Chapter 5 of a study in Scarlet by Sir.
Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. chapter 5, our advertisement brings a
visitor, Our morning's exertions had been too much for my weak
health and I was tired out in the afternoon, after homes
departure for the concert. I lay down upon the sofa and
endeavored to get a couple of hours sleep.
It was a useless attempt. My mind have been too much
excited by all that had occurred and the strangest fancies and
surmises crowded into it. Every time that I closed my
eyes. I saw before me the distorted
baboon, like countenance of the murdered, man.
So Sinister was the impression which that face had produced
upon me that I found it difficult to feel anything, but
gratitude for him, who had removed its owner from the
world. If ever human features, bespoke
Vice of the most malignant type, they were certainly those of
Enoch J drebber of Cleveland still.
I recognize that Justice must be done.
And that the depravity of the victim was no condone meant in
the eyes of the law. The more I thought of it, the
more extraordinary did my companions hypothesis that the
man had been poisoned appear. I remembered how he had sniffed
his lips and had no doubt that he had detected something which
had given rise to. The idea.
Then again is not poison. What had caused the man's death
since there was neither wound nor marks of strangulation, but
on the other hand, whose blood was that which lay so thickly
upon the floor. There were no signs of a
struggle nor had the victim, any weapon with which he might have
wounded an antagonist as long as all these questions were
unsolved. I felt that sleep would be no
easy matter. Either for homes or myself.
His quiet self confident manner, convinced me that he had already
formed a theory, which explained all the facts though.
What it was, I could not for an instant conjecture.
He was very late in returning so late that I knew that the
concert could not have detained him.
All the time, dinner was on the table before he appeared.
It was magnificent. He said as he took his seat, do
you remember what Darwin says about music?
He claims the power of producing and appreciating it existed
among the human race long before the power of speech was arrived
at, perhaps that is why we are so subtly influenced by it.
There are vague. Is in our souls of those Misty
centuries. When the world was in its
childhood. That's rather broad idea.
I remarked one's ideas must be as broad as nature if they are
to interpret nature. He answered.
What's the matter? You're not looking quite
yourself. This Brixton Road Affair has
upset you. To tell the truth.
It has. I said I ought to be more case.
Hardened, after my Afghan experiences.
I saw my own comrades hacked to pieces at my wand without losing
my nerve. I can understand there is a
mystery about this, which stimulates the imagination where
there is no imagination. There is no horror.
Have you seen the evening paper? No, it gives a fairly good
account of the affair. It does not mention the fact
that when the man was raised up a His wedding ring fell upon the
floor. It is just as well.
It does not. Why?
Look at this advertisement. He answered.
I had one sent to every paper. This morning immediately after
the affair. He threw the paper across to me,
and I glanced at the place indicated.
It was the first announcement in the found column in Brixton.
Road, this morning, it ran a plain gold wedding ring found in
the roadway between the White Hart Tavern.
And Holland Grove, apply dr. Watson 221B, Baker Street
between 8:00 and 9:00 this evening.
Excuse my, using your name. He said, if I use my own, some
of these dunderheads would recognize it and want to meddle
in the affair. Now that's all right.
I answered but supposing anyone applies.
I have no ring. Oh, yes, you have said he
handing me one. This will do very well.
It is almost a facsimile and who do you expect will answer this
advertisement? Why the man in the brown coat,
our flourish friend with the square toes.
If he does not come himself, he will send.
An accomplice. Would you not consider it as too
dangerous? Not at all, if my view of the
case is correct, and I have every reason to believe that it
is, this man would rather risk. Anything than lose the ring
according to my notion. He dropped it while stooping
over drivers body and did not miss it at the time.
After leaving the house. He discovered his loss.
Hurried back, but found the police already in possession.
Owing to his own Folly in leaving the candle burning.
He had to pretend to be drunk in order to allay the suspicions
which might have been aroused by his appearance at the gate.
Now put yourself in that man's place on thinking the matter
over it must have occurred to him that it was possible that he
had lost the ring in the road after leaving the house.
What would he do? Then?
He would eagerly look out for the evening papers in the hope
of seeing it among the Articles found, his I of course, would
light upon this, he would be overjoyed.
Why should he fear a trap? There would be no reason in his
eyes. Why the finding of the Ring
should be connected with the murder.
He would come, he will come. You shall see him within an
hour? And then, I asked, oh, you can
leave me to deal with him then. Have you any arms?
I have my old service revolver and a few cartridges.
You had better clean it and loaded.
He will be a desperate man. And though, I shall take him
unawares, it is as well to be ready for anything.
I went to my bedroom and followed his advice.
When I returned with the pistol. The table had been cleared and
Holmes was engaged in his favorite occupation of scraping
upon his violin. The plot.
Thickens, he said, as I entered, I have just had an answer to my
American telegram. My view of the case, is the
correct one. And that is, I asked eagerly my
fiddle would be the better for new strings.
He remarked, put your pistol in your pocket when the fellow
comes speak to him in an ordinary way.
Leave the rest to me. Don't frighten him by looking at
him too hard. It is eight o'clock.
Now. I said glancing at my watch.
Yes. He will probably be here in a
few minutes. Open the door slightly that will
do. Now put the key on the inside.
Thank you. This is a queer old book.
I picked up at a store yesterday.
De Jour, a vintage entities published in Latin at liège in
the lowlands in 1642. Charles head was still firm on
his shoulders. When this little brown backed
volume was struck off. Who is the printer?
A Philippe de quoi? Whoever he may have been on the
Flyleaf in very faded ink is written ex libris, Julie only
white. I wonder who William white was
some pragmatical 17th century lawyer.
I suppose his writing has a legal twist about it.
