dancing men in dancing men script
DESCRIPTION
The classic story of Sherlock Holmes, set in a Dancing Man fontTRANSCRIPT
holmeShaDbeeNseateDfoRsomEhourSiNsilencEwitHhiSlong,thiNbacKcurveDoveRAchemicaLvesseLiNwhicHhEwaSbrewinGAparticularlYmalodorouSproduct.hiSheaDwaSsunKupoNhiSbreast,anDhElookeDfroMmYpoinToFvieWlikEAstrange,lanKbird,witHdulLgraYplumagEanDAblacKtop–knot.
“so,watson,”saiDhe,suddenly,“yoUdOnoTproposEtOinvesTiNsoutHafricaNsecurities?”
IgavEAstarToFastonishment.accustomeDaSIwaStOholmes’ScuriouSfaculties,thiSsuddeNintrusioNintOmYmosTintimatEthoughtSwaSutterlYinexplicable.
“hoWoNeartHdOyoUknoWthat?”Iasked.
hEwheeleDrounDupoNhiSstool,witHAsteaminGtest–tubEiNhiShand,anDAgleaMoFamusemenTiNhiSdeep–seTeyes.
“now,watson,confesSyourselFutterlYtakeNaback,”saiDhe.
“Iam.”
“IoughTtOmakEyoUsigNApapeRtOthaTeffect.”
“why?”
“becausEiNfivEminuteSyoUwilLsaYthaTiTiSalLsOabsurdlYsimple.”
“IaMsurEthaTIshalLsaYnothinGoFthEkind.”
“yoUsee,mYdeaRwatson”—hEproppeDhiStest–
tubEiNthErack,anDbegaNtOlecturEwitHthEaiRoFAprofessoRaddressinGhiSclasS—“iTiSnoTreallYdifficulTtOconstrucTAserieSoFinferences,eacHdependenTupoNitSpredecessoRanDeacHsimplEiNitself.if,afteRdoinGso,onEsimplYknockSouTalLthEcentraLinferenceSanDpresentSone’SaudiencEwitHthEstarting–poinTanDthEconclusion,onEmaYproducEAstartling,thougHpossiblYAmeretricious,effect.now,iTwaSnoTreallYdifficult,bYaNinspectioNoFthEgroovEbetweeNyouRlefTforefingeRanDthumb,tOfeeLsurEthaTyoUdiDnoTproposEtOinvesTyouRsmalLcapitaLiNthEgolDfields.”
“IseEnOconnection.”
“verYlikelYnot;buTIcaNquicklYshoWyoUAclosEconnection.herEarEthEmissinGlinkSoFthEverYsimplEchain:1.yoUhaDchalKbetweeNyouRlefTfingeRanDthumBwheNyoUreturneDfroMthEcluBlasTnight.2.yoUpuTchalKtherEwheNyoUplaYbilliards,tOsteadYthEcue.3.yoUneveRplaYbilliardSexcepTwitHthurston.4.yoUtolDme,fouRweekSago,thaTthurstoNhaDaNoptioNoNsomEsoutHafricaNpropertYwhicHwoulDexpirEiNAmonth,anDwhicHhEdesireDyoUtOsharEwitHhim.5.youRchecKbooKiSlockeDiNmYdrawer,anDyoUhavEnoTaskeDfoRthEkey.6.yoUdOnoTproposEtOinvesTyouRmoneYiNthiSmanner.”
“hoWabsurdlYsimple!”Icried.
“quitEso!”saiDhe,AlittlEnettled.“everYprobleMbecomeSverYchildisHwheNoncEiTiSexplaineDtOyou.herEiSaNunexplaineDone.seEwhaTyoUcaNmakEoFthat,frienDwatson.”hEtosseDAsheeToFpapeRupoNthEtable,anDturneDoncEmorEtOhiSchemicaLanalysis.
IlookeDwitHamazemenTaTthEabsurDhieroglyphicSupoNthEpaper.
“why,holmes,iTiSAchild’Sdrawing,”Icried.
“oh,that’SyouRidea!”
“whaTelsEshoulDiTbe?”
“thaTiSwhaTmr.hiltoNcubitt,oFridinGthorpEmanor,norfolk,iSverYanxiouStOknow.thiSlittlEconundruMcamEbYthEfirsTpost,anDhEwaStOfolloWbYthEnexTtrain.there’SArinGaTthEbell,watson.IshoulDnoTbEverYmucHsurpriseDiFthiSwerEhe.”
AheavYstePwaShearDupoNthEstairs,anDaNinstanTlateRtherEentereDAtall,ruddy,clean–shaveNgentleman,whosEcleaReyeSanDfloriDcheekStolDoFAlifEleDfaRfroMthEfogSoFbakeRstreet.hEseemeDtObrinGAwhifFoFhiSstrong,fresh,bracing,east–coasTaiRwitHhiMaShEentered.havinGshakeNhandSwitHeacHoFus,hEwaSabouTtOsiTdown,wheNhiSeyEresteDupoNthEpapeRwitHthEcuriouSmarkings,whicHIhaDjusTexamineDanDlefTupoNthEtable.
“well,mr.holmes,whaTdOyoUmakEoFthese?”hEcried.“theYtolDmEthaTyoUwerEfonDoFq
ueeRmysteries,anDIdon’TthinKyoUcaNfinDAqueereRonEthaNthat.IsenTthEpapeRoNahead,sOthaTyoUmighThavEtimEtOstudYiTbeforEIcame.”
“iTiScertainlYratheRAcuriouSproduction,’’saiDholmes.“aTfirsTsighTiTwoulDappeaRtObEsomEchildisHprank.iTconsistSoFAnumbeRoFabsurDlittlEfigureSdan
cinGacrosSthEpapeRupoNwhicHtheYarEdrawn.whYshoulDyoUattributEanYimportancEtOsOgrotesquEaNobject?”
“IneveRshould,mr.holmes.buTmYwifEdoes.iTiSfrighteninGheRtOdeath.shEsaySnot
holmeShelDuPthEpapeRholmeShelDuPthEpapeRholmeShelDuPthEpapeRholmeShelDuPthEpapeR
hing,buTIcaNseEterroRiNheReyes.that’SwhYIwanTtOsifTthEmatteRtOthEbottom.”
holmeShelDuPthEpapeRsOthaTthEsunlighTshonEfulLupoNit.iTwaSApagEtorNfroMAnotebook.thEmarkingSwerEdonEiNpencil,anDraNiNthiSway:
AM HERE ABE SLANEY
holmeSexamineDiTfoRsomEtime,anDthen,foldinGiTcarefullYup,hEplaceDiTiNhiSpocketbook.
“thiSpromiseStObEAmosTinterestinGanDunusuaLcase,”saiDhe.“yoUgavEmEAfeWparticularSiNyouRletter,mr.hiltoNcubitt,buTIshoulDbEverYmucHobligeDiFyoUwoulDkindlYgOoveRiTalLagaiNfoRthEbenefiToFmYfriend,dr.watson.”
“i’MnoTmucHoFAstory–teller,”saiDouRvisitor,nervouslYclaspinGanDunclaspinGhiSgreat,stronGhands.“you’lLjusTasKmEanythinGthaTIdon’TmakEclear.i’lLbegiNaTthEtimEoFmYmarriagElasTyear,buTIwanTtOsaYfirsToFalLthat,thougHi’MnoTAricHman,mYpeoplEhavEbeeNaTridinGthorpEfoRAmatteRoFfivEcenturies,anDtherEiSnObetteRknowNfamilYiNthEcountYoFnorfolk.lasTyeaRIcamEuPtOlondoNfoRthEjubilee,anDIstoppeDaTAboardinghousEiNrusselLsquare,becausEparker,thEvicaRoFouRparish,waSstayinGiNit.therEwaSaNamericaNyounGladYtherE—patricKwaSthEnamE—elsiEpatrick.iNsomEwaYwEbecamEfriends,untiLbeforEmYmontHwaSuPIwaSaSmucHiNlovEaSmaNcoulDbe.wEwerEquietlYmarrieDaTAregistrYoffice,anDwEreturneDtOnorfolKAweddeDcouple.you’lLthinKiTverYmad,mr.holmes,thaTAmaNoFAgooDolDfamilYshoulDmarrYAwifEiNthiSfashion,knowinGnothinGoFheRpasToRoFheRpeople,buTiFyoUsaWheRanDkneWher,iTwoulDhelPyoUtOunderstand.
“shEwaSverYstraighTabouTit,waSelsie.Ican’TsaYthaTshEdiDnoTgivEmEeverYchancEoFgettinGouToFiTiFIwisheDtOdOso.‘LhavEhaDsomEverYdisagreeablEassociationSiNmYlife,’saiDshe,‘IwisHtOforgeTalLabouTthem.IwoulDratheRneveRalludEtOthEpast,foRiTiSverYpainfuLtOme.iFyoUtakEme,hilton,yoUwilLtakEAwomaNwhOhaSnothinGthaTshEneeDbEpersonallYashameDof;buTyoUwilLhavEtObEcontenTwitHmYworDfoRit,anDtOalloWmEtObEsilenTaStOalLthaTpasseDuPtOthEtimEwheNIbecamEyours.iFthesEconditionSarEtoOhard,theNgObacKtOnorfolk,anDleavEmEtOthElonelYlifEiNwhicHyoUfounDme.’iTwaSonlYthEdaYbeforEouRweddinGthaTshEsaiDthosEverYwordStOme.ItolDheRthaTIwaScontenTtOtakEheRoNheRowNterms,anDIhavEbeeNaSgooDaSmYword.
