Adventure 12 in the return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Adventure 12, the adventure of
the Abbey, Grange, it was on a bitterly cold and frosty morning
towards the end of the winter of 97 that I was awakened by a
tugging at my shoulder. It was homes the candle in his
hand Shone upon his eager stooping face, and told me at a
glance that something was amiss, come Watson, come, he cried.
The game is afoot, not a word into your clothes and Um, ten
minutes later, we were both in a cab and rattling through the
silent streets on our way to Charing.
Cross station. The first faint Winters Dawn was
beginning to appear. And we could dimly see the
occasional figure of an early workmen as he passed us.
Blurred and indistinct in the opalescent London.
Wreak homes nestled in silence into his heavy coat and I was
glad to do the same for the air was most bitter and neither of
us had a broken. In our fast, it was not until we
had consumed some hot tea at the station and taken our places in
the kentish train that we were sufficiently thought he to
speak. And I to listen Holmes, drew a
note from his pocket and read aloud Abbey.
Grange. Marsham Kent 3:30 a.m.
My dear. Mr. Holmes.
I should be very glad of your immediate assistance in what
promises to be a most remarkable case.
It is something quite in your line except for Leasing the
lady. I will see that everything is
kept exactly as I have found it, but I beg you not to lose an
instant as it is difficult to leave sir.
Eustace here, Yours Faithfully, Stanley Hopkins.
Hopkins has called me in seven times, and on each occasion.
His summons has been entirely Justified said, Holmes.
I fancied, at every one of his cases has found its way into
your collection and I must admit Watson that you have some power
of selection, which atones for much of which I deplore in your
narratives your fatal habit of looking at everything.
From the point of view of a story instead of as a scientific
exercise has ruined what might have been an instructive and
even classical series. Use of demonstrations.
You slur over work of the utmost finesse and delicacy in order to
dwell upon Sensational details, which may excite but cannot
possibly instruct the reader. Why do you not write them
yourself? I said with some bitterness.
I will my dear Watson. I will at present.
I am as you know fairly busy, but I propose to devote my
declining years to the composition of a textbook which
shall Focus the The whole art of detection into one volume, our
present, research appears to be a case of murder.
You think this see Eustace is dead.
Then? I should say.
So Hopkins is writing shows, considerable agitation and he is
not an emotional man. Yes, I gather there has been
some violence and that the body is left for our inspection.
A suicide would not have caused him to send for me as to the
release of the lady. It would appear that she has
been locked in her room during the tragedy.
We are moving in highlife, Watson, crackling paper, EB
monogram. Coat-of-arms, picturesque.
Yes, I think the friend Hopkins will live up to his reputation
and that we shall have an interesting morning.
The crime was committed before 12:00 last night.
How can you possibly tell by an inspection of the trains and by
Reckoning the time the local police had to be called in they
had to communicate with Scotland.
Yard Hopkins had to go out and he in turn had to send for me.
All that makes a fair night's work.
Well, here we are at chislehurst station and we shall soon.
Set our doubts at rest a drive of a couple of Miles through
narrow country. Lanes brought us to a park gate
which was opened for us by an old lodge-keeper, whose Haggard
face bore, the reflection of some great disaster.
The Avenue ran through a noble Park between lines of ancient
Elms and ended in a low widespread house pillard in
front. After the fashion of Palladio.
The central part was evidently of a great age.
Enshrouded in IV. But the large Windows showed
that modern changes have been carried out.
And One Wing of the house, appeared to be entirely new, the
useful figure. And alert eager face of
Inspector. Stanley, Hopkins, confronted Us
in the open doorway. I'm very glad you've come mr.
Holmes and you too. Dr. Watson, but indeed, if I had
my time over again, I should not have troubled you for since the
lady has come to herself. She has given so clear and
account of the affair that there's not much left.
Left for us to do you remember that Louis him gang of burglars
what the three Randall's exactly the father.
And two sons is their work. I've no doubt of it.
They did a job at Sydenham a fortnight ago and were seen and
described rather cool to do another so soon and Sonia.
But it is that a beyond all doubt.
It's a hanging matter this time. So used to his death, then yes,
he's had was knocked in with his own poker.
So Eustace brackenstall. The driver tells me, exactly one
of the richest men in Ken lady brackenstall is in the morning
room, poor lady. She is at a most Dreadful
experience. She seemed off dead when I first
saw her, I think you'd best see her and hear her account of the
fact, then we'll examine a dining room together.
Lady brackenstall was no ordinary person.
Seldom. Have I seen So Graceful of
figure. So womanly a presence and so
beautiful, a face. She was a blond golden haired
blue eyed. And would no doubt have had the
perfect complexion, which goes with such coloring had not her
recent experience, left her drawn and Haggard.
Her sufferings were physical, as well as mental for over one.
Eye Rose a hideous plum colored swelling, which her maid at all.
Or stay a woman was bathing, assiduously with vinegar and
water. The lady laid back exhausted
upon the couch, but her quick, observant gaze, as we entered
the room and the alert expression of her beautiful
features showed that neither her wits, nor her courage had been
shaken by her terrible experience.
