A
STUDY
IN
SCARLET
By
A
Conan
Doyle
PART
I
Being
a
reprint
from
the
reminiscences
of
JOHN
H
WATSON
M
D
late
of
the
Army
Medical
Department
CHAPTER
I
MR
SHERLOCK
HOLMES
IN
the
year
I
took
my
degree
of
Doctor
of
Medicine
of
the
University
of
London
and
proceeded
to
Netley
to
go
through
the
course
prescribed
for
surgeons
in
the
army
Having
completed
my
studies
there
I
was
duly
attached
to
the
Fifth
Northumberland
Fusiliers
as
Assistant
Surgeon
The
regiment
was
stationed
in
India
at
the
time
and
before
I
could
join
it
the
second
Afghan
war
had
broken
out
On
landing
at
Bombay
I
learned
that
my
corps
had
advanced
through
the
passes
and
was
already
deep
in
the
enemy's
country
I
followed
however
with
many
other
officers
who
were
in
the
same
situation
as
myself
and
succeeded
in
reaching
Candahar
in
safety
where
I
found
my
regiment
and
at
once
entered
upon
my
new
duties
The
campaign
brought
honours
and
promotion
to
many
but
for
me
it
had
nothing
but
misfortune
and
disaster
I
was
removed
from
my
brigade
and
attached
to
the
Berkshires
with
whom
I
served
at
the
fatal
battle
of
Maiwand
There
I
was
struck
on
the
shoulder
by
a
Jezail
bullet
which
shattered
the
bone
and
grazed
the
subclavian
artery
I
should
have
fallen
into
the
hands
of
the
murderous
Ghazis
had
it
not
been
for
the
devotion
and
courage
shown
by
Murray
my
orderly
who
threw
me
across
a
pack
horse
and
succeeded
in
bringing
me
safely
to
the
British
lines
Worn
with
pain
and
weak
from
the
prolonged
hardships
which
I
had
undergone
I
was
removed
with
a
great
train
of
wounded
sufferers
to
the
base
hospital
at
Peshawar
Here
I
rallied
and
had
already
improved
so
far
as
to
be
able
to
walk
about
the
wards
and
even
to
bask
a
little
upon
the
verandah
when
I
was
struck
down
by
enteric
fever
that
curse
of
our
Indian
possessions
For
months
my
life
was
despaired
of
and
when
at
last
I
came
to
myself
and
became
convalescent
I
was
so
weak
and
emaciated
that
a
medical
board
determined
that
not
a
day
should
be
lost
in
sending
me
back
to
England
I
was
dispatched
accordingly
in
the
troopship
Orontes
and
landed
a
month
later
on
Portsmouth
jetty
with
my
health
irretrievably
ruined
but
with
permission
from
a
paternal
government
to
spend
the
next
nine
months
in
attempting
to
improve
it
I
had
neither
kith
nor
kin
in
England
and
was
therefore
as
free
as
air
or
as
free
as
an
income
of
eleven
shillings
and
sixpence
a
day
will
permit
a
man
to
be
Under
such
circumstances
I
naturally
gravitated
to
London
that
great
cesspool
into
which
all
the
loungers
and
idlers
of
the
Empire
are
irresistibly
drained
There
I
stayed
for
some
time
at
a
private
hotel
in
the
Strand
leading
a
comfortless
meaningless
existence
and
spending
such
money
as
I
had
considerably
more
freely
than
I
ought
So
alarming
did
the
state
of
my
finances
become
that
I
soon
realized
that
I
must
either
leave
the
metropolis
and
rusticate
somewhere
in
the
country
or
that
I
must
make
a
complete
alteration
in
my
style
of
living
Choosing
the
latter
alternative
I
began
by
making
up
my
mind
to
leave
the
hotel
and
to
take
up
my
quarters
in
some
less
pretentious
and
less
expensive
domicile
On
the
very
day
that
I
had
come
to
this
conclusion
I
was
standing
at
the
Criterion
Bar
when
some
one
tapped
me
on
the
shoulder
and
turning
round
I
recognized
young
Stamford
who
had
been
a
dresser
under
me
at
Barts
The
sight
of
a
friendly
face
in
the
great
wilderness
of
London
is
a
pleasant
thing
indeed
to
a
lonely
man
In
old
days
Stamford
had
never
been
a
particular
crony
of
mine
but
now
I
hailed
him
with
enthusiasm
and
he
in
his
turn
appeared
to
be
delighted
to
see
me
In
the
exuberance
of
my
joy
I
asked
him
to
lunch
with
me
at
the
Holborn
and
we
started
off
together
in
a
hansom
Whatever
have
you
been
doing
with
yourself
Watson
he
asked
in
undisguised
wonder
as
we
rattled
through
the
crowded
London
streets
You
are
as
thin
as
a
lath
and
as
brown
as
a
nut
I
gave
him
a
short
sketch
of
my
adventures
and
had
hardly
concluded
it
by
the
time
that
we
reached
our
destination
Poor
devil
he
said
commiseratingly
after
he
had
listened
to
my
misfortunes
What
are
you
up
to
now
Looking
for
lodgings
I
answered
Trying
to
solve
the
problem
as
to
whether
it
is
possible
to
get
comfortable
rooms
at
a
reasonable
price
That's
a
strange
thing
remarked
my
companion
you
are
the
second
man
to
day
that
has
used
that
expression
to
me
And
who
was
the
first
I
asked
A
fellow
who
is
working
at
the
chemical
laboratory
up
at
the
hospital
He
was
bemoaning
himself
this
morning
because
he
could
not
get
someone
to
go
halves
with
him
in
some
nice
rooms
which
he
had
found
and
which
were
too
much
for
his
purse
By
Jove
I
cried
if
he
really
wants
someone
to
share
the
rooms
and
the
expense
I
am
the
very
man
for
him
I
should
prefer
having
a
partner
to
being
alone
Young
Stamford
looked
rather
strangely
at
me
over
his
wine
glass
You
don't
know
Sherlock
Holmes
yet
he
said
perhaps
you
would
not
care
for
him
as
a
constant
companion
Why
what
is
there
against
him
Oh
I
didn't
say
there
was
anything
against
him
He
is
a
little
queer
in
his
ideas
an
enthusiast
in
some
branches
of
science
As
far
as
I
know
he
is
a
decent
fellow
enough
A
medical
student
I
suppose
said
I
No
I
have
no
idea
what
he
intends
to
go
in
for
I
believe
he
is
well
up
in
anatomy
and
he
is
a
first
class
chemist
but
as
far
as
I
know
he
has
never
taken
out
any
systematic
medical
classes
His
studies
are
very
desultory
and
eccentric
but
he
has
amassed
a
lot
of
out
of
the
way
knowledge
which
would
astonish
his
professors
Did
you
never
ask
him
what
he
was
going
in
for
I
asked
No
he
is
not
a
man
that
it
is
easy
to
draw
out
though
he
can
be
communicative
enough
when
the
fancy
seizes
him
I
should
like
to
meet
him
I
said
If
I
am
to
lodge
with
anyone
I
should
prefer
a
man
of
studious
and
quiet
habits
I
am
not
strong
enough
yet
to
stand
much
noise
or
excitement
I
had
enough
of
both
in
Afghanistan
to
last
me
for
the
remainder
of
my
natural
existence
How
could
I
meet
this
friend
of
yours
He
is
sure
to
be
at
the
laboratory
returned
my
companion
He
either
avoids
the
place
for
weeks
or
else
he
works
there
from
morning
to
night
If
you
like
we
shall
drive
round
together
after
luncheon
Certainly
I
answered
and
the
conversation
drifted
away
into
other
channels
As
we
made
our
way
to
the
hospital
after
leaving
the
Holborn
Stamford
gave
me
a
few
more
particulars
about
the
gentleman
whom
I
proposed
to
take
as
a
fellow
lodger
You
mustn't
blame
me
if
you
don't
get
on
with
him
he
said
I
know
nothing
more
of
him
than
I
have
learned
from
meeting
him
occasionally
in
the
laboratory
You
proposed
this
arrangement
so
you
must
not
hold
me
responsible
If
we
don't
get
on
it
will
be
easy
to
part
company
I
answered
It
seems
to
me
Stamford
I
added
looking
hard
at
my
companion
that
you
have
some
reason
for
washing
your
hands
of
the
matter
Is
this
fellow's
temper
so
formidable
or
what
is
it
Don't
be
mealy
mouthed
about
it
It
is
not
easy
to
express
the
inexpressible
he
answered
with
a
laugh
Holmes
is
a
little
too
scientific
for
my
tastes
it
approaches
to
cold
bloodedness
I
could
imagine
his
giving
a
friend
a
little
pinch
of
the
latest
vegetable
alkaloid
not
out
of
malevolence
you
understand
but
simply
out
of
a
spirit
of
inquiry
in
order
to
have
an
accurate
idea
of
the
effects
To
do
him
justice
I
think
that
he
would
take
it
himself
with
the
same
readiness
He
appears
to
have
a
passion
for
definite
and
exact
knowledge
Very
right
too
Yes
but
it
may
be
pushed
to
excess
When
it
comes
to
