Adventure Six in his last Bow by Sir, Arthur Conan Doyle.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.
Adventure. Six.
The Disappearance of Lady Frances.
Carfax. But why Turkish ask mr.
Sherlock Holmes gazing fixedly at my boots I was reclining in a
cane back chairs at the moment and my protruded feet had
attracted his ever active attention English.
I answered in some surprise I got them at Latimer's in Oxford
Street, Holmes smiled with an expression of weary patients the
bath. He said the bath.
Why the relaxing and expensive? Turkish Rather than the
invigorating homemade article. Because for the last few days,
I've been feeling Rheumatic and old, the Turkish bath is what we
call an alternative in medicine. Fresh starting point a cleanser
of the system. By the way, homes I added, I've
no doubt the connection between my boots and a Turkish bath is a
perfectly self-evident, 12 a logical mind and yet I should be
obliged to you. If you would indicate it, the
train of reasoning is not. Very obscure Watson said, Holmes
with a mischievous twinkle. It belongs to the same
Elementary class of deduction which I should illustrate.
If I were to ask you who shared your cab in your drive this
morning, I don't admit this. A fresh illustration is an
explanation said I with some asperity Bravo Watson a very
dignified and logical remonstrance.
Let me see what were the points take the last one.
First, the cab You observe that you have some splashes on the
left sleeve and shoulder of your coat.
How do you sat in the center of a handsome?
He would probably have had no splashes and if you had they
would have certainly have been symmetrical Therefore, it is
clear that you sat at the side. Therefore, it is equally clear
that you had a companion. That is very evident, absurd.
Lie commonplace is it not? But the boots and the bath
equally childish, you are in the habit of doing up your boots in
a certain way, I see them on this occasion.
Fastened with an elaborate double bow which is not your
usual method of tying them. You have therefore Had them off,
who has tied them, a boot maker or the boy at the bath.
It is unlikely that it is the boot maker since your boots are
nearly new. Well, what Remains the bath
absurd, is it not? But for all that, the Turkish
bath has served a purpose. Or what is that you say that
you've had it? Because you need a change.
Let me suggest that you take one.
How would Flus and do my dear Watson first class tickets and
all expenses. Paid on a princely scale,
Splendid. But why?
Holmes leaned back in his armchair and took his notebook
from his pocket. One of the most dangerous
classes in the world said he is the drifting and friendless
woman. She is the most harmless and
often the most useful of Mortals.
But she is the inevitable inciter of crime in others.
She is helpless. She is my greater e.
She has, sufficient means to take her from country to Country
and from hotel to hotel. She is lost as often as not in a
maze of obscure, pensions and boarding houses, she is a stray,
chicken and a world of foxes where she is gobbled up.
She is hardly missed. I much fear that some evil has
come to the lady Frances Carfax, I was relieved at this sudden
descent from the general to the particular homes.
Consulted, his notes lady Frances.
He continued is the sole survivor of the direct family of
the late Earl of Rutherfordton. The estate's went, as you may
remember in the male line, she was left with limited means, but
with some very remarkable old Spanish jewelry of silver and
curiously cut diamonds to which she was fondly attached.
Too attached for, she refused to leave them with her banker and
always carried them about with her.
A rather pathetic figure. The lady Frances a beautiful
woman still in fresh middle-aged and yet by a strange change, the
last derelict of what only 20 years ago was a goodly fleet.
What has happened to her then? Ah, what has happened to the
lady Frances? Is she alive or dead?
There is our problem. She is a lady of precise habits.
And for four years, it has been her invariable custom to write
every second week to mrs. Daubeny her old governess who
was long retired and lives in camberwell.
It is, this Miss domini, who has consulted me.
Nearly five weeks have passed without a word.
The last letter was from the hotel Nacional at lausanne lady.
Frances seems to have left there and given no address.
The family are anxious and as they are exceedingly, wealthy
know, some will be spared if we can clear the matter up is mrs.
Daubeny the only source of information shortly.
She had other correspondence. There is one correspondent who
is assured raw Watson That is the bank, Single Ladies must
live and their passports are compressed Diaries.
She banks at silvestre's. I have glanced over her account,
the last check, but one paid her bill at lausanne, but it was a
large one and probably left her with cash in hand.
Only one check has been drawn since to whom and where to miss
Marie Devine, there is nothing to show where the check was
drawn. It was cashed at the credi Leone
at Montpellier less than three weeks ago.
