TheJulywhichimmediatelysucceededmymarriagewasmadememorablebythreecasesofinterestinwhichIhadtheprivilegeofbeingassociatedwithSherlockHolmes,andofstudyinghismethods.Ifindthemrecordedinmynotesundertheheadingsof'theadventureoftheSecondstain','theadventureofthenavaltreaty',and'theadventureofthetiredcaptain'.Thefirstofthese,however,dealswithinterestsofsuchimportance,andimplicatessomanyofthefirstfamiliesinthekingdom,thatformanyyearsitwillbeimpossibletomakeitpublic.Nocase,however,inwhichHolmeswaseverengagedhasillustratedthevalueofhisanalyticalmethodssoclearlyorhasimpressedthosewhowereassociatedwithhimsodeeply.IstillretainanalmostverbatimreportoftheinterviewinwhichhedemonstratedthetruefactsofthecasetoMonsieurDubuque,oftheParispolice,andfritzvonWaldbaum,thewell-knownspecialistofDantzig,bothofwhomhadwastedtheirenergiesuponwhatprovedtobeside-issues.Thenewcenturywillhavecome,however,beforethestorycanbesafelytold.Meanwhile,Ipassontotheseconduponmylist,whichpromisedalso,atonetime,tobeofnationalimportance,andwasmarkedbyseveralincidentswhichgiveitaquiteuniquecharacter.Duringmyschool-daysIhadbeenintimatelyassociatedwithaladnamedPercyPhelps,whowasofmuchthesameageasmyself,thoughhewastwoclassesaheadofme.Hewasaverybrilliantboy,andcarriedawayeveryprizewhichtheschoolhadtooffer,finishinghisexploitsbywinningascholarship,whichsenthimontocontinuehistriumphantcareeratCambridge.Hewas,Iremember,extremelywellconnectedandeverwhenwewerealllittleboystogether,weknewthathismother'sbrotherwasLordHoldhurst,thegreatConservativepolitician.Thisgaudyrelationshipdidhimlittlegoodatschoolonthecontrary,itseemedratherapiquantthingtoustochevyhimabouttheplaygroundandhithimovertheshinswithawicket.Butitwasanotherthingwhenhecameoutintotheworld.IheardvaguelythathisabilitiesandtheinfluencewhichhecommandedhadwonhimagoodpositionattheForeignOffice,andthenhepassedcompletelyoutofmyminduntilthefollowingletterrecalledhisexistence:
'BRIARBRAE,WOKING
'MYDEARWATSON,——Ihavenodoubtthatyoucanremember"tadpole"Phelps,whowasinthefifthformwhenyouwereinthethird.Itispossibleeventhatyoumayhaveheardthat,throughmyuncle'sinfluence,IobtainedagoodappointmentattheForeignOffice,andthatIwasinsituationoftrustandhonouruntilahorriblemisfortunecamesuddenlytoblastmycareer.
'Thereisnousewritingthedetailsofthatdreadfulevent.Intheeventofyouraccedingtomyrequest,itisprobablethatIshallhavenarratedthemtoyou.Ihaveonlyjustrecoveredfromnineweeksofbrainfever,andamstillexceedinglyweak.Doyouthinkthatyoucouldbringyourfriend,Mr.Holmes,downtoseeme?Ishouldliketohavehisopinionofthecase,thoughtheauthoritiesassuremethatnothingmorecanbedong.Dotrytobringhimdown,andassoonaspossible.EveryminuteseemsanhourwhileIliveinthishorriblesuspense.Assurehimthat,ifIhavenotaskedhisadvicesooner,itwasnotbecauseIdidnotappreciatehistalents,butbecauseIhavebeenoffmyheadversincetheblowfell.NowIamclearagain,thoughIdarenotthinkofittoomuchforfearofarelapse.IamstillsoweakthatIhavetowrite,asyousee,bydictating.Dotryandbringhim.'Youroldschoolfellow,PERCYPHELPS
TherewassomethingthattouchedmeasIreadthisletter,somethingpitiableinthereiteratedappealstobringHolmes.SomovedwasIthat,evenifithadbeenadifficultmatter,Ishouldhavetrieditbut,ofcourse,IknewwellthatHolmeslovedhisartso,thathewaseverasreadytobringhisaidashisclientcouldbetoreceiveit.Mywifeagreedwithmethatnotamomentshouldbelostinlayingthematterbeforehim,andso,withinanhourofbreakfast-time,IfoundmyselfbackoncemoreintheoldroomsinBakerStreet.
Holmeswasseatedathisside-tablecladinhisdressing-gownandworkinghardoverachemicalinvestigation.AlargecurvedretortwasboilingfuriouslyinthebluishflameofaBunsenburner,andthedistilleddropswerecondensingintoatwo-litremeasure.MyfriendhardlyglancedupasIentered,andI,seeingthathisinvestigationmustbeofimportance,seatedmyselfinanarm-chairandwaited.Hedippedintothisbottleorthat,drawingoutafewdropsofeachwithhisglasspipette,andfinallybroughtatest-tubecontainingasolutionovertothetable.Inhisrighthandhehadaslipoflitmus-paper.
'Youcomeatacrisis,Watson,'saidhe.'Ifthispaperremainsblue,alliswell.Ifitturnsred,itmeansaman'slife.'Hedippeditintothetest-tube,anditflushedatonceintoadull,dirtycrimson.'Hum!Ithoughtasmuch!'hecried.'Ishallbeatyourserviceinoneinstant,Watson.YouwillfindtobaccointhePersianslipper.'Heturnedtohisdeskandscribbledoffseveraltelegrams,whichwerehandedovertothepage-boy.Thenhethrewhimselfdowninthechairopposite,anddrewuphiskneesuntilhisfingersclaspedroundhislong,thinshins.
'Averycommonplacelittlemurder,'saidhe.'You'vegotsomethingbetter,Ifancy.Youarethestormypetrelofcrime,Watson.Whatisit?'
Ihandedhimtheletter,whichhereadwiththemostconcentratedattention.
'Itdoesnottellusverymuch,doesit?'heremarked,ashehandeditbacktome.
'Hardlyanything.'
'Andyetthewritingisnothisown.'
'Precisely.Itisawoman's.'
'Aman'ssurely!'Icried.
'No,awoman'sandawomanofrarecharacter.Yousee,atthecommencementofaninvestigation,itissomethingtoknowthatyourclientisinclosecontactwithsomeonewhoforgoodorevilhasanexceptionalnature.Myinterestisalreadyawakenedinthecase.Ifyouareready,wewillstartatonceforWokingandseethisdiplomatistwhoisinsuchevilcase,andtheladytowhomhedictateshisletters.'
WewerefortunateenoughtocatchanearlytrainatWaterloo,andinalittleunderanhourwefoundourselvesamongthefir-woodsandtheheatherofWoking.Briarbraeprovedtobealargedetachedhousestandinginextensivegrounds,withinafewminutes'walkofthestation.Onsendinginourcardswewereshownintoanelegantlyappointeddrawing-room,wherewewerejoinedinafewminutesbyaratherstoutman,whoreceiveduswithmuchhospitality.Hisagemayhavebeennearerfortythanthirty,buthischeeksweresoruddyandhiseyessomerry,thathestillconveyedtheimpressionofaplumpandmischievousboy.
'Iamsogladthatyouhavecome'saidhe,shakingourhandswitheffusion.'Percyhasbeeninquiringforyouallthemorning.Ah,pooroldchap,heclingstoanystraw.Hisfatherandmotheraskedmetoseeyou,forthemerementionofthesubjectisverypainfultothem.'
'Wehavehadnodetailsyet,'observedHolmes.'Iperceivethatyouarenotyourselfamemberofthefamily.'
Ouracquaintancelookedsurprised,andthenglancingdownhebegantolaugh.
'Ofcourseyousawthe"J.H."Monogramonmylocket,'saidhe.'ForamomentIthoughtyouhaddonesomethingclever.JosephHarrisonismyname,andasPercyistomarrymysisterAnnie,Ishallatleastbearelationbymarriage.Youwillfindmysisterinhisroom,forshehasnursedhimhand-and-footthesetwomonthsback.Perhapswehadbettergoinatonce,forIknowhowimpatientheis.'
Thechamberintowhichwewereshownwasonthesamefloorasthedrawing-room.Itwasfurnishedpartlyasasitting-andpartlyasabedroom,withflowersarrangeddaintilyineverynookandcorner.Ayoungman,verypaleandworn,waslyinguponasofaneartheopenwindow,throughwhichcametherichscentofthegardenandthebalmysummerair.Awomanwassittingbesidehim,androseasweentered.
'ShallIleave,Percy?'sheasked.
Heclutchedherhandtodetainher.'Howareyou,Watson?'saidhe,cordially.'Ishouldneverhaveknownyouunderthatmoustache,andIdaresayyouwouldnotbepreparedtosweartome.This,Ipresume,isyourcelebratedfriend,Mr.SherlockHolmes?'
Iintroducedhiminafewwords,andwebothsatdown.Thestoutyoungmanhadleftus,buthissisterstillremained,withherhandinthatoftheinvalid.Shewasastriking-lookingwoman,alittleshortandthickforsymmetry,butwithabeautifulolivecomplexion,large,darkItalianeyes,andawealthofdeepblackhair.Herrichtintsmadethewhitefaceofhercompanionthemorewornandhaggardbythecontrast.
