Adventure 6 in the Memoirs of Sherlock, Holmes by Sir, Arthur
Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Adventure, Six.
The reigate puzzle. It was some time before the
health of my friend. Mr. Sherlock Holmes recovered
from The Strain caused by his immense, exertions, in the
spring of 87. The whole question of the
Netherlands Sumatra company and of the Colossal schemes of
bahram open house are two recent in the minds of the public and
our to intimately concerned with politics and finance to be
fitting subjects for this series of sketches.
They LED however, in an indirect fashion to a singular and
complex Which gave my friend an opportunity of demonstrating the
value of a fresh weapon, among the many, with which he waged
his lifelong battle against Crime.
On referring to my notes. I see that it was upon the 14th
of April that I received a telegram from Lyon, which
informed me that Holmes was lying Gill in the hotel, do long
within 24 hours. I was in his sick room and was
relieved to find that there was nothing formidable in his
symptoms. Even his iron Constitution,
however, and broken down under the strain of an investigation
which had extended over two months during which period, he
had never worked less than You know, is a day and had more than
once. As he assured me, kept to his
task for five days at a stretch. Even the triumphant issue of his
laborers. Could not save him from reaction
after, so, terrible and exertion.
And at the time when Europe was ringing with his name.
And when his room was literally ankle-deep with congratulatory
telegrams. I found him a prey to the
blackest, oppression, even the knowledge that he had succeeded,
where the police have three countries had failed and that he
had outmaneuvered at every point.
The most accomplished swindler in Europe was To Rouse him from
his nervous, prostration. Three days later.
We were back in Baker Street together, but it was evident
that my friend would be much the better for a change and the
thought of a week of spring time in the country was full of
attractions to me. Also my old friend, Colonel
hater who had come under my Professional Care in
Afghanistan. Had now taken a house near
reigate in Surrey and had frequently asked me to come down
to him upon a visit on the last occasion.
He had remarked that if my friend would only come with me,
he would be glad to Send his Hospitality to him.
Also, a little diplomacy was needed between homes understood
that the establishment Was A Bachelor 1 and that he would be
allowed the fullest Freedom. He fell in with my plans and a
week after I returned from Liang we were under the Colonel's
roof. Hayter was a final soldier who
had seen much of the world and he soon found as I had expected
that homes and he had much in common.
On the evening of our arrival. We were sitting in the kernels
Gun Room after dinner Holmes stretched upon the sofa, while
hate her. And I looked over his little
Armory of Eastern weapons. By the way, said he suddenly, I
think I'll take one of these pistols upstairs with me.
In case we have an alarm and alarm said, I yes.
We've had a scare in this part lately old Acton, who is one of
our County. Magnates had his house broken
into last Monday. No, great damage.
Done with the fellows are still at Large.
No clue asked Holmes cocking his eye at the colonel, not as yet,
but the affair is a petty won, one of our little country crimes
which must seem too small for your attention.
Mr. Holmes, after this great International Affair homes,
waved away the compliment though, his smile showed that it
had pleased him. Was there any feature of
Interest? I fancy, not the thieves
ransacked the library and got very little for their pains.
The whole place was turned upside down, drawers, burst open
and press has ransacked with the result that an odd volume of
popes Homer to plated candlesticks and ivory letter.
Wait a small, Oak barometer and a ball of twine are all that
have vanished. What an extraordinary,
assortment. I exclaimed Bowl the fellows,
evidently grabbed, hold of everything.
They could get homes grunted from the sofa.
The County Police ought to make something of that.
So he why it is surely obvious that but I held up a warning
finger you are here for rest. My dear fellow For Heaven's
Sake. Don't get started on a new
problem when your nerves are all in shreds.
Holmes Shrugged his shoulders with a glance of comic
resignation towards the colonel and the talk drifted away into
less dangerous channels. It was destined.
However, that all my professional caution, should be
wasted for next morning. The problem obtruded itself Upon
Us in such a way that it was impossible to ignore it and our
country visit took a turn, which neither of us could have
anticipated. We were at breakfast when the
Colonel's Butler rushed in with all his propriety shaken out of
him. Have you heard the new sir?
