Itwaspitch-darkandwithoutamoon，butMasonledusoverthe
grasslandsuntiladarkmassloomedtipinfrontofuswhichprovedto
betheancientchapel。Weenteredthebrokengapwhichwasoncethe
porch，andourguide，stumblingamongheapsofloosemasonry，picked
hiswaytothecornerofthebuilding，whereasteepstairleddown
intothecrypt。Strikingamatch，heilluminatedtheMelancholyplace-
dismalandevil-smelling，withancientcrumblingwallsofrough-hewn
stone，andpilesofcoffins，someofleadandsomeofstone，extending
upononesiderightuptothearchedandgroinedroofwhichlost
itselfintheshadowsaboveourheads。Holmeshadlithislantern，
whichshotatinytunnelofvividyellowlightuponthemournful
scene。Itsrayswerereflectedbackfromthecoffin-plates，manyof
themadornedwiththegriffinandcoronetofthisoldfamilywhich
carrieditshonourseventothegateofDeath。
“Youspokeofsomebones，Mr。Mason。Couldyoushowthembefore
yougo？“
“Theyarehereinthiscorner。”Thetrainerstrodeacrossandthen
stoodinsilentsurpriseasourlightwasturnedupontheplace。“They
aregone，“saidhe。
“SoIexpected，“saidHolmes，chuckling。“Ifancytheashesof
themmightevennowbefoundinthatovenwhichhadalreadyconsumeda
part。”
“Butwhyintheworldwouldanyonewanttoburnthebonesofaman
whohasbeendeadathousandyears？“askedJohnMason。
“Thatiswhatweareheretofindout，“saidHolmes。“Itmaymean
alongsearch，andweneednotdetainyou。Ifancythatweshallget
oursolutionbeforemorning。”
WhenJohnMasonhadleftus，Holmessettoworkmakingavery
carefulexaminationofthegraves，rangingfromaveryancientone，
whichappearedtobeSaxon，inthecentre，throughalonglineof
NormanHugosandOdos，untilwereachedtheSirWilliamandSir
DenisFalderoftheeighteenthcentury。Itwasanhourormore
beforeHolmescametoaleadencoffinstandingonendbeforethe
entrancetothevault。Iheardhislittlecryofsatisfactionand
wasawarefromhishurriedbutpurposefulmovementsthathehad
reachedagoal。Withhislenshewaseagerlyexaminingtheedgesof
theheavylid。Thenhedrewfromhispocketashortjemmy，a
box-opener，whichhethrustintoachink，leveringbackthewhole
front，whichseemedtobesecuredbyonlyacoupleofclamps。There
wasarending，tearingsoundasitgaveway，butithadhardly
hingedbackandpartlyrevealedthecontentsbeforewehadan
unforeseeninterruption。
Someonewaswalkinginthechapelabove。Itwasthefirm，rapidstep
ofonewhocamewithadefinitepurposeandknew，wellthegroundupon
whichhewalked。Alightstreameddownthestairs，andaninstant
laterthemanwhoboreitwasframedintheGothicarchway。Hewasa
terriblefigure，hugeinstatureandfierceinmanner。Alarge
stable-lanternwhichhefieldinfrontofhimshoneupwardupona
strong，heavilymoustachedfaceandangryeyes，whichglaredroundhim
intoeveryrecessofthevault，finallyfixingthemselveswitha
deadlystareuponmycompanionandmyself。
“Whothe，devilareyou？“hethundered。“Andwhatareyoudoingupon
myproperty？“Then，asHolmesreturnednoanswer，hetookacouple
ofstepsforwardandraisedaheavystickwhichhecarried。“Doyou
hearme？“hecried。“Whoareyou？Whatareyoudoinghere？“Hiscudgel
quiveredintheair。
ButinsteadofshrinkingHolmesadvancedtomeethim。
“Ialsohaveaquestiontoaskyou，SirRobert，“hesaidinhis
sternesttone。“Whoisthis？Andwhatisitdoinghere？“
Heturnedandtoreopenthecoffin-lidbehindhim。Intheglareof
thelanternIsawabodyswathedinasheetfromheadtofoot，with
dreadful，witchlikefeatures，allnoseandchin，projectingatone
end，thedim，glazedeyesstaringfromadiscolouredandcrumbling
face。
Thebaronethadstaggeredbackwithacryandsupportedhimself
againstastonesarcophagus。
“Howcameyoutoknowofthis？“hecried。Andthen，withsomereturn
ofhistruculentmariner：“Whatbusinessisitofyours？“
“MynameisSherlockHolmes，“saidmycompanion。“Possiblyitis
familiartoyou。Inanycase，mybusinessisthatofeveryother
goodcitizen-toupholdthelaw。Itseemstomethatyouhavemuch
toanswerfor。”
SirRobertglaredforamoment，butHolmes”squietvoiceandcool，
assuredmannerhadtheireffect。
“”ForeGod，Mr。Holmes，it”sallright，“saidhe。“Appearancesare
againstme，I”lladmit，butIcouldactnootherwise。”
“Ishouldbehappytothinkso，butIfearyourexplanationsmustbe
beforethepolice。”
SirRobertshruggedhisbroadshoulders。
“Well，ifitmustbe，itmust。Comeuptothehouseandyoucan
judgeforyourselfhowthematterstands。”
AquarterofanhourlaterwefoundourselvesinwhatIjudge，
fromthelinesofpolishedbarrelsbehindglasscovers，tobethe
gun-roomoftheoldhouse。Itwascomfortablyfurnished，andhere
SirRobertleftusforafewmoments。Whenhereturnedhehadtwo
companionswithhim；theone，thefloridyoungwomanwhomwehad
seeninthecarriage；theother，asmallrat-facedmanwitha
disagreeablyfurtivemanner。Thesetwoworeanappearanceofutter
bewilderment，whichshowedthatthebaronethadnotyethadtimeto
explaintothemtheturneventshadtaken。
“There，“saidSirRobertwithawaveofhishand，“areMr。and
Mrs。Norlett。Mrs。Norlett，underhermaidennameofEvans，hasfor
someyearsbeenmysister”sconfidentialmaid。Ihavebroughtthem
herebecauseIfeelthatmybestcourseistoexplainthetrue
positiontoyou，andtheyarethetwopeopleuponearthwhocan
substantiatewhatIsay。”
“Isthisnecessary，SirRobert？Haveyouthoughtwhatyouare
doing？“criedthewoman。
“Astome，Ientirelydisclaimallresponsibility，“saidher
husband。
SirRobertgavehimaglanceofcontempt。“Iwilltakeall
responsibility，“saidhe。“Now，Mr。Holmes，listentoaplain
statementofthefacts。
“YouhaveclearlygoneprettydeeplyintomyaffairsorIshouldnot
havefoundyouwhereIdid。Therefore，youknowalready，inall
probability，thatIamrunningadarkhorsefortheDerbyandthat