'Iwon'twasteyourtime,'saidhe,raisinghimselfuponthesofa.'I'llplungeintothematterwithoutfurtherpreamble.Iwasahappyandsuccessfulman,Mr.Holmes,andontheeveofbeingmarried,whenasuddenanddreadfulmisfortunewreckedallmyprospectsinlife.
'Iwas,asWatsonmayhavetoldyou,intheForeignOffice,andthroughtheinfluenceofmyuncle,LordHoldhurst,Iroserapidlytoaresponsibleposition.WhenmyunclebecameForeignMinisterinthisAdministrationhegavemeseveralmissionsoftrust,andasIalwaysbroughtthemtoasuccessfulconclusion,hecameatlasttohavetheutmostconfidenceinmyabilityandtact.
'Nearlytenweeksago-tobemoreaccurate,onthe23rdofMay-hecalledmeintohisprivateroomand,aftercomplimentingmeuponthegoodworkwhichIhaddone,informedmethathehadanewcommissionoftrustformetoexecute.
'"This,"saidhe,takingagreyrollofpaperfromhisbureau,"istheoriginalofthatsecrettreatybetweenEnglandandItaly,ofwhich,Iregrettosay,somerumourshavealreadygotintothepublicPress.Itisofenormousimportancethatnothingfurthershouldleakout.TheFrenchorRussianEmbassieswouldpayanimmensesumlearnthecontentsofthesepapers.Theyshouldnotleavemybureauwereitnotthatitisabsolutelynecessarytohavethemcopied.Youhaveadeskinyouroffice?"
'"Yes,sir."
'"Thentakethetreatyandlockitupthere.Ishallgivedirectionsthatyoumayremainbehindwhentheothersgo,sothatyoumaycopyitatyourleisure,withoutfearofbeingoverlooked.Whenyouhavefinished,re-lockboththeoriginalandthedraftinthedesk,andhandthemovertopersonallyto-morrowmorning."
'Itookthepapersand-'
'Excusemeaninstant,'saidHolmes'wereyoualoneduringthisconversation?'
'Absolutely.'
'Inalargeroom?'
'Thirtyfeeteachway.'
'Inthecentre?'
'Yes,aboutit.'
'Andspeakinglow?'
'Myuncle'svoiceisalwaysremarkablylow.Ihardlyspokeatall.'
'Thankyou,'saidHolmes,shuttinghiseyes'praygoon.'
'Ididexactlywhathehadindicated,andwaiteduntiltheotherclerkshaddeparted.Oneoftheminmyroom,CharlesGorot,hadsomearrearsofworktomakeup,soIlefthimthereandwentouttodine.WhenIreturnedhewasgone.Iwasanxioustohurrymywork,forIknewthatJoseph,theMr.Harrisonwhomyousawjustnow,wasintown,andthathewouldtraveldowntoWokingbytheeleveno'clocktrain,andIwantedifpossibletocatchit.
'WhenIcametoexaminethetreatyIsawatoncethatitwasofsuchimportancethatmyunclehadbeenguiltyofnoexaggerationinwhathehadsaid.Withoutgoingintodetails,ImaysaythatitdefinedthepositionofGreatBritaintowardstheTripleAlliance,andforeshadowedthepolicywhichthiscountrywouldpursueintheeventoftheFrenchfleetgainingacompleteascendencyoverthatofItalyintheMediterranean.Thequestionstreatedinitwerepurelynaval.Attheendwerethesignaturesofthehighdignitarieswhohadsignedit.Iglancedmyeyesoverit,andthensettleddowntomytaskofcopying.
'Itwasalongdocument,writtenintheFrenchlanguage,andcontainingtwenty-sixseparatearticles.IcopiedasquicklyasIcould,butatnineo'clockIhadonlydoneninearticles,anditseemedhopelessformetoattempttocatchmytrain.Iwasfellingdrowsyandstupid,partlyfrommydinnerandalsofromtheeffectsofalongday'swork.Acupofcoffeewouldclearmybrain.Acommissionaireremainsallnightinalittlelodgeatthefootofthestairs,andisinthehabitofmakingcoffeeathisspirit-lampforanyoftheofficialswhomaybeworkingovertime.Irangthebell,therefore,tosummonhim.
'Tomysurprise,itwasawomanwhoansweredthesummons,alarge,coarse-faced,elderlywoman,inanapron.Sheexplainedthatshewasthecommissionaire'swife,whodidthecharing,andIgavehertheorderforthecoffee.
'Iwrotetwomorearticles,andthen,feelingmoredrowsythanever,Iroseandwalkedupanddowntheroomtostretchmylegs.Mycoffeehadnotyetcome,andIwonderedwhatthecauseofthedelaycouldbe.Openingthedoor,Istarteddownthecorridortofindout.TherewasastraightpassagedimlylitwhichledfromtheroominwhichIhadbeenworking,andwastheonlyexitfromit.Itendedincurvingstaircase,withthecommissionaire'slodgeinthepassageatthebottom.Half-waydownthisstaircaseisasmalllanding,withanotherpassagerunningintoitatrightangles.Thesecondoneleads,bymeansofasecondsmallstair,toaside-doorusedbyservants,andalsoasashortcutbyclerkswhencomingfromCharlesStreet.
'Hereisaroughchartoftheplace.'
'Thankyou.IthinkthatIquitefollowyou,'saidSherlockHolmes.
'Itisoftheutmostimportancethatyoushouldnoticethispoint.Iwentdownthestairsandintothehall,whereIfoundthecommissionairefastasleepinhisbox,withthekettleboilingfuriouslyuponthespirit-lamp,forthewaterwasspurtingoverthefloor.Ihadputoutmyhandandwasabouttoshaketheman,whowasstillsleepingsoundly,whenabelloverhisheadrangloudly,andhewokewithastart.
'"Mr.Phelps,sir!"saidhe,lookingatmeinbewilderment.
'"Icamedowntoseeifmycoffeewasready."
'"IwasboilingthekettlewhenIfellasleep,sir."Helookedatmeandthenupatthestillquiveringbell,withanever-growingastonishmentuponhisface.
'"Ifyouwashere,sir,thenwhorangthebell?"heasked.
'"Thebell!"Isaid."Whatbellisit?"
'"It'sthebelloftheroomyouwereworkingin."
'Acoldhandseemedtocloseroundmyheart.Someone,then,wasinthatroomwheremyprecioustreatylayuponthetable.Iranfranticallyupthestairsandalongthepassage.Therewasnooneinthecorridor,Mr.Holmes.Therewasnooneintheroom.AllwasexactlyasIleftit,saveonlythatthepaperscommittedtomycarehadbeentakenfromthedeskonwhichtheylay.Thecopywasthereandtheoriginalwasgone.'
Holmessatupinhischairandrubbedhishands.Icouldseethattheproblemwasentirelytohisheart.'Pray,whatdidyoudothen?'hemurmured.
'Irecognizedinaninstantthatthethiefmusthavecomeupthestairsfromtheside-door.OfcourseImusthavemethimifhehadcometheotherway.'
'Youweresatisfiedthathecouldnothavebeenconcealedintheroomallthetime,orinthecorridorwhichyouhavejustdescribedasdimlylighted?'
'Itisabsolutelyimpossible.Aratcouldnotconcealhimselfeitherintheroomorthecorridor.Thereisnocoveratall.'
'Thankyou.Prayproceed.'
'Thecommissionaire,seeingbymaypalefacethatsomethingwastobefeared,hadfollowedmeupstairs.NowwebothrushedalongthecorridoranddownthesteepstepswhichledtoCharlesStreet.Thedooratbottomwasclosedbutunlocked.Weflungitopenandrushedout.Icandistinctlyrememberthataswedidsotherecamethreechimesfromaneighbouringchurch.Itwasaquartertoten.'
'Thatisofenormousimportance,'saidHolmes,makinganoteuponhisshirtcuff.
'Thenightwasverydark,andathin,warmrainwasfalling.TherewasnooneinCharlesStreet,butagreattrafficwasgoingon,asusual,inWhitehall,attheextremity.Werushedalongthepavement,bareheadedaswewere,andatthefarcornerwefoundapolicemanstanding.
'"Arobberyhasbeencommitted,"Igasped."AdocumentofimmensevaluehasbeenstolenfromtheForeignOffice.Hasanyonepassedthisway?'
'"Ihavebeenstandinghereforaquarterofanhour,sir,"saidhe"onlyonepersonhaspassedduringthattime-awoman,tallandelderly,withaPaisleyShawl."
'"Ah,thatisonlymywife,"criedthecommissionaire."Hasnooneelsepassed?"
'"Noone."
'"Thenitmustbetheotherwaythatthethieftook,"criedthefellow,tuggingatmysleeve.
'ButIwasnotsatisfied,andtheattemptswhichhemadetodrawmeawayincreasedmysuspicions.
'"Whichwaydidthewomango?"Icried.
'"Idon'tknow,sir.Inoticedherpass,butIhadnospecialreasonforwatchingher.Sheseemedtobeinahurry."
'"Howlongagowasit?"