She was enveloped in a loose dressing-gown of blue and silver
but a black sequin covered Dinner dress lay upon the couch
beside her. I have told you all that
happened. Mr. Hopkins.
She said, wearily, could you not repeat it for me?
Well, if you think it necessary, I will tell these gentlemen,
what occurred have they been in the dining room yet?
I thought they had better your ladyship story first.
I shall be glad when you can arrange matters.
It is horrible to me to think of him.
Still lying there. She shuddered and buried her
face in her hands as she did. So the loose gown fell back from
her forearms homes, uttered an exclamation.
You have other injuries. Madam.
What is this too Vivid? Red spots?
Stood out on one of the white round, limbs.
She hastily covered it. It is nothing.
It has no connection with his this hideous business tonight.
If you and your friend will sit down, I will tell you all I can.
I am the wife of so used to spec install.
I have been married about a year.
I suppose that it is no use my attempting to conceal that our
marriage has not been a happy one.
I fear that all our neighbors would tell you that even if I
were to attempt to deny it, perhaps the fault may be partly
mine. I was brought up in the Freer
less conventional atmosphere of South Australia, and this
English life, with its proprieties, and it's primness
is not congenial to me. But the main reason lies in the
one fact, which is notorious to everyone and that is that.
So, Eustace was a confirmed drunkard to be with such a man
for an hour is unpleasant. Can you imagine what it means
for a sensitive and high-spirited woman to be tied
to him for day and night. It is a sacrilege a crime, a
villain made to hold that. Such a marriage is binding.
I say that these monstrous laws of yours will bring a curse upon
the land. God will not let such.
Agnes Endura. For an instant.
She set up her cheeks flushed and her eyes blazing from under
the terrible. Mark upon her brow and she
strong soothing hand of the Asteria made Drew her head down
onto the cushion, and the wild, anger died away into passionate
sobbing at. Last, she continued I would tell
you about last night. You are aware, perhaps, but in
this house, all the servants sleep in the modern Wing.
This Central block is made up of the dwelling rooms with the
kitchen behind and our bedroom above.
My maid Teresa sleeps above my room.
There is no one else and no sound could alarm, those who are
in the father Wing. This must have been well known
to the robbers or they would not have acted as they did.
So used his At about 10:30, the servants had already gone to
their quarters. Only my maid was up and she had
remained in her room at the top of the house, until I needed her
Services. I sat until after 11:00 in this
room absorbed in a book, then I walked around to see that all
was right before I went upstairs.
It was my custom to do this myself for as I've explained.
So Eustace was not always to be trusted.
I went into the kitchen, the butler's Our pantry, the
gunroom, the billiard-room, the drawing-room.
And finally, the dining room as I approached the window, which
is covered with thick curtains. I suddenly felt the wind blow
upon my face and realize that it was open.
I flung the curtain side and found myself face to face with a
broad-shouldered elderly man who had just stepped into the room,
the windows along French one, which really forms a door
leading to the lon. I held my bedroom candle lit in
my hand and by its light behind the first, man, I saw two others
who were in the act of entering I stepped back, but the fellow
is on me in an instant. He caught me first by the wrist
and then by the throat, I opened my mouth to scream, but he
struck me a Savage. Blow with his fist over the eye
and felled me to the ground. I must have been unconscious for
a few minutes for when I came to myself.
I found that they had torn down the Bell rope and had secured me
tightly to the Oaken chair, which stands at the head of the
dining room table. I was so firmly bound that I
could not move and a handkerchief from my mouth.
Prevented me from uttering, a sound.
It was at this instant, but my unfortunate husband entered the
room, he had evidently heard some suspicious sounds and he
came. Prepared for such a scene as he
found. He was dressed in night shirt
and trousers with his favorite Blackthorn.
Cudgel in his hand. He rushed at the burglars.
But another, it was an elderly, man, stooped.
Picked the poker out of the great and struck him a horrible
blow. As he passed, he fell with a
groan and never moved again. I fainted once more but again,
it could only have been very, very few minutes during which I
was insensible. When I opened my eyes.
I found that they had collected the silver from the sideboard
and they had drawn a bottle of wine which stood there.
Each of them had a glass in his hand.
I have already told you have I not that one was Elderly with a
beard and the others young hairless Lads.
They might have been a father with his two sons.
They talk together and Whisper. Then they came over and made
sure that I was securely bound. Finally.
They withdrew closing the window after them.
It was quite a quarter of an hour before I got my mouth free
when I did. So, my screams brought the made
to my assistants. The other servants were soon
alarmed. And we sent for the local police
who instantly communicated with London.
That is really all that. I can tell you gentlemen and I
trust that it will not be necessary for me to go over.
So Painful a story again. Any questions, mr.
Holmes asked Hopkins. I will not impose any further
tax upon lady brackenstall, 's patience, and time said, Holmes,
before I go into the dining room.
I should like to hear your experience.
He looked at the maid. I saw the man before ever, they
came into the house. Said she, as I sat by my bedroom
window. I saw three men in the Moonlight
down by the logic gate Yonder but I thought nothing of it at
the time was more than an hour. After that.