everythingdependsuponmysuccess。IfIwin，alliseasy。IfI
lose-well，Idarenotthinkofthat！“
“Iunderstandtheposition，“saidHolmes。
“Iamdependentuponmysister，LadyBeatrice，foreverything。But
itiswellknownthatherinterestintheestateisforherownlife
only。Formyself，IamdeeplyinthehandsoftheJews。Ihave
alwaysknownthatifmysisterweretodiemycreditorswouldbeonto
myestatelikeaflockofvultures。Everythingwouldbeseized-my
stables，myhorses-everything。Well，Mr。Holmes，mysisterdiddie
justaweekago。”
“Andyoutoldnoone！“
“WhatcouldIdo？Absoluteruinfacedme。IfIcouldstavethings
offforthreeweeksallwouldbewell。Hermaid”shusband-thisman
here-isanactor。Itcameintoourheads-itcameintomyhead-
thathecouldforthatshortperiodpersonatemysister。Itwasbut
acaseofappearingdailyinthecarriage，fornooneneedenterher
roomsavethemaid。Itwasnotdifficulttoarrange。Mysisterdiedof
thedropsywhichhadlongafflictedher。”
“Thatwillbeforacoronertodecide。”
“Herdoctorwouldcertifythatformonthshersymptomshave
threatenedsuchanend。”
“Well，whatdidyoudo？“
“Thebodycouldnotremainthere。OnthefirstnightNorlettandI
carrieditouttotheoldwell-house，whichisnowneverused。Wewere
followed，however，byherpetspaniel，whichyappedcontinuallyatthe
door，soIfeltsomesaferplacewasneeded。Igotridofthespaniel，
andwecarriedthebodytothecryptofthechurch。Therewasno
indignityorirreverence，Mr。Holmes。IdonotfeelthatIhave
wrongedthedead。”
“Yourconductseemstomeinexcusable，SirRobert。”
Thebaronetshookhisheadimpatiently。“Itiseasytopreach，“said
he。“Perhapsyouwouldhavefeltdifferentlyifyouhadbeeninmy
position。Onecannotseeallone”shopesandallone”splansshattered
atthelastmomentandmakenoefforttosavethem。Itseemedtome
thatitwouldbenounworthyresting-placeifweputherforthe
timeinoneofthecoffinsofherhusband”sancestorslyinginwhatis
stillconsecratedground。Weopenedsuchacoffin，removedthe
contents，andplacedherasyouhaveseenher。Astotheoldrelics
whichwetookout，wecouldnotleavethemonthefloorofthe
crypt。NorlettandIremovedthem，andhedescendedatnightand
burnedtheminthecentralfurnace。Thereismystory，Mr。Holmes，
thoughhowyouforcedmyhandsothatIhavetotellitismorethanI
cansay。”
Holmessatforsometimelostinthought。
“Thereisoneflawinyournarrative，SirRobert，“hesaidat
last。“Yourbetsontherace，andthereforeyourhopesforthefuture，
wouldholdgoodevenifyourcreditorsseizedyourestate。”
“Thehorsewouldbepartoftheestate。Whatdotheycareformy
bets？Aslikelyasnottheywouldnotrunhimatall。Mychief
crediteris，unhappily，mymostbitterenemy-arascallyfellow，Sam
Brewer，whomIwasoncecompelledtohorsewhiponNewmarketHeath。
Doyousupposethathewouldtrytosaveme？“
“Well，SirRobert，“saidHolmes，rising，“thismattermust，of
course，bereferredtothepolice。Itwasmydutytobringthefacts
tolight，andthereImustleaveit。Astothemoralityordecency
ofyourconduct，itisnotformetoexpressanopinion。Itis
nearlymidnight，Watson，andIthinkwemaymakeourwaybacktoour
humbleabode。”
Itisgenerallyknownnowthatthissingularepisodeendedupona
happiernotethanSirRobert”sactionsdeserved。ShoscombePrince
didwintheDerby，thesportingownerdidneteightythousandpounds
inbets，andthecreditorsdidholdtheirhanduntiltheracewas
over，whentheywerepaidinfull，andenoughwasleftto
reestablishSirRobertinafairpositioninlife。Bothpoliceand
coronertookalenientview，ofthetransaction，andbeyondamild
censureforthedelayinregisteringthelady”sdecease，thelucky
ownergotawayscathelessfromthisstrangeincidentinacareerwhich
hasnowoutliveditsshadowsandpromisestoendinanhonouredold
age-
THEEND。
1904
SHERLOCKHOLMES
THEADVENTUREOFTHEABBEYGRANGE
bySirArthurConanDoyle
Itwasonabitterlycoldnightandfrostymorning，towardsthe
endofthewinterof”97，thatIwasawakenedbyatuggingatmy
shoulder。ItwasHolmes。Thecandleinhishandshoneuponhis
eager，stoopingface，andtoldmeataglancethatsomethingwas
amiss。
“Come，Watson，come！“hecried。“Thegameisafoot。Notaword！Into
yourclothesandcome！“
Tenminuteslaterwewerebothinacab，andrattlingthroughthe
silentstreetsonourwaytoCharingCrossStation。Thefirstfaint
winter”sdawnwasbeginningtoappear，andwecoulddimlyseethe
occasionalfigureofanearlyworkmanashepassedus，blurredand
indistinctintheopalescentLondonreek。Holmesnestledinsilence
intohisheavycoat，andIwasgladtodothesame，fortheairwas
mostbitter，andneitherofushadbrokenourfast。
Itwasnotuntilwehadconsumedsomehotteaatthestationand
takenourplacesintheKentishtrainthatweweresufficiently
thawed，hetospeakandItolisten。Holmesdrewanotefromhis
pocket，andreadaloud：”AbbeyGrange，Marsham，Kent，”3：30A。M。”MYDEARMR。HOLMES：
Ishouldbeverygladofyourimmediateassistanceinwhat
promisestobeamostremarkablecase。Itissomethingquiteinyour
line。ExceptforreleasingtheladyIwillseethateverythingiskept
exactlyasIhavefoundit，butIbegyounottoloseaninstant，as
itisdifficulttoleaveSirEustacethere。”Yoursfaithfully，”STANLEYHOPKINS。
“Hopkinshascalledmeinseventimes，andoneachoccasionhis
summonshasbeenentirelyjustified，“saidHolmes。“Ifancythatevery
oneofhiscaseshasfounditswayintoyourcollection，andImust
admit，Watson，thatyouhavesomepowerofselection，whichatonesfor
muchwhichIdeploreinyournarratives。Yourfatalhabitoflooking
ateverythingfromthepointofviewofastoryinsteadofasa
scientificexercisehasruinedwhatmighthavebeenaninstructiveand
evenclassicalseriesofdemonstrations。Yousluroverworkofthe
utmostfinesseanddelicacy，inordertodwelluponsensational
