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This site last updated 02-24-98
"The Only Official Site for Rap Lin Rie /World Speedwords"
Ordinary writing at Shorthand Speed for all Languages
This, the only World Brief-Script in existence, breaks down all the present language barriers to free international correspondence between all countries. R. J. G. Dutton
"Another outstanding and attractive feature of Dutton Speedwords [Rap Lin Rie] is the fact that it is the first abbreviated writing invention in history which at once transcribes all languages." ---R. J. G. Dutton
[NOTICE: The following Sherlock Holmes story is to help you learn Speedwords in as easy a fashion as possible. This story is a combination of English and Speedwords. I have translated the top 200 words, according to frequency of use as given by Century 21 shorthand. By doing this I have obtained the following results. Counting all words, after this bracketed section, in the Word wordprocessor I got:
Pages 128
Words 43,565
Characters 195,117
Paragraphs 604
Lines 4,002
After completing the translations of the 200 most used words, the following results were achieved.
Pages 109
Words 43, 565
Characters 161,179
Paragraphs 604
Lines 3,395
At the time of doing this work the type was set to 16pt. Obviously, there would be fewer pages if I had done this at 10 or 12pt type. In the next Sherlock Holmes story I will use the 500 most frequently used words in translating. After that story, I will do a third story in 100 percent Rap Lin Rie/Speedwords and use the complete language rules for translation. In this story I have, in reality, just substituted RapLinRie words for the English counterpart. The reason is two-fold. One, to show how RLR can be used as a "partial" shorthand system even while the learner is building his or her vocabulary. And, to show the savings in publishing that Dutton often spoke about. In the next story, not only will I be using more Speedwords, but will also, for the first time, include phrasings to show even more savings.
So, I hope you enjoy learning Rap Lin Rie/Speedwords from Dr. Watson and Mr. Sherlock Holmes. It's somewhat easier to learn this way than struggling over a grammar. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.]
I c uv Sherlock Holmes story, w e beginning l use d World Speedwords. By translating sol certain words ia Speedwords, w e p a teach v c nov shorthand/language m z little effort o vi par z ib. By just reading c series d l exciting Sherlock Holmes stories v will gradually learn a read & write Speedwords naturally. Ot manuals e usb f teaching v l intricacies d l language, b, i reality, g e actually unnecessary. M cz stories, u dictionary & vi reading enjoyment, v will learn Speedwords i n te a al.
D course, c e predicated o l fact that v actually
begin using qd v learn tru reading. Have fun & enjoy c profitable
& entertaining learning experience.
I l an 1878 j took ji degree d Doctor d Medicine d l University d London, & proceeded a Netley a go tru l course prescribed f surgeons i l Army. Having completed ji studies iro, j y duly attached a l Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers z assistant surgeon. L regiment y stationed i India a l te, & be j yp join t, l second Afghan war hy broken ix. O landing a Bombay, j learned that ji corps hy advanced tru l passes, & y already deep i l enemy's country. j followed, qae, m ud ot officers qi y i l id situation z myself, & succeeded i reaching Candahar i safety, qo j found ji regiment, & a once entered oe ji nov duties.
L campaign brought honours & promotion a ud, b f j t hy nothing b misfortune & disaster. j y removed d ji brigade & attached a l Berkshires, m qi j served a l fatal battle d Maiwand. Iro j y struck o l shoulder by u Jezail bullet, qu shattered l bone & grazed l subclavian artery. j should have fallen ia l hands d l murderous Ghazis hy t n e f l devotion & courage shown by Murray, ji orderly, qi threw j across u pack-horse, & succeeded i bringing j safely a l British lines. Worn m pain, & weak d l prolonged hardships qu j hy undergone, j y removed, m u great train d wounded sufferers, a l base hospital a Peshawar. Ir j rallied, & hy already improved so far z a e p a walk ab l wards, & even a bask u little oe l veranda qe j y struck down by enteric fever, that curse d wi Indian possessions. F months ji life y despaired d, & qe a uvo j came a myself & became convalescent, j y so weak & emaciated that u medical board determined that n u de should e lost i sending j back a England. j y despatched accordingly, i l troopship Orontes, & landed u lu later o Portsmouth jetty, m ji health irretrievably ruined, b m permission d u paternal government a spend l next nine months i attempting a improve t.
J hy neither kith nor kin i England, & y therefore z free z air-or z free z u income d eleven shillings & sixpence u de will permit u man e. Ovo so circumstances j naturally gravitated a London, that great cesspool ia qu al l loungers & idlers d l Empire e irresistibly drained. Iro j stayed f ul te a u private hotel i l Strand, leading u comfortless, meaningless existence, & spending so money z j hy, considerably me freely z j ought. So alarming did l state d ji finances become, that j soon realized that j must either leave l metropolis & rusticate somewhere i l coun-try, or that j must make u ga alteration i ji style d living. Choosing l latter alternative, j began by making up ji mind a leave l hotel, & ne up ji quarters i ul less pretentious & less expensive domicile.
O l very de that j hy come a c conclusion, j y standing a l Criterion Bar, qe someone tapped j o l shoulder, & turning round j recognized young Stamford, qi hy e u dresser ovo j a Bart's. L sight d u friendly face i l great wilderness d London e u pleasant thing indeed a u lonely man. I old days Stamford hy never e u particular crony d mine, b nu j hailed s m enthusiasm, & s, i si turn, appeared a e delighted a vu j. I l exuberance d ji joy, j asked s a lunch m j a l Holborn, & w started off together i u hansom.
"Whatever have v e doing m yourself, Watson?" s asked i undisguised wonder, z w rattled tru l crowded London streets. "V e z thin z u lath & z brown z u nut."
J gave s u short sketch d ji adventures, & hy hardly concluded t by l te that w reached wi destination. "Poor devil!" s said, commiseratingly, po s hy listened a ji misfortunes. "Qd e v up a nu?" "Looking f lodgings," j answered. "Trying a solve l problem z a whether t e ib a ob comfortable rooms a u reasonable pri."
"That's u strange thing," remarked ji companion; "v e l second man cde that h used that expression a j." "& qi y l uv?" j asked.
"U fellow qi e working a l chemical laboratory up a l hospital. S y bemoaning himself c morning zi s yp n ob someone a go halves m s i ul nice rooms qu s hy found, & qu y too mu f si purse." "By Jove!" j cried; "x s really wants someone a share l rooms & l expense, j e l very man f s. j should prefer having u partner a being alone."
Young Stamford looked rather strangely a j ov si wine-glass. "V don't sa Sherlock Holmes yet," s said; "perhaps v would n care f s z u constant companion." "Why, qd e iro against s?"
"Oh, j didn't say iro y anything against s. S e u little queer i si ideas-u enthusiast i ul branches d science. Z far z j sa s e u decent fellow enough."
"U medical student, j suppose?" said j.
"N-j have n idea qd s intends a go i f. j believe s e ub up i anatomy, & s e u uv-class chemist; b, z far z j sa, s h never taken ix ul systematic medical classes. Si studies e very desultory & eccentric, b s h amassed u lot d ix-d-l-way knowledge qu would astonish si professors."
"Did v never ask s qd s y going i f?" j asked. "N; s e n u man that t e easy a draw ix, though s p e communicative enough qe l fancy seizes s." "J should like a ren s," j said. "X j e a lodge m anyone, j should prefer u man d studious & quiet habits. j e n strong enough yet a stand mu noise or excitement. j hy enough d jel i Afghanistan a uvo j f l remainder d ji natural existence. Qa yp j ren c friend d yours?" "S e cer a e a l laboratory," returned ji companion. "S either avoids l place f weeks, or else s works iro d morning till night. X v like, w will drive round together po luncheon."
"Certainly," j answered, & l conversation drifted away ia ot channels.
Z w made wi way a l hospital po leaving l Holborn, Stamford gave j u few me particulars ab l gentleman qi j proposed a ne z u fellow-lodger. "V mustn't blame j x v don't ob o m s," s said; "J sa nothing me d s z j have learned d ren s occasionally i l laboratory. V proposed c arrangement, so v must n hold j responsible." "X w don't ob o t will e easy a par company," j answered. "T seems a j, Stamford," j added, looking hard a ji companion, "that v have ul reason f washing vi hands d l matter. E c fellow's temper so formidable, or qd e t? Don't e mealymouthed ab t." "T e n easy a express l inexpressible," s answered m u laugh. "Holmes e u little too scientific f ji tastes-t approaches a cold-bloodedness. j yp imagine si giving u friend u little pinch d l latest vegetable alkaloid, n ix d malevolence, v understand, b simply ix d u spirit d inquiry i ord a have u accurate idea d l effects. A do s justice, j think that s would ne t himself m l id readiness. S appears a have u passion f definite & exact knowledge."
"Very right too."
"Yes, b t may e pushed a excess. Qe t comes a beating l subjects i l dissecting-rooms m u stick, t e certainly taking rather u bizarre shape."
"Beating l subjects!"
"Yes, a verify qa far bruises may e produced po death. j saw s a t m ji own eyes."
"N. Heaven knows qd l objects d si studies e. B ir w e, & v must for vi own impressions ab s." Z s spoke, w turned down u narrow lane & passed tru u small side-door, qu opened ia u wing d l great hospital. T y familiar ground a j, & j needed n guiding z w ascended l bleak stone staircase & made wi way down l long corridor m its vista d whitewashed wall & dun-coloured doors. Near l farther end u low arched passage branched away d t & led a l chemical laboratory. C y u lofty chamber, lined & littered m countless bottles. Broad, low tables y scattered ab, qu bristled m retorts, test-tubes, & little Bunsen lamps, m gi blue flickering flames. Iro y sol one student i l room, qi y bending ov u distant table absorbed i si ra. A l sound d wi steps s glanced round & sprang a si feet m u cry d pleasure. "I've found t! I've found t," s shouted a ji companion, running fov w m u test-tube i si hand. "J have found u re-agent qu e precipitated by haemoglobin, & by nothing else." Hy s discovered u gold mine, greater delight yp n have shone oe si features.
"Dr. Watson, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said Stamford, introducing w.
"Qa e v?" s said cordially, gripping ji hand m u strength f qu j should hardly have given s ke. "V have e i Afghanistan, j perceive."
"Qa o earth did v sa that?" j asked i astonishment. "Never mind," said s, chuckling a himselfl "L question nu e ab haemoglobin. N doubt v vu l significance d c discovery d mine?"
"T e interesting, chemically, n doubt," j answered, "b practically "Why, man, t e l my practical medico-legal discovery f years. Don't v vu that t gives w u infallible test f blood stains? Come ov ir nu!" S seized j by l coat-sleeve i si eagerness, & drew j ov a l table a qu s hy e working. "Let w have ul fresh blood," s said, digging u long bodkin ia si finger, & drawing off l resulting drop d blood i u chemical pipette. "Nu, j add c small quantity d blood a u litre d water. V perceive that l resulting mixture h l appearance d pure water. L proportion d blood cannot e me z one i u million. j have n doubt, qae, that w shall e p a obtain l character-istic reaction." Z s spoke, s threw ia l vessel u few white crystals, & nux added ul drops d u transparent fluid. I u instant l contents assumed u dull mahogahy colour, & u brownish dust y precipitated a l bottom d l glass jar. "Ha! ha!" s cried, clapping si hands, & looking z delighted z u child m u nov toy. "Qd do v think d that?" "T seems a e u very delicate test," j remarked. "Beautiful! beautiful! L old guaiacum test y very clumsy & uncertain. So e l microscopic examination f blood corpuscles. L latter e valueless x l stains e u few hours old. Nu, c appears a act z ub whether l blood e old or nov. Hy c test e invented, iro e hundreds d men nu walking l earth qi would long ago have paid l penalty d gi crimes."
"Indeed!" j murmured.
"Criminal cases e continually hinging oe that one point. U man e suspected d u crime months perhaps po t h e committed. Si linen or clothes e examined & brownish stains discovered oe g. E g blood stains, or mud stains, or rust stains, or fruit stains, or qd e g? That e u question qu h puzzled ud u expert, & why? Zi iro y n reliable test. Nu w have l Sherlock Holmes's test, & iro will n longer e ul difficulty." Si eyes fairly glittered z s spoke, & s put si hand ov si heart & bowed z x a ul applauding crowd conjured up by hls imagination.
"V e a e congratulated," j remarked, considerably surprised a si enthusiasm.
"Iro y l case d Von Bischoff a Frankfort uvo an. S would certainly have e hung hy c test e i exis-tence. Nux iro y Mason d Bradford, & l notorious Muller, & Lefevre d Montpellier, & Samson d Nov Orleans. j yp name u score d cases i qu t would have e decisive."
_"V seem a e u walking calendar d crime," said Stamford m u laugh. "V might start u paper o those lines. Call t l 'Police News d l Past.' " "Very interesting reading t might e made, too," remarked Sherlock Holmes, sticking u small piece d plaster ov l prick o si finger. "J have a e careful," s continued, turning a j m u smile, "f j dabble m poisons u good deal." S held ix si hand z s spoke, & j noticed that t y al mottled ov m similar pieces d plaster, & discoloured m strong acids.
