Chapter 6 of the valley of fear by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
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Chapter 6, a Dawning light. The three detectives had many
matters of detail into which to inquire.
So I return the loan to our modest Quarters at the Village
Inn. But before doing so I took a
stroll in the Curious old world Garden which flanked the house
Rose are very ancient you trees cut into strange designs, girded
it around inside was a beautiful stretch of lawn with an old
sundial in the middle, the whole effect.
So soothing and restful that it was welcome to my somewhat
jangled nerves. In that deeply peaceful
atmosphere. One could forget, or remember,
only as some fantastic nightmare that darkens study with the
sprawling blood-stained figure on the floor and yet as I
strolled round it and try to steep my soul in its gentle bomb
a strange incident occurred, which brought me back to the
tragedy and left a Sinister impression.
In my mind I've said that a decoration of yew trees.
Circle The Garden at the end farthest from the house.
They thicken into a continuous hedge.
On the other side of this hedge concealed from the eyes of
anyone approaching from the direction of the house, there
was a stone seat as I approached the spot.
I was aware of voices, some remark in the Deep tones of a
man and said, by a little Ripple of feminine laughter An instant
later, I had come round, the end of the Hedge and my eyes lit
upon. Mrs. Douglas and the man Barker
before they were aware of my presence.
Her appearance gave me a shock in the dining room.
She had been demure and discreet.
Now, all pretense of grief had passed away from her her eyes
Shone with the joy of living and her face still quivered with
amusement, at some remark of her companion.
He sat forward his hands, clasped and his forearms on his
knees with an answering smile upon his bold handsome face in
an instant, but it was just one instant too late.
They resumed their solemn masks. As my figure came into view, I
hurried word or two passed between them and then Barker,
Rose and came towards me. Excuse me.
Sir said he but I addressing dr. Watson, I bowed with a coldness
which showed I daresay very plainly.
The impression which had been produced upon my mind.
We thought that it was probably you as your friendship with mr.
Sherlock Holmes is so well-known, would you mind
coming over and speaking to mrs. Douglas for one instant.
I followed him with a dour face. Very clearly I could see in my
mind's eye, that's that shattered.
Figure on the floor here within a few hours of the tragedy were
his wife and his nearest friend laughing together behind a bush
in the garden which had been his.
I greeted the lady with Reserve, I had grieved with her grief and
a dining room. Now, I met her appealing gaze
with an unresponsive. I I fear that you think me
callous and hard-hearted said she, I Shrugged my shoulders, it
is no business of mine said, I perhaps someday you will do me
Justice if you only realized, there's no need why, dr.
Watson should realize said, Barker quickly.
As he himself said, it is no possible business of his Exactly
said I and so I will beg leave to resume my walk.
One moment talk to Watson cried, the woman in a pleading voice,
there is one question which you can answer with more Authority
than anyone else in the world and it's me make a very great
difference to me, you know mr. Holmes and his relations with
the police better than anyone else.
Can supposing that a matter were brought confidentially to his
knowledge? Is it absolutely necessary that
he should pass it on to the detectives?
Yes, that's it. Said, Barker.
Eagerly is he on his own or is he entirely in with them?
I really don't know that I should be justified in
discussing that point I beg, I implore that you will dr.
Watson, I assure you that you will be helping us helping me
greatly if you will guide us on that point.
It was such a ring of sincerity in the woman's voice for the
instant. I forgot all about her levity.
In was moved. Only to do her will Mr. Holmes
is an independent investigator. I said he is his own master and
would act as his own judgment directed at the same time.
He would naturally feel loyalty towards the officials who were
working on the same case and he would not conceal from them
anything which would help them in bringing a criminal to
Justice Beyond this. I can say nothing, and I would
refer you to mr. Holmes himself, if you wanted
Fuller information, So saying, I raise my hat and went upon my
way, leaving them still seated behind that to concealing hedge.
I looked back as I rounded the far end of it and saw that they
were still talking very earnestly together and as they
were gazing after me was clear, that it was our interview that
was the subject of their debate. I wish none of their confidence
has said Holmes. When I reported to him what had
occurred he had spent the whole afternoon at the Manor House in
consultation with his two colleagues and returned about
five with a ravenous appetite for a high tea which I had
ordered for him. No confidence is Watson for they
are Mighty awkward if it comes to an arrest for conspiracy and
murder You think it'll come to that, he was in his most
cheerful and debonair humor my dear Watson.