beating
the
subjects
in
the
dissecting
rooms
with
a
stick
it
is
certainly
taking
rather
a
bizarre
shape
Beating
the
subjects
Yes
to
verify
how
far
bruises
may
be
produced
after
death
I
saw
him
at
it
with
my
own
eyes
And
yet
you
say
he
is
not
a
medical
student
No
Heaven
knows
what
the
objects
of
his
studies
are
But
here
we
are
and
you
must
form
your
own
impressions
about
him
As
he
spoke
we
turned
down
a
narrow
lane
and
passed
through
a
small
side
door
which
opened
into
a
wing
of
the
great
hospital
It
was
familiar
ground
to
me
and
I
needed
no
guiding
as
we
ascended
the
bleak
stone
staircase
and
made
our
way
down
the
long
corridor
with
its
vista
of
whitewashed
wall
and
dun
coloured
doors
Near
the
further
end
a
low
arched
passage
branched
away
from
it
and
led
to
the
chemical
laboratory
This
was
a
lofty
chamber
lined
and
littered
with
countless
bottles
Broad
low
tables
were
scattered
about
which
bristled
with
retorts
test
tubes
and
little
Bunsen
lamps
with
their
blue
flickering
flames
There
was
only
one
student
in
the
room
who
was
bending
over
a
distant
table
absorbed
in
his
work
At
the
sound
of
our
steps
he
glanced
round
and
sprang
to
his
feet
with
a
cry
of
pleasure
I've
found
it
I've
found
it
he
shouted
to
my
companion
running
towards
us
with
a
test
tube
in
his
hand
I
have
found
a
re
agent
which
is
precipitated
by
hoemoglobin
and
by
nothing
else
Had
he
discovered
a
gold
mine
greater
delight
could
not
have
shone
upon
his
features
Dr
Watson
Mr
Sherlock
Holmes
said
Stamford
introducing
us
How
are
you
he
said
cordially
gripping
my
hand
with
a
strength
for
which
I
should
hardly
have
given
him
credit
You
have
been
in
Afghanistan
I
perceive
How
on
earth
did
you
know
that
I
asked
in
astonishment
Never
mind
said
he
chuckling
to
himself
The
question
now
is
about
hoemoglobin
No
doubt
you
see
the
significance
of
this
discovery
of
mine
It
is
interesting
chemically
no
doubt
I
answered
but
practically
Why
man
it
is
the
most
practical
medico
legal
discovery
for
years
Don't
you
see
that
it
gives
us
an
infallible
test
for
blood
stains
Come
over
here
now
He
seized
me
by
the
coat
sleeve
in
his
eagerness
and
drew
me
over
to
the
table
at
which
he
had
been
working
Let
us
have
some
fresh
blood
he
said
digging
a
long
bodkin
into
his
finger
and
drawing
off
the
resulting
drop
of
blood
in
a
chemical
pipette
Now
I
add
this
small
quantity
of
blood
to
a
litre
of
water
You
perceive
that
the
resulting
mixture
has
the
appearance
of
pure
water
The
proportion
of
blood
cannot
be
more
than
one
in
a
million
I
have
no
doubt
however
that
we
shall
be
able
to
obtain
the
characteristic
reaction
As
he
spoke
he
threw
into
the
vessel
a
few
white
crystals
and
then
added
some
drops
of
a
transparent
fluid
In
an
instant
the
contents
assumed
a
dull
mahogany
colour
and
a
brownish
dust
was
precipitated
to
the
bottom
of
the
glass
jar
Ha
ha
he
cried
clapping
his
hands
and
looking
as
delighted
as
a
child
with
a
new
toy
What
do
you
think
of
that
It
seems
to
be
a
very
delicate
test
I
remarked
Beautiful
beautiful
The
old
Guiacum
test
was
very
clumsy
and
uncertain
So
is
the
microscopic
examination
for
blood
corpuscles
The
latter
is
valueless
if
the
stains
are
a
few
hours
old
Now
this
appears
to
act
as
well
whether
the
blood
is
old
or
new
Had
this
test
been
invented
there
are
hundreds
of
men
now
walking
the
earth
who
would
long
ago
have
paid
the
penalty
of
their
crimes
Indeed
I
murmured
Criminal
cases
are
continually
hinging
upon
that
one
point
A
man
is
suspected
of
a
crime
months
perhaps
after
it
has
been
committed
His
linen
or
clothes
are
examined
and
brownish
stains
discovered
upon
them
Are
they
blood
stains
or
mud
stains
or
rust
stains
or
fruit
stains
or
what
are
they
That
is
a
question
which
has
puzzled
many
an
expert
and
why
Because
there
was
no
reliable
test
Now
we
have
the
Sherlock
Holmes'
test
and
there
will
no
longer
be
any
difficulty
His
eyes
fairly
glittered
as
he
spoke
and
he
put
his
hand
over
his
heart
and
bowed
as
if
to
some
applauding
crowd
conjured
up
by
his
imagination
You
are
to
be
congratulated
I
remarked
considerably
surprised
at
his
enthusiasm
There
was
the
case
of
Von
Bischoff
at
Frankfort
last
year
He
would
certainly
have
been
hung
had
this
test
been
in
existence
Then
there
was
Mason
of
Bradford
and
the
notorious
Muller
and
Lefevre
of
Montpellier
and
Samson
of
New
Orleans
I
could
name
a
score
of
cases
in
which
it
would
have
been
decisive
You
seem
to
be
a
walking
calendar
of
crime
said
Stamford
with
a
laugh
You
might
start
a
paper
on
those
lines
Call
it
the
Police
News
of
the
Past
Very
interesting
reading
it
might
be
made
too
remarked
Sherlock
Holmes
sticking
a
small
piece
of
plaster
over
the
prick
on
his
finger
I
have
to
be
careful
he
continued
turning
to
me
with
a
smile
for
I
dabble
with
poisons
a
good
deal
He
held
out
his
hand
as
he
spoke
and
I
noticed
that
it
was
all
mottled
over
with
similar
pieces
of
plaster
and
discoloured
with
strong
acids
We
came
here
on
business
said
Stamford
sitting
down
on
a
high
three
legged
stool
and
pushing
another
one
in
my
direction
with
his
foot
My
friend
here
wants
to
take
diggings
and
as
you
were
complaining
that
you
could
get
no
one
to
go
halves
with
you
I
thought
that
I
had
better
bring
you
together
Sherlock
Holmes
seemed
delighted
at
the
idea
of
sharing
his
rooms
with
me
I
have
my
eye
on
a
suite
in
Baker
Street
he
said
which
would
suit
us
down
to
the
ground
You
don't
mind
the
smell
of
strong
tobacco
I
hope
I
always
smoke
ship's
myself
I
answered
That's
good
enough
I
generally
have
chemicals
about
and
occasionally
do
experiments
Would
that
annoy
you
By
no
means
Let
me
see
what
are
my
other
shortcomings
I
get
in
the
dumps
at
times
and
don't
open
my
mouth
for
days
on
end
You
must
not
think
I
am
sulky
when
I
do
that
Just
let
me
alone
and
I'll
soon
be
right
What
have
you
to
confess
now
It's
just
as
well
for
two
fellows
to
know
the
worst
of
one
another
before
they
begin
to
live
together
I
laughed
at
this
cross
examination
I
keep
a
bull
pup
I
said
and
I
object
to
rows
because
my
nerves
are
shaken
and
I
get
up
at
all
sorts
of
ungodly
hours
and
I
am
extremely
lazy
I
have
another
set
of
vices
when
I'm
well
but
those
are
the
principal
ones
at
present
Do
you
include
violin
playing
in
your
category
of
rows
he
asked
anxiously
It
depends
on
the
player
I
answered
A
well
played
violin
is
a
treat
for
the
gods
a
badly
played
one
Oh
that's
all
right
he
cried
with
a
merry
laugh
I
think
we
may
consider
the
thing
as
settled
that
is
if
the
rooms
are
agreeable
to
you
When
shall
we
see
them
Call
for
me
here
at
noon
to
morrow
and
we'll
go
together
and
settle
everything
he
answered
All
right
noon
exactly
said
I
shaking
his
hand
We
left
him
working
among
his
chemicals
and
we
walked
together
towards
my
hotel
By
the
way
I
asked
suddenly
stopping
and
turning
upon
Stamford
how
the
deuce
did
he
know
that
I
had
come
from
Afghanistan
My
companion
smiled
an
enigmatical
smile
That's
just
his
little
peculiarity
he
said
A
good
many
people
have
wanted
to
know
how
he
finds
things
out
Oh
a
mystery
is
it
I
cried
rubbing
my
hands
This
is
very
piquant
I
am
much
obliged
to
you
for
bringing
us
together
The
proper
study
of
mankind
is
man
you
know
You
must
study
him
then
Stamford
said
as
he
bade
me
good
bye
You'll
find
him
a
knotty
problem
though
I'll
wager
he
learns
more
about
you
than
you
about
him
Good
bye
Good
bye
I
answered
and
strolled
on
to
my
hotel
considerably
interested
in
my
new
acquaintance
CHAPTER
II
THE
SCIENCE
OF
DEDUCTION
WE
met