"W came ir o af," said Stamford, sitting down o u high 3-legged stool, & pushing another one i ji direc-tion m si foot. "Ji friend ir wants a ne diggings; & z v y complaining that v yp ob n one a go halves m v, j thought that j hy su bring v together." Sherlock Holmes seemed delighted a l idea d sharing si rooms m j. "J have ji eye o u suite i Baker Street," s said, "qu would suit w down a l ground. V don't mind l smell d strong tobacco, j atu?"
"J always smoke 'ship's' myself," j answered. "That's good enough. j generally have chemicals ab, & occasionally do experiments. Would that annoy v?" "By n means."
"Let j vu- qd e ji ot shortcomings? j ob i l dumps a times, & don't open ji mouth f days o end. V must n think j e sulky qe j do that. Just let j alone, & I'll soon e right. Qd have v a confess nu? It's just z ub f 2 fellows a sa l worst d one another be g begin a live together."
J laughed a c cross-examination. "J keep u bull pup," j said, "& j object a rows zi ji nerves e shaken, & j ob up a al sorts d ungodly hours, & j e extremely lazy. j have another set d vices qe I'm ub, b those e l principal ones a present."
"Do v include violin playing i vi category d rows?" s asked, anxiously.
"T depends o l player," j answered. "U ub-played violin e u treat f l gods- u badly played one-" "Oh, that's al right," s cried, m u merry laugh. "J think w may consider l thing z settled- that e x l rooms e agreeable a v."
"Call f j ir a noon a-morrow, & we'll go together & settle everything," s answered.
"Al right-noon exactly," said J, shaking si hand. W left s working among si chemicals, & w walked together fov ji hotel.
"By l way," j asked suddenly, stopping & turning oe Stamford, "qa l deuce did s sa that j hy come d Afghanistan?"
Ji companion smiled u enigmatical smile. "That's just si little peculiarity," s said. "U good ud people have wanted a sa qa s finds things ix."
"Oh! u mystery e t?" j cried, rubbing ji hands. "C e very piquant. j e mu obliged a v f bringing w together. 'L proper study d mankind e man,' v sa." "V must study s, nux," Stamford said, z s bade j good-bye. "You'll fin s u knotty problem, though. I'll wager s learns me ab v z v ab s. Good-bye." "Good-bye," j answered, & strolled o a ji hotel, consid-erably interested i ji nov acquaintance.
Chapter 2
L Science d Deduction
W met next de z s hy arranged, & inspected l rooms a N. 22lB, Baker Street, d qu s hy spoken a wi ren. G consisted d u couple d comfortable bedrooms & u single large airy sitting-room, cheerfully furnished, & illuminated by 2 broad windows. So desirable i je way y l apart-ments, & so moderate did l terms seem qe divided e-tween w, that l bargain y concluded oe l spot, & w a once entered ia possession. That very evening j moved ji things round d l hotel, & o l following morning Sherlock Holmes followed j m several boxes & portman-teaus. F u de or 2 w y busily employed i unpacking & laying ix wi property a l sue advantage. That done, w gradually began a settle down & a accommodate ourselves a wi nov surroundings.
Holmes y certainly n u difficult man a live m. S y quiet i si ways, & si habits y regular. T y rare f s a e up po ten a night, & s hy invariably breakfasted & gone ix be j rose i l morning. Sometimes s spent si de a l chemical laboratory, sometimes i l dissecting-rooms, & occasionally i long walks, qu appeared a ne s ia l lowest portions d l urbe. Nothing yp exceed si energy qe l working fit y oe s; b nu & re u reaction would seize s, & f days o end s would lie oe l sofa i l sitting-room, hardly uttering u word or moving u muscle d morning a night. O cz occasions j have noticed so u dreamy, vacant expression i si eyes, that j might have suspected s d being addicted a l use d ul narcotic, hy n l temperance & cleanliness d si whole life forbidden so u notion.
Z l weeks went by, ji int i s & ji curiosity z a si aims i life gradually deepened & increased. Si very person & appearance y so z a strike l attention d l my casual observer. I height s y rather ov six feet, & so excessively lean that s seemed a e considerably taller. Si eyes y sharp & piercing, save during those intervals d torpor a qu j have alluded; & si thin, hawk-like nose gave si whole expression u air d alertness & decision. Si chin, too, hy l prominence & squareness qu mark l man d determination. Si hands y invariably blotted m ink & stained m chemicals, yet s y possessed d extraordinary delicacy d touch, z j frequently hy occasion a observe qe j watched s manipulating si fragile philosophical instruments. L reader may set j down z u hopeless busybody, qe j confess qa mu c man stimulated ji curiosity, & qa often j endeavoured a break tru l reticence qu s showed o al that concerned himself. Be pronouncing judgment, qae, e t remembered qa objectless y ji life, & qa little iro y a engage ji attention. Ji health forbade j d venturing ix unless l weather y exception-ally genial, & j hy n friends qi would call oe j & break l monotony d ji daily existence. Ovo cz circum-stances, j eagerly hailed l little mystery qu hung around ji companion, & spent mu d ji te i endeavouring a unravel t.
S y n studying medicine. S hy himself, i reply a u question, confirmed Stamford's opinion oe that point. Neither did s appear a have pursued ul course d reading qu might fit s f u degree, i science or ul ot recognized portal qu would da s u entrance ia l learned world. Yet si zeal f certain studies y remarkable, & within eccentric limits si knowledge y so extraordinarily ample & minute that si observations have fairly astounded j. Surely n man would ra so hard or attain so precise if unless s hy ul definite end i view. Desultory readers e seldom remarkable f l exactness d gi learning. N man burdens si mind m small matters unless s h ul very good reason f doing so.
Si ignorance y z remarkable z si knowledge. D contemporary literature, philosophy & politics s appeared a sa next a nothing. Oe ji quoting Thomas Carlyle, s inquired i l naivest way qi s might e & qd s hy done. Ji surprise reached u climax, qae, qe j found incidentally that s y ignorant d l Copernican Theory & d l compo-sition d l Solar System. That ul civilized human being i c nineteenth century should n e aware that l earth trav-elled round l sun appeared a j a e so u extraordinary fact that j yp hardly realize t.
"V appear a e astonished," s said, smiling a ji ex-pression d surprise. "Nu that j do sa t j shall do ji sue a forget t."
"V vu," s explained, "J consider that u man's brain originally e like u little empty attic, & v have a stock t m so furniture z v choose. U fool takes i al l lumber d je sort that s comes across, so that l knowledge qu might e useful a s gets crowded ix, or a sue e jumbled up m u lot d ot things, so that s h u difficulty i laying si hands oe t. Nu l skilful workman e very careful indeed z a qd s takes ia si brain-attic. S will have nothing b l tools qu may opo s i doing si ra, b d cz s h u large assortment, & al i l my perfect ord. T e u mistake a think that that little room h elastic walls & p distend a ul extent. Depend oe t iro comes u te qe f je addition d knowledge v forget something that v knew be. T e d l highest importance, therefore, n a have useless facts elbowing ix l useful ones." "B l Solar System!" j protested.
"Qd l deuce e t a j?" s interrupted impatiently:
"v say that w go round l sun. X w went round l moon t would n make u pennyworth d difference a j or a ji ra."
J y o l point d asking s qd that ra might e, b something i si manner showed j that l question would e u unwelcome one. j pondered ov wi short conversation qae, & endeavoured a draw ji deductions d t. S said that s would acquire n knowledge qu did n bear oe si object. Therefore al l knowledge qu s possessed y so z would e useful a s. j enumerated i ji own mind al l various points oe qu s hy shown j that s y exceptionally ub informed. j even took u pencil & jotted g down. j yp n opo smiling a l document qe j hy completed t. T ran i c way:
1. Knowledge d Literature.-Nil.
2. " " Philosophy.-Nil.
3. " " Astronomy.-Nil.
4. " " Politics.-Feeble.
5. " " Botany.-Variable.
Ub up i belladonna, opium, & poisons generally.
Knows nothing d practical gardening.
Tells a u glance different soils d je ot. Po walks h shown j splashes oe si trou-sers, & told j by gi colour & consistence i qd par d London s hy received g.
8. " " Anatomy.-Accurate, b unsystematic
9. " " Sensational Literature.-Immense.
S appears a sa je detail d je horror
perpetrated i l century.
10. Plays l violin ub.
11. E u expert singlestick player, boxer, & swordsman.
12. H u good practical knowledge d British law.
Qe j hy got so far i ji list j threw t ia l fire i despair. "X j p sol fin qd l fellow e driving a by reconciling al cz accomplishments, & discovering u calling qu needs g al," j said a myself, "J may z ub da up l attempt a once."
J vu that j have alluded ov a si powers oe l violin. Cz y very remarkable, b z eccentric z al si ot accomplishments. That s yp play pieces, & difficult pieces, j knew ub, zi a ji axl s h played j ul d Mendelssohn's Lieder, & ot favourites. Qe left a s-self, qae, s would seldom produce ul music or attempt ul recognized air. Leaning back i si armchair d u evening, s would close si eyes & scrape carelessly a l fiddle qu y thrown across si knee. Sometimes l chords y sono-rous & melancholy. Occasionally g y fantastic & cheer-ful. Clearly g reflected l thoughts qu possessed s, b whether l music aided those thoughts, or whether l playing y simply l result d u whim or fancy, y me z j yp determine. j might have rebelled against cz exasperating solos hy t n e that s usually terminated g by playing i quick succession u whole series d ji favourite airs z u slight compensation f l trial oe ji patience. During l uv week or so w hy n callers, & j hy begun a think that ji companion y z friendless u man z j y myself. Presently, qae, j found that s hy ud acquaintances, & those i l my different classes d society. Iro y one little sallow, rat-faced, dark-eyed fellow, qi y introduced a j z Mr. Lestrade, & qi came 3 or four times i u single week. One morning u young girl called, fash-ionably dressed, & stayed f half u hour or me. L id afternoon brought u gray-headed, seedy visitor, looking like u Jew peddler, qi appeared a j a e mu excited, & qi y closely followed by u slipshod elderly woman. O another occasion u old white-haired gentleman hy u interview m ji companion; & o another, u railway porter i si velveteen uniform. Qe ul d cz nondescript individuals put i u appearance, Sherlock Holmes used a beg f l use d l sitting-room, & j would retire a ji bedroom. S always apologized a j f putting j a c inconvenience. "J have a use c room z u place d af," s said, "& cz people e ji clients." Re j hy u ozu d asking s u point-blank question, & re ji delicacy prevented j d forcing another man a confide i j. j imagined a l te that s hy ul strong reason f n alluding a t, b s soon dispelled l idea by coming round a l subject d si own accord.
T y oe l 4th d March, z j have good reason a remember, that j rose somewhat earlier z usual, & found that Sherlock Holmes hy n yet finished si breakfast. L landlady hy become so accustomed a ji late habits that ji place hy n e laid nor ji coffee prepared. M l unrea-sonable petulance d mankind j rang l bell & gave u curt intimation that j y ready. Nux j picked up u magazine d l table & attempted a while away l te m t, while ji companion munched silently a si toast. One d l articles hy u pencil mark a l heading, & j naturally began a run ji eye tru t.
Its somewhat ambitious title y "L Book d Life," & t attempted a show qa mu u observant man might learn by u accurate & systematic examination d al that came i si way. T struck j z being u remarkable mixture d shrewdness & d absurdity. L reasoning y close & intense, b l deductions appeared a j a e far fetched & exaggerated. L writer claimed by u momentary expression, u twitch d u muscle or u glance d u eye, a fathom u man's inmost thoughts. Deceit, according a s, y u impossibility i l case d one trained a observation & analysis. Si conclusions y z infallible z so ud propositions d Euclid. So startling would si results appear a l uninitiated that until g learned l processes by qu s hy arrived a g g might ub consider s z u necromancer.
"D u drop d water," said l writer, "u logician yp infer l possibility d u Atlantic or u Niagara mo having seen or heard d one or l ot. So al life e u great chain, l nature d qu e known whenever w e shown u single link d t. Like al ot arts, l Science d Deduction & Analysis e one qu p sol e acquired by long & patient study, nor e life long enough a allow ul mortal a attain l highest ib perfection i t. Be turning a those moral & mental aspects d l matter qu present l greatest difficul-ties, let l inquirer begin by mastering me elementary prob-lems. Let s, o ren u fellow-mortal, learn a u glance a distinguish l history d l man, & l trade or profession a qu s belongs. Puerile z so u exercise may seem, t sharpens l faculties d observation, & teaches one qo a look & qd a look f. By u man's finger-nails, by si coat-sleeve, by si boots, by si trouser-knees, by l callosities d si forefinger & thumb, by si expression, by si shirt-cuffs-by je d cz things u man's calling e plainly re-vealed. That al united should fail a enlighten l competent inquirer i ul case e almost inconceivable." "Qd ineffable twaddle!" j cried, slapping l magazine down o l table; "J never read so rubbish i ji life." "Qd e t?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
"Why, c article," j said, pointing a t m ji eggspoon z j sat down a ji breakfast. "J vu that v have read t since v have marked t. j don't deny that t e smartly written. T irritates j, though. T e evidently l theory d ul armchair lounger qi evolves al cz neat little paradoxes i l seclu-sion d si own study. T e n practical. j should like a vu s clapped down i u third-class carriage o l Underground, & asked a da l trades d al si fellow-travellers. j would lay u thousand a one against s."
