The Three Garridebs

7/29/2019 The Three Garridebs

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-three-garridebs 1/305

← Mp3 DecodeConvert most audio file formats to or frommp3 with this free softwarewww.nch.com.au/switch

←

←

Go To Freeread Home Page for lo

The Casebook of SherlockHolmes

by

http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=B0gq90XlFT-K2GebP0AXs-t3eBd3jxFnH0rHbI8CNtwGw6gEQARgBIID5kAQ4AFDa-_vvA2DVjdOC3AigAZvdu_8DsgEPZnJlZXJlYWQuY29tLmF1ugEKMTIweDI0MF9hc8gBAdoBKWh0dHA6Ly9mcmVlcmVhZC5jb20uYXUvZWJvb2tzL2MwMDAxMi5odG1sgAIByAKT2I8GqAMByAMX6AOgCegDlQToAyL1AwAAAMD1AwAAABA&num=1&sig=AOD64_0-3Rew9yNyExufQ3e1Z-bNBH1Nag&client=ca-pub-5844598359620998&adurl=http://www.nch.com.au/switch/mp3.html

http://freeread.com.au/

http://freeread.com.au/

http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=B0gq90XlFT-K2GebP0AXs-t3eBd3jxFnH0rHbI8CNtwGw6gEQARgBIID5kAQ4AFDa-_vvA2DVjdOC3AigAZvdu_8DsgEPZnJlZXJlYWQuY29tLmF1ugEKMTIweDI0MF9hc8gBAdoBKWh0dHA6Ly9mcmVlcmVhZC5jb20uYXUvZWJvb2tzL2MwMDAxMi5odG1sgAIByAKT2I8GqAMByAMX6AOgCegDlQToAyL1AwAAAMD1AwAAABA&num=1&sig=AOD64_0-3Rew9yNyExufQ3e1Z-bNBH1Nag&client=ca-pub-5844598359620998&adurl=http://www.nch.com.au/switch/mp3.html



Arthur Conan Doyle

C!T"!TS

PrefaceThe Mazarin StoneThe Problem of Thor BridgeTheCreeping ManThe Susse !ampireThe Three "arridebsThe#llustrious ClientThe Blanched SoldierThe $etiredColourmanThe Three "ablesThe %ion&s ManeThe !eiled%odgerShoscombe 'ld Place

P#"FAC"

# fear that Mr. Sherloc( )olmes ma* become li(e one ofthose popular tenors who+ having outlived their time+ are stilltempted to ma(e repeated farewell bows to their indulgentaudiences. This must cease and he must go the wa* of all

flesh+ material or imaginar*. 'ne li(es to thin( that there issome fantastic limbo for the children of imagination+ somestrange+ impossible place where the beau of ,ielding ma*still ma(e love to the belles of $ichardson+ where Scott&sheroes still ma* strut+ -ic(ens&s delightful Coc(ne*s stillraise a laugh+ and Thac(era*&s worldlings continue to carr*on their reprehensible careers. Perhaps in some humblecorner of such a !alhalla+ Sherloc( and his atson ma* fora time find a place+ while some more astute sleuth with someeven less astute comrade ma* fill the stage which the* havevacated.

)is career has been a long onethough it is possible toeaggerate it0 decrepit gentlemen who approach me anddeclare that his adventures formed the reading of their



bo*hood do not meet the response from me which the*seem to epect. 'ne is not anious to have one&s personaldates handled so un(indl*. 1s a matter of cold fact+ )olmesmade his debut in 1 Stud* in Scarlet and in The Sign of

,our+ two small boo(lets which appeared between 24 and25. #t was in 252 that 61 Scandal in Bohemia+6 the first ofthe long series of short stories+ appeared in The StrandMagazine. The public seemed appreciative and desirous ofmore+ so that from that date+ thirt*nine *ears ago+ the* havebeen produced in a bro(en series which now contains nofewer than fift*si stories+ republished in The 1dventures+The Memoirs+ The $eturn+ and )is %ast Bow. and there

remain these twelve published during the last few *earswhich are here produced under the title of The Case Boo( ofSherloc( )olmes. )e began his adventures in the ver* heartof the later !ictorian era+ carried it through the alltooshortreign of 7dward+ and has managed to hold his own littleniche even in these feverish da*s. Thus it would be true tosa* that those who first read of him+ as *oung men+ havelived to see their own grownup children following the same

adventures in the same magazine. #t is a stri(ing eample ofthe patience and lo*alt* of the British public.

# had full* determined at the conclusion of The Memoirs tobring )olmes to an end+ as # felt that m* literar* energiesshould not be directed too much into one channel. That pale+clearcut face and looselimbed figure were ta(ing up anundue share of m* imagination. # did the deed+ butfortunatel* no coroner had pronounced upon the remains+

and so+ after a long interval+ it was not difficult for me torespond to the flattering demand and to eplain m* rash actawa*. # have never regretted it+ for # have not in actualpractice found that these lighter s(etches have preventedme from eploring and finding m* limitations in such variedbranches of literature as histor*+ poetr*+ historical novels+



ps*chic research+ and the drama. )ad )olmes never eisted# could not have done more+ though he ma* perhaps havestood a little in the wa* of the recognition of m* more seriousliterar* wor(.

1nd so+ reader+ farewell to Sherloc( )olmes8 # than( *ou for*our past constanc*+ and can but hope that some return hasbeen made in the shape of that distraction from the worriesof life and stimulating change of thought which can onl* befound in the fair* (ingdom of romance.

1$T)9$ C':1: -';%7.

AD$"!T%#" &' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"MA(A#&! ST!"

#t was pleasant to -r. atson to find himself once more inthe untid* room of the first floor in Ba(er Street which hadbeen the startingpoint of so man* remar(able adventures.

)e loo(ed round him at the scientific charts upon the wall+the acidcharred bench of chemicals+ the violincase leaningin the corner+ the coalscuttle+ which contained of old thepipes and tobacco. ,inall*+ his e*es came round to the freshand smiling face of Bill*+ the *oung but ver* wise and tactfulpage+ who had helped a little to fill up the gap of lonelinessand isolation which surrounded the saturnine figure of thegreat detective.

6#t all seems ver* unchanged+ Bill*. ;ou don&t change+ either.# hope the same can be said of him<6

Bill* glanced with some solicitude at the closed door of thebedroom.



6# thin( he&s in bed and asleep+6 he said.

#t was seven in the evening of a lovel* summer&s da*+ but -r.atson was sufficientl* familiar with the irregularit* of his old

friend&s hours to feel no surprise at the idea.

6That means a case+ # suppose<6

6;es+ sir+ he is ver* hard at it =ust now. #&m frightened for hishealth. )e gets paler and thinner+ and he eats nothing.&hen will *ou be pleased to dine+ Mr. )olmes<& Mrs.)udson as(ed. &Seventhirt*+ the da* after tomorrow+& saidhe. ;ou (now his wa* when he is (een on a case.6

6;es+ Bill*+ # (now.6

6)e&s following someone. ;esterda* he was out as awor(man loo(ing for a =ob. Toda* he was an old woman.,airl* too( me in+ he did+ and # ought to (now his wa*s b*now.6 Bill* pointed with a grin to a ver* bagg* parasol whichleaned against the sofa. 6That&s part of the old woman&s

outfit+6 he said.

6But what is it all about+ Bill*<6

Bill* san( his voice+ as one who discusses great secrets ofState. 6# don&t mind telling *ou+ sir+ but it should go no farther.#t&s this case of the Crown diamond.6

6hatthe hundredthousandpound burglar*<6

6;es+ sir. The* must get it bac(+ sir. h*+ we had the PrimeMinister and the )ome Secretar* both sitting on that ver*sofa. Mr. )olmes was ver* nice to them. )e soon put themat their ease and promised he would do all he could. Thenthere is %ord Cantlemere6



61h86

6;es+ sir+ *ou (now what that means. )e&s a stiff&un+ sir+ if #ma* sa* so. # can get along with the Prime Minister+ and #&ve

nothing against the )ome Secretar*+ who seemed a civil+obliging sort of man+ but # can&t stand his %ordship. :eithercan Mr. )olmes+ sir. ;ou see+ he don&t believe in Mr. )olmesand he was against emplo*ing him. )e&d rather he failed.6

61nd Mr. )olmes (nows it<6

6Mr. )olmes alwa*s (nows whatever there is to (now.6

6ell+ we&ll hope he won&t fail and that %ord Cantlemere willbe confounded. But # sa*+ Bill*+ what is that curtain foracross the window<6

6Mr. )olmes had it put up there three da*s ago. e&ve gotsomething funn* behind it.6

Bill* advanced and drew awa* the draper* which screened

the alcove of the bow window.

-r. atson could not restrain a cr* of amazement. Therewas a facsimile of his old friend+ dressinggown and all+ theface turned three>uarters towards the window anddownward+ as though reading an invisible boo(+ while thebod* was sun( deep in an armchair. Bill* detached the headand held it in the air.

6e put it at different angles+ so that it ma* seem morelifeli(e. # wouldn&t dare touch it if the blind were not down. Butwhen it&s up *ou can see this from across the wa*.6

6e used something of the sort once before.6



6Before m* time+6 said Bill*. )e drew the window curtainsapart and loo(ed out into the street. 6There are fol( whowatch us from over *onder. # can see a fellow now at thewindow. )ave a loo( for *ourself.6

atson had ta(en a step forward when the bedroom dooropened+ and the long+ thin form of )olmes emerged+ his facepale and drawn+ but his step and bearing as active as ever.ith a single spring he was at the window+ and had drawnthe blind once more.

6That will do+ Bill*+6 said he. 6;ou were in danger of *our life

then+ m* bo*+ and # can&t do without *ou =ust *et. ell+atson+ it is good to see *ou in *our old >uarters onceagain. ;ou come at a critical moment.6

6So # gather.6

6;ou can go+ Bill*. That bo* is a problem+ atson. )ow faram # =ustified in allowing him to be in danger<6

6-anger of what+ )olmes<6

6'f sudden death. #&m epecting something this evening.6

67pecting what<6

6To be murdered+ atson.6

6:o+ no+ *ou are =o(ing+ )olmes86

67ven m* limited sense of humour could evolve a better =o(ethan that. But we ma* be comfortable in the meantime+ ma*we not< #s alcohol permitted< The gasogene and cigars arein the old place. %et me see *ou once more in the customar*armchair. ;ou have not+ # hope+ learned to despise m* pipe



and m* lamentable tobacco< #t has to ta(e the place of foodthese da*s.6

6But wh* not eat<6

6Because the faculties become refined when *ou starvethem. h*+ surel*+ as a doctor+ m* dear atson+ *ou mustadmit that what *our digestion gains in the wa* of bloodsuppl* is so much lost to the brain. # am a brain+ atson.The rest of me is a mere appendi. Therefore+ it is the brain #must consider.6

6But this danger+ )olmes<6

61h. *es+ in case it should come off+ it would perhaps be aswell that *ou should burden *our memor* with the name andaddress of the murderer. ;ou can give it to Scotland ;ard+with m* love and a parting blessing. S*lvius is the nameCount :egretto S*lvius. rite it down+ man+ write it down823? Moorside "ardens+ :. . "ot it<6

atson&s honest face was twitching with aniet*. )e (newonl* too well the immense ris(s ta(en b* )olmes and waswell aware that what he said was more li(el* to be understatement than eaggeration. atson was alwa*s the manof action+ and he rose to the occasion.

6Count me in+ )olmes. # have nothing to do for a da* or two.6

6;our morals don&t improve+ atson. ;ou have addedfibbing to *our other vices. ;ou bear ever* sign of the bus*medical man+ with calls on him ever* hour.6

6:ot such important ones. But can&t *ou have this fellowarrested<6



6;es+ atson+ # could. That&s what worries him so.6

6But wh* don&t *ou<6

6Because # don&t (now where the diamond is.6

61h8 Bill* told methe missing Crown =ewel86

6;es+ the great *ellow Mazarin stone. #&ve cast m* net and #have m* fish. But # have not got the stone. hat is the use ofta(ing them< e can ma(e the world a better place b*la*ing them b* the heels. But that is not what # am out for. #t&sthe stone # want.6

61nd is this Count S*lvius one of *our fish<6

6;es+ and he&s a shar(. )e bites. The other is Sam Mertonthe boer. :ot a bad fellow+ Sam+ but the Count has usedhim. Sam&s not a shar(. )e is a great big sill* bullheadedgudgeon. But he is flopping about in m* net all the same.6

6here is this Count S*lvius<6

6#&ve been at his ver* elbow all the morning. ;ou&ve seen meas an old lad*+ atson. # was never more convincing. )eactuall* pic(ed up m* parasol for me once. &B* *our leave+madame+& said hehalfltalian+ *ou (now+ and with theSouthern graces of manner when in the mood+ but a devilincarnate in the other mood. %ife is full of whimsicalhappenings+ atson.6

6#t might have been traged*.6

6ell+ perhaps it might. # followed him to old Straubenzee&swor(shop in the Minories. Straubenzee made the airgunaver* prett* bit of wor(+ as # understand+ and # rather fanc* it



is in the opposite window at the present moment. )ave *ouseen the dumm*< 'f course+ Bill* showed it to *ou. ell+ itma* get a bullet through its beautiful head at an* moment.

1h+ Bill*+ what is it<6

The bo* had reappeared in the room with a card upon a tra*.)olmes glanced at it with raised e*ebrows and an amusedsmile.

6The man himself. # had hardl* epected this. "rasp thenettle+ atson8 1 man of nerve. Possibl* *ou have heard ofhis reputation as a shooter of big game. #t would indeed be a

triumphant ending to his ecellent sporting record if headded me to his bag. This is a proof that he feels m* toever* close behind his heel.6

6Send for the police.6

6# probabl* shall. But not =ust *et. ould *ou glance carefull*out of the window+ atson+ and see if an*one is hangingabout in the street<6

atson loo(ed waril* round the edge of the curtain.

6;es+ there is one rough fellow near the door.6

6That will be Sam Mertonthe faithful but rather fatuousSam. here is this gentleman+ Bill*<6

6#n the waitingroom+ sir.6

6Show him up when # ring.6

6;es+ sir.6

6#f # am not in the room+ show him in all the same.6



6;es+ sir.6

atson waited until the door was closed+ and then he turnedearnestl* to his companion.

6%oo( here+ )olmes+ this is simpl* impossible. This is adesperate man+ who stic(s at nothing. )e ma* have come tomurder *ou.6

6# should not be surprised.6

6# insist upon sta*ing with *ou.6

6;ou would be horribl* in the wa*.6

6#n his wa*<6

6:o+ m* dear fellowin m* wa*.6

6ell+ # can&t possibl* leave *ou.6

6;es+ *ou can+ atson. 1nd *ou will+ for *ou have neverfailed to pla* the game. # am sure *ou will pla* it to the end.This man has come for his own purpose+ but he ma* sta* formine.6

)olmes too( out his noteboo( and scribbled a few lines.6Ta(e a cab to Scotland ;ard and give this to ;oughal of theC. #. -. Come bac( with the police. The fellow&s arrest willfollow.6

6#&ll do that with =o*.

6Before *ou return # ma* have =ust time enough to find outwhere the stone is.6 )e touched the bell. 6# thin( we will goout through the bedroom. This second eit is eceedingl*



useful. # rather want to see m* shar( without his seeing me+and # have+ as *ou will remember+ m* own wa* of doing it.6

#t was+ therefore+ an empt* room into which Bill*+ a minute

later+ ushered Count S*lvius. The famous gameshot+sportsman+ and manabouttown was a big+ swarth* fellow+with a formidable dar( moustache shading a cruel+ thinlipped mouth+ and surmounted b* a long+ curved nose li(ethe bea( of an eagle. )e was well dressed+ but his brilliantnec(tie+ shining pin+ and glittering rings were flambo*ant intheir effect. 1s the door closed behind him he loo(ed roundhim with fierce+ startled e*es+ li(e one who suspects a trap at

ever* turn. Then he gave a violent start as he saw theimpassive head and the collar of the dressinggown whichpro=ected above the armchair in the window. 1t first hisepression was one of pure amazement. Then the light of ahorrible hope gleamed in his dar(+ murderous e*es. )e too(one more glance round to see that there were no witnesses+and then+ on tiptoe+ his thic( stic( half raised+ he approachedthe silent figure. )e was crouching for his final spring andblow when a cool+ sardonic voice greeted him from the openbedroom door@

6-on&t brea( it+ Count8 -on&t brea( it86

The assassin staggered bac(+ amazement in his convulsedface. ,or an instant he half raised his loaded cane oncemore+ as if he would turn his violence from the effig* to theoriginal0 but there was something in that stead* gra* e*e and

moc(ing smile which caused his hand to sin( to his side.

6#t&s a prett* little thing+6 said )olmes+ advancing towards theimage. 6Tavernier+ the ,rench modeller+ made it. )e is asgood at wawor(s as *our friend Straubenzee is at airguns.6



61irguns+ sir8 hat do *ou mean<6

6Put *our hat and stic( on the sidetable. Than( *ou8 Pra*ta(e a seat. ould *ou care to put *our revolver out also<

'h+ ver* good+ if *ou prefer to sit upon it. ;our visit is reall*most opportune+ for # wanted badl* to have a few minutes&chat with *ou.6

The Count scowled+ with heav*+ threatening e*ebrows.

6#+ too+ wished to have some words with *ou+ )olmes. That iswh* # am here. # won&t den* that # intended to assault *ou

=ust now.6

)olmes swung his leg on the edge of the table.

6# rather gathered that *ou had some idea of the sort in *ourhead+6 said he. 6But wh* these personal attentions<6

6Because *ou have gone out of *our wa* to anno* me.Because *ou have put *our creatures upon m* trac(.6

6M* creatures8 # assure *ou no86

6:onsense8 # have had them followed. Two can pla* at thatgame+ )olmes.6

6#t is a small point+ Count S*lvius+ but perhaps *ou would(indl* give me m* prefi when *ou address me. ;ou canunderstand that+ with m* routine of wor(+ # should find m*self

on familiar terms with half the rogues& galler*+ and *ou willagree that eceptions are invidious.6

6ell+ Mr. )olmes+ then.6

67cellent8 But # assure *ou *ou are mista(en about m*



alleged agents.6

Count S*lvius laughed contemptuousl*.

6'ther people can observe as well as *ou. ;esterda* therewas an old sporting man. Toda* it was an elderl* woman.The* held me in view all da*.6

6$eall*+ sir+ *ou compliment me. 'ld Baron -owson said thenight before he was hanged that in m* case what the lawhad gained the stage had lost. 1nd now *ou give m* littleimpersonations *our (indl* praise<6

6#t was *ou*ou *ourself<6

)olmes shrugged his shoulders. 6;ou can see in the cornerthe parasol which *ou so politel* handed to me in theMinories before *ou began to suspect.6

6#f # had (nown+ *ou might never6

6)ave seen this humble home again. # was well aware of it.e all have neglected opportunities to deplore. 1s ithappens+ *ou did not (now+ so here we are86

The Count&s (notted brows gathered more heavil* over hismenacing e*es. 6hat *ou sa* onl* ma(es the matterworse. #t was not *our agents but *our pla*acting+ bus*bod*self8 ;ou admit that *ou have dogged me. h*<6

6Come now+ Count. ;ou used to shoot lions in 1lgeria.6

6ell<6

6But wh*<6



6h*< The sportthe ecitementthe danger86

61nd+ no doubt+ to free the countr* from a pest<6

67actl*86

6M* reasons in a nutshell86

The Count sprang to his feet+ and his hand involuntaril*moved bac( to his hippoc(et.

6Sit down+ sir+ sit down8 There was another+ more practical+reason. # want that *ellow diamond86

Count S*lvius la* bac( in his chair with an evil smile.

69pon m* word86 said he.

6;ou (new that # was after *ou for that. The real reason wh**ou are here tonight is to find out how much # (now aboutthe matter and how far m* removal is absolutel* essential.ell+ # should sa* that+ from *our point of view+ it isabsolutel* essential+ for # (now all about it+ save onl* onething+ which *ou are about to tell me.6

6'h+ indeed8 1nd pra*+ what is this missing fact<6

6here the Crown diamond now is.6

The Count loo(ed sharpl* at his companion. 6'h+ *ou want

to (now that+ do *ou< )ow the devil should # be able to lell*ou where it is<6

6;ou can+ and *ou will.6

6#ndeed86



6;ou can&t bluff me+ Count S*lvius.6 )olmes&s e*es+ as hegazed at him+ contracted and lightened until the* were li(etwo menacing points of steel. 6;ou are absolute plateglass.# see to the ver* bac( of *our mind.6

6Then+ of course+ *ou see where the diamond is86

)olmes clapped his hands with amusement+ and thenpointed a derisive finger. 6Then *ou do (now. ;ou haveadmitted it86

6# admit nothing.6

6:ow+ Count+ if *ou will be reasonable we can do business. #fnot+ *ou will get hurt.6

Count S*lvius threw up his e*es to the ceiling. 61nd *ou tal(about bluff86 said he.

)olmes loo(ed at him thoughtfull* li(e a master chesspla*erwho meditates his crowning move. Then he threw open the

table drawer and drew out a s>uat noteboo(.

6-o *ou (now what # (eep in this boo(<6

6:o+ sir+ # do not86

6;ou86

6Me86

6;es+ sir+ *ou8 ;ou are all hereever* action of *or vile anddangerous life.6

6-amn *ou+ )olmes86 cried the Count with blazing e*es.6There are limits to m* patience86



6#t&s all here+ Count. The real facts as to the death of old Mrs.)arold+ who left *ou the Bl*mer estate+ which *ou so rapidl*gambled awa*.6

6;ou are dreaming86

61nd the complete life histor* of Miss Minnie arrender.6

6Tut8 ;ou will ma(e nothing of that86

6Plent* more here+ Count. )ere is the robber* in the train delue to the $iviera on ,ebruar* 23+ 25A. )ere is the forgedchec( in the same *ear on the Credit %*onnais.6

6:o+ *ou&re wrong there.6

6Then # am right on the others8 :ow+ Count+ *ou are a cardpla*er. hen the other fellow has all the trumps+ it savestime to throw down *our hand.6

6hat has all this tal( to do with the =ewel of which *ou

spo(e<6

6"entl*+ Count. $estrain that eager mind8 %et me get to thepoints in m* own humdrum fashion. # have all this against*ou0 but+ above all+ # have a clear case against both *ou and*our fighting bull* in the case of the Crown diamond.6

6#ndeed86

6# have the cabman who too( *ou to hitehall and thecabman who brought *ou awa*. # have the commissionairewho saw *ou near the case. # have #(e* Sanders+ whorefused to cut it up for *ou. #(e* has peached+ and the gameis up.6



The veins stood out on the Count&s forehead. )is dar(+ hair*hands were clenched in a convulsion of restrained emotion.)e tried to spea(+ but the words would not shapethemselves.

6That&s the hand # pla* from+6 said )olmes. 6# put it all uponthe table. But one card is missing. #t&s the (ing of diamonds. #don&t (now where the stone is.6

6;ou never shall (now.6

6:o< :ow+ be reasonable+ Count. Consider the situation.;ou are going to be loc(ed up for twent* *ears. So is SamMerton. hat good are *ou going to get out of *ourdiamond< :one in the world. But if *ou hand it overwell+ #&llcompound a felon*. e don&t want *ou or Sam. e want thestone. "ive that up+ and so far as # am concerned *ou cango free so long as *ou behave *ourself in the future. #f *ouma(e another slip well+ it will be the last. But this time m*commission is to get the stone+ not *ou.6

6But if # refuse<6

6h*+ thenalas8it must be *ou and not the stone.6

Bill* had appeared in answer to a ring.

6# thin(+ Count+ that it would be as well to have *our friendSam at this conference. 1fter all+ his interests should berepresented. Bill*+ *ou will see a large and ugl* gentlemanoutside the front door. 1s( him to come up.6

6#f he won&t come+ sir<6

6:o violence+ Bill*. -on&t be rough with him. #f *ou tell himthat Count S*lvius wants him he will certainl* come.6



6hat are *ou going to do now<6 as(ed the Count as Bill*disappeared.

6M* friend atson was with me =ust now. # told him that # had

a shar( and a gudgeon in m* net0 now # am drawing the netand up the* come together.6

The Count had risen from his chair+ and his hand was behindhis bac(. )olmes held something half protruding from thepoc(et of his dressinggown.

6;ou won&t die in *our bed+ )olmes.6

6# have often had the same idea. -oes it matter ver* much< 1her all+ Count+ *our own eit is more li(el* to beperpendicular than horizontal. But these anticipations of thefuture are morbid. h* not give ourselves up to theunrestrained en=o*ment of the present<6

1 sudden wildbeast light sprang up in the dar(+ menacinge*es of the master criminal. )olmes&s figure seemed to grow

taller as he grew tense and read*.

6#t is no use *our fingering *our revolver+ m* friend+6 he saidin a >uiet voice. 6;ou (now perfectl* well that *ou dare notuse it+ even if # gave *ou time to draw it. :ast*+ nois* things+revolvers+ Count. Better stic( to airguns. 1h8 # thin( # hearthe fair* footstep of *our estimable partner. "ood da*+ Mr.Merton. $ather dull in the street+ is it not<6

The prizefighter+ a heavil* built *oung man with a stupid+obstinate+ slabsided face+ stood aw(wardl* at the door+loo(ing about him with a puzzled epression. )olmes&sdebonair manner was a new eperience+ and though hevaguel* felt that it was hostile+ he did not (now how tocounter it. )e turned to his more astute comrade for help.



6hat&s the game now+ Count< hat&s this fellow want<hat&s up<6 )is voice was deep and raucous.

The Count shrugged his shoulders+ and it was )olmes who

answered.

6#f # ma* put it in a nutshell+ Mr. Merton+ # should sa* it wasall up.6

The boer still addressed his remar(s to his associate.

6#s this cove tr*ing to be funn*+ or what< #&m not in the funn*mood m*self.6

6:o+ # epect not+6 said )olmes. 6# thin( # can promise *outhat *ou will feel even less humorous as the eveningadvances. :ow+ loo( here+ Count S*lvius. #&m a bus* manand # can&t waste time. #&m going into that bedroom. Pra*ma(e *ourselves >uite at home in m* absence. ;ou caneplain to *our friend how the matter lies without the restraintof m* presence. # shall tr* over the )offman &Barcarole& upon

m* violin. #n five minutes # shall return for *our final answer.;ou >uite grasp the alternative+ do *ou not< Shall we ta(e*ou+ or shall we have the stone<6

)olmes withdrew+ pic(ing up his violin from the corner as hepassed. 1 few moments later the longdrawn+ wailing notesof that most haunting of tunes came faintl* through theclosed door of the bedroom.

6hat is it+ then<6 as(ed Merton aniousl* as his companionturned to him. 6-oes he (now about the stone<6

6)e (nows a damned sight too much about it. #&m not surethat he doesn&t (now all about it.6



6"ood %ord86 The boer&s sallow face turned a shade whiter.

6#(e* Sanders has split on us.6

6)e has+ has he< #&ll do him down a thic( &un for that if #swing for it.6

6That won&t help us much. e&ve got to ma(e up our mindswhat to do.6

6)alf a mo&+6 said the boer+ loo(ing suspiciousl* at thebedroom door. 6)e&s a lear* cove that wants watching. #suppose he&s not listening<6

6)ow can he be listening with that music going<6

6That&s right. Ma*be somebod*&s behind a curtain. Too man*curtains in this room.6 1s he loo(ed round he suddenl* sawfor the first time the effig* in the window+ and stood staringand pointing+ too amazed for words.

6Tut8 it&s onl* a dumm*+6 said the Count.

61 fa(e+ is it< ell+ stri(e me8 Madame Tussaud ain&t in it. #t&sthe living spit of him+ gown and all. But them curtains Count86

6'h+ confound the curtains8 e are wasting our time+ andthere is none too much. )e can lag us over this stone.6

6The deuce he can86

6But he&ll let us slip if we onl* tell him where the swag is.6

6hat8 "ive it up< "ive up a hundred thousand >uid<6

6#t&s one or the other.6



Merton scratched his shortcropped pate.

6)e&s alone in there. %et&s do him in. #f his light were out weshould have nothing to fear.6

The Count shoo( his head.

6)e is armed and read*. #f we shot him we could hardl* getawa* in a place li(e this. Besides+ it&s li(el* enough that thepolice (now whatever evidence he has got. )allo8 hat wasthat<6

There was a vague sound which seemed to come from thewindow. Both men sprang round+ but all was >uiet. Save forthe one strange figure seated in the chair+ the room wascertainl* empt*.

6Something in the street+6 said Merton. 6:ow loo( here+guv&nor+ *ou&ve got the brains. Surel* *ou can thin( a wa*out of it. #f slugging is no use then it&s up to *ou.6

6#&ve fooled better men than he+6 the Count answered. 6Thestone is here in m* secret poc(et. # ta(e no chances leavingit about. #t can be out of 7ngland tonight and cut into fourpieces in 1msterdam before Sunda*. )e (nows nothing of!an Seddar.6

6# thought !an Seddar was going net wee(.6

6)e was. But now he must get off b* the net boat. 'ne or

other of us must slip round with the stone to %ime Street andtell him.6

6But the false bottom ain&t read*.6

6ell+ he must ta(e it as it is and chance it. There&s not a



moment to lose.6 1gain+ with the sense of danger whichbecomes an instinct with the sportsman+ he paused andloo(ed hard at the window. ;es+ it was surel* from the streetthat the faint sound had come.

61s to )olmes+6 he continued+ 6we can fool him easil*enough. ;ou see+ the damned fool won&t arrest us if he canget the stone. ell+ we&ll promise him the stone. e&ll puthim on the wrong trac( about it+ and before he finds that it isthe wrong trac( it will be in )olland and we out of thecountr*.6

6That sounds good to me86 cried Sam Merton with a grin.

6;ou go on and tell the -utchman to get a move on him. #&llsee this suc(er and fill him up with a bogus confession. #&lltell him that the stone is in %iverpool. Confound that whiningmusic0 it gets on m* nerves8 B* the time he finds it isn&t in%iverpool it will be in >uarters and we on the blue water.Come bac( here+ out of a line with that (e*hole. )ere is thestone.6

6# wonder *ou dare carr* it.6

6here could # have it safer< #f we could ta(e it out ofhitehall someone else could surel* ta(e it out of m*lodgings.6

6%et&s have a loo( at it.6

Count S*lvius cast a somewhat unflattering glance at hisassociate and disregarded the unwashed hand which wasetended towards him.

6hatd&*e thin( #&m going to snatch it off *ou< See here+mister+ #&m getting a bit tired of *our wa*s.6



6ell+ well+ no offence+ Sam. e can&t afford to >uarrel.Come over to the window if *ou want to see the beaut*properl*. :ow hold it to the light8 )ere86

6Than( *ou86

ith a single spring )olmes had leaped from the dumm*&schair and had grasped the precious =ewel. )e held it now inone hand+ while his other pointed a revolver at the Count&shead. The two villains staggered bac( in utter amazement.Before the* had recovered )olmes had pressed the electricbell.

6:o violence+ gentlemenno violence+ # beg of *ou8 Considerthe furniture8 #t must be ver* clear to *ou that *our position isan impossible one. The police are waiting below.6

The Count&s bewilderment overmastered his rage and fear.

6But how the deuce<6 he gasped.

6;our surprise is ver* natural. ;ou are not aware that asecond door from m* bedroom leads behind that curtain. #fancied that *ou must have heard me when # displaced thefigure+ but luc( was on m* side. #t gave me a chance oflistening to *our rac* conversation which would have beenpainfull* constrained had *ou been aware of m* presence.6

The Count gave a gesture of resignation.

6e give *ou best+ )olmes. # believe *ou are the devilhimself.6

6:ot far from him+ at an* rate+6 )olmes answered with apolite smile.



Sam Merton&s slow intellect had onl* graduall* appreciatedthe situation. :ow+ as the sound of heav* steps came fromthe stairs outside+ he bro(e silence at last.

61 fair cop86 said he. 6But+ # sa*+ what about that bloomin&fiddle8 # hear it *et.6

6Tut+ tut86 )olmes answered. 6;ou are perfectl* right. %et itpla*8 These modern gramophones are a remar(ableinvention.6

There was an inrush of police+ the handcuffs clic(ed and thecriminals were led to the waiting cab. atson lingered with)olmes+ congratulating him upon this fresh leaf added to hislaurels. 'nce more their conversation was interrupted b* theimperturbable Bill* with his cardtra*.

6%ord Cantlemere sir.6

6Show him up+ Bill*. This is the eminent peer who representsthe ver* highest interests+6 said )olmes. 6)e is an ecellent

and lo*al person+ but rather of the old regime. Shall we ma(ehim unbend< -are we venture upon a slight libert*< )e(nows+ we ma* con=ecture+ nothing of what has occurred.6

The door opened to admit a thin+ austere figure with ahatchet face and drooping mid!ictorian whis(ers of a gloss*blac(ness which hardl* corresponded with the roundedshoulders and feeble gait. )olmes advanced affabl*+ andshoo( an unresponsive hand.

6)ow do *ou do+ %ord Cantlemere< #t is chill* for the time of*ear+ but rather warm indoors. Ma* # ta(e *our overcoat<6

6:o+ # than( *ou0 # will not ta(e it off.6



)olmes laid his hand insistentl* upon the sleeve.

6Pra* allow me8 M* friend -r. atson would assure *ou thatthese changes of temperature are most insidious.6

)is %ordship shoo( himself free with some impatience.

6# am >uite comfortable+ sir. # have no need to sta*. # havesimpl* loo(ed in to (now how *our selfappointed tas( wasprogressing.6

6#t is difficultver* difficult.6

6# feared that *ou would find it so.6

There was a distinct sneer in the old courtier&s words andmanner.

67ver* man finds his limitations+ Mr. )olmes+ but at least itcures us of the wea(ness of selfsatisfaction.6

6;es+ sir+ # have been much perpleed.6

6:o doubt.6

67speciall* upon one point. Possibl* *ou could help me upon

6;ou appl* for m* advice rather late in the da*. # thought that*ou had *our own allsufficient methods. Still+ # am read* tohelp *ou.6

6;ou see+ %ord Cantlemere+ we can no doubt frame a caseagainst the actual thieves.6

6hen *ou have caught them.6



67actl*. But the >uestion ishow shall we proceed againstthe receiver<6

6#s this not rather premature<6

6#t is as well to have our plans read*. :ow+ what would *ouregard as final evidence against the receiver<6

6The actual possession of the stone.6

6;ou would arrest him upon that<6

6Most undoubtedl*.6

)olmes seldom laughed+ but he got as near it as his oldfriend atson could remember.

6#n that case+ m* dear sir+ # shall be under the painfulnecessit* of advising *our arrest.6

%ord Cantlemere was ver* angr*. Some of the ancient firesflic(ered up into his sallow chee(s.

6;ou ta(e a great libert*+ Mr. )olmes. #n fift* *ears of officiallife # cannot recall such a case. # am a bus* man+ sirengaged upon important affairs+ and # have no time or tastefor foolish =o(es. # ma* tell *ou fran(l*+ sir+ that # have neverbeen a believer in *our powers+ and that # have alwa*s beenof the opinion that the matter was far safer in the hands ofthe regular police force. ;our conduct confirms all m*

conclusions. # have the honour+ sir+ to wish *ou goodevening.6

)olmes had swiftl* changed his position and was betweenthe peer and the door.



6'ne moment+ sir+6 said he. 6To actuall* go off with theMazarin stone would be a more serious offence than to befound in temporar* possession of it.6

6Sir+ this is intolerable8 %et me pass.6

6Put *our hand in the righthand poc(et of *our overcoat.6

6hat do *ou mean+ sir<6

6Comecome+ do what # as(.6

1n instant later the amazed peer was standing+ blin(ing and

stammering+ with the great *ellow stone on his sha(ing palm.

6hat8 hat8 )ow is this+ Mr. )olmes<6

6Too bad+ %ord Cantlemere+ too bad86 cried )olmes. 6M* oldfriend here will tell *ou that # have an impish habit of practical

=o(ing. 1lso that # can never resist a dramatic situation. # too(the libert*the ver* great libert*+ # admitof putting the stone

into *our poc(et at the beginning of our interview.6

The old peer stared from the stone to the smiling face beforehim.

6Sir+ # am bewildered. But*esit is indeed the Mazarinstone. e are greatl* *our debtors+ Mr. )olmes. ;our senseof humour ma*+ as *ou admit+ be somewhat perverted+ andits ehibition remar(abl* untimel*+ but at least # withdraw an*

reflection # have made upon *our amazing professionalpowers. But how6

6The case is but half finished0 the details can wait. :o doubt+%ord Cantlemere+ *our pleasure in telling of this successfulresult in the ealted circle to which *ou return will be some



small atonement for m* practical =o(e. Bill*+ *ou will show his%ordship out+ and tell Mrs. )udson that # should be glad ifshe would send up dinner for two as soon as possible.6

AD$"!T%#" &&' TH" P#)*"M F TH#)#&DG"

Somewhere in the vaults of the ban( of Co and Co.+ atCharing Cross+ there is a travelworn and battered tindispatchbo with m* name+ ohn ). atson+ M. -.+ %ate#ndian 1rm*+ painted upon the lid. #t is crammed with papers+

nearl* all of which are records of cases to illustrate thecurious problems which Mr. Sherloc( )olmes had at varioustimes to eamine. Some+ and not the least interesting+ werecomplete failures+ and as such will hardl* bear narrating+since no final eplanation is forthcoming. 1 problem withouta solution ma* interest the student+ but can hardl* fail toanno* the casual reader. 1mong these unfinished tales isthat of Mr. ames Phillimore+ who+ stepping bac( into his

own house to get his umbrella+ was never more seen in thisworld. :o less remar(able is that of the cutter 1licia+ whichsailed one spring morning into a small patch of mist fromwhere she never again emerged+ nor was an*thing furtherever heard of herself and her crew. 1 third case worth* ofnote is that of #sadora Persano+ the well(nown =ournalistand duellist+ who was found star( staring mad with a matchbo in front of him which contained a remar(able worm saidto be un(nown to science. 1part from these unfathomedcases+ there are some which involve the secrets of privatefamilies to an etent which would mean consternation inman* ealted >uarters if it were thought possible that the*might find their wa* into print. # need not sa* that such abreach of confidence is unthin(able+ and that these records



will be separated and destro*ed now that m* friend has timeto turn his energies to the matter. There remain aconsiderable residue of cases of greater or less interestwhich # might have edited before had # not feared to give the

public a surfeit which might react upon the reputation of theman whom above all others # revere. #n some # was m*selfconcerned and can spea( as an e*ewitness+ while in others# was either not present or pla*ed so small a part that the*could onl* be told as b* a third person. The followingnarrative is drawn from m* own eperience.

#t was a wild morning in 'ctober+ and # observed as # was

dressing how the last remaining leaves were being whirledfrom the solitar* plane tree which graces the *ard behind ourhouse. # descended to brea(fast prepared to find m*companion in depressed spirits+ for+ li(e all great artists+ hewas easil* impressed b* his surroundings. 'n the contrar*+ #found that he had nearl* finished his meal+ and that hismood was particularl* bright and =o*ous+ with that somewhatsinister cheerfulness which was characteristic of his lightermoments.

6;ou have a case+ )olmes<6 # remar(ed.

6The facult* of deduction is certainl* contagious+ atson+6he answered. 6#t has enabled *ou to probe m* secret. ;es+ #have a case. 1fter a month of trivialities and stagnation thewheels move once more.6

6Might # share it<6

6There is little to share+ but we ma* discuss it when *ou haveconsumed the two hardboiled eggs with which our new coo(has favoured us. Their condition ma* not be unconnectedwith the cop* of the ,amil* )erald which # observed



*esterda* upon the halltable. 7ven so trivial a matter ascoo(ing an egg demands an attention which is conscious ofthe passage of time and incompatible with the love romancein that ecellent periodical.6

1 >uarter of an hour later the table had been cleared and wewere face to face. )e had drawn a letter from his poc(et.

6;ou have heard of :eil "ibson+ the "old ing<6 he said.

6;ou mean the 1merican Senator<6

6ell+ he was once Senator for some estern state+ but isbetter (nown as the greatest goldmining magnate in theworld.6

6;es+ # (now of him. )e has surel* lived in 7ngland for sometime. )is name is ver* familiar.6

6;es+ he bought a considerable estate in )ampshire somefive *ears ago. Possibl* *ou have alread* heard of the tragic

end of his wife<6

6'f course. # remember it now. That is wh* the name isfamiliar. But # reall* (now nothing of the details.6

)olmes waved his hand towards some papers on a chair. 6#had no idea that the case was coming m* wa* or # shouldhave had m* etracts read*+6 said he. 6The fact is that theproblem+ though eceedingl* sensational+ appeared to

present no difficult*. The interesting personalit* of theaccused does not obscure the clearness of the evidence.That was the view ta(en b* the coroner&s =ur* and also in thepolicecourt proceedings. #t is now referred to the 1ssizes atinchester. # fear it is a than(less business. # can discoverfacts+ atson+ but # cannot change them. 9nless some



entirel* new and unepected ones come to light # do not seewhat m* client can hope for.6

6;our client<6

61h+ # forgot # had not told *ou. # am getting into *ourinvolved habit+ atson+ of telling a stor* bac(ward. ;ou hadbest read this first.6

The letter which he handed to me+ written in a bold+masterful hand+ ran as follows@

C%1$#-"7&S )'T7%+'ctober 3rd.

-71$ M$. S)7$%'C )'%M7S@

# can&t see the best woman "od ever made go to her deathwithout doing all that is possible to save her. # can&t eplainthings# can&t even tr* to eplain them+ but # (now be*ond alldoubt that Miss -unbar is innocent. ;ou (now the factswhodoesn&t< #t has been the gossip of the countr*. 1nd never a

voice raised for her8 #t&s the damned in=ustice of it all thatma(es me craz*. That woman has a heart that wouldn&t lether (ill a fl*. ell+ #&ll come at eleven tomorrow and see if*ou can get some ra* of light in the dar(. Ma*be # have aclue and don&t (now it. 1n*how+ all # (now and all # have andall # am are for *our use if onl* *ou can save her. #f ever in*our life *ou showed *our powers+ put them now into thiscase.

;ours faithfull*+

. :7#% "#BS':.

6There *ou have it+6 said Sherloc( )olmes+ (noc(ing out theashes of his afterbrea(fast pipe and slowl* refilling it. 6That



is the gentleman # await. 1s to the stor*+ *ou have hardl*time to master all these papers+ so # must give it to *ou in anutshell if *ou are to ta(e an intelligent interest in theproceedings. This man is the greatest financial power in the

world+ and a man+ as # understand+ of most violent andformidable character. )e married a wife+ the victim of thistraged*+ of whom # (now nothing save that she was past herprime+ which was the more unfortunate as a ver* attractivegoverness superintended the education of two *oungchildren. These are the three people concerned+ and thescene is a grand old manor house+ the centre of a historical7nglish state. Then as to the traged*. The wife was found in

the grounds nearl* half a mile from the house+ late at night+clad in her dinner dress+ with a shawl over her shoulders anda revolver bullet through her brain. :o weapon was foundnear her and there was no local clue as to the murder. :oweapon near her+ atsonmar( that8 The crime seems tohave been committed late in the evening+ and the bod* wasfound b* a game(eeper about eleven o&cloc(+ when it waseamined b* the police and b* a doctor before being carried

up to the house. #s this too condensed+ or can *ou follow itclearl*<6

6#t is all ver* clear. But wh* suspect the governess<6

6ell+ in the first place there is some ver* direct evidence. 1revolver with one discharged chamber and a calibre whichcorresponded with the bullet was found on the floor of herwardrobe.6 )is e*es fied and he repeated in bro(en words+

6'nthefloorofher wardrobe.6 Then he san( intosilence+ and # saw that some train of thought had been setmoving which # should be foolish to interrupt. Suddenl* witha start he emerged into bris( life once more. 6;es+ atson+ itwas found. Prett* damning+ eh< So the two =uries thought.Then the dead woman had a note upon her ma(ing an



appointment at that ver* place and signed b* the governess.)ow&s that< ,inall* there is the motive. Senator "ibson is anattractive person. #f his wife dies+ who more li(el* to succeedher than the *oung lad* who had alread* b* all accounts

received pressing attentions from her emplo*er< %ove+fortune+ power+ all depending upon one middleaged life.9gl*+ atson ver* ugl*86

6;es+ indeed+ )olmes.6

6:or could she prove an alibi. 'n the contrar*+ she had toadmit that she was down near Thor Bridgethat was the

scene of the traged* about that hour. She couldn&t den* it+for some passing villager had seen her there.6

6That reall* seems final.6

61nd *et+ atsonand *et8 This bridgea single broad spanof stone with balustraded sidescarries the drive over thenarrowest part of a long+ deep+ reedgirt sheet of water. ThorMere it is called. #n the mouth of the bridge la* the dead

woman. Such are the main facts. But here+ if # mista(e not+ isour client+ considerabl* before his time.6

Bill* had opened the door+ but the name which heannounced was an unepected one. Mr. Marlow Bates wasa stranger to both of us. )e was a thin+ nervous wisp of aman with frightened e*es and a twitching+ hesitatingmannera man whom m* own professional e*e would =udge

to be on the brin( of an absolute nervous brea(down.

6;ou seem agitated+ Mr. Bates+6 said )olmes. 6Pra* sitdown. # fear # can onl* give *ou a short time+ for # have anappointment at eleven.6

6# (now *ou have+6 our visitor gasped+ shooting out short



sentences li(e a man who is out of breath. 6Mr. "ibson iscoming. Mr. "ibson is m* emplo*er. # am manager of hisestate. Mr. )olmes+ he is a villain an infernal villain.6

6Strong language+ Mr. Bates.6

6# have to be emphatic+ Mr. )olmes+ for the time is so limited.# would not have him find me here for the world. )e is almostdue now. But # was so situated that # could not come earlier.)is secretar*+ Mr. ,erguson+ onl* told me this morning of hisappointment with *ou.6

61nd *ou are his manager<6

6# have given him notice. #n a couple of wee(s # shall havesha(en off his accursed slaver*. 1 hard man+ Mr. )olmes+hard to all about him. Those public charities are a screen tocover his private ini>uities. But his wife was his chief victim.)e was brutal to her*es+ sir+ brutal8 )ow she came b* herdeath # do not (now+ but # am sure that he had made her lifea miser* to her. She was a creature of the tropics+ a

Brazilian b* birth+ as no doubt *ou (now.6

6:o+ it had escaped me.6

6Tropical b* birth and tropical b* nature. 1 child of the sunand of passion. She had loved him as such women can love+but when her own ph*sical charms had faded# am told thatthe* once were great there was nothing to hold him. e allli(ed her and felt for her and hated him for the wa* that hetreated her. But he is plausible and cunning. That is all #have to sa* to *ou. -on&t ta(e him at his face value. There ismore behind. :ow #&ll go. :o+ no+ don&t detain me8 )e isalmost due.6

ith a frightened loo( at the cloc( our strange visitor literall*



ran to the door and disappeared.

6ell8 ell86 said )olmes after an interval of silence. 6Mr."ibson seems to have a nice lo*al household. But the

warning is a useful one+ and now we can onl* wait till theman himself appears.6

Sharp at the hour we heard a heav* step upon the stairs+and the famous millionaire was shown into the room. 1s #loo(ed upon him # understood not onl* the fears and disli(eof his manager but also the eecrations which so man*business rivals have heaped upon his head. #f # were a

sculptor and desired to idealize the successful man ofaffairs+ iron of nerve and leather* of conscience+ # shouldchoose Mr. :eil "ibson as m* model. )is tall+ gaunt+ cragg*figure had a suggestion of hunger and rapacit*. 1n 1braham%incoln (e*ed to base uses instead of high ones would givesome idea of the man. )is face might have been chiselled ingranite+ hardset+ cragg*+ remorseless+ with deep lines uponit+ the scars of man* a crisis. Cold gra* e*es+ loo(ingshrewdl* out from under bristling brows+ surve*ed us each in

turn. )e bowed in perfunctor* fashion as )olmes mentionedm* name+ and then with a masterful air of possession hedrew a chair up to m* companion and seated himself withhis bon* (nees almost touching him.

6%et me sa* right here+ Mr. )olmes+6 he began+ 6that mone*is nothing to me in this case. ;ou can burn it if it&s an* use inlighting *ou to the truth. This woman is innocent and this

woman has to be cleared+ and it&s up to *ou to do it. :ame*our figure86

6M* professional charges are upon a fied scale+6 said)olmes coldl*. 6# do not var* them+ save when # remit themaltogether.6



6ell+ if dollars ma(e no difference to *ou+ thin( of thereputation. #f *ou pull this off ever* paper in 7ngland and

1merica will be booming *ou. ;ou&ll be the tal( of twocontinents.6

6Than( *ou+ Mr. "ibson+ # do not thin( that # am in need ofbooming. #t ma* surprise *ou to (now that # prefer to wor(anon*mousl*+ and that it is the problem itself which attractsme. But we are wasting time. %et us get down to the facts.6

6# thin( that *ou will find all the main ones in the pressreports. # don&t (now that # can add an*thing which will help

*ou. But if there is an*thing *ou would wish more light uponwell+ # am here to give it.6

6ell+ there is =ust one point.6

6hat is it<6

6hat were the eact relations between *ou and Miss-unbar<6

The "old ing gave a violent start and half rose from hischair. Then his massive calm came bac( to him.

6# suppose *ou are within *our rightsand ma*be doing *ourdut* in as(ing such a >uestion+ Mr. )olmes.6

6e will agree to suppose so+6 said )olmes.

6Then # can assure *ou that our relations were entirel* andalwa*s those of an emplo*er towards a *oung lad* whom henever conversed with+ or ever saw+ save when she was inthe compan* of his children.6

)olmes rose from his chair.



6# am a rather bus* man+ Mr. "ibson+6 said he+ 6and # haveno time or taste for aimless conversations. # wish *ougoodmorning.6

'ur visitor had risen also+ and his great loose figure toweredabove )olmes. There was an angr* gleam from under thosebristling brows and a tinge of colour in the sallow chee(s.

6hat the devil do *ou mean b* this+ Mr. )olmes< -o *oudismiss m* case<6

6ell+ Mr. "ibson+ at least # dismiss *ou. # should havethought m* words were plain.6

6Plain enough+ but what&s at the bac( of it< $aising the priceon me+ or afraid to tac(le it+ or what< #&ve a right to a plainanswer.6

6ell+ perhaps *ou have+6 said )olmes. 6#&ll give *ou one.This case is >uite sufficientl* complicated to start withwithout the further difficult* of false information.6

6Meaning that # lie.6

6ell+ # was tr*ing to epress it as delicatel* as # could+ but if*ou insist upon the word # will not contradict *ou.6

# sprang to m* feet+ for the epression upon the millionaire&sface was fiendish in its intensit*+ and he had raised his great(notted fist. )olmes smiled languidl* and reached his hand

out for his pipe.

6-on&t be nois*+ Mr. "ibson. # find that after brea(fast eventhe smallest argument is unsettling. # suggest that a stroll inthe morning air and a little >uiet thought will be greatl* to*our advantage.6



ith an effort the "old ing mastered his fur*. # could notbut admire him+ for b* a supreme selfcommand he hadturned in a minute from a hot flame of anger to a frigid andcontemptuous indifference.

6ell+ it&s *our choice. # guess *ou (now how to run *ourown business. # can&t ma(e *ou touch the case against *ourwill. ;ou&ve done *ourself no good this morning+ Mr. )olmes+for # have bro(en stronger men than *ou. :o man evercrossed me and was the better for it.6

6So man* have said so+ and *et here # am+6 said )olmes+

smiling. 6ell+ goodmorning+ Mr. "ibson. ;ou have a gooddeal *et to learn.6

'ur visitor made a nois* eit+ but )olmes smo(ed inimperturbable silence with dream* e*es fied upon theceiling.

61n* views+ atson<6 he as(ed at last.

6ell+ )olmes+ # must confess that when # consider that thisis a man who would certainl* brush an* obstacle from hispath+ and when # remember that his wife ma* have been anobstacle and an ob=ect of disli(e+ as that man Bates plainl*told us+ it seems to me6

67actl*. 1nd to me also.6

6But what were his relations with the governess+ and how did*ou discover them<6

6Bluff+ atson+ bluff8 hen # considered the passionate+unconventional+ unbusinessli(e tone of his letter andcontrasted it with his selfcontained manner andappearance+ it was prett* clear that there was some deep



emotion which centred upon the accused woman rather thanupon the victim. e&ve got to understand the eact relationsof those three people if we are to reach the truth. ;ou sawthe frontal attac( which # made upon him+ and how

imperturbabl* he received it. Then # bluffed him b* giving himthe impression that # was absolutel* certain+ when in realit* #was onl* etremel* suspicious.6

6Perhaps he will come bac(<6

6)e is sure to come bac(. )e must come bac(. )e can&tleave it where it is. )a8 isn&t that a ring< ;es+ there is his

footstep. ell+ Mr. "ibson+ # was =ust sa*ing to -r. atsonthat *ou were somewhat overdue.6

The "old ing had reentered the room in a more chastenedmood than he had left it. )is wounded pride still showed inhis resentful e*es+ but his common sense had shown himthat he must *ield if he would attain his end.