I heard my mistress scream and down Iran to find her.
Paul am just so she says a name on the floor with his blood and
brains over the room. It was enough to drive a woman
out of her wits, tied their inner, very dress, spotted with
him. She never wanted care.
Did Miss Mary Fraser of Adelaide and Lady brackenstall of Abbey,
Grange hasn't learned new ways. You've questioned her long
enough you gentlemen and now she's coming to her own room.
Just with our old Teresa, to get the rest that she badly.
Needs with a motherly tenderness the gaunt woman, put her arm
round, her mistress and led her from the room.
She's been with her all her life said, Hopkins, nursed her as a
baby in came with her to England.
When they first left Australia, 18 months ago, Teresa Wright as
our name and the kind of made you don't pick up nowadays this
way. Mr. Holmes.
If you please the Keen interest had passed out of homes is
expressive face. And I knew that with the mystery
all the charm of the case had departed there still remain an
arrest to be affected. But what were these commonplace
Rogues that he should soil his hands with them?
And abstruse and learning specialist who finds that he has
been called in for a case of measles would experience
something of the annoyance, which I read in my friends eyes.
Yet the scene in the dining room of the Abbey.
Grange was sufficiently strange to arrest his attention and to
recall his waning interest. It was a very large and high
chamber with carved. Oak ceiling Oaken.
Paneling and a fine array of deers heads and ancient weapons
around the walls. At the further end from the
door. Was the high French window of
which we had heard three smaller windows on, the right hand side,
filled the apartment with cold winter sunshine.
On the left, was a large deep fireplace with a massive
overhanging Oak mantelpiece beside.
The fireplace was a heavy Oaken chair with arms and cross bars
at the bottom in and out through the open, woodwork was woven of
crimson cord, which was secured at each side to the Cross piece
below. In releasing the lady, the cord
had been slipped off her but the knots with which should have
been secured, still remained. These details.
Only struck our attention afterwards.
For our thoughts, were entirely absorbed by the terrible object
which lay upon the tiger skin Hearth rug in front of the fire.
It was the body of at all. Well made man about 40 years of
age. He lay upon his back his face,
upturned with his white teeth grinning.
Through his short black beard, his to clenched hands, were
raised above his head and a heavy Black Thorn.
Stick lay across them his dark handsome, aquiline features.
Were convulsed into a spasm of vindictive hatred, which had set
his Dead face in a terribly fiendish expression.
He definitely been in his bed. When the alarm had broken out
for, he wore a foppish embroidered nightshirt and his
bare feet projected from his trousers.
His head was horribly injured and the whole room bore witness
to the Savage ferocity of the blow, which had struck him down
beside him. Lay the heavy poker bent into a
curve, by the concussion Holmes, examined, both it.
And the Indescribable wreck, which had wrought He must be a
powerful man this elder Randall. He remarked.
Yes said Hopkins. I have some record of the fella
and he's a rough customer. You should have no difficulty in
getting him, not the slightest. We've been on a lookout for him
and there was some idea that you go away to America.
Now that we know that the gang area.
I don't see how they can escape. We have the news every Seaport
already and the reward will be offered before evening.
What beats me is how they could have done, so mad a thing.
Now in that, the lady could describe him and that we could
not fail to recognize the description.
Exactly one would have expected that they would silence lady
brackenstall as well. No, you may not have realized I
suggested that she'd recover from Earth.
Ain't that is likely enough? If she seemed to be senseless.
They would not take her life. What about this?
Poor fellow Hopkins? I seem to have heard some queer
stories about him. He was a good-hearted man, when
he was sober, but a perfect fiend when he was drunk or
rather when he was after drunk for, he seldom really went the
old way. The devil seem to be in him at
such times and he was capable of anything from what I hear in,
spite of all his wealth and his title.
He very nearly came our way once or twice.
There was a scandal about his drenching a dog with petroleum
and setting it on fire her ladyship's dog to make the
matter worse, and that was only a shootout with difficult.
Then he threw a decanter at the made Teresa right?
There was trouble about that on the owl and between ourselves
will be a brighter ass without him.
What are you looking at? Now?
Holmes was down on his knees, examining with great attention
than knots upon the red cord with which the lady had been
secured. Then he carefully scrutinized a
broken and Frayed End where it had snapped off when the burglar
had dragged it down. When this was pulled down the
bell in the kitchen, must have run loudly.
He remarked now one could hear it.
The kitchen stands right? At the back of the house.
How did the burglar? No, no one would hear it.
How dared he pull it. A bell rope in that Reckless
fashion. Exactly.
Mr. Holmes, exactly. You put the very question which
I've asked myself again. And again, it can be no doubt
that this fellow must have known the house and its habits.
He must have perfectly understood.
The servants would all be in bed at that comparatively early
hour. And that, no one could possibly
hear a bell ring in the kitchen. Therefore.
He must have been in close league with one of the servants.
Surely that is evident. But there are eight servants and
all of them, good character. Other things being equal said
Holmes, one would expect the one whose head the master through a
decanter and yet that would involve treachery towards the
mistress to whom the woman seems devoted.
