Section 6 of the casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This ligaments recording may be
distributed and adapted freely for any purpose, the adventure
of the Sussex vampire. Holmes had read carefully a
note, which the last post had brought him then with the dried
chuckle, which was his nearest approach to a laugh.
He tossed it over to me for a mixture of the modern and the
medieval of the Practical and of the wildly fanciful.
I think this is surely, the limit said he, what do you make
of it? Watson, I read as follows 46 old
jury November the 19th. Vampires sir, our client, mr.
Robert Ferguson of Ferguson and Muirhead, T Brokers of mincing
Lane has made some inquiry from us, in a communication of even
date concerning vampires. As our firm specializes in tally
upon the assessment of Machinery.
The matter hardly comes within our purview and we have
therefore recommended, mr. Ferguson to call upon you and
lay the matter before you. We have not forgotten your
successful action. In the case of Matilda Briggs,
we are sir Faithfully, Yours, Morrison, Morrison and. /.
E JC Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson
said Holmes in a reminiscent voice.
It was a ship which is associated with the giant rat of
Sumatra a story, for which the world is not yet prepared.
But what do we know about the vampires?
Does it come within our purview either?
Anything is better than stagnation.
But really, we seem to have been switched on to Grimm's
fairytale, make a long-arm Watson and see what V has to
say. I leaned back and took down the
great index Volume 2, which he referred homes balanced it on
his knee and his eyes moved slowly and lovingly over the
record of old cases, mixed with the accumulated information of a
lifetime Voyage of the Gloria Scott.
He read, that was a bad business.
I have some recollection that you made a record of it Watson
though. I was unable to come Too late to
upon the result. Victor Lynch the forger,
venomous lizard or healer remarkable case.
That Victoria, the circus Bell, Vanderbilt and the Eggman vipers
thicker. The Hammersmith Wonder, hello.
Hello, good old index. You can't beat it.
Listen to this Watson. Vampirism in Hungary and again
vampires in Transylvania. He turned over the pages with
eagerness but after a short intent perusal he threw down the
great book with a snarl of disappointment rubbish.
Watson rubbish, what have we to do with walking corpses who can
only be held in their grave by Stakes driven through their
hearts? It's purely.
Nessie. But Charlie said I the vampire
was not necessarily a dead man a living person might have the
have it. I have read for example of the
old sucking, the blood of the young, in order to retain their
youth. You are right Watson.
It mentions the legend in one of these references.
But Howie to give serious attention to such things.
This agency, stand flat-footed upon the ground and there it
must remain. The world is big enough for us.
No ghosts need apply. Possibly this note, maybe from
him and may throw some light upon what is worrying him.
He took up his second letter which had Lain unnoticed upon
the table while he had been absorbed with the first.
This he began to read with a smile of amusement upon his face
which gradually faded away into an expression of intense
interest and concentration. When he had finished, he sat for
some little time lost in thought with the letter dangling from
his fingers. Finally, with a start, he
aroused himself from his reverie cheeseman's lamb belly.
Where Islam? Balu Watson are did in Sussex
south of Horsham not very far and cheeseman's.
I know that country house. It is full of old houses, which
are named after The Men Who Built them.
Centuries ago, you get Todd Lee's and Harvey's and keratins
the Fokker forgotten but their names live in our houses
precisely said Holmes coldly. It was one of the peculiarities
of his proud self-contained nature that though.
He docketed any fresh information.
Very quietly. And accurately in his brain he
seldom made an acknowledgement to The Giver.
I rather fancy, we shall know a good deal more about cheeseman's
Lamborghini before we're through the letter is as I had hoped
from Robert Ferguson by the way, he claims acquaintance, with you
with me, you had better read it. He handed the letter across it
was headed with the address quoted.
Dear mr. Holmes.
It said, I have been recommended to you by my lawyers.
But indeed the matter is. So extraordinarily delicate that
it is most difficult to discuss it concerns, a friend for whom.
