Project Gutenberg's Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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Title) Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Author) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
*elease Date) March, +,,- ./ook 01234
(ast 5&"ate") December +-, 67+6
(anguage) /nglish
Character set enco"ing) 8S9'11:,'+
;;; STA*T 9< TH8S P*9=/CT G5T/>/*G /99? M/M98*S 9< SH/*(9C? H9(M/S
;;;
Pro"uce" by Angela M$ Cable, an" Da#i" @i"ger
M/M98*S 9< SH/*(9C? H9(M/S
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Contents
A"#enture 8$ Sil#er laAe
A"#enture 88$ The %ello! <ace
A"#enture 888$ The Stock'roker's Clerk
A"#enture 8B$ The CGloria ScottC
A"#enture B$ The Musgra#e *itual
A"#enture B8$ The *eigate PuAAle
A"#enture B88$ The Crooke" Man
A"#enture B888$ The *esi"ent Patient
A"#enture 8D$ The Greek 8nter&reter
A"#enture D$ The >a#al Treaty
A"#enture D8$ The <inal Problem
A"#enture 8$ Sil#er laAe
C8 am afrai", @atson, that 8 shall ha#e to go,C sai" Holmes, as !e sat "o!n together to our breakfast
one morning$
CGoE @here toFC
CTo DartmoorG to ?ing's Pylan"$C
8 !as not sur&rise"$ 8n"ee", my only !on"er !as that he ha" not alrea"y been miHe" u& in this
eHtraor"inary case, !hich !as the one to&ic of con#ersation through the length an" brea"th of
/nglan"$ <or a !hole "ay my com&anion ha" ramble" about the room !ith his chin u&on his chest
an" his bro!s knitte", charging an" recharging his &i&e !ith the strongest black tobacco, an"
absolutely "eaf to any of my Iuestions or remarks$ <resh e"itions of e#ery &a&er ha" been sent u&
by our ne!s agent, only to be glance" o#er an" tosse" "o!n into a corner$ %et, silent as he !as, 8
kne! &erfectly !ell !hat it !as o#er !hich he !as broo"ing$ There !as but one &roblem before the
&ublic !hich coul" challenge his &o!ers of analysis, an" that !as the singular "isa&&earance of the
fa#orite for the @esseH Cu&, an" the tragic mur"er of its trainer$ @hen, therefore, he su""enly
announce" his intention of setting out for the scene of the "rama it !as only !hat 8 ha" both
eH&ecte" an" ho&e" for$
C8 shoul" be most ha&&y to go "o!n !ith you if 8 shoul" not be in the !ay,C sai" 8$
CMy "ear @atson, you !oul" confer a great fa#or u&on me by coming$ An" 8 think that your time
!ill not be miss&ent, for there are &oints about the case !hich &romise to make it an absolutely
uniIue one$ @e ha#e, 8 think, just time to catch our train at Pa""ington, an" 8 !ill go further into the
matter u&on our journey$ %ou !oul" oblige me by bringing !ith you your #ery eHcellent fiel"'
glass$C
An" so it ha&&ene" that an hour or so later 8 foun" myself in the corner of a first'class carriage
flying along en route for /Heter, !hile Sherlock Holmes, !ith his shar&, eager face frame" in his
ear'fla&&e" tra#elling'ca&, "i&&e" ra&i"ly into the bun"le of fresh &a&ers !hich he ha" &rocure" at
Pa""ington$ @e ha" left *ea"ing far behin" us before he thrust the last one of them un"er the seat,
an" offere" me his cigar'case$
C@e are going !ell,C sai" he, looking out the !in"o! an" glancing at his !atch$ C9ur rate at
&resent is fifty'three an" a half miles an hour$C
C8 ha#e not obser#e" the Iuarter'mile &osts,C sai" 8$
C>or ha#e 8$ ut the telegra&h &osts u&on this line are siHty yar"s a&art, an" the calculation is a
sim&le one$ 8 &resume that you ha#e looke" into this matter of the mur"er of =ohn Straker an" the
"isa&&earance of Sil#er laAeFC
C8 ha#e seen !hat the Telegra&h an" the Chronicle ha#e to say$C
C8t is one of those cases !here the art of the reasoner shoul" be use" rather for the sifting of "etails
than for the acIuiring of fresh e#i"ence$ The trage"y has been so uncommon, so com&lete an" of
such &ersonal im&ortance to so many &eo&le, that !e are suffering from a &lethora of surmise,
conjecture, an" hy&othesis$ The "ifficulty is to "etach the frame!ork of factJof absolute
un"eniable factJfrom the embellishments of theorists an" re&orters$ Then, ha#ing establishe"
oursel#es u&on this soun" basis, it is our "uty to see !hat inferences may be "ra!n an" !hat are the
s&ecial &oints u&on !hich the !hole mystery turns$ 9n Tues"ay e#ening 8 recei#e" telegrams from
both Colonel *oss, the o!ner of the horse, an" from 8ns&ector Gregory, !ho is looking after the
case, in#iting my coo&eration$C
CTues"ay e#eningEC 8 eHclaime"$ CAn" this is Thurs"ay morning$ @hy "i"n't you go "o!n
yester"ayFC
Cecause 8 ma"e a blun"er, my "ear @atsonJ!hich is, 8 am afrai", a more common occurrence
than any one !oul" think !ho only kne! me through your memoirs$ The fact is that 8 coul" not
belie#e it &ossible that the most remarkable horse in /nglan" coul" long remain conceale",
es&ecially in so s&arsely inhabite" a &lace as the north of Dartmoor$ <rom hour to hour yester"ay 8
eH&ecte" to hear that he ha" been foun", an" that his ab"uctor !as the mur"erer of =ohn Straker$
@hen, ho!e#er, another morning ha" come, an" 8 foun" that beyon" the arrest of young <itAroy
Sim&son nothing ha" been "one, 8 felt that it !as time for me to take action$ %et in some !ays 8 feel
that yester"ay has not been !aste"$C
C%ou ha#e forme" a theory, thenFC
CAt least 8 ha#e got a gri& of the essential facts of the case$ 8 shall enumerate them to you, for
nothing clears u& a case so much as stating it to another &erson, an" 8 can har"ly eH&ect your co'
o&eration if 8 "o not sho! you the &osition from !hich !e start$C
8 lay back against the cushions, &uffing at my cigar, !hile Holmes, leaning for!ar", !ith his long,
thin forefinger checking off the &oints u&on the &alm of his left han", ga#e me a sketch of the
e#ents !hich ha" le" to our journey$
CSil#er laAe,C sai" he, Cis from the Somomy stock, an" hol"s as brilliant a recor" as his famous
ancestor$ He is no! in his fifth year, an" has brought in turn each of the &riAes of the turf to Colonel
*oss, his fortunate o!ner$ 5& to the time of the catastro&he he !as the first fa#orite for the @esseH
Cu&, the betting being three to one on him$ He has al!ays, ho!e#er, been a &rime fa#orite !ith the
racing &ublic, an" has ne#er yet "isa&&ointe" them, so that e#en at those o""s enormous sums of
money ha#e been lai" u&on him$ 8t is ob#ious, therefore, that there !ere many &eo&le !ho ha" the
strongest interest in &re#enting Sil#er laAe from being there at the fall of the flag neHt Tues"ay$
CThe fact !as, of course, a&&reciate" at ?ing's Pylan", !here the Colonel's training'stable is
situate"$ /#ery &recaution !as taken to guar" the fa#orite$ The trainer, =ohn Straker, is a retire"
jockey !ho ro"e in Colonel *oss's colors before he became too hea#y for the !eighing'chair$ He
has ser#e" the Colonel for fi#e years as jockey an" for se#en as trainer, an" has al!ays sho!n
himself to be a Aealous an" honest ser#ant$ 5n"er him !ere three la"sG for the establishment !as a
small one, containing only four horses in all$ 9ne of these la"s sat u& each night in the stable, !hile
the others sle&t in the loft$ All three bore eHcellent characters$ =ohn Straker, !ho is a marrie" man,
li#e" in a small #illa about t!o hun"re" yar"s from the stables$ He has no chil"ren, kee&s one mai"'
ser#ant, an" is comfortably off$ The country roun" is #ery lonely, but about half a mile to the north
there is a small cluster of #illas !hich ha#e been built by a Ta#istock contractor for the use of
in#ali"s an" others !ho may !ish to enjoy the &ure Dartmoor air$ Ta#istock itself lies t!o miles to
the !est, !hile across the moor, also about t!o miles "istant, is the larger training establishment of
Ma&leton, !hich belongs to (or" ack!ater, an" is manage" by Silas ro!n$ 8n e#ery other
"irection the moor is a com&lete !il"erness, inhabite" only by a fe! roaming gy&sies$ Such !as the
general situation last Mon"ay night !hen the catastro&he occurre"$
C9n that e#ening the horses ha" been eHercise" an" !atere" as usual, an" the stables !ere locke"
u& at nine o'clock$ T!o of the la"s !alke" u& to the trainer's house, !here they ha" su&&er in the
kitchen, !hile the thir", >e" Hunter, remaine" on guar"$ At a fe! minutes after nine the mai",
/"ith aHter, carrie" "o!n to the stables his su&&er, !hich consiste" of a "ish of currie" mutton$
She took no liIui", as there !as a !ater'ta& in the stables, an" it !as the rule that the la" on "uty
shoul" "rink nothing else$ The mai" carrie" a lantern !ith her, as it !as #ery "ark an" the &ath ran
across the o&en moor$
C/"ith aHter !as !ithin thirty yar"s of the stables, !hen a man a&&eare" out of the "arkness an"
calle" to her to sto&$ As he ste&&e" into the circle of yello! light thro!n by the lantern she sa! that
he !as a &erson of gentlemanly bearing, "resse" in a gray suit of t!ee"s, !ith a cloth ca&$ He !ore
gaiters, an" carrie" a hea#y stick !ith a knob to it$ She !as most im&resse", ho!e#er, by the
eHtreme &allor of his face an" by the ner#ousness of his manner$ His age, she thought, !oul" be
rather o#er thirty than un"er it$
C'Can you tell me !here 8 amF' he aske"$ '8 ha" almost ma"e u& my min" to slee& on the moor,
!hen 8 sa! the light of your lantern$'
C'%ou are close to the ?ing's Pylan" training'stables,' sai" she$
C'9h, in"ee"E @hat a stroke of luckE' he crie"$ '8 un"erstan" that a stable'boy slee&s there alone
e#ery night$ Perha&s that is his su&&er !hich you are carrying to him$ >o! 8 am sure that you
!oul" not be too &rou" to earn the &rice of a ne! "ress, !oul" youF' He took a &iece of !hite &a&er
fol"e" u& out of his !aistcoat &ocket$ 'See that the boy has this to'night, an" you shall ha#e the
&rettiest frock that money can buy$'
CShe !as frightene" by the earnestness of his manner, an" ran &ast him to the !in"o! through
!hich she !as accustome" to han" the meals$ 8t !as alrea"y o&ene", an" Hunter !as seate" at the
small table insi"e$ She ha" begun to tell him of !hat ha" ha&&ene", !hen the stranger came u&
again$
C'Goo"'e#ening,' sai" he, looking through the !in"o!$ '8 !ante" to ha#e a !or" !ith you$' The girl
has s!orn that as he s&oke she notice" the corner of the little &a&er &acket &rotru"ing from his
close" han"$
C'@hat business ha#e you hereF' aske" the la"$
C'8t's business that may &ut something into your &ocket,' sai" the other$ '%ou'#e t!o horses in for the
@esseH Cu&JSil#er laAe an" ayar"$ (et me ha#e the straight ti& an" you !on't be a loser$ 8s it a
fact that at the !eights ayar" coul" gi#e the other a hun"re" yar"s in fi#e furlongs, an" that the
stable ha#e &ut their money on himF'
C'So, you're one of those "amne" toutsE' crie" the la"$ '8'll sho! you ho! !e ser#e them in ?ing's
Pylan"$' He s&rang u& an" rushe" across the stable to unloose the "og$ The girl fle" a!ay to the
house, but as she ran she looke" back an" sa! that the stranger !as leaning through the !in"o!$ A
minute later, ho!e#er, !hen Hunter rushe" out !ith the houn" he !as gone, an" though he ran all
roun" the buil"ings he faile" to fin" any trace of him$C
C9ne moment,C 8 aske"$ CDi" the stable'boy, !hen he ran out !ith the "og, lea#e the "oor unlocke"
behin" himFC
C/Hcellent, @atson, eHcellentEC murmure" my com&anion$ CThe im&ortance of the &oint struck me
so forcibly that 8 sent a s&ecial !ire to Dartmoor yester"ay to clear the matter u&$ The boy locke"
the "oor before he left it$ The !in"o!, 8 may a"", !as not large enough for a man to get through$
CHunter !aite" until his fello!'grooms ha" returne", !hen he sent a message to the trainer an" tol"
him !hat ha" occurre"$ Straker !as eHcite" at hearing the account, although he "oes not seem to
ha#e Iuite realiAe" its true significance$ 8t left him, ho!e#er, #aguely uneasy, an" Mrs$ Straker,
!aking at one in the morning, foun" that he !as "ressing$ 8n re&ly to her inIuiries, he sai" that he
coul" not slee& on account of his anHiety about the horses, an" that he inten"e" to !alk "o!n to the
stables to see that all !as !ell$ She begge" him to remain at home, as she coul" hear the rain
&attering against the !in"o!, but in s&ite of her entreaties he &ulle" on his large mackintosh an" left
the house$
CMrs$ Straker a!oke at se#en in the morning, to fin" that her husban" ha" not yet returne"$ She
"resse" herself hastily, calle" the mai", an" set off for the stables$ The "oor !as o&enG insi"e,
hu""le" together u&on a chair, Hunter !as sunk in a state of absolute stu&or, the fa#orite's stall !as
em&ty, an" there !ere no signs of his trainer$
CThe t!o la"s !ho sle&t in the chaff'cutting loft abo#e the harness'room !ere Iuickly arouse"$
They ha" hear" nothing "uring the night, for they are both soun" slee&ers$ Hunter !as ob#iously
un"er the influence of some &o!erful "rug, an" as no sense coul" be got out of him, he !as left to
slee& it off !hile the t!o la"s an" the t!o !omen ran out in search of the absentees$ They still ha"
ho&es that the trainer ha" for some reason taken out the horse for early eHercise, but on ascen"ing
the knoll near the house, from !hich all the neighboring moors !ere #isible, they not only coul" see
no signs of the missing fa#orite, but they &ercei#e" something !hich !arne" them that they !ere in
the &resence of a trage"y$
CAbout a Iuarter of a mile from the stables =ohn Straker's o#ercoat !as fla&&ing from a furAe'bush$
8mme"iately beyon" there !as a bo!l'sha&e" "e&ression in the moor, an" at the bottom of this !as
foun" the "ea" bo"y of the unfortunate trainer$ His hea" ha" been shattere" by a sa#age blo! from
some hea#y !ea&on, an" he !as !oun"e" on the thigh, !here there !as a long, clean cut, inflicte"
e#i"ently by some #ery shar& instrument$ 8t !as clear, ho!e#er, that Straker ha" "efen"e" himself
#igorously against his assailants, for in his right han" he hel" a small knife, !hich !as clotte" !ith
bloo" u& to the han"le, !hile in his left he clas&e" a re" an" black silk cra#at, !hich !as
recogniAe" by the mai" as ha#ing been !orn on the &rece"ing e#ening by the stranger !ho ha"
#isite" the stables$ Hunter, on reco#ering from his stu&or, !as also Iuite &ositi#e as to the
o!nershi& of the cra#at$ He !as eIually certain that the same stranger ha", !hile stan"ing at the
!in"o!, "rugge" his currie" mutton, an" so "e&ri#e" the stables of their !atchman$ As to the
missing horse, there !ere abun"ant &roofs in the mu" !hich lay at the bottom of the fatal hollo!
that he ha" been there at the time of the struggle$ ut from that morning he has "isa&&eare", an"
although a large re!ar" has been offere", an" all the gy&sies of Dartmoor are on the alert, no ne!s
has come of him$ <inally, an analysis has sho!n that the remains of his su&&er left by the stable'la"
contain an a&&reciable Iuantity of &o!"ere" o&ium, !hile the &eo&le at the house &artook of the
same "ish on the same night !ithout any ill effect$
CThose are the main facts of the case, stri&&e" of all surmise, an" state" as bal"ly as &ossible$ 8 shall
no! reca&itulate !hat the &olice ha#e "one in the matter$
C8ns&ector Gregory, to !hom the case has been committe", is an eHtremely com&etent officer$ @ere
he but gifte" !ith imagination he might rise to great heights in his &rofession$ 9n his arri#al he
&rom&tly foun" an" arreste" the man u&on !hom sus&icion naturally reste"$ There !as little
"ifficulty in fin"ing him, for he inhabite" one of those #illas !hich 8 ha#e mentione"$ His name, it
a&&ears, !as <itAroy Sim&son$ He !as a man of eHcellent birth an" e"ucation, !ho ha" sIuan"ere"
a fortune u&on the turf, an" !ho li#e" no! by "oing a little Iuiet an" genteel book'making in the
s&orting clubs of (on"on$ An eHamination of his betting'book sho!s that bets to the amount of fi#e
thousan" &oun"s ha" been registere" by him against the fa#orite$ 9n being arreste" he #olunteere"
the statement that he ha" come "o!n to Dartmoor in the ho&e of getting some information about the
?ing's Pylan" horses, an" also about Desborough, the secon" fa#orite, !hich !as in charge of Silas
ro!n at the Ma&leton stables$ He "i" not attem&t to "eny that he ha" acte" as "escribe" u&on the
e#ening before, but "eclare" that he ha" no sinister "esigns, an" ha" sim&ly !ishe" to obtain first'
han" information$ @hen confronte" !ith his cra#at, he turne" #ery &ale, an" !as utterly unable to
account for its &resence in the han" of the mur"ere" man$ His !et clothing sho!e" that he ha" been
out in the storm of the night before, an" his stick, !hich !as a Penang'la!yer !eighte" !ith lea",
!as just such a !ea&on as might, by re&eate" blo!s, ha#e inflicte" the terrible injuries to !hich the
trainer ha" succumbe"$ 9n the other han", there !as no !oun" u&on his &erson, !hile the state of
Straker's knife !oul" sho! that one at least of his assailants must bear his mark u&on him$ There
you ha#e it all in a nutshell, @atson, an" if you can gi#e me any light 8 shall be infinitely oblige" to
you$C
8 ha" listene" !ith the greatest interest to the statement !hich Holmes, !ith characteristic clearness,
ha" lai" before me$ Though most of the facts !ere familiar to me, 8 ha" not sufficiently a&&reciate"
their relati#e im&ortance, nor their connection to each other$
C8s it not &ossible,C 8 suggeste", Cthat the incise" !oun" u&on Straker may ha#e been cause" by his
o!n knife in the con#ulsi#e struggles !hich follo! any brain injuryFC
C8t is more than &ossibleG it is &robable,C sai" Holmes$ C8n that case one of the main &oints in fa#or
of the accuse" "isa&&ears$C
CAn" yet,C sai" 8, Ce#en no! 8 fail to un"erstan" !hat the theory of the &olice can be$C
C8 am afrai" that !hate#er theory !e state has #ery gra#e objections to it,C returne" my com&anion$
CThe &olice imagine, 8 take it, that this <itAroy Sim&son, ha#ing "rugge" the la", an" ha#ing in
some !ay obtaine" a "u&licate key, o&ene" the stable "oor an" took out the horse, !ith the
intention, a&&arently, of ki"na&&ing him altogether$ His bri"le is missing, so that Sim&son must
ha#e &ut this on$ Then, ha#ing left the "oor o&en behin" him, he !as lea"ing the horse a!ay o#er
the moor, !hen he !as either met or o#ertaken by the trainer$ A ro! naturally ensue"$ Sim&son beat
out the trainer's brains !ith his hea#y stick !ithout recei#ing any injury from the small knife !hich
Straker use" in self'"efence, an" then the thief either le" the horse on to some secret hi"ing'&lace,
or else it may ha#e bolte" "uring the struggle, an" be no! !an"ering out on the moors$ That is the
case as it a&&ears to the &olice, an" im&robable as it is, all other eH&lanations are more im&robable
still$ Ho!e#er, 8 shall #ery Iuickly test the matter !hen 8 am once u&on the s&ot, an" until then 8
cannot really see ho! !e can get much further than our &resent &osition$C
8t !as e#ening before !e reache" the little to!n of Ta#istock, !hich lies, like the boss of a shiel",
in the mi""le of the huge circle of Dartmoor$ T!o gentlemen !ere a!aiting us in the stationJthe
one a tall, fair man !ith lion'like hair an" bear" an" curiously &enetrating light blue eyesG the other
a small, alert &erson, #ery neat an" "a&&er, in a frock'coat an" gaiters, !ith trim little si"e'!hiskers
an" an eye'glass$ The latter !as Colonel *oss, the !ell'kno!n s&ortsmanG the other, 8ns&ector
Gregory, a man !ho !as ra&i"ly making his name in the /nglish "etecti#e ser#ice$
C8 am "elighte" that you ha#e come "o!n, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" the Colonel$ CThe 8ns&ector here has
"one all that coul" &ossibly be suggeste", but 8 !ish to lea#e no stone unturne" in trying to a#enge
&oor Straker an" in reco#ering my horse$C
CHa#e there been any fresh "e#elo&mentsFC aske" Holmes$
C8 am sorry to say that !e ha#e ma"e #ery little &rogress,C sai" the 8ns&ector$ C@e ha#e an o&en
carriage outsi"e, an" as you !oul" no "oubt like to see the &lace before the light fails, !e might talk
it o#er as !e "ri#e$C
A minute later !e !ere all seate" in a comfortable lan"au, an" !ere rattling through the Iuaint ol"
De#onshire city$ 8ns&ector Gregory !as full of his case, an" &oure" out a stream of remarks, !hile
Holmes thre! in an occasional Iuestion or interjection$ Colonel *oss leane" back !ith his arms
fol"e" an" his hat tilte" o#er his eyes, !hile 8 listene" !ith interest to the "ialogue of the t!o
"etecti#es$ Gregory !as formulating his theory, !hich !as almost eHactly !hat Holmes ha"
foretol" in the train$
CThe net is "ra!n &retty close roun" <itAroy Sim&son,C he remarke", Can" 8 belie#e myself that he
is our man$ At the same time 8 recogniAe that the e#i"ence is &urely circumstantial, an" that some
ne! "e#elo&ment may u&set it$C
CHo! about Straker's knifeFC
C@e ha#e Iuite come to the conclusion that he !oun"e" himself in his fall$C
CMy frien" Dr$ @atson ma"e that suggestion to me as !e came "o!n$ 8f so, it !oul" tell against this
man Sim&son$C
C5n"oubte"ly$ He has neither a knife nor any sign of a !oun"$ The e#i"ence against him is
certainly #ery strong$ He ha" a great interest in the "isa&&earance of the fa#orite$ He lies un"er
sus&icion of ha#ing &oisone" the stable'boy, he !as un"oubte"ly out in the storm, he !as arme"
!ith a hea#y stick, an" his cra#at !as foun" in the "ea" man's han"$ 8 really think !e ha#e enough
to go before a jury$C
Holmes shook his hea"$ CA cle#er counsel !oul" tear it all to rags,C sai" he$ C@hy shoul" he take
the horse out of the stableF 8f he !ishe" to injure it !hy coul" he not "o it thereF Has a "u&licate
key been foun" in his &ossessionF @hat chemist sol" him the &o!"ere" o&iumF Abo#e all, !here
coul" he, a stranger to the "istrict, hi"e a horse, an" such a horse as thisF @hat is his o!n
eH&lanation as to the &a&er !hich he !ishe" the mai" to gi#e to the stable'boyFC
CHe says that it !as a ten'&oun" note$ 9ne !as foun" in his &urse$ ut your other "ifficulties are
not so formi"able as they seem$ He is not a stranger to the "istrict$ He has t!ice lo"ge" at Ta#istock
in the summer$ The o&ium !as &robably brought from (on"on$ The key, ha#ing ser#e" its &ur&ose,
!oul" be hurle" a!ay$ The horse may be at the bottom of one of the &its or ol" mines u&on the
moor$C
C@hat "oes he say about the cra#atFC
CHe ackno!le"ges that it is his, an" "eclares that he ha" lost it$ ut a ne! element has been
intro"uce" into the case !hich may account for his lea"ing the horse from the stable$C
Holmes &ricke" u& his ears$
C@e ha#e foun" traces !hich sho! that a &arty of gy&sies encam&e" on Mon"ay night !ithin a mile
of the s&ot !here the mur"er took &lace$ 9n Tues"ay they !ere gone$ >o!, &resuming that there
!as some un"erstan"ing bet!een Sim&son an" these gy&sies, might he not ha#e been lea"ing the
horse to them !hen he !as o#ertaken, an" may they not ha#e him no!FC
C8t is certainly &ossible$C
CThe moor is being scoure" for these gy&sies$ 8 ha#e also eHamine" e#ery stable an" out'house in
Ta#istock, an" for a ra"ius of ten miles$C
CThere is another training'stable Iuite close, 8 un"erstan"FC
C%es, an" that is a factor !hich !e must certainly not neglect$ As Desborough, their horse, !as
secon" in the betting, they ha" an interest in the "isa&&earance of the fa#orite$ Silas ro!n, the
trainer, is kno!n to ha#e ha" large bets u&on the e#ent, an" he !as no frien" to &oor Straker$ @e
ha#e, ho!e#er, eHamine" the stables, an" there is nothing to connect him !ith the affair$C
CAn" nothing to connect this man Sim&son !ith the interests of the Ma&leton stablesFC
C>othing at all$C
Holmes leane" back in the carriage, an" the con#ersation cease"$ A fe! minutes later our "ri#er
&ulle" u& at a neat little re"'brick #illa !ith o#erhanging ea#es !hich stoo" by the roa"$ Some
"istance off, across a &a""ock, lay a long gray'tile" out'buil"ing$ 8n e#ery other "irection the lo!
cur#es of the moor, bronAe'colore" from the fa"ing ferns, stretche" a!ay to the sky'line, broken
only by the stee&les of Ta#istock, an" by a cluster of houses a!ay to the !est!ar" !hich marke"
the Ma&leton stables$ @e all s&rang out !ith the eHce&tion of Holmes, !ho continue" to lean back
!ith his eyes fiHe" u&on the sky in front of him, entirely absorbe" in his o!n thoughts$ 8t !as only
!hen 8 touche" his arm that he rouse" himself !ith a #iolent start an" ste&&e" out of the carriage$
C/Hcuse me,C sai" he, turning to Colonel *oss, !ho ha" looke" at him in some sur&rise$ C8 !as "ay'
"reaming$C There !as a gleam in his eyes an" a su&&resse" eHcitement in his manner !hich
con#ince" me, use" as 8 !as to his !ays, that his han" !as u&on a clue, though 8 coul" not imagine
!here he ha" foun" it$
CPerha&s you !oul" &refer at once to go on to the scene of the crime, Mr$ HolmesFC sai" Gregory$
C8 think that 8 shoul" &refer to stay here a little an" go into one or t!o Iuestions of "etail$ Straker
!as brought back here, 8 &resumeFC
C%esG he lies u&stairs$ The inIuest is to'morro!$C
CHe has been in your ser#ice some years, Colonel *ossFC
C8 ha#e al!ays foun" him an eHcellent ser#ant$C
C8 &resume that you ma"e an in#entory of !hat he ha" in his &ockets at the time of his "eath,
8ns&ectorFC
C8 ha#e the things themsel#es in the sitting'room, if you !oul" care to see them$C
C8 shoul" be #ery gla"$C @e all file" into the front room an" sat roun" the central table !hile the
8ns&ector unlocke" a sIuare tin boH an" lai" a small hea& of things before us$ There !as a boH of
#estas, t!o inches of tallo! can"le, an A D P brier'root &i&e, a &ouch of seal'skin !ith half an
ounce of long'cut Ca#en"ish, a sil#er !atch !ith a gol" chain, fi#e so#ereigns in gol", an aluminum
&encil'case, a fe! &a&ers, an" an i#ory'han"le" knife !ith a #ery "elicate, infleHible bla"e marke"
@eiss K Co$, (on"on$
CThis is a #ery singular knife,C sai" Holmes, lifting it u& an" eHamining it minutely$ C8 &resume, as 8
see bloo"'stains u&on it, that it is the one !hich !as foun" in the "ea" man's gras&$ @atson, this
knife is surely in your lineFC
C8t is !hat !e call a cataract knife,C sai" 8$
C8 thought so$ A #ery "elicate bla"e "e#ise" for #ery "elicate !ork$ A strange thing for a man to
carry !ith him u&on a rough eH&e"ition, es&ecially as it !oul" not shut in his &ocket$C
CThe ti& !as guar"e" by a "isk of cork !hich !e foun" besi"e his bo"y,C sai" the 8ns&ector$ CHis
!ife tells us that the knife ha" lain u&on the "ressing'table, an" that he ha" &icke" it u& as he left
the room$ 8t !as a &oor !ea&on, but &erha&s the best that he coul" lay his han"s on at the moment$C
CBery &ossible$ Ho! about these &a&ersFC
CThree of them are recei&te" hay'"ealers' accounts$ 9ne of them is a letter of instructions from
Colonel *oss$ This other is a milliner's account for thirty'se#en &oun"s fifteen ma"e out by
Ma"ame (esurier, of on" Street, to @illiam Derbyshire$ Mrs$ Straker tells us that Derbyshire !as
a frien" of her husban"'s an" that occasionally his letters !ere a""resse" here$C
CMa"am Derbyshire ha" some!hat eH&ensi#e tastes,C remarke" Holmes, glancing "o!n the
account$ CT!enty't!o guineas is rather hea#y for a single costume$ Ho!e#er there a&&ears to be
nothing more to learn, an" !e may no! go "o!n to the scene of the crime$C
As !e emerge" from the sitting'room a !oman, !ho ha" been !aiting in the &assage, took a ste&
for!ar" an" lai" her han" u&on the 8ns&ector's slee#e$ Her face !as haggar" an" thin an" eager,
stam&e" !ith the &rint of a recent horror$
CHa#e you got themF Ha#e you foun" themFC she &ante"$
C>o, Mrs$ Straker$ ut Mr$ Holmes here has come from (on"on to hel& us, an" !e shall "o all that
is &ossible$C
CSurely 8 met you in Plymouth at a gar"en'&arty some little time ago, Mrs$ StrakerFC sai" Holmes$
C>o, sirG you are mistaken$C
CDear meE @hy, 8 coul" ha#e s!orn to it$ %ou !ore a costume of "o#e'colore" silk !ith ostrich'
feather trimming$C
C8 ne#er ha" such a "ress, sir,C ans!ere" the la"y$
CAh, that Iuite settles it,C sai" Holmes$ An" !ith an a&ology he follo!e" the 8ns&ector outsi"e$ A
short !alk across the moor took us to the hollo! in !hich the bo"y ha" been foun"$ At the brink of
it !as the furAe'bush u&on !hich the coat ha" been hung$
CThere !as no !in" that night, 8 un"erstan",C sai" Holmes$
C>oneG but #ery hea#y rain$C
C8n that case the o#ercoat !as not blo!n against the furAe'bush, but &lace" there$C
C%es, it !as lai" across the bush$C
C%ou fill me !ith interest, 8 &ercei#e that the groun" has been tram&le" u& a goo" "eal$ >o "oubt
many feet ha#e been here since Mon"ay night$C
CA &iece of matting has been lai" here at the si"e, an" !e ha#e all stoo" u&on that$C
C/Hcellent$C
C8n this bag 8 ha#e one of the boots !hich Straker !ore, one of <itAroy Sim&son's shoes, an" a cast
horseshoe of Sil#er laAe$C
CMy "ear 8ns&ector, you sur&ass yourselfEC Holmes took the bag, an", "escen"ing into the hollo!,
he &ushe" the matting into a more central &osition$ Then stretching himself u&on his face an"
leaning his chin u&on his han"s, he ma"e a careful stu"y of the tram&le" mu" in front of him$
CHulloEC sai" he, su""enly$ C@hat's thisFC 8t !as a !aH #esta half burne", !hich !as so coate" !ith
mu" that it looke" at first like a little chi& of !oo"$
C8 cannot think ho! 8 came to o#erlook it,C sai" the 8ns&ector, !ith an eH&ression of annoyance$
C8t !as in#isible, burie" in the mu"$ 8 only sa! it because 8 !as looking for it$C
C@hatE %ou eH&ecte" to fin" itFC
C8 thought it not unlikely$C
He took the boots from the bag, an" com&are" the im&ressions of each of them !ith marks u&on the
groun"$ Then he clambere" u& to the rim of the hollo!, an" cra!le" about among the ferns an"
bushes$
C8 am afrai" that there are no more tracks,C sai" the 8ns&ector$ C8 ha#e eHamine" the groun" #ery
carefully for a hun"re" yar"s in each "irection$C
C8n"ee"EC sai" Holmes, rising$ C8 shoul" not ha#e the im&ertinence to "o it again after !hat you say$
ut 8 shoul" like to take a little !alk o#er the moor before it gro!s "ark, that 8 may kno! my
groun" to'morro!, an" 8 think that 8 shall &ut this horseshoe into my &ocket for luck$C
Colonel *oss, !ho ha" sho!n some signs of im&atience at my com&anion's Iuiet an" systematic
metho" of !ork, glance" at his !atch$ C8 !ish you !oul" come back !ith me, 8ns&ector,C sai" he$
CThere are se#eral &oints on !hich 8 shoul" like your a"#ice, an" es&ecially as to !hether !e "o not
o!e it to the &ublic to remo#e our horse's name from the entries for the Cu&$C
CCertainly not,C crie" Holmes, !ith "ecision$ C8 shoul" let the name stan"$C
The Colonel bo!e"$ C8 am #ery gla" to ha#e ha" your o&inion, sir,C sai" he$ C%ou !ill fin" us at
&oor Straker's house !hen you ha#e finishe" your !alk, an" !e can "ri#e together into Ta#istock$C
He turne" back !ith the 8ns&ector, !hile Holmes an" 8 !alke" slo!ly across the moor$ The sun !as
beginning to sink behin" the stables of Ma&leton, an" the long, slo&ing &lain in front of us !as
tinge" !ith gol", "ee&ening into rich, ru""y bro!ns !here the fa"e" ferns an" brambles caught the
e#ening light$ ut the glories of the lan"sca&e !ere all !aste" u&on my com&anion, !ho !as sunk
in the "ee&est thought$
C8t's this !ay, @atson,C sai" he at last$ C@e may lea#e the Iuestion of !ho kille" =ohn Straker for
the instant, an" confine oursel#es to fin"ing out !hat has become of the horse$ >o!, su&&osing that
he broke a!ay "uring or after the trage"y, !here coul" he ha#e gone toF The horse is a #ery
gregarious creature$ 8f left to himself his instincts !oul" ha#e been either to return to ?ing's Pylan"
or go o#er to Ma&leton$ @hy shoul" he run !il" u&on the moorF He !oul" surely ha#e been seen
by no!$ An" !hy shoul" gy&sies ki"na& himF These &eo&le al!ays clear out !hen they hear of
trouble, for they "o not !ish to be &estere" by the &olice$ They coul" not ho&e to sell such a horse$
They !oul" run a great risk an" gain nothing by taking him$ Surely that is clear$C
C@here is he, thenFC
C8 ha#e alrea"y sai" that he must ha#e gone to ?ing's Pylan" or to Ma&leton$ He is not at ?ing's
Pylan"$ Therefore he is at Ma&leton$ (et us take that as a !orking hy&othesis an" see !hat it lea"s
us to$ This &art of the moor, as the 8ns&ector remarke", is #ery har" an" "ry$ ut it falls a!ay
to!ar"s Ma&leton, an" you can see from here that there is a long hollo! o#er yon"er, !hich must
ha#e been #ery !et on Mon"ay night$ 8f our su&&osition is correct, then the horse must ha#e crosse"
that, an" there is the &oint !here !e shoul" look for his tracks$C
@e ha" been !alking briskly "uring this con#ersation, an" a fe! more minutes brought us to the
hollo! in Iuestion$ At Holmes' reIuest 8 !alke" "o!n the bank to the right, an" he to the left, but 8
ha" not taken fifty &aces before 8 hear" him gi#e a shout, an" sa! him !a#ing his han" to me$ The
track of a horse !as &lainly outline" in the soft earth in front of him, an" the shoe !hich he took
from his &ocket eHactly fitte" the im&ression$
CSee the #alue of imagination,C sai" Holmes$ C8t is the one Iuality !hich Gregory lacks$ @e
imagine" !hat might ha#e ha&&ene", acte" u&on the su&&osition, an" fin" oursel#es justifie"$ (et
us &rocee"$C
@e crosse" the marshy bottom an" &asse" o#er a Iuarter of a mile of "ry, har" turf$ Again the
groun" slo&e", an" again !e came on the tracks$ Then !e lost them for half a mile, but only to &ick
them u& once more Iuite close to Ma&leton$ 8t !as Holmes !ho sa! them first, an" he stoo"
&ointing !ith a look of trium&h u&on his face$ A man's track !as #isible besi"e the horse's$
CThe horse !as alone before,C 8 crie"$
CLuite so$ 8t !as alone before$ Hullo, !hat is thisFC
The "ouble track turne" shar& off an" took the "irection of ?ing's Pylan"$ Holmes !histle", an" !e
both follo!e" along after it$ His eyes !ere on the trail, but 8 ha&&ene" to look a little to one si"e,
an" sa! to my sur&rise the same tracks coming back again in the o&&osite "irection$
C9ne for you, @atson,C sai" Holmes, !hen 8 &ointe" it out$ C%ou ha#e sa#e" us a long !alk, !hich
!oul" ha#e brought us back on our o!n traces$ (et us follo! the return track$C
@e ha" not to go far$ 8t en"e" at the &a#ing of as&halt !hich le" u& to the gates of the Ma&leton
stables$ As !e a&&roache", a groom ran out from them$
C@e "on't !ant any loiterers about here,C sai" he$
C8 only !ishe" to ask a Iuestion,C sai" Holmes, !ith his finger an" thumb in his !aistcoat &ocket$
CShoul" 8 be too early to see your master, Mr$ Silas ro!n, if 8 !ere to call at fi#e o'clock to'
morro! morningFC
Cless you, sir, if any one is about he !ill be, for he is al!ays the first stirring$ ut here he is, sir, to
ans!er your Iuestions for himself$ >o, sir, noG it is as much as my &lace is !orth to let him see me
touch your money$ After!ar"s, if you like$C
As Sherlock Holmes re&lace" the half'cro!n !hich he ha" "ra!n from his &ocket, a fierce'looking
el"erly man stro"e out from the gate !ith a hunting'cro& s!inging in his han"$
C@hat's this, Da!sonEC he crie"$ C>o gossi&ingE Go about your businessE An" you, !hat the "e#il
"o you !ant hereFC
CTen minutes' talk !ith you, my goo" sir,C sai" Holmes in the s!eetest of #oices$
C8'#e no time to talk to e#ery ga"about$ @e !ant no stranger here$ e off, or you may fin" a "og at
your heels$C
Holmes leane" for!ar" an" !his&ere" something in the trainer's ear$ He starte" #iolently an"
flushe" to the tem&les$
C8t's a lieEC he shoute", Can infernal lieEC
CBery goo"$ Shall !e argue about it here in &ublic or talk it o#er in your &arlorFC
C9h, come in if you !ish to$C
Holmes smile"$ C8 shall not kee& you more than a fe! minutes, @atson,C sai" he$ C>o!, Mr$ ro!n,
8 am Iuite at your "is&osal$C
8t !as t!enty minutes, an" the re"s ha" all fa"e" into grays before Holmes an" the trainer
rea&&eare"$ >e#er ha#e 8 seen such a change as ha" been brought about in Silas ro!n in that short
time$ His face !as ashy &ale, bea"s of &ers&iration shone u&on his bro!, an" his han"s shook until
the hunting'cro& !agge" like a branch in the !in"$ His bullying, o#erbearing manner !as all gone
too, an" he cringe" along at my com&anion's si"e like a "og !ith its master$
C%our instructions !ill be "one$ 8t shall all be "one,C sai" he$
CThere must be no mistake,C sai" Holmes, looking roun" at him$ The other !ince" as he rea" the
menace in his eyes$
C9h no, there shall be no mistake$ 8t shall be there$ Shoul" 8 change it first or notFC
Holmes thought a little an" then burst out laughing$ C>o, "on't,C sai" heG C8 shall !rite to you about
it$ >o tricks, no!, orJC
C9h, you can trust me, you can trust meEC
C%es, 8 think 8 can$ @ell, you shall hear from me to'morro!$C He turne" u&on his heel, "isregar"ing
the trembling han" !hich the other hel" out to him, an" !e set off for ?ing's Pylan"$
CA more &erfect com&oun" of the bully, co!ar", an" sneak than Master Silas ro!n 8 ha#e sel"om
met !ith,C remarke" Holmes as !e tru"ge" along together$
CHe has the horse, thenFC
CHe trie" to bluster out of it, but 8 "escribe" to him so eHactly !hat his actions ha" been u&on that
morning that he is con#ince" that 8 !as !atching him$ 9f course you obser#e" the &eculiarly sIuare
toes in the im&ressions, an" that his o!n boots eHactly corres&on"e" to them$ Again, of course no
subor"inate !oul" ha#e "are" to "o such a thing$ 8 "escribe" to him ho!, !hen accor"ing to his
custom he !as the first "o!n, he &ercei#e" a strange horse !an"ering o#er the moor$ Ho! he !ent
out to it, an" his astonishment at recogniAing, from the !hite forehea" !hich has gi#en the fa#orite
its name, that chance ha" &ut in his &o!er the only horse !hich coul" beat the one u&on !hich he
ha" &ut his money$ Then 8 "escribe" ho! his first im&ulse ha" been to lea" him back to ?ing's
Pylan", an" ho! the "e#il ha" sho!n him ho! he coul" hi"e the horse until the race !as o#er, an"
ho! he ha" le" it back an" conceale" it at Ma&leton$ @hen 8 tol" him e#ery "etail he ga#e it u& an"
thought only of sa#ing his o!n skin$C
Cut his stables ha" been searche"FC
C9h, an ol" horse'faker like him has many a "o"ge$C
Cut are you not afrai" to lea#e the horse in his &o!er no!, since he has e#ery interest in injuring
itFC
CMy "ear fello!, he !ill guar" it as the a&&le of his eye$ He kno!s that his only ho&e of mercy is to
&ro"uce it safe$C
CColonel *oss "i" not im&ress me as a man !ho !oul" be likely to sho! much mercy in any case$C
CThe matter "oes not rest !ith Colonel *oss$ 8 follo! my o!n metho"s, an" tell as much or as little
as 8 choose$ That is the a"#antage of being unofficial$ 8 "on't kno! !hether you obser#e" it,
@atson, but the Colonel's manner has been just a trifle ca#alier to me$ 8 am incline" no! to ha#e a
little amusement at his eH&ense$ Say nothing to him about the horse$C
CCertainly not !ithout your &ermission$C
CAn" of course this is all Iuite a minor &oint com&are" to the Iuestion of !ho kille" =ohn Straker$C
CAn" you !ill "e#ote yourself to thatFC
C9n the contrary, !e both go back to (on"on by the night train$C
8 !as thun"erstruck by my frien"'s !or"s$ @e ha" only been a fe! hours in De#onshire, an" that he
shoul" gi#e u& an in#estigation !hich he ha" begun so brilliantly !as Iuite incom&rehensible to
me$ >ot a !or" more coul" 8 "ra! from him until !e !ere back at the trainer's house$ The Colonel
an" the 8ns&ector !ere a!aiting us in the &arlor$
CMy frien" an" 8 return to to!n by the night'eH&ress,C sai" Holmes$ C@e ha#e ha" a charming little
breath of your beautiful Dartmoor air$C
The 8ns&ector o&ene" his eyes, an" the Colonel's li& curle" in a sneer$
CSo you "es&air of arresting the mur"erer of &oor Straker,C sai" he$
Holmes shrugge" his shoul"ers$ CThere are certainly gra#e "ifficulties in the !ay,C sai" he$ C8 ha#e
e#ery ho&e, ho!e#er, that your horse !ill start u&on Tues"ay, an" 8 beg that you !ill ha#e your
jockey in rea"iness$ Might 8 ask for a &hotogra&h of Mr$ =ohn StrakerFC
The 8ns&ector took one from an en#elo&e an" han"e" it to him$
CMy "ear Gregory, you antici&ate all my !ants$ 8f 8 might ask you to !ait here for an instant, 8 ha#e
a Iuestion !hich 8 shoul" like to &ut to the mai"$C
C8 must say that 8 am rather "isa&&ointe" in our (on"on consultant,C sai" Colonel *oss, bluntly, as
my frien" left the room$ C8 "o not see that !e are any further than !hen he came$C
CAt least you ha#e his assurance that your horse !ill run,C sai" 8$
C%es, 8 ha#e his assurance,C sai" the Colonel, !ith a shrug of his shoul"ers$ C8 shoul" &refer to ha#e
the horse$C
8 !as about to make some re&ly in "efence of my frien" !hen he entere" the room again$
C>o!, gentlemen,C sai" he, C8 am Iuite rea"y for Ta#istock$C
As !e ste&&e" into the carriage one of the stable'la"s hel" the "oor o&en for us$ A su""en i"ea
seeme" to occur to Holmes, for he leane" for!ar" an" touche" the la" u&on the slee#e$
C%ou ha#e a fe! shee& in the &a""ock,C he sai"$ C@ho atten"s to themFC
C8 "o, sir$C
CHa#e you notice" anything amiss !ith them of lateFC
C@ell, sir, not of much accountG but three of them ha#e gone lame, sir$C
8 coul" see that Holmes !as eHtremely &lease", for he chuckle" an" rubbe" his han"s together$
CA long shot, @atsonG a #ery long shot,C sai" he, &inching my arm$ CGregory, let me recommen" to
your attention this singular e&i"emic among the shee&$ Dri#e on, coachmanEC
Colonel *oss still !ore an eH&ression !hich sho!e" the &oor o&inion !hich he ha" forme" of my
com&anion's ability, but 8 sa! by the 8ns&ector's face that his attention ha" been keenly arouse"$
C%ou consi"er that to be im&ortantFC he aske"$
C/Hcee"ingly so$C
C8s there any &oint to !hich you !oul" !ish to "ra! my attentionFC
CTo the curious inci"ent of the "og in the night'time$C
CThe "og "i" nothing in the night'time$C
CThat !as the curious inci"ent,C remarke" Sherlock Holmes$
<our "ays later Holmes an" 8 !ere again in the train, boun" for @inchester to see the race for the
@esseH Cu&$ Colonel *oss met us by a&&ointment outsi"e the station, an" !e "ro#e in his "rag to
the course beyon" the to!n$ His face !as gra#e, an" his manner !as col" in the eHtreme$
C8 ha#e seen nothing of my horse,C sai" he$
C8 su&&ose that you !oul" kno! him !hen you sa! himFC aske" Holmes$
The Colonel !as #ery angry$ C8 ha#e been on the turf for t!enty years, an" ne#er !as aske" such a
Iuestion as that before,C sai" he$ CA chil" !oul" kno! Sil#er laAe, !ith his !hite forehea" an" his
mottle" off'foreleg$C
CHo! is the bettingFC
C@ell, that is the curious &art of it$ %ou coul" ha#e got fifteen to one yester"ay, but the &rice has
become shorter an" shorter, until you can har"ly get three to one no!$C
CHumEC sai" Holmes$ CSomebo"y kno!s something, that is clear$C
As the "rag "re! u& in the enclosure near the gran" stan" 8 glance" at the car" to see the entries$
@esseH Plate .it ran4 :7 so#s each h ft !ith +777 so#s a""e" for four an" fi#e year ol"s$ Secon",
(277$ Thir", (677$ >e! course Mone mile an" fi#e furlongsN$ Mr$ Heath >e!ton's The >egro$ *e"
ca&$ Cinnamon jacket$ Colonel @ar"la!'s Pugilist$ Pink ca&$ lue an" black jacket$ (or"
ack!ater's Desborough$ %ello! ca& an" slee#es$ Colonel *oss's Sil#er laAe$ lack ca&$ *e"
jacket$ Duke of almoral's 8ris$ %ello! an" black stri&es$ (or" Singlefor"'s *as&er$ Pur&le ca&$
lack slee#es$
C@e scratche" our other one, an" &ut all ho&es on your !or",C sai" the Colonel$ C@hy, !hat is thatF
Sil#er laAe fa#oriteFC
C<i#e to four against Sil#er laAeEC roare" the ring$ C<i#e to four against Sil#er laAeE <i#e to
fifteen against DesboroughE <i#e to four on the fiel"EC
CThere are the numbers u&,C 8 crie"$ CThey are all siH there$C
CAll siH thereF Then my horse is running,C crie" the Colonel in great agitation$ Cut 8 "on't see him$
My colors ha#e not &asse"$C
C9nly fi#e ha#e &asse"$ This must be he$C
As 8 s&oke a &o!erful bay horse s!e&t out from the !eighing enclosure an" cantere" &ast us,
bearing on its back the !ell'kno!n black an" re" of the Colonel$
CThat's not my horse,C crie" the o!ner$ CThat beast has not a !hite hair u&on its bo"y$ @hat is this
that you ha#e "one, Mr$ HolmesFC
C@ell, !ell, let us see ho! he gets on,C sai" my frien", im&erturbably$ <or a fe! minutes he gaAe"
through my fiel"'glass$ CCa&italE An eHcellent startEC he crie" su""enly$ CThere they are, coming
roun" the cur#eEC
<rom our "rag !e ha" a su&erb #ie! as they came u& the straight$ The siH horses !ere so close
together that a car&et coul" ha#e co#ere" them, but half !ay u& the yello! of the Ma&leton stable
sho!e" to the front$ efore they reache" us, ho!e#er, Desborough's bolt !as shot, an" the
Colonel's horse, coming a!ay !ith a rush, &asse" the &ost a goo" siH lengths before its ri#al, the
Duke of almoral's 8ris making a ba" thir"$
C8t's my race, anyho!,C gas&e" the Colonel, &assing his han" o#er his eyes$ C8 confess that 8 can
make neither hea" nor tail of it$ Don't you think that you ha#e ke&t u& your mystery long enough,
Mr$ HolmesFC
CCertainly, Colonel, you shall kno! e#erything$ (et us all go roun" an" ha#e a look at the horse
together$ Here he is,C he continue", as !e ma"e our !ay into the !eighing enclosure, !here only
o!ners an" their frien"s fin" a"mittance$ C%ou ha#e only to !ash his face an" his leg in s&irits of
!ine, an" you !ill fin" that he is the same ol" Sil#er laAe as e#er$C
C%ou take my breath a!ayEC
C8 foun" him in the han"s of a faker, an" took the liberty of running him just as he !as sent o#er$C
CMy "ear sir, you ha#e "one !on"ers$ The horse looks #ery fit an" !ell$ 8t ne#er !ent better in its
life$ 8 o!e you a thousan" a&ologies for ha#ing "oubte" your ability$ %ou ha#e "one me a great
ser#ice by reco#ering my horse$ %ou !oul" "o me a greater still if you coul" lay your han"s on the
mur"erer of =ohn Straker$C
C8 ha#e "one so,C sai" Holmes Iuietly$
The Colonel an" 8 stare" at him in amaAement$ C%ou ha#e got himE @here is he, thenFC
CHe is here$C
CHereE @hereFC
C8n my com&any at the &resent moment$C
The Colonel flushe" angrily$ C8 Iuite recogniAe that 8 am un"er obligations to you, Mr$ Holmes,C
sai" he, Cbut 8 must regar" !hat you ha#e just sai" as either a #ery ba" joke or an insult$C
Sherlock Holmes laughe"$ C8 assure you that 8 ha#e not associate" you !ith the crime, Colonel,C
sai" he$ CThe real mur"erer is stan"ing imme"iately behin" you$C He ste&&e" &ast an" lai" his han"
u&on the glossy neck of the thoroughbre"$
CThe horseEC crie" both the Colonel an" myself$
C%es, the horse$ An" it may lessen his guilt if 8 say that it !as "one in self'"efence, an" that =ohn
Straker !as a man !ho !as entirely un!orthy of your confi"ence$ ut there goes the bell, an" as 8
stan" to !in a little on this neHt race, 8 shall "efer a lengthy eH&lanation until a more fitting time$C
@e ha" the corner of a Pullman car to oursel#es that e#ening as !e !hirle" back to (on"on, an" 8
fancy that the journey !as a short one to Colonel *oss as !ell as to myself, as !e listene" to our
com&anion's narrati#e of the e#ents !hich ha" occurre" at the Dartmoor training'stables u&on the
Mon"ay night, an" the means by !hich he ha" unra#elle" them$
C8 confess,C sai" he, Cthat any theories !hich 8 ha" forme" from the ne!s&a&er re&orts !ere entirely
erroneous$ An" yet there !ere in"ications there, ha" they not been o#erlai" by other "etails !hich
conceale" their true im&ort$ 8 !ent to De#onshire !ith the con#iction that <itAroy Sim&son !as the
true cul&rit, although, of course, 8 sa! that the e#i"ence against him !as by no means com&lete$ 8t
!as !hile 8 !as in the carriage, just as !e reache" the trainer's house, that the immense significance
of the currie" mutton occurre" to me$ %ou may remember that 8 !as "istrait, an" remaine" sitting
after you ha" all alighte"$ 8 !as mar#elling in my o!n min" ho! 8 coul" &ossibly ha#e o#erlooke"
so ob#ious a clue$C
C8 confess,C sai" the Colonel, Cthat e#en no! 8 cannot see ho! it hel&s us$C
C8t !as the first link in my chain of reasoning$ Po!"ere" o&ium is by no means tasteless$ The fla#or
is not "isagreeable, but it is &erce&tible$ @ere it miHe" !ith any or"inary "ish the eater !oul"
un"oubte"ly "etect it, an" !oul" &robably eat no more$ A curry !as eHactly the me"ium !hich
!oul" "isguise this taste$ y no &ossible su&&osition coul" this stranger, <itAroy Sim&son, ha#e
cause" curry to be ser#e" in the trainer's family that night, an" it is surely too monstrous a
coinci"ence to su&&ose that he ha&&ene" to come along !ith &o!"ere" o&ium u&on the #ery night
!hen a "ish ha&&ene" to be ser#e" !hich !oul" "isguise the fla#or$ That is unthinkable$ Therefore
Sim&son becomes eliminate" from the case, an" our attention centers u&on Straker an" his !ife, the
only t!o &eo&le !ho coul" ha#e chosen currie" mutton for su&&er that night$ The o&ium !as a""e"
after the "ish !as set asi"e for the stable'boy, for the others ha" the same for su&&er !ith no ill
effects$ @hich of them, then, ha" access to that "ish !ithout the mai" seeing themF
Cefore "eci"ing that Iuestion 8 ha" gras&e" the significance of the silence of the "og, for one true
inference in#ariably suggests others$ The Sim&son inci"ent ha" sho!n me that a "og !as ke&t in the
stables, an" yet, though some one ha" been in an" ha" fetche" out a horse, he ha" not barke"
enough to arouse the t!o la"s in the loft$ 9b#iously the mi"night #isitor !as some one !hom the
"og kne! !ell$
C8 !as alrea"y con#ince", or almost con#ince", that =ohn Straker !ent "o!n to the stables in the
"ea" of the night an" took out Sil#er laAe$ <or !hat &ur&oseF <or a "ishonest one, ob#iously, or
!hy shoul" he "rug his o!n stable'boyF An" yet 8 !as at a loss to kno! !hy$ There ha#e been
cases before no! !here trainers ha#e ma"e sure of great sums of money by laying against their o!n
horses, through agents, an" then &re#enting them from !inning by frau"$ Sometimes it is a &ulling
jockey$ Sometimes it is some surer an" subtler means$ @hat !as it hereF 8 ho&e" that the contents
of his &ockets might hel& me to form a conclusion$
CAn" they "i" so$ %ou cannot ha#e forgotten the singular knife !hich !as foun" in the "ea" man's
han", a knife !hich certainly no sane man !oul" choose for a !ea&on$ 8t !as, as Dr$ @atson tol"
us, a form of knife !hich is use" for the most "elicate o&erations kno!n in surgery$ An" it !as to be
use" for a "elicate o&eration that night$ %ou must kno!, !ith your !i"e eH&erience of turf matters,
Colonel *oss, that it is &ossible to make a slight nick u&on the ten"ons of a horse's ham, an" to "o it
subcutaneously, so as to lea#e absolutely no trace$ A horse so treate" !oul" "e#elo& a slight
lameness, !hich !oul" be &ut "o!n to a strain in eHercise or a touch of rheumatism, but ne#er to
foul &lay$C
CBillainE Scoun"relEC crie" the Colonel$
C@e ha#e here the eH&lanation of !hy =ohn Straker !ishe" to take the horse out on to the moor$ So
s&irite" a creature !oul" ha#e certainly rouse" the soun"est of slee&ers !hen it felt the &rick of the
knife$ 8t !as absolutely necessary to "o it in the o&en air$C
C8 ha#e been blin"EC crie" the Colonel$ C9f course that !as !hy he nee"e" the can"le, an" struck
the match$C
C5n"oubte"ly$ ut in eHamining his belongings 8 !as fortunate enough to "isco#er not only the
metho" of the crime, but e#en its moti#es$ As a man of the !orl", Colonel, you kno! that men "o
not carry other &eo&le's bills about in their &ockets$ @e ha#e most of us Iuite enough to "o to settle
our o!n$ 8 at once conclu"e" that Straker !as lea"ing a "ouble life, an" kee&ing a secon"
establishment$ The nature of the bill sho!e" that there !as a la"y in the case, an" one !ho ha"
eH&ensi#e tastes$ (iberal as you are !ith your ser#ants, one can har"ly eH&ect that they can buy
t!enty'guinea !alking "resses for their la"ies$ 8 Iuestione" Mrs$ Straker as to the "ress !ithout her
kno!ing it, an" ha#ing satisfie" myself that it ha" ne#er reache" her, 8 ma"e a note of the milliner's
a""ress, an" felt that by calling there !ith Straker's &hotogra&h 8 coul" easily "is&ose of the
mythical Derbyshire$
C<rom that time on all !as &lain$ Straker ha" le" out the horse to a hollo! !here his light !oul" be
in#isible$ Sim&son in his flight ha" "ro&&e" his cra#at, an" Straker ha" &icke" it u&J!ith some
i"ea, &erha&s, that he might use it in securing the horse's leg$ 9nce in the hollo!, he ha" got behin"
the horse an" ha" struck a lightG but the creature frightene" at the su""en glare, an" !ith the strange
instinct of animals feeling that some mischief !as inten"e", ha" lashe" out, an" the steel shoe ha"
struck Straker full on the forehea"$ He ha" alrea"y, in s&ite of the rain, taken off his o#ercoat in
or"er to "o his "elicate task, an" so, as he fell, his knife gashe" his thigh$ Do 8 make it clearFC
C@on"erfulEC crie" the Colonel$ C@on"erfulE %ou might ha#e been thereEC
CMy final shot !as, 8 confess a #ery long one$ 8t struck me that so astute a man as Straker !oul" not
un"ertake this "elicate ten"on'nicking !ithout a little &ractice$ @hat coul" he &ractice onF My eyes
fell u&on the shee&, an" 8 aske" a Iuestion !hich, rather to my sur&rise, sho!e" that my surmise
!as correct$
C@hen 8 returne" to (on"on 8 calle" u&on the milliner, !ho ha" recogniAe" Straker as an eHcellent
customer of the name of Derbyshire, !ho ha" a #ery "ashing !ife, !ith a strong &artiality for
eH&ensi#e "resses$ 8 ha#e no "oubt that this !oman ha" &lunge" him o#er hea" an" ears in "ebt, an"
so le" him into this miserable &lot$C
C%ou ha#e eH&laine" all but one thing,C crie" the Colonel$ C@here !as the horseFC
CAh, it bolte", an" !as care" for by one of your neighbors$ @e must ha#e an amnesty in that
"irection, 8 think$ This is Cla&ham =unction, if 8 am not mistaken, an" !e shall be in Bictoria in less
than ten minutes$ 8f you care to smoke a cigar in our rooms, Colonel, 8 shall be ha&&y to gi#e you
any other "etails !hich might interest you$C
A"#enture 88$ The %ello! <ace
.8n &ublishing these short sketches base" u&on the numerous cases in !hich my com&anion's
singular gifts ha#e ma"e us the listeners to, an" e#entually the actors in, some strange "rama, it is
only natural that 8 shoul" "!ell rather u&on his successes than u&on his failures$ An" this not so
much for the sake of his re&utationJfor, in"ee", it !as !hen he !as at his !its' en" that his energy
an" his #ersatility !ere most a"mirableJbut because !here he faile" it ha&&ene" too often that no
one else succee"e", an" that the tale !as left fore#er !ithout a conclusion$ >o! an" again,
ho!e#er, it chance" that e#en !hen he erre", the truth !as still "isco#ere"$ 8 ha#e note" of some
half'"oAen cases of the kin"G the A"#enture of the Musgra#e *itual an" that !hich 8 am about to
recount are the t!o !hich &resent the strongest features of interest$4
Sherlock Holmes !as a man !ho sel"om took eHercise for eHercise's sake$ <e! men !ere ca&able
of greater muscular effort, an" he !as un"oubte"ly one of the finest boHers of his !eight that 8 ha#e
e#er seenG but he looke" u&on aimless bo"ily eHertion as a !aste of energy, an" he sel"om bestirre"
himself sa#e !hen there !as some &rofessional object to be ser#e"$ Then he !as absolutely untiring
an" in"efatigable$ That he shoul" ha#e ke&t himself in training un"er such circumstances is
remarkable, but his "iet !as usually of the s&arest, an" his habits !ere sim&le to the #erge of
austerity$ Sa#e for the occasional use of cocaine, he ha" no #ices, an" he only turne" to the "rug as
a &rotest against the monotony of eHistence !hen cases !ere scanty an" the &a&ers uninteresting$
9ne "ay in early s&ring he ha" so far relaHe" as to go for a !alk !ith me in the Park, !here the first
faint shoots of green !ere breaking out u&on the elms, an" the sticky s&ear'hea"s of the chestnuts
!ere just beginning to burst into their fi#e'fol" lea#es$ <or t!o hours !e ramble" about together, in
silence for the most &art, as befits t!o men !ho kno! each other intimately$ 8t !as nearly fi#e
before !e !ere back in aker Street once more$
Ceg &ar"on, sir,C sai" our &age'boy, as he o&ene" the "oor$ CThere's been a gentleman here asking
for you, sir$C
Holmes glance" re&roachfully at me$ CSo much for afternoon !alksEC sai" he$ CHas this gentleman
gone, thenFC
C%es, sir$C
CDi"n't you ask him inFC
C%es, sirG he came in$C
CHo! long "i" he !aitFC
CHalf an hour, sir$ He !as a #ery restless gentleman, sir, a'!alkin' an" a'stam&in' all the time he !as
here$ 8 !as !aitin' outsi"e the "oor, sir, an" 8 coul" hear him$ At last he outs into the &assage, an" he
cries, '8s that man ne#er goin' to comeF' Those !ere his #ery !or"s, sir$ '%ou'll only nee" to !ait a
little longer,' says 8$ 'Then 8'll !ait in the o&en air, for 8 feel half choke",' says he$ '8'll be back before
long$' An" !ith that he u&s an" he outs, an" all 8 coul" say !oul"n't hol" him back$C
C@ell, !ell, you "i" your best,C sai" Holmes, as !e !alke" into our room$ C8t's #ery annoying,
though, @atson$ 8 !as ba"ly in nee" of a case, an" this looks, from the man's im&atience, as if it
!ere of im&ortance$ HulloE That's not your &i&e on the table$ He must ha#e left his behin" him$ A
nice ol" brier !ith a goo" long stem of !hat the tobacconists call amber$ 8 !on"er ho! many real
amber mouth&ieces there are in (on"onF Some &eo&le think that a fly in it is a sign$ @ell, he must
ha#e been "isturbe" in his min" to lea#e a &i&e behin" him !hich he e#i"ently #alues highly$C
CHo! "o you kno! that he #alues it highlyFC 8 aske"$
C@ell, 8 shoul" &ut the original cost of the &i&e at se#en an" siH&ence$ >o! it has, you see, been
t!ice men"e", once in the !oo"en stem an" once in the amber$ /ach of these men"s, "one, as you
obser#e, !ith sil#er ban"s, must ha#e cost more than the &i&e "i" originally$ The man must #alue
the &i&e highly !hen he &refers to &atch it u& rather than buy a ne! one !ith the same money$C
CAnything elseFC 8 aske", for Holmes !as turning the &i&e about in his han", an" staring at it in his
&eculiar &ensi#e !ay$
He hel" it u& an" ta&&e" on it !ith his long, thin fore'finger, as a &rofessor might !ho !as lecturing
on a bone$
CPi&es are occasionally of eHtraor"inary interest,C sai" he$ C>othing has more in"i#i"uality, sa#e
&erha&s !atches an" bootlaces$ The in"ications here, ho!e#er, are neither #ery marke" nor #ery
im&ortant$ The o!ner is ob#iously a muscular man, left'han"e", !ith an eHcellent set of teeth,
careless in his habits, an" !ith no nee" to &ractise economy$C
My frien" thre! out the information in a #ery offhan" !ay, but 8 sa! that he cocke" his eye at me
to see if 8 ha" follo!e" his reasoning$
C%ou think a man must be !ell'to'"o if he smokes a se#en'shilling &i&e,C sai" 8$
CThis is Gros#enor miHture at eight&ence an ounce,C Holmes ans!ere", knocking a little out on his
&alm$ CAs he might get an eHcellent smoke for half the &rice, he has no nee" to &ractise economy$C
CAn" the other &ointsFC
CHe has been in the habit of lighting his &i&e at lam&s an" gas'jets$ %ou can see that it is Iuite
charre" all "o!n one si"e$ 9f course a match coul" not ha#e "one that$ @hy shoul" a man hol" a
match to the si"e of his &i&eF ut you cannot light it at a lam& !ithout getting the bo!l charre"$
An" it is all on the right si"e of the &i&e$ <rom that 8 gather that he is a left'han"e" man$ %ou hol"
your o!n &i&e to the lam&, an" see ho! naturally you, being right'han"e", hol" the left si"e to the
flame$ %ou might "o it once the other !ay, but not as a constancy$ This has al!ays been hel" so$
Then he has bitten through his amber$ 8t takes a muscular, energetic fello!, an" one !ith a goo" set
of teeth, to "o that$ ut if 8 am not mistaken 8 hear him u&on the stair, so !e shall ha#e something
more interesting than his &i&e to stu"y$C
An instant later our "oor o&ene", an" a tall young man entere" the room$ He !as !ell but Iuietly
"resse" in a "ark'gray suit, an" carrie" a bro!n !i"e'a!ake in his han"$ 8 shoul" ha#e &ut him at
about thirty, though he !as really some years ol"er$
C8 beg your &ar"on,C sai" he, !ith some embarrassmentG C8 su&&ose 8 shoul" ha#e knocke"$ %es, of
course 8 shoul" ha#e knocke"$ The fact is that 8 am a little u&set, an" you must &ut it all "o!n to
that$C He &asse" his han" o#er his forehea" like a man !ho is half "aAe", an" then fell rather than
sat "o!n u&on a chair$
C8 can see that you ha#e not sle&t for a night or t!o,C sai" Holmes, in his easy, genial !ay$ CThat
tries a man's ner#es more than !ork, an" more e#en than &leasure$ May 8 ask ho! 8 can hel& youFC
C8 !ante" your a"#ice, sir$ 8 "on't kno! !hat to "o an" my !hole life seems to ha#e gone to
&ieces$C
C%ou !ish to em&loy me as a consulting "etecti#eFC
C>ot that only$ 8 !ant your o&inion as a ju"icious manJas a man of the !orl"$ 8 !ant to kno! !hat
8 ought to "o neHt$ 8 ho&e to Go" you'll be able to tell me$C
He s&oke in little, shar&, jerky outbursts, an" it seeme" to me that to s&eak at all !as #ery &ainful to
him, an" that his !ill all through !as o#erri"ing his inclinations$
C8t's a #ery "elicate thing,C sai" he$ C9ne "oes not like to s&eak of one's "omestic affairs to
strangers$ 8t seems "rea"ful to "iscuss the con"uct of one's !ife !ith t!o men !hom 8 ha#e ne#er
seen before$ 8t's horrible to ha#e to "o it$ ut 8'#e got to the en" of my tether, an" 8 must ha#e
a"#ice$C
CMy "ear Mr$ Grant MunroJC began Holmes$
9ur #isitor s&rang from his chair$ C@hatEC he crie", Cyou kno! my nameFC
C8f you !ish to &reser#e your incognito,C sai" Holmes, smiling, C8 !oul" suggest that you cease to
!rite your name u&on the lining of your hat, or else that you turn the cro!n to!ar"s the &erson
!hom you are a""ressing$ 8 !as about to say that my frien" an" 8 ha#e listene" to a goo" many
strange secrets in this room, an" that !e ha#e ha" the goo" fortune to bring &eace to many trouble"
souls$ 8 trust that !e may "o as much for you$ Might 8 beg you, as time may &ro#e to be of
im&ortance, to furnish me !ith the facts of your case !ithout further "elayFC
9ur #isitor again &asse" his han" o#er his forehea", as if he foun" it bitterly har"$ <rom e#ery
gesture an" eH&ression 8 coul" see that he !as a reser#e", self'containe" man, !ith a "ash of &ri"e
in his nature, more likely to hi"e his !oun"s than to eH&ose them$ Then su""enly, !ith a fierce
gesture of his close" han", like one !ho thro!s reser#e to the !in"s, he began$
CThe facts are these, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" he$ C8 am a marrie" man, an" ha#e been so for three years$
During that time my !ife an" 8 ha#e lo#e" each other as fon"ly an" li#e" as ha&&ily as any t!o that
e#er !ere joine"$ @e ha#e not ha" a "ifference, not one, in thought or !or" or "ee"$ An" no!, since
last Mon"ay, there has su""enly s&rung u& a barrier bet!een us, an" 8 fin" that there is something in
her life an" in her thought of !hich 8 kno! as little as if she !ere the !oman !ho brushes by me in
the street$ @e are estrange", an" 8 !ant to kno! !hy$
C>o! there is one thing that 8 !ant to im&ress u&on you before 8 go any further, Mr$ Holmes$ /ffie
lo#es me$ Don't let there be any mistake about that$ She lo#es me !ith her !hole heart an" soul, an"
ne#er more than no!$ 8 kno! it$ 8 feel it$ 8 "on't !ant to argue about that$ A man can tell easily
enough !hen a !oman lo#es him$ ut there's this secret bet!een us, an" !e can ne#er be the same
until it is cleare"$C
C?in"ly let me ha#e the facts, Mr$ Munro,C sai" Holmes, !ith some im&atience$
C8'll tell you !hat 8 kno! about /ffie's history$ She !as a !i"o! !hen 8 met her first, though Iuite
youngJonly t!enty'fi#e$ Her name then !as Mrs$ Hebron$ She !ent out to America !hen she !as
young, an" li#e" in the to!n of Atlanta, !here she marrie" this Hebron, !ho !as a la!yer !ith a
goo" &ractice$ They ha" one chil", but the yello! fe#er broke out ba"ly in the &lace, an" both
husban" an" chil" "ie" of it$ 8 ha#e seen his "eath certificate$ This sickene" her of America, an" she
came back to li#e !ith a mai"en aunt at Pinner, in Mi""leseH$ 8 may mention that her husban" ha"
left her comfortably off, an" that she ha" a ca&ital of about four thousan" fi#e hun"re" &oun"s,
!hich ha" been so !ell in#este" by him that it returne" an a#erage of se#en &er cent$ She ha" only
been siH months at Pinner !hen 8 met herG !e fell in lo#e !ith each other, an" !e marrie" a fe!