The sun was 50 pounds and who is Miss Marie, Devine that also I
have been able to discover Miss Marie Devine was the maid of
Lady Frances Carfax why she should have paid her this check
we have not yet determined. I have no.
Ouch, however, that your research is will soon clear the
matter up. My research has hence the
health-giving expedition to lausanne, you know, that I
cannot possibly leave London. Wild old Abraham's is in such
mortal Terror of his life. Besides, on general principles,
it is best that I should not leave the country, Scotland Yard
feels lonely without me, and it causes an unhealthy excitement
among the criminal classes, go there, my dear Watson and if my
Will counsel can ever be valued at.
So, extravagant irate as two pence a word, it waits your
disposal night and day at the end of the Continental wire.
Two days later found me at the hotel, Nacional at lausanne
where I received every courtesy, the hands of Monsieur muzie the
well-known manager lady Francis as he informed me, had stayed
there for several weeks. She had been much liked by all
who met her, her age was not more than 40.
She was still handsome and bore every sign of having in her
youth been a very lovely woman, miss you Mosey knew nothing of
any valuable jewelry. It has been remarked by the
servants. That the heavy trunk in, the
lady's bedroom was always, scrupulously locked, Marie
Devine, the maid was as popular as have mistress.
She was actually engaged to one of the head waiters in the hotel
and there was no difficulty in getting her address.
It was 11 Rue Des Champs Montpelier.
All this, I jotted down and felt that Holmes himself could not
have been more adroit in collecting his facts.
Only one corner, still remained in the shadow.
No Light, which I possessed could clear up the cause for the
ladies sudden departure, she was very happy at lausanne.
There was every reason to believe that she intended to
remain for the season in her luxurious rooms, overlooking the
lake. And yet she had left at a single
day's notice. Which involved her in the
useless payment of a week's, rent only Zula vbar.
The lover of the maid, had any suggestion to offer he connected
the sudden departure with a visit to the hotel a day or two
before of a tall, dark bearded man and sauvage and very table
sauvage cry. Juvie bar, the man had room
somewhere in the town. He had been seen talking
earnestly to Madame on the Promenade by Lake then he had
called, she had refused to see him, he was English, but of his
name, there was no record. Madam had left the place
immediately afterwards, Julie, V bar and what was more of
importance, Jewel of Eva's sweetheart.
Thought that this call and the departure were cause and effect.
Only one things you would not discuss.
That was the reason why Marie had left her mistress.
Of that he could or would say nothing if I wish to know, I
must go to Montpellier and ask her so ended.
The first chapter of my inquiry, the second was devoted to the
place which lady Frances Carfax had sought.
When she left lausanne concerning this, there had been
some secrecy, which confirmed the idea that she'd gone with
the intention of throwing someone off her track.
Otherwise why should not her luggage have been openly labeled
for bar. And both she and it reached the
rhenish spa, by some Securities, route, this much, I gathered
from the manager of cooks local office.
So to Barden, I went after dispatching to homes and account
of all my proceedings and receiving in reply, a telegram
of half-humorous commendation. Barden, the track was not
difficult to follow lady. Frances had stayed at the
englischer Hof for a fortnight while there she had, made the
acquaintance of Of a dr. Schlessinger and his wife a
missionary from South America like most lonely.
Ladies lady, Frances found her comfort and occupation in
religion. Dr. Schlessinger says remarkable
personality, his wholehearted devotion and the fact that he
was recovering from a disease contracted in the exercise of
his Apostolic duties affected. Her deeply she had helped mrs.
Schlessinger in the nursing of the convalescent Saint.
He spent his day as the manager described.
To me upon a lounge chair on The Veranda.
With an attendant lady upon, either side of him, he was
preparing a map of the holy land with special reference to the
kingdom of the midianites upon, which he is writing a monograph.
Finally, having improved much in health.
He and his wife had returned to London and Lady Frances had
started. The other in their company, this
was just three weeks before, and the manager had heard nothing
since As to the maid Marie, she had gone off some days
beforehand in floods of tears. After informing the other Maids
that she was leaving service forever.
Dr. Schlessinger had paid. The bill of the whole party
before his departure. By the way, said the landlord in
conclusion you are not the only friend of Lady Frances Carfax
who is inquiring after her just now only iveco.
So ago, we had a man here up on the same errand Did he give a
name? I asked non but he was an
English one, Hazard of an unusual type.
A Savage said, I linking my facts after the fashion of my
illustrious friend. Exactly that describes him.
