04-memorias de Sherlock Holmes.odt

8/12/2019 04-memorias de Sherlock Holmes.odt

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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) 8S911:+

;;; 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

ContentsA"#enture 8$ Sil#er laeA"#enture 88$ The %ello!


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A"#enture 8$ The Greek 8nter&reterA"#enture $ The >a#al TreatyA"#enture 8$ The


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8 ha#e seen !hat the Telegra&h an" the Chronicle ha#e to say$

8t is one of those cases !here the art of the reasoner shoul" be use" rather for the sifting of "etailsthan for the acIuiring of fresh e#i"ence$ The trage"y has been so uncommon, so com&lete an" ofsuch &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 thes&ecial &oints u&on !hich the !hole mystery turns$ 9n Tues"ay e#ening 8 recei#e" telegrams fromboth Colonel *oss, the o!ner of the horse, an" from 8ns&ector Gregory, !ho is looking after thecase, in#iting my coo&eration$

Tues"ay e#eningE 8 eclaime"$ An" this is Thurs"ay morning$ @hy "i"n't you go "o!nyester"ayF

ecause 8 ma"e a blun"er, my "ear @atsonJ!hich is, 8 am afrai", a more common occurrencethan 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$


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in#ali"s an" others !ho may !ish to enjoy the &ure Dartmoor air$ Ta#istock itself lies t!o miles tothe !est, !hile across the moor, also about t!o miles "istant, is the larger training establishment ofMa&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 thegeneral situation last Mon"ay night !hen the catastro&he occurre"$

9n that e#ening the horses ha" been eercise" 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 thekitchen, !hile the thir", >e" Hunter, remaine" on guar"$ At a fe! minutes after nine the mai",/"ith ater, carrie" "o!n to the stables his su&&er, !hich consiste" of a "ish of currie" mutton$She took no liIui", as there !as a !aterta& in the stables, an" it !as the rule that the la" on "utyshoul" "rink nothing else$ The mai" carrie" a lantern !ith her, as it !as #ery "ark an" the &ath ranacross the o&en moor$

/"ith ater !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! thathe !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 theetreme &allor of his face an" by the ner#ousness of his manner$ His age, she thought, !oul" berather o#er thirty than un"er it$

'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$'

'%ou are close to the ?ing's Pylan" trainingstables,' sai" she$

'9h, in"ee"E @hat a stroke of luckE' he crie"$ '8 un"erstan" that a stableboy slee&s there alonee#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&erfol"e" u& out of his !aistcoat &ocket$ 'See that the boy has this tonight, an" you shall ha#e the&rettiest frock that money can buy$'

She !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 thesmall table insi"e$ She ha" begun to tell him of !hat ha" ha&&ene", !hen the stranger came u&again$

'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 hisclose" han"$

'@hat business ha#e you hereF' aske" the la"$

'8t's business that may &ut something into your &ocket,' sai" the other$ '%ou'#e t!o horses in for the@esse Cu&JSil#er lae an" ayar"$ (et me ha#e the straight ti& an" you !on't be a loser$ 8s it afact that at the !eights ayar" coul" gi#e the other a hun"re" yar"s in fi#e furlongs, an" that thestable ha#e &ut their money on himF'

'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 thehouse, but as she ran she looke" back an" sa! that the stranger !as leaning through the !in"o!$ Aminute later, ho!e#er, !hen Hunter rushe" out !ith the houn" he !as gone, an" though he ran all


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roun" the buil"ings he faile" to fin" any trace of him$

9ne moment, 8 aske"$ Di" the stableboy, !hen he ran out !ith the "og, lea#e the "oor unlocke"behin" himF

/cellent, @atson, ecellentE murmure" my com&anion$ The 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$

Hunter !aite" until his fello!grooms ha" returne", !hen he sent a message to the trainer an" tol"him !hat ha" occurre"$ Straker !as ecite" at hearing the account, although he "oes not seem toha#e Iuite realie" 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 hecoul" not slee& on account of his aniety about the horses, an" that he inten"e" to !alk "o!n to thestables 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" leftthe house$

Mrs$ 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&en insi"e,hu""le" together u&on a chair, Hunter !as sunk in a state of absolute stu&or, the fa#orite's stall !asem&ty, an" there !ere no signs of his trainer$

The t!o la"s !ho sle&t in the chaffcutting loft abo#e the harnessroom !ere Iuickly arouse"$They ha" hear" nothing "uring the night, for they are both soun" slee&ers$ Hunter !as ob#iouslyun"er the influence of some &o!erful "rug, an" as no sense coul" be got out of him, he !as left toslee& 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 eercise, but on ascen"ingthe knoll near the house, from !hich all the neighboring moors !ere #isible, they not only coul" seeno signs of the missing fa#orite, but they &ercei#e" something !hich !arne" them that they !ere inthe &resence of a trage"y$

About a Iuarter of a mile from the stables =ohn Straker's o#ercoat !as fla&&ing from a furebush$8mme"iately beyon" there !as a bo!lsha&e" "e&ression in the moor, an" at the bottom of this !asfoun" the "ea" bo"y of the unfortunate trainer$ His hea" ha" been shattere" by a sa#age blo! fromsome 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 !asrecognie" 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 theo!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 themissing 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!shas come of him$


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8ns&ector Gregory, to !hom the case has been committe", is an etremely com&etent officer$ @erehe 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, ita&&ears, !as


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Gregory, a man !ho !as ra&i"ly making his name in the /nglish "etecti#e ser#ice$

8 am "elighte" that you ha#e come "o!n, Mr$ Holmes, sai" the Colonel$ The 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$

Ha#e there been any fresh "e#elo&mentsF aske" Holmes$

8 am sorry to say that !e ha#e ma"e #ery little &rogress, sai" the 8ns&ector$ @e ha#e an o&encarriage outsi"e, an" as you !oul" no "oubt like to see the &lace before the light fails, !e might talkit o#er as !e "ri#e$

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, !hileHolmes thre! in an occasional Iuestion or interjection$ Colonel *oss leane" back !ith his armsfol"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 eactly !hat Holmes ha"

foretol" in the train$

The net is "ra!n &retty close roun"


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Holmes &ricke" u& his ears$

@e ha#e foun" traces !hich sho! that a &arty of gy&sies encam&e" on Mon"ay night !ithin a mileof 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!F

8t is certainly &ossible$

The moor is being scoure" for these gy&sies$ 8 ha#e also eamine" e#ery stable an" outhouse inTa#istock, an" for a ra"ius of ten miles$

There is another trainingstable Iuite close, 8 un"erstan"F

%es, an" that is a factor !hich !e must certainly not neglect$ As Desborough, their horse, !assecon" 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$ @eha#e, ho!e#er, eamine" the stables, an" there is nothing to connect him !ith the affair$

An" nothing to connect this man Sim&son !ith the interests of the Ma&leton stablesF

>othing at all$

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 graytile" outbuil"ing$ 8n e#ery other "irection the lo!cur#es of the moor, bronecolore" from the fa"ing ferns, stretche" a!ay to the skyline, brokenonly 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 ece&tion of Holmes, !ho continue" to lean back!ith his eyes fie" 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$

/cuse me, sai" he, turning to Colonel *oss, !ho ha" looke" at him in some sur&rise$ 8 !as "ay"reaming$ There !as a gleam in his eyes an" a su&&resse" ecitement in his manner !hichcon#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$

Perha&s you !oul" &refer at once to go on to the scene of the crime, Mr$ HolmesF sai" Gregory$

8 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 &resumeF

%es he lies u&stairs$ The inIuest is tomorro!$

He has been in your ser#ice some years, Colonel *ossF

8 ha#e al!ays foun" him an ecellent ser#ant$

8 &resume that you ma"e an in#entory of !hat he ha" in his &ockets at the time of his "eath,8ns&ectorF


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8 ha#e the things themsel#es in the sittingroom, if you !oul" care to see them$

8 shoul" be #ery gla"$ @e all file" into the front room an" sat roun" the central table !hile the8ns&ector unlocke" a sIuare tin bo an" lai" a small hea& of things before us$ There !as a bo of#estas, t!o inches of tallo! can"le, an A D P brierroot &i&e, a &ouch of sealskin !ith half anounce of longcut Ca#en"ish, a sil#er !atch !ith a gol" chain, fi#e so#ereigns in gol", an aluminum