detailswhichmayexcite，butcannotpossiblyinstruct，thereader。”
“Whydoyounotwritethemyourself？“Isaid，withsomebitterness。
“Iwill，mydearWatson，Iwill。AtpresentIam，asyouknow，
fairlybusy，butIproposetodevotemydecliningyearstothe
compositionofatextbook，whichshallfocusthewholeartof
detectionintoonevolume。Ourpresentresearchappearstobeacase
ofmurder。”
“YouthinkthisSirEustaceisdead，then？“
“Ishouldsayso。Hopkins”swritingshowsconsiderableagitation，
andheisnotanemotionalman。Yes，Igathertherehasbeenviolence，
andthatthebodyisleftforourinspection。Ameresuicidewouldnot
havecausedhimtosendforme。Astothereleaseofthelady，it
wouldappearthatshehasbeenlockedinherroomduringthe
tragedy。Wearemovinginhighlife，Watson，cracklingpaper，”E。B。”
monogram，coat-of-arms，picturesqueaddress。Ithinkthatfriend
Hopkinswillliveuptohisreputation，andthatweshallhavean
interestingmorning。Thecrimewascommittedbeforetwelvelast
night。”
“Howcanyoupossiblytell？“
“Byaninspectionofthetrains，andbyreckoningthetime。The
localpolicehadtobecalledin，theyhadtocommunicatewith
ScotlandYard，Hopkinshadtogoout，andheinturnhadtosendfor
me。Allthatmakesafairnight”swork。Well，hereweareat
ChiselhurstStation，andweshallsoonsetourdoubtsatrest。”
Adriveofacoupleofmilesthroughnarrowcountrylanesbroughtus
toaparkgate，whichwasopenedforusbyanoldlodge-keeper，
whosehaggardfaceborethereflectionofsomegreatdisaster。The
avenueranthroughanoblepark，betweenlinesofancientelms，and
endedinalow，widespreadhouse，pillaredinfrontafterthe
fashionofPalladio。Thecentralpartwasevidentlyofagreatageand
shroudedinivy，butthelargewindowsshowedthatmodernchanges
hadbeencarriedout，andonewingofthehouseappearedtobe
entirelynew。Theyouthfulfigureandalert，eagerfaceofInspector
StanleyHopkinsconfrontedusintheopendoorway。
“I”mverygladyouhavecome，Mr。Holmes。Andyou，too，Dr。
Watson。But，indeed，ifIhadmytimeoveragain，Ishouldnothave
troubledyou，forsincetheladyhascometoherself，shehasgivenso
clearanaccountoftheaffairthatthereisnotmuchleftforusto
do。YourememberthatLewishamgangofburglars？“
“What，thethreeRandalls？“
“Exactly；thefatherandtwosons。It”stheirwork。Ihavenota
doubtofit。TheydidajobatSydenhamafortnightagoandwere
seenanddescribed。Rathercooltodoanothersosoonandsonear，but
itisthey，beyondalldoubt。It”sahangingmatterthistime。”
“SirEustaceisdead，then？“
“Yes，hisheadwasknockedinwithhisownpoker。”
“SirEustaceBrackenstall，thedrivertellsme。”
“Exactly-oneoftherichestmeninKent-LadyBrackenstallisin
themorning-room。Poorlady，shehashadamostdreadfulexperience。
SheseemedhalfdeadwhenIsawherfirst。Ithinkyouhadbestsee
herandhearheraccountofthefacts。Thenwewillexaminethe
dining-roomtogether。”
LadyBrackenstallwasnoordinaryperson。SeldomhaveIseenso
gracefulafigure，sowomanlyapresence，andsobeautifulaface。She
wasablonde，golden-haired，blue-eyed，andwouldnodoubthavehad
theperfectcomplexionwhichgoeswithsuchcolouring，hadnother
recentexperienceleftherdrawnandhaggard。Hersufferingswere
physicalaswellasmental，foroveroneeyeroseahideous，
plum-colouredswelling，whichhermaid，atall，austerewoman，was
bathingassiduouslywithvinegarandwater。Theladylayback
exhausteduponacouch，butherquick，observantgaze，asweentered
theroom，andthealertexpressionofherbeautifulfeatures，showed
thatneitherherwitsnorhercouragehadbeenshakenbyher
terribleexperience。Shewasenvelopedinaloosedressing-gownof
blueandsilver，butablacksequin-covereddinner-dresslayupon
thecouchbesideher。
“Ihavetoldyouallthathappened，Mr。Hopkins，“shesaid，wearily。
“Couldyounotrepeatitforme？Well，ifyouthinkitnecessary，I
willtellthesegentlemenwhatoccurred。Havetheybeeninthe
dining-roomyet？“
“Ithoughttheyhadbetterhearyourladyship”sstoryfirst。”
“Ishallbegladwhenyoucanarrangematters。Itishorribleto
metothinkofhimstilllyingthere。”Sheshudderedandburiedher
faceinherhands。Asshedidso，theloosegownfellbackfromher
forearms。Holmesutteredanexclamation。
“Youhaveotherinjuries，madam！Whatisthis？“Twovividred
spotsstoodoutononeofthewhite，roundlimbs。Shehastily
coveredit。
“Itisnothing。Ithasnoconnectionwiththishideousbusiness
to-night。Ifyouandyourfriendwillsitdown，Iwilltellyouall
Ican。
“IamthewifeofSirEustaceBrackenstall。Ihavebeenmarried
aboutayear。Isupposethatitisnousemyattemptingtoconceal
thatourmarriagehasnotbeenahappyone。Ifearthatallour
neighbourswouldtellyouthat，evenifIweretoattempttodeny
it。Perhapsthefaultmaybepartlymine。Iwasbroughtupinthe
freer，lessconventionalatmosphereofSouthAustralia，andthis
Englishlife，withitsproprietiesanditsprimness，isnot
congenialtome。Butthemainreasonliesintheonefact，whichis
notorioustoeveryone，andthatisthatSirEustacewasaconfirmed
drunkard。Tobewithsuchamanforanhourisunpleasant。Canyou
imaginewhatitmeansforasensitiveandhigh-spiritedwomantobe
tiedtohimfordayandnight？Itisasacrilege，acrime，a
villainytoholdthatsuchamarriageisbinding。Isaythatthese
monstrouslawsofyourswillbringacurseupontheland-Godwillnot
letsuchwickednessendure。”Foraninstantshesatup，hercheeks
flushed，andhereyesblazingfromundertheterriblemarkuponher
brow。Thenthestrong，soothinghandoftheausteremaiddrewherhead
downontothecushion，andthewildangerdiedawayintopassionate
sobbing。Atlastshecontinued：
“Iwilltellyouaboutlastnight。Youareaware，perhaps，thatin
thishousealltheservantssleepinthemodernwing。Thiscentral
blockismadeupofthedwelling-rooms，withthekitchenbehindand