next
day
as
he
had
arranged
and
inspected
the
rooms
at
No
B
Baker
Street
of
which
he
had
spoken
at
our
meeting
They
consisted
of
a
couple
of
comfortable
bed
rooms
and
a
single
large
airy
sitting
room
cheerfully
furnished
and
illuminated
by
two
broad
windows
So
desirable
in
every
way
were
the
apartments
and
so
moderate
did
the
terms
seem
when
divided
between
us
that
the
bargain
was
concluded
upon
the
spot
and
we
at
once
entered
into
possession
That
very
evening
I
moved
my
things
round
from
the
hotel
and
on
the
following
morning
Sherlock
Holmes
followed
me
with
several
boxes
and
portmanteaus
For
a
day
or
two
we
were
busily
employed
in
unpacking
and
laying
out
our
property
to
the
best
advantage
That
done
we
gradually
began
to
settle
down
and
to
accommodate
ourselves
to
our
new
surroundings
Holmes
was
certainly
not
a
difficult
man
to
live
with
He
was
quiet
in
his
ways
and
his
habits
were
regular
It
was
rare
for
him
to
be
up
after
ten
at
night
and
he
had
invariably
breakfasted
and
gone
out
before
I
rose
in
the
morning
Sometimes
he
spent
his
day
at
the
chemical
laboratory
sometimes
in
the
dissecting
rooms
and
occasionally
in
long
walks
which
appeared
to
take
him
into
the
lowest
portions
of
the
City
Nothing
could
exceed
his
energy
when
the
working
fit
was
upon
him
but
now
and
again
a
reaction
would
seize
him
and
for
days
on
end
he
would
lie
upon
the
sofa
in
the
sitting
room
hardly
uttering
a
word
or
moving
a
muscle
from
morning
to
night
On
these
occasions
I
have
noticed
such
a
dreamy
vacant
expression
in
his
eyes
that
I
might
have
suspected
him
of
being
addicted
to
the
use
of
some
narcotic
had
not
the
temperance
and
cleanliness
of
his
whole
life
forbidden
such
a
notion
As
the
weeks
went
by
my
interest
in
him
and
my
curiosity
as
to
his
aims
in
life
gradually
deepened
and
increased
His
very
person
and
appearance
were
such
as
to
strike
the
attention
of
the
most
casual
observer
In
height
he
was
rather
over
six
feet
and
so
excessively
lean
that
he
seemed
to
be
considerably
taller
His
eyes
were
sharp
and
piercing
save
during
those
intervals
of
torpor
to
which
I
have
alluded
and
his
thin
hawk
like
nose
gave
his
whole
expression
an
air
of
alertness
and
decision
His
chin
too
had
the
prominence
and
squareness
which
mark
the
man
of
determination
His
hands
were
invariably
blotted
with
ink
and
stained
with
chemicals
yet
he
was
possessed
of
extraordinary
delicacy
of
touch
as
I
frequently
had
occasion
to
observe
when
I
watched
him
manipulating
his
fragile
philosophical
instruments
The
reader
may
set
me
down
as
a
hopeless
busybody
when
I
confess
how
much
this
man
stimulated
my
curiosity
and
how
often
I
endeavoured
to
break
through
the
reticence
which
he
showed
on
all
that
concerned
himself
Before
pronouncing
judgment
however
be
it
remembered
how
objectless
was
my
life
and
how
little
there
was
to
engage
my
attention
My
health
forbade
me
from
venturing
out
unless
the
weather
was
exceptionally
genial
and
I
had
no
friends
who
would
call
upon
me
and
break
the
monotony
of
my
daily
existence
Under
these
circumstances
I
eagerly
hailed
the
little
mystery
which
hung
around
my
companion
and
spent
much
of
my
time
in
endeavouring
to
unravel
it
He
was
not
studying
medicine
He
had
himself
in
reply
to
a
question
confirmed
Stamford's
opinion
upon
that
point
Neither
did
he
appear
to
have
pursued
any
course
of
reading
which
might
fit
him
for
a
degree
in
science
or
any
other
recognized
portal
which
would
give
him
an
entrance
into
the
learned
world
Yet
his
zeal
for
certain
studies
was
remarkable
and
within
eccentric
limits
his
knowledge
was
so
extraordinarily
ample
and
minute
that
his
observations
have
fairly
astounded
me
Surely
no
man
would
work
so
hard
or
attain
such
precise
information
unless
he
had
some
definite
end
in
view
Desultory
readers
are
seldom
remarkable
for
the
exactness
of
their
learning
No
man
burdens
his
mind
with
small
matters
unless
he
has
some
very
good
reason
for
doing
so
His
ignorance
was
as
remarkable
as
his
knowledge
Of
contemporary
literature
philosophy
and
politics
he
appeared
to
know
next
to
nothing
Upon
my
quoting
Thomas
Carlyle
he
inquired
in
the
naivest
way
who
he
might
be
and
what
he
had
done
My
surprise
reached
a
climax
however
when
I
found
incidentally
that
he
was
ignorant
of
the
Copernican
Theory
and
of
the
composition
of
the
Solar
System
That
any
civilized
human
being
in
this
nineteenth
century
should
not
be
aware
that
the
earth
travelled
round
the
sun
appeared
to
be
to
me
such
an
extraordinary
fact
that
I
could
hardly
realize
it
You
appear
to
be
astonished
he
said
smiling
at
my
expression
of
surprise
Now
that
I
do
know
it
I
shall
do
my
best
to
forget
it
To
forget
it
You
see
he
explained
I
consider
that
a
man's
brain
originally
is
like
a
little
empty
attic
and
you
have
to
stock
it
with
such
furniture
as
you
choose
A
fool
takes
in
all
the
lumber
of
every
sort
that
he
comes
across
so
that
the
knowledge
which
might
be
useful
to
him
gets
crowded
out
or
at
best
is
jumbled
up
with
a
lot
of
other
things
so
that
he
has
a
difficulty
in
laying
his
hands
upon
it
Now
the
skilful
workman
is
very
careful
indeed
as
to
what
he
takes
into
his
brain
attic
He
will
have
nothing
but
the
tools
which
may
help
him
in
doing
his
work
but
of
these
he
has
a
large
assortment
and
all
in
the
most
perfect
order
It
is
a
mistake
to
think
that
that
little
room
has
elastic
walls
and
can
distend
to
any
extent
Depend
upon
it
there
comes
a
time
when
for
every
addition
of
knowledge
you
forget
something
that
you
knew
before
It
is
of
the
highest
importance
therefore
not
to
have
useless
facts
elbowing
out
the
useful
ones
But
the
Solar
System
I
protested
What
the
deuce
is
it
to
me
he
interrupted
impatiently
you
say
that
we
go
round
the
sun
If
we
went
round
the
moon
it
would
not
make
a
pennyworth
of
difference
to
me
or
to
my
work
I
was
on
the
point
of
asking
him
what
that
work
might
be
but
something
in
his
manner
showed
me
that
the
question
would
be
an
unwelcome
one
I
pondered
over
our
short
conversation
however
and
endeavoured
to
draw
my
deductions
from
it
He
said
that
he
would
acquire
no
knowledge
which
did
not
bear
upon
his
object
Therefore
all
the
knowledge
which
he
possessed
was
such
as
would
be
useful
to
him
I
enumerated
in
my
own
mind
all
the
various
points
upon
which
he
had
shown
me
that
he
was
exceptionally
well
informed
I
even
took
a
pencil
and
jotted
them
down
I
could
not
help
smiling
at
the
document
when
I
had
completed
it
It
ran
in
this
way
SHERLOCK
HOLMES
his
limits
Knowledge
of
Literature
Nil
Philosophy
Nil
Astronomy
Nil
Politics
Feeble
Botany
Variable
Well
up
in
belladonna
opium
and
poisons
generally
Knows
nothing
of
practical
gardening
Geology
Practical
but
limited
Tells
at
a
glance
different
soils
from
each
other
After
walks
has
shown
me
splashes
upon
his
trousers
and
told
me
by
their
colour
and
consistence
in
what
part
of
London
he
had
received
them
Chemistry
Profound
Anatomy
Accurate
but
unsystematic
Sensational
Literature
Immense
He
appears
to
know
every
detail
of
every
horror
perpetrated
in
the
century
Plays
the
violin
well
Is
an
expert
singlestick
player
boxer
and
swordsman
Has
a
good
practical
knowledge
of
British
law
When
I
had
got
so
far
in
my
list
I
threw
it
into
the
fire
in
despair
If
I
can
only
find
what
the
fellow
is
driving
at
by
reconciling
all
these
accomplishments
and
discovering
a
calling
which
needs
them
all
I
said
to
myself
I
may
as
well
give
up
the
attempt
at
once
I
see
that
I
have
alluded
above
to
his
powers