6#&ve been thin(ing it over+ Mr. )olmes+ and # feel that # have

been hast* in ta(ing *our remar(s amiss. ;ou are =ustified ingetting down to the facts+ whatever the* ma* be+ and # thin(the more of *ou for it. # can assure *ou+ however+ that therelations between Miss -unbar and me don&t reall* touch thiscase.6

6That is for me to decide+ is it not<6

6;es+ # guess that is so. ;ou&re li(e a surgeon who wantsever* s*mptom before he can give his diagnosis.6

67actl*. That epresses it. 1nd it is onl* a patient who hasan ob=ect in deceiving his surgeon who would conceal thefacts of his case.6



6That ma* be so+ but *ou will admit+ Mr. )olmes+ that mostmen would sh* off a bit when the* are as(ed pointblan(what their relations with a woman ma* beif there is reall*some serious feeling in the case. # guess most men have a

little private reserve of their own in some corner of their soulswhere the* don&t welcome intruders. 1nd *ou burst suddenl*into it. But the ob=ect ecuses *ou+ since it was to tr* andsave her. ell+ the sta(es are down and the reserve open+and *ou can eplore where *ou will. hat is it *ou want<6

6The truth.6

The "old ing paused for a moment as one who marshalshis thoughts. )is grim+ deeplined face had become evensadder and more grave.

6# can give it to *ou in a ver* few words+ Mr. )olmes+6 saidhe at last. 6There are some things that are painful as well asdifficult to sa*+ so # won&t go deeper than is needful. # met m*wife when # was goldhunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto was thedaughter of a government official at Manaos+ and she was

ver* beautiful. # was *oung and ardent in those da*s+ buteven now+ as # loo( bac( with colder blood and a morecritical e*e+ # can see that she was rare and wonderful in herbeaut*. #t was a deep rich nature+ too+ passionate+ wholehearted+ tropical+ illbalanced+ ver* different from the

1merican women whom # had (nown. ell+ to ma(e a longstor* short+ # loved her and # married her. #t was onl* whenthe romance had passedand it lingered for *earsthat #

realized that we had nothingabsolutel* nothing incommon. M* love faded. #f hers had faded also it might havebeen easier. But *ou (now the wonderful wa* of women8 -owhat # might+ nothing could turn her from me. #f # have beenharsh to her+ even brutal as some have said+ it has beenbecause # (new that if # could (ill her love+ or if it turned to



hate+ it would be easier for both of us. But nothing changedher. She adored me in those 7nglish woods as she hadadored me twent* *ears ago on the ban(s of the 1mazon.-o what # might+ she was as devoted as ever.

6Then came Miss "race -unbar. She answered ouradvertisement and became governess to our two children.Perhaps *ou have seen her portrait in the papers. The wholeworld has proclaimed that she also is a ver* beautifulwoman. :ow+ # ma(e no pretence to be more moral than m*neighbours+ and # will admit to *ou that # could not live underthe same roof with such a woman and in dail* contact with

her without feeling a passionate regard for her. -o *oublame me+ Mr. )olmes<6

6# do not blame *ou for feeling it. # should blame *ou if *ouepressed it+ since this *oung lad* was in a sense under*our protection.6

6ell+ ma*be so+6 said the millionaire+ though for a momentthe reproof had brought the old angr* gleam into his e*es.

6#&m not pretending to be an* better than # am. # guess all m*life #&ve been a man that reached out his hand for what hewanted+ and # never wanted an*thing more than the love andpossession of that woman. # told her so.6

6'h+ *ou did+ did *ou<6

)olmes could loo( ver* formidable when he was moved.

6# said to her that if # could marr* her # would+ but that it wasout of m* power. # said that mone* was no ob=ect and that all# could do to ma(e her happ* and comfortable would bedone.6

6!er* generous+ # am sure+6 said )olmes with a sneer.



6See here+ Mr. )olmes. # came to *ou on a >uestion ofevidence+ not on a >uestion of morals. #&m not as(ing for *ourcriticism.6

6#t is onl* for the *oung lad*&s sa(e that # touch *our case atall+6 said )olmes sternl*. 6# don&t (now that an*thing she isaccused of is reall* worse than what *ou have *ourselfadmitted+ that *ou have tried to ruin a defenceless girl whowas under *our roof. Some of *ou rich men have to betaught that all the world cannot be bribed into condoning*our offences.6

To m* surprise the "old ing too( the reproof withe>uanimit*.

6That&s how # feel m*self about it now. # than( "od that m*plans did not wor( out as # intended. She would have noneof it+ and she wanted to leave the house instantl*.6

6h* did she not<6

6ell+ in the first place+ others were dependent upon her+and it was no light matter for her to let them all down b*sacrificing her living. hen # had swornas # didthat sheshould never be molested again+ she consented to remain.But there was another reason. She (new the influence shehad over me+ and that it was stronger than an* otherinfluence in the world. She wanted to use it for good.6

6)ow<6

6ell+ she (new something of m* affairs. The* are large+ Mr.)olmes large be*ond the belief of an ordinar* man. # canma(e or brea(and it is usuall* brea(. #t wasn&t individualsonl*. #t was communities+ cities+ even nations. Business is ahard game+ and the wea( go to the wall. # pla*ed the game



for all it was worth. # never s>uealed m*self+ and # nevercared if the other fellow s>uealed. But she saw it different. #guess she was right. She believed and said that a fortune forone man that was more than he needed should not be built

on ten thousand ruined men who were left without themeans of life. That was how she saw it+ and # guess shecould see past the dollars to something that was morelasting. She found that # listened to what she said+ and shebelieved she was serving the world b* influencing m*actions. So she sta*edand then this came along.6

6Can *ou throw an* light upon that<6

The "old ing paused for a minute or more+ his head sun(in his hands+ lost in deep thought.

6#t&s ver* blac( against her. # can&t den* that. 1nd womenlead an inward life and ma* do things be*ond the =udgmentof a man. 1t first # was so rattled and ta(en abac( that # wasread* to thin( she had been led awa* in some etraordinar*fashion that was clean against her usual nature. 'ne

eplanation came into m* head. # give it to *ou+ Mr. )olmes+for what it is worth. There is no doubt that m* wife wasbitterl* =ealous. There is a soul=ealous* that can be asfrantic as an* bod*=ealous*+ and though m* wife had nocauseand # thin( she understood thisfor the latter+ shewas aware that this 7nglish girl eerted an influence uponm* mind and m* acts that she herself never had. #t was aninfluence for good+ but that did not mend the matter. She

was craz* with hatred and the heat of the 1mazon wasalwa*s in her blood. She might have planned to murder Miss-unbaror we will sa* to threaten her with a gun and sofrighten her into leaving us. Then there might have been ascuffle and the gun gone off and shot the woman who heldit.6



6That possibilit* had alread* occurred to me+6 said )olmes.6#ndeed+ it is the onl* obvious alternative to deliberatemurder.6

6But she utterl* denies it.6

6ell+ that is not finalis it< 'ne can understand that awoman placed in so awful a position might hurr* home still inher bewilderment holding the revolver. She might even throwit down among her clothes+ hardl* (nowing what she wasdoing+ and when it was found she might tr* to lie her wa* outb* a total denial+ since all eplanation was impossible. hat

is against such a supposition<6

6Miss -unbar herself.6

6ell+ perhaps.6

)olmes loo(ed at his watch. 6# have no doubt we can get thenecessar* permits this morning and reach inchester b* theevening train. hen # have seen this *oung lad* it is ver*

possible that # ma* be of more use to *ou in the matter+though # cannot promise that m* conclusions will necessaril*be such as *ou desire.6

There was some dela* in the official pass+ and instead ofreaching inchester that da* we went down to Thor Place+the )ampshire estate of Mr. :eil "ibson. )e did notaccompan* us himself+ but we had the address of SergeantCoventr*+ of the local police+ who had first eamined into theaffair. )e was a tall+ thin+ cadaverous man+ with a secretiveand m*sterious manner which conve*ed the idea that he(new or suspected a ver* great deal more than he daredsa*. )e had a tric(+ too+ of suddenl* sin(ing his voice to awhisper as if he had come upon something of vital



importance+ though the information was usuall*commonplace enough. Behind these tric(s of manner hesoon showed himself to be a decent+ honest fellow who wasnot too proud to admit that he was out of his depth and

would welcome an* help.

61n*how+ #&d rather have *ou than Scotland ;ard+ Mr.)olmes+6 said he. 6#f the ;ard gets called into a case+ thenthe local loses all credit for success and ma* be blamed forfailure. :ow+ *ou pla* straight+ so #&ve heard.6

6# need not appear in the matter at all+6 said )olmes to the

evident relief of our melanchol* ac>uaintance. 6#f # can clearit up # don&t as( to have m* name mentioned.6

6ell+ it&s ver* handsome of *ou+ # am sure. 1nd *our friend+-r. atson+ can be trusted+ # (now. :ow+ Mr. )olmes+ as wewal( down to the place there is one >uestion # should li(e toas( *ou. #&d breathe it to no soul but *ou.6 )e loo(ed roundas though he hardl* dare utter the words. 6-on&t *ou thin(there might be a case against Mr. :eil "ibson himself<6

6# have been considering that.6

6;ou&ve not seen Miss -unbar. She is a wonderful finewoman in ever* wa*. )e ma* well have wished his wife outof the road. 1nd these 1mericans are readier with pistolsthan our fol( are. #t was his pistol+ *ou (now.6

6as that clearl* made out<6

6;es+ sir. #t was one of a pair that he had.6

6'ne of a pair< here is the other<6

6ell+ the gentleman has a lot of firearms of one sort and



another. e never >uite matched that particular pistolbutthe bo was made for two.6

6#f it was one of a pair *ou should surel* be able to match it.6

6ell+ we have them all laid out at the house if *ou wouldcare to loo( them over.6

6%ater+ perhaps. # thin( we will wal( down together and havea loo( at the scene of the traged*.6

This conversation had ta(en place in the little front room ofSergeant Coventr*&s humble cottage which served as thelocal policestation. 1 wal( of half a mile or so across a windswept heath+ all gold and bronze with the fading ferns+brought us to a sidegate opening into the grounds of theThor Place estate. 1 path led us through the pheasantpreserves+ and then from a clearing we saw the widespread+halftimbered house+ half Tudor and half "eorgian+ upon thecrest of the hill. Beside us there was a long+ reed* pool+constricted in the centre where the main carriage drive

passed over a stone bridge+ but swelling into small la(es oneither side. 'ur guide paused at the mouth of this bridge+and he pointed to the ground.

6That was where Mrs. "ibson&s bod* la*. # mar(ed it b* thatstone.6

6# understand that *ou were there before it was moved<6

6;es+ the* sent for me at once.6

6ho did<6

6Mr. "ibson himself. The moment the alarm was given andhe had rushed down with others from the house+ he insisted



that nothing should be moved until the police should arrive.6

6That was sensible. # gathered from the newspaper reportthat the shot was fired from close >uarters.6

6;es+ sir+ ver* close.6

6:ear the right temple<6

6ust behind it+ sir.6

6)ow did the bod* lie<6

6'n the bac(+ sir. :o trace of a struggle. :o mar(s. :oweapon. The short note from Miss -unbar was clutched inher left hand.6

6Clutched+ *ou sa*<6

6;es+ sir+ we could hardl* open the fingers.6

6That is of great importance. #t ecludes the idea that an*onecould have placed the note there after death in order tofurnish a false clue. -ear me8 The note+ as # remember+ was>uite short@

6&# will be at Thor Bridge at nine o&cloc(. ". -9:B1$.&

6as that not so<6

6;es+ sir.6

6-id Miss -unbar admit writing it<6

6;es+ sir.6

6hat was her eplanation<6



6)er defence was reserved for the 1ssizes. She would sa*nothing.6

6The problem is certainl* a ver* interesting one. The point of

the letter is ver* obscure+ is it not<6

6ell+ sir+6 said the guide+ 6it seemed+ if # ma* be so bold asto sa* so+ the onl* reall* clear point in the whole case.6

)olmes shoo( his head.

6"ranting that the letter is genuine and was reall* written+ itwas certainl* received some time beforesa* one hour ortwo. h*+ then+ was this lad* still clasping it in her left hand<h* should she carr* it so carefull*< She did not need torefer to it in the interview. -oes it not seem remar(able<6

6ell+ sir+ as *ou put it+ perhaps it does.6

6# thin( # should li(e to sit >uietl* for a few minutes and thin(it out.6 )e seated himself upon the stone ledge of the bridge+

and # could see his >uic( gra* e*es darting their >uestioningglances in ever* direction. Suddenl* he sprang up again andran across to the opposite parapet+ whipped his lens from hispoc(et+ and began to eamine the stonewor(.

6This is curious+6 said he.

6;es+ sir+ we saw the chip on the ledge. # epect it&s beendone b* some passerb*.6

The stonewor( was gra*+ but at this one point it showedwhite for a space not larger than a sipence. heneamined closel* one could see that the surface waschipped as b* a sharp blow.



6#t too( some violence to do that+6 said )olmes thoughtfull*.ith his cane he struc( the ledge several times withoutleaving a mar(. 6;es+ it was a hard (noc(. #n a curious place+too. #t was not from above but from below+ for *ou see that it

is on the lower edge of the parapet.6

6But it is at least fifteen feet from the bod*.6

6;es+ it is fifteen feet from the bod*. #t ma* have nothing todo with the matter+ but it is a point worth noting. # do not thin(that we have an*thing more to learn here. There were nofootsteps+ *ou sa*<6

6The ground was iron hard+ sir. There were no traces at all.6

6Then we can go. e will go up to the house first and loo(over these weapons of which *ou spea(. Then we shall geton to inchester+ for # should desire to see Miss -unbarbefore we go farther.6

Mr. :eil "ibson had not returned from town+ but we saw in

the house the neurotic Mr. Bates who had called upon us inthe morning. )e showed us with a sinister relish theformidable arra* of firearms of various shapes and sizeswhich his emplo*er had accumulated in the course of anadventurous life.

6Mr. "ibson has his enemies+ as an*one would epect who(new him and his methods+6 said he. 6)e sleeps with aloaded revolver in the drawer beside his bed. )e is a man ofviolence+ sir+ and there are times when all of us are afraid ofhim. # am sure that the poor lad* who has passed was oftenterrified.6

6-id *ou ever witness ph*sical violence towards her<6



6:o+ # cannot sa* that. But # have heard words which werenearl* as bad words of cold+ cutting contempt+ even beforethe servants.6

6'ur millionaire does not seem to shine in private life+6remar(ed )olmes as we made our wa* to the station. 6ell+atson+ we have come on a good man* facts+ some of themnew ones+ and *et # seem some wa* from m* conclusion. #nspite of the ver* evident disli(e which Mr. Bates has to hisemplo*er+ # gather from him that when the alarm came hewas undoubtedl* in his librar*. -inner was over at @3D andall was normal up to then. #t is true that the alarm was

somewhat late in the evening+ but the traged* certainl*occurred about the hour named in the note. There is noevidence at all that Mr. "ibson had been out of doors sincehis return from town at five o&cloc(. 'n the other hand+ Miss-unbar+ as # understand it+ admits that she had made anappointment to meet Mrs. "ibson at the bridge. Be*ond thisshe would sa* nothing+ as her law*er had advised her toreserve her defence. e have several ver* vital >uestions toas( that *oung lad*+ and m* mind will not be eas* until wehave seen her. # must confess that the case would seem tome to be ver* blac( against her if it were not for one thing.6

61nd what is that+ )olmes<6

6The finding of the pistol in her wardrobe.6

6-ear me+ )olmes86 # cried+ 6that seemed to me to be the

most damning incident of all.6

6:ot so+ atson. #t had struc( me even at m* firstperfunctor* reading as ver* strange+ and now that # am incloser touch with the case it is m* onl* firm ground for hope.e must loo( for consistenc*. here there is a want of it we



must suspect deception.6

6# hardl* follow *ou.6

6ell now+ atson+ suppose for a moment that we visualize*ou in the character of a woman who+ in a cold+premeditated fashion+ is about to get rid of a rival. ;ou haveplanned it. 1 note has been written. The victim has come.;ou have *our weapon. The crime is done. #t has beenwor(manli(e and complete. -o *ou tell me that after carr*ingout so craft* a crime *ou would now ruin *our reputation as acriminal b* forgetting to fling *our weapon into those

ad=acent reedbeds which would forever cover it+ but *oumust needs carr* it carefull* home and put it in *our ownwardrobe+ the ver* first place that would be searched< ;ourbest friends would hardl* call *ou a schemer+ atson+ and*et # could not picture *ou doing an*thing so crude as that.6

6#n the ecitement of the moment.6

6:o+ no+ atson+ # will not admit that it is possible. here a

crime is cooll* premeditated+ then the means of covering itare cooll* premeditated also. # hope+ therefore+ that we are inthe presence of a serious misconception.6

6But there is so much to eplain.6

6ell+ we shall set about eplaining it. hen once *our pointof view is changed+ the ver* thing which was so damningbecomes a clue to the truth. ,or eample+ there is thisrevolver. Miss -unbar disclaims all (nowledge of it. 'n ournew theor* she is spea(ing truth when she sa*s so.Therefore+ it was placed in her wardrobe. ho placed itthere< Someone who wished to incriminate her. as notthat person the actual criminal< ;ou see how we come at



once upon a most fruitful line of in>uir*.6

e were compelled to spend the night at inchester+ as theformalities had not *et been completed+ but net morning+ in

the compan* of Mr. o*ce Cummings+ the rising barristerwho was entrusted with the defence+ we were allowed to seethe *oung lad* in her cell. # had epected from all that wehad heard to see a beautiful woman+ but # can never forgetthe effect which Miss -unbar produced upon me. #t was nowonder that even the masterful millionaire had found in hersomething more powerful than himselfsomething whichcould control and guide him. 'ne felt+ too+ as one loo(ed at

the strong+ clearcut+ and *et sensitive face+ that even shouldshe be capable of some impetuous deed+ none the lessthere was an innate nobilit* of character which would ma(eher influence alwa*s for the good. She was a brunette+ tall+with a noble figure and commanding presence+ but her dar(e*es had in them the appealing+ helpless epression of thehunted creature who feels the nets around it+ but can see nowa* out from the toils. :ow+ as she realized the presenceand the help of m* famous friend+ there came a touch ofcolour in her wan chee(s and a light of hope began toglimmer in the glance which she turned upon us.

6Perhaps Mr. :eil "ibson has told *ou something of whatoccurred between us<6 she as(ed in a low+ agitated voice.

6;es+6 )olmes answered+ 6*ou need not pain *ourself b*entering into that part of the stor*. 1fter seeing *ou+ # am

prepared to accept Mr. "ibson&s statement both as to theinfluence which *ou had over him and as to the innocence of*our relations with him. But wh* was the whole situation notbrought out in court<6

6#t seemed to me incredible that such a charge could be



sustained. # thought that if we waited the whole thing mustclear itself up without our being compelled to enter intopainful details of the inner life of the famil*. But # understandthat far from clearing it has become even more serious.6

6M* dear *oung lad*+6 cried )olmes earnestl*+ 6# beg *ou tohave no illusions upon the point. Mr. Cummings here wouldassure *ou that all the cards are at present against us+ andthat we must do ever*thing that is possible if we are to winclear. #t would be a cruel deception to pretend that *ou arenot in ver* great danger. "ive me all the help *ou can+ then+to get at the truth.6

6# will conceal nothing.6

6Tell us+ then+ of *our true relations with Mr. "ibson&s wife.6

6She hated me+ Mr. )olmes. She hated me with all thefervour of her tropical nature. She was a woman who woulddo nothing b* halves+ and the measure of her love for herhusband was the measure also of her hatred for me. #t is

probable that she misunderstood our relations. # would notwish to wrong her+ but she loved so vividl* in a ph*sicalsense that she could hardl* understand the mental+ andeven spiritual+ tie which held her husband to me+ or imaginethat it was onl* m* desire to influence his power to goodends which (ept me under his roof. # can see now that # waswrong. :othing could =ustif* me in remaining where # was acause of unhappiness+ and *et it is certain that the

unhappiness would have remained even if # had left thehouse.6

6:ow+ Miss -unbar+6 said )olmes+ 6# beg *ou to tell useactl* what occurred that evening.6



6# can tell *ou the truth so far as # (now it+ Mr. )olmes+ but #am in a position to prove nothing+ and there are pointsthemost vital pointswhich # can neither eplain nor can #imagine an* eplanation.6

6#f *ou will find the facts+ perhaps others ma* find theeplanation.6

6ith regard+ then+ to m* presence at Thor Bridge that night+# received a note from Mrs. "ibson in the morning. #t la* onthe table of the schoolroom+ and it ma* have been left thereb* her own hand. #t implored me to see her there after

dinner+ said she had something important to sa* to me+ andas(ed me to leave an answer on the sundial in the garden+as she desired no one to be in our confidence. # saw noreason for such secrec*+ but # did as she as(ed+ acceptingthe appointment. She as(ed me to destro* her note and #burned it in the schoolroom grate. She was ver* much afraidof her husband+ who treated her with a harshness for which #fre>uentl* reproached him+ and # could onl* imagine that sheacted in this wa* because she did not wish him to (now of

our interview.6

6;et she (ept *our repl* ver* carefull*<6

6;es. # was surprised to hear that she had it in her handwhen she died.6

6ell+ what happened then<6

6# went down as # had promised. hen # reached the bridgeshe was waiting for me. :ever did # realize till that momenthow this poor creature hated me. She was li(e a madwomanindeed+ # thin( she was a mad woman+ subtl* madwith the deep power of deception which insane people ma*



have. )ow else could she have met me with unconcernever* da* and *et had so raging a hatred of me in her heart<# will not sa* what she said. She poured her whole wild fur*out in burning and horrible words. # did not even answer#

could not. #t was dreadful to see her. # put m* hands to m*ears and rushed awa*. hen # left her she was standing+ stillshrie(ing out her curses at me+ in the mouth of the bridge.6

6here she was afterwards found<6

6ithin a few *ards from the spot.6

61nd *et+ presuming that she met her death shortl* after *ouleft her+ *ou heard no shot<6

6:o+ # heard nothing. But+ indeed+ Mr. )olmes+ # was soagitated and horrified b* this terrible outbrea( that # rushedto get bac( to the peace of m* own room+ and # wasincapable of noticing an*thing which happened.6

6;ou sa* that *ou returned to *our room. -id *ou leave it

again before net morning<6

6;es+ when the alarm came that the poor creature had mether death # ran out with the others.6

6-id *ou see Mr. "ibson<6

6;es+ he had =ust returned from the bridge when # saw him.)e had sent for the doctor and the police.6

6-id he seem to *ou much perturbed<6

6Mr. "ibson is a ver* strong+ selfcontained man. # do notthin( that he would ever show his emotions on the surface.But #+ who (new him so well+ could see that he was deepl*



concerned.6

6Then we come to the allimportant point. This pistol that wasfound in *our room. )ad *ou ever seen it before<6

6:ever+ # swear it.6

6hen was it found<6

6:et morning+ when the police made their search.6

61mong *our clothes<6

6;es+ on the floor of m* wardrobe under m* dresses.6

6;ou could not guess how long it had been there<6

6#t had not been there the morning before.6

6)ow do *ou (now<6

6Because # tidied out the wardrobe.6

6That is final. Then someone came into *our room andplaced the pistol there in order to inculpate *ou.6

6#t must have been so.6

61nd when<6

6#t could onl* have been at mealtime+ or else at the hourswhen # would be in the schoolroom with the children.6

61s *ou were when *ou got the note<6

6;es+ from that time onward for the whole morning.6



6Than( *ou+ Miss -unbar. #s there an* other point whichcould help me in the investigation<6

6# can thin( of none.6

6There was some sign of violence on the stonewor( of thebridgea perfectl* fresh chip =ust opposite the bod*. Could*ou suggest an* possible eplanation of that<6

6Surel* it must be a mere coincidence.6

6Curious+ Miss -unbar+ ver* curious. h* should it appear atthe ver* time of the traged*+ and wh* at the ver* place<6

6But what could have caused it< 'nl* great violence couldhave such an effect.6

)olmes did not answer. )is pale+ eager face had suddenl*assumed that tense+ farawa* epression which # hadlearned to associate with the supreme manifestations of hisgenius. So evident was the crisis in his mind that none of us

dared to spea(+ and we sat+ barrister+ prisoner+ and m*self+watching him in a concentrated and absorbed silence.Suddenl* he sprang from his chair+ vibrating with nervousenerg* and the pressing need for action.

6Come+ atson+ come86 he cried.

6hat is it+ Mr. )olmes<6

6:ever mind+ m* dear lad*. ;ou will hear from me+ Mr.Cummings. ith the help of the god of =ustice # will give *oua case which will ma(e 7ngland ring. ;ou will get news b*tomorrow+ Miss -unbar+ and meanwhile ta(e m* assurancethat the clouds are lifting and that # have ever* hope that thelight of truth is brea(ing through.6



#t was not a long =ourne* from inchester to Thor Place+ butit was long to me in m* impatience+ while for )olmes it wasevident that it seemed endless0 for+ in his nervousrestlessness he could not sit still+ but paced the carriage or

drummed with his long+ sensitive fingers upon the cushionsbeside him. Suddenl*+ however+ as we neared ourdestination he seated himself opposite to mewe had a firstclass carriage to ourselvesand la*ing a hand upon each ofm* (nees he loo(ed into m* e*es with the peculiarl*mischievous gaze which was charactenstic of his more impli(e moods.

6atson+6 said he+ 6# have some recollection that *ou goarmed upon these ecursions of ours.6

#t was as well for him that # did so+ for he too( little care forhis own safet* when his mind was once absorbed b* aproblem so that more than once m* revolver had been agood friend in need. # reminded him of the fact.

6;es+ *es+ # am a little absentminded in such matters. But

have *ou *our revolver on *ou<6

# produced it from m* hippoc(et+ a short+ hand*+ but ver*serviceable little weapon. )e undid the catch+ shoo( out thecartridges+ and eamined it with care.

6#t&s heav*remar(abl* heav*+6 said he.

6;es+ it is a solid bit of wor(.6

)e mused over it for a minute.

6-o *ou (now+ atson+6 said he+ 6# believe *our revolver isgoing to have a ver* intimate connection with the m*ster*which we are investigating.6



6M* dear )olmes+ *ou are =o(ing.6

6:o+ atson+ # am ver* serious. There is a test before us. #fthe test comes off+ all will be clear. 1nd the test will depend

upon the conduct of this little weapon. 'ne cartridge out.:ow we will replace the other five and put on the safet*catch. So8 That increases the weight and ma(es it a betterreproduction.6

# had no glimmer of what was in his mind+ nor did heenlighten me+ but sat lost in thought until we pulled up in thelittle )ampshire station. e secured a ramshac(le trap+ and

in a >uarter of an hour were at the house of our confidentialfriend+ the sergeant.

61 clue+ Mr. )olmes< hat is it<6

6#t all depends upon the behaviour of -r. atson&s revolver+6said m* friend. 6)ere it is. :ow+ officer+ can *ou give me ten*ards of string<6

The village shop provided a ball of stout twine.

6# thin( that this is all we will need+6 said )olmes. 6:ow+ if*ou please+ we will get off on what # hope is the last stage ofour =ourne*.6

The sun was setting and turning the rolling )ampshire moorinto a wonderful autumnal panorama. The sergeant+ withman* critical and incredulous glances+ which showed hisdeep doubts of the sanit* of m* companion+ lurched alongbeside us. 1s we approached the scene of the crime # couldsee that m* friend under all his habitual coolness was intruth deepl* agitated.

6;es+6 he said in answer to m* remar(+ 6*ou have seen me



miss m* mar( before+ atson. # have an instinct for suchthings+ and *et it has sometimes pla*ed me false. #t seemeda certaint* when first it flashed across m* mind in the cell atinchester+ but one drawbac( of an active mind is that one

can alwa*s conceive alternative eplanations which wouldma(e our scent a false one. 1nd *etand *etell+ atson+we can but tr*.6

1s he wal(ed he had firml* tied one end of the string to thehandle of the revolver. e had now reached the scene ofthe traged*. ith great care he mar(ed out under theguidance of the policeman the eact spot where the bod*

had been stretched. )e then hunted among the heather andthe ferns until he found a considerable stone. This hesecured to the other end of his line of string+ and he hung itover the parapet of the bridge so that it swung clear abovethe water. )e then stood on the fatal spot+ some distancefrom the edge of the bridge+ with m* revolver in his hand+ thestring being taut between the weapon and the heav* stoneon the farther side.

6:ow for it86 he cried.

1t the words he raised the pistol to his head+ and then let gohis grip. #n an instant it had been whis(ed awa* b* theweight of the stone+ had struc( with a sharp crac( againstthe parapet+ and had vanished over the side into the water. #thad hardl* gone before )olmes was (neeling beside thestonewor(+ and a =o*ous cr* showed that he had found what

he epected.

6as there ever a more eact demonstration<6 he cried.6See+ atson+ *our revolver has solved the problem86 1s hespo(e he pointed to a second chip of the eact size andshape of the first which had appeared on the under edge of



the stone balustrade.

6e&ll sta* at the inn tonight+6 he continued as he rose andfaced the astonished sergeant. 6;ou will+ of course+ get a

grapplinghoo( and *ou will easil* restore m* friend&srevolver. ;ou will also find beside it the revolver+ string andweight with which this vindictive woman attempted todisguise her own crime and to fasten a charge of murderupon an innocent victim. ;ou can let Mr. "ibson (now that #will see him in the morning+ when steps can be ta(en forMiss -unbar&s vindication.6

%ate that evening+ as we sat together smo(ing our pipes inthe village inn+ )olmes gave me a brief review of what hadpassed.

6# fear+ atson+6 said he+ 6that *ou will not improve an*reputation which # ma* have ac>uired b* adding the case ofthe Thor Bridge m*ster* to *our annals. # have been sluggishin mind and wanting in that miture of imagination and realit*which is the basis of m* art. # confess that the chip in the

stonewor( was a sufficient clue to suggest the true solution+and that # blame m*self for not having attained it sooner.

6#t must be admitted that the wor(ings of this unhapp*woman&s mind were deep and subtle+ so that it was no ver*simple matter to unravel her plot. # do not thin( that in ouradventures we have ever come across a stranger eampleof what perverted love can bring about. hether Miss

-unbar was her rival in a ph*sical or in a merel* mentalsense seems to have been e>uall* unforgivable in her e*es.:o doubt she blamed this innocent lad* for all those harshdealings and un(ind words with which her husband tried torepel her too demonstrative affection. )er first resolution wasto end her own life. )er second was to do it in such a wa* as



to involve her victim in a fate which was worse far than an*sudden death could be.

6e can follow the various steps >uite clearl*+ and the*

show a remar(able subtlet* of mind. 1 note was etractedver* cleverl* from Miss -unbar which would ma(e it appearthat she had chosen the scene of the crime. #n her aniet*that it should be discovered she somewhat overdid it b*holding it in her hand to the last. This alone should haveecited m* suspicions earlier than it did.

6Then she too( one of her husband&s revolversthere was+

as *ou saw+ an arsenal in the houseand (ept it for her ownuse. 1 similar one she concealed that morning in Miss-unbar&s wardrobe after discharging one barrel+ which shecould easil* do in the woods without attracting attention. Shethen went down to the bridge where she had contrived thiseceedingl* ingenious method for getting rid of her weapon.hen Miss -unbar appeared she used her last breath inpouring out her hatred+ and then+ when she was out ofhearing+ carried out her terrible purpose. 7ver* lin( is now in

its place and the chain is complete. The papers ma* as( wh*the mere was not dragged in the first instance+ but it is eas*to be wise after the event+ and in an* case the epanse of areedfilled la(e is no eas* matter to drag unless *ou have aclear perception of what *ou are loo(ing for and where. ell+atson+ we have helped a remar(able woman+ and also aformidable man. Should the* in the future =oin their forces+ asseems not unli(el*+ the financial world ma* find that Mr. :eil

"ibson has learned something in that schoolroom of sorrowwhere our earthl* lessons are taught.6

AD$"!T%#" &&&' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"C#""P&!G MA!



Mr. Sherloc( )olmes was alwa*s of opinion that # shouldpublish the singular facts connected with ProfessorPresbur*+ if onl* to dispel once for all the ugl* rumours whichsome twent* *ears ago agitated the universit* and were

echoed in the learned societies of %ondon. There were+however+ certain obstacles in the wa*+ and the true histor* ofthis curious case remained entombed in the tin bo whichcontains so man* records of m* friend&s adventures. :ow wehave at last obtained permission to ventilate the facts whichformed one of the ver* last cases handled b* )olmes beforehis retirement from practice. 7ven now a certain reticenceand discretion have to be observed in la*ing the matter

before the public.

#t was one Sunda* evening earl* in September of the *ear25D3 that # received one of )olmes&s laconic messages@

Come at once if convenientif inconvenient come all thesame. S.).

The relations between us in those latter da*s were peculiar.

)e was a man of habits+ narrow and concentrated habits+and # had become one of them. 1s an institution # was li(ethe violin+ the shag tobacco+ the old blac( pipe+ the indeboo(s+ and others perhaps less ecusable. hen it was acase of active wor( and a comrade was needed upon whosenerve he could place some reliance+ m* role was obvious.But apart from this # had uses. # was a whetstone for hismind. # stimulated him. )e li(ed to thin( aloud in m*

presence. )is remar(s could hardl* be said to be made tomeman* of them would have been as appropriatel*addressed to his bedsteadbut none the less+ having formedthe habit+ it had become in some wa* helpful that # shouldregister and inter=ect. #f # irritated him b* a certain methodicalslowness in m* mentalit*+ that irritation served onl* to ma(e



his own flameli(e intuitions and impressions flash up themore vividl* and swiftl*. Such was m* humble role in ouralliance.

hen # arrived at Ba(er Street # found him huddled up in hisarmchair with updrawn (nees+ his pipe in his mouth and hisbrow furrowed with thought. #t was clear that he was in thethroes of some veatious problem. ith a wave of his handhe indicated m* old armchair+ but otherwise for half an hourhe gave no sign that he was aware of m* presence. Thenwith a start he seemed to come from his reverie+ and with hisusual whimsical smile he greeted me bac( to what had once

been m* home.

6;ou will ecuse a certain abstraction of mind+ m* dearatson+6 said he. 6Some curious facts have been submittedto me within the last twent*four hours+ and the* in turn havegiven rise to some speculations of a more general character.# have serious thoughts of writing a small monograph uponthe uses of dogs in the wor( of the detective.6

6But surel*+ )olmes+ this has been eplored+6 said #.6Bloodhounds sleuthhounds6

6:o+ no+ atson+ that side of the matter is+ of course+obvious. But there is another which is far more subtle. ;ouma* recollect that in the case which *ou+ in *our sensationalwa*+ coupled with the Copper Beeches+ # was able+ b*watching the mind of the child+ to form a deduction as to the

criminal habits of the ver* smug and respectable father.6

6;es+ # remember it well.6

6M* line of thoughts about dogs is analogous. 1 dog reflectsthe famil* life. hoever saw a fris(* dog in a gloom* famil*+



or a sad dog in a happ* one< Snarling people have snarlingdogs+ dangerous people have dangerous ones. 1nd theirpassing moods ma* reflect the passing moods of others.6

# shoo( m* head. 6Surel*+ )olmes+ this is a little farfetched+6said #.

)e had refilled his pipe and resumed his seat+ ta(ing nonotice of m* comment.

6The practical application of what # have said is ver* close tothe problem which # am investigating. #t is a tangled s(ein+*ou understand. and # am loo(ing for a loose end. 'nepossible loose end lies in the >uestion@ h* does ProfessorPresbur*&s wolfhound+ $o*+ endeavour to bite him<6

# san( bac( in m* chair in some disappointment. as it forso trivial a >uestion as this that # had been summoned fromm* wor(< )olmes glanced across at me.

6The same old atson86 said he. 6;ou never learn that the

gravest issues ma* depend upon the smallest things. But isit not on the face of it strange that a staid+ elderl*philosopher*ou&ve heard of Presbur*+ of course+ thefamous Camford ph*siologist<that such a man+ whosefriend has been his devoted wolfhound+ should now havebeen twice attac(ed b* his own dog< hat do *ou ma(e ofit<6

6The dog is ill.6

6ell+ that has to be considered. But he attac(s no one else+nor does he apparentl* molest his master+ save on ver*special occasions. Curious+ atsonver* curious. But *oungMr. Bennett is before his time if that is his ring. # had hopedto have a longer chat with *ou before he came.6



There was a >uic( step on the stairs+ a sharp tap at the doorand a moment later the new client presented himself. )ewas a tall+ handsome *outh about thirt*+ well dressed andelegant+ but with something in his bearing which suggested

the sh*ness of the student rather than the selfpossession ofthe man of the world. )e shoo( hands with )olmes+ andthen loo(ed with some surprise at me.

6This matter is ver* delicate+ Mr. )olmes+6 he said. 6Considerthe relation in which # stand to Professor Presbur* bothprivatel* and publicl*. # reall* can hardl* =ustif* m*self if #spea( before an* third person.6

6)ave no fear+ Mr. Bennett. -r. atson is the ver* soul ofdiscretion+ and # can assure *ou that this is a matter in which# am ver* li(el* to need an assistant.6

61s *ou li(e+ Mr. )olmes. ;ou will+ # am sure+ understand m*having some reserves in the matter.6

6;ou will appreciate it+ atson+ when # tell *ou that this

gentleman+ Mr. Trevor Bennett+ is professional assistant tothe great scientist+ lives under his roof+ and is engaged to hisonl* daughter. Certainl* we must agree that the professorhas ever* claim upon his lo*alt* and devotion. But it ma*best be shown b* ta(ing the necessar* steps to clear up thisstrange m*ster*.6

6# hope so+ Mr. )olmes. That is m* one ob=ect. -oes -r.

atson (now the situation<6

6# have not had time to eplain it.6

6Then perhaps # had better go over the ground again beforeeplaining some fresh developments.6



6# will do so m*self+6 said )olmes+ 6in order to show that #have the events in their due order. The professor+ atson+ isa man of 7uropean reputation. )is life has been academic.There has never been a breath of scandal. )e is a widower

with one daughter+ 7dith. )e is+ # gather+ a man of ver* virileand positive+ one might almost sa* combative+ character. Sothe matter stood until a ver* few months ago.

6Then the current of his life was bro(en. )e is sit*one*ears of age+ but he became engaged to the daughter ofProfessor Morph*+ his colleague in the chair of comparativeanatom*. #t was not+ as # understand+ the reasoned courting

of an elderl* man but rather the passionate frenz* of *outh+for no one could have shown himself a more devoted lover.The lad*+ 1lice Morph*+ was a ver* perfect girl both in mindand bod*+ so that there was ever* ecuse for the professor&sinfatuation. :one the less+ it did not meet with full approval inhis own famil*.6

6e thought it rather ecessive+6 said our visitor.

67actl*. 7cessive and a little violent and unnatural.Professor Presbur* was rich+ however+ and there was noob=ection upon the part of the father. The daughter+ however+had other views+ and there were alread* several candidatesfor her hand+ who+ if the* were less eligible from a worldl*point of view+ were at least more of an age. The girl seemedto li(e the professor in spite of his eccentricities. #t was onl*age which stood in the wa*.

61bout this time a little m*ster* suddenl* clouded the normalroutine of the professor&s life. )e did what he had never donebefore. )e left home and gave no indication where he wasgoing. )e was awa* a fortnight and returned loo(ing rathertravelworn. )e made no allusion to where he had been+



although he was usuall* the fran(est of men. #t chanced+however+ that our client here+ Mr. Bennett+ received a letterfrom a fellowstudent in Prague+ who said that he was glad tohave seen Professor Presbur* there+ although he had not

been able to tal( to him. 'nl* in this wa* did his ownhousehold learn where he had been.

6:ow comes the point. ,rom that time onward a curiouschange came over the professor. )e became furtive and sl*.Those around him had alwa*s the feeling that he was not theman that the* had (nown+ but that he was under someshadow which had dar(ened his higher >ualities. )is intellect

was not affected. )is lectures were as brilliant as ever. Butalwa*s there was something new+ something sinister andunepected. )is daughter+ who was devoted to him+ triedagain and again to resume the old relations and to penetratethis mas( which her father seemed to have put on. ;ou+ sir+as # understand+ did the samebut all was in vain. 1nd now+Mr. Bennett+ tell in *our own words the incident of theletters.6

6;ou must understand+ -r. atson+ that the professor hadno secrets from me. #f # were his son or his *ounger brother #could not have more completel* en=o*ed his confidence. 1shis secretar* # handled ever* paper which came to him+ and #opened and subdivided his letters. Shortl* after his return allthis was changed. )e told me that certain letters might cometo him from %ondon which would be mar(ed b* a crossunder the stamp. These were to be set aside for his own

e*es onl*. # ma* sa* that several of these did pass throughm* hands+ that the* had the 7. C. mar(+ and were in anilliterate handwriting. #f he answered them at all the answersdid not pass through m* hands nor into the letterbas(et inwhich our correspondence was collected.6



61nd the bo+6 said )olmes.

61h+ *es+ the bo. The professor brought bac( a little woodenbo from his travels. #t was the one thing which suggested a

Continental tour+ for it was one of those >uaint carved thingswhich one associates with "erman*. This he placed in hisinstrument cupboard. 'ne da*+ in loo(ing for a canula+ # too(up the bo. To m* surprise he was ver* angr*+ and reprovedme in words which were >uite savage for m* curiosit*. #t wasthe first time such a thing had happened+ and # was deepl*hurt. # endeavoured to eplain that it was a mere accidentthat # had touched the bo+ but all the evening # was

conscious that he loo(ed at me harshl* and that the incidentwas ran(ling in his mind.6 Mr. Bennett drew a little diar* boo(from his poc(et. 6That was on ul* Ad+6 said he.

6;ou are certainl* an admirable witness+6 said )olmes. 6#ma* need some of these dates which *ou have noted.6

6# learned method among other things from m* greatteacher. ,rom the time that # observed abnormalit* in his

behaviour # felt that it was m* dut* to stud* his case. Thus #have it here that it was on that ver* da*+ ul* Ad+ that $o*attac(ed the professor as he came from his stud* into thehall. 1gain+ on ul* 22th+ there was a scene of the samesort+ and then # have a note of *et another upon ul* ADth.

1fter that we had to banish $o* to the stables. )e was adear+ affectionate animalbut # fear # wear* *ou.6

Mr. Bennett spo(e in a tone of reproach+ for it was ver* clearthat )olmes was not listening. )is face was rigid and hise*es gazed abstractedl* at the ceiling. ith an effort herecovered himself.

6Singular8 Most singular86 he murmured. 6These details were



new to me+ Mr. Bennett. # thin( we have now fairl* gone overthe old ground+ have we not< But *ou spo(e of some freshdevelopments.6

The pleasant+ open face of our visitor clouded over+shadowed b* some grim remembrance. 6hat # spea( ofoccurred the night before last+6 said he. 6# was l*ing awa(eabout two in the morning+ when # was aware of a dull muffledsound coming from the passage. # opened m* door andpeeped out. # should eplain that the professor sleeps at theend of the passage6

6The date being<6 as(ed )olmes.

'ur visitor was clearl* anno*ed at so irrelevant aninterruption.

6# have said+ sir+ that it was the night before lastthat is+September Eth.6

)olmes nodded and smiled.

6Pra* continue+6 said he.

6)e sleeps at the end of the passage and would have topass m* door in order to reach the staircase. #t was a reall*terrif*ing eperience+ Mr. )olmes. # thin( that # am as strongnerved as m* neighbours+ but # was sha(en b* what # saw.The passage was dar( save that one window halfwa* alongit threw a patch of light. # could see that something wascoming along the passage+ something dar( and crouching.Then suddenl* it emerged into the light+ and # saw that it washe. )e was crawling+ Mr. )olmescrawling8 )e was not >uiteon his hands and (nees. # should rather sa* on his handsand feet+ with his face sun( between his hands. ;et heseemed to move with ease. # was so paral*zed b* the sight



that it was not until he had reached m* door that # was ableto step forward and as( if # could assist him. )is answer wasetraordinar*. )e sprang up+ spat out some atrocious wordat me+ and hurried on past me+ and down the staircase. #

waited about for an hour+ but he did not come bac(. #t musthave been da*light before he regained his room.6

6ell+ atson+ what ma(e *ou of that<6 as(ed )olmes withthe air of the pathologist who presents a rare specimen.

6%umbago+ possibl*. # have (nown a severe attac( ma(e aman wal( in =ust such a wa*+ and nothing would be more

tr*ing to the temper.6

6"ood+ atson8 ;ou alwa*s (eep us flatfooted on theground. But we can hardl* accept lumbago+ since he wasable to stand erect in a moment.6

6)e was never better in health+6 said Bennett. 6#n fact+ he isstronger than # have (nown him for *ears. But there are thefacts+ Mr. )olmes. #t is not a case in which we can consult

the police+ and *et we are utterl* at our wit&s end as to whatto do+ and we feel in some strange wa* that we are driftingtowards disaster. 7dithMiss Presbur* feels as # do+ thatwe cannot wait passivel* an* longer.6

6#t is certainl* a ver* curious and suggestive case. hat do*ou thin(+ atson<6

6Spea(ing as a medical man+6 said #+ 6it appears to be a casefor an alienist. The old gentleman&s cerebral processes weredisturbed b* the love affair. )e made a =ourne* abroad in thehope of brea(ing himself of the passion. )is letters and thebo ma* be connected with some other private transactiona loan+ perhaps+ or share cenificates+ which are in the bo.6



61nd the wolfhound no doubt disapproved of the financialbargain. :o+ no+ atson+ there is more in it than this. :ow+ #can onl* suggest6

hat Sherloc( )olmes was about to suggest will never be(nown+ for at this moment the door opened and a *oung lad*was shown into the room. 1s she appeared Mr. Bennettsprang up with a cr* and ran forward with his hands out tomeet those which she had herself outstretched.

67dith+ dear8 :othing the matter+ # hope<6

6# felt # must follow *ou. 'h+ ac(+ # have been so dreadfull*frightened8 #t is awful to be there alone.6

6Mr. )olmes+ this is the *oung lad* # spo(e of. This is m*fiancee.6

6e were graduall* coming to that conclusion+ were we not+atson<6 )olmes answered with a smile. 6# ta(e it+ MissPresbur*+ that there is some fresh development in the case+

and that *ou thought we should (now<6

'ur new visitor+ a bright+ handsome girl of a conventional7nglish t*pe+ smiled bac( at )olmes as she seated herselfbeside Mr. Bennett.

6hen # found Mr. Bennett had left his hotel # thought #should probabl* find him here. 'f course+ he had told methat he would consult *ou. But+ oh+ Mr. )olmes+ can *ou donothing for m* poor father<6

6# have hopes+ Miss Presbur*+ but the case is still obscure.Perhaps what *ou have to sa* ma* throw some fresh lightupon it.6



6#t was last night+ Mr. )olmes. )e had been ver* strange allda*. # am sure that there are times when he has norecollection of what he does. )e lives as in a strange dream.;esterda* was such a da*. #t was not m* father with whom #

lived. )is outward shell was there+ but it was not reall* he.6

6Tell me what happened.6

6# was awa(ened in the night b* the dog bar(ing mostfuriousl*. Poor $o*+ he is chained now near the stable. # ma*sa* that # alwa*s sleep with m* door loc(ed0 for+ as ac(asMr. Bennettwill tell *ou+ we all have a feeling of impending

danger. M* room is on the second floor. #t happened that theblind was up in m* window+ and there was bright moonlightoutside. 1s # la* with m* e*es fied upon the s>uare of light+listening to the frenzied bar(ings of the dog+ # was amazed tosee m* father&s face loo(ing in at me. Mr. )olmes+ # nearl*died of surprise and horror. There it was pressed against thewindowpane+ and one hand seemed to be raised as if topush up the window. #f that window had opened+ # thin( #should have gone mad. #t was no delusion+ Mr. )olmes.

-on&t deceive *ourself b* thin(ing so. # dare sa* it wastwent* seconds or so that # la* paral*zed and watched theface. Then it vanished+ but # could not# could not spring outof bed and loo( out after it. # la* cold and shivering tillmorning. 1t brea(fast he was sharp and fierce in manner+and made no allusion to the adventure of the night. :eitherdid #+ but # gave an ecuse for coming to town and here #am.6

)olmes loo(ed thoroughl* surprised at Miss Presbur*&snarrative.

6M* dear *oung lad*+ *ou sa* that *our room is on thesecond floor. #s there a long ladder in the garden<6



6:o+ Mr. )olmes+ that is the amazing part of it. There is nopossible wa* of reaching the windowand *et he was there.6

6The date being September Fth+6 said )olmes. 6That

certainl* complicates matters.6

#t was the *oung lad*&s turn to loo( surprised. 6This is thesecond time that *ou have alluded to the date+ Mr. )olmes+6said Bennett. 6#s it possible that it has an* bearing upon thecase<6

6#t is possiblever* possibleand *et # have not m* fullmaterial at present.6

6Possibl* *ou are thin(ing of the connection betweeninsanit* and phases of the moon<6

6:o+ # assure *ou. #t was >uite a different line of thought.Possibl* *ou can leave *our noteboo( with me+ and # willchec( the dates. :ow # thin(+ atson+ that our line of actionis perfectl* clear. This *oung lad* has informed usand #

have the greatest confidence in her intuitionthat her fatherremembers little or nothing which occurs upon certain dates.e will therefore call upon him as if he had given us anappointment upon such a date. )e will put it down to his ownlac( of memor*. Thus we will open our campaign b* havinga good close view of him.6

6That is ecellent+6 said Mr. Bennett. 6# warn *ou+ however+that the professor is irascible and violent at times.6

)olmes smiled. 6There are reasons wh* we should come atoncever* cogent reasons if m* theories hold good. Tomorrow+ Mr. Bennett+ will certainl* see us in Camford. Thereis+ if # remember right+ an inn called the Che>uers where theport used to be above mediocrit* and the linen was above



reproach. # thin(+ atson+ that our lot for the net few da*smight lie in less pleasant places.6

Monda* morning found us on our wa* to the famous

universit* townan eas* effort on the part of )olmes+ whohad no roots to pull up+ but one which involved franticplanning and hurr*ing on m* part+ as m* practice was b* thistime not inconsiderable. )olmes made no allusion to thecase until after we had deposited our suitcases at theancient hostel of which he had spo(en.

6# thin(+ atson+ that we can catch the professor =ust before

lunch. )e lectures at eleven and should have an interval athome.6

6hat possible ecuse have we for calling<6

)olmes glanced at his noteboo(.

6There was a period of ecitement upon 1ugust A?th. e willassume that he is a little haz* as to what he does at such

times. #f we insist that we are there b* appointment # thin( hewill hardl* venture to contradict us. )ave *ou the effronter*necessar* to put it through<6

6e can but tr*.6

67cellent+ atson8 Compound of the Bus* Bee and7celsior. e can but tr*the motto of the firm. 1 friendl*native will surel* guide us.6

Such a one on the bac( of a smart hansom swept us past arow of ancient colleges and+ finall* turning into a treelineddrive+ pulled up at the door of a charming house+ girt roundwith lawns and covered with purple wistaria. ProfessorPresbur* was certainl* surrounded with ever* sign not onl*



of comfort but of luur*. 7ven as we pulled up+ a grizzledhead appeared at the front window+ and we were aware of apair of (een e*es from under shagg* brows which surve*edus through large horn glasses. 1 moment later we were

actuall* in his sanctum+ and the m*sterious scientist+ whosevagaries had brought us from %ondon+ was standing beforeus. There was certainl* no sign of eccentricit* either in hismanner or appearance+ for he was a portl*+ largefeaturedman+ grave+ tall+ and froc(coated+ with the dignit* of bearingwhich a lecturer needs. )is e*es were his most remar(ablefeature+ (een+ observant+ and clever to the verge of cunning.

)e loo(ed at our cards. 6Pra* sit down+ gentlemen. hat can# do for *ou<6

Mr. )olmes smiled amiabl*.

6#t was the >uestion which # was about to put to *ou+Professor.6

6To me+ sir86

6Possibl* there is some mista(e. # heard through a secondperson that Professor Presbur* of Camford had need of m*services.6

6'h+ indeed86 #t seemed to me that there was a maliciousspar(le in the intense gra* e*es. 6;ou heard that+ did *ou<Ma* # as( the name of *our informant<6

6# am sorr*+ Professor+ but the matter was rather confidential.#f # have made a mista(e there is no harm done. # can onl*epress m* regret.6

6:ot at all. # should wish to go further into this matter. #tinterests me. )ave *ou an* scrap of writing+ an* letter or



telegram+ to bear out *our assertion<6

6:o+ # have not.6

6# presume that *ou do not go so far as to assert that #summoned *ou<6

6# would rather answer no >uestions+6 said )olmes.

6:o+ # dare sa* not+6 said the professor with asperit*.6)owever+ that particular one can be answered ver* easil*without *our aid.6

)e wal(ed across the room to the bell. 'ur %ondon friendMr. Bennett+ answered the call.

6Come in+ Mr. Bennett. These two gentlemen have comefrom %ondon under the impression that the* have beensummoned. ;ou handle all m* correspondence. )ave *ou anote of an*thing going to a person named )olmes<6

6:o+ sir+6 Bennett answered with a flush.

6That is conclusive+6 said the professor+ glaring angril* at m*companion. 6:ow+ sir6he leaned forward with his two handsupon the table6 it seems to me that *our position is a ver*>uestionable one.6

)olmes shrugged his shoulders.

6# can onl* repeat that # am sorr* that we have made aneedless intrusion.6

6)ardl* enough+ Mr. )olmes86 the old man cried in a highscreaming voice+ with etraordinar* malignanc* upon hisface. )e got between us and the door as he spo(e+ and he



shoo( his two hands at us with furious passion. 6;ou canhardl* get out of it so easil* as that.6 )is face wasconvulsed+ and he grinned and gibbered at us in hissenseless rage. # am convinced that we should have had to

fight our wa* out of the room if Mr. Bennett had notintervened.