ourbedroomabove。Mymaid，Theresa，sleepsabovemyroom。Thereisno
oneelse，andnosoundcouldalarmthosewhoareinthefarther
wing。Thismusthavebeenwellknowntotherobbers，ortheywouldnot
haveactedastheydid。
“SirEustaceretiredabouthalf-pastten。Theservantshadalready
gonetotheirquarters。Onlymymaidwasup，andshehadremainedin
herroomatthetopofthehouseuntilIneededherservices。Isat
untilaftereleveninthisroom，absorbedinabook。ThenIwalked
roundtoseethatallwasrightbeforeIwentupstairs。Itwasmy
customtodothismyself，for，asIhaveexplained，SirEustacewas
notalwaystobetrusted。Iwentintothekitchen，thebutler”s
pantry，thegun-room，thebilliard-room，thedrawing-room，andfinally
thedining-room。AsIapproachedthewindow，whichiscoveredwith
thickcurtains，Isuddenlyfeltthewindblowuponmyfaceand
realizedthatitwasopen。Iflungthecurtainasideandfound
myselffacetofacewithabroad-shoulderedelderlyman，whohad
juststeppedintotheroom。ThewindowisalongFrenchone，which
reallyformsadoorleadingtothelawn。Iheldmybedroomcandle
litinmyhand，and，byitslight，behindthefirstmanIsawtwo
others，whowereintheactofentering。Isteppedback，butthe
fellowwasonmeinaninstant。Hecaughtmefirstbythewristand
thenbythethroat。Iopenedmymouthtoscream，buthestruckmea
savageblowwithhisfistovertheeye，andfelledmetotheground。I
musthavebeenunconsciousforafewminutes，forwhenIcameto
myself，Ifoundthattheyhadtorndownthebell-rope，andhadsecured
metightlytotheoakenchairwhichstandsattheheadofthe
dining-table。IwassofirmlyboundthatIcouldnotmove，anda
handkerchiefroundmymouthpreventedmefromutteringasound。Itwas
atthisinstantthatmyunfortunatehusbandenteredtheroom。Hehad
evidentlyheardsomesuspicioussounds，andhecamepreparedfor
suchasceneashefound。Hewasdressedinnightshirtandtrousers，
withhisfavouriteblackthorncudgelinhishand。Herushedatthe
burglars，butanother-itwasanelderlyman-stooped，pickedthe
pokeroutofthegrateandstruckhimahorribleblowashepassed。He
fellwithagroanandnevermovedagain。Ifaintedoncemore，but
againitcouldonlyhavebeenforaveryfewminutesduringwhichI
wasinsensible。WhenIopenedmyeyesIfoundthattheyhad
collectedthesilverfromthesideboard，andtheyhaddrawnabottle
ofwinewhichstoodthere。Eachofthemhadaglassinhishand。I
havealreadytoldyou，haveInot，thatonewaselderly，withabeard，
andtheothersyoung，hairlesslads。Theymighthavebeenafather
withhistwosons。Theytalkedtogetherinwhispers。Thentheycame
overandmadesurethatIwassecurelybound。Finallytheywithdrew，
closingthewindowafterthem。Itwasquiteaquarterofanhour
beforeIgotmymouthfree。WhenIdidso，myscreamsbroughtthemaid
tomyassistance。Theotherservantsweresoonalarmed，andwesent
forthelocalpolice，whoinstantlycommunicatedwithLondon。That
isreallyallthatIcantellyou，gentlemen，andItrustthatitwill
notbenecessaryformetogooversopainfulastoryagain。”
“Anyquestions，Mr。Holmes？“askedHopkins。
“IwillnotimposeanyfurthertaxuponLadyBrackenstall”spatience
andtime，“saidHolmes。“BeforeIgointothedining-room，Ishould
liketohearyourexperience。”Helookedatthemaid。
“Isawthemenbeforeevertheycameintothehouse，“saidshe。
“AsIsatbymybedroomwindowIsawthreemeninthemoonlightdown
bythelodgegateyonder，butIthoughtnothingofitatthetime。
ItwasmorethananhourafterthatIheardmymistressscream，and
downIran，tofindher，poorlamb，justasshesays，andhimonthe
floor，withhisbloodandbrainsovertheroom。Itwasenoughtodrive
awomanoutofherwits，tiedthere，andherverydressspottedwith
him，butsheneverwantedcourage，didMissMaryFraserofAdelaide
andLadyBrackenstallofAbbeyGrangehasn”tlearnednewways。
You”vequestionedherlongenough，yougentlemen，andnowsheis
comingtoherownroom，justwithheroldTheresa，togettherest
thatshebadlyneeds。”
Withamotherlytendernessthegauntwomanputherarmroundher
mistressandledherfromtheroom。
“Shehasbeenwithherallherlife，“saidHopkins。“Nursedherasa
baby，andcamewithhertoEnglandwhentheyfirstleftAustralia，
eighteenmonthsago。TheresaWrightishername，andthekindof
maidyoudon”tpickupnowadays。Thisway，Mr。Holmes，ifyouplease！“
ThekeeninteresthadpassedoutofHolmes”sexpressiveface，and
Iknewthatwiththemysteryallthecharmofthecasehaddeparted。
Therestillremainedanarresttobeeffected，butwhatwerethese
commonplaceroguesthatheshouldsoilhishandswiththem？An
abstruseandlearnedspecialistwhofindsthathehasbeencalledin
foracaseofmeasleswouldexperiencesomethingoftheannoyance
whichIreadinmyfriend”seyes。Yetthesceneinthedining-room
oftheAbbeyGrangewassufficientlystrangetoarresthisattention
andtorecallhiswaninginterest。
Itwasaverylargeandhighchamber，withcarvedoakceiling，oaken
panelling，andafinearrayofdeer”sheadsandancientweaponsaround
thewalls。AtthefurtherendfromthedoorwasthehighFrenchwindow
ofwhichwehadheard。Threesmallerwindowsontheright-handside
filledtheapartmentwithcoldwintersunshine。Ontheleftwasa
large，deepfireplace，withamassive，overhangingoakmantelpiece。
Besidethefireplacewasaheavyoakenchairwitharmsandcrossbars
atthebottom。Inandoutthroughtheopenwoodworkwaswovena
crimsoncord，whichwassecuredateachsidetothecrosspiece
below。Inreleasingthelady，thecordhadbeenslippedoffher，but
theknotswithwhichithadbeensecuredstillremained。Thesedetails
onlystruckourattentionafterwards，forourthoughtswereentirely
absorbedbytheterribleobjectwhichlayuponthetigerskinhearthrug
infrontofthefire。
Itwasthebodyofatall，well-mademan，aboutfortyyearsof