'"Oh,notverymanyminutes."
'"Withinthelastfive?"
'"Well,itcouldnotbemorethanfive."
'"You'reonlywastingyourtime,sir,andeveryminutenowisofimportance,"criedthecommissionaire."Takemywordforitthatmyoldwomanhasnothingtodowithit,andcomedowntotheotherendofthestreet.Well,ifyouwon't,Iwill,"andwiththatherushedoffintheotherdirection.
'ButIwasafterhiminaninstantandcaughthimbythesleeve.
'"Wheredoyoulive?"saidI.
'"No.16IvyLane,Brixton,"heanswered"butdon'tletyourselfbedrawnawayuponafalsescent,Mr.Phelps.Cometotheotherendofthestreet,andletusseeifwecanhearofanything."
'Nothingwastobelostbyfollowinghisadvice.Withthepolicemanwebothhurrieddown,butonlytofindthestreetfulloftraffic,manypeoplecomingandgoing,butallonlytooeagertogettoaplaceofsafetyuponsowetanight.Therewasnoloungerwhocouldtelluswhohadpassed.
'Thenwereturnedtotheoffice,andsearchedthestairsandthepassagewithoutresult.Thecorridorwhichledtotheroomwaslaiddownwithakindofcreamylinoleum,whichshowsanimpressionveryeasily.Weexamineditverycarefully,butfoundnooutlineofanyfootmark.'
'Haditbeenrainingalltheevening?'
'Sinceaboutseven.'
'Howisit,then,thatthewomanwhocameintotheroomaboutnineleftnotraceswithhermuddyboots?'
'Iamgladyouraisethepoint.Itoccurredtomeatthetime.Thecharwomenareinthehabitoftakingofftheirbootsatthecommissionaire'soffice,andputtingonlistslippers.'
'Thatisveryclear.Therewerenomarks,then,thoughthenightwasawetone?Thechainofeventsiscertainlyoneofextraordinaryinterest.Whatdidyoudonext?'
'Weexaminedtheroomalso.Therewasnopossibilityofasecretdoor,andthewindowsarequitethirtyfeetfromtheground.Bothofthemwerefastenedontheinside.Thecarpetpreventsanypossibilityofatrap-door,andtheceilingisoftheordinarywhite-washedkind.Iwillpledgemylifethatwhoeverstolemypaperscouldonlyhavecomethroughthedoor.'
'Howaboutthefireplace?'
'Theyusenone.Thereisastove.Thebell-ropehangsfromthewirejusttotherightofmydesk.Whoeverrangitmusthavecomerightuptothedesktodoit.Butwhyshouldanycriminalwishtoringthebell?Itisamostinsolublemystery.'
Certainlytheincidentwasunusual.Whatwereyournextsteps?Youexaminedtheroom,Ipresume,toseeiftheintruderhadleftanytraces-anycigar-end,ordroppedglove,orhairpin,orothertrifle?'
'Therewasofnothingofthesort.'
'Nosmell?'
'Well,weneverthoughtofthat.'
'Ah,ascentoftobaccowouldhavebeenworthagreatdealtousinsuchaninvestigation.'
'Ineversmokemyself,soIthinkIshouldhaveobserveditiftherehadbeenanysmelloftobacco.Therewasabsolutelynoclueofanykind.Theonlytangiblefactwasthatthecommissionaire'swife-Mrs.Tangeywasthename-hadhurriedoutoftheplace.Hecouldgivenoexplanationsavethatitwasaboutthetimewhenthewomanalwayswenthome.ThepolicemanandIagreedthatourbestplanwouldbetoseizethewomanbeforeshecouldgetridofthepapers,presumingthatshehadthem.
'ThealarmhadreachedScotlandYardbythistime,andMr.Forbes,thedetective,cameroundatonceandtookupthecasewithagreatdealofenergy.Wehiredahansom,andinhalfanhourwewereattheaddresswhichhadbeengiventous.Ayoungwomanopenedthedoor,whoprovedtobeMrs.Tangey'seldestdaughter.Hermotherhadtocomebackyet,andwewereshownintothefrontroomtowait.
'Abouttenminuteslateraknockcameatthedoor,andherewemadetheoneseriousmistakeforwhichweallowedthegirltodoso.Weheardhersay,"Mother,therearetwomeninthehousewaitingtoseeyou,"andaninstantafterwardsweheardthepatteroffeetrushingdownthepassage.Forbesflungopenthedoor,andwebothranintothebackroomorkitchen,butthewomanhadgottherebeforeus.Shestaredatuswithdefianteyes,andthensuddenlyrecognizingme,anexpressionofabsoluteastonishmentcameoverherface.
'"Why,ifitisn'tMr.Phelps,oftheoffice!"shecried.
Come,come,whodidyouthinkwewerewhenyouranawayfromus?"askedmycompanion.
Ithoughtyouwerethebrokers,"saidshe."We'vehadsometroublewithatradesman."
That'snotquitegoodenough,"answeredForbes."WehavereasontobelievethatyouhavetakenapaperofimportancefromtheForeignOffice,andthatyouraninhertodisposeofit.YoumustcomebackwithustoScotlandYardtobesearched."
'Itwasinvainthatsheprotestedandresisted.Afour-wheelerwasbrought,andweallthreedrovebackinit.Wehadfirstmadeanexaminationofthekitchen,andespeciallyofthekitchenfire,toseewhethershemighthavemadeawaywiththepapersduringtheinstantthatshewasalone.Therewerenosigns.However,ofanyashesorscraps.WhenwereachedScotlandYardshewashandedoveratoncetothefemalesearcher.Iwaitedinanagonyofsuspenseuntilshecamebackwithherreport.Therewerenosignsofthepapers.
'Then,forthefirsttime,thehorrorofmysituationcameinitsfullforceuponme.HithertoIhadbeensoconfidentofregainingthetreatyatoncethatIhadnotdaredtothinkofwhatwouldbetheconsequenceifIfailedtodoso.Butnowtherewasnothingmoretobedone,andIhadleisuretorealizemyposition.Itwashorrible!WatsontherewouldtellyouthatIwasanervous,sensitiveboyatschool.Itismynature.IthoughtofmyuncleandofhiscolleaguesintheCabinet,oftheshamewhichIhadbroughtuponhim,uponmyself,uponeveryoneconnectedwithme.WhatthoughtIwasthevictimofanextraordinaryaccident?Noallowanceismadeforaccidentswherediplomaticinterestsareatstake.Iwasruinedshamefully,hopelesslyruined.Idon'tknowwhatIdid.IfancyImusthavemadeascene.Ihaveadimrecollectionofagroupofofficialswhocrowdedroundmeendeavouringtosootheme.OneofthemdrovedownwithmetoWaterlooandsawmeintotheWokingtrain.IbelievethathewouldhavecomeallthewayhaditnotbeenthatDr.Ferrier,wholivesnearme,wasgoingdownbythatverytrain.Thedoctormostkindlytookchargeofme,anditwaswellhedidso,forIhadafitinthestation,andbeforewereachedhomeIwaspracticallyaravingmaniac.
'Youcanimaginethestateofthingsherewhentheywererousedfromtheirbedsbythedoctor'sringing,andfoundmeinthiscondition.PoorAnniehereandmymotherwerebroken-hearted.Dr.Ferrierhadjustheardenoughfromthedetectiveatthestationtobeabletogiveanideaofwhathadhappened,andhisstorydidnotmendmatters.ItwasevidenttoallthatIwasinforalongillness,soJosephwasbundledoutofthischeerybedroom,anditwasturnedintoasickroomforme.HereIhavelain,Mr.Holmes,forovernineweeks,unconscious,andravingwithbrainfever.IfithadnotbeenforMissHarrisonhereandforthedoctor'scareIshouldnotbespeakingtoyounow.shehasnursedmebyday,andahirednursehaslookedaftermebynight,forinmymadfitsIwascapableofanything.Slowlymyreasonhascleared,butitisonlyduringthelastthreedaysthatmymemoryhasquitereturned.SometimesIwishthatitneverhad.ThefirstthingIdidwastowiretoMr.Forbes,whohadthecaseinhand.Hecameoutandassuredmethat,thougheverythinghasbeendone,notraceofacluehasbeendiscovered.Thecommissionaireandhiswifehavebeenexaminedineverywaywithoutanylightbeingthrownuponthematter.ThesuspicionsofthepolicethenresteduponyoungGorot,who,asyoumayremember,stayedovertimeintheofficethatnight.HisremainingbehindandhisFrenchnamewerereallytheonlytwopointswhichcouldsuggestsuspicionbutasamatteroffact,Ididnotbeginworkuntilhehadgone,andhispeopleareofHuguenotextraction,butasEnglishinsympathyandtraditionasyouandIare.Nothingwasfoundtoimplicatehiminanyway,andtherethematterdropped.Iturntoyou,Mr.Holmes,asabsolutelymylasthope.Ifyoufailme,thenmyhonouraswellasmypositionareforeverforfeited.'
Theinvalidsankbackuponhiscushions,tiredoutbythislongrecital,whilehisnursepouredhimoutaglassofsomestimulatingmedicine.Holmessatsilentlywithhisheadthrownbackandhiseyesclosedinanattitudewhichmightseemlistlesstoastranger,butwhichIknewbetokenedthemostintenseabsorption.