6M* dear Professor+6 he cried+ 6consider *our position8Consider the scandal at the universit*8 Mr. )olmes is awell(nown man. ;ou cannot possibl* treat him with suchdiscourtes*.6

Sul(il* our hostif # ma* call him socleared the path to thedoor. e were glad to find ourselves outside the house andin the >uiet of the treelined drive. )olmes seemed greatl*amused b* the episode.

6'ur learned friend&s nerves are somewhat out of order+6said he. 6Perhaps our intrusion was a little crude+ and *et wehave gained that personal contact which # desired. But+ dearme+ atson+ he is surel* at our heels. The villain still

pursues us.6

There were the sounds of running feet behind+ but it was+ tom* relief+ not the formidable professor but his assistant whoappeared round the curve of the drive. )e came panting upto us.

6# am so sorr*+ Mr. )olmes. # wished to apologize.6

6M* dear sir+ there is no need. #t is all in the wa* ofprofessional eperience.6

6# have never seen him in a more dangerous mood. But hegrows more sinister. ;ou can understand now wh* hisdaughter and # are alarmed. 1nd *et his mind is perfectl*



clear.6

6Too clear86 said )olmes. 6That was m* miscalculation. #t isevident that his memor* is much more reliable than # had

thought. B* the wa*+ can we+ before we go+ see the windowof Miss Presbur*&s room<6

Mr. Bennett pushed his wa* through some shrubs+ and wehad a view of the side of the house.

6#t is there. The second on the left.6

6-ear me+ it seems hardl* accessible. 1nd *et *ou willobserve that there is a creeper below and a waterpipeabove which give some foothold.6

6# could not climb it m*self+6 said Mr. Bennett.

6!er* li(el*. #t would certainl* be a dangerous eploit for an*normal man.6

6There was one other thing # wish to tell *ou+ Mr. )olmes. #have the address of the man in %ondon to whom theprofessor writes. )e seems to have written this morning+ and# got it from his blottingpaper. #t is an ignoble position for atrusted secretar*+ but what else can # do<6

)olmes glanced at the paper and put it into his poc(et.

6-ora(a curious name. Slavonic+ # imagine. ell+ it is an

important lin( in the chain. e return to %ondon thisafternoon+ Mr. Bennett. # see no good purpose to be servedb* our remaining. e cannot arrest the professor becausehe has done no crime+ nor can we place him underconstraint+ for he cannot be proved to be mad. :o action isas *et possible.6



6Then what on earth are we to do<6

61 little patience+ Mr. Bennett. Things will soon develop.9nless # am mista(en+ net Tuesda* ma* mar( a crisis.

Certainl* we shall be in Camford on that da*. Meanwhile+ thegeneral position is undeniabl* unpleasant+ and if MissPresbur* can prolong her visit6

6That is eas*.6

6Then let her sta* till we can assure her that all danger ispast. Meanwhile+ let him have his wa* and do not cross him.So long as he is in a good humour all is well.6

6There he is86 said Bennett in a startled whisper. %oo(ingbetween the branches we saw the tall+ erect figure emergefrom the hall door and loo( around him. )e stood leaningforward+ his hands swinging straight before him+ his headturning from side to side. The secretar* with a last waveslipped off among the trees+ and we saw him presentl* re=oinhis emplo*er+ the two entering the house together in what

seemed to be animated and even ecited conversation.

6# epect the old gentleman has been putting two and twotogether+6 said )olmes as we wal(ed hotelward. 6)e struc(me as having a particularl* clear and logical brain from thelittle # saw of him. 7plosive+ no doubt+ but then from hispoint of view he has something to eplode about if detectivesare put on his trac( and he suspects his own household of

doing it. # rather fanc* that friend Bennett is in for anuncomfortable time.6

)olmes stopped at a postoffice and sent off a telegram onour wa*. The answer reached us in the evening+ and hetossed it across to me.



)ave visited the Commercial $oad and seen -ora(. Suaveperson+ Bohemian+ elderl*. eeps large general store.M7$C7$.

6Mercer is since *our time+6 said )olmes. 6)e is m* generalutilit* man who loo(s up routine business. #t was important to(now something of the man with whom our professor was sosecretl* corresponding. )is nationalit* connects up with thePrague visit.6

6Than( goodness that something connects with something+6said #. 61t present we seem to be faced b* a long series of

ineplicable incidents with no bearing upon each other. ,oreample+ what possible connection can there be between anangr* wolfhound and a visit to Bohemia+ or either of themwith a man crawling down a passage at night< 1s to *ourdates+ that is the biggest m*stification of all.6

)olmes smiled and rubbed his hands. e were+ # ma* sa*+seated in the old sittingroom of the ancient hotel+ with abottle of the famous vintage of which )olmes had spo(en on

the table between us.

6ell+ now+ let us ta(e the dates first+6 said he+ his fingertipstogether and his manner as if he were addressing a class.6This ecellent *oung man&s diar* shows that there wastrouble upon ul* Ad+ and from then onward it seems to havebeen at nineda* intervals+ with+ so far as # remember+ onl*one eception. Thus the last outbrea( upon ,rida* was on

September 3d+ which also falls into the series+ as did 1ugustA?th+ which preceded it. The thing is be*ond coincidence.6

# was forced to agree.

6%et us+ then+ form the provisional theor* that ever* nine



da*s the professor ta(es some strong drug which has apassing but highl* poisonous effect. )is naturall* violentnature is intensified b* it. )e learned to ta(e this drug whilehe was in Prague+ and is now supplied with it b* a Bohemian

intermediar* in %ondon. This all hangs together+ atson86

6But the dog+ the face at the window+ the creeping man in thepassage<6

6ell+ well+ we have made a beginning. # should not epectan* fresh developments until net Tuesda*. #n the meantimewe can onl* (eep in touch with friend Bennett and en=o* the

amenities of this charming town.6

#n the morning Mr. Bennett slipped round to bring us thelatest report. 1s )olmes had imagined+ times had not beeneas* with him. ithout eactl* accusing him of beingresponsible for our presence+ the professor had been ver*rough and rude in his speech+ and evidentl* felt some stronggrievance. This morning he was >uite himself again+however+ and had delivered his usual brilliant lecture to a

crowded class. 61part from his >ueer fits+6 said Bennett+ 6hehas actuall* more energ* and vitalit* than # can everremember+ nor was his brain ever clearer. But it&s not heit&snever the man whom we have (nown.6

6# don&t thin( *ou have an*thing to fear now for a wee( atleast+6 )olmes answered. 6# am a bus* man+ and -r. atsonhas his patients to attend to. %et us agree that we meet here

at this hour net Tuesda*+ and # shall be surprised if beforewe leave *ou again we are not able to eplain+ even if wecannot perhaps put an end to+ *our troubles. Meanwhile+(eep us posted in what occurs.6

# saw nothing of m* friend for the net few da*s+ but on the



following Monda* evening # had a short note as(ing me tomeet him net da* at the train. ,rom what he told me as wetravelled up to Camford all was well+ the peace of theprofessor&s house had been unruffled+ and his own conduct

perfectl* normal. This also was the report which was givenus b* Mr. Bennett himself when he called upon us thatevening at our old >uarters in the Che>uers. 6)e heard fromhis %ondon correspondent toda*. There was a letter andthere was a small pac(et+ each with the cross under thestamp which warned me not to touch them. There has beennothing else.6

6That ma* prove >uite enough+6 said )olmes griml*. 6:ow+Mr. Bennett+ we shall+ # thin(+ come to some conclusiontonight. #f m* deductions are correct we should have anopportunit* of bringing matters to a head. #n order to do so itis necessar* to hold the professor under observation. # wouldsuggest+ therefore+ that *ou remain awa(e and on theloo(out. Should *ou hear him pass *our door+ do notinterrupt him+ but follow him as discreetl* as *ou can. -r.atson and # will not be far off. B* the wa*+ where is the (e*of that little bo of which *ou spo(e<6

69pon his watchchain.6

6# fanc* our researches must lie in that direction. 1t the worstthe loc( should not be ver* formidable. )ave *ou an* otherablebodied man on the premises<6

6There is the coachman+ Macphail.6

6here does he sleep<6

6'ver the stables.6

6e might possibl* want him. ell+ we can do no more until



we see how things develop+ "oodb*ebut # epect that weshall see *ou before morning.6

#t was nearl* midnight before we too( our station among

some bushes immediatel* opposite the hall door of theprofessor. #t was a fine night+ but chill*+ and we were glad ofour warm overcoats. There was a breeze+ and clouds werescudding across the s(*+ obscuring from time to time thehalfmoon. #t would have been a dismal vigil were it not forthe epectation and ecitement which carried us along+ andthe assurance of m* comrade that we had probabl* reachedthe end of the strange se>uence of events which had

engaged our attention.

6#f the c*cle of nine da*s holds good then we shall have theprofessor at his worst tonight+6 said )olmes. 6The fact thatthese strange s*mptoms began after his visit to Prague+ thathe is in secret correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in%ondon+ who presumabl* represents someone in Prague+and that he received a pac(et from him this ver* da*+ allpoint in one direction. hat he ta(es and wh* he ta(es it are

still be*ond our (en+ but that it emanates in some wa* fromPrague is clear enough. )e ta(es it under definite directionswhich regulate this ninthda* s*stem+ which was the firstpoint which attracted m* attention. But his s*mptoms aremost remar(able. -id *ou observe his (nuc(les<6

# had to confess that # did not.

6Thic( and horn* in a wa* which is >uite new in m*eperience. 1lwa*s loo( at the hands first+ atson. Thencuffs+ trouser(nees+ and boots. !er* curious (nuc(les whichcan onl* be eplained b* the mode of progression observedb*6 )olmes paused and suddenl* clapped his hand to hisforehead. 6'h+ atson+ atson+ what a fool # have been8 #t



seems incredible+ and *et it must be true. 1ll points in onedirection. )ow could # miss seeing the connection of ideas<Those (nuc(les how could # have passed those (nuc(les<

1nd the dog8 1nd the iv*8 #t&s surel* time that # disappeared

into that little farm of m* dreams. %oo( out+ atson8 )ere heis8 e shall have the chance of seeing for ourselves.6

The hall door had slowl* opened+ and against the lamplitbac(ground we saw the tall figure of Professor Presbur*. )ewas clad in his dressing gown. 1s he stood outlined in thedoorwa* he was erect but leaning forward with danglingarms+ as when we saw him last.

:ow he stepped forward into the drive+ and an etraordinar*change came over him. )e san( down into a crouchingposition and moved along upon his hands and feet+ s(ippingever* now and then as if he were overflowing with energ*and vitalit*. )e moved along the face of the house and thenround the corner. 1s he disappeared Bennett slippedthrough the hall door and softl* followed him.

6Come+ atson+ come86 cried )olmes+ and we stole as softl*as we could through the bushes until we had gained a spotwhence we could see the other side of the house+ which wasbathed in the light of the halfmoon. The professor wasclearl* visible crouching at the foot of the iv*covered wall.

1s we watched him he suddenl* began with incredible agilit*to ascend it. ,rom branch to branch he sprang+ sure of footand firm of grasp+ climbing apparentl* in mere =o* at his own

powers+ with no definite ob=ect in view. ith his dressinggown flapping on each side of him+ he loo(ed li(e somehuge bat glued against the side of his own house+ a greats>uare dar( patch upon the moonlit wall. Presentl* he tiredof this amusement+ and+ dropping from branch to branch+ hes>uatted down into the old attitude and moved towards the



stables+ creeping along in the same strange wa* as before.The wolfhound was out now+ bar(ing furiousl*+ and moreecited than ever when it actuall* caught sight of its master.#t was straining on its chain and >uivering with eagerness

and rage. The professor s>uatted down ver* deliberatel* =ustout of reach of the hound and began to provo(e it in ever*possible wa*. )e too( handfuls of pebbles from the driveand threw them in the dog&s face+ prodded him with a stic(which he had pic(ed up+ flic(ed his hands about onl* a fewinches from the gaping mouth+ and endeavoured in ever*wa* to increase the animal&s fur*+ which was alread* be*ondall control. #n all our adventures # do not (now that # have

ever seen a more strange sight than this impassive and stilldignified figure crouching frogli(e upon the ground andgoading to a wilder ehibition of passion the maddenedhound+ which ramped and raged in front of him+ b* allmanner of ingenious and calculated cruelt*.

1nd then in a moment it happened8 #t was not the chain thatbro(e+ but it was the collar that slipped+ for it had been madefor a thic(nec(ed :ewfoundland. e heard the rattle offalling metal+ and the net instant dog and man were rollingon the ground together+ the one roaring in rage+ the otherscreaming in a strange shrill falsetto of terror. #t was a ver*narrow thing for the professor&s life. The savage creature hadhim fairl* b* the throat+ its fangs had bitten deep+ and he wassenseless before we could reach them and drag the twoapart. #t might have been a dangerous tas( for us+ butBennett&s voice and presence brought the great wolflhound

instantl* to reason. The uproar had brought the sleep* andastonished coachman from his room above the stables. 6#&mnot surprised+6 said he+ sha(ing his head. 6#&ve seen him at itbefore. # (new the dog would get him sooner or later.6

The hound was secured+ and together we carried the



professor up to his room+ where Bennett+ who had a medicaldegree+ helped me to dress his torn throat. The sharp teethhad passed dangerousl* near the carotid arter*+ and thehaemorrhage was serious. #n half an hour the danger was

past+ # had given the patient an in=ection of morphia+ and hehad sun( into deep sleep. Then+ and onl* then+ were we ableto loo( at each other and to ta(e stoc( of the situation.

6# thin( a firstclass surgeon should see him+6 said #.

6,or "od&s sa(e+ no86 cried Bennett. 61t present the scandalis confined to our own household. #t is safe with us. #f it gets

be*ond these walls it will never stop. Consider his position atthe universit*+ his 7uropean reputation+ the feelings of hisdaughter.6

6Guite so+6 said )olmes. 6# thin( it ma* be >uite possible to(eep the matter to ourselves+ and also to prevent itsrecurrence now that we have a free hand. The (e* from thewatchchain+ Mr. Bennett. Macphail will guard the patientand let us (now if there is an* change. %et us see what we

can find in the professor&s m*sterious bo.6

There was not much+ but there was enoughan empt* phial+another nearl* full+ a h*podermic s*ringe+ several letters in acrabbed+ foreign hand. The mar(s on the envelopes showedthat the* were those which had disturbed the routine of thesecretar*+ and each was dated from the Commercial $oadand signed 61. -ora(.6 The* were mere invoices to sa* that

a fresh bottle was being sent to Professor Presbur*+ orreceipt to ac(nowledge mone*. There was one otherenvelope+ however+ in a more educated hand and bearingthe 1ustrian stamp with the postmar( of Prague. 6)ere wehave our material86 cried )olmes as he tore out theenclosure.



)':'9$7- C'%%71"97 Hit ranI@

Since *our esteemed visit # have thought much of *our case+and though in *our circumstances there are some special

reasons for the treatment+ # would none the less en=oincaution+ as m* results have shown that it is not withoutdanger of a (ind. #t is possible that the serum of anthropoidwould have been better. # have+ as # eplained to *ou+ usedblac(faced langur because a specimen was accessible.%angur is+ of course+ a crawler and climber+ while anthropoidwal(s erect and is in all wa*s nearer. # beg *ou to ta(e ever*possible precaution that there be no premature revelation of

the process. # have one other client in 7ngland+ and -ora( ism* agent for both. ee(l* reports will oblige.

;ours with high esteem+). %'7:ST7#:.

%owenstein8 The name brought bac( to me the memor* ofsome snippet from a newspaper which spo(e of an obscurescientist who was striving in some un(nown wa* for thesecret of re=uvenescence and the eliir of life. %owenstein of

Prague8 %owenstein with the wondrous strengthgivingserum+ tabooed b* the profession because he refused toreveal its source. #n a few words # said what # remembered.Bennett had ta(en a manual of zoolog* from the shelves.6&%angur+&6 he read+ 6&the great blac(faced mon(e* of the)imala*an slopes+ biggest and most human of climbingmon(e*s.& Man* details are added. ell+ than(s to *ou+ Mr.)olmes+ it is ver* clear that we have traced the evil to its

source.6

6The real source+6 said )olmes+ 6lies+ of course+ in thatuntimel* love affair which gave our impetuous professor theidea that he could onl* gain his wish b* turning himself into a*ounger man. hen one tries to rise above :ature one is



liable to fall below it. The highest t*pe of man ma* revert tothe animal if he leaves the straight road of destin*.6 )e satmusing for a little with the phial in his hand+ loo(ing at theclear li>uid within. 6hen # have written to this man and told

him that # hold him criminall* responsible for the poisonswhich he circulates+ we will have no more trouble. But it ma*recur. 'thers ma* find a better wa*. There is danger thereaver* real danger to humanit*. Consider+ atson+ that thematerial+ the sensual+ the worldl* would all prolong theirworthless lives. The spiritual would not avoid the call tosomething higher. #t would be the survival of the least fit.hat sort of cesspool ma* not our poor world become<6

Suddenl* the dreamer disappeared+ and )olmes+ the man ofaction+ sprang from his chair. 6# thin( there is nothing more tobe said+ Mr. Bennett. The various incidents will now fitthemselves easil* into the general scheme. The dog+ ofcourse+ was aware of the change far more >uic(l* than *ou.)is smell would insure that. #t was the mon(e*+ not theprofessor+ whom $o* attac(ed+ =ust as it was the mon(e*who teased $o*. Climbing was a =o* to the creature+ and it

was a mere chance+ # ta(e it+ that the pastime brought him tothe *oung lad*&s window. There is an earl* train to town+atson+ but # thin( we shall =ust have time for a cup of tea atthe Che>uers before we catch it.6

AD$"!T%#" &$' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"S%SS"+ $AMP&#"

)olmes had read carefull* a note which the last post hadbrought him. Then+ with the dr* chuc(le which was hisnearest approach to a laugh+ he tossed it over to me.

6,or a miture of the modern and the mediaeval+ of thepractical and of the wildl* fanciful+ # thin( this is surel* the



limit+6 said he. 6hat do *ou ma(e of it+ atson<6

# read as follows@

E?+ '%- 7$;+:ov. 25th.

$e !ampires

S#$@

'ur client+ Mr. $obert ,erguson+ of ,erguson and Muirhead+tea bro(ers+ of Mincing %ane+ has made some in>uir* fromus in a communication of even date concerning vampires. 1s

our firm specializes entirel* upon the assessment ofmachiner* the matter hardl* comes within our purview+ andwe have therefore recommended Mr. ,erguson to call upon*ou and la* the matter before *ou. e have not forgotten*our successful action in the case of Matilda Briggs.

e are+ sir+

,aithfull* *ours+

M'$$#S':+ M'$$#S':+ 1:- -'--.

per 7. . C.

6Matilda Briggs was not the name of a *oung woman+atson+6 said )olmes in a reminiscent voice. 6#t was a shipwhich is associated with the giant rat of Sumatra+ a stor* for

which the world is not *et prepared. But what do we (nowabout vampires< -oes it come within our purview either<

1n*thing is better than stagnation+ but reall* we seem tohave been switched on to a "rimms& fair* tale. Ma(e a longarm+ atson+ and see what ! has to sa*.6



# leaned bac( and too( down the great inde volume towhich he referred. )olmes balanced it on his (nee+ and hise*es moved slowl* and lovingl* over the record of old cases+mied with the accumulated information of a lifetime.

6!o*age of the "loria Scott+6 he read. 6That was a badbusiness. # have some recollection that *ou made a record ofit+ atson+ though # was unable to congratulate *ou upon theresult. !ictor %*nch+ the forger. !enomous lizard or gila.$emar(able case+ that8 !ittoria+ the circus belle. !anderbiltand the ;eggman. !ipers. !igor+ the )ammersmith wonder.)ullo8 )ullo8 "ood old inde. ;ou can&t beat it. %isten to this+

atson. !ampirism in )ungar*. 1nd again+ !ampires inTrans*lvania.6 )e turned over the pages with eagerness+ butafter a short intent perusal he threw down the great boo(with a snarl of disappointment.

6$ubbish+ atson+ rubbish8 hat have we to do with wal(ingcorpses who can onl* be held in their grave b* sta(es driventhrough their hearts< #t&s pure lunac*.6

6But surel*+6 said #+ 6the vampire was not necessaril* a deadman< 1 living person might have the habit. # have read+ foreample+ of the old suc(ing the blood of the *oung in orderto retain their *outh.6

6;ou are right+ atson. #t mentions the legend in one ofthese references. But are we to give serious attention tosuch things< This agenc* stands flatfooted upon the

ground+ and there it must remain. The world is big enoughfor us. :o ghosts need appl*. # fear that we cannot ta(e Mr.$obert ,erguson ver* seriousl*. Possibl* this note ma* befrom him and ma* throw some light upon what is worr*inghim.6



)e too( up a second letter which had lain unnoticed uponthe table while he had been absorbed with the first. This hebegan to read with a smile of amusement upon his facewhich graduall* faded awa* into an epression of intense

interest and concentration. hen he had finished he sat forsome little time lost in thought with the letter dangling fromhis fingers. ,inall*+ with a start+ he aroused himself from hisreverie.

6Cheeseman&s+ %amberle*. here is %amberle*+ atson<6

6#t is in Susse+ South of )orsham.6

6:ot ver* far+ eh< 1nd Cheeseman&s<6

6# (now that countr*+ )olmes. #t is full of old houses whichare named after the men who built them centuries ago. ;ouget 'dle*&s and )arve*&s and Carriton&sthe fol( areforgotten but their names live in their houses.6

6Precisel*+6 said )olmes coldl*. #t was one of the

peculiarities of his proud+ selfcontained nature that thoughhe doc(eted an* fresh information ver* >uietl* andaccuratel* in his brain+ he seldom made an*ac(nowledgment to the giver. 6# rather fanc* we shall (now agood deal more about Cheeseman&s+ %amberle*+ before weare through. The letter is+ as # had hoped+ from $obert,erguson. B* the wa*+ he claims ac>uaintance with *ou.6

6ith me86

6;ou had better read it.6

)e handed the letter across. #t was headed with the address>uoted.



-71$ M$ )'%M7S Hit saidI@

# have been recommended to *ou b* m* law*ers+ but indeedthe matter is so etraordinaril* delicate that it is most difficult

to discuss. #t concerns a friend for whom # am acting. Thisgentleman married some five *ears ago a Peruvian lad*+ thedaughter of a Peruvian merchant+ whom he had met inconnection with the importation of nitrates. The lad* wasver* beautiful+ but the fact of her foreign birth and of heralien religion alwa*s caused a separation of interests and offeelings between husband and wife+ so that after a time hislove ma* have cooled towards her and he ma* have come to

regard their union as a mista(e. )e felt there were sides ofher character which he could never eplore or understand.This was the more painful as she was as loving a wife as aman could haveto all appearance absolutel* devoted.

:ow for the point which # will ma(e more plain when wemeet. #ndeed+ this note is merel* to give *ou a general ideaof the situation and to ascertain whether *ou would care tointerest *ourself in the matter. The lad* began to show some

curious traits >uite alien to her ordinaril* sweet and gentledisposition. The gentleman had been married twice and hehad one son b* the first wife. This bo* was now fifteen+ aver* charming and affectionate *outh+ though unhappil*in=ured through an accident in childhood. Twice the wife wascaught in the act of assaulting this poor lad in the mostunprovo(ed wa*. 'nce she struc( him with a stic( and left agreat weal on his arm. This was a small matter+ however+

compared with her conduct to her own child+ a dear bo* =ustunder one *ear of age. 'n one occasion about a month agothis child had been left b* its nurse for a few minutes. 1 loudcr* from the bab*+ as of pain+ called the nurse bac(. 1s sheran into the room she saw her emplo*er+ the lad*+ leaningover the bab* and apparentl* biting his nec(. There was a



small wound in the nec( from which a stream of blood hadescaped. The nurse was so horrified that she wished to callthe husband+ but the lad* implored her not to do so andactuall* gave her five pounds as a price for her silence. :o

eplanation was ever given+ and for the moment the matterwas passed over. #t left+ however+ a terrible impression uponthe nurse&s mind+ and from that time she began to watch hermistress closel* and to (eep a closer guard upon the bab*+whom she tenderl* loved. #t seemed to her that even as shewatched the mother+ so the mother watched her+ and thatever* time she was compelled to leave the bab* alone themother was waiting to get at it. -a* and night the nurse

covered the child+ and da* and night the silent+ watchfulmother seemed to be l*ing in wait as a wolf waits for a lamb.#t must read most incredible to *ou+ and *et # beg *ou to ta(eit seriousl*+ for a child&s life and a man&s sanit* ma* dependupon it.

1t last there came one dreadful da* when the facts could nolonger be concealed from the husband. The nurse&s nervehad given wa*0 she could stand the strain no longer+ and shemade a clean breast of it all to the man. To him it seemed aswild a tale as it ma* now seem to *ou. )e (new his wife tobe a loving wife+ and+ save for the assaults upon herstepson+ a loving mother. h*+ then+ should she wound herown dear little bab*< )e told the nurse that she wasdreaming+ that her suspicions were those of a lunatic+ andthat such libels upon her mistress were not to be tolerated.hile the* were tal(ing a sudden cr* of pain was heard.

:urse and master rushed together to the nurser*. #maginehis feelings+ Mr. )olmes+ as he saw his wife rise from a(neeling position beside the cot and saw blood upon thechild&s eposed nec( and upon the sheet. ith a cr* ofhorror+ he turned his wife&s face to the light and saw blood allround her lips. #t was sheshe be*ond all >uestionwho had



drun( the poor bab*&s blood. So the matter stands. She isnow confined to her room. There has been no eplanation.The husband is half demented. )e (nows+ and # (now+ littleof vampirism be*ond the name. e had thought it was some

wild tale of foreign parts. 1nd *et here in the ver* heart ofthe 7nglish Sussewell+ all this can be discussed with *ouin the morning. ill *ou see me< ill *ou use *our greatpowers in aiding a distracted man< #f so+ (indl* wire to,erguson+ Cheeseman&s+ %amberle*+ and # will be at *ourrooms b* ten o&cloc(.

;ours faithfull*+

$'B7$T ,7$"9S':.

P. S. # believe *our friend atson pla*ed $ugb* forBlac(heath when # was three>uarter for $ichmond. #t is theonl* personal introduction which # can give.

6'f course # remembered him+6 said # as # laid down theletter. 6Big Bob ,erguson+ the finest three>uarter $ichmond

ever had. )e was alwa*s a goodnatured chap. #t&s li(e himto be so concerned over a friend&s case.6

)olmes loo(ed at me thoughtfull* and shoo( his head.

6# never get *our limits+ atson+6 said he. 6There areuneplored possibilities about *ou. Ta(e a wire down+ li(e agood fellow. &ill eamine *our case with pleasure.&6

6;our case86

6e must not let him thin( that this agenc* is a home for thewea(minded. 'f course it is his case. Send him that wireand let the matter rest till morning.6



Promptl* at ten o&cloc( net morning ,erguson strode intoour room. # had remembered him as a long+ slabsided manwith loose limbs and a fine turn of speed which had carriedhim round man* an opposing bac(. There is surel* nothing

in life more painful than to meet the wrec( of a fine athletewhom one has (nown in his prime. )is great frame hadfallen in+ his flaen hair was scant*+ and his shoulders werebowed. # fear that # roused corresponding emotions in him.

6)ullo+ atson+6 said he+ and his voice was still deep andheart*. 6;ou don&t loo( >uite the man *ou did when # threw*ou over the ropes into the crowd at the 'ld -eer Par(. #

epect # have changed a bit also. But it&s this last da* or twothat has aged me. # see b* *our telegram+ Mr. )olmes+ that itis no use m* pretending to be an*one&s deput*.6.

6#t is simpler to deal direct+6 said )olmes.

6'f course it is. But *ou can imagine how difficult it is when*ou are spea(ing of the one woman whom *ou are bound toprotect and help. hat can # do< )ow am # to go to the

police with such a stor*< 1nd *et the (iddies have got to beprotected. #s it madness+ Mr. )olmes< #s it something in theblood< )ave *ou an* similar case in *our eperience< ,or"od&s sa(e+ give me some advice+ for # am at m* wit&s end.6

6!er* naturall*+ Mr. ,erguson. :ow sit here and pull *ourselftogether and give me a few clear answers. # can assure *outhat # am ver* far from being at m* wit&s end+ and that # am

confident we shall find some solution. ,irst of all+ tell mewhat steps *ou have ta(en. #s *our wife still near thechildren<6

6e had a dreadful scene. She is a most loving woman+ Mr.)olmes. #f ever a woman loved a man with all her heart and



soul+ she loves me. She was cut to the heart that # shouldhave discovered this horrible+ this incredible+ secret. Shewould not even spea(. She gave no answer to m*reproaches+ save to gaze at me with a sort of wild+

despairing loo( in her e*es. Then she rushed to her roomand loc(ed herself in. Since then she has refused to see me.She has a maid who was with her before her marriage+-olores b* namea friend rather than a servant. She ta(esher food to her.6

6Then the child is in no immediate danger<6

6Mrs. Mason+ the nurse+ has sworn that she will not leave itnight or da*. # can absolutel* trust her. # am more uneas*about poor little ac(+ for+ as # told *ou in m* note+ he hastwice been assaulted b* her.6

6But never wounded<6

6:o+ she struc( him savagel*. #t is the more terrible as he isa poor little inoffensive cripple.6 ,erguson&s gaunt features

softened as he spo(e of his bo*. 6;ou would thin( that thedear lad&s condition would soften an*one&s heart. 1 fall inchildhood and a twisted spine+ Mr. )olmes. But the dearest+most loving heart within.6

)olmes had pic(ed up the letter of *esterda* and wasreading it over. 6hat other inmates are there in *our house+Mr. ,erguson<6

6Two servants who have not been long with us. 'nestablehand+ Michael+ who sleeps in the house. M* wife+m*self+ m* bo* ac(+ bab*+ -olores+ and Mrs. Mason. Thatis all.6

6# gather that *ou did not (now *our wife well at the time of



*our marriage<6

6# had onl* (nown her a few wee(s.6

6)ow long had this maid -olores been with her<6

6Some *ears.6

6Then *our wife&s character would reall* be better (nown b*-olores than b* *ou<6

6;es+ *ou ma* sa* so.6

)olmes made a note.

6# fanc*+6 said he+ 6that # ma* be of more use at %amberle*than here. #t is eminentl* a case for personal investigation. #fthe lad* remains in her room+ our presence could not anno*or inconvenience her. 'f course+ we would sta* at the inn.6

,erguson gave a gesture of relief.

6#t is what # hoped+ Mr. )olmes. There is an ecellent train attwo from !ictoria if *ou could come.6

6'f course we could come. There is a lull at present. # cangive *ou m* undivided energies. atson+ of course+ comeswith us. But there are one or two points upon which # wish tobe ver* sure before # start. This unhapp* lad*+ as #understand it+ has appeared to assault both the children+ her

own bab* and *our little son<6

6That is so.6

6But the assaults ta(e different forms+ do the* not< She hasbeaten *our son.6



6'nce with a stic( and once ver* savagel* with her hands.6

6-id she give no eplanation wh* she struc( him<6

6:one save that she hated him. 1gain and again she saidso.6

6ell+ that is not un(nown among stepmothers. 1posthumous =ealous*+ we will sa*. #s the lad* =ealous b*nature<6

6;es+ she is ver* =ealous=ealous with all the strength of herfier* tropical love.6

6But the bo*he is fifteen+ # understand+ and probabl* ver*developed in mind+ since his bod* has been circumscribed inaction. -id he give *ou no eplanation of these assaults<6

6:o+ he declared there was no reason.6

6ere the* good friends at other times<6

6:o+ there was never an* love between them.6

6;et *ou sa* he is affectionate<6

6:ever in the world could there be so devoted a son. M* lifeis his life. )e is absorbed in what # sa* or do.6

'nce again )olmes made a note. ,or some time he sat lost

in thought.

6:o doubt *ou and the bo* were great comrades before thissecond marriage. ;ou were thrown ver* close together+ were*ou not<6



6!er* much so.6

61nd the bo*+ having so affectionate a nature+ was devoted+no doubt+ to the memor* of his mother<6

6Most devoted.6

6)e would certainl* seem to be a most interesting lad. Thereis one other point about these assaults. ere the strangeattac(s upon the bab* and the assaults upon *ow son at thesame period<6

6#n the first case it was so. #t was as if some frenz* hadseized her+ and she had vented her rage upon both. #n thesecond case it was onl* ac( who suffered. Mrs. Mason hadno complaint to ma(e about the bab*.6

6That certainl* complicates matters.6

6# don&t >uite follow *ou+ Mr. )olmes.6

6Possibl* not. 'ne forms provisional theories and waits fortime or fuller (nowledge to eplode them. 1 bad habit+ Mr.,erguson+ but human nature is wea(. # fear that *our oldfriend here has given an eaggerated view of m* scientificmethods. )owever+ # will onl* sa* at the present stage that*our problem does not appear to me to be insoluble+ andthat *ou ma* epect to find us at !ictoria at two o&cloc(.6

#t was evening of a dull+ fogg* :ovember da* when+ having

left our bags at the Che>uers+ %amberle*+ we drove throughthe Susse cla* of a long winding lane and finall* reachedthe isolated and ancient farmhouse in which ,erguson dwelt.#t was a large+ straggling building+ ver* old in the centre+ ver*new at the wings with towering Tudor chimne*s and a lichenspotted+ highpitched roof of )orsham slabs. The doorsteps



were worn into curves+ and the ancient tiles which lined theporch were mar(ed with the rebus of a cheese and a manafter the original builder. ithin+ the ceilings were corrugatedwith heav* oa(en beams+ and the uneven floors sagged into

sharp curves. 1n odour of age and deca* pervaded thewhole crumbling building.

There was one ver* large central room into which ,ergusonled us. )ere+ in a huge oldfashioned fireplace with an ironscreen behind it dated 2?4D+ there blazed and spluttered asplendid log fire.

The room+ as # gazed round+ was a most singular miture ofdates and of places. The halfpanelled walls ma* well havebelonged to the original *eoman farmer of the seventeenthcentur*. The* were ornamented+ however+ on the lower partb* a line of wellchosen modern watercolours0 while above+where *ellow plaster too( the place of oa(+ there was hung afine collection of South 1merican utensils and weapons+which had been brought+ no doubt+ b* the Peruvian lad*upstairs. )olmes rose+ with that >uic( curiosit* which sprang

from his eager mind+ and eamined them with some care.)e returned with his e*es full of thought.

6)ullo86 he cried. 6)ullo86

1 spaniel had lain in a bas(et in the corner. #t came slowl*forward towards its master+ wal(ing with difficult*. #ts hindlegs moved irregularl* and its tail was on the ground. #t

lic(ed ,erguson&s hand.

6hat is it+ Mr. )olmes<6

6The dog. hat&s the matter with it<6

6That&s what puzzled the vet. 1 sort of paral*sis. Spinal



meningitis+ he thought. But it is passing. )e&ll be all rightsoonwon&t *ou+ Carlo<6

1 shiver of assent passed through the drooping tail. The

dog&s mournful e*es passed from one of us to the other. )e(new that we were discussing his case.

6-id it come on suddenl*<6

6#n a single night.6

6)ow long ago<6

6#t ma* have been four months ago.6

6!er* remar(able. !er* suggestive.6

6hat do *ou see in it+ Mr. )olmes<6

61 confirmation of what # had alread* thought.6

6,or "od&s sa(e+ what do *ou thin(+ Mr. )olmes< #t ma* be amere intellectual puzzle to *ou+ but it is life and death to me8M* wife a wouldbe murdererm* child in constant danger8-on&t pla* with me+ Mr. )olmes. #t is too terribl* serious.6

The big $ugb* three>uarter was trembling all over. )olmesput his hand soothingl* upon his arm.

6# fear that there is pain for *ou+ Mr. ,erguson+ whatever the

solution ma* be+6 said he. 6# would spare *ou all # can. #cannot sa* more for the instant+ but before # leave this house# hope # ma* have something definite.6

6Please "od *ou ma*8 #f *ou will ecuse me+ gentlemen+ #will go up to m* wife&s room and see if there has been an*



change.6

)e was awa* some minutes+ during which )olmes resumedhis eamination of the curiosities upon the wall. hen our

host returned it was clear from his downcast face that he hadmade no progress. )e brought with him a tall+ slim+ brownfaced girl.

6The tea is read*+ -olores+6 said ,erguson. 6See that *ourmistress has ever*thing she can wish.6

6She verra ill+6 cried the girl+ loo(ing with indignant e*es ather master. 6She no as( for food. She verra ill. She needdoctor. # frightened sta* alone with her without doctor.6

,erguson loo(ed at me with a >uestion in his e*es.

6# should be so glad if # could be of use.6

6ould *our mistress see -r. atson<6

6# ta(e him. # no as( leave. She needs doctor.6

6Then #&ll come with *ou at once.6

# followed the girl+ who was >uivering with strong emotion+ upthe staircase and down an ancient corridor. 1t the end wasan ironclamped and massive door. #t struc( me as # loo(edat it that if ,erguson tried to force his wa* to his wife hewould find it no eas* matter. The girl drew a (e* from her

poc(et+ and the heav* oa(en plan(s crea(ed upon their oldhinges. # passed in and she swiftl* followed+ fastening thedoor behind her.

'n the bed a woman was l*ing who was clearl* in a highfever. She was onl* half conscious+ but as # entered she



raised a pair of frightened but beautiful e*es and glared atme in apprehension. Seeing a stranger+ she appeared to berelieved and san( bac( with a sigh upon the pillow. # steppedup to her with a few reassuring words+ and she la* still while

# too( her pulse and temperature. Both were high+ and *etm* impression was that the condition was rather that ofmental and nervous ecitement than of an* actual seizure.

6She lie li(e that one da*+ two da*. # &fraid she die+6 said thegirl.

The woman turned her flushed and handsome face towards

me.

6here is m* husband<6

6)e is below and would wish to see *ou.6

6# will not see him. # will not see him.6 Then she seemed towander off into delirium. 61 fiend8 1 fiend8 'h+ what shall # dowith this devil<6

6Can # help *ou in an* wa*<6

6:o. :o one can help. #t is finished. 1ll is destro*ed. -o what# will+ all is destro*ed.6

The woman must have some strange delusion. # could notsee honest Bob ,erguson in the character of fiend or devil.

6Madame+6 # said+ 6*our husband loves *ou dearl*. )e isdeepl* grieved at this happening.6

1gain she turned on me those glorious e*es.

6)e loves me. ;es. But do # not love him< -o # not love him



even to sacrifice m*self rather than brea( his dear heart<That is how # love him. 1nd *et he could thin( of mehecould spea( of me so.6

6)e is full of grief+ but he cannot understand.6

6:o+ he cannot understand. But he should trust.6

6ill *ou not see him<6 # suggested.

6:o+ no+ # cannot forget those terrible words nor the loo(upon his face. # will not see him. "o now. ;ou can donothing for me. Tell him onl* one thing. # want m* child. #have a right to m* child. That is the onl* message # can sendhim.6 She turned her face to the wall and would sa* no more.

# returned to the room downstairs+ where ,erguson and)olmes still sat b* the fire. ,erguson listened moodil* to m*account of the interview.

6)ow can # send her the child<6 he said. 6)ow do # (now

what strange impulse might come upon her< )ow can # everforget how she rose from beside it with its blood upon herlips<6 )e shuddered at the recollection. 6The child is safewith Mrs. Mason+ and there he must remain.6

1 smart maid+ the onl* modern thing which we had seen inthe house+ had brought in some tea. 1s she was serving itthe door opened and a *outh entered the room. )e was aremar(able lad+ palefaced and fairhaired+ with ecitablelight blue e*es which blazed into a sudden flame of emotionand =o* as the* rested upon his father. )e rushed forwardand threw his arms round his nec( with the abandon of aloving girl.

6'h+ dadd*+6 he cried+ 6# did not (now that *ou were due *et.



# should have been here to meet *ou. 'h+ # am so glad tosee *ou86

,erguson gentl* disengaged himself from the embrace with

some little show of embarrassment.

6-ear old chap+6 said he+ patting the flaen head with a ver*tender hand. 6# came earl* because m* friends+ Mr. )olmesand -r. atson+ have been persuaded to come down andspend an evening with us.6

6#s that Mr. )olmes+ the detective<6

6;es.6

The *outh loo(ed at us with a ver* penetrating and+ as itseemed to me+ unfriendl* gaze.

6hat about *our other child+ Mr. ,erguson<6 as(ed )olmes.6Might we ma(e the ac>uaintance of the bab*<6

61s( Mrs. Mason to bring bab* down+6 said ,erguson. Thebo* went off with a curious+ shambling gait which told m*surgical e*es that he was suffering from a wea( spine.Presentl* he returned+ and behind him came a tall+ gauntwoman bearing in her arms a ver* beautiful child+ dar(e*ed+goldenhaired+ a wonderful miture of the Saon and the%atin. ,erguson was evidentl* devoted to it+ for he too( it intohis arms and fondled it most tenderl*.

6,anc* an*one having the heart to hurt him+6 he muttered ashe glanced down at the small+ angr* red puc(er upon thecherub throat.

#t was at this moment that # chanced to glance at )olmesand saw a most singular intentness in his epression. )is



face was as set as if it had been carved out of old ivor*+ andhis e*es+ which had glanced for a moment at father andchild+ were now fied with eager curiosit* upon something atthe other side of the room. ,ollowing his gaze # could onl*

guess that he was loo(ing out through the window at themelanchol*+ dripping garden. #t is true that a shutter had halfclosed outside and obstructed the view+ but none the less itwas certainl* at the window that )olmes was fiing hisconcentrated attention. Then he smiled+ and his e*es camebac( to the bab*. 'n its chubb* nec( there was this smallpuc(ered mar(. ithout spea(ing+ )olmes eamined it withcare. ,inall* he shoo( one of the dimpled fists which waved

in front of him.

6"oodb*e+ little man. ;ou have made a strange start in life.:urse+ # should wish to have a word with *ou in private.6

)e too( her aside and spo(e earnestl* for a few minutes. #onl* heard the last words+ which were@ 6;our aniet* willsoon+ # hope+ be set at rest.6 The woman+ who seemed to bea sour+ silent (ind of creature+ withdrew with the child.

6hat is Mrs. Mason li(e<6 as(ed )olmes.

6:ot ver* prepossessing eternall*+ as *ou can see+ but aheart of gold+ and devoted to the child.6

6-o *ou li(e her+ ac(<6 )olmes turned suddenl* upon thebo*. )is epressive mobile face shadowed over+ and he

shoo( his head.

6ac(* has ver* strong li(es and disli(es+6 said ,erguson+putting his arm round the bo*. 6%uc(il* # am one of his li(es.6

The bo* cooed and nestled his head upon his father&sbreast. ,erguson gentl* disengaged him.



6$un awa*+ little ac(*+6 said he+ and he watched his sonwith loving e*es until he disappeared. 6:ow+ Mr. )olmes+6 hecontinued when the bo* was gone+ 6# reall* feel that # havebrought *ou on a fool&s errand+ for what can *ou possibl* do

save give me *our s*mpath*< #t must be an eceedingl*delicate and comple affair from *our point of view.6

6#t is certainl* delicate+6 said m* friend with an amused smile+6but # have not been struc( up to now with its compleit*. #thas been a case for intellectual deduction+ but when thisoriginal intellectual deduction is confirmed point b* point b*>uite a number of independent incidents+ then the sub=ective

becomes ob=ective and we can sa* confidentl* that we havereached our goal. # had+ in fact+ reached it before we leftBa(er Street+ and the rest has merel* been observation andconfirmation.6

,erguson put his big hand to his furrowed forehead.

6,or heaven&s sa(e+ )olmes+6 he said hoarsel*0 6if *ou cansee the truth in this matter+ do not (eep me in suspense.

)ow do # stand< hat shall # do< # care nothing as to how*ou have found *our facts so long as *ou have reall* gotthem.6

6Certainl* # owe *ou an eplanation+ and *ou shall have it.But *ou will permit me to handle the matter in m* own wa*<#s the lad* capable of seeing us+ atson<6

6She is ill+ but she is >uite rational.6

6!er* good. #t is onl* in her presence that we can clear thematter up. %et us go up to her.6

6She will not see me+6 cried ,erguson.



6'h+ *es+ she will+6 said )olmes. )e scribbled a few linesupon a sheet of paper. 6;ou at least have the entree+atson. ill *ou have the goodness to give the lad* thisnote<6

# ascended again and handed the note to -olores+ whocautiousl* opened the door. 1 minute later # heard a cr* fromwithin+ a cr* in which =o* and surprise seemed to be blended.-olores loo(ed out.

6She will see them. She will leesten+6 said she.

1t m* summons ,erguson and )olmes came up. 1s weentered the room ,erguson too( a step or two towards hiswife+ who had raised herself in the bed+ but she held out herhand to repulse him. )e san( into an armchair+ while )olmesseated himself beside him+ after bowing to the lad*+ wholoo(ed at him with widee*ed amazement.

6# thin( we can dispense with -olores+6 said )olmes. 6'h+ver* well+ madame+ if *ou would rather she sta*ed # can see

no ob=ection. :ow+ Mr. ,erguson+ # am a bus* man withman* calls+ and m* methods have to be short and direct.The swiftest surger* is the least painful. %et me first sa* whatwill ease *our mind. ;our wife is a ver* good+ a ver* loving+and a ver* illused woman.6

,erguson sat up with a cr* of =o*.

6Prove that+ Mr. )olmes+ and # am *our debtor forever.6

6# will do so+ but in doing so # must wound *ou deepl* inanother direction.6

6# care nothing so long as *ou clear m* wife. 7ver*thing onearth is insignificant compared to that.6



6%et me tell *ou+ then+ the train of reasoning which passedthrough m* mind in Ba(er Street. The idea of a vampire wasto me absurd. Such things do not happen in criminal practicein 7ngland. 1nd *et *our observation was precise. ;ou had

seen the lad* rise from beside the child&s cot with the bloodupon her lips.6

6# did.6

6-id it not occur to *ou that a bleeding wound ma* besuc(ed for some other purpose than to draw the blood fromit< as there not a >ueen in 7nglish histor* who suc(ed

such a wound to draw poison from it<6

6Poison86

61 South 1merican household. M* instinct felt the presenceof those weapons upon the wall before m* e*es ever sawthem. #t might have been other poison+ but that was whatoccurred to me. hen # saw that little empt* >uiver besidethe small birdbow+ it was =ust what # epected to see. #f the

child were pric(ed with one of those arrows dipped in curareor some other devilish drug+ it would mean death if thevenom were not suc(ed out.

61nd the dog8 #f one were to use such a poison+ would onenot tr* it first in order to see that it had not lost its power< #did not foresee the dog+ but at least # understand him and hefitted into m* reconstruction.

6:ow do *ou understand< ;our wife feared such an attac(.She saw it made and saved the child&s life+ and *et sheshran( from telling *ou all the truth+ for she (new how *ouloved the bo* and feared lest it brea( *our heart.6

6ac(*86



6# watched him as *ou fondled the child =ust now. )is facewas clearl* reflected in the glass of the window where theshutter formed a bac(ground. # saw such =ealous*+ suchcruel hatred+ as # have seldom seen in a human face.6

6M* ac(*86

6;ou have to face it+ Mr. ,erguson. #t is the more painfulbecause it is a distorted love+ a maniacal eaggerated lovefor *ou+ and possibl* for his dead mother+ which hasprompted his action. )is ver* soul is consumed with hatredfor this splendid child+ whose health and beaut* are a

contrast to his own wea(ness.6

6"ood "od8 #t is incredible86

6)ave # spo(en the truth+ madame<6

The lad* was sobbing+ with her face buried in the pillows.:ow she turned to her husband.

6)ow could # tell *ou+ Bob< # felt the blow it would be to *ou.#t was better that # should wait and that it should come fromsome other lips than mine. hen this gentleman+ whoseems to have powers of magic+ wrote that he (new all+ #was glad.6

6# thin( a *ear at sea would be m* prescription for Masterac(*+6 said )olmes+ rising from his chair. 6'nl* one thing isstill clouded+ madame. e can >uite understand *ourattac(s upon Master ac(*. There is a limit to a mother&spatience. But how did *ou dare to leave the child these lasttwo da*s<6

6# had told Mrs. Mason. She (new.6



67actl*. So # imagined.6

,erguson was standing b* the bed+ cho(ing+ his handsoutstretched and >uivering.

6This+ # fanc*+ is the time for our eit+ atson+6 said )olmesin a whisper. 6#f *ou will ta(e one elbow of the too faithful-olores+ # will ta(e the other. There+ now+6 he added as heclosed the door behind him+ 6# thin( we ma* leave them tosettle the rest among themselves.6

# have onl* one further note of this case. #t is the letter which)olmes wrote in final answer to that with which the narrativebegins. #t ran thus@

B17$ ST$77T+:ov. A2st.$e !ampires

S#$@

$eferring to *our letter of the 25th+ # beg to state that # haveloo(ed into the in>uir* of *our client+ Mr. $obert ,erguson+ of

,erguson and Muirhead+ tea bro(ers+ of Mincing %ane+ andthat the matter has been brought to a satisfactor*conclusion. ith than(s for *our recommendation+

# am+ sir+

,aithfull* *ours+

S)7$%'C )'%M7S.

AD$"!T%#" $' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"TH#"" GA##&D")S

#t ma* have been a comed*+ or it ma* have been a traged*.



#t cost one man his reason+ it cost me a bloodletting+ and itcost *et another man the penalties of the law. ;et there wascertainl* an element of comed*. ell+ *ou shall =udge for*ourselves.

# remember the date ver* well+ for it was in the same monththat )olmes refused a (nighthood for services which ma*perhaps some da* be described. # onl* refer to the matter inpassing+ for in m* position of partner and confidant # amobliged to be particularl* careful to avoid an* indiscretion. #repeat+ however+ that this enables me to fi the date+ whichwas the latter end of une+ 25DA+ shortl* after the conclusion

of the South 1frican ar. )olmes had spent several da*s inbed+ as was his habit from time to time+ but he emerged thatmorning with a long foolscap document in his hand and atwin(le of amusement in his austere gra* e*es.

6There is a chance for *ou to ma(e some mone*. friendatson+6 said he. 6)ave *ou ever heard the name of"arrideb<6

# admitted that # had not.

6ell+ if *ou can la* *our hand upon a "arrideb+ there&smone* in it.6

6h*<6

61h+ that&s a long stor*rather a whimsical one+ too. # don&tthin( in all our eplorations of human compleities we haveever come upon an*thing more singular. The fellow will behere presentl* for crosseamination+ so # won&t open thematter up till he comes. But+ meanwhile+ that&s the name wewant.6

The telephone director* la* on the table beside me+ and #



turned over the pages in a rather hopeless >uest. But to m*amazement there was this strange name in its due place. #gave a cr* of triumph.

6)ere *ou are+ )olmes8 )ere it is86

)olmes too( the boo( from m* hand.

6&"arrideb+ :.+&6 he read+ 6&23? %ittle $*der Street+ .& Sorr*to disappoint *ou+ m* dear atson+ but this is the manhimself. That is the address upon his letter. e want anotherto match him.6

Mrs. )udson had come in with a card upon a tra*. # too( it upand glanced at it.

6h*+ here it is86 # cried in amazement. 6This is a differentinitial. ohn "arrideb+ Counsellor at %aw+ Moorville+ ansas+9.S.1.6

)olmes smiled as he loo(ed at the card. 6# am afraid *ou

must ma(e *et another effort+ atson+6 said he. 6Thisgentleman is also in the plot alread*+ though # certainl* didnot epect to see him this morning. )owever+ he is in aposition to tell us a good deal which # want to (now.6

1 moment later he was in the room. Mr. ohn "arrideb+Counsellor at %aw+ was a short+ powerful man with theround+ fresh+ cleanshaven face characteristic of so man*

1merican men of affairs. The general effect was chubb* andrather childli(e+ so that one received the impression of >uitea *oung man with a broad set smile upon his face. )is e*es+however+ were arresting. Seldom in an* human head have #seen a pair which bespo(e a more intense inward life+ sobright were the*+ so alert+ so responsive to ever* change ofthought. )is accent was 1merican+ but was not



accompanied b* an* eccentricit* of speech.

6Mr. )olmes<6 he as(ed+ glancing from one to the other. 61h+*es8 ;our pictures are not unli(e *ou+ sir+ if # ma* sa* so. #

believe *ou have had a letter from m* namesa(e+ Mr.:athan "arrideb+ have *ou not<6

6Pra* sit down+6 said Sherloc( )olmes. 6e shall+ # fanc*+have a good deal to discuss.6 )e too( up his sheets offoolscap. 6;ou are+ of course+ the Mr. ohn "arridebmentioned in this document. But surel* *ou have been in7ngland some time<6

6h* do *ou sa* that+ Mr. )olmes<6 # seemed to readsudden suspicion in those epressive e*es.

6;our whole outfit is 7nglish.6

Mr. "arrideb forced a laugh. 6#&ve read of *our tric(s+ Mr.)olmes+ but # never thought # would be the sub=ect of them.here do *ou read that<6

6The shoulder cut of *our coat+ the toes of *our bootscouldan*one doubt it<6

6ell+ well+ # had no idea # was so obvious a Britisher. Butbusiness brought me over here some time ago+ and so+ as*ou sa*+ m* outfit is nearl* all %ondon. )owever+ # guess*our time is of value+ and we did not meet to tal( about thecut of m* soc(s. hat about getting down to that paper *ouhold in *our hand<6

)olmes had in some wa* ruffled our visitor+ whose chubb*face had assumed a far less amiable epression.