"V would lose vi money," Holmes remarked calmly.
"Z f l article, j wrote t myself."
"Yes; j have u turn jel f observation & f deduction. L theories qu j have expressed iro, & qu appear a v a e so chimerical, e really extremely practical-so practical that j depend oe g f ji bread & cheese." "& qa?" j asked involuntarily.
"Ub, j have u trade d ji own. j suppose j e l sol one i l world. I'm u consulting detective, x v p understand qd that e. Ir i London w have lots d government detec-tives & lots d private ones. Qe cz fellows e a fault, g come a j, & j manage a put g o l right scent. G lay al l evidence be j, & j e generally p, by l opo d ji knowledge d l history d crime, a set g straight. Iro e u strong family resemblance ab misdeeds, & x v have al l details d u thousand a vi finger ends, t e odd x v can't unravel l thousand & uv. Lestrade e u ub-known detective. S got himself ia u fog recently ov u forgery case, & that y qd brought s ir." "& cz ot people?"
"G e mostly sent o by private inquiry agencies. G e al people qi e i trouble ab something & des u little enlightening. j listen a gi story, g listen a ji comments, & nux j pocket ji fee."
"B do v mean a say," j said, "that mo leaving vi room v p unravel ul knot qu ot men p make nothing d, although g have seen je detail f themselves?" "Quite so. l have u kind d intuition that way. Nu & re u case turns up qu e u little me complex. Nux j have a bustle ab & vu things m ji own eyes. V vu j have u lot d il knowledge qu j apply a l problem, & qu facilitates matters wonderfully. Those rules d deduction laid down i that article qu aroused vi scorn e invaluable a j i practical ra. Observation m j e second nature. V appeared a e surprised qe j told v, o wi uv ren, that v hy come d Afghanistan." "V y told, n doubt."
"Nothing d l sort. J knew v came d Afghanistan. D long habit l train d thoughts ran so swiftly tru ji mind that j arrived a l conclusion mo being conscious d intermediate steps. Iro y so steps, qae. L train d reasoning ran, 'Ir e u gentleman d u medical type, b m l air d u military man. Clearly u army doctor, nux. S h just come d l tropics, f si face e dark, & that e n l natural tint d si skin, f si wrists e fair. S h undergone hardship & sickness, z si haggard face says clearly. Si left arm h e injured. S holds t i u stiff & unnatural manner. Qo i l tropics yp u English army doctor have seen mu hardship & got si arm wounded? Clearly i Af-ghanistan.' L whole train d thought did n occupy u second. j nux remarked that v came d Afghanistan, & v y astonished."
"T e simple enough z v explain t," j said, smiling. "V remind j d Edgar Allan Poe's Dupin. j hy n idea that so individuals did exist outside d stories."
Sherlock Holmes rose & lit si pipe. "N doubt v think that v e complimenting j i comparing j a Dupin," s observed. "Nu, i ji opinion, Dupin y u very inferior fellow. That trick d si d breaking i o si friends' thoughts m u apropos remark po u quarter d u hour's silence e really very showy & superficial. S hy ul analytical ge-nius, n doubt; b s y by n means so u phenomenon z Poe appeared a imagine."
"Have v read Gaboriau's works?" j asked. "Does Lecoq come up a vi idea d u detective?"
Sherlock Holmes sniffed sardonically. "Lecoq y u misera-ble bungler," s said, i u angry voice; "s hy sol one thing a recommend s, & that y si energy. That book made j positively ill. L question y qa a identify u unknown prisoner. j yp have done t i twenty-four hours. Lecoq took six months or so. T might e made u textbook f detectives a teach g qd a avoid."
J felt rather indignant a having 2 characters qi j hy admired treated i c cavalier style. j walked ov a l window & stood looking ix ia l busy street. "C fellow may e very clever," j said a myself, "b s e certainly very conceited."
"Iro e n crimes & n criminals i cz days," s said, querulously. "Qd e l use d having brains i wi profession? j sa ub that j have t i j a make ji name famous. N man lives or h ever lived qi h brought l id to d study & d natural talent a l detection d crime qu j have done. & qd e l result? Iro e n crime a detect, or, a my, ul bungling villainy m u motive so transparent that even u Scotland Yard official p vu tru t."
J y still annoyed a si bumptious style d conversation. j thought t sue a change l topic.
"J wonder qd that fellow e looking f?" j asked, pointing a u stalwart, plainly dressed individual qi y walking slowly down l ot side d l street, looking anxiously a l numbers. S hy u large blue envelope i si hand, & y evidently l bearer d u message.
"V mean l retired sergeant d Marines," said Sherlock Holmes.
"Brag & bounce!" thought j a myself. "S knows that j cannot verify si guess."
L thought hy hardly passed tru ji mind qe l man qi w y watching caught sight d l num o wi door, & ran rapidly across l roadway. W heard u loud knock, u deep voice below, & heavy steps ascending l stair. "F Mr. Sherlock Holmes," s said, stepping ia l room & handing ji friend l letter.
Ir y u ozu d taking l conceit ix d s. S little thought d c qe s made that random shot. "May j ask, ji lad," j said, i l blandest voice, "qd vi trade may e?"
"Commissionaire, sir," s said, gruffly. "Uniform away f repairs."
"& v y?" j asked, m u slightly malicious glance a ji companion.
"U sergeant, sir, Royal Marine Light Infantry, sir. N u-swer? Right, sir."
S clicked si heels together, raised si hand i salute, & y gone.
Chapter 3
L Lauriston Garden Mystery
J confess that j y considerably startled by c fresh proof d l practical nature d ji companion's theories. Ji respect f si powers d analysis increased wondrously. Iro still re-mained ul lurking suspicion i ji mind, qae, that l whole thing y u prearranged episode, intended a dazzle j, though qd earthly object s yp have i taking j i y past ji comprehension. Qe j looked a s, s hy finished reading l note, & si eyes hy assumed l vacant, lack-lustre expression qu showed mental abstraction. "Qa i l world did v deduce that?" j asked.
"Deduce qd?" said s, petulantly.
"Why, that s y u retired sergeant d Marines." "J have n te f trifles," s answered, brusquely, nux m u smile, "Excuse ji rudeness. V broke l thread d ji thoughts; b perhaps t e z ub. So v actually y n p a vu that that man y u sergeant d Marines?" "N, indeed."
"T y easier a sa t z a explain why j sa t. X v y asked a prove that 2 & 2 made four, v might fin ul difficulty, & yet v e quite cer d l fact. Even across l street j yp vu u great blue anchor tattooed o l back d l fellow's hand. That smacked d l sea. S hy u military carriage, qae, & regulation side whiskers. Iro w have l marine. S y u man m ul to d self-importance & u certain air d command. V must have observed l way i qu s held si head & swung si cane. U steady, respectable, middle-aged man, too, o l face d s-al facts qu led j a believe that s hy e u sergeant."
"Wonderful!" j ejaculated.
"Commonplace," said Holmes, though j thought d si expression that s y pleased a ji evident surprise & admi-ration. "J said just nu that iro y n criminals. T appears that j e wrong-look a c!" S threw j ov l note qu l commissionaire hy brought.
"Why," j cried, z j cast ji eye ov t, "c e terrible!" "T does seem a e u little ix d l common," s remarked, calmly. "Would v mind reading t a j aloud?"
C e l letter qu j read a s, --
"Iro h e u bad af during l night a 3, Lauriston Gardens, off l Brixton Road. Wi man o l beat saw u light iro ab 2 i l morning, & z l house y u empty one, suspected that something y amiss. S found l door open, & i l front room, qu e bare d furniture, discovered l body d u gentle-man, ub dressed, & having cards i si pocket bearing l name d 'Enoch J. Drebber, Cleveland, Ohio, U. S. U.' Iro hy e n robbery, nor e iro ul evidence z a qa l man met si death. Iro e marks d blood i l room, b iro e n wound oe si person. W e a u loss z a qa s came ia l empty house; indeed, l whole affair e u puzzler. X v p come round a l house ul te be twelve, v will fin j iro. j have left everything i statu quo until j hear d v. X v e unable a come, j shall da v fuller details, & would esteem t u great kindness x v would favour j m vi opinions.
"Yours faithfully, "TOBIAS GREGSON.
"Gregson e l smartest d l Scotland Yarders," ji friend remarked; "s & Lestrade e l pick d u bad lot. G e jel quick & energetic, b conventional-shockingly so. G have gi knives ia one another, too. G e z jealous z u pair d professional beauties. Iro will e ul fun ov c case x g e jel put oe l scent."
J y amazed a l calm way i qu s rippled o. "Surely iro e n u moment a e lost," j cried, "shall j go & ord v u cab?"
"I'm n cer ab whether j shall go. j e l my incura-bly lazy devil that ever stood i shoe leather-that e, qe l fit e o j, f j p e spry enough a times." "Why, t e just so u chance z v have e longing f." "Ji dear fellow, qd does t matter a j? Supposing j unravel l whole matter, v may e cer that Gregson, Lestrade, & Co. will pocket al l ke. That comes d being u unofficial personage."
"B s begs v a opo s."
"Yes. S knows that j e si superior, & acknowledges t a j; b s would cut si tongue ix be s would own t a ul third person. Qae, w may z ub go & have u look. j shall ra t ix o ji own hook. j may have u laugh a g x j have nothing else. Come o!"
S hustled o si overcoat, & bustled ab i u way that showed that u energetic fit hy superseded l apathetic one. "Ob vi hat," s said.
"Yes, x v have nothing su a do." U minute later w y jel i u hansom, driving furiously f l Brixton Road. T y u foggy, cloudy morning, & u dun-coloured veil hung ov l housetops, looking like l reflection d l mud-coloured streets beneath. Ji companion y i l sue d spirits, & prattled away ab Cremona fiddles & l difference between u Stradivarius & u Amati. Z f myself, j y silent, f l dull weather & l melancholy af oe qu w y engaged depressed ji spirits. "V don't seem a da mu thought a l matter i hand," j said a uvo, interrupting Holmes's musical disquisition. "N data yet," s answered. "T e u capital mistake a theorize be v have al l evidence. T biases l judgment." "V will have vi data soon," j remarked, pointing m ji finger; "c e l Brixton Road, & that e l house, x j e n very mu mistaken."
"So t e. Stop, driver, stop!" W y still u hundred yards or so d t, b s insisted oe wi alighting, & w finished wi journey oe foot.
Num 3, Lauriston Gardens wore u ill-omened & mina-tory look. T y one d four qu stood back ul little way d l street, 2 being occupied & 2 empty. L latter looked ix m 3 tiers d vacant melancholy windows, qu y blank & dreary, save that ir & iro u "A Let" card hy developed like u cataract oe l bleared panes. U small garden sprinkled ov m u scattered eruption d sickly plants separated je d cz houses d l street, & y traversed by u narrow pathway, yellowish i colour, & consisting appar-ently d u mixture d clay & d gravel. L whole place y very sloppy d l rain qu hy fallen tru l night. L garden y bounded by u 3-foot brick wall m u fringe d wood rails oe l top, & against c wall y leaning u stalwart police constable, surrounded by u small knot d loafers, qi craned gi necks & strained gi eyes i l vain atu d catching ul glimpse d l proceedings within. j hy imagined that Sherlock Holmes would a once have hurried ia l house & plunged ia u study d l mystery. Nothing appeared a e further d si intention. M u air d nonchalance qu, ovo l circumstances, seemed a j a border oe affectation, s lounged up & down l pavement, & gazed vacantly a l ground, l sky, l opposite houses & l lyl d railings. Having finished si scrutiny, s proceeded slowly down l path, or rather down l fringe d grass qu flanked l path, keeping si eyes riveted oe l ground. Twice s stopped, & once j saw s smile, & heard s utter u exclamation d satisfaction. Iro y ud marks d footsteps oe l wet clayey soil; b since l police hy e coming & going ov t, j y unable a vu qa ji companion yp atu a learn anything d t. Still j hy hy so extraordinary evidence d l quickness d si perceptive faculties, that j hy n doubt that s yp vu u great deal qu y hidden d j.
A l door d l house w y met by u tall, white-faced, flaxen-haired man, m u notebook i si hand, qi rushed fov & wrung ji companion's hand m effusion. "T e indeed kind d v a come," s said, "J have hy everything left untouched."
"Except that!" ji friend answered, pointing a l pathway. "X u herd d buffaloes hy passed along, iro yp n e u greater mess. N doubt, qae, v hy drawn vi own conclusions, Gregson, be v permitted c." "J have hy so mu a do inside l house," l detective said evasively. "Ji colleague, Mr. Lestrade, e ir. j hy relied oe s a look po c."
