon Aul& @d( and from then on'ard it seems to ha)e been at nine-da& inter)als( 'ith( so faras I remember( onl& one exception# Thus the last outbrea$ upon *rida& 'as on September=d( 'hich also falls into the series( as did /ugust @>th( 'hich preceded it# The thing is be&ondcoincidence#4

I 'as forced to agree#

4et us( then( form the pro)isional theor& that e)er& nine da&s the professor ta$es somestrong drug 'hich has a passing but highl& poisonous effect# %is naturall& )iolent nature isintensified b& it# %e learned to ta$e this drug 'hile he 'as in Prague( and is no' supplied 'ithit b& a Bohemian intermediar& in ondon# This all hangs together( ,atson64

4But the dog( the face at the 'indo'( the creeping man in the passage:4

4,ell( 'ell( 'e ha)e made a beginning# I should not expect an& fresh de)elopments until nextTuesda In the meantime 'e can onl& $eep in touch 'ith friend Bennett and en;o& theamenities of this charming to'n#4

In the morning Mr# Bennett slipped round to bring us the latest report# /s %olmes hadimagined( times had not been eas& 'ith him# ,ithout exactl& accusing him of beingresponsible for our presence( the professor had been )er& rough and rude in his speech( ande)identl& felt some strong grie)ance# This morning he 'as


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4I fanc& our researches must lie in that direction# /t the 'orst the loc$ should not be )er&formidable# %a)e &ou an& other able-bodied man on the premises:4

4There is the coachman( Macphail#4

4,here does he sleep:4

4")er the stables#4

4,e might possibl& 'ant him# ,ell( 'e can do no more until 'e see ho' things de)elop(Good-b&e--but I expect that 'e shall see &ou before morning#4

It 'as nearl& midnight before 'e too$ our station among some bushes immediatel& oppositethe hall door of the professor# It 'as a fine night( but chill&( and 'e 'ere glad of our 'armo)ercoats# There 'as a breeze( and clouds 'ere scudding across the s$&( obscuring fromtime to time the half-moon# It 'ould ha)e been a dismal )igil 'ere it not for the expectationand excitement 'hich carried us along( and the assurance of m& comrade that 'e hadprobabl& reached the end of the strange se


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mere ;o& at his o'n po'ers( 'ith no definite ob;ect in )ie'# ,ith his dressing-go'n flappingon each side of him( he loo$ed li$e some huge bat glued against the side of his o'n house( agreat s


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the postmar$ of Prague# 4%ere 'e ha)e our material64 cried %olmes as he tore out theenclosure#

%"8"7R5+ C"5/G75 it ranH?

Since &our esteemed )isit I ha)e thought much of &our case( and though in &ourcircumstances there are some special reasons for the treatment( I 'ould none the less en;oincaution( as m& results ha)e sho'n that it is not 'ithout danger of a $ind# It is possible that theserum of anthropoid 'ould ha)e been better# I ha)e( as I explained to &ou( used blac$-facedlangur because a specimen 'as accessible# angur is( of course( a cra'ler and climber( 'hileanthropoid 'al$s erect and is in all 'a&s nearer# I beg &ou to ta$e e)er& possible precautionthat there be no premature re)elation of the process# I ha)e one other client in 5ngland( and+ora$ is m& agent for both# ,ee$l& reports 'ill oblige#

9ours 'ith high esteem(%# ",58ST5I8#

o'enstein6 The name brought bac$ to me the memor& of some snippet from a ne'spaper'hich spo$e of an obscure scientist 'ho 'as stri)ing in some un$no'n 'a& for the secret ofre;u)enescence and the elixir of life# o'enstein of Prague6 o'enstein 'ith the 'ondrous

strength-gi)ing serum( tabooed b& the profession because he refused to re)eal its source# Ina fe' 'ords I said 'hat I remembered# Bennett had ta$en a manual of zoolog& from theshel)es# 4!angur(!4 he read( 4!the great blac$-faced mon$e& of the %imala&an slopes( biggestand most human of climbing mon$e&s#! Man& details are added# ,ell( than$s to &ou( Mr#%olmes( it is )er& clear that 'e ha)e traced the e)il to its source#4

4The real source(4 said %olmes( 4lies( of course( in that untimel& lo)e affair 'hich ga)e ourimpetuous professor the idea that he could onl& gain his 'ish b& turning himself into a&ounger man# ,hen one tries to rise abo)e 8ature one is liable to fall belo' it# The highestt&pe of man ma& re)ert to the animal if he lea)es the straight road of destin %e sat musingfor a little 'ith the phial in his hand( loo$ing at the clear li


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4*or a mixture of the modern and the mediae)al( of the practical and of the 'ildl& fanciful( Ithin$ this is surel& the limit(4 said he# 4,hat do &ou ma$e of it( ,atson:4

I read as follo's?