When I have exterminated that fourth egg, I shall be ready to
put you in touch with the whole situation.
I don't say that. We have fathomed it far from it,
but when we have traced, the missing dumbbell The dumbbell
tme Watson is it possible that you have not penetrated?
The fact that the case hangs upon the missing dumbbell?
Well, well, you need not be downcast for between ourselves.
I don't think that either inspect a Mac or the excellent
local practitioner has grasped, the overwhelming importance of
this incident, one dumbbell Watson, consider an athlete.
With one dumbbell picture to yourself the you Unilateral
development, the imminent. Danger of a spinal curvature.
Shocking Watson, shocking. He sat with his mouth full of
toast, and his eyes sparkling with Mischief, watching my
intellectual entanglement, the mere sight of his excellent
appetite was an assurance of success.
For, I had very clear Recollections of days and nights
without a thought of food when his baffled mind had chased
before some problem, while his thin eager.
Teachers became more attenuated with the asceticism of complete.
Mental concentration. Finally, he lit his pipe and
sitting in the inglenook of the Old Village in, he talked
slowly. And at random about his case
rather as one who thinks allowed.
And as one who makes a considered statement Ally
Watson, a great big thumping. Obtrusive uncompromising lie.
That's what meets us on the Threshold there is our starting
point. The whole story told by Barker
is a lie but Barker's story is corroborated by mrs.
Douglas therefore she is lying also they are both lying and in
a conspiracy. So now we have the clear
problem, why are they lying and what is the truth which they are
trying so hard to conceal, let us try Watson you and I if we
can get behind the lie and reconstruct the truth, How do I
know that they are lying? Because it is a clumsy
fabrication which simply could not be true.
Consider, according to the story, given to us, the
Assassin, had less than a minute.
After the murder had been committed to take that ring,
which was under another ring from the dead man's finger to
replace the other ring a thing, which he would surely never have
done. And to put that singular card
beside his victim. I say that.
This was obviously impossible, you may argue but I have too
much respect for your judgment Watson to think that you will
do. So that the ring may have been
taken before, the man was killed.
The fact that the candle had been lit.
Only a short time shows that there had been no lengthy
interview was Douglas from what we hear of his Fearless
character. A man who would be likely to
give up his wedding ring at such short notice, or could we
conceive of his giving it up at all?
No, no Watson. The Assassin was alone with the
dead man. For some time, with a lamp lit
of that, I have no doubt at all. But the gunshot was apparently
the cause of death. Therefore, the shot must have
been fired sometime earlier than we are told, but there could be
no mistake about such a matter as that we are in the presence
there for of a deliberate conspiracy upon the part of the
two people who heard the gunshot of The man Barker and of the
woman, Douglas when on the top of this I'm able to show that
the blood mark on the windowsill was deliberately placed there by
Barker in order to give a false clue to the police.
You will admit that the case grows dark against him.
Now we have to ask ourselves at what hour, the murder actually
did occur up to 10:30 the servants, were moving about the
house so it was certainly not before that time.
At 10:45 they're all gone to their rooms with the exception
of Ames, who is in the pantry. I've been trying some
experiments after you left us this afternoon and I find that
no noise which McDonald can make in the study, can penetrate to
me in the pantry, when the doors are all shut.
It is otherwise. However, from the housekeeper's
room, it is not so far down the corridor and from it I could
vaguely hear a voice when it was very loudly raised.
The sound from a shotgun is to some extent.
Muffled, when the discharge is at very close range, as it
undoubtedly was. In this instance, it would not
be very loud. And yet in the Silence of the
night, it should have easily penetrated to mrs.
Allen's room. She is, as she has told us
somewhat death, but nonetheless, she mentioned in her evidence
that she did hear something like a door slamming, half an hour,
before the alarm was given half an hour before the alarm.
Has given would be 10:45, I have no doubt that what she heard was
the report of the gun and that this was the real instant of the
murder. If this is so we have now to
determine what Barker and mrs. Douglas presuming that they are
not the actual murderers could have been doing from 10:45 when
the sound of the shot. Brought them down until 11:15
when they rang the bell and summoned the servants.