I am acting this gentleman, married some five years ago, a
Peruvian lady, the daughter of a Peruvian Merchant whom he had
met in connection with the importation of nitrates.
The lady was very beautiful, but the fact of her foreign birth,
and of her alien religion, always caused At a separation of
interests and of feelings between husband and wife, so
that after a time, his love may have cooled towards her.
And he may have come to regard their Union as a mistake, he
felt there were sides of her character, which he could never
explore or understand. This was the more painful as she
was, as loving, a wife, as a man could have to all appearance,
absolutely devoted. Now, for the point, which I will
make more plain when we meet indeed, this note is merely to
give you a general idea of the situation and to ascertain
whether you would care to interest yourself.
In the matter. The lady began to show some
Curious traits, quite alien to her.
Ordinarily, sweet and gentle disposition The gentleman had
been married twice and he had one son by the first wife.
This boy was now 15, a very charming and affectionate youth
though, unhappily injured through an accident in childhood
twice. The wife was caught in the act
of assaulting. This poor lad in the most
unprovoked way once she struck him with a stick and left a
great wheel on his arm. This was a small matter,
however, compared as her conduct to her own child, a dear boy
just under one year of age. On one occasion about a month
ago. This child had been left by its
nurse for a few minutes. A loud cry from the baby.
As of pain called the nurse back.
As she ran into the room, she saw her employer.
The lady leaning over the baby and apparently biting his neck,
there was a small wound in the neck, from which a stream of
blood had escaped. The nurse was so horrified that
she wished to call the husband, but the lazy implored her not to
do so and actually gave her 5 pounds as a price for her
silence. No explanation was ever given.
And for the moment, the matter was passed over it left.
However, a terrible impression upon, the nurses mind.
And from that time, she began to watch her mistress closely and
to keep a closer guard upon the baby whom she tenderly love.
Loved it seemed to her that even as she watched the mother, so
the mother watched her and that every time she was compelled to
leave the baby alone, the mother was waiting to get at it.
Day and night, the nurse covered, the child and day, and
night. The silent watchful mother
seemed to be lying in wait as a wolf waits for a lamb.
It must read most incredible to you and yet, I beg you to take
it seriously for a child's life and a man's sanity.
May depend upon it at last. There came one Dreadful day when
the facts could no longer be concealed from the husband.
The nurses nerve had given way she could stand the strain, no
longer, and she made a clean breast of it all to the man.
To him, it seemed as wild a tail as it may now seem to you.
He knew his wife to be a loving wife and save for the assaults
upon her stepson, a loving mother.
Why then should she wound her own dear little baby?
He told the nurse that she was dreaming that her suspicions,
were those of a lunatic and that such libels upon her mistress
were not to be tolerated. While they were talking a sudden
Cry of pain was heard nurse and master rushed together to the
nursery. Imagine his feelings, mr.
Holmes. As he saw his wife rise from a
kneeling position beside the court, and saw blood upon the
child's exposed neck, and upon the sheet with a cry of horror,
he turned his wife's face to the light and saw blood all round
her lips. It was she she beyond all
question who had drunk the poor baby's blood?
So, the matter stands, she is now confined to her room.
There has been no explanation. The husband is half demented, he
knows. And I know little of vampirism
beyond the name. We had thought it was some wild
tale of foreign parts. And yet here in the very heart,
of the English Sussex, well, all this can be discussed with you
in the morning, will you see me? Will you use your great powers
in aging? Distracted, man.
If so kindly wire to Ferguson cheeseman's lamb belly and I
will be at your rooms by 10:00 Yours Faithfully.
Robert Ferguson p.s., I believe your friend Watson played rugby
for Blackheath when Iowa's three-quarter for Richmond.
It is the only personal introduction which I can give Of
course, I remembered him said, I as I laid down the letter, Big
Bob Ferguson the finest three-quarter Richmond ever had,
he was always a good-natured chap.
It's like him to be. So, concerned over a friends
case, Holmes looked at me thoughtfully and shook his head,
I never get to your limits. Watson said he, there are
unexplored possibilities about you.