Very well. He is a bulky bearded Sunbird,
it fellow who looks as if he would be more at home in a
farmer's ins, and in a fashionable Hotel, a hard Fierce
man, I should sink and Whom I should be sorry to offend
already, the mystery began to Define itself as figures, grow
clearer with the lifting of a fog here.
Was this good, and Pious, lady, pursued from place to place by a
Sinister and unrelenting figure. She feared him or she would not
have fled from lausanne. He had still followed sooner or
later. He would overtake her had you
already overtaken her. Was that the secret of her
continued? Ants could the good people who
were her companions. Not screen her from his violence
or his blackmail, what horrible purpose, what deep design, lay
behind this long Pursuit, there was the problem which I had to
resolve to Holmes. I wrote showing how rapidly and
surely I had got down to the roots of the matter in reply.
I had a telegram asking for a description of dr.
Schlessinger his left ear. Holmes is I Is of humor are
strange and occasionally offencive.
So I took no notice of his ill-timed jest, indeed, I'd
already reached Montpellier, my pursuit of the maid Murray
before his message came. I had no difficulty in finding
the X servant and in learning all that she could tell me.
She was a devoted creature who had only left her mistress
because she was sure that she was in good hands, and because
her own approaching marriage, made a separation, inevitable,
in any case, Oh, mistress had as she confessed with distress,
shown some irritability of temper towards her during their
stay in bharden and at even questioned her.
Once as if she had suspicions of her honesty and this had made
The Parting easier than it would have, otherwise have been lady
Frances had given her 50 pounds as a wedding present, like me,
Marie viewed with deep distrust, The Stranger who had driven her
mistress from those, an with her own eyes, she had seen him,
seize the Wrist with great violence on the public,
Promenade by the lake. He was a Fierce and terrible
man. She believed that it was out of
dread of him that lady Frances had accepted the escort of the
shlessinger to London, she had never spoken to Marie about it,
but many little signs had convinced the made that her
mistress lived in a state of continual nervous, apprehension,
So far, she had got in her narrative when suddenly she
sprang from her chair and her face was convulsed with surprise
and fear. See she cried the viscri and
follows still. There is a very man of whom I
speak through the open sitting-room window.
I saw a huge swath e man with a bristling Blackbeard walking
slowly down the center of the street and staring eagerly at
the numbers of the houses. He was clear that like myself He
was on the track of the made acting upon the impulse of the
moment. I rushed out and accosted him.
You're an Englishman. I said, what if I am?
He asked for the most villainous scowl may?
I ask you what? Your name is?
No, you may not said he with decision, the situation was
awkward but the most direct way is often the best.
Where is the lady Frances? Carfax, I asked he stared at me
with amazement. What have you done with her?
Why have you pursued her I insist upon an answer said I the
fellow gave a Bellow of anger and sprang upon me like a tiger.
I've held my own in many, a struggle, but the man had a grip
of iron and the fury of a fiend. His hand was on my throat and my
senses were nearly gone before an unshaven French over PA in a
blue blouse, darted out from a cabaret opposite with a cudgel
in his hand and struck my assailant, a sharp crack.
Of the forearm which made him leave.
Go his hold, he stood for an instant fuming with rage and
uncertain whether he should not renew his attack, then with a
snarl of anger, he left me and entered the cottage from which I
had just come I turned to thank my preserver.
Who Stood Beside Me in the roadway?
Well Watson said he very pretty hash you've made of it.
I rather think you'd better come back with me to London by the
night express. An hour afterwards Sherlock
Holmes in his usual Garden style was seated in my private room at
the hotel. His explanation of his sudden
and opportun appearance was Simplicity itself for finding
that he could get away from London.
He determined to head me off at the next obvious point of my
travels, in the disguise of a working, man, he had sat in the
Cabaret waiting for my appearance and the singular be
consistent investigation you've made Ed my dear Watson said he,
I cannot at the moment recall. Any possible blunder which you
have emitted, the total effect of your proceeding has been to
give the alarm everywhere and yet to discover nothing perhaps
you'd have done. No better.
I answered bitterly. There is no perhaps about it.
I have done better here is the honorable Philip green.
Who is a fellow lodger with you in this hotel and we may find
him the starting Through most successful investigation a card
had come up on a salver and it was followed by the same.
Bearded Ruffian who had attacked me in the street?
He started when he saw me. What is this?