age。Helayuponhisback，hisfaceupturned，withhiswhiteteeth
grinningthroughhisshort，blackbeard。Histwoclenchedhandswere
raisedabovehishead，andaheavy，blackthornsticklayacross
them。Hisdark，handsome，aquilinefeatureswereconvulsedintoa
spasmofvindictivehatred，whichhadsethisdeadfaceina
terriblyfiendishexpression。Hehadevidentlybeeninhisbedwhen
thealarmhadbrokenout，forheworeafoppish，embroidered
nightshirt，andhisbarefeetprojectedfromhistrousers。Hishead
washorriblyinjured，andthewholeroomborewitnesstothesavage
ferocityoftheblowwhichhadstruckhimdown。Besidehimlaythe
heavypoker，bentintoacurvebytheconcussion。Holmesexaminedboth
itandtheindescribablewreckwhichithadwrought。
“Hemustbeapowerfulman，thiselderRandall，“heremarked。
“Yes，“saidHopkins。“Ihavesomerecordofthefellow，andheis
aroughcustomer。”
“Youshouldhavenodifficultyingettinghim。”
“Nottheslightest。Wehavebeenonthelook-outforhim，and
therewassomeideathathehadgotawaytoAmerica。Nowthatwe
knowthatthegangarehere，Idon”tseehowtheycanescape。We
havethenewsateveryseaportalready，andarewardwillbeoffered
beforeevening。Whatbeatsmeishowtheycouldhavedonesomada
thing，knowingthattheladycoulddescribethemandthatwecouldnot
failtorecognizethedescription。”
“Exactly。OnewouldhaveexpectedthattheywouldsilenceLady
Brackenstallaswell。”
“Theymaynothaverealized，“Isuggested，“thatshehadrecovered
fromherfaint。”
“Thatislikelyenough。Ifsheseemedtobesenseless，theywould
nottakeherlife。Whataboutthispoorfellow，Hopkins？Iseemto
haveheardsomequeerstoriesabouthim。”
“Hewasagood-heartedmanwhenhewassober，butaperfectfiend
whenhewasdrunk，orratherwhenhewashalfdrunk，forheseldom
reallywentthewholeway。Thedevilseemedtobeinhimatsuch
times，andhewascapableofanything。FromwhatIhear，inspiteof
allhiswealthandhistitle，heverynearlycameourwayonceor
twice。Therewasascandalabouthisdrenchingadogwithpetroleum
andsettingitonfire-herladyship”sdog，tomakethematter
worse-andthatwasonlyhushedupwithdifficulty。Thenhethrewa
decanteratthatmaid，TheresaWright-therewastroubleaboutthat。
Onthewhole，andbetweenourselves，itwillbeabrighterhouse
withouthim。Whatareyoulookingatnow？“
Holmeswasdownonhisknees，examiningwithgreatattentionthe
knotsupontheredcordwithwhichtheladyhadbeensecured。Then
hecarefullyscrutinizedthebrokenandfrayedendwhereithad
snappedoffwhentheburglarhaddraggeditdown。
“Whenthiswaspulleddown，thebellinthekitchenmusthaverung
loudly，“heremarked。
“Noonecouldhearit。Thekitchenstandsrightatthebackofthe
house。”
“Howdidtheburglarknownoonewouldhearit？Howdaredhepullat
abellropeinthatrecklessfashion？“
“Exactly，Mr。Holmes，exactly。YouputtheveryquestionwhichI
haveaskedmyselfagainandagain。Therecanbenodoubtthatthis
fellowmusthaveknownthehouseanditshabits。Hemusthave
perfectlyunderstoodthattheservantswouldallbeinbedatthat
comparativelyearlyhour，andthatnoonecouldpossiblyhearabell
ringinthekitchen。Therefore，hemusthavebeenincloseleaguewith
oneoftheservants。Surelythatisevident。Butthereareeight
servants，andallofgoodcharacter。”
“Otherthingsbeingequal，“saidHolmes，“onewouldsuspectthe
oneatwhoseheadthemasterthrewadecanter。Andyetthatwould
involvetreacherytowardsthemistresstowhomthiswomanseems
devoted。Well，well，thepointisaminorone，andwhenyouhave
Randallyouwillprobablyfindnodifficultyinsecuringhis
accomplice。Thelady”sstorycertainlyseemstobecorroborated，ifit
neededcorroboration，byeverydetailwhichweseebeforeus。”He
walkedtotheFrenchwindowandthrewitopen。“Therearenosigns
here，butthegroundisironhard，andonewouldnotexpectthem。I
seethatthesecandlesinthemantelpiecehavebeenlighted。”
“Yes，itwasbytheirlightandthatofthelady”sbedroomcandle，
thattheburglarssawtheirwayabout。”
“Andwhatdidtheytake？“
“Well，theydidnottakemuch-onlyhalfadozenarticlesofplate
offthesideboard。LadyBrackenstallthinksthattheywere
themselvessodisturbedbythedeathofSirEustacethattheydid
notransackthehouse，astheywouldotherwisehavedone。”
“Nodoubtthatistrue，andyettheydranksomewine，Iunderstand。”
“Tosteadytheirnerves。”
“Exactly。Thesethreeglassesuponthesideboardhavebeen
untouched，Isuppose？“
“Yes，andthebottlestandsastheyleftit。”
“Letuslookatit。Halloa，halloa！Whatisthis？“
Thethreeglassesweregroupedtogether，allofthemtingedwith
wine，andoneofthemcontainingsomedregsofbeeswing。Thebottle
stoodnearthem，two-thirdsfull，andbesideitlayalong，deeply
stainedcork。Itsappearanceandthedustuponthebottleshowed
thatitwasnocommonvintagewhichthemurderershadenjoyed。
AchangehadcomeoverHolmes”smanner。Hehadlosthislistless
expression，andagainIsawanalertlightofinterestinhiskeen，
deep-seteyes。Heraisedthecorkandexamineditminutely。
“Howdidtheydrawit？“heasked。
Hopkinspointedtoahalf-openeddrawer。Initlaysometable
linenandalargecorkscrew。
“DidLadyBrackenstallsaythatscrewwasused？“
“No，yourememberthatshewassenselessatthemomentwhenthe
bottlewasopened。”
“Quiteso。Asamatteroffact，thatscrewwasnotused。Thisbottle
wasopenedbyapocketscrew，probablycontainedinaknife，andnot
morethananinchandahalflong。Ifyouwillexaminethetopof
thecork，youwillobservethatthescrewwasdriveninthreetimes
beforethecorkwasextracted。Ithasneverbeentransfixed。Thislong
screwwouldhavetransfixeditanddrawnitupwithasinglepull。
Whenyoucatchthisfellow，youwillfindthathehasoneofthese
multiplexknivesinhispossession。”
“Excellent！“saidHopkins。
“Buttheseglassesdopuzzleme，Iconfess。LadyBrackenstall