Take a wide on like a good fellow Will examine your case
with pleasure, your case. We must not.
Let him think that this agency is a home for the weak-minded.
Of course it is his case, send him that wire and let the matter
rest till morning. Promptly at ten o'clock, next
morning, Ferguson stirred into our room.
I had remembered him as a long slab-sided man with loose Limbs
and a fine turn of speed which had carried him around.
Many, an opposing back there is surely Nothing in life.
More painful than to meet the wreck of a fine athlete.
Whom one has known in his prime, his Great Frame had fallen in
his flaxen. Hair was scanty and his
shoulders. Dad, I fear that I roused
corresponding emotions in him. Hello Watson said he and his
voice was still deep and Hearty. You don't look quite the man.
You did, when I threw you over the ropes into the crowd, at the
old Deer Park. I expect I have changed a bit
also but it's this last day or two that has aged me.
I see by your telegram. Mr. Holmes that it is no use my
pretending to be anyone's. Deputy It is simpler to deal
direct said, Holmes. Oh, of course it is.
But you can imagine how difficult it is when you are.
Speaking of the one woman whom you are bound to protect and
help. What can I do?
How am I to go to the police with such a story?
And yet the kiddies have got to be protected, is it Madness, mr.
Holmes. Is it something in the blood?
Have you any similar? In your experience for God's
sake. Give me some advice for I am at
my Wit's End. Very naturally mr.
Ferguson, no, sit here and pull yourself together and give me a
few clear answers. I can assure you that I am very
far from being at my Wit's End, and that I am confident, we
shall find some solution. First of all, tell me what steps
you have taken. Is your wife still?
Near the children. We had a dreadful scene.
She is a most loving woman mr. Holmes, if ever a woman, loved a
man with all her heart and soul, she loves me.
She was cut to the heart that I should have.
Discovered this horrible. This incredible secret.
She would not even speak. She gave no answer to my R
approaches saved to gaze at me when they're sort of wild
despairing. Look in her eyes.
She rushed to her room and locked herself in since.
Then, she has refused to see me. She has a maid who was with her
before her marriage, Dolores, by name, a friend rather than a
servant. She takes her food to her Then
the child is in, no immediate danger, mrs.
Mason the nurse has sworn that she will not leave it night or
day. I can absolutely trust her.
I am more uneasy. About poor little Jack for as I
told you in my Note 2 has twice been assaulted by her but never
wounded. No, she struck him savagely.
It is the more terrible as he is a poor little Inoffensive
crippled Ferguson's gaunt features, softened as he spoke
of his boy, you would think that the deer Lads condition would
soften anyone's heart a fall, in childhood into Twisted spine mr.
Holmes, but the dearest, most loving heart with him.
Holmes, had picked up the letter of yesterday, and was reading it
over what other inmates are there in your house, mr.
Ferguson to servants, who have not been long with us.
One stable hand, Michael, who sleeps in the house?
My wife myself, my boy Jack, baby, Dolores, and mrs.
Mason, that is all I gather that you did not know your wife.
Well, at the time of your marriage, I had only known her,
a few weeks. How long had this made to
Laura's been with her some years, then your wife's
character would really be better known by Dolores and by you,
yes, you may say so. Holmes made a note.
I fancy said he that I may be of more use at Lambeth and here it
is. Eminently.
A case for personal investigation.
If the lady remains in her room, our presents could not annoy or
inconvenience her. Of course, we would stay at the
in Ferguson gave a gesture of relief.
It is what I hoped mr. Holmes, there is an excellent
trainer, 2:00 from Victoria, if you could come, of course, we
could come. There is a lull present, I can
give you my undivided energies, what's, and of course, comes
with us. But there are one or two points
upon which I wish to be very sure before.
I start this unhappy lady, as I understand it has appeared to
assault both the children, her own baby, and your little son.
That is so, but the assault steak, Take different forms.
Do they not? She has beaten your son once
with a stick and once very savagely with her hands.