Mr. Holmes he asked I add your note and I've come.
But what does this man to do with the matter?
This is my old friend and Associate dr.
Watson, who's helping us in this affair?
The Stranger held out a huge sunburned.
Hand with a few words of apology.
I hope I didn't harm you. When you accused me of hurting
her, I lost my grip of myself, indeed, I'm not responsible in
these days. My nerves are like live wires,
but this situation is beyond me. What I want to know in the first
place. Mr. Holmes is how in the world
you came to hear of my existence at all?
I'm in touch with Me lady. Frances is Governor's old.
Susan Domine with the mobcap. I remember a well and she
remembers you. It was in the days before before
you found it better to go to South Africa.
I see, you know, my whole story. I need hide nothing from you.
I swear to you mr. Holmes that there never was in
this world. A man who loved a woman with a
more wholehearted love than I had for Francis.
I was a wild youngster I know not worse than others of my
class, but her mind was pure as snow.
She could not bear a shadow of coarseness.
So when she came to hear of things that I'd done, she would
have no more to say to me and yet she loved me, that is The
Wonder of it. Love me well enough to remain
single all her sainted days, just for my sake alone, When the
years had passed and I had made my money at Barberton, I
thought, perhaps I could seek her out and soften her.
I'd heard that she was still unmarried.
I found her at lausanne and tried, all I knew she weakened I
think but her will was strong and when next I called, she had
left a town. I traced her to Barden and then
after a Time heard that her maid was here, I'm a rough fellow
fresh from a rough life and when dr.
Watson spoke to As he did, I lost hold of myself for a
moment. But for God's sake, tell me what
has become of the lady Frances. That is for us to find out said
Sherlock, Holmes was peculiar gravity, what is your London
address mr. Green, The Langham Hotel will
find me then may I recommend that you return there and be on
hand in case I should want you. I have no desire to encourage
false hopes but you may rest assured that all that can be
done will be done for the safety of Lady Frances.
I can say no more for the instant.
I will leave you this card so that you may Able to keep in
touch with us now. Watson, if you'll pack your bag,
I will cable to mrs. Hudson to make one of her best
efforts for to Hungry Travelers at 7:30 tomorrow.
A telegram was awaiting us. When we reached our Baker Street
rooms which Holmes red with an exclamation of interest and
threw across to me, Jagged or torn was the message and the
place of origin Barden. What is this?
I asked it is everything Holmes answered.
You may remember my seemingly irrelevant question as to this
clerical. Gentleman's left ear.
You did not answer it. I'd left bharden and could not
inquire. Exactly.
For this reason, I sent a duplicate to the manager of the
englischer Hof whose answer lies here.
What does it show? It shows my dear Watson that we
are dealing with an exceptionally astute and
dangerous, man. The Reverend dr.
Schlessinger missionary from South America is non other than
holy Peters. One of the most unscrupulous
Rascals that Australia has ever evolved.
And for a young country, it has turned out some very finished
types. His particular specialty is the
beguiling of lonely Ladies by playing upon their religious.
Things and his so-called wife, an English woman named Fraser is
a worthy helpmate. The nature of his tactics
suggested, his identity to me, and this physical peculiarity.
He was badly bitten in a saloon fight, at Adelaide in 89
confirmed. My suspicions, this poor lady is
in the hands of a most infernal couple who will stick at nothing
Watson, but she's already dead is a very likely supposition.
If Not. She is undoubtedly in some sort
of confinement and unable to write to mrs.
Dabney, or her other friends. It is always possible that she
never reached London or that she's passed through it.
But the former is improbable, as, with their system of
registration, it is not easy for foreigners to play tricks with
Continental police. And the latter is also unlikely
as these Rogues could not hope to find any other place where it
would be as easy to keep a person under restraint.
All my instincts, tell me that she's in London but as we have
at present no possible means of telling where we can only take
the obvious steps. Eat our dinner and possess.
Our souls in patients later in the evening.
I will stroll down and have a word with friend lestrade, at
Scotland Yard, but neither the official police nor homes is own
small. But very efficient organization.
Sufficed to clear away the mystery amid.
The crowded millions of The three persons, we sought whereas
completely obliterated as if they had never lived.
Advertisements were tried and failed.
Clues were followed and led to nothing every criminal Resort
which letting your might frequent was drawn in vain.
His old Associates were watched, but they kept clear of him and
then suddenly after a week of helpless suspense, they came a
flash of light, a silver and Brilliant.