He gasped at the Cunningham. Sir.
Burglary, tried the colonel with his coffee cup.
In midair murder the colonel whistled by jove said, he who's
killed, then the j.p. Or his son, nor the sir.
It was William. The Coachman shot through the
art, sir, and never spoke again. Who shot him.
Then the burglar sir. He was off like a shot and got
clean away. He just broke in at the pantry
window. When William came on him and met
his end in Saving. His master's property.
What time it was late? Last night, Sir, somewhere about
12. Our then we'll step over
afterwards, said the colonel Cooley settling down to his
breakfast. Again.
It's a bearish business. He added when the Butler had
gone. He's our leading man about here
is old Cunningham, a very decent fellow to he'll be cut up over
this for the man has been in his service for years was a good
servant. It's evidently the same villains
who broke into actins and stole that very singular collection.
Said, Holmes thoughtfully precisely.
Hmm. It may prove the simplest matter
in the world with all the same at first glance.
This is just a little curious, is it not a gang of burglars
acting in the country might be expected to vary the scene of
their operations and not to crack two cribs in the same
district. Within a few days when you spoke
last night of taking precautions.
I remember that it passed through my mind that this was
probably the Last Parish in England to which the thief or
thieves would be likely to turn their attention which shows that
I have still much to learn. I fancy it.
Some local practitioner to the colonel in that case of course
actins and Cunningham's are just the places you would go for
since they are far. The largest are out here and
richest. Well, they ought to be but
they've had a lawsuit for some years which has sucked the blood
out of both of them. I fancy old actin as some claim
on behalf of Cunningham's, estate and the lawyers have been
at it with both hands. If it's a local villain, there
should not be much difficulty in running him down.
Said Holmes with a yawn. All right, Watson.
I don't intend to meddle. Inspector Forrester.
Sir said the butler throwing open the door.
The official a smart Keen faced young fellow stepped into the
room. Good morning.
Colonel said he I hope I don't intrude but we hear that.
Mr. Holmes of Baker Street is here, the colonel waved his hand
towards my friend and the inspector bowed.
We thought that perhaps you would care to step across.
Mr. Holmes. The fates are against you.
Watson said, he laughing, we were chatting about the matter.
When you came in inspector, perhaps you can let us have a
few details as he leaned back in his chair in the familiar
attitude. I knew that the case was
hopeless. We had no clue in the act and
Affair but here we have plenty to go on and there's no doubt.
It is the same party in each case.
The man was seen. Ah, yes sir, but he was off like
a deer after the shot that killed Paul Williams.
When was fired, mr. Cunningham saw him from the
bedroom window and mr. Alec Cunningham.
Saw him from the back passage. It was 11:45 when the alarm
broke out. Mr. Cunningham had just got into
bed. And mr.
Alec was smoking a pipe and his dressing gown.
They both had William The Coachman calling for help.
Mr. Alec ran down to see what was the matter.
The back door was open and as he came to the foot of the stairs,
he saw two men wrestling together outside one of I'm
fired a shot. The other dropped and the
murderer rushed across the garden and Over the Hedge.
Mr. Cunningham looking out of his bedroom.
Saw the fellow is he gained the road but lost sight of him at
once. Mr. Alec stop to see if he could
help the dying man. And so the villain got clean
away beyond the fact that he was a middle-sized man and dressed
in some dark stuff. We have no personal clue, but
we're making energetic inquiries.
And if he is a stranger, we shall soon.
Find them out. What was this William doing
there? Did he say anything before?
He died? Not a word.
He lives at the lodge with his mother.
And as he was a very faithful fellow, we imagine that he
walked up to the house with the intention of seeing that all was
right there. Of course, this actin business
has put everyone on their guard. The robber must have just burst
open the door. The lock has been forced when
William Came Upon him. Did William say anything to his
mother before going out? She's very old and deaf and we
can get no information from a shock because made a
half-witted, but I understand that she was never very bright.
There is one very important circumstance.