&encilcase, a fe! &a&ers, an" an i#oryhan"le" knife !ith a #ery "elicate, infleible bla"e marke"@eiss K Co$, (on"on$

This is a #ery singular knife, sai" Holmes, lifting it u& an" eamining it minutely$ 8 &resume, as 8see bloo"stains u&on it, that it is the one !hich !as foun" in the "ea" man's gras&$ @atson, thisknife is surely in your lineF

8t is !hat !e call a cataract knife, sai" 8$

8 thought so$ A #ery "elicate bla"e "e#ise" for #ery "elicate !ork$ A strange thing for a man tocarry !ith him u&on a rough e&e"ition, es&ecially as it !oul" not shut in his &ocket$

The ti& !as guar"e" by a "isk of cork !hich !e foun" besi"e his bo"y, sai" the 8ns&ector$ His!ife tells us that the knife ha" lain u&on the "ressingtable, an" that he ha" &icke" it u& as he leftthe room$ 8t !as a &oor !ea&on, but &erha&s the best that he coul" lay his han"s on at the moment$

Bery &ossible$ Ho! about these &a&ersF

Three of them are recei&te" hay"ealers' accounts$ 9ne of them is a letter of instructions fromColonel *oss$ This other is a milliner's account for thirtyse#en &oun"s fifteen ma"e out byMa"ame (esurier, of on" Street, to @illiam Derbyshire$ Mrs$ Straker tells us that Derbyshire !asa frien" of her husban"'s an" that occasionally his letters !ere a""resse" here$

Ma"am Derbyshire ha" some!hat e&ensi#e tastes, remarke" Holmes, glancing "o!n theaccount$ T!entyt!o guineas is rather hea#y for a single costume$ Ho!e#er there a&&ears to benothing more to learn, an" !e may no! go "o!n to the scene of the crime$

As !e emerge" from the sittingroom 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$

Ha#e you got themF Ha#e you foun" themF she &ante"$

>o, Mrs$ Straker$ ut Mr$ Holmes here has come from (on"on to hel& us, an" !e shall "o all thatis &ossible$

Surely 8 met you in Plymouth at a gar"en&arty some little time ago, Mrs$ StrakerF sai" Holmes$

>o, sir you are mistaken$

Dear meE @hy, 8 coul" ha#e s!orn to it$ %ou !ore a costume of "o#ecolore" silk !ith ostrichfeather trimming$

8 ne#er ha" such a "ress, sir, ans!ere" the la"y$

Ah, that Iuite settles it, sai" Holmes$ An" !ith an a&ology he follo!e" the 8ns&ector outsi"e$ A


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short !alk across the moor took us to the hollo! in !hich the bo"y ha" been foun"$ At the brink ofit !as the furebush u&on !hich the coat ha" been hung$

There !as no !in" that night, 8 un"erstan", sai" Holmes$

>one but #ery hea#y rain$

8n that case the o#ercoat !as not blo!n against the furebush, but &lace" there$

%es, it !as lai" across the bush$

%ou fill me !ith interest, 8 &ercei#e that the groun" has been tram&le" u& a goo" "eal$ >o "oubtmany feet ha#e been here since Mon"ay night$

A &iece of matting has been lai" here at the si"e, an" !e ha#e all stoo" u&on that$

/cellent$

8n this bag 8 ha#e one of the boots !hich Straker !ore, one of


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The Colonel bo!e"$ 8 am #ery gla" to ha#e ha" your o&inion, sir, sai" he$ %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$

He turne" back !ith the 8ns&ector, !hile Holmes an" 8 !alke" slo!ly across the moor$ The sun !asbeginning 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 thee#ening light$ ut the glories of the lan"sca&e !ere all !aste" u&on my com&anion, !ho !as sunkin the "ee&est thought$

8t's this !ay, @atson, sai" he at last$ @e may lea#e the Iuestion of !ho kille" =ohn Straker forthe instant, an" confine oursel#es to fin"ing out !hat has become of the horse$ >o!, su&&osing thathe broke a!ay "uring or after the trage"y, !here coul" he ha#e gone toF The horse is a #erygregarious 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 seenby no!$ An" !hy shoul" gy&sies ki"na& himF These &eo&le al!ays clear out !hen they hear oftrouble, 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$

@here is he, thenF

8 ha#e alrea"y sai" that he must ha#e gone to ?ing's Pylan" or to Ma&leton$ He is not at ?ing'sPylan"$ Therefore he is at Ma&leton$ (et us take that as a !orking hy&othesis an" see !hat it lea"sus to$ This &art of the moor, as the 8ns&ector remarke", is #ery har" an" "ry$ ut it falls a!ayto!ar"s Ma&leton, an" you can see from here that there is a long hollo! o#er yon"er, !hich mustha#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$

@e ha" been !alking briskly "uring this con#ersation, an" a fe! more minutes brought us to thehollo! in Iuestion$ At Holmes' reIuest 8 !alke" "o!n the bank to the right, an" he to the left, but 8ha" not taken fifty &aces before 8 hear" him gi#e a shout, an" sa! him !a#ing his han" to me$ Thetrack of a horse !as &lainly outline" in the soft earth in front of him, an" the shoe !hich he tookfrom his &ocket eactly fitte" the im&ression$

See the #alue of imagination, sai" Holmes$ 8t is the one Iuality !hich Gregory lacks$ @eimagine" !hat might ha#e ha&&ene", acte" u&on the su&&osition, an" fin" oursel#es justifie"$ (etus &rocee"$

@e crosse" the marshy bottom an" &asse" o#er a Iuarter of a mile of "ry, har" turf$ Again thegroun" slo&e", an" again !e came on the tracks$ Then !e lost them for half a mile, but only to &ickthem 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$

The horse !as alone before, 8 crie"$

Luite so$ 8t !as alone before$ Hullo, !hat is thisF

The "ouble track turne" shar& off an" took the "irection of ?ing's Pylan"$ Holmes !histle", an" !eboth 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$

9ne for you, @atson, sai" Holmes, !hen 8 &ointe" it out$ %ou ha#e sa#e" us a long !alk, !hich


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!oul" ha#e brought us back on our o!n traces$ (et us follo! the return track$

@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&letonstables$ As !e a&&roache", a groom ran out from them$

@e "on't !ant any loiterers about here, sai" he$

8 only !ishe" to ask a Iuestion, sai" Holmes, !ith his finger an" thumb in his !aistcoat &ocket$Shoul" 8 be too early to see your master, Mr$ Silas ro!n, if 8 !ere to call at fi#e o'clock tomorro! morningF

less you, sir, if any one is about he !ill be, for he is al!ays the first stirring$ ut here he is, sir, toans!er your Iuestions for himself$ >o, sir, no it is as much as my &lace is !orth to let him see metouch your money$ After!ar"s, if you like$

As Sherlock Holmes re&lace" the halfcro!n !hich he ha" "ra!n from his &ocket, a fiercelookingel"erly man stro"e out from the gate !ith a huntingcro& s!inging in his han"$

@hat's this, Da!sonE he crie"$ >o gossi&ingE Go about your businessE An" you, !hat the "e#il"o you !ant hereF

Ten minutes' talk !ith you, my goo" sir, sai" Holmes in the s!eetest of #oices$

8'#e no time to talk to e#ery ga"about$ @e !ant no stranger here$ e off, or you may fin" a "og atyour heels$

Holmes leane" for!ar" an" !his&ere" something in the trainer's ear$ He starte" #iolently an"flushe" to the tem&les$

8t's a lieE he shoute", an infernal lieE

Bery goo"$ Shall !e argue about it here in &ublic or talk it o#er in your &arlorF

9h, come in if you !ish to$

Holmes smile"$ 8 shall not kee& you more than a fe! minutes, @atson, sai" he$ >o!, Mr$ ro!n,8 am Iuite at your "is&osal$