actuallysawthethreemendrinking，didshenot？“
“Yes；shewasclearaboutthat。”
“Thenthereisanendofit。Whatmoreistobesaid？Andyet，you
mustadmit，thatthethreeglassesareveryremarkable，Hopkins。What？
Youseenothingremarkable？Well，well，letitpass。Perhaps，whena
manhasspecialknowledgeandspecialpowerslikemyown，itrather
encourageshimtoseekacomplexexplanationwhenasimpleroneis
athand。Ofcourse，itmustbeamerechanceabouttheglasses。
Well，good-morning，Hopkins。Idon”tseethatIcanbeofanyuseto
you，andyouappeartohaveyourcaseveryclear。Youwillletmeknow
whenRandallisarrested，andanyfurtherdevelopmentswhichmay
occur。ItrustthatIshallsoonhavetocongratulateyouupona
successfulconclusion。Come，Watson，Ifancythatwemayemploy
ourselvesmoreprofitablyathome。”
Duringourreturnjourney，IcouldseebyHolmes”sfacethathe
wasmuchpuzzledbysomethingwhichhehadobserved。Everynowand
then，byaneffort，hewouldthrowofftheimpression，andtalkas
ifthematterwereclear，butthenhisdoubtswouldsettledownupon
himagain，andhisknittedbrowsandabstractedeyeswouldshowthat
histhoughtshadgonebackoncemoretothegreatdiningroomofthe
AbbeyGrange，inwhichthismidnighttragedyhadbeenenacted。At
last，byasuddenimpulse，justasourtrainwascrawlingoutofa
suburbanstation，hesprangontotheplatformandpulledmeoutafter
him。
“Excuseme，mydearfellow，“saidhe，aswewatchedtherear
carriagesofourtraindisappearingroundacurve，“Iamsorrytomake
youthevictimofwhatmayseemamerewhim，butonmylife，Watson，I
simplycan”tleavethatcaseinthiscondition。Everyinstinctthat
Ipossesscriesoutagainstit。It”swrong-it”sallwrong-I”llswear
thatit”swrong。Andyetthelady”sstorywascomplete，themaid”s
corroborationwassufficient，thedetailwasfairlyexact。WhathaveI
toputupagainstthat？Threewine-glasses，thatisall。ButifI
hadnottakenthingsforgranted，ifIhadexaminedeverythingwith
carewhichIshouldhaveshownhadweapproachedthecasedenovo
andhadnocut-and-driedstorytowarpmymind，shouldInotthenhave
foundsomethingmoredefinitetogoupon？OfcourseIshould。Sitdown
onthisbench，Watson，untilatrainforChiselhurstarrives，and
allowmetolaytheevidencebeforeyou，imploringyouinthefirst
instancetodismissfromyourmindtheideathatanythingwhichthe
maidorhermistressmayhavesaidmustnecessarilybetrue。The
lady”scharmingpersonalitymustnotbepermittedtowarpour
judgment。
“Surelytherearedetailsinherstorywhich，ifwelookedatin
coldblood，wouldexciteoursuspicion。Theseburglarsmadea
considerablehaulatSydenhamafortnightago。Someaccountofthem
andoftheirappearancewasinthepapers，andwouldnaturallyoccur
toanyonewhowishedtoinventastoryinwhichimaginaryrobbers
shouldplayapart。Asamatteroffact，burglarswhohavedoneagood
strokeofbusinessare，asarule，onlytoogladtoenjoytheproceeds
inpeaceandquietwithoutembarkingonanotherperilous
undertaking。Again，itisunusualforburglarstooperateatso
earlyanhour，itisunusualforburglarstostrikealadyto
preventherscreaming，sinceonewouldimaginethatwasthesureway
tomakeherscream，itisunusualforthemtocommitmurderwhentheir
numbersaresufficienttooverpoweroneman，itisunusualforthemto
becontentwithalimitedplunderwhentherewasmuchmorewithin
theirreach，andfinally，Ishouldsay，thatitwasveryunusualfor
suchmentoleaveabottlehalfempty。Howdoalltheseunusuals
strikeyou，Watson？“
“Theircumulativeeffectiscertainlyconsiderable，andyeteach
ofthemisquitepossibleinitself。Themostunusualthingofall，as
itseemstome，isthattheladyshouldbetiedtothechair。”
“Well，Iamnotsoclearaboutthat，Watson，foritisevident
thattheymusteitherkillherorelsesecureherinsuchawaythat
shecouldnotgiveimmediatenoticeoftheirescape。ButatanyrateI
haveshown，haveInot，thatthereisacertainelementof
improbabilityaboutthelady”sstory？Andnow，onthetopofthis，
comestheincidentofthewineglasses。”
“Whataboutthewineglasses？“
“Canyouseetheminyourmind”seye？“
“Iseethemclearly。”
“Wearetoldthatthreemendrankfromthem。Doesthatstrikeyouas
likely？“
“Whynot？Therewaswineineachglass。”
“Exactly，buttherewasbeeswingonlyinoneglass。Youmusthave
noticedthatfact。Whatdoesthatsuggesttoyourmind？“
“Thelastglassfilledwouldbemostlikelytocontainbeeswing。”
“Notatall。Thebottlewasfullofit，anditisinconceivablethat
thefirsttwoglasseswereclearandthethirdheavilychargedwith
it。Therearetwopossibleexplanations，andonlytwo。Oneisthat
afterthesecondglasswasfilledthebottlewasviolentlyagitated，
andsothethirdglassreceivedthebeeswing。Thatdoesnotappear
probable。No，no，IamsurethatIamright。”
“What，then，doyousuppose？“
“Thatonlytwoglasseswereused，andthatthedregsofbothwere
pouredintoathirdglass，soastogivethefalseimpressionthat
threepeoplehadbeenhere。Inthatwayallthebeeswingwouldbein
thelastglass，woulditnot？Yes，Iamconvincedthatthisisso。But
ifIhavehituponthetrueexplanationofthisonesmall
phenomenon，theninaninstantthecaserisesfromthecommonplace
totheexceedinglyremarkable，foritcanonlymeanthatLady
Brackenstallandhermaidhavedeliberatelyliedtous，thatnotone
wordoftheirstoryistobebelieved，thattheyhavesomeverystrong
reasonforcoveringtherealcriminal，andthatwemustconstruct
ourcaseforourselveswithoutanyhelpfromthem。Thatisthemission
whichnowliesbeforeus，andhere，Watson，istheSydenhamtrain。”
ThehouseholdattheAbbeyGrangeweremuchsurprisedatourreturn，
butSherlockHolmes，findingthatStanleyHopkinshadgoneoffto
reporttoheadquarters，tookpossessionofthedining-room，lockedthe
doorupontheinside，anddevotedhimselffortwohourstooneof