!eeks after!ar"s$
C8 am a ho& merchant myself, an" as 8 ha#e an income of se#en or eight hun"re", !e foun"
oursel#es comfortably off, an" took a nice eighty'&oun"'a'year #illa at >orbury$ 9ur little &lace
!as #ery countrifie", consi"ering that it is so close to to!n$ @e ha" an inn an" t!o houses a little
abo#e us, an" a single cottage at the other si"e of the fiel" !hich faces us, an" eHce&t those there
!ere no houses until you got half !ay to the station$ My business took me into to!n at certain
seasons, but in summer 8 ha" less to "o, an" then in our country home my !ife an" 8 !ere just as
ha&&y as coul" be !ishe"$ 8 tell you that there ne#er !as a sha"o! bet!een us until this accurse"
affair began$
CThere's one thing 8 ought to tell you before 8 go further$ @hen !e marrie", my !ife ma"e o#er all
her &ro&erty to meJrather against my !ill, for 8 sa! ho! a!k!ar" it !oul" be if my business
affairs !ent !rong$ Ho!e#er, she !oul" ha#e it so, an" it !as "one$ @ell, about siH !eeks ago she
came to me$
C'=ack,' sai" she, '!hen you took my money you sai" that if e#er 8 !ante" any 8 !as to ask you for
it$'
C'Certainly,' sai" 8$ '8t's all your o!n$'
C'@ell,' sai" she, '8 !ant a hun"re" &oun"s$'
C8 !as a bit staggere" at this, for 8 ha" imagine" it !as sim&ly a ne! "ress or something of the kin"
that she !as after$
C'@hat on earth forF' 8 aske"$
C'9h,' sai" she, in her &layful !ay, 'you sai" that you !ere only my banker, an" bankers ne#er ask
Iuestions, you kno!$'
C'8f you really mean it, of course you shall ha#e the money,' sai" 8$
C'9h, yes, 8 really mean it$'
C'An" you !on't tell me !hat you !ant it forF'
C'Some "ay, &erha&s, but not just at &resent, =ack$'
CSo 8 ha" to be content !ith that, though it !as the first time that there ha" e#er been any secret
bet!een us$ 8 ga#e her a check, an" 8 ne#er thought any more of the matter$ 8t may ha#e nothing to
"o !ith !hat came after!ar"s, but 8 thought it only right to mention it$
C@ell, 8 tol" you just no! that there is a cottage not far from our house$ There is just a fiel" bet!een
us, but to reach it you ha#e to go along the roa" an" then turn "o!n a lane$ =ust beyon" it is a nice
little gro#e of Scotch firs, an" 8 use" to be #ery fon" of strolling "o!n there, for trees are al!ays a
neighborly kin" of things$ The cottage ha" been stan"ing em&ty this eight months, an" it !as a &ity,
for it !as a &retty t!o'storie" &lace, !ith an ol"'fashione" &orch an" honeysuckle about it$ 8 ha#e
stoo" many a time an" thought !hat a neat little homestea" it !oul" make$
C@ell, last Mon"ay e#ening 8 !as taking a stroll "o!n that !ay, !hen 8 met an em&ty #an coming
u& the lane, an" sa! a &ile of car&ets an" things lying about on the grass'&lot besi"e the &orch$ 8t
!as clear that the cottage ha" at last been let$ 8 !alke" &ast it, an" !on"ere" !hat sort of folk they
!ere !ho ha" come to li#e so near us$ An" as 8 looke" 8 su""enly became a!are that a face !as
!atching me out of one of the u&&er !in"o!s$
C8 "on't kno! !hat there !as about that face, Mr$ Holmes, but it seeme" to sen" a chill right "o!n
my back$ 8 !as some little !ay off, so that 8 coul" not make out the features, but there !as
something unnatural an" inhuman about the face$ That !as the im&ression that 8 ha", an" 8 mo#e"
Iuickly for!ar"s to get a nearer #ie! of the &erson !ho !as !atching me$ ut as 8 "i" so the face
su""enly "isa&&eare", so su""enly that it seeme" to ha#e been &lucke" a!ay into the "arkness of
the room$ 8 stoo" for fi#e minutes thinking the business o#er, an" trying to analyAe my im&ressions$
8 coul" not tell if the face !ere that of a man or a !oman$ 8t ha" been too far from me for that$ ut
its color !as !hat ha" im&resse" me most$ 8t !as of a li#i" chalky !hite, an" !ith something set
an" rigi" about it !hich !as shockingly unnatural$ So "isturbe" !as 8 that 8 "etermine" to see a
little more of the ne! inmates of the cottage$ 8 a&&roache" an" knocke" at the "oor, !hich !as
instantly o&ene" by a tall, gaunt !oman !ith a harsh, forbi""ing face$
C'@hat may you be !antin'F' she aske", in a >orthern accent$
C'8 am your neighbor o#er yon"er,' sai" 8, no""ing to!ar"s my house$ '8 see that you ha#e only just
mo#e" in, so 8 thought that if 8 coul" be of any hel& to you in anyJ'
C'Ay, !e'll just ask ye !hen !e !ant ye,' sai" she, an" shut the "oor in my face$ Annoye" at the
churlish rebuff, 8 turne" my back an" !alke" home$ All e#ening, though 8 trie" to think of other
things, my min" !oul" still turn to the a&&arition at the !in"o! an" the ru"eness of the !oman$ 8
"etermine" to say nothing about the former to my !ife, for she is a ner#ous, highly strung !oman,
an" 8 ha" no !ish that she !oul" share the un&leasant im&ression !hich ha" been &ro"uce" u&on
myself$ 8 remarke" to her, ho!e#er, before 8 fell aslee&, that the cottage !as no! occu&ie", to
!hich she returne" no re&ly$
C8 am usually an eHtremely soun" slee&er$ 8t has been a stan"ing jest in the family that nothing coul"
e#er !ake me "uring the night$ An" yet someho! on that &articular night, !hether it may ha#e been
the slight eHcitement &ro"uce" by my little a"#enture or not 8 kno! not, but 8 sle&t much more
lightly than usual$ Half in my "reams 8 !as "imly conscious that something !as going on in the
room, an" gra"ually became a!are that my !ife ha" "resse" herself an" !as sli&&ing on her mantle
an" her bonnet$ My li&s !ere &arte" to murmur out some slee&y !or"s of sur&rise or remonstrance
at this untimely &re&aration, !hen su""enly my half'o&ene" eyes fell u&on her face, illuminate" by
the can"le'light, an" astonishment hel" me "umb$ She !ore an eH&ression such as 8 ha" ne#er seen
beforeJsuch as 8 shoul" ha#e thought her inca&able of assuming$ She !as "ea"ly &ale an"
breathing fast, glancing furti#ely to!ar"s the be" as she fastene" her mantle, to see if she ha"
"isturbe" me$ Then, thinking that 8 !as still aslee&, she sli&&e" noiselessly from the room, an" an
instant later 8 hear" a shar& creaking !hich coul" only come from the hinges of the front "oor$ 8 sat
u& in be" an" ra&&e" my knuckles against the rail to make certain that 8 !as truly a!ake$ Then 8
took my !atch from un"er the &illo!$ 8t !as three in the morning$ @hat on this earth coul" my !ife
be "oing out on the country roa" at three in the morningF
C8 ha" sat for about t!enty minutes turning the thing o#er in my min" an" trying to fin" some
&ossible eH&lanation$ The more 8 thought, the more eHtraor"inary an" ineH&licable "i" it a&&ear$ 8
!as still &uAAling o#er it !hen 8 hear" the "oor gently close again, an" her footste&s coming u& the
stairs$
C'@here in the !orl" ha#e you been, /ffieF' 8 aske" as she entere"$
CShe ga#e a #iolent start an" a kin" of gas&ing cry !hen 8 s&oke, an" that cry an" start trouble" me
more than all the rest, for there !as something in"escribably guilty about them$ My !ife ha" al!ays
been a !oman of a frank, o&en nature, an" it ga#e me a chill to see her slinking into her o!n room,
an" crying out an" !incing !hen her o!n husban" s&oke to her$
C'%ou a!ake, =ackE' she crie", !ith a ner#ous laugh$ '@hy, 8 thought that nothing coul" a!ake you$'
C'@here ha#e you beenF' 8 aske", more sternly$
C'8 "on't !on"er that you are sur&rise",' sai" she, an" 8 coul" see that her fingers !ere trembling as
she un"i" the fastenings of her mantle$ '@hy, 8 ne#er remember ha#ing "one such a thing in my life
before$ The fact is that 8 felt as though 8 !ere choking, an" ha" a &erfect longing for a breath of
fresh air$ 8 really think that 8 shoul" ha#e fainte" if 8 ha" not gone out$ 8 stoo" at the "oor for a fe!
minutes, an" no! 8 am Iuite myself again$'
CAll the time that she !as telling me this story she ne#er once looke" in my "irection, an" her #oice
!as Iuite unlike her usual tones$ 8t !as e#i"ent to me that she !as saying !hat !as false$ 8 sai"
nothing in re&ly, but turne" my face to the !all, sick at heart, !ith my min" fille" !ith a thousan"
#enomous "oubts an" sus&icions$ @hat !as it that my !ife !as concealing from meF @here ha"
she been "uring that strange eH&e"itionF 8 felt that 8 shoul" ha#e no &eace until 8 kne!, an" yet 8
shrank from asking her again after once she ha" tol" me !hat !as false$ All the rest of the night 8
tosse" an" tumble", framing theory after theory, each more unlikely than the last$
C8 shoul" ha#e gone to the City that "ay, but 8 !as too "isturbe" in my min" to be able to &ay
attention to business matters$ My !ife seeme" to be as u&set as myself, an" 8 coul" see from the
little Iuestioning glances !hich she ke&t shooting at me that she un"erstoo" that 8 "isbelie#e" her
statement, an" that she !as at her !its' en" !hat to "o$ @e har"ly eHchange" a !or" "uring
breakfast, an" imme"iately after!ar"s 8 !ent out for a !alk, that 8 might think the matter out in the
fresh morning air$
C8 !ent as far as the Crystal Palace, s&ent an hour in the groun"s, an" !as back in >orbury by one
o'clock$ 8t ha&&ene" that my !ay took me &ast the cottage, an" 8 sto&&e" for an instant to look at the
!in"o!s, an" to see if 8 coul" catch a glim&se of the strange face !hich ha" looke" out at me on the
"ay before$ As 8 stoo" there, imagine my sur&rise, Mr$ Holmes, !hen the "oor su""enly o&ene" an"
my !ife !alke" out$
C8 !as struck "umb !ith astonishment at the sight of herG but my emotions !ere nothing to those
!hich sho!e" themsel#es u&on her face !hen our eyes met$ She seeme" for an instant to !ish to
shrink back insi"e the house againG an" then, seeing ho! useless all concealment must be, she came
for!ar", !ith a #ery !hite face an" frightene" eyes !hich belie" the smile u&on her li&s$
C'Ah, =ack,' she sai", '8 ha#e just been in to see if 8 can be of any assistance to our ne! neighbors$
@hy "o you look at me like that, =ackF %ou are not angry !ith meF'
C'So,' sai" 8, 'this is !here you !ent "uring the night$'
C'@hat "o you meanF' she crie"$
C'%ou came here$ 8 am sure of it$ @ho are these &eo&le, that you shoul" #isit them at such an hourF'
C'8 ha#e not been here before$'
C'Ho! can you tell me !hat you kno! is falseF' 8 crie"$ '%our #ery #oice changes as you s&eak$
@hen ha#e 8 e#er ha" a secret from youF 8 shall enter that cottage, an" 8 shall &robe the matter to
the bottom$'
C'>o, no, =ack, for Go"'s sakeE' she gas&e", in uncontrollable emotion$ Then, as 8 a&&roache" the
"oor, she seiAe" my slee#e an" &ulle" me back !ith con#ulsi#e strength$
C'8 im&lore you not to "o this, =ack,' she crie"$ '8 s!ear that 8 !ill tell you e#erything some "ay, but
nothing but misery can come of it if you enter that cottage$' Then, as 8 trie" to shake her off, she
clung to me in a frenAy of entreaty$
C'Trust me, =ackE' she crie"$ 'Trust me only this once$ %ou !ill ne#er ha#e cause to regret it$ %ou
kno! that 8 !oul" not ha#e a secret from you if it !ere not for your o!n sake$ 9ur !hole li#es are
at stake in this$ 8f you come home !ith me, all !ill be !ell$ 8f you force your !ay into that cottage,
all is o#er bet!een us$'
CThere !as such earnestness, such "es&air, in her manner that her !or"s arreste" me, an" 8 stoo"
irresolute before the "oor$
C'8 !ill trust you on one con"ition, an" on one con"ition only,' sai" 8 at last$ '8t is that this mystery
comes to an en" from no!$ %ou are at liberty to &reser#e your secret, but you must &romise me that
there shall be no more nightly #isits, no more "oings !hich are ke&t from my kno!le"ge$ 8 am
!illing to forget those !hich are &asse" if you !ill &romise that there shall be no more in the
future$'
C'8 !as sure that you !oul" trust me,' she crie", !ith a great sigh of relief$ '8t shall be just as you
!ish$ Come a!ayJoh, come a!ay u& to the house$'
CStill &ulling at my slee#e, she le" me a!ay from the cottage$ As !e !ent 8 glance" back, an" there
!as that yello! li#i" face !atching us out of the u&&er !in"o!$ @hat link coul" there be bet!een
that creature an" my !ifeF 9r ho! coul" the coarse, rough !oman !hom 8 ha" seen the "ay before
be connecte" !ith herF 8t !as a strange &uAAle, an" yet 8 kne! that my min" coul" ne#er kno! ease
again until 8 ha" sol#e" it$
C<or t!o "ays after this 8 staye" at home, an" my !ife a&&eare" to abi"e loyally by our
engagement, for, as far as 8 kno!, she ne#er stirre" out of the house$ 9n the thir" "ay, ho!e#er, 8
ha" am&le e#i"ence that her solemn &romise !as not enough to hol" her back from this secret
influence !hich "re! her a!ay from her husban" an" her "uty$
C8 ha" gone into to!n on that "ay, but 8 returne" by the 6$37 instea" of the 2$2O, !hich is my usual
train$ As 8 entere" the house the mai" ran into the hall !ith a startle" face$
C'@here is your mistressF' 8 aske"$
C'8 think that she has gone out for a !alk,' she ans!ere"$
CMy min" !as instantly fille" !ith sus&icion$ 8 rushe" u&stairs to make sure that she !as not in the
house$ As 8 "i" so 8 ha&&ene" to glance out of one of the u&&er !in"o!s, an" sa! the mai" !ith
!hom 8 ha" just been s&eaking running across the fiel" in the "irection of the cottage$ Then of
course 8 sa! eHactly !hat it all meant$ My !ife ha" gone o#er there, an" ha" aske" the ser#ant to
call her if 8 shoul" return$ Tingling !ith anger, 8 rushe" "o!n an" hurrie" across, "etermine" to en"
the matter once an" fore#er$ 8 sa! my !ife an" the mai" hurrying back along the lane, but 8 "i" not
sto& to s&eak !ith them$ 8n the cottage lay the secret !hich !as casting a sha"o! o#er my life$ 8
#o!e" that, come !hat might, it shoul" be a secret no longer$ 8 "i" not e#en knock !hen 8 reache"
it, but turne" the han"le an" rushe" into the &assage$
C8t !as all still an" Iuiet u&on the groun" floor$ 8n the kitchen a kettle !as singing on the fire, an" a
large black cat lay coile" u& in the basketG but there !as no sign of the !oman !hom 8 ha" seen
before$ 8 ran into the other room, but it !as eIually "eserte"$ Then 8 rushe" u& the stairs, only to
fin" t!o other rooms em&ty an" "eserte" at the to&$ There !as no one at all in the !hole house$ The
furniture an" &ictures !ere of the most common an" #ulgar "escri&tion, sa#e in the one chamber at
the !in"o! of !hich 8 ha" seen the strange face$ That !as comfortable an" elegant, an" all my
sus&icions rose into a fierce bitter flame !hen 8 sa! that on the mantel&iece stoo" a co&y of a full'
length &hotogra&h of my !ife, !hich ha" been taken at my reIuest only three months ago$
C8 staye" long enough to make certain that the house !as absolutely em&ty$ Then 8 left it, feeling a
!eight at my heart such as 8 ha" ne#er ha" before$ My !ife came out into the hall as 8 entere" my
houseG but 8 !as too hurt an" angry to s&eak !ith her, an" &ushing &ast her, 8 ma"e my !ay into my
stu"y$ She follo!e" me, ho!e#er, before 8 coul" close the "oor$
C'8 am sorry that 8 broke my &romise, =ack,' sai" sheG 'but if you kne! all the circumstances 8 am
sure that you !oul" forgi#e me$'
C'Tell me e#erything, then,' sai" 8$
C'8 cannot, =ack, 8 cannot,' she crie"$
C'5ntil you tell me !ho it is that has been li#ing in that cottage, an" !ho it is to !hom you ha#e
gi#en that &hotogra&h, there can ne#er be any confi"ence bet!een us,' sai" 8, an" breaking a!ay
from her, 8 left the house$ That !as yester"ay, Mr$ Holmes, an" 8 ha#e not seen her since, nor "o 8
kno! anything more about this strange business$ 8t is the first sha"o! that has come bet!een us,
an" it has so shaken me that 8 "o not kno! !hat 8 shoul" "o for the best$ Su""enly this morning it
occurre" to me that you !ere the man to a"#ise me, so 8 ha#e hurrie" to you no!, an" 8 &lace
myself unreser#e"ly in your han"s$ 8f there is any &oint !hich 8 ha#e not ma"e clear, &ray Iuestion
me about it$ ut, abo#e all, tell me Iuickly !hat 8 am to "o, for this misery is more than 8 can bear$C
Holmes an" 8 ha" listene" !ith the utmost interest to this eHtraor"inary statement, !hich ha" been
"eli#ere" in the jerky, broken fashion of a man !ho is un"er the influence of eHtreme emotions$ My
com&anion sat silent for some time, !ith his chin u&on his han", lost in thought$
CTell me,C sai" he at last, Ccoul" you s!ear that this !as a man's face !hich you sa! at the
!in"o!FC
C/ach time that 8 sa! it 8 !as some "istance a!ay from it, so that it is im&ossible for me to say$C
C%ou a&&ear, ho!e#er, to ha#e been "isagreeably im&resse" by it$C
C8t seeme" to be of an unnatural color, an" to ha#e a strange rigi"ity about the features$ @hen 8
a&&roache", it #anishe" !ith a jerk$C
CHo! long is it since your !ife aske" you for a hun"re" &oun"sFC
C>early t!o months$C
CHa#e you e#er seen a &hotogra&h of her first husban"FC
C>oG there !as a great fire at Atlanta #ery shortly after his "eath, an" all her &a&ers !ere
"estroye"$C
CAn" yet she ha" a certificate of "eath$ %ou say that you sa! it$C
C%esG she got a "u&licate after the fire$C
CDi" you e#er meet any one !ho kne! her in AmericaFC
C>o$C
CDi" she e#er talk of re#isiting the &laceFC
C>o$C
C9r get letters from itFC
C>o$C
CThank you$ 8 shoul" like to think o#er the matter a little no!$ 8f the cottage is no! &ermanently
"eserte" !e may ha#e some "ifficulty$ 8f, on the other han", as 8 fancy is more likely, the inmates
!ere !arne" of your coming, an" left before you entere" yester"ay, then they may be back no!,
an" !e shoul" clear it all u& easily$ (et me a"#ise you, then, to return to >orbury, an" to eHamine
the !in"o!s of the cottage again$ 8f you ha#e reason to belie#e that it is inhabite", "o not force your
!ay in, but sen" a !ire to my frien" an" me$ @e shall be !ith you !ithin an hour of recei#ing it,
an" !e shall then #ery soon get to the bottom of the business$C
CAn" if it is still em&tyFC
C8n that case 8 shall come out to'morro! an" talk it o#er !ith you$ Goo"'byG an", abo#e all, "o not
fret until you kno! that you really ha#e a cause for it$C
C8 am afrai" that this is a ba" business, @atson,C sai" my com&anion, as he returne" after
accom&anying Mr$ Grant Munro to the "oor$ C@hat "o you make of itFC
C8t ha" an ugly soun",C 8 ans!ere"$
C%es$ There's blackmail in it, or 8 am much mistaken$C
CAn" !ho is the blackmailerFC
C@ell, it must be the creature !ho li#es in the only comfortable room in the &lace, an" has her
&hotogra&h abo#e his fire&lace$ 5&on my !or", @atson, there is something #ery attracti#e about
that li#i" face at the !in"o!, an" 8 !oul" not ha#e misse" the case for !orl"s$C
C%ou ha#e a theoryFC
C%es, a &ro#isional one$ ut 8 shall be sur&rise" if it "oes not turn out to be correct$ This !oman's
first husban" is in that cottage$C
C@hy "o you think soFC
CHo! else can !e eH&lain her frenAie" anHiety that her secon" one shoul" not enter itF The facts, as
8 rea" them, are something like this) This !oman !as marrie" in America$ Her husban" "e#elo&e"
some hateful IualitiesG or shall !e say that he contracte" some loathsome "isease, an" became a
le&er or an imbecileF She flies from him at last, returns to /nglan", changes her name, an" starts her
life, as she thinks, afresh$ She has been marrie" three years, an" belie#es that her &osition is Iuite
secure, ha#ing sho!n her husban" the "eath certificate of some man !hose name she has assume",
!hen su""enly her !hereabouts is "isco#ere" by her first husban"G or, !e may su&&ose, by some
unscru&ulous !oman !ho has attache" herself to the in#ali"$ They !rite to the !ife, an" threaten to
come an" eH&ose her$ She asks for a hun"re" &oun"s, an" en"ea#ors to buy them off$ They come in
s&ite of it, an" !hen the husban" mentions casually to the !ife that there are ne!'comers in the
cottage, she kno!s in some !ay that they are her &ursuers$ She !aits until her husban" is aslee&,
an" then she rushes "o!n to en"ea#or to &ersua"e them to lea#e her in &eace$ Ha#ing no success,
she goes again neHt morning, an" her husban" meets her, as he has tol" us, as she comes out$ She
&romises him then not to go there again, but t!o "ays after!ar"s the ho&e of getting ri" of those
"rea"ful neighbors !as too strong for her, an" she ma"e another attem&t, taking "o!n !ith her the
&hotogra&h !hich ha" &robably been "eman"e" from her$ 8n the mi"st of this inter#ie! the mai"
rushe" in to say that the master ha" come home, on !hich the !ife, kno!ing that he !oul" come
straight "o!n to the cottage, hurrie" the inmates out at the back "oor, into the gro#e of fir'trees,
&robably, !hich !as mentione" as stan"ing near$ 8n this !ay he foun" the &lace "eserte"$ 8 shall be
#ery much sur&rise", ho!e#er, if it is still so !hen he reconnoitres it this e#ening$ @hat "o you
think of my theoryFC
C8t is all surmise$C
Cut at least it co#ers all the facts$ @hen ne! facts come to our kno!le"ge !hich cannot be
co#ere" by it, it !ill be time enough to reconsi"er it$ @e can "o nothing more until !e ha#e a
message from our frien" at >orbury$C
ut !e ha" not a #ery long time to !ait for that$ 8t came just as !e ha" finishe" our tea$ CThe
cottage is still tenante",C it sai"$ CHa#e seen the face again at the !in"o!$ @ill meet the se#en
o'clock train, an" !ill take no ste&s until you arri#e$C
He !as !aiting on the &latform !hen !e ste&&e" out, an" !e coul" see in the light of the station
lam&s that he !as #ery &ale, an" Iui#ering !ith agitation$
CThey are still there, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" he, laying his han" har" u&on my frien"'s slee#e$ C8 sa!
lights in the cottage as 8 came "o!n$ @e shall settle it no! once an" for all$C
C@hat is your &lan, thenFC aske" Holmes, as he !alke" "o!n the "ark tree'line" roa"$
C8 am going to force my !ay in an" see for myself !ho is in the house$ 8 !ish you both to be there
as !itnesses$C
C%ou are Iuite "etermine" to "o this, in s&ite of your !ife's !arning that it is better that you shoul"
not sol#e the mysteryFC
C%es, 8 am "etermine"$C
C@ell, 8 think that you are in the right$ Any truth is better than in"efinite "oubt$ @e ha" better go u&
at once$ 9f course, legally, !e are &utting oursel#es ho&elessly in the !rongG but 8 think that it is
!orth it$C
8t !as a #ery "ark night, an" a thin rain began to fall as !e turne" from the high roa" into a narro!
lane, "ee&ly rutte", !ith he"ges on either si"e$ Mr$ Grant Munro &ushe" im&atiently for!ar",
ho!e#er, an" !e stumble" after him as best !e coul"$
CThere are the lights of my house,C he murmure", &ointing to a glimmer among the trees$ CAn" here
is the cottage !hich 8 am going to enter$C
@e turne" a corner in the lane as he s&oke, an" there !as the buil"ing close besi"e us$ A yello! bar
falling across the black foregroun" sho!e" that the "oor !as not Iuite close", an" one !in"o! in
the u&&er story !as brightly illuminate"$ As !e looke", !e sa! a "ark blur mo#ing across the blin"$
CThere is that creatureEC crie" Grant Munro$ C%ou can see for yoursel#es that some one is there$
>o! follo! me, an" !e shall soon kno! all$C
@e a&&roache" the "oorG but su""enly a !oman a&&eare" out of the sha"o! an" stoo" in the gol"en
track of the lam&'light$ 8 coul" not see her face in the "arkness, but her arms !ere thro!n out in an
attitu"e of entreaty$
C<or Go"'s sake, "on't =ackEC she crie"$ C8 ha" a &resentiment that you !oul" come this e#ening$
Think better of it, "earE Trust me again, an" you !ill ne#er ha#e cause to regret it$C
C8 ha#e truste" you too long, /ffie,C he crie", sternly$ C(ea#e go of meE 8 must &ass you$ My frien"s
an" 8 are going to settle this matter once an" fore#erEC He &ushe" her to one si"e, an" !e follo!e"
closely after him$ As he thre! the "oor o&en an ol" !oman ran out in front of him an" trie" to bar
his &assage, but he thrust her back, an" an instant after!ar"s !e !ere all u&on the stairs$ Grant
Munro rushe" into the lighte" room at the to&, an" !e entere" at his heels$
8t !as a cosey, !ell'furnishe" a&artment, !ith t!o can"les burning u&on the table an" t!o u&on the
mantel&iece$ 8n the corner, stoo&ing o#er a "esk, there sat !hat a&&eare" to be a little girl$ Her face
!as turne" a!ay as !e entere", but !e coul" see that she !as "resse" in a re" frock, an" that she
ha" long !hite glo#es on$ As she !hiske" roun" to us, 8 ga#e a cry of sur&rise an" horror$ The face
!hich she turne" to!ar"s us !as of the strangest li#i" tint, an" the features !ere absolutely "e#oi"
of any eH&ression$ An instant later the mystery !as eH&laine"$ Holmes, !ith a laugh, &asse" his
han" behin" the chil"'s ear, a mask &eele" off from her countenance, an" there !as a little coal
black negress, !ith all her !hite teeth flashing in amusement at our amaAe" faces$ 8 burst out
laughing, out of sym&athy !ith her merrimentG but Grant Munro stoo" staring, !ith his han"
clutching his throat$
CMy Go"EC he crie"$ C@hat can be the meaning of thisFC
C8 !ill tell you the meaning of it,C crie" the la"y, s!ee&ing into the room !ith a &rou", set face$
C%ou ha#e force" me, against my o!n ju"gment, to tell you, an" no! !e must both make the best
of it$ My husban" "ie" at Atlanta$ My chil" sur#i#e"$C
C%our chil"FC
She "re! a large sil#er locket from her bosom$ C%ou ha#e ne#er seen this o&en$C
C8 un"erstoo" that it "i" not o&en$C
She touche" a s&ring, an" the front hinge" back$ There !as a &ortrait !ithin of a man strikingly
han"some an" intelligent'looking, but bearing unmistakable signs u&on his features of his African
"escent$
CThat is =ohn Hebron, of Atlanta,C sai" the la"y, Can" a nobler man ne#er !alke" the earth$ 8 cut
myself off from my race in or"er to !e" him, but ne#er once !hile he li#e" "i" 8 for an instant
regret it$ 8t !as our misfortune that our only chil" took after his &eo&le rather than mine$ 8t is often
so in such matches, an" little (ucy is "arker far than e#er her father !as$ ut "ark or fair, she is my
o!n "ear little girlie, an" her mother's &et$C The little creature ran across at the !or"s an" nestle"
u& against the la"y's "ress$ C@hen 8 left her in America,C she continue", Cit !as only because her
health !as !eak, an" the change might ha#e "one her harm$ She !as gi#en to the care of a faithful
Scotch !oman !ho ha" once been our ser#ant$ >e#er for an instant "i" 8 "ream of "iso!ning her as
my chil"$ ut !hen chance thre! you in my !ay, =ack, an" 8 learne" to lo#e you, 8 feare" to tell
you about my chil"$ Go" forgi#e me, 8 feare" that 8 shoul" lose you, an" 8 ha" not the courage to
tell you$ 8 ha" to choose bet!een you, an" in my !eakness 8 turne" a!ay from my o!n little girl$
<or three years 8 ha#e ke&t her eHistence a secret from you, but 8 hear" from the nurse, an" 8 kne!
that all !as !ell !ith her$ At last, ho!e#er, there came an o#er!helming "esire to see the chil" once
more$ 8 struggle" against it, but in #ain$ Though 8 kne! the "anger, 8 "etermine" to ha#e the chil"
o#er, if it !ere but for a fe! !eeks$ 8 sent a hun"re" &oun"s to the nurse, an" 8 ga#e her instructions
about this cottage, so that she might come as a neighbor, !ithout my a&&earing to be in any !ay
connecte" !ith her$ 8 &ushe" my &recautions so far as to or"er her to kee& the chil" in the house
"uring the "aytime, an" to co#er u& her little face an" han"s so that e#en those !ho might see her at
the !in"o! shoul" not gossi& about there being a black chil" in the neighborhoo"$ 8f 8 ha" been less
cautious 8 might ha#e been more !ise, but 8 !as half craAy !ith fear that you shoul" learn the truth$
C8t !as you !ho tol" me first that the cottage !as occu&ie"$ 8 shoul" ha#e !aite" for the morning,
but 8 coul" not slee& for eHcitement, an" so at last 8 sli&&e" out, kno!ing ho! "ifficult it is to a!ake
you$ ut you sa! me go, an" that !as the beginning of my troubles$ >eHt "ay you ha" my secret at
your mercy, but you nobly refraine" from &ursuing your a"#antage$ Three "ays later, ho!e#er, the
nurse an" chil" only just esca&e" from the back "oor as you rushe" in at the front one$ An" no! to'
night you at last kno! all, an" 8 ask you !hat is to become of us, my chil" an" meFC She clas&e"
her han"s an" !aite" for an ans!er$
8t !as a long ten minutes before Grant Munro broke the silence, an" !hen his ans!er came it !as
one of !hich 8 lo#e to think$ He lifte" the little chil", kisse" her, an" then, still carrying her, he hel"
his other han" out to his !ife an" turne" to!ar"s the "oor$
C@e can talk it o#er more comfortably at home,C sai" he$ C8 am not a #ery goo" man, /ffie, but 8
think that 8 am a better one than you ha#e gi#en me cre"it for being$C
Holmes an" 8 follo!e" them "o!n the lane, an" my frien" &lucke" at my slee#e as !e came out$
C8 think,C sai" he, Cthat !e shall be of more use in (on"on than in >orbury$C
>ot another !or" "i" he say of the case until late that night, !hen he !as turning a!ay, !ith his
lighte" can"le, for his be"room$
C@atson,C sai" he, Cif it shoul" e#er strike you that 8 am getting a little o#er'confi"ent in my
&o!ers, or gi#ing less &ains to a case than it "eser#es, kin"ly !his&er '>orbury' in my ear, an" 8
shall be infinitely oblige" to you$C
A"#enture 888$ The Stock'roker's Clerk
Shortly after my marriage 8 ha" bought a connection in the Pa""ington "istrict$ 9l" Mr$ <arIuhar,
from !hom 8 &urchase" it, ha" at one time an eHcellent general &racticeG but his age, an" an
affliction of the nature of St$ Bitus's "ance from !hich he suffere", ha" #ery much thinne" it$ The
&ublic not unnaturally goes on the &rinci&le that he !ho !oul" heal others must himself be !hole,
an" looks askance at the curati#e &o!ers of the man !hose o!n case is beyon" the reach of his
"rugs$ Thus as my &re"ecessor !eakene" his &ractice "ecline", until !hen 8 &urchase" it from him
it ha" sunk from t!el#e hun"re" to little more than three hun"re" a year$ 8 ha" confi"ence, ho!e#er,
in my o!n youth an" energy, an" !as con#ince" that in a #ery fe! years the concern !oul" be as
flourishing as e#er$
<or three months after taking o#er the &ractice 8 !as ke&t #ery closely at !ork, an" sa! little of my
frien" Sherlock Holmes, for 8 !as too busy to #isit aker Street, an" he sel"om !ent any!here
himself sa#e u&on &rofessional business$ 8 !as sur&rise", therefore, !hen, one morning in =une, as 8
sat rea"ing the ritish Me"ical =ournal after breakfast, 8 hear" a ring at the bell, follo!e" by the
high, some!hat stri"ent tones of my ol" com&anion's #oice$
CAh, my "ear @atson,C sai" he, stri"ing into the room, C8 am #ery "elighte" to see youE 8 trust that
Mrs$ @atson has entirely reco#ere" from all the little eHcitements connecte" !ith our a"#enture of
the Sign of <our$C
CThank you, !e are both #ery !ell,C sai" 8, shaking him !armly by the han"$
CAn" 8 ho&e, also,C he continue", sitting "o!n in the rocking'chair, Cthat the cares of me"ical
&ractice ha#e not entirely obliterate" the interest !hich you use" to take in our little "e"ucti#e
&roblems$C
C9n the contrary,C 8 ans!ere", Cit !as only last night that 8 !as looking o#er my ol" notes, an"
classifying some of our &ast results$C
C8 trust that you "on't consi"er your collection close"$C
C>ot at all$ 8 shoul" !ish nothing better than to ha#e some more of such eH&eriences$C
CTo'"ay, for eHam&leFC
C%es, to'"ay, if you like$C
CAn" as far off as irminghamFC
CCertainly, if you !ish it$C
CAn" the &racticeFC
C8 "o my neighbor's !hen he goes$ He is al!ays rea"y to !ork off the "ebt$C
CHaE >othing coul" be better,C sai" Holmes, leaning back in his chair an" looking keenly at me
from un"er his half close" li"s$ C8 &ercei#e that you ha#e been un!ell lately$ Summer col"s are
al!ays a little trying$C
C8 !as confine" to the house by a se#ere chill for three "ays last !eek$ 8 thought, ho!e#er, that 8
ha" cast off e#ery trace of it$C
CSo you ha#e$ %ou look remarkably robust$C
CHo!, then, "i" you kno! of itFC
CMy "ear fello!, you kno! my metho"s$C
C%ou "e"uce" it, thenFC
CCertainly$C
CAn" from !hatFC
C<rom your sli&&ers$C
8 glance" "o!n at the ne! &atent leathers !hich 8 !as !earing$ CHo! on earthJC 8 began, but
Holmes ans!ere" my Iuestion before it !as aske"$
C%our sli&&ers are ne!,C he sai"$ C%ou coul" not ha#e ha" them more than a fe! !eeks$ The soles
!hich you are at this moment &resenting to me are slightly scorche"$ <or a moment 8 thought they
might ha#e got !et an" been burne" in the "rying$ ut near the inste& there is a small circular !afer
of &a&er !ith the sho&man's hierogly&hics u&on it$ Dam& !oul" of course ha#e remo#e" this$ %ou
ha", then, been sitting !ith your feet outstretche" to the fire, !hich a man !oul" har"ly "o e#en in
so !et a =une as this if he !ere in his full health$C
(ike all Holmes's reasoning the thing seeme" sim&licity itself !hen it !as once eH&laine"$ He rea"
the thought u&on my features, an" his smile ha" a tinge of bitterness$
C8 am afrai" that 8 rather gi#e myself a!ay !hen 8 eH&lain,C sai" he$ C*esults !ithout causes are
much more im&ressi#e$ %ou are rea"y to come to irmingham, thenFC
CCertainly$ @hat is the caseFC
C%ou shall hear it all in the train$ My client is outsi"e in a four'!heeler$ Can you come at onceFC
C8n an instant$C 8 scribble" a note to my neighbor, rushe" u&stairs to eH&lain the matter to my !ife,
an" joine" Holmes u&on the "oor'ste&$
C%our neighbor is a "octor,C sai" he, no""ing at the brass &late$
C%esG he bought a &ractice as 8 "i"$C
CAn ol"'establishe" oneFC
C=ust the same as mine$ oth ha#e been e#er since the houses !ere built$C
CAhE Then you got hol" of the best of the t!o$C
C8 think 8 "i"$ ut ho! "o you kno!FC
Cy the ste&s, my boy$ %ours are !orn three inches "ee&er than his$ ut this gentleman in the cab is
my client, Mr$ Hall Pycroft$ Allo! me to intro"uce you to him$ @hi& your horse u&, cabby, for !e
ha#e only just time to catch our train$C
The man !hom 8 foun" myself facing !as a !ell built, fresh'com&leHione" young fello!, !ith a
frank, honest face an" a slight, cris&, yello! mustache$ He !ore a #ery shiny to& hat an" a neat suit
of sober black, !hich ma"e him look !hat he !asJa smart young City man, of the class !ho ha#e
been labele" cockneys, but !ho gi#e us our crack #olunteer regiments, an" !ho turn out more fine
athletes an" s&ortsmen than any bo"y of men in these islan"s$ His roun", ru""y face !as naturally
full of cheeriness, but the corners of his mouth seeme" to me to be &ulle" "o!n in a half'comical
"istress$ 8t !as not, ho!e#er, until !e !ere all in a first'class carriage an" !ell starte" u&on our
journey to irmingham that 8 !as able to learn !hat the trouble !as !hich ha" "ri#en him to
Sherlock Holmes$
C@e ha#e a clear run here of se#enty minutes,C Holmes remarke"$ C8 !ant you, Mr$ Hall Pycroft, to
tell my frien" your #ery interesting eH&erience eHactly as you ha#e tol" it to me, or !ith more "etail
if &ossible$ 8t !ill be of use to me to hear the succession of e#ents again$ 8t is a case, @atson, !hich
may &ro#e to ha#e something in it, or may &ro#e to ha#e nothing, but !hich, at least, &resents those
unusual an" outrP features !hich are as "ear to you as they are to me$ >o!, Mr$ Pycroft, 8 shall not
interru&t you again$C
9ur young com&anion looke" at me !ith a t!inkle in his eye$
CThe !orst of the story is,C sai" he, Cthat 8 sho! myself u& as such a confoun"e" fool$ 9f course it
may !ork out all right, an" 8 "on't see that 8 coul" ha#e "one other!iseG but if 8 ha#e lost my crib
an" get nothing in eHchange 8 shall feel !hat a soft =ohnnie 8 ha#e been$ 8'm not #ery goo" at telling
a story, Dr$ @atson, but it is like this !ith me)
C8 use" to ha#e a billet at CoHon K @oo"house's, of Dra&er's Gar"ens, but they !ere let in early in
the s&ring through the BeneAuelan loan, as no "oubt you remember, an" came a nasty cro&&er$ 8 ha"
been !ith them fi#e years, an" ol" CoHon ga#e me a ri&&ing goo" testimonial !hen the smash
came, but of course !e clerks !ere all turne" a"rift, the t!enty'se#en of us$ 8 trie" here an" trie"
there, but there !ere lots of other cha&s on the same lay as myself, an" it !as a &erfect frost for a
long time$ 8 ha" been taking three &oun"s a !eek at CoHon's, an" 8 ha" sa#e" about se#enty of
them, but 8 soon !orke" my !ay through that an" out at the other en"$ 8 !as fairly at the en" of my
tether at last, an" coul" har"ly fin" the stam&s to ans!er the a"#ertisements or the en#elo&es to
stick them to$ 8 ha" !orn out my boots &a""ling u& office stairs, an" 8 seeme" just as far from
getting a billet as e#er$
CAt last 8 sa! a #acancy at Ma!son K @illiams's, the great stock'broking firm in (ombar" Street$ 8
"are say /$ C$ is not much in your line, but 8 can tell you that this is about the richest house in
(on"on$ The a"#ertisement !as to be ans!ere" by letter only$ 8 sent in my testimonial an"
a&&lication, but !ithout the least ho&e of getting it$ ack came an ans!er by return, saying that if 8
!oul" a&&ear neHt Mon"ay 8 might take o#er my ne! "uties at once, &ro#i"e" that my a&&earance
!as satisfactory$ >o one kno!s ho! these things are !orke"$ Some &eo&le say that the manager
just &lunges his han" into the hea& an" takes the first that comes$ Anyho! it !as my innings that
time, an" 8 "on't e#er !ish to feel better &lease"$ The scre! !as a &oun" a !eek rise, an" the "uties
just about the same as at CoHon's$
CAn" no! 8 come to the Iueer &art of the business$ 8 !as in "iggings out Ham&stea" !ay, +-
Potter's Terrace$ @ell, 8 !as sitting "oing a smoke that #ery e#ening after 8 ha" been &romise" the
a&&ointment, !hen u& came my lan"la"y !ith a car" !hich ha" 'Arthur Pinner, <inancial Agent,'
&rinte" u&on it$ 8 ha" ne#er hear" the name before an" coul" not imagine !hat he !ante" !ith meG
but, of course, 8 aske" her to sho! him u&$ 8n he !alke", a mi""le'siAe", "ark'haire", "ark'eye",
black'bear"e" man, !ith a touch of the Sheeny about his nose$ He ha" a brisk kin" of !ay !ith him
an" s&oke shar&ly, like a man !ho kne! the #alue of time$C
C'Mr$ Hall Pycroft, 8 belie#eF'C sai" he$
C'%es, sir,' 8 ans!ere", &ushing a chair to!ar"s him$
C'(ately engage" at CoHon K @oo"house'sF'
C'%es, sir$'
C'An" no! on the staff of Ma!son's$'
C'Luite so$'
C'@ell,' sai" he, 'the fact is that 8 ha#e hear" some really eHtraor"inary stories about your financial
ability$ %ou remember Parker, !ho use" to be CoHon's managerF He can ne#er say enough about it$'
C9f course 8 !as &lease" to hear this$ 8 ha" al!ays been &retty shar& in the office, but 8 ha" ne#er
"reame" that 8 !as talke" about in the City in this fashion$
C'%ou ha#e a goo" memoryF' sai" he$
C'Pretty fair,' 8 ans!ere", mo"estly$
C'Ha#e you ke&t in touch !ith the market !hile you ha#e been out of !orkF' he aske"$
C'%es$ 8 rea" the stock eHchange list e#ery morning$'
C'>o! that sho!s real a&&licationE' he crie"$ 'That is the !ay to &ros&erE %ou !on't min" my testing
you, !ill youF (et me see$ Ho! are AyrshiresF'
C'A hun"re" an" siH an" a Iuarter to a hun"re" an" fi#e an" se#en'eighths$'
C'An" >e! Qealan" consoli"ate"F'
C'A hun"re" an" four$
C'An" ritish roken HillsF'
C'Se#en to se#en'an"'siH$'
C'@on"erfulE' he crie", !ith his han"s u&$ 'This Iuite fits in !ith all that 8 ha" hear"$ My boy, my
boy, you are #ery much too goo" to be a clerk at Ma!son'sE'
CThis outburst rather astonishe" me, as you can think$ '@ell,' sai" 8, 'other &eo&le "on't think Iuite
so much of me as you seem to "o, Mr$ Pinner$ 8 ha" a har" enough fight to get this berth, an" 8 am
#ery gla" to ha#e it$'
C'Pooh, manG you shoul" soar abo#e it$ %ou are not in your true s&here$ >o!, 8'll tell you ho! it
stan"s !ith me$ @hat 8 ha#e to offer is little enough !hen measure" by your ability, but !hen
com&are" !ith Ma!son's, it's light to "ark$ (et me see$ @hen "o you go to Ma!son'sF'
C'9n Mon"ay$'
C'Ha, haE 8 think 8 !oul" risk a little s&orting flutter that you "on't go there at all$'
C'>ot go to Ma!son'sF'
C'>o, sir$ y that "ay you !ill be the business manager of the <ranco'Mi"lan" Har"!are Com&any,
(imite", !ith a hun"re" an" thirty'four branches in the to!ns an" #illages of <rance, not counting
one in russels an" one in San *emo$'
CThis took my breath a!ay$ '8 ne#er hear" of it,' sai" 8$
C'Bery likely not$ 8t has been ke&t #ery Iuiet, for the ca&ital !as all &ri#ately subscribe", an" it's too
goo" a thing to let the &ublic into$ My brother, Harry Pinner, is &romoter, an" joins the boar" after
allotment as managing "irector$ He kne! 8 !as in the s!im "o!n here, an" aske" me to &ick u& a
goo" man chea&$ A young, &ushing man !ith &lenty of sna& about him$ Parker s&oke of you, an"
that brought me here to'night$ @e can only offer you a beggarly fi#e hun"re" to start !ith$'
C'<i#e hun"re" a yearE' 8 shoute"$
C'9nly that at the beginningG but you are to ha#e an o#erri"ing commission of one &er cent on all
business "one by your agents, an" you may take my !or" for it that this !ill come to more than
your salary$'
C'ut 8 kno! nothing about har"!are$'
C'Tut, my boyG you kno! about figures$'
CMy hea" buAAe", an" 8 coul" har"ly sit still in my chair$ ut su""enly a little chill of "oubt came
u&on me$
C'8 must be frank !ith you,' sai" 8$ 'Ma!son only gi#es me t!o hun"re", but Ma!son is safe$ >o!,
really, 8 kno! so little about your com&any thatJ'
C'Ah, smart, smartE' he crie", in a kin" of ecstasy of "elight$ '%ou are the #ery man for us$ %ou are
not to be talke" o#er, an" Iuite right, too$ >o!, here's a note for a hun"re" &oun"s, an" if you think
that !e can "o business you may just sli& it into your &ocket as an a"#ance u&on your salary$'
C'That is #ery han"some,' sai" 8$ '@hen shoul" 8 take o#er my ne! "utiesF'
C'e in irmingham to'morro! at one,' sai" he$ '8 ha#e a note in my &ocket here !hich you !ill take
to my brother$ %ou !ill fin" him at +6Ob Cor&oration Street, !here the tem&orary offices of the
com&any are situate"$ 9f course he must confirm your engagement, but bet!een oursel#es it !ill be
all right$'
C'*eally, 8 har"ly kno! ho! to eH&ress my gratitu"e, Mr$ Pinner,' sai" 8$
C'>ot at all, my boy$ %ou ha#e only got your "eserts$ There are one or t!o small thingsJmere
formalitiesJ!hich 8 must arrange !ith you$ %ou ha#e a bit of &a&er besi"e you there$ ?in"ly !rite
u&on it C8 am &erfectly !illing to act as business manager to the <ranco'Mi"lan" Har"!are
Com&any, (imite", at a minimum salary of (:77$C'
C8 "i" as he aske", an" he &ut the &a&er in his &ocket$
C'There is one other "etail,' sai" he$ '@hat "o you inten" to "o about Ma!son'sF'
C8 ha" forgotten all about Ma!son's in my joy$ '8'll !rite an" resign,' sai" 8$
C'Precisely !hat 8 "on't !ant you to "o$ 8 ha" a ro! o#er you !ith Ma!son's manager$ 8 ha" gone
u& to ask him about you, an" he !as #ery offensi#eG accuse" me of coaHing you a!ay from the
ser#ice of the firm, an" that sort of thing$ At last 8 fairly lost my tem&er$ C8f you !ant goo" men you
shoul" &ay them a goo" &rice,C sai" 8$'
C'He !oul" rather ha#e our small &rice than your big one,' sai" he$
C'8'll lay you a fi#er,' sai" 8, 'that !hen he has my offer you'll ne#er so much as hear from him again$'
C'DoneE' sai" he$ '@e &icke" him out of the gutter, an" he !on't lea#e us so easily$' Those !ere his
#ery !or"s$C
C'The im&u"ent scoun"relE' 8 crie"$ '8'#e ne#er so much as seen him in my life$ @hy shoul" 8
consi"er him in any !ayF 8 shall certainly not !rite if you !oul" rather 8 "i"n't$'
C'Goo"E That's a &romise,' sai" he, rising from his chair$ '@ell, 8'm "elighte" to ha#e got so goo" a
man for my brother$ Here's your a"#ance of a hun"re" &oun"s, an" here is the letter$ Make a note of
the a""ress, +6Ob Cor&oration Street, an" remember that one o'clock to'morro! is your
a&&ointment$ Goo"'nightG an" may you ha#e all the fortune that you "eser#eE'
CThat's just about all that &asse" bet!een us, as near as 8 can remember$ %ou can imagine, Dr$
@atson, ho! &lease" 8 !as at such an eHtraor"inary bit of goo" fortune$ 8 sat u& half the night
hugging myself o#er it, an" neHt "ay 8 !as off to irmingham in a train that !oul" take me in
&lenty time for my a&&ointment$ 8 took my things to a hotel in >e! Street, an" then 8 ma"e my !ay
to the a""ress !hich ha" been gi#en me$
C8t !as a Iuarter of an hour before my time, but 8 thought that !oul" make no "ifference$ +6Ob !as
a &assage bet!een t!o large sho&s, !hich le" to a !in"ing stone stair, from !hich there !ere many
flats, let as offices to com&anies or &rofessional men$ The names of the occu&ants !ere &ainte" at
the bottom on the !all, but there !as no such name as the <ranco'Mi"lan" Har"!are Com&any,
(imite"$ 8 stoo" for a fe! minutes !ith my heart in my boots, !on"ering !hether the !hole thing
!as an elaborate hoaH or not, !hen u& came a man an" a""resse" me$ He !as #ery like the cha& 8
ha" seen the night before, the same figure an" #oice, but he !as clean sha#en an" his hair !as
lighter$
C'Are you Mr$ Hall PycroftF' he aske"$
C'%es,' sai" 8$
C'9hE 8 !as eH&ecting you, but you are a trifle before your time$ 8 ha" a note from my brother this
morning in !hich he sang your &raises #ery lou"ly$'
C'8 !as just looking for the offices !hen you came$
C'@e ha#e not got our name u& yet, for !e only secure" these tem&orary &remises last !eek$ Come
u& !ith me, an" !e !ill talk the matter o#er$'
C8 follo!e" him to the to& of a #ery lofty stair, an" there, right un"er the slates, !ere a cou&le of
em&ty, "usty little rooms, uncar&ete" an" uncurtaine", into !hich he le" me$ 8 ha" thought of a
great office !ith shining tables an" ro!s of clerks, such as 8 !as use" to, an" 8 "are say 8 stare"
rather straight at the t!o "eal chairs an" one little table, !hich, !ith a le"ger an" a !aste &a&er
basket, ma"e u& the !hole furniture$
C'Don't be "isheartene", Mr$ Pycroft,' sai" my ne! acIuaintance, seeing the length of my face$
'*ome !as not built in a "ay, an" !e ha#e lots of money at our backs, though !e "on't cut much
"ash yet in offices$ Pray sit "o!n, an" let me ha#e your letter$'
C8 ga#e it to him, an" he rea" it o#er #ery carefully$
C'%ou seem to ha#e ma"e a #ast im&ression u&on my brother Arthur,' sai" heG 'an" 8 kno! that he is
a &retty shre!" ju"ge$ He s!ears by (on"on, you kno!G an" 8 by irminghamG but this time 8 shall
follo! his a"#ice$ Pray consi"er yourself "efinitely engage"$C
C'@hat are my "utiesF' 8 aske"$
C'%ou !ill e#entually manage the great "e&ot in Paris, !hich !ill &our a floo" of /nglish crockery
into the sho&s of a hun"re" an" thirty'four agents in <rance$ The &urchase !ill be com&lete" in a
!eek, an" mean!hile you !ill remain in irmingham an" make yourself useful$'
C'Ho!F'
C<or ans!er, he took a big re" book out of a "ra!er$
C'This is a "irectory of Paris,' sai" he, '!ith the tra"es after the names of the &eo&le$ 8 !ant you to
take it home !ith you, an" to mark off all the har"!are sellers, !ith their a""resses$ 8t !oul" be of
the greatest use to me to ha#e them$'
C'Surely there are classifie" listsF' 8 suggeste"$
C'>ot reliable ones$ Their system is "ifferent from ours$ Stick at it, an" let me ha#e the lists by
Mon"ay, at t!el#e$ Goo"'"ay, Mr$ Pycroft$ 8f you continue to sho! Aeal an" intelligence you !ill
fin" the com&any a goo" master$'
C8 !ent back to the hotel !ith the big book un"er my arm, an" !ith #ery conflicting feelings in my
breast$ 9n the one han", 8 !as "efinitely engage" an" ha" a hun"re" &oun"s in my &ocketG on the
other, the look of the offices, the absence of name on the !all, an" other of the &oints !hich !oul"
strike a business man ha" left a ba" im&ression as to the &osition of my em&loyers$ Ho!e#er, come
!hat might, 8 ha" my money, so 8 settle" "o!n to my task$ All Sun"ay 8 !as ke&t har" at !ork, an"
yet by Mon"ay 8 ha" only got as far as H$ 8 !ent roun" to my em&loyer, foun" him in the same
"ismantle" kin" of room, an" !as tol" to kee& at it until @e"nes"ay, an" then come again$ 9n
@e"nes"ay it !as still unfinishe", so 8 hammere" a!ay until <ri"ayJthat is, yester"ay$ Then 8
brought it roun" to Mr$ Harry Pinner$
C'Thank you #ery much,' sai" heG '8 fear that 8 un"errate" the "ifficulty of the task$ This list !ill be
of #ery material assistance to me$'
C'8t took some time,' sai" 8$
C'An" no!,' sai" he, '8 !ant you to make a list of the furniture sho&s, for they all sell crockery$'
C'Bery goo"$'
C'An" you can come u& to'morro! e#ening, at se#en, an" let me kno! ho! you are getting on$
Don't o#er!ork yourself$ A cou&le of hours at Day's Music Hall in the e#ening !oul" "o you no
harm after your labors$' He laughe" as he s&oke, an" 8 sa! !ith a thrill that his secon" tooth u&on
the left'han" si"e ha" been #ery ba"ly stuffe" !ith gol"$C
Sherlock Holmes rubbe" his han"s !ith "elight, an" 8 stare" !ith astonishment at our client$
C%ou may !ell look sur&rise", Dr$ @atsonG but it is this !ay,C sai" he) C@hen 8 !as s&eaking to the
other cha& in (on"on, at the time that he laughe" at my not going to Ma!son's, 8 ha&&ene" to notice
that his tooth !as stuffe" in this #ery i"entical fashion$ The glint of the gol" in each case caught my
eye, you see$ @hen 8 &ut that !ith the #oice an" figure being the same, an" only those things altere"
!hich might be change" by a raAor or a !ig, 8 coul" not "oubt that it !as the same man$ 9f course
you eH&ect t!o brothers to be alike, but not that they shoul" ha#e the same tooth stuffe" in the same
!ay$ He bo!e" me out, an" 8 foun" myself in the street, har"ly kno!ing !hether 8 !as on my hea"
or my heels$ ack 8 !ent to my hotel, &ut my hea" in a basin of col" !ater, an" trie" to think it out$
@hy ha" he sent me from (on"on to irminghamF @hy ha" he got there before meF An" !hy ha"
he !ritten a letter from himself to himselfF 8t !as altogether too much for me, an" 8 coul" make no
sense of it$ An" then su""enly it struck me that !hat !as "ark to me might be #ery light to Mr$
Sherlock Holmes$ 8 ha" just time to get u& to to!n by the night train to see him this morning, an" to
bring you both back !ith me to irmingham$C
There !as a &ause after the stock'broker's clerk ha" conclu"e" his sur&rising eH&erience$ Then
Sherlock Holmes cocke" his eye at me, leaning back on the cushions !ith a &lease" an" yet critical
face, like a connoisseur !ho has just taken his first si& of a comet #intage$
C*ather fine, @atson, is it notFC sai" he$ CThere are &oints in it !hich &lease me$ 8 think that you
!ill agree !ith me that an inter#ie! !ith Mr$ Arthur Harry Pinner in the tem&orary offices of the
<ranco'Mi"lan" Har"!are Com&any, (imite", !oul" be a rather interesting eH&erience for both of
us$C
Cut ho! can !e "o itFC 8 aske"$
C9h, easily enough,C sai" Hall Pycroft, cheerily$ C%ou are t!o frien"s of mine !ho are in !ant of a
billet, an" !hat coul" be more natural than that 8 shoul" bring you both roun" to the managing
"irectorFC
CLuite so, of course,C sai" Holmes$ C8 shoul" like to ha#e a look at the gentleman, an" see if 8 can
make anything of his little game$ @hat Iualities ha#e you, my frien", !hich !oul" make your
ser#ices so #aluableF or is it &ossible thatJC He began biting his nails an" staring blankly out of the
!in"o!, an" !e har"ly "re! another !or" from him until !e !ere in >e! Street$
At se#en o'clock that e#ening !e !ere !alking, the three of us, "o!n Cor&oration Street to the
com&any's offices$
C8t is no use our being at all before our time,C sai" our client$ CHe only comes there to see me,
a&&arently, for the &lace is "eserte" u& to the #ery hour he names$C
CThat is suggesti#e,C remarke" Holmes$
Cy =o#e, 8 tol" you soEC crie" the clerk$ CThat's he !alking ahea" of us there$C
He &ointe" to a smallish, "ark, !ell'"resse" man !ho !as bustling along the other si"e of the roa"$
As !e !atche" him he looke" across at a boy !ho !as ba!ling out the latest e"ition of the e#ening
&a&er, an" running o#er among the cabs an" busses, he bought one from him$ Then, clutching it in
his han", he #anishe" through a "oor'!ay$
CThere he goesEC crie" Hall Pycroft$ CThese are the com&any's offices into !hich he has gone$
Come !ith me, an" 8'll fiH it u& as easily as &ossible$C
<ollo!ing his lea", !e ascen"e" fi#e stories, until !e foun" oursel#es outsi"e a half'o&ene" "oor,
at !hich our client ta&&e"$ A #oice !ithin ba"e us enter, an" !e entere" a bare, unfurnishe" room
such as Hall Pycroft ha" "escribe"$ At the single table sat the man !hom !e ha" seen in the street,
!ith his e#ening &a&er s&rea" out in front of him, an" as he looke" u& at us it seeme" to me that 8
ha" ne#er looke" u&on a face !hich bore such marks of grief, an" of something beyon" griefJof a
horror such as comes to fe! men in a lifetime$ His bro! glistene" !ith &ers&iration, his cheeks
!ere of the "ull, "ea" !hite of a fish's belly, an" his eyes !ere !il" an" staring$ He looke" at his
clerk as though he faile" to recogniAe him, an" 8 coul" see by the astonishment "e&icte" u&on our
con"uctor's face that this !as by no means the usual a&&earance of his em&loyer$
C%ou look ill, Mr$ PinnerEC he eHclaime"$
C%es, 8 am not #ery !ell,C ans!ere" the other, making ob#ious efforts to &ull himself together, an"
licking his "ry li&s before he s&oke$ C@ho are these gentlemen !hom you ha#e brought !ith youFC
C9ne is Mr$ Harris, of ermon"sey, an" the other is Mr$ Price, of this to!n,C sai" our clerk, glibly$
CThey are frien"s of mine an" gentlemen of eH&erience, but they ha#e been out of a &lace for some
little time, an" they ho&e" that &erha&s you might fin" an o&ening for them in the com&any's
em&loyment$C
CBery &ossiblyE Bery &ossiblyEC crie" Mr$ Pinner !ith a ghastly smile$ C%es, 8 ha#e no "oubt that !e
shall be able to "o something for you$ @hat is your &articular line, Mr$ HarrisFC
C8 am an accountant,C sai" Holmes$
CAh yes, !e shall !ant something of the sort$ An" you, Mr$ PriceFC
CA clerk,C sai" 8$
C8 ha#e e#ery ho&e that the com&any may accommo"ate you$ 8 !ill let you kno! about it as soon as
!e come to any conclusion$ An" no! 8 beg that you !ill go$ <or Go"'s sake lea#e me to myselfEC
These last !or"s !ere shot out of him, as though the constraint !hich he !as e#i"ently setting u&on
himself ha" su""enly an" utterly burst asun"er$ Holmes an" 8 glance" at each other, an" Hall
Pycroft took a ste& to!ar"s the table$
C%ou forget, Mr$ Pinner, that 8 am here by a&&ointment to recei#e some "irections from you,C sai"
he$
CCertainly, Mr$ Pycroft, certainly,C the other resume" in a calmer tone$ C%ou may !ait here a
momentG an" there is no reason !hy your frien"s shoul" not !ait !ith you$ 8 !ill be entirely at your
ser#ice in three minutes, if 8 might tres&ass u&on your &atience so far$C He rose !ith a #ery
courteous air, an", bo!ing to us, he &asse" out through a "oor at the farther en" of the room, !hich
he close" behin" him$
C@hat no!FC !his&ere" Holmes$ C8s he gi#ing us the sli&FC
C8m&ossible,C ans!ere" Pycroft$
C@hy soFC
CThat "oor lea"s into an inner room$C
CThere is no eHitFC
C>one$C
C8s it furnishe"FC
C8t !as em&ty yester"ay$C
CThen !hat on earth can he be "oingF There is something !hich 8 "on't un"erstan" in this manner$
8f e#er a man !as three &arts ma" !ith terror, that man's name is Pinner$ @hat can ha#e &ut the
shi#ers on himFC
CHe sus&ects that !e are "etecti#es,C 8 suggeste"$
CThat's it,C crie" Pycroft$
Holmes shook his hea"$ CHe "i" not turn &ale$ He !as &ale !hen !e entere" the room,C sai" he$ C8t
is just &ossible thatJC
His !or"s !ere interru&te" by a shar& rat'tat from the "irection of the inner "oor$
C@hat the "euce is he knocking at his o!n "oor forFC crie" the clerk$
Again an" much lou"er came the rat'tat'tat$ @e all gaAe" eH&ectantly at the close" "oor$ Glancing at
Holmes, 8 sa! his face turn rigi", an" he leane" for!ar" in intense eHcitement$ Then su""enly came
a lo! guggling, gargling soun", an" a brisk "rumming u&on !oo"!ork$ Holmes s&rang frantically
across the room an" &ushe" at the "oor$ 8t !as fastene" on the inner si"e$ <ollo!ing his eHam&le,
!e thre! oursel#es u&on it !ith all our !eight$ 9ne hinge sna&&e", then the other, an" "o!n came
the "oor !ith a crash$ *ushing o#er it, !e foun" oursel#es in the inner room$ 8t !as em&ty$
ut it !as only for a moment that !e !ere at fault$ At one corner, the corner nearest the room
!hich !e ha" left, there !as a secon" "oor$ Holmes s&rang to it an" &ulle" it o&en$ A coat an"
!aistcoat !ere lying on the floor, an" from a hook behin" the "oor, !ith his o!n braces roun" his
neck, !as hanging the managing "irector of the <ranco'Mi"lan" Har"!are Com&any$ His knees
!ere "ra!n u&, his hea" hung at a "rea"ful angle to his bo"y, an" the clatter of his heels against the
"oor ma"e the noise !hich ha" broken in u&on our con#ersation$ 8n an instant 8 ha" caught him
roun" the !aist, an" hel" him u& !hile Holmes an" Pycroft untie" the elastic ban"s !hich ha"
"isa&&eare" bet!een the li#i" creases of skin$ Then !e carrie" him into the other room, !here he
lay !ith a clay'colore" face, &uffing his &ur&le li&s in an" out !ith e#ery breathJa "rea"ful !reck
of all that he ha" been but fi#e minutes before$
C@hat "o you think of him, @atsonFC aske" Holmes$
8 stoo&e" o#er him an" eHamine" him$ His &ulse !as feeble an" intermittent, but his breathing gre!