Pendant of old Spanish design had And pawned buffington's in
Westminster Road, the porno as a large clean-shaven.
Man of clerical appearance, his name and address were
demonstrably false, the ear had escaped notice but the
description was surely that of Schlesinger Three times had our
bearded friend from The Langham called 4 News, the third time,
within an hour of this fresh development, his clothes were
getting looser on his great body.
He seemed to be wilting away in his anxiety.
If you'll only give me something to do, was his constant whale at
last homes, could oblige him. He has begun to pawn the jewels,
we should get him now. But does this mean that any harm
has befallen the lady Frances Holmes, shook his head very
Gravely. Supposing that they have held
her prisoner up to. Now, it is clear that they
cannot let her loose without their own destruction.
We must prepare for the worst. What can I do?
These people do not know you by sight.
No, it is possible that he will go to some other pawnbroker in
the future. In that case, we must begin.
Again, on the other hand, he has had a fair price and no
questions asked, so if he's in need of ready, money.
He will probably come back to boddingtons.
I will give you a note to them and they will let you wait in
the shop. If the fellow comes you will
follow him home but no indiscretion and above all, no
violence, I put you on your honor that you will take no step
without my knowledge and consent for two days.
The Honorable Philip green. He was I may mention the son of
the famous Admiral of that name, who commanded the Sea of azov
Fleet in the Crimean War. Or brought us no news on the
evening, of the third, he rushed into our sitting-room pale,
trembling with every muscle of his powerful frame quivering
with excitement. We have him, we have him, he
cried, he was incoherent in his agitation home, soothe him with
a few words and thrust him into an armchair.
Come now and give us the order of events.
Said he she came only an hour ago, it was the wife this time.
But the pendant she brought was the fellow of the other.
She's a tall pale woman with ferret eyes.
That is the lady said Holmes. She left the office and I
followed her. She walked up the Kennington
Road and I kept behind her presently.
She went into a shop, mr. Holmes it was an Undertaker's.
My companion started. Well he asked in that vibrant
voice which told of the Fiery Soul behind the cold grey face.
She was Getting to the woman behind the counter.
I enters as well. It is late.
I heard her say or words to that effect, the woman was excusing
herself. It should be there before.
Now she answered it took longer being out of the ordinary.
They both stopped and looked at me so I asked some questions and
then left the shop. You did excellently.
Well what happened next? The woman came out but I'd hit
myself in a doorway her sir. Suspicions had been aroused.
I think for she looked round her, then she called a cab, and
got in, I was lucky enough to get another.
And so to follow her, she got down at last at number 36,
pulteney square Brixton, I drove past left.
My cab at the corner of the square and watch the house.
Did you see anyone? The windows were all in
darkness. Save one on the lower floor, the
blind was down and I could not see in.
I was standing there. Wondering what I should do next
when a covered van drove up with two men in it, they descended
took something out of the van and Carries up the steps to the
hall door, mr. Holmes, it was a Coffin.
Ah, for an instant, I was on the point of rushing, in the door
had been open to admit the men and their burden.
It was the woman, who'd opened it, but as I stood there, she
caught a glimpse of me and I think she recognized me.
I saw her start. She hastily close the door.
I remembered my promise to you. And here I am.
You have done, excellent, work said home, scribbling a few
words upon a half sheet of paper, we can do nothing legal
without a warrant. And you can serve the cause best
by taking this note, down to the authorities and getting one,
there may be some difficulty, but I should think that the sale
of the jewelry should be sufficient lestrade will see to
all details but they may murder her in the meanwhile.
What could the coffin mean? And for whom could it be?
But for her. We will do all that we can mr.
Green! Not a moment, will be lost.
Leave it in our hands. Now Watson, he added as our
client hurried away. He will set the regular forces
on the Move. We are as usual, the Irregulars
and we must take our own line of action.
The situation strikes, me as so desperate.
The Most Extreme Measures are Justified, not a moment is to be
lost in getting to pulteney square.
Let us try. To reconstruct the situation
said, he, as we drove swiftly past the houses of Parliament,
and over Westminster Bridge. These villains have coax this
unhappy lady to London, after first alienating her from her
faithful. Maid.
If she has written many letters, they have been intercepted
through some Confederate. They have engaged a furnished
house once inside it. They have made her a prisoner,
and they have become possessed of the valuable jewelry, which
had been their object. From the first already.