Well, well, the point is a minor one and when you have Randall,
you will probably find no difficulty in securing his
accomplice. The lady's story.
Certainly seems to be corroborated if it needed
cooperation by every detail, which we see before us.
He walked to the French window and threw it open.
There are no signs here. But the ground is iron hard and
would not expect them. I see that these candles in the
mantelpiece have been lighted. Yes, it was by their lie and
that of the lady's bedroom candle that the burglars saw
their way about. And what did they take?
Well, they didn't take much. Only half a dozen articles of
plate off the sideboard lady brackenstall thinks that they
were themselves. So disturbed by the death of
Sir, Eustace. They didn't ransack the house as
they would otherwise have done. No doubt, that is true and yet
they drank some wine. I understand to steady their
nerves, exactly. He's three glasses upon the
sideboard have been untouched. I suppose.
Yes. And the ball stands.
They left it. Let us look at it.
Hello. Hello.
What is this? The three glasses were grouped
together, all of them tinged with wine.
And one of them containing some dregs of be a swing.
Bottle stood near them 2/3, full and beside it.
Lay along deeply stained cork its appearance and the dust upon
the bottle. Showed that it was no common
vintage, which the murderers had enjoyed.
A change had come over Holmes's manner.
He had lost his listless expression.
And again, I saw an alert light of interest in his Keen,
deep-set eyes. He raised the Cork and examined
it minutely. How did they draw it?
He asked Hopkins pointed to a half-open draw in it?
Lay some table linen and a large Corkscrew.
Did lady brackenstall say that screw is used.
Now, you remember that she was senseless at the moment when the
bottle is opened quite. So, as a matter of fact that
screw was not used. This bottle was opened by a
pocket, screw probably contained in a knife and not more.
An inch and a half long, if you'll examine the top of the
cork, you will observe that the screw was driven in three times
before the cork was extracted. It has never been transfixed.
This long. Screw would have transfixed it
and drawn it up with a single pull.
When you catch this fellow, you'll find that he has one of
these Multiplex knives in his possession.
Excellent said Hopkins but these glasses do puzzle me.
I confess lady brackenstall actually saw the three men
drinking. Did she?
Not? Yes, she was clear about that.
Then there is an end of it. What more is to be said.
And yet you must admit that the three glasses are very
remarkable Hopkins. What you see?
Nothing remarkable. Well, well, let it pass.
When a man has special knowledge and special powers like my own,
it rather encourages him to seek a complex explanation.
When a simpler one is at hand. Of course.
It must be a mere chance about the glasses.
Well, good morning Hopkins. I don't see that.
I can be of any use to you and you appear to have your case.
Very clear. You'll let me know when Randall
is arrested and any further developments which may occur.
I trust that I shall soon have to congratulate you upon a
successful conclusion. Come Watson, I fancy that we may
employ ourselves more profitably at home.
During our return journey, I could see by Holmes's face that
he was much puzzled by something which he had observed every now
and then by an effort, he would throw off the impression and
talk as if the matter were clear, but then his doubts would
settle down upon him again and is knitted brows and an
abstracted eyes would show that. His thoughts had gone back once
more to the great dining room of the Abbey Grange in which this
midnight tragedy had been enacted.
At Last by a sudden impulse. Just as our train was crawling
out of a Suburban Station. He sprang on to the platform and
pulled me out after him. Excuse me.
My dear fellow said he as we watch the rear carriages of our
train disappearing around a curve.
I am sorry to make you the victim of what may seem a mere
whim, but on my life. What's and I simply can't leave
that case in this condition. Every Instinct that I possess
cries out against it. It's wrong.
It's all wrong. I'll swear that it's wrong.
And yet, the lady story was complete the maids.
Corroboration was sufficient that Tail was fairly exact.
What have I to put up against that three wine glasses?
That is all, but if I had not taken things for granted, if I
had examined everything, with the case, with which I should
have shown had, we approach the case de novo and had no
cut-and-dried story to walk my mind.
Should I not then have found something more definite to go
upon. Of course.
I should sit down on this bench Watson until a N4 chislehurst
arrives and allow me to lay the evidence before you imploring
you in the first instance to dismiss from your mind, the idea
that anything which the maid or her mistress may have said must
necessarily be true. The ladies Charming personality
must not be permitted to warp our judgment.
Surely, there are details in her story, which if we looked at In
Cold Blood would excite our suspicions.
These Burglars made a considerable Hall at Sydenham, a
fortnight ago, some account of them and of their appearance was
in the papers and would naturally occur to anyone who
wished to invent a story in which imaginary robbers, should
play A Part. As a matter of fact burglars who
have done a good stroke of business are as a rule only too,
glad to enjoy the proceeds in peace and quiet without
embarking on another perilous undertaking.
Again, it is unusual for Burglars to operate at so early
an hour. It is unusual for burglars to
strike a lady to prevent her screaming.