6Patience8 Patience+ Mr. "arrideb86 said m* friend in a



soothing voice. 6-r. atson would tell *ou that these littledigressions of mine sometimes prove in the end to havesome bearing on the matter. But wh* did Mr. :athan"arrideb not come with *ou<6

6h* did he ever drag *ou into it at all<6 as(ed our visitorwith a sudden outflame of anger. 6hat in thunder had *outo do with it< )ere was a bit of professional businessbetween two gentlemen+ and one of them must needs call ina detective8 # saw him this morning+ and he told me this fooltric( he had pla*ed me+ and that&s wh* # am here. But # feelbad about it+ all the same.6

6There was no reflection upon *ou+ Mr. "arrideb. #t wassimpl* zeal upon his part to gain *our endan end which is+ #understand+ e>uall* vital for both of *ou. )e (new that # hadmeans of getting information+ and+ therefore+ it was ver*natural that he should appl* to me.6

'ur visitor&s angr* face graduall* cleared.

6ell+ that puts it different+6 said he. 6hen # went to see himthis morning and he told me he had sent to a detective+ # =ustas(ed for *our address and came right awa*. # don&t wantpolice butting into a private matter. But if *ou are content =ustto help us find the man+ there can be no harm in that.6

6ell+ that is =ust how it stands+6 said )olmes. 61nd now+ sir+since *ou are here+ we had best have a clear account from

*our own lips. M* friend here (nows nothing of the details.6

Mr. "arrideb surve*ed me with not too friendl* a gaze.

6:eed he (now<6 he as(ed.

6e usuall* wor( together.6



6ell+ there&s no reason it should be (ept a secret. #&ll give*ou the facts as short as # can ma(e them. #f *ou came fromansas # would not need to eplain to *ou who 1leander)amilton "arrideb was. )e made his mone* in real estate+

and afterwards in the wheat pit at Chicago+ but he spent it inbu*ing up as much land as would ma(e one of *ourcounties+ l*ing along the 1r(ansas $iver+ west of ,ort-odge. #t&s grazingland and lumberland and arablelandand mineralizedland+ and =ust ever* sort of land that bringsdollars to the man that owns it.

6)e had no (ith nor (inor+ if he had+ # never heard of it. But

he too( a (ind of pride in the >ueerness of his name. Thatwas what brought us together. # was in the law at Tope(a+and one da* # had a visit from the old man+ and he wastic(led to death to meet another man with his own name. #twas his pet fad+ and he was dead set to find out if there werean* more "arridebs in the world. &,ind me another8& said he.# told him # was a bus* man and could not spend m* lifehi(ing round the world in search of "arridebs. &:one theless+& said he+ &that is =ust what *ou will do if things pan outas # planned them.& # thought he was =o(ing+ but there was apowerful lot of meaning in the words+ as # was soon todiscover.

6,or he died within a *ear of sa*ing them+ and he left a willbehind him. #t was the >ueerest will that has ever been filedin the State of ansas. )is propert* was divided into threeparts and # was to have one on condition that # found two

"arridebs who would share the remainder. #t&s five milliondollars for each if it is a cent+ but we can&t la* a finger on ituntil we all three stand in a row.

6#t was so big a chance that # =ust let m* legal practice slideand # set forth loo(ing for "arridebs. There is not one in the



9nited States. # went through it+ sir+ with a finetoothed comband never a "arrideb could # catch. Then # tried the oldcountr*. Sure enough there was the name in the %ondontelephone director*. # went after him two da*s ago and

eplained the whole matter to him. But he is a lone man+ li(em*self+ with some women relations+ but no men. #t sa*sthree adult men in the will. So *ou see we still have avacanc*+ and if *ou can help to fill it we will be ver* read* topa* *our charges.6

6ell+ atson+6 said )olmes with a smile+ 6l said it wasrather whimsical+ did # not< # should have thought+ sir+ that

*our obvious wa* was to advertise in the agon* columns ofthe papers.6

6# have done that+ Mr. )olmes. :o replies.6

6-ear me8 ell+ it is certainl* a most curious little problem. #ma* ta(e a glance at it in m* leisure. B* the wa*+ it is curiousthat *ou should have come from Tope(a. # used to have acorrespondenthe is dead nowold -r. %*sander Starr+ who

was ma*or in 25D.6

6"ood old -r. Starr86 said our visitor. 6)is name is stillhonoured. ell+ Mr. )olmes+ # suppose all we can do is toreport to *ou and let *ou (now how we progress. # rec(on*ou will hear within a da* or two.6 ith this assurance our

1merican bowed and departed.

)olmes had lit his pipe+ and he sat for some time with acurious smile upon his face.

6ell<6 # as(ed at last.

6# am wondering+ atson=ust wondering86



61t what<6

)olmes too( his pipe from his lips.

6# was wondering+ atson+ what on earth could be the ob=ectof this man in telling us such a rigmarole of lies. # nearl*as(ed him sofor there are times when a brutal frontal attac(is the best polic*but # =udged it better to let him thin( he hadfooled us. )ere is a man with an 7nglish coat fra*ed at theelbow and trousers bagged at the (nee with a *ear&s wear+and *et b* this document and b* his own account he is aprovincial 1merican latel* landed in %ondon. There have

been no advertisements in the agon* columns. ;ou (nowthat # miss nothing there. The* are m* favourite covert forputting up a bird+ and # would never have overloo(ed such acoc( pheasant as that. # never (new a -r. %*sander Starr+ ofTope(a. Touch him where *ou would he was false. # thin(the fellow is reall* an 1merican+ but he has worn his accentsmooth with *ears of %ondon. hat is his game+ then+ andwhat motive lies behind this preposterous search for"arridebs< #t&s worth our attention+ for+ granting that the man

is a rascal+ he is certainl* a comple and ingenious one. emust now find out if our other correspondent is a fraud also.ust ring him up+ atson.6

# did so+ and heard a thin+ >uavering voice at the other end ofthe line.

6;es+ *es+ # am Mr. :athan "arrideb. #s Mr. )olmes there< #

should ver* much li(e to have a word with Mr. )olmes.6

M* friend too( the instrument and # heard the usuals*ncopated dialogue.

6;es+ he has been here. # understand that *ou don&t (now



him.... )ow long< ... 'nl* two da*s8 ... ;es+ *es+ of course+ itis a most captivating prospect. ill *ou be at home thisevening< # suppose *our namesa(e will not be there< . . .!er* good+ we will come then+ for # would rather have a chat

without him.... -r. atson will come with me.... # understandfrom *our note that *ou did not go out often.... ell+ we shallbe round about si. ;ou need not mention it to the 1mericanlaw*er.... !er* good. "oodb*e86

#t was twilight of a lovel* spring evening+ and even %ittle$*der Street+ one of the smaller offshoots from the 7dgware$oad+ within a stonecast of old T*burn Tree of evil memor*+

loo(ed golden and wonderful in the slanting ra*s of thesetting sun. The particular house to which we were directedwas a large+ oldfashioned+ 7arl* "eorgian edifice+ with a flatbric( face bro(en onl* b* two deep ba* windows on theground floor. #t was on this ground floor that our client lived+and+ indeed+ the low windows proved to be the front of thehuge room in which he spent his wa(ing hours. )olmespointed as we passed to the small brass plate which borethe curious name.

69p some *ears+ atson+6 he remar(ed+ indicating itsdiscoloured surface. 6#t&s his real name+ an*how+ and that issomething to note.6

The house had a common stair+ and there were a number ofnames painted in the hall+ some indicating offices and someprivate chambers. #t was not a collection of residential flats+

but rather the abode of Bohemian bachelors. 'ur clientopened the door for us himself and apologized b* sa*ingthat the woman in charge left at four o&cloc(. Mr. :athan"arrideb proved to be a ver* tall+ loose=ointed+ roundbac(edperson+ gaunt and bald+ some sit*odd *ears of age. )ehad a cadaverous face+ with the dull dead s(in of a man to



whom eercise was un(nown. %arge round spectacles and asmall pro=ecting goat&s beard combined with his stoopingattitude to give him an epression of peering curiosit*. Thegeneral effect+ however+ was amiable+ though eccentric.

The room was as curious as its occupant. #t loo(ed li(e asmall museum. #t was both broad and deep+ with cupboardsand cabinets all round+ crowded with specimens+ geologicaland anatomical. Cases of butterflies and moths flan(ed eachside of the entrance. 1 large table in the centre was litteredwith all sorts of debris+ while the tall brass tube of a powerfulmicroscope bristled up among them. 1s # glanced round #

was surprised at the universalit* of the man&s interests. )erewas a case of ancient coins. There was a cabinet of flintinstruments. Behind his central table was a large cupboardof fossil bones. 1bove was a line of plaster s(ulls with suchnames as 6:eanderthal+6 6)eidelberg+6 6CroMagnon6printed beneath them. #t was clear that he was a student ofman* sub=ects. 1s he stood in front of us now+ he held apiece of chamois leather in his right hand with which he waspolishing a coin.

6S*racusanof the best period+6 he eplained+ holding it up.6The* degenerated greatl* towards the end. 1t their best #hold them supreme+ though some prefer the 1leandrianschool. ;ou will find a chair here+ Mr. )olmes. Pra* allow meto clear these bones. 1nd *ou+ sirah+ *es+ -r. atsonif*ou would have the goodness to put the apanese vase toone side. ;ou see round me m* little interests in life. M*

doctor lectures me about never going out+ but wh* should #go out when # have so much to hold me here< # can assure*ou that the ade>uate cataloguing of one of those cabinetswould ta(e me three good months.6

)olmes loo(ed round him with curiosit*.



6But do *ou tell me that *ou never go out<6 he said.

6:ow and again # drive down to Sotheb*&s or Christie&s.'therwise # ver* seldom leave m* room. # am not too strong+

and m* researches are ver* absorbing. But *ou can imagine+Mr. )olmes+ what a terrific shoc( pleasant but terrificitwas for me when # heard of this unparalleled good fortune. #tonl* needs one more "arrideb to complete the matter+ andsurel* we can find one. # had a brother+ but he is dead+ andfemale relatives are dis>ualified. But there must surel* beothers in the world. # had heard that *ou handled strangecases+ and that was wh* # sent to *ou. 'f course+ this

1merican gentleman is >uite right+ and # should have ta(enhis advice first+ but # acted for the best.6

6# thin( *ou acted ver* wisel* indeed+6 said )olmes. 6But are*ou reall* anious to ac>uire an estate in 1merica<6

6Certainl* not+ sir. :othing would induce me to leave m*collection. But this gentleman has assured me that he willbu* me out as soon as we have established our claim. ,ive

million dollars was the sum named. There are a dozenspecimens in the mar(et at the present moment which fillgaps in m* collection+ and which # am unable to purchase forwant of a few hundred pounds. ust thin( what # could dowith five million dollars. h*+ # have the nucleus of a nationalcollection. # shall be the )ans Sloane of m* age.6

)is e*es gleamed behind his great spectacles. #t was ver*

clear that no pains would be spared b* Mr. :athan "arridebin finding a namesa(e.

6# merel* called to ma(e *our ac>uaintance+ and there is noreason wh* # should interrupt *our studies+6 said )olmes. 6#prefer to establish personal touch with those with whom # do



business. There are few >uestions # need as(+ for # have*our ver* clear narrative in m* poc(et+ and # filled up theblan(s when this 1merican gentleman called. # understandthat up to this wee( *ou were unaware of his eistence.6

6That is so. )e called last Tuesda*.6

6-id he tell *ou of our interview toda*<6

6;es+ he came straight bac( to me. )e had been ver*angr*.6

6h* should he be angr*<6

6)e seemed to thin( it was some reflection on his honour.But he was >uite cheerful again when he returned.6

6-id he suggest an* course of action<6

6:o+ sir+ he did not.6

6)as he had+ or as(ed for+ an* mone* from *ou<6

6:o+ sir+ never86

6;ou see no possible ob=ect he has in view<6

6:one+ ecept what he states.6

6-id *ou tell him of our telephone appointment<6

6;es+ sir+ # did.6

)olmes was lost in thought. # could see that he was puzzled.

6)ave *ou an* articles of great value in *our collection<6



6:o+ sir. # am not a rich man. #t is a good collection+ but not aver* valuable one.6

6;ou have no fear of burglars<6

6:ot the least.6

6)ow long have *ou been in these rooms<6

6:earl* five *ears.6

)olmes&s crosseamination was interrupted b* animperative (noc(ing at the door. :o sooner had our client

unlatched it than the 1merican law*er burst ecitedl* into theroom.

6)ere *ou are86 he cried+ waving a paper over his head. 6#thought # should be in time to get *ou. Mr. :athan "arrideb+m* congratulations8 ;ou are a rich man+ sir. 'ur business ishappil* finished and all is well. 1s to *ou+ Mr. )olmes+ wecan onl* sa* we are sorr* if we have given *ou an* useless

trouble.6

)e handed over the paper to our client+ who stood staring ata mar(ed advertisement. )olmes and # leaned forward andread it over his shoulder. This is how it ran@

)'1$- "1$$#-7BC':ST$9CT'$ ', 1"$#C9%T9$1% M1C)#:7$;

Binders+ reapers+ steam and hand plows+ drills+ harrows+farmer&s carts+ buc(boards+ and all other appliances.7stimates for 1rtesian ells.

1ppl* "rosvenor Buildings+ 1ston



6"lorious86 gasped our host. 6That ma(es our third man.6

6# had opened up in>uiries in Birmingham+6 said the 1merican+ 6and m* agent there has sent me this

advertisement from a local paper. e must hustle and putthe thing through. # have written to this man and told him that*ou will see him in his office tomorrow afternoon at fouro&cloc(.6

6;ou want me to see him<6

6hat do *ou sa*+ Mr. )olmes< -on&t *ou thin( it would bewiser< )ere am #+ a wandering 1merican with a wonderfultale. h* should he believe what # tell him< But *ou are aBritisher with solid references+ and he is bound to ta(e noticeof what *ou sa*. # would go with *ou if *ou wished+ but #have a ver* bus* da* tomorrow+ and # could alwa*s follow*ou if *ou are in an* trouble.6

6ell+ # have not made such a =ourne* for *ears.6

6#t is nothing+ Mr. "arrideb. # have figured out ourconnections. ;ou leave at twelve and should be there soonafter two. Then *ou can be bac( the same night. 1ll *ouhave to do is to see this man+ eplain the matter+ and get anaffidavit of his eistence. B* the %ord86 he added hotl*+6considering #&ve come all the wa* from the centre of

1merica+ it is surel* little enough if *ou go a hundred miles inorder to put this matter through.6

6Guite so+6 said )olmes. 6# thin( what this gentleman sa*s isver* true.6

Mr. :athan "arrideb shrugged his shoulders with adisconsolate air. 6ell+ if *ou insist # shall go+6 said he. 6#t iscertainl* hard for me to refuse *ou an*thing+ considering the



glor* of hope that *ou have brought into m* life.6

6Then that is agreed+6 said )olmes+ 6and no doubt *ou willlet me have a report as soon as *ou can.6

6#&ll see to that+6 said the 1merican. 6ell+6 he added loo(ingat his watch+ 6#&ll have to get on. #&ll call tomorrow+ Mr.:athan+ and see *ou off to Birmingham. Coming m* wa*+Mr. )olmes< ell+ then+ goodb*e+ and we ma* have goodnews for *ou tomorrow night.6

# noticed that m* friend&s face cleared when the 1merican leftthe room+ and the loo( of thoughtful perpleit* had vanished.

6# wish # could loo( over *our collection+ Mr. "arrideb+6 saidhe. 6#n m* profession all sorts of odd (nowledge comesuseful+ and this room of *ours is a storehouse of it.6

'ur client shone with pleasure and his e*es gleamed frombehind his big glasses.

6# had alwa*s heard+ sir+ that *ou were a ver* intelligentman+6 said he. 6# could ta(e *ou round now if *ou have thetime.6

69nfortunatel*+ # have not. But these specimens are so welllabelled and classified that the* hardl* need *our personaleplanation. #f # should be able to loo( in tomorrow+ #presume that there would be no ob=ection to m* glancingover them<6

6:one at all. ;ou are most welcome. The place will+ ofcourse+ be shut up+ but Mrs. Saunders is in the basement upto four o&cloc( and would let *ou in with her (e*.6

6ell+ # happen to be clear tomorrow afternoon. #f *ou would



sa* a word to Mrs. Saunders it would be >uite in order. B*the wa*+ who is *our houseagent<6

'ur client was amazed at the sudden >uestion.

6)ollowa* and Steele+ in the 7dgware $oad. But wh*<6

6# am a bit of an archaeologist m*self when it comes tohouses+6 said )olmes+ laughing. 6# was wondering if this wasGueen 1nne or "eorgian.6

6"eorgian+ be*ond doubt.6

6$eall*. # should have thought a little earlier. )owever+ it iseasil* ascertained. ell+ goodb*e+ Mr. "arrideb+ and ma**ou have ever* success in *our Birmingham =ourne*.6

The houseagent&s was close b*+ but we found that it wasclosed for the da*+ so we made our wa* bac( to Ba(erStreet. #t was not till after dinner that )olmes reverted to thesub=ect.

6'ur little problem draws to a close+6 said he. 6:o doubt *ouhave outlined the solution in *our own mind.6

6# can ma(e neither head nor tail of it.6

6The head is surel* clear enough and the tail we should seetomorrow. -id *ou notice nothing curious about thatadvertisement<6

6# saw that the word &plough& was misspelt.6

6'h+ *ou did notice that+ did *ou< Come+ atson+ *ouimprove all the time. ;es+ it was bad 7nglish but good

1merican. The printer had set it up as received. Then the



buc(boards. That is 1merican also. 1nd artesian wells arecommoner with them than with us. #t was a t*pical 1mericanadvertisement+ but purporting to be from an 7nglish firm.hat do *ou ma(e of that<6

6# can onl* suppose that this 1merican law*er put it inhimself. hat his ob=ect was # fail to understand.6

6ell+ there are alternative eplanations. 1n*how+ he wantedto get this good old fossil up to Birmingham. That is ver*clear. # might have told him that he was clearl* going on awildgoose chase+ but+ on second thoughts+ it seemed better

to clear the stage b* letting him go. Tomorrow+ atsonwell+ tomorrow will spea( for itself.6

)olmes was up and out earl*. hen he returned atlunchtime # noticed that his face was ver* grave.

6This is a more serious matter than # had epected+ atson+6said he. 6#t is fair to tell *ou so+ though # (now it will onl* bean additional reason to *ou for running *our head into

danger. # should (now m* atson b* now. But there isdanger+ and *ou should (now it.6

6ell+ it is not the first we have shared+ )olmes. # hope itma* not be the last. hat is the particular danger this time<6

6e are up against a ver* hard case. # have identified Mr.ohn "arrideb+ Counsellor at %aw. )e is none other than&iller& 7vans+ of sinister and murderous reputation.6

6# fear # am none the wiser.6

61h+ it is not part of *our profession to carr* about a portable:ewgate Calendar in *our memor*. # have been down to seefriend %estrade at the ;ard. There ma* be an occasional



want of imaginative intuition down there+ but the* lead theworld for thoroughness and method. # had an idea that wemight get on the trac( of our 1merican friend in their records.Sure enough+ # found his chubb* face smiling up at me from

the rogues& portrait galler*. &ames inter+ alias Morecroft+alias iller 7vans+& was the inscription below.6 )olmes drewan envelope from his poc(et. 6# scribbled down a few pointsfrom his dossier@ 1ged fort*four. :ative of Chicago. nownto have shot three men in the States. 7scaped frompenitentiar* through political influence. Came to %ondon in253. Shot a man over cards in a nightclub in the aterloo$oad in anuar*+ 25F. Man died+ but he was shown to have

been the aggressor in the row. -ead man was identified as$odger Prescott+ famous as forger and coiner in Chicago.iller 7vans released in 25D2. )as been under policesupervision since+ but so far as (nown has led an honest life.!er* dangerous man+ usuall* carries arms and is preparedto use them. That is our bird+ atsona sporting bird+ as *oumust admit.6

6But what is his game<6

6ell+ it begins to define itself. # have been to thehouseagent&s. 'ur client+ as he told us+ has been there five*ears. #t was unlet for a *ear before then. The previoustenant was a gentleman at large named aldron. aldron&sappearance was well remembered at the office. )e hadsuddenl* vanished and nothing more been heard of him. )ewas a tall+ bearded man with ver* dar( features. :ow+

Prescott+ the man whom iller 7vans had shot+ was+according to Scotland ;ard+ a tall+ dar( man with a beard. 1sa wor(ing h*pothesis+ # thin( we ma* ta(e it that Prescott+the 1merican criminal+ used to live in the ver* room whichour innocent friend now devotes to his museum. So at lastwe get a lin(+ *ou see.6



61nd the net lin(<6

6ell+ we must go now and loo( for that.6

)e too( a revolver from the drawer and handed it to me.

6# have m* old favourite with me. #f our ild est friend triesto live up to his nic(name+ we must be read* for him. #&ll give*ou an hour for a siesta+ atson+ and then # thin( it will betime for our $*der Street adventure.6

#t was =ust four o&cloc( when we reached the curiousapartment of :athan "arrideb. Mrs. Saunders+ thecareta(er+ was about to leave+ but she had no hesitation inadmitting us+ for the door shut with a spring loc(+ and)olmes promised to see that all was safe before we left.Shortl* afterwards the outer door closed+ her bonnet passedthe bow window+ and we (new that we were alone in thelower floor of the house. )olmes made a rapid eaminationof the premises. There was one cupboard in a dar( cornerwhich stood out a little from the wall. #t was behind this that

we eventuall* crouched while )olmes in a whisper outlinedhis intentions.

6)e wanted to get our amiable friend out of his roomthat isver* clear+ and+ as the collector never went out+ it too( someplanning to do it. The whole of this "arrideb invention wasapparentl* for no other end. # must sa*+ atson+ that there isa certain devilish ingenuit* about it+ even if the >ueer name

of the tenant did give him an opening which he could hardl*have epected. )e wove his plot with remar(able cunning.&&

6But what did he want<6

6ell+ that is what we are here to find out. #t has nothingwhatever to do with our client+ so far as # can read the



situation. #t is something connected with the man hemurderedthe man who ma* have been his confederate incrime. There is some guilt* secret in the room. That is how #read it. 1t first # thought our friend might have something in

his collection more valuable than he (newsomething worththe attention of a big criminal. But the fact that $odgerPrescott of evil memor* inhabited these rooms points tosome deeper reason. ell+ atson+ we can but possess oursouls in patience and see what the hour ma* bring.6

That hour was not long in stri(ing. e crouched closer in theshadow as we heard the outer door open and shut. Then

came the sharp+ metallic snap of a (e*+ and the 1mericanwas in the room. )e closed the door softl* behind him+ too(a sharp glance around him to see that all was safe+ threw offhis overcoat+ and wal(ed up to the central table with thebris( manner of one who (nows eactl* what he has to doand how to do it. )e pushed the table to one side+ tore upthe s>uare of carpet on which it rested+ rolled it completel*bac(+ and then+ drawing a =emm* from his inside poc(et+ he(nelt down and wor(ed vigorousl* upon the floor. Presentl*we heard the sound of sliding boards+ and an instant later as>uare had opened in the plan(s. iller 7vans struc( amatch+ lit a stump of candle+ and vanished from our view.

Clearl* our moment had come. )olmes touched m* wrist asa signal+ and together we stole across to the open trapdoor."entl* as we moved+ however+ the old floor must havecrea(ed under our feet+ for the head of our 1merican+

peering aniousl* round+ emerged suddenl* from the openspace. )is face turned upon us with a glare of baffled rage+which graduall* softened into a rather shamefaced grin ashe realized that two pistols were pointed at his head.

6ell+ well86 said he cooll* as he scrambled to the surface. 6#



guess *ou have been one too man* for me+ Mr. )olmes.Saw through m* game+ # suppose+ and pla*ed me for asuc(er from the first. ell+ sir+ # hand it to *ou0 *ou have mebeat and6

#n an instant he had whis(ed out a revolver from his breastand had fired two shots. # felt a sudden hot sear as if a redhot iron had been pressed to m* thigh. There was a crash as)olmes&s pistol came down on the man&s head. # had avision of him sprawling upon the floor with blood runningdown his face while )olmes rummaged him for weapons.Then m* friend&s wir* arms were round me+ and he was

leading me to a chair.

6;ou&re not hurt+ atson< ,or "od&s sa(e+ sa* that *ou arenot hurt86

#t was worth a woundit was worth man* woundsto (nowthe depth of lo*alt* and love which la* behind that coldmas(. The clear+ hard e*es were dimmed for a moment+ andthe firm lips were sha(ing. ,or the one and onl* time #

caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. 1ll m* *ears of humble but singleminded service culminatedin that moment of revelation.

6#t&s nothing+ )olmes. #t&s a mere scratch.6

)e had ripped up m* trousers with his poc(et(nife.

6;ou are right+6 he cried with an immense sigh of relief. 6#t is>uite superficial.6 )is face set li(e flint as he glared at ourprisoner+ who was sitting up with a dazed face. 6B* the %ord+it is as well for *ou. #f *ou had (illed atson+ *ou would nothave got out of this room alive. :ow+ sir+ what have *ou tosa* for *ourself<6



)e had nothing to sa* for himself. )e onl* sat and scowled. #leaned on )olmes&s arm+ and together we loo(ed down intothe small cellar which had been disclosed b* the secret flap.#t was still illuminated b* the candle which 7vans had ta(en

down with him. 'ur e*es fell upon a mass of rustedmachiner*+ great rolls of paper+ a litter of bottles+ and+ neatl*arranged upon a small table+ a number of neat little bundles.

61 printing pressa counterfeiter&s outfit+6 said )olmes.

6;es+ sir+6 said our prisoner+ staggering slowl* to his feet andthen sin(ing into the chair. 6The greatest counterfeiter

%ondon ever saw. That&s Prescott&s machine+ and thosebundles on the table are two thousand of Prescott&s notesworth a hundred each and fit to pass an*where. )elp*ourselves+ gentlemen. Call it a deal and let me beat it.6

)olmes laughed.

6e don&t do things li(e that+ Mr. 7vans. There is no boltholefor *ou in this countr*. ;ou shot this man Prescott+ did *ou

not<6

6;es+ sir+ and got five *ears for it+ though it was he whopulled on me. ,ive *earswhen # should have had a medalthe size of a soup plate. :o living man could tell a Prescottfrom a Ban( of 7ngland+ and if # hadn&t put him out he wouldhave flooded %ondon with them. # was the onl* one in theworld who (new where he made them. Can *ou wonder that

# wanted to get to the place< 1nd can *ou wonder that when# found this craz* boob of a bughunter with the >ueer names>uatting right on the top of it+ and never >uitting his room+ #had to do the best # could to shift him< Ma*be # would havebeen wiser if # had put him awa*. #t would have been eas*enough+ but #&m a softhearted gu* that can&t begin shooting



unless the other man has a gun also. But sa*+ Mr. )olmes+what have # done wrong+ an*how< #&ve not used this plant.#&ve not hurt this old stiff. here do *ou get me<6

6'nl* attempted murder+ so far as # can see+6 said )olmes.6But that&s not our =ob. The* ta(e that at the net stage. hatwe wanted at present was =ust *our sweet self. Please givethe ;ard a call+ atson. #t won&t be entirel* unepected.6

So those were the facts about iller 7vans and hisremar(able invention of the three "arridebs. e heard laterthat our poor old friend never got over the shoc( of his

dissipated dreams. hen his castle in the air fell down+ itburied him beneath the ruins. )e was last heard of at anursinghome in Briton. #t was a glad da* at the ;ard whenthe Prescott outfit was discovered+ for+ though the* (newthat it eisted+ the* had never been able+ after the death ofthe man+ to find out where it was. 7vans had indeed donegreat service and caused several worth* C. #. -. men tosleep the sounder+ for the counterfeiter stands in a class b*himself as a public danger. The* would willingl* have

subscribed to that soupplate medal of which the criminalhad spo(en+ but an unappreciative bench too( a lessfavourable view+ and the iller returned to those shades fromwhich he had =ust emerged.

AD$"!T%#" $&' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"&**%ST#&%S C*&"!T

6#t can&t hurt now+6 was Mr. Sherloc( )olmes&s commentwhen+ for the tenth time in as man* *ears+ # as(ed his leaveto reveal the following narrative. So it was that at last #obtained permission to put on record what was+ in somewa*s+ the supreme moment of m* friend&s career.



Both )olmes and # had a wea(ness for the Tur(ish bath. #twas over a smo(e in the pleasant lassitude of the dr*ingroom that # have found him less reticent and more humanthan an*where else. 'n the upper floor of the

:orthumberland 1venue establishment there is an isolatedcorner where two couches lie side b* side+ and it was onthese that we la* upon September 3+ 25DA+ the da* when m*narrative begins. # had as(ed him whether an*thing wasstirring+ and for answer he had shot his long+ thin+ nervousarm out of the sheets which enveloped him and had drawnan envelope from the inside poc(et of the coat which hungbeside him.

6#t ma* be some fuss*+ selfimportant fool0 it ma* be a matterof life or death+6 said he as he handed me the note. 6# (nowno more than this message tells me.6

#t was from the Carlton Club and dated the evening before.This is what # read@

Sir ames -amer* presents his compliments to Mr. Sherloc( )olmes

and will call upon him at E@3D tomorrow. Sir ames begs to sa* thatthe matter upon which he desires to consult Mr. )olmes is ver*delicate and also ver* important. )e trusts+ therefore+ that Mr. )olmeswill ma(e ever* effort to grant this interview+ and that he will confirm itover the telephone to the Carlton Club.

6# need not sa* that # have confirmed it+ atson+6 said)olmes as # returned the paper. 6-o *ou (now an*thing ofthis man -amer*<6

6'nl* that this name is a household word in societ*.6

6ell+ # can tell *ou a little more than that. )e has rather areputation for arranging delicate matters which are to be (eptout of the papers. ;ou ma* remember his negotiations withSir "eorge %ewis over the )ammerford ill case. )e is a



man of the world with a natural turn for diplomac*. # ambound+ therefore+ to hope that it is not a false scent and thathe has some real need for our assistance.6

6'ur<6

6ell+ if *ou will be so good+ atson.6

6# shall be honoured.6

6Then *ou have the hourE@3D. 9ntil then we can put thematter out of our heads.6

# was living in m* own rooms in Gueen 1nne Street at thetime+ but # was round at Ba(er Street before the time named.Sharp to the halfhour+ Colonel Sir ames -amer* wasannounced. #t is hardl* necessar* to describe him+ for man*will remember that large+ bluff+ honest personalit*+ thatbroad+ cleanshaven face+ and+ above all+ that pleasant+mellow voice. ,ran(ness shone from his gra* #rish e*es+ andgood humour pla*ed round his mobile+ smiling lips. )is

lucent tophat+ his dar( froc(coat+ indeed+ ever* detail+ fromthe pearl pin in the blac( satin cravat to the lavender spatsover the varnished shoes+ spo(e of the meticulous care indress for which he was famous. The big+ masterful aristocratdominated the little room.

6'f course+ # was prepared to find -r. atson+6 he remar(edwith a courteous bow. 6)is collaboration ma* be ver*necessar*+ for we are dealing on this occasion+ Mr. )olmes+with a man to whom violence is familiar and who will+literall*+ stic( at nothing. # should sa* that there is no moredangerous man in 7urope.6

6# have had several opponents to whom that flattering termhas been applied+6 said )olmes with a smile. 6-on&t *ou



smo(e< Then *ou will ecuse me if # light m* pipe. #f *ourman is more dangerous than the late Professor Moriart*+ orthan the living Colonel Sebastian Moran+ then he is indeedworth meeting. Ma* # as( his name<6

6)ave *ou ever heard of Baron "runer<6

6;ou mean the 1ustrian murderer<6

Colonel -amer* threw up his (idgloved hands with a laugh.6There is no getting past *ou+ Mr. )olmes8 onderful8 So*ou have alread* sized him up as a murderer<6

6#t is m* business to follow the details of Continental crime.ho could possibl* have read what happened at Pragueand have an* doubts as to the man&s guilt8 #t was a purel*technical legal point and the suspicious death of a witnessthat saved him8 # am as sure that he (illed his wife when thesocalled &accident& happened in the Splugen Pass as if # hadseen him do it. # (new+ also+ that he had come to 7nglandand had a presentiment that sooner or later he would find

me some wor( to do. ell+ what has Baron "runer been upto< # presume it is not this old traged* which has come upagain<6

6:o+ it is more serious than that. To revenge crime isimportant+ but to prevent it is more so. #t is a terrible thing+Mr. )olmes+ to see a dreadful event+ an atrocious situation+preparing itself before *our e*es+ to clearl* understand

whither it will lead and *et to be utterl* unable to avert it. Cana human being be placed in a more tr*ing position<6

6Perhaps not.6

6Then *ou will s*mpathize with the client in whose interests #am acting.6



6# did not understand that *ou were merel* an intermediar*.ho is the principal<6

6Mr. )olmes+ # must beg *ou not to press that >uestion. #t is

important that # should be able to assure him that hishonoured name has been in no wa* dragged into the matter.)is motives are+ to the last degree+ honourable andchivalrous+ but he prefers to remain un(nown. # need not sa*that *our fees will be assured and that *ou will be given aperfectl* free hand. Surel* the actual name of *our client isimmaterial<6

6# am sorr*+6 said )olmes. 6# am accustomed to havem*ster* at one end of m* cases+ but to have it at both endsis too confusing. # fear+ Sir ames+ that # must decline to act.6

'ur visitor was greatl* disturbed. )is large+ sensitive facewas dar(ened with emotion and disappointment.

6;ou hardl* realize the effect of *our own action+ Mr.)olmes+6 said he. 6;ou place me in a most serious dilemma

for # am perfectl* certain that *ou would be proud to ta(eover the case if # could give *ou the facts+ and *et a promiseforbids me from revealing them all. Ma* #+ at least+ la* all that# can before *ou<6

6B* all means+ so long as it is understood that # commitm*self to nothing.6

6That is understood. #n the first place+ *ou have no doubtheard of "eneral de Merville<6

6-e Merville of h*ber fame< ;es+ # have heard of him.6

6)e has a daughter+ !iolet de Merville+ *oung+ rich+ beautiful+accomplished+ a wonderwoman in ever* wa*. #t is this



daughter+ this lovel*+ innocent girl+ whom we areendeavouring to save from the clutches of a fiend.6

6Baron "runer has some hold over her+ then<6

6The strongest of all holds where a woman is concernedthehold of love. The fellow is+ as *ou ma* have heard+etraordinaril* handsome+ with a most fascinating manner. agentle voice and that air of romance and m*ster* whichmeans so much to a woman. )e is said to have the wholese at his merc* and to have made ample use of the fact.6

6But how came such a man to meet a lad* of the standing ofMiss !iolet de Merville<6

6#t was on a Mediterranean *achting vo*age. The compan*+though select+ paid their own passages. :o doubt thepromoters hardl* realized the Baron&s true character until itwas too late. The villain attached himself to the lad*+ andwith such effect that he has completel* and absolutel* wonher heart. To sa* that she loves him hardl* epresses it. She

dotes upon him+ she is obsessed b* him. 'utside of himthere is nothing on earth. She will not hear one word againsthim. 7ver*thing has been done to cure her of her madness+but in vain. To sum up+ she proposes to marr* him netmonth. 1s she is of age and has a will of iron+ it is hard to(now how to prevent her.6

6-oes she (now about the 1ustrian episode<6

6The cunning devil has told her ever* unsavour* publicscandal of his past life+ but alwa*s in such a wa* as to ma(ehimself out to be an innocent mart*r. She absolutel* acceptshis version and will listen to no other.6

6-ear me8 But surel* *ou have inadvertentl* let out the name



of *our client< #t is no doubt "eneral de Merville.6

'ur visitor fidgeted in his chair.

6# could deceive *ou b* sa*ing so+ Mr. )olmes+ but it wouldnot be true. -e Merville is a bro(en man. The strong soldierhas been utterl* demoralized b* this incident. )e has lost thenerve which never failed him on the battlefield and hasbecome a wea(+ doddering old man+ utterl* incapable ofcontending with a brilliant+ forceful rascal li(e this 1ustrian.M* client however is an old friend+ one who has (nown the"eneral intimatel* for man* *ears and ta(en a paternal

interest in this *oung girl since she wore short froc(s. )ecannot see this traged* consummated without some attemptto stop it. There is nothing in which Scotland ;ard can act. #twas his own suggestion that *ou should be called in+ but itwas+ as # have said+ on the epress stipulation that he shouldnot be personall* involved in the matter. # have no doubt+ Mr.)olmes+ with *our great powers *ou could easil* trace m*client bac( through me+ but # must as( *ou+ as a point ofhonour+ to refrain from doing so+ and not to brea( in upon his

incognito.6

)olmes gave a whimsical smile.

6# thin( # ma* safel* promise that+6 said he. 6# ma* add that*our problem interests me+ and that # shall be prepared toloo( into it. )ow shall # (eep in touch with *ou<6

6The Carlton Club will find me. But in case of emergenc*+there is a private telephone call+ &JJ.32.&6

)olmes noted it down and sat+ still smiling+ with the openmemorandumboo( upon his (nee.

6The Baron&s present address+ please<6



6!ernon %odge+ near ingston. #t is a large house. )e hasbeen fortunate in some rather shad* speculations and is arich man+ which naturall* ma(es him a more dangerousantagonist.6

6#s he at home at present<6

6;es.6

61part from what *ou have told me+ can *ou give me an*further information about the man<6

6)e has epensive tastes. )e is a horse fancier. ,or a shorttime he pla*ed polo at )urlingham+ but then this Pragueaffair got noised about and he had to leave. )e collectsboo(s and pictures. )e is a man with a considerable artisticside to his nature. )e is+ # believe+ a recognized authorit*upon Chinese potter* and has written a boo( upon thesub=ect.6

61 comple mind+6 said )olmes. 61ll great criminals have

that. M* old friend Charlie Peace was a violin virtuoso.ainwright was no mean artist. # could >uote man* more.ell+ Sir ames+ *ou will inform *our client that # am turningm* mind upon Baron "runer. # can sa* no more. # havesome sources of information of m* own+ and # dare sa* wema* find some means of opening the matter up.6

hen our visitor had left us )olmes sat so long in deepthought that it seemed to me that he had forgotten m*presence. 1t last+ however+ he came bris(l* bac( to earth.

6ell+ atson+ an* views<6 he as(ed.

6# should thin( *ou had better see the *oung lad* herself.6



6M* dear atson+ if her poor old bro(en father cannot moveher+ how shall #+ a stranger+ prevail< 1nd *et there issomething in the suggestion if all else fails. But # thin( wemust begin from a different angle. # rather fanc* that Shinwell

ohnson might be a help.6

# have not had occasion to mention Shinwell ohnson inthese memoirs because # have seldom drawn m* cases fromthe latter phases of m* friend&s career. -uring the first *earsof the centur* he became a valuable assistant. ohnson+ #grieve to sa*+ made his name first as a ver* dangerousvillain and served two terms at Par(hurst. ,inall* he

repented and allied himself to )olmes+ acting as his agent inthe huge criminal underworld of %ondon and obtaininginformation which often proved to be of vital importance. )adohnson been a 6nar(6 of the police he would soon havebeen eposed+ but as he dealt with cases which never camedirectl* into the courts+ his activities were never realized b*his companions. ith the glamour of his two convictionsupon him+ he had the entree of ever* nightclub+ doss house+and gamblingden in the town+ and his >uic( observation andactive brain made him an ideal agent for gaining information.#t was to him that Sherloc( )olmes now proposed to turn.

#t was not possible for me to follow the immediate stepsta(en b* m* friend+ for # had some pressing professionalbusiness of m* own+ but # met him b* appointment thatevening at Simpson&s+ where+ sitting at a small table in thefront window and loo(ing down at the rushing stream of life

in the Strand+ he told me something of what had passed.

6ohnson is on the prowl+6 said he. 6)e ma* pic( up somegarbage in the dar(er recesses of the underworld+ for it isdown there+ amid the blac( roots of crime+ that we must huntfor this man&s secrets.6



6But if the lad* will not accept what is alread* (nown+ wh*should an* fresh discover* of *ours turn her from herpurpose<6

6ho (nows+ atson< oman&s heart and mind areinsoluble puzzles to the male. Murder might be condoned oreplained+ and *et some smaller offence might ran(le. Baron"runer remar(ed to me6

6)e remar(ed to *ou86

6'h+ to be sure+ # had not told *ou of m* plans. ell+atson+ # love to come to close grips with m* man. # li(e tomeet him e*e to e*e and read for m*self the stuff that he ismade of. hen # had given ohnson his instructions # too( acab out to ingston and found the Baron in a most affablemood.6

6-id he recognize *ou<6

6There was no difficult* about that+ for # simpl* sent in m*

card. )e is an ecellent antagonist+ cool as ice+ sil(* voicedand soothing as one of *our fashionable consultants+ andpoisonous as a cobra. )e has breeding in hima realaristocrat of crime with a superficial suggestion of afternoontea and all the cruelt* of the grave behind it. ;es+ # am gladto have had m* attention called to Baron 1delbert "runer.6

6;ou sa* he was affable<6

61 purring cat who thin(s he sees prospective mice. Somepeople&s affabilit* is more deadl* than the violence of coarsersouls. )is greeting was characteristic. &# rather thought #should see *ou sooner or later+ Mr. )olmes+& said he. &;ouhave been engaged+ no doubt b* "eneral de Merville+ toendeavour to stop m* marriage with his daughter+ !iolet.



That is so+ is it not<&

6# ac>uiesced.

6&M* dear man+& said he. &*ou will onl* ruin *our own welldeserved reputation. #t is not a case in which *ou canpossibl* succeed. ;ou will have barren wor(+ to sa* nothingof incurring some danger. %et me ver* strongl* advise *ou todraw off at once.&

6&#t is curious+& # answered+ &but that was the ver* advicewhich # had intended to give *ou. # have a respect for *ourbrains+ Baron+ and the little which # have seen of *ourpersonalit* has not lessened it. %et me put it to *ou as manto man. :o one wants to ra(e up *our past and ma(e *ouundul* uncomfortable. #t is over+ and *ou are now in smoothwaters+ but if *ou persist in this marriage *ou will raise up aswarm of powerful enemies who will never leave *ou aloneuntil the* have made 7ngland too hot to hold *ou. #s thegame worth it< Surel* *ou would be wiser if *ou left the lad*alone. #t would not be pleasant for *ou if these facts of *our

past were brought to her notice.&

6The Baron has little waed tips of hair under his nose+ li(ethe short antennae of an insect. These >uivered withamusement as he listened+ and he finall* bro(e into a gentlechuc(le.

6&7cuse m* amusement+ Mr. )olmes+& said he+ &but it is

reall* funn* to see *ou tr*ing to pla* a hand with no cards init. # don&t thin( an*one could do it better+ but it is ratherpathetic all the same. :ot a colour card there+ Mr. )olmes+nothing but the smallest of the small.&

6&So *ou thin(.&



6&So # (now. %et me ma(e the thing clear to *ou+ for m* ownhand is so strong that # can afford to show it. # have beenfortunate enough to win the entire affection of this lad*. Thiswas given to me in spite of the fact that # told her ver* clearl*

of all the unhapp* incidents in m* past life. # also told herthat certain wic(ed and designing persons # hope *ourecognize *ourselfwould come to her and tell her thesethings. and # warned her how to treat them. ;ou have heardof posth*pnotic suggestion. Mr. )olmes. ell *ou will seehow it wor(s for a man of personalit* can use h*pnotismwithout an* vulgar passes or tomfooler*. So she is read* for*ou and+ # have no doubt+ would give *ou an appointment+

for she is >uite amenable to her father&s willsave onl* in theone little matter.&

6ell+ atson+ there seemed to be no more to sa*+ so # too(m* leave with as much cold dignit* as # could summon+ but+as # had m* hand on the doorhandle+ he stopped me.

6&B* the wa*+ Mr. )olmes+& said he+ &did *ou (now %e Brun+the ,rench agent<&

6&;es+& said #.

6&-o *ou (now what befell him<&

6&# heard that he was beaten b* some 1paches in theMontmartre district and crippled for life.&

6&Guite true+ Mr. )olmes. B* a curious coincidence he hadbeen in>uiring into m* affairs onl* a wee( before. -on&t do it+Mr. )olmes0 it&s not a luc(* thing to do. Several have foundthat out. M* last word to *ou is+ go *our own wa* and let mego mine. "oodb*e8&

6So there *ou are+ atson. ;ou are up to date now.6



6The fellow seems dangerous.6

6Might* dangerous. # disregard the blusterer+ but this is thesort of man who sa*s rather less than he means.6

6Must *ou interfere< -oes it reall* matter if he marries thegirl<6

6Considering that he undoubtedl* murdered his last wife+ #should sa* it mattered ver* much. Besides+ the client8 ell+well+ we need not discuss that. hen *ou have finished *ourcoffee *ou had best come home with me+ for the blitheShinwell will be there with his report.6

e found him sure enough+ a huge+ coarse+ redfaced+scorbutic man+ with a pair of vivid blac( e*es which were theonl* eternal sign of the ver* cunning mind within. #t seemsthat he had dived down into what was peculiarl* his(ingdom+ and beside him on the settee was a brand whichhe had brought up in the shape of a slim+ flameli(e *oungwoman with a pale+ intense face+ *outhful+ and *et so worn

with sin and sorrow that one read the terrible *ears whichhad left their leprous mar( upon her.

6This is Miss itt* inter+6 said Shinwell ohnson+ waving hisfat hand as an introduction. 6hat she don&t (nowwell+there+ she&ll spea( for herself. Put m* hand right on her+ Mr.)olmes+ within an hour of *our message.6

6#&m eas* to find+6 said the *oung woman. 6)ell+ %ondon+ getsme ever* time. Same address for Por(* Shinwell. e&re oldmates+ Por(*+ *ou and #. But+ b* cripes8 there is another whoought to be down in a lower hell than we if there was an*

=ustice in the world8 That is the man *ou are after+ Mr.)olmes.6



)olmes smiled. 6# gather we have *our good wishes+ Missinter.6

6#f # can help to put him where he belongs+ #&m *ours to the

rattle+6 said our visitor with fierce energ*. There was anintensit* of hatred in her white+ set face and her blazing e*essuch as woman seldom and man never can attain.

6;ou needn&t go into m* past+ Mr. )olmes. That&s neitherhere nor there. But what # am 1delbert "runer made me. #f #could pull him down86 She clutched franticall* with her handsinto the air. 6'h+ if # could onl* pull him into the pit where he

has pushed so man*86

6;ou (now how the matter stands<6

6Por(* Shinwell has been telling me. )e&s after some otherpoor fool and wants to marr* her this time. ;ou want to stopit. ell+ *ou surel* (now enough about this devil to preventan* decent girl in her senses wanting to be in the sameparish with him.6

6She is not in her senses. She is madl* in love. She hasbeen told all about him. She cares nothing.6

6Told about the murder<6

6;es.6

6M* %ord+ she must have a nerve86

6She puts them all down as slanders.6

6Couldn&t *ou la* proofs before her sill* e*es<6

6ell+ can *ou help us do so<6



61in&t # a proof m*self< #f # stood before her and told her howhe used me6

6ould *ou do this<6

6ould #< ould # not86

6ell+ it might be worth tr*ing. But he has told her most of hissins and had pardon from her+ and # understand she will notreopen the >uestion.6

6#&ll la* he didn&t tell her all+6 said Miss inter. 6# caught aglimpse of one or two murders besides the one that madesuch a fuss. )e would spea( of someone in his velvet wa*and then loo( at me with a stead* e*e and sa*@ &)e diedwithin a month.& #t wasn&t hot air+ either. But # too( littlenotice*ou see+ # loved him m*self at that time. hatever hedid went with me+ same as with this poor fool8 There was =ustone thing that shoo( me. ;es+ b* cripes8 if it had not been forhis poisonous+ l*ing tongue that eplains and soothes. #&dhave left him that ver* night. #t&s a boo( he hasa brown

leather boo( with a loc(+ and his arms in gold on the outside.# thin( he was a bit drun( that night+ or he would not haveshown it to me.6

6hat was it+ then<6

6# tell *ou. Mr. )olmes. this man collects women+ and ta(es apride in his collection. as some men collect moths orbutterflies. )e had it all in that boo(. Snapshot photographs.names+ details+ ever*thing about them. #t was a beastl*boo(a boo( no man+ even if he had come from the gutter+could have put together. But it was 1delbert "runer&s boo(all the same. &Souls # have ruined.& )e could have put that onthe outside if he had been so minded. )owever+ that&s



neither here nor there+ for the boo( would not serve *ou+and+ if it would+ *ou can&t get it.6

6here is it<6

6)ow can # tell *ou where it is now< #t&s more than a *earsince # left him. # (now where he (ept it then. )e&s a precise+tid* cat of a man in man* of his wa*s+ so ma*be it is still inthe pigeonhole of the old bureau in the inner stud*. -o *ou(now his house<6

6#&ve been in the stud*+6 said )olmes.

6)ave *ou. though< ;ou haven&t been slow on the =ob if *ouonl* started this morning. Ma*be dear 1delbert has met hismatch this time. The outer stud* is the one with the Chinesecroc(er* in itbig glass cupboard between the windows.Then behind his des( is the door that leads to the innerstud*a small room where he (eeps papers and things.6

6#s he not afraid of burglars<6

61delbert is no coward. )is worst enem* couldn&t sa* that ofhim. )e can loo( after himself. There&s a burglar alarm atnight. Besides+ what is there for a burglarunless the* gotawa* with all this fanc* croc(er*<6

6:o good+6 said Shinwell ohnson with the decided voice ofthe epert. 6:o fence wants stuff of that sort that *ou canneither melt nor sell.6

6Guite so+6 said )olmes. 6ell+ now+ Miss inter. if *ouwould call here tomorrow evening at five. # would consider inthe meanwhile whether *our suggestion of seeing this lad*personall* ma* not be arranged. # am eceedingl* obliged to*ou for *our cooperation. # need not sa* that m* clients will



consider liberall*6

6:one of that+ Mr. )olmes+6 cried the *oung woman. 6# amnot out for mone*. %et me see this man in the mud+ and #&ve

got all #&ve wor(ed for in the mud with m* foot on his cursedface. That&s m* price. #&m with *ou tomorrow or an* other da*so long as *ou are on his trac(. Por(* here can tell *oualwa*s where to find me.6

# did not see )olmes again until the following evening whenwe dined once more at our Strand restaurant. )e shruggedhis shoulders when # as(ed him what luc( he had had in his

interview. Then he told the stor*+ which # would repeat in thiswa*. )is hard+ dr* statement needs some little editing tosoften it into the terms of real life.

6There was no difficult* at all about the appointment+6 said)olmes+ 6for the girl glories in showing ab=ect filial obediencein all secondar* things in an attempt to atone for her flagrantbreach of it in her engagement. The "eneral phoned that allwas read*+ and the fier* Miss . turned up according to

schedule+ so that at halfpast five a cab deposited us outside2DE Ber(ele* S>uare+ where the old soldier residesone ofthose awful gra* %ondon castles which would ma(e a churchseem frivolous. 1 footman showed us into a great *ellowcurtained drawingroom+ and there was the lad* awaiting us+demure+ pale+ selfcontained+ as infleible and remote as asnow image on a mountain.

6# don&t >uite (now how to ma(e her clear to *ou+ atson.Perhaps *ou ma* meet her before we are through+ and *oucan use *our own gift of words. She is beautiful+ but with theethereal otherworld beaut* of some fanatic whose thoughtsare set on high. # have seen such faces in the pictures of theold masters of the Middle 1ges. )ow a beastman could have



laid his vile paws upon such a being of the be*ond # cannotimagine. ;ou ma* have noticed how etremes call to eachother+ the spiritual to the animal+ the caveman to the angel.;ou never saw a worse case than this.

6She (new what we had come for+ of coursethat villain hadlost no time in poisoning her mind against us. Miss inter&sadvent rather amazed her+ # thin(+ but she waved us into ourrespective chairs li(e a reverend abbess receiving two ratherleprous mendicants. #f *our head is inclined to swell. m* dearatson+ ta(e a course of Miss !iolet de Merville.

6&ell+ sir+& said she in a voice li(e the wind from an iceberg+&*our name is familiar to me. ;ou have called. as #understand+ to malign m* fiance+ Baron "runer. #t is onl* b*m* father&s re>uest that # see *ou at all+ and # warn *ou inadvance that an*thing *ou can sa* could not possibl* havethe slightest effect upon m* mind.&

6# was sorr* for her+ atson. # thought of her for the momentas # would have thought of a daughter of m* own. # am not

often elo>uent. # use m* head+ not m* heart. But # reall* didplead with her with all the warmth of words that # could find inm* nature. # pictured to her the awful position of the womanwho onl* wa(es to a man&s character after she is his wifeawoman who has to submit to be caressed b* blood* handsand lecherous lips. # spared her nothingthe shame+ thefear+ the agon*+ the hopelessness of it all. 1ll m* hot wordscould not bring one tinge of colour to those ivor* chee(s or

one gleam of emotion to those abstracted e*es. # thought ofwhat the rascal had said about a posth*pnotic influence.'ne could reall* believe that she was living above the earthin some ecstatic dream. ;et there was nothing indefinite inher replies.



6&# have listened to *ou with patience+ Mr. )olmes+& said she.&The effect upon m* mind is eactl* as predicted. # am awarethat 1delbert+ that m* fiance+ has had a storm* life in whichhe has incurred bitter hatreds and most un=ust aspersions.

;ou are onl* the last of a series who have brought theirslanders before me. Possibl* *ou mean well+ though # learnthat *ou are a paid agent who would have been e>uall*willing to act for the Baron as against him. But in an* case #wish *ou to understand once for all that # love him and thathe loves me+ and that the opinion of all the world is no moreto me than the twitter of those birds outside the window. #fhis noble nature has ever for an instant fallen+ it ma* be that

# have been speciall* sent to raise it to its true and loft* level.# am not clear&here she turned e*es upon m*companion&who this *oung lad* ma* be.&

6# was about to answer when the girl bro(e in li(e awhirlwind. #f ever *ou saw flame and ice face to face+ it wasthose two women.