longer, an" there !as a little shi#ering of his eyeli"s, !hich sho!e" a thin !hite slit of ball beneath$
C8t has been touch an" go !ith him,C sai" 8, Cbut he'll li#e no!$ =ust o&en that !in"o!, an" han" me
the !ater carafe$C 8 un"i" his collar, &oure" the col" !ater o#er his face, an" raise" an" sank his
arms until he "re! a long, natural breath$ C8t's only a Iuestion of time no!,C sai" 8, as 8 turne" a!ay
from him$
Holmes stoo" by the table, !ith his han"s "ee& in his trouser's &ockets an" his chin u&on his breast$
C8 su&&ose !e ought to call the &olice in no!,C sai" he$ CAn" yet 8 confess that 8'" like to gi#e them
a com&lete case !hen they come$C
C8t's a blesse" mystery to me,C crie" Pycroft, scratching his hea"$ C@hate#er they !ante" to bring
me all the !ay u& here for, an" thenJC
CPoohE All that is clear enough,C sai" Holmes im&atiently$ C8t is this last su""en mo#e$C
C%ou un"erstan" the rest, thenFC
C8 think that it is fairly ob#ious$ @hat "o you say, @atsonFC
8 shrugge" my shoul"ers$ C8 must confess that 8 am out of my "e&ths,C sai" 8$
C9h surely if you consi"er the e#ents at first they can only &oint to one conclusion$C
C@hat "o you make of themFC
C@ell, the !hole thing hinges u&on t!o &oints$ The first is the making of Pycroft !rite a "eclaration
by !hich he entere" the ser#ice of this &re&osterous com&any$ Do you not see ho! #ery suggesti#e
that isFC
C8 am afrai" 8 miss the &oint$C
C@ell, !hy "i" they !ant him to "o itF >ot as a business matter, for these arrangements are usually
#erbal, an" there !as no earthly business reason !hy this shoul" be an eHce&tion$ Don't you see, my
young frien", that they !ere #ery anHious to obtain a s&ecimen of your han"!riting, an" ha" no
other !ay of "oing itFC
CAn" !hyFC
CLuite so$ @hyF @hen !e ans!er that !e ha#e ma"e some &rogress !ith our little &roblem$ @hyF
There can be only one a"eIuate reason$ Some one !ante" to learn to imitate your !riting, an" ha"
to &rocure a s&ecimen of it first$ An" no! if !e &ass on to the secon" &oint !e fin" that each thro!s
light u&on the other$ That &oint is the reIuest ma"e by Pinner that you shoul" not resign your &lace,
but shoul" lea#e the manager of this im&ortant business in the full eH&ectation that a Mr$ Hall
Pycroft, !hom he ha" ne#er seen, !as about to enter the office u&on the Mon"ay morning$C
CMy Go"EC crie" our client, C!hat a blin" beetle 8 ha#e beenEC
C>o! you see the &oint about the han"!riting$ Su&&ose that some one turne" u& in your &lace !ho
!rote a com&letely "ifferent han" from that in !hich you ha" a&&lie" for the #acancy, of course the
game !oul" ha#e been u&$ ut in the inter#al the rogue ha" learne" to imitate you, an" his &osition
!as therefore secure, as 8 &resume that nobo"y in the office ha" e#er set eyes u&on you$C
C>ot a soul,C groane" Hall Pycroft$
CBery goo"$ 9f course it !as of the utmost im&ortance to &re#ent you from thinking better of it, an"
also to kee& you from coming into contact !ith any one !ho might tell you that your "ouble !as at
!ork in Ma!son's office$ Therefore they ga#e you a han"some a"#ance on your salary, an" ran you
off to the Mi"lan"s, !here they ga#e you enough !ork to "o to &re#ent your going to (on"on,
!here you might ha#e burst their little game u&$ That is all &lain enough$C
Cut !hy shoul" this man &reten" to be his o!n brotherFC
C@ell, that is &retty clear also$ There are e#i"ently only t!o of them in it$ The other is
im&ersonating you at the office$ This one acte" as your engager, an" then foun" that he coul" not
fin" you an em&loyer !ithout a"mitting a thir" &erson into his &lot$ That he !as most un!illing to
"o$ He change" his a&&earance as far as he coul", an" truste" that the likeness, !hich you coul" not
fail to obser#e, !oul" be &ut "o!n to a family resemblance$ ut for the ha&&y chance of the gol"
stuffing, your sus&icions !oul" &robably ne#er ha#e been arouse"$C
Hall Pycroft shook his clinche" han"s in the air$ CGoo" (or"EC he crie", C!hile 8 ha#e been foole"
in this !ay, !hat has this other Hall Pycroft been "oing at Ma!son'sF @hat shoul" !e "o, Mr$
HolmesF Tell me !hat to "o$C
C@e must !ire to Ma!son's$C
CThey shut at t!el#e on Satur"ays$C
C>e#er min"$ There may be some "oor'kee&er or atten"antJC
CAh yes, they kee& a &ermanent guar" there on account of the #alue of the securities that they hol"$
8 remember hearing it talke" of in the City$C
CBery goo"G !e shall !ire to him, an" see if all is !ell, an" if a clerk of your name is !orking there$
That is clear enoughG but !hat is not so clear is !hy at sight of us one of the rogues shoul" instantly
!alk out of the room an" hang himself$C
CThe &a&erEC croake" a #oice behin" us$ The man !as sitting u&, blanche" an" ghastly, !ith
returning reason in his eyes, an" han"s !hich rubbe" ner#ously at the broa" re" ban" !hich still
encircle" his throat$
CThe &a&erE 9f courseEC yelle" Holmes, in a &aroHysm of eHcitement$ C8"iot that 8 !asE 8 thought so
much of our #isit that the &a&er ne#er entere" my hea" for an instant$ To be sure, the secret must be
there$C He flattene" it out u&on the table, an" a cry of trium&h burst from his li&s$ C(ook at this,
@atson,C he crie"$ C8t is a (on"on &a&er, an early e"ition of the /#ening Stan"ar"$ Here is !hat !e
!ant$ (ook at the hea"lines) 'Crime in the City$ Mur"er at Ma!son K @illiams's$ Gigantic
attem&te" *obbery$ Ca&ture of the Criminal$' Here, @atson, !e are all eIually anHious to hear it, so
kin"ly rea" it alou" to us$C
8t a&&eare" from its &osition in the &a&er to ha#e been the one e#ent of im&ortance in to!n, an" the
account of it ran in this !ay)
CA "es&erate attem&t at robbery, culminating in the "eath of one man an" the ca&ture of the
criminal, occurre" this afternoon in the City$ <or some time back Ma!son K @illiams, the famous
financial house, ha#e been the guar"ians of securities !hich amount in the aggregate to a sum of
consi"erably o#er a million sterling$ So conscious !as the manager of the res&onsibility !hich
"e#ol#e" u&on him in conseIuence of the great interests at stake that safes of the #ery latest
construction ha#e been em&loye", an" an arme" !atchman has been left "ay an" night in the
buil"ing$ 8t a&&ears that last !eek a ne! clerk name" Hall Pycroft !as engage" by the firm$ This
&erson a&&ears to ha#e been none other than e""ington, the famous forger an" cracksman, !ho,
!ith his brother, ha" only recently emerge" from a fi#e years' s&ell of &enal ser#itu"e$ y some
means, !hich are not yet clear, he succee"e" in !inning, un"er a false name, this official &osition in
the office, !hich he utiliAe" in or"er to obtain moul"ing of #arious locks, an" a thorough
kno!le"ge of the &osition of the strong room an" the safes$
C8t is customary at Ma!son's for the clerks to lea#e at mi""ay on Satur"ay$ Sergeant Tuson, of the
City Police, !as some!hat sur&rise", therefore to see a gentleman !ith a car&et bag come "o!n the
ste&s at t!enty minutes &ast one$ His sus&icions being arouse", the sergeant follo!e" the man, an"
!ith the ai" of Constable Pollock succee"e", after a most "es&erate resistance, in arresting him$ 8t
!as at once clear that a "aring an" gigantic robbery ha" been committe"$ >early a hun"re"
thousan" &oun"s' !orth of American rail!ay bon"s, !ith a large amount of scri& in mines an" other
com&anies, !as "isco#ere" in the bag$ 9n eHamining the &remises the bo"y of the unfortunate
!atchman !as foun" "ouble" u& an" thrust into the largest of the safes, !here it !oul" not ha#e
been "isco#ere" until Mon"ay morning ha" it not been for the &rom&t action of Sergeant Tuson$
The man's skull ha" been shattere" by a blo! from a &oker "eli#ere" from behin"$ There coul" be
no "oubt that e""ington ha" obtaine" entrance by &reten"ing that he ha" left something behin"
him, an" ha#ing mur"ere" the !atchman, ra&i"ly rifle" the large safe, an" then ma"e off !ith his
booty$ His brother, !ho usually !orks !ith him, has not a&&eare" in this job as far as can at &resent
be ascertaine", although the &olice are making energetic inIuiries as to his !hereabouts$C
C@ell, !e may sa#e the &olice some little trouble in that "irection,C sai" Holmes, glancing at the
haggar" figure hu""le" u& by the !in"o!$ CHuman nature is a strange miHture, @atson$ %ou see
that e#en a #illain an" mur"erer can ins&ire such affection that his brother turns to suici"e !hen he
learns that his neck is forfeite"$ Ho!e#er, !e ha#e no choice as to our action$ The "octor an" 8 !ill
remain on guar", Mr$ Pycroft, if you !ill ha#e the kin"ness to ste& out for the &olice$C
A"#enture 8B$ The CGloria ScottC
C8 ha#e some &a&ers here,C sai" my frien" Sherlock Holmes, as !e sat one !inter's night on either
si"e of the fire, C!hich 8 really think, @atson, that it !oul" be !orth your !hile to glance o#er$
These are the "ocuments in the eHtraor"inary case of the Gloria Scott, an" this is the message !hich
struck =ustice of the Peace Tre#or "ea" !ith horror !hen he rea" it$C
He ha" &icke" from a "ra!er a little tarnishe" cylin"er, an", un"oing the ta&e, he han"e" me a short
note scra!le" u&on a half'sheet of slate'gray &a&er$
CThe su&&ly of game for (on"on is going stea"ily u&,C it ran$ CHea"'kee&er Hu"son, !e belie#e,
has been no! tol" to recei#e all or"ers for fly'&a&er an" for &reser#ation of your hen'&heasant's
life$C
As 8 glance" u& from rea"ing this enigmatical message, 8 sa! Holmes chuckling at the eH&ression
u&on my face$
C%ou look a little be!il"ere",C sai" he$
C8 cannot see ho! such a message as this coul" ins&ire horror$ 8t seems to me to be rather grotesIue
than other!ise$C
CBery likely$ %et the fact remains that the rea"er, !ho !as a fine, robust ol" man, !as knocke"
clean "o!n by it as if it ha" been the butt en" of a &istol$C
C%ou arouse my curiosity,C sai" 8$ Cut !hy "i" you say just no! that there !ere #ery &articular
reasons !hy 8 shoul" stu"y this caseFC
Cecause it !as the first in !hich 8 !as e#er engage"$C
8 ha" often en"ea#ore" to elicit from my com&anion !hat ha" first turne" his min" in the "irection
of criminal research, but ha" ne#er caught him before in a communicati#e humor$ >o! he sat
for!ar" in this arm'chair an" s&rea" out the "ocuments u&on his knees$ Then he lit his &i&e an" sat
for some time smoking an" turning them o#er$
C%ou ne#er hear" me talk of Bictor Tre#orFC he aske"$ CHe !as the only frien" 8 ma"e "uring the
t!o years 8 !as at college$ 8 !as ne#er a #ery sociable fello!, @atson, al!ays rather fon" of
mo&ing in my rooms an" !orking out my o!n little metho"s of thought, so that 8 ne#er miHe"
much !ith the men of my year$ ar fencing an" boHing 8 ha" fe! athletic tastes, an" then my line of
stu"y !as Iuite "istinct from that of the other fello!s, so that !e ha" no &oints of contact at all$
Tre#or !as the only man 8 kne!, an" that only through the acci"ent of his bull terrier freeAing on to
my ankle one morning as 8 !ent "o!n to cha&el$
C8t !as a &rosaic !ay of forming a frien"shi&, but it !as effecti#e$ 8 !as lai" by the heels for ten
"ays, but Tre#or use" to come in to inIuire after me$ At first it !as only a minute's chat, but soon
his #isits lengthene", an" before the en" of the term !e !ere close frien"s$ He !as a hearty, full'
bloo"e" fello!, full of s&irits an" energy, the #ery o&&osite to me in most res&ects, but !e ha" some
subjects in common, an" it !as a bon" of union !hen 8 foun" that he !as as frien"less as 8$ <inally,
he in#ite" me "o!n to his father's &lace at Donnithor&e, in >orfolk, an" 8 acce&te" his hos&itality
for a month of the long #acation$
C9l" Tre#or !as e#i"ently a man of some !ealth an" consi"eration, a =$P$, an" a lan"e" &ro&rietor$
Donnithor&e is a little hamlet just to the north of (angmere, in the country of the roa"s$ The house
!as an ol"'fashione", !i"e's&rea", oak'beame" brick buil"ing, !ith a fine lime'line" a#enue
lea"ing u& to it$ There !as eHcellent !il"'"uck shooting in the fens, remarkably goo" fishing, a
small but select library, taken o#er, as 8 un"erstoo", from a former occu&ant, an" a tolerable cook,
so that he !oul" be a fasti"ious man !ho coul" not &ut in a &leasant month there$
CTre#or senior !as a !i"o!er, an" my frien" his only son$
CThere ha" been a "aughter, 8 hear", but she ha" "ie" of "i&htheria !hile on a #isit to irmingham$
The father intereste" me eHtremely$ He !as a man of little culture, but !ith a consi"erable amount
of ru"e strength, both &hysically an" mentally$ He kne! har"ly any books, but he ha" tra#ele" far,
ha" seen much of the !orl"$ An" ha" remembere" all that he ha" learne"$ 8n &erson he !as a thick'
set, burly man !ith a shock of griAAle" hair, a bro!n, !eather'beaten face, an" blue eyes !hich
!ere keen to the #erge of fierceness$ %et he ha" a re&utation for kin"ness an" charity on the
country'si"e, an" !as note" for the leniency of his sentences from the bench$
C9ne e#ening, shortly after my arri#al, !e !ere sitting o#er a glass of &ort after "inner, !hen young
Tre#or began to talk about those habits of obser#ation an" inference !hich 8 ha" alrea"y forme"
into a system, although 8 ha" not yet a&&reciate" the &art !hich they !ere to &lay in my life$ The
ol" man e#i"ently thought that his son !as eHaggerating in his "escri&tion of one or t!o tri#ial feats
!hich 8 ha" &erforme"$
C'Come, no!, Mr$ Holmes,' sai" he, laughing goo"'humore"ly$ '8'm an eHcellent subject, if you can
"e"uce anything from me$'
C'8 fear there is not #ery much,' 8 ans!ere"G '8 might suggest that you ha#e gone about in fear of
some &ersonal attack !ithin the last t!el#emonth$'
CThe laugh fa"e" from his li&s, an" he stare" at me in great sur&rise$
C'@ell, that's true enough,' sai" he$ '%ou kno!, Bictor,' turning to his son, '!hen !e broke u& that
&oaching gang they s!ore to knife us, an" Sir /"!ar" Holly has actually been attacke"$ 8'#e al!ays
been on my guar" since then, though 8 ha#e no i"ea ho! you kno! it$'
C'%ou ha#e a #ery han"some stick,' 8 ans!ere"$ 'y the inscri&tion 8 obser#e" that you ha" not ha" it
more than a year$ ut you ha#e taken some &ains to bore the hea" of it an" &our melte" lea" into the
hole so as to make it a formi"able !ea&on$ 8 argue" that you !oul" not take such &recautions unless
you ha" some "anger to fear$'
C'Anything elseF' he aske", smiling$
C'%ou ha#e boHe" a goo" "eal in your youth$'
C'*ight again$ Ho! "i" you kno! itF 8s my nose knocke" a little out of the straightF'
C'>o,' sai" 8$ '8t is your ears$ They ha#e the &eculiar flattening an" thickening !hich marks the
boHing man$'
C'Anything elseF'
C'%ou ha#e "one a goo" "eal of "igging by your callosities$'
C'Ma"e all my money at the gol" fiel"s$'
C'%ou ha#e been in >e! Qealan"$'
C'*ight again$'
C'%ou ha#e #isite" =a&an$'
C'Luite true$'
C'An" you ha#e been most intimately associate" !ith some one !hose initials !ere =$ A$, an" !hom
you after!ar"s !ere eager to entirely forget$'
CMr$ Tre#or stoo" slo!ly u&, fiHe" his large blue eyes u&on me !ith a strange !il" stare, an" then
&itche" for!ar", !ith his face among the nutshells !hich stre!e" the cloth, in a "ea" faint$
C%ou can imagine, @atson, ho! shocke" both his son an" 8 !ere$ His attack "i" not last long,
ho!e#er, for !hen !e un"i" his collar, an" s&rinkle" the !ater from one of the finger'glasses o#er
his face, he ga#e a gas& or t!o an" sat u&$
C'Ah, boys,' sai" he, forcing a smile, '8 ho&e 8 ha#en't frightene" you$ Strong as 8 look, there is a
!eak &lace in my heart, an" it "oes not take much to knock me o#er$ 8 "on't kno! ho! you manage
this, Mr$ Holmes, but it seems to me that all the "etecti#es of fact an" of fancy !oul" be chil"ren in
your han"s$ That's your line of life, sir, an" you may take the !or" of a man !ho has seen
something of the !orl"$'
CAn" that recommen"ation, !ith the eHaggerate" estimate of my ability !ith !hich he &reface" it,
!as, if you !ill belie#e me, @atson, the #ery first thing !hich e#er ma"e me feel that a &rofession
might be ma"e out of !hat ha" u& to that time been the merest hobby$ At the moment, ho!e#er, 8
!as too much concerne" at the su""en illness of my host to think of anything else$
C'8 ho&e that 8 ha#e sai" nothing to &ain youF' sai" 8$
C'@ell, you certainly touche" u&on rather a ten"er &oint$ Might 8 ask ho! you kno!, an" ho! much
you kno!F' He s&oke no! in a half'jesting fashion, but a look of terror still lurke" at the back of his
eyes$
C'8t is sim&licity itself,' sai" 8$ '@hen you bare" your arm to "ra! that fish into the boat 8 sa! that =$
A$ ha" been tattooe" in the ben" of the elbo!$ The letters !ere still legible, but it !as &erfectly
clear from their blurre" a&&earance, an" from the staining of the skin roun" them, that efforts ha"
been ma"e to obliterate them$ 8t !as ob#ious, then, that those initials ha" once been #ery familiar to
you, an" that you ha" after!ar"s !ishe" to forget them$'
C@hat an eye you ha#eEC he crie", !ith a sigh of relief$ '8t is just as you say$ ut !e !on't talk of it$
9f all ghosts the ghosts of our ol" lo#ers are the !orst$ Come into the billiar"'room an" ha#e a
Iuiet cigar$'
C<rom that "ay, ami" all his cor"iality, there !as al!ays a touch of sus&icion in Mr$ Tre#or's
manner to!ar"s me$ /#en his son remarke" it$ '%ou'#e gi#en the go#ernor such a turn,' sai" he, 'that
he'll ne#er be sure again of !hat you kno! an" !hat you "on't kno!$' He "i" not mean to sho! it, 8
am sure, but it !as so strongly in his min" that it &ee&e" out at e#ery action$ At last 8 became so
con#ince" that 8 !as causing him uneasiness that 8 "re! my #isit to a close$ 9n the #ery "ay,
ho!e#er, before 8 left, an inci"ent occurre" !hich &ro#e" in the seIuel to be of im&ortance$
C@e !ere sitting out u&on the la!n on gar"en chairs, the three of us, basking in the sun an"
a"miring the #ie! across the roa"s, !hen a mai" came out to say that there !as a man at the "oor
!ho !ante" to see Mr$ Tre#or$
C'@hat is his nameF' aske" my host$
C'He !oul" not gi#e any$'
C'@hat "oes he !ant, thenF'
C'He says that you kno! him, an" that he only !ants a moment's con#ersation$'
C'Sho! him roun" here$' An instant after!ar"s there a&&eare" a little !iAene" fello! !ith a cringing
manner an" a shambling style of !alking$ He !ore an o&en jacket, !ith a s&lotch of tar on the
slee#e, a re"'an"'black check shirt, "ungaree trousers, an" hea#y boots ba"ly !orn$ His face !as
thin an" bro!n an" crafty, !ith a &er&etual smile u&on it, !hich sho!e" an irregular line of yello!
teeth, an" his crinkle" han"s !ere half close" in a !ay that is "istincti#e of sailors$ As he came
slouching across the la!n 8 hear" Mr$ Tre#or make a sort of hiccoughing noise in his throat, an"
jum&ing out of his chair, he ran into the house$ He !as back in a moment, an" 8 smelt a strong reek
of bran"y as he &asse" me$
C'@ell, my man,' sai" he$ '@hat can 8 "o for youF'
CThe sailor stoo" looking at him !ith &uckere" eyes, an" !ith the same loose'li&&e" smile u&on his
face$
C'%ou "on't kno! meF' he aske"$
C'@hy, "ear me, it is surely Hu"son,' sai" Mr$ Tre#or in a tone of sur&rise$
C'Hu"son it is, sir,' sai" the seaman$ '@hy, it's thirty year an" more since 8 sa! you last$ Here you
are in your house, an" me still &icking my salt meat out of the harness cask$'
C'Tut, you !ill fin" that 8 ha#e not forgotten ol" times,' crie" Mr$ Tre#or, an", !alking to!ar"s the
sailor, he sai" something in a lo! #oice$ 'Go into the kitchen,' he continue" out lou", 'an" you !ill
get foo" an" "rink$ 8 ha#e no "oubt that 8 shall fin" you a situation$'
C'Thank you, sir,' sai" the seaman, touching his fore'lock$ '8'm just off a t!o'yearer in an eight'knot
tram&, short'han"e" at that, an" 8 !ants a rest$ 8 thought 8'" get it either !ith Mr$ e""oes or !ith
you$'
C'AhE' crie" Tre#or$ '%ou kno! !here Mr$ e""oes isF'
C'less you, sir, 8 kno! !here all my ol" frien"s are,' sai" the fello! !ith a sinister smile, an" he
slouche" off after the mai" to the kitchen$ Mr$ Tre#or mumble" something to us about ha#ing been
shi&mate !ith the man !hen he !as going back to the "iggings, an" then, lea#ing us on the la!n,
he !ent in"oors$ An hour later, !hen !e entere" the house, !e foun" him stretche" "ea" "runk
u&on the "ining'room sofa$ The !hole inci"ent left a most ugly im&ression u&on my min", an" 8
!as not sorry neHt "ay to lea#e Donnithor&e behin" me, for 8 felt that my &resence must be a source
of embarrassment to my frien"$
CAll this occurre" "uring the first month of the long #acation$ 8 !ent u& to my (on"on rooms,
!here 8 s&ent se#en !eeks !orking out a fe! eH&eriments in organic chemistry$ 9ne "ay, ho!e#er,
!hen the autumn !as far a"#ance" an" the #acation "ra!ing to a close, 8 recei#e" a telegram from
my frien" im&loring me to return to Donnithor&e, an" saying that he !as in great nee" of my a"#ice
an" assistance$ 9f course 8 "ro&&e" e#erything an" set out for the >orth once more$
CHe met me !ith the "og'cart at the station, an" 8 sa! at a glance that the last t!o months ha" been
#ery trying ones for him$ He ha" gro!n thin an" care!orn, an" ha" lost the lou", cheery manner for
!hich he ha" been remarkable$
C'The go#ernor is "ying,' !ere the first !or"s he sai"$
C'8m&ossibleE' 8 crie"$ '@hat is the matterF'
C'A&o&leHy$ >er#ous shock, He's been on the #erge all "ay$ 8 "oubt if !e shall fin" him ali#e$'
C8 !as, as you may think, @atson, horrifie" at this uneH&ecte" ne!s$
C'@hat has cause" itF' 8 aske"$
C'Ah, that is the &oint$ =um& in an" !e can talk it o#er !hile !e "ri#e$ %ou remember that fello!
!ho came u&on the e#ening before you left usF'
C'Perfectly$'
C'Do you kno! !ho it !as that !e let into the house that "ayF'
C'8 ha#e no i"ea$'
C'8t !as the "e#il, Holmes,' he crie"$
C8 stare" at him in astonishment$
C'%es, it !as the "e#il himself$ @e ha#e not ha" a &eaceful hour sinceJnot one$ The go#ernor has
ne#er hel" u& his hea" from that e#ening, an" no! the life has been crushe" out of him an" his
heart broken, all through this accurse" Hu"son$'
C'@hat &o!er ha" he, thenF'
C'Ah, that is !hat 8 !oul" gi#e so much to kno!$ The kin"ly, charitable, goo" ol" go#ernorJho!
coul" he ha#e fallen into the clutches of such a ruffianE ut 8 am so gla" that you ha#e come,
Holmes$ 8 trust #ery much to your ju"gment an" "iscretion, an" 8 kno! that you !ill a"#ise me for
the best$'
C@e !ere "ashing along the smooth !hite country roa", !ith the long stretch of the roa"s in front
of us glimmering in the re" light of the setting sun$ <rom a gro#e u&on our left 8 coul" alrea"y see
the high chimneys an" the flag'staff !hich marke" the sIuire's "!elling$
C'My father ma"e the fello! gar"ener,' sai" my com&anion, 'an" then, as that "i" not satisfy him, he
!as &romote" to be butler$ The house seeme" to be at his mercy, an" he !an"ere" about an" "i"
!hat he chose in it$ The mai"s com&laine" of his "runken habits an" his #ile language$ The "a"
raise" their !ages all roun" to recom&ense them for the annoyance$ The fello! !oul" take the boat
an" my father's best gun an" treat himself to little shooting tri&s$ An" all this !ith such a sneering,
leering, insolent face that 8 !oul" ha#e knocke" him "o!n t!enty times o#er if he ha" been a man
of my o!n age$ 8 tell you, Holmes, 8 ha#e ha" to kee& a tight hol" u&on myself all this timeG an"
no! 8 am asking myself !hether, if 8 ha" let myself go a little more, 8 might not ha#e been a !iser
man$
C'@ell, matters !ent from ba" to !orse !ith us, an" this animal Hu"son became more an" more
intrusi#e, until at last, on making some insolent re&ly to my father in my &resence one "ay, 8 took
him by the shoul"ers an" turne" him out of the room$ He slunk a!ay !ith a li#i" face an" t!o
#enomous eyes !hich uttere" more threats than his tongue coul" "o$ 8 "on't kno! !hat &asse"
bet!een the &oor "a" an" him after that, but the "a" came to me neHt "ay an" aske" me !hether 8
!oul" min" a&ologiAing to Hu"son$ 8 refuse", as you can imagine, an" aske" my father ho! he
coul" allo! such a !retch to take such liberties !ith himself an" his househol"$
C'CAh, my boy,C sai" he, Cit is all #ery !ell to talk, but you "on't kno! ho! 8 am &lace"$ ut you
shall kno!, Bictor$ 8'll see that you shall kno!, come !hat may$ %ou !oul"n't belie#e harm of your
&oor ol" father, !oul" you, la"FC He !as #ery much mo#e", an" shut himself u& in the stu"y all
"ay, !here 8 coul" see through the !in"o! that he !as !riting busily$
C'That e#ening there came !hat seeme" to me to be a gran" release, for Hu"son tol" us that he !as
going to lea#e us$ He !alke" into the "ining'room as !e sat after "inner, an" announce" his
intention in the thick #oice of a half'"runken man$
C'C8'#e ha" enough of >orfolk,C sai" he$ C8'll run "o!n to Mr$ e""oes in Ham&shire$ He'll be as
gla" to see me as you !ere, 8 "are say$C
C'C%ou're not going a!ay in an unkin" s&irit, Hu"son, 8 ho&e,C sai" my father, !ith a tameness
!hich ma"e my bloo" boil$
C'C8'#e not ha" my '&ology,C sai" he sulkily, glancing in my "irection$
C'CBictor, you !ill ackno!le"ge that you ha#e use" this !orthy fello! rather roughly,C sai" the "a",
turning to me$
C'C9n the contrary, 8 think that !e ha#e both sho!n eHtraor"inary &atience to!ar"s him,C 8
ans!ere"$
C'C9h, you "o, "o youFC he snarls$ CBery goo", mate$ @e'll see about thatEC
C'He slouche" out of the room, an" half an hour after!ar"s left the house, lea#ing my father in a
state of &itiable ner#ousness$ >ight after night 8 hear" him &acing his room, an" it !as just as he
!as reco#ering his confi"ence that the blo! "i" at last fall$'
C'An" ho!F' 8 aske" eagerly$
C'8n a most eHtraor"inary fashion$ A letter arri#e" for my father yester"ay e#ening, bearing the
<or"ingbri"ge &ost'mark$ My father rea" it, cla&&e" both his han"s to his hea", an" began running
roun" the room in little circles like a man !ho has been "ri#en out of his senses$ @hen 8 at last
"re! him "o!n on to the sofa, his mouth an" eyeli"s !ere all &uckere" on one si"e, an" 8 sa! that
he ha" a stroke$ Dr$ <or"ham came o#er at once$ @e &ut him to be"G but the &aralysis has s&rea", he
has sho!n no sign of returning consciousness, an" 8 think that !e shall har"ly fin" him ali#e$'
C'%ou horrify me, Tre#orE' 8 crie"$ '@hat then coul" ha#e been in this letter to cause so "rea"ful a
resultF'
C'>othing$ There lies the ineH&licable &art of it$ The message !as absur" an" tri#ial$ Ah, my Go", it
is as 8 feare"E'
CAs he s&oke !e came roun" the cur#e of the a#enue, an" sa! in the fa"ing light that e#ery blin" in
the house ha" been "ra!n "o!n$ As !e "ashe" u& to the "oor, my frien"'s face con#ulse" !ith
grief, a gentleman in black emerge" from it$
C'@hen "i" it ha&&en, "octorF' aske" Tre#or$
C'Almost imme"iately after you left$'
C'Di" he reco#er consciousnessF'
C'<or an instant before the en"$'
C'Any message for me$'
C'9nly that the &a&ers !ere in the back "ra!er of the =a&anese cabinet$'
CMy frien" ascen"e" !ith the "octor to the chamber of "eath, !hile 8 remaine" in the stu"y, turning
the !hole matter o#er an" o#er in my hea", an" feeling as sombre as e#er 8 ha" "one in my life$
@hat !as the &ast of this Tre#or, &ugilist, tra#eler, an" gol"'"igger, an" ho! ha" he &lace" himself
in the &o!er of this aci"'face" seamanF @hy, too, shoul" he faint at an allusion to the half'efface"
initials u&on his arm, an" "ie of fright !hen he ha" a letter from <or"inghamF Then 8 remembere"
that <or"ingham !as in Ham&shire, an" that this Mr$ e""oes, !hom the seaman ha" gone to #isit
an" &resumably to blackmail, ha" also been mentione" as li#ing in Ham&shire$ The letter, then,
might either come from Hu"son, the seaman, saying that he ha" betraye" the guilty secret !hich
a&&eare" to eHist, or it might come from e""oes, !arning an ol" confe"erate that such a betrayal
!as imminent$ So far it seeme" clear enough$ ut then ho! coul" this letter be tri#ial an"
grotesIue, as "escribe" by the sonF He must ha#e misrea" it$ 8f so, it must ha#e been one of those
ingenious secret co"es !hich mean one thing !hile they seem to mean another$ 8 must see this
letter$ 8f there !ere a hi""en meaning in it, 8 !as confi"ent that 8 coul" &luck it forth$ <or an hour 8
sat &on"ering o#er it in the gloom, until at last a !ee&ing mai" brought in a lam&, an" close at her
heels came my frien" Tre#or, &ale but com&ose", !ith these #ery &a&ers !hich lie u&on my knee
hel" in his gras&$ He sat "o!n o&&osite to me, "re! the lam& to the e"ge of the table, an" han"e"
me a short note scribble", as you see, u&on a single sheet of gray &a&er$ 'The su&&ly of game for
(on"on is going stea"ily u&,' it ran$ 'Hea"'kee&er Hu"son, !e belie#e, has been no! tol" to recei#e
all or"ers for fly'&a&er an" for &reser#ation of your hen'&heasant's life$'
C8 "are say my face looke" as be!il"ere" as yours "i" just no! !hen first 8 rea" this message$ Then
8 rerea" it #ery carefully$ 8t !as e#i"ently as 8 ha" thought, an" some secret meaning must lie burie"
in this strange combination of !or"s$ 9r coul" it be that there !as a &rearrange" significance to
such &hrases as 'fly'&a&er' an" 'hen'&heasant'F Such a meaning !oul" be arbitrary an" coul" not be
"e"uce" in any !ay$ An" yet 8 !as loath to belie#e that this !as the case, an" the &resence of the
!or" Hu"son seeme" to sho! that the subject of the message !as as 8 ha" guesse", an" that it !as
from e""oes rather than the sailor$ 8 trie" it back!ar"s, but the combination 'life &heasant's hen'
!as not encouraging$ Then 8 trie" alternate !or"s, but neither 'the of for' nor 'su&&ly game (on"on'
&romise" to thro! any light u&on it$
CAn" then in an instant the key of the ri""le !as in my han"s, an" 8 sa! that e#ery thir" !or",
beginning !ith the first, !oul" gi#e a message !hich might !ell "ri#e ol" Tre#or to "es&air$
C8t !as short an" terse, the !arning, as 8 no! rea" it to my com&anion)
C'The game is u&$ Hu"son has tol" all$ <ly for your life$'
CBictor Tre#or sank his face into his shaking han"s$ '8t must be that, 8 su&&ose,' sai" he$ CThis is
!orse than "eath, for it means "isgrace as !ell$ ut !hat is the meaning of these Chea"'kee&ersC
an" Chen'&heasantsCF'
C'8t means nothing to the message, but it might mean a goo" "eal to us if !e ha" no other means of
"isco#ering the sen"er$ %ou see that he has begun by !riting CThe$$$game$$$is,C an" so on$
After!ar"s he ha", to fulfill the &rearrange" ci&her, to fill in any t!o !or"s in each s&ace$ He
!oul" naturally use the first !or"s !hich came to his min", an" if there !ere so many !hich
referre" to s&ort among them, you may be tolerably sure that he is either an ar"ent shot or intereste"
in bree"ing$ Do you kno! anything of this e""oesF'
C'@hy, no! that you mention it,' sai" he, '8 remember that my &oor father use" to ha#e an in#itation
from him to shoot o#er his &reser#es e#ery autumn$'
C'Then it is un"oubte"ly from him that the note comes,' sai" 8$ '8t only remains for us to fin" out
!hat this secret !as !hich the sailor Hu"son seems to ha#e hel" o#er the hea"s of these t!o
!ealthy an" res&ecte" men$'
C'Alas, Holmes, 8 fear that it is one of sin an" shameE' crie" my frien"$ 'ut from you 8 shall ha#e no
secrets$ Here is the statement !hich !as "ra!n u& by my father !hen he kne! that the "anger from
Hu"son ha" become imminent$ 8 foun" it in the =a&anese cabinet, as he tol" the "octor$ Take it an"
rea" it to me, for 8 ha#e neither the strength nor the courage to "o it myself$'
CThese are the #ery &a&ers, @atson, !hich he han"e" to me, an" 8 !ill rea" them to you, as 8 rea"
them in the ol" stu"y that night to him$ They are en"orse" outsi"e, as you see, 'Some &articulars of
the #oyage of the bark Gloria Scott, from her lea#ing <almouth on the 1th 9ctober, +1::, to her
"estruction in >$ (at$ +: "egrees 67', @$ (ong$ 6: "egrees +3' on >o#$ Oth$' 8t is in the form of a
letter, an" runs in this !ay)
C'My "ear, "ear son, no! that a&&roaching "isgrace begins to "arken the closing years of my life, 8
can !rite !ith all truth an" honesty that it is not the terror of the la!, it is not the loss of my &osition
in the county, nor is it my fall in the eyes of all !ho ha#e kno!n me, !hich cuts me to the heartG but
it is the thought that you shoul" come to blush for meJyou !ho lo#e me an" !ho ha#e sel"om, 8
ho&e, ha" reason to "o other than res&ect me$ ut if the blo! falls !hich is fore#er hanging o#er
me, then 8 shoul" !ish you to rea" this, that you may kno! straight from me ho! far 8 ha#e been to
blame$ 9n the other han", if all shoul" go !ell M!hich may kin" Go" Almighty grantEN, then if by
any chance this &a&er shoul" be still un"estroye" an" shoul" fall into your han"s, 8 conjure you, by
all you hol" sacre", by the memory of your "ear mother, an" by the lo#e !hich ha" been bet!een
us, to hurl it into the fire an" to ne#er gi#e one thought to it again$
C'8f then your eye goes on to rea" this line, 8 kno! that 8 shall alrea"y ha#e been eH&ose" an"
"ragge" from my home, or as is more likely, for you kno! that my heart is !eak, by lying !ith my
tongue seale" fore#er in "eath$ 8n either case the time for su&&ression is &ast, an" e#ery !or" !hich
8 tell you is the nake" truth, an" this 8 s!ear as 8 ho&e for mercy$
C'My name, "ear la", is not Tre#or$ 8 !as =ames Armitage in my younger "ays, an" you can
un"erstan" no! the shock that it !as to me a fe! !eeks ago !hen your college frien" a""resse" me
in !or"s !hich seeme" to im&ly that he ha" sur&rise" my secret$ As Armitage it !as that 8 entere" a
(on"on banking'house, an" as Armitage 8 !as con#icte" of breaking my country's la!s, an" !as
sentence" to trans&ortation$ Do not think #ery harshly of me, la""ie$ 8t !as a "ebt of honor, so
calle", !hich 8 ha" to &ay, an" 8 use" money !hich !as not my o!n to "o it, in the certainty that 8
coul" re&lace it before there coul" be any &ossibility of its being misse"$ ut the most "rea"ful ill'
luck &ursue" me$ The money !hich 8 ha" reckone" u&on ne#er came to han", an" a &remature
eHamination of accounts eH&ose" my "eficit$ The case might ha#e been "ealt leniently !ith, but the
la!s !ere more harshly a"ministere" thirty years ago than no!, an" on my t!enty'thir" birth"ay 8
foun" myself chaine" as a felon !ith thirty'se#en other con#icts in 't!een'"ecks of the bark Gloria
Scott, boun" for Australia$
C'8t !as the year ':: !hen the Crimean !ar !as at its height, an" the ol" con#ict shi&s ha" been
largely use" as trans&orts in the lack Sea$ The go#ernment !as com&elle", therefore, to use
smaller an" less suitable #essels for sen"ing out their &risoners$ The Gloria Scott ha" been in the
Chinese tea'tra"e, but she !as an ol"'fashione", hea#y'bo!e", broa"'beame" craft, an" the ne!
cli&&ers ha" cut her out$ She !as a fi#e'hun"re"'ton boatG an" besi"es her thirty'eight jail'bir"s, she
carrie" t!enty'siH of a cre!, eighteen sol"iers, a ca&tain, three mates, a "octor, a cha&lain, an" four
!ar"ers$ >early a hun"re" souls !ere in her, all tol", !hen !e set sail from <almouth$
C'The &artitions bet!een the cells of the con#icts, instea" of being of thick oak, as is usual in
con#ict'shi&s, !ere Iuite thin an" frail$ The man neHt to me, u&on the aft si"e, !as one !hom 8 ha"
&articularly notice" !hen !e !ere le" "o!n the Iuay$ He !as a young man !ith a clear, hairless
face, a long, thin nose, an" rather nut'cracker ja!s$ He carrie" his hea" #ery jauntily in the air, ha"
a s!aggering style of !alking, an" !as, abo#e all else, remarkable for his eHtraor"inary height$ 8
"on't think any of our hea"s !oul" ha#e come u& to his shoul"er, an" 8 am sure that he coul" not
ha#e measure" less than siH an" a half feet$ 8t !as strange among so many sa" an" !eary faces to
see one !hich !as full of energy an" resolution$ The sight of it !as to me like a fire in a sno!'
storm$ 8 !as gla", then, to fin" that he !as my neighbor, an" gla""er still !hen, in the "ea" of the
night, 8 hear" a !his&er close to my ear, an" foun" that he ha" manage" to cut an o&ening in the
boar" !hich se&arate" us$
C'CHullo, chummyEC sai" he, C!hat's your name, an" !hat are you here forFC
C'8 ans!ere" him, an" aske" in turn !ho 8 !as talking !ith$
C'C8'm =ack Pren"ergast,C sai" he, Can" by Go"E %ou'll learn to bless my name before you'#e "one
!ith me$C
C'8 remembere" hearing of his case, for it !as one !hich ha" ma"e an immense sensation
throughout the country some time before my o!n arrest$ He !as a man of goo" family an" of great
ability, but of incurably #icious habits, !ho ha" by an ingenious system of frau" obtaine" huge
sums of money from the lea"ing (on"on merchants$
C'CHa, haE %ou remember my caseEC sai" he &rou"ly$
C'CBery !ell, in"ee"$C
C'CThen maybe you remember something Iueer about itFC
C'C@hat !as that, thenFC
C'C8'" ha" nearly a Iuarter of a million, ha"n't 8FC
C'CSo it !as sai"$C
C'Cut none !as reco#ere", ehFC
C'C>o$C
C'C@ell, !here "'ye su&&ose the balance isFC he aske"$
C'C8 ha#e no i"ea,C sai" 8$
C'C*ight bet!een my finger an" thumb,C he crie"$ Cy Go"E 8'#e got more &oun"s to my name than
you'#e hairs on your hea"$ An" if you'#e money, my son, an" kno! ho! to han"le it an" s&rea" it,
you can "o anything$ >o!, you "on't think it likely that a man !ho coul" "o anything is going to
!ear his breeches out sitting in the stinking hol" of a rat'gutte", beetle'ri""en, moul"y ol" coffin of
a China coaster$ >o, sir, such a man !ill look after himself an" !ill look after his chums$ %ou may
lay to thatE %ou hol" on to him, an" you may kiss the book that he'll haul you through$C
C'That !as his style of talk, an" at first 8 thought it meant nothingG but after a !hile, !hen he ha"
teste" me an" s!orn me in !ith all &ossible solemnity, he let me un"erstan" that there really !as a
&lot to gain comman" of the #essel$ A "oAen of the &risoners ha" hatche" it before they came
aboar", Pren"ergast !as the lea"er, an" his money !as the moti#e &o!er$
C'C8'" a &artner,C sai" he, Ca rare goo" man, as true as a stock to a barrel$ He's got the "ibbs, he has,
an" !here "o you think he is at this momentF @hy, he's the cha&lain of this shi&Jthe cha&lain, no
lessE He came aboar" !ith a black coat, an" his &a&ers right, an" money enough in his boH to buy
the thing right u& from keel to main'truck$ The cre! are his, bo"y an" soul$ He coul" buy 'em at so
much a gross !ith a cash "iscount, an" he "i" it before e#er they signe" on$ He's got t!o of the
!ar"ers an" Mereer, the secon" mate, an" he'" get the ca&tain himself, if he thought him !orth it$C
C'C@hat are !e to "o, thenFC 8 aske"$
C'C@hat "o you thinkFC sai" he$ C@e'll make the coats of some of these sol"iers re""er than e#er the
tailor "i"$C
C'Cut they are arme",C sai" 8$
C'CAn" so shall !e be, my boy$ There's a brace of &istols for e#ery mother's son of us, an" if !e
can't carry this shi&, !ith the cre! at our back, it's time !e !ere all sent to a young misses'
boar"ing'school$ %ou s&eak to your mate u&on the left to'night, an" see if he is to be truste"$C
C'8 "i" so, an" foun" my other neighbor to be a young fello! in much the same &osition as myself,
!hose crime ha" been forgery$ His name !as /#ans, but he after!ar"s change" it, like myself, an"
he is no! a rich an" &ros&erous man in the south of /nglan"$ He !as rea"y enough to join the
cons&iracy, as the only means of sa#ing oursel#es, an" before !e ha" crosse" the ay there !ere
only t!o of the &risoners !ho !ere not in the secret$ 9ne of these !as of !eak min", an" !e "i"
not "are to trust him, an" the other !as suffering from jaun"ice, an" coul" not be of any use to us$
C'<rom the beginning there !as really nothing to &re#ent us from taking &ossession of the shi&$ The
cre! !ere a set of ruffians, s&ecially &icke" for the job$ The sham cha&lain came into our cells to
eHhort us, carrying a black bag, su&&ose" to be full of tracts, an" so often "i" he come that by the
thir" "ay !e ha" each sto!e" a!ay at the foot of our be"s a file, a brace of &istols, a &oun" of
&o!"er, an" t!enty slugs$ T!o of the !ar"ers !ere agents of Pren"ergast, an" the secon" mate !as
his right'han" man$ The ca&tain, the t!o mates, t!o !ar"ers, (ieutenant Martin, his eighteen
sol"iers, an" the "octor !ere all that !e ha" against us$ %et, safe as it !as, !e "etermine" to neglect
no &recaution, an" to make our attack su""enly by night$ 8t came, ho!e#er, more Iuickly than !e
eH&ecte", an" in this !ay$
C'9ne e#ening, about the thir" !eek after our start, the "octor ha" come "o!n to see one of the
&risoners !ho !as ill, an" &utting his han" "o!n on the bottom of his bunk he felt the outline of the
&istols$ 8f he ha" been silent he might ha#e blo!n the !hole thing, but he !as a ner#ous little cha&,
so he ga#e a cry of sur&rise an" turne" so &ale that the man kne! !hat !as u& in an instant an"
seiAe" him$ He !as gagge" before he coul" gi#e the alarm, an" tie" "o!n u&on the be"$ He ha"
unlocke" the "oor that le" to the "eck, an" !e !ere through it in a rush$ The t!o sentries !ere shot
"o!n, an" so !as a cor&oral !ho came running to see !hat !as the matter$ There !ere t!o more
sol"iers at the "oor of the state'room, an" their muskets seeme" not to be loa"e", for they ne#er
fire" u&on us, an" they !ere shot !hile trying to fiH their bayonets$ Then !e rushe" on into the
ca&tain's cabin, but as !e &ushe" o&en the "oor there !as an eH&losion from !ithin, an" there he
lay !ith his brains smeare" o#er the chart of the Atlantic !hich !as &inne" u&on the table, !hile
the cha&lain stoo" !ith a smoking &istol in his han" at his elbo!$ The t!o mates ha" both been
seiAe" by the cre!, an" the !hole business seeme" to be settle"$
C'The state'room !as neHt the cabin, an" !e flocke" in there an" flo&&e" "o!n on the settees, all
s&eaking together, for !e !ere just ma" !ith the feeling that !e !ere free once more$ There !ere
lockers all roun", an" @ilson, the sham cha&lain, knocke" one of them in, an" &ulle" out a "oAen of
bro!n sherry$ @e cracke" off the necks of the bottles, &oure" the stuff out into tumblers, an" !ere
just tossing them off, !hen in an instant !ithout !arning there came the roar of muskets in our ears,
an" the saloon !as so full of smoke that !e coul" not see across the table$ @hen it cleare" again the
&lace !as a shambles$ @ilson an" eight others !ere !riggling on the to& of each other on the floor,
an" the bloo" an" the bro!n sherry on that table turn me sick no! !hen 8 think of it$ @e !ere so
co!e" by the sight that 8 think !e shoul" ha#e gi#en the job u& if it ha" not been for Pren"ergast$
He bello!e" like a bull an" rushe" for the "oor !ith all that !ere left ali#e at his heels$ 9ut !e ran,
an" there on the &oo& !ere the lieutenant an" ten of his men$ The s!ing skylights abo#e the saloon
table ha" been a bit o&en, an" they ha" fire" on us through the slit$ @e got on them before they
coul" loa", an" they stoo" to it like menG but !e ha" the u&&er han" of them, an" in fi#e minutes it
!as all o#er$ My Go"E @as there e#er a slaughter'house like that shi&E Pren"ergast !as like a raging
"e#il, an" he &icke" the sol"iers u& as if they ha" been chil"ren an" thre! them o#erboar" ali#e or
"ea"$ There !as one sergeant that !as horribly !oun"e" an" yet ke&t on s!imming for a sur&rising
time, until some one in mercy ble! out his brains$ @hen the fighting !as o#er there !as no one left
of our enemies eHce&t just the !ar"ers, the mates, an" the "octor$
C'8t !as o#er them that the great Iuarrel arose$ There !ere many of us !ho !ere gla" enough to !in
back our free"om, an" yet !ho ha" no !ish to ha#e mur"er on our souls$ 8t !as one thing to knock
the sol"iers o#er !ith their muskets in their han"s, an" it !as another to stan" by !hile men !ere
being kille" in col" bloo"$ /ight of us, fi#e con#icts an" three sailors, sai" that !e !oul" not see it
"one$ ut there !as no mo#ing Pren"ergast an" those !ho !ere !ith him$ 9ur only chance of
safety lay in making a clean job of it, sai" he, an" he !oul" not lea#e a tongue !ith &o!er to !ag in
a !itness'boH$ 8t nearly came to our sharing the fate of the &risoners, but at last he sai" that if !e
!ishe" !e might take a boat an" go$ @e jum&e" at the offer, for !e !ere alrea"y sick of these
bloo"thirsty "oings, an" !e sa! that there !oul" be !orse before it !as "one$ @e !ere gi#en a suit
of sailor togs each, a barrel of !ater, t!o casks, one of junk an" one of biscuits, an" a com&ass$
Pren"ergast thre! us o#er a chart, tol" us that !e !ere shi&!recke" mariners !hose shi& ha"
foun"ere" in (at$ +: "egrees an" (ong 6: "egrees !est, an" then cut the &ainter an" let us go$
C'An" no! 8 come to the most sur&rising &art of my story, my "ear son$ The seamen ha" haule" the
fore'yar" aback "uring the rising, but no! as !e left them they brought it sIuare again, an" as there
!as a light !in" from the north an" east the bark began to "ra! slo!ly a!ay from us$ 9ur boat lay,
rising an" falling, u&on the long, smooth rollers, an" /#ans an" 8, !ho !ere the most e"ucate" of
the &arty, !ere sitting in the sheets !orking out our &osition an" &lanning !hat coast !e shoul"
make for$ 8t !as a nice Iuestion, for the Ca&e "e Ber"es !ere about fi#e hun"re" miles to the north
of us, an" the African coast about se#en hun"re" to the east$ 9n the !hole, as the !in" !as coming
roun" to the north, !e thought that Sierra (eone might be best, an" turne" our hea" in that
"irection, the bark being at that time nearly hull "o!n on our starboar" Iuarter$ Su""enly as !e
looke" at her !e sa! a "ense black clou" of smoke shoot u& from her, !hich hung like a monstrous
tree u&on the sky line$ A fe! secon"s later a roar like thun"er burst u&on our ears, an" as the smoke
thinne" a!ay there !as no sign left of the Gloria Scott$ 8n an instant !e s!e&t the boat's hea" roun"
again an" &ulle" !ith all our strength for the &lace !here the haAe still trailing o#er the !ater
marke" the scene of this catastro&he$
C'8t !as a long hour before !e reache" it, an" at first !e feare" that !e ha" come too late to sa#e
any one$ A s&lintere" boat an" a number of crates an" fragments of s&ars rising an" falling on the
!a#es sho!e" us !here the #essel ha" foun"ere"G but there !as no sign of life, an" !e ha" turne"
a!ay in "es&air !hen !e hear" a cry for hel&, an" sa! at some "istance a &iece of !reckage !ith a
man lying stretche" across it$ @hen !e &ulle" him aboar" the boat he &ro#e" to be a young seaman
of the name of Hu"son, !ho !as so burne" an" eHhauste" that he coul" gi#e us no account of !hat
ha" ha&&ene" until the follo!ing morning$
C'8t seeme" that after !e ha" left, Pren"ergast an" his gang ha" &rocee"e" to &ut to "eath the fi#e
remaining &risoners$ The t!o !ar"ers ha" been shot an" thro!n o#erboar", an" so also ha" the
thir" mate$ Pren"ergast then "escen"e" into the 't!een'"ecks an" !ith his o!n han"s cut the throat
of the unfortunate surgeon$ There only remaine" the first mate, !ho !as a bol" an" acti#e man$
@hen he sa! the con#ict a&&roaching him !ith the bloo"y knife in his han" he kicke" off his
bon"s, !hich he ha" someho! contri#e" to loosen, an" rushing "o!n the "eck he &lunge" into the
after'hol"$ A "oAen con#icts, !ho "escen"e" !ith their &istols in search of him, foun" him !ith a
match'boH in his han" seate" besi"e an o&en &o!"er'barrel, !hich !as one of a hun"re" carrie" on
boar", an" s!earing that he !oul" blo! all han"s u& if he !ere in any !ay moleste"$ An instant
later the eH&losion occurre", though Hu"son thought it !as cause" by the mis"irecte" bullet of one
of the con#icts rather than the mate's match$ e the cause !hat it may, it !as the en" of the Gloria
Scott an" of the rabble !ho hel" comman" of her$
C'Such, in a fe! !or"s, my "ear boy, is the history of this terrible business in !hich 8 !as in#ol#e"$
>eHt "ay !e !ere &icke" u& by the brig Hots&ur, boun" for Australia, !hose ca&tain foun" no
"ifficulty in belie#ing that !e !ere the sur#i#ors of a &assenger shi& !hich ha" foun"ere"$ The
trans&ort shi& Gloria Scott !as set "o!n by the A"miralty as being lost at sea, an" no !or" has e#er
leake" out as to her true fate$ After an eHcellent #oyage the Hots&ur lan"e" us at Sy"ney, !here
/#ans an" 8 change" our names an" ma"e our !ay to the "iggings, !here, among the cro!"s !ho
!ere gathere" from all nations, !e ha" no "ifficulty in losing our former i"entities$ The rest 8 nee"
not relate$ @e &ros&ere", !e tra#ele", !e came back as rich colonials to /nglan", an" !e bought
country estates$ <or more than t!enty years !e ha#e le" &eaceful an" useful li#es, an" !e ho&e"
that our &ast !as fore#er burie"$ 8magine, then, my feelings !hen in the seaman !ho came to us 8
recogniAe" instantly the man !ho ha" been &icke" off the !reck$ He ha" tracke" us "o!n
someho!, an" ha" set himself to li#e u&on our fears$ %ou !ill un"erstan" no! ho! it !as that 8
stro#e to kee& the &eace !ith him, an" you !ill in some measure sym&athiAe !ith me in the fears
!hich fill me, no! that he has gone from me to his other #ictim !ith threats u&on his tongue$'
C5n"erneath is !ritten in a han" so shaky as to be har"ly legible, 'e""oes !rites in ci&her to say
H$ has tol" all$ S!eet (or", ha#e mercy on our soulsE'
CThat !as the narrati#e !hich 8 rea" that night to young Tre#or, an" 8 think, @atson, that un"er the
circumstances it !as a "ramatic one$ The goo" fello! !as heart'broken at it, an" !ent out to the
Terai tea &lanting, !here 8 hear that he is "oing !ell$ As to the sailor an" e""oes, neither of them
!as e#er hear" of again after that "ay on !hich the letter of !arning !as !ritten$ They both
"isa&&eare" utterly an" com&letely$ >o com&laint ha" been lo"ge" !ith the &olice, so that e""oes
ha" mistaken a threat for a "ee"$ Hu"son ha" been seen lurking about, an" it !as belie#e" by the
&olice that he ha" "one a!ay !ith e""oes an" ha" fle"$ <or myself 8 belie#e that the truth !as
eHactly the o&&osite$ 8 think that it is most &robable that e""oes, &ushe" to "es&eration an"
belie#ing himself to ha#e been alrea"y betraye", ha" re#enge" himself u&on Hu"son, an" ha" fle"
from the country !ith as much money as he coul" lay his han"s on$ Those are the facts of the case,
Doctor, an" if they are of any use to your collection, 8 am sure that they are #ery heartily at your
ser#ice$C
A"#enture B$ The Musgra#e *itual
An anomaly !hich often struck me in the character of my frien" Sherlock Holmes !as that,
although in his metho"s of thought he !as the neatest an" most metho"ical of mankin", an"
although also he affecte" a certain Iuiet &rimness of "ress, he !as none the less in his &ersonal
habits one of the most unti"y men that e#er "ro#e a fello!'lo"ger to "istraction$ >ot that 8 am in the
least con#entional in that res&ect myself$ The rough'an"'tumble !ork in Afghanistan, coming on
the to& of a natural ohemianism of "is&osition, has ma"e me rather more laH than befits a me"ical
man$ ut !ith me there is a limit, an" !hen 8 fin" a man !ho kee&s his cigars in the coal'scuttle,
his tobacco in the toe en" of a Persian sli&&er, an" his unans!ere" corres&on"ence transfiHe" by a
jack'knife into the #ery centre of his !oo"en mantel&iece, then 8 begin to gi#e myself #irtuous airs$
8 ha#e al!ays hel", too, that &istol &ractice shoul" be "istinctly an o&en'air &astimeG an" !hen
Holmes, in one of his Iueer humors, !oul" sit in an arm'chair !ith his hair'trigger an" a hun"re"
oHer cartri"ges, an" &rocee" to a"orn the o&&osite !all !ith a &atriotic B$ *$ "one in bullet'&ocks,
8 felt strongly that neither the atmos&here nor the a&&earance of our room !as im&ro#e" by it$
9ur chambers !ere al!ays full of chemicals an" of criminal relics !hich ha" a !ay of !an"ering
into unlikely &ositions, an" of turning u& in the butter'"ish or in e#en less "esirable &laces$ ut his
&a&ers !ere my great cruH$ He ha" a horror of "estroying "ocuments, es&ecially those !hich !ere
connecte" !ith his &ast cases, an" yet it !as only once in e#ery year or t!o that he !oul" muster
energy to "ocket an" arrange themG for, as 8 ha#e mentione" some!here in these incoherent
memoirs, the outbursts of &assionate energy !hen he &erforme" the remarkable feats !ith !hich his
name is associate" !ere follo!e" by reactions of lethargy "uring !hich he !oul" lie about !ith his
#iolin an" his books, har"ly mo#ing sa#e from the sofa to the table$ Thus month after month his
&a&ers accumulate", until e#ery corner of the room !as stacke" !ith bun"les of manuscri&t !hich
!ere on no account to be burne", an" !hich coul" not be &ut a!ay sa#e by their o!ner$ 9ne
!inter's night, as !e sat together by the fire, 8 #enture" to suggest to him that, as he ha" finishe"
&asting eHtracts into his common'&lace book, he might em&loy the neHt t!o hours in making our
room a little more habitable$ He coul" not "eny the justice of my reIuest, so !ith a rather rueful
face he !ent off to his be"room, from !hich he returne" &resently &ulling a large tin boH behin"
him$ This he &lace" in the mi""le of the floor an", sIuatting "o!n u&on a stool in front of it, he
thre! back the li"$ 8 coul" see that it !as alrea"y a thir" full of bun"les of &a&er tie" u& !ith re"
ta&e into se&arate &ackages$
CThere are cases enough here, @atson,C sai" he, looking at me !ith mischie#ous eyes$ C8 think that
if you kne! all that 8 ha" in this boH you !oul" ask me to &ull some out instea" of &utting others
in$C
CThese are the recor"s of your early !ork, thenFC 8 aske"$ C8 ha#e often !ishe" that 8 ha" notes of
those cases$C
C%es, my boy, these !ere all "one &rematurely before my biogra&her ha" come to glorify me$C He
lifte" bun"le after bun"le in a ten"er, caressing sort of !ay$ CThey are not all successes, @atson,C
sai" he$ Cut there are some &retty little &roblems among them$ Here's the recor" of the Tarleton
mur"ers, an" the case of Bamberry, the !ine merchant, an" the a"#enture of the ol" *ussian
!oman, an" the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as !ell as a full account of *icoletti of the
club'foot, an" his abominable !ife$ An" hereJah, no!, this really is something a little recherchP$C
He "i#e" his arm "o!n to the bottom of the chest, an" brought u& a small !oo"en boH !ith a
sli"ing li", such as chil"ren's toys are ke&t in$ <rom !ithin he &ro"uce" a crum&le" &iece of &a&er,
an ol"'fashione" brass key, a &eg of !oo" !ith a ball of string attache" to it, an" three rusty ol"
"isks of metal$
C@ell, my boy, !hat "o you make of this lotFC he aske", smiling at my eH&ression$
C8t is a curious collection$C
CBery curious, an" the story that hangs roun" it !ill strike you as being more curious still$C
CThese relics ha#e a history thenFC
CSo much so that they are history$C
C@hat "o you mean by thatFC
Sherlock Holmes &icke" them u& one by one, an" lai" them along the e"ge of the table$ Then he
reseate" himself in his chair an" looke" them o#er !ith a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes$
CThese,C sai" he, Care all that 8 ha#e left to remin" me of the a"#enture of the Musgra#e *itual$C
8 ha" hear" him mention the case more than once, though 8 ha" ne#er been able to gather the "etails$
C8 shoul" be so gla",C sai" 8, Cif you !oul" gi#e me an account of it$C
CAn" lea#e the litter as it isFC he crie", mischie#ously$ C%our ti"iness !on't bear much strain after
all, @atson$ ut 8 shoul" be gla" that you shoul" a"" this case to your annals, for there are &oints in
it !hich make it Iuite uniIue in the criminal recor"s of this or, 8 belie#e, of any other country$ A
collection of my trifling achie#ements !oul" certainly be incom&lete !hich containe" no account
of this #ery singular business$
C%ou may remember ho! the affair of the Gloria Scott, an" my con#ersation !ith the unha&&y man
!hose fate 8 tol" you of, first turne" my attention in the "irection of the &rofession !hich has
become my life's !ork$ %ou see me no! !hen my name has become kno!n far an" !i"e, an" !hen
8 am generally recogniAe" both by the &ublic an" by the official force as being a final court of
a&&eal in "oubtful cases$ /#en !hen you kne! me first, at the time of the affair !hich you ha#e
commemorate" in 'A Stu"y in Scarlet,' 8 ha" alrea"y establishe" a consi"erable, though not a #ery
lucrati#e, connection$ %ou can har"ly realiAe, then, ho! "ifficult 8 foun" it at first, an" ho! long 8
ha" to !ait before 8 succee"e" in making any hea"!ay$
C@hen 8 first came u& to (on"on 8 ha" rooms in Montague Street, just roun" the corner from the
ritish Museum, an" there 8 !aite", filling in my too abun"ant leisure time by stu"ying all those
branches of science !hich might make me more efficient$ >o! an" again cases came in my !ay,
&rinci&ally through the intro"uction of ol" fello!'stu"ents, for "uring my last years at the
5ni#ersity there !as a goo" "eal of talk there about myself an" my metho"s$ The thir" of these
cases !as that of the Musgra#e *itual, an" it is to the interest !hich !as arouse" by that singular
chain of e#ents, an" the large issues !hich &ro#e" to be at stake, that 8 trace my first stri"e to!ar"s
the &osition !hich 8 no! hol"$
C*eginal" Musgra#e ha" been in the same college as myself, an" 8 ha" some slight acIuaintance
!ith him$ He !as not generally &o&ular among the un"ergra"uates, though it al!ays seeme" to me
that !hat !as set "o!n as &ri"e !as really an attem&t to co#er eHtreme natural "iffi"ence$ 8n
a&&earance he !as a man of eHcee"ingly aristocratic ty&e, thin, high'nose", an" large'eye", !ith
langui" an" yet courtly manners$ He !as in"ee" a scion of one of the #ery ol"est families in the
king"om, though his branch !as a ca"et one !hich ha" se&arate" from the northern Musgra#es
some time in the siHteenth century, an" ha" establishe" itself in !estern SusseH, !here the Manor
House of Hurlstone is &erha&s the ol"est inhabite" buil"ing in the county$ Something of his birth
&lace seeme" to cling to the man, an" 8 ne#er looke" at his &ale, keen face or the &oise of his hea"
!ithout associating him !ith gray arch!ays an" mullione" !in"o!s an" all the #enerable !reckage
of a feu"al kee&$ 9nce or t!ice !e "rifte" into talk, an" 8 can remember that more than once he
eH&resse" a keen interest in my metho"s of obser#ation an" inference$
C<or four years 8 ha" seen nothing of him until one morning he !alke" into my room in Montague
Street$ He ha" change" little, !as "resse" like a young man of fashionJhe !as al!ays a bit of a
"an"yJan" &reser#e" the same Iuiet, sua#e manner !hich ha" formerly "istinguishe" him$
C'Ho! has all gone !ith you Musgra#eF' 8 aske", after !e ha" cor"ially shaken han"s$
C'%ou &robably hear" of my &oor father's "eath,' sai" heG 'he !as carrie" off about t!o years ago$
Since then 8 ha#e of course ha" the Hurlstone estates to manage, an" as 8 am member for my "istrict
as !ell, my life has been a busy one$ ut 8 un"erstan", Holmes, that you are turning to &ractical
en"s those &o!ers !ith !hich you use" to amaAe usF'
C'%es,' sai" 8, '8 ha#e taken to li#ing by my !its$'
C'8 am "elighte" to hear it, for your a"#ice at &resent !oul" be eHcee"ingly #aluable to me$ @e ha#e
ha" some #ery strange "oings at Hurlstone, an" the &olice ha#e been able to thro! no light u&on the
matter$ 8t is really the most eHtraor"inary an" ineH&licable business$'
C%ou can imagine !ith !hat eagerness 8 listene" to him, @atson, for the #ery chance for !hich 8
ha" been &anting "uring all those months of inaction seeme" to ha#e come !ithin my reach$ 8n my
inmost heart 8 belie#e" that 8 coul" succee" !here others faile", an" no! 8 ha" the o&&ortunity to
test myself$
C'Pray, let me ha#e the "etails,' 8 crie"$
C*eginal" Musgra#e sat "o!n o&&osite to me, an" lit the cigarette !hich 8 ha" &ushe" to!ar"s him$
C'%ou must kno!,' sai" he, 'that though 8 am a bachelor, 8 ha#e to kee& u& a consi"erable staff of
ser#ants at Hurlstone, for it is a rambling ol" &lace, an" takes a goo" "eal of looking after$ 8
&reser#e, too, an" in the &heasant months 8 usually ha#e a house'&arty, so that it !oul" not "o to be
short'han"e"$ Altogether there are eight mai"s, the cook, the butler, t!o footmen, an" a boy$ The
gar"en an" the stables of course ha#e a se&arate staff$
C'9f these ser#ants the one !ho ha" been longest in our ser#ice !as runton the butler$ He !as a
young school'master out of &lace !hen he !as first taken u& by my father, but he !as a man of
great energy an" character, an" he soon became Iuite in#aluable in the househol"$ He !as a !ell'
gro!n, han"some man, !ith a s&len"i" forehea", an" though he has been !ith us for t!enty years
he cannot be more than forty no!$ @ith his &ersonal a"#antages an" his eHtraor"inary giftsJfor he
can s&eak se#eral languages an" &lay nearly e#ery musical instrumentJit is !on"erful that he
shoul" ha#e been satisfie" so long in such a &osition, but 8 su&&ose that he !as comfortable, an"
lacke" energy to make any change$ The butler of Hurlstone is al!ays a thing that is remembere" by
all !ho #isit us$
C'ut this &aragon has one fault$ He is a bit of a Don =uan, an" you can imagine that for a man like
him it is not a #ery "ifficult &art to &lay in a Iuiet country "istrict$ @hen he !as marrie" it !as all
right, but since he has been a !i"o!er !e ha#e ha" no en" of trouble !ith him$ A fe! months ago
!e !ere in ho&es that he !as about to settle "o!n again for he became engage" to *achel Ho!ells,
our secon" house'mai"G but he has thro!n her o#er since then an" taken u& !ith =anet Tregellis, the
"aughter of the hea" game'kee&er$ *achelJ!ho is a #ery goo" girl, but of an eHcitable @elsh
tem&eramentJha" a shar& touch of brain'fe#er, an" goes about the house no!Jor "i" until
yester"ayJlike a black'eye" sha"o! of her former self$ That !as our first "rama at HurlstoneG but
a secon" one came to "ri#e it from our min"s, an" it !as &reface" by the "isgrace an" "ismissal of
butler runton$
C'This !as ho! it came about$ 8 ha#e sai" that the man !as intelligent, an" this #ery intelligence has
cause" his ruin, for it seems to ha#e le" to an insatiable curiosity about things !hich "i" not in the
least concern him$ 8 ha" no i"ea of the lengths to !hich this !oul" carry him, until the merest
acci"ent o&ene" my eyes to it$
C'8 ha#e sai" that the house is a rambling one$ 9ne "ay last !eekJon Thurs"ay night, to be more
eHactJ8 foun" that 8 coul" not slee&, ha#ing foolishly taken a cu& of strong cafP noir after my
"inner$ After struggling against it until t!o in the morning, 8 felt that it !as Iuite ho&eless, so 8 rose
an" lit the can"le !ith the intention of continuing a no#el !hich 8 !as rea"ing$ The book, ho!e#er,
ha" been left in the billiar"'room, so 8 &ulle" on my "ressing'go!n an" starte" off to get it$
C'8n or"er to reach the billiar"'room 8 ha" to "escen" a flight of stairs an" then to cross the hea" of a
&assage !hich le" to the library an" the gun'room$ %ou can imagine my sur&rise !hen, as 8 looke"
"o!n this corri"or, 8 sa! a glimmer of light coming from the o&en "oor of the library$ 8 ha" myself
eHtinguishe" the lam& an" close" the "oor before coming to be"$ >aturally my first thought !as of
burglars$ The corri"ors at Hurlstone ha#e their !alls largely "ecorate" !ith tro&hies of ol" !ea&ons$
<rom one of these 8 &icke" a battle'aHe, an" then, lea#ing my can"le behin" me, 8 cre&t on ti&toe
"o!n the &assage an" &ee&e" in at the o&en "oor$
C'runton, the butler, !as in the library$ He !as sitting, fully "resse", in an easy'chair, !ith a sli& of
&a&er !hich looke" like a ma& u&on his knee, an" his forehea" sunk for!ar" u&on his han" in "ee&
thought$ 8 stoo" "umb !ith astonishment, !atching him from the "arkness$ A small ta&er on the
e"ge of the table she" a feeble light !hich suffice" to sho! me that he !as fully "resse"$ Su""enly,
as 8 looke", he rose from his chair, an" !alking o#er to a bureau at the si"e, he unlocke" it an" "re!