However, look at this. He took a small piece of torn
paper from a notebook and spread it out upon his knee.
This was found between the finger and thumb of the dead
man. It appears to be a fragment torn
from a larger sheet. You will observe that.
They are mentioned upon. It is the very time at which the
poor fellow met his fate. You see that is murderer.
Might have torn the rest of the sheet from him or he might have
taken this fragment from the murderer.
It reads. Almost as though, it were an
appointment, Holmes took up the scrap of paper and facsimile of
which is here produced. D at 11:45, learn what maybe?
Presuming. That is an appointment continued
the inspector it is of course, a conceivable theory that this
William kirwan though. He had the reputation of being
an honest, man may have been in League with the thief.
He may have met him. There may even have helped him
to break in the door and then they may have fallen out between
themselves. This writing is of extraordinary
interest said, Holmes, who had been examining it with intense
concentration. These are much deeper waters
than I thought. He sank his head upon his hands
while the inspector smiled at the effect, which is case.
It had upon the famous London specialist.
Your last remark said, Holmes presently as to the possibility
of there, being an understanding between the burglar and the
servant. And this being a note of
appointment from one to the other is an ingenious and not
entirely impossible supposition. But this writing opens up, he
sank his head into his hands again and remained for some
minutes in the deepest thought when he raised his face again, I
was surprised to see that his cheek was tinged with color and
his eyes as bright as before his illness.
He sprang to his feet with all his old energy.
I'll tell you, what said he? I should like to have a quiet
little glance into the details of this case.
There is something in it. Which fascinates me extremely,
if you will permit me Colonel. I will leave my friend Watson
and you and I will step around with the inspector to test the
truth of one or two little fancies of mine.
I'll be with you again in half an hour.
An hour and a half had elapsed before the inspector returned
alone. Mr. Holmes is walking up and
down in the field outside said he he wants us all for to go up
to the house together. To mr.
Cunningham's. Yes, sir.
But for the inspector Shrugged, his shoulders, I don't quite
know sir between ourselves. I think mr.
Holmes had not quite got over his illness yet.
He's been behaving very queerly and is very much excited.
I don't think you need a long yourself said hi.
I have usually found that there was method in his Madness.
Some folks might say there was Madness in his method, most of
the inspector, but he's all on fire to start Colonel, so we'd
best go out if you're ready. We found homes pacing up and
down in the field. His chin sunk upon his breast
and His Hands thrust into his trousers pockets.
The matter grows in interest said, he Watson your country.
Trip has been a distinct success.
I've had a Charming morning. You've been up to the scene of
the crime. I understand said the colonel.
Yes, the inspector. And I have made quite a little
reconnaissance together, any success.
Well, we've seen some very interesting things.
I'll tell you what we did, is we walk.
First of all, we saw the body of this unfortunate, man.
He certainly died from a revolver wound as reported.
Had you doubted it then. So it is as well to test
everything. Our inspection was not wasted.
We then had an interview with mr.
Cunningham and his son, who are able to point out the exact spot
where the murderer had broken through the garden hedge in his
flight. That was a great interest.
Naturally. Then we had a look at this poor
fellow's mother. We could get no information from
her. However, as she is very old and
feeble, and what is the result of your investigations?
The conviction that the crime is a very peculiar one.
Perhaps our visit now may do something to make it less
obscure. I think that we are both agreed
inspector that the fragment of paper in the dead man's hand
bearing. As it does, the very hour of his
death written upon. It is of extreme importance.
It should give a clue. Mr. Holmes.
It does give a clue. Whoever wrote that note was the
man who brought William kirwan out of his bed at that hour.
But where is the rest of that sheet of paper?
I examined the ground carefully in the open.
Finding it said, the inspector. It was torn out of the dead
man's hand. Why was someone so anxious to
get possession of it? Because it incriminated him and
what would he do with it? Thrust it into his pocket.
Most likely never noticing that a corner of it had been left in
the grip of the corpse. If we could get the rest of that
sheet. It is obvious that we should
have gone a long way towards solving the mystery.