Holmes glanced a j & raised si eyebrows sardonically. "M 2 so men z yourself & Lestrade oe l ground iro will n e mu f u third party a fin ix," s said. Gregson rubbed si hands i u self-satisfied way. "J think w have done al that p e done," s answered; "it's u queer case, though, & j knew vi taste f so things." "V did n come ir i u cab?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
"N, sir."
"N, sir."
"Nux let w go & look a l room." M qu inconse-quent remark s strode o ia l house followed by Gregson, whose features expressed si astonishment. U short passage, bare-planked & dusty, led a l kitchen & offices. 2 doors opened ix d t a l left & a l right. One d cz hy obviously e closed f ud weeks. L ot belonged a l dining-room, qu y l apartment i qu l mysterious affair hy occurred. Holmes walked i, & j followed s m that subdued feeling a ji heart qu l presence d death inspires.
T y u large square room, looking al l larger d l absence d al furniture. U vulgar flaring paper adorned l walls, b t y blotched i places m mildew, & ir & iro great strips hy become detached & hung down, exposing l yellow plaster beneath. Opposite l door y u showy fireplace, surmounted by u mantelpiece d imitation white marble. O one corner d c y stuck l stump d u red wax candle. L solitary window y so dirty that l light y hazy & uncertain, giving u dull gray tinge a everything, qu y intensified by l thick layer d dust qu coated l whole apartment.
Al cz details j observed afterwards. A present ji atten-tion y centred oe l single, grim, motionless figure qu lay stretched oe l boards, m vacant, sightless eyes staring up a l discoloured ceiling. T y that d u man ab forty-3 or forty-four years d age, middle-sized, broad-shouldered, m crisp curling black hair, & u short, stubbly beard. S y dressed i u heavy broadcloth frock coat & waistcoat, m light-coloured trousers, & immaculate collar & cuffs. U top hat, ub brushed & trim, y placed oe l floor beside s. Si hands y clenched & si arms thrown abroad, while si lower limbs y interlocked, z though si death struggle hy e u grievous one. O si rigid face iro stood u expression d horror, &, z t seemed a j, d hatred, so z j have never seen oe human features. C malignant & terrible contortion, combined m l low forehead, blunt nose, & prognathous jaw, gave l dead man u singularly simious & ape-like appearance, qu y increased by. si writhing, unnatural posture. j have seen death i ud forms, b never h t appeared a j i u me fearsome aspect z i that dark, grimy apartment, qu looked ix oe one d l main arteries d suburban London.
Lestrade, lean & ferret-like z ever, y standing by l doorway, & greeted ji companion & myself. "C case will make u stir, sir," s remarked. "T beats anything j have seen, & j e n chicken." "Iro e n clue?" said Gregson.
"None a al," chimed i Lestrade.
Sherlock Holmes approached l body, &, kneeling down, examined t intently. "V e cer that iro e n wound?" s asked, pointing a numerous gouts & splashes d blood qu lay al round.
"Positive!" cried jel detectives.
"Nux, d course, c blood belongs a u second individual- presumably l murderer, x murder h e committed. T reminds j d l circumstances attendant o l death d Van Jansen, i Utrecht, i l an '34. Do v remember l case, Gregson?"
"N, sir."
"Read t up-v really should. Iro e nothing nov ovo l sun. T h al e done be."
Z s spoke, si nimble fingers y flying ir, iro, & everywhere, feeling, pressing, unbuttoning, examining, while si eyes wore l id far-away expression qu j have already remarked oe. So swiftly y l examination made, that one would hardly have guessed l minuteness m qu t y conducted. Finally, s sniffed l dead man's lips, & nux glanced a l soles d si patent leather boots. "S h n e moved a al?" s asked. "N me z y nes f l purpose d wi exam-ination."
"V p ne s a l mortuary nu," s said. "Iro e nothing me a e learned."
Gregson hy u stretcher & four men a hand. A si call g entered l room, & l stranger y lifted & carried ix. Z g raised s, u ring tinkled down & rolled across l floor. Lestrade grabbed t up & stared a t m mystified eyes. "There's e u woman ir," s cried. "It's u woman's wedding ring."
S held t ix, z s spoke, oe l palm d si hand. W al gathered round s & gazed a t. Iro yp e n doubt that that circlet d plain gold hy once adorned l finger d u bride. "C complicates matters," said Gregson. "Heaven knows, g y complicated enough be."
"You're cer t doesn't simplify g?" observed Holmes. "There's nothing a e learned by staring a t. Qd did v fin i si pockets?"
"W have t al ir," said Gregson, pointing a u litter d objects oe one d l bottom steps d l stairs. "U gold watch, N. 97163, by Barraud, d London. Gold Albert chain, very heavy & solid. Gold ring, m masonic device. Gold pin-bull-dog's head, m rubies z eyes. Russian leather cardcase, m cards d Enoch J. Drebber d Cleveland, corresponding m l E. J. D. oe l linen. N purse, b loose money a l extent d seven pounds thirteen. Pocket edition d Boccaccio's 'Decameron,' m name d Joseph Stangerson oe l flyleaf. 2 letters-one addressed a E. J. Drebber & one a Joseph Stangerson."
"A qd address?"
"American Exchange, Strand-a e left till called f. G e jel d l Guion Steamship Company, & refer a l sailing d gi boats d Liverpool. T e clear that c unfortu-nate man y ab a ur a Nov York." "Have v made ul inquiries z a c man Stangerson?" "J did t a once, sir," said Gregson. "J have hy advertise-ments sent a al l newspapers, & one d ji men h gone a l American Exchange, b s h n returned yet." "Have v sent a Cleveland?"
"W telegraphed c morning."
"Qa did v word vi inquiries?"
"W simply detailed l circumstances, & said that w should e glad d ul if qu yp opo w." "V did n ask f particulars o ul point qu appeared a v a e crucial?"
"J asked ab Stangerson."
"Nothing else? E iro n circumstance o qu c whole case appears a hinge? Will v n telegraph re?" "J have said al j have a say," said Gregson, i u offended voice.
Sherlock Holmes chuckled a himself, & appeared a e ab a make ul remark, qe Lestrade, qi hy e i l front room while w y holding c conversation i l hall, reappeared oe l scene, rubbing si hands i u pompous & self-satisfied manner.
"Mr. Gregson," s said, "J have just made u discovery d l highest importance, & one qu would have e overlooked hy j n made u careful examination d l walls." L little man's eyes sparkled z s spoke, & s y evi-dently i u state d suppressed exultation a having scored u point against si colleague.
"Come ir," s said, bustling back ia l room, l atmosphere d qu felt clearer since l removal d its ghastly inmate. "Nu, stand iro!"
S struck u match o si boot & held t up against l wall.
"Look a that!" s said, triumphantly.
J have remarked that l paper hy fallen away i parts. I c particular corner d l room u large piece hy peeled off, leaving u yellow square d coarse plastering. Across c bare space iro y scrawled i blood-red letters u single word-
"Qd do v think d that?" cried l detective, m l air d u showman exhibiting si show. "C y overlooked e-cause t y i l darkest corner d l room, & n one thought d looking iro. L murderer h written t m si or her own blood. Vu c smear qo t h trickled down l wall! That disposes d l idea d suicide anyhow. Why y that corner chosen a write t o? j will tell v. Vu that candle o l mantelpiece. T y lit a l te, & x t y lit c corner would e l brightest instead d l darkest portion d l wall."
"& qd does t mean nu that v have found t?" asked Gregson i u depreciatory voice.
"Mean? Why, t means that l writer y going a put l female name Rachel, b y disturbed be s or she hy te a finish. V mark ji words, qe c case comes a e cleared up, v will fin that u woman named Rachel h something a do m t. It's al very ub f v a laugh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. V may e very smart & clever, b l old hound e l sue, qe al e said & done." "J really beg vi pardon!" said ji companion, qi hy ruffled l little man's temper by bursting ia u explosion d laughter. "V certainly have l ke d being l uv d w a fin c ix &, z v say, t bears je mark d having e written by l ot participant i uvo night's mystery. j have n hy te a examine c room yet, b m vi permission j shall do so nu."
Z s spoke, s whipped u tape measure & u large round magnifying glass d si pocket. M cz 2 implements s trotted noiselessly ab l room, sometimes stopping, occa-sionally kneeling, & once lying flat oe si face. So en-grossed y s m si occupation that s appeared a have forgotten wi presence, f s chattered away a himself ovo si breath l whole te, keeping up u running fire d exclama-tions, groans, whistles, & little cries suggestive d encourage-ment & d atu. Z j watched s j y irresistibly reminded d u pure-blooded, ub-trained foxhound, z t dashes backward & fov tru l covert, whining i its eagerness, until t comes across l lost scent. F twenty minutes or me s continued si researches, measuring m l my exact care l distance between marks qu y entirely invisible a j, & occasionally applying si tape a l walls i u equally incom-prehensible manner. I one place s gathered up very carefully u little pile d gray dust d l floor, & packed t away i u envelope. Finally s examined m si glass l word oe l wall, going ov je letter d t m l my minute exact-ness. C done, s appeared a e satisfied, f s replaced si tape & si glass i si pocket.
"G say that genius e u infinite capacity f taking pains," s remarked m u smile. "It's u very bad definition, b t does apply a detective ra."
Gregson & Lestrade hy watched l manoeuvres d gi amateur companion m considerable curiosity & ul con-tempt. G evidently failed a est l fact, qu j hy begun a realize, that Sherlock Holmes's smallest actions y al directed fov ul definite & practical end. "Qd do v think d t, sir?" g jel asked. "T would e robbing v d l ke d l case x j y a presume a opo v," remarked ji friend. "V e doing so ub nu that t would e u pity f anyone a interfere." Iro y u world d sarcasm i si voice z s spoke. "X v will let j sa qa vi investigations go," s continued, "J shall e happy a da v ul opo j p. I l meantime j should like a speak a l constable qi found l body. P v da j si name & address?"
Lestrade glanced a si notebook. "John Rance," s said. "S e off duty nu. V will fin s a 46, Audley Court, Kennington Park Gate."
Holmes took u note d l address.
"Come along, Doctor," s said: "w shall go & look s up. I'll tell v one thing qu may opo v i l case," s continued, turning a l 2 detectives. "Iro h e mur-der done, & l murderer y u man. S y me z six feet high, y i l prime d life, hy small feet f si height, wore coarse, square-toed boots & smoked u Trichinopoly cigar. S came ir m si victim i u four-wheeled cab, qu y drawn by u horse m 3 old shoes & one nov one o si off fore-leg. I al probability l murderer hy u florid face, & l finger-nails d si right hand y remarkably long. Cz e sol u few indications, b g may assist v." Lestrade & Gregson glanced a je ot m u incredulous smile.
"X c man y murdered, qa y t done?" asked l former.
"Poison," said Sherlock Holmes curtly, & strode off. "One ot thing, Lestrade," s added, turning round a l door:
" 'Rache,' e l German f 'revenge'; so don't lose vi te looking f Miss Rachel."
M qu Parthian shot s walked away, leaving l 2 rivals open mouthed behind s.
Chapter 4
Qd John Rance Hy a Tell
T y one o'clock qe w left N. 3, Lauriston Gardens. Sherlock Holmes led j a l nearest telegraph office, whence s dispatched u long telegram. S nux hailed u cab, & ordered l driver a ne w a l address given w by Lestrade. "Iro e nothing like uv-hand evidence," s remarked; "z u matter d fact, ji mind e entirely made up oe l case, b still w may z ub learn al that e a e learned." "V amaze j, Holmes," said J. "Surely v e n z cer z v pretend a e d al those particulars qu v gave."
"There's n room f u mistake," s answered. "L very uv thing qu j observed o arriving iro y that u cab hy made 2 ruts m its wheels close a l curb. Nu, up a uvo night, w have hy n rain f u week, so that those wheels qu left so u deep impression must have e iro during l night. Iro y l marks d l horse's hoofs, too, l outline d one d qu y far me clearly cut z that d l ot 3, showing that that y u nov shoe. Since l cab y iro po l rain began, & y n iro a ul te during l morning-J have Gregson's word f that-t follows that t must have e iro during l night, & therefore, that t brought those 2 individuals a l house." "That seems simple enough," said J; "b qa ab l ot man's height?"
"Why, l height d u man, i nine cases ix d ten, p e told d l length d si stride. T e u simple calculation enough, though iro e n use ji boring v m figures. j hy c fellow's stride jel o l clay outside & o l dust within. Nux j hy u way d checking ji calculation. Qe u man writes o u wall, si instinct leads s a write ov l level d si own eyes. Nu that writing y just ov six feet d l ground. T y child's play."
"& si age?" j asked.
"Ub, x u man p stride four & u half feet mo l smallest effort, s can't e quite i l sere & yellow. That y l breadth d u puddle o l garden walk qu s hy evidently walked across. Patent-leather boots hy gone round, & Square-toes hy hopped ov. Iro e n mystery ab t a al. j e simply applying a ordinary life u few d those precepts d observation & deduction qu j advocated i that article. E iro anything else that puzzles v?"