D>( "+ A5,R9(8o)# 03th#

Re VampiresSIR?

"ur client( Mr# Robert *erguson( of *erguson and Muirhead( tea bro$ers( of Mincing ane(has made some in


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%e too$ up a second letter 'hich had lain unnoticed upon the table 'hile he had beenabsorbed 'ith the first# This he began to read 'ith a smile of amusement upon his face 'hichgraduall& faded a'a& into an expression of intense interest and concentration# ,hen he hadfinished he sat for some little time lost in thought 'ith the letter dangling from his fingers#*inall&( 'ith a start( he aroused himself from his re)erie#

4Cheeseman!s( amberle ,here is amberle&( ,atson:4

4It is in Sussex( South of %orsham#4

48ot )er& far( eh: /nd Cheeseman!s:4

4I $no' that countr&( %olmes# It is full of old houses 'hich are named after the men 'ho builtthem centuries ago# 9ou get "dle&!s and %ar)e&!s and Carriton!s--the fol$ are forgotten buttheir names li)e in their houses#4

4Precisel&(4 said %olmes coldl It 'as one of the peculiarities of his proud( self-containednature that though he doc$eted an& fresh information )er&


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silence# 8o explanation 'as e)er gi)en( and for the moment the matter 'as passed o)er# Itleft( ho'e)er( a terrible impression upon the nurse!s mind( and from that time she began to'atch her mistress closel& and to $eep a closer guard upon the bab&( 'hom she tenderl&lo)ed# It seemed to her that e)en as she 'atched the mother( so the mother 'atched her( andthat e)er& time she 'as compelled to lea)e the bab& alone the mother 'as 'aiting to get at it#+a& and night the nurse co)ered the child( and da& and night the silent( 'atchful mother

seemed to be l&ing in 'ait as a 'olf 'aits for a lamb# It must read most incredible to &ou( and&et I beg &ou to ta$e it seriousl&( for a child!s life and a man!s sanit& ma& depend upon it#

/t last there came one dreadful da& 'hen the facts could no longer be concealed from thehusband# The nurse!s ner)e had gi)en 'a&. she could stand the strain no longer( and shemade a clean breast of it all to the man# To him it seemed as 'ild a tale as it ma& no' seemto &ou# %e $ne' his 'ife to be a lo)ing 'ife( and( sa)e for the assaults upon her stepson( alo)ing mother# ,h&( then( should she 'ound her o'n dear little bab&: %e told the nurse thatshe 'as dreaming( that her suspicions 'ere those of a lunatic( and that such libels upon hermistress 'ere not to be tolerated# ,hile the& 'ere tal$ing a sudden cr& of pain 'as heard#8urse and master rushed together to the nurser Imagine his feelings( Mr# %olmes( as hesa' his 'ife rise from a $neeling position beside the cot and sa' blood upon the child!s

exposed nec$ and upon the sheet# ,ith a cr& of horror( he turned his 'ife!s face to the lightand sa' blood all round her lips# It 'as she--she be&ond all


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4%ullo( ,atson(4 said he( and his )oice 'as still deep and heart 49ou don!t loo$


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4I fanc&(4 said he( 4that I ma& be of more use at amberle& than here# It is eminentl& a case forpersonal in)estigation# If the lad& remains in her room( our presence could not anno& orincon)enience her# "f course( 'e 'ould sta& at the inn#4

*erguson ga)e a gesture of relief#

4It is 'hat I hoped( Mr# %olmes# There is an excellent train at t'o from Victoria if &ou couldcome#4

4"f course 'e could come# There is a lull at present# I can gi)e &ou m& undi)ided energies#,atson( of course( comes 'ith us# But there are one or t'o points upon 'hich I 'ish to be)er& sure before I start# This unhapp& lad&( as I understand it( has appeared to assault boththe children( her o'n bab& and &our little son:4

4That is so#4

4But the assaults ta$e different forms( do the& not: She has beaten &our son#4

4"nce 'ith a stic$ and once )er& sa)agel& 'ith her hands#4

4+id she gi)e no explanation 'h& she struc$ him:4

48one sa)e that she hated him# /gain and again she said so#4

4,ell( that is not un$no'n among stepmothers# / posthumous ;ealous&( 'e 'ill sa Is thelad& ;ealous b& nature:4

49es( she is )er& ;ealous--;ealous 'ith all th

casebook of s holmes

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