Since one would, imagine that was the sure way to make her
scream. It is unusual for them to commit
murder when their mum numbers are sufficient to overpower one
man. It is unusual for them to be
content with a limited plunder when there was much more within
their reach. And finally, I should say that
it was very unusual for such men, to leave a bottle half
empty. How do all these unusual strike
you Watson? A cumulative effect is certainly
considerable and yet each of them is quite possible in
itself. The most unusual thing of all is
it seems to me is that the lady should be tied to the chair?
Well, I am not so clear about that Watson for it is evident
that they must either kill her or else secure her in such a way
that she could not give immediate notice of their
escape. But at any rate I have shown
have, I not that there is a certain element of improbability
about the lady's story. And now on the top of this comes
the incident of the wine glasses.
What about the wine glasses? Can you see them in your mind's
eye? I see them.
Clearly. We are told that three men drank
from them. Does that strike you as likely?
Why not? There was wine in each glass
exactly. But there was be sling only in
one glass. You must have noticed that that
fact what does that suggest to your mind?
The last glass filled will be most likely to contain beeswing,
not at all. The bottle was full of it, and
it is inconceivable that the first two glasses were clear and
the third heavily charged with it.
There are two possible explanations.
And only to one is that after the second glass was filled, the
bottle was violently agitated. And so the third glass received
a bee's wing, That does not appear probable.
No. No, I'm sure that I'm right.
What then do you suppose? That only two glasses were used
and that the dregs of both were poured into a third glass.
So as to give the false impression that three people had
been here in that way. All the beeswing would be in the
last glass. Would it not?
Yes. I am convinced that this is so,
but if I've hit upon the true explanation of this one small
phenomenon, then in an instant, the case rises, from the
commonplace to the exceedingly remarkable for.
It can only I mean that lady brackenstall and her maid have
deliberately lied to us that not one word of their stories to be
relieved, but they have some very strong reason for covering
the real criminal and that we must construct our case for
ourselves without any help from them.
That is the mission. Which Now lies before us and
here, Watson is the Sydenham train.
The household at the Abbey. Grange were much surprised at
how return, but Sherlock, Holmes finding that Stanley.
Hopkins had gone off to report to headquarters took possession
of the dining room, lock the door upon the inside and devoted
himself for two hours to one of those minut and laborious
investigations, which form the solid basis on which His
Brilliant edifices of deduction, were reared seated in a corner,
like an interested student, who observes the Of his Professor.
I followed every step of that remarkable research, the window,
the curtains, the carpet, the chair, the Rope each in, turn
was minutely, examined and Dooley pondered the body of the
unfortunate baronet had been removed and all else remained,
as we had seen it in the morning.
Finally, to my astonishment homes, climbed up onto the
massive mantelpiece far above his head, hung the You inches of
red cord, which was still attached to the wire for a long
time. He gazed Upward at it and then
in an attempt to get nearer to it, he rested his knee upon a
wooden bracket on the wall. This brought his hand within a
few inches of the broken end of the Rope, but it was not this so
much as the bracket itself, which seemed to engage his
attention. Finally.
He sprang down with an ejaculation of satisfaction.
It's all right. Watson said he we have got our
case one of the most remarkable in our collection, but dear me,
how slow-witted I have been, and how nearly I have committed, the
blunder of my lifetime. Now, I think that with a few
missing links. My chain is almost complete.
You've got your men man, Watson man, only one, but a very
formidable person, strong as a lion.
Ian witnessed a blow that bent that poker 6, ft 3 in height
active as a squirrel dexterous with his fingers.
Finally remarkably quick witted for this whole ingenious story.
As if his concoction. Yes Watson, we have come upon
the handiwork of a very remarkable individual.
And yet in that bell-rope. He has given us a clue, which
should not have left us a doubt. It was the clue.
Well, if you were to pull down a bell rope Watson, where would
you expect it to break? Surely at the spot where it is
attached to the wire? Why should it break 3 inches
from the top as this one has done.
Because it's frayed there, eggs-actly this end which we can
examine is frayed. He was cunning enough to do that
with his knife. But the other end is not frayed.
You could not observe that from here.
But if you were on the mantelpiece, you would see that
it is cut. Clean off without any Mark of
fraying, whatever you can reconstruct, what occurred the
man needed the Rope. He would not tear it down for
fear of giving. Alarm by ringing the bell.
What did he do? He sprang up on the mantelpiece,
could not quite reach it, but his knee.
On the bracket, you will see the impression in the dust and so
got his knife to Bear upon the cord.
I could not reach the place by at least three inches from which
I infer that. He's at least three inches a
bigger man than I look at that Mark upon the seat of the Oaken
chair. What is it?
Blood undoubtedly, it is blood. This alone, puts the lady's
story out of court. If she was Seated on the chair,
when the crime was done. How come the mark?
No, no, she was placed in the chair after the death of her
husband. I'll wager that the black dress
shows. A corresponding Mark to this.
We have not yet met our Waterloo Watson, but this is our Marengo
for it begins in defeat. And ends in Victory.
I should like now to have a few words with the nurse Teresa.
We must be wary for a while. If we were to get the
information which we want. She was an interesting person.
This Stern Australian nurse taciturn suspicious ungracious.