6&#&ll tell *ou who # am+& she cried+ springing out of her chair+

her mouth all twisted with passion&# am his last mistress. #am one of a hundred that he has tempted and used andruined and thrown into the refuse heap+ as he will *ou also.;our refuse heap is more li(el* to be a grave+ and ma*bethat&s the best. # tell *ou+ *ou foolish woman+ if *ou marr* thisman he&ll be the death of *ou. #t ma* be a bro(en heart or itma* be a bro(en nec(+ but he&ll have *ou one wa* or theother. #t&s not out of love for *ou #&m spea(ing. # don&t care a

tin(er&s curse whether *ou live or die. #t&s out of hate for himand to spite him and to get bac( on him for what he did tome. But it&s all the same+ and *ou needn&t loo( at me li(ethat+ m* fine lad*+ for *ou ma* be lower than # am before *ouare through with it.&



6&# should prefer not to discuss such matters+& said Miss deMerville coldl*. &%et me sa* once for all that # am aware ofthree passages in m* fiance&s life in which he becameentangled with designing women+ and that # am assured of

his heart* repentance for an* evil that he ma* have done.&

6&Three passages8& screamed m* companion. &;ou fool8 ;ouunutterable fool8&

6&Mr. )olmes+ # beg that *ou will bring this interview to anend+& said the ic* voice. &# have obe*ed m* father&s wish inseeing *ou+ but # am not compelled to listen to the ravings of

this person.&

6ith an oath Miss inter darted forward+ and if # had notcaught her wrist she would have clutched this maddeningwoman b* the hair. # dragged her towards the door and wasluc(* to get her bac( into the cab without a public scene+ forshe was beside herself with rage. #n a cold wa* # felt prett*furious m*self+ atson+ for there was somethingindescribabl* anno*ing in the calm aloofness and supreme

selfcomplaisance of the woman whom we were tr*ing tosave. So now once again *ou (now eactl* how we stand+and it is clear that # must plan some fresh opening move+ forthis gambit won&t wor(. #&ll (eep in touch with *ou+ atson+for it is more than li(el* that *ou will have *our part to pla*+though it is =ust possible that the net move ma* lie withthem rather than with us.6

1nd it did. Their blow fellor his blow rather+ for never could #believe that the lad* was priv* to it. # thin( # could show *outhe ver* pavingstone upon which # stood when m* e*es fellupon the placard+ and a pang of horror passed through m*ver* soul. #t was between the "rand )otel and CharingCross Station+ where a onelegged newsvender displa*ed



his evening papers. The date was =ust two da*s after the lastconversation. There+ blac( upon *ellow+ was the terriblenewssheet@

M9$-7$'9S 1TT1C 9P': S)7$%'C )'%M7S

# thin( # stood stunned for some moments. Then # have aconfused recollection of snatching at a paper+ of theremonstrance of the man+ whom # had not paid+ and+ finall*+of standing in the doorwa* of a chemist&s shop while # turnedup the fateful paragraph. This was how it ran@

e learn with regret that Mr. Sherloc( )olmes+ the well(nown

private detective+ was the victim this morning of a murderous assaultwhich has left him in a precarious position. There are no eact detailsto hand+ but the event seems to have occurred about twelve o&cloc(in $egent Street+ outside the Cafe $o*al. The attac( was made b*two men armed with stic(s+ and Mr. )olmes was beaten about thehead and bod*+ receiving in=uries which the doctors describe as mostserious. )e was carried to Charing Cross )ospital and afterwardsinsisted upon being ta(en to his rooms in Ba(er Street. Themiscreants who attac(ed him appear to have been respectabl*

dressed men+ who escaped from the b*standers b* passing throughthe Cafe $o*al and out into "lasshouse Street behind it.

:o doubt the* belonged to that criminal fraternit* which has so oftenhad occasion to bewail the activit* and ingenuit* of the in=ured man.

# need not sa* that m* e*es had hardl* glanced over theparagraph before # had sprung into a hansom and was onm* wa* to Ba(er Street. # found Sir %eslie 'a(shott+ thefamous surgeon+ in the hall and his brougham waiting at thecurb.

6:o immediate danger+6 was his report. 6Two lacerated scalpwounds and some considerable bruises. Several stitcheshave been necessar*. Morphine has been in=ected and >uietis essential+ but an interview of a few minutes would not be



absolutel* forbidden.6

ith this permission # stole into the dar(ened room. Thesufferer was wide awa(e+ and # heard m* name in a hoarse

whisper. The blind was three>uarters down+ but one ra* ofsunlight slanted through and struc( the bandaged head ofthe in=ured man. 1 crimson patch had soa(ed through thewhite linen compress. # sat beside him and bent m* head.

61ll right+ atson. -on&t loo( so scared+6 he muttered in aver* wea( voice. 6#t&s not as bad as it seems.6

6Than( "od for that86

6#&m a bit of a singlestic( epert. as *ou (now. # too( most ofthem on m* guard. #t was the second man that was toomuch for me.6

6hat can # do+ )olmes< 'f course+ it was that damnedfellow who set them on. #&ll go and thrash the hide off him if*ou give the word.6

6"ood old atson8 :o+ we can do nothing there unless thepolice la* their hands on the men. But their getawa* hadbeen well prepared. e ma* be sure of that. ait a little. #have m* plans. The first thing is to eaggerate m* in=uries.The*&ll come to *ou for news. Put it on thic(+ atson. %uc(*if # live the wee( out concussion deliriumwhat *ou li(e8 ;oucan&t overdo it.6

6But Sir %eslie 'a(shott<6

6'h+ he&s all right. )e shall see the worst side of me. #&ll loo(after that.6

61n*thing else<6



6;es. Tell Shinwell ohnson to get that girl out of the wa*.Those beauties will be after her now. The* (now+ of course+that she was with me in the case. #f the* dared to do me in itis not li(el* the* will neglect her. That is urgent. -o it to

night.6

6#&ll go now. 1n*thing more<6

6Put m* pipe on the tableand the tobaccoslipper. $ight8Come in each morning and we will plan our campaign.6

# arranged with ohnson that evening to ta(e Miss inter toa >uiet suburb and see that she la* low until the danger waspast.

,or si da*s the public were under the impression that)olmes was at the door of death. The bulletins were ver*grave and there were sinister paragraphs in the papers. M*continual visits assured me that it was not so bad as that.)is wir* constitution and his determined will were wor(ingwonders. )e was recovering fast+ and # had suspicions at

times that he was reall* finding himself faster than hepretended even to me. There was a curious secretive strea(in the man which led to man* dramatic effects+ but left evenhis closest friend guessing as to what his eact plans mightbe. )e pushed to an etreme the aiom that the onl* safeplotter was he who plotted alone. # was nearer him thanan*one else+ and *et # was alwa*s conscious of the gapbetween.

'n the seventh da* the stitches were ta(en out+ in spite ofwhich there was a report of er*sipelas in the evening papers.The same evening papers had an announcement which #was bound+ sic( or well+ to carr* to m* friend. #t was simpl*that among the passengers on the Cunard boat $uritania+



starting from %iverpool on ,rida*+ was the Baron 1delbert"runer+ who had some important financial business to settlein the States before his impending wedding to Miss !iolet deMerville+ onl* daughter of+ etc.+ etc. )olmes listened to the

news with a cold+ concentrated loo( upon his pale face+which told me that it hit him hard.

6,rida*86 he cried. 6'nl* three clear da*s. # believe the rascalwants to put himself out of danger&s wa*. But he won&t+atson8 B* the %ord )arr*+ he won&t8 :ow+ atson+ # want*ou to do something for me.6

6# am here to be used+ )olmes.6

6ell+ then+ spend the net twent*four hours in an intensivestud* of Chinese potter*.6

)e gave no eplanations and # as(ed for none. B* longeperience # had learned the wisdom of obedience. Butwhen # had left his room # wal(ed down Ba(er Street+revolving in m* head how on earth # was to carr* out so

strange an order. ,inall* # drove to the %ondon %ibrar* in St.ames&s S>uare+ put the matter to m* friend %oma+ thesublibrarian+ and departed to m* rooms with a goodl*volume under m* arm.

#t is said that the barrister who crams up a case with suchcare that he can eamine an epert witness upon theMonda* has forgotten all his forced (nowledge before the

Saturda*. Certainl* # should not li(e now to pose as anauthorit* upon ceramics. 1nd *et all that evening+ and allthat night with a short interval for rest+ and all net morning+ #was suc(ing in (nowledge and committing names tomemor*. There # learned of the hallmar(s of the great artistdecorators+ of the m*ster* of c*clical dates+ the mar(s of the



)ungwu and the beauties of the ;unglo+ the writings ofTang*ing+ and the glories of the primitive period of the Sungand the ;uan. # was charged with all this information when #called upon )olmes net evening. )e was out of bed now+

though *ou would not have guessed it from the publishedreports+ and he sat with his muchbandaged head restingupon his hand in the depth of his favourite armchair.

6h*+ )olmes+6 # said+ 6if one believed the papers+ *ou ared*ing.6

6That+6 said he+ 6is the ver* impression which # intended to

conve*. 1nd now+ atson+ have *ou learned *our lessons<6

61t least # have tried to.6

6"ood. ;ou could (eep up an intelligent conversation on thesub=ect<6

6# believe # could.6

6Then hand me that little bo from the mantelpiece.6

)e opened the lid and too( out a small ob=ect most carefull*wrapped in some fine 7astern sil(. This he unfolded+ anddisclosed a delicate little saucer of the most beautiful deepblue colour.

6#t needs careful handling+ atson. This is the real eggshellpotter* of the Ming d*nast*. :o finer piece ever passed

through Christie&s. 1 complete set of this would be worth a(ing&s ransomin fact+ it is doubtful if there is a complete setoutside the imperial palace of Pe(ing. The sight of this woulddrive a real connoisseur wild.6

6hat am # to do with it<6



)olmes handed me a card upon which was printed@ 6-r. )illBarton+ 3?5 )alf Moon Street.6

6That is *our name for the evening+ atson. ;ou will call

upon Baron "runer. # (now something of his habits+ and athalfpast eight he would probabl* be disengaged. 1 note willtell him in advance that *ou are about to call+ and *ou willsa* that *ou are bringing him a specimen of an absolutel*uni>ue set of Ming china. ;ou ma* as well be a medicalman+ since that is a part which *ou can pla* without duplicit*.;ou are a collector this set has come *our wa*+ *ou haveheard of the Baron&s interest in the sub=ect+ and *ou are not

averse to selling at a price.6

6hat price<6

6ell as(ed+ atson. ;ou would certainl* fall down badl* if*ou did not (now the value of *our own wares. This saucerwas got for me b* Sir ames+ and comes+ # understand+ fromthe collection of his client. ;ou will not eaggerate if *ou sa*that it could hardl* be matched in the world.6

6# could perhaps suggest that the set should be valued b* anepert.6

67cellent+ atson8 ;ou scintillate toda*. Suggest Christieor Sotheb*. ;our delicac* prevents *our putting a price for*ourself.6

6But if he won&t see me<6

6'h+ *es+ he will see *ou. )e has the collection mania in itsmost acute formand especiall* on this sub=ect+ on which heis an ac(nowledged authorit*. Sit down+ atson+ and # willdictate the letter. :o answer needed. ;ou will merel* sa*that *ou are coming+ and wh*.6



#t was an admirable document+ short+ courteous+ andstimulating to the curiosit* of the connoisseur. 1 districtmessenger was dul* dispatched with it. 'n the sameevening+ with the precious saucer in m* hand and the card of

-r. )ill Barton in m* poc(et+ # set off on m* own adventure.

The beautiful house and grounds indicated that Baron"runer was+ as Sir ames had said+ a man of considerablewealth. 1 long winding drive+ with ban(s of rare shrubs oneither side+ opened out into a great gravelled s>uareadorned with statues. The place had been built b* a South

1frican gold (ing in the da*s of the great boom+ and the long+

low house with the turrets at the corners+ though anarchitectural nightmare+ was imposing in its size and solidit*. 1 butler+ who would have adorned a bench of bishops+showed me in and handed me over to a plushclad footman+who ushered me into the Baron&s presence.

)e was standing at the open front of a great case whichstood between the windows and which contained part of hisChinese collection. )e turned as # entered with a small

brown vase in his hand.

6Pra* sit down+ -octor+6 said he. 6# was loo(ing over m* owntreasures and wondering whether # could reall* afford to addto them. This little Tang specimen+ which dates from theseventh centur*+ would probabl* interest *ou. # am sure *ounever saw finer wor(manship or a richer glaze. )ave *ou theMing saucer with *ou of which *ou spo(e<6

# carefull* unpac(ed it and handed it to him. )e seatedhimself at his des(+ pulled over the lamp+ for it was growingdar(+ and set himself to eamine it. 1s he did so the *ellowlight beat upon his own features+ and # was able to stud*them at m* ease.



)e was certainl* a remar(abl* handsome man. )is7uropean reputation for beaut* was full* deserved. #n figurehe was not more than of middle size+ but was built upongraceful and active lines. )is face was swarth*+ almost

'riental+ with large+ dar(+ languorous e*es which mighteasil* hold an irresistible fascination for women. )is hair andmoustache were raven blac(+ the latter short+ pointed+ andcarefull* waed. )is features were regular and pleasing+save onl* his straight+ thinlipped mouth. #f ever # saw amurderer&s mouth it was therea cruel+ hard gash in theface+ compressed+ ineorable+ and terrible. )e was illadvised to train his moustache awa* from it+ for it was

:ature&s dangersignal+ set as a warning to his victims. )isvoice was engaging and his manners perfect. #n age # shouldhave put him at little over thirt*+ though his record afterwardsshowed that he was fort*two.

6!er* finever* fine indeed86 he said at last. 61nd *ou sa**ou have a set of si to correspond. hat puzzles me is that# should not have heard of such magnificent specimens. #onl* (now of one in 7ngland to match this+ and it is certainl*not li(el* to be in the mar(et. ould it be indiscreet if # wereto as( *ou+ -r. )ill Barton+ how *ou obtained this<6

6-oes it reall* matter<6 # as(ed with as careless an air as #could muster.

6;ou can see that the piece is genuine+ and+ as to the value+# am content to ta(e an epert&s valuation.6

6!er* m*sterious+6 said he with a >uic(+ suspicious flash ofhis dar( e*es. 6#n dealing with ob=ects of such value+ onenaturall* wishes to (now all about the transaction. That thepiece is genuine is certain. # have no doubts at all about that.But suppose# am bound to ta(e ever* possibilit* into



accountthat it should prove afterwards that *ou had no rightto sell<6

6# would guarantee *ou against an* claim of the son.6

6That+ of course+ would open up the >uestion as to what *ourguarantee was worth.6

6M* ban(ers would answer that.6

6Guite so. 1nd *et the whole transaction stri(es me as ratherunusual.6

6;ou can do business or not+6 said # with indifference. 6# havegiven *ou the first offer as # understood that *ou were aconnoisseur+ but # shall have no difficult* in other >uaerers.6

6ho told *ou # was a connoisseur<6

6# was aware that *ou had written a boo( upon the sub=ect.6

6)ave *ou read the boo(<6

6:o.6

6-ear me+ this becomes more and more difficult for me tounderstand8 ;ou are a connoisseur and collector with a ver*valuable piece in *our collection+ and *et *ou have nevertroubled to consult the one boo( which would have told *ouof the real meaning and value of what *ou held. )ow do *ou

eplain that<6

6# am a ver* bus* man. # am a doctor in practice.6

6That is no answer. #f a man has a hobb* he follows it up+whatever his other pursuits ma* be. ;ou said in *our note



that *ou were a connoisseur.6

6So # am.6

6Might # as( *ou a few >uestions to test *ou< # am obliged totell *ou+ -octorif *ou are indeed a doctorthat the incidentbecomes more and more suspicious. # would as( *ou whatdo *ou (now of the 7mperor Shomu and how do *ouassociate him with the Shosoin near :ara< -ear me+ doesthat puzzle *ou< Tell me a little about the :onhern eid*nast* and its place in the histor* of ceramics.6

# sprang from m* chair in simulated anger.

6This is intolerable+ sir+6 said #. 6# came here to do *ou afavour+ and not to be eamined as if # were a schoolbo*. M*(nowledge on these sub=ects ma* be second onl* to *ourown+ but # certainl* shall not answer >uestions which havebeen put in so offensive a wa*.6

)e loo(ed at me steadil*. The languor had gone from his

e*es. The* suddenl* glared. There was a gleam of teethfrom between those cruel lips.

6hat is the game< ;ou are here as a sp*. ;ou are anemissar* of )olmes. This is a tric( that *ou are pla*ing uponme. The fellow is d*ing # hear+ so he sends his tools to (eepwatch upon me. ;ou&ve made *our wa* in here withoutleave+ and+ b* "od8 *ou ma* find it harder to get out than toget in.6

)e had sprung to his feet+ and # stepped bac(+ bracingm*self for an attac(+ for the man was beside himself withrage. )e ma* have suspected me from the first0 certainl* thiscrosseamination had shown him the truth0 but it was clearthat # could not hope to deceive him. )e dived his hand into



a sidedrawer and rummaged furiousl*. Then somethingstruc( upon his ear+ for he stood listening intentl*.

61h86 he cried. 61h86 and dashed into the room behind him.

Two steps too( me to the open door+ and m* mind will evercarr* a clear picture of the scene within. The window leadingout to the garden was wide open. Beside it+ loo(ing li(esome terrible ghost+ his head gin with blood* bandages+ hisface drawn and white+ stood Sherloc( )olmes. The netinstant he was through the gap+ and # heard the crash of hisbod* among the laurel bushes outside. ith a howl of rage

the master of the house rushed after him to the openwindow.

1nd then8 #t was done in an instant+ and *et # clearl* saw it. 1n arm a woman&s armshot out from among the leaves. 1t the same instant the Baron uttered a horrible cr*a *ellwhich will alwa*s ring in m* memor*. )e clapped his twohands to his face and rushed round the room+ beating hishead horribl* against the walls. Then he fell upon the carpet+

rolling and writhing+ while scream after scream resoundedthrough the house.

6ater8 ,or "od&s sa(e+ water86 was his cr*.

# seized a carafe from a sidetable and rushed to his aid. 1tthe same moment the butler and several footmen ran in fromthe hall. # remember that one of them fainted as # (nelt b* the

in=ured man and turned that awful face to the light of thelamp. The vitriol was eating into it ever*where and drippingfrom the ears and the chin. 'ne e*e was alread* white andglazed. The other was red and inflamed. The features which# had admired a few minutes before were now li(e somebeautiful painting over which the artist has passed a wet and



foul sponge. The* were blurred+ discoloured+ inhuman+terrible.

#n a few words # eplained eactl* what had occurred+ so far

as the vitriol attac( was concerned. Some had climbedthrough the window and others had rushed out on to thelawn+ but it was dar( and it had begun to rain. Between hisscreams the victim raged and raved against the avenger. 6#twas that hellcat+ itt* inter86 he cried. 6'h+ the shedevil8She shall pa* for it8 She shall pa*8 'h+ "od in heaven+ thispain is more than # can bear86

# bathed his face in oil+ put cotton wadding on the rawsurfaces+ and administered a h*podermic of morphia. 1llsuspicion of me had passed from his mind in the presence ofthis shoc(+ and he clung to m* hands as if # might have thepower even *et to clear those deadfish e*es which glazedup at me. # could have wept over the ruin had l notremembered ver* clearl* the vile life which had led up to sohideous a change. #t was loathsome to feel the pawing of hisburning hands+ and # was relieved when his famil* surgeon+

closel* followed b* a specialist+ came to relieve me of m*charge. 1n inspector of police had also arrived+ and to him #handed m* real card. #t would have been useless as well asfoolish to do otherwise+ for # was nearl* as well (nown b*sight at the ;ard as )olmes himself. Then # left that house ofgloom and terror. ithin an hour # was at Ba(er Street.

)olmes was seated in his familiar chair+ loo(ing ver* pale

and ehausted. 1part from his in=uries+ even his iron nerveshad been shoc(ed b* the events of the evening+ and helistened with horror to m* account of the Baron&stransformation.

6The wages of sin+ atsonthe wages of sin86 said he.



6Sooner or later it will alwa*s come. "od (nows+ there wassin enough+6 he added+ ta(ing up a brown volume from thetable. 6)ere is the boo( the woman tal(ed of. #f this will notbrea( off the marriage+ nothing ever could. But it will+

atson. #t must. :o selfrespecting woman could stand it.6

6#t is his love diar*<6

6'r his lust diar*. Call it what *ou will. The moment thewoman told us of it # realized what a tremendous weaponwas there if we could but la* our hands on it. # said nothingat the time to indicate m* thoughts+ for this woman might

have given it awa*. But # brooded over it. Then this assaultupon me gave me the chance of letting the Baron thin( thatno precautions need be ta(en against me. That was all tothe good. # would have waited a little longer+ but his visit to

1merica forced m* hand. )e would never have left socompromising a document behind him. Therefore we had toact at once. Burglar* at night is impossible. )e ta(esprecautions. But there was a chance in the evening if # couldonl* be sure that his attention was engaged. That was where

*ou and *our blue saucer came in. But # had to be sure ofthe position of the boo(+ and # (new # had onl* a few minutesin which to act+ for m* time was limited b* *our (nowledge ofChinese potter*. Therefore # gathered the girl up at the lastmoment. )ow could # guess what the little pac(et was thatshe carried so carefull* under her cloa(< # thought she hadcome altogether on m* business+ but it seems she had someof her own.6

6)e guessed # came from *ou.6

6# feared he would. But *ou held him in pla* =ust long enoughfor me to get the boo(+ though not long enough for anunobserved escape. 1h+ Sir ames+ # am ver* glad *ou have



come86

'ur courtl* friend had appeared in answer to a previoussummons. )e listened with the deepest attention to

)olmes&s account of what had occurred.

6;ou have done wonderswonders86 he cried when he hadheard the narrative. 6But if these in=uries are as terrible as-r. atson describes+ then surel* our purpose of thwartingthe marriage is sufficientl* gained without the use of thishorrible boo(.6

)olmes shoo( his head.

6omen of the -e Merville t*pe do not act li(e that. Shewould love him the more as a disfigured mart*r. :o+ no. #t ishis moral side+ not his ph*sical+ which we have to destro*.That boo( will bring her bac( to earthand # (now nothingelse that could. #t is in his own writing. She cannot get pastit.6

Sir ames carried awa* both it and the precious saucer. 1s #was m*self overdue+ # went down with him into the street. 1brougham was waiting for him. )e sprang in+ gave a hurriedorder to the coc(aded coachman+ and drove swiftl* awa*.)e flung his overcoat half out of the window to cover thearmorial bearings upon the panel+ but # had seen them in theglare of our fanlight none the less. # gasped with surprise.Then # turned bac( and ascended the stair to )olmes&s

room.

6# have found out who our client is+6 # cried+ bursting with m*great news. 6h*+ )olmes+ it is6

6#t is a lo*al friend and a chivalrous gentleman+6 said)olmes+ holding up a restraining hand. 6%et that now and



forever be enough for us.6

# do not (now how the incriminating boo( was used. Sirames ma* have managed it. 'r it is more probable that so

delicate a tas( was entrusted to the *oung lad*&s father. Theeffect+ at an* rate+ was all that could be desired.

Three da*s later appeared a paragraph in the Morning Postto sa* that the marriage between Baron 1delbert "runer andMiss !iolet de Merville would not ta(e place. The samepaper had the first policecourt hearing of the proceedingsagainst Miss itt* inter on the grave charge of vitriol

throwing. Such etenuating circumstances came out in thetrial that the sentence+ as will be remembered was thelowest that was possible for such an offence. Sherloc()olmes was threatened with a prosecution for burglar*+ butwhen an ob=ect is good and a client is sufficientl* illustrious+even the rigid British law becomes human and elastic. M*friend has not *et stood in the doc(.

AD$"!T%#" $&&' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH")*A!CH"D S*D&"#

The ideas of m* friend atson+ though limited+ areeceedingl* pertinacious. ,or a long time he has worried meto write an eperience of m* own. Perhaps # have ratherinvited this persecution+ since # have often had occasion topoint out to him how superficial are his own accounts and to

accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of confininghimself rigidl* to facts and figures. 6Tr* it *ourself+ )olmes86he has retorted+ and # am compelled to admit that+ havingta(en m* pen in m* hand+ # do begin to realize that thematter must be presented in such a wa* as ma* interest thereader. The following case can hardl* fail to do so+ as it is



among the strangest happenings in m* collection though itchanced that atson had no note of it in his collection.Spea(ing of m* old friend and biographer+ # would ta(e thisopportunit* to remar( that if # burden m*self with a

companion in m* various little in>uiries it is not done out ofsentiment or caprice+ but it is that atson has someremar(able characteristics of his own to which in hismodest* he has given small attention amid his eaggeratedestimates of m* own performances. 1 confederate whoforesees *our conclusions and course of action is alwa*sdangerous+ but one to whom each development comes as aperpetual surprise+ and to whom the future is alwa*s a

closed boo(+ is indeed an ideal helpmate.

# find from m* noteboo( that it was in anuar*+ 25D3+ =ustafter the conclusion of the Boer ar+ that # had m* visit fromMr. ames M. -odd+ a big+ fresh+ sunburned+ upstandingBriton. The good atson had at that time deserted me for awife+ the onl* selfish action which # can recall in ourassociation. # was alone.

#t is m* habit to sit with m* bac( to the window and to placem* visitors in the opposite chair+ where the light falls fullupon them. Mr. ames M. -odd seemed somewhat at a losshow to begin the interview. # did not attempt to help him+ forhis silence gave me more time for observation. # have foundit wise to impress clients with a sense of power+ and so #gave him some of m* conclusions.

6,rom South 1frica+ sir+ # perceive.6

6;es+ sir+6 he answered+ with some surprise.

6#mperial ;eomanr*+ # fanc*.6



67actl*.6

6Middlese Corps+ no doubt.6

6That is so. Mr. )olmes+ *ou are a wizard.6

# smiled at his bewildered epression.

6hen a gentleman of virile appearance enters m* roomwith such tan upon his face as an 7nglish sun could nevergive+ and with his hand(erchief in his sleeve instead of in hispoc(et+ it is not difficult to place him. ;ou wear a short beard+which shows that *ou were not a regular. ;ou have the cutof a ridingman. 1s to Middlese+ *our card has alread*shown me that *ou are a stoc(bro(er from ThrogmortonStreet. hat other regiment would *ou =oin<6

6;ou see ever*thing.6

6# see no more than *ou+ but # have trained m*self to noticewhat # see. )owever+ Mr. -odd+ it was not to discuss the

science of observation that *ou called upon me this morning.hat has been happening at Tubur* 'ld Par(<6

6Mr. )olmes86

6M* dear sir+ there is no m*ster*. ;our letter came with thatheading+ and as *ou fied this appointment in ver* pressingterms it was clear that something sudden and important hadoccurred.6

6;es+ indeed. But the letter was written in the afternoon+ anda good deal has happened since then. #f Colonel 7msworthhad not (ic(ed me out 6

6ic(ed *ou out86



6ell+ that was what it amounted to. )e is a hard nail+ isColonel 7msworth. The greatest martinet in the 1rm* in hisda*+ and it was a da* of rough language+ too. # couldn&t havestuc( the colonel if it had not been for "odfre*&s sa(e.6

# lit m* pipe and leaned bac( in m* chair.

6Perhaps *ou will eplain what *ou are tal(ing about.6

M* client grinned mischievousl*.

6# had got into the wa* of supposing that *ou (newever*thing without being told+6 said he. 6But # will give *outhe facts+ and # hope to "od that *ou will be able to tell mewhat the* mean. #&ve been awa(e all night puzzling m* brain+and the more # thin( the more incredible does it become.

6hen # =oined up in anuar*+ 25D2=ust two *ears ago*oung "odfre* 7msworth had =oined the same s>uadron. )ewas Colonel 7msworth&s onl* son7msworth the Crimean !.C.and he had the fighting blood in him+ so it is no wonder

he volunteered. There was not a finer lad in the regiment.e formed a friendshipthe sort of friendship which can onl*be made when one lives the same life and shares the same

=o*s and sorrows. )e was m* mateand that means a gooddeal in the 1rm*. e too( the rough and the smoothtogether for a *ear of hard fighting. Then he was hit with abullet from an elephant gun in the action near -iamond )illoutsidePretoria. # got one letter from the hospital at Cape

Town and one from Southampton. Since then not a wordnot one word+ Mr. )olmes+ for si months and more+ and hem* closest pal.

6ell+ when the war was over+ and we all got bac(+ # wrote tohis father and as(ed where "odfre* was. :o answer. #



waited a bit and then # wrote again. This time # had a repl*+short and gruff. "odfre* had gone on a vo*age round theworld+ and it was not li(el* that he would be bac( for a *ear.That was all.

6# wasn&t satisfied+ Mr. )olmes. The whole thing seemed tome so damned unnatural. )e was a good lad+ and he wouldnot drop a pal li(e that. #t was not li(e him. Then+ again+ #happened to (now that he was heir to a lot of mone*+ andalso that his father and he did not alwa*s hit it off too well.The old man was sometimes a bull*+ and *oung "odfre* hadtoo much spirit to stand it. :o+ # wasn&t satisfied+ and #

determined that # would get to the root of the matter. #thappened+ however+ that m* own affairs needed a lot ofstraightening out+ after two *ears& absence+ and so it is onl*this wee( that # have been able to ta(e up "odfre*&s caseagain. But since # have ta(en it up # mean to drop ever*thingin order to see it through.6

Mr. ames M. -odd appeared to be the sort of person whomit would be better to have as a friend than as an enem*. )is

blue e*es were stern and his s>uare =aw had set hard as hespo(e.

6ell+ what have *ou done<6 # as(ed.

6M* first move was to get down to his home+ Tubur* 'ldPar(+ near Bedford+ and to see for m*self how the groundla*. # wrote to the mother+ therefore# had had >uite enough

of the curmudgeon of a fatherand # made a clean frontalattac(@ "odfre* was m* chum+ # had a great deal of interestwhich # might tell her of our common eperiences+ # shouldbe in the neighbourhood+ would there be an* ob=ection+ etcetera< #n repl* # had >uite an amiable answer from her andan offer to put me up for the night. That was what too( me



down on Monda*.

6Tubur* 'ld )all is inaccessiblefive miles from an*where.There was no trap at the station+ so # had to wal(+ carr*ing

m* suitcase+ and it was nearl* dar( before # arrived. #t is agreat wandering house+ standing in a considerable par(. #should =udge it was of all sorts of ages and st*les+ starting ona halftimbered 7lizabethan foundation and ending in a!ictorian portico. #nside it was all panelling and tapestr* andhalfeffaced old pictures+ a house of shadows and m*ster*.There was a butler+ old $alph+ who seemed about the sameage as the house+ and there was his wife+ who might have

been older. She had been "odfre*&s nurse+ and # had heardhim spea( of her as second onl* to his mother in hisaffections+ so # was drawn to her in spite of her >ueerappearance. The mother # li(ed alsoa gentle little whitemouse of a woman. #t was onl* the colonel himself whom #barred.

6e had a bit of barne* right awa*+ and # should havewal(ed bac( to the station if # had not felt that it might be

pla*ing his game for me to do so. # was shown straight intohis stud*+ and there # found him+ a huge+ bowbac(ed manwith a smo(* s(in and a straggling gra* beard+ seatedbehind his littered des(. 1 redveined nose =utted out li(e avulture&s bea(+ and two fierce gra* e*es glared at me fromunder tufted brows. # could understand now wh* "odfre*seldom spo(e of his father.

6&ell+ sir+& said he in a rasping voice+ &# should be interestedto (now the real reasons for this visit.&

6# answered that # had eplained them in m* letter to his wife.

6&;es+ *es+ *ou said that *ou had (nown "odfre* in 1frica.



e have+ of course+ onl* *our word for that.&

6&# have his letters to me in m* poc(et.&

6&indl* let me see them.&

6)e glanced at the two which # handed him+ and then hetossed them bac(.

6&ell+ what then<& he as(ed.

6&# was fond of *our son "odfre*+ sir. Man* ties andmemories united us. #s it not natural that # should wonder at

his sudden silence and should wish to (now what hasbecome of him<&

6&# have some recollections+ sir+ that # had alread*corresponded with *ou and had told *ou what had becomeof him. )e has gone upon a vo*age round the world. )ishealth was in a poor wa* after his 1frican eperiences+ andboth his mother and # were of opinion that camplete rest and

change were needed. indl* pass that eplanation on to an*other friends who ma* be interested in the matter.&

6&Certainl*+& # answered. &But perhaps *ou would have thegoodness to let me have the name of the steamer and of theline b* which he sailed+ together with the date. # have nodoubt that # should be able to get a letter through to him.&

6M* re>uest seemed both to puzzle and to irritate m* host.

)is great e*ebrows came down over his e*es+ and hetapped his fingers impatientl* on the table. )e loo(ed up atlast with the epression of one who has seen his adversar*ma(e a dangerous move at chess+ and has decided how tomeet it.



6&Man* people+ Mr. -odd+& said he+ &would ta(e offence at*our infernal pertinacit* and would thin( that this insistencehad reached the point of damned impertinence.&

6&;ou must put it down+ sir+ to m* real love for *our son.&

6&7actl*. # have alread* made ever* allowance upon thatscore. # must as( *ou+ however+ to drop these in>uiries.7ver* famil* has its own inner (nowledge and its ownmotives+ which cannot alwa*s be made clear to outsiders+however wellintentioned. M* wife is anious to hearsomething of "odfre*&s past which *ou are in a position to

tell her+ but # would as( *ou to let the present and the futurealone. Such in>uiries serve no useful purpose+ sir+ and placeus in a delicate and difficult position.&

6So # came to a dead end+ Mr. )olmes. There was no gettingpast it. # could onl* pretend to accept the situation andregister a vow inwardl* that # would never rest until m*friend&s fate had been cleared up. #t was a dull evening. edined >uietl*+ the three of us+ in a gloom*+ faded old room.

The lad* >uestioned me eagerl* about her son+ but the oldman seemed morose and depressed. # was so bored b* thewhole proceeding that # made an ecuse as soon as #decentl* could and retired to m* bedroom. #t was a large+bare room on the ground floor+ as gloom* as the rest of thehouse+ but after a *ear of sleeping upon the veldt+ Mr.)olmes+ one is not too particular about one&s >uarters. #opened the curtains and loo(ed out into the garden+

remar(ing that it was a fine night with a bright halfmoon.Then # sat down b* the roaring fire with the lamp on a tablebeside me+ and endeavoured to distract m* mind with anovel. # was interrupted+ however+ b* $alph+ the old butler+who came in with a fresh suppl* of coals.



6&# thought *ou might run short in the nighttime+ sir. #t is bitterweather and these rooms are cold.&

6)e hesitated before leaving the room+ and when # loo(ed

round he was standing facing me with a wistful loo( upon hiswrin(led face.

6&Beg *our pardon+ sir+ but # could not help hearing what *ousaid of *oung Master "odfre* at dinner. ;ou (now+ sir+ thatm* wife nursed him+ and so # ma* sa* # am his fosterfather.#t&s natural we should ta(e an interest. 1nd *ou sa* hecarried himself well+ sir<&

6&There was no braver man in the regiment. )e pulled me outonce from under the rifles of the Boers+ or ma*be # shouldnot be here.&

6The old butler rubbed his s(inn* hands.

6&;es+ sir+ *es+ that is Master "odfre* all over. )e wasalwa*s courageous. There&s not a tree in the par(+ sir+ that

he has not climbed. :othing would stop him. )e was a finebo*and oh+ sir+ he was a fine man.&

6# sprang to m* feet.

6&%oo( here8& # cried. &;ou sa* he was. ;ou spea( as if hewere dead. hat is all this m*ster*< hat has become of"odfre* 7msworth<&

6# gripped the old man b* the shoulder+ but he shran( awa*.

6&# don&t (now what *ou mean+ sir. 1s( the master aboutMaster "odfre*. )e (nows. #t is not for me to interfere.&

6)e was leaving the room+ but # held his arm



6&%isten+& # said. &;ou are going to answer one >uestionbefore *ou leave if # have to hold *ou all night. #s "odfre*dead<6

6)e could not face m* e*es. )e was li(e a man h*pnotizedThe answer was dragged from his lips. #t was a terrible andunepected one.

6&# wish to "od he was8& he cried+ and+ tearing himself free hedashed from the room.

6;ou will thin(+ Mr. )olmes+ that # returned to m* chair in nover* happ* state of mind. The old man&s words seemed tome to bear onl* one interpretation. Clearl* m* poor friendhad become involved in some criminal or+ at the least+disreputable transaction which touched the famil* honour.That stern old man had sent his son awa* and hidden himfrom the world lest some scandal should come to light."odfre* was a rec(less fellow. )e was easil* influenced b*those around him. :o doubt he had fallen into bad handsand been misled to his ruin. #t was a piteous business+ if it

was indeed so+ but even now it was m* dut* to hunt him outand see if # could aid him. # was aniousl* pondering thematter when # loo(ed up+ and there was "odfre* 7msworthstanding before me.6

M* client had paused as one in deep emotion.

6Pra* continue+6 # said. 6;our problem presents some ver*

unusual features.6

6)e was outside the window+ Mr. )olmes+ with his facepressed against the glass. # have told *ou that # loo(ed out atthe night. hen # did so # left the curtains partl* open. )isfigure was framed in this gap. The window came down to the



ground and # could see the whole length of it+ but it was hisface which held m* gaze. )e was deadl* palenever have #seen a man so white. # rec(on ghosts ma* loo( li(e that0 buthis e*es met mine+ and the* were the e*es of a living man.

)e sprang bac( when he saw that # was loo(ing at him+ andhe vanished into the dar(ness.

6There was something shoc(ing about the man+ Mr. )olmes.#t wasn&t merel* that ghastl* face glimmering as white ascheese in the dar(ness. #t was more subtle than thatsomething slin(ing+ something furtive+ something guilt*something ver* unli(e the fran(+ manl* lad that # had (nown.

#t left a feeling of horror in m* mind.

6But when a man has been soldiering for a *ear or two withbrother Boer as a pla*mate+ he (eeps his nerve and acts>uic(l*. "odfre* had hardl* vanished before # was at thewindow. There was an aw(ward catch+ and # was some littletime before # could throw it up. Then # nipped through andran down the garden path in the direction that # thought hemight have ta(en.

6#t was a long path and the light was not ver* good+ but itseemed to me something was moving ahead of me. # ran onand called his name+ but it was no use. hen # got to theend of the path there were several others branching indifferent directions to various outhouses. # stood hesitating+and as # did so # heard distinctl* the sound of a closing door.#t was not behind me in the house+ but ahead of me+

somewhere in the dar(ness. That was enough+ Mr. )olmes+to assure me that what # had seen was not a vision. "odfre*had run awa* from me+ and he had shut a door behind him.'f that # was certain.

6There was nothing more # could do+ and # spent an uneas*



night turning the matter over in m* mind and tr*ing to findsome theor* which would cover the facts. :et da* # foundthe colonel rather more conciliator*+ and as his wiferemar(ed that there were some places of interest in the

neighbourhood+ it gave me an opening to as( whether m*presence for one more night would incommode them. 1somewhat grudging ac>uiescence from the old man gaveme a clear da* in which to ma(e m* observations. # wasalread* perfectl* convinced that "odfre* was in hidingsomewhere near+ but where and wh* remained to be solved.

6The house was so large and so rambling that a regiment

might be hid awa* in it and no one the wiser. #f the secret la*there it was difficult for me to penetrate it. But the door which# had heard close was certainl* not in the house. # musteplore the garden and see what # could find. There was nodifficult* in the wa*+ for the old people were bus* in their ownfashion and left me to m* own devices.

6There were several small outhouses+ but at the end of thegarden there was a detached building of some sizelarge

enough for a gardener&s or a game(eeper&s residence. Couldthis be the place whence the sound of that shutting door hadcome< # approached it in a careless fashion as though # werestrolling aimlessl* round the grounds. 1s # did so+ a small+bris(+ bearded man in a blac( coat and bowler hatnot at allthe gardener t*pecame out of the door. To m* surprise+ heloc(ed it after him and put the (e* in his poc(et. Then heloo(ed at me with some surprise on his face.

6&1re *ou a visitor here<& he as(ed.

6# eplained that # was and that # was a friend of "odfre*&s.

6&hat a pit* that he should be awa* on his travels+ for he



would have so li(ed to see me+& # continued.

6&Guite so. 7actl*+& said he with a rather guilt* air. &:o doubt*ou will renew *our visit at some more propitious time.& )e

passed on+ but when # turned # observed that he wasstanding watching me+ halfconcealed b* the laurels at thefar end of the garden.

6# had a good loo( at the little house as # passed it+ but thewindows were heavil* curtained+ and+ so far as one couldsee+ it was empt*. # might spoil m* own game and even beordered off the premises if # were too audacious+ for # was

still conscious that # was being watched. Therefore+ # strolledbac( to the house and waited for night before # went on withm* in>uir*. hen all was dar( and >uiet # slipped out of m*window and made m* wa* as silentl* as possible to them*sterious lodge.

6# have said that it was heavil* curtained+ but now # foundthat the windows were shuttered as well. Some light+however+ was brea(ing through one of them+ so #

concentrated m* attention upon this. # was in luc(+ for thecurtain had not been >uite closed+ and there was a crac( inthe shutter+ so that # could see the inside of the room. #t wasa cheer* place enough+ a bright lamp and a blazing fire.'pposite to me was seated the little man whom # had seenin the morning. )e was smo(ing a pipe and reading apaper.6

6hat paper<6 # as(ed.

M* client seemed anno*ed at the interruption of hisnarrative.

6Can it matter<6 he as(ed.



6#t is most essential.6

6# reall* too( no notice.6

6Possibl* *ou observed whether it was a broadleafed paperor of that smaller t*pe which one associates with wee(lies.6

6:ow that *ou mention it+ it was not large. #t might have beenthe Spectator. )owever+ # had little thought to spare uponsuch details+ for a second man was seated with his bac( tothe window+ and # could swear that this second man was"odfre*. # could not see his face+ but # (new the familiarslope of his shoulders. )e was leaning upon his elbow in anattitude of great melanchol*+ his bod* turned towards thefire. # was hesitating as to what # should do when there was asharp tap on m* shoulder+ and there was Colonel 7msworthbeside me.

6&This wa*+ sir8& said he in a low voice. )e wal(ed in silenceto the house+ and # followed him into m* own bedroom. )ehad pic(ed up a timetable in the hall.

6 There is a train to %ondon at @3D+& said he. &The trap will beat the door at eight.&

6)e was white with rage+ and+ indeed+ # felt m*self in sodifficult a position that # could onl* stammer out a fewincoherent apologies in which # tried to ecuse m*self b*urging m* aniet* for m* friend.

6&The matter will not bear discussion+& said he abruptl*. &;ouhave made a most damnable intrusion into the privac* of ourfamil*. ;ou were here as a guest and *ou have become asp*. # have nothing more to sa*+ sir+ save that # have no wishever to see *ou again.&



61t this # lost m* temper+ Mr. )olmes+ and # spo(e with somewarmth.

6&# have seen *our son+ and # am convinced that for some

reason of *our own *ou are concealing him from the world. #have no idea what *our motives are in cutting him off in thisfashion+ but # am sure that he is no longer a free agent. #warn *ou+ Colonel 7msworth+ that until # am assured as tothe safet* and wellbeing of m* friend # shall never desist inm* efforts to get to the bottom of the m*ster*+ and # shallcertainl* not allow m*self to be intimidated b* an*thing which*ou ma* sa* or do.&

6The old fellow loo(ed diabolical+ and # reall* thought he wasabout to attac( me. # have said that he was a gaunt+ fierceold giant+ and though # am no wea(ling # might have beenhard put to it to hold m* own against him. )owever+ after along glare of rage he turned upon his heel and wal(ed out ofthe room. ,or m* part+ # too( the appointed train in themorning+ with the full intention of coming straight to *ou andas(ing for *our advice and assistance at the appointment for

which # had alread* written.6

Such was the problem which m* visitor laid before me. #tpresented+ as the astute reader will have alread* perceived+few difficulties in its solution+ for a ver* limited choice ofalternatives must get to the root of the matter. Still+elementar* as it was+ there were points of interest andnovelt* about it which ma* ecuse m* placing it upon record.

# now proceeded+ using m* familiar method of logicalanal*sis+ to narrow down the possible solutions.

6The servants+6 # as(ed0 6how man* were in the house<6

6To the best of m* belief there were onl* the old butler and



his wife. The* seemed to live in the simplest fashion.6

6There was no servant+ then+ in the detached house<6

6:one+ unless the little man with the beard acted as such. )eseemed+ however+ to be >uite a superior person.6

6That seems ver* suggestive. )ad *ou an* indication thatfood was conve*ed from the one house to the other<6

6:ow that *ou mention it+ # did see old $alph carr*ing abas(et down the garden wal( and going in the direction ofthis house. The idea of food did not occur to me at themoment.6

6-id *ou ma(e an* local in>uiries<6

6;es+ # did. # spo(e to the stationmaster and also to theinn(eeper in the village. # simpl* as(ed if the* (new an*thingof m* old comrade+ "odfre* 7msworth. Both of themassured me that he had gone for a vo*age round the world.

)e had come home and then had almost at once started offagain. The stor* was evidentl* universall* accepted.6

6;ou said nothing of *our suspicions<6

6:othing.6

6That was ver* wise. The matter should certainl* be in>uiredinto. # will go bac( with *ou to Tubur* 'ld Par(.6

6Toda*<6

#t happened that at the moment # was clearing up the casewhich m* friend atson has described as that of the 1bbe*School+ in which the -u(e of "re*minster was so deepl*



involved. # had also a commission from the Sultan of Tur(e*which called for immediate action+ as political conse>uencesof the gravest (ind might arise from its neglect. Therefore itwas not until the beginning of the net wee(+ as m* diar*

records+ that # was able to start forth on m* mission toBedfordshire in compan* with Mr. ames M. -odd. 1s wedrove to 7ustonn we pic(ed up a grave and tacitumgentleman of irongra* aspect+ with whom # had made thenecessar* arrangements.

6This is an old friend+6 said # to -odd. 6#t is possible that hispresence ma* be entirel* unnecessar*+ and+ on the other

hand+ it ma* be essential. #t is not necessar* at the presentstage to go further into the matter.6

The narratives of atson have accustomed the reader+ nodoubt+ to the fact that # do not waste words or disclose m*thoughts while a case is actuall* under consideration. -oddseemed surprised+ but nothing more was said+ and the threeof us continued our =ourne* together. #n the train # as(ed-odd one more >uestion which # wished our companion to

hear.

6;ou sa* that *ou saw *our friend&s face >uite clearl* at thewindow+ so clearl* that *ou are sure of his identit*<6

6# have no doubt about it whatever. )is nose was pressedagainst the glass. The lamplight shone full upon him.6

6#t could not have been someone resembling him<6

6:o+ no+ it was he.6

6But *ou sa* he was changed<6

6'nl* in colour. )is face washow shall # describe it<it was



of a fishbell* whiteness. #t was bleached.6

6as it e>uall* pale all over<6

6# thin( not. #t was his brow which # saw so clearl* as it waspressed against the window.6

6-id *ou call to him<6

6# was too startled and horrified for the moment. Then #pursued him+ as # have told *ou+ but without result.6

M* case was practicall* complete+ and there was onl* one

small incident needed to round it off. hen+ after aconsiderable drive+ we arrived at the strange old ramblinghouse which m* client had described+ it was $alph+ theelderl* butler+ who opened the door. # had re>uisitioned thecarriage for the da* and had as(ed m* elderl* friend toremain within it unless we should summon him. $alph+ a littlewrin(led old fellow+ was in the conventional costume of blac(coat and pepperandsalt trousers+ with onl* one curious

variant. )e wore brown leather gloves+ which at sight of ushe instantl* shuffled off+ la*ing them down on the halltableas we passed in. # have+ as m* friend atson ma* haveremar(ed+ an abnormall* acute set of senses+ and a faint butincisive scent was apparent. #t seemed to centre on the halltable. # turned+ placed m* hat there+ (noc(ed it off+ stoopedto pic( it up+ and contrived to bring m* nose within a foot ofthe gloves. ;es+ it was undoubtedl* from them that the

curious tarr* odour was oozing. # passed on into the stud*with m* case complete. 1las+ that # should have to show m*hand so when # tell m* own stor*8 #t was b* concealing suchlin(s in the chain that atson was enabled to produce hismeretricious finales.



Colonel 7msworth was not in his room+ but he came >uic(l*enough on receipt of $alph&s message. e heard his >uic(+heav* step in the passage. The door was flung open and herushed in with bristling beard and twisted features+ as terrible

an old man as ever # have seen. )e held our cards in hishand+ and he tore them up and stamped on the fragments.

6)ave # not told *ou+ *ou infernal bus*bod*+ that *ou arewarned off the premises< :ever dare to show *our damnedface here again. #f *ou enter again without m* leave # shallbe within m* rights if # use violence. #&ll shoot *ou+ sir8 B*"od+ # will8 1s to *ou+ sir+6 turning upon me+ 6# etend the

same warning to *ou. # am familiar with *our ignobleprofession+ but *ou must ta(e *our reputed talents to someother field. There is no opening for them here.6

6# cannot leave here+6 said m* client firml*+ 6until # hear from"odfre*&s own lips that he is under no restraint.6

'ur involuntar* host rang the bell.

6$alph+6 he said+ 6telephone down to the count* police andas( the inspector to send up two constables. Tell him thereare burglars in the house.6

6'ne moment+6 said #. 6;ou must be aware+ Mr. -odd+ thatColonel 7msworth is within his rights and that we have nolegal status within his house. 'n the other hand+ he shouldrecognize that *our action is prompted entirel* b* solicitude

for his son. # venture to hope that if # were allowed to havefive minutes conversation with Colonel 7msworth # couldcertainl* alter his view of the matter.6

6# am not so easil* altered+6 said the old soldier. 6$alph+ dowhat # have told *ou. hat the devil are *ou waiting for<



$ing up the police86

6:othing of the sort+6 # said+ putting m* bac( to the door.61n* police interference would bring about the ver*

catastrophe which *ou dread.6 # too( out m* noteboo( andscribbled one word upon a loose sheet. 6That+6 said # as #handed it to Colonel 7msworth+ 6is what has brought ushere.6

)e stared at the writing with a face from which ever*epression save amazement had vanished.

6)ow do *ou (now<6 he gasped+ sitting down heavil* in hischair.

6#t is m* business to (now things. That is m* trade.6

)e sat in deep thought+ his gaunt hand tugging at hisstraggling beard. Then he made a gesture of resignation.

6ell+ if *ou wish to see "odfre*+ *ou shall. #t is no doing of

mine+ but *ou have forced m* hand. $alph+ tell Mr. "odfre*and Mr. ent that in five minutes we shall be with them.6

1t the end of that time we passed down the garden path andfound ourselves in front of the m*ster* house at the end. 1small bearded man stood at the door with a loo( ofconsiderable astonishment upon his face.

6This is ver* sudden+ Colonel 7msworth+6 said he. 6This will

disarrange all our plans.6

6# can&t help it+ Mr. ent. 'ur hands have been forced. CanMr. "odfre* see us<6

6;es+ he is waiting inside.6 )e turned and led us into a large



plainl* furnished front room. 1 man was standing with hisbac( to the fire+ and at the sight of him m* client sprangforward with outstretched hand.

6h*+ "odfre*+ old man+ this is fine86

But the other waved him bac(.

6-on&t touch me+ immie. eep *our distance. ;es+ *ou ma*well stare8 # don&t >uite loo( the smart %anceCorporal7msworth+ of B S>uadron+ do #<6

)is appearance was certainl* etraordinar*. 'ne could seethat he had indeed been a handsome man with clearcutfeatures sunburned b* an 1frican sun+ but mottled in patchesover this dar(er surface were curious whitish patches whichhad bleached his s(in.

6That&s wh* # don&t court visitors+6 said he. 6# don&t mind *ou+immie+ but # could have done without *our friend. # supposethere is some good reason for it+ but *ou have me at a

disadvantage.6

6# wanted to be sure that all was well with *ou+ "odfre*. #saw *ou that night when *ou loo(ed into m* window+ and #could not let the matter rest till # had cleared things up.6

6'ld $alph told me *ou were there+ and # couldn&t help ta(inga peep at *ou. # hoped *ou would not have seen me+ and #had to run to m* burrow when # heard the window go up.6

6But what in heaven&s name is the matter<6

6ell+ it&s not a long stor* to tell+6 said he+ lighting a cigarette.6;ou remember that morning fight at Buffelsspruit+ outsidePretoria+ on the 7astern railwa* line< ;ou heard # was hit<6



6;es+ # heard that but # never got particulars.6

6Three of us got separated from the others. #t was ver*bro(en countr*+ *ou ma* remember. There was Simpson

the fellow we called Bald* Simpsonand 1nderson+ and #.e were clearing brother Boer+ but he la* low and got thethree of us. The other two were (illed. # got an elephantbullet through m* shoulder. # stuc( on to m* horse+ however+and he galloped several miles before # fainted and rolled offthe saddle.