'Yourstatementhasbeensoexplicit,'saidheatlast,'thatyouhavereallyleftmeveryfewquestionstoask.Thereisoneoftheveryutmostimportance,however.Didyoutellanyonethatyouhadthisspecialtasktoperform?'
'Noone.'
'NotMissHarrisonhere,forexample?'
'No.IhadnotbeenbacktoWokingbetweengettingtheorderandexecutingthecommission.'
'Andnoneofyourpeoplehadbychancebeentoseeyou?'
'None.'
'Didanyofthemknowtheirwayaboutintheoffice?'
'Oh,yesallofthemhadbeenshownoverit.'
'Still,ofcourse,ifyousaidnothingtoanyoneaboutthetreaty,theseinquiriesareirrelevant.'
'Isaidnothing.'
'Doyouknowanythingthatheisanoldsoldier.'
'Whatregiment?'
'Oh,Ihaveheard-ColdstreamGuards.'
'Thankyou.IhavenodoubtIcangetdetailsfromForbes.Theauthoritiesareexcellentatamassingfacts,thoughtheydonotalwaysusethemtoadvantage.Whatalovelythingaroseis!'
hewalkedpastthecouchtotheopenwindow,andheldupthedroopingstalkofamossrose,lookingdownatthedaintyblendofcrimsonandgreen.Itwasanewphaseofhischaractertome,forIhadneverbeforeseenhimshowanykeeninterestinnaturalobjects.
'Thereisnothinginwhichdeductionissonecessaryasinreligion,'saidhe,leaningwithhisbackagainsttheshutters.'Itcanbebuiltupasanexactsciencebythereasoner.OurhighestassuranceofthegoodnessofProvidenceseemstometorestintheflowers.Allotherthings,ourpowers,ourdesires,ourfood,arereallynecessaryforourexistenceinthefirstinstance.Butthisroseisanextra.Itssmellanditscolourareanembellishmentoflife,notaconditionofit.Itisonlygoodnesswhichgivesextras,andsoIsayagainthatwehavemuchtohopefromtheflowers.'
PercyPhelpsandhisnurselookedatHolmesduringthisdemonstrationwithsurpriseandagooddealofdisappointmentwrittenupontheirfaces.Hehadfallenintoareverie,withthemossrosebetweenhisfingers.Ithadlastedsomeminutesbeforetheyoungladybrokeinuponit.
'Doyouseeanyprospectofsolvingthismystery,Mr.Holmes?'sheasked,withatouchofasperityinhervoice.
'Oh,themystery!'heanswered,comingbackwithastarttotherealitiesoflife.'Well,itwouldbeabsurdtodenythatthecaseisaveryabstruseandcomplicatedonebutIcanpromiseyouthatIwilllookintothematterandletyouknowanypointswhichmaystrikeme.'
'Doyouseeanyclue?'
'Youhavefurnishedmewithseven,butofcourseImusttestthembeforeIcanpronounceupontheirvalue.'
'Yoususpectsomeone?'
'Isuspectmyself-'
'What?'
'Ofcomingtoconclusiontoorapidly.'
'ThengotoLondonandtestyourconclusions.'
'Youradviceisveryexcellent,MissHarrison,'saidHolmes,rising.'Ithink,Watson,wecannotdobetter.Donotallowyourselftoindulgeinfalsehopes,Mr.Phelps.Theaffairisaverytangledone.'
'IshallbeinafeveruntilIseeyouagain,'criedthediplomatist.
'Well,I'llcomeoutbythesametrainto-morrow,thoughit'smorethanlikelythatmyreportwillbeanegativeone.'
'Godblessyouforpromisingtocome,'criedourclient.'Itgivesmefreshlifetoknowthatsomethingisbeingdone.Bytheway,IhavehadaletterfromLordHoldhurst.'
'Ha!Whatdidhesay?'
'Hewascold,butnotharsh.Idaresaymysevereillnesspreventedhimfrombeingthat.Herepeatedthatthematterwasoftheutmostimportance,andaddedthatnostepswouldbetakenaboutmyfuture-bywhichhemeans,ofcourse,mydismissal-untilmyhealthwasrestoredandIhadanopportunityofrepairingmymisfortune.'
'Well,thatwasreasonableandconsiderate,'saidHolmes.'Come,Watson,forwehaveagoodday'sworkbeforeusintown.'
Mr.JosephHarrisondroveusdowntothestation,andweweresoonwhirlingupinaPortsmouthtrain.Holmeswassunkinprofoundthought,andhardlyopenedhismouthuntilwehadpassedClaphamJunction.
'It'saverycheeringthingtocomeintoLondonbyanyoftheselineswhichrunhighandallowyoutolookdownuponthehouseslikethis.'
Ithoughthewasjoking,fortheviewwassordidenough,buthesoonexplainedhimself.
'Lookatthosebig,isolatedclumpsofbuildingsrisingupabovetheslates,likebrickislandsinalead-colouredsea.'
'TheBoardschools.'
'Lighthouses,myboy!Beaconsofthefuture!Capsules,withhundredsofbrightlittleseedsineach,outofwhichwillspringthewiser,betterEnglandofthefuture.IsupposethatmanPhelpsdoesnotdrink?'
'Ishouldnotthinkso.'
'NorshouldI.Butweareboundtotakeeverypossibilityintoaccount.Thepoordevilhascertainlygothimselfintoverydeepwater,andit'saquestionwhetherweshalleverbeabletogethimashore.WhatdidyouthinkofMissHarrison?'
'Agirlofstrongcharacter.'
'Yes,butsheisagoodsort,orIammistaken.Sheandherbrotheraretheonlychildrenofaniron-mastersomewhereupNorthumberlandway.Phelpsgotengagedtoherwhentravellinglastwinter,andshecamedowntobeintroducedtohispeople,withherbrotherasescort.Thencamethesmash,andshestayedontonurseherlover,whilebrotherJoseph,findinghimselfprettysnug,stayedontoo.I'vebeenmakingafewindependentinquiries,yousee.Buttodaymustbeadayofinquiries.'
'Mypractice-'Ibegan.
'Oh,ifyoufindyourowncasesmoreinterestingthanmine-'saidHolmes,withsomeasperity.
'Iwasgoingtosaythatmypracticecouldgetalongverywellforadayortwo,sinceitistheslackesttimeintheyear.'
'Excellent,'saidhe,recoveringhisgoodhumour.'Thenwe'lllookintothismattertogether.IthinkthatweshouldbeginbyseeingForbes.Hecanprobablytellusallthedetailswewant,untilweknowfromwhatsidethecaseistobeapproached.'
'Yousaidyouhadaclue.'
'Well,wehaveseveral,butwecanonlytesttheirvaluebyfurtherinquiry.Themostdifficultcrimetotrackistheonewhichispurposeless.Now,thisisnotpurposeless.Whoisitthatprofitsbyit?ThereistheFrenchAmbassador,thereistheRussian,thereiswhoevermightsellittoeitherofthese,andthereisLordHoldhurst.'
'LordHoldhurst!'
'Well,itisjustconceivablethatastatesmanmightfindhimselfinapositionwherehewasnotsorrytohavesuchadocumentaccidentallydestroyed.'
'NotastatesmanwiththehonourablerecordofLordHoldhurst.'
'Itisapossibility,andwecannotaffordtodisregardit.Weshallseethenoblelordto-day,andfindoutifhecantellusanything.Meanwhile,Ihavealreadysetinquiriesuponfoot.'
'Already?'
'Yes,IsentwiresfromWokingstationtoeveryeveningpaperinLondon.Thisadvertisementwillappearineachofthem.'
Hehandedoverasheettornfromthenotebook.Onitwasscribbledinpencil:
'￡10Reward-ThenumberofthecabwhichdroppedafareatoraboutthedooroftheForeignOfficeinCharlesStreet,ataquartertotenintheeveningofMay23rd.Apply221BBakerStreet.'
'Youareconfidentthatthethiefcameinacab?'
'Ifnot,thereisnoharmdone.ButifMr.Phelpsiscorrectinstatingthatthereisnohiding-placeeitherintheroomorthecorridors,thenthepersonmusthavecomefromoutside.Ifhecamefromoutsideonsowetanight,andyetleftnotraceofdampuponthelinoleum,whichwasexaminedwithinafewminutesofhispassing,thenitisexceedinglyprobablethathecameinacab.Yes,Ithinkthatwemaysafelydeduceacab.'
'Itsoundsplausible.'
'ThatisoneofthecluesofwhichIspoke.Itmayleadustosomething.Andthen,ofcourse,thereisthebell-whichisthemostdistinctivefeatureofthecase.Whyshouldthebellring?Wasitthethiefthatdiditoutofbravado?Orwasitsomeonewhowaswiththethiefwhodiditinordertopreventthecrime?Orwasitanaccident?Orwasit-?'Hesankbackintothestateofintenseandsilentthoughtfromwhichhehademerged,butitseemedtome,accustomedasIwastohiseverymood,thatsomenewpossibilityhaddawnedsuddenlyuponhim.