Yes, but I can we get at the criminals pocket before we catch
the criminal. Well, well, it was worth
thinking over and there is another obvious point.
The note was sent to William. The man who wrote it could not
have taken it. Otherwise, of course, he might
have delivered his own message by Word of Mouth.
Who brought the note then or did it come through the post.
I've made inquiries to the inspector.
William received a letter by the afternoon post yesterday.
The envelope was destroyed by him.
Excellent cried. Holmes, clapping the inspector
on the back. You've seen the postman.
It is a pleasure to work with you.
Well, here is a lodge and if you'll come up Colonel, I will
show you the scene of the crime. We passed the pretty Cottage
where the murdered man had lived and walked up and Oakland Avenue
to the Fine. Old Queen Anne.
House, which Bears the date of Mal pluck a upon the lintel of
the door homes and the inspector.
Let us round it and we came to the side gate, which is
separated by a stretch of garden from the Hedge.
Which lines the road. A constable was standing at the
kitchen door. Throw the door open officer said
Holmes. Now it was on these stairs that
young mr. Cunningham.
Stood and saw the two men struggling.
Just where we are old. Mr. Cunningham was at that
window. The second on the left and he
saw the fellow get away just to the left of that bush.
Then mr. Alec ran out and knelt beside
the wounded, man. The ground is very hard, you
see? And there are no marks to guide
us. As he spoke to men came down to
the Garden Path from round, the angle of the house.
The one was an elderly, man, with a strong deep-lined heavy.
I'd faced the other a dashing young fellow whose bright
smiling expression and showy dress were in strange contrast
with the business which had brought us there.
Still at it. Then said he to homes.
I thought you londoners were never at fault.
You don't seem to do so very quick.
After all. Are you must give us a little
time said Holmes good-humouredly, you'll want.
It said young Alec Cunningham. Why?
I don't see that. We have any clue at all.
There's only one answer the inspector.
We thought if we could only find good Heavens.
Mr. Holmes. What is the matter?
My boyfriend's face had suddenly assumed the most Dreadful
expression. His eyes rolled up words, his
features writhed in agony and with a suppressed groan.
He dropped on his face upon the ground horrified at the
suddenness and severity of the attack.
We carried him into the kitchen where he lay back in a large
chair and breathed heavily for some minutes.
Finally, with a shamefaced apology for his weakness Heroes.
Once more, Watson would tell you that, I've only just recovered
from a severe illness. He explained.
I am liable to these sudden nervous attacks.
Shall I send you home in my trap?
I'll stole Cunningham. Well, since I'm here, there is
one point on which I should like to feel sure we can very easily
verify it. What was it?
Well, it seems to me that it is just possible that the arrival
of this poor fellow. William was not before but after
the entrance of the burglar into the house you appear to take it
for granted that although the door was forced the robber never
got. I fancy that is quite obvious
said mr. Cunningham Gravely.
Why my son Alec had not yet gone to bed and he would certainly
have heard anyone moving about. Where was he sitting?
I was smoking in my dressing room.
Which window? Is that the last on the left
next to my father's? Both of your lamps were lit, of
course, undoubtedly. There are some very singular
points. Here said, Holmes, smiling is it
not extraordinary that a burglar and a burglar who had had some
previous experience? Should deliberately break into a
house at a time when he could see from the lights that to of
the family was still a foot. He must have been a cool hand.
Well, of course, if the case were not an odd one, we should
not have been driven to ask you for an explanation said young.
Mr. Alec, but asked your ideas. The man has robbed the house
before William tackled him. I think the most absurd notion
wouldn't we have found the place disarranged and missed the
things which he had taken? It depends on what the things
were said. Holmes.
You must remember that we are dealing with a burglar, who is a
very peculiar fellow and who appears to work on lines of his
own look. For example, at the queer, lot
of things, which he took from Acton's.
What was it a ball of string? A letter?
Wait, and I don't know what other odds and ends.
Well, we are quite in your hands.
Mr. Holmes, said old Cunningham anything which you or the
inspector may suggest will most certainly be done.