6hen # came to m*self it was nightfall+ and # raised m*self

up+ feeling ver* wea( and ill. To m* surprise there was ahouse close beside me+ a fairl* large house with a broadstoep and man* windows. #t was deadl* cold. ;ou rememberthe (ind of numb cold which used to come at evening+ adeadl*+ sic(ening sort of cold+ ver* different from a crisphealth* frost. ell+ # was chilled to the bone+ and m* onl*hope seemed to lie in reaching that house. # staggered to m*feet and dragged m*self along+ hardl* conscious of what #did. # have a dim memor* of slowl* ascending the steps+

entering a wideopened door+ passing into a large roomwhich contained several beds+ and throwing m*self downwith a gasp of satisfaction upon one of them. #t was unmade+but that troubled me not at all. # drew the clothes over m*shivering bod* and in a moment # was in a deep sleep.

6#t was morning when # wa(ened+ and it seemed to me thatinstead of coming out into a world of sanit* # had emerged

into some etraordinar* nightmare. The 1frican sun floodedthrough the big+ curtainless windows+ and ever* detail of thegreat+ bare+ whitewashed dormitor* stood out hard and clear.#n front of me was standing a small+ dwarfli(e man with ahuge+ bulbous head+ who was =abbering ecitedl* in -utch+waving two horrible hands which loo(ed to me li(e brown



sponges. Behind him stood a group of people who seemedto be intensel* amused b* the situation+ but a chill cameover me as # loo(ed at them. :ot one of them was a normalhuman being. 7ver* one was twisted or swollen or disfigured

in some strange wa*. The laughter of these strangemonstrosities was a dreadful thing to hear.

6#t seemed that none of them could spea( 7nglish+ but thesituation wanted clearing up+ for the creature with the bighead was growing furiousl* angr*+ and+ uttering wildbeastcries+ he had laid his deformed hands upon me and wasdragging me out of bed+ regardless of the fresh flow of blood

from m* wound. The little monster was as strong as a bull+and # don&t (now what he might have done to me had not anelderl* man who was clearl* in authorit* been attracted tothe room b* the hubbub0 )e said a few stern words in -utch+and m* persecutor shran( awa*. Then he turned upon me+gazing at me in the utmost amazement.

6&)ow in the world did *ou come here<& he as(ed inamazement. &ait a bit8 # see that *ou are tired out and that

wounded shoulder of *ours wants loo(ing after. # am adoctor+ and #&ll soon have *ou tied up. But+ man alive8 *ouare in far greater danger here than ever *ou were on thebattlefield. ;ou are in the %eper )ospital+ and *ou have sleptin a leper&s bed.&

6:eed # tell *ou more+ immie< #t seems that in view of theapproaching battle all these poor creatures had been

evacuated the da* before. Then+ as the British advanced+the* had been brought bac( b* this+ their medicalsuperintendent+ who assured me that+ though he believed hewas immune to the disease+ he would none the less neverhave dared to do what # had done. )e put me in a privateroom+ treated me (indl*+ and within a wee( or so # was



removed to the general hospital at Pretoria.

6So there *ou have m* traged*. # hoped against hope+ but itwas not until # had reached home that the terrible signs

which *ou see upon m* face told me that # had not escaped.hat was # to do< # was in this lonel* house. e had twoservants whom we could utterl* trust. There was a housewhere # could live. 9nder pledge of secrec*+ Mr. ent+ who isa surgeon+ was prepared to sta* with me. #t seemed simpleenough on those lines. The alternative was a dreadful onesegregation for life among strangers with never a hope ofrelease. But absolute secrec* was necessar*+ or even in this

>uiet countr*side there would have been an outcr*+ and #should have been dragged to m* horrible doom. 7ven *ou+immieeven *ou had to be (ept in the dar(. h* m* fatherhas relented # cannot imagine.6

Colonel 7msworth pointed to me.

6This is the gentleman who forced m* hand.6 )e unfoldedthe scrap of paper on which # had written the word 6%epros*.6

6#t seemed to me that if he (new so much as that it was saferthat he should (now all.6

61nd so it was+6 said #. 6ho (nows but good ma* come ofit< # understand that onl* Mr. ent has seen the patient. Ma*# as(+ sir+ if *ou are an authorit* on such complaints+ whichare+ # understand+ tropical or semitropical in their nature<6

6# have the ordinar* (nowledge of the educated medicalman+6 he observed with some stiffness.

6# have no doubt+ sir+ that *ou are full* competent+ but # amsure that *ou will agree that in such a case a second opinionis valuable. ;ou have avoided this+ # understand+ for fear that



pressure should be put upon *ou to segregate the patient.6

6That is so+6 said Colonel 7msworth.

6# foresaw this situation+6 # eplained+ 6and # have broughtwith me a friend whose discretion ma* absolutel* be trusted.# was able once to do him a professional service+ and he isread* to advise as a friend rather than as a specialist. )isname is Sir ames Saunders.6

The prospect of an interview with %ord $oberts would nothave ecited greater wonder and pleasure in a raw subalternthan was now reflected upon the face of Mr. ent.

6# shall indeed be proud+6 he murmured.

6Then # will as( Sir ames to step this wa*. )e is at presentin the carriage outside the door. Meanwhile+ Colonel7msworth+ we ma* perhaps assemble in *our stud*+ where #could give the necessar* eplanations.6

1nd here it is that # miss m* atson. B* cunning >uestionsand e=aculations of wonder he could elevate m* simple art+which is but s*stematized common sense+ into a prodig*.hen # tell m* own stor* # have no such aid. 1nd *et # willgive m* process of thought even as # gave it to m* smallaudience+ which included "odfre*&s mother in the stud* ofColonel 7msworth.

6That process+6 said #+ 6starts upon the supposition that when*ou have eliminated all which is impossible+ then whateverremains+ however improbable+ must be the truth. #t ma* wellbe that several eplanations remain+ in which case one triestest after test until one or other of them has a convincingamount of support. e will now appl* this principle to thecase in point. 1s it was first presented to me+ there were



three possible eplanations of the seclusion or incarcerationof this gentleman in an outhouse of his father&s mansion.There was the eplanation that he was in hiding for a crime+or that he was mad and that the* wished to avoid an as*lum+

or that he had some disease which caused his segregation. #could thin( of no other ade>uate solutions. These+ then+ hadto be sifted and balanced against each other.

6The criminal solution would not bear inspection. :ounsolved crime had been reported from that district. # wassure of that. #f it were some crime not *et discovered+ thenclearl* it would be to the interest of the famil* to get rid of the

delin>uent and send him abroad rather than (eep himconcealed at home. # could see no eplanation for such aline of conduct.

6#nsanit* was more plausible. The presence of the secondperson in the outhouse suggested a (eeper. The fact that heloc(ed the door when he came out strengthened thesupposition and gave the idea of constraint. 'n the otherhand+ this constraint could not be severe or the *oung man

could not have got loose and come down to have a loo( athis friend. ;ou will remember+ Mr. -odd+ that # felt round forpoints+ as(ing *ou+ for eample+ about the paper which Mr.ent was reading. )ad it been the %ancet or the BritishMedical ournal it would have helped me. #t is not illegal+however+ to (eep a lunatic upon private premises so long asthere is a >ualified person in attendance and that theauthorities have been dul* notified. h*+ then+ all this

desperate desire for secrec*< 'nce again # could not get thetheor* to fit the facts.

6There remained the third possibilit*+ into which+ rare andunli(el* as it was+ ever*thing seemed to fit. %epros* is notuncommon in South 1frica. B* some etraordinar* chance



this *outh might have contracted it. )is people would beplaced in a ver* dreadful position+ since the* would desire tosave him from segregation. "reat secrec* would be neededto prevent rumours from getting about and subse>uent

interference b* the authorities. 1 devoted medical man+ ifsufficientl* paid+ would easil* be found to ta(e charge of thesufferer. There would be no reason wh* the latter should notbe allowed freedom after dar(. Bleaching of the s(in is acommon result of the disease. The case was a strong oneso strong that # determined to act as if it were actuall*proved. hen on arriving here # noticed that $alph+ whocarries out the meals+ had gloves which are impregnated

with disinfectants+ m* last doubts were removed. 1 singleword showed *ou+ sir+ that *our secret was discovered+ andif # wrote rather than said it+ it was to prove to *ou that m*discretion was to be trusted.6

# was finishing this little anal*sis of the case when the doorwas opened and the austere figure of the greatdermatologist was ushered in. But for once his sphinli(efeatures had relaed and there was a warm humanit* in hise*es. )e strode up to Colonel 7msworth and shoo( him b*the hand.

6#t is often m* lot to bring illtidings and seldom good+6 saidhe. 6This occasion is the more welcome. #t is not lepros*.6

6hat<6

61 wellmar(ed case of pseudolepros* or ichth*osis+ ascaleli(e affection of the s(in+ unsightl*+ obstinate+ butpossibl* curable+ and certainl* noninfective. ;es+ Mr.)olmes+ the coincidence is a remar(able one. But is itcoincidence< 1re there not subtle forces at wor( of which we(now little< 1re we assured that the apprehension from



which this *oung man has no doubt suffered terribl* sincehis eposure to its contagion ma* not produce a ph*sicaleffect which simulates that which it fears< 1t an* rate+ #pledge m* professional reputationBut the lad* has fainted8 #

thin( that Mr. ent had better be with her until she recoversfrom this =o*ous shoc(.6

AD$"!T%#" $&&&' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"#"T&#"D C*%#MA!

Sherloc( )olmes was in a melanchol* and philosophic mood

that morning. )is alert practical nature was sub=ect to suchreactions.

6-id *ou see him<6 he as(ed.

6;ou mean the old fellow who has =ust gone out<6

6Precisel*.6

6;es+ # met him at the door.6

6hat did *ou thin( of him<6

61 pathetic+ futile+ bro(en creature.6

67actl*+ atson. Pathetic and futile. But is not all lifepathetic and futile< #s not his stor* a microcosm of the

whole< e reach. e grasp. 1nd what is left in our hands atthe end< 1 shadow. 'r worse than a shadowmiser*.6

6#s he one of *our clients<6

6ell+ # suppose # ma* call him so. )e has been sent on b*the ;ard. ust as medical men occasionall* send their



incurables to a >uac(. The* argue that the* can do nothingmore+ and that whatever happens the patient can be noworse than he is.6

6hat is the matter<6

)olmes too( a rather soiled card from the table. 6osiah 1mberle*. )e sa*s he was =unior partner of Bric(fall and 1mberle*+ who are manufacturers of artistic materials. ;ouwill see their names upon paintboes. )e made his littlepile+ retired from business at the age of sit*one+ bought ahouse at %ewisham. and settled down to rest after a life of

ceaseless grind. 'ne would thin( his future was tolerabl*assured.6

6;es+ indeed.6

)olmes glanced over some notes which he had scribbledupon the bac( of an envelope.

6$etired in 25?+ atson. 7arl* in 254 he married a woman

twent* *ears *ounger than himselfa goodloo(ing woman+too. if the photograph does not flatter. 1 competence+ a wife+leisureit seemed a straight road which la* before him. 1nd*et within two *ears he is+ as *ou have seen+ as bro(en andmiserable a creature as crawls beneath the sun.6

6But what has happened<6

6The old stor*+ atson. 1 treacherous friend and a fic(lewife. #t would appear that 1mberle* has one hobb* in life+and it is chess. :ot far from him at %ewisham there lives a*oung doctor who is also a chesspla*er. # have noted hisname as -r. $a* 7rnest. 7rnest was fre>uentl* in the house+and an intimac* between him and Mrs. 1mberle* was anatural se>uence+ for *ou must admit that our unfortunate



client has few outward graces+ whatever his inner virtuesma* be. The couple went off together last wee(destinationuntraced. hat is more+ the faithless spouse carried off theold man&s deedbo as her personal luggage with a good

part of his life&s savings within. Can we find the lad*< Can wesave the mone*< 1 commonplace problem so far as it hasdeveloped+ and *et a vital one for osiah 1mberle*.6

6hat will *ou do about it<6

6ell+ the immediate >uestion+ m* dear atson+ happens tobe+ hat will *ou do<if *ou will be good enough to

understud* me. ;ou (now that # am preoccupied with thiscase of the two Coptic Patriarchs+ which should come to ahead toda*. # reall* have not time to go out to %ewisham+and *et evidence ta(en on the spot has a special value. Theold fellow was >uite insistent that # should go+ but # eplainedm* difficult*. )e is prepared to meet a representative.6

6B* all means+6 # answered. 6# confess # don&t see that # canbe of much service+ but # am willing to do m* best.6 1nd so it

was that on a summer afternoon # set forth to %ewisham+little dreaming that within a wee( the affair in which # wasengaging would be the eager debate of all 7ngland.

#t was late that evening before # returned to Ba(er Street andgave an account of m* mission. )olmes la* with his gauntfigure stretched in his deep chair+ his pipe curling forth slowwreaths of acrid tobacco+ while his e*elids drooped over his

e*es so lazil* that he might almost have been asleep were itnot that at an* halt or >uestionable passage of m* narrativethe* half lifted+ and two gra* e*es+ as bright and (een asrapiers+ transfied me with their searching glance.

6The )aven is the name of Mr. osiah 1mberle*&s house+6 #



eplained. 6# thin( it would interest *ou+ )olmes. #t is li(esome penurious patrician who has sun( into the compan* ofhis inferiors. ;ou (now that particular >uarter+ themonotonous bric( streets+ the wear* suburban highwa*s.

$ight in the middle of them+ a little island of ancient cultureand comfort+ lies this old home+ surrounded b* a high sunba(ed wall mottled with lichens and topped with moss+ thesort of wall6

6Cut out the poetr*+ atson+6 said )olmes severel*. 6# notethat it was a high bric( wall.6

67actl*. # should not have (nown which was The )aven had# not as(ed a lounger who was smo(ing in the street. # havea reason for mentioning him. )e was a tall+ dar(+ heavil*moustached+ rather militar*loo(ing man. )e nodded inanswer to m* in>uir* and gave me a curiousl* >uestioningglance+ which came bac( to m* memor* a little later.

6# had hardl* entered the gatewa* before # saw Mr. 1mberle*coming down the drive. # onl* had a glimpse of him this

morning+ and he certainl* gave me the impression of astrange creature+ but when # saw him in full light hisappearance was even more abnormal.6

6# have+ of course+ studied it+ and *et # should be interestedto have *our impression+6 said )olmes.

6)e seemed to me li(e a man who was literall* bowed down

b* care. )is bac( was curved as though he carried a heav*burden. ;et he was not the wea(ling that # had at firstimagined+ for his shoulders and chest have the framewor( ofa giant+ though his figure tapers awa* into a pair of spindledlegs.6



6%eft shoe wrin(led+ right one smooth.6

6# did not observe that.6

6:o+ *ou wouldn&t. # spotted his artificial limb. But proceed.6

6# was struc( b* the sna(* loc(s of grizzled hair which curledfrom under his old straw hat+ and his face with its fierce+eager epression and the deepl* lined features.6

6!er* good+ atson. hat did he sa*<6

6)e began pouring out the stor* of his grievances. e

wal(ed down the drive together+ and of course # too( a goodloo( round. # have never seen a worse(ept place. Thegarden was all running to seed+ giving me an impression ofwild neglect in which the plants had been allowed to find thewa* of :ature rather than of art. )ow an* decent womancould have tolerated such a state of things+ # don&t (now. Thehouse+ too+ was slatternl* to the last degree+ but the poorman seemed himself to be aware of it and to be tr*ing to

remed* it+ for a great pot of green paint stood in the centre ofthe hall+ and he was carr*ing a thic( brush in his left hand.)e had been wor(ing on the woodwor(.

6)e too( me into his ding* sanctum+ and we had a long chat.'f course+ he was disappointed that *ou had not come*ourself. &# hardl* epected+& he said+ &that so humble anindividual as m*self+ especiall* after m* heav* financial loss+could obtain the complete attention of so famous a man asMr. Sherloc( )olmes.&

6# assured him that the financial >uestion did not arise. &:o ofcourse+ it is art for art&s sa(e with him+& said he+ &but even onthe artistic side of crime he might have found somethinghere to stud*. 1nd human nature+ -r. atsonthe blac(



ingratitude of it all8 hen did # ever refuse one of herre>uests< as ever a woman so pampered< 1nd that *oungmanhe might have been m* own son. )e had the run of m*house. 1nd *et see how the* have treated me8 'h+ -r.

atson+ it is a dreadful+ dreadful world8&

6That was the burden of his song for an hour or more. )ehad+ it seems+ no suspicion of an intrigue. The* lived alonesave for a woman who comes in b* the da* and leavesever* evening at si. 'n that particular evening old

1mberle*+ wishing to give his wife a treat+ had ta(en twoupper circle seats at the )a*mar(et Theatre. 1t the last

moment she had complained of a headache and had refusedto go. )e had gone alone. There seemed to be no doubtabout the fact+ for he produced the unused tic(et which hehad ta(en for his wife.6

6That is remar(ablemost remar(able+6 said )olmes+ whoseinterest in the case seemed to be rising. 6Pra* continue+atson. # find *our narrative most arresting. -id *oupersonall* eamine this tic(et< ;ou did not+ perchance+ ta(e

the number<6

6#t so happens that # did+6 # answered with some pride. 6#tchanced to be m* old school number+ thirt*one+ and so isstuc( in m* head.6

67cellent+ atson8 )is seat+ then+ was either thirt* or thirt*two.6

6Guite so+6 # answered with some m*stification. 61nd on Brow.6

6That is most satisfactor*. hat else did he tell *ou<6

6)e showed me his strongroom+ as he called it. #t reall* is a



strongroomli(e a ban(with iron door and shutterburglarproof+ as he claimed. )owever+ the woman seems tohave had a duplicate (e*+ and between them the* hadcarried off some seven thousand pounds& worth of cash and

securities.6

6Securities8 )ow could the* dispose of those<6

6)e said that he had given the police a list and that he hopedthe* would be unsaleable. )e had got bac( from the theatreabout midnight and found the place plundered+ the door andwindow open+ and the fugitives gone. There was no letter or

message+ nor has he heard a word since. )e at once gavethe alarm to the police.6

)olmes brooded for some minutes.

6;ou sa* he was painting. hat was he painting<6

6ell+ he was painting the passage. But he had alread*painted the door and woodwor( of this room # spo(e of.6

6-oes it not stri(e *ou as a strange occupation in thecircumstances<6

6&'ne must do something to ease an aching heart.& That washis own eplanation. #t was eccentric+ no doubt+ but he isclearl* an eccentric man. )e tore up one of his wife&sphotographs in m* presencetore it up furiousl* in a tempestof passion. &# never wish to see her damned face again+& heshrie(ed.6

61n*thing more+ atson<6

6;es+ one thing which struc( me more than an*thing else. #had driven to the Blac(heath Station and had caught m*



train there when+ =ust as it was starting+ # saw a man dart intothe carriage net to m* own. ;ou (now that # have a >uic(e*e for faces+ )olmes. #t was undoubtedl* the tall+ dar( manwhom # had addressed in the street. # saw him once more at

%ondon Bridge+ and then # lost him in the crowd. But # amconvinced that he was following me.6

6:o doubt8 :o doubt86 said )olmes. 61 tall+ dar(+ heavil*moustached man+ *ou sa*+ with gra*tinted sunglasses<6

6)olmes+ *ou are a wizard. # did not sa* so+ but he had gra*tinted sunglasses.6

61nd a Masonic tiepin<6

6)olmes86

6Guite simple+ m* dear atson. But let us get down to whatis practical. # must admit to *ou that the case+ which seemedto me to be so absurdl* simple as to be hardl* worth m*notice+ is rapidl* assuming a ver* different aspect. #t is true

that though in *our mission *ou have missed ever*thing ofimportance+ *et even those things which have obtrudedthemselves upon *our notice give rise to serious thought.6

6hat have # missed<6

6-on&t be hurt+ m* dear fellow. ;ou (now that # am >uiteimpersonal. :o one else would have done better. Somepossibl* not so well. But clearl* *ou have missed some vitalpoints. hat is the opinion of the neighbours about this man

1mberle* and his wife< That surel* is of importance. hat of-r. 7rnest< as he the ga* %othario one would epect<ith *our natural advantages+ atson+ ever* lad* is *ourhelper and accomplice. hat about the girl at the postoffice+or the wife of the greengrocer< # can picture *ou whispering



soft nothings with the *oung lad* at the Blue 1nchor+ andreceiving hard somethings in echange. 1ll this *ou have leftundone.6

6#t can still be done.6

6#t has been done. Than(s to the telephone and the help ofthe ;ard+ # can usuall* get m* essentials without leaving thisroom. 1s a matter of fact+ m* information confirms the man&sstor*. )e has the local repute of being a miser as well as aharsh and eacting husband. That he had a large sum ofmone* in that strongroom of his is certain. So also is it that

*oung -r. 7rnest+ an unmarried man+ pla*ed chess with 1mberle*+ and probabl* pla*ed the fool with his wife. 1ll thisseems plain sailing+ and one would thin( that there was nomore to be saidand *et8and *et86

6here lies the difficult*<6

6#n m* imagination+ perhaps. ell+ leave it there+ atson.%et us escape from this wear* wor(ada* world b* the side

door of music. Carina sings tonight at the 1lbert )all+ andwe still have time to dress+ dine+ and en=o*.6

#n the morning # was up betimes+ but some toast crumbs andtwo empt* eggshells told me that m* companion was earlierstill. # found a scribbled note upon the table.

-71$ 1TS':@

There are one or two points of contact which # should wish toestablish with Mr. osiah 1mberle*. hen # have done so wecan dismiss the caseor not. # would onl* as( *ou to be onhand about three o&cloc(+ as # conceive it possible that # ma*want *ou.



S.).

# saw nothing of )olmes all da*+ but at the hour named hereturned+ grave+ preoccupied+ and aloof. 1t such times it was

wiser to leave him to himself.

6)as 1mberle* been here *et<6

6:o.6

61h8 # am epecting him.6

)e was not disappointed+ for presentl* the old fellow arrived

with a ver* worried and puzzled epression upon his austereface.

6#&ve had a telegram+ Mr. )olmes. # can ma(e nothing of it.6)e handed it over+ and )olmes read it aloud.

6Come at once without fail. Can give *ou information as to *ourrecent loss. 7%M1:. The !icarage.6

6-ispatched at A@2D from %ittle Purlington+6 said )olmes.6%ittle Purlington is in 7sse+ # believe+ not far from ,rinton.ell+ of course *ou will start at once. This is evidentl* from aresponsible person+ the vicar of the place. here is m*Croc(ford< ;es+ here we have him@ &. C. 7lman+ M. 1.+%iving of Moosmoor cum %ittle Purlington.& %oo( up thetrains+ atson.6

6There is one at F@AD from %iverpool Street.6

67cellent. ;ou had best go with him+ atson. )e ma* needhelp or advice. Clearl* we have come to a crisis in thisaffair.6

But our client seemed b* no means eager to start.



6#t&s perfectl* absurd+ Mr. )olmes+6 he said. 6hat can thisman possibl* (now of what has occurred< #t is waste of timeand mone*.6

6)e would not have telegraphed to *ou if he did not (nowsomething. ire at once that *ou are coming.6

6# don&t thin( # shall go.6

)olmes assumed his sternest aspect.

6#t would ma(e the worst possible impression both on thepolice and upon m*self+ Mr. 1mberle*+ if when so obvious aclue arose *ou should refuse to follow it up. e should feelthat *ou were not reall* in earnest in this investigation.6

'ur client seemed horrified at the suggestion.

6h*+ of course # shall go if *ou loo( at it in that wa*+6 saidhe. 6'n the face of it+ it seems absurd to suppose that thisparson (nows an*thing+ but if *ou thin(6

6# do thin(+6 said )olmes with emphasis+ and so we werelaunched upon our =ourne*. )olmes too( me aside before weleft the room and gave me one word of counsel+ whichshowed that he considered the matter to be of importance.6hatever *ou do+ see that he reall* does go+6 said he.6Should he brea( awa* or return+ get to the nearesttelephone echange and send the single word &Bolted.& # willarrange here that it shall reach me wherever # am.6

%ittle Purlington is not an eas* place to reach+ for it is on abranch line. M* remembrance of the =ourne* is not apleasant one+ for the weather was hot+ the train slow+ and m*companion sullen and silent+ hardl* tal(ing at all save toma(e an occasional sardonic remar( as to the futilit* of our



proceedings. hen we at last reached the little station it wasa twomile drive before we came to the !icarage+ where abig+ solemn+ rather pompous clerg*man received us in hisstud*. 'ur telegram la* before him.

6ell+ gentlemen+6 he as(ed+ 6what can # do for *ou<6

6e came+6 # eplained+ 6in answer to *our wire.6

6M* wire8 # sent no wire.6

6# mean the wire which *ou sent to Mr. osiah 1mberle*about his wife and his mone*.6

6#f this is a =o(e+ sir+ it is a ver* >uestionable one+6 said thevicar angril*. 6# have never heard of the gentleman *ouname+ and # have not sent a wire to an*one.6

'ur client and # loo(ed at each other in amazement.

6Perhaps there is some mista(e+6 said #0 6are there perhaps

two vicarages< )ere is the wire itself+ signed 7lman anddated from the !icarage.6

6There is onl* one vicarage+ sir+ and onl* one vicar+ and thiswire is a scandalous forger*+ the origin of which shallcertainl* be investigated b* the police. Meanwhile+ # can seeno possible ob=ect in prolonging this interview.6

So Mr. 1mberle* and # found ourselves on the roadside in

what seemed to me to be the most primitive village in7ngland. e made for the telegraph office+ but it wasalread* closed. There was a telephone+ however+ at the little$ailwa* 1rms+ and b* it # got into touch with )olmes+ whoshared in our amazement at the result of our =ourne*.



6Most singular86 said the distant voice. 6Most remar(able8 #much fear+ m* dear atson+ that there is no return train tonight. # have unwittingl* condemned *ou to the horrors of acountr* inn. )owever+ there is alwa*s :ature+ atson

:ature and osiah 1mberle**ou can be in close communewith both.6 # heard his dr* chuc(le as he turned awa*.

#t was soon apparent to me that m* companion&s reputationas a miser was not undeserved. )e had grumbled at theepense of the =ourne*+ had insisted upon travelling thirdclass+ and was now clamorous in his ob=ections to the hotelbill. :et morning+ when we did at last arrive in %ondon+ it

was hard to sa* which of us was in the worse humour.

6;ou had best ta(e Ba(er Street as we pass+6 said #. 6Mr.)olmes ma* have some fresh instructions.6

6#f the* are not worth more than the last ones the* are not ofmuch use+6 said 1mberle* with a malevolent scowl. :one theless+ he (ept me compan*. # had alread* warned )olmes b*telegram of the hour of our arrival+ but we found a message

waiting that he was at %ewisham and would epect us there.That was a surprise+ but an even greater one was to find thathe was not alone in the sittingroom of our client. 1 sternloo(ing+ impassive man sat beside him+ a dar( man withgra*tinted glasses and a large Masonic pin pro=ecting fromhis tie.

6This is m* friend Mr. Bar(er+6 said )olmes. 6)e has been

interesting himself also in *our business+ Mr. osiah 1mberle*+ though we have been wor(ing independentl*. Butwe both have the same >uestion to as( *ou86

Mr. 1mberle* sat down heavil*. )e sensed impendingdanger. # read it in his straining e*es and his twitching



features.

6hat is the >uestion+ Mr. )olmes<6

6'nl* this@ hat did *ou do with the bodies<6

The man sprang to his feet with a hoarse scream. )e clawedinto the air with his bon* hands. )is mouth was open+ andfor the instant he loo(ed li(e some horrible bird of pre*. #n aflash we got a glimpse of the real osiah 1mberle*+ amisshapen demon with a soul as distorted as his bod*. 1she fell bac( into his chair he clapped his hand to his lips as ifto stifle a cough. )olmes sprang at his throat li(e a tiger andtwisted his face towards the ground. 1 white pellet fell frombetween his gasping lips.

6:o short cuts+ osiah 1mberle*. Things must be donedecentl* and in order. hat about it+ Bar(er<6

6# have a cab at the door+6 said our taciturn companion.

6#t is onl* a few hundred *ards to the station. e will gotogether. ;ou can sta* here+ atson. # shall be bac( withinhalf an hour.6

The old colourman had the strength of a lion in that greattrun( of his+ but he was helpless in the hands of the twoeperienced manhandlers. riggling and twisting he wasdragged to the waiting cab+ and # was left to m* solitar* vigilin the illomened house. #n less time than he had named+however+ )olmes was bac(+ in compan* with a smart *oungpolice inspector.

6#&ve left Bar(er to loo( after the formalities+6 said )olmes.6;ou had not met Bar(er+ atson. )e is m* hated rival uponthe Surre* shore. hen *ou said a tall dar( man it was not



difficult for me to complete the picture. )e has several goodcases to his credit+ has he not+ #nspector<6

6)e has certainl* interfered several times+6 the inspector

answered with reserve.

6)is methods are irregular+ no doubt+ li(e m* own. Theirregulars are useful sometimes+ *ou (now. ;ou+ foreample+ with *our compulsor* warning about whatever hesaid being used against him+ could never have bluffed thisrascal into what is virtuall* a confession.6

6Perhaps not. But we get there all the same+ Mr. )olmes.-on&t imagine that we had not formed our own views of thiscase+ and that we would not have laid our hands on ourman. ;ou will ecuse us for feeling sore when *ou =ump inwith methods which we cannot use+ and so rob us of thecredit.6

6There shall be no such robber*+ Macinnon. # assure *outhat # efface m*self from now onward+ and as to Bar(er+ he

has done nothing save what # told him.6

The inspector seemed considerabl* relieved.

6That is ver* handsome of *ou+ Mr. )olmes. Praise or blamecan matter little to *ou+ but it is ver* different to us when thenewspapers begin to as( >uestions.6

6Guite so. But the* are prett* sure to as( >uestions an*how+so it would be as well to have answers. hat will *ou sa*+for eample+ when the intelligent and enterprising reporteras(s *ou what the eact points were which aroused *oursuspicion+ and finall* gave *ou a certain conviction as to thereal facts<6



The inspector loo(ed puzzled.

6e don&t seem to have got an* real facts *et+ Mr. )olmes.;ou sa* that the prisoner+ in the presence of three

witnesses+ practicall* confessed b* tr*ing to commit suicide+that he had murdered his wife and her lover. hat otherfacts have *ou<6

6)ave *ou arranged for a search<6

6There are three constables on their wa*.6

6Then *ou will soon get the clearest fact of all. The bodiescannot be far awa*. Tr* the cellars and the garden. #t shouldnot ta(e long to dig up the li(el* places. This house is olderthan the waterpipes. There must be a disused wellsomewhere. Tr* *our luc( there.6

6But how did *ou (now of it+ and how was it done<6

6#&ll show *ou first how it was done+ and then # will give the

eplanation which is due to *ou+ and even more to m*longsuffering friend here+ who has been invaluablethroughout. But+ first+ # would give *ou an insight into thisman&s mentalit*. #t is a ver* unusual one so much so that #thin( his destination is more li(el* to be Broadmoor than thescaffold. )e has+ to a high degree+ the sort of mind whichone associates with the mediaeval #talian nature rather thanwith the modern Briton. )e was a miserable miser who madehis wife so wretched b* his niggardl* wa*s that she was aread* pre* for an* adventurer. Such a one came upon thescene in the person of this chesspla*ing doctor. 1mberle*ecelled at chessone mar(+ atson+ of a scheming mind.%i(e all misers+ he was a =ealous man+ and his =ealous*became a frantic mania. $ightl* or wrongl*+ he suspected an



intrigue. )e determined to have his revenge+ and he plannedit with diabolical cleverness. Come here86

)olmes led us along the passage with as much certaint* as

if he had lived in the house and halted at the open door ofthe strongroom.

6Pooh8 hat an awful smell of paint86 cried the inspector.

6That was our first clue+6 said )olmes. 6;ou can than( -r.atson&s observation for that+ though he failed to draw theinference. #t set m* foot upon the trail. h* should this manat such a time be filling his house with strong odours<'bviousl*+ to cover some other smell which he wisfhed toconcealsome guilt* smell which would suggest suspicions.Then came the idea of a room such as *ou see here withiron door and shuttera hermeticall* sealed room. Put thosetwo facts together+ and whither do the* lead< # could onl*determine that b* eamining the house m*self. # was alread*certain that the case was serious+ for # had eamined thebooffice chart at the )a*mar(et Theatreanother of -r.

atson&s bull&se*esand ascertained that neither B thirt*nor thirt*two of the upper circle had been occupied thatnight. Therefore+ 1mberle* had not been to the theatre+ andhis alibi fell to the ground. )e made a bad slip when heallowed m* astute friend to notice the number of the seatta(en for his wife. The >uestion now arose how # might beable to eamine the house. # sent an agent to the mostimpossible village # could thin( of+ and summoned m* man to

it at such an hour that he could not possibl* get bac(. Toprevent an* miscarriage+ -r. atson accompanied him. Thegood vicar&s name # too(+ of course+ out of m* Croc(ford. -o# ma(e it all clear to *ou<6

6#t is masterl*+6 said the inspector in an awed voice.



6There being no fear of interruption # proceeded to burgle thehouse. Burglar* has alwa*s been an alternative professionhad # cared to adopt it+ and # have little doubt that # shouldhave come to the front. 'bserve what # found. ;ou see the

gaspipe along the s(irting here. !er* good. #t rises in theangle of the wall+ and there is a tap here in the corner. Thepipe runs out into the strongroom+ as *ou can see+ and endsin that plaster rose in the centre of the ceiling+ where it isconcealed b* the ornamentation. That end is wide open. 1tan* moment b* turning the outside tap the room could beflooded with gas. ith door and shutter closed and the tapfull on # would not give two minutes of conscious sensation

to an*one shut up in that little chamber. B* what devilishdevice he deco*ed them there # do not (now+ but once insidethe door the* were at his merc*.6

The inspector eamined the pipe with interest. 6'ne of ourofficers mentioned the smell of gas+6 said he+ 6but of coursethe window and door were open then+ and the paintorsome of itwas alread* about. )e had begun the wor( ofpainting the da* before+ according to his stor*. But whatnet+ Mr. )olmes<6

6ell+ then came an incident which was rather unepected tom*self. # was slipping through the pantr* window in the earl*dawn when # felt a hand inside m* collar+ and a voice said@&:ow+ *ou rascal+ what are *ou doing in there<& hen # couldtwist m* head round # loo(ed into the tinted spectacles of m*friend and rival+ Mr. Bar(er. #t was a curious foregathering

and set us both smiling. #t seems that he had been engagedb* -r. $a* 7rnest&s famil* to ma(e some investigations andhad come to the same conclusion as to foul pla*. )e hadwatched the house for some da*s and had spotted -r.atson as one of the obviousl* suspicious characters whohad called there. )e could hardl* arrest atson+ but when



he saw a man actuall* climbing out of the pantr* windowthere came a limit to his restraint. 'f course+ # told him howmatters stood and we continued the case together.6

6h* him< h* not us<6

6Because it was in m* mind to put that little test whichanswered so admirabl*. # fear *ou would not have gone sofar.6

The inspector smiled.

6ell+ ma*be not. # understand that # have *our word+ Mr.)olmes+ that *ou step right out of the case now and that *outurn all *our results over to us.6

6Certainl*+ that is alwa*s m* custom.6

6ell+ in the name of the force # than( *ou. #t seems a clearcase+ as *ou put it+ and there can&t be much difficult* overthe bodies.6

6#&ll show *ou a grim little bit of evidence+6 said )olmes+ 6and# am sure 1mberle* himself never observed it. ;ou&ll getresults+ #nspector+ b* alwa*s putting *ourself in the otherfellow&s place+ and thin(ing what *ou would do *ourself. #tta(es some imagination+ but it pa*s. :ow+ we will supposethat *ou were shut up in this little room+ had not two minutesto live+ but wanted to get even with the fiend who wasprobabl* moc(ing at *ou from the other side of the door.hat would *ou do<6

6rite a message.6

67actl*. ;ou would li(e to tell people how *ou died. :o usewriting on paper. That would be seen. #f *ou wrote on the



wall someone might rest upon it. :ow+ loo( here8 ust abovethe s(irting is scribbled with a purple indelible pencil@ &ewe& That&s all.&&

6hat do *ou ma(e of that<6

6ell+ it&s onl* a foot above the ground. The poor devil wason the floor d*ing when he wrote it. )e lost his sensesbefore he could finish.6

6)e was writing+ &e were murdered.&6

6That&s how # read it. #f *ou find an indelible pencil on thebod*6

6e&ll loo( out for it+ *ou ma* be sure. But those securities<Clearl* there was no robber* at all. 1nd *et he did possessthose bonds. e verified that.6

6;ou ma* be sure he has them hidden in a safe place. henthe whole elopement had passed into histor*+ he would

suddenl* discover them and announce that the guilt* couplehad relented and sent bac( the plunder or had dropped it onthe wa*.6

6;ou certainl* seem to have met ever* difficult*+6 said theinspector. 6'f course+ he was bound to call us in+ but wh* heshould have gone to *ou # can&t understand.6

6Pure swan(86 )olmes answered. 6)e felt so clever and so

sure of himself that he imagined no one could touch him. )ecould sa* to an* suspicious neighbour+ &%oo( at the steps #have ta(en. # have consulted not onl* the police but evenSherloc( )olmes.&6

The inspector laughed.



6e must forgive *ou *our &even+& Mr. )olmes+6 said he 6it&sas wor(manli(e a =ob as # can remember.6

1 couple of da*s later m* friend tossed across to me a cop*

of the biwee(l* :orth Surre* 'bserver. 9nder a series offlaming headlines+ which began with 6The )aven )orror6 andended with 6Brilliant Police #nvestigation+6 there was apac(ed column of print which gave the first consecutiveaccount of the affair. The concluding paragraph is t*pical ofthe whole. #t ran thus@

The remar(able acumen b* which #nspector Macinnon

deduced from the smell of paint that some other smell+ thatof gas+ for eample+ might be concealed0 the bold deductionthat the strongroom might also be the deathchamber+ andthe subse>uent in>uir* which led to the discover* of thebodies in a disused well+ cleverl* concealed b* a dog(ennel+should live in the histor* of crime as a standing eample ofthe intelligence of our professional detectives.

6ell+ well+ Macinnon is a good fellow+6 said )olmes with a

tolerant smile. 6;ou can file it in our archives+ atson. Someda* the true stor* ma* be told.6

AD$"!T%#" &+' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"TH#"" GA)*"S

# don&t thin( that an* of m* adventures with Mr. Sherloc(

)olmes opened >uite so abruptl*+ or so dramaticall*+ as thatwhich # associate with The Three "ables. # had not seen)olmes for some da*s and had no idea of the new channelinto which his activities had been directed. )e was in achatt* mood that morning+ however+ and had =ust settled meinto the wellworn low armchair on one side of the fire+ while



he had curled down with his pipe in his mouth upon theopposite chair+ when our visitor arrived. #f # had said that amad bull had arrived it would give a clearer impression ofwhat occurred.

The door had flown open and a huge negro had burst intothe room. )e would have been a comic figure if he had notbeen terrific+ for he was dressed in a ver* loud gra* chec(suit with a flowing salmoncoloured tie. )is broad face andflattened nose were thrust forward+ as his sullen dar( e*es+with a smouldering gleam of malice in them+ turned from oneof us to the other.

6hich of *ou gen&l&men is Masser )olmes<6 he as(ed.

)olmes raised his pipe with a languid smile.

6'h8 it&s *ou+ is it<6 said our visitor+ coming with anunpleasant+ stealth* step round the angle of the table. 6Seehere+ Masser )olmes+ *ou (eep *our hands out of otherfol(s& business. %eave fol(s to manage their own affairs. "ot

that+ Masser )olmes<6

6eep on tal(ing+6 said )olmes. 6#t&s fine.6

6'h8 it&s fine+ is it<6 growled the savage. 6#t won&t be so damnfine if # have to trim *ou up a bit. #&ve handled *our (indbefore now+ and the* didn&t loo( fine when # was through withthem. %oo( at that+ Masser )olmes86

)e swung a huge (notted lump of a fist under m* friend&snose. )olmes eamined it closel* with an air of greatinterest.

6ere *ou born so<6 he as(ed. 6'r did it come b* degrees<6



#t ma* have been the ic* coolness of m* friend+ or it ma*have been the slight clatter which # made as # pic(ed up thepo(er. #n an* case+ our visitor&s manner became lessflambo*ant.

6ell+ #&ve given *ou fair warnin&+6 said he. 6#&ve a friend that&sinterested out )arrow wa**ou (now what #&m meaningandhe don&t intend to have no buttin& in b* *ou. "ot that< ;ouain&t the law+ and # ain&t the law either+ and if *ou come in #&llbe on hand also. -on&t *ou forget it.6

6#&ve wanted to meet *ou for some time+6 said )olmes. 6#

won&t as( *ou to sit down+ for # don&t li(e the smell of *ou+ butaren&t *ou Steve -iie+ the bruiser<6

6That&s m* name+ Masser )olmes+ and *ou&ll get put throughit for sure if *ou give me an* lip.6

6#t is certainl* the last thing *ou need+6 said )olmes+ staringat our visitor&s hideous mouth. 6But it was the (illing of *oungPer(ins outside the )olbornBar hat8 *ou&re not going<6

The negro had sprung bac(+ and his face was leaden. 6#won&t listen to no such tal(+6 said he. 6hat have # to do withthis &ere Per(ins+ Masser )olmes< # was trainin& at the Bull$ing in Birmingham when this bo* done gone get intotrouble.6

6;es+ *ou&ll tell the magistrate about it+ Steve+6 said )olmes.6#&ve been watching *ou and Barne* Stoc(dale6

6So help me the %ord8 Masser )olmes6

6That&s enough. "et out of it. #&ll pic( *ou up when # want*ou.6



6"oodmornin&+ Masser )olmes. # hope there ain&t no hardfeelin&s about this &ere visit<6

6There will be unless *ou tell me who sent *ou.6

6h*+ there ain&t no secret about that+ Masser )olmes. #twas that same gen&l&man that *ou have =ust done gonemention.6

61nd who set him on to it<6

6S&elp me. # don&t (now+ Masser )olmes. )e =ust sa*+ &Steve+*ou go see Mr. )olmes+ and tell him his life ain&t safe if he godown )arrow wa*.& That&s the whole truth.6 ithout waitingfor an* further >uestioning+ our visitor bolted out of the roomalmost as precipitatel* as he had entered. )olmes (noc(edout the ashes of his pipe with a >uiet chuc(le.

6# am glad *ou were not forced to brea( his wooll* head+atson. # observed *our manoeuvres with the po(er. But heis reall* rather a harmless fellow+ a great muscular+ foolish+

blustering bab*+ and easil* cowed+ as *ou have seen. )e isone of the Spencer ohn gang and has ta(en part in somedirt* wor( of late which # ma* clear up when # have time. )isimmediate principal+ Barne*+ is a more astute person. The*specialize in assaults+ intimidation+ and the li(e. hat # wantto (now is+ who is at the bac( of them on this particularoccasion<6

6But wh* do the* want to intimidate *ou<6

6#t is this )arrow eald case. #t decides me to loo( into thematter+ for if it is worth an*one&s while to ta(e so muchtrouble+ there must be something in it.6

6But what is it<6



6# was going to tell *ou when we had this comic interlude.)ere is Mrs. Maberle*&s note. #f *ou care to come with mewe will wire her and go out at once.6

-71$ M$. S)7$%'C )'%M7S H# readI@

# have had a succession of strange incidents occur to me inconnection with this house+ and # should much value *ouradvice. ;ou would find me at home an* time tomorrow. Thehouse is within a short wal( of the eald Station. # believethat m* late husband+ Mortimer Maberle*+ was one of *ourearl* clients.

;ours faithfull*+ M1$; M1B7$%7;.

The address was 6The Three "ables+ )arrow eald.6

6So that&s that86 said )olmes. 61nd now+ if *ou can spare thetime+ atson+ we will get upon our wa*.6

1 short railwa* =ourne*+ and a shorter drive+ brought us to

the house+ a bric( and timber villa+ standing in its own acreof undeveloped grassland. Three small pro=ections above.the upper windows made a feeble attempt to =ustif* its name.Behind was a grove of melanchol*+ halfgrown pines+ andthe whole aspect of the place was poor and depressing.:one the less+ we found the house to be well furnished+ andthe lad* who received us was a most engaging elderl*person+ who bore ever* mar( of refinement and culture.

6# remember *our husband well+ madam+6 said )olmes+6though it is some *ears since he used m* services in sometrifling matter.6

6Probabl* *ou would be more familiar with the name of m*son -ouglas.6



)olmes loo(ed at her with great interest.

6-ear me8 1re *ou the mother of -ouglas Maberle*< # (newhim slightl*. But of course all %ondon (new him. hat a

magnificent creature he was8 here is he now<6

6-ead+ Mr. )olmes+ dead8 )e was attache at $ome+ and hedied there of pneumonia last month.6

6# am sorr*. 'ne could not connect death with such a man. #have never (nown an*one so vitall* alive. )e livedintensel*ever* fibre of him86

6Too intensel*+ Mr. )olmes. That was the ruin of him. ;ouremember him as he wasdebonair and splendid. ;ou didnot see the mood*+ morose+ brooding creature into which hedeveloped. )is heart was bro(en. #n a single month #seemed to see m* gallant bo* turn into a wornout c*nicalman.6

61 love affaira woman<6

6'r a fiend. ell+ it was not to tal( of m* poor lad that #as(ed *ou to come+ Mr. )olmes.6

6-r. atson and # are at *our service.6

6There have been some ver* strange happenings. # havebeen in this house more than a *ear now+ and as # wished tolead a retired life # have seen little of m* neighbours. Three

da*s ago # had a call from a man who said that he was ahouse agent. )e said that this house would eactl* suit aclient of his+ and that if # would part with it mone* would beno ob=ect. #t seemed to me ver* strange as there are severalempt* houses on the mar(et which appear to be e>uall*eligible+ but naturall* # was interested in what he said. #



therefore named a price which was five hundred poundsmore than # gave. )e at once closed with the offer+ butadded that his client desired to bu* the furniture as well andwould # put a price upon it. Some of this furniture is from m*

old home+ and it is+ as *ou see+ ver* good+ so that # named agood round sum. To this also he at once agreed. # hadalwa*s wanted to travel+ and the bargain was so good a onethat it reall* seemed that # should be m* own mistress for therest of m* life.

6;esterda* the man arrived with the agreement all drawnout. %uc(il* # showed it to Mr. Sutro+ m* law*er+ who lives in

)arrow. )e said to me+ &This is a ver* strange document. 1re*ou aware that if *ou sign it *ou could not legall* ta(ean*thing out of the housenot even *our own privatepossessions<& hen the man came again in the evening #pointed this out+ and # said that # meant onl* to sell thefurniture.

6&:o+ no+ ever*thing+& said he.

6&But m* clothes< M* =ewels<&

6&ell+ well+ some concession might be made for *ourpersonal effects. But nothing shall go out of the houseunchec(ed. M* client is a ver* liberal man+ but he has hisfads and his own wa* of doing things. #t is ever*thing ornothing with him.&

6&Then it must be nothing+& said #. 1nd there the matter wasleft+ but the whole thing seemed to me to be so unusual that# thought6

)ere we had a ver* etraordinar* interruption.

)olmes raised his hand for silence. Then he strode across



the room+ flung open the door+ and dragged in a great gauntwoman whom he had seized b* the shoulder. She enteredwith ungainl* struggle li(e some huge aw(ward chic(en+torn+ s>uaw(ing+ out of its coop.

6%eave me alone8 hat are *ou adoin& of<6 she screeched.

6h*+ Susan+ what is this<6

6ell+ ma&am+ # was comin& in to as( if the visitors was sta*in&for lunch when this man =umped out at me.6

6# have been listening to her for the last five minutes+ but didnot wish to interrupt *our most interesting narrative. ust alittle wheez*+ Susan+ are *ou not< ;ou breathe too heavil*for that (ind of wor(.6

Susan turned a sul(* but amazed face upon her captor.6ho be *ou+ an*how+ and what right have *ou apullin& meabout li(e this<6

6#t was merel* that # wished to as( a >uestion in *ourpresence. -id *ou+ Mrs. Maberle*+ mention to an*one that*ou were going to write to me and consult me<6

6:o+ Mr. )olmes+ # did not.6

6ho posted *our letter<6

6Susan did.6

67actl*. :ow+ Susan+ to whom was it that *ou wrote or senta message to sa* that *our mistress was as(ing advice fromme<6

6#t&s a lie. # sent no message.6



6:ow+ Susan+ wheez* people ma* not live long+ *ou (now.#t&s a wic(ed thing to tell fibs. hom did *ou tell<6

6Susan86 cried her mistress+ 6# believe *ou are a bad+

treacherous woman. # remember now that # saw *ouspea(ing to someone over the hedge.6

6That was m* own business+6 said the woman sullenl*.

6Suppose # tell *ou that it was Barne* Stoc(dale to whom*ou spo(e<6 said )olmes.

6ell+ if *ou (now+ what do *ou want to as( for<6

6# was not sure+ but # (now now. ell now+ Susan+ it will beworth ten pounds to *ou if *ou will tell me who is at the bac(of Barne*.6

6Someone that could la* down a thousand pounds for ever*ten *ou have in the world.6

6So+ a rich man< :o0 *ou smileda rich woman. :ow wehave got so far+ *ou ma* as well give the name and earn thetenner.6

6#&ll see *ou in hell first.6

6'h+ Susan8 %anguage86

6# am clearing out of here. #&ve had enough of *ou all. #&ll send

for m* bo tomorrow.6 She flounced for the door.

6"oodb*e+ Susan. Paregoric is the stuff.... :ow+6 hecontinued+ turning suddenl* from livel* to severe when thedoor had closed behind the flushed and angr* woman+ 6thisgang means business. %oo( how close the* pla* the game.



;our letter to me had the 2D P.M. postmar(. 1nd *et Susanpasses the word to Barne*. Barne* has time to go to hisemplo*er and get instructions0 he or she# incline to thelatter from Susan&s grin when she thought # had blundered

forms a plan. Blac( Steve is called in+ and # am warned offb* eleven o&cloc( net morning. That&s >uic( wor(+ *ou(now.6

6But what do the* want<6

6;es+ that&s the >uestion. ho had the house before *ou<6

61 retired sea captain called ,erguson.6

61n*thing remar(able about him<6

6:ot that ever # heard of.6

6# was wondering whether he could have buried something.'f course+ when people bur* treasure nowada*s the* do it inthe Post'ffice ban(. But there are alwa*s some lunatics

about. #t would be a dull world without them. 1t first # thoughtof some buried valuable. But wh*+ in that case+ should the*want *our furniture< ;ou don&t happen to have a $aphael ora first folio Sha(espeare without (nowing it<6

6:o+ # don&t thin( # have an*thing rarer than a Crown -erb*teaset.6

6That would hardl* =ustif* all this m*ster*. Besides+ wh*

should the* not openl* state what the* want< #f the* covet*our teaset+ the* can surel* offer a price for it withoutbu*ing *ou out+ loc(+ stoc(+ and barrel. :o+ as # read it+ thereis something which *ou do not (now that *ou have+ andwhich *ou would not give up if *ou did (now.6



6That is how # read it+6 said #.

6-r. atson agrees+ so that settles it.6

6ell+ Mr. )olmes+ what can it be<6

6%et us see whether b* this purel* mental anal*sis we canget it to a finer point. ;ou have been in this house a *ear.6

6:earl* two.6

61ll the better. -uring this long period no one wants an*thingfrom *ou. :ow suddenl* within three or four da*s *ou have

urgent demands. hat would *ou gather from that<6

6#t can onl* mean+6 said #+ 6that the ob=ect+ whatever it ma*be+ has onl* =ust come into the house.6

6Settled once again+6 said )olmes. 6:ow+ Mrs. Maberle* hasan* ob=ect =ust arrived<6

6:o+ # have bought nothing new this *ear.6

6#ndeed8 That is ver* remar(able. ell+ # thin( we had bestlet matters develop a little further until we have clearer data.#s that law*er of *ours a capable man<6

6Mr. Sutro is most capable.6

6)ave *ou another maid+ or was the fair Susan+ who has =ust

banged *our front door alone<6

6# have a *oung girl.6

6Tr* and get Sutro to spend a night or two in the house. ;oumight possibl* want protection.6



61gainst whom<6

6ho (nows< The matter is certainl* obscure. #f # can&t findwhat the* are after+ # must approach the matter from the

other end and tr* to get at the principal. -id this houseagentman give an* address<6

6Simpl* his card and occupation. )ainesohnson+ 1uctioneer and !aluer.6

6# don&t thin( we shall find him in the director*. )onestbusiness men don&t conceal their place of business. ell+*ou will let me (now an* fresh development. # have ta(en up*our case+ and *ou ma* rel* upon it that # shall see itthrough.6

1s we passed through the hall )olmes&s e*es+ which missednothing+ lighted upon several trun(s and cases which werepiled in a corner. The labels shone out upon them.

6&Milano.& &%ucerne.& These are from #tal*.6

6The* are poor -ouglas&s things.6

6;ou have not unpac(ed them< )ow long have *ou hadthem<6

6The* arrived last wee(.6

6But *ou saidwh*+ surel* this might be the missing lin(.

)ow do we (now that there is not something of value there<6

6There could not possibl* be+ Mr. )olmes. Poor -ouglas hadonl* his pa* and a small annuit*. hat could he have ofvalue<6



)olmes was lost in thought.

6-ela* no longer+ Mrs. Maberle*+6 he said at last. 6)avethese things ta(en upstairs to *our bedroom. 7amine them

as soon as possible and see what the* cohtain. # will cometomorrow and hear *our report.6

#t was >uite evident that The Three "ables was under ver*close surveillance+ for as we came round the high hedge atthe end of the lane there was the negro prizefighterstanding in the shadow. e came on him >uite suddenl*+and a grim and menacing figure he loo(ed in that lonel*

place. )olmes clapped his hand to his poc(et.