out one of the "ra!ers$ <rom this he took a &a&er, an" returning to his seat he flattene" it out besi"e
the ta&er on the e"ge of the table, an" began to stu"y it !ith minute attention$ My in"ignation at this
calm eHamination of our family "ocuments o#ercame me so far that 8 took a ste& for!ar", an"
runton, looking u&, sa! me stan"ing in the "oor!ay$ He s&rang to his feet, his face turne" li#i"
!ith fear, an" he thrust into his breast the chart'like &a&er !hich he ha" been originally stu"ying$
C'CSoEC sai" 8$ CThis is ho! you re&ay the trust !hich !e ha#e re&ose" in you$ %ou !ill lea#e my
ser#ice to'morro!$C
C'He bo!e" !ith the look of a man !ho is utterly crushe", an" slunk &ast me !ithout a !or"$ The
ta&er !as still on the table, an" by its light 8 glance" to see !hat the &a&er !as !hich runton ha"
taken from the bureau$ To my sur&rise it !as nothing of any im&ortance at all, but sim&ly a co&y of
the Iuestions an" ans!ers in the singular ol" obser#ance calle" the Musgra#e *itual$ 8t is a sort of
ceremony &eculiar to our family, !hich each Musgra#e for centuries &ast has gone through on his
coming of ageJa thing of &ri#ate interest, an" &erha&s of some little im&ortance to the
archaeologist, like our o!n blaAonings an" charges, but of no &ractical use !hate#er$'
C'@e ha" better come back to the &a&er after!ar"s,' sai" 8$
C'8f you think it really necessary,' he ans!ere", !ith some hesitation$ 'To continue my statement,
ho!e#er) 8 relocke" the bureau, using the key !hich runton ha" left, an" 8 ha" turne" to go !hen 8
!as sur&rise" to fin" that the butler ha" returne", an" !as stan"ing before me$
C'CMr$ Musgra#e, sir,C he crie", in a #oice !hich !as hoarse !ith emotion, C8 can't bear "isgrace, sir$
8'#e al!ays been &rou" abo#e my station in life, an" "isgrace !oul" kill me$ My bloo" !ill be on
your hea", sirJit !ill, in"ee"Jif you "ri#e me to "es&air$ 8f you cannot kee& me after !hat has
&asse", then for Go"'s sake let me gi#e you notice an" lea#e in a month, as if of my o!n free !ill$ 8
coul" stan" that, Mr$ Musgra#e, but not to be cast out before all the folk that 8 kno! so !ell$C
C'C%ou "on't "eser#e much consi"eration, runton,C 8 ans!ere"$ C%our con"uct has been most
infamous$ Ho!e#er, as you ha#e been a long time in the family, 8 ha#e no !ish to bring &ublic
"isgrace u&on you$ A month, ho!e#er is too long$ Take yourself a!ay in a !eek, an" gi#e !hat
reason you like for going$C
C'C9nly a !eek, sirFC he crie", in a "es&airing #oice$ CA fortnightJsay at least a fortnightEC
C'CA !eek,C 8 re&eate", Can" you may consi"er yourself to ha#e been #ery leniently "ealt !ith$C
C'He cre&t a!ay, his face sunk u&on his breast, like a broken man, !hile 8 &ut out the light an"
returne" to my room$
C'C<or t!o "ays after this runton !as most assi"uous in his attention to his "uties$ 8 ma"e no
allusion to !hat ha" &asse", an" !aite" !ith some curiosity to see ho! he !oul" co#er his
"isgrace$ 9n the thir" morning, ho!e#er he "i" not a&&ear, as !as his custom, after breakfast to
recei#e my instructions for the "ay$ As 8 left the "ining'room 8 ha&&ene" to meet *achel Ho!ells,
the mai"$ 8 ha#e tol" you that she ha" only recently reco#ere" from an illness, an" !as looking so
!retche"ly &ale an" !an that 8 remonstrate" !ith her for being at !ork$
C'C%ou shoul" be in be",C 8 sai"$ CCome back to your "uties !hen you are stronger$C
C'She looke" at me !ith so strange an eH&ression that 8 began to sus&ect that her brain !as affecte"$
C'C8 am strong enough, Mr$ Musgra#e,C sai" she$
C'C@e !ill see !hat the "octor says,C 8 ans!ere"$ C%ou must sto& !ork no!, an" !hen you go
"o!nstairs just say that 8 !ish to see runton$C
C'CThe butler is gone,C sai" she$
C'CGoneE Gone !hereFC
C'CHe is gone$ >o one has seen him$ He is not in his room$ 9h, yes, he is gone, he is goneEC She fell
back against the !all !ith shriek after shriek of laughter, !hile 8, horrifie" at this su""en hysterical
attack, rushe" to the bell to summon hel&$ The girl !as taken to her room, still screaming an"
sobbing, !hile 8 ma"e inIuiries about runton$ There !as no "oubt about it that he ha"
"isa&&eare"$ His be" ha" not been sle&t in, he ha" been seen by no one since he ha" retire" to his
room the night before, an" yet it !as "ifficult to see ho! he coul" ha#e left the house, as both
!in"o!s an" "oors !ere foun" to be fastene" in the morning$ His clothes, his !atch, an" e#en his
money !ere in his room, but the black suit !hich he usually !ore !as missing$ His sli&&ers, too,
!ere gone, but his boots !ere left behin"$ @here then coul" butler runton ha#e gone in the night,
an" !hat coul" ha#e become of him no!F
C'9f course !e searche" the house from cellar to garret, but there !as no trace of him$ 8t is, as 8
ha#e sai", a labyrinth of an ol" house, es&ecially the original !ing, !hich is no! &ractically
uninhabite"G but !e ransacke" e#ery room an" cellar !ithout "isco#ering the least sign of the
missing man$ 8t !as incre"ible to me that he coul" ha#e gone a!ay lea#ing all his &ro&erty behin"
him, an" yet !here coul" he beF 8 calle" in the local &olice, but !ithout success$ *ain ha" fallen on
the night before an" !e eHamine" the la!n an" the &aths all roun" the house, but in #ain$ Matters
!ere in this state, !hen a ne! "e#elo&ment Iuite "re! our attention a!ay from the original
mystery$
C'<or t!o "ays *achel Ho!ells ha" been so ill, sometimes "elirious, sometimes hysterical, that a
nurse ha" been em&loye" to sit u& !ith her at night$ 9n the thir" night after runton's
"isa&&earance, the nurse, fin"ing her &atient slee&ing nicely, ha" "ro&&e" into a na& in the arm'
chair, !hen she !oke in the early morning to fin" the be" em&ty, the !in"o! o&en, an" no signs of
the in#ali"$ 8 !as instantly arouse", an", !ith the t!o footmen, starte" off at once in search of the
missing girl$ 8t !as not "ifficult to tell the "irection !hich she ha" taken, for, starting from un"er
her !in"o!, !e coul" follo! her footmarks easily across the la!n to the e"ge of the mere, !here
they #anishe" close to the gra#el &ath !hich lea"s out of the groun"s$ The lake there is eight feet
"ee&, an" you can imagine our feelings !hen !e sa! that the trail of the &oor "emente" girl came
to an en" at the e"ge of it$
C'9f course, !e ha" the "rags at once, an" set to !ork to reco#er the remains, but no trace of the
bo"y coul" !e fin"$ 9n the other han", !e brought to the surface an object of a most uneH&ecte"
kin"$ 8t !as a linen bag !hich containe" !ithin it a mass of ol" ruste" an" "iscolore" metal an"
se#eral "ull'colore" &ieces of &ebble or glass$ This strange fin" !as all that !e coul" get from the
mere, an", although !e ma"e e#ery &ossible search an" inIuiry yester"ay, !e kno! nothing of the
fate either of *achel Ho!ells or of *ichar" runton$ The county &olice are at their !its' en", an" 8
ha#e come u& to you as a last resource$'
C%ou can imagine, @atson, !ith !hat eagerness 8 listene" to this eHtraor"inary seIuence of e#ents,
an" en"ea#ore" to &iece them together, an" to "e#ise some common threa" u&on !hich they might
all hang$ The butler !as gone$ The mai" !as gone$ The mai" ha" lo#e" the butler, but ha"
after!ar"s ha" cause to hate him$ She !as of @elsh bloo", fiery an" &assionate$ She ha" been
terribly eHcite" imme"iately after his "isa&&earance$ She ha" flung into the lake a bag containing
some curious contents$ These !ere all factors !hich ha" to be taken into consi"eration, an" yet
none of them got Iuite to the heart of the matter$ @hat !as the starting'&oint of this chain of
e#entsF There lay the en" of this tangle" line$
C'8 must see that &a&er, Musgra#e,' sai" 8, '!hich this butler of yours thought it !orth his !hile to
consult, e#en at the risk of the loss of his &lace$'
C'8t is rather an absur" business, this ritual of ours,' he ans!ere"$ 'ut it has at least the sa#ing grace
of antiIuity to eHcuse it$ 8 ha#e a co&y of the Iuestions an" ans!ers here if you care to run your eye
o#er them$'
CHe han"e" me the #ery &a&er !hich 8 ha#e here, @atson, an" this is the strange catechism to !hich
each Musgra#e ha" to submit !hen he came to man's estate$ 8 !ill rea" you the Iuestions an"
ans!ers as they stan"$
C'@hose !as itF'
C'His !ho is gone$'
C'@ho shall ha#e itF'
C'He !ho !ill come$'
C'@here !as the sunF'
C'9#er the oak$'
C'@here !as the sha"o!F'
C'5n"er the elm$'
CHo! !as it ste&&e"F'
C'>orth by ten an" by ten, east by fi#e an" by fi#e, south by t!o an" by t!o, !est by one an" by
one, an" so un"er$'
C'@hat shall !e gi#e for itF'
C'All that is ours$'
C'@hy shoul" !e gi#e itF'
C'<or the sake of the trust$'
C'The original has no "ate, but is in the s&elling of the mi""le of the se#enteenth century,' remarke"
Musgra#e$ '8 am afrai", ho!e#er, that it can be of little hel& to you in sol#ing this mystery$'
C'At least,' sai" 8, 'it gi#es us another mystery, an" one !hich is e#en more interesting than the first$
8t may be that the solution of the one may &ro#e to be the solution of the other$ %ou !ill eHcuse me,
Musgra#e, if 8 say that your butler a&&ears to me to ha#e been a #ery cle#er man, an" to ha#e ha" a
clearer insight than ten generations of his masters$'
C'8 har"ly follo! you,' sai" Musgra#e$ 'The &a&er seems to me to be of no &ractical im&ortance$'
C'ut to me it seems immensely &ractical, an" 8 fancy that runton took the same #ie!$ He ha"
&robably seen it before that night on !hich you caught him$'
C'8t is #ery &ossible$ @e took no &ains to hi"e it$'
C'He sim&ly !ishe", 8 shoul" imagine, to refresh his memory u&on that last occasion$ He ha", as 8
un"erstan", some sort of ma& or chart !hich he !as com&aring !ith the manuscri&t, an" !hich he
thrust into his &ocket !hen you a&&eare"$'
C'That is true$ ut !hat coul" he ha#e to "o !ith this ol" family custom of ours, an" !hat "oes this
rigmarole meanF'
C'8 "on't think that !e shoul" ha#e much "ifficulty in "etermining that,' sai" 8G '!ith your &ermission
!e !ill take the first train "o!n to SusseH, an" go a little more "ee&ly into the matter u&on the
s&ot$'
CThe same afternoon sa! us both at Hurlstone$ Possibly you ha#e seen &ictures an" rea"
"escri&tions of the famous ol" buil"ing, so 8 !ill confine my account of it to saying that it is built in
the sha&e of an (, the long arm being the more mo"ern &ortion, an" the shorter the ancient nucleus,
from !hich the other ha" "e#elo&e"$ 9#er the lo!, hea#ily'lintelle" "oor, in the centre of this ol"
&art, is chisele" the "ate, +O7-, but eH&erts are agree" that the beams an" stone'!ork are really
much ol"er than this$ The enormously thick !alls an" tiny !in"o!s of this &art ha" in the last
century "ri#en the family into buil"ing the ne! !ing, an" the ol" one !as use" no! as a store'
house an" a cellar, !hen it !as use" at all$ A s&len"i" &ark !ith fine ol" timber surroun"s the
house, an" the lake, to !hich my client ha" referre", lay close to the a#enue, about t!o hun"re"
yar"s from the buil"ing$
C8 !as alrea"y firmly con#ince", @atson, that there !ere not three se&arate mysteries here, but one
only, an" that if 8 coul" rea" the Musgra#e *itual aright 8 shoul" hol" in my han" the clue !hich
!oul" lea" me to the truth concerning both the butler runton an" the mai" Ho!ells$ To that then 8
turne" all my energies$ @hy shoul" this ser#ant be so anHious to master this ol" formulaF /#i"ently
because he sa! something in it !hich ha" esca&e" all those generations of country sIuires, an"
from !hich he eH&ecte" some &ersonal a"#antage$ @hat !as it then, an" ho! ha" it affecte" his
fateF
C8t !as &erfectly ob#ious to me, on rea"ing the ritual, that the measurements must refer to some
s&ot to !hich the rest of the "ocument allu"e", an" that if !e coul" fin" that s&ot, !e shoul" be in a
fair !ay to!ar"s fin"ing !hat the secret !as !hich the ol" Musgra#es ha" thought it necessary to
embalm in so curious a fashion$ There !ere t!o gui"es gi#en us to start !ith, an oak an" an elm$ As
to the oak there coul" be no Iuestion at all$ *ight in front of the house, u&on the left'han" si"e of
the "ri#e, there stoo" a &atriarch among oaks, one of the most magnificent trees that 8 ha#e e#er
seen$
C'That !as there !hen your ritual !as "ra!n u&,' sai" 8, as !e "ro#e &ast it$
C'8t !as there at the >orman ConIuest in all &robability,' he ans!ere"$ '8t has a girth of t!enty'three
feet$'
C'Ha#e you any ol" elmsF' 8 aske"$
C'There use" to be a #ery ol" one o#er yon"er but it !as struck by lightning ten years ago, an" !e
cut "o!n the stum&$'
C'%ou can see !here it use" to beF'
C'9h, yes$'
C'There are no other elmsF'
C'>o ol" ones, but &lenty of beeches$'
C'8 shoul" like to see !here it gre!$'
C@e ha" "ri#en u& in a "og'cart, an" my client le" me a!ay at once, !ithout our entering the house,
to the scar on the la!n !here the elm ha" stoo"$ 8t !as nearly mi"!ay bet!een the oak an" the
house$ My in#estigation seeme" to be &rogressing$
C'8 su&&ose it is im&ossible to fin" out ho! high the elm !asF' 8 aske"$
C'8 can gi#e you it at once$ 8t !as siHty'four feet$'
C'Ho! "o you come to kno! itF' 8 aske", in sur&rise$
C'@hen my ol" tutor use" to gi#e me an eHercise in trigonometry, it al!ays took the sha&e of
measuring heights$ @hen 8 !as a la" 8 !orke" out e#ery tree an" buil"ing in the estate$'
CThis !as an uneH&ecte" &iece of luck$ My "ata !ere coming more Iuickly than 8 coul" ha#e
reasonably ho&e"$
C'Tell me,' 8 aske", '"i" your butler e#er ask you such a IuestionF'
C*eginal" Musgra#e looke" at me in astonishment$ '>o! that you call it to my min",' he ans!ere",
'runton "i" ask me about the height of the tree some months ago, in connection !ith some little
argument !ith the groom$'
CThis !as eHcellent ne!s, @atson, for it sho!e" me that 8 !as on the right roa"$ 8 looke" u& at the
sun$ 8t !as lo! in the hea#ens, an" 8 calculate" that in less than an hour it !oul" lie just abo#e the
to&most branches of the ol" oak$ 9ne con"ition mentione" in the *itual !oul" then be fulfille"$
An" the sha"o! of the elm must mean the farther en" of the sha"o!, other!ise the trunk !oul"
ha#e been chosen as the gui"e$ 8 ha", then, to fin" !here the far en" of the sha"o! !oul" fall !hen
the sun !as just clear of the oak$C
CThat must ha#e been "ifficult, Holmes, !hen the elm !as no longer there$C
C@ell, at least 8 kne! that if runton coul" "o it, 8 coul" also$ esi"es, there !as no real "ifficulty$ 8
!ent !ith Musgra#e to his stu"y an" !hittle" myself this &eg, to !hich 8 tie" this long string !ith a
knot at each yar"$ Then 8 took t!o lengths of a fishing'ro", !hich came to just siH feet, an" 8 !ent
back !ith my client to !here the elm ha" been$ The sun !as just graAing the to& of the oak$ 8
fastene" the ro" on en", marke" out the "irection of the sha"o!, an" measure" it$ 8t !as nine feet in
length$
C9f course the calculation no! !as a sim&le one$ 8f a ro" of siH feet thre! a sha"o! of nine, a tree
of siHty'four feet !oul" thro! one of ninety'siH, an" the line of the one !oul" of course be the line
of the other$ 8 measure" out the "istance, !hich brought me almost to the !all of the house, an" 8
thrust a &eg into the s&ot$ %ou can imagine my eHultation, @atson, !hen !ithin t!o inches of my
&eg 8 sa! a conical "e&ression in the groun"$ 8 kne! that it !as the mark ma"e by runton in his
measurements, an" that 8 !as still u&on his trail$
C<rom this starting'&oint 8 &rocee"e" to ste&, ha#ing first taken the car"inal &oints by my &ocket'
com&ass$ Ten ste&s !ith each foot took me along &arallel !ith the !all of the house, an" again 8
marke" my s&ot !ith a &eg$ Then 8 carefully &ace" off fi#e to the east an" t!o to the south$ 8t
brought me to the #ery threshol" of the ol" "oor$ T!o ste&s to the !est meant no! that 8 !as to go
t!o &aces "o!n the stone'flagge" &assage, an" this !as the &lace in"icate" by the *itual$
C>e#er ha#e 8 felt such a col" chill of "isa&&ointment, @atson$ <or a moment is seeme" to me that
there must be some ra"ical mistake in my calculations$ The setting sun shone full u&on the &assage
floor, an" 8 coul" see that the ol", foot'!orn gray stones !ith !hich it !as &a#e" !ere firmly
cemente" together, an" ha" certainly not been mo#e" for many a long year$ runton ha" not been at
!ork here$ 8 ta&&e" u&on the floor, but it soun"e" the same all o#er, an" there !as no sign of any
crack or cre#ice$ ut, fortunately, Musgra#e, !ho ha" begun to a&&reciate the meaning of my
&rocee"ings, an" !ho !as no! as eHcite" as myself, took out his manuscri&t to check my
calculation$
C'An" un"er,' he crie"$ '%ou ha#e omitte" the Can" un"er$C'
C8 ha" thought that it meant that !e !ere to "ig, but no!, of course, 8 sa! at once that 8 !as !rong$
'There is a cellar un"er this thenF' 8 crie"$
C'%es, an" as ol" as the house$ Do!n here, through this "oor$'
C@e !ent "o!n a !in"ing stone stair, an" my com&anion, striking a match, lit a large lantern !hich
stoo" on a barrel in the corner$ 8n an instant it !as ob#ious that !e ha" at last come u&on the true
&lace, an" that !e ha" not been the only &eo&le to #isit the s&ot recently$
C8t ha" been use" for the storage of !oo", but the billets, !hich ha" e#i"ently been littere" o#er the
floor, !ere no! &ile" at the si"es, so as to lea#e a clear s&ace in the mi""le$ 8n this s&ace lay a large
an" hea#y flagstone !ith a ruste" iron ring in the centre to !hich a thick she&her"'s'check muffler
!as attache"$
C'y =o#eE' crie" my client$ 'That's runton's muffler$ 8 ha#e seen it on him, an" coul" s!ear to it$
@hat has the #illain been "oing hereF'
CAt my suggestion a cou&le of the county &olice !ere summone" to be &resent, an" 8 then
en"ea#ore" to raise the stone by &ulling on the cra#at$ 8 coul" only mo#e it slightly, an" it !as !ith
the ai" of one of the constables that 8 succee"e" at last in carrying it to one si"e$ A black hole
ya!ne" beneath into !hich !e all &eere", !hile Musgra#e, kneeling at the si"e, &ushe" "o!n the
lantern$
CA small chamber about se#en feet "ee& an" four feet sIuare lay o&en to us$ At one si"e of this !as
a sIuat, brass'boun" !oo"en boH, the li" of !hich !as hinge" u&!ar"s, !ith this curious ol"'
fashione" key &rojecting from the lock$ 8t !as furre" outsi"e by a thick layer of "ust, an" "am& an"
!orms ha" eaten through the !oo", so that a cro& of li#i" fungi !as gro!ing on the insi"e of it$
Se#eral "iscs of metal, ol" coins a&&arently, such as 8 hol" here, !ere scattere" o#er the bottom of
the boH, but it containe" nothing else$
CAt the moment, ho!e#er, !e ha" no thought for the ol" chest, for our eyes !ere ri#ete" u&on that
!hich crouche" besi"e it$ 8t !as the figure of a man, cla" in a suit of black, !ho sIuatte" "o!n
u&on his hams !ith his forehea" sunk u&on the e"ge of the boH an" his t!o arms thro!n out on
each si"e of it$ The attitu"e ha" "ra!n all the stagnant bloo" to the face, an" no man coul" ha#e
recogniAe" that "istorte" li#er'colore" countenanceG but his height, his "ress, an" his hair !ere all
sufficient to sho! my client, !hen !e ha" "ra!n the bo"y u&, that it !as in"ee" his missing butler$
He ha" been "ea" some "ays, but there !as no !oun" or bruise u&on his &erson to sho! ho! he
ha" met his "rea"ful en"$ @hen his bo"y ha" been carrie" from the cellar !e foun" oursel#es still
confronte" !ith a &roblem !hich !as almost as formi"able as that !ith !hich !e ha" starte"$
C8 confess that so far, @atson, 8 ha" been "isa&&ointe" in my in#estigation$ 8 ha" reckone" u&on
sol#ing the matter !hen once 8 ha" foun" the &lace referre" to in the *itualG but no! 8 !as there,
an" !as a&&arently as far as e#er from kno!ing !hat it !as !hich the family ha" conceale" !ith
such elaborate &recautions$ 8t is true that 8 ha" thro!n a light u&on the fate of runton, but no! 8
ha" to ascertain ho! that fate ha" come u&on him, an" !hat &art ha" been &laye" in the matter by
the !oman !ho ha" "isa&&eare"$ 8 sat "o!n u&on a keg in the corner an" thought the !hole matter
carefully o#er$
C%ou kno! my metho"s in such cases, @atson$ 8 &ut myself in the man's &lace an", ha#ing first
gauge" his intelligence, 8 try to imagine ho! 8 shoul" myself ha#e &rocee"e" un"er the same
circumstances$ 8n this case the matter !as sim&lifie" by runton's intelligence being Iuite first'rate,
so that it !as unnecessary to make any allo!ance for the &ersonal eIuation, as the astronomers ha#e
"ubbe" it$ He kne! that something #aluable !as conceale"$ He ha" s&otte" the &lace$ He foun" that
the stone !hich co#ere" it !as just too hea#y for a man to mo#e unai"e"$ @hat !oul" he "o neHtF
He coul" not get hel& from outsi"e, e#en if he ha" some one !hom he coul" trust, !ithout the
unbarring of "oors an" consi"erable risk of "etection$ 8t !as better, if he coul", to ha#e his hel&mate
insi"e the house$ ut !hom coul" he askF This girl ha" been "e#ote" to him$ A man al!ays fin"s it
har" to realiAe that he may ha#e finally lost a !oman's lo#e, ho!e#er ba"ly he may ha#e treate"
her$ He !oul" try by a fe! attentions to make his &eace !ith the girl Ho!ells, an" then !oul"
engage her as his accom&lice$ Together they !oul" come at night to the cellar, an" their unite" force
!oul" suffice to raise the stone$ So far 8 coul" follo! their actions as if 8 ha" actually seen them$
Cut for t!o of them, an" one a !oman, it must ha#e been hea#y !ork the raising of that stone$ A
burly SusseH &oliceman an" 8 ha" foun" it no light job$ @hat !oul" they "o to assist themF
Probably !hat 8 shoul" ha#e "one myself$ 8 rose an" eHamine" carefully the "ifferent billets of
!oo" !hich !ere scattere" roun" the floor$ Almost at once 8 came u&on !hat 8 eH&ecte"$ 9ne &iece,
about three feet in length, ha" a #ery marke" in"entation at one en", !hile se#eral !ere flattene" at
the si"es as if they ha" been com&resse" by some consi"erable !eight$ /#i"ently, as they ha"
"ragge" the stone u& they ha" thrust the chunks of !oo" into the chink, until at last, !hen the
o&ening !as large enough to cra!l through, they !oul" hol" it o&en by a billet &lace" length!ise,
!hich might #ery !ell become in"ente" at the lo!er en", since the !hole !eight of the stone !oul"
&ress it "o!n on to the e"ge of this other slab$ So far 8 !as still on safe groun"$
CAn" no! ho! !as 8 to &rocee" to reconstruct this mi"night "ramaF Clearly, only one coul" fit into
the hole, an" that one !as runton$ The girl must ha#e !aite" abo#e$ runton then unlocke" the
boH, han"e" u& the contents &resumablyJsince they !ere not to be foun"Jan" thenJan" then
!hat ha&&ene"F
C@hat smoul"ering fire of #engeance ha" su""enly s&rung into flame in this &assionate Celtic
!oman's soul !hen she sa! the man !ho ha" !ronge" herJ!ronge" her, &erha&s, far more than
!e sus&ecte"Jin her &o!erF @as it a chance that the !oo" ha" sli&&e", an" that the stone ha" shut
runton into !hat ha" become his se&ulchreF Ha" she only been guilty of silence as to his fateF 9r
ha" some su""en blo! from her han" "ashe" the su&&ort a!ay an" sent the slab crashing "o!n into
its &laceF e that as it might, 8 seeme" to see that !oman's figure still clutching at her treasure tro#e
an" flying !il"ly u& the !in"ing stair, !ith her ears ringing &erha&s !ith the muffle" screams from
behin" her an" !ith the "rumming of frenAie" han"s against the slab of stone !hich !as choking
her faithless lo#er's life out$
CHere !as the secret of her blanche" face, her shaken ner#es, her &eals of hysterical laughter on the
neHt morning$ ut !hat ha" been in the boHF @hat ha" she "one !ith thatF 9f course, it must ha#e
been the ol" metal an" &ebbles !hich my client ha" "ragge" from the mere$ She ha" thro!n them
in there at the first o&&ortunity to remo#e the last trace of her crime$
C<or t!enty minutes 8 ha" sat motionless, thinking the matter out$ Musgra#e still stoo" !ith a #ery
&ale face, s!inging his lantern an" &eering "o!n into the hole$
C'These are coins of Charles the <irst,' sai" he, hol"ing out the fe! !hich ha" been in the boHG 'you
see !e !ere right in fiHing our "ate for the *itual$'
C'@e may fin" something else of Charles the <irst,' 8 crie", as the &robable meaning of the first t!o
Iuestions of the *itual broke su""enly u&on me$ '(et me see the contents of the bag !hich you
fishe" from the mere$'
C@e ascen"e" to his stu"y, an" he lai" the "ebris before me$ 8 coul" un"erstan" his regar"ing it as
of small im&ortance !hen 8 looke" at it, for the metal !as almost black an" the stones lustreless an"
"ull$ 8 rubbe" one of them on my slee#e, ho!e#er, an" it glo!e" after!ar"s like a s&ark in the "ark
hollo! of my han"$ The metal !ork !as in the form of a "ouble ring, but it ha" been bent an"
t!iste" out of its original sha&e$
C'%ou must bear in min",' sai" 8, 'that the royal &arty ma"e hea" in /nglan" e#en after the "eath of
the king, an" that !hen they at last fle" they &robably left many of their most &recious &ossessions
burie" behin" them, !ith the intention of returning for them in more &eaceful times$'
C'My ancestor, Sir *al&h Musgra#e, !as a &rominent Ca#alier an" the right'han" man of Charles
the Secon" in his !an"erings,' sai" my frien"$
C'Ah, in"ee"E' 8 ans!ere"$ '@ell no!, 8 think that really shoul" gi#e us the last link that !e !ante"$ 8
must congratulate you on coming into the &ossession, though in rather a tragic manner of a relic
!hich is of great intrinsic #alue, but of e#en greater im&ortance as an historical curiosity$'
C'@hat is it, thenF' he gas&e" in astonishment$
C'8t is nothing less than the ancient cro!n of the kings of /nglan"$'
C'The cro!nE'
C'Precisely$ Consi"er !hat the *itual says) Ho! "oes it runF C@hose !as itFC CHis !ho is gone$C
That !as after the eHecution of Charles$ Then, C@ho shall ha#e itFC CHe !ho !ill come$C That !as
Charles the Secon", !hose a"#ent !as alrea"y foreseen$ There can, 8 think, be no "oubt that this
battere" an" sha&eless "ia"em once encircle" the bro!s of the royal Stuarts$'
C'An" ho! came it in the &on"F'
C'Ah, that is a Iuestion that !ill take some time to ans!er$' An" !ith that 8 sketche" out to him the
!hole long chain of surmise an" of &roof !hich 8 ha" constructe"$ The t!ilight ha" close" in an"
the moon !as shining brightly in the sky before my narrati#e !as finishe"$
C'An" ho! !as it then that Charles "i" not get his cro!n !hen he returne"F' aske" Musgra#e,
&ushing back the relic into its linen bag$
C'Ah, there you lay your finger u&on the one &oint !hich !e shall &robably ne#er be able to clear
u&$ 8t is likely that the Musgra#e !ho hel" the secret "ie" in the inter#al, an" by some o#ersight left
this gui"e to his "escen"ant !ithout eH&laining the meaning of it$ <rom that "ay to this it has been
han"e" "o!n from father to son, until at last it came !ithin reach of a man !ho tore its secret out of
it an" lost his life in the #enture$'
CAn" that's the story of the Musgra#e *itual, @atson$ They ha#e the cro!n "o!n at HurlstoneJ
though they ha" some legal bother an" a consi"erable sum to &ay before they !ere allo!e" to retain
it$ 8 am sure that if you mentione" my name they !oul" be ha&&y to sho! it to you$ 9f the !oman
nothing !as e#er hear", an" the &robability is that she got a!ay out of /nglan" an" carrie" herself
an" the memory of her crime to some lan" beyon" the seas$C
A"#enture B8$ The *eigate PuAAle
8t !as some time before the health of my frien" Mr$ Sherlock Holmes reco#ere" from the strain
cause" by his immense eHertions in the s&ring of '1-$ The !hole Iuestion of the >etherlan"'
Sumatra Com&any an" of the colossal schemes of aron Mau&ertuis are too recent in the min"s of
the &ublic, an" are too intimately concerne" !ith &olitics an" finance to be fitting subjects for this
series of sketches$ They le", ho!e#er, in an in"irect fashion to a singular an" com&leH &roblem
!hich ga#e my frien" an o&&ortunity of "emonstrating the #alue of a fresh !ea&on among the many
!ith !hich he !age" his life'long battle against crime$
9n referring to my notes 8 see that it !as u&on the +3th of A&ril that 8 recei#e" a telegram from
(yons !hich informe" me that Holmes !as lying ill in the Hotel Dulong$ @ithin t!enty'four hours
8 !as in his sick'room, an" !as relie#e" to fin" that there !as nothing formi"able in his sym&toms$
/#en his iron constitution, ho!e#er, ha" broken "o!n un"er the strain of an in#estigation !hich
ha" eHten"e" o#er t!o months, "uring !hich &erio" he ha" ne#er !orke" less than fifteen hours a
"ay, an" ha" more than once, as he assure" me, ke&t to his task for fi#e "ays at a stretch$ /#en the
trium&hant issue of his labors coul" not sa#e him from reaction after so terrible an eHertion, an" at a
time !hen /uro&e !as ringing !ith his name an" !hen his room !as literally ankle'"ee& !ith
congratulatory telegrams 8 foun" him a &rey to the blackest "e&ression$ /#en the kno!le"ge that he
ha" succee"e" !here the &olice of three countries ha" faile", an" that he ha" outmanoeu#re" at
e#ery &oint the most accom&lishe" s!in"ler in /uro&e, !as insufficient to rouse him from his
ner#ous &rostration$
Three "ays later !e !ere back in aker Street togetherG but it !as e#i"ent that my frien" !oul" be
much the better for a change, an" the thought of a !eek of s&ring time in the country !as full of
attractions to me also$ My ol" frien", Colonel Hayter, !ho ha" come un"er my &rofessional care in
Afghanistan, ha" no! taken a house near *eigate in Surrey, an" ha" freIuently aske" me to come
"o!n to him u&on a #isit$ 9n the last occasion he ha" remarke" that if my frien" !oul" only come
!ith me he !oul" be gla" to eHten" his hos&itality to him also$ A little "i&lomacy !as nee"e", but
!hen Holmes un"erstoo" that the establishment !as a bachelor one, an" that he !oul" be allo!e"
the fullest free"om, he fell in !ith my &lans an" a !eek after our return from (yons !e !ere un"er
the Colonel's roof$ Hayter !as a fine ol" sol"ier !ho ha" seen much of the !orl", an" he soon
foun", as 8 ha" eH&ecte", that Holmes an" he ha" much in common$
9n the e#ening of our arri#al !e !ere sitting in the Colonel's gun'room after "inner, Holmes
stretche" u&on the sofa, !hile Hayter an" 8 looke" o#er his little armory of /astern !ea&ons$
Cy the !ay,C sai" he su""enly, C8 think 8'll take one of these &istols u&stairs !ith me in case !e
ha#e an alarm$C
CAn alarmEC sai" 8$
C%es, !e'#e ha" a scare in this &art lately$ 9l" Acton, !ho is one of our county magnates, ha" his
house broken into last Mon"ay$ >o great "amage "one, but the fello!s are still at large$C
C>o clueFC aske" Holmes, cocking his eye at the Colonel$
C>one as yet$ ut the affair is a &etty one, one of our little country crimes, !hich must seem too
small for your attention, Mr$ Holmes, after this great international affair$C
Holmes !a#e" a!ay the com&liment, though his smile sho!e" that it ha" &lease" him$
C@as there any feature of interestFC
C8 fancy not$ The thie#es ransacke" the library an" got #ery little for their &ains$ The !hole &lace
!as turne" u&si"e "o!n, "ra!ers burst o&en, an" &resses ransacke", !ith the result that an o""
#olume of Po&e's 'Homer,' t!o &late" can"lesticks, an i#ory letter'!eight, a small oak barometer,
an" a ball of t!ine are all that ha#e #anishe"$C
C@hat an eHtraor"inary assortmentEC 8 eHclaime"$
C9h, the fello!s e#i"ently grabbe" hol" of e#erything they coul" get$C
Holmes grunte" from the sofa$
CThe county &olice ought to make something of that,C sai" heG C!hy, it is surely ob#ious thatJC
ut 8 hel" u& a !arning finger$
C%ou are here for a rest, my "ear fello!$ <or Hea#en's sake "on't get starte" on a ne! &roblem !hen
your ner#es are all in shre"s$C
Holmes shrugge" his shoul"ers !ith a glance of comic resignation to!ar"s the Colonel, an" the talk
"rifte" a!ay into less "angerous channels$
8t !as "estine", ho!e#er, that all my &rofessional caution shoul" be !aste", for neHt morning the
&roblem obtru"e" itself u&on us in such a !ay that it !as im&ossible to ignore it, an" our country
#isit took a turn !hich neither of us coul" ha#e antici&ate"$ @e !ere at breakfast !hen the
Colonel's butler rushe" in !ith all his &ro&riety shaken out of him$
CHa#e you hear" the ne!s, sirFC he gas&e"$ CAt the Cunningham's sirEC
CurglaryEC crie" the Colonel, !ith his coffee'cu& in mi"'air$
CMur"erEC
The Colonel !histle"$ Cy =o#eEC sai" he$ C@ho's kille", thenF The =$P$ or his sonFC
C>either, sir$ 8t !as @illiam the coachman$ Shot through the heart, sir, an" ne#er s&oke again$C
C@ho shot him, thenFC
CThe burglar, sir$ He !as off like a shot an" got clean a!ay$ He'" just broke in at the &antry !in"o!
!hen @illiam came on him an" met his en" in sa#ing his master's &ro&erty$C
C@hat timeFC
C8t !as last night, sir, some!here about t!el#e$C
CAh, then, !e'll ste& o#er after!ar"s,C sai" the Colonel, coolly settling "o!n to his breakfast again$
C8t's a ba""ish business,C he a""e" !hen the butler ha" goneG Che's our lea"ing man about here, is
ol" Cunningham, an" a #ery "ecent fello! too$ He'll be cut u& o#er this, for the man has been in his
ser#ice for years an" !as a goo" ser#ant$ 8t's e#i"ently the same #illains !ho broke into Acton's$C
CAn" stole that #ery singular collection,C sai" Holmes, thoughtfully$
CPrecisely$C
CHumE 8t may &ro#e the sim&lest matter in the !orl", but all the same at first glance this is just a
little curious, is it notF A gang of burglars acting in the country might be eH&ecte" to #ary the scene
of their o&erations, an" not to crack t!o cribs in the same "istrict !ithin a fe! "ays$ @hen you
s&oke last night of taking &recautions 8 remember that it &asse" through my min" that this !as
&robably the last &arish in /nglan" to !hich the thief or thie#es !oul" be likely to turn their
attentionJ!hich sho!s that 8 ha#e still much to learn$C
C8 fancy it's some local &ractitioner,C sai" the Colonel$ C8n that case, of course, Acton's an"
Cunningham's are just the &laces he !oul" go for, since they are far the largest about here$C
CAn" richestFC
C@ell, they ought to be, but they'#e ha" a la!suit for some years !hich has sucke" the bloo" out of
both of them, 8 fancy$ 9l" Acton has some claim on half Cunningham's estate, an" the la!yers ha#e
been at it !ith both han"s$C
C8f it's a local #illain there shoul" not be much "ifficulty in running him "o!n,C sai" Holmes !ith a
ya!n$ CAll right, @atson, 8 "on't inten" to me""le$C
C8ns&ector <orrester, sir,C sai" the butler, thro!ing o&en the "oor$
The official, a smart, keen'face" young fello!, ste&&e" into the room$ CGoo"'morning, Colonel,C
sai" heG C8 ho&e 8 "on't intru"e, but !e hear that Mr$ Holmes of aker Street is here$C
The Colonel !a#e" his han" to!ar"s my frien", an" the 8ns&ector bo!e"$
C@e thought that &erha&s you !oul" care to ste& across, Mr$ Holmes$C
CThe fates are against you, @atson,C sai" he, laughing$ C@e !ere chatting about the matter !hen
you came in, 8ns&ector$ Perha&s you can let us ha#e a fe! "etails$C As he leane" back in his chair in
the familiar attitu"e 8 kne! that the case !as ho&eless$
C@e ha" no clue in the Acton affair$ ut here !e ha#e &lenty to go on, an" there's no "oubt it is the
same &arty in each case$ The man !as seen$C
CAhEC
C%es, sir$ ut he !as off like a "eer after the shot that kille" &oor @illiam ?ir!an !as fire"$ Mr$
Cunningham sa! him from the be"room !in"o!, an" Mr$ Alec Cunningham sa! him from the
back &assage$ 8t !as Iuarter to t!el#e !hen the alarm broke out$ Mr$ Cunningham ha" just got into
be", an" Mr$ Alec !as smoking a &i&e in his "ressing'go!n$ They both hear" @illiam the
coachman calling for hel&, an" Mr$ Alec ran "o!n to see !hat !as the matter$ The back "oor !as
o&en, an" as he came to the foot of the stairs he sa! t!o men !restling together outsi"e$ 9ne of
them fire" a shot, the other "ro&&e", an" the mur"erer rushe" across the gar"en an" o#er the he"ge$
Mr$ Cunningham, looking out of his be"room, sa! the fello! as he gaine" the roa", but lost sight of
him at once$ Mr$ Alec sto&&e" to see if he coul" hel& the "ying man, an" so the #illain got clean
a!ay$ eyon" the fact that he !as a mi""le'siAe" man an" "resse" in some "ark stuff, !e ha#e no
&ersonal clueG but !e are making energetic inIuiries, an" if he is a stranger !e shall soon fin" him
out$C
C@hat !as this @illiam "oing thereF Di" he say anything before he "ie"FC
C>ot a !or"$ He li#es at the lo"ge !ith his mother, an" as he !as a #ery faithful fello! !e imagine
that he !alke" u& to the house !ith the intention of seeing that all !as right there$ 9f course this
Acton business has &ut e#ery one on their guar"$ The robber must ha#e just burst o&en the "oorJ
the lock has been force"J!hen @illiam came u&on him$C
CDi" @illiam say anything to his mother before going outFC
CShe is #ery ol" an" "eaf, an" !e can get no information from her$ The shock has ma"e her half'
!itte", but 8 un"erstan" that she !as ne#er #ery bright$ There is one #ery im&ortant circumstance,
ho!e#er$ (ook at thisEC
He took a small &iece of torn &a&er from a note'book an" s&rea" it out u&on his knee$
CThis !as foun" bet!een the finger an" thumb of the "ea" man$ 8t a&&ears to be a fragment torn
from a larger sheet$ %ou !ill obser#e that the hour mentione" u&on it is the #ery time at !hich the
&oor fello! met his fate$ %ou see that his mur"erer might ha#e torn the rest of the sheet from him or
he might ha#e taken this fragment from the mur"erer$ 8t rea"s almost as though it !ere an
a&&ointment$C
Holmes took u& the scra& of &a&er, a fac'simile of !hich is here re&ro"uce"$
" at Iuarter to t!el#e learn !hat maybe
CPresuming that it is an a&&ointment,C continue" the 8ns&ector, Cit is of course a concei#able theory
that this @illiam ?ir!anJthough he ha" the re&utation of being an honest man, may ha#e been in
league !ith the thief$ He may ha#e met him there, may e#en ha#e hel&e" him to break in the "oor,
an" then they may ha#e fallen out bet!een themsel#es$C
CThis !riting is of eHtraor"inary interest,C sai" Holmes, !ho ha" been eHamining it !ith intense
concentration$ CThese are much "ee&er !aters than 8 ha" thought$C He sank his hea" u&on his
han"s, !hile the 8ns&ector smile" at the effect !hich his case ha" ha" u&on the famous (on"on
s&ecialist$
C%our last remark,C sai" Holmes, &resently, Cas to the &ossibility of there being an un"erstan"ing
bet!een the burglar an" the ser#ant, an" this being a note of a&&ointment from one to the other, is
an ingenious an" not entirely im&ossible su&&osition$ ut this !riting o&ens u&JC He sank his hea"
into his han"s again an" remaine" for some minutes in the "ee&est thought$ @hen he raise" his face
again, 8 !as sur&rise" to see that his cheek !as tinge" !ith color, an" his eyes as bright as before
his illness$ He s&rang to his feet !ith all his ol" energy$
C8'll tell you !hat,C sai" he, C8 shoul" like to ha#e a Iuiet little glance into the "etails of this case$
There is something in it !hich fascinates me eHtremely$ 8f you !ill &ermit me, Colonel, 8 !ill lea#e
my frien" @atson an" you, an" 8 !ill ste& roun" !ith the 8ns&ector to test the truth of one or t!o
little fancies of mine$ 8 !ill be !ith you again in half an hour$C
An hour an" half ha" ela&se" before the 8ns&ector returne" alone$
CMr$ Holmes is !alking u& an" "o!n in the fiel" outsi"e,C sai" he$ CHe !ants us all four to go u& to
the house together$C
CTo Mr$ Cunningham'sFC
C%es, sir$C
C@hat forFC
The 8ns&ector shrugge" his shoul"ers$ C8 "on't Iuite kno!, sir$ et!een oursel#es, 8 think Mr$
Holmes ha" not Iuite got o#er his illness yet$ He's been beha#ing #ery Iueerly, an" he is #ery much
eHcite"$C
C8 "on't think you nee" alarm yourself,C sai" 8$ C8 ha#e usually foun" that there !as metho" in his
ma"ness$C
CSome folks might say there !as ma"ness in his metho",C muttere" the 8ns&ector$ Cut he's all on
fire to start, Colonel, so !e ha" best go out if you are rea"y$C
@e foun" Holmes &acing u& an" "o!n in the fiel", his chin sunk u&on his breast, an" his han"s
thrust into his trousers &ockets$
CThe matter gro!s in interest,C sai" he$ C@atson, your country'tri& has been a "istinct success$ 8
ha#e ha" a charming morning$C
C%ou ha#e been u& to the scene of the crime, 8 un"erstan",C sai" the Colonel$
C%esG the 8ns&ector an" 8 ha#e ma"e Iuite a little reconnaissance together$C
CAny successFC
C@ell, !e ha#e seen some #ery interesting things$ 8'll tell you !hat !e "i" as !e !alk$ <irst of all,
!e sa! the bo"y of this unfortunate man$ He certainly "ie" from a re#ol#er !oun" as re&orte"$C
CHa" you "oubte" it, thenFC
C9h, it is as !ell to test e#erything$ 9ur ins&ection !as not !aste"$ @e then ha" an inter#ie! !ith
Mr$ Cunningham an" his son, !ho !ere able to &oint out the eHact s&ot !here the mur"erer ha"
broken through the gar"en'he"ge in his flight$ That !as of great interest$C
C>aturally$C
CThen !e ha" a look at this &oor fello!'s mother$ @e coul" get no information from her, ho!e#er,
as she is #ery ol" an" feeble$C
CAn" !hat is the result of your in#estigationsFC
CThe con#iction that the crime is a #ery &eculiar one$ Perha&s our #isit no! may "o something to
make it less obscure$ 8 think that !e are both agree", 8ns&ector that the fragment of &a&er in the
"ea" man's han", bearing, as it "oes, the #ery hour of his "eath !ritten u&on it, is of eHtreme
im&ortance$C
C8t shoul" gi#e a clue, Mr$ Holmes$C
C8t "oes gi#e a clue$ @hoe#er !rote that note !as the man !ho brought @illiam ?ir!an out of his
be" at that hour$ ut !here is the rest of that sheet of &a&erFC
C8 eHamine" the groun" carefully in the ho&e of fin"ing it,C sai" the 8ns&ector$
C8t !as torn out of the "ea" man's han"$ @hy !as some one so anHious to get &ossession of itF
ecause it incriminate" him$ An" !hat !oul" he "o !ith itF Thrust it into his &ocket, most likely,
ne#er noticing that a corner of it ha" been left in the gri& of the cor&se$ 8f !e coul" get the rest of
that sheet it is ob#ious that !e shoul" ha#e gone a long !ay to!ar"s sol#ing the mystery$C
C%es, but ho! can !e get at the criminal's &ocket before !e catch the criminalFC
C@ell, !ell, it !as !orth thinking o#er$ Then there is another ob#ious &oint$ The note !as sent to
@illiam$ The man !ho !rote it coul" not ha#e taken itG other!ise, of course, he might ha#e
"eli#ere" his o!n message by !or" of mouth$ @ho brought the note, thenF 9r "i" it come through
the &ostFC
C8 ha#e ma"e inIuiries,C sai" the 8ns&ector$ C@illiam recei#e" a letter by the afternoon &ost
yester"ay$ The en#elo&e !as "estroye" by him$C
C/HcellentEC crie" Holmes, cla&&ing the 8ns&ector on the back$ C%ou'#e seen the &ostman$ 8t is a
&leasure to !ork !ith you$ @ell, here is the lo"ge, an" if you !ill come u&, Colonel, 8 !ill sho!