8t !as t!enty minutes, an" the re"s ha" all fa"e" into grays before Holmes an" the trainerrea&&eare"$ >e#er ha#e 8 seen such a change as ha" been brought about in Silas ro!n in that shorttime$ His face !as ashy &ale, bea"s of &ers&iration shone u&on his bro!, an" his han"s shook untilthe huntingcro& !agge" like a branch in the !in"$ His bullying, o#erbearing manner !as all gonetoo, an" he cringe" along at my com&anion's si"e like a "og !ith its master$

%our instructions !ill be "one$ 8t shall all be "one, sai" he$

There must be no mistake, sai" Holmes, looking roun" at him$ The other !ince" as he rea" themenace in his eyes$

9h no, there shall be no mistake$ 8t shall be there$ Shoul" 8 change it first or notF

Holmes thought a little an" then burst out laughing$ >o, "on't, sai" he 8 shall !rite to you about


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it$ >o tricks, no!, orJ

9h, you can trust me, you can trust meE

%es, 8 think 8 can$ @ell, you shall hear from me tomorro!$ He turne" u&on his heel, "isregar"ingthe trembling han" !hich the other hel" out to him, an" !e set off for ?ing's Pylan"$

A more &erfect com&oun" of the bully, co!ar", an" sneak than Master Silas ro!n 8 ha#e sel"ommet !ith, remarke" Holmes as !e tru"ge" along together$

He has the horse, thenF

He trie" to bluster out of it, but 8 "escribe" to him so eactly !hat his actions ha" been u&on thatmorning that he is con#ince" that 8 !as !atching him$ 9f course you obser#e" the &eculiarly sIuaretoes in the im&ressions, an" that his o!n boots eactly corres&on"e" to them$ Again, of course nosubor"inate !oul" ha#e "are" to "o such a thing$ 8 "escribe" to him ho!, !hen accor"ing to hiscustom 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 recogniing, from the !hite forehea" !hich has gi#en the fa#oriteits name, that chance ha" &ut in his &o!er the only horse !hich coul" beat the one u&on !hich heha" &ut his money$ Then 8 "escribe" ho! his first im&ulse ha" been to lea" him back to ?ing'sPylan", 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$

ut his stables ha" been searche"F

9h, an ol" horsefaker like him has many a "o"ge$

ut are you not afrai" to lea#e the horse in his &o!er no!, since he has e#ery interest in injuringitF

My "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$

Colonel *oss "i" not im&ress me as a man !ho !oul" be likely to sho! much mercy in any case$

The matter "oes not rest !ith Colonel *oss$ 8 follo! my o!n metho"s, an" tell as much or as littleas 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 alittle amusement at his e&ense$ Say nothing to him about the horse$

Certainly not !ithout your &ermission$

An" of course this is all Iuite a minor &oint com&are" to the Iuestion of !ho kille" =ohn Straker$

An" you !ill "e#ote yourself to thatF

9n the contrary, !e both go back to (on"on by the night train$

8 !as thun"erstruck by my frien"'s !or"s$ @e ha" only been a fe! hours in De#onshire, an" that heshoul" gi#e u& an in#estigation !hich he ha" begun so brilliantly !as Iuite incom&rehensible tome$ >ot a !or" more coul" 8 "ra! from him until !e !ere back at the trainer's house$ The Colonel


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an" the 8ns&ector !ere a!aiting us in the &arlor$

My frien" an" 8 return to to!n by the nighte&ress, sai" Holmes$ @e ha#e ha" a charming littlebreath of your beautiful Dartmoor air$

The 8ns&ector o&ene" his eyes, an" the Colonel's li& curle" in a sneer$

So you "es&air of arresting the mur"erer of &oor Straker, sai" he$

Holmes shrugge" his shoul"ers$ There are certainly gra#e "ifficulties in the !ay, sai" he$ 8 ha#ee#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 StrakerF

The 8ns&ector took one from an en#elo&e an" han"e" it to him$

My "ear Gregory, you antici&ate all my !ants$ 8f 8 might ask you to !ait here for an instant, 8 ha#ea Iuestion !hich 8 shoul" like to &ut to the mai"$

8 must say that 8 am rather "isa&&ointe" in our (on"on consultant, sai" Colonel *oss, bluntly, asmy frien" left the room$ 8 "o not see that !e are any further than !hen he came$

At least you ha#e his assurance that your horse !ill run, sai" 8$

%es, 8 ha#e his assurance, sai" the Colonel, !ith a shrug of his shoul"ers$ 8 shoul" &refer to ha#ethe horse$

8 !as about to make some re&ly in "efence of my frien" !hen he entere" the room again$

>o!, gentlemen, sai" he, 8 am Iuite rea"y for Ta#istock$

As !e ste&&e" into the carriage one of the stablela"s hel" the "oor o&en for us$ A su""en i"easeeme" to occur to Holmes, for he leane" for!ar" an" touche" the la" u&on the slee#e$

%ou ha#e a fe! shee& in the &a""ock, he sai"$ @ho atten"s to themF

8 "o, sir$

Ha#e you notice" anything amiss !ith them of lateF

@ell, sir, not of much account but three of them ha#e gone lame, sir$

8 coul" see that Holmes !as etremely &lease", for he chuckle" an" rubbe" his han"s together$

A long shot, @atson a #ery long shot, sai" he, &inching my arm$ Gregory, let me recommen" toyour attention this singular e&i"emic among the shee&$ Dri#e on, coachmanE

Colonel *oss still !ore an e&ression !hich sho!e" the &oor o&inion !hich he ha" forme" of mycom&anion's ability, but 8 sa! by the 8ns&ector's face that his attention ha" been keenly arouse"$

%ou consi"er that to be im&ortantF he aske"$

/cee"ingly so$


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8s there any &oint to !hich you !oul" !ish to "ra! my attentionF

To the curious inci"ent of the "og in the nighttime$

The "og "i" nothing in the nighttime$

That !as the curious inci"ent, remarke" Sherlock Holmes$

e! course one 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 lae$ lack ca&$ *e"

jacket$ Duke of almoral's 8ris$ %ello! an" black stri&es$ (or" Singlefor"'s *as&er$ Pur&le ca&$lack slee#es$

@e scratche" our other one, an" &ut all ho&es on your !or", sai" the Colonel$ @hy, !hat is thatF

Sil#er lae fa#oriteF


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That's not my horse, crie" the o!ner$ That beast has not a !hite hair u&on its bo"y$ @hat is thisthat you ha#e "one, Mr$ HolmesF

@ell, !ell, let us see ho! he gets on, sai" my frien", im&erturbably$


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Straker !as a man !ho !as entirely un!orthy of your confi"ence$ ut there goes the bell, an" as 8stan" to !in a little on this net race, 8 shall "efer a lengthy e&lanation until a more fitting time$

@e ha" the corner of a Pullman car to oursel#es that e#ening as !e !hirle" back to (on"on, an" 8fancy that the journey !as a short one to Colonel *oss as !ell as to myself, as !e listene" to ourcom&anion's narrati#e of the e#ents !hich ha" occurre" at the Dartmoor trainingstables u&on the

Mon"ay night, an" the means by !hich he ha" unra#elle" them$

8 confess, sai" he, that any theories !hich 8 ha" forme" from the ne!s&a&er re&orts !ere entirelyerroneous$ An" yet there !ere in"ications there, ha" they not been o#erlai" by other "etails !hichconceale" their true im&ort$ 8 !ent to De#onshire !ith the con#iction that


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foul &lay$

BillainE Scoun"relE crie" the Colonel$

@e ha#e here the e&lanation of !hy =ohn Straker !ishe" to take the horse out on to the moor$ Sos&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$

8 ha#e been blin"E crie" the Colonel$ 9f course that !as !hy he nee"e" the can"le, an" struckthe match$

5n"oubte"ly$ ut in eamining his belongings 8 !as fortunate enough to "isco#er not only themetho" of the crime, but e#en its moti#es$ As a man of the !orl", Colonel, you kno! that men "onot carry other &eo&le's bills about in their &ockets$ @e ha#e most of us Iuite enough to "o to settleour 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"e&ensi#e tastes$ (iberal as you are !ith your ser#ants, one can har"ly e&ect that they can buy

t!entyguinea !alking "resses for their la"ies$ 8 Iuestione" Mrs$ Straker as to the "ress !ithout herkno!ing it, an" ha#ing satisfie" myself that it ha" ne#er reache" her, 8 ma"e a note of the milliner'sa""ress, an" felt that by calling there !ith Straker's &hotogra&h 8 coul" easily "is&ose of themythical Derbyshire$


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A"#enture 88$ The %ello!