6%oo(in& for *our gun+ Masser )olmes<6

6:o+ for m* scentbottle+ Steve.6

6;ou are funn*+ Masser )olmes+ ain&t *ou<6

6#t won&t be funn* for *ou+ Steve+ if # get after *ou. # gave *ou

fair warning this morning.6

6ell+ Masser )olmes+ # done gone thin( over what *ou said+and # don&t want no more tal( about that affair of MasserPer(ins. S&pose # can help *ou+ Masser )olmes+ # will.6

6ell+ then+ tell me who is behind *ou on this =ob.6

6So help me the %ord8 Masser )olmes+ # told *ou the truth

before. # don&t (now. M* boss Barne* gives me orders andthat&s all.6

6ell+ =ust bear in mind+ Steve+ that the lad* in that house+and ever*thing under that roof+ is under m* protection. -on&tforget it.6



61ll right+ Masser )olmes. #&ll remember.6

6#&ve got him thoroughl* frightened for his own s(in+ atson+6)olmes remar(ed as we wal(ed on. 6# thin( he would

doublecross his emplo*er if he (new who he was. #t wasluc(* # had some (nowledge of the Spencer ohn crowd+ andthat Steve was one of them. :ow+ atson+ this is a case for%angdale Pi(e+ and # am going to see him now. hen # getbac( # ma* be clearer in the matter.6

# saw no more of )olmes during the da*+ but # could wellimagine how he spent it+ for %angdale Pi(e was his human

boo( of reference upon all matters of social scandal. Thisstrange+ languid creature spent his wa(ing hours in the bowwindow of a St. ames&s Street club and was the receivingstation as well as the transmitter for all the gossip of themetropolis. )e made+ it was said+ a fourfigure income b* theparagraphs which he contributed ever* wee( to the garbagepapers which cater to an in>uisitive public. #f ever+ far downin the turbid depths of %ondon life+ there was some strangeswirl or edd*+ it was mar(ed with automatic eactness b* this

human dial upon the surface. )olmes discreetl* helped%angdale to (nowledge+ and on occasion was helped in turn.

hen # met m* friend in his room earl* net morning+ # wasconscious from his bearing that all was well+ but none theless a most unpleasant surprise was awaiting us. #t too( theshape of the following telegram.

Please come out at once. Client&s house burgled in the night. Policein possession.

S9T$'.

)olmes whistled. 6The drama has come to a crisis+ and>uic(er than # had epected. There is a great drivingpowerat the bac( of this business+ atson+ which does not



surprise me after what # have heard. This Sutro+ of course+ isher law*er. # made a mista(e+ # fear+ in not as(ing *ou tospend the night on guard. This fellow has clearl* proved abro(en reed. ell+ there is nothing for it but another =ourne*

to )arrow eald.6

e found The Three "ables a ver* different establishmentto the orderl* household of the previous da*. 1 small groupof idlers had assembled at the garden gate+ while a couple ofconstables were eamining the windows and the geraniumbeds. ithin we met a gra* old gentleman+ who introducedhimself as the law*er together with a bustling+ rubicund

inspector+ who greeted )oimes as an old friend.

6ell+ Mr. )olmes+ no chance for *ou in this case+ #&m afraid.ust a common+ ordinar* burglar*+ and well within thecapacit* of the poor old police. :o eperts need appl*.6

6# am sure the case is in ver* good hands+6 said )olmes.6Merel* a common burglar*+ *ou sa*<6

6Guite so. e (now prett* well who the men are and whereto find them. #t is that gang of Barne* Stoc(dale+ with the bignigger in it the*&ve been seen about here.6

67cellent8 hat did the* get<6

6ell+ the* don&t seem to have got much. Mrs. Maberle* waschloroformed and the house was1h8 here is the lad*herself.6

'ur friend of *esterda*+ loo(ing ver* pale and ill+ hadentered the room+ leaning upon a little maidservant.

6;ou gave me good advice+ Mr. )olmes+6 said she+ smilingruefull*. 61las+ # did not ta(e it8 # did not wish to trouble Mr.



Sutro+ and so # was unprotected.6

6# onl* heard of it this morning+6 the law*er eplained.

6Mr. )olmes advised me to have some friend in the house. #neglected his advice+ and # have paid for it.6

6;ou loo( wretchedl* ill+6 said )olmes. 6Perhaps *ou arehardl* e>ual to telling me what occurred.6

6#t is all here+6 said the inspector+ tapping a bul(* noteboo(.

6Still+ if the lad* is not too ehausted6

6There is reall* so little to tell. # have no doubt that wic(edSusan had planned an entrance for them. The* must have(nown the house to an inch. # was conscious for a momentof the chloroform rag which was thrust over m* mouth+ but #have no notion how long # ma* have been senseless. hen #wo(e+ one man was at the bedside and another was risingwith a bundle in his hand from among m* son&s baggage+

which was partiall* opened and littered over the floor. Beforehe could get awa* # sprang up and seized him.6

6;ou too( a big ris(+6 said the inspector.

6# clung to him+ but he shoo( me off+ and the other ma* havestruc( me+ for # can remember no more. Mar* the maidheard the noise and began screaming out of the window.That brought the police+ but the rascals had got awa*.6

6hat did the* ta(e<6

6ell+ # don&t thin( there is an*thing of value missing. # amsure there was nothing in m* son&s trun(s.6



6-id the men leave no clue<6

6There was one sheet of paper which # ma* have torn fromthe man that # grasped. #t was l*ing all crumpled on the floor.

#t is in m* son&s handwriting.6

6hich means that it is not of much use+6 said the inspector.6:ow if it had been in the burglar&s6

67actl*+6 said )olmes. 6hat rugged common sense8 :onethe less+ # should be curious to see it.6

The inspector drew a folded sheet of foolscap from hispoc(etboo(.

6# never pass an*thing+ however trifling+6 said he with somepomposit*. 6That is m* advice to *ou+ Mr. )olmes. #ntwent*five *ears& eperience # have learned m* lesson.There is alwa*s the chance of fingermar(s or something.6

)olmes inspected the sheet of paper.

6hat do *ou ma(e of it+ #nspector<6

6Seems to be the end of some >ueer novel+ so far as # cansee.6

6#t ma* certainl* prove to be the end of a >ueer tale+6 said)olmes. 6;ou have noticed the number on the top of thepage. #t is two hundred and fort*five. here are the odd two

hundred and fort*four pages<6

6ell+ # suppose the burglars got those. Much good ma* it dothem86

6#t seems a >ueer thing to brea( into a house in order to



steal such papers as that. -oes it suggest an*thing to *ou+#nspector<6

6;es+ sir+ it suggests that in their hurr* the rascals =ust

grabbed at what came first to hand. # wish them =o* of whatthe* got.6

6h* should the* go to m* son&s things<6 as(ed Mrs.Maberle*.

6ell+ the* found nothing valuable downstairs+ so the* triedtheir luc( upstairs. That is how # read it. hat do *ou ma(eof it+ Mr. )olmes<6

6# must thin( it over+ #nspector. Come to the window+atson.6 Then+ as we stood together+ he read over thefragment of paper. #t began in the middle of a sentence andran li(e this@

6...face bled considerabl* from the cuts and blows+ but it wasnothing to the bleeding of his heart as he saw that lovel*

face+ the face for which he had been prepared to sacrificehis ver* life+ loo(ing out at his agon* and humiliation. Shesmiled*es+ b* )eaven8 she smiled+ li(e the heartless fiendshe was+ as he loo(ed up at her. #t was at that moment thatlove died and hate was born. Man must live for something. #fit is not for *our embrace+ m* lad*+ then it shall surel* be for*our undoing and m* complete revenge.6

6Gueer grammar86 said )olmes with a smile as he handedthe paper bac( to the inspector. 6-id *ou notice how the &he&suddenl* changed to &m*&< The writer was so carried awa*b* his own stor* that he imagined himself at the suprememoment to be the hero.6

6#t seemed might* poor stuff+6 said the inspector as he



replaced it in his boo(. 6hat8 are *ou off+ Mr. )olmes<6

6# don&t thin( there is an*thing more for me to do now that thecase is in such capable hands. B* the wa*+ Mrs. Maberle*+

did *ou sa* *ou wished to travel<6

6#t has alwa*s been m* dream+ Mr. )olmes.6

6here would *ou li(e to goCairo+ Madeira+ the $iviera<6

6'h if # had the mone* # would go round the world.6

6Guite so. $ound the world. ell+ goodmorning. # ma* drop

*ou a line in the evening.6 1s we passed the window #caught a glimpse of the inspector&s smile and sha(e of thehead. 6These clever fellows have alwa*s a touch ofmadness.6 That was what # read in the inspector&s smile.

6:ow+ atson+ we are at the last lap of our little =ourne*+6said )olmes when we were bac( in the roar of central%ondon once more. 6# thin( we had best clear the matter up

at once+ and it would be well that *ou should come with me+for it is safer to have a witness when *ou are dealing withsuch a lad* as #sadora lein.6

e had ta(en a cab and were speeding to some address in"rosvenor S>uare. )olmes had been sun( in thought+ but heroused himself suddenl*.

6B* the wa*+ atson+ # suppose *ou see it all clearl*<6

6:o+ # can&t sa* that # do. # onl* gather that we are going tosee the lad* who is behind all this mischief.6

67actl*8 But does the name #sadora lein conve* nothing to*ou< She was+ of course+ the celebrated beaut*. There was



never a woman to touch her. She is pure Spanish+ the realblood of the masterfui Con>uistadors+ and her people havebeen leaders in Pernambuco for generations. She marriedthe aged "erman sugar (ing+ lein+ and presentl* found

herself the richest as well as the most lovel* widow uponearth. Then there was an interval of adventure when shepleased her own tastes. She had several lovers+ and-ouglas Maberle*+ one of the most stri(ing men in %ondon+was one of them. #t was b* all accounts more than anadventure with him. )e was not a societ* butterfl* but astrong+ proud man who gave and epected all. But she is the&belle dame sans merci& of fiction. hen her caprice is

satisfied the matter is ended+ and if the other part* in thematter can&t ta(e her word for it she (nows how to bring ithome to him.6

6Then that was his own stor*6

61h8 *ou are piecing it together now. # hear that she is aboutto marr* the *oung -u(e of %omond+ who might almost beher son. )is "race&s ma might overloo( the age+ but a big

scandal would be a different matter+ so it is imperative1h8here we are.6

#t was one of the finest cornerhouses of the est 7nd. 1machineli(e footman too( up our cards and returned withword that the lad* was not at home. 6Then we shall wait untilshe is+6 said )olmes cheerfull*.

The machine bro(e down.

6:ot at home means not at home to *ou+6 said the footman.

6"ood+6 )olmes answered. 6That means that we shall nothave to wait. indl* give this note to *our mistress.6



)e scribbled three or four words upon a sheet of hisnoteboo(+ folded it+ and handed it to the man.

6hat did *ou sa*+ )olmes<6 # as(ed.

6# simpl* wrote@ &Shall it be the police+ then<& # thin( thatshould pass us in.6

#t didwith amazing celerit*. 1 minute later we were in an 1rabian :ights drawingroom+ vast and wonderful+ in a halfgloom+ pic(ed out with an occasional pin( electric light. Thelad* had come+ # felt+ to that time of life when even theproudest beaut* finds the half light more welcome. She rosefrom a settee as we entered@ tall+ >ueenl*+ a perfect figure+ alovel* mas(li(e face+ with two wonderful Spanish e*eswhich loo(ed murder at us both.

6hat is this intrusionand this insulting message<6 sheas(ed+ holding up the slip of paper.

6# need not eplain+ madame. # have too much respect for

*our intelligence to do sothough # confess that intelligencehas been surprisingl* at fault of late.6

6)ow so+ sir<6

6B* supposing that *our hired bullies could frighten me fromm* wor(. Surel* no man would ta(e up m* profession if itwere not that danger attracts him. #t was *ou+ then+ whoforced me to eamine the case of *oung Maberle*.6

6# have no idea what *ou are tal(ing about. hat have # to dowith hired bullies<6

)olmes turned awa* wearil*.



6;es+ # have underrated *our intelligence. ell+ goodafternoon86

6Stop8 here are *ou going<6

6To Scotland ;ard.6

e had not got halfwa* to the door before she hadoverta(en us and was holding his arm. She had turned in amoment from steel to velvet.

6Come and sit down+ gentlemen. %et us tal( this matter over.# feel that # ma* be fran( with *ou+ Mr. )olmes. ;ou have thefeelings of a gentleman. )ow >uic( a woman&s instinct is tofind it out. # will treat *ou as a friend.6

6# cannot promise to reciprocate+ madame. # am not the law+but # represent =ustice so far as m* feeble powers go. # amread* to listen+ and then # will tell *ou how # will act.6

6:o doubt it was foolish of me to threaten a brave man li(e

*ourself.6

6hat was reall* foolish+ madame+ is that *ou have placed*ourself in the power of a band of rascals who ma* blac(mailor give *ou awa*.6

6:o+ no8 # am not so simple. Since # have promised to befran(+ # ma* sa* that no one+ save Barne* Stoc(dale andSusan+ his wife+ have the least idea who their emplo*er is.

1s to them+ well+ it is not the first 6 She smiled and noddedwith a charming co>uettish intimac*.

6# see. ;ou&ve tested them before.6

6The* are good hounds who run silent.6



6Such hounds have a wa* sooner or later of biting the handthat feeds them. The* will be arrested for this burglar*. Thepolice are alread* after them.6

6The* will ta(e what comes to them. That is what the* arepaid for. # shall not appear in the matter.6

69nless # bring *ou into it.6

6:o+ no+ *ou would not. ;ou are a gentleman. #t is awoman&s secret.6

6#n the first place+ *ou must give bac( this manuscript.6

She bro(e into a ripple of laughter and wal(ed to thefireplace. There was a calcined mass which she bro(e upwith the po(er. 6Shall # give this bac(<6 she as(ed. Soroguish and e>uisite did she loo( as she stood before uswith a challenging smile that # felt of all )olmes&s criminalsthis was the one whom he would find it hardest to face.)owever+ he was immune from sentiment.

6That seals *our fate+6 he said coldl*. 6;ou are ver* promptin *our actions+ madame+ but *ou have overdone it on thisoccasion.6

She threw the po(er down with a clatter.

6)ow hard *ou are86 she cried. 6Ma* # tell *ou the wholestor*<6

6# fanc* # could tell it to *ou.6

6But *ou must loo( at it with m* e*es+ Mr. )olmes. ;ou mustrealize it from the point of view of a woman who sees all herlife&s ambition about to be ruined at the last moment. #s such



a woman to be blamed if she protects herself<6

6The original sin was *ours.6

6;es+ *es8 # admit it. )e was a dear bo*+ -ouglas+ but it sochanced that he could not fit into m* plans. )e wantedmarriagemarriage+ Mr. )olmeswith a pennilesscommoner. :othing less would serve him. Then he becamepertinacious. Because # had given he seemed to thin( that #still must give+ and to him onl*. #t was intolerable. 1t last #had to ma(e him realize it.6

6B* hiring ruffians to beat him under *our own window.6

6;ou do indeed seem to (now ever*thing. ell+ it is true.Barne* and the bo*s drove him awa*+ and were+ # admit+ alittle rough in doing so. But what did he do then< Could #have believed that a gentleman would do such an act< )ewrote a boo( in which he described his own stor*. #+ ofcourse+ was the wolf0 he the lamb. #t was all there+ underdifferent names+ of course0 but who in all %ondon would have

failed to recognize it< hat do *ou sa* to that+ Mr. )olmes<6

6ell+ he was within his rights.6

6#t was as if the air of #tal* had got into his blood and broughtwith it the old cruel #talian spirit. )e wrote to me and sent mea cop* of his boo( that # might have the torture ofanticipation. There were two copies+ he saidone for me+one for his publisher.6

6)ow did *ou (now the publisher&s had not reached him<6

6# (new who his publisher was. #t is not his onl* novel+ *ou(now. # found out that he had not heard from #tal*. Thencame -ouglas&s sudden death. So long as that other



manuscript was in the world there was no safet* for me. 'fcourse+ it must be among his effects+ and these would bereturned to his mother. # set the gang at wor(. 'ne of themgot into the house as servant. # wanted to do the thing

honestl*. # reall* and trul* did. # was read* to bu* the houseand ever*thing in it. # offered an* price she cared to as(. #onl* tried the other wa* when ever*thing else had failed.:ow+ Mr. )olmes+ granting that # was too hard on -ouglasand+ "od (nows+ # am sorr* for it8what else could # do withm* whole future at sta(e<6

Sherloc( )olmes shrugged his shoulders.

6ell+ well+6 said he+ 6# suppose # shall have to compound afelon* as usual. )ow much does it cost to go round the worldin firstclass st*le<6

The lad* stared in amazement.

6Could it be done on five thousand pounds<6

6ell+ # should thin( so+ indeed86

6!er* good. # thin( *ou will sign me a chec( for that+ and #will see that it comes to Mrs. Maberle*. ;ou owe her a littlechange of air. Meantime+ lad*6he wagged a cautionar*forefinger6have a care8 )ave a care8 ;ou can&t pla* withedged tools forever without cutting those daint* hands.6

AD$"!T%#" +' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"*&!,S MA!"

#t is a most singular thing that a problem which was certainl*as abstruse and unusual as an* which # have faced in m*



long professional career should have come to me after m*retirement+ and be brought+ as it were+ to m* ver* door. #toccurred after m* withdrawal to m* little Susse home+ when# had given m*self up entirel* to that soothing life of :ature

for which # had so often *earned during the long *ears spentamid the gloom of %ondon. 1t this period of m* life the goodatson had passed almost be*ond m* (en. 1n occasionalwee(end visit was the most that # ever saw of him. Thus #must act as m* own chronicler. 1h8 had he but been withme+ how much he might have made of so wonderful ahappening and of m* eventual triumph against ever*difficult*8 1s it is+ however+ # must needs tell m* tale in m*

own plain wa*+ showing b* m* words each step upon thedifficult road which la* before me as # searched for them*ster* of the %ion&s Mane.

M* villa is situated upon the southern slope of the downs+commanding a great view of the Channel. 1t this point thecoastline is entirel* of chal( cliffs+ which can onl* bedescended b* a single+ long+ tortuous path+ which is steepand slipper*. 1t the bottom of the path lie a hundred *ards ofpebbles and shingle+ even when the tide is at full. )ere andthere+ however+ there are curves and hollows which ma(esplendid swimmingpools filled afresh with each flow. Thisadmirable beach etends for some miles in each direction+save onl* at one point where the little cove and village of,ulworth brea( the line.

M* house is lonel*. #+ m* old house(eeper+ and m* bees

have the estate all to ourselves. )alf a mile off+ however+ is)arold Stac(hurst&s well(nown coaching establishment+ The"ables+ >uite a large place+ which contains some score of*oung fellows preparing for various professions+ with a staffof several masters. Stac(hurst himself was a well(nownrowing Blue in his da*+ and an ecellent allround scholar.



)e and # were alwa*s friendl* from the da* # came to thecoast+ and he was the one man who was on such terms withme that we could drop in on each other in the eveningswithout an invitation.

Towards the end of ul*+ 25D4+ there was a severe gale+ thewind blowing upchannel+ heaping the seas to the base ofthe cliffs and leaving a lagoon at the turn of the tide. 'n themorning of which # spea( the wind had abated+ and all:ature was newl* washed and fresh. #t was impossible towor( upon so delightful a da*+ and # strolled out beforebrea(fast to en=o* the e>uisite air. # wal(ed along the cliff

path which led to the steep descent to the beach. 1s #wal(ed # heard a shout behind me+ and there was )aroldStac(hurst waving his hand in cheer* greeting.

6hat a morning+ Mr. )olmes8 # thought # should see *ouout.6

6"oing for a swim+ # see.6

61t *our old tric(s again+6 he laughed+ patting his bulgingpoc(et. 6;es. McPherson started earl*+ and # epect # ma*find him there.6

,itzro* McPherson was the science master+ a fineupstanding *oung fellow whose life had been crippled b*heart trouble following rheumatic fever. )e was a naturalathlete+ however+ and ecelled in ever* game which did not

throw too great a strain upon him. Summer and winter hewent for his swim+ and+ as # am a swimmer m*self+ # haveoften =oined him.

1t this moment we saw the man himself. )is head showedabove the edge of the cliff where the path ends. Then his



whole figure appeared at the top+ staggering li(e a drun(enman. The net instant he threw up his hands and+ with aterrible cr*+ fell upon his face. Stac(hurst and # rushedforwardit ma* have been fift* *ardsand turned him on his

bac(. )e was obviousl* d*ing. Those glazed sun(en e*esand dreadful livid chee(s could mean nothing else. 'neglimmer of life came into his face for an instant+ and heuttered two or three words with an eager air of warning. The*were slurred and indistinct+ but to m* ear the last of them+which burst in a shrie( from his lips+ were 6the %ion&s Mane.6#t was utterl* irrelevant and unintelligible+ and *et # couldtwist the sound into no other sense. Then he half raised

himself from the ground+ threw his arms into the air+ and fellforward on his side. )e was dead.

M* companion was paral*zed b* the sudden horror of it+ but#+ as ma* well be imagined+ had ever* sense on the alert.

1nd # had need+ for it was speedil* evident that we were inthe presence of an etraordinar* case. The man wasdressed onl* in his Burberr* overcoat+ his trousers+ and anunlaced pair of canvas shoes. 1s he fell over+ his Burberr*+which had been simpl* thrown round his shoulders+ slippedoff+ eposing his trun(. e stared at it in amazement. )isbac( was covered with dar( red lines as though he had beenterribl* flogged b* a thin wire scourge. The instrument withwhich this punishment had been inflicted was clearl* fleible+for the long+ angr* weals curved round his shoulders andribs. There was blood dripping down his chin+ for he hadbitten through his lower lip in the paro*sm of his agon*. )is

drawn and distorted face told how terrible that agon* hadbeen.

# was (neeling and Stac(hurst standing b* the bod* when ashadow fell across us+ and we found that #an Murdoch wasb* our side. Murdoch was the mathematical coach at the



establishment+ a tall+ dar(+ thin man+ so taciturn and aloofthat none can be said to have been his friend. )e seemed tolive in some high abstract region of surds and conic sections+with little to connect him with ordinar* life. )e was loo(ed

upon as an oddit* b* the students+ and would have beentheir butt+ but there was some strange outlandish blood inthe man+ which showed itself not onl* in his coalblac( e*esand swarth* face but also in occasional outbrea(s of temper+which could onl* be described as ferocious. 'n oneoccasion+ being plagued b* a little dog belonging toMcPherson+ he had caught the creature up and hurled itthrough the plateglass window+ an action for which

Stac(hurst would certainl* have given him his dismissal hadhe not been a ver* valuable teacher. Such was the strangecomple man who now appeared beside us. )e seemed tobe honestl* shoc(ed at the sight before him+ though theincident of the dog ma* show that there was no greats*mpath* between the dead man and himself.

6Poor fellow8 Poor fellow8 hat can # do< )ow can # help<6

6ere *ou with him< Can *ou tell us what has happened<6

6:o+ no+ # was late this morning. # was not on the beach atall. # have come straight from The "ables. hat can # do<6

6;ou can hurr* to the policestation at ,ulworth. $eport thematter at once.6

ithout a word he made off at top speed+ and # proceeded tota(e the matter in hand+ while Stac(hurst+ dazed at thistraged*+ remained b* the bod*. M* first tas( naturall* was tonote who was on the beach. ,rom the top of the path # couldsee the whole sweep of it+ and it was absolutel* desertedsave that two or three dar( figures could be seen far awa*



moving towards the village of ,ulworth. )aving satisfiedm*self upon this point+ # wal(ed slowl* down the path. Therewas cla* or soft marl mied with the chal(+ and ever* hereand there # saw the same footstep+ both ascending and

descending. :o one else had gone down to the beach b*this trac( that morning. 1t one place # observed the print ofan open hand with the fingers towards the incline. This couldonl* mean that poor McPherson had fallen as he ascended.There were rounded depressions+ too+ which suggested thathe had come down upon his (nees more than once. 1t thebottom of the path was the considerable lagoon left b* theretreating tide. 1t the side of it McPherson had undressed+

for there la* his towel on a roc(. #t was folded and dr*+ sothat it would seem that+ after all+ he had never entered thewater. 'nce or twice as # hunted round amid the hardshingle # came on little patches of sand where the print of hiscanvas shoe+ and also of his na(ed foot+ could be seen. Thelatter fact proved that he had made all read* to bathe+though the towel indicated that he had not actuall* done so.

1nd here was the problem clearl* definedas strange a oneas had ever confronted me. The man had not been on thebeach more than a >uarter of an hour at the most.Stac(hurst had followed him from The "ables+ so therecould be no doubt about that. )e had gone to bathe and hadstripped+ as the na(ed footsteps showed. Then he hadsuddenl* huddled on his clothes againthe* were alldishevelled and unfastenedand he had returned withoutbathing+ or at an* rate without dr*ing himself. 1nd the reason

for his change of purpose had been that he had beenscourged in some savage+ inhuman fashion+ tortured until hebit his lip through in his agon*+ and was left with onl*strength enough to crawl awa* and to die. ho had donethis barbarous deed< There were+ it is true+ small grottos andcaves in the base of the cliffs+ but the low sun shone directl*



into them+ and there was no place for concealment. Then+again+ there were those distant figures on the beach. The*seemed too far awa* to have been connected with the crime+and the broad lagoon in which McPherson had intended to

bathe la* between him and them+ lapping up to the roc(s. 'nthe sea two or three fishingboats were at no great distance.Their occupants might be eamined at our leisure. Therewere several roads for in>uir*+ but none which led to an*ver* obvious goal.

hen # at last returned to the bod* # found that a little groupof wondering fol( had gathered round it. Stac(hurst was+ of

course+ still there+ and #an Murdoch had =ust arrived with 1nderson+ the village constable+ a big+ gingermoustachedman of the slow+ solid Susse breed a breed which coversmuch good sense under a heav*+ silent eterior. )e listenedto ever*thing+ too( note of all we said+ and finall* drew measide.

6#&d be glad of *our advice+ Mr. )olmes. This is a big thing forme to handle+ and #&ll hear of it from %ewes if # go wrong.6

# advised him to send for his immediate superior+ and for adoctor0 also to allow nothing to be moved+ and as few freshfootmar(s as possible to be made+ until the* came. #n themeantime # searched the dead man&s poc(ets. There werehis hand(erchief+ a large (nife+ and a small folding cardcase. ,rom this pro=ected a slip of paper+ which # unfoldedand handed to the constable. There was written on it in a

scrawling+ feminine hand@

# will be there+ *ou ma* be sure.

M19-#7.

#t read li(e a love affair+ an assignation+ though when and



where were a blan(. The constable replaced it in the cardcase and returned it with the other things to the poc(ets ofthe Burberr*. Then+ as nothing more suggested itself+ #wal(ed bac( to m* house for brea(fast+ having first arranged

that the base of the cliffs should be thoroughl* searched.

Stac(hurst was round in an hour or two to tell me that thebod* had been removed to The "ables+ where the in>uestwould be held. )e brought with him some serious anddefinite news. 1s # epected+ nothing had been found in thesmall caves below the cliff+ but he had eamined the papersin McPherson&s des( and there were several which showed

an intimate correspondence with a certain Miss MaudBellam*+ of ,ulworth. e had then established the identit* ofthe writer of the note.

6The police have the letters+6 he eplained. 6# could not bringthem. But there is no doubt that it was a serious love affair. #see no reason+ however+ to connect it with that horriblehappening save+ indeed+ that the lad* had made anappointment with him.6

6But hardl* at a bathingpool which all of *ou were in thehabit of using+6 # remar(ed.

6#t is mere chance+6 said he+ 6that several of the studentswere not with McPherson.6

6as it mere chance<6

Stac(hurst (nit his brows in thought.

6#an Murdoch held them bac(+6 said he. 6)e would insistupon some algebraic demonstration before brea(fast. Poorchap+ he is dreadfull* cut up about it all.6



61nd *et # gather that the* were not friends.6

61t one time the* were not. But for a *ear or more Murdochhas been as near to McPherson as he ever could be to

an*one. )e is not of a ver* s*mpathetic disposition b*nature.6

6So # understand. # seem to remember *our telling me onceabout a >uarrel over the illusage of a dog.6

6That blew over all right.6

6But left some vindictive feeling+ perhaps.6

6:o+ no+ # am sure the* were real friends.6

6ell+ then+ we must eplore the matter of the girl. -o *ou(now her<6

67ver*one (nows her. She is the beaut* of theneighbourhooda real beaut*+ )olmes+ who would draw

attention ever*where. # (new that McPherson was attractedb* her+ but # had no notion that it had gone so far as theseletters would seem to indicate.6

6But who is she<6

6She is the daughter of old Tom Bellam* who owns all theboats and bathingcots at ,ulworth. )e was a fisherman tostart with+ but is now a man of some substance. )e and his

son illiam run the business.6

6Shall we wal( into ,ulworth and see them<6

6'n what pretet<6



6'h+ we can easil* find a pretet. 1fter all+ this poor man didnot illuse himself in this outrageous wa*. Some human handwas on the handle of that scourge+ if indeed it was a scourgewhich inflicted the in=uries. )is circle of ac>uaintances in this

lonel* place was surel* limited. %et us follow it up in ever*direction and we can hardl* fail to come upon the motive+which in turn should lead us to the criminal.6

#t would have been a pleasant wal( across the th*mescented downs had our minds not been poisoned b* thetraged* we had witnessed. The village of ,ulworth lies in ahollow curving in a semicircle round the ba*. Behind the old

fashioned hamlet several modern houses have been builtupon the rising ground. #t was to one of these that Stac(hurstguided me.

6That&s The )aven+ as Bellam* called it. The one with thecorner tower and slate roof. :ot bad for a man who startedwith nothing butB* ove+ loo( at that86

The garden gate of The )aven had opened and a man had

emerged. There was no mista(ing that tall+ angular+straggling figure. #t was #an Murdoch+ the mathematician. 1moment later we confronted him upon the road.

6)ullo86 said Stac(hurst. The man nodded+ gave us asidewa*s glance from his curious dar( e*es+ and wouldhavepassed us+ but his principal pulled him up.

6hat were *ou doing there<6 he as(ed.

Murdoch&s face flushed with anger. 6# am *our subordinate+sir+ under *our roof. # am not aware that # owe *ou an*account of m* private actions.6

Stac(hurst&s nerves were near the surface after all he had



endured. 'therwise+ perhaps+ he would have waited. :owhe lost his temper completel*.

6#n the circumstances *our answer is pure impertinence+ Mr.

Murdoch.6

6;our own >uestion might perhaps come under the sameheading.6

6This is not the first time that # have had to overloo( *ourinsubordinate wa*s. #t will certainl* be the last. ;ou will(indl* ma(e fresh arrangements for *our future as speedil*as *ou can.6

6# had intended to do so. # have lost toda* the onl* personwho made The "ables habitable.6

)e strode off upon his wa*+ while Stac(hurst+ with angr*e*es+ stood glaring after him. 6#s he not an impossible+intolerable man<6 he cried.

The one thing that impressed itself forcibl* upon m* mindwas that Mr. #an Murdoch was ta(ing the first chance to opena path of escape from the scene of the crime. Suspicion+vague and nebulous+ was now beginning to ta(e outline inm* mind. Perhaps the visit to the Bellam*s might throwsome further light upon the matter. Stac(hurst pulled himselftogether+ and we went forward to the house.

Mr. Bellam* proved to be a middleaged man with a flamingred beard. )e seemed to be in a ver* angr* mood+ and hisface was soon as florid as his hair.

6:o+ sir+ # do not desire an* particulars. M* son here6indicating a powerful *oung man+ with a heav*+ sullen face+in the corner of the sittingroom6is of one mind with me that



Mr. McPherson&s attentions to Maud were insulting. ;es+ sir+the word &marriage& was never mentioned+ and *et therewere letters and meetings+ and a great deal more of whichneither of us could approve. She has no mother+ and we are

her onl* guardians. e are determined6

But the words were ta(en from his mouth b* the appearanceof the lad* herself. There was no gainsa*ing that she wouldhave graced an* assembl* in the world. ho could haveimagined that so rare a flower would grow from such a rootand in such an atmosphere< omen have seldom been anattraction to me+ for m* brain has alwa*s governed m* heart+

but # could not loo( upon her perfect clearcut face+ with allthe soft freshness of the downlands in her delicate colouring+without realizing that no *oung man would cross her pathunscathed. Such was the girl who had pushed open the doorand stood now+ widee*ed and intense+ in front of )aroldStac(hurst.

6# (now alread* that ,itzro* is dead+6 she said. 6-o not beafraid to tell me the particulars.6

6This other gentleman of *ours let us (now the news+6eplained the father.

6There is no reason wh* m* sister should be brought into thematter+6 growled the *ounger man.

The sister turned a sharp+ fierce loo( upon him. 6This is m*

business+ illiam. indl* leave me to manage it in m* ownwa*. B* all accounts there has been a crime committed. #f #can help to show who did it+ it is the least # can do for himwho is gone.6

She listened to a short account from m* companion+ with a



composed concentration which showed me that shepossessed strong character as well as great beaut*. MaudBellam* will alwa*s remain in m* memor* as a mostcomplete and remar(able woman. #t seems that she alread*

(new me b* sight+ for she turned to me at the end.

6Bring them to =ustice+ Mr. )olmes. ;ou have m* s*mpath*and m* help+ whoever the* ma* be.6 #t seemed to me thatshe glanced defiantl* at her father and brother as she spo(e.

6Than( *ou+6 said #. 6# value a woman&s instinct in suchmatters. ;ou use the word &the*.& ;ou thin( that more than

one was concerned<6

6# (new Mr. McPherson well enough to be aware that he wasa brave and a strong man. :o single person could ever haveinflicted such an outrage upon him.6

6Might # have one word with *ou alone<6

6# tell *ou+ Maud+ not to mi *ourself up in the matter+6 cried

her father angril*.

She loo(ed at me helplessl*. 6hat can # do<6

6The whole world will (now the facts presentl*+ so there canbe no harm if # discuss them here+6 said #. 6# should havepreferred privac*+ but if *our father will not allow it he mustshare the deliberations.6 Then # spo(e of the note which hadbeen found in the dead man&s poc(et. 6#t is sure to beproduced at the in>uest. Ma* # as( *ou to throw an* lightupon it that *ou can<6

6# see no reason for m*ster*+6 she answered. 6e wereengaged to be married+ and we onl* (ept it secret because,itzro*&s uncle+ who is ver* old and said to be d*ing+ might



have disinherited him if he had married against his wish.There was no other reason.6

6;ou could have told us+6 growled Mr. Bellam*.

6So # would+ father+ if *ou had ever shown s*mpath*.6

6# ob=ect to m* girl pic(ing up with men outside her ownstation.6

6#t was *our pre=udice against him which prevented us fromtelling *ou. 1s to this appointment6she fumbled in her dressand produced a crumpled note6it was in answer to this.6

-71$7ST Hran the messageI@

The old place on the beach =ust after sunset on Tuesda*.

#t is the onl* time # can get awa*.

,.M.

6Tuesda* was toda*+ and # had meant to meet him tonight.6

# turned over the paper. 6This never came b* post. )ow did*ou get it<6

6# would rather not answer that >uestion. #t has reall* nothingto do with the matter which *ou are investigating. Butan*thing which bears upon that # will most freel* answer.6

She was as good as her word+ but there was nothing whichwas helpful in our investigation. She had no reason to thin(that her fiance had an* hidden enem*+ but she admitted thatshe had had several warm admirers.



6Ma* # as( if Mr. #an Murdoch was one of them<6

She blushed and seemed confused.

6There was a time when # thought he was. But that was allchanged when he understood the relations between ,itzro*and m*self.6

1gain the shadow round this strange man seemed to me tobe ta(ing more definite shape. )is record must be eamined.)is rooms must be privatel* searched. Stac(hurst was awilling collaborator+ for in his mind also suspicions wereforming. e returned from our visit to The )aven with thehope that one free end of this tangled s(ein was alread* inour hands.

1 wee( passed. The in>uest had thrown no light upon thematter and had been ad=ourned for further evidence.Stac(hurst had made discreet in>uir* about his subordinate+and there had been a superficial search of his room+ butwithout result. Personall*+ # had gone over the whole ground

again+ both ph*sicall* and mentall*+ but with no newconclusions. #n all m* chronicles the reader will find no casewhich brought me so completel* to the limit of m* powers.7ven m* imagination could conceive no solution to them*ster*. 1nd then there came the incident of the dog.

#t was m* old house(eeper who heard of it first b* thatstrange wireless b* which such people collect the news of

the countr*side.

6Sad stor* this+ sir+ about Mr. McPherson&s dog+6 said sheone evening.

# do not encourage such conversations+ but the wordsarrested m* attention.



6hat of Mr. McPherson&s dog<6

6-ead+ sir. -ied of grief for its master.6

6ho told *ou this<6

6h*+ sir+ ever*one is tal(ing of it. #t too( on terrible+ and haseaten nothing for a wee(. Then toda* two of the *ounggentlemen from The "ables found it deaddown on thebeach+ sir+ at the ver* place where its master met his end.6

61t the ver* place.6 The words stood out clear in m*memor*. Some dim perception that the matter was vital rosein m* mind. That the dog should die was after the beautiful+faithful nature of dogs. But 6in the ver* place68 h* shouldthis lonel* beach be fatal to it< as it possible that it alsohad been sacrificed to some revengeful feud< as itpossible< ;es+ the perception was dim+ but alread*something was building up in m* mind. #n a few minutes #was on m* wa* to The "ables+ where # found Stac(hurst inhis stud*. 1t m* re>uest he sent for Sudbur* and Blount+ the

two students who had found the dog.

6;es+ it la* on the ver* edge of the pool+6 said one of them.6#t must have followed the trail of its dead master.6

# saw the faithful little creature+ an 1iredale terrier+ laid outupon the mat in the hall. The bod* was stiff and rigid+ thee*es pro=ecting+ and the limbs contorted. There was agon* inever* line of it.

,rom The "ables # wal(ed down to the bathingpool. Thesun had sun( and the shadow of the great cliff la* blac(across the water+ which glimmered dull* li(e a sheet of lead.The place was deserted and there was no sign of life savefor two seabirds circling and screaming overhead. #n the



fading light # could diml* ma(e out the little dog&s spoor uponthe sand round the ver* roc( on which his master&s towelhad been laid. ,or a long time # stood in deep meditationwhile the shadows grew dar(er around me. M* mind was

filled with racing thoughts. ;ou have (nown what it was to bein a nightmare in which *ou feel that there is some allimportant thing for which *ou search and which *ou (now isthere+ though it remains forever =ust be*ond *our reach. Thatwas how # felt that evening as # stood alone b* that place ofdeath. Then at last # turned and wal(ed slowl* homeward.

# had =ust reached the top of the path when it came to me.

%i(e a flash+ # remembered the thing for which # had soeagerl* and vainl* grasped. ;ou will (now+ or atson haswritten in vain+ that # hold a vast store of outofthewa*(nowledge without scientific s*stem+ but ver* available forthe needs of m* wor(. M* mind is li(e a crowded boroomwith pac(ets of all sorts stowed awa* thereinso man* that #ma* well have but a vague perception of what was there. #had (nown that there was something which might bear uponthis matter. #t was still vague+ but at least # (new how # couldma(e it clear. #t was monstrous+ incredible+ and *et it wasalwa*s a possibilit*. # would test it to the full.

There is a great garret in m* little house which is stuffed withboo(s. #t was into this that # plunged and rummaged for anhour. 1t the end of that time # emerged with a little chocolateand silver volume. 7agerl* # turned up the chapter of which #had a dim remembrance. ;es+ it was indeed a farfetched

and unli(el* proposition+ and *et # could not be at rest until #had made sure if it might+ indeed+ be so. #t was late when #retired+ with m* mind eagerl* awaiting the wor( of themorrow.

But that wor( met with an anno*ing interruption. # had hardl*



swallowed m* earl* cup of tea and was starting for thebeach when # had a call from #nspector Bardle of the SusseConstabular*a stead*+ solid+ bovine man with thoughtfule*es+ which loo(ed at me now with a ver* troubled

epression.

6# (now *our immense eperience+ sir+6 said he. 6This is >uiteunofficial+ of course+ and need go no farther. But # am fairl*up against it in this McPherson case. The >uestion is+ shall #ma(e an arrest+ or shall # not<6

6Meaning Mr. #an Murdoch<6

6;es+ sir. There is reall* no one else when *ou come to thin(of it. That&s the advantage of this solitude. e narrow it downto a ver* small compass. #f he did not do it+ then who did<6

6hat have *ou against him<6

)e had gleaned along the same furrows as # had. There wasMurdoch&s character and the m*ster* which seemed to hang

round the man. )is furious bursts of temper+ as shown in theincident of the dog. The fact that he had >uarrelled withMcPherson in the past+ and that there was some reason tothin( that he might have resented his attentions to MissBellam*. )e had all m* points+ but no fresh ones+ save thatMurdoch seemed to be ma(ing ever* preparation fordeparture.

6hat would m* position be if # let him slip awa* with all thisevidence against him<6 The burl*+ phlegmatic man wassorel* troubled in his mind.

6Consider+6 # said+ 6all the essential gaps in *our case. 'nthe morning of the crime he can surel* prove an alibi. )ehad been with his scholars till the last moment+ and within a



few minutes of McPherson&s appearance he came upon usfrom behind. Then bear in mind the absolute impossibilit*that he could singlehanded have inflicted this outrage upona man >uite as strong as himself. ,inall*+ there is this

>uestion of the instrument with which these in=uries wereinflicted.6

6hat could it be but a scourge or fleible whip of somesort<6

6)ave *ou eamined the mar(s<6 # as(ed.

6# have seen them. So has the doctor.6

6But # have eamined them ver* carefull* with a lens. The*have peculiarities.6

6hat are the*+ Mr. )olmes<6

# stepped to m* bureau and brought out an enlargedphotograph. 6This is m* method in such cases+6 # eplained.

6;ou certainl* do things thoroughl*+ Mr. )olmes.6

6# should hardl* be what # am if # did not. :ow let us considerthis weal which etends round the right shoulder. -o *ouobserve nothing remar(able<6

6# can&t sa* # do.6

6Surel* it is evident that it is une>ual in its intensit*. There isa dot of etravasated blood here+ and another there. Thereare similar indications in this other weal down here. hatcan that mean<6

6# have no idea. )ave *ou<6



6Perhaps # have. Perhaps # haven&t. # ma* be able to sa*more soon. 1n*thing which will define what made that mar(will bring us a long wa* towards the criminal.6

6#t is+ of course+ an absurd idea+6 said the policeman+ 6but if aredhot net of wire had been laid across the bac(+ then thesebetter mar(ed points would represent where the meshescrossed each other.6

61 most ingenious comparison. 'r shall we sa* a ver* stiffcato&ninetails with small hard (nots upon it<6

6B* ove+ Mr. )olmes+ # thin( *ou have hit it.6

6'r there ma* be some ver* different cause+ Mr. Bardle. But*our case is far too wea( for an arrest. Besides+ we havethose last wordsthe &%ion&s Mane.&6

6# have wondered whether #an6

6;es+ # have considered that. #f the second word had borne

an* resemblance to Murdochbut it did not. )e gave italmost in a shrie(. # am sure that it was &Mane.&6

6)ave *ou no alternative+ Mr. )olmes<6

6Perhaps # have. But # do not care to discuss it until there issomething more solid to discuss.6

61nd when will that be<6

6#n an hourpossibl* less.6

The inspector rubbed his chin and loo(ed at me with dubiouse*es.



6# wish # could see what was in *our mind+ Mr. )olmes.Perhaps it&s those fishingboats.6

6:o+ no+ the* were too far out.6

6ell+ then+ is it Bellam* and that big son of his< The* werenot too sweet upon Mr. McPherson. Could the* have donehim a mischief<6

6:o+ no+ *ou won&t draw me until # am read*+6 said # with asmile. 6:ow+ #nspector+ we each have our own wor( to do.Perhaps if *ou were to meet me here at midda*6

So far we had got when there came the tremendousinterruption which was the beginning of the end.

M* outer door was flung open+ there were blunderingfootsteps in the passage+ and #an Murdoch staggered intothe room+ pallid+ dishevelled+ his clothes in wild disorder+clawing with his bon* hands at the furniture to hold himselferect. 6Brand*8 Brand*86 he gasped+ and fell groaning upon

the sofa.

)e was not alone. Behind him came Stac(hurst+ hatless andpanting+ almost as distrait as his companion.

6;es+ *es+ brand*86 he cried. 6The man is at his last gasp. #twas all # could do to bring him here. )e fainted twice uponthe wa*.6

)alf a tumbler of the raw spirit brought about a wondrouschange. )e pushed himself up on one arm and swung hiscoat from his shoulders. 6,or "od&s sa(e oil+ opium+morphia86 he cried. 61n*thing to ease this infernal agon*86

The inspector and # cried out at the sight. There+



crisscrossed upon the man&s na(ed shoulder+ was the samestrange reticulated pattern of red+ inflamed lines which hadbeen the deathmar( of ,itzro* McPherson.

The pain was evidentl* terrible and was more than local+ forthe sufferer&s breathing would stop for a time+ his face wouldturn blac(+ and then with loud gasps he would clap his handto his heart+ while his brow dropped beads of sweat. 1t an*moment he might die. More and more brand* was poureddown his throat+ each fresh dose bringing him bac( to life.Pads of cottonwool soa(ed in saladoil seemed to ta(e theagon* from the strange wounds. 1t last his head fell heavil*

upon the cushion. 7hausted :ature had ta(en refuge in itslast storehouse of vitalit*. #t was half a sleep and half a faint+but at least it was ease from pain.

To >uestion him had been impossible+ but the moment wewere assured of his condition Stac(hurst turned upon me.

6M* "od86 he cried+ 6what is it+ )olmes< hat is it<6

6here did *ou find him<6

6-own on the beach. 7actl* where poor McPherson met hisend. #f this man&s heart had been wea( as McPherson&s was+he would not be here now. More than once # thought he wasgone as # brought him up. #t was too far to The "ables+ so #made for *ou.6

6-id *ou see him on the beach<6

6# was wal(ing on the cliff when # heard his cr*. )e was atthe edge of the water+ reeling about li(e a drun(en man. #ran down+ threw some clothes about him+ and brought himup. ,or heaven&s sa(e+ )olmes+ use all the powers *ou haveand spare no pains to lift the curse from this place+ for life is



becoming unendurable. Can *ou+ with all *our worldwidereputation+ do nothing for us<6

6# thin( # can+ Stac(hurst. Come with me now8 1nd *ou+

#nspector+ come along8 e will see if we cannot deliver thismurderer into *our hands.6

%eaving the unconscious man in the charge of m*house(eeper+ we all three went down to the deadl* lagoon.'n the shingle there was piled a little heap of towels andclothes left b* the stric(en man. Slowl* # wal(ed round theedge of the water+ m* comrades in #ndian file behind me.

Most of the pool was >uite shallow+ but under the cliff wherethe beach was hollowed out it was four or five feet deep. #twas to this part that a swimmer would naturall* go+ for itformed a beautiful pellucid green pool as clear as cr*stal. 1line of roc(s la* above it at the base of the cliff+ and alongthis # led the wa*+ peering eagerl* into the depths beneathme. # had reached the deepest and stillest pool when m*e*es caught that for which the* were searching+ and # burstinto a shout of triumph.

6C*anea86 # cried. 6C*anea8 Behold the %ion&s Mane86

The strange ob=ect at which # pointed did indeed loo( li(e atangled mass torn from the mane of a lion. #t la* upon aroc(* shelf some three feet under the water+ a curiouswaving+ vibrating+ hair* creature with strea(s of silver amongits *ellow tresses. #t pulsated with a slow+ heav* dilation and

contraction.

6#t has done mischief enough. #ts da* is over86 # cried. 6)elpme+ Stac(hurst8 %et us end the murderer forever.6

There was a big boulder =ust above the ledge+ and we



pushed it until it fell with a tremendous splash into the water.hen the ripples had cleared we saw that it had settledupon the ledge below. 'ne flapping edge of *ellowmembrane showed that our victim was beneath it. 1 thic(

oil* scum oozed out from below the stone and stained thewater round+ rising slowl* to the surface.

6ell+ this gets me86 cried the inspector. 6hat was it+ Mr.)olmes< #&m born and bred in these parts+ but # never sawsuch a thing. #t don&t belong to Susse.6

6ust as well for Susse+6 # remar(ed. 6#t ma* have been the

southwest gale that brought it up. Come bac( to m* house+both of *ou+ and # will give *ou the terrible eperience of onewho has good reason to remember his own meeting with thesame peril of the seas.6

hen we reached m* stud* we found that Murdoch was sofar recovered that he could sit up. )e was dazed in mind+and ever* now and then was sha(en b* a paro*sm of pain.#n bro(en words he eplained that he had no notion what

had occurred to him+ save that terrific pangs had suddenl*shot through him+ and that it had ta(en all his fortitude toreach the ban(.

6)ere is a boo(+6 # said+ ta(ing up the little volume+ 6whichfirst brought light into what might have been forever dar(. #tis &'ut of -oors&+ b* the famous observer+ . ". ood. oodhimself ver* nearl* perished from contact with this vile

creature+ so he wrote with a ver* full (nowledge. C*aneacapillata is the miscreant&s full name+ and he can be asdangerous to life as+ and far more painful than+ the bite ofthe cobra. %et me briefl* give this etract.

6&#f the bather should see a loose roundish mass of tawn*



membranes and fibres+ something li(e ver* large handfuls oflion&s mane and silver paper+ let him beware+ for this is thefearful stinger+ C*anea capillata.&

6Could our sinister ac>uaintance be more clearl* described<

6)e goes on to tell of his own encounter with one whenswimming off the coast of ent. )e found that the creatureradiated almost invisible filaments to the distance of fift* feet+and that an*one within that circumference from the deadl*centre was in danger of death. 7ven at a distance the effectupon ood was almost fatal.

6&The multitudinous threads caused light scarlet lines uponthe s(in which on closer eamination resolved into minutedots or pustules+ each dot charged as it were with a redhotneedle ma(ing its wa* through the nerves.&

6The local pain was+ as he eplains+ the least part of thee>uisite torment.

6&Pangs shot through the chest+ causing me to fall as if struc(b* a bullet. The pulsation would cease+ and then the heartwould give si or seven leaps as if it would force its wa*through the chest.&

6#t nearl* (illed him+ although he had onl* been eposed to itin the disturbed ocean and not in the narrow calm waters ofa bathingpool. )e sa*s that he could hardl* recognizehimself afterwards+ so white+ wrin(led and shrivelled was hisface. )e gulped down brand*+ a whole bottleful+ and itseems to have saved his life. There is the boo(+ #nspector. #leave it with *ou+ and *ou cannot doubt that it contains a fulleplanation of the traged* of poor McPherson.6

61nd incidentall* eonerates me+6 remar(ed #an Murdoch



with a wr* smile. 6# do not blame *ou+ #nspector+ nor *ou+ Mr.)olmes+ for *our suspicions were natural. # feel that on thever* eve of m* arrest # have onl* cleared m*self b* sharingthe fate of m* poor friend.6

6:o+ Mr. Murdoch. # was alread* upon the trac(+ and had #been out as earl* as # intended # might well have saved *oufrom this terrific eperience.6

6But how did *ou (now+ Mr. )olmes<6

6# am an omnivorous reader with a strangel* retentivememor* for trifles. That phrase &the %ion&s Mane& haunted m*mind. # (new that # had seen it somewhere in an unepectedcontet. ;ou have seen that it does describe the creature. #have no doubt that it was floating on the water whenMcPherson saw it+ and that this phrase was the onl* one b*which he could conve* to us a warning as to the creaturewhich had been his death.6

6Then #+ at least+ am cleared+6 said Murdoch+ rising slowl* to

his feet. 6There are one or two words of eplanation which #should give+ for # (now the direction in which *our in>uirieshave run. #t is true that # loved this lad*+ but from the da*when she chose m* friend McPherson m* one desire was tohelp her to happiness. # was well content to stand aside andact as their gobetween. 'ften # carried their messages+ andit was because # was in their confidence and because shewas so dear to me that # hastened to tell her of m* friend&s

death+ lest someone should forestall me in a more suddenand heartless manner. She would not tell *ou+ sir+ of ourrelations lest *ou should disapprove and # might suffer. Butwith *our leave # must tr* to get bac( to The "ables+ for m*bed will be ver* welcome.6



Stac(hurst held out his hand. 6'ur nerves have all been atconcertpitch+6 said he. 6,orgive what is past+ Murdoch. eshall understand each other better in the future.6 The*passed out together with their arms lin(ed in friendl* fashion.

The inspector remained+ staring at me in silence with his oli(e e*es.