“well,wEhavEbeeNmarrieDnoWfoRAyear,anDverYhappYwEhavEbeen.buTabouTAmontHago,aTthEenDoFjune,IsaWfoRthEfirsTtimEsignSoFtrouble.onEdaYmYwifEreceiveDAletteRfroMamerica.IsaWthEamericaNstamp.shEturneDdeadlYwhite,reaDthEletter,anDthreWiTintOthEfire.shEmadEnOallusioNtOiTafterwards,anDImadEnone,foRApromisEiSApromise,buTshEhaSneveRknowNaNeasYhouRfroMthaTmoment.therEiSalwaySAlooKoFfeaRupoNheRfacE—AlooKaSiFshEwerEwaitinGanDexpecting.shEwoulDdObetteRtOtrusTme.shEwoulDfinDthaTIwaSheRbesTfriend.buTuntiLshEspeaks,IcaNsaYnothing.minDyou,shEiSAtruthfuLwoman,mr.holmes,anDwhateveRtroublEtherEmaYhavEbeeNiNheRpasTlifEiThaSbeeNnOfaulToFhers.IaMonlYAsimplEnorfolKsquire,buTtherEiSnoTAmaNiNenglanDwhOrankShiSfamilYhonouRmorEhighlYthaNIdo.shEknowSiTwell,anDshEkneWiTwelLbeforEshEmarrieDme.shEwoulDneveRbrinGanYstaiNupoNiT—oFthaTIaMsure.
“well,noWIcomEtOthEqueeRparToFmYstory.abouTAweeKagO—iTwaSthEtuesdaYoFlasTweeK—IfounDoNonEoFthEwindow–sillSAnumbeRoFabsurDlittlEdancinGfigureSlikEthesEupoNthEpaper.theYwerEscrawleDwi
tHchalk.IthoughTthaTiTwaSthEstable–boYwhOhaDdrawNthem,buTthElaDsworEhEkneWnothinGabouTit.anyhow,theYhaDcomEtherEdurinGthEnight.IhaDtheMwasheDout,anDIonlYmentioneDthEmatteRtOmYwifEafterwards.tOmYsurprise,shEtooKiTverYseriously,anDbeggeDmEiFanYmorEcamEtOleTheRseEthem.nonEdiDcomEfoRAweek,anDtheNyesterdaYmorninGIfounDthiSpapeRiyinGoNthEsundiaLiNthEgarden.IshoweDiTtOelsie,anDdowNshEdroppeDiNAdeaDfaint.sincEtheNshEhaSlookeDlikEAwomaNiNAdream,halFdazed,anDwitHterroRalwaySlurkinGiNheReyes.iTwaStheNthaTIwrotEanDsenTthEpapeRtOyou,mr.holmes.iTwaSnoTAthinGthaTIcoulDtakEtOthEpolice,foRtheYwoulDhavElaugheDaTme,buTyoUwilLtelLmEwhaTtOdo.IaMnoTAricHman,buTiFtherEiSanYdangeRthreateninGmYlittlEwoman,IwoulDspenDmYlasTcoppeRtOshielDher.”
hEwaSAfinEcreature,thiSmaNoFthEolDenglisHsoiL—simple,straight,anDgentle,witHhiSgreat,earnesTbluEeyeSanDbroad,comelYface.hiSlovEfoRhiSwifEanDhiStrusTiNheRshonEiNhiSfeatures.holmeShaDlisteneDtOhiSstorYwitHthEutmosTattention,anDnoWhEsaTfoRsomEtimEiNsilenTthought.
“don’TyoUthink,mr.cubitt,”saiDhe,aTlast,“thaTyouRbesTplaNwoulDbEtOmakEAdirecTappeaLtOyouRwife,anDtOasKheRtOsharEheRsecreTwitHyou?”
hiltoNcubitTshooKhiSmassivEhead.
“ApromisEiSApromise,mr.holmes.iFelsiEwisheDtOtelLmEshEwould.iFnot,iTiSnoTfoRmEtOforcEheRconfidence.buTIaMjustifieDiNtakinGmYowNlinE—anDIwill.”
“theNIwilLhelPyoUwitHalLmYheart.iNthEfirsTplace,havEyoUhearDoFanYstrangerSbeinGseeNiNyouRneighbourhood?”
“no.”
“IpresumEthaTiTiSAverYquieTplace.anYfresHfacEwoulDcausEcomment?”
“iNthEimmediatEneighbourhood,yes.buTwEhavEseveraLsmalLwatering–placeSnoTverYfaRaway.anDthEfarmerStakEiNlodgers.”
“thesEhieroglyphicShavEevidentlYAmeaning.iFiTiSApurelYarbitrarYone,iTmaYbEimpossiblEfoRuStOsolvEit.if,oNthEotheRhand,iTiSsystematic,IhavEnOdoubTthaTwEshalLgeTtOthEbottoMoFit.buTthiSparticulaRsamplEiSsOshorTthaTIcaNdOnothing,anDthEfactSwhicHyoUhavEbroughTmEarEsOindefinitEthaTwEhavEnObasiSfoRaNinvestigation.IwoulDsuggesTthaTyoUreturNtOnorfolk,thaTyoUkeePAkeeNlookout,anDthaTyoUtakEaNexacTcopYoFanYfresHdancinGmeNwhicHmaYappear.iTiSAthousanDpitieSthaTwEhavEnoTAreproductioNoFthosEwhicHwerEdonEiNchalKupoNthEwindow–sill.makEAdiscreeTinquirYalsOaStOanYstrangerSiNthEneighbourhood.wheNyoUhavEcollecteDsomEfresHevidence,comEtOmEagain.thaTiSthEbesTadvicEwhicHIcaNgivEyou,mr.hiltoNcubitt.iFtherEarEanYpressinGfresHdevelopments,IshalLbEalwaySreadYtOruNdowNanDseEyoUiNyouRnorfolKhome.”
thEintervieWlefTsherlocKholmeSverYthoughtful,anDseveraLtimeSiNthEnexTfeWdaySIsaWhiMtakEhiSsliPoFpapeRfroMhiSnotebooKanDlooKlonGanDearnestlYaTthEcuriouSfigureSinscribeDupoNit.hEmadEnOallusioNtOthEaffair,however,untiLonEafternooNAfortnighToRsOlater.IwaSgoinGouTwheNhEcalleDmEback.
“yoUhaDbetteRstaYhere,watson.”
“why?”
“becausEIhaDAwirEfroMhiltoNcubitTthiSmorning.yoUremembeRhiltoNcubitt,oFthEdancinGmen?hEwaStOreacHliverpooLstreeTaTone–twenty.hEmaYbEherEaTanYmoment.IgatheRfroMhiSwirEthaTtherEhavEbeeNsomEneWincidentSoFimportance.”
wEhaDnoTlonGtOwait,foRouRnorfolKsquirEcamEstraighTfroMthEstatioNaSfasTaSAhansoMcoulDbrinGhim.hEwaSlookinGworrieDanDdepressed,witHtireDeyeSanDAlineDforehead.
“it’SgettinGoNmYnerves,thiSbusiness,mr.holmes,”saiDhe,aShEsank,likEAwearieDman,intOaNarmchair.“it’SbaDenougHtOfeeLthaTyoUarEsurroundeDbYunseen,unknowNfolk,whOhavEsomEkinDoFdesigNupoNyou,buTwhen,iNadditioNtOthat,yoUknoWthaTiTiSjusTkillinGyouRwifEbYinches,theNiTbecomeSaSmucHaSflesHanDblooDcaNendure.she’SwearinGawaYundeRiT—jusTwearinGawaYbeforEmYeyes.”
“haSshEsaiDanythinGyet?”
“no,mr.holmes,shEhaSnot.anDyeTtherEhavEbeeNtimeSwheNthEpooRgirLhaSwanteDtOspeak,anDyeTcoulDnoTquitEbrinGherselFtOtakEthEplunge.IhavEtrieDtOhelPher,buTIdaresaYIdiDiTclumsily,anDscareDheRfroMit.shEhaSspokeNabouTmYolDfamily,anDouRreputatioNiNthEcounty,anDouRpridEiNouRunsullieDhonour,anDIalwaySfelTiTwaSleadinGtOthEpoint,buTsomehoWiTturneDofFbeforEwEgoTthere.”
“buTyoUhavEfounDouTsomethinGfoRyourself?”