What were they doing? And why did they not instantly?
Give the alarm. That is the question which faces
us. And when it has been answered,
we shall surely have gone. Some way to solve our problem.
I'm convinced myself said I that there's an understanding between
those two people. She must be a heartless creature
to sit laughing at some jest within a few hours of her
husband's murder. Exactly.
She does not shine as a wife, even in her own account of, what
occurred. I am not a whole sold admirer of
womankind as you are aware Watson, but my experience of
life has taught me that there are few wives having any regard
for their husbands, who would let any man spoken words, stand
between them and that husband's dead body, should I ever Mary
Watson? I should hope to inspire my wife
with some feeling, which would prevent her from Being walked
off by a housekeeper when my corpse was lying within a few
yards of her, it was badly stage-managed for.
Even the rawest investigators must be struck by the absence of
the usual feminine ululation. If they've been nothing else.
This incident alone would have suggested a pre-arranged
conspiracy to my mind. You think then definitely that
Barker mrs. Douglas are guilty of the murder
There is an appalling directness about your questions.
Watson said Holmes shaking his pipe at me, they come at me like
bullets if you put it that mrs. Douglas and Barker know the
truth about the murder and are conspiring to conceal it, then I
can give you a whole soul dancer.
I am sure they do but you're more deadly.
Proposition is not so clear. Let us for a moment to consider
the difficulties which stand in the way.
We will suppose This couple are united by the bonds of a guilty
love and that they have determined to get rid of the man
who stands between them. It is a large supposition for
discreet inquiry among servants and others has failed to
corroborate it in any way. On the contrary, there is a good
deal of evidence that the douglases were very attached to
each other. That I'm sure cannot be true.
So that I thinking of the beautiful smiling face in the
garden. Well, at least, they gave that
impression. However, we will suppose that
they are an extraordinary astute couple who deceive everyone upon
this point and conspire to murder the husband, he happens
to be a man over whose head. Some danger hangs, we have only
their word for that. Holmes looked thoughtful, I see
Watson. You are sketching out a theory
by which everything they say from the beginning is false.
According to your idea, there was never any hidden Menace or
secret society or Valley of fear or boss Max, somebody or
anything else. Well, that is a good sweeping
generalization. Let us see what that brings to
us. They invent this Theory to
account for the crime, they then play up to the idea by leaving
this bicycle in the park as proof of the existence of some
Outsider, the stain on the windowsill conveys, the same
idea. So does the card on the body
which might have been prepared in the house that all fits into
your hypothesis Watson but now we come on the nasty angular
uncompromising B which won't slip into their places.
Why I cut off shotgun of all weapons, and an American one at
that? How could they be?
So sure that the sound of it would not bring someone onto
them. It's a mere chance as it that
mrs. Allen did not start out to
inquire for the slamming door. Why did your guilty couple do
all this Watson? I confess I can't explain it.
Then again if a woman and her lover conspire to murder her
husband, are they going to advertise their guilt by
ostentatiously, removing his wedding ring after his death?
Does that strike you as very probable Watson know, it
doesn't. And once again, if the thought
of leaving a bicycle concealed outside had occurred to you,
would it really have seemed worth doing when the dullest
detective. You would naturally say this is
an obvious blind as the bicycle is the first thing which The
Fugitive needed in order to make his Escape, I can conceive a no
explanation. And yet, there should be no
combination of events for which the wit of man cannot conceive.
An explanation simply as a mental exercise without any
assertion that it is true. Let me indicate a possible line
of thought it is. I admit mere imagination.
But how often is Imagination? The mother of Truth.
We will suppose that there was a guilty secret.
I really shameful secret in the life of this man.
Douglas this leads to his murder by someone who is we will
suppose an Avenger someone from outside this Avenger.
For some reason, which I confess I'm still at a loss.
To explain took the Dead Man's wedding ring.
The Vendetta might conceivably date.
Back to the Man's first marriage and the ring be taken for some
such reason Before this Avenger Got Away Barker and the wife had
reached a room, the Assassin, convince them that any attempt
to arrest him would lead to the publication of some hideous
Scandal. They were converted to this idea
and prefer to let him go for this purpose.