It took some time before homes is Pleasant Manner and Frank
acceptance of all that. She said, thought her into a
corresponding Amy ability. She did not attempt to conceal
her hatred for her later. Employer.
Yes sir. It is true that he threw the
decanter at me. I heard him.
Call my mistress a name. And I told him that he should
not dare speak to her as if her brother had been there.
Then it was that he threw it at me.
He might throw in a dozen if he but left my Bonny bird alone.
He was forever ill-treating her and she too proud to complain.
She will not even tell me all that.
He's done to her. She never told me those marks on
her arm that you saw this morning, but I know very well,
what they came from a stabbed with a pin.
Sly devil. God forgive me that I should
speak of him. So now that he's dead but I
definitely was if ever one walked the Earth, he was all
runny. When we first met him, only 18
months ago. We both feel as if it were a
teen years. She's only just arrived in
London. Yes, it was her first voyage.
She'd never been from home before he won our with his
title, in his money and his false, London ways.
She made a mistake. She's paid for it.
If ever a woman, did what month did we meet him?
Well, I tell you, it was just after we arrived.
We arrived in June and it was July.
We were married in January last year.
Yeah, she's down in the morning room again, and I have no doubt.
She'll see you, but you must not ask too much of her for.
She's gone through all that flesh.
And blood will stand. Lady brackenstall was reclining
on the same couch, but looked brighter than before.
The maid had entered with us and began once more to ferment the
bruise upon her mistress's. Brow.
I hope said the lady that you have not come to cross-examine
me again. No, Holmes answered in his
gentlest voice. I will not cause you any
unnecessary trouble lady brackenstall and my whole desire
is to make things easy for you for.
I am convinced that you are a much tried woman.
If you will treat me as a friend and trust me, you may find that
I will justify your trust. What do you want me to do to
tell me the truth? Mr. Holmes?
No, no lady brackenstall. It is no use.
You may have heard of any little reputation which I possess.
I will stake it all on. The fact that your story is an
absolute fabrication mistress and Maid were both staring at
homes with pale faces and frightened eyes.
You are an impudent fellow, cried Teresa.
Do you mean to say that my mistress has told a lie?
Holmes Rose from his chair. Have you nothing to tell me?
I have told you everything sink. Once more lady brackenstall.
Would it not be better? To be frank?
For an instant, there was hesitation in her beautiful
face, then some new strong thought cause it to set like a
mask. I have told you all.
I know Holmes took his hat and Shrugged, his shoulders.
I am. Very sorry.
He said, and without another word.
We left the room and the house, there was a pond in the park.
And to this, my friend led the way, it was frozen over, but a
single hole was left for the convenience of us.
Terry Swan Holmes gazed at it and then passed on to the logic
gate. There.
He scribbled a short note for Stanley Hopkins and left it with
the lodge-keeper. It's maybe a hit or it may be a
Miss but we are bound to do something for friend, Hopkins,
just to justify this. Second visit said he, I will not
quite take him into my confidence yet.
I think our next scene of operations must be the shipping
office of The Adelaide Southampton line which stands at
the end of Pall Mall. If I remember, right?
There is a second line of Steamers, which connect South
Australia with England, but we will draw the larger cover
first. Holmes is card sent into the
manager. Insured instant attention and he
was not long in acquiring. All the information.
He needed in June of 95, only one of their line had reached a
Home Port. It was the Rock of Gibraltar
their largest and best boat a reference to the passenger list,
showed that Miss Fraser of Adelaide with her maid, had made
the voyage in her, the boat was now somewhere.
South of the Suez Canal on her way to Australia her officers
were Same as in 95 with one exception, the first officer.
Mr. Jack, Crocker had been made a captain and was to take charge
of their new ship. The bass Rock sailing in two
days time from Southampton. He lived at Sydenham, but he was
likely to be in that morning for instructions.
If we cared to wait for him. No, mr.
Holmes had no desire to see him, but would be glad to know more
about his record and character. His record was magnificent.
There was not an officer in the fleet to touch him.
As to his character. He was reliable on duty.
But a while to desperate fellow off the deck of his ship
hot-headed excitable, but loyal honest and kind hearted that was
the pith of the information with which Holmes left the office of
the Adelaide South Hampton company.
Thence. He drove to Scotland Yard, but
instead of entering he sat in his cab with his brows drawn
down lost in profound thought, finally, he drove round to the
Charing. Cross Telegraph office sent off
a message. And then at last we made for
Baker Street once more. No, I couldn't do it.
Watson said, he as we re-entered our room.
Once that warrant was made out. Nothing on Earth would save him
once or twice in my Career, I feel that I have done more real
harm by my discovery of the criminal than ever.
He had done by his crime. I have learned caution now and I
had rather play tricks with the law of England and with my own
conscience. Let us know a little more before
we Act. Before evening, we had a visit
from inspector Stanley Hopkins. Things were not going very well
with him. I believe you're a wizard.
Mr. Holmes. I really do sometimes think that
you have powers are not human. Now, how on Earth could you know
that the stolen silver was at the bomber?
