Book 2, chapter 4 of a study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Book 2 chapter 4, a flight for
life. On the morning, which followed
his interview with the Mormon prophet.
John Ferrier went into Salt Lake City, and having found his
acquaintance who was bound for the Nevada mountains.
He entrusted him with his message to Jefferson.
Hope in it. He told the young man of the
imminent danger, which threatened them and how
necessary it was that he should return having done this.
He felt easier in his mind and returned home with a lighter
heart. As he approached his farm.
He was surprised to see a horse hitch to each of the posts of
the gate. Still more surprised.
Was he on entering to find two young men in possession of his
sitting room, one with a long pale face was leaning back in
the rocking chair. And with his feet cocked up upon
the stove, the other a bull-necked youth.
With course bloated features was standing in front of the window
with his hands. In his pocket whistling of
popular him. Both of them, nodded to Faria as
he entered and the one in the rocking chair.
Commenced the conversation. Maybe you don't know us, he said
this, here is a son of Elder driver and I'm Joseph stangerson
who travel with you in the desert.
When the Lord stretched out his hand and gathered you into the
true fold. As he will with all the nations
in his own. Good time.
Said the other in a nasal voice. He grinded slowly but exceeding
small. John Ferrier bowed coldly.
He had guests who his visitors were.
We have come continued stangerson at the advice of our
fathers to solicit the hand of your daughter.
For whichever of us. May seem good to you and to her,
as I have, but four wives and brother drebber here has seven.
It appears to me. That my claim is the stronger.
One Nene, brother. Stangerson cried.
The other. The question is not how many
wives we have. But how many we can keep my
father has now given over his Is Tommy and I am the Richer man,
but my prospects of better said, the other warmly, when the Lord
removes my father, I shall have his tanning yard and his leather
factory. Then I am your Elder and I'm
higher in the church. It will be for the maiden to
decide rejoined, young drebber smirking at his own reflection
in the glass. We will leave it all to her
decision. During this dialogue, John
Ferrier had stood fuming in the doorway hardly able to keep his
riding-whip from the backs of his to visitors.
Look here. He said at last striding up to
them when my daughter summons you you can come but until then
I don't want to see your faces again.
The two young moments stared at him in amazement in their eyes.
This competition between them for the maidens.
Hand was the highest of honors both to her and her father.
There are two ways out of the room cried.
Ferrier. There's the door and there's the
window, which do you care to use?
His Brown face looks so Savage and is gone hands.
So threatening that is visitors sprang to their feet and beat A
hurried Retreat. The old farmer followed them to
the door. Let me know when you've settled
which it is to be. He said sardonically.
You shall smart for this stangerson cried white with
rage. You have defied, the prophet and
the Council of four you shall Rue it.
To the end of your days. The hand of the Lord shall be
heavy upon you cried young driba.
He will arise and smite you. Then I'll start the smiting.
Explain farrier furiously and would have rushed upstairs for
his gun had not, Lucy, seized him, by the arm and Trained him
before he could escape from her. The clatter of horses hooves
told him that they were Beyond his reach, The Young canting
Rascals. He exclaimed wiping the
perspiration from his forehead. I would sooner see you in your
grave, my girl then the wife of either of them.
And so should I father she answered with Spirit, but
Jefferson will soon be here. Yes, it will not be long before
he comes the sooner. The better for we do not know
what their next move. Maybe.
It was indeed High time that someone capable of giving advice
and help should come to the aid of the sturdy old farmer.
And his adopted daughter in the whole history of the settlement.
There had never been such a case of rank Disobedience to the
authority of the elders. If minor errors were punished so
sternly what would be the fate of this Arch?
Rebel Faria knew that his wealth and position would be of no
avail to him others as well. Known and as rich as himself had
been Spirited Away before now and their goods given over to
the church. He was a brave man, but he
trembled at the vague shadowy Terrors, which hung over him.