Itwastwenty-pastthreewhenwereachedourterminus,andafterahastyluncheonatthebufferwepushedonatoncetoScotlandYard.HolmeshadalreadywiredtoForbes,andwefoundhimwaitingtoreceiveus:asmall,foxyman,withasharpbutbynomeansamiableexpression.Hewasdecidedlyfrigidinhismannertous,especiallywhenheheardtheerranduponwhichwehadcome.
'I'veheardofyourmethodsbeforenow,Mr.Holmes,'saidhe,tartly.'Youarereadyenoughtousealltheinformationthatthepolicecanlayatyourdisposal,andthenyoutrytofinishthecaseyourselfandbringdiscredituponthem.'
'Onthecontrary,'saidHolmes'outofmylastfifty-threecasesmynamehasonlyappearedinfour,andthepolicehavehadallthecreditinforty-nine.Idon'tblameyoufornotknowingthisforyouareyoungandinexperiencedbutifyouwishedtogetoninyournewdutiesyouwillworkwithme,andnotagainstme.'
'I'dbeverygladofahintortwo,'saidthedetective,changinghismanner.'I'vecertainlyhadnocreditfromthecasesofar.'
'Whatstepshaveyoutaken?'
'Tangey,thecommissionaire,hasbeenshadowed.HelefttheGuardswithagoodcharacter,andwecanfindnothingagainsthim.Hiswifeisabadlot,though.Ifancysheknowsmoreaboutthisthanappears.'
'Haveyoushadowedher?'
'Wehavesetoneofourwomenontoher.Mrs.Tangeydrinks,andourwomanhasbeenwithhertwicewhenshewellon,butshecouldgetnothingoutofher.'
'Iunderstandthattheyhavehadbrokersinthehouse?'
'Yes,buttheywerepaidoff.'
'Wheredidthemoneycomefrom?'
'Thatwasallright.Hispensionwasduetheyhavenotshownanysignofbeinginfunds.'
'WhatexplanationdidshegiveofhavingansweredthebellwhenMr.Phelpsrangforthecoffee?'
'Shesaidthatherhusbandwasverytiredandshewishedtorelievehim.'
'Well,certainlythatwouldagreewithhisbeingfound,alittlelater,asleepinhischair.Thereisnothingagainstthem,then,butthewoman'scharacter.Didyouaskherwhyshehurriedawaythatnight?Herhasteattractedtheattentionofthepolice-constable.'
'Shewaslaterthanusual,andwantedtogethome.'
'DidyoupointouttoherthatyouandMr.Phelps,whostartedatleasttwentyminutesafterher,gottherebeforeher?'
'Sheexplainsthatbythedifferencebetweenabusandahansom.'
'Didshemakeitclearwhy,onreachingherhouse,sheranintothebackkitchen?'
'Becauseshehadthemoneytherewithwhichtopayoffthebrokers.'
'Shehasatleastananswerforeverything.DidyouaskherwhetherinleavinghismetanyoneorsawanyoneloiteringaboutCharlesStreet?'
'Shesawnoonebuttheconstable.'
'Well,youseemtohavecross-examinedherprettythoroughly.Whatelsehaveyoudone?'
'Theclerk,Gorot,hasbeenshadowedallthesenineweeks,butwithoutresult.Wecanshownothingagainsthim.'
'Anythingelse?'
'Well,wehavenothingelsetogoupon-noevidenceofanykind.'
'Haveyouformedanytheoryabouthowthatbellrang?'
'Well,Imustconfessthatitbearsme.Itwasacoolhand,whoeveritwas,togoandgivethealarmlikethat.'
'Yes,itwasaqueerthingtodo.Manythankstoyouforwhatyouhavetoldme.IfIcanputthemanintoyourhandsyoushallhearfromme.Comealong,Watson!'
'Wherearewegoingtonow?'Iasked,aswelefttheoffice.
'WearenowgoingtointerviewLordHoldhurst,theCabinetMinisterandfuturePremierofEngland.'
WewerefortunateinfindingthatLordHoldhurstwasstillinhischambersatDowningStreet,andonHolmessendinginhiscardwewereinstantlyshownup.Thestatesmanreceiveduswiththatold-fashionedcourtesyforwhichheisremarkable,andseatedusonthetwoluxuriouseasychairsoneithersideofthefireplace.Standingontherugbetweenus,withhisslight,tallfigure,hissharp-featured,thoughtfulface,andhiscurlinghairprematurelytingedwithgrey,heseemedtorepresentthatnottoocommontype,anoblemanwhoisintruthnoble.
'Yournameisveryfamiliartome,Mr.Holmes,'saidhe,smiling.'And,ofcourse,Icannotpretendtobeignorantoftheobjectofyourvisit.Therehasonlybeenoneoccurrenceintheseofficeswhichcouldcallforyourattention.Inwhoseinterestareyouacting,mayIask?'
'InthatofMr.PercyPhelps,'answeredHolmes.
'Ah,myunfortunatenephew!Youcanunderstandthatourkinshipmakesitthemoreimpossibleformetoscreenhiminanyway.Ifearthattheincidentmusthaveaveryprejudicialeffectuponhiscareer.'
'Butifthedocumentisfound?'
'Ah,that,ofcourse,wouldbedifferent.'
'IhadoneortwoquestionswhichIwishedtoaskyou,LordHoldhurst.'
'Ishallbehappytogiveyouanyinformationinmypower.'
'Wasitinthisroomthatyougaveyourinstructionsastothecopyingofthedocument?'
'Itwas.'
'Thenyoucouldhardlyhavebeenoverheard?'
'Itisoutofthequestion.'
'Didyouevermentiontoanyonethatitwasyourintentiontogiveoutthetreatytobecopied?'
'Never.'
'Youarecertainofthat?'
'Absolutely.'
'Well,sinceyouneversaidso,andMr.Phelpsneversaidso,andnobodyelseknewanythingofthematter,thenthethief'spresenceintheroomwaspurelyaccidental.Hesawhischanceandhetookit.'
Thestatesmansmiled.'Youtakemeoutofmyprovincethere,'saidhe.
Holmesconsideredforamoment.'ThereisanotherveryimportantpointwhichIwishtodiscusswithyou,'saidhe.'Youfeared,asIunderstand,thatverygraveresultsmightfollowfromthedetailsofthistreatybecomingknown?'
Ashadowpassedovertheexpressivefaceofthestatesman.'Verygraveresults,indeed.'
'Andhavetheyoccurred?'
'Notyet.'
'Ifthetreatyhadreached,letussay,theFrenchorRussianForeignOffice,youwouldexpecttohearofit?'
'Ishould,'saidLordHoldhurst,withawryface.
'Sincenearlytenweekshaveelapsed,then,andnothinghasbeenheard,itisnotunfairtosupposethatforsomereasonthetreatyhasnotreachedthem?'
LordHoldhurstshruggedhisshoulders.
'Wecanhardlysuppose,Mr.Holmes,thatthethieftookthetreatyinordertoframeitandhangitup.'
'Perhapsheiswaitingforabetterprice.'
'Ifhewaitsalittlelongerhewillgetnopriceatall.Thetreatywillceasetobeasecretinafewmonths.'
'Thatismostimportant,'saidHolmes.'Ofcourseitisapossiblesuppositionthatthethiefhashadasuddenillness-'
'Anattackofbrainfever,forexample?'askedthestatesman,flashingaswiftglanceathim.
'Ididnotsayso,'saidHolmes,imperturbably.'Andnow,LordHoldhurst,wehavealreadytakenuptoomuchofyourvaluabletime,andweshallwishyouagoodday.'
'Everysuccesstoyourinvestigation,bethecriminalwhoitmay,'answeredthenobleman,ashebowedusoutatthedoor.
'He'safinefellow,'saidHolmes,aswecameoutintoWhitehall.'Buthehasastruggletokeepuphisposition.Heisfarfromrich,andhasmanycalls.Younoticed,ofcourse,thathisbootshadbeenre-soled?Now,Watson,Iwon'tdetainyoufromyourlegitimateworkanylonger.Ishalldonothingmoreto-day,unlessIhaveananswertomycabadvertisement.ButIshouldbeextremelyobligedtoyouifyouwouldcomedownwithmetoWokingto-morrow,bythesametrainwhichwetookto-day.'
Imethimaccordinglynextmorning,andwetravelleddowntoWokingtogether.Hehadhadnoanswertohisadvertisement,hesaid,andnofreshlighthadbeenthrownuponthecase.Hehad,whenhesowilledit,theutterimmobilityofcountenanceofaRedIndian,andIcouldnotgatherfromhisappearancewhetherhewassatisfiedornotwiththepositionofthecase.Hisconversation,Iremember,wasabouttheBertillonsystemofmeasurements,andheexpressedhisenthusiasticadmirationoftheFrenchsavant.
Wefoundourclientstillunderthechargeofhisdevotednurse,butlookingconsiderablybetterthanbefore.Herosefromthesofaandgreeteduswithoutdifficultywhenweentered.
'Anynews?'heasked,eagerly.
'Myreport,asIexpected,isanegativeone,'saidHolmes.'IhaveseenForbes,andIhaveseenyouruncle,andIhavesetoneortwotrainsofinquiryuponfootwhichmayleadtosomething.'
'Youhavenotlostheart,then?'
'Bynomeans.'