In the first place said, Holmes, I should like you to offer a
reward coming from yourself for the officials.
May take a little time before, they would agree upon the some
and these things cannot be done to promptly.
I have jotted down the form here.
If you would not mind signing it, 50 pounds was quite enough.
I thought I would willingly give you 500 said the j.p.
Taking the slip of paper and the pencil which Holmes handed to
him. This is not quite correct.
However, he added glancing over the document.
I wrote it rather hurriedly. You see you, you begin.
Whereas at about 12:45 on Tuesday Morning an attempt was
made and so on it was at 11:45 as a matter of fact.
I was pained at the mistake for I knew how keenly Holmes would
feel any slip of the kind. It was his speciality to be
accurate as to fact, but his recent illness had shaken him.
And this one little incident was enough to show me that he was
still far from being himself. He was obviously embarrassed for
an instant while the inspector raised his eyebrows and Alec
Cunningham burst into a laugh. The Old Gentleman corrected the
mistake, however, and handed the paper back to Holmes, get it
printed as soon as possible. He said, I think your idea is an
excellent one Holmes, put the slip of paper carefully away
into his pocketbook. And now said he it really would
be a good thing that we should all go over the house together
and make certain that this rather erratic burglar did not
have tours all carry anything away with him before entering
homes made an examination of the door, which had been forced.
It was evident that a chisel or strong knife had been thrust in
and the lock forced back with it.
We could see the marks in the wood where it had been pushed
in. You don't choose bars.
Then. He asked, who have never found
it necessary. You don't keep a dog.
Yes, but he is Chained on the other side of the house.
Wendy your servants. Go to bed about 10.
I understand that William was usually in bed.
Also that our yes, it is singular that on this particular
night. He should have been up now.
I should be very glad if you would have the kindness to show
us over the house. Mr. Cunningham, a stone-flagged
passage with the kitchens branching away from it.
Led by a wooden staircase directly to the first floor of
the house. It came out upon the landing.
As more ornamental stair which came up from the front hall out
of this Landing opened the drawing room and several
bedrooms, including those of mr. Cunningham and his son Holmes,
walked slowly, taking keynote of the architecture of the house.
I could tell from his expression that he was on a hot scent and
yet, I could not in least. Imagine in what direction is
inferences. Were leading him.
My good sir said mr. And with some impatience, this
is surely very unnecessary. That is my room at the end of
the stairs. My son's is the one Beyond it.
I leave it to your judgment, whether it was possible for the
thief to have come up here without disturbing us.
You must try round and get on a fresh scent.
I fancy said the sun with a rather malicious smile.
Still, I must ask you to humor me a little further.
I should like for example to see how far the windows of the
bedrooms command the front, this I understand is your son's room.
He pushed open the door and that my presume is the dressing room
in which he sat smoking when the alarm was given.
Where does the window of that? Look out to he stepped across
the bedroom pushed open, the door and glanced around the
other chamber. I hope that you are satisfied
now, said mr. Cunningham tartly.
Thank you. I think I've seen all that, I
wished. Then if it is really necessary.
We can go into my room. If it is not too much trouble,
the j.p. Shrugged, his shoulders and led
the way into his own chamber, which was a plainly furnished
and Homeplace room as we moved across it in the direction of
the window Holmes fell back until he and I were the last of
the group near the foot of the bed, stood a dish of oranges and
a carafe of water as we passed it.
Homes to my unutterable astonishment leaned, over in
front of me and deliberately knocked the whole thing over.
The glass smashed into a thousand pieces and the fruit
rolled about into every corner of the room.
You've done it. Now, Watson said, he coolly
pretty mess. You've made of the carpet.
I stooped in some confusion and began to pick up the fruit.
Understanding for some reason, my companion desired me to take
the blame upon myself. The others did the same and set
the table on its legs again. Hallo, cried, the inspector.
Where is he's got two homes had disappeared.
Wait here. An instant said young Alec
Cunningham fellow is off his head.
My opinion come with me father and see where he's got to.
They rushed out of the room, leaving the inspector, the
colonel and me staring at each other.