That pond? I didn't know, but you told me
to examine it. You got it then.
Yeah. I got it.
I am very glad if I've helped you.
But you haven't helped me. You've made the affair more
difficult, what sort of burglars are.
They are steel, silver and then throw in and he respond, it was
certainly rather eccentric Behavior.
I was merely going on. The idea that if the silver had
been taken by persons who did not want it, who merely took it
for a blind as it were, then they would naturally be anxious
to get rid of it. But why should such an idea
cross your mind? Well, I thought it was possible
when they came out through the French window.
There was the pond with one tempting little hole in the ice
right in front of their noses. Could there be a better Hiding
Place? Ah, I didn't place that's better
Christ on the Hopkins. Yeah.
I see it all now.
It was early. They were folk upon the roads.
They are afraid of being seen with the silver.
So they sank in the pond intending to return for it when
the coast was clear. Excellent.
Mr. Times better than your idea of a blind quite so you have got
an admirable Theory. I have no doubt that my own
ideas were quite wild but you must admit that they have ended
in discovering the silver. Yes, sir.
Yes. It was all your doing.
But I've had a bad set back a setback.
Yes. Mr. Ames the Randall gang were
arrested in New York this morning.
Timmy Hopkins. That is certainly rather against
your theory that they committed a murder in Kent last night his
fatal. Mr. Rome's absolutely.
Fatal still. There are other gangs of three
besides the Randalls or it may be some new gang of which to
police have never heard quite so it is perfectly possible.
What are you off? Yes.
Mr. Holmes has no rest for me until I've got to the bottom of
the business. I suppose you have no hint to
give me. I have given you one which well,
I suggested a blind but why. Mr. Adams, why?
That's the question of course, but I commend the idea to your
mind. You might possibly find that
there was something in it. You won't stop for dinner.
Well, goodbye and let us know how you get on dinner was over
and the table cleared before homes.
Alluded to the matter again. He had lit his pipe and held his
slippered feet to the cheerful blaze of the fire.
Suddenly. He looked at his watch.
I expect developments Watson when now within a few minutes, I
daresay you thought I acted rather badly to Stanley Hopkins.
Just now. I trust your judgment.
I'm very sensible. Reply Watson.
You must. Look at it this way what I know
is unofficial what he knows. Was is official.
I have the right to private judgment, but he has none.
He must disclose all or he is a traitor to his service in a
doubtful case. I would not put him in so
painful, a position and so I reserve my information until my
own mind is clear upon the matter.
But when will that be? The time has come, you will now
be present at the last scene of a remarkable little drama.
There was a sound upon the stairs and our door was open to
admit as fine a specimen of manhood as ever passed through
it. He was a very tall, young man,
golden was stashed blue-eyed with a skin, which had been
burned by tropical sons, and a springy step, which showed that
the huge frame was as active as it was strong.
He closed the door behind him and then he stood, Clenched
hands and heaving breast choking down some overmastering,
emotion. Sit down, Captain Crocker.
You got my telegram or got your Telegram and our came at the
area said, I heard you been down to the office as now getting
away from you. Let's hear the worst.
What are you going to do with me?
Arrest me. Speak out, man.
You can't sit there and play with me like a cat with a mouse.
Give him a cigar said, Holmes bite on that Captain Crocker,
and don't let your nerves run away with you.
I should not sit here smoking with you.
If I thought that you were a common criminal.
You may be sure of that be frank with me, and we may do some good
play tricks with me and I'll Crush you.
What do you wish me to do to? Give me a true account of all
that happened at the Abbey. Grange last night.
A true account mind you with nothing, added and nothing taken
off. I know so much already that if
you go one inch off the street, I'll blow this police whistle
from my window and the affair goes out of my hands forever.
The Sailor thought for a little then.
He struck his leg with his great sunburned hand, our chance.
It he cried. I'll believe you are a man of
your word and a white man, and I'll tell you the whole story.
But one thing I will say first, as far as I'm concerned, I
regret nothing and our fear nothing.
And I'd do it all again and be proud of the job, Dan the
beast'. If he has many lives as a cat,
you do them all to me, bows to Lady Mary, Mary Fraser.
Never will I call her by that accursed name.
When I think of getting her into trouble?
I would give my life just to bring one more smile to her dear
face. Is that it turns my soul into
water and yet and yet what less could I do?
I'll tell you my story gentlemen, and then I'll ask you
as man to man. What less could I do?
I must go back a bit. You seem to know everything.
So I expect that. You know, that I met her when
she was a passenger. And I was first officer of the
Rock of Gibraltar from the first day.
I met her. She was the only woman to me
every day of that Voyage. I loved her more and many a time
since of our killed down in the darkness of the night watch and
kissed a deck of that ship because our newer dear feet have
trod on it. She was never engaged to me.
She treated me as fairly as ever a woman treated him.
No complaint to make. It was all love on my side, and
all good comradeship and the friendship honors.
When we parted she was free woman.
I can never again be a free man. Next time I came back from sea.
I heard of a marriage. Well, why shouldn't she marry
him? She liked title and money who
could carry them better than she.