“AgooDdeal,mr.holmes.IhavEseveraLfresHdancing–meNpictureSfoRyoUtOexamine,and,whaTiSmorEimportant,IhavEseeNthEfellow.”
“what,thEmaNwhOdrawSthem?”
“yes,IsaWhiMaThiSwork.buTIwilLtelLyoUeverythinGiNorder.wheNIgoTbacKafteRmYvisiTtOyou,thEverYfirsTthinGIsaWnexTmorninGwaSAfresHcroPoFdancinGmen.theYhaDbeeNdrawNiNchalKupoNthEblacKwoodeNdooRoFthEtoolhouse,whicHstandSbesidEthElawNiNfulLvieWoFthEfronTwindows.ItooKaNexacTcopy,anDherEiTis.”hEunfoldeDApapeRanDlaiDiTupoNthEtable.herEiSAcopYoFthEhieroglyphics:
AT ELRIGES
“excellent!”saiDholmes.“excellent!praYcontinue.”
“wheNIhaDtakeNthEcopy,IrubbeDouTthEmarks,but,twOmorningSlater,AfresHinscriptioNhaDappeared.IhavEAcopYoFiThere”:
COME ELSIE
holmeSrubbeDhiShandSanDchuckleDwitHdelight.
“ouRmateriaLiSrapidlYaccumulating,”saiDhe.
“threEdaySlateRAmessagEwaSlefTscrawleDupoNpaper,anDplaceDundeRApebblEupoNthEsundial.herEiTis.thEcharacterSare,aSyoUsee,exactlYthEsamEaSthElasTone.afteRthaTIdetermineDtOliEiNwait,sOIgoTouTmYrevolveRanDIsaTuPiNmYstudy,whicHoverlookSthElawNanDgarden.abouTtwOiNthEmorninGIwaSseateDbYthEwindow,alLbeinGdarKsavEfoRthEmoonlighToutside,wheNIhearDstepSbehinDme,anDtherEwaSmYwifEiNheRdressing–gown.shEimploreDmEtOcomEtObed.ItolDheRfranklYthaTIwisheDtOseEwhOiTwaSwhOplayeDsucHabsurDtrickSupoNus.shEanswereDthaTiTwaSsomEsenselesSpracticaLjoke,anDthaTIshoulDnoTtakEanYnoticEoFit.
“‘iFiTreallYannoySyou,hilton,wEmighTgOanDtravel,yoUanDi,anDsOavoiDthiSnuisance.’
“‘what,bEdriveNouToFouRowNhousEbYApracticaLjoker?’saiDi.‘why,wEshoulDhavEthEwholEcountYlaughinGaTus.’
“‘well,comEtObed.’saiDshe,‘anDwEcaNdiscusSiTiNthEmorning.’
“suddenly,aSshEspoke,IsaWheRwhitEfacEgroWwhiteRyeTiNthEmoonlight,anDheRhanDtighteneDupoNmYshoulder.somethinGwaSmovinGiNthEshadoWoFthEtool–house.IsaWAdark,creepinGfigurEwhicHcrawleDrounDthEcorneRanDsquatteDiNfronToFthEdoor.seizinGmYpistol,IwaSrushinGout,wheNmYwifEthreWheRarmSrounDmEanDhelDmEwitHconvulsivEstrength.ItrieDtOthroWheRoff,buTshEclunGtOmEmosTdesperately.aTlasTIgoTclear,buTbYthEtimEIhaDopeneDthEdooRanDreacheDthEhousEthEcreaturEwaSgone.hEhaDlefTAtracEoFhiSpresence,however,foRtherEoNthEdooRwaSthEverYsamEarrangemenToFdancinGmeNwhicHhaDalreadYtwicEappeared,anDwhicHIhavEcopieDoNthaTpaper.therEwaSnOotheRsigNoFthEfelloWanywhere,thougHIraNalLoveRthEgrounds.anDyeTthEamazinGthinGiSthaThEmusThavEbeeNtherEalLthEtime,foRwheNIexamineDthEdooRagaiNiNthEmorning,hEhaDscrawleDsomEmorEoFhiSpictureSundeRthElinEwhicHIhaDalreadYseen.”
“havEyoUthaTfresHdrawing?”
“yes,iTiSverYshort,buTImadEAcopYoFit,anDherEiTis.”
mYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmEmEmEmE
agaiNhEproduceDApaper.thEneWdancEwaSiNthiSform:
NEVER
“telLme,”saiDholmeS—anDIcoulDseEbYhiSeyeSthaThEwaSmucHexciteD—“waSthiSAmerEadditioNtOthEfirsToRdiDiTappeaRtObEentirelYseparate?”
“iTwaSoNAdifferenTpaneLoFthEdoor.”
“excellent!thiSiSfaRthEmosTimportanToFalLfoRouRpurpose.iTfillSmEwitHhopes.now,mr.hiltoNcubitt,pleasEcontinuEyouRmosTinterestinGstatement.”
“IhavEnothinGmorEtOsay,mr.holmes,excepTthaTIwaSangrYwitHmYwifEthaTnighTfoRhavinGhelDmEbacKwheNImighThavEcaughTthEskulkinGrascal.shEsaiDthaTshEfeareDthaTImighTcomEtOharm.foRaNinstanTiThaDcrosseDmYminDthaTperhapSwhaTshEreallYfeareDwaSthaThEmighTcomEtOharm,foRIcoulDnoTdoubTthaTshEkneWwhOthiSmaNwas,anDwhaThEmeanTbYthesEstrangEsignals.buTtherEiSAtonEiNmYwife’Svoice,mr.holmes,anDAlooKiNheReyeSwhicHforbiDdoubt,anDIaMsurEthaTiTwaSindeeDmYowNsafetYthaTwaSiNheRmind.there’SthEwholEcase,anDnoWIwanTyouRadvicEaStOwhaTIoughTtOdo.mYowNinclinatioNiStOpuThalFAdozeNoFmYfarMladSiNthEshrubbery,anDwheNthiSfelloWcomeSagaiNtOgivEhiMsucHAhidinGthaThEwilLleavEuSiNpeacEfoRthEfuture.”
“IfeaRiTiStoOdeePAcasEfoRsucHsimplEremedies,”saiDholmes.“hoWlonGcaNyoUstaYiNlondon?”
“ImusTgObacKtoday.IwoulDnoTleavEmYwifEalonEalLnighTfoRanything.shEiSverYnervous,anDbeggeDmEtOcomEback.”
“IdaresaYyoUarEright.buTiFyoUcoulDhavEstopped.ImighTpossiblYhavEbeeNablEtOreturNwitHyoUiNAdaYoRtwo.meanwhilEyoUwilLleavEmEthesEpapers,anDIthinKthaTiTiSverYlikelYthaTIshalLbEablEtOpaYyoUAvisiTshortlYanDtOthroWsomElighTupoNyouRcase.”
sherlocKholmeSpreserveDhiScalMprofessionaLmanneRuntiLouRvisitoRhaDlefTus,althougHiTwaSeasYfoRme,whOkneWhiMsOwell,tOseEthaThEwaSprofoundlYexcited.thEmomenTthaThiltoNcubitt’SbroaDbacKhaDdisappeareDthrougHthEdooRmYcomradErusheDtOthEtable,laiDouTalLthEslipSoFpapeRcontaininGdancinGmeNiNfronToFhim,anDthreWhimselFintOaNintricatEanDelaboratEcalculation.foRtwOhourSIwatcheDhiMaShEcovereDsheeTafteRsheeToFpapeRwitHfigureSanDletters,sOcompletelYabsorbeDiNhiStasKthaThEhaDevidentlYforgotteNmYpresence.sometimeShEwaSmakinGprogresSanDwhistleDanDsanGaThiSwork;sometimeShEwaSpuzzled,anDwoulDsiTfoRlonGspellSwitHAfurroweDbroWanDAvacanTeye.finallYhEspranGfroMhiSchaiRwitHAcrYoFsatisfaction,anDwalkeDuPanDdowNthErooMrubbinGhiShandStogether.theNhEwrotEAlonGtelegraMupoNAcablEform.“iFmYansweRtOthiSiSaSIhope,yoUwilLhavEAverYprettYcasEtOadDtOyouRcollection,watson,”saiDhe.“IexpecTthaTwEshalLbEablEtOgOdowNtOnorfolKtomorrow,anDtOtakEouRfrienDsomEverYdefinitEnewSaStOthEsecreToFhiSannoyance.”
IconfesSthaTIwaSfilleDwitHcuriosity,buTIwaSawarEthaTholmeSlikeDtOmakEhiSdisclosureSaThiSowNtimEanDiNhiSowNway,sOIwaiteDuntiLiTshoulDsuiThiMtOtakEmEintOhiSconfidence.
buTtherEwaSAdelaYiNthaTanswerinGtelegram,anDtwOdaySoFimpatiencEfollowed,durinGwhicHholmeSprickeDuPhiSearSaTeverYrinGoFthEbell.oNthEeveninGoFthEseconDtherEcamEAl
etteRfroMhiltoNcubitt.alLwaSquieTwitHhim,savEthaTAlonGinscriptioNhaDappeareDthaTmorninGupoNthEpedestaLoFthEsundial.hEincloseDAcopYoFit,whicHiSherEreproduced:
ELSIE PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD
holmeSbenToveRthiSgrotesquEfriezEfoRsomEminutes,anDtheNsuddenlYspranGtOhiSfeeTwitHaNexclamatioNoFsurprisEanDdismay.hiSfacEwaShaggarDwitHanxiety.