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amber mouth&ieces there are in (on"onF Some &eo&le think that a fly in it is a sign$ @ell, he mustha#e been "isturbe" in his min" to lea#e a &i&e behin" him !hich he e#i"ently #alues highly$

Ho! "o you kno! that he #alues it highlyF 8 aske"$

@ell, 8 shoul" &ut the original cost of the &i&e at se#en an" si&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 youobser#e, !ith sil#er ban"s, must ha#e cost more than the &i&e "i" originally$ The man must #aluethe &i&e highly !hen he &refers to &atch it u& rather than buy a ne! one !ith the same money$

Anything elseF 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 forefinger, as a &rofessor might !ho !as lecturingon a bone$

Pi&es are occasionally of etraor"inary interest, sai" he$ >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 #eryim&ortant$ The o!ner is ob#iously a muscular man, lefthan"e", !ith an ecellent set of teeth,careless in his habits, an" !ith no nee" to &ractise economy$

My frien" thre! out the information in a #ery offhan" !ay, but 8 sa! that he cocke" his eye at meto see if 8 ha" follo!e" his reasoning$

%ou think a man must be !ellto"o if he smokes a se#enshilling &i&e, sai" 8$

This is Gros#enor miture at eight&ence an ounce, Holmes ans!ere", knocking a little out on his&alm$ As he might get an ecellent smoke for half the &rice, he has no nee" to &ractise economy$

An" the other &ointsF

He has been in the habit of lighting his &i&e at lam&s an" gasjets$ %ou can see that it is Iuitecharre" all "o!n one si"e$ 9f course a match coul" not ha#e "one that$ @hy shoul" a man hol" amatch to the si"e of his &i&eF ut you cannot light it at a lam& !ithout getting the bo!l charre"$An" it is all on the right si"e of the &i&e$


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8 !ante" your a"#ice, sir$ 8 "on't kno! !hat to "o an" my !hole life seems to ha#e gone to&ieces$

%ou !ish to em&loy me as a consulting "etecti#eF

>ot that only$ 8 !ant your o&inion as a ju"icious manJas a man of the !orl"$ 8 !ant to kno! !hat8 ought to "o net$ 8 ho&e to Go" you'll be able to tell me$

He s&oke in little, shar&, jerky outbursts, an" it seeme" to me that to s&eak at all !as #ery &ainful tohim, an" that his !ill all through !as o#erri"ing his inclinations$

8t's a #ery "elicate thing, sai" he$ 9ne "oes not like to s&eak of one's "omestic affairs tostrangers$ 8t seems "rea"ful to "iscuss the con"uct of one's !ife !ith t!o men !hom 8 ha#e ne#erseen before$ 8t's horrible to ha#e to "o it$ ut 8'#e got to the en" of my tether, an" 8 must ha#ea"#ice$

My "ear Mr$ Grant MunroJ began Holmes$

9ur #isitor s&rang from his chair$ @hatE he crie", you kno! my nameF

8f you !ish to &reser#e your incognito, sai" Holmes, smiling, 8 !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" manystrange 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 ofim&ortance, to furnish me !ith the facts of your case !ithout further "elayF

9ur #isitor again &asse" his han" o#er his forehea", as if he foun" it bitterly har"$ o! there is one thing that 8 !ant to im&ress u&on you before 8 go any further, Mr$ Holmes$ /ffielo#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 easilyenough !hen a !oman lo#es him$ ut there's this secret bet!een us, an" !e can ne#er be the sameuntil it is cleare"$

?in"ly let me ha#e the facts, Mr$ Munro, sai" Holmes, !ith some im&atience$

8'll tell you !hat 8 kno! about /ffie's history$ She !as a !i"o! !hen 8 met her first, though Iuite

youngJonly t!entyfi#e$ Her name then !as Mrs$ Hebron$ She !ent out to America !hen she !asyoung, an" li#e" in the to!n of Atlanta, !here she marrie" this Hebron, !ho !as a la!yer !ith agoo" &ractice$ They ha" one chil", but the yello! fe#er broke out ba"ly in the &lace, an" both


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husban" an" chil" "ie" of it$ 8 ha#e seen his "eath certificate$ This sickene" her of America, an" shecame back to li#e !ith a mai"en aunt at Pinner, in Mi""lese$ 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" onlybeen si months at Pinner !hen 8 met her !e fell in lo#e !ith each other, an" !e marrie" a fe!!eeks after!ar"s$

8 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"ayear #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 littleabo#e us, an" a single cottage at the other si"e of the fiel" !hich faces us, an" ece&t those there!ere no houses until you got half !ay to the station$ My business took me into to!n at certainseasons, but in summer 8 ha" less to "o, an" then in our country home my !ife an" 8 !ere just asha&&y as coul" be !ishe"$ 8 tell you that there ne#er !as a sha"o! bet!een us until this accurse"affair began$

There'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 businessaffairs !ent !rong$ Ho!e#er, she !oul" ha#e it so, an" it !as "one$ @ell, about si !eeks ago shecame to me$

'=ack,' sai" she, '!hen you took my money you sai" that if e#er 8 !ante" any 8 !as to ask you forit$'

'Certainly,' sai" 8$ '8t's all your o!n$'

'@ell,' sai" she, '8 !ant a hun"re" &oun"s$'

8 !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$

'@hat on earth forF' 8 aske"$

'9h,' sai" she, in her &layful !ay, 'you sai" that you !ere only my banker, an" bankers ne#er askIuestions, you kno!$'

'8f you really mean it, of course you shall ha#e the money,' sai" 8$

'9h, yes, 8 really mean it$'

'An" you !on't tell me !hat you !ant it forF'

'Some "ay, &erha&s, but not just at &resent, =ack$'

So 8 ha" to be content !ith that, though it !as the first time that there ha" e#er been any secretbet!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$

@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 nicelittle gro#e of Scotch firs, an" 8 use" to be #ery fon" of strolling "o!n there, for trees are al!ays aneighborly kin" of things$ The cottage ha" been stan"ing em&ty this eight months, an" it !as a &ity,


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'%ou came here$ 8 am sure of it$ @ho are these &eo&le, that you shoul" #isit them at such an hourF'

'8 ha#e not been here before$'

'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 tothe bottom$'

'>o, no, =ack, for Go"'s sakeE' she gas&e", in uncontrollable emotion$ Then, as 8 a&&roache" the"oor, she seie" my slee#e an" &ulle" me back !ith con#ulsi#e strength$

'8 im&lore you not to "o this, =ack,' she crie"$ '8 s!ear that 8 !ill tell you e#erything some "ay, butnothing but misery can come of it if you enter that cottage$' Then, as 8 trie" to shake her off, sheclung to me in a freny of entreaty$

'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 areat 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$'

There !as such earnestness, such "es&air, in her manner that her !or"s arreste" me, an" 8 stoo"irresolute before the "oor$

'8 !ill trust you on one con"ition, an" on one con"ition only,' sai" 8 at last$ '8t is that this mysterycomes to an en" from no!$ %ou are at liberty to &reser#e your secret, but you must &romise me thatthere 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 thefuture$'

'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$'

Still &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!eenthat creature an" my !ifeF 9r ho! coul" the coarse, rough !oman !hom 8 ha" seen the "ay beforebe connecte" !ith herF 8t !as a strange &ule, an" yet 8 kne! that my min" coul" ne#er kno! easeagain until 8 ha" sol#e" it$


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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 ofcourse 8 sa! eactly !hat it all meant$ My !ife ha" gone o#er there, an" ha" aske" the ser#ant tocall 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" notsto& 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$