Pon my word. I'm inclined to agree with
Master. Alec said, the official it may
be the effect of his illness, but it seems to me that his
words were cut short by a sudden scream of help help murder with
a thrill. I recognize the voice of that of
my friend. I rushed madly from the room
onto the landing the cries which had sunk down into a horse
inarticulate. Shouting came from the room,
which we had first visited. I dashed in On into the dressing
room, beyond the to Cunningham's were bending over the prostrate
figure of Sherlock Holmes. The younger clutching his throat
with both hands, while the Elder seem to be twisting one of his
wrists. In an instant, the three of us
had, torn them away from him and Holmes staggered to his feet
very pale and evidently greatly exhausted.
Arrest. These men inspector.
He gassed on what charge that of murdering their Coachman
William. Kirwan.
The inspector stared about him in bewilderment.
Oh come now. Mr. Holmes said he at last I'm
sure you don't really mean to tap man.
Look at their faces cried Holmes.
Curtly never certainly have I seen a planar confession of
guilt upon human. Countenance is the older man
seemed numbed and dazed with a heavy Sullen expression upon his
strongly marked face, the sun. On the other hand had dropped
all that jaunty dashing style which Characterized him and the
ferocity of a dangerous, wild beasts gleaned in his dark eyes
and distorted his handsome features.
The inspector said nothing but stepping to the door.
He blew his whistle to of his constables came at the call.
I have no alternative. Mr. Cunningham said he, I trust
that this male proved to be an absurd mistake, but you can see
that. Would you drop it?
He's struck out with his hand and a revolver which they
younger man. Was in the act of cocking.
Clattered down upon the floor. Keep that said Holmes quietly,
putting his foot upon it, you will find it useful at the
trial, but this is what we really wanted.
He held up a little crumpled piece of paper, the remainder of
the sheet cried, the inspector precisely and where was it?
Where I was sure it must be. I'll make the whole matter clear
to you presently. I think Colonel that you and
Watson might return. Now, and I will be with you
again in an hour at the furthest, the inspector.
And I must have a word with the prisoners, but you will
certainly see me back at luncheon time.
Sherlock Holmes was as good as his word for about 1 o'clock.
He rejoined Us in the colonel smoking room.
He was accompanied by a little elderly gentleman, who was
introduced to me as the mr. Acton.
Whose house have been the scene of the original burglary.
I wish mr. Acton to be present while I
demonstrated the small matter to you said homes, for it is
natural that he should take a keen interest in the details.
I am afraid my dear Colonel that you must regret the hour that
you took in such a stormy Petrel as I am on the contrary answer
the colonel warmly. I consider it the greatest
privilege to have been permitted to study or methods of working.
I confess that they quite surpass, my expectations and
time utterly unable to account for your result.
I've not yet, seen the Vestige of a clue.
I'm afraid that my explanation May disillusion you but it has
always been my Habit to hide. None of my methods, either from
my friend Watson, or from anyone who might take an intelligent
interest in them. But first, as I'm rather shaken,
by the knocking about which I had in the dressing room, I
think that I shall help myself to a dash of your Brandy
Colonel. My strength had been rather tied
of late. I trust that you had no more of
those nervous attacks. Sherlock Holmes laughed
heartily, we will come to that in its turn.
Said he I will lay an account of the case before you and its due
order showing you the various points, which guided me in my
decision. Pray, interrupt me.
If there is any inference which is not perfectly clear to you.
It is of the highest importance in the art, of detection, to be
able to recognize out of a number of facts, which are
incidental and which vital otherwise, your energy and
attention must be dissipated instead of being concentrated.
Now, in this case, there was not the slightest doubt in my mind
from the first, at the Key of the whole matter must be looked
for in the scrap of paper in the dead man's hand.
Before going to this, I would draw your attention to the fact
that if Alec Cunningham's narrative was correct.
And if the assailant after shooting William kirwan had
instantly fled, then it obviously could not be.
He who tore the paper from the dead man's hand.