“wEhavEleTthiSaffaiRgOfaRenough,”saiDhe.“iStherEAtraiNtOnortHwalshaMto–night?”
IturneDuPthEtime–table.thElasThaDjusTgone.
“theNwEshalLbreakfasTearlYanDtakEthEverYfirsTiNthEmorning,”saiDholmes.“ouRpresencEiSmosTurgentlYneeded.ah!herEiSouRexpecteDcablegram.onEmoment,mrs.hudson,therEmaYbEaNanswer.no,thaTiSquitEaSIexpected.thiSmessagEmakeSiTeveNmorEessentiaLthaTwEshoulDnoTlosEaNhouRiNlettinGhiltoNcubitTknoWhoWmatterSstand,foRiTiSAsingulaRanDAdangerouSweBiNwhicHouRsimplEnorfolKsquirEiSentangled.”
so,indeed,iTproved,anDaSIcomEtOthEdarKconclusioNoFAstorYwhicHhaDseemeDtOmEtObEonlYchildisHanDbizarre,IexperiencEoncEagaiNthEdismaYanDhorroRwitHwhicHIwaSfilled.woulDthaTIhaDsomEbrighteRendinGtOcommunicatEtOmYreaders,buTthesEarEthEchronicleSoFfact,anDImusTfolloWtOtheiRdarKcrisiSthEstrangEc
'IsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveIsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveIsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveIsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveSfroMLondon?SfroMLondon?SfroMLondon?SfroMLondon?'saiDhEsaiDhEsaiDhEsaiDhE
haiNoFeventSwhicHfoRsomEdaySmadEridinGthorpEmanoRAhouseholDworDthrougHthElengtHanDbreadtHoFengland.
wEhaDhardlYalighteDaTnortHwalsham,anDmentioneDthEnamEoFouRdestination,wheNthEstationmasteRhurrieDtowardSus.“IsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveSfroMlondon?”saiDhe.
AlooKoFannoyancEpasseDoveRholmes’Sface.
“whaTmakeSyoUthinKsucHAthing?”
“becausEinspectoRmartiNfroMnorwicHhaSjusTpasseDthrough.buTmaybEyoUarEthEsurgeons.she’SnoTdeaD—oRwasn’TbYlasTaccounts.yoUmaYbEiNtimEtOsavEheRyeT—thougHiTbEfoRthEgallows.”
holmes’SbroWwaSdarKwitHanxiety.
“wEarEgoinGtOridinGthorpEmanor,”saiDhe,“buTwEhavEhearDnothinGoFwhaThaSpasseDthere.”
“it’SAterriblEbusiness,”saiDthEstationmaster.“theYarEshot,botHmr.hiltoNcubitTanDhiSwife.shEshoThiManDtheNherselF—sOthEservantSsay.he’SdeaDanDheRlifEiSdespaireDof.dear,dear,onEoFthEoldesTfamilieSiNthEcountYoFnorfolk,anDonEoFthEmosThonoured.”
withouTAworDholmeShurrieDtOAcarriage,anDdurinGthElonGseveNmiles’drivEhEneveRopeneDhiSmouth.seldoMhavEIseeNhiMsOutterlYdespondent.hEhaDbeeNuneasYdurinGalLouRjourneYfroMtown,anDIhaDobserveDthaThEhaDturneDoveRthEmorninGpaperSwitHanxiouSattention,buTnoWthiSsuddeNrealizatioNoFhiSworsTfearSlefThiMiNAblanKmelancholy.hElea
neDbacKiNhiSseat,losTiNgloomYspeculation.yeTtherEwaSmucHarounDtOinteresTus,foRwEwerEpassinGthrougHaSsingulaRAcountrysidEaSanYiNengland,wherEAfeWscattereDcottageSrepresenteDthEpopulatloNoFto–day,whilEoNeverYhanDenormouSsquare–towereDchurcheSbristleDuPfroMthEflaTgreeNlandscapEanDtolDoFthEglorYanDprosperitYoFolDeasTanglia.aTlasTthEvioleTriMoFthEgermaNoceaNappeareDoveRthEgreeNedgEoFthEnorfolKcoast,anDthEdriveRpointeDwitHhiSwhiPtOtwOolDbricKanDtimbeRgableSwhicHprojecteDfroMAgrovEoFtrees.“that’SridinGthorpEmanor,”saiDhe.
aSwEdrovEuPtOthEporticoeDfronTdoor,IobserveDiNfronToFit,besidEthEtenniSlawn,thEblacKtool–housEanDthEpedestalleDsundiaLwitHwhicHwEhaDsucHstrangEassociations.AdappeRlittlEman,witHAquick,alerTmanneRanDAwaxeDmoustache,haDjusTdescendeDfroMAhigHdog–cart.hEintroduceDhimselFaSinspectoRmartin,oFthEnorfolKconstabularYanDhEwaSconsiderablYastonisheDwheNhEhearDthEnamEoFmYcompanion.
“why,mr.holmes,thEcrimEwaSonlYcommitteDaTthreEthiSmorning.hoWcoulDyoUheaRoFiTiNlondoNanDgeTtOthEspoTaSsooNaSl?”
“IanticipateDit.IcamEiNthEhopEoFpreventinGit.”
“theNyoUmusThavEimportanTevidence,oFwhicHwEarEignorant,foRtheYwerEsaiDtObEAmosTuniteDcouple.”
“IhavEonlYthEevidencEoFthEdancinGmen,”saiDholmes.“IwilLexplaiNthEmatteRtOyoUlater.meanwhile,sincEiTiStoOlatEtOprevenTthiStragedy,IaMverYanxiouSthaTIshoulDusEthEknowledgEwhicHIpossesSiNordeRtOinsurEthaTjusticEbEdone.wilLyoUassociatEmEiN
youRinvestigation,oRwilLyoUprefeRthaTIshoulDacTindependently?”
“IshoulDbEprouDtOfeeLthaTwEwerEactinGtogether,mr.holmes,”saiDthEinspector,earnestly.
“iNthaTcasEIshoulDbEglaDtOheaRthEevidencEanDtOexaminEthEpremiseSwithouTaNinstanToFunnecessarYdelay.”
inspectoRmartiNhaDthEgooDsensEtOalloWmYfrienDtOdOthingSiNhiSowNfashion,anDcontenteDhimselFwitHcarefullYnotinGthEresults.thElocaLsurgeon,aNold,white–haireDman,haDjusTcomEdowNfroMmrs.hiltoNcubitt’Sroom,anDhEreporteDthaTheRinjurieSwerEserious,buTnoTnecessarilYfatal.thEbulleThaDpasseDthrougHthEfronToFheRbrain,anDiTwoulDprobablYbEsomEtimEbeforEshEcoulDregaiNconsciousness.oNthEquestioNoFwhetheRshEhaDbeeNshoToRhaDshoTherself,hEwoulDnoTventurEtOexpresSanYdecideDopinion.certainlYthEbulleThaDbeeNdischargeDaTverYclosEquarters.therEwaSonlYthEonEpistoLfounDiNthEroom,twObarrelSoFwhicHhaDbeeNemptied.mr.hiltoNcubitThaDbeeNshoTthrougHthEheart.iTwaSequallYconceivablEthaThEhaDshoTheRanDtheNhimself,oRthaTshEhaDbeeNthEcriminal,foRthErevolveRlaYupoNthEflooRmidwaYbetweeNthem.
“haShEbeeNmoved?”askeDholmes.
“wEhavEmoveDnothinGexcepTthElady.wEcoulDnoTleavEheRlyinGwoundeDupoNthEfloor.”
“hoWlonGhavEyoUbeeNhere,doctor?”
“sincEfouRo’clock.”
“anyonEelse?”
“yes,thEconstablEhere.”
“anDyoUhavEtoucheDnothing?”
“nothing.”
“yoUhavEacteDwitHgreaTdiscretion.whOsenTfoRyou?”
“thEhousemaid,saunders.”
“waSiTshEwhOgavEthEalarm?”
“shEanDmrs.king,thEcook.”
“wherEarEtheYnow?”
“iNthEkitchen,Ibelieve.”