thoseminuteandlaboriousinvestigationswhichformthesolidbasis
onwhichhisbrilliantedificesofdeductionwerereared。Seatedin
acornerlikeaninterestedstudentwhoobservesthedemonstration
ofhisprofessor，Ifollowedeverystepofthatremarkableresearch。
Thewindow，thecurtains，thecarpet，thechair，therope-eachin
turnwasminutelyexaminedanddulypondered。Thebodyofthe
unfortunatebaronethadbeenremoved，andallelseremainedaswe
hadseenitinthemorning。Finally，tomyastonishment，Holmes
climbedupontothemassivemantelpiece。Farabovehisheadhung
thefewinchesofredcordwhichwerestillattachedtothewire。
Foralongtimehegazedupwardatit，andtheninanattempttoget
nearertoitherestedhiskneeuponawoodenbracketonthewall。
Thisbroughthishandwithinafewinchesofthebrokenendofthe
rope，butitwasnotthissomuchasthebracketitselfwhichseemed
toengagehisattention。Finally，hesprangdownwithanejaculation
ofsatisfaction。
“It”sallright，Watson，“saidhe。“Wehavegotourcase-oneofthe
mostremarkableinourcollection。But，dearme，howslow-wittedI
havebeen，andhownearlyIhavecommittedtheblunderofmylifetime！
Now，Ithinkthat，withafewmissinglinks，mychainisalmost
complete。”
“Youhavegotyourmen？“
“Man，Watson，man。Onlyone，butaveryformidableperson。Strongas
alion-witnesstheblowthatbentthatpoker！Sixfootthreein
height，activeasasquirrel，dexterouswithhisfingers，finally，
remarkablyquick-witted，forthiswholeingeniousstoryisofhis
concoction。Yes，Watson，wehavecomeuponthehandiworkofavery
remarkableindividual。Andyet，inthatbell-rope，hehasgivenusa
cluewhichshouldnothaveleftusadoubt。”
“Wherewastheclue？“
“Well，ifyouweretopulldownabell-rope，Watson，wherewouldyou
expectittobreak？Surelyatthespotwhereitisattachedtothe
wire。Whyshoulditbreakthreeinchesfromthetop，asthisonehas
done？“
“Becauseitisfrayedthere？“
“Exactly。Thisend，whichwecanexamine，isfrayed。Hewas
cunningenoughtodothatwithhisknife。Buttheotherendisnot
frayed。Youcouldnotobservethatfromhere，butifyouwereonthe
mantelpieceyouwouldseethatitiscutcleanoffwithoutanymarkof
frayingwhatever。Youcanreconstructwhatoccurred。Themanneeded
therope。Hewouldnottearitdownforfearofgivingthealarmby
ringingthebell。Whatdidhedo？Hespranguponthemantelpiece，
couldnotquitereachit，puthiskneeonthebracket-youwillsee
theimpressioninthedust-andsogothisknifetobearuponthe
cord。Icouldnotreachtheplacebyatleastthreeinches-fromwhich
IinferthatheisatleastthreeinchesabiggermanthanI。Look
atthatmarkupontheseatoftheoakenchair！Whatisit？“
“Blood。”
“Undoubtedlyitisblood。Thisaloneputsthelady”sstoryoutof
court。Ifshewereseatedonthechairwhenthecrimewasdone，how
comesthatmark？No，no，shewasplacedinthechairafterthedeath
ofherhusband。I”llwagerthattheblackdressshowsa
correspondingmarktothis。WehavenotyetmetourWaterloo，
Watson，butthisisourMarengo，foritbeginsindefeatandendsin
victory。Ishouldlikenowtohaveafewwordswiththenurse，
Theresa。Wemustbewaryforawhile，ifwearetogettheinformation
whichwewant。”
Shewasaninterestingperson，thissternAustraliannurse-
taciturn，suspicious，ungracious，ittooksometimebeforeHolmes”s
pleasantmannerandfrankacceptanceofallthatshesaidthawedher
intoacorrespondingamiability。Shedidnotattempttoconcealher
hatredforherlateemployer。
“Yes，sir，itistruethathethrewthedecanteratme。Iheard
himcallmymistressaname，andItoldhimthathewouldnotdare
tospeaksoifherbrotherhadbeenthere。Thenitwasthathethrew
itatme。Hemighthavethrownadozenifhehadbutleftmybonny
birdalone。Hewasforeverill-treatingher，andshetooproudto
complain。Shewillnoteventellmeallthathehasdonetoher。She
nevertoldmeofthosemarksonherarmthatyousawthismorning，but
Iknowverywellthattheycomefromastabwithahatpin。Thesly
devil-GodforgivemethatIshouldspeakofhimso，nowthatheis
dead！Butadevilhewas，ifeveronewalkedtheearth。Hewasall
honeywhenfirstwemethim-onlyeighteenmonthsago，andweboth
feelasifitwereeighteenyears。Shehadonlyjustarrivedin
London。Yes，itwasherfirstvoyage-shehadneverbeenfromhome
before。HewonherwithhistitleandhismoneyandhisfalseLondon
ways。Ifshemadeamistakeshehaspaidforit，ifeverawoman
did。Whatmonthdidwemeethim？Well，Itellyouitwasjustafterwe
arrived。WearrivedinJune，anditwasJuly。Theyweremarriedin
Januaryoflastyear。Yes，sheisdowninthemorning-roomagain，
andIhavenodoubtshewillseeyou，butyoumustnotasktoomuchof
her，forshehasgonethroughallthatfleshandbloodwillstand。”
LadyBrackenstallwasrecliningonthesamecouch，butlooked
brighterthanbefore。Themaidhadenteredwithus，andbeganonce
moretofomentthebruiseuponhermistress”sbrow。
“Ihope，“saidthelady，“thatyouhavenotcometocross-examineme
again？“
“No，“Holmesanswered，inhisgentlestvoice，“Iwillnotcause
youanyunnecessarytrouble，LadyBrackenstall，andmywholedesireis
tomakethingseasyforyou，forIamconvincedthatyouarea
much-triedwoman。Ifyouwilltreatmeasafriendandtrustme，you
mayfindthatIwilljustifyyourtrust。”
“Whatdoyouwantmetodo？“
“Totellmethetruth。”
“Mr。Holmes！“
“No，no，LadyBrackenstall-itisnouse。Youmayhaveheardof
anylittlereputationwhichIpossess。Iwillstakeitallonthefact
thatyourstoryisanabsolutefabrication。”
MistressandmaidwerebothstaringatHolmeswithpalefacesand
frightenedeyes。
“Youareanimpudentfellow！“criedTheresa。“Doyoumeantosay
thatmymistresshastoldalie？“
Holmesrosefromhischair。
“Haveyounothingtotellme？“
“Ihavetoldyoueverything。”
“Thinkoncemore，LadyBrackenstall。Woulditnotbebettertobe
frank？“