upon
the
violin
These
were
very
remarkable
but
as
eccentric
as
all
his
other
accomplishments
That
he
could
play
pieces
and
difficult
pieces
I
knew
well
because
at
my
request
he
has
played
me
some
of
Mendelssohn's
Lieder
and
other
favourites
When
left
to
himself
however
he
would
seldom
produce
any
music
or
attempt
any
recognized
air
Leaning
back
in
his
arm
chair
of
an
evening
he
would
close
his
eyes
and
scrape
carelessly
at
the
fiddle
which
was
thrown
across
his
knee
Sometimes
the
chords
were
sonorous
and
melancholy
Occasionally
they
were
fantastic
and
cheerful
Clearly
they
reflected
the
thoughts
which
possessed
him
but
whether
the
music
aided
those
thoughts
or
whether
the
playing
was
simply
the
result
of
a
whim
or
fancy
was
more
than
I
could
determine
I
might
have
rebelled
against
these
exasperating
solos
had
it
not
been
that
he
usually
terminated
them
by
playing
in
quick
succession
a
whole
series
of
my
favourite
airs
as
a
slight
compensation
for
the
trial
upon
my
patience
During
the
first
week
or
so
we
had
no
callers
and
I
had
begun
to
think
that
my
companion
was
as
friendless
a
man
as
I
was
myself
Presently
however
I
found
that
he
had
many
acquaintances
and
those
in
the
most
different
classes
of
society
There
was
one
little
sallow
rat
faced
dark
eyed
fellow
who
was
introduced
to
me
as
Mr
Lestrade
and
who
came
three
or
four
times
in
a
single
week
One
morning
a
young
girl
called
fashionably
dressed
and
stayed
for
half
an
hour
or
more
The
same
afternoon
brought
a
grey
headed
seedy
visitor
looking
like
a
Jew
pedlar
who
appeared
to
me
to
be
much
excited
and
who
was
closely
followed
by
a
slip
shod
elderly
woman
On
another
occasion
an
old
white
haired
gentleman
had
an
interview
with
my
companion
and
on
another
a
railway
porter
in
his
velveteen
uniform
When
any
of
these
nondescript
individuals
put
in
an
appearance
Sherlock
Holmes
used
to
beg
for
the
use
of
the
sitting
room
and
I
would
retire
to
my
bed
room
He
always
apologized
to
me
for
putting
me
to
this
inconvenience
I
have
to
use
this
room
as
a
place
of
business
he
said
and
these
people
are
my
clients
Again
I
had
an
opportunity
of
asking
him
a
point
blank
question
and
again
my
delicacy
prevented
me
from
forcing
another
man
to
confide
in
me
I
imagined
at
the
time
that
he
had
some
strong
reason
for
not
alluding
to
it
but
he
soon
dispelled
the
idea
by
coming
round
to
the
subject
of
his
own
accord
It
was
upon
the
th
of
March
as
I
have
good
reason
to
remember
that
I
rose
somewhat
earlier
than
usual
and
found
that
Sherlock
Holmes
had
not
yet
finished
his
breakfast
The
landlady
had
become
so
accustomed
to
my
late
habits
that
my
place
had
not
been
laid
nor
my
coffee
prepared
With
the
unreasonable
petulance
of
mankind
I
rang
the
bell
and
gave
a
curt
intimation
that
I
was
ready
Then
I
picked
up
a
magazine
from
the
table
and
attempted
to
while
away
the
time
with
it
while
my
companion
munched
silently
at
his
toast
One
of
the
articles
had
a
pencil
mark
at
the
heading
and
I
naturally
began
to
run
my
eye
through
it
Its
somewhat
ambitious
title
was
The
Book
of
Life
and
it
attempted
to
show
how
much
an
observant
man
might
learn
by
an
accurate
and
systematic
examination
of
all
that
came
in
his
way
It
struck
me
as
being
a
remarkable
mixture
of
shrewdness
and
of
absurdity
The
reasoning
was
close
and
intense
but
the
deductions
appeared
to
me
to
be
far
fetched
and
exaggerated
The
writer
claimed
by
a
momentary
expression
a
twitch
of
a
muscle
or
a
glance
of
an
eye
to
fathom
a
man's
inmost
thoughts
Deceit
according
to
him
was
an
impossibility
in
the
case
of
one
trained
to
observation
and
analysis
His
conclusions
were
as
infallible
as
so
many
propositions
of
Euclid
So
startling
would
his
results
appear
to
the
uninitiated
that
until
they
learned
the
processes
by
which
he
had
arrived
at
them
they
might
well
consider
him
as
a
necromancer
From
a
drop
of
water
said
the
writer
a
logician
could
infer
the
possibility
of
an
Atlantic
or
a
Niagara
without
having
seen
or
heard
of
one
or
the
other
So
all
life
is
a
great
chain
the
nature
of
which
is
known
whenever
we
are
shown
a
single
link
of
it
Like
all
other
arts
the
Science
of
Deduction
and
Analysis
is
one
which
can
only
be
acquired
by
long
and
patient
study
nor
is
life
long
enough
to
allow
any
mortal
to
attain
the
highest
possible
perfection
in
it
Before
turning
to
those
moral
and
mental
aspects
of
the
matter
which
present
the
greatest
difficulties
let
the
enquirer
begin
by
mastering
more
elementary
problems
Let
him
on
meeting
a
fellow
mortal
learn
at
a
glance
to
distinguish
the
history
of
the
man
and
the
trade
or
profession
to
which
he
belongs
Puerile
as
such
an
exercise
may
seem
it
sharpens
the
faculties
of
observation
and
teaches
one
where
to
look
and
what
to
look
for
By
a
man's
finger
nails
by
his
coat
sleeve
by
his
boot
by
his
trouser
knees
by
the
callosities
of
his
forefinger
and
thumb
by
his
expression
by
his
shirt
cuffs
by
each
of
these
things
a
man's
calling
is
plainly
revealed
That
all
united
should
fail
to
enlighten
the
competent
enquirer
in
any
case
is
almost
inconceivable
What
ineffable
twaddle
I
cried
slapping
the
magazine
down
on
the
table
I
never
read
such
rubbish
in
my
life
What
is
it
asked
Sherlock
Holmes
Why
this
article
I
said
pointing
at
it
with
my
egg
spoon
as
I
sat
down
to
my
breakfast
I
see
that
you
have
read
it
since
you
have
marked
it
I
don't
deny
that
it
is
smartly
written
It
irritates
me
though
It
is
evidently
the
theory
of
some
arm
chair
lounger
who
evolves
all
these
neat
little
paradoxes
in
the
seclusion
of
his
own
study
It
is
not
practical
I
should
like
to
see
him
clapped
down
in
a
third
class
carriage
on
the
Underground
and
asked
to
give
the
trades
of
all
his
fellow
travellers
I
would
lay
a
thousand
to
one
against
him
You
would
lose
your
money
Sherlock
Holmes
remarked
calmly
As
for
the
article
I
wrote
it
myself
You
Yes
I
have
a
turn
both
for
observation
and
for
deduction
The
theories
which
I
have
expressed
there
and
which
appear
to
you
to
be
so
chimerical
are
really
extremely
practical
so
practical
that
I
depend
upon
them
for
my
bread
and
cheese
And
how
I
asked
involuntarily
Well
I
have
a
trade
of
my
own
I
suppose
I
am
the
only
one
in
the
world
I'm
a
consulting
detective
if
you
can
understand
what
that
is
Here
in
London
we
have
lots
of
Government
detectives
and
lots
of
private
ones
When
these
fellows
are
at
fault
they
come
to
me
and
I
manage
to
put
them
on
the
right
scent
They
lay
all
the
evidence
before
me
and
I
am
generally
able
by
the
help
of
my
knowledge
of
the
history
of
crime
to
set
them
straight
There
is
a
strong
family
resemblance
about
misdeeds
and
if
you
have
all
the
details
of
a
thousand
at
your
finger
ends
it
is
odd
if
you
can't
unravel
the
thousand
and
first
Lestrade
is
a
well
known
detective
He
got
himself
into
a
fog
recently
over
a
forgery
case
and
that
was
what
brought
him
here
And
these
other
people
They
are
mostly
sent
on
by
private
inquiry
agencies
They
are
all
people
who
are
in
trouble
about
something
and
want
a
little
enlightening
I
listen
to
their
story
they
listen
to
my
comments
and
then
I
pocket
my
fee
But
do
you
mean
to
say
I
said
that
without
leaving
your
room
you
can
unravel
some
knot
which
other
men
can
make
nothing
of
although
they
have
seen
every
detail
for
themselves
Quite
so
I
have
a
kind
of
intuition
that
way
Now
and
again
a
case
turns
up
which
is
a
little
more
complex
Then
I
have
to
bustle
about
and
see
things
with
my
own
eyes
You
see
I
have
a
lot
of
special
knowledge