She was born for all that is beautiful, and dainty.
I didn't grieve over our marriage.
I was not such a selfish and as is that I just Rejoice, that
good luck. Had come away and that she had
not thrown herself away in a penniless sailor.
So I love Mary Fraser. Well, I never thought to see her
again, but last Voyage as promoted the new boat was yet
launched, so I had to wait for a couple of months with Marth
people at Sydenham one day and a country lying.
I met Theresa, right? Her old maid.
She told me all about her or bout him about everything.
I'll tell you gentlemen. It nearly drove.
Of me mad this drunken hand. He should dare to raise his hand
to her whose boots. He was not worthy to lick our
met Theresa again. Then I met Mary himself and met
her again. Then she would meet me no more.
But the other day I don't know is that I was to start my Voyage
within a week and I determined I would see her once before.
I left. Teresa was always my friend for
she loved Mary Ann dated this villain almost as much as I did.
From her, I learned the ways of the house, Mary used to sit up
reading in her own, little room downstairs.
I crept round are last night and scratched at the window.
At first, she would not open to me.
But in her heart, I know that. Now she loves me and she could
not leave me in the frosty night.
She whispered to me to come round to the big front window
and I found it open before me. So, as to let me into the dining
room. Again, I heard from her own lips
things that made my blood Boil. And again, I cursed this brute
who mishandled the woman, I loved, well, gentlemen, I was
standing with her just inside the window in all.
Innocence. As God is my judge.
When he rushed like a madman into the room called the vilest
name that a man could use to a woman and welted her across the
face with a sticky. Add in his end.
I had sprung for the poker and it was a fair fight between us,
see here on my arm where his first blow fell.
Then it was my turn and I went through him as if he'd been a
rotten pumpkin. Do you think I was sorry?
No, I it was his life or mine. But far more than that.
It was his life or hers for our could.
I leave her in the power of this?
Madman? That was how I killed him, was I
wrong? Well, then what would either of
you gentlemen, have done if you had been in my position?
She screamed when he struck her in that broad old Teresa down
from the room above, it was a bottle of wine on the sideboard,
and I opened it. And poured a little between
Mary's lips for she was after Dead with shock.
Then I took a drop. Myself.
Teresa was as cool as ice and it was her plot as much as mine.
We must make it appear that burglars are done.
The thing Teresa, kept on repeating, our story to her
mistress, while I swarmed up and cut the rope of the bell and I
lashed her in a chair and frayed.
At the end of the route to make it look natural else.
They would wonder how in the world.
A burglar could have got there to cut it and I gather that a
few plates and pots of silver to carry out the idea of the
robbery. And there, I left them with
orders to give the alarm. When I had quarter of an hour's
start, our drop the silver into the pond and made off for
Sydenham feeling that for once in my life.
I'd done a real good night's work.
And that's the truth and the old truth.
Mr. Ohms. If it cost me my neck.
I'm smoked for some time in silence, and he crossed the room
and shook our visitor by the hand.
That's what I think said. He I know that every word is
true for. You have hardly said a word
which I did not know, no one but an acrobat or a sailor could
have got up to that Bell rope from the bracket and no one.
But a sailor could have made the knots with which the cord was
fastened to the chair. Only.
Once had this lady been brought into contact with Sailors and
that was on her voyage and it was someone of her own class of
life since she was trying hard to Shield him and so showing She
loved him. You see how easy it was for me
to lay my hands upon you? When one side started upon the
right Trail. A thought, the police never
could have seen through our Dodge and the police haven't nor
will they to the best of my belief?
Now look here. Captain Crocker.
This is a very serious matter though.
I am willing to admit that you acted under the most extreme
provocation to which any man could be subjected.
I am not sure that in defense of your own life.
Your action will not be pronounced legitimate.
However, that is for a British jury to decide.
I'd meanwhile, I have so much sympathy for you that if you
choose to disappear in the next 24 hours, I will promise you
that no one will hinder you and then it will all come out.
Certainly it will come out the Sailor flushed with anger.
What sort of proposal is that to make a man.
I know enough of law. Do understand that Mary will be
held as a compass. You think I would leave her
alone to face the music while I slunk away.
No, sir. Sir, let them do their worst
upon me, but for Evans sake. Mr. Holmes, find some way to
keep my palmeri out of the Courts.
Homes, for a second time, held out his hand to the Sailor.
I was only testing you and you ring true every time.
Well, it is a great responsibility that I take upon
myself, but I have given Hopkins an excellent hint and if he
can't Avail himself of it, I can do no more see here.
Captain Crocker will do this in due form of law.
You are the prisoner Watson. You are a British jury, and I
never met a man who was more eminently fitted to represent
one. I am the judge.
Now, Gentlemen of the jury. You have heard the evidence.
Do you find the prisoner guilty or not?
Guilty? Not guilty.
My lord said, I vox populi. Vox Dei.
You are acquitted Captain Crocker.
So long as the law does not find some other victim.
You're safe from me. Come back to this lady in a year
and met her future and yours justify us in the Judgment,
which we have pronounced this night, end of the adventure of
the Abbey. Grange.