They probably lowered the bridge which can be done quite
noiselessly and then raised it again.
He made his escape and for some reason thought that he could do
so more safely on foot and on the bicycle, He therefore left
his machine where it would not be discovered until he had got
safely away. So far, we are within the bounds
of possibility. Are we not Well, it's possible.
No doubt said I was some Reserve.
We have to remember what's in that.
Whatever occurred is certainly something very extraordinary.
Well, now to continue our suppositions case, the couple,
not necessarily a guilty, couple realize after the murder is
gone, that they have placed themselves in a position in
which it may be difficult for them to prove that they did not
themselves either. Do the deed or connive at it,
they rapidly, and rather clumsily met the situation.
The Mark was put by Barker's bloodstains slipper upon the
windowsill to suggest how The Fugitive got away.
They obviously were the two who must have heard the sound of the
gun. So they gave the alarm exactly
as they would have done. But a good half hour or after
the event. And how do you propose to prove
all this? Well, if there was an outsider,
he may be traced and taken. That would be the most effective
of all proofs. But if not well, the resources
of science are far from being exhausted.
I think that an evening alone in that study would help me much an
evening alone. I proposed to go up there.
Presently I have arranged it with the estimable Ames, who is
by no means wholehearted about Barker.
I shall sit in that room. See, if its atmosphere brings me
inspiration. I'm a Believer in the genius
loci. You smile friend Watson.
Well, we shall see, by the way, you have that big umbrella of
yours. Have you not?
It is here. Well, I'll borrow that if I may
certainly, but what a wretched weapon, if there's a danger,
nothing serious, my dear Watson or I should certainly ask for
your assistance, but I'll take the umbrella.
Present. I'm only waiting the return of
our colleagues from Tunbridge Wells, where they are at present
engaged in trying for a likely owner of the bicycle.
It was night for before inspector MacDonald and white
Mason came back from their expedition and they arrived
exultant reporting a great advance in our investigation.
My on, I'll admit that I had my doubts if there was ever an
outsider said McDonald, well that's all past know, we've had
the bicycle identified and we have a description of our man.
So that's a long step on our journey.
It sounds to me like the beginning of the end said,
Holmes, I'm sure. I congratulate you both with all
my heart. Well, I started from the fact
that mr. Douglas had seen Disturbed since
the day before, when he'd been at Tunbridge Wells, it was a
Tunbridge Wells. Then that he'd become conscious
of some danger was clear. Therefore that if a man had come
over with a bicycle, it was from Tunbridge Wells that he might be
expected to have. Come we took the bicycle over
with us and showed it at the hotel's.
It was identified At Once by the manager of the eagle commercial
as belonging to a man named Hargrave who take in a room
there, two days before his bicycle and a small valleys
where his old belongings. He had registered his name was
coming from London but had given no address.
The valise was London, made and the contents were British.
But the man himself was undoubtedly an American Well,
well said, Holmes gleefully. You have indeed done some solid
work while I've been sitting spinning theories with my
friend. It's a lesson in being practical
mr. Mack is just that mr.
Holmes said the inspector with satisfaction, but this may all
fit in with your theories are remarked.
That may or may not be but let us hear the end.
Mr. Mack was there. Nothing to identify this, man.
So little that it was evident that he had, carefully guarded
himself against identification. There were no papers or letters
are no mocking upon the clothes, a cycle map of the county.
Lay on his bedroom floor. He left the hotel after
breakfast yesterday, morning on his bicycle, and no more was
heard of him until our inquiries That's what puzzles me.
Mr. Holmes said white Mason if the fellow did not want the Hue
and cry raised over him. One would imagine that he would
have returned and remained at the hotel.
Isn't it enough pensive tourist as it is?
He must know that he'll be reported to the police by the
hotel manager. And this is disappearance will
be connected with the murder. So one would imagine still, he
has been Justified of his wisdom up-to-date at any rate.
Since he has not been taken but his description, what of that
McDonald referred to his notebook.
Here, we have it so far as I could give it will seem to have
taken every particular stock of him, but still the Potter.