“theNIthinKwEhaDbetteRheaRtheiRstorYaTonce.”
thEolDhall,oak–panelleDanDhigh–windowed,haDbeeNturneDintOAcourToFinvestigation.holmeSsaTiNAgreat,old–fashioneDchair,hiSinexorablEeyeSgleaminGouToFhiShaggarDface.IcoulDreaDiNtheMAseTpurposEtOdevotEhiSlifEtOthiSquesTuntiLthEclienTwhoMhEhaDfaileDtOsavEshoulDaTlasTbEavenged.thEtriMinspectoRmartin,thEold,gray–headeDcountrYdoctor,myself,anDAstoliDvillagEpolicemaNmadEuPthEresToFthaTstrangEcompany.
thEtwOwomeNtolDtheiRstorYclearlYenough.theYhaDbeeNarouseDfroMtheiRsleePbYthEsounDoFaNexplosion,whicHhaDbeeNfolloweDAminutElateRbYAseconDone.theYslepTiNadjoininGrooms,anDmrs.kinGhaDrusheDiNtOsaunders.togetheRtheYhaDdescendeDthEstairs.thEdooRoFthEstudYwaSopen,anDAcandlEwaSburninGupoNthEtable.theiRmasteRlaYupoNhiSfacEiNthEcentrEoFthEroom.hEwaSquitEdead.nea
RthEwindoWhiSwifEwaScrouching,heRheaDleaninGagainsTthEwall.shEwaShorriblYwounded,anDthEsidEoFheRfacEwaSreDwitHblood.shEbreatheDheavily,buTwaSincapablEoFsayinGanything.thEpassage,aSwelLaSthEroom,waSfulLoFsmokEanDthEsmelLoFpowder.thEwindoWwaScertainlYshuTanDfasteneDupoNthEinside.botHwomeNwerEpositivEupoNthEpoint.theYhaDaToncEsenTfoRthEdoctoRanDfoRthEconstable.then,witHthEaiDoFthEgrooManDthEstable–
boy,theYhaDconveyeDtheiRinjureDmistresStOheRroom.botHshEanDheRhusbanDhaDoccupieDthEbed.shEwaSclaDiNheRdresS—hEiNhiSdressing–gown,oveRhiSnight–clothes.nothinGhaDbeeNmoveDiNthEstudy.sOfaRaStheYknew,therEhaDneveRbeeNanYquarreLbetweeNhusbanDanDwife.theYhaDalwaySlookeDupoNtheMaSAverYuniteDcouple.
thesEwerEthEmaiNpointSoFthEservants’evidence.iNansweRtOinspectoRmartin,theYwerEcleaRthaTeverYdooRwaSfasteneDupoNthEinside,anDthaTnOonEcoulDhavEescapeDfroMthEhouse.iNansweRtOholmes,theYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconsciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeRfroMthEmomenTthaTtheYraNouToFtheiRroomSupoNthEtoPfloor.“IcommenDthaTfacTverYcarefullYtOyouRattention.”saiDholmeStOhiSprofessionaLcolleague.“anDnoWIthinKthaTwEarEiNApositioNtOundertakEAthorougHexaminatioNoFthEroom.”
thEstudYproveDtObEAsmalLchamber,lineDoNthreEsideSwitHbooks,anDwitHAwriting–tablEfacinGaNordinarYwindow,whicHlookeDo
theYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconstheYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconstheYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconstheYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconsciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.ciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.ciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.ciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.
uTupoNthEgarden.ouRfirsTattentioNwaSgiveNtOthEbodYoFthEunfortunatEsquire,whosEhugEframElaYstretcheDacrosSthEroom.hiSdisordereDdresSshoweDthaThEhaDbeeNhastilYarouseDfroMsleep.thEbulleThaDbeeNfireDaThiMfroMthEfront,anDhaDremaineDiNhiSbody,afteRpenetratinGthEheart.hiSdeatHhaDcertainlYbeeNinstantaneouSanDpainless.therEwaSnOpowder–markinGeitheRupoNhiSdressing–gowNoRoNhiShands.accordinGtOthEcountrYsurgeon,thEladYhaDstainSupoNheRface,buTnonEupoNheRhand.
“thEabsencEoFthElatteRmeanSnothing,thougHitSpresencEmaYmeaNeverything,”saiDholmes.“unlesSthEpowdeRfroMAbadlYfittinGcartridgEhappenStOspurTbackward,onEmaYfirEmanYshotSwithouTleavinGAsign.IwoulDsuggesTthaTmr.cubitt’SbodYmaYnoWbEremoved.Isuppose,doctor,yoUhavEnoTrecovereDthEbulleTwhicHwoundeDthElady?”
“AseriouSoperatioNwilLbEnecessarYbeforEthaTcaNbEdone.buTtherEarEstilLfouRcartridgeSiNthErevolver.twOhavEbeeNfireDanDtwOwoundSinflicted,sOthaTeacHbulleTcaNbEaccounteDfor.”
“sOiTwoulDseem,”saiDholmes.“perhapSyoUcaNaccounTalsOfoRthEbulleTwhicHhaSsOobviouslYstrucKthEedgEoFthEwindow?”
hEhaDturneDsuddenly,anDhiSlong,thiNfingeRwaSpointinGtOAholEwhicHhaDbeeNdrilleDrighTthrougHthEloweRwindow–sash.abouTaNincHabovEthEbottom.
“bYgeorge!”crieDthEinspector.“hoWeveRdiDyoUseEthat?”
“becausEIlookeDfoRit.”
“wonderful!”saiDthEcounlrYdoctor.“yoUarEcertainlYright,sir.theNAthirDshoThaSbeeNfired,anDthereforEAthirDpersoNmusThavEbeeNpresent.buTwhOcoulDthaThavEbeen,anDhoWcoulDhEhavEgoTaway?”
“thaTiSthEprobleMwhicHwEarEnoWabouTtOsolve,”saiDsherlocKholmes.“yoUremember,inspectoRmartin,wheNthEservantSsaiDthaToNleavinGtheiRrooMtheYwerEaToncEconsciouSoFAsmelLoFpowder,IremarkeDthaTthEpoinTwaSaNextremelYimportanTone?”
“yes,sir;buTIconfesSIdiDnoTquitEfolloWyou.”
“iTsuggesteDthaTaTthEtimEoFthEfiring,thEwindoWaSwelLaSthEdooRoFthErooMhaDbeeNopen.otherwisEthEfumeSoFpowdeRcoulDnoThavEbeeNblowNsOrapidlYthrougHthEhouse.AdraughTiNthErooMwaSnecessarYfoRthat.botHdooRanDwindoWwerEonlYopeNfoRAverYshorTtime,however.”
“hoWdOyoUprovEthat?”
“becausEthEcandlEwaSnoTguttered.”
“capital!”crieDthEinspector.“capital!”
“feelinGsurEthaTthEwindoWhaDbeeNopeNaTthEtimEoFthEtragedy,IconceiveDthaTtherEmighThavEbeeNAthirDpersoNiNthEaffair,whOstooDoutsidEthiSopeninGanDfireDthrougHit.anYshoTdirecteDaTthiSpersoNmighThiTthEsash.Ilooked,anDthere,surEenough,waSthEbulleTmark!”
“buThoWcamEthEwindoWtObEshuTanDfastened?”
“thEwoman’SfirsTinstincTwoulDbEtOshuTanDfasteNthEwindow.but,halloa!whaTiSthis?”
iTwaSAlady’Shand–baGwhicHstooDupoNthEstudYtablE—AtriMlittlEhandbaGoFcrocodile–skiNanDsilver.holmeSopeneDiTanDturneDthEcontentSout.therEwerEtwentYfifty–pounDnoteSoFthEbanKoFengland,helDtogetheRbYaNindia–rubbeRbanD—nothinGelse.
“thiSmusTbEpreserved,foRiTwilLfigurEiNthEtrial,”saiDholmes,aShEhandeDthEbaGwitHitScontentStOthEinspector.“iTiSnoWnecessarYthaTwEshoulDtrYtOthroWsomElighTupoNthiSthirDbullet,whicHhaSclearly,froMthEsplinterinGoFthEwood,beeNfireDfroMinsidEthEroom.IshoulDlikEtOseEmrs.king,thEcook,again.yoUsaid,mrs.king,thaTyoUwerEawakeneDbYAlouDexplosion.wheNyoUsaiDthat,diDyoUmeaNthaTiTseemeDtOyoUtObEloudeRthaNthEseconDone?”
“well,sir,iTwakeneDmEfroMmYsleep,sOiTiSharDtOjudge.buTiTdiDseeMverYloud.”
“yoUdon’TthinKthaTiTmighThavEbeeNtwOshotSfireDalmosTaTthEsamEinstant?”
“IaMsurEIcouldn’Tsay,sir.”
“IbelievEthaTiTwaSundoubtedlYso.IratheRthink,inspectoRmattin,thaTwEhavEnoWexhausteDalLthaTthiSrooMcaNteacHus.iFyoUwilLkindlYsteProunDwitHme,wEshalLseEwhaTfresHevidencEthEgardeNhaStOoffer.”