They have begun to sell part of it, which seems safe enough to
them since they have no reason to think that anyone is
interested in the ladies, fate when she is released, she will
of course, denounce them. Therefore, she must not be
released but they cannot keep her under lock and key forever.
So murder is their only solution.
That seems clear. Now, we will take another line
of reasoning. When you follow two separate
chains of thought Watson, you will find some point of
intersection which should approximate to the truth.
We will start now not from the lady, but from the coffin and
argued backward, that incident proves, I fear beyond all doubt
that the lady is dead. It points also to an orthodox
burial with proper accompaniment of medical certificate and
official sanction had the You've been obviously murdered, they
would have buried her in a hole in the back Garden but here all
is open and regular. What does this mean?
Surely that they have done her to death in some way, which has
deceived the doctor and simulated a natural end
poisoning perhaps and yet how strange that they should ever
let a doctor approached her unless he were a Confederate
which is hardly a credible proposition.
Could they have forged a medical certificate?
Dangerous Watson, very dangerous?
No I hardly see them doing that. Pull up cabbie, this is
evidently The Undertaker's. For we have just passed, Pawn
Brokers, would you go in Watson your appearance, inspires
confidence, ask what our the Ponte Square funeral takes
place. Tomorrow, the woman in the shop,
answered me without hesitation, that it was to be at 8:00 in the
morning. You Watson.
No, mystery everything above board in some way, the legal
forms of undoubtedly been complied with, and they think
that they have little to fear. Well, there's nothing for it now
but a direct frontal attack. Are you armed my stick?
Well, well, we shall be strong enough Thrice.
Is he armed? Who hath his quarrel just We
simply can't afford to wait for the police or to keep within the
four corners of the law. You can drive off cabbie now.
Watson, we'll just take our look together.
As we have occasionally in the past, he had rung loudly at the
door of a great dark house in the center of poultney square.
It was opened immediately and the figure of a tall woman was
outlined against the dim-lit hall.
Well, what did you want? She asked sharply peering at us
through the darkness. I want to speak to dr.
Schlessinger said, Holmes, there's no such person here.
She answered and tried to close the door but homes and jammed it
with his foot. Well, I want to see the man who
lives here. Whatever, he may call himself
said, Holmes firmly, she hesitated, then she threw open
the door. Well, come in.
She said, my husband is not afraid to face any man in the
world. She closed the door behind us
and showed us into a sitting room on the right side of the
hall. Turning up the gas as she left
us. Mr. Peters will be with you in
an instant. She said her words were
literally true for. We had hardly time to look
around the dusty and moth-eaten apartment in which we found
ourselves before the door opened and a big clean-shaven
bald-headed, man. Stepped lightly into the room.
He had a large red faced with pendulous cheeks and a general
air of superficial benevolence which was marred by a cruel
vicious mouth. There is surely some mistake
here. Gentlemen, he said in an anxious
made everything easy voice, I fancy that.
You've been misdirected, possibly, if you tried farther
down, the street that will do. We have no time to waste said my
companion firmly. You are Henry Peters of Adelaide
late, the Reverend dr. Schlessinger of Barden and South
America. I am as sure of that.
As that, my own name is Sherlock Holmes.
Peter's as I will now call him started and stared hard at his
formidable pursuer. I guess your name does not.
Frighten me mr. Holmes said he coolly when a
man's conscience is easy. You can't rattle him.
What is your business in my house?
I want to know what you've done with the lady.
Frances, Carfax, whom you brought away with you from
Barden. I'd be very glad.
If you could tell me where that lady, maybe Peters answered
coolly. I have a bill against her for
nearly 100 pounds and nothing to show for it, but a couple of
trumpery pendants that the dealer would hardly look at she
attached herself to mrs. Peters, and me at Barden, it is
a fact that I was using another name at the time and she
Contours, until we came to London.
I paid her bill and her ticket. Once in London, she gave us the
slip. And as I say, lefties out of
date jewels to pay her bills, you find her mr.
Holmes, and I'm your debtor I mean, to find her said Sherlock
Holmes, I'm going through this house till I do.
Find her. Where is your warrant homes?
Half drew a revolver from his pocket.
This will have to serve till a better.
One comes why you're a common burglar.
So you might describe me said, Holmes cheerfully.
My companion is also a dangerous Ruffian and together we're going
through your house. Our opponent open the door.
Fetch a policeman. Annie said he, it was a risk of
feminine. Skirts down the passage and the
hall door was opened and shut. Our time is limited Watson said,
Holmes. If you try to stop us Peters,
you'll most certainly get hurt. Where is that coffin?