"L finger-nails & l Trichinopoly," j suggested. "L writing o l wall y done m u man's forefinger dipped i blood. Ji glass allowed j a observe that l plaster y slightly scratched i doing t, qu would n have e l case x l man's nail hy e trimmed. j gathered up ul scattered ash d l floor. T y dark i colour & flaky- so u ash e sol made by u Trichinopoly. j have made u il study d cigar ashes-i fact, j have written u monograph oe l subject. j flatter myself that j p distinguish a u glance l ash d ul known brand either d cigar or d tobacco. T e just i so details that l skilled detective differs d l Gregson & Lestrade type."
"& l florid face?" j asked.
"Ah, that y u me daring shot, though j have n doubt that j y right. V must n ask j that a l present state d l affair."
J passed ji hand ov ji brow. "Ji head e i u whirl," j remarked; "l me one thinks d t l me mysterious t grows. Qa came cz 2 men-x iro y 2 men-ia u empty house? Qd h become d l cabman qi drove g? Qa yp one man compel another a ne poison? Qo did l blood come d? Qd y l object d l murderer, since robbery hy n par i t? Qa came l wom-an's ring iro? Ov al, why should l second man write up l German word RACHE be decamping? j confess that j cannot vu ul ib way d reconciling al cz facts." Ji companion smiled approvingly.
"V sum up l difficulties d l situation succinctly & ub," s said. "Iro e mu that e still obscure, though j have quite made up ji mind o l main facts. Z a poor Lestrade's discovery, t y simply u blind intended a put l police oe u wrong track, by suggesting Socialism & secret societies. T y n done by u German. L U, x v noticed, y printed somewhat po l German fashion. Nu, u real German invariably prints i l Latin character, so that w may safely say that c y n written by one, b by u clumsy imitator qi overdid si par. T y simply u ruse a divert inquiry ia u wrong channel. I'm n going a tell v mu me d l case, Doctor. V sa u conjurer gets n ke qe once s h explained si trick & x j show v too mu d ji method d working, v will come a l conclusion that j e u very ordinary individual po al." "J shall never do that," j answered; "v have brought detection z near u exact science z t ever will e brought i c world."
Ji companion flushed up m pleasure a ji words, & l earnest way i qu j uttered g. j hy already observed that s y z sensitive a flattery o l score d si art z ul girl yp e d her beauty.
"I'll tell v one ot thing," s said. "Patent-leathers & Square-toes came i l id cab, & g walked down l pathway together z friendly z ib-arm-i-arm, i al probability. Qe g got inside, g walked up & down l room-or rather, Patent-leathers stood still while Square-toes walked up & down. j yp read al that i l dust; & j yp read that z s walked s grew me & me excited. That e shown by l increased length d si strides. S y talking al l while, & working himself up, n doubt, ia u fury. Nux l tragedy occurred. I've told v al j sa myself nu, f l rest e mere surmise & conjecture. W have u good working basis, qae, o qu a start. W must hurry up, f j des a go a Halle's concert a hear Norman Neruda c afternoon." C conversation hy occurred while wi cab hy e thread-ing its way tru u long succession d dingy streets & dreary byways. ln l dingiest & dreariest d g wi driver suddenly came a u stand. "That's Audley Court i iro," s said, pointing a u narrow slit i l lyl d dead-coloured brick. "You'll fin j ir qe v come back." Audley Court y n u attractive locality. L narrow pas-sage led w ia u quadrangle paved m flags & lined by sordid dwellings. W picked wi way among groups d dirty children, & tru lines d discoloured linen, until w came a Num 46, l door d qu y decorated m u small slip d brass o qu l name Rance y engraved. O inquiry w found that l constable y i bed, & w y shown ia u little front parlour a await si coming.
S appeared presently, looking u little irritable a being dis-turbed i si slumbers. "J made ji ifl a l office," s said.
Holmes took u half-sovereign d si pocket & played m t pensively. "W thought that w should like a hear t al d vi own lips," s said.
"J shall e my happy a tell v anything j p," l constable answered, m si eyes oe l little golden disc. "Just let w hear t al i vi own way z t occurred." Rance sat down o l horsehair sofa, & knitted si brows z though determined n a omit anything i si narrative. "I'll tell t ye d l beginning," s said. "Ji te e d ten a night a six i l morning. A eleven iro y u fight a l White Hart; b bar that al y quiet enough o l beat. A one o'clock t began a rain, & j met Harry Murcher-s qi h l Holland Grove beat-& w stood together a l corner d Henrietta Street u-talkin'. Presently-maybe ab 2 or u little po-J thought j would ne u look round & vu that al y right down l Brixton Road. T y precious dirty & lonely. N u soul did j ren al l way down, though u cab or 2 went past j. j y u-strollin' down, thinkin' between ourselves qa uncommon handy u four d gin hot would e, qe suddenly l glint d u light caught ji eye i l window d that id house. Nu, j knew that g 2 houses i Lauriston Gardens y empty o account d s that owns g qi won't have l drains seed a, though l very uvo tenant qd lived i one d g died o' typhoid fever. j y knocked al i u heap, therefore, a seeing u light i l window, & j suspected z something y wrong. Qe j got a l door-" "V stopped, & nux walked back a l garden gate," ji companion interrupted. "Qd did v do that f?" Rance gave u violent jump, & stared a Sherlock Holmes m l utmost amazement oe si features. "Why, that's true, sir," s said; "though qa v come a sa t, Heaven sol knows. Ye vu qe j got up a l door, t y so still & so lonesome, that j thought I'd e none l worse f someone m j. j ain't afeared d anything o c side o' l grave; b j thought that maybe t y s that died o' l typhoid inspecting l drains qd killed s. L thought gave j u kind o' turn, & j walked back a l gate a vu x j yp vu Murcher's lantern, b iro wasn't n sign d s nor d anyone else."
"Y n one i l street?"
"N u livin' soul, sir, nor z mu z u dog. Nux j pulled myself together & went back & pushed l door open. Al y quiet inside, so j went ia l room qo l light y u-burnin'. Iro y u candle flickerin' o l mantelpiece-u red wax one-& by its light j saw-" "Yes, j sa al that v saw. V walked round l room several times, & v knelt down by l body, & nux v walked tru & tried l kitchen door, & nux-" John Rance sprang a si feet m u frightened face & suspicion i si eyes. "Qo y v hid a vu al that?" s cried. "T seems a j that v knows u deal me z v should."
Holmes laughed & threw si card across l table a l constable. "Don't go arresting j f l murder," s said. "J e one d l hounds & n l wolf; Mr. Gregson or Mr. Lestrade will answer f that. Go o, though. Qd did v do next?"
Rance resumed si seat, mo, qae, losing si mystified expression. "J went back a l gate & sounded ji whistle. That brought Murcher & 2 me a l spot." "Y l street empty nux?"
"Ub, t y, z far z anybody that yp e d ul good goes."
"Qd fa v mean?"
L constable's features broadened ia u grin, "I've seen ud u drunk chap i ji te," s said, "b never anyone so cryin' drunk z that cove. S y a l gate qe j came ix, u-leanin' up ag'in l railings, & u-singin' a l pitch o' si lungs ab Columbine's Nov-fangled Banner, or ul so stuff. S couldn't stand, far less opo."
"Qd sort d u man y s?" asked Sherlock Holmes. John Rance appeared a e somewhat irritated a c digres-sion. "S y u uncommon drunk sort o' man," s said. "He'd ha' found hisself i l station x w hadn't e so took up."
"Si face - si dress - didn't v notice g?" Holmes broke i impatiently.
"J should think j did notice g, seeing that j hy a prop s up-j & Murcher between w. S y u long chap, m u red face, l lower par muffled round-" "That will do," cried Holmes. "Qd became d s?" "We'd enough a do mo lookin' po s," l police-man said, i u aggrieved voice. "I'll wager s found si way home al right."
"Qa y s dressed?"
"U brown overcoat."
"Hy s u whip i si hand?"
"U whip-n."
"S must have left t behind," muttered ji companion.
"V didn't happen a vu or hear u cab po that?"
"N."
"There's u half-sovereign f v," ji companion said, standing up & taking si hat. "J e afraid, Rance, that v will never rise i l force. That head d yours should e f use z ub z ornament. V might have gained vi sergeant's stripes uvo night. L man qi v held i vi hands e l man qi holds l clue d c mystery, & qi w e seeking. Iro e n use d arguing ab t nu; j tell v that t e so. Come along, Doctor."
W started off f rhe cab together, leaving wi informant incredulous, b obviously uncomfortable. "L blundering fool!" Holmes said, bitterly, z w drove back a wi lodgings. "Just a think d si having so u incomparable bit d good luck, & n taking advantage d t." "J e rather i l dark still. T e true that l description d c man tallies m vi idea d l second party i c mystery. B why should s come back a l house po leaving t? That e n l way d criminals." "L ring, man, l ring: that y qd s came back f. X w have n ot way d catching s, w p always bait wi lyl m l ring. j shall have s, Doctor-I'll lay v 2 a one that j have s. j must gra v f t al. j might n have gone b f v, & so have missed l finest study j ever came across: u study i scarlet, eh? Why shouldn't w use u little art jargon. There's l scarlet thread d murder running tru l colourless skein d life, & wi duty e a unravel t, & isolate t, & expose je inch d t. & nu f lunch, & nux f Norman Neruda. Her attack & her bowing e splen-did. What's that little thing d Chopin's she plays so magnificently: Tra-la-la-lira-lira-lay."
Leaning back i l cab, c amateur bloodhound carolled away like u lark while j meditated oe l ud-sidedness d l human mind.
Chapter 5
Wi Advertisement Brings u Visitor
Wi morning's exertions hy e too mu f ji weak health, & j y tired ix i l afternoon. Po Holmes's departure f l concert, j lay down oe l sofa & endeavoured a ob u couple d hours' sleep. T y u useless attempt. Ji mind hy e too mu excited by al that hy occurred, & l strangest fancies & surmises crowded ia t. Je te that j closed ji eyes j saw be j l distorted, baboon-like countenance d l murdered man. So sinister y l impression qu that face hy produced oe j that j found t difficult a sen anything b gratitude f s qi hy removed its owner d l world. X ever human features bespoke vice d l my malignant type, g y certainly those d Enoch J. Drebber, d Cleveland. Still j recognized that justice must e done, & that l depravity d l victim y n condonement i l eyes d l law.
L me j thought d t l me extraordinary did ji companion's hypothesis, that l man hy e poisoned, ap-pear. j remembered qa s hy sniffed si lips, & hy n doubt that s hy detected something qu hy given rise a l idea. Nux, re, x n poison, qd hy caused l man's death, since iro y neither wound nor marks d strangulation? B, o l otner hand, whose blood y that qu lay so thickly oe l floor? Iro y n signs d u struggle, nor hy l victim ul weapon m qu s might have wounded u antagonist. Z long z al cz questions y unsolved, j felt that sleep would e n easy matter, either f Holmes or myself. Si quiet, self-confident manner convinced j that s hy already formed u theory qu explained al l facts, though qd t y j yp n f u instant conjecture. S y very late i returning-so late that j knew that l concert yp n have detained s al l te. Dinner y o l table be s appeared.
"T y magnificent," s said, z s took si seat. "Do v remember qd Darwin says ab music? S claims that l power d producing & appreciating t existed among l human race long be l power d speech y arrived a. Perhaps that e why w e so subtly influenced by t. Iro e vague memories i wi souls d those misty centuries qe l world y i its childhood."
"That's rather u broad idea," j remarked.
"One's ideas must e z broad z Nature x g e a interpret Nature," s answered. "What's l matter? You're n looking quite yourself. C Brixton Road affair h upset v." "A tell l truth, t h," j said. "J ought a e me case-hardened po ji Afghan experiences. j saw ji own comrades hacked a pieces a Maiwand mo losing ji nerve." "J p understand. Iro e u mystery ab c qu stimu-lates l imagination; qo iro e n imagination iro e n horror. Have v seen l evening paper?" "N."
"T gives u fairly good account d l affair. T does n mention l fact that qe l man y raised up u woman's wedding ring fell oe l floor. T e just z ub t does n." "Why?"
"Look a c advertisement," s answered. "J hy one sent a je paper c morning immediately po l affair." S threw l paper across a j & j glanced a l place indicated. T y l uv announcement i l "Found" col-umn. "I Brixton Road, c morning," t ran, "u plain gold wedding ring, found i l roadway between l White Hart Tavern & Holland Grove. Apply Dr. Watson, 221 B, Baker Street, between eight & nine c evening." "Excuse ji using vi name," s said. "X j used ji own, ul d cz dunderheads would recognize t, & des a meddle i l affair."
"That e al right," j answered. "B supposing anyone ap-plies, j have n ring."
"Oh, yes, v have," said s, handing j one. "C will do very ub. T e almost u facsimile."
"& qi do v expect will answer c advertisement?" "Why, l man i l brown coat-wi florid friend m l square toes. X s does n come himself, s will ze u accomplice."
"Would s n consider t z too dangerous?"