which
I
apply
to
the
problem
and
which
facilitates
matters
wonderfully
Those
rules
of
deduction
laid
down
in
that
article
which
aroused
your
scorn
are
invaluable
to
me
in
practical
work
Observation
with
me
is
second
nature
You
appeared
to
be
surprised
when
I
told
you
on
our
first
meeting
that
you
had
come
from
Afghanistan
You
were
told
no
doubt
Nothing
of
the
sort
I
knew
you
came
from
Afghanistan
From
long
habit
the
train
of
thoughts
ran
so
swiftly
through
my
mind
that
I
arrived
at
the
conclusion
without
being
conscious
of
intermediate
steps
There
were
such
steps
however
The
train
of
reasoning
ran
Here
is
a
gentleman
of
a
medical
type
but
with
the
air
of
a
military
man
Clearly
an
army
doctor
then
He
has
just
come
from
the
tropics
for
his
face
is
dark
and
that
is
not
the
natural
tint
of
his
skin
for
his
wrists
are
fair
He
has
undergone
hardship
and
sickness
as
his
haggard
face
says
clearly
His
left
arm
has
been
injured
He
holds
it
in
a
stiff
and
unnatural
manner
Where
in
the
tropics
could
an
English
army
doctor
have
seen
much
hardship
and
got
his
arm
wounded
Clearly
in
Afghanistan
The
whole
train
of
thought
did
not
occupy
a
second
I
then
remarked
that
you
came
from
Afghanistan
and
you
were
astonished
It
is
simple
enough
as
you
explain
it
I
said
smiling
You
remind
me
of
Edgar
Allen
Poe's
Dupin
I
had
no
idea
that
such
individuals
did
exist
outside
of
stories
Sherlock
Holmes
rose
and
lit
his
pipe
No
doubt
you
think
that
you
are
complimenting
me
in
comparing
me
to
Dupin
he
observed
Now
in
my
opinion
Dupin
was
a
very
inferior
fellow
That
trick
of
his
of
breaking
in
on
his
friends'
thoughts
with
an
apropos
remark
after
a
quarter
of
an
hour's
silence
is
really
very
showy
and
superficial
He
had
some
analytical
genius
no
doubt
but
he
was
by
no
means
such
a
phenomenon
as
Poe
appeared
to
imagine
Have
you
read
Gaboriau's
works
I
asked
Does
Lecoq
come
up
to
your
idea
of
a
detective
Sherlock
Holmes
sniffed
sardonically
Lecoq
was
a
miserable
bungler
he
said
in
an
angry
voice
he
had
only
one
thing
to
recommend
him
and
that
was
his
energy
That
book
made
me
positively
ill
The
question
was
how
to
identify
an
unknown
prisoner
I
could
have
done
it
in
twenty
four
hours
Lecoq
took
six
months
or
so
It
might
be
made
a
text
book
for
detectives
to
teach
them
what
to
avoid
I
felt
rather
indignant
at
having
two
characters
whom
I
had
admired
treated
in
this
cavalier
style
I
walked
over
to
the
window
and
stood
looking
out
into
the
busy
street
This
fellow
may
be
very
clever
I
said
to
myself
but
he
is
certainly
very
conceited
There
are
no
crimes
and
no
criminals
in
these
days
he
said
querulously
What
is
the
use
of
having
brains
in
our
profession
I
know
well
that
I
have
it
in
me
to
make
my
name
famous
No
man
lives
or
has
ever
lived
who
has
brought
the
same
amount
of
study
and
of
natural
talent
to
the
detection
of
crime
which
I
have
done
And
what
is
the
result
There
is
no
crime
to
detect
or
at
most
some
bungling
villainy
with
a
motive
so
transparent
that
even
a
Scotland
Yard
official
can
see
through
it
I
was
still
annoyed
at
his
bumptious
style
of
conversation
I
thought
it
best
to
change
the
topic
I
wonder
what
that
fellow
is
looking
for
I
asked
pointing
to
a
stalwart
plainly
dressed
individual
who
was
walking
slowly
down
the
other
side
of
the
street
looking
anxiously
at
the
numbers
He
had
a
large
blue
envelope
in
his
hand
and
was
evidently
the
bearer
of
a
message
You
mean
the
retired
sergeant
of
Marines
said
Sherlock
Holmes
Brag
and
bounce
thought
I
to
myself
He
knows
that
I
cannot
verify
his
guess
The
thought
had
hardly
passed
through
my
mind
when
the
man
whom
we
were
watching
caught
sight
of
the
number
on
our
door
and
ran
rapidly
across
the
roadway
We
heard
a
loud
knock
a
deep
voice
below
and
heavy
steps
ascending
the
stair
For
Mr
Sherlock
Holmes
he
said
stepping
into
the
room
and
handing
my
friend
the
letter
Here
was
an
opportunity
of
taking
the
conceit
out
of
him
He
little
thought
of
this
when
he
made
that
random
shot
May
I
ask
my
lad
I
said
in
the
blandest
voice
what
your
trade
may
be
Commissionaire
sir
he
said
gruffly
Uniform
away
for
repairs
And
you
were
I
asked
with
a
slightly
malicious
glance
at
my
companion
A
sergeant
sir
Royal
Marine
Light
Infantry
sir
No
answer
Right
sir
He
clicked
his
heels
together
raised
his
hand
in
a
salute
and
was
gone
CHAPTER
III
THE
LAURISTON
GARDEN
MYSTERY
I
CONFESS
that
I
was
considerably
startled
by
this
fresh
proof
of
the
practical
nature
of
my
companion's
theories
My
respect
for
his
powers
of
analysis
increased
wondrously
There
still
remained
some
lurking
suspicion
in
my
mind
however
that
the
whole
thing
was
a
pre
arranged
episode
intended
to
dazzle
me
though
what
earthly
object
he
could
have
in
taking
me
in
was
past
my
comprehension
When
I
looked
at
him
he
had
finished
reading
the
note
and
his
eyes
had
assumed
the
vacant
lack
lustre
expression
which
showed
mental
abstraction
How
in
the
world
did
you
deduce
that
I
asked
Deduce
what
said
he
petulantly
Why
that
he
was
a
retired
sergeant
of
Marines
I
have
no
time
for
trifles
he
answered
brusquely
then
with
a
smile
Excuse
my
rudeness
You
broke
the
thread
of
my
thoughts
but
perhaps
it
is
as
well
So
you
actually
were
not
able
to
see
that
that
man
was
a
sergeant
of
Marines
No
indeed
It
was
easier
to
know
it
than
to
explain
why
I
knew
it
If
you
were
asked
to
prove
that
two
and
two
made
four
you
might
find
some
difficulty
and
yet
you
are
quite
sure
of
the
fact
Even
across
the
street
I
could
see
a
great
blue
anchor
tattooed
on
the
back
of
the
fellow's
hand
That
smacked
of
the
sea
He
had
a
military
carriage
however
and
regulation
side
whiskers
There
we
have
the
marine
He
was
a
man
with
some
amount
of
self
importance
and
a
certain
air
of
command
You
must
have
observed
the
way
in
which
he
held
his
head
and
swung
his
cane
A
steady
respectable
middle
aged
man
too
on
the
face
of
him
all
facts
which
led
me
to
believe
that
he
had
been
a
sergeant
Wonderful
I
ejaculated
Commonplace
said
Holmes
though
I
thought
from
his
expression
that
he
was
pleased
at
my
evident
surprise
and
admiration
I
said
just
now
that
there
were
no
criminals
It
appears
that
I
am
wrong
look
at
this
He
threw
me
over
the
note
which
the
commissionaire
had
brought
Why
I
cried
as
I
cast
my
eye
over
it
this
is
terrible
It
does
seem
to
be
a
little
out
of
the
common
he
remarked
calmly
Would
you
mind
reading
it
to
me
aloud
This
is
the
letter
which
I
read
to
him
MY
DEAR
MR
SHERLOCK
HOLMES
There
has
been
a
bad
business
during
the
night
at
Lauriston
Gardens
off
the
Brixton
Road
Our
man
on
the
beat
saw
a
light
there
about
two
in
the
morning
and
as
the
house
was
an
empty
one
suspected
that
something
was
amiss
He
found
the
door
open
and
in
the
front
room
which
is
bare
of
furniture
discovered
the
body
of
a
gentleman
well
dressed
and
having
cards
in
his
pocket
bearing
the
name
of
Enoch
J
Drebber
Cleveland
Ohio
U
S
A
There
had
been
no
robbery
nor
is
there
any
evidence
as
to
how
the
man
met
his
death
There
are
marks
of
blood
in
the
room
but
there
is
no
wound
upon
his
person
We
are
at
a
loss
as
to
how
he
came
into
the
empty
house
indeed
the
whole
affair
is
a
puzzler
If
you
can
come
round
to
the
house
any
time
before
twelve
you
will
find
me
there
I
have
left
everything
in
statu
quo
until
I
hear
from
you
If
you
are
unable
to
come
I
shall
give
you
fuller
details
and
would
esteem
it
a
great
kindness
if
you
would
favour
me
with
your
opinion
Yours
faithfully
TOBIAS
GREGSON
Gregson
is
the
smartest
of
the
Scotland