you the scene of the crime$C
@e &asse" the &retty cottage !here the mur"ere" man ha" li#e", an" !alke" u& an oak'line"
a#enue to the fine ol" Lueen Anne house, !hich bears the "ate of Mal&laIuet u&on the lintel of the
"oor$ Holmes an" the 8ns&ector le" us roun" it until !e came to the si"e gate, !hich is se&arate" by
a stretch of gar"en from the he"ge !hich lines the roa"$ A constable !as stan"ing at the kitchen
"oor$
CThro! the "oor o&en, officer,C sai" Holmes$ C>o!, it !as on those stairs that young Mr$
Cunningham stoo" an" sa! the t!o men struggling just !here !e are$ 9l" Mr$ Cunningham !as at
that !in"o!Jthe secon" on the leftJan" he sa! the fello! get a!ay just to the left of that bush$
Then Mr$ Alec ran out an" knelt besi"e the !oun"e" man$ The groun" is #ery har", you see, an"
there are no marks to gui"e us$C As he s&oke t!o men came "o!n the gar"en &ath, from roun" the
angle of the house$ The one !as an el"erly man, !ith a strong, "ee&'line", hea#y'eye" faceG the
other a "ashing young fello!, !hose bright, smiling eH&ression an" sho!y "ress !ere in strange
contrast !ith the business !hich ha" brought us there$
CStill at it, thenFC sai" he to Holmes$ C8 thought you (on"oners !ere ne#er at fault$ %ou "on't seem
to be so #ery Iuick, after all$C
CAh, you must gi#e us a little time,C sai" Holmes goo"'humore"ly$
C%ou'll !ant it,C sai" young Alec Cunningham$ C@hy, 8 "on't see that !e ha#e any clue at all$C
CThere's only one,C ans!ere" the 8ns&ector$ C@e thought that if !e coul" only fin"JGoo" hea#ens,
Mr$ HolmesE @hat is the matterFC
My &oor frien"'s face ha" su""enly assume" the most "rea"ful eH&ression$ His eyes rolle" u&!ar"s,
his features !rithe" in agony, an" !ith a su&&resse" groan he "ro&&e" on his face u&on the groun"$
Horrifie" at the su""enness an" se#erity of the attack, !e carrie" him into the kitchen, !here he lay
back in a large chair, an" breathe" hea#ily for some minutes$ <inally, !ith a shameface" a&ology
for his !eakness, he rose once more$
C@atson !oul" tell you that 8 ha#e only just reco#ere" from a se#ere illness,C he eH&laine"$ C8 am
liable to these su""en ner#ous attacks$C
CShall 8 sen" you home in my tra&FC aske" ol" Cunningham$
C@ell, since 8 am here, there is one &oint on !hich 8 shoul" like to feel sure$ @e can #ery easily
#erify it$C
C@hat !as itFC
C@ell, it seems to me that it is just &ossible that the arri#al of this &oor fello! @illiam !as not
before, but after, the entrance of the burglar into the house$ %ou a&&ear to take it for grante" that,
although the "oor !as force", the robber ne#er got in$C
C8 fancy that is Iuite ob#ious,C sai" Mr$ Cunningham, gra#ely$ C@hy, my son Alec ha" not yet gone
to be", an" he !oul" certainly ha#e hear" any one mo#ing about$C
C@here !as he sittingFC
C8 !as smoking in my "ressing'room$C
C@hich !in"o! is thatFC
CThe last on the left neHt my father's$C
Coth of your lam&s !ere lit, of courseFC
C5n"oubte"ly$C
CThere are some #ery singular &oints here,C sai" Holmes, smiling$ C8s it not eHtraor"inary that a
burglarJan" a burglar !ho ha" ha" some &re#ious eH&erienceJshoul" "eliberately break into a
house at a time !hen he coul" see from the lights that t!o of the family !ere still afootFC
CHe must ha#e been a cool han"$C
C@ell, of course, if the case !ere not an o"" one !e shoul" not ha#e been "ri#en to ask you for an
eH&lanation,C sai" young Mr$ Alec$ Cut as to your i"eas that the man ha" robbe" the house before
@illiam tackle" him, 8 think it a most absur" notion$ @oul"n't !e ha#e foun" the &lace "isarrange",
an" misse" the things !hich he ha" takenFC
C8t "e&en"s on !hat the things !ere,C sai" Holmes$ C%ou must remember that !e are "ealing !ith a
burglar !ho is a #ery &eculiar fello!, an" !ho a&&ears to !ork on lines of his o!n$ (ook, for
eHam&le, at the Iueer lot of things !hich he took from Acton'sJ!hat !as itFJa ball of string, a
letter'!eight, an" 8 "on't kno! !hat other o""s an" en"s$C
C@ell, !e are Iuite in your han"s, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" ol" Cunningham$ CAnything !hich you or the
8ns&ector may suggest !ill most certainly be "one$C
C8n the first &lace,C sai" Holmes, C8 shoul" like you to offer a re!ar"Jcoming from yourself, for
the officials may take a little time before they !oul" agree u&on the sum, an" these things cannot be
"one too &rom&tly$ 8 ha#e jotte" "o!n the form here, if you !oul" not min" signing it$ <ifty &oun"s
!as Iuite enough, 8 thought$C
C8 !oul" !illingly gi#e fi#e hun"re",C sai" the =$P$, taking the sli& of &a&er an" the &encil !hich
Holmes han"e" to him$ CThis is not Iuite correct, ho!e#er,C he a""e", glancing o#er the "ocument$
C8 !rote it rather hurrie"ly$C
C%ou see you begin, '@hereas, at about a Iuarter to one on Tues"ay morning an attem&t !as ma"e,'
an" so on$ 8t !as at a Iuarter to t!el#e, as a matter of fact$C
8 !as &aine" at the mistake, for 8 kne! ho! keenly Holmes !oul" feel any sli& of the kin"$ 8t !as
his s&ecialty to be accurate as to fact, but his recent illness ha" shaken him, an" this one little
inci"ent !as enough to sho! me that he !as still far from being himself$ He !as ob#iously
embarrasse" for an instant, !hile the 8ns&ector raise" his eyebro!s, an" Alec Cunningham burst
into a laugh$ The ol" gentleman correcte" the mistake, ho!e#er, an" han"e" the &a&er back to
Holmes$
CGet it &rinte" as soon as &ossible,C he sai"G C8 think your i"ea is an eHcellent one$C
Holmes &ut the sli& of &a&er carefully a!ay into his &ocket'book$
CAn" no!,C sai" he, Cit really !oul" be a goo" thing that !e shoul" all go o#er the house together
an" make certain that this rather erratic burglar "i" not, after all, carry anything a!ay !ith him$C
efore entering, Holmes ma"e an eHamination of the "oor !hich ha" been force"$ 8t !as e#i"ent
that a chisel or strong knife ha" been thrust in, an" the lock force" back !ith it$ @e coul" see the
marks in the !oo" !here it ha" been &ushe" in$
C%ou "on't use bars, thenFC he aske"$
C@e ha#e ne#er foun" it necessary$C
C%ou "on't kee& a "ogFC
C%es, but he is chaine" on the other si"e of the house$C
C@hen "o the ser#ants go to be"FC
CAbout ten$C
C8 un"erstan" that @illiam !as usually in be" also at that hour$C
C%es$C
C8t is singular that on this &articular night he shoul" ha#e been u&$ >o!, 8 shoul" be #ery gla" if you
!oul" ha#e the kin"ness to sho! us o#er the house, Mr$ Cunningham$C
A stone'flagge" &assage, !ith the kitchens branching a!ay from it, le" by a !oo"en staircase
"irectly to the first floor of the house$ 8t came out u&on the lan"ing o&&osite to a secon" more
ornamental stair !hich came u& from the front hall$ 9ut of this lan"ing o&ene" the "ra!ing'room
an" se#eral be"rooms, inclu"ing those of Mr$ Cunningham an" his son$ Holmes !alke" slo!ly,
taking keen note of the architecture of the house$ 8 coul" tell from his eH&ression that he !as on a
hot scent, an" yet 8 coul" not in the least imagine in !hat "irection his inferences !ere lea"ing him$
CMy goo" sir,C sai" Mr$ Cunningham !ith some im&atience, Cthis is surely #ery unnecessary$ That
is my room at the en" of the stairs, an" my son's is the one beyon" it$ 8 lea#e it to your ju"gment
!hether it !as &ossible for the thief to ha#e come u& here !ithout "isturbing us$C
C%ou must try roun" an" get on a fresh scent, 8 fancy,C sai" the son !ith a rather malicious smile$
CStill, 8 must ask you to humor me a little further$ 8 shoul" like, for eHam&le, to see ho! far the
!in"o!s of the be"rooms comman" the front$ This, 8 un"erstan" is your son's roomCJhe &ushe"
o&en the "oorJCan" that, 8 &resume, is the "ressing'room in !hich he sat smoking !hen the alarm
!as gi#en$ @here "oes the !in"o! of that look out toFC He ste&&e" across the be"room, &ushe"
o&en the "oor, an" glance" roun" the other chamber$
C8 ho&e that you are satisfie" no!FC sai" Mr$ Cunningham, tartly$
CThank you, 8 think 8 ha#e seen all that 8 !ishe"$C
CThen if it is really necessary !e can go into my room$C
C8f it is not too much trouble$C
The =$ P$ shrugge" his shoul"ers, an" le" the !ay into his o!n chamber, !hich !as a &lainly
furnishe" an" common&lace room$ As !e mo#e" across it in the "irection of the !in"o!, Holmes
fell back until he an" 8 !ere the last of the grou&$ >ear the foot of the be" stoo" a "ish of oranges
an" a carafe of !ater$ As !e &asse" it Holmes, to my unutterable astonishment, leane" o#er in front
of me an" "eliberately knocke" the !hole thing o#er$ The glass smashe" into a thousan" &ieces an"
the fruit rolle" about into e#ery corner of the room$
C%ou'#e "one it no!, @atson,C sai" he, coolly$ CA &retty mess you'#e ma"e of the car&et$C
8 stoo&e" in some confusion an" began to &ick u& the fruit, un"erstan"ing for some reason my
com&anion "esire" me to take the blame u&on myself$ The others "i" the same, an" set the table on
its legs again$
CHulloEC crie" the 8ns&ector, C!here's he got toFC
Holmes ha" "isa&&eare"$
C@ait here an instant,C sai" young Alec Cunningham$ CThe fello! is off his hea", in my o&inion$
Come !ith me, father, an" see !here he has got toEC
They rushe" out of the room, lea#ing the 8ns&ector, the Colonel, an" me staring at each other$
C'Pon my !or", 8 am incline" to agree !ith Master Alec,C sai" the official$ C8t may be the effect of
this illness, but it seems to me thatJC
His !or"s !ere cut short by a su""en scream of CHel&E Hel&E Mur"erEC @ith a thrill 8 recogniAe"
the #oice of that of my frien"$ 8 rushe" ma"ly from the room on to the lan"ing$ The cries, !hich ha"
sunk "o!n into a hoarse, inarticulate shouting, came from the room !hich !e ha" first #isite"$ 8
"ashe" in, an" on into the "ressing'room beyon"$ The t!o Cunninghams !ere ben"ing o#er the
&rostrate figure of Sherlock Holmes, the younger clutching his throat !ith both han"s, !hile the
el"er seeme" to be t!isting one of his !rists$ 8n an instant the three of us ha" torn them a!ay from
him, an" Holmes staggere" to his feet, #ery &ale an" e#i"ently greatly eHhauste"$
CArrest these men, 8ns&ector,C he gas&e"$
C9n !hat chargeFC
CThat of mur"ering their coachman, @illiam ?ir!an$C
The 8ns&ector stare" about him in be!il"erment$ C9h, come no!, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" he at last, C8'm
sure you "on't really mean toJC
CTut, man, look at their facesEC crie" Holmes, curtly$
>e#er certainly ha#e 8 seen a &lainer confession of guilt u&on human countenances$ The ol"er man
seeme" numbe" an" "aAe" !ith a hea#y, sullen eH&ression u&on his strongly'marke" face$ The son,
on the other han", ha" "ro&&e" all that jaunty, "ashing style !hich ha" characteriAe" him, an" the
ferocity of a "angerous !il" beast gleame" in his "ark eyes an" "istorte" his han"some features$
The 8ns&ector sai" nothing, but, ste&&ing to the "oor, he ble! his !histle$ T!o of his constables
came at the call$
C8 ha#e no alternati#e, Mr$ Cunningham,C sai" he$ C8 trust that this may all &ro#e to be an absur"
mistake, but you can see thatJAh, !oul" youF Dro& itEC He struck out !ith his han", an" a
re#ol#er !hich the younger man !as in the act of cocking clattere" "o!n u&on the floor$
C?ee& that,C sai" Holmes, Iuietly &utting his foot u&on itG Cyou !ill fin" it useful at the trial$ ut
this is !hat !e really !ante"$C He hel" u& a little crum&le" &iece of &a&er$
CThe remain"er of the sheetEC crie" the 8ns&ector$
CPrecisely$C
CAn" !here !as itFC
C@here 8 !as sure it must be$ 8'll make the !hole matter clear to you &resently$ 8 think, Colonel, that
you an" @atson might return no!, an" 8 !ill be !ith you again in an hour at the furthest$ The
8ns&ector an" 8 must ha#e a !or" !ith the &risoners, but you !ill certainly see me back at luncheon
time$C
Sherlock Holmes !as as goo" as his !or", for about one o'clock he rejoine" us in the Colonel's
smoking'room$ He !as accom&anie" by a little el"erly gentleman, !ho !as intro"uce" to me as the
Mr$ Acton !hose house ha" been the scene of the original burglary$
C8 !ishe" Mr$ Acton to be &resent !hile 8 "emonstrate" this small matter to you,C sai" Holmes, Cfor
it is natural that he shoul" take a keen interest in the "etails$ 8 am afrai", my "ear Colonel, that you
must regret the hour that you took in such a stormy &etrel as 8 am$C
C9n the contrary,C ans!ere" the Colonel, !armly, C8 consi"er it the greatest &ri#ilege to ha#e been
&ermitte" to stu"y your metho"s of !orking$ 8 confess that they Iuite sur&ass my eH&ectations, an"
that 8 am utterly unable to account for your result$ 8 ha#e not yet seen the #estige of a clue$C
C8 am afrai" that my eH&lanation may "isillusion you but it has al!ays been my habit to hi"e none
of my metho"s, either from my frien" @atson or from any one !ho might take an intelligent
interest in them$ ut, first, as 8 am rather shaken by the knocking about !hich 8 ha" in the "ressing'
room, 8 think that 8 shall hel& myself to a "ash of your bran"y, Colonel$ My strength ha" been rather
trie" of late$C
C8 trust that you ha" no more of those ner#ous attacks$C
Sherlock Holmes laughe" heartily$ C@e !ill come to that in its turn,C sai" he$ C8 !ill lay an account
of the case before you in its "ue or"er, sho!ing you the #arious &oints !hich gui"e" me in my
"ecision$ Pray interru&t me if there is any inference !hich is not &erfectly clear to you$
C8t is of the highest im&ortance in the art of "etection to be able to recogniAe, out of a number of
facts, !hich are inci"ental an" !hich #ital$ 9ther!ise your energy an" attention must be "issi&ate"
instea" of being concentrate"$ >o!, in this case there !as not the slightest "oubt in my min" from
the first that the key of the !hole matter must be looke" for in the scra& of &a&er in the "ea" man's
han"$
Cefore going into this, 8 !oul" "ra! your attention to the fact that, if Alec Cunningham's narrati#e
!as correct, an" if the assailant, after shooting @illiam ?ir!an, ha" instantly fle", then it ob#iously
coul" not be he !ho tore the &a&er from the "ea" man's han"$ ut if it !as not he, it must ha#e been
Alec Cunningham himself, for by the time that the ol" man ha" "escen"e" se#eral ser#ants !ere
u&on the scene$ The &oint is a sim&le one, but the 8ns&ector ha" o#erlooke" it because he ha"
starte" !ith the su&&osition that these county magnates ha" ha" nothing to "o !ith the matter$ >o!,
8 make a &oint of ne#er ha#ing any &reju"ices, an" of follo!ing "ocilely !here#er fact may lea"
me, an" so, in the #ery first stage of the in#estigation, 8 foun" myself looking a little askance at the
&art !hich ha" been &laye" by Mr$ Alec Cunningham$
CAn" no! 8 ma"e a #ery careful eHamination of the corner of &a&er !hich the 8ns&ector ha"
submitte" to us$ 8t !as at once clear to me that it forme" &art of a #ery remarkable "ocument$ Here
it is$ Do you not no! obser#e something #ery suggesti#e about itFC
C8t has a #ery irregular look,C sai" the Colonel$
CMy "ear sir,C crie" Holmes, Cthere cannot be the least "oubt in the !orl" that it has been !ritten by
t!o &ersons "oing alternate !or"s$ @hen 8 "ra! your attention to the strong t's of 'at' an" 'to', an"
ask you to com&are them !ith the !eak ones of 'Iuarter' an" 't!el#e,' you !ill instantly recogniAe
the fact$ A #ery brief analysis of these four !or"s !oul" enable you to say !ith the utmost
confi"ence that the 'learn' an" the 'maybe' are !ritten in the stronger han", an" the '!hat' in the
!eaker$C
Cy =o#e, it's as clear as "ayEC crie" the Colonel$ C@hy on earth shoul" t!o men !rite a letter in
such a fashionFC
C9b#iously the business !as a ba" one, an" one of the men !ho "istruste" the other !as
"etermine" that, !hate#er !as "one, each shoul" ha#e an eIual han" in it$ >o!, of the t!o men, it
is clear that the one !ho !rote the 'at' an" 'to' !as the ringlea"er$C
CHo! "o you get at thatFC
C@e might "e"uce it from the mere character of the one han" as com&are" !ith the other$ ut !e
ha#e more assure" reasons than that for su&&osing it$ 8f you eHamine this scra& !ith attention you
!ill come to the conclusion that the man !ith the stronger han" !rote all his !or"s first, lea#ing
blanks for the other to fill u&$ These blanks !ere not al!ays sufficient, an" you can see that the
secon" man ha" a sIueeAe to fit his 'Iuarter' in bet!een the 'at' an" the 'to,' sho!ing that the latter
!ere alrea"y !ritten$ The man !ho !rote all his !or"s first is un"oubte"ly the man !ho &lanne"
the affair$C
C/HcellentEC crie" Mr$ Acton$
Cut #ery su&erficial,C sai" Holmes$ C@e come no!, ho!e#er, to a &oint !hich is of im&ortance$
%ou may not be a!are that the "e"uction of a man's age from his !riting is one !hich has been
brought to consi"erable accuracy by eH&erts$ 8n normal cases one can &lace a man in his true "eca"e
!ith tolerable confi"ence$ 8 say normal cases, because ill'health an" &hysical !eakness re&ro"uce
the signs of ol" age, e#en !hen the in#ali" is a youth$ 8n this case, looking at the bol", strong han"
of the one, an" the rather broken'backe" a&&earance of the other, !hich still retains its legibility
although the t's ha#e begun to lose their crossing, !e can say that the one !as a young man an" the
other !as a"#ance" in years !ithout being &ositi#ely "ecre&it$C
C/HcellentEC crie" Mr$ Acton again$
CThere is a further &oint, ho!e#er, !hich is subtler an" of greater interest$ There is something in
common bet!een these han"s$ They belong to men !ho are bloo"'relati#es$ 8t may be most ob#ious
to you in the Greek e's, but to me there are many small &oints !hich in"icate the same thing$ 8 ha#e
no "oubt at all that a family mannerism can be trace" in these t!o s&ecimens of !riting$ 8 am only,
of course, gi#ing you the lea"ing results no! of my eHamination of the &a&er$ There !ere t!enty'
three other "e"uctions !hich !oul" be of more interest to eH&erts than to you$ They all ten" to
"ee&en the im&ression u&on my min" that the Cunninghams, father an" son, ha" !ritten this letter$
CHa#ing got so far, my neHt ste& !as, of course, to eHamine into the "etails of the crime, an" to see
ho! far they !oul" hel& us$ 8 !ent u& to the house !ith the 8ns&ector, an" sa! all that !as to be
seen$ The !oun" u&on the "ea" man !as, as 8 !as able to "etermine !ith absolute confi"ence, fire"
from a re#ol#er at the "istance of something o#er four yar"s$ There !as no &o!"er'blackening on
the clothes$ /#i"ently, therefore, Alec Cunningham ha" lie" !hen he sai" that the t!o men !ere
struggling !hen the shot !as fire"$ Again, both father an" son agree" as to the &lace !here the man
esca&e" into the roa"$ At that &oint, ho!e#er, as it ha&&ens, there is a broa"ish "itch, moist at the
bottom$ As there !ere no in"ications of bootmarks about this "itch, 8 !as absolutely sure not only
that the Cunninghams ha" again lie", but that there ha" ne#er been any unkno!n man u&on the
scene at all$
CAn" no! 8 ha#e to consi"er the moti#e of this singular crime$ To get at this, 8 en"ea#ore" first of
all to sol#e the reason of the original burglary at Mr$ Acton's$ 8 un"erstoo", from something !hich
the Colonel tol" us, that a la!suit ha" been going on bet!een you, Mr$ Acton, an" the
Cunninghams$ 9f course, it instantly occurre" to me that they ha" broken into your library !ith the
intention of getting at some "ocument !hich might be of im&ortance in the case$C
CPrecisely so,C sai" Mr$ Acton$ CThere can be no &ossible "oubt as to their intentions$ 8 ha#e the
clearest claim u&on half of their &resent estate, an" if they coul" ha#e foun" a single &a&erJ!hich,
fortunately, !as in the strong'boH of my solicitorsJthey !oul" un"oubte"ly ha#e cri&&le" our
case$C
CThere you are,C sai" Holmes, smiling$ C8t !as a "angerous, reckless attem&t, in !hich 8 seem to
trace the influence of young Alec$ Ha#ing foun" nothing they trie" to "i#ert sus&icion by making it
a&&ear to be an or"inary burglary, to !hich en" they carrie" off !hate#er they coul" lay their han"s
u&on$ That is all clear enough, but there !as much that !as still obscure$ @hat 8 !ante" abo#e all
!as to get the missing &art of that note$ 8 !as certain that Alec ha" torn it out of the "ea" man's
han", an" almost certain that he must ha#e thrust it into the &ocket of his "ressing'go!n$ @here
else coul" he ha#e &ut itF The only Iuestion !as !hether it !as still there$ 8t !as !orth an effort to
fin" out, an" for that object !e all !ent u& to the house$
CThe Cunninghams joine" us, as you "oubtless remember, outsi"e the kitchen "oor$ 8t !as, of
course, of the #ery first im&ortance that they shoul" not be remin"e" of the eHistence of this &a&er,
other!ise they !oul" naturally "estroy it !ithout "elay$ The 8ns&ector !as about to tell them the
im&ortance !hich !e attache" to it !hen, by the luckiest chance in the !orl", 8 tumble" "o!n in a
sort of fit an" so change" the con#ersation$
CGoo" hea#ensEC crie" the Colonel, laughing, C"o you mean to say all our sym&athy !as !aste" an"
your fit an im&ostureFC
CS&eaking &rofessionally, it !as a"mirably "one,C crie" 8, looking in amaAement at this man !ho
!as fore#er confoun"ing me !ith some ne! &hase of his astuteness$
C8t is an art !hich is often useful,C sai" he$ C@hen 8 reco#ere" 8 manage", by a "e#ice !hich ha"
&erha&s some little merit of ingenuity, to get ol" Cunningham to !rite the !or" 't!el#e,' so that 8
might com&are it !ith the 't!el#e' u&on the &a&er$C
C9h, !hat an ass 8 ha#e beenEC 8 eHclaime"$
C8 coul" see that you !ere commiserating me o#er my !eakness,C sai" Holmes, laughing$ C8 !as
sorry to cause you the sym&athetic &ain !hich 8 kno! that you felt$ @e then !ent u&stairs together,
an" ha#ing entere" the room an" seen the "ressing'go!n hanging u& behin" the "oor, 8 contri#e",
by u&setting a table, to engage their attention for the moment, an" sli&&e" back to eHamine the
&ockets$ 8 ha" har"ly got the &a&er, ho!e#erJ!hich !as, as 8 ha" eH&ecte", in one of themJ!hen
the t!o Cunninghams !ere on me, an" !oul", 8 #erily belie#e, ha#e mur"ere" me then an" there
but for your &rom&t an" frien"ly ai"$ As it is, 8 feel that young man's gri& on my throat no!, an" the
father has t!iste" my !rist roun" in the effort to get the &a&er out of my han"$ They sa! that 8 must
kno! all about it, you see, an" the su""en change from absolute security to com&lete "es&air ma"e
them &erfectly "es&erate$
C8 ha" a little talk !ith ol" Cunningham after!ar"s as to the moti#e of the crime$ He !as tractable
enough, though his son !as a &erfect "emon, rea"y to blo! out his o!n or anybo"y else's brains if
he coul" ha#e got to his re#ol#er$ @hen Cunningham sa! that the case against him !as so strong he
lost all heart an" ma"e a clean breast of e#erything$ 8t seems that @illiam ha" secretly follo!e" his
t!o masters on the night !hen they ma"e their rai" u&on Mr$ Acton's, an" ha#ing thus got them into
his &o!er, &rocee"e", un"er threats of eH&osure, to le#y blackmail u&on them$ Mr$ Alec, ho!e#er,
!as a "angerous man to &lay games of that sort !ith$ 8t !as a stroke of &ositi#e genius on his &art to
see in the burglary scare !hich !as con#ulsing the country si"e an o&&ortunity of &lausibly getting
ri" of the man !hom he feare"$ @illiam !as "ecoye" u& an" shot, an" ha" they only got the !hole
of the note an" &ai" a little more attention to "etail in the accessories, it is #ery &ossible that
sus&icion might ne#er ha#e been arouse"$C
CAn" the noteFC 8 aske"$
Sherlock Holmes &lace" the subjoine" &a&er before us$
8f you !ill only come aroun" to the east gate it !ill
#ery much sur&rise you an" be of the greatest ser#ice to you
an" also to Annie Morrison$ ut say nothing to anyone u&on
the matter$
C8t is #ery much the sort of thing that 8 eH&ecte",C sai" he$ C9f course, !e "o not yet kno! !hat the
relations may ha#e been bet!een Alec Cunningham, @illiam ?ir!an, an" Annie Morrison$ The
results sho!s that the tra& !as skillfully baite"$ 8 am sure that you cannot fail to be "elighte" !ith
the traces of here"ity sho!n in the &'s an" in the tails of the g's$ The absence of the i'"ots in the ol"
man's !riting is also most characteristic$ @atson, 8 think our Iuiet rest in the country has been a
"istinct success, an" 8 shall certainly return much in#igorate" to aker Street to'morro!$C
A"#enture B88$ The Crooke" Man
9ne summer night, a fe! months after my marriage, 8 !as seate" by my o!n hearth smoking a last
&i&e an" no""ing o#er a no#el, for my "ay's !ork ha" been an eHhausting one$ My !ife ha" alrea"y
gone u&stairs, an" the soun" of the locking of the hall "oor some time before tol" me that the
ser#ants ha" also retire"$ 8 ha" risen from my seat an" !as knocking out the ashes of my &i&e !hen
8 su""enly hear" the clang of the bell$
8 looke" at the clock$ 8t !as a Iuarter to t!el#e$ This coul" not be a #isitor at so late an hour$ A
&atient, e#i"ently, an" &ossibly an all'night sitting$ @ith a !ry face 8 !ent out into the hall an"
o&ene" the "oor$ To my astonishment it !as Sherlock Holmes !ho stoo" u&on my ste&$
CAh, @atson,C sai" he, C8 ho&e" that 8 might not be too late to catch you$C
CMy "ear fello!, &ray come in$C
C%ou look sur&rise", an" no !on"erE *elie#e", too, 8 fancyE HumE %ou still smoke the Arca"ia
miHture of your bachelor "ays thenE There's no mistaking that fluffy ash u&on your coat$ 8t's easy to
tell that you ha#e been accustome" to !ear a uniform, @atson$ %ou'll ne#er &ass as a &ure'bre"
ci#ilian as long as you kee& that habit of carrying your han"kerchief in your slee#e$ Coul" you &ut
me u& to'nightFC
C@ith &leasure$C
C%ou tol" me that you ha" bachelor Iuarters for one, an" 8 see that you ha#e no gentleman #isitor at
&resent$ %our hat'stan" &roclaims as much$C
C8 shall be "elighte" if you !ill stay$C
CThank you$ 8'll fill the #acant &eg then$ Sorry to see that you'#e ha" the ritish !orkman in the
house$ He's a token of e#il$ >ot the "rains, 8 ho&eFC
C>o, the gas$C
CAhE He has left t!o nail'marks from his boot u&on your linoleum just !here the light strikes it$
>o, thank you, 8 ha" some su&&er at @aterloo, but 8'll smoke a &i&e !ith you !ith &leasure$C
8 han"e" him my &ouch, an" he seate" himself o&&osite to me an" smoke" for some time in silence$
8 !as !ell a!are that nothing but business of im&ortance !oul" ha#e brought him to me at such an
hour, so 8 !aite" &atiently until he shoul" come roun" to it$
C8 see that you are &rofessionally rather busy just no!,C sai" he, glancing #ery keenly across at me$
C%es, 8'#e ha" a busy "ay,C 8 ans!ere"$ C8t may seem #ery foolish in your eyes,C 8 a""e", Cbut really
8 "on't kno! ho! you "e"uce" it$C
Holmes chuckle" to himself$
C8 ha#e the a"#antage of kno!ing your habits, my "ear @atson,C sai" he$ C@hen your roun" is a
short one you !alk, an" !hen it is a long one you use a hansom$ As 8 &ercei#e that your boots,
although use", are by no means "irty, 8 cannot "oubt that you are at &resent busy enough to justify
the hansom$C
C/HcellentEC 8 crie"$
C/lementary,C sai" he$ C8t is one of those instances !here the reasoner can &ro"uce an effect !hich
seems remarkable to his neighbor, because the latter has misse" the one little &oint !hich is the
basis of the "e"uction$ The same may be sai", my "ear fello!, for the effect of some of these little
sketches of yours, !hich is entirely meretricious, "e&en"ing as it "oes u&on your retaining in your
o!n han"s some factors in the &roblem !hich are ne#er im&arte" to the rea"er$ >o!, at &resent 8 am
in the &osition of these same rea"ers, for 8 hol" in this han" se#eral threa"s of one of the strangest
cases !hich e#er &er&leHe" a man's brain, an" yet 8 lack the one or t!o !hich are nee"ful to
com&lete my theory$ ut 8'll ha#e them, @atson, 8'll ha#e themEC His eyes kin"le" an" a slight flush
s&rang into his thin cheeks$ <or an instant only$ @hen 8 glance" again his face ha" resume" that re"'
8n"ian com&osure !hich ha" ma"e so many regar" him as a machine rather than a man$
CThe &roblem &resents features of interest,C sai" he$ C8 may e#en say eHce&tional features of
interest$ 8 ha#e alrea"y looke" into the matter, an" ha#e come, as 8 think, !ithin sight of my
solution$ 8f you coul" accom&any me in that last ste& you might be of consi"erable ser#ice to me$C
C8 shoul" be "elighte"$C
CCoul" you go as far as Al"ershot to'morro!FC
C8 ha#e no "oubt =ackson !oul" take my &ractice$C
CBery goo"$ 8 !ant to start by the ++$+7 from @aterloo$C
CThat !oul" gi#e me time$C
CThen, if you are not too slee&y, 8 !ill gi#e you a sketch of !hat has ha&&ene", an" of !hat remains
to be "one$C
C8 !as slee&y before you came$ 8 am Iuite !akeful no!$C
C8 !ill com&ress the story as far as may be "one !ithout omitting anything #ital to the case$ 8t is
concei#able that you may e#en ha#e rea" some account of the matter$ 8t is the su&&ose" mur"er of
Colonel arclay, of the *oyal Munsters, at Al"ershot, !hich 8 am in#estigating$C
C8 ha#e hear" nothing of it$C
C8t has not eHcite" much attention yet, eHce&t locally$ The facts are only t!o "ays ol"$ riefly they
are these)
CThe *oyal Munsters is, as you kno!, one of the most famous 8rish regiments in the ritish army$ 8t
"i" !on"ers both in the Crimea an" the Mutiny, an" has since that time "istinguishe" itself u&on
e#ery &ossible occasion$ 8t !as comman"e" u& to Mon"ay night by =ames arclay, a gallant
#eteran, !ho starte" as a full &ri#ate, !as raise" to commissione" rank for his bra#ery at the time of
the Mutiny, an" so li#e" to comman" the regiment in !hich he ha" once carrie" a musket$
CColonel arclay ha" marrie" at the time !hen he !as a sergeant, an" his !ife, !hose mai"en
name !as Miss >ancy De#oy, !as the "aughter of a former color'sergeant in the same cor&s$ There
!as, therefore, as can be imagine", some little social friction !hen the young cou&le Mfor they !ere
still youngN foun" themsel#es in their ne! surroun"ings$ They a&&ear, ho!e#er, to ha#e Iuickly
a"a&te" themsel#es, an" Mrs$ arclay has al!ays, 8 un"erstan", been as &o&ular !ith the la"ies of
the regiment as her husban" !as !ith his brother officers$ 8 may a"" that she !as a !oman of great
beauty, an" that e#en no!, !hen she has been marrie" for u&!ar"s of thirty years, she is still of a
striking an" Iueenly a&&earance$
CColonel arclay's family life a&&ears to ha#e been a uniformly ha&&y one$ Major Mur&hy, to
!hom 8 o!e most of my facts, assures me that he has ne#er hear" of any misun"erstan"ing bet!een
the &air$ 9n the !hole, he thinks that arclay's "e#otion to his !ife !as greater than his !ife's to
arclay$ He !as acutely uneasy if he !ere absent from her for a "ay$ She, on the other han", though
"e#ote" an" faithful, !as less obtrusi#ely affectionate$ ut they !ere regar"e" in the regiment as
the #ery mo"el of a mi""le'age" cou&le$ There !as absolutely nothing in their mutual relations to
&re&are &eo&le for the trage"y !hich !as to follo!$
CColonel arclay himself seems to ha#e ha" some singular traits in his character$ He !as a "ashing,
jo#ial ol" sol"ier in his usual moo", but there !ere occasions on !hich he seeme" to sho! himself
ca&able of consi"erable #iolence an" #in"icti#eness$ This si"e of his nature, ho!e#er, a&&ears ne#er
to ha#e been turne" to!ar"s his !ife$ Another fact, !hich ha" struck Major Mur&hy an" three out
of fi#e of the other officers !ith !hom 8 con#erse", !as the singular sort of "e&ression !hich came
u&on him at times$ As the major eH&resse" it, the smile ha" often been struck from his mouth, as if
by some in#isible han", !hen he has been joining the gayeties an" chaff of the mess'table$ <or "ays
on en", !hen the moo" !as on him, he has been sunk in the "ee&est gloom$ This an" a certain tinge
of su&erstition !ere the only unusual traits in his character !hich his brother officers ha" obser#e"$
The latter &eculiarity took the form of a "islike to being left alone, es&ecially after "ark$ This
&uerile feature in a nature !hich !as cons&icuously manly ha" often gi#en rise to comment an"
conjecture$
CThe first battalion of the *oyal Munsters M!hich is the ol" ++-thN has been statione" at Al"ershot
for some years$ The marrie" officers li#e out of barracks, an" the Colonel has "uring all this time
occu&ie" a #illa calle" (achine, about half a mile from the north cam&$ The house stan"s in its o!n
groun"s, but the !est si"e of it is not more than thirty yar"s from the high'roa"$ A coachman an"
t!o mai"s form the staff of ser#ants$ These !ith their master an" mistress !ere the sole occu&ants
of (achine, for the arclays ha" no chil"ren, nor !as it usual for them to ha#e resi"ent #isitors$
C>o! for the e#ents at (achine bet!een nine an" ten on the e#ening of last Mon"ay$C
CMrs$ arclay !as, it a&&ears, a member of the *oman Catholic Church, an" ha" intereste" herself
#ery much in the establishment of the Guil" of St$ George, !hich !as forme" in connection !ith
the @att Street Cha&el for the &ur&ose of su&&lying the &oor !ith cast'off clothing$ A meeting of the
Guil" ha" been hel" that e#ening at eight, an" Mrs$ arclay ha" hurrie" o#er her "inner in or"er to
be &resent at it$ @hen lea#ing the house she !as hear" by the coachman to make some
common&lace remark to her husban", an" to assure him that she !oul" be back before #ery long$
She then calle" for Miss Morrison, a young la"y !ho li#es in the neHt #illa, an" the t!o !ent off
together to their meeting$ 8t laste" forty minutes, an" at a Iuarter'&ast nine Mrs$ arclay returne"
home, ha#ing left Miss Morrison at her "oor as she &asse"$
CThere is a room !hich is use" as a morning'room at (achine$ This faces the roa" an" o&ens by a
large glass fol"ing'"oor on to the la!n$ The la!n is thirty yar"s across, an" is only "i#i"e" from the
high!ay by a lo! !all !ith an iron rail abo#e it$ 8t !as into this room that Mrs$ arclay !ent u&on
her return$ The blin"s !ere not "o!n, for the room !as sel"om use" in the e#ening, but Mrs$
arclay herself lit the lam& an" then rang the bell, asking =ane Ste!art, the house'mai", to bring her
a cu& of tea, !hich !as Iuite contrary to her usual habits$ The Colonel ha" been sitting in the
"ining'room, but hearing that his !ife ha" returne" he joine" her in the morning'room$ The
coachman sa! him cross the hall an" enter it$ He !as ne#er seen again ali#e$
CThe tea !hich ha" been or"ere" !as brought u& at the en" of ten minutesG but the mai", as she
a&&roache" the "oor, !as sur&rise" to hear the #oices of her master an" mistress in furious
altercation$ She knocke" !ithout recei#ing any ans!er, an" e#en turne" the han"le, but only to fin"
that the "oor !as locke" u&on the insi"e$ >aturally enough she ran "o!n to tell the cook, an" the
t!o !omen !ith the coachman came u& into the hall an" listene" to the "is&ute !hich !as still
raging$ They all agree" that only t!o #oices !ere to be hear", those of arclay an" of his !ife$
arclay's remarks !ere sub"ue" an" abru&t, so that none of them !ere au"ible to the listeners$ The
la"y's, on the other han", !ere most bitter, an" !hen she raise" her #oice coul" be &lainly hear"$
'%ou co!ar"E' she re&eate" o#er an" o#er again$ '@hat can be "one no!F @hat can be "one no!F
Gi#e me back my life$ 8 !ill ne#er so much as breathe the same air !ith you againE %ou co!ar"E
%ou co!ar"E' Those !ere scra&s of her con#ersation, en"ing in a su""en "rea"ful cry in the man's
#oice, !ith a crash, an" a &iercing scream from the !oman$ Con#ince" that some trage"y ha"
occurre", the coachman rushe" to the "oor an" stro#e to force it, !hile scream after scream issue"
from !ithin$ He !as unable, ho!e#er, to make his !ay in, an" the mai"s !ere too "istracte" !ith
fear to be of any assistance to him$ A su""en thought struck him, ho!e#er, an" he ran through the
hall "oor an" roun" to the la!n u&on !hich the long <rench !in"o!s o&en$ 9ne si"e of the !in"o!
!as o&en, !hich 8 un"erstan" !as Iuite usual in the summer'time, an" he &asse" !ithout "ifficulty
into the room$ His mistress ha" cease" to scream an" !as stretche" insensible u&on a couch, !hile
!ith his feet tilte" o#er the si"e of an arm'chair, an" his hea" u&on the groun" near the corner of the
fen"er, !as lying the unfortunate sol"ier stone "ea" in a &ool of his o!n bloo"$
C>aturally, the coachman's first thought, on fin"ing that he coul" "o nothing for his master, !as to
o&en the "oor$ ut here an uneH&ecte" an" singular "ifficulty &resente" itself$ The key !as not in
the inner si"e of the "oor, nor coul" he fin" it any!here in the room$ He !ent out again, therefore,
through the !in"o!, an" ha#ing obtaine" the hel& of a &oliceman an" of a me"ical man, he
returne"$ The la"y, against !hom naturally the strongest sus&icion reste", !as remo#e" to her room,
still in a state of insensibility$ The Colonel's bo"y !as then &lace" u&on the sofa, an" a careful
eHamination ma"e of the scene of the trage"y$
CThe injury from !hich the unfortunate #eteran !as suffering !as foun" to be a jagge" cut some
t!o inches long at the back &art of his hea", !hich ha" e#i"ently been cause" by a #iolent blo!
from a blunt !ea&on$ >or !as it "ifficult to guess !hat that !ea&on may ha#e been$ 5&on the floor,
close to the bo"y, !as lying a singular club of har" car#e" !oo" !ith a bone han"le$ The Colonel
&ossesse" a #arie" collection of !ea&ons brought from the "ifferent countries in !hich he ha"
fought, an" it is conjecture" by the &olice that his club !as among his tro&hies$ The ser#ants "eny
ha#ing seen it before, but among the numerous curiosities in the house it is &ossible that it may ha#e
been o#erlooke"$ >othing else of im&ortance !as "isco#ere" in the room by the &olice, sa#e the
ineH&licable fact that neither u&on Mrs$ arclay's &erson nor u&on that of the #ictim nor in any &art
of the room !as the missing key to be foun"$ The "oor ha" e#entually to be o&ene" by a locksmith
from Al"ershot$
CThat !as the state of things, @atson, !hen u&on the Tues"ay morning 8, at the reIuest of Major
Mur&hy, !ent "o!n to Al"ershot to su&&lement the efforts of the &olice$ 8 think that you !ill
ackno!le"ge that the &roblem !as alrea"y one of interest, but my obser#ations soon ma"e me
realiAe that it !as in truth much more eHtraor"inary than !oul" at first sight a&&ear$
Cefore eHamining the room 8 cross'Iuestione" the ser#ants, but only succee"e" in eliciting the
facts !hich 8 ha#e alrea"y state"$ 9ne other "etail of interest !as remembere" by =ane Ste!art, the
housemai"$ %ou !ill remember that on hearing the soun" of the Iuarrel she "escen"e" an" returne"
!ith the other ser#ants$ 9n that first occasion, !hen she !as alone, she says that the #oices of her
master an" mistress !ere sunk so lo! that she coul" hear har"ly anything, an" ju"ge" by their tones
rather than their !or"s that they ha" fallen out$ 9n my &ressing her, ho!e#er, she remembere" that
she hear" the !or" Da#i" uttere" t!ice by the la"y$ The &oint is of the utmost im&ortance as
gui"ing us to!ar"s the reason of the su""en Iuarrel$ The Colonel's name, you remember, !as
=ames$
CThere !as one thing in the case !hich ha" ma"e the "ee&est im&ression both u&on the ser#ants an"
the &olice$ This !as the contortion of the Colonel's face$ 8t ha" set, accor"ing to their account, into
the most "rea"ful eH&ression of fear an" horror !hich a human countenance is ca&able of assuming$
More than one &erson fainte" at the mere sight of him, so terrible !as the effect$ 8t !as Iuite certain
that he ha" foreseen his fate, an" that it ha" cause" him the utmost horror$ This, of course, fitte" in
!ell enough !ith the &olice theory, if the Colonel coul" ha#e seen his !ife making a mur"erous
attack u&on him$ >or !as the fact of the !oun" being on the back of his hea" a fatal objection to
this, as he might ha#e turne" to a#oi" the blo!$ >o information coul" be got from the la"y herself,
!ho !as tem&orarily insane from an acute attack of brain'fe#er$
C<rom the &olice 8 learne" that Miss Morrison, !ho you remember !ent out that e#ening !ith Mrs$
arclay, "enie" ha#ing any kno!le"ge of !hat it !as !hich ha" cause" the ill'humor in !hich her
com&anion ha" returne"$
CHa#ing gathere" these facts, @atson, 8 smoke" se#eral &i&es o#er them, trying to se&arate those
!hich !ere crucial from others !hich !ere merely inci"ental$ There coul" be no Iuestion that the
most "istincti#e an" suggesti#e &oint in the case !as the singular "isa&&earance of the "oor'key$ A
most careful search ha" faile" to "isco#er it in the room$ Therefore it must ha#e been taken from it$
ut neither the Colonel nor the Colonel's !ife coul" ha#e taken it$ That !as &erfectly clear$
Therefore a thir" &erson must ha#e entere" the room$ An" that thir" &erson coul" only ha#e come in
through the !in"o!$ 8t seeme" to me that a careful eHamination of the room an" the la!n might
&ossibly re#eal some traces of this mysterious in"i#i"ual$ %ou kno! my metho"s, @atson$ There
!as not one of them !hich 8 "i" not a&&ly to the inIuiry$ An" it en"e" by my "isco#ering traces, but
#ery "ifferent ones from those !hich 8 ha" eH&ecte"$ There ha" been a man in the room, an" he ha"
crosse" the la!n coming from the roa"$ 8 !as able to obtain fi#e #ery clear im&ressions of his foot'
marks) one in the roa"!ay itself, at the &oint !here he ha" climbe" the lo! !all, t!o on the la!n,
an" t!o #ery faint ones u&on the staine" boar"s near the !in"o! !here he ha" entere"$ He ha"
a&&arently rushe" across the la!n, for his toe'marks !ere much "ee&er than his heels$ ut it !as
not the man !ho sur&rise" me$ 8t !as his com&anion$C
CHis com&anionEC
Holmes &ulle" a large sheet of tissue'&a&er out of his &ocket an" carefully unfol"e" it u&on his
knee$
C@hat "o you make of thatFC he aske"$
The &a&er !as co#ere" !ith the tracings of the foot'marks of some small animal$ 8t ha" fi#e !ell'
marke" foot'&a"s, an in"ication of long nails, an" the !hole &rint might be nearly as large as a
"essert's&oon$
C8t's a "og,C sai" 8$
CDi" you e#er hear of a "og running u& a curtainF 8 foun" "istinct traces that this creature ha" "one
so$C
CA monkey, thenFC
Cut it is not the &rint of a monkey$C
C@hat can it be, thenFC
C>either "og nor cat nor monkey nor any creature that !e are familiar !ith$ 8 ha#e trie" to
reconstruct it from the measurements$ Here are four &rints !here the beast has been stan"ing
motionless$ %ou see that it is no less than fifteen inches from fore'foot to hin"$ A"" to that the
length of neck an" hea", an" you get a creature not much less than t!o feet longJ&robably more if
there is any tail$ ut no! obser#e this other measurement$ The animal has been mo#ing, an" !e
ha#e the length of its stri"e$ 8n each case it is only about three inches$ %ou ha#e an in"ication, you
see, of a long bo"y !ith #ery short legs attache" to it$ 8t has not been consi"erate enough to lea#e
any of its hair behin" it$ ut its general sha&e must be !hat 8 ha#e in"icate", an" it can run u& a
curtain, an" it is carni#orous$C
CHo! "o you "e"uce thatFC
Cecause it ran u& the curtain$ A canary's cage !as hanging in the !in"o!, an" its aim seems to
ha#e been to get at the bir"$C
CThen !hat !as the beastFC
CAh, if 8 coul" gi#e it a name it might go a long !ay to!ar"s sol#ing the case$ 9n the !hole, it !as
&robably some creature of the !easel an" stoat tribeJan" yet it is larger than any of these that 8
ha#e seen$C
Cut !hat ha" it to "o !ith the crimeFC
CThat, also, is still obscure$ ut !e ha#e learne" a goo" "eal, you &ercei#e$ @e kno! that a man
stoo" in the roa" looking at the Iuarrel bet!een the arclaysJthe blin"s !ere u& an" the room
lighte"$ @e kno!, also, that he ran across the la!n, entere" the room, accom&anie" by a strange
animal, an" that he either struck the Colonel or, as is eIually &ossible, that the Colonel fell "o!n
from sheer fright at the sight of him, an" cut his hea" on the corner of the fen"er$ <inally, !e ha#e
the curious fact that the intru"er carrie" a!ay the key !ith him !hen he left$C
C%our "isco#eries seem to ha#e left the business more obscure that it !as before,C sai" 8$
CLuite so$ They un"oubte"ly sho!e" that the affair !as much "ee&er than !as at first conjecture"$ 8
thought the matter o#er, an" 8 came to the conclusion that 8 must a&&roach the case from another
as&ect$ ut really, @atson, 8 am kee&ing you u&, an" 8 might just as !ell tell you all this on our !ay
to Al"ershot to'morro!$C
CThank you, you ha#e gone rather too far to sto&$C
C8t is Iuite certain that !hen Mrs$ arclay left the house at half'&ast se#en she !as on goo" terms
!ith her husban"$ She !as ne#er, as 8 think 8 ha#e sai", ostentatiously affectionate, but she !as
hear" by the coachman chatting !ith the Colonel in a frien"ly fashion$ >o!, it !as eIually certain
that, imme"iately on her return, she ha" gone to the room in !hich she !as least likely to see her
husban", ha" flo!n to tea as an agitate" !oman !ill, an" finally, on his coming in to her, ha"
broken into #iolent recriminations$ Therefore something ha" occurre" bet!een se#en'thirty an"
nine o'clock !hich ha" com&letely altere" her feelings to!ar"s him$ ut Miss Morrison ha" been
!ith her "uring the !hole of that hour an" a half$ 8t !as absolutely certain, therefore, in s&ite of her
"enial, that she must kno! something of the matter$
CMy first conjecture !as, that &ossibly there ha" been some &assages bet!een this young la"y an"
the ol" sol"ier, !hich the former ha" no! confesse" to the !ife$ That !oul" account for the angry
return, an" also for the girl's "enial that anything ha" occurre"$ >or !oul" it be entirely
incom&atible !ith most of the !or"s o#erhea"$ ut there !as the reference to Da#i", an" there !as
the kno!n affection of the Colonel for his !ife, to !eigh against it, to say nothing of the tragic
intrusion of this other man, !hich might, of course, be entirely "isconnecte" !ith !hat ha" gone
before$ 8t !as not easy to &ick one's ste&s, but, on the !hole, 8 !as incline" to "ismiss the i"ea that
there ha" been anything bet!een the Colonel an" Miss Morrison, but more than e#er con#ince" that
the young la"y hel" the clue as to !hat it !as !hich ha" turne" Mrs$ arclay to hatre" of her
husban"$ 8 took the ob#ious course, therefore, of calling u&on Miss M$, of eH&laining to her that 8
!as &erfectly certain that she hel" the facts in her &ossession, an" of assuring her that her frien",
Mrs$ arclay, might fin" herself in the "ock u&on a ca&ital charge unless the matter !ere cleare" u&$
CMiss Morrison is a little ethereal sli& of a girl, !ith timi" eyes an" blon" hair, but 8 foun" her by
no means !anting in shre!"ness an" common'sense$ She sat thinking for some time after 8 ha"
s&oken, an" then, turning to me !ith a brisk air of resolution, she broke into a remarkable statement
!hich 8 !ill con"ense for your benefit$
C'8 &romise" my frien" that 8 !oul" say nothing of the matter, an" a &romise is a &romise,' sai" sheG
'but if 8 can really hel& her !hen so serious a charge is lai" against her, an" !hen her o!n mouth,
&oor "arling, is close" by illness, then 8 think 8 am absol#e" from my &romise$ 8 !ill tell you eHactly
!hat ha&&ene" u&on Mon"ay e#ening$
C'@e !ere returning from the @att Street Mission about a Iuarter to nine o'clock$ 9n our !ay !e
ha" to &ass through Hu"son Street, !hich is a #ery Iuiet thoroughfare$ There is only one lam& in it,
u&on the left'han" si"e, an" as !e a&&roache" this lam& 8 sa! a man coming to!ar"s us !ith his
back #ery bent, an" something like a boH slung o#er one of his shoul"ers$ He a&&eare" to be
"eforme", for he carrie" his hea" lo! an" !alke" !ith his knees bent$ @e !ere &assing him !hen
he raise" his face to look at us in the circle of light thro!n by the lam&, an" as he "i" so he sto&&e"
an" screame" out in a "rea"ful #oice, CMy Go", it's >ancyEC Mrs$ arclay turne" as !hite as "eath,
an" !oul" ha#e fallen "o!n ha" the "rea"ful'looking creature not caught hol" of her$ 8 !as going to
call for the &olice, but she, to my sur&rise, s&oke Iuite ci#illy to the fello!$
C'C8 thought you ha" been "ea" this thirty years, Henry,C sai" she, in a shaking #oice$
C'CSo 8 ha#e,C sai" he, an" it !as a!ful to hear the tones that he sai" it in$ He ha" a #ery "ark,
fearsome face, an" a gleam in his eyes that comes back to me in my "reams$ His hair an" !hiskers
!ere shot !ith gray, an" his face !as all crinkle" an" &uckere" like a !ithere" a&&le$
C'C=ust !alk on a little !ay, "ear,C sai" Mrs$ arclayG C8 !ant to ha#e a !or" !ith this man$ There is
nothing to be afrai" of$C She trie" to s&eak bol"ly, but she !as still "ea"ly &ale an" coul" har"ly get
her !or"s out for the trembling of her li&s$
C'8 "i" as she aske" me, an" they talke" together for a fe! minutes$ Then she came "o!n the street
!ith her eyes blaAing, an" 8 sa! the cri&&le" !retch stan"ing by the lam&'&ost an" shaking his
clenche" fists in the air as if he !ere ma" !ith rage$ She ne#er sai" a !or" until !e !ere at the "oor
here, !hen she took me by the han" an" begge" me to tell no one !hat ha" ha&&ene"$
C'C8t's an ol" acIuaintance of mine !ho has come "o!n in the !orl",C sai" she$ @hen 8 &romise"
her 8 !oul" say nothing she kisse" me, an" 8 ha#e ne#er seen her since$ 8 ha#e tol" you no! the
!hole truth, an" if 8 !ithhel" it from the &olice it is because 8 "i" not realiAe then the "anger in
!hich my "ear frien" stoo"$ 8 kno! that it can only be to her a"#antage that e#erything shoul" be
kno!n$'
CThere !as her statement, @atson, an" to me, as you can imagine, it !as like a light on a "ark night$
/#erything !hich ha" been "isconnecte" before began at once to assume its true &lace, an" 8 ha" a
sha"o!y &resentiment of the !hole seIuence of e#ents$ My neHt ste& ob#iously !as to fin" the man
!ho ha" &ro"uce" such a remarkable im&ression u&on Mrs$ arclay$ 8f he !ere still in Al"ershot it
shoul" not be a #ery "ifficult matter$ There are not such a #ery great number of ci#ilians, an" a
"eforme" man !as sure to ha#e attracte" attention$ 8 s&ent a "ay in the search, an" by e#eningJthis
#ery e#ening, @atsonJ8 ha" run him "o!n$ The man's name is Henry @oo", an" he li#es in
lo"gings in this same street in !hich the la"ies met him$ He has only been fi#e "ays in the &lace$ 8n
the character of a registration'agent 8 ha" a most interesting gossi& !ith his lan"la"y$ The man is by
tra"e a conjurer an" &erformer, going roun" the canteens after nightfall, an" gi#ing a little
entertainment at each$ He carries some creature about !ith him in that boHG about !hich the
lan"la"y seeme" to be in consi"erable tre&i"ation, for she ha" ne#er seen an animal like it$ He uses
it in some of his tricks accor"ing to her account$ So much the !oman !as able to tell me, an" also
that it !as a !on"er the man li#e", seeing ho! t!iste" he !as, an" that he s&oke in a strange
tongue sometimes, an" that for the last t!o nights she ha" hear" him groaning an" !ee&ing in his
be"room$ He !as all right, as far as money !ent, but in his "e&osit he ha" gi#en her !hat looke"
like a ba" florin$ She sho!e" it to me, @atson, an" it !as an 8n"ian ru&ee$
CSo no!, my "ear fello!, you see eHactly ho! !e stan" an" !hy it is 8 !ant you$ 8t is &erfectly
&lain that after the la"ies &arte" from this man he follo!e" them at a "istance, that he sa! the
Iuarrel bet!een husban" an" !ife through the !in"o!, that he rushe" in, an" that the creature
!hich he carrie" in his boH got loose$ That is all #ery certain$ ut he is the only &erson in this !orl"
!ho can tell us eHactly !hat ha&&ene" in that room$C
CAn" you inten" to ask himFC
CMost certainlyJbut in the &resence of a !itness$C
CAn" 8 am the !itnessFC
C8f you !ill be so goo"$ 8f he can clear the matter u&, !ell an" goo"$ 8f he refuses, !e ha#e no
alternati#e but to a&&ly for a !arrant$C
Cut ho! "o you kno! he'll be there !hen !e returnFC
C%ou may be sure that 8 took some &recautions$ 8 ha#e one of my aker Street boys mounting guar"
o#er him !ho !oul" stick to him like a burr, go !here he might$ @e shall fin" him in Hu"son Street
to'morro!, @atson, an" mean!hile 8 shoul" be the criminal myself if 8 ke&t you out of be" any
longer$C
8t !as mi""ay !hen !e foun" oursel#es at the scene of the trage"y, an", un"er my com&anion's
gui"ance, !e ma"e our !ay at once to Hu"son Street$ 8n s&ite of his ca&acity for concealing his
emotions, 8 coul" easily see that Holmes !as in a state of su&&resse" eHcitement, !hile 8 !as
myself tingling !ith that half's&orting, half'intellectual &leasure !hich 8 in#ariably eH&erience"
!hen 8 associate" myself !ith him in his in#estigations$
CThis is the street,C sai" he, as !e turne" into a short thoroughfare line" !ith &lain t!o'storie" brick
houses$ CAh, here is Sim&son to re&ort$C
CHe's in all right, Mr$ Holmes,C crie" a small street Arab, running u& to us$
CGoo", Sim&sonEC sai" Holmes, &atting him on the hea"$ CCome along, @atson$ This is the house$C
He sent in his car" !ith a message that he ha" come on im&ortant business, an" a moment later !e
!ere face to face !ith the man !hom !e ha" come to see$ 8n s&ite of the !arm !eather he !as
crouching o#er a fire, an" the little room !as like an o#en$ The man sat all t!iste" an" hu""le" in
his chair in a !ay !hich ga#e an in"escribable im&ression of "eformityG but the face !hich he
turne" to!ar"s us, though !orn an" s!arthy, must at some time ha#e been remarkable for its
beauty$ He looke" sus&iciously at us no! out of yello!'shot, bilious eyes, an", !ithout s&eaking or
rising, he !a#e" to!ar"s t!o chairs$
CMr$ Henry @oo", late of 8n"ia, 8 belie#e,C sai" Holmes, affably$ C8'#e come o#er this little matter of
Colonel arclay's "eath$C
C@hat shoul" 8 kno! about thatFC
CThat's !hat 8 !ant to ascertain$ %ou kno!, 8 su&&ose, that unless the matter is cleare" u&, Mrs$
arclay, !ho is an ol" frien" of yours, !ill in all &robability be trie" for mur"er$C
The man ga#e a #iolent start$
C8 "on't kno! !ho you are,C he crie", Cnor ho! you come to kno! !hat you "o kno!, but !ill you
s!ear that this is true that you tell meFC
C@hy, they are only !aiting for her to come to her senses to arrest her$C
CMy Go"E Are you in the &olice yourselfFC
C>o$C
C@hat business is it of yours, thenFC
C8t's e#ery man's business to see justice "one$C
C%ou can take my !or" that she is innocent$C
CThen you are guilty$C
C>o, 8 am not$C
C@ho kille" Colonel =ames arclay, thenFC
C8t !as a just &ro#i"ence that kille" him$ ut, min" you this, that if 8 ha" knocke" his brains out, as
it !as in my heart to "o, he !oul" ha#e ha" no more than his "ue from my han"s$ 8f his o!n guilty
conscience ha" not struck him "o!n it is likely enough that 8 might ha#e ha" his bloo" u&on my
soul$ %ou !ant me to tell the story$ @ell, 8 "on't kno! !hy 8 shoul"n't, for there's no cause for me to
be ashame" of it$
C8t !as in this !ay, sir$ %ou see me no! !ith my back like a camel an" my ribs all a!ry, but there
!as a time !hen Cor&oral Henry @oo" !as the smartest man in the ++-th foot$ @e !ere in 8n"ia
then, in cantonments, at a &lace !e'll call hurtee$ arclay, !ho "ie" the other "ay, !as sergeant in
the same com&any as myself, an" the belle of the regiment, ay, an" the finest girl that e#er ha" the
breath of life bet!een her li&s, !as >ancy De#oy, the "aughter of the color'sergeant$ There !ere
t!o men that lo#e" her, an" one that she lo#e", an" you'll smile !hen you look at this &oor thing
hu""le" before the fire, an" hear me say that it !as for my goo" looks that she lo#e" me$
C@ell, though 8 ha" her heart, her father !as set u&on her marrying arclay$ 8 !as a harum'scarum,
reckless la", an" he ha" ha" an e"ucation, an" !as alrea"y marke" for the s!or"'belt$ ut the girl
hel" true to me, an" it seeme" that 8 !oul" ha#e ha" her !hen the Mutiny broke out, an" all hell
!as loose in the country$
C@e !ere shut u& in hurtee, the regiment of us !ith half a battery of artillery, a com&any of Sikhs,
an" a lot of ci#ilians an" !omen'folk$ There !ere ten thousan" rebels roun" us, an" they !ere as
keen as a set of terriers roun" a rat'cage$ About the secon" !eek of it our !ater ga#e out, an" it !as
a Iuestion !hether !e coul" communicate !ith General >eill's column, !hich !as mo#ing u&
country$ 8t !as our only chance, for !e coul" not ho&e to fight our !ay out !ith all the !omen an"
chil"ren, so 8 #olunteere" to go out an" to !arn General >eill of our "anger$ My offer !as acce&te",
an" 8 talke" it o#er !ith Sergeant arclay, !ho !as su&&ose" to kno! the groun" better than any
other man, an" !ho "re! u& a route by !hich 8 might get through the rebel lines$ At ten o'clock the
same night 8 starte" off u&on my journey$ There !ere a thousan" li#es to sa#e, but it !as of only
one that 8 !as thinking !hen 8 "ro&&e" o#er the !all that night$
CMy !ay ran "o!n a "rie"'u& !atercourse, !hich !e ho&e" !oul" screen me from the enemy's
sentriesG but as 8 cre&t roun" the corner of it 8 !alke" right into siH of them, !ho !ere crouching
"o!n in the "ark !aiting for me$ 8n an instant 8 !as stunne" !ith a blo! an" boun" han" an" foot$
ut the real blo! !as to my heart an" not to my hea", for as 8 came to an" listene" to as much as 8
coul" un"erstan" of their talk, 8 hear" enough to tell me that my comra"e, the #ery man !ho ha"
arrange" the !ay that 8 !as to take, ha" betraye" me by means of a nati#e ser#ant into the han"s of
the enemy$
C@ell, there's no nee" for me to "!ell on that &art of it$ %ou kno! no! !hat =ames arclay !as
ca&able of$ hurtee !as relie#e" by >eill neHt "ay, but the rebels took me a!ay !ith them in their
retreat, an" it !as many a long year before e#er 8 sa! a !hite face again$ 8 !as torture" an" trie" to
get a!ay, an" !as ca&ture" an" torture" again$ %ou can see for yoursel#es the state in !hich 8 !as
left$ Some of them that fle" into >e&aul took me !ith them, an" then after!ar"s 8 !as u& &ast
Darjeeling$ The hill'folk u& there mur"ere" the rebels !ho ha" me, an" 8 became their sla#e for a
time until 8 esca&e"G but instea" of going south 8 ha" to go north, until 8 foun" myself among the
Afghans$ There 8 !an"ere" about for many a year, an" at last came back to the Punjab, !here 8
li#e" mostly among the nati#es an" &icke" u& a li#ing by the conjuring tricks that 8 ha" learne"$
@hat use !as it for me, a !retche" cri&&le, to go back to /nglan" or to make myself kno!n to my
ol" comra"esF /#en my !ish for re#enge !oul" not make me "o that$ 8 ha" rather that >ancy an"
my ol" &als shoul" think of Harry @oo" as ha#ing "ie" !ith a straight back, than see him li#ing an"
cra!ling !ith a stick like a chim&anAee$ They ne#er "oubte" that 8 !as "ea", an" 8 meant that they
ne#er shoul"$ 8 hear" that arclay ha" marrie" >ancy, an" that he !as rising ra&i"ly in the
regiment, but e#en that "i" not make me s&eak$
Cut !hen one gets ol" one has a longing for home$ <or years 8'#e been "reaming of the bright
green fiel"s an" the he"ges of /nglan"$ At last 8 "etermine" to see them before 8 "ie"$ 8 sa#e"
enough to bring me across, an" then 8 came here !here the sol"iers are, for 8 kno! their !ays an"
ho! to amuse them an" so earn enough to kee& me$C
C%our narrati#e is most interesting,C sai" Sherlock Holmes$ C8 ha#e alrea"y hear" of your meeting
!ith Mrs$ arclay, an" your mutual recognition$ %ou then, as 8 un"erstan", follo!e" her home an"
sa! through the !in"o! an altercation bet!een her husban" an" her, in !hich she "oubtless cast
his con"uct to you in his teeth$ %our o!n feelings o#ercame you, an" you ran across the la!n an"
broke in u&on them$C
C8 "i", sir, an" at the sight of me he looke" as 8 ha#e ne#er seen a man look before, an" o#er he
!ent !ith his hea" on the fen"er$ ut he !as "ea" before he fell$ 8 rea" "eath on his face as &lain as
8 can rea" that teHt o#er the fire$ The bare sight of me !as like a bullet through his guilty heart$C
CAn" thenFC
CThen >ancy fainte", an" 8 caught u& the key of the "oor from her han", inten"ing to unlock it an"
get hel&$ ut as 8 !as "oing it it seeme" to me better to lea#e it alone an" get a!ay, for the thing
might look black against me, an" any !ay my secret !oul" be out if 8 !ere taken$ 8n my haste 8
thrust the key into my &ocket, an" "ro&&e" my stick !hile 8 !as chasing Te""y, !ho ha" run u& the
curtain$ @hen 8 got him into his boH, from !hich he ha" sli&&e", 8 !as off as fast as 8 coul" run$C
C@ho's Te""yFC aske" Holmes$
The man leane" o#er an" &ulle" u& the front of a kin" of hutch in the corner$ 8n an instant out there
sli&&e" a beautiful re""ish'bro!n creature, thin an" lithe, !ith the legs of a stoat, a long, thin nose,
an" a &air of the finest re" eyes that e#er 8 sa! in an animal's hea"$
C8t's a mongoose,C 8 crie"$
C@ell, some call them that, an" some call them ichneumon,C sai" the man$ CSnake'catcher is !hat 8
call them, an" Te""y is amaAing Iuick on cobras$ 8 ha#e one here !ithout the fangs, an" Te""y
catches it e#ery night to &lease the folk in the canteen$
CAny other &oint, sirFC
C@ell, !e may ha#e to a&&ly to you again if Mrs$ arclay shoul" &ro#e to be in serious trouble$C
C8n that case, of course, 8'" come for!ar"$C
Cut if not, there is no object in raking u& this scan"al against a "ea" man, foully as he has acte"$
%ou ha#e at least the satisfaction of kno!ing that for thirty years of his life his conscience bitterly
re&roache" him for this !icke" "ee"$ Ah, there goes Major Mur&hy on the other si"e of the street$
Goo"'by, @oo"$ 8 !ant to learn if anything has ha&&ene" since yester"ay$C
@e !ere in time to o#ertake the major before he reache" the corner$
CAh, Holmes,C he sai") C8 su&&ose you ha#e hear" that all this fuss has come to nothingFC
C@hat thenFC
CThe inIuest is just o#er$ The me"ical e#i"ence sho!e" conclusi#ely that "eath !as "ue to
a&o&leHy$ %ou see it !as Iuite a sim&le case after all$C
C9h, remarkably su&erficial,C sai" Holmes, smiling$ CCome, @atson, 8 "on't think !e shall be
!ante" in Al"ershot any more$C
CThere's one thing,C sai" 8, as !e !alke" "o!n to the station$ C8f the husban"'s name !as =ames,
an" the other !as Henry, !hat !as this talk about Da#i"FC
CThat one !or", my "ear @atson, shoul" ha#e tol" me the !hole story ha" 8 been the i"eal reasoner
!hich you are so fon" of "e&icting$ 8t !as e#i"ently a term of re&roach$C
C9f re&roachFC
C%esG Da#i" straye" a little occasionally, you kno!, an" on one occasion in the same "irection as
Sergeant =ames arclay$ %ou remember the small affair of 5riah an" athshebaF My biblical
kno!le"ge is a trifle rusty, 8 fear, but you !ill fin" the story in the first or secon" of Samuel$C
A"#enture B888$ The *esi"ent Patient
Glancing o#er the some!hat incoherent series of Memoirs !ith !hich 8 ha#e en"ea#ore" to
illustrate a fe! of the mental &eculiarities of my frien" Mr$ Sherlock Holmes, 8 ha#e been struck by
the "ifficulty !hich 8 ha#e eH&erience" in &icking out eHam&les !hich shall in e#ery !ay ans!er
my &ur&ose$ <or in those cases in !hich Holmes has &erforme" some tour "e force of analytical
reasoning, an" has "emonstrate" the #alue of his &eculiar metho"s of in#estigation, the facts
themsel#es ha#e often been so slight or so common&lace that 8 coul" not feel justifie" in laying
them before the &ublic$ 9n the other han", it has freIuently ha&&ene" that he has been concerne" in
some research !here the facts ha#e been of the most remarkable an" "ramatic character, but !here
the share !hich he has himself taken in "etermining their causes has been less &ronounce" than 8, as
his biogra&her, coul" !ish$ The small matter !hich 8 ha#e chronicle" un"er the hea"ing of CA Stu"y
in Scarlet,C an" that other later one connecte" !ith the loss of the Gloria Scott, may ser#e as
eHam&les of this Scylla an" Charyb"is !hich are fore#er threatening the historian$ 8t may be that in
the business of !hich 8 am no! about to !rite the &art !hich my frien" &laye" is not sufficiently
accentuate"G an" yet the !hole train of circumstances is so remarkable that 8 cannot bring myself to
omit it entirely from this series$
8t ha" been a close, rainy "ay in 9ctober$ 9ur blin"s !ere half'"ra!n, an" Holmes lay curle" u&on
the sofa, rea"ing an" re'rea"ing a letter !hich he ha" recei#e" by the morning &ost$ <or myself, my
term of ser#ice in 8n"ia ha" traine" me to stan" heat better than col", an" a thermometer of ,7 !as
no har"shi&$ ut the &a&er !as uninteresting$ Parliament ha" risen$ /#erybo"y !as out of to!n, an"
8 yearne" for the gla"es of the >e! <orest or the shingle of Southsea$ A "e&lete" bank account ha"
cause" me to &ost&one my holi"ay, an" as to my com&anion, neither the country nor the sea
&resente" the slightest attraction to him$ He lo#e" to lie in the #ery centre of fi#e millions of &eo&le,
!ith his filaments stretching out an" running through them, res&onsi#e to e#ery little rumor or
sus&icion of unsol#e" crime$ A&&reciation of >ature foun" no &lace among his many gifts, an" his
only change !as !hen he turne" his min" from the e#il'"oer of the to!n to track "o!n his brother
of the country$
<in"ing that Holmes !as too absorbe" for con#ersation, 8 ha" tosse" asi"e the barren &a&er, an"
leaning back in my chair, 8 fell into a bro!n stu"y$ Su""enly my com&anion's #oice broke in u&on
my thoughts$
C%ou are right, @atson,C sai" he$ C8t "oes seem a #ery &re&osterous !ay of settling a "is&ute$C
CMost &re&osterousEC 8 eHclaime", an" then, su""enly realiAing ho! he ha" echoe" the inmost
thought of my soul, 8 sat u& in my chair an" stare" at him in blank amaAement$
C@hat is this, HolmesFC 8 crie"$ CThis is beyon" anything !hich 8 coul" ha#e imagine"$C
He laughe" heartily at my &er&leHity$
C%ou remember,C sai" he, Cthat some little time ago, !hen 8 rea" you the &assage in one of Poe's
sketches, in !hich a close reasoner follo!s the uns&oken thought of his com&anion, you !ere
incline" to treat the matter as a mere tour "e force of the author$ 9n my remarking that 8 !as
constantly in the habit of "oing the same thing you eH&resse" incre"ulity$C
C9h, noEC
CPerha&s not !ith your tongue, my "ear @atson, but certainly !ith your eyebro!s$ So !hen 8 sa!
you thro! "o!n your &a&er an" enter u&on a train of thought, 8 !as #ery ha&&y to ha#e the
o&&ortunity of rea"ing it off, an" e#entually of breaking into it, as a &roof that 8 ha" been in ra&&ort
!ith you$C
ut 8 !as still far from satisfie"$ C8n the eHam&le !hich you rea" to me,C sai" 8, Cthe reasoner "re!
his conclusions from the actions of the man !hom he obser#e"$ 8f 8 remember right, he stumble"
o#er a hea& of stones, looke" u& at the stars, an" so on$ ut 8 ha#e been seate" Iuietly in my chair,
an" !hat clues can 8 ha#e gi#en youFC
C%ou "o yourself an injustice$ The features are gi#en to man as the means by !hich he shall eH&ress
his emotions, an" yours are faithful ser#ants$C
CDo you mean to say that you rea" my train of thoughts from my featuresFC
C%our features, an" es&ecially your eyes$ Perha&s you cannot yourself recall ho! your re#erie
commence"FC
C>o, 8 cannot$C
CThen 8 !ill tell you$ After thro!ing "o!n your &a&er, !hich !as the action !hich "re! my
attention to you, you sat for half a minute !ith a #acant eH&ression$ Then your eyes fiHe"
themsel#es u&on your ne!ly'frame" &icture of General Gor"on, an" 8 sa! by the alteration in your
face that a train of thought ha" been starte"$ ut it "i" not lea" #ery far$ %our eyes turne" across to
the unframe" &ortrait of Henry @ar" eecher !hich stan"s u&on the to& of your books$ %ou then
glance" u& at the !all, an" of course your meaning !as ob#ious$ %ou !ere thinking that if the
&ortrait !ere frame" it !oul" just co#er that bare s&ace an" corres&on" !ith Gor"on's &icture o#er
there$C
C%ou ha#e follo!e" me !on"erfullyEC 8 eHclaime"$
CSo far 8 coul" har"ly ha#e gone astray$ ut no! your thoughts !ent back to eecher, an" you
looke" har" across as if you !ere stu"ying the character in his features$ Then your eyes cease" to
&ucker, but you continue" to look across, an" your face !as thoughtful$ %ou !ere recalling the
inci"ents of eecher's career$ 8 !as !ell a!are that you coul" not "o this !ithout thinking of the
mission !hich he un"ertook on behalf of the >orth at the time of the Ci#il @ar, for 8 remember you
eH&ressing your &assionate in"ignation at the !ay in !hich he !as recei#e" by the more turbulent
of our &eo&le$ %ou felt so strongly about it that 8 kne! you coul" not think of eecher !ithout
thinking of that also$ @hen a moment later 8 sa! your eyes !an"er a!ay from the &icture, 8
sus&ecte" that your min" ha" no! turne" to the Ci#il @ar, an" !hen 8 obser#e" that your li&s set,
your eyes s&arkle", an" your han"s clinche", 8 !as &ositi#e that you !ere in"ee" thinking of the
gallantry !hich !as sho!n by both si"es in that "es&erate struggle$ ut then, again, your face gre!