'Godblessyouforsayingthat!'criedMissHarrison.'Ifwekeepourcourageandourpatience,thetruthmustcomeout.'
'Wehavemoretotellyouthanyouhaveforus,'saidPhelps,re-seatinghimuponthecouch.
'Ihopedyoumighthavesomething.'
'Yes,wehavehadanadventureduringthenight,andonewhichmighthaveprovedtobeaseriousone.'Hisexpressiongrewverygraveashespoke,andalookofsomethingakintofearsprangupinhiseyes.'Doyouknow,'saidhe,'thatIbegintobelievethatIamtheunconsciouscentreofsomemonstrousconspiracy,andthatmylifeisaimedataswellasmyhonour?'
'Ah!'criedHolmes.
'Itsoundsincredible,forIhavenot,asfarasIknow,anenemyintheworld.Yetfromlastnight'sexperienceIcancometonootherconclusion.'
'Prayletmehearit.'
'YoumustknowthatlastnightwastheveryfirstnightthatIhaveeversleptwithoutanurseintheroom.IwassomuchbetterthatIthoughtIcoulddispensewithone.Ihadanight-lightburning,however.Well,abouttwointhemorningIhadsunkintoalightsleep,whenIwassuddenlyarousedbyaslightnoise.Itwaslikethesoundwhichamousemakeswhenitisgnawingaplank,andIlaylisteningtoitforsometimeundertheimpressionthatitmustcomefromthatcause.Thenitgrewlouder,andsuddenlytherecamefromthewindowasharpmetallicsnick.Isatupinamazement.Therecouldbenodoubtwhatthesoundswerenow.Thefaintoneshadbeencausedbysomeoneforcinganinstrumentthroughthesiltbetweenthesashes,andthesecondbythecatchbeingpressedback.
'Therewasapausethenforabouttenminutes,asifthepersonwerewaitingtoseewhetherthenoisehadawokenme.ThenIheardagentlecreakingasthewindowwasveryslowlyopened.Icouldstanditnolonger,formynervesarenotwhattheyusedtobe.Isprangoutofbedandflungopentheshutter.Amanwascrouchingatthewindow.Icouldseelittleofhim,forhewasgonelikeaflash.Hewaswrappedinsomesortofcloak,whichcameacrossthelowerpartofhisface.OnethingonlyIamsureof,andthatisthathehadsomeweaponinhishand.Itlookedtomelikealongknife.Idistinctlysawthegleamofitasheturnedtorun.'
'Thisismostinteresting,'saidHolmes.'Pray,whatdidyoudothen?'
'IshouldhavefollowedhimthroughtheopenwindowifIhadbeenstronger.Asitwas,Irangthebellandrousedthehouse.Ittookmesomelittletime,forthebellringsinthekitchen,andtheservantsallsleepupstairs.Ishouted,however,andthatbroughtJosephdown,andherousedtheothers.Josephandthegroomfoundmarksontheflower-bedoutsidethewindow,buttheweatherhasbeensodrylatelythattheyfoundithopelesstofollowthetrailacrossthegrass.There'saplace,however,onthewoodenfencewhichskirtstheroadwhichshowssigns,theytellme,asifsomeonehadgotoverandhadsnappedthetopoftherailindoingso.Ihavesaidnothingtothelocalpoliceyet,forIthoughtIhadbesthaveyouropinionfirst.'
Thistaleofourclient'sappearedtohaveanextraordinaryeffectuponSherlockHolmes.Herosefromhischairandpacedabouttheroominuncontrollableexcitement.
'Misfortunesnevercomesingly,'saidPhelps,smiling,thoughitwasevidentthathisadventurehadsomewhatshakenhim.
'Youhavecertainlyhadyourshare,'saidHolmes.'Doyouthinkyoucouldwalkroundthehousewithme?'
'Oh,yes,Ishouldlikealittlesunshine.Josephwillcometoo?'
'AndIalso,'saidMissHarrison.
'Iamafraidnot,'saidHolmes,shakinghishead.'IthinkImustaskyoutoremainsittingexactlywhereyouare.'
Theyoungladyresumedherseatwithanairofdispleasure.Herbrother,however,hadjoinedus,andwesetoffallfourtogether.Wepassedroundthelawntotheoutsideoftheyoungdiplomatist'swindow.Therewere,ashehadsaid,marksupontheflower-bed,buttheywerehopelesslyblurredandvague.Holmesstoopedoverthemforaninstant,andthenrose,shrugginghisshoulders.
'Idon'tthinkanyonecouldmakemuchofthis,'saidhe.'Letusgoroundthehouseandseewhythisparticularroomwaschosenbytheburglar.Ishouldhavethoughtthoselargerwindowsofthedrawing-roomanddining-roomwouldhavehadmoreattractionsforhim.'
'Theyaremorevisiblefromtheroad,'suggestedMr.JosephHarrison.
'Ah,yes,ofcourse.Thereisadoorherewhichhemighthaveattempted.Whatisitfor?'
'Itistheside-entrancefortradespeople.Ofcourse,itislockedatnight.'
'Haveyoueverhadanalarmlikethisbefore?'
'Never,'saidourclient.
'Doyoukeepplateinthehouse,oranythingtoattractburglars?'
'Nothingofvalue.'
Holmesstrolledroundthehousewithhishandsinhispockets,andanegligentairwhichwasunusualwithhim.
'Bytheway,'saidhetoJosephHarrison,'youfoundsomeplace,Iunderstand,wherethefellowscaledthefence.Letushavealookatthat.'
Theyoungmanledustoaspotwherethetopofoneofthewoodenrailshadbeencracked.Asmallfragmentofthewoodwashangingdown.Holmespulleditoffandexamineditcritically.
'Doyouthinkthatwasdonelastnight?Itlooksratherold,doesitnot?'
'Well,possiblyso.'
'Therearenomarksofanyonejumpingdownupontheotherside.No,Ifancyweshallgetnohelphere.Letusgobacktothebedroomandtalkthematterover.'
PercyPhelpswaswalkingveryslowly,leaninguponthearmofhisfuturebrother-in-law.Holmeswalkedswiftlyacrossthelawn,andwewereattheopenwindowofthebedroomlongbeforetheotherscameup.
'MissHarrison,'saidHolmes,speakingwiththeutmostintensityofmanner,'youmuststaywhereyouareallday.Letnothingpreventyoufromstayingwhereyouareallday.Itisofmostvitalimportance.'
'Certainly,ifyouwishit,Mr.Holmes,'saidthegirl,inastonishment.
'Whenyougotobedlockthedoorofthisroomontheoutsideandkeepthekey.Promisetodothis.'
'ButPercy?'
'HewillcometoLondonwithus.'
'AndIamtoremainhere?'
'Itisforhissake.Youcanservehim!Quick!Promise!'
shegaveanodofassentjustastheothertwocameup.
'Whydoyousitmopingthere,Annie?'criedherbrother.'Comeoutintothesunshine!'
'No,thankyou,Joseph.Ihaveaslightheadache,andthisroomisdeliciouslycoolandsoothing.'
'Whatdoyouproposenow,Mr.Holmes?'askedoutclient.
'Well,ininvestigatingthisminoraffairwemustnotlosesightofourmaininquiry.ItwouldbeaverygreathelptomeifyoucouldcomeuptoLondonwithus.'
'Atonce?'
'Well,assoonasyouconvenientlycan.Sayinanhour.'
'Ifeelquitestrongenough,ifIcanreallybeofanyhelp.'
'Thegreatestpossible.'
'Perhapsyouwouldlikemetostaythereto-night.'
'Iwasjustgoingtoproposeit.'
'Thenifmyfriendofthenightcomestorevisitme,hewillfindthebirdflown.Weareallinyourhands,Mr.Holmes,andyoumusttellusexactlywhatyouwouldlikedone.PerhapsyouwouldpreferthatJosephcamewithus,soastolookafterme?'
'Oh,nomyfriendWatsonisamedicalman,youknow,andhe'lllookafteryou.We'llhaveourlunchhere,ifyouwillpermitus,andthenweshallallthreesetofffortowntogether.'
Itwasarrangedashesuggested,thoughMissHarrisonexcusedherselffromleavingthebedroom,inaccordancewithHolmes'ssuggestion.Whattheobjectofmyfriend'smanoeuvreswasIcouldnotconceive,unlessitweretokeeptheladyawayfromPhelps,who,rejoicedbyhisreturninghealthandbytheprospectofaction,lunchedwithusinthedinning-room.Holmeshadastillmorestartlingsurpriseforus,however,forafteraccompanyingusdowntothestationandseeingusintoourcarriage,hecalmlyannouncedthathehadnointentionofleavingWoking.
'ThereareoneortwosmallpointswhichIshoulddesiretoclearupbeforeIgo,'saidhe.'Yourabsence,Mr.Phelps,willinsomewaysratherassistme.Watson,whenyoureachLondonyouwouldobligemebydrivingatoncetoBakerStreetwithourfriendhere,andremainingwithhimuntilIseeyouagain.Itisfortunatethatyouareoldschoolfellows,asyoumusthavemuchtotalkover.Mr.Phelpscanhavethesparebedroomto-night,andIshallbewithyouintimeforbreakfast,forthereisatrainwhichwilltakemeintoWaterlooateight.'