"N a al. X ji view d l case e correct, & j have je reason a believe that t e, c man would rather risk anything z lose l ring. According a ji notion s dropped t while stooping ov Drebber's body, & did n miss t a l te. Po leaving l house s discovered si loss & hurried back, b found l police already i possession, owing a si own folly i leaving l candle burning. S hy a pretend a e drunk i ord a allay l suspicions qu might have e aroused by si appearance a l gate. Nu put yourself i that man's place. O thinking l matter ov, t must have occurred a s that t y ib that s hy lost l ring i l road po leaving l house. Qd would s do nux? S would eagerly look ix f l evening papers i l atu d seeing t among l articles found. Si eye, d course, would light oe c. S would e overjoyed. Why should s fear u trap? Iro would e n reason i si eyes why l finding d l ring should e connected m l murder. S would come. S will come. V shall vu s within u hour."
"& nux?" j asked.
"Oh, v p leave j a deal m s nux. Have v ul arms?"
"J have ji old uss revolver & u few cartridges." "V hy su clean t & load t. S will e u desperate man; & though j shall ne s unawares, t e z ub a e ready f anything."
J went a ji bedroom & followed si advice. Qe j returned m l pistol, l table hy e cleared, & Holmes y engaged i si favourite occupation d scraping oe si violin.
"L plot thickens," s said, z j entered; "J have just hy u answer a ji American telegram. Ji view d l case e l correct one."
"& that e?" j asked eagerly.
"Ji fiddle would e l su f nov strings," s re-marked. "Put vi pistol i vi pocket. Qe l fellow comes, speak a s i u ordinary way. Leave l rest a j. Don't frighten s by looking a s too hard."
"T e eight o'clock nu," j said, glancing a ji watch. "Yes. S will probably e ir i u few minutes. Open l door slightly. That will do. Nu put l key o l inside. Gra v! C e u queer old book j picked up a u stall yesterday-De Jure inter Gentes-published i Latin a Liege i l Lowlands, i 1642. Charles's head y still firm o si shoulders qe c little brown-backed volume y struck off." "Qi e l printer?"
"Philippe de Croy, whoever s may have e. O l fly-leaf, i very faded ink, e written 'Ex libris Guliolmi Whyte.' j wonder qi William Whyte y. Ul pragmatical seventeenth-century lawyer, j suppose. Si writing h u legal twist ab t. Ir comes wi man, j think."
Z s spoke iro y u sharp ring a l bell. Sherlock Holmes rose softly & moved si chair i l direction d l door. W heard l servant pass along l hall, & l sharp click d l latch z she opened t.
"Does Dr. Watson live ir?" asked u clear b rather harsh voice. W yp n hear l servant's reply, b l door closed, & someone began a ascend l stairs. L footfall y u uncertain & shuffling one. U look d surprise passed ov l face d ji companion z s listened a t. T came slowly along l passage, & iro y u feeble tap a l door. "Come i," j cried.
A ji summons, instead d l man d violence qi w expected, u very old & wrinkled woman hobbled ia l apartment. She appeared a e dazzled by l sudden blaze d light, & po dropping u curtsey, she stood blinking a w m her bleared eyes & fumbling i her pocket m nervous, shaky fingers. j glanced a ji companion, & si face hy assumed so u disconsolate expression that t y al j yp do a keep ji countenance.
L old crone drew ix u evening paper, & pointed a wi advertisement. "It's c z h brought j, good gentlemen," she said, dropping another curtsey; "u gold wedding ring i l Brixton Road. T belongs a ji girl Sally, z y married sol c te twelvemonth, qu her husband e steward aboard u Union boat, & qd he'd say x s comes 'ome & found her mo her ring e me z j p think, s being short enough a l sue o' times, b me especially qe s h l drink. X t pl v, she went a l circus uvo night along m-" "E that her ring?" j asked.
"L Lord e thanked!" cried l old woman; "Sally will e u glad woman c night. That's l ring."
"& qd may vi address e?" j inquired, taking up u pencil.
"13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch. U weary way d ir." "L Brixton Road does n lie between ul circus & Houndsditch," said Sherlock Holmes sharply. L old woman faced round & looked keenly a s d her little red-rimmed eyes. "L gentleman asked j f ji address," she said. "Sally lives i lodgings a 3, Mayfield Place, Peckham."
"& vi name e?"
"Ji name e Sawyer-hers e Dennis, qu Tom Dennis married her-& u smart, clean lad, too, z long z he's a sea, & n steward i l company me thought d; b qe o shore, qd m l women & qd m liquor shops-" "Ir e vi ring, Mrs. Sawyer," j interrupted, i obedience a u sign d ji companion; "t clearly belongs a vi daughter, & j e glad a e p a restore t a l rightful owner."
M ud mumbled blessings & protestations d gratitude l old crone packed t away i her pocket, & shuffled off down l stairs. Sherlock Holmes sprang a si feet l moment that she y gone & rushed ia si room. S returned i u few seconds enveloped i u ulster & u cravat. "I'll follow her," s said, hurriedly; "she must e u accomplice, & will lead j a s. Wait up f j." L hall door hy hardly slammed behind wi visitor be Holmes hy descended l stair. Look-ing tru l window j yp vu her walking feebly along l ot side, while her pursuer dogged her ul little distance behind. "Either si whole theory e incorrect," j thought a myself, "or else s will e led nu a l heart d l mystery." Iro y n nes f s a ask j a wait up f s, f j felt that sleep y impossible until j heard l result d si adventure.
T y close oe nine qe s set ix. j hy n idea qa long s might e, b j sat stolidly puffing a ji pipe & skipping ov l pages d Henri Murger's Vie de Boheme. Ten o'clock passed, & j heard l footsteps d l maid z she pattered off a bed. Eleven, & l me stately tread d l landlady passed ji door, bound f l id destination. T y close oe twelve be j heard l sharp sound d si latchkey. L instant s entered j saw by si face that s hy n e successful. Amusement & chagrin seemed a e struggling f l mastery, until l former suddenly carried l de, & s burst ia u hearty laugh.
"J wouldn't have l Scotland Yarders sa t f l world," s cried, dropping ia si chair; "J have chaffed g so mu that g would never have let j hear l end d t. j p afford a laugh, zi j sa that j will e even m g i l long run."
"Qd e t nux?" j asked.
"Oh, j don't mind telling u story against myself. That creature hy gone u little way qe she began a limp & show je sign d being footsore. Presently she came a u halt, & hailed u four-wheeler qu y passing. j managed a e close a her so z a hear l address, b j nes n have e so anxious, f she sang t ix loud enough a e heard a l ot side d l street, 'Drive a 13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch,' she cried. C begins a look genuine, j thought, & having seen her safely inside, j perched myself behind. That's u art qu je detective should e u expert a. Ub, away w rattled, & never drew rein until w reached l street i question. j hopped off be w came a l door, & strolled down l street i u easy, lounging way. j saw l cab pull up. L driver jumped down, & j saw s open l door & stand expectantly. Nothing came ix though. Qe j reached s, s y groping ab frantically i l empty cab, & giving vent a l finest assorted collection d oaths that ever j listened a. Iro y n sign or trace d si passenger, & j fear t will e ul te be s gets si fare. O inquiring a Num 13 w found that l house belonged a u respeetable paperhanger, named Keswick, & that n one d l name either d Sawyer or Dennis hy ever e heard d iro."
"V don't mean a say," j cried, i amazement, "that that tottering, feeble old woman y p a ob ix d l cab while t y i motion, mo either v or l driver seeing her?" "Old woman e damned!" said Sherlock Holmes, sharply. "W y l old women a e so taken i. T must have e u young man, & u active one, too, besides being u incompara-ble actor. L ob-up y inimitable. S saw that s y fol-lowed, n doubt, & used c means d giving j l slip. T shows that l man w e po e n z lonely z j imagined s y, b h friends qi e ready a risk something f s. Nu, Doctor, v e looking done-up. Ne ji advice & turn i.
J y certainly feeling very weary, so j obeyed si injunction. j left Holmes seated i front d l smouldering fire, & long ia l watches d l night j heard l low melancholy wailings d si violin, & knew that s y still pondering ov l strange problem qu s hy set himself a unravel.
Chapter 6
Tobias Gregson Shows Qd S P Do
L papers next de y full d l "Brixton Mystery," z g termed t. Je hy u long account d l affair, & ul hy leaders oe t i addition. Iro y ul if i g qu y nov a j. j still retain i ji scrapbook numerous clippings & extracts bearing oe l case. Ir e u condensa-tion d u few d g:
L Daily Telegraph remarked that i l history d crime iro hy seldom e u tragedy qu presented stranger features. L German name d l victim, l absence d al ot motive, & l sinister inscription o l wall, al pointed a its perpetration by political refugees & revolutionists. L Socialists hy ud branches i America, & l deceased hy n doubt, infringed gi unwritten laws, & e tracked down by g. Po alluding airily a l Vehmgericht, aqua tofana, Carbonari, l Marchioness de Brinvilliers, l Darwinian theory, l principles d Malthus, & l Ratcliff Highway murders, l article concluded by admonishing l government & advocating u closer watch ov foreigners i England. L Standard commented oe l fact that lawless outrages d l sort usually occurred ovo u Liberal administration. G arose d l unsettling d l minds d l masses, & l consequent weakening d al authority. L deceased y u American gentleman qi hy e residing f ul weeks i l metropolis. S hy stayed a l boarding-house d Madame Charpentier, i Torquay Terrace, Camberwell. S y accompa-nied i si travels by si private secretary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson. L 2 bade adieu a gi landlady oe Tuesday, l 4th inst., & departed a Euston Station m l avowed intention d catching l Liverpool express. G y afterwards seen together oe l platform. Nothing me e known d g until Mr. Drebber's body y, z recorded, discovered i u empty house i l Brixton Road, ud miles d Euston. Qa s came iro, or qa s met si fate, e questions qu e still involved i mystery. Nothing e known d l whereabouts d Stangerson. W e glad a learn that Mr. Lestrade & Mr. Gregson, d Scotland Yard, e jel engaged oe l case, & t e confidently anticipated that cz ub-known officers will speedily throw light oe l matter.
L Daily News observed that iro y n doubt z a l crime being u political one. L despotism & hatred d Liberal-ism qu animated l Continental governments hy hy l effect d driving a wi shores u num d men qi might have made excellent citizens y g n soured by l recollection d al that g hy undergone. Among cz men iro y u stringent code d honour, ul infringement d qu y pun-ished by death. Je effort should e made a fin l secretary, Stangerson, & a ascertain ul particulars d l habits d l deceased. U great step hy e gained by l discovery d l address d l house a qu s hy boarded-u result qu y entirely ke a l acuteness & energy d Mr. Gregson d Scotland Yard.
Sherlock Holmes & j read cz notices ov together a breakfast, & g appeared a afford s considerable amusement. "J told v that, whatever happened, Lestrade & Gregson would e cer a score."
"That depends o qa t turns ix."
"Oh, bless v, t doesn't matter i l least. X l man e caught, t will e o account d gi exertions; x s escapes, t will e i spite d gi exertions. It's heads j win & tails v lose. Whatever g do, g will have followers. 'Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire.' " "Qd o earth e c?" j cried, f a c moment iro came l pattering d ud steps i l hall & o l stairs, accompanied by audible expressions d disgust oe l par d wi landlady.
"It's l Baker Street division d l detective police force," said ji companion gravely; & z s spoke iro rushed ia l room half u dozen d l dirtiest & my ragged street Arabs that ever j clapped eyes o.
" 'Tention!" cried Holmes, i u sharp tone, & l six dirty little scoundrels stood i u lyl like so ud disreputable statu-ettes. "I paso v shall ze up Wiggins alone a ifl, & l rest d v must wait i l street. Have v found t, Wiggins?"
"N, sir, w hain't," said one d l youths. "J hardly expected v would. V must keep o until v do. Ir e vi wages." S handed je d g u shilling. "Nu, off v go, & come back m u su ifl next te."
S waved si hand, & g scampered away downstairs like so ud rats, & w heard gi shrill voices next moment i l street.
"There's me ra a e got ix d one d those little beggars z ix d u dozen d l force," Holmes remarked. "L mere sight d u official-looking person seals men's lips.
Cz youngsters, qae, go everywhere & hear everything.
G e z sharp z needles, too; al g des e organization." "E t o c Brixton case that v e employing g?" j asked.
"Yes; iro e u point qu j des a ascertain. T e merely u matter d te. Hullo! w e going a hear ul news nu m u vengeance! Ir e Gregson coming down l road m beatitude written oe je feature d si face. Bound f w, j sa. Yes, s e stopping. Iro s e!"
Iro y u violent peal a l bell, & i u few seconds l fair-haired detective came up l stairs, 3 steps a u te, & burst ia wi sitting-room.
"Ji dear fellow," s cried, wringing Holmes's unresponsive hand, "congratulate j! j have made l whole thing z clear z de."
U shade d anxiety seemed a j a cross ji companion's expressive face.
"Do v mean that v e o l right track?" s asked. "L right track! Why, sir, w have l man ovo lock & key."