sa""erG you shook your hea"$ %ou !ere "!elling u&on the sa"ness an" horror an" useless !aste of
life$ %our han" stole to!ar"s your o!n ol" !oun", an" a smile Iui#ere" on your li&s, !hich sho!e"
me that the ri"iculous si"e of this metho" of settling international Iuestions ha" force" itself u&on
your min"$ At this &oint 8 agree" !ith you that it !as &re&osterous, an" !as gla" to fin" that all my
"e"uctions ha" been correct$C
CAbsolutelyEC sai" 8$ CAn" no! that you ha#e eH&laine" it, 8 confess that 8 am as amaAe" as before$C
C8t !as #ery su&erficial, my "ear @atson, 8 assure you$ 8 shoul" not ha#e intru"e" it u&on your
attention ha" you not sho!n some incre"ulity the other "ay$ ut the e#ening has brought a breeAe
!ith it$ @hat "o you say to a ramble through (on"onFC
8 !as !eary of our little sitting'room an" gla"ly acIuiesce"$ <or three hours !e strolle" about
together, !atching the e#er'changing kalei"osco&e of life as it ebbs an" flo!s through <leet Street
an" the Stran"$ His characteristic talk, !ith its keen obser#ance of "etail an" subtle &o!er of
inference hel" me amuse" an" enthralle"$ 8t !as ten o'clock before !e reache" aker Street again$
A brougham !as !aiting at our "oor$
CHumE A "octor'sJgeneral &ractitioner, 8 &ercei#e,C sai" Holmes$ C>ot been long in &ractice, but
has ha" a goo" "eal to "o$ Come to consult us, 8 fancyE (ucky !e came backEC
8 !as sufficiently con#ersant !ith Holmes's metho"s to be able to follo! his reasoning, an" to see
that the nature an" state of the #arious me"ical instruments in the !icker basket !hich hung in the
lam&light insi"e the brougham ha" gi#en him the "ata for his s!ift "e"uction$ The light in our
!in"o! abo#e sho!e" that this late #isit !as in"ee" inten"e" for us$ @ith some curiosity as to !hat
coul" ha#e sent a brother me"ico to us at such an hour, 8 follo!e" Holmes into our sanctum$
A &ale, ta&er'face" man !ith san"y !hiskers rose u& from a chair by the fire as !e entere"$ His age
may not ha#e been more than three or four an" thirty, but his haggar" eH&ression an" unhealthy hue
tol" of a life !hich has sa&&e" his strength an" robbe" him of his youth$ His manner !as ner#ous
an" shy, like that of a sensiti#e gentleman, an" the thin !hite han" !hich he lai" on the mantel&iece
as he rose !as that of an artist rather than of a surgeon$ His "ress !as Iuiet an" sombreJa black
frock'coat, "ark trousers, an" a touch of color about his necktie$
CGoo"'e#ening, "octor,C sai" Holmes, cheerily$ C8 am gla" to see that you ha#e only been !aiting a
#ery fe! minutes$C
C%ou s&oke to my coachman, thenFC
C>o, it !as the can"le on the si"e'table that tol" me$ Pray resume your seat an" let me kno! ho! 8
can ser#e you$C
CMy name is Doctor Percy Tre#elyan,C sai" our #isitor, Can" 8 li#e at 372 rook Street$C
CAre you not the author of a monogra&h u&on obscure ner#ous lesionsFC 8 aske"$
His &ale cheeks flushe" !ith &leasure at hearing that his !ork !as kno!n to me$
C8 so sel"om hear of the !ork that 8 thought it !as Iuite "ea",C sai" he$ CMy &ublishers ga#e me a
most "iscouraging account of its sale$ %ou are yourself, 8 &resume, a me"ical manFC
CA retire" army surgeon$C
CMy o!n hobby has al!ays been ner#ous "isease$ 8 shoul" !ish to make it an absolute s&ecialty,
but, of course, a man must take !hat he can get at first$ This, ho!e#er, is besi"e the Iuestion, Mr$
Sherlock Holmes, an" 8 Iuite a&&reciate ho! #aluable your time is$ The fact is that a #ery singular
train of e#ents has occurre" recently at my house in rook Street, an" to'night they came to such a
hea" that 8 felt it !as Iuite im&ossible for me to !ait another hour before asking for your a"#ice
an" assistance$C
Sherlock Holmes sat "o!n an" lit his &i&e$ C%ou are #ery !elcome to both,C sai" he$ CPray let me
ha#e a "etaile" account of !hat the circumstances are !hich ha#e "isturbe" you$C
C9ne or t!o of them are so tri#ial,C sai" Dr$ Tre#elyan, Cthat really 8 am almost ashame" to mention
them$ ut the matter is so ineH&licable, an" the recent turn !hich it has taken is so elaborate, that 8
shall lay it all before you, an" you shall ju"ge !hat is essential an" !hat is not$
C8 am com&elle", to begin !ith, to say something of my o!n college career$ 8 am a (on"on
5ni#ersity man, you kno!, an" 8 am sure that you !ill not think that 8 am un"uly singing my o!n
&raises if 8 say that my stu"ent career !as consi"ere" by my &rofessors to be a #ery &romising one$
After 8 ha" gra"uate" 8 continue" to "e#ote myself to research, occu&ying a minor &osition in
?ing's College Hos&ital, an" 8 !as fortunate enough to eHcite consi"erable interest by my research
into the &athology of catale&sy, an" finally to !in the ruce Pinkerton &riAe an" me"al by the
monogra&h on ner#ous lesions to !hich your frien" has just allu"e"$ 8 shoul" not go too far if 8
!ere to say that there !as a general im&ression at that time that a "istinguishe" career lay before
me$
Cut the one great stumbling'block lay in my !ant of ca&ital$ As you !ill rea"ily un"erstan", a
s&ecialist !ho aims high is com&elle" to start in one of a "oAen streets in the Ca#en"ish SIuare
Iuarter, all of !hich entail enormous rents an" furnishing eH&enses$ esi"es this &reliminary outlay,
he must be &re&are" to kee& himself for some years, an" to hire a &resentable carriage an" horse$ To
"o this !as Iuite beyon" my &o!er, an" 8 coul" only ho&e that by economy 8 might in ten years'
time sa#e enough to enable me to &ut u& my &late$ Su""enly, ho!e#er, an uneH&ecte" inci"ent
o&ene" u& Iuite a ne! &ros&ect to me$
CThis !as a #isit from a gentleman of the name of lessington, !ho !as a com&lete stranger to me$
He came u& to my room one morning, an" &lunge" into business in an instant$
C'%ou are the same Percy Tre#elyan !ho has ha" so "istinguishe" a career an" !on a great &riAe
latelyF' sai" he$
C8 bo!e"$
C'Ans!er me frankly,' he continue", 'for you !ill fin" it to your interest to "o so$ %ou ha#e all the
cle#erness !hich makes a successful man$ Ha#e you the tactF'
C8 coul" not hel& smiling at the abru&tness of the Iuestion$
C'8 trust that 8 ha#e my share,' 8 sai"$
C'Any ba" habitsF >ot "ra!n to!ar"s "rink, ehF'
C'*eally, sirE' 8 crie"$
C'Luite rightE That's all rightE ut 8 !as boun" to ask$ @ith all these Iualities, !hy are you not in
&racticeF'
C8 shrugge" my shoul"ers$
C'Come, comeE' sai" he, in his bustling !ay$ '8t's the ol" story$ More in your brains than in your
&ocket, ehF @hat !oul" you say if 8 !ere to start you in rook StreetF'
C8 stare" at him in astonishment$
C'9h, it's for my sake, not for yours,' he crie"$ '8'll be &erfectly frank !ith you, an" if it suits you it
!ill suit me #ery !ell$ 8 ha#e a fe! thousan"s to in#est, "'ye see, an" 8 think 8'll sink them in you$'
C'ut !hyF' 8 gas&e"$
C'@ell, it's just like any other s&eculation, an" safer than most$'
C'@hat am 8 to "o, thenF'
C'8'll tell you$ 8'll take the house, furnish it, &ay the mai"s, an" run the !hole &lace$ All you ha#e to
"o is just to !ear out your chair in the consulting'room$ 8'll let you ha#e &ocket'money an"
e#erything$ Then you han" o#er to me three Iuarters of !hat you earn, an" you kee& the other
Iuarter for yourself$'
CThis !as the strange &ro&osal, Mr$ Holmes, !ith !hich the man lessington a&&roache" me$ 8
!on't !eary you !ith the account of ho! !e bargaine" an" negotiate"$ 8t en"e" in my mo#ing into
the house neHt (a"y'"ay, an" starting in &ractice on #ery much the same con"itions as he ha"
suggeste"$ He came himself to li#e !ith me in the character of a resi"ent &atient$ His heart !as
!eak, it a&&ears, an" he nee"e" constant me"ical su&er#ision$ He turne" the t!o best rooms of the
first floor into a sitting'room an" be"room for himself$ He !as a man of singular habits, shunning
com&any an" #ery sel"om going out$ His life !as irregular, but in one res&ect he !as regularity
itself$ /#ery e#ening, at the same hour, he !alke" into the consulting'room, eHamine" the books,
&ut "o!n fi#e an" three'&ence for e#ery guinea that 8 ha" earne", an" carrie" the rest off to the
strong'boH in his o!n room$
C8 may say !ith confi"ence that he ne#er ha" occasion to regret his s&eculation$ <rom the first it
!as a success$ A fe! goo" cases an" the re&utation !hich 8 ha" !on in the hos&ital brought me
ra&i"ly to the front, an" "uring the last fe! years 8 ha#e ma"e him a rich man$
CSo much, Mr$ Holmes, for my &ast history an" my relations !ith Mr$ lessington$ 8t only remains
for me no! to tell you !hat has occurre" to bring me here to'night$
CSome !eeks ago Mr$ lessington came "o!n to me in, as it seeme" to me, a state of consi"erable
agitation$ He s&oke of some burglary !hich, he sai", ha" been committe" in the @est /n", an" he
a&&eare", 8 remember, to be Iuite unnecessarily eHcite" about it, "eclaring that a "ay shoul" not
&ass before !e shoul" a"" stronger bolts to our !in"o!s an" "oors$ <or a !eek he continue" to be
in a &eculiar state of restlessness, &eering continually out of the !in"o!s, an" ceasing to take the
short !alk !hich ha" usually been the &relu"e to his "inner$ <rom his manner it struck me that he
!as in mortal "rea" of something or somebo"y, but !hen 8 Iuestione" him u&on the &oint he
became so offensi#e that 8 !as com&elle" to "ro& the subject$ Gra"ually, as time &asse", his fears
a&&eare" to "ie a!ay, an" he ha" rene!e" his former habits, !hen a fresh e#ent re"uce" him to the
&itiable state of &rostration in !hich he no! lies$
C@hat ha&&ene" !as this$ T!o "ays ago 8 recei#e" the letter !hich 8 no! rea" to you$ >either
a""ress nor "ate is attache" to it$
C'A *ussian nobleman !ho is no! resi"ent in /nglan",' it runs, '!oul" be gla" to a#ail himself of
the &rofessional assistance of Dr$ Percy Tre#elyan$ He has been for some years a #ictim to catale&tic
attacks, on !hich, as is !ell kno!n, Dr$ Tre#elyan is an authority$ He &ro&oses to call at about
Iuarter &ast siH to'morro! e#ening, if Dr$ Tre#elyan !ill make it con#enient to be at home$'
CThis letter intereste" me "ee&ly, because the chief "ifficulty in the stu"y of catale&sy is the
rareness of the "isease$ %ou may belie#e, then, that 8 !as in my consulting'room !hen, at the
a&&ointe" hour, the &age sho!e" in the &atient$
CHe !as an el"erly man, thin, "emure, an" common&laceJby no means the conce&tion one forms
of a *ussian nobleman$ 8 !as much more struck by the a&&earance of his com&anion$ This !as a
tall young man, sur&risingly han"some, !ith a "ark, fierce face, an" the limbs an" chest of a
Hercules$ He ha" his han" un"er the other's arm as they entere", an" hel&e" him to a chair !ith a
ten"erness !hich one !oul" har"ly ha#e eH&ecte" from his a&&earance$
C'%ou !ill eHcuse my coming in, "octor,' sai" he to me, s&eaking /nglish !ith a slight lis&$ 'This is
my father, an" his health is a matter of the most o#er!helming im&ortance to me$'
C8 !as touche" by this filial anHiety$ '%ou !oul", &erha&s, care to remain "uring the consultationF'
sai" 8$
C'>ot for the !orl",' he crie" !ith a gesture of horror$ '8t is more &ainful to me than 8 can eH&ress$ 8f
8 !ere to see my father in one of these "rea"ful seiAures 8 am con#ince" that 8 shoul" ne#er sur#i#e
it$ My o!n ner#ous system is an eHce&tionally sensiti#e one$ @ith your &ermission, 8 !ill remain in
the !aiting'room !hile you go into my father's case$'
CTo this, of course, 8 assente", an" the young man !ith"re!$ The &atient an" 8 then &lunge" into a
"iscussion of his case, of !hich 8 took eHhausti#e notes$ He !as not remarkable for intelligence,
an" his ans!ers !ere freIuently obscure, !hich 8 attribute" to his limite" acIuaintance !ith our
language$ Su""enly, ho!e#er, as 8 sat !riting, he cease" to gi#e any ans!er at all to my inIuiries,
an" on my turning to!ar"s him 8 !as shocke" to see that he !as sitting bolt u&right in his chair,
staring at me !ith a &erfectly blank an" rigi" face$ He !as again in the gri& of his mysterious
mala"y$
CMy first feeling, as 8 ha#e just sai", !as one of &ity an" horror$ My secon", 8 fear, !as rather one
of &rofessional satisfaction$ 8 ma"e notes of my &atient's &ulse an" tem&erature, teste" the rigi"ity
of his muscles, an" eHamine" his refleHes$ There !as nothing marke"ly abnormal in any of these
con"itions, !hich harmoniAe" !ith my former eH&eriences$ 8 ha" obtaine" goo" results in such
cases by the inhalation of nitrite of amyl, an" the &resent seeme" an a"mirable o&&ortunity of
testing its #irtues$ The bottle !as "o!nstairs in my laboratory, so lea#ing my &atient seate" in his
chair, 8 ran "o!n to get it$ There !as some little "elay in fin"ing itJfi#e minutes, let us sayJan"
then 8 returne"$ 8magine my amaAement to fin" the room em&ty an" the &atient gone$
C9f course, my first act !as to run into the !aiting'room$ The son ha" gone also$ The hall "oor ha"
been close", but not shut$ My &age !ho a"mits &atients is a ne! boy an" by no means Iuick$ He
!aits "o!nstairs, an" runs u& to sho! &atients out !hen 8 ring the consulting'room bell$ He ha"
hear" nothing, an" the affair remaine" a com&lete mystery$ Mr$ lessington came in from his !alk
shortly after!ar"s, but 8 "i" not say anything to him u&on the subject, for, to tell the truth, 8 ha#e
got in the !ay of late of hol"ing as little communication !ith him as &ossible$
C@ell, 8 ne#er thought that 8 shoul" see anything more of the *ussian an" his son, so you can
imagine my amaAement !hen, at the #ery same hour this e#ening, they both came marching into my
consulting'room, just as they ha" "one before$
C'8 feel that 8 o!e you a great many a&ologies for my abru&t "e&arture yester"ay, "octor,' sai" my
&atient$
C'8 confess that 8 !as #ery much sur&rise" at it,' sai" 8$
C'@ell, the fact is,' he remarke", 'that !hen 8 reco#er from these attacks my min" is al!ays #ery
clou"e" as to all that has gone before$ 8 !oke u& in a strange room, as it seeme" to me, an" ma"e
my !ay out into the street in a sort of "aAe" !ay !hen you !ere absent$'
C'An" 8,' sai" the son, 'seeing my father &ass the "oor of the !aiting'room, naturally thought that the
consultation ha" come to an en"$ 8t !as not until !e ha" reache" home that 8 began to realiAe the
true state of affairs$'
C'@ell,' sai" 8, laughing, 'there is no harm "one eHce&t that you &uAAle" me terriblyG so if you, sir,
!oul" kin"ly ste& into the !aiting'room 8 shall be ha&&y to continue our consultation !hich !as
brought to so abru&t an en"ing$'
C'<or half an hour or so 8 "iscusse" that ol" gentleman's sym&toms !ith him, an" then, ha#ing
&rescribe" for him, 8 sa! him go off u&on the arm of his son$
C8 ha#e tol" you that Mr$ lessington generally chose this hour of the "ay for his eHercise$ He came
in shortly after!ar"s an" &asse" u&stairs$ An instant later 8 hear" him running "o!n, an" he burst
into my consulting'room like a man !ho is ma" !ith &anic$
C'@ho has been in my roomF' he crie"$
C'>o one,' sai" 8$
C'8t's a lieE He yelle"$ 'Come u& an" lookE'
C8 &asse" o#er the grossness of his language, as he seeme" half out of his min" !ith fear$ @hen 8
!ent u&stairs !ith him he &ointe" to se#eral foot&rints u&on the light car&et$
C'D'you mean to say those are mineF' he crie"$
CThey !ere certainly #ery much larger than any !hich he coul" ha#e ma"e, an" !ere e#i"ently
Iuite fresh$ 8t raine" har" this afternoon, as you kno!, an" my &atients !ere the only &eo&le !ho
calle"$ 8t must ha#e been the case, then, that the man in the !aiting'room ha", for some unkno!n
reason, !hile 8 !as busy !ith the other, ascen"e" to the room of my resi"ent &atient$ >othing ha"
been touche" or taken, but there !ere the foot&rints to &ro#e that the intrusion !as an un"oubte"
fact$
CMr$ lessington seeme" more eHcite" o#er the matter than 8 shoul" ha#e thought &ossible, though
of course it !as enough to "isturb anybo"y's &eace of min"$ He actually sat crying in an arm'chair,
an" 8 coul" har"ly get him to s&eak coherently$ 8t !as his suggestion that 8 shoul" come roun" to
you, an" of course 8 at once sa! the &ro&riety of it, for certainly the inci"ent is a #ery singular one,
though he a&&ears to com&letely o#errate its im&ortance$ 8f you !oul" only come back !ith me in
my brougham, you !oul" at least be able to soothe him, though 8 can har"ly ho&e that you !ill be
able to eH&lain this remarkable occurrence$C
Sherlock Holmes ha" listene" to this long narrati#e !ith an intentness !hich sho!e" me that his
interest !as keenly arouse"$ His face !as as im&assi#e as e#er, but his li"s ha" "roo&e" more
hea#ily o#er his eyes, an" his smoke ha" curle" u& more thickly from his &i&e to em&hasiAe each
curious e&iso"e in the "octor's tale$ As our #isitor conclu"e", Holmes s&rang u& !ithout a !or",
han"e" me my hat, &icke" his o!n from the table, an" follo!e" Dr$ Tre#elyan to the "oor$ @ithin a
Iuarter of an hour !e ha" been "ro&&e" at the "oor of the &hysician's resi"ence in rook Street, one
of those sombre, flat'face" houses !hich one associates !ith a @est'/n" &ractice$ A small &age
a"mitte" us, an" !e began at once to ascen" the broa", !ell'car&ete" stair$
ut a singular interru&tion brought us to a stan"still$ The light at the to& !as su""enly !hiske" out,
an" from the "arkness came a ree"y, Iui#ering #oice$
C8 ha#e a &istol,C it crie"$ C8 gi#e you my !or" that 8'll fire if you come any nearer$C
CThis really gro!s outrageous, Mr$ lessington,C crie" Dr$ Tre#elyan$
C9h, then it is you, "octor,C sai" the #oice, !ith a great hea#e of relief$ Cut those other gentlemen,
are they !hat they &reten" to beFC
@e !ere conscious of a long scrutiny out of the "arkness$
C%es, yes, it's all right,C sai" the #oice at last$ C%ou can come u&, an" 8 am sorry if my &recautions
ha#e annoye" you$C
He relit the stair gas as he s&oke, an" !e sa! before us a singular'looking man, !hose a&&earance,
as !ell as his #oice, testifie" to his jangle" ner#es$ He !as #ery fat, but ha" a&&arently at some time
been much fatter, so that the skin hung about his face in loose &ouches, like the cheeks of a bloo"'
houn"$ He !as of a sickly color, an" his thin, san"y hair seeme" to bristle u& !ith the intensity of
his emotion$ 8n his han" he hel" a &istol, but he thrust it into his &ocket as !e a"#ance"$
CGoo"'e#ening, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" he$ C8 am sure 8 am #ery much oblige" to you for coming roun"$
>o one e#er nee"e" your a"#ice more than 8 "o$ 8 su&&ose that Dr$ Tre#elyan has tol" you of this
most un!arrantable intrusion into my rooms$C
CLuite so,C sai" Holmes$ C@ho are these t!o men Mr$ lessington, an" !hy "o they !ish to molest
youFC
C@ell, !ell,C sai" the resi"ent &atient, in a ner#ous fashion, Cof course it is har" to say that$ %ou can
har"ly eH&ect me to ans!er that, Mr$ Holmes$C
CDo you mean that you "on't kno!FC
CCome in here, if you &lease$ =ust ha#e the kin"ness to ste& in here$C
He le" the !ay into his be"room, !hich !as large an" comfortably furnishe"$
C%ou see that,C sai" he, &ointing to a big black boH at the en" of his be"$ C8 ha#e ne#er been a #ery
rich man, Mr$ HolmesJne#er ma"e but one in#estment in my life, as Dr$ Tre#elyan !oul" tell you$
ut 8 "on't belie#e in bankers$ 8 !oul" ne#er trust a banker, Mr$ Holmes$ et!een oursel#es, !hat
little 8 ha#e is in that boH, so you can un"erstan" !hat it means to me !hen unkno!n &eo&le force
themsel#es into my rooms$C
Holmes looke" at lessington in his Iuestioning !ay an" shook his hea"$
C8 cannot &ossibly a"#ise you if you try to "ecei#e me,C sai" he$
Cut 8 ha#e tol" you e#erything$C
Holmes turne" on his heel !ith a gesture of "isgust$ CGoo"'night, Dr$ Tre#elyan,C sai" he$
CAn" no a"#ice for meFC crie" lessington, in a breaking #oice$
CMy a"#ice to you, sir, is to s&eak the truth$C
A minute later !e !ere in the street an" !alking for home$ @e ha" crosse" 9Hfor" Street an" !ere
half !ay "o!n Harley Street before 8 coul" get a !or" from my com&anion$
CSorry to bring you out on such a fool's erran", @atson,C he sai" at last$ C8t is an interesting case,
too, at the bottom of it$C
C8 can make little of it,C 8 confesse"$
C@ell, it is Iuite e#i"ent that there are t!o menJmore, &erha&s, but at least t!oJ!ho are
"etermine" for some reason to get at this fello! lessington$ 8 ha#e no "oubt in my min" that both
on the first an" on the secon" occasion that young man &enetrate" to lessington's room, !hile his
confe"erate, by an ingenious "e#ice, ke&t the "octor from interfering$C
CAn" the catale&syFC
CA frau"ulent imitation, @atson, though 8 shoul" har"ly "are to hint as much to our s&ecialist$ 8t is a
#ery easy com&laint to imitate$ 8 ha#e "one it myself$C
CAn" thenFC
Cy the &urest chance lessington !as out on each occasion$ Their reason for choosing so unusual
an hour for a consultation !as ob#iously to insure that there shoul" be no other &atient in the
!aiting'room$ 8t just ha&&ene", ho!e#er, that this hour coinci"e" !ith lessington's constitutional,
!hich seems to sho! that they !ere not #ery !ell acIuainte" !ith his "aily routine$ 9f course, if
they ha" been merely after &lun"er they !oul" at least ha#e ma"e some attem&t to search for it$
esi"es, 8 can rea" in a man's eye !hen it is his o!n skin that he is frightene" for$ 8t is
inconcei#able that this fello! coul" ha#e ma"e t!o such #in"icti#e enemies as these a&&ear to be
!ithout kno!ing of it$ 8 hol" it, therefore, to be certain that he "oes kno! !ho these men are, an"
that for reasons of his o!n he su&&resses it$ 8t is just &ossible that to'morro! may fin" him in a
more communicati#e moo"$C
C8s there not one alternati#e,C 8 suggeste", CgrotesIuely im&robable, no "oubt, but still just
concei#ableF Might the !hole story of the catale&tic *ussian an" his son be a concoction of Dr$
Tre#elyan's, !ho has, for his o!n &ur&oses, been in lessington's roomsFC
8 sa! in the gaslight that Holmes !ore an amuse" smile at this brilliant "e&arture of mine$
CMy "ear fello!,C sai" he, Cit !as one of the first solutions !hich occurre" to me, but 8 !as soon
able to corroborate the "octor's tale$ This young man has left &rints u&on the stair'car&et !hich
ma"e it Iuite su&erfluous for me to ask to see those !hich he ha" ma"e in the room$ @hen 8 tell you
that his shoes !ere sIuare'toe" instea" of being &ointe" like lessington's, an" !ere Iuite an inch
an" a thir" longer than the "octor's, you !ill ackno!le"ge that there can be no "oubt as to his
in"i#i"uality$ ut !e may slee& on it no!, for 8 shall be sur&rise" if !e "o not hear something
further from rook Street in the morning$C
Sherlock Holmes's &ro&hecy !as soon fulfille", an" in a "ramatic fashion$ At half'&ast se#en neHt
morning, in the first glimmer of "aylight, 8 foun" him stan"ing by my be"si"e in his "ressing'go!n$
CThere's a brougham !aiting for us, @atson,C sai" he$
C@hat's the matter, thenFC
CThe rook Street business$C
CAny fresh ne!sFC
CTragic, but ambiguous,C sai" he, &ulling u& the blin"$ C(ook at thisJa sheet from a note'book,
!ith '<or Go"'s sake come at onceJP$ T$,' scra!le" u&on it in &encil$ 9ur frien", the "octor, !as
har" &ut to it !hen he !rote this$ Come along, my "ear fello!, for it's an urgent call$C
8n a Iuarter of an hour or so !e !ere back at the &hysician's house$ He came running out to meet us
!ith a face of horror$
C9h, such a businessEC he crie", !ith his han"s to his tem&les$
C@hat thenFC
Clessington has committe" suici"eEC
Holmes !histle"$
C%es, he hange" himself "uring the night$C
@e ha" entere", an" the "octor ha" &rece"e" us into !hat !as e#i"ently his !aiting'room$
C8 really har"ly kno! !hat 8 am "oing,C he crie"$ CThe &olice are alrea"y u&stairs$ 8t has shaken me
most "rea"fully$C
C@hen "i" you fin" it outFC
CHe has a cu& of tea taken in to him early e#ery morning$ @hen the mai" entere", about se#en,
there the unfortunate fello! !as hanging in the mi""le of the room$ He ha" tie" his cor" to the hook
on !hich the hea#y lam& use" to hang, an" he ha" jum&e" off from the to& of the #ery boH that he
sho!e" us yester"ay$C
Holmes stoo" for a moment in "ee& thought$
C@ith your &ermission,C sai" he at last, C8 shoul" like to go u&stairs an" look into the matter$C
@e both ascen"e", follo!e" by the "octor$
8t !as a "rea"ful sight !hich met us as !e entere" the be"room "oor$ 8 ha#e s&oken of the
im&ression of flabbiness !hich this man lessington con#eye"$ As he "angle" from the hook it !as
eHaggerate" an" intensifie" until he !as scarce human in his a&&earance$ The neck !as "ra!n out
like a &lucke" chicken's, making the rest of him seem the more obese an" unnatural by the contrast$
He !as cla" only in his long night'"ress, an" his s!ollen ankles an" ungainly feet &rotru"e" starkly
from beneath it$ esi"e him stoo" a smart'looking &olice'ins&ector, !ho !as taking notes in a
&ocket'book$
CAh, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" he, heartily, as my frien" entere", C8 am "elighte" to see you$C
CGoo"'morning, (anner,C ans!ere" HolmesG Cyou !on't think me an intru"er, 8 am sure$ Ha#e you
hear" of the e#ents !hich le" u& to this affairFC
C%es, 8 hear" something of them$C
CHa#e you forme" any o&inionFC
CAs far as 8 can see, the man has been "ri#en out of his senses by fright$ The be" has been !ell sle&t
in, you see$ There's his im&ression "ee& enough$ 8t's about fi#e in the morning, you kno!, that
suici"es are most common$ That !oul" be about his time for hanging himself$ 8t seems to ha#e been
a #ery "eliberate affair$C
C8 shoul" say that he has been "ea" about three hours, ju"ging by the rigi"ity of the muscles,C sai" 8$
C>otice" anything &eculiar about the roomFC aske" Holmes$
C<oun" a scre!'"ri#er an" some scre!s on the !ash'han" stan"$ Seems to ha#e smoke" hea#ily
"uring the night, too$ Here are four cigar'en"s that 8 &icke" out of the fire&lace$C
CHumEC sai" Holmes, Cha#e you got his cigar'hol"erFC
C>o, 8 ha#e seen none$C
CHis cigar'case, thenFC
C%es, it !as in his coat'&ocket$C
Holmes o&ene" it an" smelle" the single cigar !hich it containe"$
C9h, this is an Ha#ana, an" these others are cigars of the &eculiar sort !hich are im&orte" by the
Dutch from their /ast 8n"ian colonies$ They are usually !ra&&e" in stra!, you kno!, an" are
thinner for their length than any other bran"$C He &icke" u& the four en"s an" eHamine" them !ith
his &ocket'lens$
CT!o of these ha#e been smoke" from a hol"er an" t!o !ithout,C sai" he$ CT!o ha#e been cut by a
not #ery shar& knife, an" t!o ha#e ha" the en"s bitten off by a set of eHcellent teeth$ This is no
suici"e, Mr$ (anner$ 8t is a #ery "ee&ly &lanne" an" col"'bloo"e" mur"er$C
C8m&ossibleEC crie" the ins&ector$
CAn" !hyFC
C@hy shoul" any one mur"er a man in so clumsy a fashion as by hanging himFC
CThat is !hat !e ha#e to fin" out$C
CHo! coul" they get inFC
CThrough the front "oor$C
C8t !as barre" in the morning$C
CThen it !as barre" after them$C
CHo! "o you kno!FC
C8 sa! their traces$ /Hcuse me a moment, an" 8 may be able to gi#e you some further information
about it$C
He !ent o#er to the "oor, an" turning the lock he eHamine" it in his metho"ical !ay$ Then he took
out the key, !hich !as on the insi"e, an" ins&ecte" that also$ The be", the car&et, the chairs the
mantel&iece, the "ea" bo"y, an" the ro&e !ere each in turn eHamine", until at last he &rofesse"
himself satisfie", an" !ith my ai" an" that of the ins&ector cut "o!n the !retche" object an" lai" it
re#erently un"er a sheet$
CHo! about this ro&eFC he aske"$
C8t is cut off this,C sai" Dr$ Tre#elyan, "ra!ing a large coil from un"er the be"$ CHe !as morbi"ly
ner#ous of fire, an" al!ays ke&t this besi"e him, so that he might esca&e by the !in"o! in case the
stairs !ere burning$C
CThat must ha#e sa#e" them trouble,C sai" Holmes, thoughtfully$ C%es, the actual facts are #ery
&lain, an" 8 shall be sur&rise" if by the afternoon 8 cannot gi#e you the reasons for them as !ell$ 8
!ill take this &hotogra&h of lessington, !hich 8 see u&on the mantel&iece, as it may hel& me in my
inIuiries$C
Cut you ha#e tol" us nothingEC crie" the "octor$
C9h, there can be no "oubt as to the seIuence of e#ents,C sai" Holmes$ CThere !ere three of them in
it) the young man, the ol" man, an" a thir", to !hose i"entity 8 ha#e no clue$ The first t!o, 8 nee"
har"ly remark, are the same !ho masIuera"e" as the *ussian count an" his son, so !e can gi#e a
#ery full "escri&tion of them$ They !ere a"mitte" by a confe"erate insi"e the house$ 8f 8 might offer
you a !or" of a"#ice, 8ns&ector, it !oul" be to arrest the &age, !ho, as 8 un"erstan", has only
recently come into your ser#ice, Doctor$C
CThe young im& cannot be foun",C sai" Dr$ Tre#elyanG Cthe mai" an" the cook ha#e just been
searching for him$C
Holmes shrugge" his shoul"ers$
CHe has &laye" a not unim&ortant &art in this "rama,C sai" he$ CThe three men ha#ing ascen"e" the
stairs, !hich they "i" on ti&toe, the el"er man first, the younger man secon", an" the unkno!n man
in the rearJC
CMy "ear HolmesEC 8 ejaculate"$
C9h, there coul" be no Iuestion as to the su&erim&osing of the footmarks$ 8 ha" the a"#antage of
learning !hich !as !hich last night$ They ascen"e", then, to Mr$ lessington's room, the "oor of
!hich they foun" to be locke"$ @ith the hel& of a !ire, ho!e#er, they force" roun" the key$ /#en
!ithout the lens you !ill &ercei#e, by the scratches on this !ar", !here the &ressure !as a&&lie"$
C9n entering the room their first &rocee"ing must ha#e been to gag Mr$ lessington$ He may ha#e
been aslee&, or he may ha#e been so &aralyAe" !ith terror as to ha#e been unable to cry out$ These
!alls are thick, an" it is concei#able that his shriek, if he ha" time to utter one, !as unhear"$
CHa#ing secure" him, it is e#i"ent to me that a consultation of some sort !as hel"$ Probably it !as
something in the nature of a ju"icial &rocee"ing$ 8t must ha#e laste" for some time, for it !as then
that these cigars !ere smoke"$ The ol"er man sat in that !icker chairG it !as he !ho use" the cigar'
hol"er$ The younger man sat o#er yon"erG he knocke" his ash off against the chest of "ra!ers$ The
thir" fello! &ace" u& an" "o!n$ lessington, 8 think, sat u&right in the be", but of that 8 cannot be
absolutely certain$
C@ell, it en"e" by their taking lessington an" hanging him$ The matter !as so &rearrange" that it
is my belief that they brought !ith them some sort of block or &ulley !hich might ser#e as a
gallo!s$ That scre!'"ri#er an" those scre!s !ere, as 8 concei#e, for fiHing it u&$ Seeing the hook,
ho!e#er they naturally sa#e" themsel#es the trouble$ Ha#ing finishe" their !ork they ma"e off, an"
the "oor !as barre" behin" them by their confe"erate$C
@e ha" all listene" !ith the "ee&est interest to this sketch of the night's "oings, !hich Holmes ha"
"e"uce" from signs so subtle an" minute that, e#en !hen he ha" &ointe" them out to us, !e coul"
scarcely follo! him in his reasoning$ The ins&ector hurrie" a!ay on the instant to make inIuiries
about the &age, !hile Holmes an" 8 returne" to aker Street for breakfast$
C8'll be back by three,C sai" he, !hen !e ha" finishe" our meal$ Coth the ins&ector an" the "octor
!ill meet me here at that hour, an" 8 ho&e by that time to ha#e cleare" u& any little obscurity !hich
the case may still &resent$C
9ur #isitors arri#e" at the a&&ointe" time, but it !as a Iuarter to four before my frien" &ut in an
a&&earance$ <rom his eH&ression as he entere", ho!e#er, 8 coul" see that all ha" gone !ell !ith
him$
CAny ne!s, 8ns&ectorFC
C@e ha#e got the boy, sir$C
C/Hcellent, an" 8 ha#e got the men$C
C%ou ha#e got themEC !e crie", all three$
C@ell, at least 8 ha#e got their i"entity$ This so'calle" lessington is, as 8 eH&ecte", !ell kno!n at
hea"Iuarters, an" so are his assailants$ Their names are i""le, Hay!ar", an" Moffat$C
CThe @orthing"on bank gang,C crie" the ins&ector$
CPrecisely,C sai" Holmes$
CThen lessington must ha#e been Sutton$C
C/Hactly,C sai" Holmes$
C@hy, that makes it as clear as crystal,C sai" the ins&ector$
ut Tre#elyan an" 8 looke" at each other in be!il"erment$
C%ou must surely remember the great @orthing"on bank business,C sai" Holmes$ C<i#e men !ere in
itJthese four an" a fifth calle" Cart!right$ Tobin, the care'taker, !as mur"ere", an" the thie#es got
a!ay !ith se#en thousan" &oun"s$ This !as in +1-:$ They !ere all fi#e arreste", but the e#i"ence
against them !as by no means conclusi#e$ This lessington or Sutton, !ho !as the !orst of the
gang, turne" informer$ 9n his e#i"ence Cart!right !as hange" an" the other three got fifteen years
a&iece$ @hen they got out the other "ay, !hich !as some years before their full term, they set
themsel#es, as you &ercei#e, to hunt "o!n the traitor an" to a#enge the "eath of their comra"e u&on
him$ T!ice they trie" to get at him an" faile"G a thir" time, you see, it came off$ 8s there anything
further !hich 8 can eH&lain, Dr$ Tre#elyanFC
C8 think you ha#e ma"e it all remarkably clear,C sai" the "octor$ C>o "oubt the "ay on !hich he !as
&erturbe" !as the "ay !hen he ha" seen of their release in the ne!s&a&ers$C
CLuite so$ His talk about a burglary !as the merest blin"$C
Cut !hy coul" he not tell you thisFC
C@ell, my "ear sir, kno!ing the #in"icti#e character of his ol" associates, he !as trying to hi"e his
o!n i"entity from e#erybo"y as long as he coul"$ His secret !as a shameful one, an" he coul" not
bring himself to "i#ulge it$ Ho!e#er, !retch as he !as, he !as still li#ing un"er the shiel" of ritish
la!, an" 8 ha#e no "oubt, 8ns&ector, that you !ill see that, though that shiel" may fail to guar", the
s!or" of justice is still there to a#enge$C
Such !ere the singular circumstances in connection !ith the *esi"ent Patient an" the rook Street
Doctor$ <rom that night nothing has been seen of the three mur"erers by the &olice, an" it is
surmise" at Scotlan" %ar" that they !ere among the &assengers of the ill'fate" steamer >orah
Creina, !hich !as lost some years ago !ith all han"s u&on the Portuguese coast, some leagues to
the north of 9&orto$ The &rocee"ings against the &age broke "o!n for !ant of e#i"ence, an" the
rook Street Mystery, as it !as calle", has ne#er until no! been fully "ealt !ith in any &ublic &rint$
A"#enture 8D$ The Greek 8nter&reter
During my long an" intimate acIuaintance !ith Mr$ Sherlock Holmes 8 ha" ne#er hear" him refer to
his relations, an" har"ly e#er to his o!n early life$ This reticence u&on his &art ha" increase" the
some!hat inhuman effect !hich he &ro"uce" u&on me, until sometimes 8 foun" myself regar"ing
him as an isolate" &henomenon, a brain !ithout a heart, as "eficient in human sym&athy as he !as
&re'eminent in intelligence$ His a#ersion to !omen an" his "isinclination to form ne! frien"shi&s
!ere both ty&ical of his unemotional character, but not more so than his com&lete su&&ression of
e#ery reference to his o!n &eo&le$ 8 ha" come to belie#e that he !as an or&han !ith no relati#es
li#ing, but one "ay, to my #ery great sur&rise, he began to talk to me about his brother$
8t !as after tea on a summer e#ening, an" the con#ersation, !hich ha" roame" in a "esultory,
s&asmo"ic fashion from golf clubs to the causes of the change in the obliIuity of the ecli&tic, came
roun" at last to the Iuestion of ata#ism an" here"itary a&titu"es$ The &oint un"er "iscussion !as,
ho! far any singular gift in an in"i#i"ual !as "ue to his ancestry an" ho! far to his o!n early
training$
C8n your o!n case,C sai" 8, Cfrom all that you ha#e tol" me, it seems ob#ious that your faculty of
obser#ation an" your &eculiar facility for "e"uction are "ue to your o!n systematic training$C
CTo some eHtent,C he ans!ere", thoughtfully$ CMy ancestors !ere country sIuires, !ho a&&ear to
ha#e le" much the same life as is natural to their class$ ut, none the less, my turn that !ay is in my
#eins, an" may ha#e come !ith my gran"mother, !ho !as the sister of Bernet, the <rench artist$ Art
in the bloo" is liable to take the strangest forms$C
Cut ho! "o you kno! that it is here"itaryFC
Cecause my brother Mycroft &ossesses it in a larger "egree than 8 "o$C
This !as ne!s to me in"ee"$ 8f there !ere another man !ith such singular &o!ers in /nglan", ho!
!as it that neither &olice nor &ublic ha" hear" of himF 8 &ut the Iuestion, !ith a hint that it !as my
com&anion's mo"esty !hich ma"e him ackno!le"ge his brother as his su&erior$ Holmes laughe" at
my suggestion$
CMy "ear @atson,C sai" he, C8 cannot agree !ith those !ho rank mo"esty among the #irtues$ To the
logician all things shoul" be seen eHactly as they are, an" to un"erestimate one's self is as much a
"e&arture from truth as to eHaggerate one's o!n &o!ers$ @hen 8 say, therefore, that Mycroft has
better &o!ers of obser#ation than 8, you may take it that 8 am s&eaking the eHact an" literal truth$C
C8s he your juniorFC
CSe#en years my senior$C
CHo! comes it that he is unkno!nFC
C9h, he is #ery !ell kno!n in his o!n circle$C
C@here, thenFC
C@ell, in the Diogenes Club, for eHam&le$C
8 ha" ne#er hear" of the institution, an" my face must ha#e &roclaime" as much, for Sherlock
Holmes &ulle" out his !atch$
CThe Diogenes Club is the Iueerest club in (on"on, an" Mycroft one of the Iueerest men$ He's
al!ays there from Iuarter to fi#e to t!enty to eight$ 8t's siH no!, so if you care for a stroll this
beautiful e#ening 8 shall be #ery ha&&y to intro"uce you to t!o curiosities$C
<i#e minutes later !e !ere in the street, !alking to!ar"s *egent's Circus$
C%ou !on"er,C sai" my com&anion, C!hy it is that Mycroft "oes not use his &o!ers for "etecti#e
!ork$ He is inca&able of it$C
Cut 8 thought you sai"JC
C8 sai" that he !as my su&erior in obser#ation an" "e"uction$ 8f the art of the "etecti#e began an"
en"e" in reasoning from an arm'chair, my brother !oul" be the greatest criminal agent that e#er
li#e"$ ut he has no ambition an" no energy$ He !ill not e#en go out of his !ay to #erify his o!n
solutions, an" !oul" rather be consi"ere" !rong than take the trouble to &ro#e himself right$ Again
an" again 8 ha#e taken a &roblem to him, an" ha#e recei#e" an eH&lanation !hich has after!ar"s
&ro#e" to be the correct one$ An" yet he !as absolutely inca&able of !orking out the &ractical
&oints !hich must be gone into before a case coul" be lai" before a ju"ge or jury$C
C8t is not his &rofession, thenFC
Cy no means$ @hat is to me a means of li#elihoo" is to him the merest hobby of a "ilettante$ He
has an eHtraor"inary faculty for figures, an" au"its the books in some of the go#ernment
"e&artments$ Mycroft lo"ges in Pall Mall, an" he !alks roun" the corner into @hitehall e#ery
morning an" back e#ery e#ening$ <rom year's en" to year's en" he takes no other eHercise, an" is
seen no!here else, eHce&t only in the Diogenes Club, !hich is just o&&osite his rooms$C
C8 cannot recall the name$C
CBery likely not$ There are many men in (on"on, you kno!, !ho, some from shyness, some from
misanthro&y, ha#e no !ish for the com&any of their fello!s$ %et they are not a#erse to comfortable
chairs an" the latest &erio"icals$ 8t is for the con#enience of these that the Diogenes Club !as
starte", an" it no! contains the most unsociable an" unclubable men in to!n$ >o member is
&ermitte" to take the least notice of any other one$ Sa#e in the Stranger's *oom, no talking is, un"er
any circumstances, allo!e", an" three offences, if brought to the notice of the committee, ren"er the
talker liable to eH&ulsion$ My brother !as one of the foun"ers, an" 8 ha#e myself foun" it a #ery
soothing atmos&here$C
@e ha" reache" Pall Mall as !e talke", an" !ere !alking "o!n it from the St$ =ames's en"$
Sherlock Holmes sto&&e" at a "oor some little "istance from the Carlton, an", cautioning me not to
s&eak, he le" the !ay into the hall$ Through the glass &aneling 8 caught a glim&se of a large an"
luHurious room, in !hich a consi"erable number of men !ere sitting about an" rea"ing &a&ers, each
in his o!n little nook$ Holmes sho!e" me into a small chamber !hich looke" out into Pall Mall,
an" then, lea#ing me for a minute, he came back !ith a com&anion !hom 8 kne! coul" only be his
brother$
Mycroft Holmes !as a much larger an" stouter man than Sherlock$ His bo"y !as absolutely
cor&ulent, but his face, though massi#e, ha" &reser#e" something of the shar&ness of eH&ression
!hich !as so remarkable in that of his brother$ His eyes, !hich !ere of a &eculiarly light, !atery
gray, seeme" to al!ays retain that far'a!ay, intros&ecti#e look !hich 8 ha" only obser#e" in
Sherlock's !hen he !as eHerting his full &o!ers$
C8 am gla" to meet you, sir,C sai" he, &utting out a broa", fat han" like the fli&&er of a seal$ C8 hear
of Sherlock e#ery!here since you became his chronicler$ y the !ay, Sherlock, 8 eH&ecte" to see
you roun" last !eek, to consult me o#er that Manor House case$ 8 thought you might be a little out
of your "e&th$C
C>o, 8 sol#e" it,C sai" my frien", smiling$
C8t !as A"ams, of course$C
C%es, it !as A"ams$C
C8 !as sure of it from the first$C The t!o sat "o!n together in the bo!'!in"o! of the club$ CTo any
one !ho !ishes to stu"y mankin" this is the s&ot,C sai" Mycroft$ C(ook at the magnificent ty&esE
(ook at these t!o men !ho are coming to!ar"s us, for eHam&le$C
CThe billiar"'marker an" the otherFC
CPrecisely$ @hat "o you make of the otherFC
The t!o men ha" sto&&e" o&&osite the !in"o!$ Some chalk marks o#er the !aistcoat &ocket !ere
the only signs of billiar"s !hich 8 coul" see in one of them$ The other !as a #ery small, "ark fello!,
!ith his hat &ushe" back an" se#eral &ackages un"er his arm$
CAn ol" sol"ier, 8 &ercei#e,C sai" Sherlock$
CAn" #ery recently "ischarge",C remarke" the brother$
CSer#e" in 8n"ia, 8 see$C
CAn" a non'commissione" officer$C
C*oyal Artillery, 8 fancy,C sai" Sherlock$
CAn" a !i"o!er$C
Cut !ith a chil"$C
CChil"ren, my "ear boy, chil"ren$C
CCome,C sai" 8, laughing, Cthis is a little too much$C
CSurely,C ans!ere" Holmes, Cit is not har" to say that a man !ith that bearing, eH&ression of
authority, an" sunbake" skin, is a sol"ier, is more than a &ri#ate, an" is not long from 8n"ia$C
CThat he has not left the ser#ice long is sho!n by his still !earing his ammunition boots, as they are
calle",C obser#e" Mycroft$
CHe ha" not the ca#alry stri"e, yet he !ore his hat on one si"e, as is sho!n by the lighter skin of
that si"e of his bro!$ His !eight is against his being a sa&&er$ He is in the artillery$C
CThen, of course, his com&lete mourning sho!s that he has lost some one #ery "ear$ The fact that he
is "oing his o!n sho&&ing looks as though it !ere his !ife$ He has been buying things for chil"ren,
you &ercei#e$ There is a rattle, !hich sho!s that one of them is #ery young$ The !ife &robably "ie"
in chil"be"$ The fact that he has a &icture'book un"er his arm sho!s that there is another chil" to be
thought of$C
8 began to un"erstan" !hat my frien" meant !hen he sai" that his brother &ossesse" e#en keener
faculties that he "i" himself$ He glance" across at me an" smile"$ Mycroft took snuff from a
tortoise'shell boH, an" brushe" a!ay the !an"ering grains from his coat front !ith a large, re" silk
han"kerchief$
Cy the !ay, Sherlock,C sai" he, C8 ha#e ha" something Iuite after your o!n heartJa most singular
&roblemJsubmitte" to my ju"gment$ 8 really ha" not the energy to follo! it u& sa#e in a #ery
incom&lete fashion, but it ga#e me a basis for some &leasing s&eculation$ 8f you !oul" care to hear
the factsJC
CMy "ear Mycroft, 8 shoul" be "elighte"$C
The brother scribble" a note u&on a leaf of his &ocket'book, an", ringing the bell, he han"e" it to the
!aiter$
C8 ha#e aske" Mr$ Melas to ste& across,C sai" he$ CHe lo"ges on the floor abo#e me, an" 8 ha#e some
slight acIuaintance !ith him, !hich le" him to come to me in his &er&leHity$ Mr$ Melas is a Greek
by eHtraction, as 8 un"erstan", an" he is a remarkable linguist$ He earns his li#ing &artly as
inter&reter in the la! courts an" &artly by acting as gui"e to any !ealthy 9rientals !ho may #isit
the >orthumberlan" A#enue hotels$ 8 think 8 !ill lea#e him to tell his #ery remarkable eH&erience in
his o!n fashion$C
A fe! minutes later !e !ere joine" by a short, stout man !hose oli#e face an" coal'black hair
&roclaime" his Southern origin, though his s&eech !as that of an e"ucate" /nglishman$ He shook
han"s eagerly !ith Sherlock Holmes, an" his "ark eyes s&arkle" !ith &leasure !hen he un"erstoo"
that the s&ecialist !as anHious to hear his story$
C8 "o not belie#e that the &olice cre"it meJon my !or", 8 "o not,C sai" he in a !ailing #oice$ C=ust
because they ha#e ne#er hear" of it before, they think that such a thing cannot be$ ut 8 kno! that 8
shall ne#er be easy in my min" until 8 kno! !hat has become of my &oor man !ith the sticking'
&laster u&on his face$C
C8 am all attention,C sai" Sherlock Holmes$
CThis is @e"nes"ay e#ening,C sai" Mr$ Melas$ C@ell then, it !as Mon"ay nightJonly t!o "ays
ago, you un"erstan"Jthat all this ha&&ene"$ 8 am an inter&reter, as &erha&s my neighbor there has
tol" you$ 8 inter&ret all languagesJor nearly allJbut as 8 am a Greek by birth an" !ith a Grecian
name, it is !ith that &articular tongue that 8 am &rinci&ally associate"$ <or many years 8 ha#e been
the chief Greek inter&reter in (on"on, an" my name is #ery !ell kno!n in the hotels$
C8t ha&&ens not unfreIuently that 8 am sent for at strange hours by foreigners !ho get into
"ifficulties, or by tra#elers !ho arri#e late an" !ish my ser#ices$ 8 !as not sur&rise", therefore, on
Mon"ay night !hen a Mr$ (atimer, a #ery fashionably "resse" young man, came u& to my rooms
an" aske" me to accom&any him in a cab !hich !as !aiting at the "oor$ A Greek frien" ha" come
to see him u&on business, he sai", an" as he coul" s&eak nothing but his o!n tongue, the ser#ices of
an inter&reter !ere in"is&ensable$ He ga#e me to un"erstan" that his house !as some little "istance
off, in ?ensington, an" he seeme" to be in a great hurry, bustling me ra&i"ly into the cab !hen !e
ha" "escen"e" to the street$
C8 say into the cab, but 8 soon became "oubtful as to !hether it !as not a carriage in !hich 8 foun"
myself$ 8t !as certainly more roomy than the or"inary four'!heele" "isgrace to (on"on, an" the
fittings, though fraye", !ere of rich Iuality$ Mr$ (atimer seate" himself o&&osite to me an" !e
starte" off through Charing Cross an" u& the Shaftesbury A#enue$ @e ha" come out u&on 9Hfor"
Street an" 8 ha" #enture" some remark as to this being a roun"about !ay to ?ensington, !hen my
!or"s !ere arreste" by the eHtraor"inary con"uct of my com&anion$
CHe began by "ra!ing a most formi"able'looking blu"geon loa"e" !ith lea" from his &ocket, an"
s!itching it back!ar" an" for!ar" se#eral times, as if to test its !eight an" strength$ Then he
&lace" it !ithout a !or" u&on the seat besi"e him$ Ha#ing "one this, he "re! u& the !in"o!s on
each si"e, an" 8 foun" to my astonishment that they !ere co#ere" !ith &a&er so as to &re#ent my
seeing through them$
C'8 am sorry to cut off your #ie!, Mr$ Melas,' sai" he$ 'The fact is that 8 ha#e no intention that you
shoul" see !hat the &lace is to !hich !e are "ri#ing$ 8t might &ossibly be incon#enient to me if you
coul" fin" your !ay there again$'
CAs you can imagine, 8 !as utterly taken aback by such an a""ress$ My com&anion !as a &o!erful,
broa"'shoul"ere" young fello!, an", a&art from the !ea&on, 8 shoul" not ha#e ha" the slightest
chance in a struggle !ith him$
C'This is #ery eHtraor"inary con"uct, Mr$ (atimer,' 8 stammere"$ '%ou must be a!are that !hat you
are "oing is Iuite illegal$'
C'8t is some!hat of a liberty, no "oubt,' sai" he, 'but !e'll make it u& to you$ 8 must !arn you,
ho!e#er, Mr$ Melas, that if at any time to'night you attem&t to raise an alarm or "o anything !hich
is against my interests, you !ill fin" it a #ery serious thing$ 8 beg you to remember that no one
kno!s !here you are, an" that, !hether you are in this carriage or in my house, you are eIually in
my &o!er$'
CHis !or"s !ere Iuiet, but he ha" a ras&ing !ay of saying them !hich !as #ery menacing$ 8 sat in
silence !on"ering !hat on earth coul" be his reason for ki"na&&ing me in this eHtraor"inary
fashion$ @hate#er it might be, it !as &erfectly clear that there !as no &ossible use in my resisting,
an" that 8 coul" only !ait to see !hat might befall$
C<or nearly t!o hours !e "ro#e !ithout my ha#ing the least clue as to !here !e !ere going$
Sometimes the rattle of the stones tol" of a &a#e" cause!ay, an" at others our smooth, silent course
suggeste" as&haltG but, sa#e by this #ariation in soun", there !as nothing at all !hich coul" in the
remotest !ay hel& me to form a guess as to !here !e !ere$ The &a&er o#er each !in"o! !as
im&enetrable to light, an" a blue curtain !as "ra!n across the glass !ork in front$ 8t !as a Iuarter'
&ast se#en !hen !e left Pall Mall, an" my !atch sho!e" me that it !as ten minutes to nine !hen
!e at last came to a stan"still$ My com&anion let "o!n the !in"o!, an" 8 caught a glim&se of a
lo!, arche" "oor!ay !ith a lam& burning abo#e it$ As 8 !as hurrie" from the carriage it s!ung
o&en, an" 8 foun" myself insi"e the house, !ith a #ague im&ression of a la!n an" trees on each si"e
of me as 8 entere"$ @hether these !ere &ri#ate groun"s, ho!e#er, or bona'fi"e country !as more
than 8 coul" &ossibly #enture to say$
CThere !as a colore" gas'lam& insi"e !hich !as turne" so lo! that 8 coul" see little sa#e that the
hall !as of some siAe an" hung !ith &ictures$ 8n the "im light 8 coul" make out that the &erson !ho
ha" o&ene" the "oor !as a small, mean'looking, mi""le'age" man !ith roun"e" shoul"ers$ As he
turne" to!ar"s us the glint of the light sho!e" me that he !as !earing glasses$
C'8s this Mr$ Melas, Harol"F' sai" he$
C'%es$'
C'@ell "one, !ell "oneE >o ill'!ill, Mr$ Melas, 8 ho&e, but !e coul" not get on !ithout you$ 8f you
"eal fair !ith us you'll not regret it, but if you try any tricks, Go" hel& youE' He s&oke in a ner#ous,
jerky fashion, an" !ith little giggling laughs in bet!een, but someho! he im&resse" me !ith fear
more than the other$
C'@hat "o you !ant !ith meF' 8 aske"$
C'9nly to ask a fe! Iuestions of a Greek gentleman !ho is #isiting us, an" to let us ha#e the
ans!ers$ ut say no more than you are tol" to say, orJ' here came the ner#ous giggle againJ'you
ha" better ne#er ha#e been born$'
CAs he s&oke he o&ene" a "oor an" sho!e" the !ay into a room !hich a&&eare" to be #ery richly
furnishe", but again the only light !as affor"e" by a single lam& half'turne" "o!n$ The chamber
!as certainly large, an" the !ay in !hich my feet sank into the car&et as 8 ste&&e" across it tol" me
of its richness$ 8 caught glim&ses of #el#et chairs, a high !hite marble mantel'&iece, an" !hat
seeme" to be a suit of =a&anese armor at one si"e of it$ There !as a chair just un"er the lam&, an"
the el"erly man motione" that 8 shoul" sit in it$ The younger ha" left us, but he su""enly returne"
through another "oor, lea"ing !ith him a gentleman cla" in some sort of loose "ressing'go!n !ho
mo#e" slo!ly to!ar"s us$ As he came into the circle of "im light !hich enables me to see him more
clearly 8 !as thrille" !ith horror at his a&&earance$ He !as "ea"ly &ale an" terribly emaciate", !ith
the &rotru"ing, brilliant eyes of a man !hose s&irit !as greater than his strength$ ut !hat shocke"
me more than any signs of &hysical !eakness !as that his face !as grotesIuely criss'crosse" !ith
sticking'&laster, an" that one large &a" of it !as fastene" o#er his mouth$
C'Ha#e you the slate, Harol"F' crie" the ol"er man, as this strange being fell rather than sat "o!n
into a chair$ 'Are his han"s looseF >o!, then, gi#e him the &encil$ %ou are to ask the Iuestions, Mr$
Melas, an" he !ill !rite the ans!ers$ Ask him first of all !hether he is &re&are" to sign the &a&ersF'
CThe man's eyes flashe" fire$
C'>e#erE' he !rote in Greek u&on the slate$
C'9n no con"itionF' 8 aske", at the bi""ing of our tyrant$
C'9nly if 8 see her marrie" in my &resence by a Greek &riest !hom 8 kno!$'
CThe man giggle" in his #enomous !ay$
C'%ou kno! !hat a!aits you, thenF'
C'8 care nothing for myself$'
CThese are sam&les of the Iuestions an" ans!ers !hich ma"e u& our strange half's&oken, half'
!ritten con#ersation$ Again an" again 8 ha" to ask him !hether he !oul" gi#e in an" sign the
"ocuments$ Again an" again 8 ha" the same in"ignant re&ly$ ut soon a ha&&y thought came to me$ 8
took to a""ing on little sentences of my o!n to each Iuestion, innocent ones at first, to test !hether
either of our com&anions kne! anything of the matter, an" then, as 8 foun" that they sho!e" no
signs 8 &laye" a more "angerous game$ 9ur con#ersation ran something like this)
C'%ou can "o no goo" by this obstinacy$ @ho are youF'
C'8 care not$ 8 am a stranger in (on"on$'
C'%our fate !ill be u&on your o!n hea"$ Ho! long ha#e you been hereF'
C'(et it be so$ Three !eeks$'
C'The &ro&erty can ne#er be yours$ @hat ails youF'
C'8t shall not go to #illains$ They are star#ing me$'
C'%ou shall go free if you sign$ @hat house is thisF'
C'8 !ill ne#er sign$ 8 "o not kno!$'
C'%ou are not "oing her any ser#ice$ @hat is your nameF'
C'(et me hear her say so$ ?rati"es$'
C'%ou shall see her if you sign$ @here are you fromF'
C'Then 8 shall ne#er see her$ Athens$'
CAnother fi#e minutes, Mr$ Holmes, an" 8 shoul" ha#e !orme" out the !hole story un"er their #ery
noses$ My #ery neHt Iuestion might ha#e cleare" the matter u&, but at that instant the "oor o&ene"
an" a !oman ste&&e" into the room$ 8 coul" not see her clearly enough to kno! more than that she
!as tall an" graceful, !ith black hair, an" cla" in some sort of loose !hite go!n$
C'Harol",' sai" she, s&eaking /nglish !ith a broken accent$ '8 coul" not stay a!ay longer$ 8t is so
lonely u& there !ith onlyJ9h, my Go", it is PaulE'
CThese last !or"s !ere in Greek, an" at the same instant the man !ith a con#ulsi#e effort tore the
&laster from his li&s, an" screaming out 'So&hyE So&hyE' rushe" into the !oman's arms$ Their
embrace !as but for an instant, ho!e#er, for the younger man seiAe" the !oman an" &ushe" her out
of the room, !hile the el"er easily o#er&o!ere" his emaciate" #ictim, an" "ragge" him a!ay
through the other "oor$ <or a moment 8 !as left alone in the room, an" 8 s&rang to my feet !ith
some #ague i"ea that 8 might in some !ay get a clue to !hat this house !as in !hich 8 foun"
myself$ <ortunately, ho!e#er, 8 took no ste&s, for looking u& 8 sa! that the ol"er man !as stan"ing
in the "oor'!ay !ith his eyes fiHe" u&on me$
C'That !ill "o, Mr$ Melas,' sai" he$ '%ou &ercei#e that !e ha#e taken you into our confi"ence o#er
some #ery &ri#ate business$ @e shoul" not ha#e trouble" you, only that our frien" !ho s&eaks
Greek an" !ho began these negotiations has been force" to return to the /ast$ 8t !as Iuite necessary
for us to fin" some one to take his &lace, an" !e !ere fortunate in hearing of your &o!ers$'
C8 bo!e"$
C'There are fi#e so#ereigns here,' sai" he, !alking u& to me, '!hich !ill, 8 ho&e, be a sufficient fee$
ut remember,' he a""e", ta&&ing me lightly on the chest an" giggling, 'if you s&eak to a human
soul about thisJone human soul, min"J!ell, may Go" ha#e mercy u&on your soulEC
C8 cannot tell you the loathing an" horror !ith !hich this insignificant'looking man ins&ire" me$ 8
coul" see him better no! as the lam&'light shone u&on him$ His features !ere &eaky an" sallo!,
an" his little &ointe" bear" !as threa"y an" ill'nourishe"$ He &ushe" his face for!ar" as he s&oke
an" his li&s an" eyeli"s !ere continually t!itching like a man !ith St$ Bitus's "ance$ 8 coul" not
hel& thinking that his strange, catchy little laugh !as also a sym&tom of some ner#ous mala"y$ The
terror of his face lay in his eyes, ho!e#er, steel gray, an" glistening col"ly !ith a malignant,
ineHorable cruelty in their "e&ths$
C'@e shall kno! if you s&eak of this,' sai" he$ '@e ha#e our o!n means of information$ >o! you
!ill fin" the carriage !aiting, an" my frien" !ill see you on your !ay$'
C8 !as hurrie" through the hall an" into the #ehicle, again obtaining that momentary glim&se of
trees an" a gar"en$ Mr$ (atimer follo!e" closely at my heels, an" took his &lace o&&osite to me
!ithout a !or"$ 8n silence !e again "ro#e for an interminable "istance !ith the !in"o!s raise",
until at last, just after mi"night, the carriage &ulle" u&$
C'%ou !ill get "o!n here, Mr$ Melas,' sai" my com&anion$ '8 am sorry to lea#e you so far from your
house, but there is no alternati#e$ Any attem&t u&on your &art to follo! the carriage can only en" in
injury to yourself$'
CHe o&ene" the "oor as he s&oke, an" 8 ha" har"ly time to s&ring out !hen the coachman lashe" the
horse an" the carriage rattle" a!ay$ 8 looke" aroun" me in astonishment$ 8 !as on some sort of a
heathy common mottle" o#er !ith "ark clum&s of furAe'bushes$ <ar a!ay stretche" a line of
houses, !ith a light here an" there in the u&&er !in"o!s$ 9n the other si"e 8 sa! the re" signal'
lam&s of a rail!ay$
CThe carriage !hich ha" brought me !as alrea"y out of sight$ 8 stoo" gaAing roun" an" !on"ering
!here on earth 8 might be, !hen 8 sa! some one coming to!ar"s me in the "arkness$ As he came u&
to me 8 ma"e out that he !as a rail!ay &orter$
C'Can you tell me !hat &lace this isF' 8 aske"$
C'@an"s!orth Common,' sai" he$
C'Can 8 get a train into to!nF'
C'8f you !alk on a mile or so to Cla&ham =unction,' sai" he, 'you'll just be in time for the last to
Bictoria$'
CSo that !as the en" of my a"#enture, Mr$ Holmes$ 8 "o not kno! !here 8 !as, nor !hom 8 s&oke
!ith, nor anything sa#e !hat 8 ha#e tol" you$ ut 8 kno! that there is foul &lay going on, an" 8 !ant
to hel& that unha&&y man if 8 can$ 8 tol" the !hole story to Mr$ Mycroft Holmes neHt morning, an"
subseIuently to the &olice$C
@e all sat in silence for some little time after listening to this eHtraor"inary narrati#e$ Then Sherlock
looke" across at his brother$
CAny ste&sFC he aske"$
Mycroft &icke" u& the Daily >e!s, !hich !as lying on the si"e'table$
C'Anybo"y su&&lying any information to the !hereabouts of a Greek gentleman name" Paul
?rati"es, from Athens, !ho is unable to s&eak /nglish, !ill be re!ar"e"$ A similar re!ar" &ai" to
any one gi#ing information about a Greek la"y !hose first name is So&hy$ D 63-2$' That !as in all
the "ailies$ >o ans!er$C
CHo! about the Greek (egationFC
C8 ha#e inIuire"$ They kno! nothing$C
CA !ire to the hea" of the Athens &olice, thenFC
CSherlock has all the energy of the family,C sai" Mycroft, turning to me$ C@ell, you take the case u&
by all means, an" let me kno! if you "o any goo"$C
CCertainly,C ans!ere" my frien", rising from his chair$ C8'll let you kno!, an" Mr$ Melas also$ 8n the
meantime, Mr$ Melas, 8 shoul" certainly be on my guar", if 8 !ere you, for of course they must
kno! through these a"#ertisements that you ha#e betraye" them$C
As !e !alke" home together, Holmes sto&&e" at a telegra&h office an" sent off se#eral !ires$
C%ou see, @atson,C he remarke", Cour e#ening has been by no means !aste"$ Some of my most
interesting cases ha#e come to me in this !ay through Mycroft$ The &roblem !hich !e ha#e just
listene" to, although it can a"mit of but one eH&lanation, has still some "istinguishing features$C
C%ou ha#e ho&es of sol#ing itFC
C@ell, kno!ing as much as !e "o, it !ill be singular in"ee" if !e fail to "isco#er the rest$ %ou must
yourself ha#e forme" some theory !hich !ill eH&lain the facts to !hich !e ha#e listene"$C
C8n a #ague !ay, yes$C
C@hat !as your i"ea, thenFC
C8t seeme" to me to be ob#ious that this Greek girl ha" been carrie" off by the young /nglishman
name" Harol" (atimer$C
CCarrie" off from !hereFC
CAthens, &erha&s$C
Sherlock Holmes shook his hea"$ CThis young man coul" not talk a !or" of Greek$ The la"y coul"
talk /nglish fairly !ell$ 8nferenceJthat she ha" been in /nglan" some little time, but he ha" not
been in Greece$C
C@ell, then, !e !ill &resume that she ha" come on a #isit to /nglan", an" that this Harol" ha"
&ersua"e" her to fly !ith him$C
CThat is more &robable$C
CThen the brotherJfor that, 8 fancy, must be the relationshi&Jcomes o#er from Greece to interfere$
He im&ru"ently &uts himself into the &o!er of the young man an" his ol"er associate$ They seiAe