Yarders
my
friend
remarked
he
and
Lestrade
are
the
pick
of
a
bad
lot
They
are
both
quick
and
energetic
but
conventional
shockingly
so
They
have
their
knives
into
one
another
too
They
are
as
jealous
as
a
pair
of
professional
beauties
There
will
be
some
fun
over
this
case
if
they
are
both
put
upon
the
scent
I
was
amazed
at
the
calm
way
in
which
he
rippled
on
Surely
there
is
not
a
moment
to
be
lost
I
cried
shall
I
go
and
order
you
a
cab
I'm
not
sure
about
whether
I
shall
go
I
am
the
most
incurably
lazy
devil
that
ever
stood
in
shoe
leather
that
is
when
the
fit
is
on
me
for
I
can
be
spry
enough
at
times
Why
it
is
just
such
a
chance
as
you
have
been
longing
for
My
dear
fellow
what
does
it
matter
to
me
Supposing
I
unravel
the
whole
matter
you
may
be
sure
that
Gregson
Lestrade
and
Co
will
pocket
all
the
credit
That
comes
of
being
an
unofficial
personage
But
he
begs
you
to
help
him
Yes
He
knows
that
I
am
his
superior
and
acknowledges
it
to
me
but
he
would
cut
his
tongue
out
before
he
would
own
it
to
any
third
person
However
we
may
as
well
go
and
have
a
look
I
shall
work
it
out
on
my
own
hook
I
may
have
a
laugh
at
them
if
I
have
nothing
else
Come
on
He
hustled
on
his
overcoat
and
bustled
about
in
a
way
that
showed
that
an
energetic
fit
had
superseded
the
apathetic
one
Get
your
hat
he
said
You
wish
me
to
come
Yes
if
you
have
nothing
better
to
do
A
minute
later
we
were
both
in
a
hansom
driving
furiously
for
the
Brixton
Road
It
was
a
foggy
cloudy
morning
and
a
dun
coloured
veil
hung
over
the
house
tops
looking
like
the
reflection
of
the
mud
coloured
streets
beneath
My
companion
was
in
the
best
of
spirits
and
prattled
away
about
Cremona
fiddles
and
the
difference
between
a
Stradivarius
and
an
Amati
As
for
myself
I
was
silent
for
the
dull
weather
and
the
melancholy
business
upon
which
we
were
engaged
depressed
my
spirits
You
don't
seem
to
give
much
thought
to
the
matter
in
hand
I
said
at
last
interrupting
Holmes'
musical
disquisition
No
data
yet
he
answered
It
is
a
capital
mistake
to
theorize
before
you
have
all
the
evidence
It
biases
the
judgment
You
will
have
your
data
soon
I
remarked
pointing
with
my
finger
this
is
the
Brixton
Road
and
that
is
the
house
if
I
am
not
very
much
mistaken
So
it
is
Stop
driver
stop
We
were
still
a
hundred
yards
or
so
from
it
but
he
insisted
upon
our
alighting
and
we
finished
our
journey
upon
foot
Number
Lauriston
Gardens
wore
an
ill
omened
and
minatory
look
It
was
one
of
four
which
stood
back
some
little
way
from
the
street
two
being
occupied
and
two
empty
The
latter
looked
out
with
three
tiers
of
vacant
melancholy
windows
which
were
blank
and
dreary
save
that
here
and
there
a
To
Let
card
had
developed
like
a
cataract
upon
the
bleared
panes
A
small
garden
sprinkled
over
with
a
scattered
eruption
of
sickly
plants
separated
each
of
these
houses
from
the
street
and
was
traversed
by
a
narrow
pathway
yellowish
in
colour
and
consisting
apparently
of
a
mixture
of
clay
and
of
gravel
The
whole
place
was
very
sloppy
from
the
rain
which
had
fallen
through
the
night
The
garden
was
bounded
by
a
three
foot
brick
wall
with
a
fringe
of
wood
rails
upon
the
top
and
against
this
wall
was
leaning
a
stalwart
police
constable
surrounded
by
a
small
knot
of
loafers
who
craned
their
necks
and
strained
their
eyes
in
the
vain
hope
of
catching
some
glimpse
of
the
proceedings
within
I
had
imagined
that
Sherlock
Holmes
would
at
once
have
hurried
into
the
house
and
plunged
into
a
study
of
the
mystery
Nothing
appeared
to
be
further
from
his
intention
With
an
air
of
nonchalance
which
under
the
circumstances
seemed
to
me
to
border
upon
affectation
he
lounged
up
and
down
the
pavement
and
gazed
vacantly
at
the
ground
the
sky
the
opposite
houses
and
the
line
of
railings
Having
finished
his
scrutiny
he
proceeded
slowly
down
the
path
or
rather
down
the
fringe
of
grass
which
flanked
the
path
keeping
his
eyes
riveted
upon
the
ground
Twice
he
stopped
and
once
I
saw
him
smile
and
heard
him
utter
an
exclamation
of
satisfaction
There
were
many
marks
of
footsteps
upon
the
wet
clayey
soil
but
since
the
police
had
been
coming
and
going
over
it
I
was
unable
to
see
how
my
companion
could
hope
to
learn
anything
from
it
Still
I
had
had
such
extraordinary
evidence
of
the
quickness
of
his
perceptive
faculties
that
I
had
no
doubt
that
he
could
see
a
great
deal
which
was
hidden
from
me
At
the
door
of
the
house
we
were
met
by
a
tall
white
faced
flaxen
haired
man
with
a
notebook
in
his
hand
who
rushed
forward
and
wrung
my
companion's
hand
with
effusion
It
is
indeed
kind
of
you
to
come
he
said
I
have
had
everything
left
untouched
Except
that
my
friend
answered
pointing
at
the
pathway
If
a
herd
of
buffaloes
had
passed
along
there
could
not
be
a
greater
mess
No
doubt
however
you
had
drawn
your
own
conclusions
Gregson
before
you
permitted
this
I
have
had
so
much
to
do
inside
the
house
the
detective
said
evasively
My
colleague
Mr
Lestrade
is
here
I
had
relied
upon
him
to
look
after
this
Holmes
glanced
at
me
and
raised
his
eyebrows
sardonically
With
two
such
men
as
yourself
and
Lestrade
upon
the
ground
there
will
not
be
much
for
a
third
party
to
find
out
he
said
Gregson
rubbed
his
hands
in
a
self
satisfied
way
I
think
we
have
done
all
that
can
be
done
he
answered
it's
a
queer
case
though
and
I
knew
your
taste
for
such
things
You
did
not
come
here
in
a
cab
asked
Sherlock
Holmes
No
sir
Nor
Lestrade
No
sir
Then
let
us
go
and
look
at
the
room
With
which
inconsequent
remark
he
strode
on
into
the
house
followed
by
Gregson
whose
features
expressed
his
astonishment
A
short
passage
bare
planked
and
dusty
led
to
the
kitchen
and
offices
Two
doors
opened
out
of
it
to
the
left
and
to
the
right
One
of
these
had
obviously
been
closed
for
many
weeks
The
other
belonged
to
the
dining
room
which
was
the
apartment
in
which
the
mysterious
affair
had
occurred
Holmes
walked
in
and
I
followed
him
with
that
subdued
feeling
at
my
heart
which
the
presence
of
death
inspires
It
was
a
large
square
room
looking
all
the
larger
from
the
absence
of
all
furniture
A
vulgar
flaring
paper
adorned
the
walls
but
it
was
blotched
in
places
with
mildew
and
here
and
there
great
strips
had
become
detached
and
hung
down
exposing
the
yellow
plaster
beneath
Opposite
the
door
was
a
showy
fireplace
surmounted
by
a
mantelpiece
of
imitation
white
marble
On
one
corner
of
this
was
stuck
the
stump
of
a
red
wax
candle
The
solitary
window
was
so
dirty
that
the
light
was
hazy
and
uncertain
giving
a
dull
grey
tinge
to
everything
which
was
intensified
by
the
thick
layer
of
dust
which
coated
the
whole
apartment
All
these
details
I
observed
afterwards
At
present
my
attention
was
centred
upon
the
single
grim
motionless
figure
which
lay
stretched
upon
the
boards
with
vacant
sightless
eyes
staring
up
at
the
discoloured
ceiling
It
was
that
of
a
man
about
forty
three
or
forty
four
years
of
age
middle
sized
broad
shouldered
with
crisp
curling
black
hair
and
a
short
stubbly
beard
He
was
dressed
in
a
heavy
broadcloth
frock
coat
and
waistcoat
with
light
coloured
trousers
and
immaculate
collar
and
cuffs
A
top
hat
well
brushed
and
trim
was
placed
upon
the
floor
beside
him
His
hands
were
clenched
and
his
arms
thrown
abroad
while
his
lower
limbs
were
interlocked
as
though
his
death
struggle
had
been
a
grievous
one
On
his
rigid
face
there
stood
an
expression
of
horror
and
as
it
seemed
to
me
of
hatred
such
as
I
have
never
seen
upon
human
features
This
malignant
and
terrible
contortion
combined
with
the
low
forehead
blunt