'ButhowaboutourinvestigationinLondon?'askedPhelps,ruefully.
'Wecandothatto-morrow.IthinkthatjustatpresentIcanbeofmoreimmediateusehere.'
'YoumighttellthematBriarbraethatIhopetobebackto-morrownight,'criedPhelps,aswebegantomovefromtheplatform.
'IhardlyexpecttogobacktoBriarbrae,'answeredHolmes,andwavedhishandtouscheerilyasweshotoutfromthestation.
PhelpsandItalkeditoveronourjourney,butneitherofuscoulddeviseasatisfactoryreasonforthisnewdevelopment.
'Isupposehewantstofindoutsomeclueastotheburglarylastnight,ifaburglaritwas.Formyself,Idon'tbelieveitwasanordinarythief.'
'Whatisyouridea,then?'
'Uponmyword,youmayputitdowntomyweaknervesornot,butIbelievethereissomedeeppoliticalintriguegoingonaroundme,andthat,forsomereasonthatpassesmyunderstanding,mylifeisaimedatbytheconspirators.Itsoundshigh-flownandabsurd,butconsiderthefacts!Whyshouldathieftrytobreakinatabedroomwindow,wheretherecouldbenohopeofanyplunder,andwhyshouldhecomewithalongknifeinhishand?'
'Youaresureitwasnotahousebreaker'sjemmy?'
'Oh,noitwasaknife.Isawtheflashofthebladequitedistinctly.'
'Butwhyonearthshouldyoubepursuedwithsuchanimosity?'
'Ah!Thatisthequestion.'
'Well,ifHolmestakesthesameview,thatwouldaccountforhisaction,woulditnot?Presumingthatyourtheoryiscorrect,ifhecanlayhishandsuponthemanwhothreatenedyoulastnight,hewillhavegonealongwaytowardsfindingwhotookthenavaltreaty.Itisabsurdtosupposethatyouhavetwoenemies,oneofwhomrobsyouwhiletheotherthreatensyourlife.'
'ButMr.HolmessaidthathewasnotgoingtoBriarbrae.'
'Ihaveknownhimforsometime,'saidI,'butIneverknewhimdoanythingyetwithoutaverygoodreason,'andwiththatourconversationdriftedoffintoothertopics.
Butitwasawearydayforme.Phelpswasstillweakafterhislongillness,andhismisfortunesmadehimquerulousandnervous.InvainIendeavouredtointeresthiminAfghanistan,inIndia,insocialquestions,inanythingwhichmighttakehismindoutofthegroove.Hewouldalwayscomebacktohislosttreatywondering,guessing,speculating,astowhatHolmeswasdoing,whatstepslordHoldhurstwastaking,whatnewsweshouldhaveinthemorning.Astheeveningworeonhisexcitementbecamequitepainful.
'YouhaveimplicitfaithinHolmes?'heasked.
'Ihaveseenhimdosomeremarkablethings.'
'Butheneverbroughtlightintoanythingquitesodarkasthis?'
'Oh,yesIhaveknownhimsolvequestionswhichpresentedfewercluesthanyours.'
'Butnotwheresuchlargeinterestsareatstake?'
'Idon'tknowthat.TomycertainknowledgehehasactedonbehalfofthreeofthereigningHousesofEuropeinveryvitalmatters.'
'Butyouknowhimwell,Watson.Heissuchaninscrutablefellow,thatIneverquiteknowwhattomakeofhim.Doyouthinkheishopeful?Doyouthinkheexpectstomakeasuccessofit?'
'Hehassaidnothing.'
'Thatisabadsign.'
'Onthecontrary,Ihavenoticedthatwhenheisoffthetrailhegenerallysaysso.Itiswhenheisonascent,andisnotquiteabsolutelysureyetthatitistherightone,thatheismosttaciturn.Now,mydearfellow,wecan'thelpmattersbymakingourselvesnervousaboutthem,soletmeimploreyoutogotobed,andsobefreshforwhatevermayawaitusto-morrow.
Iwasableatlasttopersuademycompaniontotakemyadvice,thoughIknewfromhisexcitedmannerthattherewasnotmuchhopeofsleepforhim.Indeed,hismoodwasinfectious,forIlaytossinghalfthenightmyself,broodingoverthisstrangeproblem,andinventingahundredtheories,eachofwhichwasmoreimpossiblethanthelast.WhyhadHolmesremainedatWoking?WhyhadheaskedMissHarrisontostayinthesick-roomallday?WhyhadhebeensocarefulnottoinformthepeopleatBriarbraethatheintendedtoremainnearthem?IcudgelledmybrainsuntilIfellasleepintheendeavourtofindsomeexplanationwhichwouldcoverallthesefacts.
Itwasseveno'clockwhenIawoke,andIsetoffatonceforPhelps'room,tofindhimhaggardandspentafterasleeplessnight.HisfirstquestionwaswhetherHolmeshadarrivedyet.
'He'llbeherewhenhepromised,'saidI,'andnotaninstantsoonerorlater.'
Andmywordsweretrue,forshortlyaftereightahansomdasheduptothedoorandourfriendgotoutofit.Standinginthewindow,wesawthathislefthandwasswathedinabandageandthathisfacewasverygrimandpale.Heenteredthehouse,butitwassomelittletimebeforehecameupstairs.
'Helookslikeabeatenman,'criedPhelps.
Iwasforcedtoconfessthathewasright.'Afterall,'saidI,'theclueofthematterliesprobablyhereintown.'
Phelpsgaveagroan.
'Idon'tknowhowitis,'saidhe,'butIhadhopedforsomuchfromhisreturn.Butsurelyhishandwasnottieduplikethatyesterday?Whatcanbethematter?'
'Youarenotwounded,Holmes?'Iasked,asmyfriendenteredtheroom.
'Tut,itisonlyascratchthroughmyownclumsiness,'heanswered,noddinghisgoodmorningtous.'Thiscaseofyours,Mr.Phelps,iscertainlyoneofthedarkestwhichIhaveeverinvestigated.'
'Ifearedthatyouwouldfinditbeyondyou.'
'Ithasbeenamostremarkableexperience.'
'Thatbandagetellsofadventures,'saidI.'Won'tyoutelluswhathashappened?'
'Afterbreakfast,mydearWatson.RememberthatIhavebreathedthirtymilesofSurreyairthismorning.Isupposetherehasbeennoanswertomycabmanadvertisement?Well,well,wecannotexpecttoscoreeverytime.'
Thetablewasalllaid,and,justasIwasabouttoring,Mrs.Hudsonenteredwiththeteaandcoffee.Afewminuteslatershebroughtinthecovers,andwealldrewuptothetable,Holmesravenous,Icurious,andPhelpsinthegloomieststateofdepression.
'Mrs.Hudsonhasrisentotheoccasion,'saidHolmes,uncoveringadishofcurriedchicken.'Hercuisineisalittlelimited,butshehasasgoodanideaofbreakfastasaScotchwoman.Whathaveyouthere,Watson?'
'Hamandeggs,'Ianswered.
'Good!Whatareyougoingtotake,Mr.Phelps:curriedfowl,eggs,orwillyouhelpyourself?'
'Thankyou,Icaneatnothing,'saidPhelps.
'Oh,come!Trythedishbeforeyou.'
'Thankyou,Iwouldreallyrathernot.'
'Well,then,'saidHolmes,withamischievoustwinkle,'Isupposethatyouhavenoobjectiontohelpingme?'
Phelpsraisedthecover,andashedidsoheutteredascream,andsattherestaringwithafaceaswhiteastheplateuponwhichhelooked.Acrossthecentreofitwaslyingalittlecylinderofblue-greypaper.Hecaughtitup,devoureditwithhiseyes,andthendancedmadlyabouttheroom,pressingittohisbosomandshriekingoutinhisdelight.Thenhefellbackintoanarm-chair,solimpandexhaustedwithhisownemotionsthatwehadtopourbrandydownhisthroattokeephimfromfainting.
'There!There!'saidHolmes,soothingly,pattinghimupontheshoulder.'ItwastoobadtospringitonyoulikethisbutWatsonherewilltellyouthatInevercanresistatouchofthedramatic.'
Phelpsseizedhishandandkissedit.'Godblessyou!'hecried'youhavesavedmyhonour.'
'Well,myownwasatstake,youknow,'saidHolmes.'Iassureyou,itisjustashatefultometofailinacaseasitcanbetoyoutoblunderoveracommission.'
Phelpsthrustawaythepreciousdocumentintotheinnermostpocketofhiscoat.
'Ihavenotthehearttointerruptyourbreakfastanyfurther,andyetIamdyingtoknowhowyougotitandwhereitwas.'
SherlockHolmesswallowedacupofcoffeeandturnedhisattentiontothehamandeggs.Thenherose,lithispipe,andsettledhimselfdownintohischair.
'I'lltellyouwhatIdidfirst,andhowIcametodoitafterwards,'saidhe.'AfterleavingyouatthestationIwentforacharmingwalkthroughsomeadmirableSurreyscenerytoaprettylittlevillagecalledRipley,whereIhadmyteaataninn,andtooktheprecautionoffillingmyflaskandofputtingapaperofsandwichesinmypocket.ThereIremaineduntilevening,whenIsetoffforWokingagainandfoundmyselfinthehigh-roadoutsideBriarbraejustaftersunset.