him an" use #iolence to!ar"s him in or"er to make him sign some &a&ers to make o#er the girl's
fortuneJof !hich he may be trusteeJto them$ This he refuses to "o$ 8n or"er to negotiate !ith him
they ha#e to get an inter&reter, an" they &itch u&on this Mr$ Melas, ha#ing use" some other one
before$ The girl is not tol" of the arri#al of her brother, an" fin"s it out by the merest acci"ent$C
C/Hcellent, @atsonEC crie" Holmes$ C8 really fancy that you are not far from the truth$ %ou see that
!e hol" all the car"s, an" !e ha#e only to fear some su""en act of #iolence on their &art$ 8f they
gi#e us time !e must ha#e them$C
Cut ho! can !e fin" !here this house liesFC
C@ell, if our conjecture is correct an" the girl's name is or !as So&hy ?rati"es, !e shoul" ha#e no
"ifficulty in tracing her$ That must be our main ho&e, for the brother is, of course, a com&lete
stranger$ 8t is clear that some time has ela&se" since this Harol" establishe" these relations !ith the
girlJsome !eeks, at any rateJsince the brother in Greece has ha" time to hear of it an" come
across$ 8f they ha#e been li#ing in the same &lace "uring this time, it is &robable that !e shall ha#e
some ans!er to Mycroft's a"#ertisement$C
@e ha" reache" our house in aker Street !hile !e ha" been talking$ Holmes ascen"e" the stair
first, an" as he o&ene" the "oor of our room he ga#e a start of sur&rise$ (ooking o#er his shoul"er, 8
!as eIually astonishe"$ His brother Mycroft !as sitting smoking in the arm'chair$
CCome in, SherlockE Come in, sir,C sai" he blan"ly, smiling at our sur&rise" faces$ C%ou "on't eH&ect
such energy from me, "o you, SherlockF ut someho! this case attracts me$C
CHo! "i" you get hereFC
C8 &asse" you in a hansom$C
CThere has been some ne! "e#elo&mentFC
C8 ha" an ans!er to my a"#ertisement$C
CAhEC
C%es, it came !ithin a fe! minutes of your lea#ing$C
CAn" to !hat effectFC
Mycroft Holmes took out a sheet of &a&er$
CHere it is,C sai" he, C!ritten !ith a = &en on royal cream &a&er by a mi""le'age" man !ith a !eak
constitution$ 'Sir,' he says, 'in ans!er to your a"#ertisement of to'"ay's "ate, 8 beg to inform you that
8 kno! the young la"y in Iuestion #ery !ell$ 8f you shoul" care to call u&on me 8 coul" gi#e you
some &articulars as to her &ainful history$ She is li#ing at &resent at The Myrtles, eckenham$ %ours
faithfully, =$ Da#en&ort$'
CHe !rites from (o!er riHton,C sai" Mycroft Holmes$ CDo you not think that !e might "ri#e to
him no!, Sherlock, an" learn these &articularsFC
CMy "ear Mycroft, the brother's life is more #aluable than the sister's story$ 8 think !e shoul" call at
Scotlan" %ar" for 8ns&ector Gregson, an" go straight out to eckenham$ @e kno! that a man is
being "one to "eath, an" e#ery hour may be #ital$C
Cetter &ick u& Mr$ Melas on our !ay,C 8 suggeste"$ C@e may nee" an inter&reter$C
C/Hcellent,C sai" Sherlock Holmes$ CSen" the boy for a four'!heeler, an" !e shall be off at once$C
He o&ene" the table'"ra!er as he s&oke, an" 8 notice" that he sli&&e" his re#ol#er into his &ocket$
C%es,C sai" he, in ans!er to my glanceG C8 shoul" say from !hat !e ha#e hear", that !e are "ealing
!ith a &articularly "angerous gang$C
8t !as almost "ark before !e foun" oursel#es in Pall Mall, at the rooms of Mr$ Melas$ A gentleman
ha" just calle" for him, an" he !as gone$
CCan you tell me !hereFC aske" Mycroft Holmes$
C8 "on't kno!, sir,C ans!ere" the !oman !ho ha" o&ene" the "oorG C8 only kno! that he "ro#e a!ay
!ith the gentleman in a carriage$C
CDi" the gentleman gi#e a nameFC
C>o, sir$C
CHe !asn't a tall, han"some, "ark young manFC
C9h, no, sir$ He !as a little gentleman, !ith glasses, thin in the face, but #ery &leasant in his !ays,
for he !as laughing all the time that he !as talking$C
CCome alongEC crie" Sherlock Holmes, abru&tly$ CThis gro!s serious,C he obser#e", as !e "ro#e to
Scotlan" %ar"$ CThese men ha#e got hol" of Melas again$ He is a man of no &hysical courage, as
they are !ell a!are from their eH&erience the other night$ This #illain !as able to terroriAe him the
instant that he got into his &resence$ >o "oubt they !ant his &rofessional ser#ices, but, ha#ing use"
him, they may be incline" to &unish him for !hat they !ill regar" as his treachery$C
9ur ho&e !as that, by taking train, !e might get to eckenham as soon or sooner than the carriage$
9n reaching Scotlan" %ar", ho!e#er, it !as more than an hour before !e coul" get 8ns&ector
Gregson an" com&ly !ith the legal formalities !hich !oul" enable us to enter the house$ 8t !as a
Iuarter to ten before !e reache" (on"on ri"ge, an" half &ast before the four of us alighte" on the
eckenham &latform$ A "ri#e of half a mile brought us to The MyrtlesJa large, "ark house
stan"ing back from the roa" in its o!n groun"s$ Here !e "ismisse" our cab, an" ma"e our !ay u&
the "ri#e together$
CThe !in"o!s are all "ark,C remarke" the ins&ector$ CThe house seems "eserte"$C
C9ur bir"s are flo!n an" the nest em&ty,C sai" Holmes$
C@hy "o you say soFC
CA carriage hea#ily loa"e" !ith luggage has &asse" out "uring the last hour$C
The ins&ector laughe"$ C8 sa! the !heel'tracks in the light of the gate'lam&, but !here "oes the
luggage come inFC
C%ou may ha#e obser#e" the same !heel'tracks going the other !ay$ ut the out!ar"'boun" ones
!ere #ery much "ee&erJso much so that !e can say for a certainty that there !as a #ery
consi"erable !eight on the carriage$C
C%ou get a trifle beyon" me there,C sai" the ins&ector, shrugging his shoul"er$ C8t !ill not be an easy
"oor to force, but !e !ill try if !e cannot make some one hear us$C
He hammere" lou"ly at the knocker an" &ulle" at the bell, but !ithout any success$ Holmes ha"
sli&&e" a!ay, but he came back in a fe! minutes$
C8 ha#e a !in"o! o&en,C sai" he$
C8t is a mercy that you are on the si"e of the force, an" not against it, Mr$ Holmes,C remarke" the
ins&ector, as he note" the cle#er !ay in !hich my frien" ha" force" back the catch$ C@ell, 8 think
that un"er the circumstances !e may enter !ithout an in#itation$C
9ne after the other !e ma"e our !ay into a large a&artment, !hich !as e#i"ently that in !hich Mr$
Melas ha" foun" himself$ The ins&ector ha" lit his lantern, an" by its light !e coul" see the t!o
"oors, the curtain, the lam&, an" the suit of =a&anese mail as he ha" "escribe" them$ 9n the table lay
t!o glasses, an" em&ty bran"y'bottle, an" the remains of a meal$
C@hat is thatFC aske" Holmes, su""enly$
@e all stoo" still an" listene"$ A lo! moaning soun" !as coming from some!here o#er our hea"s$
Holmes rushe" to the "oor an" out into the hall$ The "ismal noise came from u&stairs$ He "ashe"
u&, the ins&ector an" 8 at his heels, !hile his brother Mycroft follo!e" as Iuickly as his great bulk
!oul" &ermit$
Three "oors face" u& u&on the secon" floor, an" it !as from the central of these that the sinister
soun"s !ere issuing, sinking sometimes into a "ull mumble an" rising again into a shrill !hine$ 8t
!as locke", but the key ha" been left on the outsi"e$ Holmes flung o&en the "oor an" rushe" in, but
he !as out again in an instant, !ith his han" to his throat$
C8t's charcoal,C he crie"$ CGi#e it time$ 8t !ill clear$C
Peering in, !e coul" see that the only light in the room came from a "ull blue flame !hich flickere"
from a small brass tri&o" in the centre$ 8t thre! a li#i", unnatural circle u&on the floor, !hile in the
sha"o!s beyon" !e sa! the #ague loom of t!o figures !hich crouche" against the !all$ <rom the
o&en "oor there reeke" a horrible &oisonous eHhalation !hich set us gas&ing an" coughing$ Holmes
rushe" to the to& of the stairs to "ra! in the fresh air, an" then, "ashing into the room, he thre! u&
the !in"o! an" hurle" the braAen tri&o" out into the gar"en$
C@e can enter in a minute,C he gas&e", "arting out again$ C@here is a can"leF 8 "oubt if !e coul"
strike a match in that atmos&here$ Hol" the light at the "oor an" !e shall get them out, Mycroft,
no!EC
@ith a rush !e got to the &oisone" men an" "ragge" them out into the !ell'lit hall$ oth of them
!ere blue'li&&e" an" insensible, !ith s!ollen, congeste" faces an" &rotru"ing eyes$ 8n"ee", so
"istorte" !ere their features that, sa#e for his black bear" an" stout figure, !e might ha#e faile" to
recogniAe in one of them the Greek inter&reter !ho ha" &arte" from us only a fe! hours before at
the Diogenes Club$ His han"s an" feet !ere securely stra&&e" together, an" he bore o#er one eye
the marks of a #iolent blo!$ The other, !ho !as secure" in a similar fashion, !as a tall man in the
last stage of emaciation, !ith se#eral stri&s of sticking'&laster arrange" in a grotesIue &attern o#er
his face$ He ha" cease" to moan as !e lai" him "o!n, an" a glance sho!e" me that for him at least
our ai" ha" come too late$ Mr$ Melas, ho!e#er, still li#e", an" in less than an hour, !ith the ai" of
ammonia an" bran"y 8 ha" the satisfaction of seeing him o&en his eyes, an" of kno!ing that my
han" ha" "ra!n him back from that "ark #alley in !hich all &aths meet$
8t !as a sim&le story !hich he ha" to tell, an" one !hich "i" but confirm our o!n "e"uctions$ His
#isitor, on entering his rooms, ha" "ra!n a life'&reser#er from his slee#e, an" ha" so im&resse" him
!ith the fear of instant an" ine#itable "eath that he ha" ki"na&&e" him for the secon" time$ 8n"ee",
it !as almost mesmeric, the effect !hich this giggling ruffian ha" &ro"uce" u&on the unfortunate
linguist, for he coul" not s&eak of him sa#e !ith trembling han"s an" a blanche" cheek$ He ha"
been taken s!iftly to eckenham, an" ha" acte" as inter&reter in a secon" inter#ie!, e#en more
"ramatic than the first, in !hich the t!o /nglishmen ha" menace" their &risoner !ith instant "eath
if he "i" not com&ly !ith their "eman"s$ <inally, fin"ing him &roof against e#ery threat, they ha"
hurle" him back into his &rison, an" after re&roaching Melas !ith his treachery, !hich a&&eare"
from the ne!s&a&er a"#ertisement, they ha" stunne" him !ith a blo! from a stick, an" he
remembere" nothing more until he foun" us ben"ing o#er him$
An" this !as the singular case of the Grecian 8nter&reter, the eH&lanation of !hich is still in#ol#e"
in some mystery$ @e !ere able to fin" out, by communicating !ith the gentleman !ho ha"
ans!ere" the a"#ertisement, that the unfortunate young la"y came of a !ealthy Grecian family, an"
that she ha" been on a #isit to some frien"s in /nglan"$ @hile there she ha" met a young man
name" Harol" (atimer, !ho ha" acIuire" an ascen"ancy o#er her an" ha" e#entually &ersua"e" her
to fly !ith him$ Her frien"s, shocke" at the e#ent, ha" contente" themsel#es !ith informing her
brother at Athens, an" ha" then !ashe" their han"s of the matter$ The brother, on his arri#al in
/nglan", ha" im&ru"ently &lace" himself in the &o!er of (atimer an" of his associate, !hose name
!as @ilson ?em&Ja man of the foulest antece"ents$ These t!o, fin"ing that through his ignorance
of the language he !as hel&less in their han"s, ha" ke&t him a &risoner, an" ha" en"ea#ore" by
cruelty an" star#ation to make him sign a!ay his o!n an" his sister's &ro&erty$ They ha" ke&t him
in the house !ithout the girl's kno!le"ge, an" the &laster o#er the face ha" been for the &ur&ose of
making recognition "ifficult in case she shoul" e#er catch a glim&se of him$ Her feminine
&erce&tion, ho!e#er, ha" instantly seen through the "isguise !hen, on the occasion of the
inter&reter's #isit, she ha" seen him for the first time$ The &oor girl, ho!e#er, !as herself a &risoner,
for there !as no one about the house eHce&t the man !ho acte" as coachman, an" his !ife, both of
!hom !ere tools of the cons&irators$ <in"ing that their secret !as out, an" that their &risoner !as
not to be coerce", the t!o #illains !ith the girl ha" fle" a!ay at a fe! hours' notice from the
furnishe" house !hich they ha" hire", ha#ing first, as they thought, taken #engeance both u&on the
man !ho ha" "efie" an" the one !ho ha" betraye" them$
Months after!ar"s a curious ne!s&a&er cutting reache" us from u"a'Pesth$ 8t tol" ho! t!o
/nglishmen !ho ha" been tra#eling !ith a !oman ha" met !ith a tragic en"$ They ha" each been
stabbe", it seems, an" the Hungarian &olice !ere of o&inion that they ha" Iuarrele" an" ha"
inflicte" mortal injuries u&on each other$ Holmes, ho!e#er, is, 8 fancy, of a "ifferent !ay of
thinking, an" hol"s to this "ay that, if one coul" fin" the Grecian girl, one might learn ho! the
!rongs of herself an" her brother came to be a#enge"$
A"#enture D$ The >a#al Treaty
The =uly !hich imme"iately succee"e" my marriage !as ma"e memorable by three cases of
interest, in !hich 8 ha" the &ri#ilege of being associate" !ith Sherlock Holmes an" of stu"ying his
metho"s$ 8 fin" them recor"e" in my notes un"er the hea"ings of CThe A"#enture of the Secon"
Stain,C CThe A"#enture of the >a#al Treaty,C an" CThe A"#enture of the Tire" Ca&tain$C The first of
these, ho!e#er, "eals !ith interest of such im&ortance an" im&licates so many of the first families
in the king"om that for many years it !ill be im&ossible to make it &ublic$ >o case, ho!e#er, in
!hich Holmes !as engage" has e#er illustrate" the #alue of his analytical metho"s so clearly or has
im&resse" those !ho !ere associate" !ith him so "ee&ly$ 8 still retain an almost #erbatim re&ort of
the inter#ie! in !hich he "emonstrate" the true facts of the case to Monsieur Dubugue of the Paris
&olice, an" <ritA #on @al"baum, the !ell'kno!n s&ecialist of DantAig, both of !hom ha" !aste"
their energies u&on !hat &ro#e" to be si"e'issues$ The ne! century !ill ha#e come, ho!e#er,
before the story can be safely tol"$ Mean!hile 8 &ass on to the secon" on my list, !hich &romise"
also at one time to be of national im&ortance, an" !as marke" by se#eral inci"ents !hich gi#e it a
Iuite uniIue character$
During my school'"ays 8 ha" been intimately associate" !ith a la" name" Percy Phel&s, !ho !as of
much the same age as myself, though he !as t!o classes ahea" of me$ He !as a #ery brilliant boy,
an" carrie" a!ay e#ery &riAe !hich the school ha" to offer, finishe" his eH&loits by !inning a
scholarshi& !hich sent him on to continue his trium&hant career at Cambri"ge$ He !as, 8 remember,
eHtremely !ell connecte", an" e#en !hen !e !ere all little boys together !e kne! that his mother's
brother !as (or" Hol"hurst, the great conser#ati#e &olitician$ This gau"y relationshi& "i" him little
goo" at school$ 9n the contrary, it seeme" rather a &iIuant thing to us to che#y him about the
&laygroun" an" hit him o#er the shins !ith a !icket$ ut it !as another thing !hen he came out
into the !orl"$ 8 hear" #aguely that his abilities an" the influences !hich he comman"e" ha" !on
him a goo" &osition at the <oreign 9ffice, an" then he &asse" com&letely out of my min" until the
follo!ing letter recalle" his eHistence)
riarbrae, @oking$ My "ear @atson,J8 ha#e no "oubt that you can remember CTa"&oleC Phel&s,
!ho !as in the fifth form !hen you !ere in the thir"$ 8t is &ossible e#en that you may ha#e hear"
that through my uncle's influence 8 obtaine" a goo" a&&ointment at the <oreign 9ffice, an" that 8
!as in a situation of trust an" honor until a horrible misfortune came su""enly to blast my career$
There is no use !riting of the "etails of that "rea"ful e#ent$ 8n the e#ent of your acce"ing to my
reIuest it is &robable that 8 shall ha#e to narrate them to you$ 8 ha#e only just reco#ere" from nine
!eeks of brain'fe#er, an" am still eHcee"ingly !eak$ Do you think that you coul" bring your frien"
Mr$ Holmes "o!n to see meF 8 shoul" like to ha#e his o&inion of the case, though the authorities
assure me that nothing more can be "one$ Do try to bring him "o!n, an" as soon as &ossible$ /#ery
minute seems an hour !hile 8 li#e in this state of horrible sus&ense$ Assure him that if 8 ha#e not
aske" his a"#ice sooner it !as not because 8 "i" not a&&reciate his talents, but because 8 ha#e been
off my hea" e#er since the blo! fell$ >o! 8 am clear again, though 8 "are not think of it too much
for fear of a rela&se$ 8 am still so !eak that 8 ha#e to !rite, as you see, by "ictating$ Do try to bring
him$
%our ol" school'fello!,
Percy Phel&s$
There !as something that touche" me as 8 rea" this letter, something &itiable in the reiterate"
a&&eals to bring Holmes$ So mo#e" !as 8 that e#en ha" it been a "ifficult matter 8 shoul" ha#e trie"
it, but of course 8 kne! !ell that Holmes lo#e" his art, so that he !as e#er as rea"y to bring his ai"
as his client coul" be to recei#e it$ My !ife agree" !ith me that not a moment shoul" be lost in
laying the matter before him, an" so !ithin an hour of breakfast'time 8 foun" myself back once
more in the ol" rooms in aker Street$
Holmes !as seate" at his si"e'table cla" in his "ressing'go!n, an" !orking har" o#er a chemical
in#estigation$ A large cur#e" retort !as boiling furiously in the bluish flame of a unsen burner, an"
the "istille" "ro&s !ere con"ensing into a t!o'litre measure$ My frien" har"ly glance" u& as 8
entere", an" 8, seeing that his in#estigation must be of im&ortance, seate" myself in an arm'chair
an" !aite"$ He "i&&e" into this bottle or that, "ra!ing out a fe! "ro&s of each !ith his glass &i&ette,
an" finally brought a test'tube containing a solution o#er to the table$ 8n his right han" he hel" a sli&
of litmus'&a&er$
C%ou come at a crisis, @atson,C sai" he$ C8f this &a&er remains blue, all is !ell$ 8f it turns re", it
means a man's life$C He "i&&e" it into the test'tube an" it flushe" at once into a "ull, "irty crimson$
CHumE 8 thought as muchEC he crie"$ C8 !ill be at your ser#ice in an instant, @atson$ %ou !ill fin"
tobacco in the Persian sli&&er$C He turne" to his "esk an" scribble" off se#eral telegrams, !hich
!ere han"e" o#er to the &age'boy$ Then he thre! himself "o!n into the chair o&&osite, an" "re! u&
his knees until his fingers clas&e" roun" his long, thin shins$
CA #ery common&lace little mur"er,C sai" he$ C%ou'#e got something better, 8 fancy$ %ou are the
stormy &etrel of crime, @atson$ @hat is itFC
8 han"e" him the letter, !hich he rea" !ith the most concentrate" attention$
C8t "oes not tell us #ery much, "oes itFC he remarke", as he han"e" it back to me$
CHar"ly anything$C
CAn" yet the !riting is of interest$C
Cut the !riting is not his o!n$C
CPrecisely$ 8t is a !oman's$C
CA man's surely,C 8 crie"$
C>o, a !oman's, an" a !oman of rare character$ %ou see, at the commencement of an in#estigation
it is something to kno! that your client is in close contact !ith some one !ho, for goo" or e#il, has
an eHce&tional nature$ My interest is alrea"y a!akene" in the case$ 8f you are rea"y !e !ill start at
once for @oking, an" see this "i&lomatist !ho is in such e#il case, an" the la"y to !hom he "ictates
his letters$C
@e !ere fortunate enough to catch an early train at @aterloo, an" in a little un"er an hour !e foun"
oursel#es among the fir'!oo"s an" the heather of @oking$ riarbrae &ro#e" to be a large "etache"
house stan"ing in eHtensi#e groun"s !ithin a fe! minutes' !alk of the station$ 9n sen"ing in our
car"s !e !ere sho!n into an elegantly a&&ointe" "ra!ing'room, !here !e !ere joine" in a fe!
minutes by a rather stout man !ho recei#e" us !ith much hos&itality$ His age may ha#e been nearer
forty than thirty, but his cheeks !ere so ru""y an" his eyes so merry that he still con#eye" the
im&ression of a &lum& an" mischie#ous boy$
C8 am so gla" that you ha#e come,C sai" he, shaking our han"s !ith effusion$ CPercy has been
inIuiring for you all morning$ Ah, &oor ol" cha&, he clings to any stra!E His father an" his mother
aske" me to see you, for the mere mention of the subject is #ery &ainful to them$C
C@e ha#e ha" no "etails yet,C obser#e" Holmes$ C8 &ercei#e that you are not yourself a member of
the family$C
9ur acIuaintance looke" sur&rise", an" then, glancing "o!n, he began to laugh$
C9f course you sa! the = H monogram on my locket,C sai" he$ C<or a moment 8 thought you ha"
"one something cle#er$ =ose&h Harrison is my name, an" as Percy is to marry my sister Annie 8
shall at least be a relation by marriage$ %ou !ill fin" my sister in his room, for she has nurse" him
han"'an"'foot this t!o months back$ Perha&s !e'" better go in at once, for 8 kno! ho! im&atient he
is$C
The chamber in !hich !e !ere sho!n !as on the same floor as the "ra!ing'room$ 8t !as furnishe"
&artly as a sitting an" &artly as a be"room, !ith flo!ers arrange" "aintily in e#ery nook an" corner$
A young man, #ery &ale an" !orn, !as lying u&on a sofa near the o&en !in"o!, through !hich
came the rich scent of the gar"en an" the balmy summer air$ A !oman !as sitting besi"e him, !ho
rose as !e entere"$
CShall 8 lea#e, PercyFC she aske"$
He clutche" her han" to "etain her$ CHo! are you, @atsonFC sai" he, cor"ially$ C8 shoul" ne#er ha#e
kno!n you un"er that moustache, an" 8 "are say you !oul" not be &re&are" to s!ear to me$ This 8
&resume is your celebrate" frien", Mr$ Sherlock HolmesFC
8 intro"uce" him in a fe! !or"s, an" !e both sat "o!n$ The stout young man ha" left us, but his
sister still remaine" !ith her han" in that of the in#ali"$ She !as a striking'looking !oman, a little
short an" thick for symmetry, but !ith a beautiful oli#e com&leHion, large, "ark, 8talian eyes, an" a
!ealth of "ee& black hair$ Her rich tints ma"e the !hite face of her com&anion the more !orn an"
haggar" by the contrast$
C8 !on't !aste your time,C sai" he, raising himself u&on the sofa$ C8'll &lunge into the matter !ithout
further &reamble$ 8 !as a ha&&y an" successful man, Mr$ Holmes, an" on the e#e of being marrie",
!hen a su""en an" "rea"ful misfortune !recke" all my &ros&ects in life$
C8 !as, as @atson may ha#e tol" you, in the <oreign 9ffice, an" through the influences of my uncle,
(or" Hol"hurst, 8 rose ra&i"ly to a res&onsible &osition$ @hen my uncle became foreign minister in
this a"ministration he ga#e me se#eral missions of trust, an" as 8 al!ays brought them to a
successful conclusion, he came at last to ha#e the utmost confi"ence in my ability an" tact$
C>early ten !eeks agoJto be more accurate, on the 62" of MayJhe calle" me into his &ri#ate
room, an", after com&limenting me on the goo" !ork !hich 8 ha" "one, he informe" me that he ha"
a ne! commission of trust for me to eHecute$
C'This,' sai" he, taking a gray roll of &a&er from his bureau, 'is the original of that secret treaty
bet!een /nglan" an" 8taly of !hich, 8 regret to say, some rumors ha#e alrea"y got into the &ublic
&ress$ 8t is of enormous im&ortance that nothing further shoul" leak out$ The <rench or the *ussian
embassy !oul" &ay an immense sum to learn the contents of these &a&ers$ They shoul" not lea#e
my bureau !ere it not that it is absolutely necessary to ha#e them co&ie"$ %ou ha#e a "esk in your
officeFC
C'%es, sir$'
C'Then take the treaty an" lock it u& there$ 8 shall gi#e "irections that you may remain behin" !hen
the others go, so that you may co&y it at your leisure !ithout fear of being o#erlooke"$ @hen you
ha#e finishe", relock both the original an" the "raft in the "esk, an" han" them o#er to me
&ersonally to'morro! morning$'
C8 took the &a&ers an"JC
C/Hcuse me an instant,C sai" Holmes$ C@ere you alone "uring this con#ersationFC
CAbsolutely$C
C8n a large roomFC
CThirty feet each !ay$C
C8n the centreFC
C%es, about it$C
CAn" s&eaking lo!FC
CMy uncle's #oice is al!ays remarkably lo!$ 8 har"ly s&oke at all$C
CThank you,C sai" Holmes, shutting his eyesG C&ray go on$C
C8 "i" eHactly !hat he in"icate", an" !aite" until the other clerks ha" "e&arte"$ 9ne of them in my
room, Charles Gorot, ha" some arrears of !ork to make u&, so 8 left him there an" !ent out to "ine$
@hen 8 returne" he !as gone$ 8 !as anHious to hurry my !ork, for 8 kne! that =ose&hJthe Mr$
Harrison !hom you sa! just no!J!as in to!n, an" that he !oul" tra#el "o!n to @oking by the
ele#en'o'clock train, an" 8 !ante" if &ossible to catch it$
C@hen 8 came to eHamine the treaty 8 sa! at once that it !as of such im&ortance that my uncle ha"
been guilty of no eHaggeration in !hat he ha" sai"$ @ithout going into "etails, 8 may say that it
"efine" the &osition of Great ritain to!ar"s the Tri&le Alliance, an" fore'sha"o!e" the &olicy
!hich this country !oul" &ursue in the e#ent of the <rench fleet gaining a com&lete ascen"ancy
o#er that of 8taly in the Me"iterranean$ The Iuestions treate" in it !ere &urely na#al$ At the en"
!ere the signatures of the high "ignitaries !ho ha" signe" it$ 8 glance" my eyes o#er it, an" then
settle" "o!n to my task of co&ying$
C8t !as a long "ocument, !ritten in the <rench language, an" containing t!enty'siH se&arate
articles$ 8 co&ie" as Iuickly as 8 coul", but at nine o'clock 8 ha" only "one nine articles, an" it
seeme" ho&eless for me to attem&t to catch my train$ 8 !as feeling "ro!sy an" stu&i", &artly from
my "inner an" also from the effects of a long "ay's !ork$ A cu& of coffee !oul" clear my brain$ A
commissionnaire remains all night in a little lo"ge at the foot of the stairs, an" is in the habit of
making coffee at his s&irit'lam& for any of the officials !ho may be !orking o#er time$ 8 rang the
bell, therefore, to summon him$
CTo my sur&rise, it !as a !oman !ho ans!ere" the summons, a large, coarse'face", el"erly !oman,
in an a&ron$ She eH&laine" that she !as the commissionnaire's !ife, !ho "i" the charing, an" 8 ga#e
her the or"er for the coffee$
C8 !rote t!o more articles an" then, feeling more "ro!sy than e#er, 8 rose an" !alke" u& an" "o!n
the room to stretch my legs$ My coffee ha" not yet come, an" 8 !on"ere" !hat !as the cause of the
"elay coul" be$ 9&ening the "oor, 8 starte" "o!n the corri"or to fin" out$ There !as a straight
&assage, "imly lighte", !hich le" from the room in !hich 8 ha" been !orking, an" !as the only eHit
from it$ 8t en"e" in a cur#ing staircase, !ith the commissionnaire's lo"ge in the &assage at the
bottom$ Half !ay "o!n this staircase is a small lan"ing, !ith another &assage running into it at right
angles$ This secon" one lea"s by means of a secon" small stair to a si"e "oor, use" by ser#ants, an"
also as a short cut by clerks !hen coming from Charles Street$ Here is a rough chart of the &lace$C
CThank you$ 8 think that 8 Iuite follo! you,C sai" Sherlock Holmes$
C8t is of the utmost im&ortance that you shoul" notice this &oint$ 8 !ent "o!n the stairs an" into the
hall, !here 8 foun" the commissionnaire fast aslee& in his boH, !ith the kettle boiling furiously
u&on the s&irit'lam&$ 8 took off the kettle an" ble! out the lam&, for the !ater !as s&urting o#er the
floor$ Then 8 &ut out my han" an" !as about to shake the man, !ho !as still slee&ing soun"ly, !hen
a bell o#er his hea" rang lou"ly, an" he !oke !ith a start$
C'Mr$ Phel&s, sirE' sai" he, looking at me in be!il"erment$
C'8 came "o!n to see if my coffee !as rea"y$'
C'8 !as boiling the kettle !hen 8 fell aslee&, sir$' He looke" at me an" then u& at the still Iui#ering
bell !ith an e#er'gro!ing astonishment u&on his face$
C'8f you !as here, sir, then !ho rang the bellF' he aske"$
C'The bellE' 8 crie"$ '@hat bell is itF'
C'8t's the bell of the room you !ere !orking in$'
CA col" han" seeme" to close roun" my heart$ Some one, then, !as in that room !here my &recious
treaty lay u&on the table$ 8 ran frantically u& the stair an" along the &assage$ There !as no one in the
corri"ors, Mr$ Holmes$ There !as no one in the room$ All !as eHactly as 8 left it, sa#e only that the
&a&ers !hich ha" been committe" to my care ha" been taken from the "esk on !hich they lay$ The
co&y !as there, an" the original !as gone$C
Holmes sat u& in his chair an" rubbe" his han"s$ 8 coul" see that the &roblem !as entirely to his
heart$ CPray, !hat "i" you "o thenFC he murmure"$
C8 recogniAe" in an instant that the thief must ha#e come u& the stairs from the si"e "oor$ 9f course
8 must ha#e met him if he ha" come the other !ay$C
C%ou !ere satisfie" that he coul" not ha#e been conceale" in the room all the time, or in the
corri"or !hich you ha#e just "escribe" as "imly lighte"FC
C8t is absolutely im&ossible$ A rat coul" not conceal himself either in the room or the corri"or$ There
is no co#er at all$C
CThank you$ Pray &rocee"$C
CThe commissionnaire, seeing by my &ale face that something !as to be feare", ha" follo!e" me
u&stairs$ >o! !e both rushe" along the corri"or an" "o!n the stee& ste&s !hich le" to Charles
Street$ The "oor at the bottom !as close", but unlocke"$ @e flung it o&en an" rushe" out$ 8 can
"istinctly remember that as !e "i" so there came three chimes from a neighboring clock$ 8t !as
Iuarter to ten$C
CThat is of enormous im&ortance,C sai" Holmes, making a note u&on his shirt'cuff$
CThe night !as #ery "ark, an" a thin, !arm rain !as falling$ There !as no one in Charles Street, but
a great traffic !as going on, as usual, in @hitehall, at the eHtremity$ @e rushe" along the &a#ement,
bare'hea"e" as !e !ere, an" at the far corner !e foun" a &oliceman stan"ing$
C'A robbery has been committe",' 8 gas&e"$ 'A "ocument of immense #alue has been stolen from the
<oreign 9ffice$ Has any one &asse" this !ayF'
C'8 ha#e been stan"ing here for a Iuarter of an hour, sir,' sai" heG 'only one &erson has &asse" "uring
that timeJa !oman, tall an" el"erly, !ith a Paisley sha!l$'
C'Ah, that is only my !ife,' crie" the commissionnaireG 'has no one else &asse"F'
C'>o one$'
C'Then it must be the other !ay that the thief took,' crie" the fello!, tugging at my slee#e$
C'ut 8 !as not satisfie", an" the attem&ts !hich he ma"e to "ra! me a!ay increase" my
sus&icions$
C'@hich !ay "i" the !oman goF' 8 crie"$
C'8 "on't kno!, sir$ 8 notice" her &ass, but 8 ha" no s&ecial reason for !atching her$ She seeme" to be
in a hurry$'
C'Ho! long ago !as itF'
C'9h, not #ery many minutes$'
C'@ithin the last fi#eF'
C'@ell, it coul" not be more than fi#e$'
C'%ou're only !asting your time, sir, an" e#ery minute no! is of im&ortance,' crie" the
commissionnaireG 'take my !or" for it that my ol" !oman has nothing to "o !ith it, an" come "o!n
to the other en" of the street$ @ell, if you !on't, 8 !ill$' An" !ith that he rushe" off in the other
"irection$
Cut 8 !as after him in an instant an" caught him by the slee#e$
C'@here "o you li#eF' sai" 8$
C'+O 8#y (ane, riHton,' he ans!ere"$ 'ut "on't let yourself be "ra!n a!ay u&on a false scent, Mr$
Phel&s$ Come to the other en" of the street an" let us see if !e can hear of anything$'
C>othing !as to be lost by follo!ing his a"#ice$ @ith the &oliceman !e both hurrie" "o!n, but
only to fin" the street full of traffic, many &eo&le coming an" going, but all only too eager to get to
a &lace of safety u&on so !et a night$ There !as no lounger !ho coul" tell us !ho ha" &asse"$
CThen !e returne" to the office, an" searche" the stairs an" the &assage !ithout result$ The corri"or
!hich le" to the room !as lai" "o!n !ith a kin" of creamy linoleum !hich sho!s an im&ression
#ery easily$ @e eHamine" it #ery carefully, but foun" no outline of any footmark$C
CHa" it been raining all e#eningFC
CSince about se#en$C
CHo! is it, then, that the !oman !ho came into the room about nine left no traces !ith her mu""y
bootsFC
C8 am gla" you raise" the &oint$ 8t occurre" to me at the time$ The char!omen are in the habit of
taking off their boots at the commissionnaire's office, an" &utting on list sli&&ers$C
CThat is #ery clear$ There !ere no marks, then, though the night !as a !et oneF The chain of e#ents
is certainly one of eHtraor"inary interest$ @hat "i" you "o neHtF
C@e eHamine" the room also$ There is no &ossibility of a secret "oor, an" the !in"o!s are Iuite
thirty feet from the groun"$ oth of them !ere fastene" on the insi"e$ The car&et &re#ents any
&ossibility of a tra&'"oor, an" the ceiling is of the or"inary !hite!ashe" kin"$ 8 !ill &le"ge my life
that !hoe#er stole my &a&ers coul" only ha#e come through the "oor$C
CHo! about the fire&laceFC
CThey use none$ There is a sto#e$ The bell'ro&e hangs from the !ire just to the right of my "esk$
@hoe#er rang it must ha#e come right u& to the "esk to "o it$ ut !hy shoul" any criminal !ish to
ring the bellF 8t is a most insoluble mystery$C
CCertainly the inci"ent !as unusual$ @hat !ere your neHt ste&sF %ou eHamine" the room, 8
&resume, to see if the intru"er ha" left any tracesJany cigar'en" or "ro&&e" glo#e or hair&in or
other trifleFC
CThere !as nothing of the sort$C
C>o smellFC
C@ell, !e ne#er thought of that$C
CAh, a scent of tobacco !oul" ha#e been !orth a great "eal to us in such an in#estigation$C
C8 ne#er smoke myself, so 8 think 8 shoul" ha#e obser#e" it if there ha" been any smell of tobacco$
There !as absolutely no clue of any kin"$ The only tangible fact !as that the commissionnaire's
!ifeJMrs$ Tangey !as the nameJha" hurrie" out of the &lace$ He coul" gi#e no eH&lanation sa#e
that it !as about the time !hen the !oman al!ays !ent home$ The &oliceman an" 8 agree" that our
best &lan !oul" be to seiAe the !oman before she coul" get ri" of the &a&ers, &resuming that she
ha" them$
CThe alarm ha" reache" Scotlan" %ar" by this time, an" Mr$ <orbes, the "etecti#e, came roun" at
once an" took u& the case !ith a great "eal of energy$ @e hire" a hansom, an" in half an hour !e
!ere at the a""ress !hich ha" been gi#en to us$ A young !oman o&ene" the "oor, !ho &ro#e" to be
Mrs$ Tangey's el"est "aughter$ Her mother ha" not come back yet, an" !e !ere sho!n into the front
room to !ait$
CAbout ten minutes later a knock came at the "oor, an" here !e ma"e the one serious mistake for
!hich 8 blame myself$ 8nstea" of o&ening the "oor oursel#es, !e allo!e" the girl to "o so$ @e hear"
her say, 'Mother, there are t!o men in the house !aiting to see you,' an" an instant after!ar"s !e
hear" the &atter of feet rushing "o!n the &assage$ <orbes flung o&en the "oor, an" !e both ran into
the back room or kitchen, but the !oman ha" got there before us$ She stare" at us !ith "efiant eyes,
an" then, su""enly recogniAing me, an eH&ression of absolute astonishment came o#er her face$
C'@hy, if it isn't Mr$ Phel&s, of the officeE' she crie"$
C'Come, come, !ho "i" you think !e !ere !hen you ran a!ay from usF' aske" my com&anion$
C'8 thought you !ere the brokers,' sai" she, '!e ha#e ha" some trouble !ith a tra"esman$'
C'That's not Iuite goo" enough,' ans!ere" <orbes$ '@e ha#e reason to belie#e that you ha#e taken a
&a&er of im&ortance from the <oreign 9ffice, an" that you ran in here to "is&ose of it$ %ou must
come back !ith us to Scotlan" %ar" to be searche"$'
C8t !as in #ain that she &roteste" an" resiste"$ A four'!heeler !as brought, an" !e all three "ro#e
back in it$ @e ha" first ma"e an eHamination of the kitchen, an" es&ecially of the kitchen fire, to see
!hether she might ha#e ma"e a!ay !ith the &a&ers "uring the instant that she !as alone$ There
!ere no signs, ho!e#er, of any ashes or scra&s$ @hen !e reache" Scotlan" %ar" she !as han"e"
o#er at once to the female searcher$ 8 !aite" in an agony of sus&ense until she came back !ith her
re&ort$ There !ere no signs of the &a&ers$
CThen for the first time the horror of my situation came in its full force$ Hitherto 8 ha" been acting,
an" action ha" numbe" thought$ 8 ha" been so confi"ent of regaining the treaty at once that 8 ha"
not "are" to think of !hat !oul" be the conseIuence if 8 faile" to "o so$ ut no! there !as nothing
more to be "one, an" 8 ha" leisure to realiAe my &osition$ 8t !as horrible$ @atson there !oul" tell
you that 8 !as a ner#ous, sensiti#e boy at school$ 8t is my nature$ 8 thought of my uncle an" of his
colleagues in the Cabinet, of the shame !hich 8 ha" brought u&on him, u&on myself, u&on e#ery
one connecte" !ith me$ @hat though 8 !as the #ictim of an eHtraor"inary acci"entF >o allo!ance
is ma"e for acci"ents !here "i&lomatic interests are at stake$ 8 !as ruine", shamefully, ho&elessly
ruine"$ 8 "on't kno! !hat 8 "i"$ 8 fancy 8 must ha#e ma"e a scene$ 8 ha#e a "im recollection of a
grou& of officials !ho cro!"e" roun" me, en"ea#oring to soothe me$ 9ne of them "ro#e "o!n !ith
me to @aterloo, an" sa! me into the @oking train$ 8 belie#e that he !oul" ha#e come all the !ay
ha" it not been that Dr$ <errier, !ho li#es near me, !as going "o!n by that #ery train$ The "octor
most kin"ly took charge of me, an" it !as !ell he "i" so, for 8 ha" a fit in the station, an" before !e
reache" home 8 !as &ractically a ra#ing maniac$
C%ou can imagine the state of things here !hen they !ere rouse" from their be"s by the "octor's
ringing an" foun" me in this con"ition$ Poor Annie here an" my mother !ere broken'hearte"$ Dr$
<errier ha" just hear" enough from the "etecti#e at the station to be able to gi#e an i"ea of !hat ha"
ha&&ene", an" his story "i" not men" matters$ 8t !as e#i"ent to all that 8 !as in for a long illness, so
=ose&h !as bun"le" out of this cheery be"room, an" it !as turne" into a sick'room for me$ Here 8
ha#e lain, Mr$ Holmes, for o#er nine !eeks, unconscious, an" ra#ing !ith brain'fe#er$ 8f it ha" not
been for Miss Harrison here an" for the "octor's care 8 shoul" not be s&eaking to you no!$ She has
nurse" me by "ay an" a hire" nurse has looke" after me by night, for in my ma" fits 8 !as ca&able
of anything$ Slo!ly my reason has cleare", but it is only "uring the last three "ays that my memory
has Iuite returne"$ Sometimes 8 !ish that it ne#er ha"$ The first thing that 8 "i" !as to !ire to Mr$
<orbes, !ho ha" the case in han"$ He came out, an" assures me that, though e#erything has been
"one, no trace of a clue has been "isco#ere"$ The commissionnaire an" his !ife ha#e been
eHamine" in e#ery !ay !ithout any light being thro!n u&on the matter$ The sus&icions of the &olice
then reste" u&on young Gorot, !ho, as you may remember, staye" o#er time in the office that night$
His remaining behin" an" his <rench name !ere really the only t!o &oints !hich coul" suggest
sus&icionG but, as a matter of fact, 8 "i" not begin !ork until he ha" gone, an" his &eo&le are of
Huguenot eHtraction, but as /nglish in sym&athy an" tra"ition as you an" 8 are$ >othing !as foun"
to im&licate him in any !ay, an" there the matter "ro&&e"$ 8 turn to you, Mr$ Holmes, as absolutely
my last ho&e$ 8f you fail me, then my honor as !ell as my &osition are fore#er forfeite"$C
The in#ali" sank back u&on his cushions, tire" out by this long recital, !hile his nurse &oure" him
out a glass of some stimulating me"icine$ Holmes sat silently, !ith his hea" thro!n back an" his
eyes close", in an attitu"e !hich might seem listless to a stranger, but !hich 8 kne! betokene" the
most intense self'absor&tion$
C%ou statement has been so eH&licit,C sai" he at last, Cthat you ha#e really left me #ery fe!
Iuestions to ask$ There is one of the #ery utmost im&ortance, ho!e#er$ Di" you tell any one that
you ha" this s&ecial task to &erformFC
C>o one$C
C>ot Miss Harrison here, for eHam&leFC
C>o$ 8 ha" not been back to @oking bet!een getting the or"er an" eHecuting the commission$C
CAn" none of your &eo&le ha" by chance been to see youFC
C>one$C
CDi" any of them kno! their !ay about in the officeFC
C9h, yes, all of them ha" been sho!n o#er it$C
CStill, of course, if you sai" nothing to any one about the treaty these inIuiries are irrele#ant$C
C8 sai" nothing$C
CDo you kno! anything of the commissionnaireFC
C>othing eHce&t that he is an ol" sol"ier$C
C@hat regimentFC
C9h, 8 ha#e hear"JCol"stream Guar"s$C
CThank you$ 8 ha#e no "oubt 8 can get "etails from <orbes$ The authorities are eHcellent at amassing
facts, though they "o not al!ays use them to a"#antage$ @hat a lo#ely thing a rose isEC
He !alke" &ast the couch to the o&en !in"o!, an" hel" u& the "roo&ing stalk of a moss'rose,
looking "o!n at the "ainty blen" of crimson an" green$ 8t !as a ne! &hase of his character to me,
for 8 ha" ne#er before seen him sho! any keen interest in natural objects$
CThere is nothing in !hich "e"uction is so necessary as in religion,C sai" he, leaning !ith his back
against the shutters$ C8t can be built u& as an eHact science by the reasoner$ 9ur highest assurance of
the goo"ness of Pro#i"ence seems to me to rest in the flo!ers$ All other things, our &o!ers our
"esires, our foo", are all really necessary for our eHistence in the first instance$ ut this rose is an
eHtra$ 8ts smell an" its color are an embellishment of life, not a con"ition of it$ 8t is only goo"ness
!hich gi#es eHtras, an" so 8 say again that !e ha#e much to ho&e from the flo!ers$C
Percy Phel&s an" his nurse looke" at Holmes "uring this "emonstration !ith sur&rise an" a goo"
"eal of "isa&&ointment !ritten u&on their faces$ He ha" fallen into a re#erie, !ith the moss'rose
bet!een his fingers$ 8t ha" laste" some minutes before the young la"y broke in u&on it$
CDo you see any &ros&ect of sol#ing this mystery, Mr$ HolmesFC she aske", !ith a touch of as&erity
in her #oice$
C9h, the mysteryEC he ans!ere", coming back !ith a start to the realities of life$ C@ell, it !oul" be
absur" to "eny that the case is a #ery abstruse an" com&licate" one, but 8 can &romise you that 8 !ill
look into the matter an" let you kno! any &oints !hich may strike me$C
CDo you see any clueFC
C%ou ha#e furnishe" me !ith se#en, but, of course, 8 must test them before 8 can &ronounce u&on
their #alue$C
C%ou sus&ect some oneFC
C8 sus&ect myself$C
C@hatEC
C9f coming to conclusions too ra&i"ly$C
CThen go to (on"on an" test your conclusions$C
C%our a"#ice is #ery eHcellent, Miss Harrison,C sai" Holmes, rising$ C8 think, @atson, !e cannot "o
better$ Do not allo! yourself to in"ulge in false ho&es, Mr$ Phel&s$ The affair is a #ery tangle" one$C
C8 shall be in a fe#er until 8 see you again,C crie" the "i&lomatist$
C@ell, 8'll come out by the same train to'morro!, though it's more than likely that my re&ort !ill be
a negati#e one$C
CGo" bless you for &romising to come,C crie" our client$ C8t gi#es me fresh life to kno! that
something is being "one$ y the !ay, 8 ha#e ha" a letter from (or" Hol"hurst$C
CHaE @hat "i" he sayFC
CHe !as col", but not harsh$ 8 "are say my se#ere illness &re#ente" him from being that$ He
re&eate" that the matter !as of the utmost im&ortance, an" a""e" that no ste&s !oul" be taken about
my futureJby !hich he means, of course, my "ismissalJuntil my health !as restore" an" 8 ha" an
o&&ortunity of re&airing my misfortune$C
C@ell, that !as reasonable an" consi"erate,C sai" Holmes$ CCome, @atson, for !e ha#e a goo" "ay's
!ork before us in to!n$C
Mr$ =ose&h Harrison "ro#e us "o!n to the station, an" !e !ere soon !hirling u& in a Portsmouth
train$ Holmes !as sunk in &rofoun" thought, an" har"ly o&ene" his mouth until !e ha" &asse"
Cla&ham =unction$
C8t's a #ery cheery thing to come into (on"on by any of these lines !hich run high, an" allo! you to
look "o!n u&on the houses like this$C
8 thought he !as joking, for the #ie! !as sor"i" enough, but he soon eH&laine" himself$
C(ook at those big, isolate" clum&s of buil"ing rising u& abo#e the slates, like brick islan"s in a
lea"'colore" sea$C
CThe boar"'schools$C
C(ight'houses, my boyE eacons of the futureE Ca&sules !ith hun"re"s of bright little see"s in each,
out of !hich !ill s&ring the !ise, better /nglan" of the future$ 8 su&&ose that man Phel&s "oes not
"rinkFC
C8 shoul" not think so$C
C>or shoul" 8, but !e are boun" to take e#ery &ossibility into account$ The &oor "e#il has certainly
got himself into #ery "ee& !ater, an" it's a Iuestion !hether !e shall e#er be able to get him ashore$
@hat "i" you think of Miss HarrisonFC
CA girl of strong character$C
C%es, but she is a goo" sort, or 8 am mistaken$ She an" her brother are the only chil"ren of an iron'
master some!here u& >orthumberlan" !ay$ He got engage" to her !hen tra#eling last !inter, an"
she came "o!n to be intro"uce" to his &eo&le, !ith her brother as escort$ Then came the smash, an"
she staye" on to nurse her lo#er, !hile brother =ose&h, fin"ing himself &retty snug, staye" on too$
8'#e been making a fe! in"e&en"ent inIuiries, you see$ ut to'"ay must be a "ay of inIuiries$C
CMy &racticeJC 8 began$
C9h, if you fin" your o!n cases more interesting than mineJC sai" Holmes, !ith some as&erity$
C8 !as going to say that my &ractice coul" get along #ery !ell for a "ay or t!o, since it is the
slackest time in the year$C
C/Hcellent,C sai" he, reco#ering his goo"'humor$ CThen !e'll look into this matter together$ 8 think
that !e shoul" begin by seeing <orbes$ He can &robably tell us all the "etails !e !ant until !e
kno! from !hat si"e the case is to be a&&roache"$C
C%ou sai" you ha" a clueFC
C@ell, !e ha#e se#eral, but !e can only test their #alue by further inIuiry$ The most "ifficult crime
to track is the one !hich is &ur&oseless$ >o! this is not &ur&oseless$ @ho is it !ho &rofits by itF
There is the <rench ambassa"or, there is the *ussian, there is !hoe#er might sell it to either of
these, an" there is (or" Hol"hurst$C
C(or" Hol"hurstEC
C@ell, it is just concei#able that a statesman might fin" himself in a &osition !here he !as not sorry
to ha#e such a "ocument acci"entally "estroye"$C
C>ot a statesman !ith the honorable recor" of (or" Hol"hurstFC
C8t is a &ossibility an" !e cannot affor" to "isregar" it$ @e shall see the noble lor" to'"ay an" fin"
out if he can tell us anything$ Mean!hile 8 ha#e alrea"y set inIuiries on foot$C
CAlrea"yFC
C%es, 8 sent !ires from @oking station to e#ery e#ening &a&er in (on"on$ This a"#ertisement !ill
a&&ear in each of them$C
He han"e" o#er a sheet torn from a note'book$ 9n it !as scribble" in &encil) C(+7 re!ar"$ The
number of the cab !hich "ro&&e" a fare at or about the "oor of the <oreign 9ffice in Charles Street
at Iuarter to ten in the e#ening of May 62"$ A&&ly 66+ , aker Street$C
C%ou are confi"ent that the thief came in a cabFC
C8f not, there is no harm "one$ ut if Mr$ Phel&s is correct in stating that there is no hi"ing'&lace
either in the room or the corri"ors, then the &erson must ha#e come from outsi"e$ 8f he came from
outsi"e on so !et a night, an" yet left no trace of "am& u&on the linoleum, !hich !as eHamine"
!ithin a fe! minutes of his &assing, then it is eHcee"ing &robable that he came in a cab$ %es, 8 think
that !e may safely "e"uce a cab$C
C8t soun"s &lausible$C
CThat is one of the clues of !hich 8 s&oke$ 8t may lea" us to something$ An" then, of course, there is
the bellJ!hich is the most "istincti#e feature of the case$ @hy shoul" the bell ringF @as it the thief
!ho "i" it out of bra#a"oF 9r !as it some one !ho !as !ith the thief !ho "i" it in or"er to &re#ent
the crimeF 9r !as it an acci"entF 9r !as itJFC He sank back into the state of intense an" silent
thought from !hich he ha" emerge"G but it seeme" to me, accustome" as 8 !as to his e#ery moo",
that some ne! &ossibility ha" "a!ne" su""enly u&on him$
8t !as t!enty &ast three !hen !e reache" our terminus, an" after a hasty luncheon at the buffet !e
&ushe" on at once to Scotlan" %ar"$ Holmes ha" alrea"y !ire" to <orbes, an" !e foun" him !aiting
to recei#e usJa small, foHy man !ith a shar& but by no means amiable eH&ression$ He !as
"eci"e"ly frigi" in his manner to us, es&ecially !hen he hear" the erran" u&on !hich !e ha" come$
C8'#e hear" of your metho"s before no!, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" he, tartly$ C%ou are rea"y enough to use
all the information that the &olice can lay at your "is&osal, an" then you try to finish the case
yourself an" bring "iscre"it on them$C
C9n the contrary,C sai" Holmes, Cout of my last fifty'three cases my name has only a&&eare" in
four, an" the &olice ha#e ha" all the cre"it in forty'nine$ 8 "on't blame you for not kno!ing this, for
you are young an" ineH&erience", but if you !ish to get on in your ne! "uties you !ill !ork !ith
me an" not against me$C
C8'" be #ery gla" of a hint or t!o,C sai" the "etecti#e, changing his manner$ C8'#e certainly ha" no
cre"it from the case so far$C
C@hat ste&s ha#e you takenFC
CTangey, the commissionnaire, has been sha"o!e"$ He left the Guar"s !ith a goo" character an" !e
can fin" nothing against him$ His !ife is a ba" lot, though$ 8 fancy she kno!s more about this than
a&&ears$C
CHa#e you sha"o!e" herFC
C@e ha#e set one of our !omen on to her$ Mrs$ Tangey "rinks, an" our !oman has been !ith her
t!ice !hen she !as !ell on, but she coul" get nothing out of her$C
C8 un"erstan" that they ha#e ha" brokers in the houseFC
C%es, but they !ere &ai" off$C
C@here "i" the money come fromFC
CThat !as all right$ His &ension !as "ue$ They ha#e not sho!n any sign of being in fun"s$C
C@hat eH&lanation "i" she gi#e of ha#ing ans!ere" the bell !hen Mr$ Phel&s rang for the coffeeFC
CShe sai" that her husban" !as #ery tire" an" she !ishe" to relie#e him$C
C@ell, certainly that !oul" agree !ith his being foun" a little later aslee& in his chair$ There is
nothing against them then but the !oman's character$ Di" you ask her !hy she hurrie" a!ay that
nightF Her haste attracte" the attention of the &olice constable$C
CShe !as later than usual an" !ante" to get home$C
CDi" you &oint out to her that you an" Mr$ Phel&s, !ho starte" at least t!enty minutes after her, got
home before herFC
CShe eH&lains that by the "ifference bet!een a 'bus an" a hansom$C
CDi" she make it clear !hy, on reaching her house, she ran into the back kitchenFC
Cecause she ha" the money there !ith !hich to &ay off the brokers$C
CShe has at least an ans!er for e#erything$ Di" you ask her !hether in lea#ing she met any one or
sa! any one loitering about Charles StreetFC
CShe sa! no one but the constable$C
C@ell, you seem to ha#e cross'eHamine" her &retty thoroughly$ @hat else ha#e you "oneFC
CThe clerk Gorot has been sha"o!e" all these nine !eeks, but !ithout result$ @e can sho! nothing
against him$C
CAnything elseFC
C@ell, !e ha#e nothing else to go u&onJno e#i"ence of any kin"$C
CHa#e you forme" a theory about ho! that bell rangFC
C@ell, 8 must confess that it beats me$ 8t !as a cool han", !hoe#er it !as, to go an" gi#e the alarm
like that$C
C%es, it !as a Iueer thing to "o$ Many thanks to you for !hat you ha#e tol" me$ 8f 8 can &ut the man
into your han"s you shall hear from me$ Come along, @atson$C
C@here are !e going to no!FC 8 aske", as !e left the office$
C@e are no! going to inter#ie! (or" Hol"hurst, the cabinet minister an" future &remier of
/nglan"$C
@e !ere fortunate in fin"ing that (or" Hol"hurst !as still in his chambers in Do!ning Street, an"
on Holmes sen"ing in his car" !e !ere instantly sho!n u&$ The statesman recei#e" us !ith that
ol"'fashione" courtesy for !hich he is remarkable, an" seate" us on the t!o luHuriant lounges on
either si"e of the fire&lace$ Stan"ing on the rug bet!een us, !ith his slight, tall figure, his shar&
features, thoughtful face, an" curling hair &rematurely tinge" !ith gray, he seeme" to re&resent that
not too common ty&e, a nobleman !ho is in truth noble$
C%our name is #ery familiar to me, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" he, smiling$ CAn", of course, 8 cannot &reten"
to be ignorant of the object of your #isit$ There has only been one occurrence in these offices !hich
coul" call for your attention$ 8n !hose interest are you acting, may 8 askFC
C8n that of Mr$ Percy Phel&s,C ans!ere" Holmes$
CAh, my unfortunate ne&he!E %ou can un"erstan" that our kinshi& makes it the more im&ossible for
me to screen him in any !ay$ 8 fear that the inci"ent must ha#e a #ery &reju"icial effect u&on his
career$C
Cut if the "ocument is foun"FC
CAh, that, of course, !oul" be "ifferent$C
C8 ha" one or t!o Iuestions !hich 8 !ishe" to ask you, (or" Hol"hurst$C
C8 shall be ha&&y to gi#e you any information in my &o!er$C
C@as it in this room that you ga#e your instructions as to the co&ying of the "ocumentFC
C8t !as$C
CThen you coul" har"ly ha#e been o#erhear"FC
C8t is out of the Iuestion$C
CDi" you e#er mention to any one that it !as your intention to gi#e any one the treaty to be
co&ie"FC
C>e#er$C
C%ou are certain of thatFC
CAbsolutely$C
C@ell, since you ne#er sai" so, an" Mr$ Phel&s ne#er sai" so, an" nobo"y else kne! anything of the
matter, then the thief's &resence in the room !as &urely acci"ental$ He sa! his chance an" he took
it$C
The statesman smile"$ C%ou take me out of my &ro#ince there,C sai" he$
Holmes consi"ere" for a moment$ CThere is another #ery im&ortant &oint !hich 8 !ish to "iscuss
!ith you,C sai" he$ C%ou feare", as 8 un"erstan", that #ery gra#e results might follo! from the
"etails of this treaty becoming kno!n$C
A sha"o! &asse" o#er the eH&ressi#e face of the statesman$ CBery gra#e results in"ee"$C
CAn" ha#e they occurre"FC
C>ot yet$C
C8f the treaty ha" reache", let us say, the <rench or *ussian <oreign 9ffice, you !oul" eH&ect to
hear of itFC
C8 shoul",C sai" (or" Hol"hurst, !ith a !ry face$
CSince nearly ten !eeks ha#e ela&se", then, an" nothing has been hear", it is not unfair to su&&ose
that for some reason the treaty has not reache" them$C
(or" Hol"hurst shrugge" his shoul"ers$
C@e can har"ly su&&ose, Mr$ Holmes, that the thief took the treaty in or"er to frame it an" hang it
u&$C
CPerha&s he is !aiting for a better &rice$C
C8f he !aits a little longer he !ill get no &rice at all$ The treaty !ill cease to be secret in a fe!
months$C
CThat is most im&ortant,C sai" Holmes$ C9f course, it is a &ossible su&&osition that the thief has ha"
a su""en illnessJC
CAn attack of brain'fe#er, for eHam&leFC aske" the statesman, flashing a s!ift glance at him$
C8 "i" not say so,C sai" Holmes, im&erturbably$ CAn" no!, (or" Hol"hurst, !e ha#e alrea"y taken
u& too much of your #aluable time, an" !e shall !ish you goo"'"ay$C
C/#ery success to your in#estigation, be the criminal !ho it may,C ans!ere" the nobleman, as he
bo!e" us out the "oor$
CHe's a fine fello!,C sai" Holmes, as !e came out into @hitehall$ Cut he has a struggle to kee& u&
his &osition$ He is far from rich an" has many calls$ %ou notice", of course, that his boots ha" been
resole"$ >o!, @atson, 8 !on't "etain you from your legitimate !ork any longer$ 8 shall "o nothing
more to'"ay, unless 8 ha#e an ans!er to my cab a"#ertisement$ ut 8 shoul" be eHtremely oblige" to
you if you !oul" come "o!n !ith me to @oking to'morro!, by the same train !hich !e took
yester"ay$C
8 met him accor"ingly neHt morning an" !e tra#ele" "o!n to @oking together$ He ha" ha" no
ans!er to his a"#ertisement, he sai", an" no fresh light ha" been thro!n u&on the case$ He ha",
!hen he so !ille" it, the utter immobility of countenance of a re" 8n"ian, an" 8 coul" not gather
from his a&&earance !hether he !as satisfie" or not !ith the &osition of the case$ His con#ersation,
8 remember, !as about the ertillon system of measurements, an" he eH&resse" his enthusiastic
a"miration of the <rench sa#ant$
@e foun" our client still un"er the charge of his "e#ote" nurse, but looking consi"erably better than
before$ He rose from the sofa an" greete" us !ithout "ifficulty !hen !e entere"$
CAny ne!sFC he aske", eagerly$
CMy re&ort, as 8 eH&ecte", is a negati#e one,C sai" Holmes$ C8 ha#e seen <orbes, an" 8 ha#e seen
your uncle, an" 8 ha#e set one or t!o trains of inIuiry u&on foot !hich may lea" to something$C
C%ou ha#e not lost heart, thenFC
Cy no means$C
CGo" bless you for saying thatEC crie" Miss Harrison$ C8f !e kee& our courage an" our &atience the
truth must come out$C
C@e ha#e more to tell you than you ha#e for us,C sai" Phel&s, reseating himself u&on the couch$
C8 ho&e" you might ha#e something$C
C%es, !e ha#e ha" an a"#enture "uring the night, an" one !hich might ha#e &ro#e" to be a serious
one$C His eH&ression gre! #ery gra#e as he s&oke, an" a look of something akin to fear s&rang u& in
his eyes$ CDo you kno!,C sai" he, Cthat 8 begin to belie#e that 8 am the unconscious centre of some
monstrous cons&iracy, an" that my life is aime" at as !ell as my honorFC
CAhEC crie" Holmes$
C8t soun"s incre"ible, for 8 ha#e not, as far as 8 kno!, an enemy in the !orl"$ %et from last night's
eH&erience 8 can come to no other conclusion$C
CPray let me hear it$C
C%ou must kno! that last night !as the #ery first night that 8 ha#e e#er sle&t !ithout a nurse in the
room$ 8 !as so much better that 8 thought 8 coul" "is&ense !ith one$ 8 ha" a night'light burning,
ho!e#er$ @ell, about t!o in the morning 8 ha" sunk into a light slee& !hen 8 !as su""enly arouse"
by a slight noise$ 8t !as like the soun" !hich a mouse makes !hen it is gna!ing a &lank, an" 8 lay
listening to it for some time un"er the im&ression that it must come from that cause$ Then it gre!
lou"er, an" su""enly there came from the !in"o! a shar& metallic snick$ 8 sat u& in amaAement$
There coul" be no "oubt !hat the soun"s !ere no!$ The first ones ha" been cause" by some one
forcing an instrument through the slit bet!een the sashes, an" the secon" by the catch being &resse"
back$
CThere !as a &ause then for about ten minutes, as if the &erson !ere !aiting to see !hether the
noise ha" a!akene" me$ Then 8 hear" a gentle creaking as the !in"o! !as #ery slo!ly o&ene"$ 8
coul" stan" it no longer, for my ner#es are not !hat they use" to be$ 8 s&rang out of be" an" flung
o&en the shutters$ A man !as crouching at the !in"o!$ 8 coul" see little of him, for he !as gone
like a flash$ He !as !ra&&e" in some sort of cloak !hich came across the lo!er &art of his face$
9ne thing only 8 am sure of, an" that is that he ha" some !ea&on in his han"$ 8t looke" to me like a
long knife$ 8 "istinctly sa! the gleam of it as he turne" to run$C
CThis is most interesting,C sai" Holmes$ CPray !hat "i" you "o thenFC
C8 shoul" ha#e follo!e" him through the o&en !in"o! if 8 ha" been stronger$ As it !as, 8 rang the
bell an" rouse" the house$ 8t took me some little time, for the bell rings in the kitchen an" the
ser#ants all slee& u&stairs$ 8 shoute", ho!e#er, an" that brought =ose&h "o!n, an" he rouse" the
others$ =ose&h an" the groom foun" marks on the be" outsi"e the !in"o!, but the !eather has been
so "ry lately that they foun" it ho&eless to follo! the trail across the grass$ There's a &lace, ho!e#er,
on the !oo"en fence !hich skirts the roa" !hich sho!s signs, they tell me, as if some one ha" got
o#er, an" ha" sna&&e" the to& of the rail in "oing so$ 8 ha#e sai" nothing to the local &olice yet, for 8
thought 8 ha" best ha#e your o&inion first$C
This tale of our client's a&&eare" to ha#e an eHtraor"inary effect u&on Sherlock Holmes$ He rose
from his chair an" &ace" about the room in uncontrollable eHcitement$
CMisfortunes ne#er come single,C sai" Phel&s, smiling, though it !as e#i"ent that his a"#enture ha"
some!hat shaken him$
C%ou ha#e certainly ha" your share,C sai" Holmes$ CDo you think you coul" !alk roun" the house
!ith meFC
C9h, yes, 8 shoul" like a little sunshine$ =ose&h !ill come, too$C
CAn" 8 also,C sai" Miss Harrison$
C8 am afrai" not,C sai" Holmes, shaking his hea"$ C8 think 8 must ask you to remain sitting eHactly
!here you are$C
The young la"y resume" her seat !ith an air of "is&leasure$ Her brother, ho!e#er, ha" joine" us an"
!e set off all four together$ @e &asse" roun" the la!n to the outsi"e of the young "i&lomatist's
!in"o!$ There !ere, as he ha" sai", marks u&on the be", but they !ere ho&elessly blurre" an"
#ague$ Holmes sto&&e" o#er them for an instant, an" then rose shrugging his shoul"ers$
C8 "on't think any one coul" make much of this,C sai" he$ C(et us go roun" the house an" see !hy
this &articular room !as chosen by the burglar$ 8 shoul" ha#e thought those larger !in"o!s of the
"ra!ing'room an" "ining'room !oul" ha#e ha" more attractions for him$C
CThey are more #isible from the roa",C suggeste" Mr$ =ose&h Harrison$
CAh, yes, of course$ There is a "oor here !hich he might ha#e attem&te"$ @hat is it forFC
C8t is the si"e entrance for tra"es'&eo&le$ 9f course it is locke" at night$C
CHa#e you e#er ha" an alarm like this beforeFC
C>e#er,C sai" our client$
CDo you kee& &late in the house, or anything to attract burglarsFC
C>othing of #alue$C
Holmes strolle" roun" the house !ith his han"s in his &ockets an" a negligent air !hich !as
unusual !ith him$
Cy the !ay,C sai" he to =ose&h Harrison, Cyou foun" some &lace, 8 un"erstan", !here the fello!