nose
and
prognathous
jaw
gave
the
dead
man
a
singularly
simious
and
ape
like
appearance
which
was
increased
by
his
writhing
unnatural
posture
I
have
seen
death
in
many
forms
but
never
has
it
appeared
to
me
in
a
more
fearsome
aspect
than
in
that
dark
grimy
apartment
which
looked
out
upon
one
of
the
main
arteries
of
suburban
London
Lestrade
lean
and
ferret
like
as
ever
was
standing
by
the
doorway
and
greeted
my
companion
and
myself
This
case
will
make
a
stir
sir
he
remarked
It
beats
anything
I
have
seen
and
I
am
no
chicken
There
is
no
clue
said
Gregson
None
at
all
chimed
in
Lestrade
Sherlock
Holmes
approached
the
body
and
kneeling
down
examined
it
intently
You
are
sure
that
there
is
no
wound
he
asked
pointing
to
numerous
gouts
and
splashes
of
blood
which
lay
all
round
Positive
cried
both
detectives
Then
of
course
this
blood
belongs
to
a
second
individual
presumably
the
murderer
if
murder
has
been
committed
It
reminds
me
of
the
circumstances
attendant
on
the
death
of
Van
Jansen
in
Utrecht
in
the
year
Do
you
remember
the
case
Gregson
No
sir
Read
it
up
you
really
should
There
is
nothing
new
under
the
sun
It
has
all
been
done
before
As
he
spoke
his
nimble
fingers
were
flying
here
there
and
everywhere
feeling
pressing
unbuttoning
examining
while
his
eyes
wore
the
same
far
away
expression
which
I
have
already
remarked
upon
So
swiftly
was
the
examination
made
that
one
would
hardly
have
guessed
the
minuteness
with
which
it
was
conducted
Finally
he
sniffed
the
dead
man's
lips
and
then
glanced
at
the
soles
of
his
patent
leather
boots
He
has
not
been
moved
at
all
he
asked
No
more
than
was
necessary
for
the
purposes
of
our
examination
You
can
take
him
to
the
mortuary
now
he
said
There
is
nothing
more
to
be
learned
Gregson
had
a
stretcher
and
four
men
at
hand
At
his
call
they
entered
the
room
and
the
stranger
was
lifted
and
carried
out
As
they
raised
him
a
ring
tinkled
down
and
rolled
across
the
floor
Lestrade
grabbed
it
up
and
stared
at
it
with
mystified
eyes
There's
been
a
woman
here
he
cried
It's
a
woman's
wedding
ring
He
held
it
out
as
he
spoke
upon
the
palm
of
his
hand
We
all
gathered
round
him
and
gazed
at
it
There
could
be
no
doubt
that
that
circlet
of
plain
gold
had
once
adorned
the
finger
of
a
bride
This
complicates
matters
said
Gregson
Heaven
knows
they
were
complicated
enough
before
You're
sure
it
doesn't
simplify
them
observed
Holmes
There's
nothing
to
be
learned
by
staring
at
it
What
did
you
find
in
his
pockets
We
have
it
all
here
said
Gregson
pointing
to
a
litter
of
objects
upon
one
of
the
bottom
steps
of
the
stairs
A
gold
watch
No
by
Barraud
of
London
Gold
Albert
chain
very
heavy
and
solid
Gold
ring
with
masonic
device
Gold
pin
bull
dog's
head
with
rubies
as
eyes
Russian
leather
card
case
with
cards
of
Enoch
J
Drebber
of
Cleveland
corresponding
with
the
E
J
D
upon
the
linen
No
purse
but
loose
money
to
the
extent
of
seven
pounds
thirteen
Pocket
edition
of
Boccaccio's
Decameron
with
name
of
Joseph
Stangerson
upon
the
fly
leaf
Two
letters
one
addressed
to
E
J
Drebber
and
one
to
Joseph
Stangerson
At
what
address
American
Exchange
Strand
to
be
left
till
called
for
They
are
both
from
the
Guion
Steamship
Company
and
refer
to
the
sailing
of
their
boats
from
Liverpool
It
is
clear
that
this
unfortunate
man
was
about
to
return
to
New
York
Have
you
made
any
inquiries
as
to
this
man
Stangerson
I
did
it
at
once
sir
said
Gregson
I
have
had
advertisements
sent
to
all
the
newspapers
and
one
of
my
men
has
gone
to
the
American
Exchange
but
he
has
not
returned
yet
Have
you
sent
to
Cleveland
We
telegraphed
this
morning
How
did
you
word
your
inquiries
We
simply
detailed
the
circumstances
and
said
that
we
should
be
glad
of
any
information
which
could
help
us
You
did
not
ask
for
particulars
on
any
point
which
appeared
to
you
to
be
crucial
I
asked
about
Stangerson
Nothing
else
Is
there
no
circumstance
on
which
this
whole
case
appears
to
hinge
Will
you
not
telegraph
again
I
have
said
all
I
have
to
say
said
Gregson
in
an
offended
voice
Sherlock
Holmes
chuckled
to
himself
and
appeared
to
be
about
to
make
some
remark
when
Lestrade
who
had
been
in
the
front
room
while
we
were
holding
this
conversation
in
the
hall
reappeared
upon
the
scene
rubbing
his
hands
in
a
pompous
and
self
satisfied
manner
Mr
Gregson
he
said
I
have
just
made
a
discovery
of
the
highest
importance
and
one
which
would
have
been
overlooked
had
I
not
made
a
careful
examination
of
the
walls
The
little
man's
eyes
sparkled
as
he
spoke
and
he
was
evidently
in
a
state
of
suppressed
exultation
at
having
scored
a
point
against
his
colleague
Come
here
he
said
bustling
back
into
the
room
the
atmosphere
of
which
felt
clearer
since
the
removal
of
its
ghastly
inmate
Now
stand
there
He
struck
a
match
on
his
boot
and
held
it
up
against
the
wall
Look
at
that
he
said
triumphantly
I
have
remarked
that
the
paper
had
fallen
away
in
parts
In
this
particular
corner
of
the
room
a
large
piece
had
peeled
off
leaving
a
yellow
square
of
coarse
plastering
Across
this
bare
space
there
was
scrawled
in
blood
red
letters
a
single
word
RACHE
What
do
you
think
of
that
cried
the
detective
with
the
air
of
a
showman
exhibiting
his
show
This
was
overlooked
because
it
was
in
the
darkest
corner
of
the
room
and
no
one
thought
of
looking
there
The
murderer
has
written
it
with
his
or
her
own
blood
See
this
smear
where
it
has
trickled
down
the
wall
That
disposes
of
the
idea
of
suicide
anyhow
Why
was
that
corner
chosen
to
write
it
on
I
will
tell
you
See
that
candle
on
the
mantelpiece
It
was
lit
at
the
time
and
if
it
was
lit
this
corner
would
be
the
brightest
instead
of
the
darkest
portion
of
the
wall
And
what
does
it
mean
now
that
you
have
found
it
asked
Gregson
in
a
depreciatory
voice
Mean
Why
it
means
that
the
writer
was
going
to
put
the
female
name
Rachel
but
was
disturbed
before
he
or
she
had
time
to
finish
You
mark
my
words
when
this
case
comes
to
be
cleared
up
you
will
find
that
a
woman
named
Rachel
has
something
to
do
with
it
It's
all
very
well
for
you
to
laugh
Mr
Sherlock
Holmes
You
may
be
very
smart
and
clever
but
the
old
hound
is
the
best
when
all
is
said
and
done
I
really
beg
your
pardon
said
my
companion
who
had
ruffled
the
little
man's
temper
by
bursting
into
an
explosion
of
laughter
You
certainly
have
the
credit
of
being
the
first
of
us
to
find
this
out
and
as
you
say
it
bears
every
mark
of
having
been
written
by
the
other
participant
in
last
night's
mystery
I
have
not
had
time
to
examine
this
room
yet
but
with
your
permission
I
shall
do
so
now
As
he
spoke
he
whipped
a
tape
measure
and
a
large
round
magnifying
glass
from
his
pocket
With
these
two
implements
he
trotted
noiselessly
about
the
room
sometimes
stopping
occasionally
kneeling
and
once
lying
flat
upon
his
face
So
engrossed
was
he
with
his
occupation
that
he
appeared
to
have
forgotten
our
presence
for
he
chattered
away
to
himself
under
his
breath
the
whole
time
keeping
up
a
running
fire
of
exclamations
groans
whistles
and
little
cries
suggestive
of
encouragement
and
of
hope
As
I
watched
him
I
was
irresistibly
reminded
of
a
pure
blooded
well
trained
foxhound
as
it
dashes
backwards
and
forwards
through
the
covert
whining
in
its
eagerness
until
it
comes
across
the
lost
scent
For
twenty
minutes
or
more
he
continued
his
researches
measuring
with
the
most
exact
care
the
distance
between
marks
which
were
entirely
invisible
to
me
and
occasionally
applying
his
tape
to
the
walls
in
an
equally
incomprehensible
manner
In
one
place
he
gathered