Foraninstanttherewashesitationinherbeautifulface。Thensome
newstrongthoughtcausedittosetlikeamask。
“IhavetoldyouallIknow。”
Holmestookhishatandshruggedhisshoulders。“Iamsorry，“he
said，andwithoutanotherwordwelefttheroomandthehouse。There
wasapondinthepark，andtothismyfriendledtheway。Itwas
frozenover，butasingleholewasleftfortheconvenienceofa
solitaryswan。Holmesgazedatit，andthenpassedontothelodge
gate。TherehescribbledashortnoteforStanleyHopkins，andleftit
withthelodge-keeper。
“Itmaybeahit，oritmaybeamiss，butweareboundtodo
somethingforfriendHopkins，justtojustifythissecondvisit，“said
he。“Iwillnotquitetakehimintomyconfidenceyet。Ithinkour
nextsceneofoperationsmustbetheshippingofficeofthe
Adelaide-Southamptonline，whichstandsattheendofPallMall，if
Irememberright。Thereisasecondlineofsteamerswhichconnect
SouthAustraliawithEngland，butwewilldrawthelargercover
first。”
Holmes”scardsentintothemanagerensuredinstantattention，
andhewasnotlonginacquiringalltheinformationheneeded。In
Juneof”95，onlyoneoftheirlinehadreachedahomeport。Itwas
theRockofGibraltar，theirlargestandbestboat。Areferencetothe
passengerlistshowedthatMissFraser，ofAdelaide，withhermaidhad
madethevoyageinher。TheboatwasnowsomewheresouthoftheSuez
CanalonherwaytoAustralia。Herofficerswerethesameasin”95，
withoneexception。Thefirstofficer，Mr。JackCrocker，hadbeenmade
acaptainandwastotakechargeoftheirnewship，theBassRock，
sailingintwodays”timefromSouthampton。HelivedatSydenham，
buthewaslikelytobeinthatmorningforinstructions，ifwe
caredtowaitforhim。
No，Mr。Holmeshadnodesiretoseehim，butwouldbegladtoknow
moreabouthisrecordandcharacter。
Hisrecordwasmagnificent。Therewasnotanofficerinthefleetto
touchhim。Astohischaracter，hewasreliableonduty，butawild，
desperatefellowoffthedeckofhisship-hot-headed，excitable，
butloyal，honest，andkind-hearted。Thatwasthepithofthe
informationwithwhichHolmeslefttheofficeofthe
Adelaide-Southamptoncompany。ThencehedrovetoScotlandYard，but，
insteadofentering，hesatinhiscabwithhisbrowsdrawndown，lost
inprofoundthought。FinallyhedroveroundtotheCharingCross
telegraphoffice，sentoffamessage，andthen，atlast，wemadefor
BakerStreetoncemore。
“No，Icouldn”tdoit，Watson，“saidhe，aswereenteredourroom。
“Oncethatwarrantwasmadeout，nothingonearthwouldsavehim。Once
ortwiceinmycareerIfeelthatIhavedonemorerealharmbymy
discoveryofthecriminalthaneverhehaddonebyhiscrime。Ihave
learnedcautionnow，andIhadratherplaytrickswiththelawof
Englandthanwithmyownconscience。Letusknowalittlemore
beforeweact。”
Beforeevening，wehadavisitfromInspectorStanleyHopkins。
Thingswerenotgoingverywellwithhim。
“Ibelievethatyouareawizard，Mr。Holmes。Ireallydo
sometimesthinkthatyouhavepowersthatarenothuman。Now，howon
earthcouldyouknowthatthestolensilverwasatthebottomof
thatpond？“
“Ididn”tknowit。”
“Butyoutoldmetoexamineit。”
“Yougotit，then？“
“Yes，Igotit。”
“IamverygladifIhavehelpedyou。”
“Butyouhaven”thelpedme。Youhavemadetheaffairfarmore
difficult。Whatsortofburglarsaretheywhostealsilverandthen
throwitintothenearestpond？“
“Itwascertainlyrathereccentricbehaviour。Iwasmerelygoing
ontheideathatifthesilverhadbeentakenbypersonswhodidnot
wantit-whomerelytookitforablind，asitwere-thentheywould
naturallybeanxioustogetridofit。”
“Butwhyshouldsuchanideacrossyourmind？“
“Well，Ithoughtitwaspossible。Whentheycameoutthroughthe
Frenchwindow，therewasthepondwithonetemptinglittleholeinthe
ice，rightinfrontoftheirnoses。Couldtherebeabetter
hiding-place？“
“Ah，ahiding-place-thatisbetter！“criedStanleyHopkins。“Yes，
yes，Iseeitallnow！Itwasearly，therewerefolkupontheroads，
theywereafraidofbeingseenwiththesilver，sotheysankitinthe
pond，intendingtoreturnforitwhenthecoastwasclear。
Excellent，Mr。Holmes-thatisbetterthanyourideaofablind。”
“Quiteso，youhavegotanadmirabletheory。Ihavenodoubtthatmy
ownideaswerequitewild，butyoumustadmitthattheyhaveended
indiscoveringthesilver。”
“Yes，sir-yes。Itwasallyourdoing。ButIhavehadabad
setback。”
“Asetback？“
“Yes，Mr。Holmes。TheRandallgangwerearrestedinNewYorkthis
morning。”
“Dearme，Hopkins！Thatiscertainlyratheragainstyourtheorythat
theycommittedamurderinKentlastnight。”
“Itisfatal，Mr。Holmes-absolutelyfatal。Still，thereareother
gangsofthreebesidestheRandalls，oritmaybesomenewgangof
whichthepolicehaveneverheard。”
“Quiteso，itisperfectlypossible。What，areyouoff？“
Yes，Mr。Holmes，thereisnorestformeuntilIhavegottothe
bottomofthebusiness。Isupposeyouhavenohinttogiveme？“
“Ihavegivenyouone。”
“Which？“
“Well，Isuggestedablind。”
“Butwhy，Mr。Holmes，why？“
“Ah，that”sthequestion，ofcourse。ButIcommendtheideato
yourmind。Youmightpossiblyfindthattherewassomethinginit。You
won”tstopfordinner？Well，good-bye，andletusknowhowyouget
on。”
Dinnerwasover，andthetableclearedbeforeHolmesalludedto
thematteragain。Hehadlithispipeandheldhisslipperedfeetto
thecheerfulblazeofthefire。Suddenlyhelookedathiswatch。
“Iexpectdevelopments，Watson。”
“When？“
“Now-withinafewminutes。IdaresayyouthoughtIactedrather
badlytoStanleyHopkinsjustnow？“
“Itrustyourjudgment。”
“Averysensiblereply，Watson。Youmustlookatitthisway：whatI
knowisunofficial，whatheknowsisofficial。Ihavetherightto
privatejudgment，buthehasnone。Hemustdiscloseall，orheisa
traitortohisservice。InadoubtfulcaseIwouldnotputhiminso
painfulaposition，andsoIreservemyinformationuntilmyown
mindisclearuponthematter。”