scale" the fence$ (et us ha#e a look at thatEC
The &lum& young man le" us to a s&ot !here the to& of one of the !oo"en rails ha" been cracke"$ A
small fragment of the !oo" !as hanging "o!n$ Holmes &ulle" it off an" eHamine" it critically$
CDo you think that !as "one last nightF 8t looks rather ol", "oes it notFC
C@ell, &ossibly so$C
CThere are no marks of any one jum&ing "o!n u&on the other si"e$ >o, 8 fancy !e shall get no hel&
here$ (et us go back to the be"room an" talk the matter o#er$C
Percy Phel&s !as !alking #ery slo!ly, leaning u&on the arm of his future brother'in'la!$ Holmes
!alke" s!iftly across the la!n, an" !e !ere at the o&en !in"o! of the be"room long before the
others came u&$
CMiss Harrison,C sai" Holmes, s&eaking !ith the utmost intensity of manner, Cyou must stay !here
you are all "ay$ (et nothing &re#ent you from staying !here you are all "ay$ 8t is of the utmost
im&ortance$C
CCertainly, if you !ish it, Mr$ Holmes,C sai" the girl in astonishment$
C@hen you go to be" lock the "oor of this room on the outsi"e an" kee& the key$ Promise to "o
this$C
Cut PercyFC
CHe !ill come to (on"on !ith us$C
CAn" am 8 to remain hereFC
C8t is for his sake$ %ou can ser#e him$ LuickE PromiseEC
She ga#e a Iuick no" of assent just as the other t!o came u&$
C@hy "o you sit mo&ing there, AnnieFC crie" her brother$ CCome out into the sunshineEC
C>o, thank you, =ose&h$ 8 ha#e a slight hea"ache an" this room is "eliciously cool an" soothing$C
C@hat "o you &ro&ose no!, Mr$ HolmesFC aske" our client$
C@ell, in in#estigating this minor affair !e must not lose sight of our main inIuiry$ 8t !oul" be a
#ery great hel& to me if you !oul" come u& to (on"on !ith us$C
CAt onceFC
C@ell, as soon as you con#eniently can$ Say in an hour$C
C8 feel Iuite strong enough, if 8 can really be of any hel&$C
CThe greatest &ossible$C
CPerha&s you !oul" like me to stay there to'nightFC
C8 !as just going to &ro&ose it$C
CThen, if my frien" of the night comes to re#isit me, he !ill fin" the bir" flo!n$ @e are all in your
han"s, Mr$ Holmes, an" you must tell us eHactly !hat you !oul" like "one$ Perha&s you !oul"
&refer that =ose&h came !ith us so as to look after meFC
C9h, noG my frien" @atson is a me"ical man, you kno!, an" he'll look after you$ @e'll ha#e our
lunch here, if you !ill &ermit us, an" then !e shall all three set off for to!n together$C
8t !as arrange" as he suggeste", though Miss Harrison eHcuse" herself from lea#ing the be"room,
in accor"ance !ith Holmes's suggestion$ @hat the object of my frien"'s manoeu#res !as 8 coul" not
concei#e, unless it !ere to kee& the la"y a!ay from Phel&s, !ho, rejoice" by his returning health
an" by the &ros&ect of action, lunche" !ith us in the "ining'room$ Holmes ha" a still more startling
sur&rise for us, ho!e#er, for, after accom&anying us "o!n to the station an" seeing us into our
carriage, he calmly announce" that he ha" no intention of lea#ing @oking$
CThere are one or t!o small &oints !hich 8 shoul" "esire to clear u& before 8 go,C sai" he$ C%our
absence, Mr$ Phel&s, !ill in some !ays rather assist me$ @atson, !hen you reach (on"on you
!oul" oblige me by "ri#ing at once to aker Street !ith our frien" here, an" remaining !ith him
until 8 see you again$ 8t is fortunate that you are ol" school'fello!s, as you must ha#e much to talk
o#er$ Mr$ Phel&s can ha#e the s&are be"room to'night, an" 8 !ill be !ith you in time for breakfast,
for there is a train !hich !ill take me into @aterloo at eight$C
Cut ho! about our in#estigation in (on"onFC aske" Phel&s, ruefully$
C@e can "o that to'morro!$ 8 think that just at &resent 8 can be of more imme"iate use here$C
C%ou might tell them at riarbrae that 8 ho&e to be back to'morro! night,C crie" Phel&s, as !e
began to mo#e from the &latform$
C8 har"ly eH&ect to go back to riarbrae,C ans!ere" Holmes, an" !a#e" his han" to us cheerily as
!e shot out from the station$
Phel&s an" 8 talke" it o#er on our journey, but neither of us coul" "e#ise a satisfactory reason for
this ne! "e#elo&ment$
C8 su&&ose he !ants to fin" out some clue as to the burglary last night, if a burglar it !as$ <or
myself, 8 "on't belie#e it !as an or"inary thief$C
C@hat is your o!n i"ea, thenFC
C5&on my !or", you may &ut it "o!n to my !eak ner#es or not, but 8 belie#e there is some "ee&
&olitical intrigue going on aroun" me, an" that for some reason that &asses my un"erstan"ing my
life is aime" at by the cons&irators$ 8t soun"s high'flo!n an" absur", but consi"er the factsE @hy
shoul" a thief try to break in at a be"room !in"o!, !here there coul" be no ho&e of any &lun"er,
an" !hy shoul" he come !ith a long knife in his han"FC
C%ou are sure it !as not a house'breaker's jimmyFC
C9h, no, it !as a knife$ 8 sa! the flash of the bla"e Iuite "istinctly$C
Cut !hy on earth shoul" you be &ursue" !ith such animosityFC
CAh, that is the Iuestion$C
C@ell, if Holmes takes the same #ie!, that !oul" account for his action, !oul" it notF Presuming
that your theory is correct, if he can lay his han"s u&on the man !ho threatene" you last night he
!ill ha#e gone a long !ay to!ar"s fin"ing !ho took the na#al treaty$ 8t is absur" to su&&ose that
you ha#e t!o enemies, one of !hom robs you, !hile the other threatens your life$C
Cut Holmes sai" that he !as not going to riarbrae$C
C8 ha#e kno!n him for some time,C sai" 8, Cbut 8 ne#er kne! him "o anything yet !ithout a #ery
goo" reason,C an" !ith that our con#ersation "rifte" off on to other to&ics$
ut it !as a !eary "ay for me$ Phel&s !as still !eak after his long illness, an" his misfortune ma"e
him Iuerulous an" ner#ous$ 8n #ain 8 en"ea#ore" to interest him in Afghanistan, in 8n"ia, in social
Iuestions, in anything !hich might take his min" out of the groo#e$ He !oul" al!ays come back to
his lost treaty, !on"ering, guessing, s&eculating, as to !hat Holmes !as "oing, !hat ste&s (or"
Hol"hurst !as taking, !hat ne!s !e shoul" ha#e in the morning$ As the e#ening !ore on his
eHcitement became Iuite &ainful$
C%ou ha#e im&licit faith in HolmesFC he aske"$
C8 ha#e seen him "o some remarkable things$C
Cut he ne#er brought light into anything Iuite so "ark as thisFC
C9h, yesG 8 ha#e kno!n him sol#e Iuestions !hich &resente" fe!er clues than yours$C
Cut not !here such large interests are at stakeFC
C8 "on't kno! that$ To my certain kno!le"ge he has acte" on behalf of three of the reigning houses
of /uro&e in #ery #ital matters$C
Cut you kno! him !ell, @atson$ He is such an inscrutable fello! that 8 ne#er Iuite kno! !hat to
make of him$ Do you think he is ho&efulF Do you think he eH&ects to make a success of itFC
CHe has sai" nothing$C
CThat is a ba" sign$C
C9n the contrary, 8 ha#e notice" that !hen he is off the trail he generally says so$ 8t is !hen he is on
a scent an" is not Iuite absolutely sure yet that it is the right one that he is most taciturn$ >o!, my
"ear fello!, !e can't hel& matters by making oursel#es ner#ous about them, so let me im&lore you
to go to be" an" so be fresh for !hate#er may a!ait us to'morro!$C
8 !as able at last to &ersua"e my com&anion to take my a"#ice, though 8 kne! from his eHcite"
manner that there !as not much ho&e of slee& for him$ 8n"ee", his moo" !as infectious, for 8 lay
tossing half the night myself, broo"ing o#er this strange &roblem, an" in#enting a hun"re" theories,
each of !hich !as more im&ossible than the last$ @hy ha" Holmes remaine" at @okingF @hy ha"
he aske" Miss Harrison to remain in the sick'room all "ayF @hy ha" he been so careful not to
inform the &eo&le at riarbrae that he inten"e" to remain near themF 8 cu"gelle" my brains until 8
fell aslee& in the en"ea#or to fin" some eH&lanation !hich !oul" co#er all these facts$
8t !as se#en o'clock !hen 8 a!oke, an" 8 set off at once for Phel&s's room, to fin" him haggar" an"
s&ent after a slee&less night$ His first Iuestion !as !hether Holmes ha" arri#e" yet$
CHe'll be here !hen he &romise",C sai" 8, Can" not an instant sooner or later$C
An" my !or"s !ere true, for shortly after eight a hansom "ashe" u& to the "oor an" our frien" got
out of it$ Stan"ing in the !in"o! !e sa! that his left han" !as s!athe" in a ban"age an" that his
face !as #ery grim an" &ale$ He entere" the house, but it !as some little time before he came
u&stairs$
CHe looks like a beaten man,C crie" Phel&s$
8 !as force" to confess that he !as right$ CAfter all,C sai" 8, Cthe clue of the matter lies &robably
here in to!n$C
Phel&s ga#e a groan$
C8 "on't kno! ho! it is,C sai" he, Cbut 8 ha" ho&e" for so much from his return$ ut surely his han"
!as not tie" u& like that yester"ay$ @hat can be the matterFC
C%ou are not !oun"e", HolmesFC 8 aske", as my frien" entere" the room$
CTut, it is only a scratch through my o!n clumsiness,C he ans!ere", no""ing his goo"'mornings to
us$ CThis case of yours, Mr$ Phel&s, is certainly one of the "arkest !hich 8 ha#e e#er in#estigate"$C
C8 feare" that you !oul" fin" it beyon" you$C
C8t has been a most remarkable eH&erience$C
CThat ban"age tells of a"#entures,C sai" 8$ C@on't you tell us !hat has ha&&ene"FC
CAfter breakfast, my "ear @atson$ *emember that 8 ha#e breathe" thirty miles of Surrey air this
morning$ 8 su&&ose that there has been no ans!er from my cabman a"#ertisementF @ell, !ell, !e
cannot eH&ect to score e#ery time$C
The table !as all lai", an" just as 8 !as about to ring Mrs$ Hu"son entere" !ith the tea an" coffee$ A
fe! minutes later she brought in three co#ers, an" !e all "re! u& to the table, Holmes ra#enous, 8
curious, an" Phel&s in the gloomiest state of "e&ression$
CMrs$ Hu"son has risen to the occasion,C sai" Holmes, unco#ering a "ish of currie" chicken$ CHer
cuisine is a little limite", but she has as goo" an i"ea of breakfast as a Scotch'!oman$ @hat ha#e
you here, @atsonFC
CHam an" eggs,C 8 ans!ere"$
CGoo"E @hat are you going to take, Mr$ Phel&sJcurrie" fo!l or eggs, or !ill you hel& yourselfFC
CThank you$ 8 can eat nothing,C sai" Phel&s$
C9h, comeE Try the "ish before you$C
CThank you, 8 !oul" really rather not$C
C@ell, then,C sai" Holmes, !ith a mischie#ous t!inkle, C8 su&&ose that you ha#e no objection to
hel&ing meFC
Phel&s raise" the co#er, an" as he "i" so he uttere" a scream, an" sat there staring !ith a face as
!hite as the &late u&on !hich he looke"$ Across the centre of it !as lying a little cylin"er of blue'
gray &a&er$ He caught it u&, "e#oure" it !ith his eyes, an" then "ance" ma"ly about the room,
&ressing it to his bosom an" shrieking out in his "elight$ Then he fell back into an arm'chair so lim&
an" eHhauste" !ith his o!n emotions that !e ha" to &our bran"y "o!n his throat to kee& him from
fainting$
CThereE thereEC sai" Holmes, soothing, &atting him u&on the shoul"er$ C8t !as too ba" to s&ring it on
you like this, but @atson here !ill tell you that 8 ne#er can resist a touch of the "ramatic$C
Phel&s seiAe" his han" an" kisse" it$ CGo" bless youEC he crie"$ C%ou ha#e sa#e" my honor$C
C@ell, my o!n !as at stake, you kno!,C sai" Holmes$ C8 assure you it is just as hateful to me to fail
in a case as it can be to you to blun"er o#er a commission$C
Phel&s thrust a!ay the &recious "ocument into the innermost &ocket of his coat$
C8 ha#e not the heart to interru&t your breakfast any further, an" yet 8 am "ying to kno! ho! you
got it an" !here it !as$C
Sherlock Holmes s!allo!e" a cu& of coffee, an" turne" his attention to the ham an" eggs$ Then he
rose, lit his &i&e, an" settle" himself "o!n into his chair$
C8'll tell you !hat 8 "i" first, an" ho! 8 came to "o it after!ar"s,C sai" he$ CAfter lea#ing you at the
station 8 !ent for a charming !alk through some a"mirable Surrey scenery to a &retty little #illage
calle" *i&ley, !here 8 ha" my tea at an inn, an" took the &recaution of filling my flask an" of
&utting a &a&er of san"!iches in my &ocket$ There 8 remaine" until e#ening, !hen 8 set off for
@oking again, an" foun" myself in the high'roa" outsi"e riarbrae just after sunset$
C@ell, 8 !aite" until the roa" !as clearJit is ne#er a #ery freIuente" one at any time, 8 fancyJan"
then 8 clambere" o#er the fence into the groun"s$C
CSurely the gate !as o&enEC ejaculate" Phel&s$
C%es, but 8 ha#e a &eculiar taste in these matters$ 8 chose the &lace !here the three fir'trees stan",
an" behin" their screen 8 got o#er !ithout the least chance of any one in the house being able to see
me$ 8 crouche" "o!n among the bushes on the other si"e, an" cra!le" from one to the otherJ
!itness the "isre&utable state of my trouser kneesJuntil 8 ha" reache" the clum& of rho"o"en"rons
just o&&osite to your be"room !in"o!$ There 8 sIuatte" "o!n an" a!aite" "e#elo&ments$
CThe blin" !as not "o!n in your room, an" 8 coul" see Miss Harrison sitting there rea"ing by the
table$ 8t !as Iuarter'&ast ten !hen she close" her book, fastene" the shutters, an" retire"$
C8 hear" her shut the "oor, an" felt Iuite sure that she ha" turne" the key in the lock$C
CThe keyEC ejaculate" Phel&s$
C%esG 8 ha" gi#en Miss Harrison instructions to lock the "oor on the outsi"e an" take the key !ith
her !hen she !ent to be"$ She carrie" out e#ery one of my injunctions to the letter, an" certainly
!ithout her coo&eration you !oul" not ha#e that &a&er in you coat'&ocket$ She "e&arte" then an"
the lights !ent out, an" 8 !as left sIuatting in the rho"o"en"ron'bush$
CThe night !as fine, but still it !as a #ery !eary #igil$ 9f course it has the sort of eHcitement about
it that the s&ortsman feels !hen he lies besi"e the !ater'course an" !aits for the big game$ 8t !as
#ery long, thoughJalmost as long, @atson, as !hen you an" 8 !aite" in that "ea"ly room !hen !e
looke" into the little &roblem of the S&eckle" an"$ There !as a church'clock "o!n at @oking
!hich struck the Iuarters, an" 8 thought more than once that it ha" sto&&e"$ At last ho!e#er about
t!o in the morning, 8 su""enly hear" the gentle soun" of a bolt being &ushe" back an" the creaking
of a key$ A moment later the ser#ants' "oor !as o&ene", an" Mr$ =ose&h Harrison ste&&e" out into
the moonlight$C
C=ose&hEC ejaculate" Phel&s$
CHe !as bare'hea"e", but he ha" a black coat thro!n o#er his shoul"er so that he coul" conceal his
face in an instant if there !ere any alarm$ He !alke" on ti&toe un"er the sha"o! of the !all, an"
!hen he reache" the !in"o! he !orke" a long'bla"e" knife through the sash an" &ushe" back the
catch$ Then he flung o&en the !in"o!, an" &utting his knife through the crack in the shutters, he
thrust the bar u& an" s!ung them o&en$
C<rom !here 8 lay 8 ha" a &erfect #ie! of the insi"e of the room an" of e#ery one of his
mo#ements$ He lit the t!o can"les !hich stoo" u&on the mantel&iece, an" then he &rocee"e" to turn
back the corner of the car&et in the neighborhoo" of the "oor$ Presently he sto&&e" an" &icke" out a
sIuare &iece of boar", such as is usually left to enable &lumbers to get at the joints of the gas'&i&es$
This one co#ere", as a matter of fact, the T joint !hich gi#es off the &i&e !hich su&&lies the kitchen
un"erneath$ 9ut of this hi"ing'&lace he "re! that little cylin"er of &a&er, &ushe" "o!n the boar",
rearrange" the car&et, ble! out the can"les, an" !alke" straight into my arms as 8 stoo" !aiting for
him outsi"e the !in"o!$
C@ell, he has rather more #iciousness than 8 ga#e him cre"it for, has Master =ose&h$ He fle! at me
!ith his knife, an" 8 ha" to gras& him t!ice, an" got a cut o#er the knuckles, before 8 ha" the u&&er
han" of him$ He looke" mur"er out of the only eye he coul" see !ith !hen !e ha" finishe", but he
listene" to reason an" ga#e u& the &a&ers$ Ha#ing got them 8 let my man go, but 8 !ire" full
&articulars to <orbes this morning$ 8f he is Iuick enough to catch his bir", !ell an" goo"$ ut if, as 8
shre!"ly sus&ect, he fin"s the nest em&ty before he gets there, !hy, all the better for the
go#ernment$ 8 fancy that (or" Hol"hurst for one, an" Mr$ Percy Phel&s for another, !oul" #ery
much rather that the affair ne#er got as far as a &olice'court$
CMy Go"EC gas&e" our client$ CDo you tell me that "uring these long ten !eeks of agony the stolen
&a&ers !ere !ithin the #ery room !ith me all the timeFC
CSo it !as$C
CAn" =ose&hE =ose&h a #illain an" a thiefEC
CHumE 8 am afrai" =ose&h's character is a rather "ee&er an" more "angerous one than one might
ju"ge from his a&&earance$ <rom !hat 8 ha#e hear" from him this morning, 8 gather that he has lost
hea#ily in "abbling !ith stocks, an" that he is rea"y to "o anything on earth to better his fortunes$
eing an absolutely selfish man, !hen a chance &resente" itself he "i" not allo! either his sister's
ha&&iness or your re&utation to hol" his han"$C
Percy Phel&s sank back in his chair$ CMy hea" !hirls,C sai" he$ C%our !or"s ha#e "aAe" me$C
CThe &rinci&al "ifficulty in your case,C remarke" Holmes, in his "i"actic fashion, Clay in the fact of
there being too much e#i"ence$ @hat !as #ital !as o#erlai" an" hi""en by !hat !as irrele#ant$ 9f
all the facts !hich !ere &resente" to us !e ha" to &ick just those !hich !e "eeme" to be essential,
an" then &iece them together in their or"er, so as to reconstruct this #ery remarkable chain of
e#ents$ 8 ha" alrea"y begun to sus&ect =ose&h, from the fact that you ha" inten"e" to tra#el home
!ith him that night, an" that therefore it !as a likely enough thing that he shoul" call for you,
kno!ing the <oreign 9ffice !ell, u&on his !ay$ @hen 8 hear" that some one ha" been so anHious to
get into the be"room, in !hich no one but =ose&h coul" ha#e conceale" anythingJyou tol" us in
your narrati#e ho! you ha" turne" =ose&h out !hen you arri#e" !ith the "octorJmy sus&icions all
change" to certainties, es&ecially as the attem&t !as ma"e on the first night u&on !hich the nurse
!as absent, sho!ing that the intru"er !as !ell acIuainte" !ith the !ays of the house$C
CHo! blin" 8 ha#e beenEC
CThe facts of the case, as far as 8 ha#e !orke" them out, are these) this =ose&h Harrison entere" the
office through the Charles Street "oor, an" kno!ing his !ay he !alke" straight into your room the
instant after you left it$ <in"ing no one there he &rom&tly rang the bell, an" at the instant that he "i"
so his eyes caught the &a&er u&on the table$ A glance sho!e" him that chance ha" &ut in his !ay a
State "ocument of immense #alue, an" in an instant he ha" thrust it into his &ocket an" !as gone$ A
fe! minutes ela&se", as you remember, before the slee&y commissionnaire "re! your attention to
the bell, an" those !ere just enough to gi#e the thief time to make his esca&e$
CHe ma"e his !ay to @oking by the first train, an" ha#ing eHamine" his booty an" assure" himself
that it really !as of immense #alue, he ha" conceale" it in !hat he thought !as a #ery safe &lace,
!ith the intention of taking it out again in a "ay or t!o, an" carrying it to the <rench embassy, or
!here#er he thought that a long &rice !as to be ha"$ Then came your su""en return$ He, !ithout a
moment's !arning, !as bun"le" out of his room, an" from that time on!ar" there !ere al!ays at
least t!o of you there to &re#ent him from regaining his treasure$ The situation to him must ha#e
been a ma""ening one$ ut at last he thought he sa! his chance$ He trie" to steal in, but !as baffle"
by your !akefulness$ %ou remember that you "i" not take your usual "raught that night$C
C8 remember$C
C8 fancy that he ha" taken ste&s to make that "raught efficacious, an" that he Iuite relie" u&on your
being unconscious$ 9f course, 8 un"erstoo" that he !oul" re&eat the attem&t !hene#er it coul" be
"one !ith safety$ %our lea#ing the room ga#e him the chance he !ante"$ 8 ke&t Miss Harrison in it
all "ay so that he might not antici&ate us$ Then, ha#ing gi#en him the i"ea that the coast !as clear, 8
ke&t guar" as 8 ha#e "escribe"$ 8 alrea"y kne! that the &a&ers !ere &robably in the room, but 8 ha"
no "esire to ri& u& all the &lanking an" skirting in search of them$ 8 let him take them, therefore,
from the hi"ing'&lace, an" so sa#e" myself an infinity of trouble$ 8s there any other &oint !hich 8
can make clearFC
C@hy "i" he try the !in"o! on the first occasion,C 8 aske", C!hen he might ha#e entere" by the
"oorFC
C8n reaching the "oor he !oul" ha#e to &ass se#en be"rooms$ 9n the other han", he coul" get out on
to the la!n !ith ease$ Anything elseFC
C%ou "o not think,C aske" Phel&s, Cthat he ha" any mur"erous intentionF The knife !as only meant
as a tool$C
C8t may be so,C ans!ere" Holmes, shrugging his shoul"ers$ C8 can only say for certain that Mr$
=ose&h Harrison is a gentleman to !hose mercy 8 shoul" be eHtremely un!illing to trust$C
A"#enture D8$ The <inal Problem
8t is !ith a hea#y heart that 8 take u& my &en to !rite these the last !or"s in !hich 8 shall e#er
recor" the singular gifts by !hich my frien" Mr$ Sherlock Holmes !as "istinguishe"$ 8n an
incoherent an", as 8 "ee&ly feel, an entirely ina"eIuate fashion, 8 ha#e en"ea#ore" to gi#e some
account of my strange eH&eriences in his com&any from the chance !hich first brought us together
at the &erio" of the CStu"y in Scarlet,C u& to the time of his interference in the matter of the C>a#al
TreatyCJan interference !hich ha" the unIuestionable effect of &re#enting a serious international
com&lication$ 8t !as my intention to ha#e sto&&e" there, an" to ha#e sai" nothing of that e#ent
!hich has create" a #oi" in my life !hich the la&se of t!o years has "one little to fill$ My han" has
been force", ho!e#er, by the recent letters in !hich Colonel =ames Moriarty "efen"s the memory of
his brother, an" 8 ha#e no choice but to lay the facts before the &ublic eHactly as they occurre"$ 8
alone kno! the absolute truth of the matter, an" 8 am satisfie" that the time has come !hen no goo"
&ur&ose is to be ser#e" by its su&&ression$ As far as 8 kno!, there ha#e been only three accounts in
the &ublic &ress) that in the =ournal "e Gene#e on May Oth, +1,+, the *euter's "es&atch in the
/nglish &a&ers on May -th, an" finally the recent letter to !hich 8 ha#e allu"e"$ 9f these the first
an" secon" !ere eHtremely con"ense", !hile the last is, as 8 shall no! sho!, an absolute &er#ersion
of the facts$ 8t lies !ith me to tell for the first time !hat really took &lace bet!een Professor
Moriarty an" Mr$ Sherlock Holmes$
8t may be remembere" that after my marriage, an" my subseIuent start in &ri#ate &ractice, the #ery
intimate relations !hich ha" eHiste" bet!een Holmes an" myself became to some eHtent mo"ifie"$
He still came to me from time to time !hen he "esire" a com&anion in his in#estigation, but these
occasions gre! more an" more sel"om, until 8 fin" that in the year +1,7 there !ere only three cases
of !hich 8 retain any recor"$ During the !inter of that year an" the early s&ring of +1,+, 8 sa! in
the &a&ers that he ha" been engage" by the <rench go#ernment u&on a matter of su&reme
im&ortance, an" 8 recei#e" t!o notes from Holmes, "ate" from >arbonne an" from >imes, from
!hich 8 gathere" that his stay in <rance !as likely to be a long one$ 8t !as !ith some sur&rise,
therefore, that 8 sa! him !alk into my consulting'room u&on the e#ening of A&ril 63th$ 8t struck me
that he !as looking e#en &aler an" thinner than usual$
C%es, 8 ha#e been using myself u& rather too freely,C he remarke", in ans!er to my look rather than
to my !or"sG C8 ha#e been a little &resse" of late$ Ha#e you any objection to my closing your
shuttersFC
The only light in the room came from the lam& u&on the table at !hich 8 ha" been rea"ing$ Holmes
e"ge" his !ay roun" the !all an" flinging the shutters together, he bolte" them securely$
C%ou are afrai" of somethingFC 8 aske"$
C@ell, 8 am$C
C9f !hatFC
C9f air'guns$C
CMy "ear Holmes, !hat "o you meanFC
C8 think that you kno! me !ell enough, @atson, to un"erstan" that 8 am by no means a ner#ous
man$ At the same time, it is stu&i"ity rather than courage to refuse to recogniAe "anger !hen it is
close u&on you$ Might 8 trouble you for a matchFC He "re! in the smoke of his cigarette as if the
soothing influence !as grateful to him$
C8 must a&ologiAe for calling so late,C sai" he, Can" 8 must further beg you to be so uncon#entional
as to allo! me to lea#e your house &resently by scrambling o#er your back gar"en !all$C
Cut !hat "oes it all meanFC 8 aske"$
He hel" out his han", an" 8 sa! in the light of the lam& that t!o of his knuckles !ere burst an"
blee"ing$
C8t is not an airy nothing, you see,C sai" he, smiling$ C9n the contrary, it is soli" enough for a man to
break his han" o#er$ 8s Mrs$ @atson inFC
CShe is a!ay u&on a #isit$C
C8n"ee"E %ou are aloneFC
CLuite$C
CThen it makes it the easier for me to &ro&ose that you shoul" come a!ay !ith me for a !eek to the
Continent$C
C@hereFC
C9h, any!here$ 8t's all the same to me$C
There !as something #ery strange in all this$ 8t !as not Holmes's nature to take an aimless holi"ay,
an" something about his &ale, !orn face tol" me that his ner#es !ere at their highest tension$ He
sa! the Iuestion in my eyes, an", &utting his finger'ti&s together an" his elbo!s u&on his knees, he
eH&laine" the situation$
C%ou ha#e &robably ne#er hear" of Professor MoriartyFC sai" he$
C>e#er$C
CAye, there's the genius an" the !on"er of the thingEC he crie"$ CThe man &er#a"es (on"on, an" no
one has hear" of him$ That's !hat &uts him on a &innacle in the recor"s of crime$ 8 tell you, @atson,
in all seriousness, that if 8 coul" beat that man, if 8 coul" free society of him, 8 shoul" feel that my
o!n career ha" reache" its summit, an" 8 shoul" be &re&are" to turn to some more &laci" line in
life$ et!een oursel#es, the recent cases in !hich 8 ha#e been of assistance to the royal family of
Scan"ina#ia, an" to the <rench re&ublic, ha#e left me in such a &osition that 8 coul" continue to li#e
in the Iuiet fashion !hich is most congenial to me, an" to concentrate my attention u&on my
chemical researches$ ut 8 coul" not rest, @atson, 8 coul" not sit Iuiet in my chair, if 8 thought that
such a man as Professor Moriarty !ere !alking the streets of (on"on unchallenge"$C
C@hat has he "one, thenFC
CHis career has been an eHtraor"inary one$ He is a man of goo" birth an" eHcellent e"ucation,
en"o!e" by nature !ith a &henomenal mathematical faculty$ At the age of t!enty'one he !rote a
treatise u&on the inomial Theorem, !hich has ha" a /uro&ean #ogue$ 9n the strength of it he !on
the Mathematical Chair at one of our smaller uni#ersities, an" ha", to all a&&earances, a most
brilliant career before him$ ut the man ha" here"itary ten"encies of the most "iabolical kin"$ A
criminal strain ran in his bloo", !hich, instea" of being mo"ifie", !as increase" an" ren"ere"
infinitely more "angerous by his eHtraor"inary mental &o!ers$ Dark rumors gathere" roun" him in
the uni#ersity to!n, an" e#entually he !as com&elle" to resign his chair an" to come "o!n to
(on"on, !here he set u& as an army coach$ So much is kno!n to the !orl", but !hat 8 am telling
you no! is !hat 8 ha#e myself "isco#ere"$
CAs you are a!are, @atson, there is no one !ho kno!s the higher criminal !orl" of (on"on so !ell
as 8 "o$ <or years &ast 8 ha#e continually been conscious of some &o!er behin" the malefactor,
some "ee& organiAing &o!er !hich fore#er stan"s in the !ay of the la!, an" thro!s its shiel" o#er
the !rong'"oer$ Again an" again in cases of the most #arying sortsJforgery cases, robberies,
mur"ersJ8 ha#e felt the &resence of this force, an" 8 ha#e "e"uce" its action in many of those
un"isco#ere" crimes in !hich 8 ha#e not been &ersonally consulte"$ <or years 8 ha#e en"ea#ore" to
break through the #eil !hich shrou"e" it, an" at last the time came !hen 8 seiAe" my threa" an"
follo!e" it, until it le" me, after a thousan" cunning !in"ings, to eH'Professor Moriarty of
mathematical celebrity$
CHe is the >a&oleon of crime, @atson$ He is the organiAer of half that is e#il an" of nearly all that is
un"etecte" in this great city$ He is a genius, a &hiloso&her, an abstract thinker$ He has a brain of the
first or"er$ He sits motionless, like a s&i"er in the center of its !eb, but that !eb has a thousan"
ra"iations, an" he kno!s !ell e#ery Iui#er of each of them$ He "oes little himself$ He only &lans$
ut his agents are numerous an" s&len"i"ly organiAe"$ 8s there a crime to be "one, a &a&er to be
abstracte", !e !ill say, a house to be rifle", a man to be remo#e"Jthe !or" is &asse" to the
Professor, the matter is organiAe" an" carrie" out$ The agent may be caught$ 8n that case money is
foun" for his bail or his "efence$ ut the central &o!er !hich uses the agent is ne#er caughtJne#er
so much as sus&ecte"$ This !as the organiAation !hich 8 "e"uce", @atson, an" !hich 8 "e#ote" my
!hole energy to eH&osing an" breaking u&$
Cut the Professor !as fence" roun" !ith safeguar"s so cunningly "e#ise" that, "o !hat 8 !oul", it
seeme" im&ossible to get e#i"ence !hich !oul" con#ict in a court of la!$ %ou kno! my &o!ers,
my "ear @atson, an" yet at the en" of three months 8 !as force" to confess that 8 ha" at last met an
antagonist !ho !as my intellectual eIual$ My horror at his crimes !as lost in my a"miration at his
skill$ ut at last he ma"e a tri&Jonly a little, little tri&Jbut it !as more than he coul" affor" !hen
8 !as so close u&on him$ 8 ha" my chance, an", starting from that &oint, 8 ha#e !o#en my net roun"
him until no! it is all rea"y to close$ 8n three "aysJthat is to say, on Mon"ay neHtJmatters !ill be
ri&e, an" the Professor, !ith all the &rinci&al members of his gang, !ill be in the han"s of the
&olice$ Then !ill come the greatest criminal trial of the century, the clearing u& of o#er forty
mysteries, an" the ro&e for all of themG but if !e mo#e at all &rematurely, you un"erstan", they may
sli& out of our han"s e#en at the last moment$
C>o!, if 8 coul" ha#e "one this !ithout the kno!le"ge of Professor Moriarty, all !oul" ha#e been
!ell$ ut he !as too !ily for that$ He sa! e#ery ste& !hich 8 took to "ra! my toils roun" him$
Again an" again he stro#e to break a!ay, but 8 as often hea"e" him off$ 8 tell you, my frien", that if
a "etaile" account of that silent contest coul" be !ritten, it !oul" take its &lace as the most brilliant
bit of thrust'an"'&arry !ork in the history of "etection$ >e#er ha#e 8 risen to such a height, an"
ne#er ha#e 8 been so har" &resse" by an o&&onent$ He cut "ee&, an" yet 8 just un"ercut him$ This
morning the last ste&s !ere taken, an" three "ays only !ere !ante" to com&lete the business$ 8 !as
sitting in my room thinking the matter o#er, !hen the "oor o&ene" an" Professor Moriarty stoo"
before me$
CMy ner#es are fairly &roof, @atson, but 8 must confess to a start !hen 8 sa! the #ery man !ho ha"
been so much in my thoughts stan"ing there on my threshhol"$ His a&&earance !as Iuite familiar to
me$ He is eHtremely tall an" thin, his forehea" "omes out in a !hite cur#e, an" his t!o eyes are
"ee&ly sunken in his hea"$ He is clean'sha#en, &ale, an" ascetic'looking, retaining something of the
&rofessor in his features$ His shoul"ers are roun"e" from much stu"y, an" his face &rotru"es
for!ar", an" is fore#er slo!ly oscillating from si"e to si"e in a curiously re&tilian fashion$ He
&eere" at me !ith great curiosity in his &uckere" eyes$
C'%ou ha#e less frontal "e#elo&ment than 8 shoul" ha#e eH&ecte",' sai" he, at last$ '8t is a "angerous
habit to finger loa"e" firearms in the &ocket of one's "ressing'go!n$'
CThe fact is that u&on his entrance 8 ha" instantly recogniAe" the eHtreme &ersonal "anger in !hich 8
lay$ The only concei#able esca&e for him lay in silencing my tongue$ 8n an instant 8 ha" sli&&e" the
re#ol#er from the "ra!er into my &ocket, an" !as co#ering him through the cloth$ At his remark 8
"re! the !ea&on out an" lai" it cocke" u&on the table$ He still smile" an" blinke", but there !as
something about his eyes !hich ma"e me feel #ery gla" that 8 ha" it there$
C'%ou e#i"ently "on't kno! me,' sai" he$
C'9n the contrary,' 8 ans!ere", '8 think it is fairly e#i"ent that 8 "o$ Pray take a chair$ 8 can s&are you
fi#e minutes if you ha#e anything to say$'
C'All that 8 ha#e to say has alrea"y crosse" your min",' sai" he$
C'Then &ossibly my ans!er has crosse" yours,' 8 re&lie"$
C'%ou stan" fastF'
C'Absolutely$'
CHe cla&&e" his han" into his &ocket, an" 8 raise" the &istol from the table$ ut he merely "re! out
a memoran"um'book in !hich he ha" scribble" some "ates$
C'%ou crosse" my &ath on the 3th of =anuary,' sai" he$ '9n the 62" you incommo"e" meG by the
mi""le of <ebruary 8 !as seriously incon#enience" by youG at the en" of March 8 !as absolutely
ham&ere" in my &lansG an" no!, at the close of A&ril, 8 fin" myself &lace" in such a &osition
through your continual &ersecution that 8 am in &ositi#e "anger of losing my liberty$ The situation is
becoming an im&ossible one$'
C'Ha#e you any suggestion to makeF' 8 aske"$
C'%ou must "ro& it, Mr$ Holmes,' sai" he, s!aying his face about$ '%ou really must, you kno!$'
C'After Mon"ay,' sai" 8$
C'Tut, tut,' sai" he$ '8 am Iuite sure that a man of your intelligence !ill see that there can be but one
outcome to this affair$ 8t is necessary that you shoul" !ith"ra!$ %ou ha#e !orke" things in such a
fashion that !e ha#e only one resource left$ 8t has been an intellectual treat to me to see the !ay in
!hich you ha#e gra&&le" !ith this affair, an" 8 say, unaffecte"ly, that it !oul" be a grief to me to be
force" to take any eHtreme measure$ %ou smile, sir, but 8 assure you that it really !oul"$'
C'Danger is &art of my tra"e,' 8 remarke"$
C'That is not "anger,' sai" he$ '8t is ine#itable "estruction$ %ou stan" in the !ay not merely of an
in"i#i"ual, but of a mighty organiAation, the full eHtent of !hich you, !ith all your cle#erness, ha#e
been unable to realiAe$ %ou must stan" clear, Mr$ Holmes, or be tro""en un"er foot$'
C'8 am afrai",' sai" 8, rising, 'that in the &leasure of this con#ersation 8 am neglecting business of
im&ortance !hich a!aits me else!here$'
CHe rose also an" looke" at me in silence, shaking his hea" sa"ly$
C'@ell, !ell,' sai" he, at last$ '8t seems a &ity, but 8 ha#e "one !hat 8 coul"$ 8 kno! e#ery mo#e of
your game$ %ou can "o nothing before Mon"ay$ 8t has been a "uel bet!een you an" me, Mr$
Holmes$ %ou ho&e to &lace me in the "ock$ 8 tell you that 8 !ill ne#er stan" in the "ock$ %ou ho&e to
beat me$ 8 tell you that you !ill ne#er beat me$ 8f you are cle#er enough to bring "estruction u&on
me, rest assure" that 8 shall "o as much to you$'
C'%ou ha#e &ai" me se#eral com&liments, Mr$ Moriarty,' sai" 8$ '(et me &ay you one in return !hen 8
say that if 8 !ere assure" of the former e#entuality 8 !oul", in the interests of the &ublic, cheerfully
acce&t the latter$'
C'8 can &romise you the one, but not the other,' he snarle", an" so turne" his roun"e" back u&on me,
an" !ent &eering an" blinking out of the room$
CThat !as my singular inter#ie! !ith Professor Moriarty$ 8 confess that it left an un&leasant effect
u&on my min"$ His soft, &recise fashion of s&eech lea#es a con#iction of sincerity !hich a mere
bully coul" not &ro"uce$ 9f course, you !ill say) '@hy not take &olice &recautions against himF' the
reason is that 8 am !ell con#ince" that it is from his agents the blo! !ill fall$ 8 ha#e the best &roofs
that it !oul" be so$C
C%ou ha#e alrea"y been assaulte"FC
CMy "ear @atson, Professor Moriarty is not a man !ho lets the grass gro! un"er his feet$ 8 !ent out
about mi"'"ay to transact some business in 9Hfor" Street$ As 8 &asse" the corner !hich lea"s from
entinck Street on to the @elbeck Street crossing a t!o'horse #an furiously "ri#en !hiAAe" roun"
an" !as on me like a flash$ 8 s&rang for the foot'&ath an" sa#e" myself by the fraction of a secon"$
The #an "ashe" roun" by Marylebone (ane an" !as gone in an instant$ 8 ke&t to the &a#ement after
that, @atson, but as 8 !alke" "o!n Bere Street a brick came "o!n from the roof of one of the
houses, an" !as shattere" to fragments at my feet$ 8 calle" the &olice an" ha" the &lace eHamine"$
There !ere slates an" bricks &ile" u& on the roof &re&aratory to some re&airs, an" they !oul" ha#e
me belie#e that the !in" ha" to&&le" o#er one of these$ 9f course 8 kne! better, but 8 coul" &ro#e
nothing$ 8 took a cab after that an" reache" my brother's rooms in Pall Mall, !here 8 s&ent the "ay$
>o! 8 ha#e come roun" to you, an" on my !ay 8 !as attacke" by a rough !ith a blu"geon$ 8
knocke" him "o!n, an" the &olice ha#e him in custo"yG but 8 can tell you !ith the most absolute
confi"ence that no &ossible connection !ill e#er be trace" bet!een the gentleman u&on !hose front
teeth 8 ha#e barke" my knuckles an" the retiring mathematical coach, !ho is, 8 "are say, !orking
out &roblems u&on a black'boar" ten miles a!ay$ %ou !ill not !on"er, @atson, that my first act on
entering your rooms !as to close your shutters, an" that 8 ha#e been com&elle" to ask your
&ermission to lea#e the house by some less cons&icuous eHit than the front "oor$C
8 ha" often a"mire" my frien"'s courage, but ne#er more than no!, as he sat Iuietly checking off a
series of inci"ents !hich must ha#e combine" to make u& a "ay of horror$
C%ou !ill s&en" the night hereFC 8 sai"$
C>o, my frien", you might fin" me a "angerous guest$ 8 ha#e my &lans lai", an" all !ill be !ell$
Matters ha#e gone so far no! that they can mo#e !ithout my hel& as far as the arrest goes, though
my &resence is necessary for a con#iction$ 8t is ob#ious, therefore, that 8 cannot "o better than get
a!ay for the fe! "ays !hich remain before the &olice are at liberty to act$ 8t !oul" be a great
&leasure to me, therefore, if you coul" come on to the Continent !ith me$C
CThe &ractice is Iuiet,C sai" 8, Can" 8 ha#e an accommo"ating neighbor$ 8 shoul" be gla" to come$C
CAn" to start to'morro! morningFC
C8f necessary$C
C9h yes, it is most necessary$ Then these are your instructions, an" 8 beg, my "ear @atson, that you
!ill obey them to the letter, for you are no! &laying a "ouble'han"e" game !ith me against the
cle#erest rogue an" the most &o!erful syn"icate of criminals in /uro&e$ >o! listenE %ou !ill
"is&atch !hate#er luggage you inten" to take by a trusty messenger una""resse" to Bictoria to'
night$ 8n the morning you !ill sen" for a hansom, "esiring your man to take neither the first nor the
secon" !hich may &resent itself$ 8nto this hansom you !ill jum&, an" you !ill "ri#e to the Stran"
en" of the (o!ther Arca"e, han"ing the a""ress to the cabman u&on a sli& of &a&er, !ith a reIuest
that he !ill not thro! it a!ay$ Ha#e your fare rea"y, an" the instant that your cab sto&s, "ash
through the Arca"e, timing yourself to reach the other si"e at a Iuarter'&ast nine$ %ou !ill fin" a
small brougham !aiting close to the curb, "ri#en by a fello! !ith a hea#y black cloak ti&&e" at the
collar !ith re"$ 8nto this you !ill ste&, an" you !ill reach Bictoria in time for the Continental
eH&ress$C
C@here shall 8 meet youFC
CAt the station$ The secon" first'class carriage from the front !ill be reser#e" for us$C
CThe carriage is our ren"eA#ous, thenFC
C%es$C
8t !as in #ain that 8 aske" Holmes to remain for the e#ening$ 8t !as e#i"ent to me that he thought he
might bring trouble to the roof he !as un"er, an" that that !as the moti#e !hich im&elle" him to
go$ @ith a fe! hurrie" !or"s as to our &lans for the morro! he rose an" came out !ith me into the
gar"en, clambering o#er the !all !hich lea"s into Mortimer Street, an" imme"iately !histling for a
hansom, in !hich 8 hear" him "ri#e a!ay$
8n the morning 8 obeye" Holmes's injunctions to the letter$ A hansom !as &rocure" !ith such
&recaution as !oul" &re#ent its being one !hich !as &lace" rea"y for us, an" 8 "ro#e imme"iately
after breakfast to the (o!ther Arca"e, through !hich 8 hurrie" at the to& of my s&ee"$ A brougham
!as !aiting !ith a #ery massi#e "ri#er !ra&&e" in a "ark cloak, !ho, the instant that 8 ha" ste&&e"
in, !hi&&e" u& the horse an" rattle" off to Bictoria Station$ 9n my alighting there he turne" the
carriage, an" "ashe" a!ay again !ithout so much as a look in my "irection$
So far all ha" gone a"mirably$ My luggage !as !aiting for me, an" 8 ha" no "ifficulty in fin"ing the
carriage !hich Holmes ha" in"icate", the less so as it !as the only one in the train !hich !as
marke" C/ngage"$C My only source of anHiety no! !as the non'a&&earance of Holmes$ The station
clock marke" only se#en minutes from the time !hen !e !ere "ue to start$ 8n #ain 8 searche"
among the grou&s of tra#ellers an" lea#e'takers for the lithe figure of my frien"$ There !as no sign
of him$ 8 s&ent a fe! minutes in assisting a #enerable 8talian &riest, !ho !as en"ea#oring to make a
&orter un"erstan", in his broken /nglish, that his luggage !as to be booke" through to Paris$ Then,
ha#ing taken another look roun", 8 returne" to my carriage, !here 8 foun" that the &orter, in s&ite of
the ticket, ha" gi#en me my "ecre&it 8talian frien" as a tra#eling com&anion$ 8t !as useless for me
to eH&lain to him that his &resence !as an intrusion, for my 8talian !as e#en more limite" than his
/nglish, so 8 shrugge" my shoul"ers resigne"ly, an" continue" to look out anHiously for my frien"$
A chill of fear ha" come o#er me, as 8 thought that his absence might mean that some blo! ha"
fallen "uring the night$ Alrea"y the "oors ha" all been shut an" the !histle blo!n, !henJ
CMy "ear @atson,C sai" a #oice, Cyou ha#e not e#en con"escen"e" to say goo"'morning$C
8 turne" in uncontrollable astonishment$ The age" ecclesiastic ha" turne" his face to!ar"s me$ <or
an instant the !rinkles !ere smoothe" a!ay, the nose "re! a!ay from the chin, the lo!er li&
cease" to &rotru"e an" the mouth to mumble, the "ull eyes regaine" their fire, the "roo&ing figure
eH&an"e"$ The neHt the !hole frame colla&se" again, an" Holmes ha" gone as Iuickly as he ha"
come$
CGoo" hea#ensEC 8 crie"G Cho! you startle" meEC
C/#ery &recaution is still necessary,C he !his&ere"$ C8 ha#e reason to think that they are hot u&on
our trail$ Ah, there is Moriarty himself$C
The train ha" alrea"y begun to mo#e as Holmes s&oke$ Glancing back, 8 sa! a tall man &ushing his
!ay furiously through the cro!", an" !a#ing his han" as if he "esire" to ha#e the train sto&&e"$ 8t
!as too late, ho!e#er, for !e !ere ra&i"ly gathering momentum, an" an instant later ha" shot clear
of the station$
C@ith all our &recautions, you see that !e ha#e cut it rather fine,C sai" Holmes, laughing$ He rose,
an" thro!ing off the black cassock an" hat !hich ha" forme" his "isguise, he &acke" them a!ay in
a han"'bag$
CHa#e you seen the morning &a&er, @atsonFC
C>o$C
C%ou ha#en't' seen about aker Street, thenFC
Caker StreetFC
CThey set fire to our rooms last night$ >o great harm !as "one$C
CGoo" hea#ens, HolmesE this is intolerable$C
CThey must ha#e lost my track com&letely after their blu"geon'man !as arreste"$ 9ther!ise they
coul" not ha#e imagine" that 8 ha" returne" to my rooms$ They ha#e e#i"ently taken the &recaution
of !atching you, ho!e#er, an" that is !hat has brought Moriarty to Bictoria$ %ou coul" not ha#e
ma"e any sli& in comingFC
C8 "i" eHactly !hat you a"#ise"$C
CDi" you fin" your broughamFC
C%es, it !as !aiting$C
CDi" you recogniAe your coachmanFC
C>o$C
C8t !as my brother Mycroft$ 8t is an a"#antage to get about in such a case !ithout taking a
mercenary into your confi"ence$ ut !e must &lan !hat !e are to "o about Moriarty no!$C
CAs this is an eH&ress, an" as the boat runs in connection !ith it, 8 shoul" think !e ha#e shaken him
off #ery effecti#ely$C
CMy "ear @atson, you e#i"ently "i" not realiAe my meaning !hen 8 sai" that this man may be taken
as being Iuite on the same intellectual &lane as myself$ %ou "o not imagine that if 8 !ere the
&ursuer 8 shoul" allo! myself to be baffle" by so slight an obstacle$ @hy, then, shoul" you think so
meanly of himFC
C@hat !ill he "oFC
C@hat 8 shoul" "oFC
C@hat !oul" you "o, thenFC
C/ngage a s&ecial$C
Cut it must be late$C
Cy no means$ This train sto&s at CanterburyG an" there is al!ays at least a Iuarter of an hour's
"elay at the boat$ He !ill catch us there$C
C9ne !oul" think that !e !ere the criminals$ (et us ha#e him arreste" on his arri#al$C
C8t !oul" be to ruin the !ork of three months$ @e shoul" get the big fish, but the smaller !oul" "art
right an" left out of the net$ 9n Mon"ay !e shoul" ha#e them all$ >o, an arrest is ina"missible$C
C@hat thenFC
C@e shall get out at Canterbury$C
CAn" thenFC
C@ell, then !e must make a cross'country journey to >e!ha#en, an" so o#er to Die&&e$ Moriarty
!ill again "o !hat 8 shoul" "o$ He !ill get on to Paris, mark "o!n our luggage, an" !ait for t!o
"ays at the "e&ot$ 8n the meantime !e shall treat oursel#es to a cou&le of car&et'bags, encourage the
manufactures of the countries through !hich !e tra#el, an" make our !ay at our leisure into
S!itAerlan", #ia (uHembourg an" asle$C
At Canterbury, therefore, !e alighte", only to fin" that !e shoul" ha#e to !ait an hour before !e
coul" get a train to >e!ha#en$
8 !as still looking rather ruefully after the ra&i"ly "isa&&earing luggage'#an !hich containe" my
!ar"robe, !hen Holmes &ulle" my slee#e an" &ointe" u& the line$
CAlrea"y, you see,C sai" he$
<ar a!ay, from among the ?entish !oo"s there rose a thin s&ray of smoke$ A minute later a carriage
an" engine coul" be seen flying along the o&en cur#e !hich lea"s to the station$ @e ha" har"ly time
to take our &lace behin" a &ile of luggage !hen it &asse" !ith a rattle an" a roar, beating a blast of
hot air into our faces$
CThere he goes,C sai" Holmes, as !e !atche" the carriage s!ing an" rock o#er the &oints$ CThere
are limits, you see, to our frien"'s intelligence$ 8t !oul" ha#e been a cou&'"e'maitre ha" he "e"uce"
!hat 8 !oul" "e"uce an" acte" accor"ingly$C
CAn" !hat !oul" he ha#e "one ha" he o#ertaken usFC
CThere cannot be the least "oubt that he !oul" ha#e ma"e a mur"erous attack u&on me$ 8t is,
ho!e#er, a game at !hich t!o may &lay$ The Iuestion no! is !hether !e shoul" take a &remature
lunch here, or run our chance of star#ing before !e reach the buffet at >e!ha#en$C
@e ma"e our !ay to russels that night an" s&ent t!o "ays there, mo#ing on u&on the thir" "ay as
far as Strasburg$ 9n the Mon"ay morning Holmes ha" telegra&he" to the (on"on &olice, an" in the
e#ening !e foun" a re&ly !aiting for us at our hotel$ Holmes tore it o&en, an" then !ith a bitter
curse hurle" it into the grate$
C8 might ha#e kno!n itEC he groane"$ CHe has esca&e"EC
CMoriartyFC
CThey ha#e secure" the !hole gang !ith the eHce&tion of him$ He has gi#en them the sli&$ 9f
course, !hen 8 ha" left the country there !as no one to co&e !ith him$ ut 8 "i" think that 8 ha" &ut
the game in their han"s$ 8 think that you ha" better return to /nglan", @atson$C
C@hyFC
Cecause you !ill fin" me a "angerous com&anion no!$ This man's occu&ation is gone$ He is lost if
he returns to (on"on$ 8f 8 rea" his character right he !ill "e#ote his !hole energies to re#enging
himself u&on me$ He sai" as much in our short inter#ie!, an" 8 fancy that he meant it$ 8 shoul"
certainly recommen" you to return to your &ractice$C
8t !as har"ly an a&&eal to be successful !ith one !ho !as an ol" cam&aigner as !ell as an ol"
frien"$ @e sat in the Strasburg salle'R'manger arguing the Iuestion for half an hour, but the same
night !e ha" resume" our journey an" !ere !ell on our !ay to Gene#a$
<or a charming !eek !e !an"ere" u& the Balley of the *hone, an" then, branching off at (euk, !e
ma"e our !ay o#er the Gemmi Pass, still "ee& in sno!, an" so, by !ay of 8nterlaken, to Meiringen$
8t !as a lo#ely tri&, the "ainty green of the s&ring belo!, the #irgin !hite of the !inter abo#eG but it
!as clear to me that ne#er for one instant "i" Holmes forget the sha"o! !hich lay across him$ 8n
the homely Al&ine #illages or in the lonely mountain &asses, 8 coul" tell by his Iuick glancing eyes
an" his shar& scrutiny of e#ery face that &asse" us, that he !as !ell con#ince" that, !alk !here !e
!oul", !e coul" not !alk oursel#es clear of the "anger !hich !as "ogging our footste&s$
9nce, 8 remember, as !e &asse" o#er the Gemmi, an" !alke" along the bor"er of the melancholy
Daubensee, a large rock !hich ha" been "islo"ge" from the ri"ge u&on our right clattere" "o!n an"
roare" into the lake behin" us$ 8n an instant Holmes ha" race" u& on to the ri"ge, an", stan"ing u&on
a lofty &innacle, crane" his neck in e#ery "irection$ 8t !as in #ain that our gui"e assure" him that a
fall of stones !as a common chance in the s&ring'time at that s&ot$ He sai" nothing, but he smile" at
me !ith the air of a man !ho sees the fulfillment of that !hich he ha" eH&ecte"$
An" yet for all his !atchfulness he !as ne#er "e&resse"$ 9n the contrary, 8 can ne#er recollect
ha#ing seen him in such eHuberant s&irits$ Again an" again he recurre" to the fact that if he coul" be
assure" that society !as free" from Professor Moriarty he !oul" cheerfully bring his o!n career to
a conclusion$
C8 think that 8 may go so far as to say, @atson, that 8 ha#e not li#e" !holly in #ain,C he remarke"$
C8f my recor" !ere close" to'night 8 coul" still sur#ey it !ith eIuanimity$ The air of (on"on is the
s!eeter for my &resence$ 8n o#er a thousan" cases 8 am not a!are that 8 ha#e e#er use" my &o!ers
u&on the !rong si"e$ 9f late 8 ha#e been tem&te" to look into the &roblems furnishe" by nature
rather than those more su&erficial ones for !hich our artificial state of society is res&onsible$ %our
memoirs !ill "ra! to an en", @atson, u&on the "ay that 8 cro!n my career by the ca&ture or
eHtinction of the most "angerous an" ca&able criminal in /uro&e$C
8 shall be brief, an" yet eHact, in the little !hich remains for me to tell$ 8t is not a subject on !hich 8
!oul" !illingly "!ell, an" yet 8 am conscious that a "uty "e#ol#es u&on me to omit no "etail$
8t !as on the 2" of May that !e reache" the little #illage of Meiringen, !here !e &ut u& at the
/nglischer Hof, then ke&t by Peter Steiler the el"er$ 9ur lan"lor" !as an intelligent man, an" s&oke
eHcellent /nglish, ha#ing ser#e" for three years as !aiter at the Gros#enor Hotel in (on"on$ At his
a"#ice, on the afternoon of the 3th !e set off together, !ith the intention of crossing the hills an"
s&en"ing the night at the hamlet of *osenlaui$ @e ha" strict injunctions, ho!e#er, on no account to
&ass the falls of *eichenbach, !hich are about half'!ay u& the hill, !ithout making a small "etour
to see them$
8t is in"ee", a fearful &lace$ The torrent, s!ollen by the melting sno!, &lunges into a tremen"ous
abyss, from !hich the s&ray rolls u& like the smoke from a burning house$ The shaft into !hich the
ri#er hurls itself is an immense chasm, line" by glistening coal'black rock, an" narro!ing into a
creaming, boiling &it of incalculable "e&th, !hich brims o#er an" shoots the stream on!ar" o#er its
jagge" li&$ The long s!ee& of green !ater roaring fore#er "o!n, an" the thick flickering curtain of
s&ray hissing fore#er u&!ar", turn a man gi""y !ith their constant !hirl an" clamor$ @e stoo" near
the e"ge &eering "o!n at the gleam of the breaking !ater far belo! us against the black rocks, an"
listening to the half'human shout !hich came booming u& !ith the s&ray out of the abyss$
The &ath has been cut half'!ay roun" the fall to affor" a com&lete #ie!, but it en"s abru&tly, an"
the tra#eler has to return as he came$ @e ha" turne" to "o so, !hen !e sa! a S!iss la" come
running along it !ith a letter in his han"$ 8t bore the mark of the hotel !hich !e ha" just left, an"
!as a""resse" to me by the lan"lor"$ 8t a&&eare" that !ithin a #ery fe! minutes of our lea#ing, an
/nglish la"y ha" arri#e" !ho !as in the last stage of consum&tion$ She ha" !intere" at Da#os
PlatA, an" !as journeying no! to join her frien"s at (ucerne, !hen a su""en hemorrhage ha"
o#ertaken her$ 8t !as thought that she coul" har"ly li#e a fe! hours, but it !oul" be a great
consolation to her to see an /nglish "octor, an", if 8 !oul" only return, etc$ The goo" Steiler assure"
me in a &ostscri&t that he !oul" himself look u&on my com&liance as a #ery great fa#or, since the
la"y absolutely refuse" to see a S!iss &hysician, an" he coul" not but feel that he !as incurring a
great res&onsibility$
The a&&eal !as one !hich coul" not be ignore"$ 8t !as im&ossible to refuse the reIuest of a fello!'
country!oman "ying in a strange lan"$ %et 8 ha" my scru&les about lea#ing Holmes$ 8t !as finally
agree", ho!e#er, that he shoul" retain the young S!iss messenger !ith him as gui"e an"
com&anion !hile 8 returne" to Meiringen$ My frien" !oul" stay some little time at the fall, he sai",
an" !oul" then !alk slo!ly o#er the hill to *osenlaui, !here 8 !as to rejoin him in the e#ening$ As
8 turne" a!ay 8 sa! Holmes, !ith his back against a rock an" his arms fol"e", gaAing "o!n at the
rush of the !aters$ 8t !as the last that 8 !as e#er "estine" to see of him in this !orl"$
@hen 8 !as near the bottom of the "escent 8 looke" back$ 8t !as im&ossible, from that &osition, to
see the fall, but 8 coul" see the cur#ing &ath !hich !in"s o#er the shoul"er of the hill an" lea"s to
it$ Along this a man !as, 8 remember, !alking #ery ra&i"ly$
8 coul" see his black figure clearly outline" against the green behin" him$ 8 note" him, an" the
energy !ith !hich he !alke" but he &asse" from my min" again as 8 hurrie" on u&on my erran"$
8t may ha#e been a little o#er an hour before 8 reache" Meiringen$ 9l" Steiler !as stan"ing at the
&orch of his hotel$
C@ell,C sai" 8, as 8 came hurrying u&, C8 trust that she is no !orseFC
A look of sur&rise &asse" o#er his face, an" at the first Iui#er of his eyebro!s my heart turne" to
lea" in my breast$
C%ou "i" not !rite thisFC 8 sai", &ulling the letter from my &ocket$ CThere is no sick /nglish!oman
in the hotelFC
CCertainly notEC he crie"$ Cut it has the hotel mark u&on itE Ha, it must ha#e been !ritten by that
tall /nglishman !ho came in after you ha" gone$ He sai"JC
ut 8 !aite" for none of the lan"lor"'s eH&lanations$ 8n a tingle of fear 8 !as alrea"y running "o!n
the #illage street, an" making for the &ath !hich 8 ha" so lately "escen"e"$ 8t ha" taken me an hour
to come "o!n$ <or all my efforts t!o more ha" &asse" before 8 foun" myself at the fall of
*eichenbach once more$ There !as Holmes's Al&ine'stock still leaning against the rock by !hich 8
ha" left him$ ut there !as no sign of him, an" it !as in #ain that 8 shoute"$ My only ans!er !as
my o!n #oice re#erberating in a rolling echo from the cliffs aroun" me$
8t !as the sight of that Al&ine'stock !hich turne" me col" an" sick$ He ha" not gone to *osenlaui,
then$ He ha" remaine" on that three'foot &ath, !ith sheer !all on one si"e an" sheer "ro& on the
other, until his enemy ha" o#ertaken him$ The young S!iss ha" gone too$ He ha" &robably been in
the &ay of Moriarty, an" ha" left the t!o men together$ An" then !hat ha" ha&&ene"F @ho !as to
tell us !hat ha" ha&&ene" thenF
8 stoo" for a minute or t!o to collect myself, for 8 !as "aAe" !ith the horror of the thing$ Then 8
began to think of Holmes's o!n metho"s an" to try to &ractise them in rea"ing this trage"y$ 8t !as,
alas, only too easy to "o$ During our con#ersation !e ha" not gone to the en" of the &ath, an" the
Al&ine'stock marke" the &lace !here !e ha" stoo"$ The blackish soil is ke&t fore#er soft by the
incessant "rift of s&ray, an" a bir" !oul" lea#e its trea" u&on it$ T!o lines of footmarks !ere clearly
marke" along the farther en" of the &ath, both lea"ing a!ay from me$ There !ere none returning$ A
fe! yar"s from the en" the soil !as all &loughe" u& into a &atch of mu", an" the branches an" ferns
!hich fringe" the chasm !ere torn an" be"raggle"$ 8 lay u&on my face an" &eere" o#er !ith the
s&ray s&outing u& all aroun" me$ 8t ha" "arkene" since 8 left, an" no! 8 coul" only see here an"
there the glistening of moisture u&on the black !alls, an" far a!ay "o!n at the en" of the shaft the
gleam of the broken !ater$ 8 shoute"G but only the same half'human cry of the fall !as borne back
to my ears$
ut it !as "estine" that 8 shoul" after all ha#e a last !or" of greeting from my frien" an" comra"e$
8 ha#e sai" that his Al&ine'stock ha" been left leaning against a rock !hich jutte" on to the &ath$
<rom the to& of this bo!l"er the gleam of something bright caught my eye, an", raising my han", 8
foun" that it came from the sil#er cigarette'case !hich he use" to carry$ As 8 took it u& a small
sIuare of &a&er u&on !hich it ha" lain fluttere" "o!n on to the groun"$ 5nfol"ing it, 8 foun" that it
consiste" of three &ages torn from his note'book an" a""resse" to me$ 8t !as characteristic of the
man that the "irection !as a &recise, an" the !riting as firm an" clear, as though it ha" been !ritten
in his stu"y$
My "ear @atson .it sai"4, 8 !rite these fe! lines through the courtesy of Mr$ Moriarty, !ho a!aits
my con#enience for the final "iscussion of those Iuestions !hich lie bet!een us$ He has been
gi#ing me a sketch of the metho"s by !hich he a#oi"e" the /nglish &olice an" ke&t himself
informe" of our mo#ements$ They certainly confirm the #ery high o&inion !hich 8 ha" forme" of
his abilities$ 8 am &lease" to think that 8 shall be able to free society from any further effects of his
&resence, though 8 fear that it is at a cost !hich !ill gi#e &ain to my frien"s, an" es&ecially, my "ear
@atson, to you$ 8 ha#e alrea"y eH&laine" to you, ho!e#er, that my career ha" in any case reache" its
crisis, an" that no &ossible conclusion to it coul" be more congenial to me than this$ 8n"ee", if 8 may
make a full confession to you, 8 !as Iuite con#ince" that the letter from Meiringen !as a hoaH, an"
8 allo!e" you to "e&art on that erran" un"er the &ersuasion that some "e#elo&ment of this sort
!oul" follo!$ Tell 8ns&ector Patterson that the &a&ers !hich he nee"s to con#ict the gang are in
&igeonhole M$, "one u& in a blue en#elo&e an" inscribe" CMoriarty$C 8 ma"e e#ery "is&osition of
my &ro&erty before lea#ing /nglan", an" han"e" it to my brother Mycroft$ Pray gi#e my greetings
to Mrs$ @atson, an" belie#e me to be, my "ear fello!,
Bery sincerely yours,
Sherlock Holmes
A fe! !or"s may suffice to tell the little that remains$ An eHamination by eH&erts lea#es little "oubt
that a &ersonal contest bet!een the t!o men en"e", as it coul" har"ly fail to en" in such a situation,
in their reeling o#er, locke" in each other's arms$ Any attem&t at reco#ering the bo"ies !as
absolutely ho&eless, an" there, "ee& "o!n in that "rea"ful cal"ron of s!irling !ater an" seething
foam, !ill lie for all time the most "angerous criminal an" the foremost cham&ion of the la! of
their generation$ The S!iss youth !as ne#er foun" again, an" there can be no "oubt that he !as one
of the numerous agents !hom Moriarty ke&t in his em&loy$ As to the gang, it !ill be !ithin the
memory of the &ublic ho! com&letely the e#i"ence !hich Holmes ha" accumulate" eH&ose" their
organiAation, an" ho! hea#ily the han" of the "ea" man !eighe" u&on them$ 9f their terrible chief
fe! "etails came out "uring the &rocee"ings, an" if 8 ha#e no! been com&elle" to make a clear
statement of his career it is "ue to those inju"icious cham&ions !ho ha#e en"ea#ore" to clear his
memory by attacks u&on him !hom 8 shall e#er regar" as the best an" the !isest man !hom 8 ha#e
e#er kno!n$
/n" of the Project Gutenberg /ook of Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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