The clerk and the chambermaid are all agreed that this about
covers the points. He was a man about 5 ft 9 in
height. 50 or so, years of age, his hair, slightly grizzled a
grayish mustache, a curved nose, and a face, which all of them
described as Fierce and forbidding.
Well, Bar, the expression that might almost be a description of
Douglass himself said Holmes. He's just over 50 with grizzled
hair and mustache and about the same height.
Did you get anything else? He was dressed in a heavy grey
suit with a reefer jacket and he wore a short, yellow overcoat
and a soft cap. What about the shotgun it is?
Less than two feet long, it could very well have fitted into
his valise. He could have carried it inside
his over Court without difficulty.
And how do you consider that all this Bears upon the general
case? Well, mr.
Holmes said McDonald, when we've got our man and you may be sure
that I had his description on the wires within five minutes of
hearing it. We should be better able to
judge it, but even as it stands, we have surely gone a long way.
We know that an American calling himself Hargrave came to Tom
Bridge Wells, two days ago with bicycle and valise in the latter
was a sawed-off shotgun. So he came with a What purpose
of crime yesterday morning? He set off for this place, on
his bicycle, with his gun, concealed in his Overcoat.
No one saw him arrive so far as we can learn, but he need not
pass through the village to reach the park Gates, and there
are many cyclists upon the road. Presumably at once concealed,
his cycle among the Laurels where it was found and possibly
look, there himself, with his eye, on the house, waiting for
mr. Douglas to come out.
Shotgun is a strange weapon to use inside a house but it
intended to use it outside. And there it is, very obvious
advantages as it would be impossible to miss with it, and
the sound of shots is so common in English spotting neighborhood
that no particular notice would be taken.
That is all very clear said Holmes.
Well, mr. Douglas did not appear.
What was he to do? Next?
He left his bicycle and approached the house in the
Twilight. He found a bridge down and no
one about he took, his chance intending.
No doubt to make some excuse. If he met someone, he met.
No one. He slipped into the first room
that he saw and concealed himself behind a curtain then
see. Could see that drawbridge go up
and he knew that His only Escape was through the moat, a waited
until 11:15 when mr. Douglas upon his usual nightly
around came into the room, he shot him and escaped as
arranged. He was aware that the bicycle
would be described by the hotel people and be a clue against
him. So I left it there and made his
way by some other means to London or to some safe hiding
place, which had already arranged.
How is that mr. Holmes Well, mr.
Mac it is very good and very clear so far as it goes, that is
your end of the story. My end is that the crime was
committed half an hour earlier than reported that.
Mrs. Douglas and Barker on both in a conspiracy to conceal
something that they aided the murderers Escape or at least
they reached the room before he escaped and that they fabricated
evidence of his Escape through the window whereas in all
probability. He they had themselves.
Let him go by lowering the bridge.
That's my reading of the first half.
The two detectives shook their heads.
Well, mr. Holmes, if this is true, we only
tumble out of one mystery into another said, the London
inspector. And in some ways, a worse.
One added white Mason. The lady has never been in
America and all her life. What possible connection could
she have with an American Assassin?
Which would cause her to shelter him.
I freely admit the difficulties said Holmes, I proposed to make
a little investigation of my own tonight and it is just possible
that it may contribute something to the common cause can we help
you mr. Holmes.
No no darkness and dr. Watson's umbrella.
My wants a simple and Ames the faithful Eames.
No doubt he will stretch a point for me.
All my lines of thought, leave me back invariably to the one
basic question. Why should an athletic, man,
develop his frame upon so unnatural and instrument.
As a single dumbbell, it was late that night when Holmes
returned from his solitary Excursion, we slept in a
double-bedded room, which was the best at the Little Country.
Inn could do for us. I was already asleep when I was
partly awakened by his entrance. Well, homes.
I molded have you found anything out?
He Stood Beside Me in silence his candle in his hand.
Then the tall lean figure inclined towards me.
I say Watson, he whispered, would you be afraid to sleep in
the same room with a lunatic? A man with softening of the
brain. An idiot whose mind has lost its
grip. Not in the least.
I answered in astonishment. Ah, that's lucky.
He said I'm not another word. Would he utter that night?
End of chapter 6.