Did she give no explanation? Why she struck him?
None save that she hated him again.
And again she said, so, Well, that is not unknown among
stepmothers. A posthumous jealousy.
We will say is the lady Jealous by Nature.
Yes she is very jealous jealous with all the strength of her
fiery tropical love. But the boy he is 15.
I understand and probably very developed in mind.
Since his body has been circumscribed in action.
Did he give you no explanation of these assaults now?
He declared there was no reason were they?
Good friends at other times? No there was never any love
between them yet. You say he is affectionate never
in the world, could they? He's so devoted a son.
My life is his life. He is absorbed in what I say or
do. Once again, Holmes made a note
for some time his SATs lost in thought, no doubt you and boy
were great comrades. Before this second marriage, you
were thrown very close together while you're not very much so.
And the boy having so affectionate and nature was
devoted, no doubt to the memory of his mother, Most devoted.
He would certainly seem to be a most interesting lat.
There is one other point about these assaults weather strange
attacks upon the baby and the assault upon your son, at the
same period. And the first case it was so it
was as if some friends he had seized her and she had vented
her rage upon both in the second case, it was only Jack who
suffered mrs. Mason had Complaint to make
about the baby that certainly complicates matters.
I don't quite follow your mr. Holmes.
Possibly not one forms, provisional Theory isn't weights
that time or Fuller knowledge to explode them.
A bad habit. Mr. Ferguson but human nature is
weak. I fear that your old friend here
has given an exaggerated view of my scientific methods however, I
will only say it the present stage that your problem does not
appear to me to be insoluble and that you may expect to find us
at Victoria at 2:00 It was evening of a dull foggy,
November day when having left our bags.
At the checkers. Lamb belly, we drove through the
Sussex, clay of a long Winding Lane.
And finally, reached the isolated and ancient farmhouse
in which Ferguson dwelt. It was a large straggling
building. Very old in the center.
Very new at the wings with towering to the chimneys and a
lichen, spotted high pitched roof of Horsham slabs.
The door steps were worn in two curves and the In tiles, which
lined the porch were marked with the Rebus of a cheese.
And a man after the original Builder within the ceilings were
corrugated with heavy Oaken, beams and the uneven.
Floors sagged into sharp curves, an odor of age and Decay
pervaded. The whole crumbling building,
there was one very large Central room into which Ferguson leaders
here in a huge old fashioned fireplace with an iron.
In behind it, dated 1670 there blazed and stuttered a splendid
log fire. The room as I gazed round was a
most singular mixture of dates and of places the half paneled
walls, May well have belonged to the original Yeoman farmer of
the 17th century. They were ornamented however, on
the lower part by a line of well-chosen.
Modern watercolors while above were yellow, plastic took the
place of Oak. There was hung a fine collection
of American utensils and weapons which had been brought no doubt
by the Peruvian lady upstairs Holmes, rose with that quick
curiosity, which sprang from his eager mind, and examined them
with some care. He returned with his eyes full
of thought. Hello, he cried?
Hello. Espanyol had Lain in a basket in
the corner. It came slowly forward towards
its Master walking with difficulty, its hind legs moved
to regularly and its tail was on the ground.
It licked Ferguson's hand. What is it?
Mr. Holmes. The dog.
What's the matter with it? That's what puzzled effect, a
sort of paralysis spinal meningitis is It, but it is
passing. He'll be all right.
Soon want to Carlo, a shiver of a cent passed through the
drooping tail. The dogs mournful eyes passed
from one of us to the other. He knew that we were discussing
his case did it. Come on, suddenly, in a single
night how long ago it may have been for months ago.
Very remarkable there is Suggestive, what do you thin it?
Mr. Holmes. A confirmation of what I had
already. Thought for God's sake.
What do you think, mr. Holmes, maybe I'm are
intellectual puzzle to you but it is life and death to me, my
wife at would-be murderer, my child in constant danger.