Which was brought into the house.
What do you want with the coffin?
It is in use, there is a body in it.
I must see the body, never with Mike.
Sent then without it with a quick movement, Holmes pushed
the fellow to one side and passed into the Hall a door half
open stood immediately before us we entered it was the dining
room on the table under a half lit.
Chandelier the coffin was lying Holmes turned up the gas and
raise the lid, deep down in the recesses of the coffin laying
emaciated figure the glare from the lights above beat down upon
an age. Aged and withered face by no
possible process of Cruelty, starvation or disease.
Could this worn-out wreck be the still beautiful lady.
Frances Holmes's face showed his amazement and also his relief.
Thank God, he muttered. It's someone else you've
blundered badly for once. Mr. Sherlock Holmes said Peters
who had followed us into the room.
Who is the dead woman? Well, if you really must know,
she is an old nurse of my wife's Rose spender by name whom we
found in the Brixton workhouse infirmary, we brought her round
here called in doctor Horsham of 13, fur Bank Villas mind.
You take the address mr. Holmes, and had her carefully
tended as Christian folk should on the third day.
She died certificate says senile Decay but that's only the
doctor's opinion. And of course, you know better,
we ordered her funeral to be carried out by Stimson and Co of
the Kennington Road who will bury her at 8:00 tomorrow
morning. Can you pick any hole in that?
Mr. Holmes you've made a silly blunder and you may as well own
up to it. It gives something for a
photograph of your gaping staring face.
When you pulled aside that lid expecting to see the lady
Frances, Carfax and only found a poor old woman of 90.
Holmes. His expression was as impassive
as ever under the jeers of his antagonist but his clenched
hands betrayed his acute annoyance.
I am going through your house. Said he are you though.
Cried Peters as a woman's voice and heavy step sounded in the
passage will soon? See about that this way officers
if you please these men have forced their way into my house
and I cannot get rid of them, help me to put them out.
A sergeant and the Constable stood in the doorway Holmes drew
his card from his case, this is my name and address.
This is my friend. Dr. Watson bless you sir.
We know you very well. Said the sergeant, but you can't
stay here without a warrant, of course, not.
I quite understand that arrest him, cried Peters.
We know where to lay our ends on this gentleman.
If he's wanted said the sergeant majestically, but you'll have to
go, mr. Holmes.
Yes, Watson, we shall have to go a minute later.
We were in the street once more Holmes was as cool as ever but I
was hot with anger and humiliation, the sergeant had
followed us. Sorry.
Mr. Holmes, but that's the law eggs-actly Sergeant, you could
not do otherwise, I expect, there was good reason for your
presence there. If there's anything I can do,
it's a missing lady sergeant and we She's in that house.
I expect a warrant because presently, you know, I'll keep
my eye on the parties. Mr. Holmes.
If anything comes along, I'll surely let you know.
It was only nine o'clock and we were off full cry upon the trail
at once. First, we drove to Brixton
workhouse infirmary, where we found that it was indeed the
truth that a charitable couple had called some days before that
they had claimed an imbecile old woman as a former servant and
that they had obtained permission to take her away.
With them. No surprise was expressed at the
news that she had since died. The doctor was our next goal.
He'd been called in had found the woman dying of pure Cinema,
T had actually seen her pass away and had signed the
certificate in due form. I assure you that everything was
perfectly normal and that there was no room for foul play in,
the matter said he nothing in the house, it struck him as
suspicious save that for people of their class it was remarkable
that they should have no servant.
So far and no. Further went the doctor.
Finally, we found our way to Scotland Yard.
There have been difficulties of procedure in regard to the
warrant some delay was inevitable.
No, magistrate signature might not be obtained until next
morning, if Holmes would call about nine, he could go down
with lestrade and see it acted upon so ended the day, say that
near midnight, our friend, the sergeant called to say that.
He had seen flickering lights here and there in the windows of
the Great Dark house. But the know, It left it and non
had entered. We could, but pray for patience.
And wait for the morrow, Sherlock Holmes was to irritable
for conversation and too Restless for sleep.
I left him smoking hard with his heavy.
Dark brows knotted together and his long nervous fingers tapping
upon the arms of his chair as he turned over in his mind, every
possible solution of the mystery several times in the course of
the night, I heard him prowling. About the house.