Here comes I'll man, I think. As he spoke, there was a sharp
ring at the Bell Sherlock Holmes, Rose softly and moved
his chair in the direction of the door.
We heard the servant pass along the hall and the sharp click of
the latch as she opened it. Does dr.
Watson Livia us to clear but rather harsh voice, we could not
hear the servants reply, but the door closed and someone began to
ascend the stairs. The footfall was an uncertain
and shuffling one, a look of surprise passed over the face of
my companion. As he listened to it.
It came slowly along the passage and there was a feeble tap at
the door. Come in.
I cried at my summons instead of the man of violence, whom we
expected a very old and wrinkled woman hobbled into the
apartment. She appeared to be dazzled by
the sudden blaze of light and after dropping a curtsey, she
stood blinking at her. With her bleared eyes and
fumbling in her pocket with nervous, shaky fingers.
I glanced at my companion and his face had assumed such a
disconsolate expression that it was all I could do to keep my
countenance. The old Crone Drew out an
evening paper and pointed at our advertisement.
It's this is as brought me good gentlemen, she said dropping
another curtsy a gold wedding ring in the Brixton Road.
It belongs to my girls Sally as was married only this time 12
month which her husband is, Steward aboard a union boat and
what he'd say, if he come home and found her without her ring.
He's more than I can think he being short enough at the best
of times. But more especially when he has
to drink, If it, please, you, she went to the circus last
night, along with is that her ring?
I asked the Lord be thanked, cried.
The old woman. Sally will be a glad woman this
night. That's the ring.
And what may your address be? I enquired taking up a pencil
13, Duncan Street houndsditch? A weary way from here.
The Brixton Road does not lie between any circus and
houndsditch said Sherlock Holmes sharply the old woman faced
round and looked keenly at him from her little red-rimmed eyes.
The gentleman asked me for my address.
She said, Sally lives in lodgings three, Mayfield Place
Peckham. And your name is my name is
Sawyer as is Dennis which Tom Dennis married her and a smart
clean lad. To as long as he's at Sea and
no, Steward in the company more thought of, but went on, sure.
What with the women, and what with liquor shops, here is your
ring. Mrs. Sawyer.
I interrupted an obedient to a sign from my companion.
It clearly belongs to your daughter.
And I'm glad to be able to restore it to the rightful
owner. With many mumbled blessings and
protestations of gratitude. The old Crone packed it away in
her pocket and shuffled off down the stairs.
Sherlock Holmes, sprang to his feet the moment that she was
gone and rushed into his room. He returned in a few seconds
enveloped in an Ulster and a cravat.
I'll follow her. He said hurriedly, she must be
an accomplice and will lead me to him.
Wait up for me. The hall door had hardly slammed
behind our visitor before Holmes had descended, the stair looking
through the window. I could see her walking Feedly
along the other side. While her pursuer, dogged her,
some little distance behind. Either this whole theory is
incorrect. I thought to myself or else
you'd be led down to the heart of the mystery.
There was no need for him to ask me to wait up for him.
For I felt that sleep was impossible until I heard the
result of his Adventure. It was close upon nine when he
set out. I had no idea how long you might
be but I sat stolidly puffing at my pipe and skipping over the
pages of only mirga's. Vida Boheme. 10:00 past.
And I heard the footsteps of the made.
As they patted off to bed 11, and the more stately tread of
the landlady past my door Bound for the same destination.
It was close upon 12 before I heard the sharp sound of his
latchkey. The instant he entered I saw by
his face that he had not been successful amusement and Chagrin
seem to be struggling for the Mastery until the former
suddenly carried the day and he burst into a hearty laugh.
I wouldn't have the Scotland Yard as know it for the world.
He cried dropping into his chair.
I have chafed them so much that they would never have.
Let me hear the end of it. I can afford to laugh because I
know that I will be even with them in the long run.
What is it then I asked oh, I don't mind telling a story
against myself that creature had gone a little way when she began
to limp and show every sign of being footsore presently.
She came to a halt and hailed a four-wheeler, which was passing.
I managed to be close to her. So as to hear the address, but I
need not have been so anxious for she sang it out loud enough
to be heard at the other side of the street.
Drive to 13 Duncan Street houndsditch.
She cried. This begins to look genuine.
I thought and having seen her safely inside.
I perched myself behind. That's an art, which every
detective should be an expert at.
Well, the way we rattled and never drew rein until we reach
the street in question. I hopped off before we came to
the door and strolled down the street in an easy lounging way.
I saw the cab pull up the driver jumped down and I saw him open
the door and stand expectantly. Nothing came out.
When I reached him. He was groping about frantically
in the empty cab and giving vent to the finest assorted
collection of owes that. Ever.
I listen to there was no sign or trace of his passenger and I
fear it will be some time before he gets his fair.
On inquiring at number 13, we found that the house belonged to
a respectable paperhanger named kissick and that, no one of the
name, either of soya or Dennis had ever been heard of their,
you don't mean to say, I cried in amazement that that tottering
feeble old woman, was able to get out of the cab while it was
in motion, without, either you or the driver seeing her.
Old woman be damned said, Sherlock Holmes.
Sharply. We were the old women were so
taken in. It must have been a young man
and an active 12, besides being an incomparable actor.
The getup was inimitable. He saw that he was followed.
No doubt and used. This means of giving me the
slip. It shows that the man we are
after is not as lonely as I imagined.
He was, but has friends who are ready to risk something for him.
Now, doctor you're looking Up, take my advice and turn in.
I was certainly feeling very weary.
So I obeyed his injunction. I left home seated in front of
the smoldering fire and long into the watches of the night.
I heard the low Melancholy wailings of his violin and knew
that he was still pondering over the strange problem, which he
had set himself to unravel. End of chapter 5.