8t !as all still an" Iuiet u&on the groun" floor$ 8n the kitchen a kettle !as singing on the fire, an" alarge black cat lay coile" u& in the basket but there !as no sign of the !oman !hom 8 ha" seenbefore$ 8 ran into the other room, but it !as eIually "eserte"$ Then 8 rushe" u& the stairs, only tofin" t!o other rooms em&ty an" "eserte" at the to&$ There !as no one at all in the !hole house$ Thefurniture an" &ictures !ere of the most common an" #ulgar "escri&tion, sa#e in the one chamber atthe !in"o! of !hich 8 ha" seen the strange face$ That !as comfortable an" elegant, an" all mysus&icions rose into a fierce bitter flame !hen 8 sa! that on the mantel&iece stoo" a co&y of a fulllength &hotogra&h of my !ife, !hich ha" been taken at my reIuest only three months ago$

8 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" myhouse but 8 !as too hurt an" angry to s&eak !ith her, an" &ushing &ast her, 8 ma"e my !ay into mystu"y$ She follo!e" me, ho!e#er, before 8 coul" close the "oor$

'8 am sorry that 8 broke my &romise, =ack,' sai" she 'but if you kne! all the circumstances 8 amsure that you !oul" forgi#e me$'

'Tell me e#erything, then,' sai" 8$

'8 cannot, =ack, 8 cannot,' she crie"$

'5ntil you tell me !ho it is that has been li#ing in that cottage, an" !ho it is to !hom you ha#egi#en that &hotogra&h, there can ne#er be any confi"ence bet!een us,' sai" 8, an" breaking a!ayfrom her, 8 left the house$ That !as yester"ay, Mr$ Holmes, an" 8 ha#e not seen her since, nor "o 8kno! 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 itoccurre" to me that you !ere the man to a"#ise me, so 8 ha#e hurrie" to you no!, an" 8 &lacemyself unreser#e"ly in your han"s$ 8f there is any &oint !hich 8 ha#e not ma"e clear, &ray Iuestionme about it$ ut, abo#e all, tell me Iuickly !hat 8 am to "o, for this misery is more than 8 can bear$

Holmes an" 8 ha" listene" !ith the utmost interest to this etraor"inary statement, !hich ha" been"eli#ere" in the jerky, broken fashion of a man !ho is un"er the influence of etreme emotions$ Mycom&anion sat silent for some time, !ith his chin u&on his han", lost in thought$

Tell me, sai" he at last, coul" you s!ear that this !as a man's face !hich you sa! at the!in"o!F

/ach time that 8 sa! it 8 !as some "istance a!ay from it, so that it is im&ossible for me to say$

%ou a&&ear, ho!e#er, to ha#e been "isagreeably im&resse" by it$

8t seeme" to be of an unnatural color, an" to ha#e a strange rigi"ity about the features$ @hen 8a&&roache", it #anishe" !ith a jerk$


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Ho! long is it since your !ife aske" you for a hun"re" &oun"sF

>early t!o months$

Ha#e you e#er seen a &hotogra&h of her first husban"F

>o there !as a great fire at Atlanta #ery shortly after his "eath, an" all her &a&ers !ere"estroye"$

An" yet she ha" a certificate of "eath$ %ou say that you sa! it$

%es she got a "u&licate after the fire$

Di" you e#er meet any one !ho kne! her in AmericaF

>o$

Di" she e#er talk of re#isiting the &laceF

>o$

9r get letters from itF

>o$

Thank 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 eaminethe !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$

An" if it is still em&tyF

8n that case 8 shall come out tomorro! an" talk it o#er !ith you$ Goo"by an", abo#e all, "o notfret until you kno! that you really ha#e a cause for it$

8 am afrai" that this is a ba" business, @atson, sai" my com&anion, as he returne" afteraccom&anying Mr$ Grant Munro to the "oor$ @hat "o you make of itF

8t ha" an ugly soun", 8 ans!ere"$

%es$ There's blackmail in it, or 8 am much mistaken$

An" !ho is the blackmailerF

@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 aboutthat li#i" face at the !in"o!, an" 8 !oul" not ha#e misse" the case for !orl"s$


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%ou ha#e a theoryF

%es, a &ro#isional one$ ut 8 shall be sur&rise" if it "oes not turn out to be correct$ This !oman'sfirst husban" is in that cottage$

@hy "o you think soF

Ho! else can !e e&lain her frenie" aniety that her secon" one shoul" not enter itF The facts, as8 rea" them, are something like this) This !oman !as marrie" in America$ Her husban" "e#elo&e"some hateful Iualities or shall !e say that he contracte" some loathsome "isease, an" became ale&er or an imbecileF She flies from him at last, returns to /nglan", changes her name, an" starts herlife, as she thinks, afresh$ She has been marrie" three years, an" belie#es that her &osition is Iuitesecure, 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" or, !e may su&&ose, by someunscru&ulous !oman !ho has attache" herself to the in#ali"$ They !rite to the !ife, an" threaten tocome an" e&ose her$ She asks for a hun"re" &oun"s, an" en"ea#ors to buy them off$ They come ins&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 net 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" comestraight "o!n to the cottage, hurrie" the inmates out at the back "oor, into the gro#e of firtrees,&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 youthink of my theoryF

8t is all surmise$

ut at least it co#ers all the facts$ @hen ne! facts come to our kno!le"ge !hich cannot beco#ere" by it, it !ill be time enough to reconsi"er it$ @e can "o nothing more until !e ha#e amessage from our frien" at >orbury$

ut !e ha" not a #ery long time to !ait for that$ 8t came just as !e ha" finishe" our tea$ Thecottage is still tenante", it sai"$ Ha#e seen the face again at the !in"o!$ @ill meet the se#eno'clock train, an" !ill take no ste&s until you arri#e$

He !as !aiting on the &latform !hen !e ste&&e" out, an" !e coul" see in the light of the stationlam&s that he !as #ery &ale, an" Iui#ering !ith agitation$

They are still there, Mr$ Holmes, sai" he, laying his han" har" u&on my frien"'s slee#e$ 8 sa!lights in the cottage as 8 came "o!n$ @e shall settle it no! once an" for all$

@hat is your &lan, thenF aske" Holmes, as he !alke" "o!n the "ark treeline" roa"$

8 am going to force my !ay in an" see for myself !ho is in the house$ 8 !ish you both to be thereas !itnesses$

%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 mysteryF


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%es, 8 am "etermine"$

@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 !rong but 8 think that it is!orth it$

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"$

There are the lights of my house, he murmure", &ointing to a glimmer among the trees$ An" hereis the cottage !hich 8 am going to enter$

@e turne" a corner in the lane as he s&oke, an" there !as the buil"ing close besi"e us$ A yello! barfalling across the black foregroun" sho!e" that the "oor !as not Iuite close", an" one !in"o! inthe u&&er story !as brightly illuminate"$ As !e looke", !e sa! a "ark blur mo#ing across the blin"$

There is that creatureE crie" Grant Munro$ %ou can see for yoursel#es that some one is there$>o! follo! me, an" !e shall soon kno! all$

@e a&&roache" the "oor but su""enly a !oman a&&eare" out of the sha"o! an" stoo" in the gol"entrack of the lam&light$ 8 coul" not see her face in the "arkness, but her arms !ere thro!n out in anattitu"e of entreaty$


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@atson, sai" he, if it shoul" e#er strike you that 8 am getting a little o#erconfi"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" 8shall be infinitely oblige" to you$

A"#enture 888$ The Stockroker's Clerk

Shortly after my marriage 8 ha" bought a connection in the Pa""ington "istrict$ 9l" Mr$ ot at all$ 8 shoul" !ish nothing better than to ha#e some more of such e&eriences$

To"ay, for eam&leF

%es, to"ay, if you like$

An" as far off as irminghamF

Certainly, if you !ish it$

An" the &racticeF


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8 "o my neighbor's !hen he goes$ He is al!ays rea"y to !ork off the "ebt$

HaE >othing coul" be better, sai" Holmes, leaning back in his chair an" looking keenly at mefrom un"er his half close" li"s$ 8 &ercei#e that you ha#e been un!ell lately$ Summer col"s areal!ays a little trying$

8 !as confine" to the house by a se#ere chill for three "ays last !eek$ 8 thought, ho!e#er, that 8ha" cast off e#ery trace of it$