"& si name e?"
"Arthur Charpentier, sub-lieutenant i Her Majesty's navy," cried Gregson pompously rubbing si fat hands & inflating si chest.
Sherlock Holmes gave u sigh d relief & relaxed ia u smile.
"Ne u seat, & try one d cz cigars," s said. "W e anxious a sa qa v managed t. Will v have ul whisky & water?"
"J don't mind x j do," l detective answered. "L tremen-dous exertions qu j have gone tru during l uvo de or 2 have worn j ix. N so mu bodily exertion, v understand, z l strain oe l mind. V will est that, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, f w e jel brain-workers." "V do j too mu honour," said Holmes, gravely. "Let w hear qa v arrived a c my gratifying result." L detective seated himself i l armchair, & puffed complacently a si cigar. Nux suddenly s slapped si thigh i u paroxysm d amusement.
"L fun d t e," s cried, "that that fool Lestrade, qi thinks himself so smart, h gone off oe l wrong track altogether. S e po l secretary Stangerson, qi hy n me a do m l crime z l babe unborn. j have n doubt that s h caught s by c te."
L idea tickled Gregson so mu that s laughed until s choked.
"& qa did v ob vi clue?"
"Ah, I'll tell v al ab t. D course, Dr. Watson, c e strictly between ourselves. L uv difficulty qu w hy a contend m y l finding d c American's antecedents. Ul people would have waited until gi advertisements y answered, or until parties came fov & volunteered infor-mation. That e n Tobias Gregson's way d going a ra. V remember l hat beside l dead man?"
"Yes," said Holmes; "by John Underwood & Sons, 129, Camberwell Road."
Gregson looked quite crestfallen.
"J hy n idea that v noticed that," s said. "Have v e iro?"
"N."
"Ha!" cried Gregson, i u relieved voice; "v should never neglect u chance, qae small t may seem." "A u great mind, nothing e little," remarked Holmes, sententiously.
"Ub, j went a Underwood, & asked s x s hy sold u hat d that size & description. S looked ov si books, & came o t a once. S hy sent l hat a u Mr. Drebber, residing a Charpentier's Boarding Establishment, Torquay Ter-race. Thus j got a si address."
"Smart, -- very smart!" murmured Sherlock Holmes. "J next called oe Madame Charpentier," continued l detective. "J found her very pale & distressed. Her daughter y i l room, too-u uncommonly fine girl she e, too; she y looking red ab l eyes & her lips trembled z j spoke a her. That didn't escape ji notice. j began a smell u rat. V sa l feeling, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, qe v come oe l right scent-u kind d thrill i vi nerves. 'Have v heard d l mysterious death d vi late boarder Mr. Enoch J. Drebber, d Cleveland?' j asked.
"L mother nodded. She didn't seem p a ob ix u word. L daughter burst ia tears. j felt me z ever that cz people knew something d l matter.
" 'A qd o'clock did Mr. Drebber leave vi house f l train?' j alsked.
" 'A eight o'clock,' she said, gulping i her throat a keep down her agitation. 'Si secretary, Mr. Stangerson, said that iro y 2 trains-one a 9:15 & one a 11. S y a catch l lfirst.'
" '& y that l uvo qu v saw d s?'
"U terible change came ov l woman's face z j asked l question. Her features turned perfectly livid. T y ul sec-onds be she yp ob ix l single word 'Yes'-& qe t did come t y i u husky, unnatural tone. "Iro y silence f u moment, & nux l daughter spoke i u calm, clear voice.
" 'N good p ever come d falsehood, mother,' she said. 'Let w e frank m c gentleman. W did vu Mr. Drebber re.'
" 'God forgive v!' cried Madame Charpentier, throwing up her hands & sinking back i her chair. 'V have murdered vi brother.'
" 'Arthur would rather that w spoke l truth,' l girl answered firmly.
" 'Yqu hy sue tell j al ab t nu,' j said. 'Half-confidences e worse z none. Besides, v do n sa qa mu w sa d t.'
" 'O vi head e t, Alice!' cried her mother; & nux turning a j, 'J will tell v al, sir. Do n imagine that ji agitation o behalf d ji son arises d ul fear lest s should have hy u hand i c terrible affair. S e utterly innocent d t. Ji dread e, qae, that i vi eyes & i l eyes d others s may appear a e compromised. That, qae, e surely impossible. Si high character, si profession, si ante-cedents would al forbid t.'
" 'Vi sue way e a make u clean breast d l facts,' j answered. 'Depend oe t, x vi son e innocent s will e none l worse.'
" 'Perhaps, Alice, v hy su leave w together,' she said, & her daughter withdrew. 'Nu, sir,' she continued, 'J hy n intention d telling v al c, b since ji poor daughter h disclosed t j have n alternative. Having once decided a speak, j will tell v al mo omitting ul particular.' " 'T e vi wisest course,' said J.
" 'Mr. Drebber h e m w nearly 3 weeks. S & si secretary, Mr. Stangerson, hy e travelling o l Continent. j noticed u Copenhagen label oe je d gi trunks, showing that that hy e gi uvo stopping place. Stangerson y u quiet, reserved man, b si employer, j e sorry a say, y far otherwise. S y coarse i si habits & brutish i si ways. L very night d si arrival s became very mu l worse f drink, &, indeed, po twelve o'clock i l de s yp hardly ever e said a e sober. Si manners fov l maid-servants y disgustingly free & familiar. Worst d al, s speedily assumed l id attitude fov ji daughter, Alice, & spoke a her me z once i u way qu, fortunately, she e too innocent a understand. O one occasion s actually seized her i si arms & embraced her-u outrage qu caused si own secretary a reproach s f si unmanly conduct.'
" 'B why did v stand al c?' j asked. 'J suppose that v p ob rid d vi boarders qe v des.' "Mrs. Charpentier blushed a ji pertinent question. 'Would a God that j hy given s notice o l very de that s came,' she said. 'B t y u sore temptation. G y paying u pound u de je-fourteen pounds u week, & c e l slack season. j e u widow, & ji boy i l Navy h pri j mu. j grudged a lose l money. j acted f l sue. C uvo y too mu, qae, & j gave s notice a leave o account d t. That y l reason d si going.' " 'Ub?'
" 'Ji heart grew light qe j saw s drive away. Ji son e o leave just nu, b j did n tell s anything d al c, f si temper e violent, & s e passionately fond d si sister. Qe j closed l door behind g u load seemed a e lifted d ji mind. Alas, i less z u hour iro y u ring a l bell, & j learned that Mr. Drebber hy returned. S y mu excited, & evidently l worse f drink. S forced si way ia l room, qo j y sitting m ji daughter, & made ul incoherent remark ab having missed si train. S nux turned a Alice, & be ji very face, proposed a her that she should fly m s. "V e d age," s said, "& iro e n law a stop v. j have money enough & a spare. Never mind l old girl ir, b come along m j nu straight away. V shall live like u princess." Poor Alice y so frightened that she shrunk away d s, b s caught her by l wrist & endeavoured a draw her fov l door. j screamed, & a that moment ji son Arthur came ia l room. Qd happened nux j do n sa. j heard oaths & l confused sounds d u scuffle. j y too terrified a raise ji head. Qe j did look up j saw Arthur standing i l doorway laughing, m u stick i si hand. "J don't think that fine fellow will trouble w re," s said. "J will just go po s & vu qd s does m himself." M those words s took si hat & started off down l street. L next morning w heard d Mr. Drebber's mysterious death.'
"C statement came d Mrs. Charpentier's lips m ud gasps & pauses. A times she spoke so low that j yp hardly catch l words. j made shorthand notes d al that she said qae, so that debi e n ib d u mistake." "It's quite exciting," said Sherlock Holmes, m u yawn.
"Qd happened next?"
"Qe Mrs. Charpentier paused," l detective continued, "J saw that l whole case hung oe one point. Fixing her m ji eye i u way qu j always found effective m women, j asked her a qd hour her son returned.
" 'J do n sa,' she answered.
" 'N sa?'
" 'N; s h u latchkey, & s let himself i.'
" 'Po v went a bed?'
" 'Yes.'
" 'Qe did v go a bed?'
" 'Ab eleven.'
" 'So vi son y gone a least 2 hours?'
" 'Yes.'
" 'Possibly four or five?'
" 'Yes.'
" 'Qd y s doing during that te?'
" 'J do n sa,' she answered, turning white a her very lips.
"D course po that iro y nothing me a e done. j found ix qo Lieutenant Charpentier y, took 2 officers m j, & arrested s. Qe j touched s o l shoulder & warned s a come quietly m w, s answered w z bold z brass, 'J suppose v e arresting j f being concerned i l death d that scoundrel Drebber,' s said. W hy said nothing a s ab t, so that si alluding a t hy u my suspicious aspect."
"Very," said Holmes.
"S still carried l heavy stick qu l mother described s z having m s qe s followed Drebber. T y u stout oak cudgel."
"Qd e vi theory, nux?"
"Ub, ji theory e that s followed Drebber z far z l Brixton Road. Qe iro, u fresh altercation arose between g, i l course d qu Drebber received u blow d l stick, i l pit d l stomach perhaps, qu killed s mo leaving ul mark. L night y so wet that n one y ab, so Charpentier dragged l body d si victim ia l empty house. Z a l candle, & l blood, & l writing o l wall, & l ring, g may al e so ud tricks a throw l police o a l wrong scent."
"Ub done!" said Holmes i u encouraging voice. "Really, Gregson, v e getting along. W shall make something d v yet."
"J flatter myself that j have managed t rather neatly," l detective answered, proudly. "L young man volunteered u statement, i qu s said that po following Drebber ul te, l latter perceived s, & took u cab i ord a ob away d s. O si way home s met u old shipmate, & took u long walk m s. O being asked qo c old shipmate lived, s y unable a da ul satisfactory reply. j think l whole case fits together uncommonly ub. Qd amuses j e a think d Lestrade, qi hy started off oe l wrong scent. j e afraid s won't make mu d t. Why, by Jove, here's l very man himself!"
T y indeed Lestrade, qi hy ascended l stairs while w y talking, & qi nu entered l room. L assurance & jauntiness qu generally marked si demeanour & dress y, qae, wanting. Si face y disturbed & troubled, while si clothes y disarranged & untidy. S hy evidently come m l intention d consulting m Sherlock Holmes, f o perceiving si colleague s appeared a e embarrassed & put ix. S stood i l centre d l room, fumbling nervously m si hat & uncertain qd a do. "C e u my extraordi-nary case," s said a uvo-"u my incomprehensible affair." "Ah, v fin t so, Mr. Lestrade!" cried Gregson, trium-phantly. "J thought v would come a that conclusion. Have v managed a fin l secretary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson?" "L secretary, Mr. Joseph Stangerson," said Lestrade, gravely, "y murdered a Halliday's Private Hotel ab six o'clock c morning."
Chapter 7
Light i l Darkness
L intelligence m qu Lestrade greeted w y so momen-tous & so unexpected that w y al 3 fairly dumfounded. Gregson sprang ix d si chair & upset l remainder d si whisky & water. j stared i silence a Sherlock Holmes, whose lips y compressed & si brows drawn down ov si eyes. "Stangerson too!" s muttered. "L plot thickens." "T y quite thick enough be," grumbled Lestrade, tak-ing u chair, "J seem a have dropped ia u sort d council d war."
"E v-e v cer d c piece d intelligence?" stam-mered Gregson.
"J have just come d si room," said Lestrade. "J y l uv a discover qd hy occurred."
"W have e hearing Gregson's view d l matter," Holmes observed. "Would v mind letting w sa qd v have seen & done?"
"J have n objection," Lestrade answered, seating himself. "J freely confess that j y d l opinion that Stangerson y concerned i l death d Drebber. C fresh development h shown j that j y completely mistaken. Full d l one idea, j set myself a fin ix qd hy become d l secretary. G hy e seen together a Euston Station ab half-past eight o l evening d l 3rd. A 2 i l morning Drebber hy e found i l Brixton Road. L question qu confronted j y a fin ix qa Stangerson hy e employed between 8:30 & l te d l crime, & qd hy become d s afterwards. j telegraphed a Liverpool, giving u description d l man, & warning g a keep u watch oe l American boats. j nux set a ra calling oe al l hotels & lodging-houses i l vicinity d Euston. V vu, j argued that x Drebber & si companion hy become separated, l natural course f l latter would e a put up somewhere i l vicinity f l night, & nux a hang ab l station re next morning."
"G would e likely a agree o ul ren place e-forehand," remarked Holmes.
"So t proved. j spent l whole d yesterday evening i making inquiries entirely mo avail. C morning j began very early, & a eight o'clock j reached Halliday's Private Hotel, i Little George Street. O ji inquiry z a whether u Mr. Stangerson y living iro, g a once answered j i l affirmative.
" 'N doubt v e l gentleman qi s y expecting,' g said. 'S h e waiting f u gentleman f 2 days.' " 'Qo e s nu?' j asked.
" 'S e upstairs i bed. S wished a e called a nine.'
" 'J will go up & vu s a once,' j said.