Any known danger. He could face with a firm lip,
but this suspense was unnerving. He concealed his fears from his
daughter, however, and affected to make light of the whole
matter though. She with the Keen Eye Of Love,
saw plainly that he was Ill at ease.
He expected that he would receive some message or
remonstrance from young as to his conduct.
And he was not mistaken though. It came in an unlooked-for
manner upon Rising next morning. He found to his surprise a small
square of paper pinned onto the coverlet of his bed.
Just over his chest on, it was printed in bold, straggling
letters. 29 days are given you for Amendment and then the dash
was more fear-inspiring than any threat could have been.
How this warning came into his room.
Puzzled. John Ferrier solely for his
servants, slept in an outhouse and the doors and windows had
all been secured. He crumpled the paper up and
said nothing to his daughter, but the incident struck a chill
into his heart. The 29 days were evidently the
balance of the month, which young had promised, what
strength, or courage could Avail against an enemy armed with such
mysterious Powers the hand which fuss and Duckpin might have
struck him to the heart and he could never have known who had
slain him. Still more shaken, was he?
Next morning. They had sat down to their
breakfast when Lucy with a cry of surprise pointed upwards in
the center of the ceiling was scrawled with a burned stick.
Apparently, the number 28 to his daughter.
It was unintelligible. And he did not Enlighten her
that night, he sat up with his gun and kept watch and ward.
He saw and he heard nothing. And yet in the morning, a great
27 have been Entered upon the outside of his door.
Thus day followed day. And as sure as morning came, he
found that his unseen enemies had kept their register and had
marked up in some conspicuous position.
How many days were still left to him?
Out of the month of Grace? Sometimes the Fatal numbers
appeared upon the walls sometimes upon the floors
occasionally. They were on small placards
stuck upon the garden gate or the railings.
With all his vigilance John, Ferrier could not discover
whence these daily warnings preceded, a horror, which was
almost superstitious Came Upon him at the sight of them.
He became Haggard and restless and his eyes had the troubled
look of some hunted creature. He had but one hope in life now
and that was for the arrival of the young hunter from, Nevada.
20th changed to 15 and 15 to 10. But there was no news of the
absentee one by one, the numbers dwindle down and still there
came no sign of him. Whenever a Horseman clattered
down the road or a driver shouted, at his team, the old
farmer hurried to the gate thinking that help had arrived
at last. At last, when he saw five give
way to four and that again, two three, he lost heart and
abandoned all hope of Escape. Single-handed and with his
limited knowledge of the mountains, which surrounded the
settlement, he knew that he was powerless.
The more frequented roads was strictly watched and guarded and
non could pass along them without an order from the
council. Turn, which way he would there
appeared to be no avoiding the blow, which hung over him.
Yet. The old man never wavered in his
resolution to part with life itself, before he consented to
what he regarded as his daughters dishonor.
He was sitting alone one evening pondering deeply over his
troubles and searching vainly. For some way out of them that
morning had shown the figure to upon the wall of his house.
And the next day would be the last of the allotted time.
What was to happen? Then all manner of vague.
And terrible. Fancies filled his imagination
and his daughter. What was to become of her after
he was gone. Was there no escape from the
invisible network which was drawn all around them.
He sank his head upon the table and sobbed at the thought of his
own impotence. What was that in the silence?
He had a gentle scratching sound low, but very distinct in the
quiet of the night. It came from the door of the
house, Faria crept into the hall and listened intently.
There was a pause for a few moments.
And then the low Insidious sound was repeated.
Someone was evidently tapping, very gently upon one of the
panel's of the door. Was it?
Some midnight assassin who had come to carry out the murderers
orders of the secret tribunal? Or was it some agent who is
marking up that the last day of Grace had arrived, John?
Ferrier felt that instant death would be better than the
suspense, which shook his nerves and chilled his heart springing
forward. He drew the bolt and threw the
door open. Outside all was calm and quiet.