So you ha#e$ %ou look remarkably robust$

Ho!, then, "i" you kno! of itF

My "ear fello!, you kno! my metho"s$

%ou "e"uce" it, thenF

Certainly$

An" from !hatF


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=ust the same as mine$ oth ha#e been e#er since the houses !ere built$

AhE Then you got hol" of the best of the t!o$

8 think 8 "i"$ ut ho! "o you kno!F

y the ste&s, my boy$ %ours are !orn three inches "ee&er than his$ ut this gentleman in the cab ismy client, Mr$ Hall Pycroft$ Allo! me to intro"uce you to him$ @hi& your horse u&, cabby, for !eha#e only just time to catch our train$

The man !hom 8 foun" myself facing !as a !ell built, freshcom&leione" young fello!, !ith afrank, honest face an" a slight, cris&, yello! mustache$ He !ore a #ery shiny to& hat an" a neat suitof sober black, !hich ma"e him look !hat he !asJa smart young City man, of the class !ho ha#ebeen labele" cockneys, but !ho gi#e us our crack #olunteer regiments, an" !ho turn out more fineathletes an" s&ortsmen than any bo"y of men in these islan"s$ His roun", ru""y face !as naturallyfull of cheeriness, but the corners of his mouth seeme" to me to be &ulle" "o!n in a halfcomical

"istress$ 8t !as not, ho!e#er, until !e !ere all in a firstclass carriage an" !ell starte" u&on ourjourney to irmingham that 8 !as able to learn !hat the trouble !as !hich ha" "ri#en him toSherlock Holmes$

@e ha#e a clear run here of se#enty minutes, Holmes remarke"$ 8 !ant you, Mr$ Hall Pycroft, totell my frien" your #ery interesting e&erience eactly as you ha#e tol" it to me, or !ith more "etailif &ossible$ 8t !ill be of use to me to hear the succession of e#ents again$ 8t is a case, @atson, !hichmay &ro#e to ha#e something in it, or may &ro#e to ha#e nothing, but !hich, at least, &resents thoseunusual an" outr features !hich are as "ear to you as they are to me$ >o!, Mr$ Pycroft, 8 shall notinterru&t you again$

9ur young com&anion looke" at me !ith a t!inkle in his eye$

The !orst of the story is, sai" he, that 8 sho! myself u& as such a confoun"e" fool$ 9f course itmay !ork out all right, an" 8 "on't see that 8 coul" ha#e "one other!ise but if 8 ha#e lost my criban" get nothing in echange 8 shall feel !hat a soft =ohnnie 8 ha#e been$ 8'm not #ery goo" at tellinga story, Dr$ @atson, but it is like this !ith me)

8 use" to ha#e a billet at Coon K @oo"house's, of Dra&er's Gar"ens, but they !ere let in early inthe s&ring through the Beneuelan loan, as no "oubt you remember, an" came a nasty cro&&er$ 8 ha"been !ith them fi#e years, an" ol" Coon ga#e me a ri&&ing goo" testimonial !hen the smash

came, but of course !e clerks !ere all turne" a"rift, the t!entyse#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 along time$ 8 ha" been taking three &oun"s a !eek at Coon's, an" 8 ha" sa#e" about se#enty ofthem, but 8 soon !orke" my !ay through that an" out at the other en"$ 8 !as fairly at the en" of mytether at last, an" coul" har"ly fin" the stam&s to ans!er the a"#ertisements or the en#elo&es tostick them to$ 8 ha" !orn out my boots &a""ling u& office stairs, an" 8 seeme" just as far fromgetting a billet as e#er$

At last 8 sa! a #acancy at Ma!son K @illiams's, the great stockbroking 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 net 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


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boy, you are #ery much too goo" to be a clerk at Ma!son'sE'

This outburst rather astonishe" me, as you can think$ '@ell,' sai" 8, 'other &eo&le "on't think Iuiteso 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$'

'Pooh, man you shoul" soar abo#e it$ %ou are not in your true s&here$ >o!, 8'll tell you ho! itstan"s !ith me$ @hat 8 ha#e to offer is little enough !hen measure" by your ability, but !hencom&are" !ith Ma!son's, it's light to "ark$ (et me see$ @hen "o you go to Ma!son'sF'

'9n Mon"ay$'

'Ha, haE 8 think 8 !oul" risk a little s&orting flutter that you "on't go there at all$'

'>ot go to Ma!son'sF'

'>o, sir$ y that "ay you !ill be the business manager of the o!,really, 8 kno! so little about your com&any thatJ'

'Ah, smart, smartE' he crie", in a kin" of ecstasy of "elight$ '%ou are the #ery man for us$ %ou arenot to be talke" o#er, an" Iuite right, too$ >o!, here's a note for a hun"re" &oun"s, an" if you thinkthat !e can "o business you may just sli& it into your &ocket as an a"#ance u&on your salary$'

'That is #ery han"some,' sai" 8$ '@hen shoul" 8 take o#er my ne! "utiesF'

'e in irmingham tomorro! at one,' sai" he$ '8 ha#e a note in my &ocket here !hich you !ill taketo my brother$ %ou !ill fin" him at +6Ob Cor&oration Street, !here the tem&orary offices of the


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com&any are situate"$ 9f course he must confirm your engagement, but bet!een oursel#es it !ill beall right$'

'*eally, 8 har"ly kno! ho! to e&ress my gratitu"e, Mr$ Pinner,' sai" 8$

'>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 !riteu&on it 8 am &erfectly !illing to act as business manager to the e! Street, an" then 8 ma"e my !ayto the a""ress !hich ha" been gi#en me$

8t !as a Iuarter of an hour before my time, but 8 thought that !oul" make no "ifference$ +6Ob !asa &assage bet!een t!o large sho&s, !hich le" to a !in"ing stone stair, from !hich there !ere manyflats, let as offices to com&anies or &rofessional men$ The names of the occu&ants !ere &ainte" atthe bottom on the !all, but there !as no such name as the


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'%es,' sai" 8$

'9hE 8 !as e&ecting you, but you are a trifle before your time$ 8 ha" a note from my brother thismorning in !hich he sang your &raises #ery lou"ly$'

'8 !as just looking for the offices !hen you came$

'@e ha#e not got our name u& yet, for !e only secure" these tem&orary &remises last !eek$ Comeu& !ith me, an" !e !ill talk the matter o#er$'

8 follo!e" him to the to& of a #ery lofty stair, an" there, right un"er the slates, !ere a cou&le ofem&ty, "usty little rooms, uncar&ete" an" uncurtaine", into !hich he le" me$ 8 ha" thought of agreat 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&erbasket, ma"e u& the !hole furniture$

'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$'

8 ga#e it to him, an" he rea" it o#er #ery carefully$

'%ou seem to ha#e ma"e a #ast im&ression u&on my brother Arthur,' sai" he 'an" 8 kno! that he isa &retty shre!" ju"ge$ He s!ears by (on"on, you kno! an" 8 by irmingham but this time 8 shallfollo! his a"#ice$ Pray consi"er yourself "efinitely engage"$

'@hat are my "utiesF' 8 aske"$

'%ou !ill e#entually manage the great "e&ot in Paris, !hich !ill &our a floo" of /nglish crockeryinto the sho&s of a hun"re" an" thirtyfour agents in


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ser#ices so #aluableF or is it &ossible thatJ 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 thecom&any's offices$

8t is no use our being at all before our time, sai" our client$ He only comes there to see me,a&&arently, for the &lace is "eserte" u& to the #ery hour he names$

That is suggesti#e, remarke" Holmes$

y =o#e, 8 tol" you soE crie" the clerk$ That's he !alking ahea" of us there$

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 inhis han", he #anishe" through a "oor!ay$

There he goesE crie" Hall Pycroft$ These are the com&any's offices into !hich he has gone$Come !ith me, an" 8'll fi it u& as easily as &ossible$


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These last !or"s !ere shot out of him, as though the constraint !hich he !as e#i"ently setting u&onhimself ha" su""enly an" utterly burst asun"er$ Holmes an" 8 glance" at each other, an" HallPycroft took a ste& to!ar"s the table$