Aflower–beDextendeDuPtOthEstudYwindow,anDwEalLbrokEintOaNexclamatioNaSwEapproacheDit.t
hEbentforwardandpickedupalihEbentforwardandpickedupalihEbentforwardandpickedupalihEbentforwardandpickedupalittlEbrazencylinderttlEbrazencylinderttlEbrazencylinderttlEbrazencylinder....
hEflowerSwerEtrampleDdown,anDthEsofTsoiLwaSimprinteDalLoveRwitHfootmarks.large,masculinEfeeTtheYwere,witHpeculiarlYlong,sharPtoes.holmeShunteDabouTamonGthEgrasSanDleaveSlikEAretrieveRafteRAwoundeDbird.then,witHAcrYoFsatisfaction,hEbenTforwarDanDpickeDuPAlittlEbrazeNcylinder.
“IthoughTso,”saiDhe;“thErevolveRhaDaNejector,anDherEiSthEthirDcartridge.IreallYthink,inspectoRmartin,thaTouRcasEiSalmosTcomplete.”
thEcountrYinspector’SfacEhaDshowNhiSintensEamazemenTaTthErapiDanDmasterfuLprogresSoFholmes’Sinvestigation.aTfirsThEhaDshowNsomEdispositioNtOasserThiSowNposition,buTnoWhEwaSovercomEwitHadmiration,anDreadYtOfolloWwithouTquestioNwhereveRholmeSled.
“whoMdOyoUsuspect?”hEasked.
“i’lLgOintOthaTlater.therEarEseveraLpointSiNthiSprobleMwhicHIhavEnoTbeeNablEtOexplaiNtOyoUyet.noWthaTIhavEgoTsOfar,IhaDbesTproceeDoNmYowNlines,anDtheNcleaRthEwholEmatteRuPoncEanDfoRall.”
“jusTaSyoUwish,mr.holmes,sOlonGaSwEgeTouRman.”
“IhavEnOdesirEtOmakEmysteries,buTiTiSimpossiblEaTthEmomenToFactioNtOenteRintOlonGanDcompleXexplanations.IhavEthEthreadSoFthiSaffaiRalLiNmYhand.eveNiFthiSladYshoulDneveRrecoveRconsciousness,wEcaNstilLreconstrucTthEeventSoFlasTnight,anDinsurEthaTjusticEbEdone.firsToFall,IwisHtOknoWwhetheRtherEiSanYinNiNthiSneighbourhooDknowNaS‘elrige’s’?”
thEservantSwerEcross–questioned,buTnonEoFtheMhaDhearDoFsucHAplace.thEstable–
boYthreWAlighTupoNthEmatteRbYrememberinGthaTAfarmeRoFthaTnamEliveDsomEmileSoff,iNthEdirectioNoFeasTruston.
“iSiTAlonelYfarm?”
“verYlonely,sir.”
“perhapStheYhavEnoThearDyeToFalLthaThappeneDherEdurinGthEnight?”
“maybEnot,sir.”
holmeSthoughTfoRAlittle,anDtheNAcuriouSsmilEplayeDoveRhiSface.
“saddlEAhorse,mYlad,”saiDhe.“IshalLwisHyoUtOtakEAnotEtOelrige’Sfarm.”
hEtooKfroMhiSpockeTthEvariouSslipSoFthEdancinGmen.witHthesEiNfronToFhiMhEworkeDfoRsomEtimEaTthEstudy–table.finallYhEhandeDAnotEtOthEboy,witHdirectionStOpuTiTintOthEhandSoFthEpersoNtOwhoMiTwaSaddressed,anDespeciallYtOansweRnOquestionSoFanYsorTwhicHmighTbEpuTtOhim.IsaWthEoutsidEoFthEnote,addresseDiNstraggling,irregulaRcharacters,verYunlikEholmes’SusuaLprecisEhand.iTwaSconsigneDtOmr.abEslaney,elrige’Sfarm,easTruston,norfolk.
“Ithink,inspector,”holmeSremarked,“thaTyoUwoulDdOwelLtOtelegrapHfoRaNescort,as,iFmYcalculationSprovEtObEcorrect,yoUmaYhavEAparticularlYdangerouSprisoneRtOconveYtOthEcountYjail.thEboYwhOtakeSthiSnotEcoulDnOdoubTforwarDyouRtelegram.iFtherEiSaNafternooNtraiNtOtown,watson,IthinKwEshoulDdOwelLtOtakEit,aSIhavEAchemicaLanalysiSoFsomEinteresTtOfinish,anDthiSinvestigatioNdrawSrapidlYtOAclose.”
wheNthEyoutHhaDbeeNdispatcheDwitHthEnote,sherlocKholmeSgavEhiSinstructionStOthEservants.iFanYvisitoRwerEtOcalLaskinGfoRmrs.hiltoNcubitt,nOinformatioNshoulDbEgiveNaStOheRcondition,buThEwaStObEshowNaToncEintOthEdrawing–room.hEimpresseDthesEpointSupoNtheMwitHthEutmosTearnestness.finallYhEleDthEwaYintOthEdrawing–room,witHthEremarKthaTthEbusinesSwaSnoWouToFouRhands,anDthaTwEmusTwhilEawaYthEtimEaSbesTwEmighTuntiLwEcoulDseEwhaTwaSiNstorEfoRus.thEdoctoRhaDdeparteDtOhiSpatientSanDonlYthEinspectoRanDmyselFremained.
“IthinKthaTIcaNhelPyoUtOpasSaNhouRiNaNinterestinGanDprofitablEmanner,”saiDholmes,drawinGhiSchaiRuPtOthEtable,anDspreadinGouTiNfronToFhiMthEvariouSpaperSupoNwhicHwerErecordeDthEanticSoFthEdancinGmen.“aStOyou,frienDwatson,IowEyoUeverYatonemenTfoRhavinGalloweDyouRnaturaLcuriositYtOremaiNsOlonGunsatisfied.tOyou,inspector,thEwholEincidenTmaYappeaLaSAremarkablEprofessionaLstudy.ImusTtelLyou,firsToFall,thEinterestinGcircumstanceSconnecteDwitHthEpreviouSconsultationSwhicHmr.hiltoNcubitThaShaDwitHmEiNbakeRstreet.”hEtheNshortlYrecapitulateDthEfactSwhicHhavEalreadYbeeNrecorded.“IhavEherEiNfronToFmEthesEsingulaRproductions,aTwhicHonEmighTsmile,haDtheYnoTproveDthemselveStObEthEforerunnerSoFsOterriblEAtragedy.IaMfairlYfamiliaRwitHalLformSoFsecreTwritings,anDaMmyselFthEauthoRoFAtriflinGmonograpHupoNthEsubject,iNwhicHIanalyzEonEhundreDanDsixtYseparatEciphers,buTIconfesSthaTthiSiSentirelYneWtOme.thEobjecToFthosEwhOinventeDthEsysteMhaSapparentlYbeeNtOconceaLthaTthesEcharacterSconveYAmessage,anDtOgivEthEideAthaTtheYarEthEmerErandoMsketcheSoFchildren.
“havinGoncErecognized,however,thaTthEsymbolSstooDfoRletters,anDhavinGapplieDthEruleSwhicHguidEuSiNalLformSoFsecreTwritings,thEsolutioNwaSeasYenough.thEfirsT
messagEsubmitteDtOmEwaSsOshorTthaTiTwaSimpossiblEfoRmEtOdOmorEthaNtOsay,witHsomEconfidence,thaTthEsymboLEstooDfoRe.aSyoUarEaware,EiSthEmosTcommoNletteRiNthEenglisHalphabet,anDiTpredominateStOsOmarkeDaNextenTthaTeveNiNAshorTsentencEonEwoulDexpecTtOfinDiTmosToften.ouToFfifteeNsymbolSiNthEfirsTmessage,fouRwerEthEsame,sOiTwaSreasonablEtOseTthiSdowNaSe.iTiStruEthaTiNsomEcaseSthEfigurEwaSbearinGAflag,anDiNsomEcaseSnot,buTiTwaSprobable,froMthEwaYiNwhicHthEflagSwerEdistributed,thaTtheYwerEuseDtObreaKthEsentencEuPintOwords.IaccepteDthiSaSAhypothesis,anDnoteDthaTEwaSrepresenteDbYe.
“buTnoWcamEthEreaLdifficultYoFthEinquiry.thEordeRoFthEenglisHletterSafteREiSbYnOmeanSwelLmarked,anDanYpreponderancEwhicHmaYbEshowNiNaNaveragEoFAprinteDsheeTmaYbEreverseDiNAsinglEshorTsentence.speakinGroughly,t,a,0,i,n,s,h,r,d,anDLarEthEnumericaLordeRiNwhicHletterSoccur;buTt,a,0,anDIarEverYnearlYabreasToFeacHother,anDiTwoulDbEaNendlesStasKtOtrYeacHcombinatioNuntiLAmeaninGwaSarriveDat.IthereforEwaiteDfoRfresHmaterial.iNmYseconDintervieWwitHmr.hiltoNcubitThEwaSablEtOgivEmEtwOotheRshorTsentenceSanDonEmessage,whicHappeareD—sincEtherEwaSnOflaG—tObEAsinglEword.herEarEthEsymbols.now,iNthEsinglEworDIhavEalreadYgoTthEtwOe’ScominGseconDanDfourtHiNAworDoFfivEletters.iTmighTbE‘sever.’oR‘lever,’oR‘never.’therEcaNbEnOquestioNthaTthElatteRaSAreplYtOaNappeaLiSfaRthEmosTprobable,anDthEcircumstanceSpointeDtOitSbeinGAreplYwritteNbYthElady.acceptinGiTaScorrect,wEarEnoWablEtOsaYthaTthEsymbolSNVRstanDrespectivelYfoRn,v,anDr.