'Well,Iwaiteduntiltheroadwasclear-itisneveraveryfrequentedoneatanytime,Ifancy-andthenIclamberedoverthefenceintothegrounds.'
'Surelythegatewasopen?'ejaculatedPhelps.
'YesbutIhaveapeculiartasteinthesematters.Ichosetheplacewherethethreefirtreesstand,andbehindtheirscreenIgotoverwithouttheleastchanceofanyoneinthehousebeingabletoseeme.Icroucheddownamongthebushesontheotherside,andcrawledfromonetotheother-witnessthedisreputablestateofmytrouserknees-untilIhadreachedtheclumpofrhododendronsjustoppositetoyourbedroomwindow.ThereIsquatteddownandawaiteddevelopments.
'Theblindwasnotdowninyourroom,andIcouldseeMissHarrisonsittingtherereadingbythetable.Itwasaquarterpasttenwhensheclosedherbook,fastenedtheshutters,andretired.Iheardhershutthedoor,andfeltquitesurethatshehadturnedthekeyinthelock.'
'Thekey?'ejaculatedPhelps.
'Yes,IhadgivenMissHarrisoninstructionstolockthedoorontheoutsideandtakethekeywithherwhenshewenttobed.Shecarriedouteveryoneofmyinjunctionstotheletter,andcertainlywithoutherco-operationyouwouldnothavethatpaperinyourcoatpocket.Shedepartedthen,thelightswentout,andIwasleftsquattingintherhododendronbush.
'Thenightwasfine,butstillitwasaverywearyvigil.Ofcourse,ithasthesortofexcitementaboutitthatthesportsmanfeelswhenheliesbesidethewatercourseandwaitsforthebiggame.Itwasverylong,though-almostaslong,Watson,aswhenyouandIwaitedinthatdeadlyroomwhenwelookedintothelittleproblemofthe
SpeckledBand.quarters,andIthoughtmorethanoncethatithadstopped.Atlast,however,abouttwointhemorning,Isuddenlyheardthegentlesoundofaboltbeingpushedback,andthecreakingofakey.Amomentlatertheservants'doorwasopenedandMr.JosephHarrisonsteppedoutintothemoonlight.'
'Joseph!'ejaculatedPhelps.
'Hewasbare-headed,buthehadablackcloakthrownoverhisshoulder,sothathecouldconcealhisfaceinaninstantiftherewereanyalarm.Hewalkedontiptoeundertheshadowofthewall,andwhenhereachedthewindow,heworkedalong-bladedknifethroughthesashandpushedbackthecatch.Thenheflungopenthewindowand,puttinghisknifethroughthecrackintheshutters,hethrustthebarupandswungthemopen.
'FromwhereIlayIhadaperfectviewoftheinsideoftheroomandofeveryoneofhismovements.Helitthetwocandleswhichstanduponthemantelpiece,andthenheproceededtoturnbackthecornerofthecarpetintheneighbourhoodofthedoor.Presentlyhestoopedandpickedoutasquarepieceofboard,suchasisusuallylefttoenableplumberstogetatthejointsofthegaspipes.Thisonecovered,asamatteroffact,theT-jointwhichgivesoffthepipewhichsuppliesthekitchenunderneath.Outofthishiding-placehedrewthatlittlecylinderofpaper,pusheddowntheboard,rearrangedthecarpet,blewoutthecandles,andwalkedstraightintomyarmsasIstoodwaitingforhimoutsidethewindow.
'Well,hehasrathermoreviciousnessthanIgavehimcreditfor,hasMasterJoseph.Heflewatmewithhisknife,andIhadtograsshimtwice,andgotacutovertheknuckles,beforeIhadtheupperhandofhim.Helooked"murder"outoftheonlyeyehecouldseewithwhenwehadfinished,buthelistenedtoreasonandgaveupthepapers.HavinggotthemIletmymango,butIwiredfullparticularstoForbesthismorning.Ifheisquickenoughtocatchhisbird,wellandgood!Butif,asIshrewdlysuspect,hefindsthenestemptybeforehegetsthere,why,allthebetterfortheGovernment.IfancythatLordHoldhurst,forone,andMr.PercyPhelps,foranother,wouldverymuchratherthattheaffairnevergotsofarasapolice-court.'
'MyGod!'gaspedourclient.'Doyoutellmethatduringtheselongtenweeksofagony,thestolenpaperswerewithintheveryroomwithmeallthetime?'
'Soitwas.'
'AndJoseph!Josephavillainandathief!'
'Hum!IamafraidJoseph'scharacterisaratherdeeperandmoredangerousonethanonemightjudgefromhisappearance.FromwhatIhaveheardfromhimthismorning,Igatherthathehaslostheavilyindabblingwithstocks,andthatheisreadytodoanythingonearthtobetterhisfortunes.Beinganabsolutelyselfishman,whenachancepresenteditselfhedidnotalloweitherhissister'shappinessoryourreputationtoholdhishand.'
PercyPhelpssankbackinhischair.'Myheadwhirls,'saidhe'yourwordshavedazedme.'
'Theprincipaldifficultyinyourcase,'remarkedHolmes,inhisdidacticfashion,'layinthefactoftherebeingtoomuchevidence.Whatwasvitalwasoverlaidandhiddenbywhatwasirrelevant.Ofallthefactswhichwerepresentedtous,wehadtopickjustthosewhichwedeemedtobeessential,andthenpiecethemtogetherintheirorder,soastoreconstructthisveryremarkablechainofevents.IhadalreadybeguntosuspectJoseph,fromthefactthatyouhadintendedtotravelhomewithhimthatnight,andthatthereforeitwasalikelyenoughthingthatheshouldcallforyou-knowingtheForeignOfficewell-uponhisway.WhenIheardthatsomeonehadbeensoanxioustogetintothebedroom,inwhichnoonebutJosephcouldhaveconcealedanything-youtoldusinyournarrativehowyouhadturnedJosephoutwhenyouarrivedwiththedoctor-mysuspicionsallchangedtocertainties,especiallyastheattemptwasmadeonthefirstnightuponwhichthenursewasabsent,showingthattheintruderwaswellacquaintedwiththewaysofthehouse.'
'HowblindIhavebeen!'
'Thefactsofthecase,asfarasIhaveworkedthemout,arethese:ThisJosephHarrisonenteredtheofficethroughtheCharlesStreetdoor,andknowinghiswayhewalkedstraightintoyourroomtheinstantafteryouleftit.Findingnoonetherehepromptlyrangthebell,andattheinstantthathedidsohiseyescaughtthepaperuponthetable.AglanceshowedhimthatchancehadputinhiswayaStatedocumentofimmensevalue,andinaflashhehadthrustitintohispocketandwasgone.Afewminuteselapsed,asyouremember,beforethesleepycommissionairedrewyourattentiontothebell,andthosewerejustenoughtogivethethieftimetomakehisescape.
'HemadehiswaytoWokingbythefirsttrain,and,havingexaminedhisbooty,andassuredhimselfthatitreallywasofimmensevalue,heconcealeditinwhathethoughtwasaverysafeplace,withtheintentionoftakingitoutagaininadayortwo,andcarryingittotheFrenchEmbassy,orwhereverhethoughtthatalongpiecewastobehad.Thencameyoursuddenreturn.He,withoutamoment'swarning,wasbundledoutofhisroom,andfromthattimeonwardstherewerealwaysatleasttwoofyoutheretopreventhimfromregaininghistreasure.Thesituationtohimmusthavebeenamaddeningone.Butatlasthethoughthesawhischance.Hetiredtostealin,butwasbaffledbyyourwakefulness.Youmayrememberthatyoudidnottakeyourusualdraughtthatnight.'
'Iremember.'
'Ifancythathehadtakenstepstomakethatdraughtefficacious,andthathequiterelieduponyourbeingunconscious.Ofcourse,Iunderstoodthathewouldrepeattheattemptwheneveritcouldbedonewithsafety.Yourleavingtheroomgavehimthechancehewanted.IkeptMissHarrisoninitallday,sothathemightnotanticipateus.Then,havinggivenhimtheideathatthecoastwasclear,IkeptguardasIhavedescribed.Ialreadyknewthatthepaperswereprobablyintheroom,butIhadnodesiretoripupalltheplankingandskirtinginsearchofthem.Ilethimtakethem,therefore,fromthehiding-place,andsosavedmyselfaninfinityoftrouble.IsthereanyotherpointwhichIcanmakeclear?'
'Whydidhetrythewindowonthefirstoccasion,'Iasked,'whenhemighthaveenteredbythedoor?'
'Inreachingthedoorhewouldhavetopasssevenbedrooms.Ontheotherhand,hecouldgetoutontothelawnwithease.Anythingelse?'
'Youdonotthink,'askedPhelps,'thathehadanymurderousintention?Theknifewasonlymeantasatool.'
'Itmaybeso,'answeredHolmes,shrugginghisshoulders.'IcanonlysayforcertainthatMr.JosephHarrisonisagentlemantowhosemercyIshouldbeextremelyunwillingtotrust.'
THEEND