%ou forget, Mr$ Pinner, that 8 am here by a&&ointment to recei#e some "irections from you, sai"

he$

Certainly, Mr$ Pycroft, certainly, the other resume" in a calmer tone$ %ou may !ait here amoment an" there is no reason !hy your frien"s shoul" not !ait !ith you$ 8 !ill be entirely at yourser#ice in three minutes, if 8 might tres&ass u&on your &atience so far$ He rose !ith a #erycourteous air, an", bo!ing to us, he &asse" out through a "oor at the farther en" of the room, !hichhe close" behin" him$

@hat no!F !his&ere" Holmes$ 8s he gi#ing us the sli&F

8m&ossible, ans!ere" Pycroft$

@hy soF

That "oor lea"s into an inner room$

There is no eitF

>one$

8s it furnishe"F

8t !as em&ty yester"ay$

Then !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 theshi#ers on himF

He sus&ects that !e are "etecti#es, 8 suggeste"$

That's it, crie" Pycroft$

Holmes shook his hea"$ He "i" not turn &ale$ He !as &ale !hen !e entere" the room, sai" he$ 8tis just &ossible thatJ

His !or"s !ere interru&te" by a shar& rattat from the "irection of the inner "oor$

@hat the "euce is he knocking at his o!n "oor forF crie" the clerk$

Again an" much lou"er came the rattattat$ @e all gae" e&ectantly at the close" "oor$ Glancing atHolmes, 8 sa! his face turn rigi", an" he leane" for!ar" in intense ecitement$ Then su""enly camea lo! guggling, gargling soun", an" a brisk "rumming u&on !oo"!ork$ Holmes s&rang franticallyacross the room an" &ushe" at the "oor$ 8t !as fastene" on the inner si"e$


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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" hisneck, !as hanging the managing "irector of the


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encircle" his throat$

The &a&erE 9f courseE yelle" Holmes, in a &aroysm of ecitement$ 8"iot that 8 !asE 8 thought somuch of our #isit that the &a&er ne#er entere" my hea" for an instant$ To be sure, the secret must bethere$ He flattene" it out u&on the table, an" a cry of trium&h burst from his li&s$ (ook at this,@atson, he crie"$ 8t 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$ Giganticattem&te" *obbery$ Ca&ture of the Criminal$' Here, @atson, !e are all eIually anious to hear it, sokin"ly rea" it alou" to us$

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" theaccount of it ran in this !ay)

A "es&erate attem&t at robbery, culminating in the "eath of one man an" the ca&ture of thecriminal, occurre" this afternoon in the City$


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8 ha#e some &a&ers here, sai" my frien" Sherlock Holmes, as !e sat one !inter's night on eithersi"e of the fire, !hich 8 really think, @atson, that it !oul" be !orth your !hile to glance o#er$These are the "ocuments in the etraor"inary case of the Gloria Scott, an" this is the message !hichstruck =ustice of the Peace Tre#or "ea" !ith horror !hen he rea" it$

He ha" &icke" from a "ra!er a little tarnishe" cylin"er, an", un"oing the ta&e, he han"e" me a shortnote scra!le" u&on a halfsheet of slategray &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'slife$

As 8 glance" u& from rea"ing this enigmatical message, 8 sa! Holmes chuckling at the e&ressionu&on my face$

%ou look a little be!il"ere", sai" he$

8 cannot see ho! such a message as this coul" ins&ire horror$ 8t seems to me to be rather grotesIuethan other!ise$

Bery 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$

%ou arouse my curiosity, sai" 8$ ut !hy "i" you say just no! that there !ere #ery &articularreasons !hy 8 shoul" stu"y this caseF

ecause it !as the first in !hich 8 !as e#er engage"$

8 ha" often en"ea#ore" to elicit from my com&anion !hat ha" first turne" his min" in the "irectionof criminal research, but ha" ne#er caught him before in a communicati#e humor$ >o! he satfor!ar" in this armchair an" s&rea" out the "ocuments u&on his knees$ Then he lit his &i&e an" satfor some time smoking an" turning them o#er$

%ou ne#er hear" me talk of Bictor Tre#orF he aske"$ He !as the only frien" 8 ma"e "uring thet!o years 8 !as at college$ 8 !as ne#er a #ery sociable fello!, @atson, al!ays rather fon" ofmo&ing in my rooms an" !orking out my o!n little metho"s of thought, so that 8 ne#er mie"much !ith the men of my year$ ar fencing an" boing 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$Tre#or !as the only man 8 kne!, an" that only through the acci"ent of his bull terrier freeing on tomy ankle one morning as 8 !ent "o!n to cha&el$

8t !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 soonhis #isits lengthene", an" before the en" of the term !e !ere close frien"s$ He !as a hearty, fullbloo"e" fello!, full of s&irits an" energy, the #ery o&&osite to me in most res&ects, but !e ha" somesubjects in common, an" it !as a bon" of union !hen 8 foun" that he !as as frien"less as 8$


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!as an ol"fashione", !i"es&rea", oakbeame" brick buil"ing, !ith a fine limeline" a#enuelea"ing u& to it$ There !as ecellent !il""uck shooting in the fens, remarkably goo" fishing, asmall 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$

Tre#or senior !as a !i"o!er, an" my frien" his only son$

There ha" been a "aughter, 8 hear", but she ha" "ie" of "i&htheria !hile on a #isit to irmingham$The father intereste" me etremely$ He !as a man of little culture, but !ith a consi"erable amountof 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 thickset, burly man !ith a shock of grile" hair, a bro!n, !eatherbeaten face, an" blue eyes !hich!ere keen to the #erge of fierceness$ %et he ha" a re&utation for kin"ness an" charity on thecountrysi"e, an" !as note" for the leniency of his sentences from the bench$

9ne e#ening, shortly after my arri#al, !e !ere sitting o#er a glass of &ort after "inner, !hen youngTre#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$ Theol" man e#i"ently thought that his son !as eaggerating in his "escri&tion of one or t!o tri#ial feats!hich 8 ha" &erforme"$

'Come, no!, Mr$ Holmes,' sai" he, laughing goo"humore"ly$ '8'm an ecellent subject, if you can"e"uce anything from me$'

'8 fear there is not #ery much,' 8 ans!ere" '8 might suggest that you ha#e gone about in fear ofsome &ersonal attack !ithin the last t!el#emonth$'

The laugh fa"e" from his li&s, an" he stare" at me in great sur&rise$

'@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!aysbeen on my guar" since then, though 8 ha#e no i"ea ho! you kno! it$'

'%ou ha#e a #ery han"some stick,' 8 ans!ere"$ 'y the inscri&tion 8 obser#e" that you ha" not ha" itmore than a year$ ut you ha#e taken some &ains to bore the hea" of it an" &our melte" lea" into thehole so as to make it a formi"able !ea&on$ 8 argue" that you !oul" not take such &recautions unlessyou ha" some "anger to fear$'

'Anything elseF' he aske", smiling$

'%ou ha#e boe" a goo" "eal in your youth$'

'*ight again$ Ho! "i" you kno! itF 8s my nose knocke" a little out of the straightF'

'>o,' sai" 8$ '8t is your ears$ They ha#e the &eculiar flattening an" thickening !hich marks theboing man$'

'Anything elseF'

'%ou ha#e "one a goo" "eal of "igging by your callosities$'

'Ma"e all my money at the gol" fiel"s$'


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'%ou ha#e been in >e! Qealan"$'

'*ight again$'

'%ou ha#e #isite" =a&an$'

'Luite true$'

'An" you ha#e been most intimately associate" !ith some one !hose initials !ere =$ A$, an" !homyou after!ar"s !ere eager to entirely forget$'

Mr$ Tre#or stoo" slo!ly u&, fie" 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$

%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 fingerglasses o#er

his face, he ga#e a gas& or t!o an" sat u&$

'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 managethis, Mr$ Holmes, but it seems to me that all the "etecti#es of fact an" of fancy !oul" be chil"ren inyour han"s$ That's your line of life, sir, an" you may take the !or" of a man !ho has seensomething of the !orl"$'

An" that recommen"ation, !ith the eaggerate" 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 &rofessionmight 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$

'8 ho&e that 8 ha#e sai" nothing to &ain youF' sai" 8$

'@ell, you certainly touche" u&on rather a ten"er &oint$ Might 8 ask ho! you kno!, an" ho! muchyou kno!F' He s&oke no! in a halfjesting fashion, but a look of terror still lurke" at the back of hiseyes$