The night was fine and the stars were twinkling brightly
overhead. The little front garden lay
before the farmers eyes bounded by the fence and gate, but
neither there, nor on the road was any human being to be seen?
With a sigh of relief, very looked right?
And two left until happening to glanced straight down at his own
feet. He saw to his astonishment, a
man lying flat upon his face upon the ground with arms and
legs all a sprawl. So unnerved was he at the sight
that he leaned up against the wall with his hand to his
throat? To stifle his inclination to
call out. His first thought was that the
prostrate figure was that of some wounded or dying man, but
as he watched it, he saw it ride along the ground and into the
hall with the rapidity and noiselessness of a serpent once
within the house, the man sprang to his feet, close the door and
reveal to the astonished farmer, the fierce face and resolute.
Russian of Jefferson. Hope.
Good. God gasps John Ferrier how you
scared me? Whatever made you come in like
that, give me food. The other said hoarsely I have
had no time for bite or sup for eight-and-forty hours.
He flung himself upon the cold meat and bread which was still
lying upon the table from his host suffer and devoured it
voraciously. Does Lucy Barrett?
Well, he asked when he had satisfied his hunger.
Yes. She does not know the danger,
her father answered. That is, well.
The house is watched on every side.
That is why I crawled my way up to it.
They may be done sharp, but they're not quite sharp enough
to watch a was who Hunter? John Ferrier felt a different
man now that he realized that he had a devoted a lie.
He sees the young man's leathery hand and wrung it.
Cordially, you're a man to be proud of he said, there are not
many, who would come to share our danger and our troubles.
You've hit it there pod, the young Hunter answered.
I have a respect for you. But if you are alone in this
business, I'd think twice. Before I put my head into such a
hornet's nest. It's Lucy that brings me here.
And before harm comes on her. I guess they'll be one less of
the Hope Family in Utah. What are we to do?
Tomorrow is your last day and unless you act tonight, you're
lost. I have a mule and two horses
waiting in the eagle Ravine. How much money have you two
thousand dollars in gold and five in notes that will do?
I have as much more to add to it.
We must push for Carson City through the mountains, you'd
best. Wait, Lucy.
It is as well that the servants do not sleep in the house.
While farrier was absent preparing, his daughter for the
approaching Journey Jefferson. Hope, packed all the eatables
that he could find into a small parcel and filled a stoneware
jar with water. For he knew by experience that
the mountain Wells were few and far between.
He had hardly completed his arrangements before the farmer
returned with his daughter, all dressed and ready for a start.
The greeting between the lovers was warm, but brief four minutes
were precious and there was much to be done.
We must make our start at once, said, Jefferson.
Hope speaking in a low but Resolute voice like one who
realizes the greatness of the Peril but his steal, his heart
to meet it. The front and back entrances are
watched. But with caution we may get away
through the side window and across the fields.
Once on the road. We are only two miles from the
Ravine where the horse is awaiting by Daybreak.
We should be halfway through the mountains.
What if we are stopped asked Faria, hope slap the revolver,
but which protruded from the front of his tunic, if they are
too many for us. We should take two or three of
them with us. He said with a Sinister smile.
The lights inside the house at all been extinguished and from
the darkened window fairy appeared over the fields, which
had been his own, and which she was now about to abandon
forever. He had long nerved himself to
the sacrifice. However, and the thought of the
honour, and happiness of his daughter, outweighed, any regret
at his ruined fortunes, All looked so peaceful and happy the
rustling trees and the broad silent stretch of grain land,
but it was difficult to realize that the spirit of murder looked
through it all yet, the white face and set expression of the
young Hunter showed that in his approach to the house.
He had seen enough to satisfy him upon that head.
Ferrier carried the bag of gold and notes Jefferson.
Hope had the scanty provisions and water.
While Lucy had a small bundle containing a few of her more
valued possessions opening the window very slowly and
carefully. They waited until a dark cloud.