Don't play with me, mr. Holmes, it is too terribly
serious. The big rugby three-quarter was
trembling all over Holmes. Put his hand soothingly upon his
arm. I feel That there is pain for
you mr. Ferguson whatever the solution.
Maybe said he, I would spare you all.
I can, I cannot say more for the instant, but before I leave this
house, I hope I may have something definite, please.
God, you may if you will excuse me.
Gentlemen, I will go up to my wife's room and see if there has
been any change. He was away some minutes during
which Holmes resumed his examination of the Curiosities
upon the wall. When our host returned, it was
clear from his downcast face that he had made no progress.
He brought with him a tall slim Browne faced girl that tea is
ready. Dolores said Ferguson see that
your mistress has everything to can wish she very ill.
Cried, the girl looking with indignant eyes at her master.
She do ask for food. She that real genie, dr.
I frightened alone with her without dr.
Ferguson looked at me with a question.
In his eyes, I should be so glad if I could be of use Would your
mistress see, dr. Watson, I take him.
High know, asked me if she needs a doctor, then I'll come with
you at once. I followed the girl, who was
quivering with strong, emotion up the staircase and down an
ancient Corridor. At the end, was an iron clamped
and massive door. It struck me.
As I looked at it that if Ferguson tried to force his way
to his wife, he would find it, no easy matter.
To go through a key from her pocket and the heavy Oaken
planks creaked upon their old hinges.
I passed in and she swiftly followed fastening the door
behind her. On the bed, a woman was lying.
Who was clearly in a high fever. She was only half conscious but
as I entered, she raised a pair of frightened, but beautiful
eyes, and glared at me in apprehension seeing a stranger.
She appeared to be relieved and sank back with a sigh upon the
pillow. I stepped up to her with a few
reassuring words and she lay still while I took her pulse and
temperature. Both were high.
And yet my impression was that the condition was rather that of
mental and nervous, excitement than of any actual seizure.
She lie like that one day to day.
I frayed, she'd, I said, the girl, the woman turned her
flushed and handsome face towards me.
Where is my husband? He is below and would wish to
see you. I will not see, I will not see
him. Then she seemed to wander off
into delirium theme. I think.
Oh what shall I do with this devil?
Can I help you in any way? No, no one can help it is.
Who is this toy to watch? I will always destroy it.
The woman must have some strange delusion.
I could not see honest Bob Ferguson in the character of
fiend or devil. Madam.
I said, your husband loves you dearly.
He is deeply grieved at this happening again.
She turned on me. Those glorious eyes, he loves
me. Yes.
But do I not love him? Do I not love him even to
sacrifice myself rather than break his dear heart?
That is how I love him. And yet he could think of he
could speak of me, so, Has full of grief but he cannot
understand. No, he cannot understand that he
should trust. Well, you not see him?
I suggested. No, no.
I cannot forget. Those terrible words.
Nor the look upon his face. I will not see him.
Go. No, you can do nothing for me.
Tell him only one thing I want my child.
I have a right to my child that is the only message I can send
him. She turned her face to the wall
and would say no more. I returned to the room
downstairs where Ferguson and home still Sat by the fire
Ferguson listened moodily to my account of the interview.
How can I send her the child? He said, how do I know what
strange impulse might come upon her?
How can I ever forget how she Rose from beside it with its
blood upon her lips, he shuddered at the recollection.
The child is safe with mrs. Mason and are He must remain.
A smart made. The only modern thing which we
had seen in the house had brought in some tea as she was
serving it the door opened and the youth entered the room.
He was a remarkable lad pale-faced and fair head with
excitable light blue eyes which blazed into a sudden flame of
emotion and joy as they rested upon his father, he rushed
forward and threw his arms, around his neck with the abandon
of a loving girl. Oh, Daddy, he cried.
I did not know that you would you yet.
I should have been here to meet him.
Oh, I am so glad to see Ferguson gently disengaged himself from
the Embrace, with some little show of embarrassment.
Dear old chap said he patting the flax and head with a very
tender hand. I came early because my friends,
mr. Holmes and dr.