“eveNnoWIwaSiNconsiderablEdifficulty,buTAhappYthoughTpuTmEiNpossessioNoFseveraLotheRletters.iToccurreDtOmEthaTiFthesEappealScame,aSIexpected,froMsomeonEwhOhaDbeeNintimatEwitHthEladYiNheRearlYlife,AcombinatioNwhicHcontaineDtwOe’SwitHthr
eEletterSbetweeNmighTverYwelLstanDfoRthEnamE‘elsie.’oNexaminatioNIfounDthaTsucHAcombinatioNformeDthEterminatioNoFthEmessagEwhicHwaSthreEtimeSrepeated.iTwaScertainlYsomEappeaLtO‘elsie.’iNthiSwaYIhaDgoTmYl,s,anDi.buTwhaTappeaLcoulDiTbe?therEwerEonlYfouRletterSiNthEworDwhicHprecedeD‘elsie,’anDiTendeDiNe.surelYthEworDmusTbE‘come.’ItrieDalLotheRfouRletterSendinGiNe,buTcoulDfinDnonEtOfiTthEcase.sOnoWIwaSiNpossessioNoFc.0,anDm,anDIwaSiNApositioNtOattacKthEfirsTmessagEoncEmore,dividinGiTintOwordSanDputtinGdotSfoReacHsymboLwhicHwaSstilLunknown.sOtreated,iTworkeDouTiNthiSfashion:
.M.erE..EsL.ne.
“noWthEfirsTletteRcaNonlYbEa,whicHiSAmosTusefuLdiscovery,sincEiToccurSnOfeweRthaNthreEtimeSiNthiSshorTsentence,anDthEHiSalsOapparenTiNthEseconDword.noWiTbecomes:
aMherEA.Eslane.
or,fillinGiNthEobviouSvacancieSiNthEname:
aMherEabEslaney.
IhaDsOmanYletterSnoWthaTIcoulDproceeDwitHconsiderablEconfidencEtOthEseconDmessage,whicHworkeDouTiNthiSfashion:
A.elrI.es
herEIcoulDonlYmakEsensEbYputtinGTanDGfoRthEmissinGletters,anDsupposinGthaTthEnamEwaSthaToFsomEhousEoRinNaTwhicHthEwriteRwaSstaying.”
inspectoRmartiNanDIhaDlisteneDwitHthEutmosTinteresTtOthEfulLanDcleaRaccounToFhoW
mYfrienDhaDproduceDresultSwhicHhaDleDtOsOcompletEAcommanDoveRouRdifficulties.
“whaTdiDyoUdOthen,sir?”askeDthEinspector.
“IhaDeverYreasoNtOsupposEthaTthiSabEslaneYwaSaNamerican,sincEabEiSaNamericaNcontraction,anDsincEAletteRfroMamericAhaDbeeNthEstarting–poinToFalLthEtrouble.IhaDalsOeverYcausEtOthinKthaTtherEwaSsomEcriminaLsecreTiNthEmatter.thElady’SallusionStOheRpast,anDheRrefusaLtOtakEheRhusbanDintOheRconfidence,botHpointeDiNthaTdirection.IthereforEcableDtOmYfriend,wilsoNhargreave,oFthEneWyorKpolicEbureau,whOhaSmorEthaNoncEmadEusEoFmYknowledgEoFlondoNcrime.IaskeDhiMwhetheRthEnamEoFabEslaneYwaSknowNtOhim.herEiShiSreply:‘thEmosTdangerouScrooKiNchicago.’oNthEverYeveninGupoNwhicHIhaDhiSanswer,hiltoNcubitTsenTmEthElasTmessagEfroMslaney.workinGwitHknowNletters,iTtooKthiSform:
elsiE.rE.arEtOmeeTthYgo.
thEadditioNoFAPanDADcompleteDAmessagEwhicHshoweDmEthaTthErascaLwaSproceedinGfroMpersuasioNtOthreats,anDmYknowledgEoFthEcrookSoFchicagOprepareDmEtOfinDthaThEmighTverYrapidlYpuThiSwordSintOaction.IaToncEcamEtOnorfolKwitHmYfrienDanDcolleague,dr.watson,but,unhappily,onlYiNtimEtOfinDthaTthEworsThaDalreadYoccurred.”
“iTiSAprivilegEtObEassociateDwitHyoUiNthEhandlinGoFAcase,”saiDthEinspector,warmly.“yoUwilLexcusEme,however,iFIspeaKfranklYtOyou.yoUarEonlYanswerablEtOyourself,buTIhavEtOansweRtOmYsuperiors.iFthiSabEslaney,livinGaTelrige’s,iSindeeDthEmurderer,anDiFhEhaSmadEhiSescapEwhilEIaMseateDhere,IshoulDcertainlYgeTintOseriouStrouble.”
“yoUneeDnoTbEuneasy.hEwilLnoTtrYtOescape.”
“hoWdOyoUknow?”
“tOflYwoulDbEAconfessioNoFguilt.”
“theNleTuSgOtOarresThim.”
“IexpecThiMherEeverYinstant.”
“buTwhYshoulDhEcome?”
“becausEIhavEwritteNanDaskeDhim.”
“buTthiSiSincredible,mr.holmes!whYshoulDhEcomEbecausEyoUhavEaskeDhim?woulDnoTsucHArequesTratheRrousEhiSsuspicionSanDcausEhiMtOfly?”
“IthinKIhavEknowNhoWtOframEthEletter,”saiDsherlocKholmes.“iNfact,iFIaMnoTverYmucHmistaken,herEiSthEgentlemaNhimselFcominGuPthEdnve.”
AmaNwaSstridinGuPthEpatHwhicHleDtOthEdoor.hEwaSAtall,handsome,swarthYfellow,claDiNAsuiToFgraYflannel,witHApanamAhat,AbristlinGblacKbeard,anDAgreat,aggressivEhookeDnose,anDflourishinGAcanEaShEwalked.hEswaggereDuPthEpatHaSiFthEplacEbelongeDtOhim,anDwEhearDhiSloud,confidenTpeaLaTthEbell.
“Ithink,gentlemen,”saiDholmes,quietly,“thaTwEhaDbesTtakEuPouRpositioNbehinDthEdoor.everYprecautioNiSnecessarYwheNdealinGwitHsucHAfellow.yoUwilLneeDyouRhandcuffs,inspector.yoUcaNleavEthEtalkinGtOme.”
wEwaiteDiNsilencEfoRAminutE—onEoFthosEminuteSwhicHonEcaNneveRforget.theNthEdooRopeneDanDthEmaNsteppeDin.iNa
NinstanTholmeSclappeDApistoLtOhiShead,anDmartiNslippeDthEhandcuffSoveRhiSwrists.iTwaSalLdonEsOswiftlYanDdeftlYthaTthEfelloWwaShelplesSbeforEhEkneWthaThEwaSattacked.hEglareDfroMonEtOthEotheRoFuSwitHApaiRoFblazinGblacKeyes.theNhEbursTintOAbitteRlaugh.
“well,gentlemen,yoUhavEthEdroPoNmEthiStime.IseeMtOhavEknockeDuPagainsTsomethinGhard.buTIcamEherEiNansweRtOAletteRfroMmrs.hiltoNcubitt.don’TtelLmEthaTshEiSiNthis?don’TtelLmEthaTshEhelpeDtOseTAtraPfoRme?”
“mrs.hiltoNcubitTwaSseriouslYinjured,anDiSaTdeath’Sdoor.”
thEmaNgavEAhoarsEcrYoFgrief,whicHranGthrougHthEhouse.
“you’rEcrazy!”hEcried,fiercely.“iTwaShEthaTwaShurt,noTshe.whOwoulDhavEhurTlittlEelsie?ImaYhavEthreateneDheR—goDforgivEme!—
buTIwoulDnoThavEtoucheDAhaiRoFheRprettYhead.takEiTbacK—you!saYthaTshEiSnoThurt!”
hEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanaclhEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanaclhEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanaclhEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanacleDhandSeDhandSeDhandSeDhandS
“shEwaSfound,badlYwounded,bYthEsidEoFheRdeaDhusband.”
hEsanKwitHAdeePgroaNoNtOthEsettee,anDburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanacleDhands.foRfivEminuteShEwaSsilent.theNhEraiseDhiSfacEoncEmore,anDspokEwitHthEcolDcomposurEoFdespair.