Finally, just after her, I've been called in the morning, he
rushed into my room, he was in his dressing gown, but his pale
hollow-eyed face told me that his night had been a Sleepless
one. What time was the funeral 8 was
it not? He asked eagerly well, it is 720
now. Good Heavens.
Watson, what has become of any brains that God has given me
quick, man, quick, it's life or death, a hundred chances on
death, 21 on life. I'll never Give myself never.
If we're too late. Five minutes had not passed
before we were flying in a handsome, down Baker Street but
even so it was 7:35. As we passed Big Ben & 8, struck
as we tore down the Brixton Road, but others were late, as
well as we 10 minutes. After the hour, the hearse was
still standing at the door of the house.
And even as our foaming horse, came to a halt, the coffin
supported by three men appeared on the threshold homes, darted
forward, and bar their way. Take it back.
He cried laying his hand on the breast of the foremost.
Take it back this. Instant what the devil do you
mean? Once again, I ask you where's
your warrant shouted? The Furious Peters his big red
face glaring over the farther end of the coffin.
The warrant is on its way, the coffin to remain in the house
until it comes the authority. In homes is voice had its effect
upon the bearers Peters had suddenly vanished into the house
and they obeyed these new orders.
Quick Watson quick here is a screwdriver.
He shouted as the coffin was replaced upon the table.
Here's one for you, my man. A sovereign.
If the lid comes off in a mid ask, no questions, work away.
That's good. Another and another now pull all
together, it's giving it's giving our that, does it at last
With a United effort, we tore off the coffin lid, as we did.
So they came from the inside as stupefying and overpowering
smell of chloroform a body lay within its head or wreathed in
Cotton wool, which had been soaked in the narcotic homes,
plucked it off and disclosed a statuesque face of a handsome
and spiritual woman of middle age.
In an instant, he had passed his arm around the figure and raised
her to a sitting position. Is she gone Watson?
Is there a spark left? Surely, we're not too late for
half an hour. It seemed that we were watch
with actual Suffocation and what with the poisonous fumes of the
chloroform, the lady Frances seemed to have passed the last
point of recall. And then at last with artificial
respiration, with injected ether, and with every device
that science could suggest some flutter of Life, some quiver of
the eyelids, some dimming of a mirror, spoke of the slow,
Returning, life, a cab had driven up and homes parting.
The blind looked out at it. Here is lestrade with his
warrant said, he, he will find that his birds have flown.
And here he added as a heavy step hurried along, the passage
is someone who has a better right to nurse this lady than we
have. Good morning, mr.
Green. I think that the sooner we can
move the lady Frances, the better.
Meanwhile, the funeral May proceed and the poor Or old
woman who still lies in that coffin.
May go to her last resting place alone.
Should you care to add the case to your animals?
My dear Watson said, Holmes that evening, it can only be as an
example of that temporary Eclipse to which even the best
balanced, mind may be exposed. Such lips are common to all
Mortals and the greatest is he who can recognize and repair
them to this modified credit. I may perhaps make some claim.
My night was haunted by the thought that somewhere a clue as
strange sentence. Curious, observation had come
under my notice and that been too easily dismissed then
suddenly in the gray of the morning the words came back to
me. It was the remark of The
Undertaker's wife. As reported by Philip green, she
had said it should be there before.
Now it took longer being out of the ordinary It was the coffin
of which she spoke it had been out of the ordinary that could
only mean that it had been made to some special measurement.
But why, why? Then in an instant, I remember
the Deep sides and a little wasted figure at the bottom y,
so large a coffin for so small, a body to leave room for another
body. Both would be buried under the
ones certificate, it had all been so clear if only my own Had
not been dimmed, a date, the lady Frances would be buried.
Our one chance was to stop the coffin before it left the house.
It was a desperate chance that we might find her alive, but it
was a chance. As a result showed these people
had never to my knowledge done a murder, they might shrink from
actual violence at the last. They could bury her with no sign
of how she met her end and even if she were exhumed there was a
chance for them. I hope that such Considerations
might Prevail with them, you can reconstruct the scene.
Well enough, you saw the horrible Den upstairs where the
poor lady had been kept so long. They rushed in and overpowered
her, with their chloroform carried, her down poured, more
into the coffin to ensure against her waking and then
screwed down the lid. A clever device Watson.
It is new to me in the annals of crime.
If RX missionary friends escape the clutches of lestrade, I
shall expect to Air of some brilliant incidents in their
future career. End of Adventure 6.