Had somewhat obscured the night and then one by one pass through
into the little garden with bated breath and crouching
figures. They stumbled across it and
gained the shelter of the Hedge, which they skirted until they
came to the gap, which opened into the cornfields.
They had just reached this point when the young man seized his
two companions, and drag them down to the shadow where they
lay silent and trembling. It was as well.
That his Prairie training had given Jefferson.
Hope the ears of a lynx. He and his friends had hardly
crouched down before The Melancholy hooting of a
mountain. Owl Was Heard within a few yards
of them, which was immediately answered by another hoot at a
small distance. At the same moment of vague
shadowy figure emerged from the gap for which they had been
making and uttered the plaintiff signal cry again, on, which a
second man appeared out of the Security.
Tomorrow, at midnight, said, the first who appeared to be in
Authority when the whip-poor-will calls three
times. It is Well return.
The other shall I tell brother drebber?
Pass it on to him and from him to the others 927, 725 repeated
the other and the two figures flitted away in different
directions. Their concluding words had.
Evidently been some form of sign and countersign.
The instant that their footsteps are died away in the distance.
Jefferson. Hope.
Sprang to his feet. And helping his companions
through the Gap. Led the way across the fields at
the top of his speed supporting and half carrying the girl.
When her strength appeared to fail her, hurry on hurry on.
He gassed from time to time with, through the line of
Sentinels. Everything depends on speed
Ariane. Once on the high road.
They made rapid progress, only once do they meet anyone?
And then they managed to slip into a field.
And so avoid recognition. Before reaching the town, the
hunter branched away into a rugged and narrow footpath,
which led to the mountains to dark Jagged Peaks loomed above
them through the darkness and the defile, which led between
them was the Eagle Canyon in which the horses were waiting
for them with unerring. Instinct Jefferson.
Hope picked his way among the great Boulders and along the bed
of a dried-up Watercourse. Until he came to the retired
Corner screened with rocks. Where the Faithful animals had
been picketed. The girl was placed upon the
mule and all farrier. Upon one of the horses with his
money bag, while Jefferson hope that the other along the
precipitous and dangerous path. It was a bewildering route for
anyone who is not accustomed to face nature in her.
Wildest, moods on the one side, a great Crag, towered up 1,000
feet or more black Stern and menacing with long basaltic
columns upon its rugged surface, like the ribs of some petrified.
Monster. On the other hand, a wild chaos
of Boulders and debris made all advanced impossible.
Between the two ran, the irregular track so narrow in
places that they had to travel in Indian file.
And so rough, that only practiced Riders could have
traversed it at all yet. In spite of all dangers and
difficulties, the hearts of the fugitives were liked within them
for every step, increase the distance between them and the
terrible despot ISM from which they were flying.
They soon had a proof. However, they were still within
the jurisdiction of the Saints. They had reached the very
wildest and most desolate portion of the pass when the
girl gave a startled cry and pointed upwards on a rock, which
overlooked the track showing out, dark, and playing against
the sky. There, stood a solitary
Sentinel. He saw them as soon as they
perceived him and his military challenge of who goes there,
rang through the silent ravine. Travelers for Nevada said,
Jefferson hope with his hand upon the rifle, which hung by
his saddle. I could see the lonely.
Watcher fingering his gun and peering down at them as if
dissatisfied at their reply, by whose permission.
He asked the holy, for answered farrier, his Mormon experiences,
a taught him that, that was the highest authority to, which he
could refer. Nyan from Seven cried, the
Sentinel seven from five return Jefferson.
Hope promptly remembering the countersign, which he had heard
in the garden pass and the Lord go with.
You said the voice from above. Beyond his post the path
broadened out and the horses were able to break into a trot
looking back. They could see the solitary
Watcher leaning upon his gun and knew that they had passed the
outlying post of the chosen people and that freedom lay
before them. End of book. 2 chapter 4.