But if it was not he it must have been Alec Cunningham
himself for by the time that the old man had descended several
servants were upon the scene. The point is a simple one, but
the inspector had overlooked it because he had started with the
supposition that these County magnates had had nothing to do
with the matter. Now.
I make a point of never having any prejudices and a following,
do sily, wherever fact, may lead me.
And so in the very first stage of the investigation, I found
myself, looking a little askance, at the part, which have
been played by mr. Alec Cunningham.
And now I made a very careful examination of the corner of
paper, which the Inspector had submitted to us.
It was at once, clear to me that it Formed part of a very
remarkable document. Here it is.
Do you not now observe something very suggestive about it.
It has a very irregular, look said the colonel.
My dear sir private homes? There cannot be the least doubt
in the world. That it has been written by two
persons. Doing alternate words, when I
draw your attention to the strong teas of at, and Two and
ask you to compare them. With the weak ones of quarter
and 12. You will instantly, recognize
the fact, a very brief analysis of.
These four words would enable you to say with the utmost
confidence that the learn and the maybe are written in the
stronger hand and that the what in the weaker by jove.
It's as clear as day, cried the colonel.
Why on Earth should two men? Write a letter in such a
fashion. Obviously, the business was a
bad one. And one of the men who
distrusted the other was determined, that whatever was
done. Each should have an equal hand
in it. Now of the two men, it is clear
that the one who wrote the at and to was the ringleader.
How do you get at that? We might deduce it from the mere
character of the one hand as compared with the other.
But we have more assured reasons and that Force opposing it.
If you examine this crap with attention, you will come to the
conclusion that the man with the stronger hand, wrote all his
words first leaving blanks for the other to fill up.
These blanks were not always sufficient and you can see that.
The second man had a squeeze to fit his quarter in between the
at. And the to showing that the
latter was already written the man who wrote, All His words.
First is undoubtedly, the man who planned the affair.
Excellent cried. Mr. Acton, but very superficial
said Holmes we come now, however to a point which is of
importance. You may not be aware that the
deduction of a man's age. From his writing is one which
has been brought to considerable accuracy by experts in normal
cases. One can place a man in his true
decade with tolerable confidence.
I say normal cases because ill, health and physical weakness
reproduce, the signs of old age. Even when the invalid is a
youth. In this case, looking at the
Bold, strong hand of the one and the rather broken back to
parents of the other which still retains its legibility.
Although the t's have begun to lose their Crossing.
We can say that the one was a young man and the other was
advanced in years, without being positively decrepit.
Excellent ride, Mister act. And again, there is a further
point. However, which is subtler and of
Greater interest. There is something in common
between these Means they belong to men who are blood relatives.
It may be most obvious to you in the Greek.
He's but to me, there are many small points which indicate the
same thing. I have no doubt at all.
That a family mannerism can be traced in these two specimens of
writing. I am only, of course giving you
the leading results. Now of my examination of the
paper, there were 23 other deductions, which will be of
more interest to experts than to you.
They all tend to deepen the And upon my mind, the Cunningham's,
father and son had written this letter.
Having got so far. My next step was of course, to
examine into the details of the crime and to see how far they
would help us. I went up to the house for the
inspector and saw all that was to be seen.
The wound upon the dead man was as I was able to determine with
absolute confidence fired from a revolver at the distance of
something over 4 yards. There was no Powder blackening
on the clothes, evidently there for Alec Cunningham, had lied.
He said that the two men was struggling when the shot was
fired again. Both Father and Son.
Agreed, as to the place where the man escaped into the road
that point. However, as it happens, there is
a broadest ditch moist at the bottom.
As there were no indications of boot marks about this ditch.
I was absolutely sure. Not only that the Cunningham's
had again lied, but that there had never been any Unknown man
upon the scene at all. Now, I have to consider the
motive of this singular crime. To get at this.
I endeavored first of all, to solve the reason of the original
burglar. It mr.
Acton's. I understood from something
which the colonel told us, that a lawsuit have been going on
between you mr. Acton, and the Cunningham's of
course, it instantly occurred to me that they had broken into
your library with the intention of getting it some document
which might be of importance in the case.