'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 toyou, an" that you ha" after!ar"s !ishe" to forget them$'

@hat an eye you ha#eE 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 aIuiet cigar$'


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@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$

'@hat is his nameF' aske" my host$

'He !oul" not gi#e any$'

'@hat "oes he !ant, thenF'

'He says that you kno! him, an" that he only !ants a moment's con#ersation$'

'Sho! him roun" here$' An instant after!ar"s there a&&eare" a little !iene" fello! !ith a cringingmanner an" a shambling style of !alking$ He !ore an o&en jacket, !ith a s&lotch of tar on theslee#e, a re"an"black check shirt, "ungaree trousers, an" hea#y boots ba"ly !orn$ His face !asthin 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 cameslouching 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 reekof bran"y as he &asse" me$

'@ell, my man,' sai" he$ '@hat can 8 "o for youF'

The sailor stoo" looking at him !ith &uckere" eyes, an" !ith the same looseli&&e" smile u&on hisface$

'%ou "on't kno! meF' he aske"$

'@hy, "ear me, it is surely Hu"son,' sai" Mr$ Tre#or in a tone of sur&rise$

'Hu"son it is, sir,' sai" the seaman$ '@hy, it's thirty year an" more since 8 sa! you last$ Here youare in your house, an" me still &icking my salt meat out of the harness cask$'

'Tut, you !ill fin" that 8 ha#e not forgotten ol" times,' crie" Mr$ Tre#or, an", !alking to!ar"s thesailor, he sai" something in a lo! #oice$ 'Go into the kitchen,' he continue" out lou", 'an" you !illget foo" an" "rink$ 8 ha#e no "oubt that 8 shall fin" you a situation$'

'Thank you, sir,' sai" the seaman, touching his forelock$ '8'm just off a t!oyearer in an eightknottram&, shorthan"e" at that, an" 8 !ants a rest$ 8 thought 8'" get it either !ith Mr$ e""oes or !ithyou$'

'AhE' crie" Tre#or$ '%ou kno! !here Mr$ e""oes isF'

'less you, sir, 8 kno! !here all my ol" frien"s are,' sai" the fello! !ith a sinister smile, an" heslouche" off after the mai" to the kitchen$ Mr$ Tre#or mumble" something to us about ha#ing beenshi&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" "runku&on the "iningroom sofa$ The !hole inci"ent left a most ugly im&ression u&on my min", an" 8

!as not sorry net "ay to lea#e Donnithor&e behin" me, for 8 felt that my &resence must be a sourceof embarrassment to my frien"$


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All 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! e&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 frommy frien" im&loring me to return to Donnithor&e, an" saying that he !as in great nee" of my a"#icean" assistance$ 9f course 8 "ro&&e" e#erything an" set out for the >orth once more$

He met me !ith the "ogcart 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$

'The go#ernor is "ying,' !ere the first !or"s he sai"$

'8m&ossibleE' 8 crie"$ '@hat is the matterF'

'A&o&ley$ >er#ous shock, He's been on the #erge all "ay$ 8 "oubt if !e shall fin" him ali#e$'

8 !as, as you may think, @atson, horrifie" at this une&ecte" ne!s$

'@hat has cause" itF' 8 aske"$

'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'

'Perfectly$'

'Do you kno! !ho it !as that !e let into the house that "ayF'

'8 ha#e no i"ea$'

'8t !as the "e#il, Holmes,' he crie"$

8 stare" at him in astonishment$

'%es, it !as the "e#il himself$ @e ha#e not ha" a &eaceful hour sinceJnot one$ The go#ernor hasne#er hel" u& his hea" from that e#ening, an" no! the life has been crushe" out of him an" hisheart broken, all through this accurse" Hu"son$'

'@hat &o!er ha" he, thenF'

'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 forthe best$'

@e !ere "ashing along the smooth !hite country roa", !ith the long stretch of the roa"s in frontof us glimmering in the re" light of the setting sun$


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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 manof my o!n age$ 8 tell you, Holmes, 8 ha#e ha" to kee& a tight hol" u&on myself all this time an"no! 8 am asking myself !hether, if 8 ha" let myself go a little more, 8 might not ha#e been a !iserman$

'@ell, matters !ent from ba" to !orse !ith us, an" this animal Hu"son became more an" moreintrusi#e, until at last, on making some insolent re&ly to my father in my &resence one "ay, 8 tookhim 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 net "ay an" aske" me !hether 8!oul" min" a&ologiing to Hu"son$ 8 refuse", as you can imagine, an" aske" my father ho! hecoul" allo! such a !retch to take such liberties !ith himself an" his househol"$

'Ah, my boy, sai" he, it is all #ery !ell to talk, but you "on't kno! ho! 8 am &lace"$ ut youshall 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"F 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$

'That e#ening there came !hat seeme" to me to be a gran" release, for Hu"son tol" us that he !asgoing to lea#e us$ He !alke" into the "iningroom as !e sat after "inner, an" announce" hisintention in the thick #oice of a half"runken man$

'8'#e ha" enough of >orfolk, sai" he$ 8'll run "o!n to Mr$ e""oes in Ham&shire$ He'll be asgla" to see me as you !ere, 8 "are say$

'%ou're not going a!ay in an unkin" s&irit, Hu"son, 8 ho&e, sai" my father, !ith a tameness!hich ma"e my bloo" boil$

'8'#e not ha" my '&ology, sai" he sulkily, glancing in my "irection$

'Bictor, you !ill ackno!le"ge that you ha#e use" this !orthy fello! rather roughly, sai" the "a",turning to me$

'9n the contrary, 8 think that !e ha#e both sho!n etraor"inary &atience to!ar"s him, 8ans!ere"$

'9h, you "o, "o youF he snarls$ Bery goo", mate$ @e'll see about thatE

'He slouche" out of the room, an" half an hour after!ar"s left the house, lea#ing my father in astate 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$'

'An" ho!F' 8 aske" eagerly$

'8n a most etraor"inary fashion$ A letter arri#e" for my father yester"ay e#ening, bearing the


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'%ou horrify me, Tre#orE' 8 crie"$ '@hat then coul" ha#e been in this letter to cause so "rea"ful aresultF'

'>othing$ There lies the ine&licable &art of it$ The message !as absur" an" tri#ial$ Ah, my Go", itis as 8 feare"E'

As he s&oke !e came roun" the cur#e of the a#enue, an" sa! in the fa"ing light that e#ery blin" inthe house ha" been "ra!n "o!n$ As !e "ashe" u& to the "oor, my frien"'s face con#ulse" !ithgrief, a gentleman in black emerge" from it$

'@hen "i" it ha&&en, "octorF' aske" Tre#or$

'Almost imme"iately after you left$'

'Di" he reco#er consciousnessF'

'


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An" 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$

8t !as short an" terse, the !arning, as 8 no! rea" it to my com&anion)

'The game is u&$ Hu"son has tol" all$ $ (at$ +: "egrees 67', @$ (ong$ 6: "egrees +3' on >o#$ Oth$' 8t is in the form of aletter, an" runs in this !ay)

'My "ear, "ear son, no! that a&&roaching "isgrace begins to "arken the closing years of my life, 8can !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 heart butit is the thought that you shoul" come to blush for meJyou !ho lo#e me an" !ho ha#e sel"om, 8ho&e, ha" reason to "o other than res&ect me$ ut if the blo! falls !hich is fore#er hanging o#erme, then 8 shoul" !ish you to rea" this, that you may kno! straight from me ho! far 8 ha#e been toblame$ 9n the other han", if all shoul" go !ell !hich may kin" Go" Almighty grantEN, then if byany chance this &a&er shoul" be still un"estroye" an" shoul" fall into your han"s, 8 conjure you, byall you hol" sacre", by the memory of your "ear mother, an" by the lo#e !hich ha" been bet!eenus, to hurl it into the fire an" to ne#er gi#e one thought to it again$

'8f then your eye goes on to rea" this line, 8 kno! that 8 shall alrea"y ha#e been e&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 t

04-memorias de Sherlock Holmes.odt

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