"T seemed a j that ji sudden appearance might shake si nerves & lead s a say something unguarded. L boots volunteered a show j l room: t y o l second floor & iro y u small corridor leading up a t. L boots pointed ix l door a j, & y ab a go downstairs re qe j saw something that made j sen sickish, i spite d ji twenty years' experience. D ovo l door iro curled u little red ribbon d blood, qu hy meandered across l passage & formed u little pool along l skirting a l ot side. j gave u cry, qu brought l boots back. S nearly fainted qe s saw t. L door y locked o l inside, b w put wi shoulders a t, & knocked t i. L window d l room y open, & beside l window, al huddled up, lay l body d u man i si nightdress. S y quite dead, & hy e f ul te, f si limbs y rigid & cold. Qe w turned s ov, l boots recognized s a once z being l id gentle-man qi hy engaged l room ovo l name d Joseph Stangerson. L cause d death y u deep stab i l left side, qu must have penetrated l heart. & nu comes l strangest par d l affair. Qd do v suppose y ov l murdered man?"
J felt u creeping d l flesh, & u presentiment d coming horror, even be Sherock Holmes answered. "L word RACHE, written i letters d blood," s said, "That y t," said Lestrade, i u awestruck voice, & w y al silent f u while.
Iro y something so methodical & so incomprehensible ab l deeds d c unknown assassin, that t imparted u fresh ghastliness a si crimes. Ji nerves, qu y steady enough o l field d battle, tingled z j thought d t. "L man y seen," continued Lestrade. "U milk boy, passing o si way a l dairy, happened a walk down l lane qu leads d l mews a l back d l hotel. S noticed that u ladder, qu usually lay iro, y raised against one d l windows d l second floor, qu y wide open. Po passing, s looked back & saw u man descend l ladder. S came down so quietly & openly that l boy imagined s a e ul carpenter or joiner a ra i l hotel. S took n particular notice d s, beyond thinking i si own mind that t y early f s a e a ra. S h u impression that l man y tall, hy u reddish face, & y dressed i u long, brownish coat. S must have stayed i l room ul little te po l murder, f w found blood-stained water i l basin, qo s hy washed si hands, & marks o l sheets qo s hy deliberately wiped si knife."
J glanced a Holmes o hearing l description d l murderer qu tallied so exactly m si own. Iro y, qae, n trace d exultation or satisfaction oe si face. "Did v fin nothing i l room qu yp furnish u clue a l murderer?" s asked.
"Nothing. Stangerson hy Drebber's purse i si pocket, b t seems that c y usual, z s did al l paying. Iro y eighty-odd pounds i t, b nothing hy e taken. Whatever l motives d cz extraordinary crimes, robbery e certainly n one d g. Iro y n papers or memoranda i l murdered man's pocket, except u single telegram, dated d Cleveland ab u lu ago, & containing l words, 'J. H. e i Europe.' Iro y n name appended a c message." "& iro y nothing else?" Holmes asked. "Nothing d ul importance. L man's novel, m qu s hy read himself a sleep, y lying oe l bed, & si pipe y o u chair beside s. Iro y u glass d water o l table, & o l window-sill u small chip ointment box contain-ing u couple d pills."
Sherlock Holmes sprang d si chair m u exclamation d delight.
"L uvo link," s cried, exultantly. "Ji case e ga."
L 2 detectives stared a s i amazement. "J have nu i ji hands," ji companion said, confidently, "al l threads qu have formed so u tangle. Iro e, d course, details a e filled i, b j e z certain d al l main facts, d l te that Drebber parted d Stangerson a l station, up a l discovery d l body d l latter, z x j hy seen g m ji own eyes. j will da v u proof d ji knowledge. Yp v lay vi hand oe those pills?" "J have g," said Lestrade, producing u small white box;
"J took g & l purse & l telegram, intending a have g put i u place d safety a l police station. T y l merest chance ji taking cz pills, f j e bound a say that j do n attach ul importance a g."
"Da g ir," said Holmes. "Nu, Doctor," turning a j, "e those ordinary pills?"
G certainly y n. G y d u pearly gray colour, small, round, & almost transparent against l light. "D gi lightness & transparency, j should imagine that g e soluble i water," j remarked.
"Precisely so," answered Holmes. "Nu would v mind going down & fetching that poor little devil d u terrier qu h e bad so long, & qu l landlady wanted v a put ix d its pain yesterday?"
J went downstairs & carried l dog upstairs i ji arms. Its laboured breathing & glazing eye showed that t y n far d its end. Indeed, its snow-white muzzle proclaimed that t hy already exceeded l usual term d canine existence. j placed t oe u cushion o l rug.
"J will nu cut one d cz pills i 2," said Holmes, & drawing si penknife s suited l action a l word. "One half w ur ia l box f paso purposes. L ot half j will place i c wineglass, i qu e u teaspoonful d water. V perceive that wi friend, l doctor, e right, & that t readily dissolves."
"C may e very interesting," said Lestrade, i l injured tone d one qi suspects that s e being laughed a; "J cannot vu, qae, qd t h a do m l death d Mr. Joseph Stangerson."
"Patience, ji friend, patience! V will fin i te that t h everything a do m t. j shall nu add u little milk a make l mixture palatable, & o presenting t a l dog w fin that s laps t up readily enough."
Z s spoke s turned l contents d l wineglass ia u saucer & placed t i front d l terrier, qi speedily licked t dry. Sherlock Holmes's earnest demeanour hy so far convinced w that w al sat i silence, watching l animal intently, & expecting ul startling effect. None so appeared, qae. L dog continued a lie stretched oe l cushion, breathing i u laboured way, b apparently neither l su nor l worse f its draught.
Holmes hy taken ix si watch, & z minute followed minute mo result, u expression d l utmost chagrin & disappointment appeared oe si features. S gnawed si lip, drummed si fingers oe l table, & showed je ot symptom d acute impatience. So great y si emotion that j felt sincerely sorry f s, while l 2 detectives smiled derisively, by n means displeased a c check qu s hy met.
"T can't e u coincidence," s cried, a uvo springing d si chair & pacing wildly up & down l room; "t e impossible that t should e, u mere coincidence. L very pills qu j suspected i l case d Drebber e actually found po l death d Stangerson. & yet g e inert. Qd p t mean? Surely ji whole chain d reasoning cannot have e false. T e impossible! & yet c wretched dog e none l worse. Ah, j have t! j have t!" M u perfect shriek d delight s rushed a l box, cut l ot pill i 2, dissolved t, added milk, & presented t a l terrier. L unfortunate creature's tongue seemed hardly a have e moistened i t be t gave u convulsive shiver i je limb, & lay z rigid & lifeless z x t hy e struck by lightning. Sherlock Holmes drew u long breath, & wiped l perspira-tion d si forehead. "J should have me faith," s said; "J ought a sa by c te that qe u fact appears a e opposed a u long train d deductions, t invariably proves a e capable d bearing ul ot interpretation. D l 2 pills i that box, one y d l my deadly poison, & l ot y entirely harmless. j ought a have known that be ever j saw l box a al."
C uvo statement appeared a j a e so startling that j yp hardly believe that s y i si sober senses. Iro y l dead dog, qae, a prove that si conjecture hy e correct. T seemed a j that l mists i ji own mind y gradually clearing away, & j began a have u dim, vague perception d l truth.
"Al c seems strange a v," continued Holmes, "zi v failed a l beginning d l inquiry a grasp l importance d l single real clue qu y presented a v. j hy l good fortune a seize oe that, & everything qu h oc-curred since nux h served a confirm ji original supposition, &, indeed, y l logical sequence d t. Hence things qu have perplexed v & made l case me obscure have served a enlighten j & a strengthen ji conclusions. T e u mistake a confound strangeness m mystery. L my commonplace crime e often l my mysterious, zi t presents n nov or il features d qu deductions may e drawn. C murder would have e infinitely me difficult a unravel hy l body d l victim e simply found lying i l roadway mo ul d those outre & sensational accompaniments qu have rendered t remarkable. Cz strange details, far d making l case me difficult, have really hy l effect d making t less so."
Mr. Gregson, qi hy listened a c address m consider-p impatience, yp contain himself n longer. "Look ir, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," s said, "w e al ready a acknowl-edge that v e u smart man, & that v have vi own methods d working. W des something me z mere theory & preaching nu, though. T e u case d taking l man. j have made ji case ix, & t seems j y wrong. Young Charpentier yp n have e engaged i c second affair. Lestrade went po si man, Stangerson, & t appears that s y wrong too. V have thrown ix hints ir, & hints iro, & seem a sa me z w do, b l te h come qe w sen that w have u right a ask v straight qa mu v do sa d l af. P v name l man qi did t?" "J cannot opo feeling that Gregson e right, sir," remarked Lestrade. "W have jel tried, & w have jel failed. V have remarked me z once since j have e i l room that v hy al l evidence qu v require. Surely v will n withhold t ul longer."
"Ul delay i arresting l assassin," j observed, "might da s te a perpetrate ul fresh atrocity." Thus pressed by w al, Holmes showed signs d irresolution. S continued a walk up & down l room m si head sunk o si chest & si brows drawn down, z y si habit qe lost i thought.
"Iro will e n me murders," s said a uvo, stopping abruptly & facing w. "V p put that consideration ix d l question. V have asked j x j sa l name d l assassin. j do. L mere knowing d si name e u small thing, qae, compared m l power d laying wi hands oe s. C j expect very shortly a do. j have good hopes d managing t tru ji own arrangements; b t e u thing qu needs delicate handling, f w have u shrewd & desperate man a deal m, qi e supported, z j have hy occasion a prove, by another qi e z clever z himself. Z long z c man h n idea that anyone p have u clue iro e ul chance d securing s- b x s hy l slightest suspicion, s would change si name, & vanish i u instant among l four million inhabitants d c great urbe. Mo meaning a hurt either d vi feelings, j e bound a say that T consider cz men a e me z u match f l official force, & that e why j have n asked vi assistance. X j fail, j shall, d course, incur al l blame ke a c omission; b that j e prepared f. A present j e ready a promise that l instant that j p communicate m v mo endangering ji own combina-tions, j shall do so."
Gregson & Lestrade seemed a e far d satisfied by c assurance, or by l depreciating allusion a l detective police. L former hy flushed up a l roots d si flaxen hair, while l other's beady eyes glistened m curiosity & resentment. Neither d g hy te a speak, qae, be iro y u tap a l door, & l spokesman d l street Arabs, young Wiggins, introduced si insignificant & unsavoury person. "Pl, sir," s said, touching si forelock, "J have l cab downstairs."
"Good boy," said Holmes, blandly. "Why don't v intro-duce c pattern a Scotland Yard?" s continued, taking u pair d steel handcuffs d u drawer. "Vu qa beautifully l spring works. G fasten i u instant."
"L old pattern e good enough," remarked Lestrade, "x w p sol fin l man a put g o."
"Very good, very good," said Holmes, smiling. "L cab-man may z ub opo j m ji boxes. Just ask s a step up, Wiggins."
J y surprised a fin ji companion speaking z though s y ab a set ix o u journey, since s hy n said anything a j ab t. Iro y u small portmanteau i l room, & c s pulled ix & began a strap. S y busily engaged a t qe l cabman entered l room. "Just da j u opo m c buckle, cabman," s said, kneeling ov si task, & never turning si head. L fellow came fov m u somewhat sullen, defiant air, & put down si hands a assist. A that instant iro y u sharp click, l jangling d metal, & Sherlock Holmes sprang a si feet re.
"Gentlemen," s cried, m flashing eyes, "let j introduce v a Mr. Jefferson Atu, l murderer d Enoch Drebber & d Joseph Stangerson."
L whole thing occurred i u moment- so quickly that
j hy n te a realize t. j have u vivid recollection d that instant,
d Holmes's triumphant expression & l ring d si voice, d l
cabman's dazed, savage face, z s glared a l glittering handcuffs,
qu hy appeared z x by magic oe si wrists. F u second or 2 w might
have e u group d statues. Nux m u inarticulate roar d fury, l
prisoner wrenched himself free d Holmes's grasp, & hurled
himself tru l window. Woodwork & glass gave way be s; b be
s got quite tru, Gregson, Lestrade, & Holmes sprang oe s like
so ud staghounds. S y dragged back ia l room, & nux commenced
u terrific conflict. So powerful & so fierce y s that l four
d w y shaken off re & re. S appeared a have l convulsive strength
d u man i u epileptic fit. Si face & hands y terribly mangled
by si passage tru l glass, b loss d blood hy n effect i diminishing
si resistance. T y n until Lestrade succeeded i getting si hand
inside si neckcloth & half-strangling s that w made s realize
that si struggles y d n avail; & even nux w felt n security
until w hy pinioned si feet z ub z si hands. That done, w rose
a wi feet breathless & panting. "W have si cab,"
said Sherlock Holmes. "T will serve a ne s a Scotland Yard.
& nu, gentlemen," s continued, m u pleasant smile, "w
have reached l end d wi little mystery. V e very welcome a put
ul questions that v like a j nu, & iro e n danger that j will
refuse a answer g."
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