Watson have been persuaded to come down and spend an evening
with us. Is that mr.
Holmes, the detective? Yes, the youth looked at us with
a very penetrating and as it seemed to me unfriendly, gays,
what about your other child, mr. Ferguson asked Holmes might we
make the acquaintance of the baby.
Ask mrs. Mason to bring baby.
Dan said, Ferguson the boy, went off with a curious shambling,
gait, which told my surgical eyes that he was suffering from
a weak spine presently, he returned and behind him came a
tall gaunt woman, bearing in her arms of very beautiful, child,
dark-eyed golden-haired, a wonderful mixture of the Saxon
and the Latin Ferguson was evidently devoted to it.
He took it into his arms and fondled it, most tenderly, fancy
anyone having the heart to hurt him, he muttered as he glanced
down at the small Angry Red Packer upon the chair of throat.
It was at this moment that I chanced to glance at homes and
saw a most singular intentness in his expression.
His face was as set as if it had, been carved out of old
Ivory, and his eyes, which had glanced for A moment at father
and child were now fixed with eager curiosity upon something
at the other side of the room following his gaze.
I could only guess that he was looking out through the window
at The Melancholy dripping Garden.
It is true that a shatter had half-closed outside and
obstructed The View but nonetheless it was certainly at
the windows at Holmes was fixing his concentrated attention.
Then he smiled and his eyes came back to the baby on its chubby
neck. There was this small pocket Mark
without speaking, Holmes examined it with care.
Finally, he shook one of the dimpled fists which waved in
front of him. Goodbye little man, you have
made a strange start in life nurse.
I should wish to have a word with you in private.
He took her aside and spoke earnestly for a few minutes.
I only Heard the Last Words, which were your anxiety will
soon. I hope be set at rest.
The woman who seemed to be a Silas silent kind of creature
with two with the child, what is mrs.
Mason like asked Holmes, not very prepossessing.
Externally as you can see but a heart of gold and devoted to the
child. Do you like her Jack Holmes
turned suddenly upon the boy his expressive mobile face shadowed
over and he shook his head. Jackie has very strong likes and
dislikes said, Ferguson putting his arm around the boy.
Luckily, I am one of his likes. The boy cooled and nestled his
head upon his father's breast Ferguson, gently disengaged him.
Run Away. Little Jackie said he and he
watched his son with loving eyes until he disappeared now, mr.
Holmes, he continued when the boy was gone.
I rarely feel that I have brought you on a Fool's errand,
for what can you possibly do? Save, give me your sympathy.
It must be an exceedingly delicate and complex Affair from
your point of view. It is certainly delicate said,
my friend with an amused smile. Died has not been struck up to
now with its complexity. It has been a case for
intellectual deduction, but when this original intellectual
deduction is confirmed Point by Point by quite a number of
independent incidents, then the subjective becomes objective and
we can say confidently that we have reached our goal.
I had, in fact, reached it before we left Baker Street and
the West has merely been observation and Confirmation
Ferguson. Put his big hand to his
forehead, forehead, Heaven's Sake homes, he said hoarsely.
If you can see the truth in this matter, do not keep me in
suspense. How do I stand?
What do I do? I can uh, thing as to how you
have found your fax so long as you have really got them.
Certainly, I owe you an explanation and you shall have
it, but you will permit me to handle the matter in my own way,
is the lady capable of seeing as Watson she is ill, but she had
quite rational, very good. It is only in her presence that
we can clear the matter up. Let us go up to her.
She will not see me cried Ferguson.
Oh, yes, she will said, Holmes, he scribbled a few lines upon a
sheet of paper. You at least have the entree
Watson. Will you have the goodness to
give the lady this note? I ascended again and handed the
note to Dolores who cautiously opened the door a minute later.
I heard a cry from within a cry in which joy and surprise seemed
to be Blended Dolores looked out, she will see them.
She will. Listen said she At my summons
Ferguson and Holmes came up as we entered.