Precisely so said, mr. Acton, there can be no possible
doubt as to their Intentions. I have the clearest claim upon
half of their present estate and if they could have found a
single paper, which fortunately was in the strongbox of my
solicitors. They would undoubtedly have
crippled our case. There you are said, Holmes,
smiling. It was a dangerous Reckless
attempt in which I seem to trace the influence of young Alec
having found nothing. They tried to divert suspicion,
by making it appear to be an ordinary burglary to, which end
They carried off, whatever they could lay their hands upon.
That is all clear enough, but there was much, that was still
obscure, what I wanted above all was to get the missing part of
that note. I was certain that Ali could
tone it out of the dead man's hand and almost certain that he
must have thrust it into the pocket of his dressing gown.
Where else could have put it. The only question was, whether
it was still there. It was worth an effort to find
out. And for that object.
We all went up to the house, the Cunningham's joined us as you
doubtless. Remember, outside the kitchen
door. It was, of course of the very
first importance that they should not be reminded of the
existence of this paper. Or otherwise they would
naturally destroy it without delay.
The inspector was about to tell them the importance, which we
attached to it. When by the luckiest chance in
the world, I tumbled down in a sort of fit and so change the
conversation. Good Heavens.
Cried the colonel. Laughing too.
Mean to say, all our sympathy was wasted and your fit an
imposture speaking professionally.
It was admirably, done cried. I looking in amazement at this
man who was forever. Confounding me with some new
phase of his astuteness. It is an art which is often
useful said he when I recovered I managed by a device which had
perhaps some little Merit of Ingenuity to get old Cunningham
to write the word 12 so that I might compare it with the 12
upon the paper. Oh what an ass.
I have been exclaimed. I could see that you were
commiserating me over. My weakness said Holmes
laughing. I was sorry to cause you the
sympathetic pain, which I know that you felt.
We then went upstairs together and having entered the room and
seen the dressing-gown hanging up behind the door.
I contrived by upsetting at able to engage their attention for
the moment and slipped back to examine the pockets.
I'd hardly got the paper. Of which was as I had expected
in one of them. When the to Cunningham's were on
me and would, I verily believe have murdered me then and there,
but for your prompt and friendly Aid as it is, I feel that young
man's grip on my throat now and the father has Twisted my wrist
round in the effort to get the paper out of my hand.
They saw that I must know all about it.
You see? And the sudden change from
absolute security to complete despair, made them perfectly
desperate. I had a little talk with old
Cunningham afterwards as to the motive of the crime.
He was tractable enough though. His son was a perfect demon
ready to blow out his own or anybody else's brains.
If he could have got to his revolver.
When Cunningham saw that the case against him was so strong.
He lost all heart and made a clean breast of everything.
It seems that William had secretly followed his two
masters on the night when they made their raid upon.
Mr. Acton's and having thus got them into Power proceeded under
threats of exposure to Levy blackmail upon them.
Mr. Alec. However, was a dangerous man to
play games of that sort with it was a stroke of positive genius
on his part to see in the burglary scare which was
convulsing, the countryside and opportunity of plausibly,
getting rid of the man whom he, feared William was decoyed up
and shot and had they only got the whole of the note and paid a
little more attention to detail in the Accessories, it is very
possible. That suspicion might never have
been aroused and the note. I asked Sherlock Holmes placed
the subjoined paper before us, if you will only come around to
the East Gate. It will very much surprised you
and be of the greatest service to you.
And also, to any Morrison, but say nothing to anyone upon the
matter. It is very much.
The sort of thing that I expected said.
He of course, we do not yet know what the relations may have been
between Alec Cunningham William. Kirwan and Annie Morrison.
The result shows that the Trap was skillfully baited.
I'm sure that you cannot fail to be delighted with the traces of
heredity, shown in the peas, and in the Tails of the geez, the
absence of the, I dots in the old man's writing is also more
characteristic. Watson, I think how quiet rest
in the country has been a distinct success.
And I shall certainly return much invigorated to Baker Street
tomorrow. End of the reigate puzzle.