6ell+ *ou&ve done it86 he cried at last. 6# had read of *ou+ but# never believed it. #t&s wonderful86

# was forced to sha(e m* head. To accept such praise wasto lower one&s own standards.

6# was slow at the outsetculpabl* slow. )ad the bod* beenfound in the water # could hardl* have missed it. #t was thetowel which misled me. The poor fellow had never thought todr* himself+ and so # in turn was led to believe that he hadnever been in the water. h*+ then+ should the attac( of an*water creature suggest itself to me< That was where # wentastra*. ell+ well+ #nspector+ # often ventured to chaff *ougentlemen of the police force+ but C*anea capillata ver*

nearl* avenged Scotland ;ard.6

AD$"!T%#" +&' TH" AD$"!T%#" F TH"$"&*"D *DG"#

hen one considers that Mr. Sherloc( )olmes was in activepractice for twent*three *ears+ and that during seventeen of

these # was allowed to cooperate with him and to (eep notesof his doings+ it will be clear that # have a mass of material atm* command. The problem has alwa*s been not to find butto choose. There is the long row of *earboo(s which fill ashelf and there are the dispatchcases filled with documents+a perfect >uarr* for the student not onl* of crime but of the



social and official scandals of the late !ictorian era.Concerning these latter+ # ma* sa* that the writers ofagonized letters+ who beg that the honour of their families orthe reputation of famous forebears ma* not be touched+

have nothing to fear. The discretion and high sense ofprofessional honour which have alwa*s distinguished m*friend are still at wor( in the choice of these memoirs+ and noconfidence will be abused. # deprecate+ however+ in thestrongest wa* the attempts which have been made latel* toget at and to destro* these papers. The source of theseoutrages is (nown+ and if the* are repeated # have Mr.)olmes&s authorit* for sa*ing that the whole stor* concerning

the politician+ the lighthouse+ and the trained cormorant willbe given to the public. There is at least one reader who willunderstand.

#t is not reasonable to suppose that ever* one of these casesgave )olmes the opportunit* of showing those curious giftsof instinct and observation which # have endeavoured to setforth in these memoirs. Sometimes he had with much effortto pic( the fruit+ sometimes it fell easil* into his lap. But themost terrible human tragedies were often involved in thosecases which brought him the fewest personal opportunities+and it is one of these which # now desire to record. #n tellingit+ # have made a slight change of name and place+ butotherwise the facts are as stated.

'ne forenoonit was late in 25?# received a hurried notefrom )olmes as(ing for m* attendance. hen # arrived #

found him seated in a smo(eladen atmosphere+ with anelderl*+ motherl* woman of the buom landlad* t*pe in thecorresponding chair in front of him.

6This is Mrs. Merrilow+ of South Briton+6 said m* friend witha wave of the hand. 6Mrs. Merrilow does not ob=ect to



tobacco+ atson+ if *ou wish to indulge *our filth* habits.Mrs. Merrilow has an interesting stor* to tell which ma* welllead to further developments in which *our presence ma* beuseful.6

61n*thing # can do6

6;ou will understand+ Mrs. Merrilow+ that if # come to Mrs.$onder # should prefer to have a witness. ;ou will ma(e herunderstand that before we arrive.6

6%ord bless *ou+ Mr. )olmes+6 said our visitor+ 6she is thatanious to see *ou that *ou might bring the whole parish at*our heels86

6Then we shall come earl* in the afternoon. %et us see thatwe have our facts correct before we start. #f we go over themit will help -r. atson to understand the situation. ;ou sa*that Mrs. $onder has been *our lodger for seven *ears andthat *ou have onl* once seen her face.6

61nd # wish to "od # had not86 said Mrs. Merrilow.

6#t was+ # understand+ terribl* mutilated.6

6ell+ Mr. )olmes+ *ou would hardl* sa* it was a face at all.That&s how it loo(ed. 'ur mil(man got a glimpse of her oncepeeping out of the upper window+ and he dropped his tin andthe mil( all over the front garden. That is the (ind of face it is.hen # saw her# happened on her unawaresshe coveredup >uic(+ and then she said+ &:ow+ Mrs. Merrilow+ *ou (nowat last wh* it is that # never raise m* veil.&6

6-o *ou (now an*thing about her histor*<6

6:othing at all.6



6-id she give references when she came<6

6:o+ sir+ but she gave hard cash+ and plent* of it. 1 >uarter&srent right down on the table in advance and no arguing about

terms. #n these times a poor woman li(e me can&t afford toturn down a chance li(e that.6

6-id she give an* reason for choosing *our house<6

6Mine stands well bac( from the road and is more privatethan most. Then+ again+ # onl* ta(e the one+ and # have nofamil* of m* own. # rec(on she had tried others and foundthat mine suited her best. #t&s privac* she is after+ and she isread* to pa* for it.6

6;ou sa* that she never showed her face from first to lastsave on the one accidental occasion. ell+ it is a ver*remar(able stor*+ most remar(able+ and # don&t wonder that*ou want it eamined.6

6# don&t+ Mr. )olmes. # am >uite satisfied so long as # get m*

rent. ;ou could not have a >uieter lodger+ or one who givesless trouble.6

6Then what has brought matters to a head<6

6)er health+ Mr. )olmes. She seems to be wasting awa*. 1nd there&s something terrible on her mind. &Murder8& shecries. &Murder8& 1nd once # heard her@ &;ou cruel beast8 ;oumonster8& she cried. #t was in the night+ and it fair rangthrough the house and sent the shivers through me. So #went to her in the morning. &Mrs. $onder+& # sa*s+ &if *ou havean*thing that is troubling *our soul+ there&s the clerg*+& # sa*s+&and there&s the police. Between them *ou should get somehelp.& &,or "od&s sa(e+ not the police8& sa*s she+ &and theclerg* can&t change what is past. 1nd *et+& she sa*s+ &it would



ease m* mind if someone (new the truth before # died.&&ell+& sa*s #+ &if *ou won&t have the regulars+ there is thisdetective man what we read about&beggin& *our pardon+ Mr.)olmes. 1nd she+ she fair =umped at it. &That&s the man+&

sa*s she. &# wonder # never thought of it before. Bring himhere+ Mrs. Merrilow+ and if he won&t come+ tell him # am thewife of $onder&s wild beast show. Sa* that+ and give him thename 1bbas Parva. )ere it is as she wrote it+ 1bbas Parva.&That will bring him if he&s the man # thin( he is.&6

61nd it will+ too+6 remar(ed )olmes. 6!er* good+ Mrs.Merrilow. # should li(e to have a little chat with -r. atson.

That will carr* us till lunchtime. 1bout three o&cloc( *ou ma*epect to see us at *our house in Briton.6

'ur visitor had no sooner waddled out of the roomno otherverb can describe Mrs. Merrilow&s method of progressionthan Sherloc( )olmes threw himself with fierce energ* uponthe pile of commonplace boo(s in the corner. ,or a fewminutes there was a constant swish of the leaves+ and thenwith a grunt of satisfaction he came upon what he sought.

So ecited was he that he did not rise+ but sat upon the floorli(e some strange Buddha+ with crossed legs+ the hugeboo(s all round him+ and one open upon his (nees.

6The case worried me at the time+ atson. )ere are m*marginal notes to prove it. # confess that # could ma(enothing of it. 1nd *et # was convinced that the coroner waswrong. )ave *ou no recollection of the 1bbas Parva

traged*<6

6:one+ )olmes.6

61nd *et *ou were with me then. But certainl* m* ownimpression was ver* superficial. ,or there was nothing to go



b*+ and none of the parties had engaged m* services.Perhaps *ou would care to read the papers<6

6Could *ou not give me the points<6

6That is ver* easil* done. #t will probabl* come bac( to *ourmemor* as # tal(. $onder+ of course+ was a household word.)e was the rival of ombwell+ and of Sanger+ one of thegreatest showmen of his da*. There is evidence+ however+that he too( to drin(+ and that both he and his show were onthe down grade at the time of the great traged*. The caravanhad halted for the night at 1bbas Parva+ which is a small

village in Ber(shire+ when this horror occurred. The* were ontheir wa* to imbledon+ travelling b* road+ and the* weresimpl* camping and not ehibiting+ as the place is so small aone that it would not have paid them to open.

6The* had among their ehibits a ver* fine :orth 1frican lion.Sahara ing was its name+ and it was the habit+ both of$onder and his wife+ to give ehibitions inside its cage. )ere+*ou see+ is a photograph of the performance b* which *ou

will perceive that $onder was a huge porcine person andthat his wife was a ver* magnificent woman. #t was deposedat the in>uest that there had been some signs that the lionwas dangerous+ but+ as usual+ familiarit* begat contempt+and no notice was ta(en of the fact.

6#t was usual for either $onder or his wife to feed the lion atnight. Sometimes one went+ sometimes both+ but the* never

allowed an*one else to do it+ for the* believed that so longas the* were the foodcarriers he would regard them asbenefactors and would never molest them. 'n this particularnight+ seven *ears ago+ the* both went+ and a ver* terriblehappening followed+ the details of which have never beenmade clear.



6#t seems that the whole camp was roused near midnight b*the roars of the animal and the screams of the woman. Thedifferent grooms and emplo*ees rushed from their tents+carr*ing lanterns+ and b* their light an awful sight was

revealed. $onder la*+ with the bac( of his head crushed inand deep clawmar(s across his scalp+ some ten *ards fromthe cage+ which was open. Close to the door of the cage la*Mrs. $onder upon her bac(+ with the creature s>uatting andsnarling above her. #t had torn her face in such a fashion thatit was never thought that she could live. Several of the circusmen+ headed b* %eonardo+ the strong man+ and "riggs+ theclown+ drove the creature off with poles+ upon which it

sprang bac( into the cage and was at once loc(ed in. )ow ithad got loose was a m*ster*. #t was con=ectured that the pairintended to enter the cage+ but that when the door wasloosed the creature bounded out upon them. There was noother point of interest in the evidence save that the woman ina delirium of agon* (ept screaming+ &Coward8 Coward8& asshe was carried bac( to the van in which the* lived. #t wassi months before she was fit to give evidence+ but the

in>uest was dul* held+ with the obvious verdict of death frommisadventure.6

6hat alternative could be conceived<6 said #.

6;ou ma* well sa* so. 1nd *et there were one or two pointswhich worried *oung 7dmunds+ of the Ber(shireConstabular*. 1 smart lad that8 )e was sent later to

1llahabad. That was how # came into the matter+ for he

dropped in and smo(ed a pipe or two over it.6

61 thin+ *ellowhaired man<6

67actl*. # was sure *ou would pic( up the trail presentl*.6



6But what worried him<6

6ell+ we were both worried. #t was so deucedl* difficult toreconstruct the affair. %oo( at it from the lion&s point of view.

)e is liberated. hat does he do< )e ta(es half a dozenbounds forward+ which brings him to $onder. $onder turnsto fl*the clawmar(s were on the bac( of his headbut thelion stri(es him down. Then+ instead of bounding on andescaping+ he returns to the woman+ who was close to thecage+ and he (noc(s her over and chews her face up. Then+again+ those cries of hers would seem to impl* that herhusband had in some wa* failed her. hat could the poor

devil have done to help her< ;ou see the difficult*<6

6Guite.6

61nd then there was another thing. #t comes bac( to me nowas # thin( it over. There was some evidence that =ust at thetime the lion roared and the woman screamed+ a man beganshouting in terror.6

6This man $onder+ no doubt.6

6ell+ if his s(ull was smashed in *ou would hardl* epect tohear from him again. There were at least two witnesses whospo(e of the cries of a man being mingled with those of awoman.6

6# should thin( the whole camp was cr*ing out b* then. 1s tothe other points+ # thin( # could suggest a solution.6

6# should be glad to consider it.6

6The two were together+ ten *ards from the cage+ when thelion got loose. The man turned and was struc( down. Thewoman conceived the idea of getting into the cage and



shutting the door. #t was her onl* refuge. She made for it+and =ust as she reached it the beast bounded after her and(noc(ed her over. She was angr* with her husband forhaving encouraged the beast&s rage b* turning. #f the* had

faced it the* might have cowed it. )ence her cries of&Coward8&6

6Brilliant+ atson8 'nl* one flaw in *our diamond.6

6hat is the flaw+ )olmes<6

6#f the* were both ten paces from the cage+ how came thebeast to get loose<6

6#s it possible that the* had some enem* who loosed it<6

61nd wh* should it attac( them savagel* when it was in thehabit of pla*ing with them+ and doing tric(s with them insidethe cage<6

6Possibl* the same enem* had done something to enrage

it.6

)olmes loo(ed thoughtful and remained in silence for somemoments.

6ell+ atson+ there is this to be said for *our theor*.$onder was a man of man* enemies. 7dmunds told me thatin his cups he was horrible. 1 huge bull* of a man+ he cursedand slashed at ever*one who came in his wa*. # epect

those cries about a monster+ of which our visitor has spo(en+were nocturnal reminiscences of the dear departed.)owever+ our speculations are futile until we have all thefacts. There is a cold partridge on the sideboard+ atson+and a bottle of Montrachet. %et us renew our energies beforewe ma(e a fresh call upon them.6



hen our hansom deposited us at the house of Mrs.Merrilow+ we found that plump lad* bloc(ing up the opendoor of her humble but retired abode. #t was ver* clear thather chief preoccupation was lest she should lose a valuable

lodger+ and she implored us+ before showing us up+ to sa*and do nothing which could lead to so undesirable an end.Then+ having reassured her+ we followed her up the straight+badl* carpeted staircase and were shown into the room ofthe m*sterious lodger.

#t was a close+ must*+ illventilated place+ as might beepected+ since its inmate seldom left it. ,rom (eeping

beasts in a cage+ the woman seemed+ b* some retribution offate+ to have become herself a beast in a cage. She sat nowin a bro(en armchair in the shadow* corner of the room.%ong *ears of inaction had coarsened the lines of her figure+but at some period it must have been beautiful+ and was stillfull and voluptuous. 1 thic( dar( veil covered her face+ but itwas cut off close at her upper lip and disclosed a perfectl*shaped mouth and a delicatel* rounded chin. # could wellconceive that she had indeed been a ver* remar(ablewoman. )er voice+ too+ was well modulated and pleasing.

6M* name is not unfamiliar to *ou+ Mr. )olmes+6 said she. 6#thought that it would bring *ou.6

6That is so+ madam+ though # do not (now how *ou areaware that # was interested in *our case.6

6# learned it when # had recovered m* health and waseamined b* Mr. 7dmunds+ the count* detective. # fear # liedto him. Perhaps it would have been wiser had # told thetruth.6

6#t is usuall* wiser to tell the truth. But wh* did *ou lie to



him<6

6Because the fate of someone else depended upon it. # (nowthat he was a ver* worthless being+ and *et # would not have

his destruction upon m* conscience. e had been so closeso close86

6But has this impediment been removed<6

6;es+ sir. The person that # allude to is dead.6

6Then wh* should *ou not now tell the police an*thing *ou(now<6

6Because there is another person to be considered. Thatother person is m*self. # could not stand the scandal andpublicit* which would come from a police eamination. #have not long to live+ but # wish to die undisturbed. 1nd *et #wanted to find one man of =udgment to whom # could tell m*terrible stor*+ so that when # am gone all might beunderstood.6

6;ou compliment me+ madam. 1t the same time+ # am aresponsible person. # do not promise *ou that when *ouhave spo(en # ma* not m*self thin( it m* dut* to refer thecase to the police.6

6# thin( not+ Mr. )olmes. # (now *our character and methodstoo well+ for # have followed *our wor( for some *ears.$eading is the onl* pleasure which fate has left me+ and #miss little which passes in the world. But in an* case+ # willta(e m* chance of the use which *ou ma* ma(e of m*traged*. #t will ease m* mind to tell it.6

6M* friend and # would be glad to hear it.6



The woman rose and too( from a drawer the photograph of aman. )e was clearl* a professional acrobat+ a man ofmagnificent ph*si>ue+ ta(en with his huge arms foldedacross his swollen chest and a smile brea(ing from under his

heav* moustachethe selfsatisfied smile of the man ofman* con>uests.

6That is %eonardo+6 she said.

6%eonardo+ the strong man+ who gave evidence<6

6The same. 1nd thisthis is m* husband.6

#t was a dreadful facea human pig+ or rather a human wildboar+ for it was formidable in its bestialit*. 'ne could imaginethat vile mouth champing and foaming in its rage+ and onecould conceive those small+ vicious e*es darting puremalignanc* as the* loo(ed forth upon the world. $uffian+bull*+ beastit was all written on that heav*=owled face.

6Those two pictures will help *ou+ gentlemen+ to understand

the stor*. # was a poor circus girl brought up on the sawdust+and doing springs through the hoop before # was ten. hen #became a woman this man loved me+ if such lust as his canbe called love+ and in an evil moment # became his wife.,rom that da* # was in hell+ and he the devil who tormentedme. There was no one in the show who did not (now of histreatment. )e deserted me for others. )e tied me down andlashed me with his ridingwhip when # complained. The* all

pitied me and the* all loathed him+ but what could the* do<The* feared him+ one and all. ,or he was terrible at all times+and murderous when he was drun(. 1gain and again he washad up for assault+ and for cruelt* to the beasts+ but he hadplent* of mone* and the fines were nothing to him. The bestmen all left us+ and the show began to go downhill. #t was



onl* %eonardo and # who (ept it upwith little imm* "riggs+the clown. Poor devil+ he had not much to be funn* about+but he did what he could to hold things together.

6Then %eonardo came more and more into m* life. ;ou seewhat he was li(e. # (now now the poor spirit that was hiddenin that splendid bod*+ but compared to m* husband heseemed li(e the angel "abriel. )e pitied me and helped me+till at last our intimac* turned to lovedeep+ deep+ passionatelove+ such love as # had dreamed of but never hoped to feel.M* husband suspected it+ but # thin( that he was a cowardas well as a bull*+ and that %eonardo was the one man that

he was afraid of. )e too( revenge in his own wa* b*torturing me more than ever. 'ne night m* cries brought%eonardo to the door of our van. e were near traged* thatnight+ and soon m* lover and # understood that it could notbe avoided. M* husband was not fit to live. e planned thathe should die.

6%eonardo had a clever+ scheming brain. #t was he whoplanned it. # do not sa* that to blame him+ for # was read* to

go with him ever* inch of the wa*. But # should never havehad the wit to thin( of such a plan. e made a club%eonardo made itand in the leaden head he fastened fivelong steel nails+ the points outward+ with =ust such a spreadas the lion&s paw. This was to give m* husband his deathblow+ and *et to leave the evidence that it was the lion whichwe would loose who had done the deed.

6#t was a pitchdar( night when m* husband and # wentdown+ as was our custom+ to feed the beast. e carried withus the raw meat in a zinc pail. %eonardo was waiting at thecorner of the big van which we should have to pass beforewe reached the cage. )e was too slow+ and we wal(ed pasthim before he could stri(e+ but he followed us on tiptoe and #



heard the crash as the club smashed m* husband&s s(ull. M*heart leaped with =o* at the sound. # sprang forward+ and #undid the catch which held the door of the great lion&s cage.

61nd then the terrible thing happened. ;ou ma* have heardhow >uic( these creatures are to scent human blood+ andhow it ecites them. Some strange instinct had told thecreature in one instant that a human being had been slain.

1s # slipped the bars it bounded out and was on me in aninstant. %eonardo could have saved me. #f he had rushedforward and struc( the beast with his club he might havecowed it. But the man lost his nerve. # heard him shout in his

terror+ and then # saw him turn and fl*. 1t the same instantthe teeth of the lion met in m* face. #ts hot+ filth* breath hadalread* poisoned me and # was hardl* conscious of pain.ith the palms of m* hands # tried to push the greatsteaming+ bloodstained =aws awa* from me+ and # screamedfor help. # was conscious that the camp was stirring+ andthen diml* # remembered a group of men. %eonardo+ "riggs+and others+ dragging me from under the creature&s paws.That was m* last memor*+ Mr. )olmes+ for man* a wear*month. hen # came to m*self and saw m*self in the mirror+# cursed that lionoh+ how # cursed him8not because he hadtorn awa* m* beaut* but because he had not torn awa* m*life. # had but one desire+ Mr. )olmes+ and # had enoughmone* to gratif* it. #t was that # should cover m*self so thatm* poor face should be seen b* none+ and that # shoulddwell where none whom # had ever (nown should find me.That was all that was left to me to doand that is what # have

done. 1 poor wounded beast that has crawled into its hole todiethat is the end of 7ugenia $onder.6

e sat in silence for some time after the unhapp* womanhad told her stor*. Then )olmes stretched out his long armand patted her hand with such a show of s*mpath* as # had



seldom (nown him to ehibit.

6Poor girl86 he said. 6Poor girl8 The wa*s of fate are indeedhard to understand. #f there is not some compensation

hereafter+ then the world is a cruel =est. But what of this man%eonardo<6

6# never saw him or heard from him again. Perhaps # havebeen wrong to feel so bitterl* against him. )e might as soonhave loved one of the frea(s whom we carried round thecountr* as the thing which the lion had left. But a woman&slove is not so easil* set aside. )e had left me under the

beast&s claws+ he had deserted me in m* need+ and *et #could not bring m*self to give him to the gallows. ,or m*self+# cared nothing what became of me. hat could be moredreadful than m* actual life< But # stood between %eonardoand his fate.6

61nd he is dead<6

6)e was drowned last month when bathing near Margate. #

saw his death in the paper.6

61nd what did he do with this fiveclawed club+ which is themost singular and ingenious part of all *our stor*<6

6# cannot tell+ Mr. )olmes. There is a chal(pit b* the camp+with a deep green pool at the base of it. Perhaps in thedepths of that pool 6

6ell+ well+ it is of little conse>uence now. The case isclosed.6

6;es+6 said the woman+ 6the case is closed.6

e had risen to go+ but there was something in the woman&s



voice which arrested )olmes&s attention. )e turned swiftl*upon her.

6;our life is not *our own+6 he said. 6eep *our hands off it.6

6hat use is it to an*one<6

6)ow can *ou tell< The eample of patient suffering is initself the most precious of all lessons to an impatient world.6

The woman&s answer was a terrible one. She raised her veiland stepped forward into the light.

6# wonder if *ou would bear it+6 she said.

#t was horrible. :o words can describe the framewor( of aface when the face itself is gone. Two living and beautifulbrown e*es loo(ing sadl* out from that grisl* ruin did butma(e the view more awful. )olmes held up his hand in agesture of pit* and protest+ and together we left the room.

Two da*s later+ when # called upon m* friend+ he pointedwith some pride to a small blue bottle upon his mantelpiece.# pic(ed it up. There was a red poison label. 1 pleasantalmond* odour rose when # opened it.

6Prussic acid<6 said #.

67actl*. #t came b* post. &# send *ou m* temptation. # willfollow *our advice.& That was the message. # thin(+ atson+

we can guess the name of the brave woman who sent it.6

AD$"!T%#" +&&' TH" AD$"!T%#" FSHSCM)" *D P*AC"



Sherloc( )olmes had been bending for a long time over alowpower microscope. :ow he straightened himself up andloo(ed round at me in triumph.

6#t is glue+ atson+6 said he. 69n>uestionabl* it is glue. )avea loo( at these scattered ob=ects in the field86

# stooped to the e*epiece and focussed for m* vision.

6Those hairs are threads from a tweed coat. The irregulargra* masses are dust. There are epithelial scales on the left.Those brown blobs in the centre are undoubtedl* glue.6

6ell+6 # said+ laughing+ 6# am prepared to ta(e *our word forit. -oes an*thing depend upon it<6

6#t is a ver* fine demonstration+6 he answered. 6#n the St.Pancras case *ou ma* remember that a cap was foundbeside the dead policeman. The accused man denies that itis his. But he is a pictureframe ma(er who habituall*handles glue.6

6#s it one of *our cases<6

6:o0 m* friend+ Merivale+ of the ;ard+ as(ed me to loo( intothe case. Since # ran down that coiner b* the zinc andcopper filings in the seam of his cuff the* have begun torealize the importance of the microscope.6 )e loo(edimpatientl* at his watch. 6# had a new client calling+ but he isoverdue. B* the wa*+ atson+ *ou (now something ofracing<6

6# ought to. # pa* for it with about half m* wound pension.6

6Then #&ll ma(e *ou m* &)and* "uide to the Turf.& hatabout Sir $obert :orberton< -oes the name recall



an*thing<6

6ell+ # should sa* so. )e lives at Shoscombe 'ld Place+and # (now it well+ for m* summer >uarters were down there

once. :orberton nearl* came within *our province once.6

6)ow was that<6

6#t was when he horsewhipped Sam Brewer+ the well(nownCurzon Street mone*lender+ on :ewmar(et )eath. )enearl* (illed the man.6

61h+ he sounds interesting8 -oes he often indulge in thatwa*<6

6ell+ he has the name of being a dangerous man. )e isabout the most daredevil rider in 7nglandsecond in the"rand :ational a few *ears bac(. )e is one of those menwho have overshot their true generation. )e should havebeen a buc( in the da*s of the $egenc*a boer+ an athlete+a plunger on the turf+ a lover of fair ladies+ and+ b* all

account+ so far down Gueer Street that he ma* never find hiswa* bac( again.6

6Capital+ atson8 1 thumbnail s(etch. # seem to (now theman. :ow+ can *ou give me some idea of Shoscombe 'ldPlace<6

6'nl* that it is in the centre of Shoscombe Par(+ and that thefamous Shoscombe stud and training >uarters are to befound there.6

61nd the head trainer+6 said )olmes+ 6is ohn Mason. ;ouneed not loo( surprised at m* (nowledge+ atson+ for this isa letter from him which # am unfolding. But let us have somemore about Shoscombe. # seem to have struc( a rich vein.6



6There are the Shoscombe spaniels+6 said #. 6;ou hear ofthem at ever* dog show. The most eclusive breed in7ngland. The* are the special pride of the lad* ofShoscombe 'ld Place.6

6Sir $obert :orberton&s wife+ # presume86

6Sir $obert has never married. ust as well+ # thin(+considering his prospects. )e lives with his widowed sister+%ad* Beatrice ,alder.6

6;ou mean that she lives with him<6

6:o+ no. The place belonged to her late husband+ Sir ames.:orberton has no claim on it at all. #t is onl* a life interestand reverts to her husband&s brother. Meantime+ she drawsthe rents ever* *ear.6

61nd brother $obert+ # suppose+ spends the said rents<6

6That is about the size of it. )e is a devil of a fellow and must

lead her a most uneas* life. ;et # have heard that she isdevoted to him. But what is amiss at Shoscombe<6

61h+ that is =ust what # want to (now. 1nd here+ # epect+ isthe man who can tell us.6

The door had opened and the page had shown in a tall+cleanshaven man with the firm+ austere epression which isonl* seen upon those who have to control horses or bo*s.

Mr. ohn Mason had man* of both under his swa*+ and heloo(ed e>ual to the tas(. )e bowed with cold selfpossessionand seated himself upon the chair to which )olmes hadwaved him.

6;ou had m* note+ Mr. )olmes<6



6;es+ but it eplained nothing.6

6#t was too delicate a thing for me to put the details on paper. 1nd too complicated. #t was onl* face to face # could do it.6

6ell+ we are at *our disposal.6

6,irst of all+ Mr. )olmes+ # thin( that m* emplo*er+ Sir $obert+has gone mad.6

)olmes raised his e*ebrows. 6This is Ba(er Street+ not)arle* Street+6 said he. 6But wh* do *ou sa* so<6

6ell+ sir+ when a man does one >ueer thing+ or two >ueerthings+ there ma* be a meaning to it+ but when ever*thing hedoes is >ueer+ then *ou begin to wonder. # believeShoscombe Prince and the -erb* have turned his brain.6

6That is a colt *ou are running<6

6The best in 7ngland+ Mr. )olmes. # should (now+ if an*one

does. :ow+ #&ll be plain with *ou+ for # (now *ou aregentlemen of honour and that it won&t go be*ond the room.Sir $obert has got to win this -erb*. )e&s up to the nec(+and it&s his last chance. 7ver*thing he could raise or borrowis on the horseand at fine odds+ too8 ;ou can get fortiesnow+ but it was nearer the hundred when he began to bac(him.6

6But how is that if the horse is so good<6

6The public don&t (now how good he is. Sir $obert has beentoo clever for the touts. )e has the Prince&s halfbrother outfor spins. ;ou can&t tell &em apart. But there are two lengthsin a furlong between them when it comes to a gallop. )ethin(s of nothing but the horse and the race. )is whole life is



on it. )e&s holding off the ews till then. #f the Prince fails himhe is done.6

6#t seems a rather desperate gamble+ but where does the

madness come in<6

6ell+ first of all+ *ou have onl* to loo( at him. # don&t believehe sleeps at night. )e is down at the stables at all hours. )ise*es are wild. #t has all been too much for his nerves. Thenthere is his conduct to %ad* Beatrice86

61h8 hat is that<6

6The* have alwa*s been the best of friends. The* had thesame tastes+ the two of them+ and she loved the horses asmuch as he did. 7ver* da* at the same hour she would drivedown to see themand+ above all+ she loved the Prince. )ewould pric( up his ears when he heard the wheels on thegravel+ and he would trot out each morning to the carriage toget his lump of sugar. But that&s all over now.6

6h*<6

6ell+ she seems to have lost all interest in the horses. ,or awee( now she has driven past the stables with never somuch as &"oodmorning&86

6;ou thin( there has been a >uarrel<6

61nd a bitter+ savage+ spitelful >uarrel at that. h* else

would he give awa* her pet spaniel that she loved as if hewere her child< )e gave it a few da*s ago to old Barnes+what (eeps the "reen -ragon+ three miles off+ at Crendall.6

6That certainl* did seem strange.6



6'f course+ with her wea( heart and drops* one couldn&tepect that she could get about with him+ but he spent twohours ever* evening in her room. )e might well do what hecould+ for she has been a rare good friend to him. But that&s

all over+ too. )e never goes near her. 1nd she ta(es it toheart. She is brooding and sul(* and drin(ing+ Mr. )olmesdrin(ing li(e a fish.6

6-id she drin( before this estrangement<6

6ell+ she too( her glass+ but now it is often a whole bottle ofan evening. So Stephens+ the butler+ told me. #t&s all

changed+ Mr. )olmes+ and there is something damned rottenabout it. But then+ again+ what is master doing down at theold church cr*pt at night< 1nd who is the man that meetshim there<6

)olmes rubbed his hands.

6"o on+ Mr. Mason. ;ou get more and more interesting.6

6#t was the butler who saw him go. Twelve o&cloc( at nightand raining hard. So net night # was up at the house and+sure enough+ master was off again. Stephens and # wentafter him+ but it was =ump* wor(+ for it would have been abad =ob if he had seen us. )e&s a terrible man with his fists ifhe gets started+ and no respecter of persons. So we weresh* of getting too near+ but we mar(ed him down all light. #twas the haunted cr*pt that he was ma(ing for+ and there was

a man waiting for him there.6

6hat is this haunted cr*p<6

6ell+ sir+ there is an old ruined chapel in the par(. #t is soold that nobod* could fi its date. 1nd under it there&s a cr*ptwhich has a bad name among us. #t&s a dar(+ damp+ lonel*



place b* da*+ but there are few in that count* that wouldhave the nerve to go near it at night. But master&s not afraid.)e never feared an*thing in his life. But what is he doingthere in the nighttime<6

6ait a bit86 said )olmes. 6;ou sa* there is another manthere. #t must be one of *our own stablemen+ or someonefrom the house8 Surel* *ou have onl* to spot who it is and>uestion him<6

6#t&s no one # (now.6

6)ow can *ou sa* that<6

6Because # have seen him+ Mr. )olmes. #t was on thatsecond night. Sir $obert turned and passed usme andStephens+ >ua(ing in the bushes li(e two bunn*rabbits+ forthere was a bit of moon that night. But we could hear theother moving about behind. e were not afraid of him. Sowe up when Sir $obert was gone and pretended we were

=ust having a wal( li(e in the moonlight+ and so we came

right on him as casual and innocent as *ou please. &)ullo+mate8 who ma* *ou be<& sa*s #. # guess he had not heard uscoming+ so he loo(ed over his shoulder with a face as if hehad seen the devil coming out of hell. )e let out a *ell+ andawa* he went as hard as he could lic( it in the dar(ness. )ecould run8 #&ll give him that. #n a minute he was out of sightand hearing+ and who he was+ or what he was+ we neverfound.6

6But *ou saw him clearl* in the moonlight<6

6;es+ # would swear to his *ellow facea mean dog+ # shouldsa*. hat could he have in common with Sir $obert<6

)olmes sat for some time lost in thought.



6ho (eeps %ad* Beatrice ,alder compan*<6 he as(ed atlast.

6There is her maid+ Carrie 7vans. She has been with her this

five *ears.6

61nd is+ no doubt+ devoted<6

Mr. Mason shuffled uncomfortabl*.

6She&s devoted enough+6 he answered at last. 6But # won&tsa* to whom.6

61h86 said )olmes.

6# can&t tell tales out of school.6

6# >uite understand+ Mr. Mason. 'f course+ the situation isclear enough. ,rom -r. atson&s description of Sir $obert #can realize that no woman is safe from him. -on&t *ou thin(the >uarrel between brother and sister ma* lie there<6

6ell+ the scandal has been prett* clear for a long time.6

6But she ma* not have seen it before. %et us suppose thatshe has suddenl* found it out. She wants to get rid of thewoman. )er brother will not permit it. The invalid+ with herwea( heart and inabilit* to get about+ has no means ofenforcing her will. The hated maid is still tied to her. The lad*refuses to spea(+ sul(s+ ta(es to drin(. Sir $obert in his

anger ta(es her pet spaniel awa* from her. -oes not all thishang together<6

6ell+ it might doso far as it goes.6

67actl*8 1s far as it goes. )ow would all that bear upon the



visits b* night to the old cr*pt< e can&t fit that into our plot.6

6:o+ sir+ and there is something more that # can&t fit in. h*should Sir $obert want to dig up a dead bod*<6

)olmes sat up abruptl*.

6e onl* found it out *esterda*after # had written to *ou.;esterda* Sir $obert had gone to %ondon+ so Stephens and# went down to the cr*pt. #t was all in order+ sir+ ecept that inone corner was a bit of a human bod*.6

6;ou informed the police+ # suppose<6

'ur visitor smiled griml*.

6ell+ sir+ # thin( it would hardl* interest them. #t was =ust thehead and a few bones of a mumm*. #t ma* have been athousand *ears old. But it wasn&t there before. That #&llswear+ and so will Stephens. #t had been stowed awa* in acorner and covered over with a board+ but that corner had

alwa*s been empt* before.6

6hat did *ou do with it<6

6ell+ we =ust left it there.6

6That was wise. ;ou sa* Sir $obert was awa* *esterda*.)as he returned<6

6e epect him bac( toda*.6

6hen did Sir $obert give awa* his sister&s dog<6

6#t was =ust a wee( ago toda*. The creature was howlingoutside the old wellhouse+ and Sir $obert was in one of his



tantrums that morning. )e caught it up+ and # thought hewould have (illed it. Then he gave it to Sand* Bain+ the

=oc(e*+ and told him to ta(e the dog to old Barnes at the"reen -ragon+ for he never wished to see it again.6

)olmes sat for some time in silent thought. )e had lit theoldest and foulest of his pipes.

6# am not clear *et what *ou want me to do in this matter+ Mr.Mason+6 he said at last. 6Can&t *ou ma(e it more definite<6

6Perhaps this will ma(e it more definite+ Mr. )olmes+6 saidour visltor.

)e too( a paper from his poc(et+ and+ unwrapping itcarefull*+ he eposed a charred fragment of bone.

)olmes eamined it with interest.

6here did *ou get it<6

6There is a central heating furnace in the cellar under %ad*Beatrice&s room. #t&s been off for some time+ but Sir $obertcomplained of cold and had it on again.

6)arve* runs ithe&s one of m* lads. This ver* morning hecame to me with this which he found ra(ing out the cinders.)e didn&t li(e the loo( of it.6

6:or do #+6 said )olmes. 6hat do *ou ma(e of it+ atson<6

#t was burned to a blac( cinder+ but there could be no>uestion as to its anatomical significance.

6#t&s the upper cond*le of a human femur+6 said #.



67actl*86 )olmes had become ver* serious. 6hen doesthis lad tend to the furnace<6

6)e ma(es it up ever* evening and then leaves it.6

6Then an*one could visit it during the night<6

6;es+ sir.6

6Can *ou enter it from outside<6

6There is one door from outside. There is another whichleads up b* a stair to the passage in which %ad* Beatrice&s

room is situated.6

6These are deep waters+ Mr. Mason0 deep and rather dirt*.;ou sa* that Sir $obert was not at home last night<6

6:o+ sir.6

6Then+ whoever was burning bones+ it was not he.6

6That&s true. sir.6

6hat is the name of that inn *ou spo(e of<6

6The "reen -ragon.6

6#s there good fishing in that part of Ber(shire<6 The honesttrainer showed ver* clearl* upon his face that he was

convinced that *et another lunatic had come into hisharassed life.

6ell+ sir+ #&ve heard there are trout in the millstream andpi(e in the )all la(e.6



6That&s good enough. atson and # are famous fishermenare we not+ atson< ;ou ma* address us in future at the"reen -ragon. e should reach it tonight. # need not sa*that we don&t want to see *ou+ Mr. Mason+ but a note will

reach us+ and no doubt # could find *ou if # want *ou. henwe have gone a little farther into the matter # will let *ou havea considered opinion.6

Thus it was that on a bright Ma* evening )olmes and # foundourselves alone in a firstclass carriage and bound for thelittle 6haltondemand6 station of Shoscombe. The rac(above us was covered with a formidable litter of rods+ reels+

and bas(ets. 'n reaching our destination a short drive too(us to an oldfashioned tavern+ where a sporting host+ osiahBarnes+ entered eagerl* into our plans for the etirpation ofthe fish of the neighbourhood.

6hat about the )all la(e and the chance of a pi(e<6 said)olmes.

The face of the inn(eeper clouded.

6That wouldn&t do+ sir. ;ou might chance to find *ourself inthe la(e before *ou were through.6

6)ow&s that+ then<6

6#t&s Sir $obert+ sir. )e&s terrible =ealous of touts. #f *ou twostrangers were as near his training >uarters as that he&d beafter *ou as sure as fate. )e ain&t ta(ing no chances+ Sir$obert ain&t.6

6#&ve heard he has a horse entered for the -erb*.6

6;es+ and a good colt+ too. )e carries all our mone* for therace+ and all Sir $obert&s into the bargain. B* the wa*6he



loo(ed at us with thoughtful e*es6# suppose *ou ain&t on theturf *ourselves<6

6:o+ indeed. ust two wear* %ondoners who badl* need

some good Ber(shire air.6

6ell+ *ou are in the right place for that. There is a deal of itl*ing about. But mind what # have told *ou about Sir $obert.)e&s the sort that stri(es first and spea(s afterwards. eepclear of the par(.6

6Surel*+ Mr. Barnes8 e certainl* shall. B* the wa*+ that wasa most beautiful spaniel that was whining in the hall.6

6# should sa* it was. That was the real Shoscombe breed.There ain&t a better in 7ngland.6

6# am a dogfancier m*self+6 said )olmes. 6:ow+ if it is a fair>uestion+ what would a prize dog li(e that cost<6

6More than # could pa*+ sir. #t was Sir $obert himself who

gave me this one. That&s wh* # have to (eep it on a lead. #twould be off to the )all in a =iff* if # gave it its head.6

6e are getting some cards in our hand+ atson+6 said)olmes when the landlord had left us. 6#t&s not an eas* oneto pla*+ but we ma* see our wa* in a da* or two. B* the wa*+Sir $obert is still in %ondon+ # hear. e might+ perhaps+ enterthe sacred domain tonight without fear of bodil* assault.There are one or two points on which # should li(ereassurance.6

6)ave *ou an* theor*+ )olmes<6

6'nl* this+ atson+ that something happened a wee( or soago which has cut deep into the life of the Shoscombe



household. hat is that something< e can onl* guess at itfrom its effects. The* seem to be of a curiousl* miedcharacter. But that should surel* help us. #t is onl* thecolourless+ uneventful case which is hopeless.

6%et us consider our data. The brother no longer visits thebeloved invalid sister. )e gives awa* her favourite dog. )erdog+ atson8 -oes that suggest nothing to *ou<6

6:othing but the brother&s spite.6

6ell+ it might be so. 'rwell+ there is an alternative. :ow tocontinue our review of the situation from the time that the>uarrel+ if there is a >uarrel+ began. The lad* (eeps herroom+ alters her habits+ is not seen save when she drives outwith her maid+ refuses to stop at the stables to greet herfavourite horse and apparentl* ta(es to drin(. That coversthe case+ does it not<6

6Save for the business in the cr*pt.6

6That is another line of thought. There are two+ and # beg *ouwill not tangle them. %ine 1+ which concerns %ad* Beatrice+has a vaguel* sinister flavour+ has it not<6

6# can ma(e nothing of it.6

6ell+ now+ let us ta(e up line B+ which concerns Sir $obert.)e is mad (een upon winning the -erb*. )e is in the handsof the ews+ and ma* at an* moment be sold up and hisracing stables seized b* his creditors. )e is a daring anddesperate man. )e derives his income from his sister. )issister&s maid is his willing tool. So far we seem to be on fairl*safe ground+ do we not<6

6But the cr*pt<6



61h+ *es+ the cr*pt8 %et us suppose+ atsonit is merel* ascandalous supposition+ a h*pothesis put forward forargument&s sa(e that Sir $obert has done awa* with hissister.6

6M* dear )olmes+ it is out of the >uestion.6

6!er* possibl*+ atson. Sir $obert is a man of anhonourable stoc(. But *ou do occasionall* find a carrioncrow among the eagles. %et us for a moment argue upon thissupposition. )e could not fl* the countr* until he had realizedhis fortune+ and that fortune could onl* be realized b*

bringing off this coup with Shoscombe Prince. Therefore+ hehas still to stand his ground. To do this he would have todispose of the bod* of his victim+ and he would also have tofind a substitute who would impersonate her. ith the maidas his confidante that would not be impossible. The woman&sbod* might be conve*ed to the cr*pt+ which is a place soseldom visited+ and it might be secretl* destro*ed at night inthe furnace+ leaving behind it such evidence as we havealread* seen. hat sa* *ou to that+ atson<6

6ell+ it is all possible if *ou grant the original monstroussupposition.6

6# thin( that there is a small eperiment which we ma* tr* tomorrow+ atson+ in order to throw some light on the matter.Meanwhile+ if we mean to (eep up our characters+ # suggestthat we have our host in for a glass of his own wine and hold

some high converse upon eels and dace+ which seems to bethe straight road to his affections. e ma* chance to comeupon some useful local gossip in the process.6

#n the morning )olmes discovered that we had come withoutour spoonbait for =ac(+ which absolved us from fishing for



the da*. 1bout eleven o&cloc( we started for a wal(+ and heobtained leave to ta(e the blac( spaniel with us.

6This is the place+6 said he as we came to two high par(

gates with heraldic griffins towering above them. 61boutmidda*+ Mr Barnes informs me+ the old lad* ta(es a drive+and the carriage must slow down while the gates areopened. hen it comes through+ and before it gathersspeed+ # want *ou+ atson+ to stop the coachman with some>uestion. :ever mind me. # shall stand behind this holl*bushand see what # can see.6

#t was not a long vigil. ithin a >uarter of an hour we saw thebig open *ellow barouche coming down the long avenue+with two splendid+ highstepping gra* carriage horses in theshafts. )olmes crouched behind his bush with the dog. #stood unconcemedl* swinging a cane in the roadwa*. 1(eeper ran out and the gates swung open.

The carriage had slowed to a wal(+ and # was able to get agood loo( at the occupants. 1 highl* coloured *oung woman

with flaen hair and impudent e*es sat on the left. 1t herright was an elderl* person with rounded bac( and a huddleof shawls about her face and shoulders which proclaimedthe invalid. hen the horses reached the highroad # held upm* hand with an authoritative gesture+ and as the coachmanpulled up # in>uired if Sir $obert was at Shoscombe 'ldPlace.

1t the same moment )olmes stepped out and released thespaniel. ith a =o*ous cr* it dashed forward to the carriageand sprang upon the step. Then in a moment its eagergreeting changed to furious rage+ and it snapped at the blac(s(irt above it.



6-rive on8 -rive on86 shrie(ed a harsh voice. The coachmanlashed the horses+ and we were left standing in the roadwa*.

6ell+ atson+ that&s done it+6 said )olmes as he fastened

the lead to the nec( of the ecited spaniel. 6)e thought itwas his mistress+ and he found it was a stranger. -ogs don&tma(e mista(es.6

6But it was the voice of a man86 # cried.

67actl*8 e have added one card to our hand+ atson+ butit needs careful pla*ing+ all the same.6

M* companion seemed to have no further plans for the da*+and we did actuall* use our fishing tac(le in the millstreamwith the result that we had a dish of trout for our supper. #twas onl* after that meal that )olmes showed signs ofrenewed activit*. 'nce more we found ourselves upon thesame road as in the morning+ which led us to the par( gates.

1 tall+ dar( figure was awaiting us there+ who proved to beour %ondon ac>uaintance+ Mr. ohn Mason+ the trainer.

6"oodevening+ gentlemen+6 said he. 6# got *our note+ Mr.)olmes. Sir $obert has not returned *et+ but # hear that he isepected tonight.6

6)ow far is this cr*pt from the house<6 as(ed )olmes.

61 good >uarter of a mile.6

6Then # thin( we can disregard him altogether.6

6# can&t afford to do that+ Mr. )olmes. The moment he arriveshe will want to see me to get the last news of ShoscombePrince.6



6# see8 #n that case we must wor( without *ou+ Mr. Mason.;ou can show us the cr*pt and then leave us.6

#t was pitchdar( and without a moon+ but Mason led us over

the grasslands until a dar( mass loomed up in front of uswhich proved to be the ancient chapel. e entered thebro(en gap which was once the porch+ and our guide+stumbling among heaps of loose masonr*+ pic(ed his wa* tothe corner of the building+ where a steep stair led down intothe cr*pt. Stri(ing a match+ he illuminated the melanchol*place dismal and evilsmelling+ with ancient crumbling wallsof roughhewn stone+ and piles of coffins+ some of lead and

some of stone+ etending upon one side right up to thearched and groined roof which lost itself in the shadowsabove our heads. )olmes had lit his lantern+ which shot atin* tunnel of vivid *ellow light upon the mournful scene. #tsra*s were reflected bac( from the coffinplates+ man* ofthem adorned with the griffin and coronet of this old famil*which carried its honours even to the gate of -eath.

6;ou spo(e of some bones+ Mr. Mason. Could *ou show

them before *ou go<6

6The* are here in this corner.6 The trainer strode across andthen stood in silent surprise as our light was turned upon theplace. 6The* are gone+6 said he.

6So # epected+6 said )olmes+ chuc(ling. 6# fanc* the ashesof them might even now be found in that oven which had

alread* consumed a part.6

6But wh* in the world would an*one want to burn the bonesof a man who has been dead a thousand *ears<6 as(edohn Mason.



6That is what we are here to find out+6 said )olmes. 6#t ma*mean a long search+ and we need not detain *ou. # fanc*that we shall get our solution before morning.6

hen ohn Mason had left us+ )olmes set to wor( ma(ing aver* careful eamination of the graves+ ranging from a ver*ancient one+ which appeared to be Saon+ in the centre+through a long line of :orman )ugos and 'dos+ until wereached the Sir illiam and Sir -enis ,alder of theeighteenth centur*. #t was an hour or more before )olmescame to a leaden coffin standing on end before the entranceto the vault. # heard his little cr* of satisfaction and was

aware from his hurried but purposeful movements that hehad reached a goal. ith his lens he was eagerl* eaminingthe edges of the heav* lid. Then he drew from his poc(et ashort =emm*+ a boopener+ which he thrust into a chin(+levering bac( the whole front+ which seemed to be securedb* onl* a couple of clamps. There was a rending+ tearingsound as it gave wa*+ but it had hardl* hinged bac( andpartl* revealed the contents before we had an unforeseeninterruption.

Someone was wal(ing in the chapel above. #t was the firm+rapid step of one who came with a definite purpose and(new well the ground upon which he wal(ed. 1 lightstreamed down the stairs+ and an instant later the man whobore it was framed in the "othic archwa*. )e was a terriblefigure+ huge in stature and fierce in manner. 1 large stablelantern which he held in front of him shone upward upon a

strong+ heavil* moustached face and angr* e*es+ whichglared round him into ever* recess of the vault+ finall* fiingthemselves with a deadl* stare upon m* companion andm*self.

6ho the devil are *ou<6 he thundered. 61nd what are *ou



doing upon m* propert*<6 Then+ as )olmes returned noanswer he too( a couple of steps forward and raised a heav*stic( which he carried. 6-o *ou hear me<6 he cried. 6hoare *ou< hat are *ou doing here<6 )is cudgel >uivered in

the air.

But instead of shrin(ing )olmes advanced to meet him.

6# also have a >uestion to as( *ou+ Sir $obert+6 he said in hissternest tone. 6ho is this< 1nd what is it doing here<6

)e turned and tore open the coffinlid behind him. #n theglare of the lantern # saw a bod* swathed in a sheet fromhead to foot with dreadful+ witchli(e features+ all nose andchin+ pro=ecting at one end+ the dim+ glazed e*es staringfrom a discoloured and crumbling face.

The baronet had staggered bac( with a cr* and supportedhimself against a stone sarcophagus.

6)ow came *ou to (now of this<6 he cried. 1nd then+ with

some return of his truculent manner@ 6hat business is it of*ours<6

6M* name is Sherloc( )olmes+6 said m* companion.6Possibl* it is familiar to *ou. #n an* case+ m* business isthat of ever* other good citizento uphold the law. #t seemsto me that *ou have much to answer for.6

Sir $obert glared for a moment+ but )olmes&s >uiet voiceand cool+ assured manner had their effect.

6&,ore "od+ Mr. )olmes+ it&s all right+6 said he. 61ppearancesare against me+ #&ll admit+ but # could act no otherwise.6

6# should be happ* to thin( so+ but # fear *our eplanations



must be before the police.6

Sir $obert shrugged his broad shoulders.

6ell+ if it must be+ it must. Come up to the house and *oucan =udge for *ourself how the matter stands.6

1 >uarter of an hour later we found ourselves in what # =udge+ from the lines of polished barrels behind glass covers+to be the gunroom of the old house. #t was comfortabl*furnished+ and here Sir $obert left us for a few moments.hen he returned he had two companions with him0 the one+the florid *oung woman whom we had seen in the carriage0the other+ a small ratfaced man with a disagreeabl* furtivemanner. These two wore an appearance of utterbewilderment+ which showed that the baronet had not *ethad time to eplain to them the turn events had ta(en.

6There+6 said Sir $obert with a wave of his hand+ 6are Mr.and Mrs. :orlett. Mrs. :orlett+ under her maiden name of7vans+ has for some *ears been m* sister&s confidential

maid. # have brought them here because # feel that m* bestcourse is to eplain the true position to *ou+ and the* are thetwo people upon earth who can substantiate what # sa*.6

6#s this necessar*+ Sir $obert< )ave *ou thought what *ouare doing<6 cried the woman.

61s to me+ # entirel* disclaim all responsibilit*+6 said herhusband.

Sir $obert gave him a glance of contempt. 6# will ta(e allresponsibilit*+6 said he. 6:ow+ Mr. )olmes+ listen to a plainstatement of the facts.

6;ou have clearl* gone prett* deepl* into m* affairs or #



should not have found *ou where # did. Therefore+ *ou (nowalread*+ in all probabilit*+ that # am running a dar( horse forthe -erb* and that ever*thing depends upon m* success. #f #win+ all is eas*. #f # lose well+ # dare not thin( of that86

6# understand the position+6 said )olmes.

6# am dependent upon m* sister+ %ad* Beatrice+ forever*thing. But it is well (nown that her interest in the estateis for her own life onl*. ,or m*self+ # am deepl* in the handsof the ews. # have alwa*s (nown that if m* sister were todie m* creditors would be on to m* estate li(e a floc( of

vultures. 7ver*thing would be seizedm* stables+ m*horsesever*thing. ell+ Mr. )olmes+ m* sister did die =ust awee( ago.6

61nd *ou told no one86

6hat could # do< 1bsolute ruin faced me. #f # could stavethings off for three wee(s all would be well. )er maid&shusbandthis man here is an actor. #t came into our

headsit came into m* headthat he could for that shortperiod personate m* sister. #t was but a case of appearingdail* in the carriage+ for no one need enter her room savethe maid. #t was not difficult to arrange. M* sister died of thedrops* which had long afflicted her.6

6That will be for a coroner to decide.6

6)er doctor would certif* that for months her s*mptoms havethreatened such an end.6

6ell+ what did *ou do<6

6The bod* could not remain there. 'n the first night :orlettand # carried it out to the old wellhouse+ which is now never



used. e were followed+ however+ b* her pet spaniel+ which*apped continuall* at the door+ so # felt some safer placewas needed. # got rid of the spaniel+ and we carried the bod*to the cr*pt of the church. There was no indignit* or

irreverence+ Mr. )olmes. # do not feel that # have wrongedthe dead.6

6;our conduct seems to me inecusable+ Sir $obert.6

The baronet shoo( his head impatientl*. 6#t is eas* topreach+6 said he. 6Perhaps *ou would have felt differentl* if*ou had been in m* position. 'ne cannot see all one&s hopes

and all one&s plans shattered at the last moment and ma(eno effort to save them. #t seemed to me that it would be nounworth* restingplace if we put her for the time in one of thecoffins of her husband&s ancestors l*ing in what is stillconsecrated ground. e opened such a coffin+ removed thecontents+ and placed her as *ou have seen her. 1s to the oldrelics which we too( out+ we could not leave them on thefloor of the cr*pt. :orlett and # removed them+ and hedescended at night and burned them in the central furnace.

There is m* stor*+ Mr. )olmes+ though how *ou forced m*hand so that # have to tell it is more than # can sa*.6

)olmes sat for some time lost in thought.

6There is one flaw in *our narrative+ Sir $obert+6 he said atlast. 6;our bets on the race+ and therefore *our hopes for thefuture+ would hold good even if *our creditors seized *our

estate.6

6The horse would be part of the estate. hat do the* carefor m* bets< 1s li(el* as not the* would not run him at all.M* chief creditor is+ unhappil*+ m* most bitter enem*arascall* fellow+ Sam Brewer+ whom # was once compelled to



The Three Garridebs

Documents