The room Ferguson took a step or two towards his wife who had
raised herself in the bed, but she held out her hand to repulse
him, he sank into an armchair while Holmes, seated himself
beside him, after buying to the lady, who looked at him with
wide-eyed amazement, I think we can dispense with Dolores said
Holmes. Oh very well Madam if you would
rather she stayed I can see no objection now, mr.
Ferguson. I am a busy man with many calls
and my methods have to be short and direct.
The swiftest surgery is the least.
Painful. Let me first say, what will ease
your mind? Your wife is a very good, a very
loving, and a very ill-used woman.
Ferguson set up with a cry of joy.
That mr. Holmes and I am your debtor
forever. I will do so but in doing so I
must wounded, you deeply in another Direction.
I cannot think so long as you clear, my wife.
Everything on Earth is insignificant compared to that.
Let me tell you, then the train of reasoning, which passed
through my mind in Baker Street, the idea of a vampire was to me
absurd, such things do not happen.
In criminal practice in England and yet your observation was
precise. You had seen the lady rise from
beside the child's cot with the blood upon her lips I did.
Did it not occur to you that a bleeding wound?
May be sucked for some other purpose than to draw the blood
from. It was there not a queen in
English History. Who sucked such a wound to draw
poison from it poison. A South American household.
My instinct felt the presence of those weapons upon the wall.
Before my eyes ever saw them. It might have been In other
poison. But that was what occurred to me
when I saw that. Little empty, quiver beside the
small bird bow. It was just what I expected to
see if the child were pricked with one of those arrows dipped
in curare or some other devilish drug, it would mean death if the
Venom were not sucked out and the dog.
If one were to use such a poison would one not.
Try it first in order to see that it had not lost its power.
I did not foresee the dog but at least I understand him and he
fitted into my reconstruction. Now, do you understand your
wife? Feared such an attack, she saw
it made and saved the child's life.
And yet, she shrank from telling you all the truth for, she knew
how you love the boy and feared lest it break your heart.
Jackie. I watched him as he fondled, the
child, just now his face was clearly reflected in the glass
of the window where the shutter formed a background.
I saw such jealousy such cruel hatred, as I have seldom seen in
a human face. My Jack, you have to face it mr.
Ferguson. It is the more painful because
it is a distorted love a maniacal, exaggerated love for
you and possibly for his dead mother, which has prompted his
action. His very soul is consumed with
hatred for this Splendid child, whose Health and Beauty are a
contrast to his own weakness. God, it is incredible.
Have five spoken, the truth, Madam.
The lady was sobbing with her face buried in the pillows.
No, she turned to her husband. How could I tell you?
Bob, I felt the blow. It would be to you.
It was better that I should wait and that it should come from
some other lips than mine. When this gentleman who seems to
have powers of magic wrote that he knew.
All I was glad I think a year at Sea would be my prescription for
master Jackie said Holmes rising from his chair.
Only one thing is still clouded my dumb.
We can I can understand your attacks upon Master Jackie.
There is a limit to a mother's patience.
But how did you dare to leave the child these last two days?
I had told mrs. Mason she knew exactly.
So I imagined Ferguson was standing by the bed, choking his
hands outstretched and quivering.
This I fancy is the time for our exit.
Watson said, Holmes in a whisper, if you will take one
elbow of the two faithful Dolores, I will take the other
The know, he added, as he closed the door behind him.
I think we may leave them to settle the rest among
themselves. I have only one further note of
this case, it is the letter which Holmes wrote in final
answer to that was which The Narrative begins.
It ran. Thus, Baker Street November the
21st? Re vampires sir, referring to
your letter of the 19th. I beg to state that I have
looked into the inquiry of your client mr.
Robert Ferguson of Ferguson and Muirhead, T Brokers of mincing
Lane and that the map Has been brought to a satisfactory
conclusion with. Thanks for your recommendation.
I am sir Faithfully Yours, Sherlock Holmes, End of the
adventure of the Sussex vampire.