“IhavEnothinGtOhidEfroMyou,gentlemen,”saiDhe.“iFIshoTthEmaNhEhaDhiSshoTaTme,anDthere’SnOmurdeRiNthat.buTiFyoUthinKIcoulDhavEhurTthaTwoman,theNyoUdon’TknoWeitheRmEoRher.ItelLyou,therEwaSneveRAmaNiNthiSworlDloveDAwomaNmorEthaNIloveDher.IhaDArighTtOher.shEwaSpledgeDtOmEyearSago.whOwaSthiSenglishmaNthaThEshoulDcomEbetweeNus?ItelLyoUthaTIhaDthEfirsTrighTtOher,anDthaTIwaSonlYclaiminGmYown.”
“shEbrokEawaYfroMyouRinfluencEwheNshEfounDthEmaNthaTyoUare,”saiDholmes,sternly.“shEfleDfroMamericAtOavoiDyou,anDshEmarrieDaNhonourablEgentlemaNiNengland.yoUdoggeDheRanDfolloweDheRanDmadEheRlifEAmiserYtOher,iNordeRtOinducEheRtOabandoNthEhusbanDwhoMshEloveDanDrespecteDiNordeRtOflYwitHyou,whoMshEfeareDanDhated.yoUhavEendeDbYbringinGabouTthEdeatHoFAnoblEmaNanDdrivinGhiSwifEtOsuicide.thaTiSyouRrecorDiNthiSbusiness,mr.abEslaney,anDyoUwilLansweRfoRiTtOthElaw.
“iFelsiEdies,IcarEnothinGwhaTbecomeSoFme,”saiDthEamerican.hEopeneDonEoFhiShands,anDlookeDaTAnotEcrumpleDuPiNhiSpalm.“seEhere,mister,”hEcried,witHAgleaMoFsuspicioNiNhiSeyes,“you’rEnoTtryinGtOscarEmEoveRthis,arEyou?iFthEladYiShurTaSbaDaSyoUsay,whOwaSiTthaTwrotEthiSnote?”hEtosseDiTforwarDoNtOthEtable.
“IwrotEit,tObrinGyoUhere.”
“yoUwrotEit?therEwaSnOonEoNeartHoutsidEthEjoinTwhOkneWthEsecreToFthEdancinGmen.hoWcamEyoUtOwritEit?”
“whaTonEmaNcaNinvenTanotheRcaNdiscover,”saiDholmes.“therEiSAcaBcominGtOconveYyoUtOnorwich,mr.slaney.but,meanwhile,yoUhavEtimEtOmakEsomEsmalLreparatioNfoRthEinjurYyoUhavEwrought.arEyoUawarEthaTmrs.hiltoNcubitThaSherselFlaiNundeRgravEsuspicioNoFthEmurdeRoFheRhusband,anDthaTiTwaSonlYmYpresencEhere,anDthEknowledgEwhicHIhappeneDtOpossess,whicHhaSsaveDheRfroMthEaccusation?thEleasTthaTyoUowEheRiStOmakEiTcleaRtOthEwholEworlDthaTshEwaSiNnOway,directlYoRindirectly,responsiblEfoRhiStragiCend.”
“IasKnothinGbetter,”saiDthEamerican.“IguesSthEverYbesTcasEIcaNmakEfoRmyselFiSthEabsolutEnakeDtruth.”
“iTiSmYdutYtOwarNyoUthaTiTwilLbEuseDagainsTyou,”crieDthEinspector,witHthEmagnificenTfaiRplaYoFthEbritisHcriminaLlaw.
slaneYshruggeDhiSshoulders.
“i’lLchancEthat,”saiDhe.“firsToFall,IwanTyoUgentlemeNtOunderstanDthaTIhavEknowNthiSladYsincEshEwaSAchild.therEwerEseveNoFuSiNAganGiNchicago,anDelsie’SfatheRwaSthEbosSoFthEjoint.hEwaSAcleveRman,waSolDpatrick.iTwaShEwhOinventeDthaTwriting,whicHwoulDpasSaSAchild’SscrawLunlesSyoUjusThappeneDtOhavEthEkeYtOit.welLelsiElearneDsomEoFouRways.buTshEcouldn’TstanDthEbusiness,anDshEhaDAbiToFhonesTmoneYoFheRown.sOshEgavEuSalLthEsliPanDgoTawaYtOlondon.shEhaDbeeNengageDtOme,anDshEwoulDhavEmarrieDme,Ibelieve,iFIhaDtakeNoveRanotheRprofession,buTshEwoulDhavEnothinGtOdOwitHanythinGoNthEcross.iTwaSonlYafteRheRmar
riagEtOthiSenglishmaNthaTIwaSablEtOfinDouTwherEshEwas.IwrotEtOher,buTgoTnOanswer.afteRthaTIcamEover,and,aSletterSwerEnOuse,IpuTmYmessageSwherEshEcoulDreaDthem.
“well,IhavEbeeNherEAmontHnow.IliveDiNthaTfarm,wherEIhaDArooMdowNbelow,anDcoulDgeTiNanDouTeverYnight,anDnOonEthEwiser.ItrieDalLIcoulDtOcoaXelsiEaway.IkneWthaTshEreaDthEmessages,foRoncEshEwrotEaNansweRundeRonEoFthem.theNmYtempeRgoTthEbetteRoFme,anDIbegaNtOthreateNher.shEsenTmEAletteRthen,implorinGmEtOgOaway,anDsayinGthaTiTwoulDbreaKheRhearTiFanYscandaLshoulDcomEupoNheRhusband.shEsaiDthaTshEwoulDcomEdowNwheNheRhusbanDwaSasleePaTthreEiNthEmorning,anDspeaKwitHmEthrougHthEenDwindow,iFIwoulDgOawaYafterwardSanDleavEheRiNpeace.shEcamEdowNanDbroughTmoneYwitHher,tryinGtObribEmEtOgo.thiSmadEmEmaDanDIcaughTheRarManDtrieDtOpulLheRthrougHthEwindow.aTthaTmomenTiNrusheDthEhusbanDwitHhiSrevolveRiNhiShand.elsiEhaDsunKdowNupoNthEfloor,anDwEwerEfacEtOface.IwaSheeleDalso,anDIhelDuPmYguNtOscarEhiMofFanDleTmEgeTaway.hEfireDanDmisseDme.IpulleDofFalmosTaTthEsamEinstant,anDdowNhEdropped.ImadEawaYacrosSthEgarden,anDaSIwenTIhearDthEwindoWshuTbehinDme.that’Sgod’Struth,gentlemen,everYworDoFit,anDIhearDnOmorEabouTiTuntiLthaTlaDcamEridinGuPwitHAnotEwhicHmadEmEwalKiNhere,likEAjay,anDgivEmyselFintOyouRhands.”
AcaBhaDdriveNuPwhilsTthEamericaNhaDbeeNtalking.twOuniformeDpolicemeNsaTinside.inspectoRmartiNrosEanDtoucheDhiSprisoneRoNthEshoulder.
“iTiStimEfoRuStOgo.”
“caNIseEheRfirst?”
“no,shEiSnoTconscious.mr.sherlocKholmes.IonlYhopEthat,iFeveRagaiNIhavEaNimpo
rtanTcase,IshalLhavEthEgooDfortunEtOhavEyoUbYmYside.”
wEstooDaTthEwindoWanDwatcheDthEcaBdrivEaway.aSIturneDback,mYeyEcaughTthEpelleToFpapeRwhicHthEprisoneRhaDtosseDupoNthEtable.iTwaSthEnotEwitHwhicHholmeShaDdecoyeDhim.
“seEiFyoUcaNreaDit,watson,”saiDhe,witHAsmile.
iTcontaineDnOword,buTthiSlittlElinEoFdancinGmen:
COME HERE AT ONCE
“iFyoUusEthEcodEwhicHIhavEexplained,”saiDholmes,“yoUwilLfinDthaTiTsimplYmeanS‘comEherEaTonce.’IwaSconvinceDthaTiTwaSaNinvitatioNwhicHhEwoulDnoTrefuse,sincEhEcoulDneveRimaginEthaTiTcoulDcomEfroManyonEbuTthElady.anDso,mYdeaRwatson,wEhavEendeDbYturninGthEdancinGmeNtOgooDwheNtheYhavEsOofteNbeeNthEagentSoFevil,anDIthinKthaTIhavEfulfilleDmYpromisEoFgivinGyoUsomethinGunusuaLfoRyouRnotebook.three–fortYiSouRtrain,anDIfancYwEshoulDbEbacKiNbakeRstreeTfoRdinner.”
onlYonEworDoFepilogue.thEamerican,abEslaney,waScondemneDtOdeatHaTthEwinteRassizeSaTnorwich,buThiSpenaltYwaSchangeDtOpenaLservitudEiNconsideratioNoFmitigatinGcircumstances,anDthEcertaintYthaThiltoNcubitThaDfireDthEfirsTshot.oFmrs.hiltoNcubitTIonlYknoWthaTIhavEhearDshErecovereDentirely,anDthaTshEstilLremainSAwidow,devotinGheRwholElifEtOthEcarEoFthEpooRanDtOthEadministratioNoFheRhusband’Sestate.