up
very
carefully
a
little
pile
of
grey
dust
from
the
floor
and
packed
it
away
in
an
envelope
Finally
he
examined
with
his
glass
the
word
upon
the
wall
going
over
every
letter
of
it
with
the
most
minute
exactness
This
done
he
appeared
to
be
satisfied
for
he
replaced
his
tape
and
his
glass
in
his
pocket
They
say
that
genius
is
an
infinite
capacity
for
taking
pains
he
remarked
with
a
smile
It's
a
very
bad
definition
but
it
does
apply
to
detective
work
Gregson
and
Lestrade
had
watched
the
manoeuvres
of
their
amateur
companion
with
considerable
curiosity
and
some
contempt
They
evidently
failed
to
appreciate
the
fact
which
I
had
begun
to
realize
that
Sherlock
Holmes'
smallest
actions
were
all
directed
towards
some
definite
and
practical
end
What
do
you
think
of
it
sir
they
both
asked
It
would
be
robbing
you
of
the
credit
of
the
case
if
I
was
to
presume
to
help
you
remarked
my
friend
You
are
doing
so
well
now
that
it
would
be
a
pity
for
anyone
to
interfere
There
was
a
world
of
sarcasm
in
his
voice
as
he
spoke
If
you
will
let
me
know
how
your
investigations
go
he
continued
I
shall
be
happy
to
give
you
any
help
I
can
In
the
meantime
I
should
like
to
speak
to
the
constable
who
found
the
body
Can
you
give
me
his
name
and
address
Lestrade
glanced
at
his
note
book
John
Rance
he
said
He
is
off
duty
now
You
will
find
him
at
Audley
Court
Kennington
Park
Gate
Holmes
took
a
note
of
the
address
Come
along
Doctor
he
said
we
shall
go
and
look
him
up
I'll
tell
you
one
thing
which
may
help
you
in
the
case
he
continued
turning
to
the
two
detectives
There
has
been
murder
done
and
the
murderer
was
a
man
He
was
more
than
six
feet
high
was
in
the
prime
of
life
had
small
feet
for
his
height
wore
coarse
square
toed
boots
and
smoked
a
Trichinopoly
cigar
He
came
here
with
his
victim
in
a
four
wheeled
cab
which
was
drawn
by
a
horse
with
three
old
shoes
and
one
new
one
on
his
off
fore
leg
In
all
probability
the
murderer
had
a
florid
face
and
the
finger
nails
of
his
right
hand
were
remarkably
long
These
are
only
a
few
indications
but
they
may
assist
you
Lestrade
and
Gregson
glanced
at
each
other
with
an
incredulous
smile
If
this
man
was
murdered
how
was
it
done
asked
the
former
Poison
said
Sherlock
Holmes
curtly
and
strode
off
One
other
thing
Lestrade
he
added
turning
round
at
the
door
Rache
is
the
German
for
revenge
so
don't
lose
your
time
looking
for
Miss
Rachel
With
which
Parthian
shot
he
walked
away
leaving
the
two
rivals
open
mouthed
behind
him
CHAPTER
IV
WHAT
JOHN
RANCE
HAD
TO
TELL
IT
was
one
o'clock
when
we
left
No
Lauriston
Gardens
Sherlock
Holmes
led
me
to
the
nearest
telegraph
office
whence
he
dispatched
a
long
telegram
He
then
hailed
a
cab
and
ordered
the
driver
to
take
us
to
the
address
given
us
by
Lestrade
There
is
nothing
like
first
hand
evidence
he
remarked
as
a
matter
of
fact
my
mind
is
entirely
made
up
upon
the
case
but
still
we
may
as
well
learn
all
that
is
to
be
learned
You
amaze
me
Holmes
said
I
Surely
you
are
not
as
sure
as
you
pretend
to
be
of
all
those
particulars
which
you
gave
There's
no
room
for
a
mistake
he
answered
The
very
first
thing
which
I
observed
on
arriving
there
was
that
a
cab
had
made
two
ruts
with
its
wheels
close
to
the
curb
Now
up
to
last
night
we
have
had
no
rain
for
a
week
so
that
those
wheels
which
left
such
a
deep
impression
must
have
been
there
during
the
night
There
were
the
marks
of
the
horse's
hoofs
too
the
outline
of
one
of
which
was
far
more
clearly
cut
than
that
of
the
other
three
showing
that
that
was
a
new
shoe
Since
the
cab
was
there
after
the
rain
began
and
was
not
there
at
any
time
during
the
morning
I
have
Gregson's
word
for
that
it
follows
that
it
must
have
been
there
during
the
night
and
therefore
that
it
brought
those
two
individuals
to
the
house
That
seems
simple
enough
said
I
but
how
about
the
other
man's
height
Why
the
height
of
a
man
in
nine
cases
out
of
ten
can
be
told
from
the
length
of
his
stride
It
is
a
simple
calculation
enough
though
there
is
no
use
my
boring
you
with
figures
I
had
this
fellow's
stride
both
on
the
clay
outside
and
on
the
dust
within
Then
I
had
a
way
of
checking
my
calculation
When
a
man
writes
on
a
wall
his
instinct
leads
him
to
write
about
the
level
of
his
own
eyes
Now
that
writing
was
just
over
six
feet
from
the
ground
It
was
child's
play
And
his
age
I
asked
Well
if
a
man
can
stride
four
and
a
half
feet
without
the
smallest
effort
he
can't
be
quite
in
the
sere
and
yellow
That
was
the
breadth
of
a
puddle
on
the
garden
walk
which
he
had
evidently
walked
across
Patent
leather
boots
had
gone
round
and
Square
toes
had
hopped
over
There
is
no
mystery
about
it
at
all
I
am
simply
applying
to
ordinary
life
a
few
of
those
precepts
of
observation
and
deduction
which
I
advocated
in
that
article
Is
there
anything
else
that
puzzles
you
The
finger
nails
and
the
Trichinopoly
I
suggested
The
writing
on
the
wall
was
done
with
a
man's
forefinger
dipped
in
blood
My
glass
allowed
me
to
observe
that
the
plaster
was
slightly
scratched
in
doing
it
which
would
not
have
been
the
case
if
the
man's
nail
had
been
trimmed
I
gathered
up
some
scattered
ash
from
the
floor
It
was
dark
in
colour
and
flakey
such
an
ash
as
is
only
made
by
a
Trichinopoly
I
have
made
a
special
study
of
cigar
ashes
in
fact
I
have
written
a
monograph
upon
the
subject
I
flatter
myself
that
I
can
distinguish
at
a
glance
the
ash
of
any
known
brand
either
of
cigar
or
of
tobacco
It
is
just
in
such
details
that
the
skilled
detective
differs
from
the
Gregson
and
Lestrade
type
And
the
florid
face
I
asked
Ah
that
was
a
more
daring
shot
though
I
have
no
doubt
that
I
was
right
You
must
not
ask
me
that
at
the
present
state
of
the
affair
I
passed
my
hand
over
my
brow
My
head
is
in
a
whirl
I
remarked
the
more
one
thinks
of
it
the
more
mysterious
it
grows
How
came
these
two
men
if
there
were
two
men
into
an
empty
house
What
has
become
of
the
cabman
who
drove
them
How
could
one
man
compel
another
to
take
poison
Where
did
the
blood
come
from
What
was
the
object
of
the
murderer
since
robbery
had
no
part
in
it
How
came
the
woman's
ring
there
Above
all
why
should
the
second
man
write
up
the
German
word
RACHE
before
decamping
I
confess
that
I
cannot
see
any
possible
way
of
reconciling
all
these
facts
My
companion
smiled
approvingly
You
sum
up
the
difficulties
of
the
situation
succinctly
and
well
he
said
There
is
much
that
is
still
obscure
though
I
have
quite
made
up
my
mind
on
the
main
facts
As
to
poor
Lestrade's
discovery
it
was
simply
a
blind
intended
to
put
the
police
upon
a
wrong
track
by
suggesting
Socialism
and
secret
societies
It
was
not
done
by
a
German
The
A
if
you
noticed
was
printed
somewhat
after
the
German
fashion
Now
a
real
German
invariably
prints
in
the
Latin
character
so
that
we
may
safely
say
that
this
was
not
written
by
one
but
by
a
clumsy
imitator
who
overdid
his
part
It
was
simply
a
ruse
to
divert
inquiry
into
a
wrong
channel
I'm
not
going
to
tell
you
much
more
of
the
case
Doctor
You
know
a
conjuror
gets
no
credit
when
once
he
has
explained
his
trick
and
if
I
show
you
too
much
of
my
method
of
working
you
will
come
to
the
conclusion
that
I
am
a
very
ordinary
individual
after
all
I
shall
never
do
that
I
answered
you
have
brought
detection
as
near
an
exact
science
as
it
ever
will
be
brought
in
this
world
My
companion
flushed
up
with
pleasure
at
my
words
and
the
earnest
way
in
which
I
uttered
them
I
had
already
observed
that
he
was
as
sensitive
to
flattery
on
the
score
of
his
art
as
any
girl
could
be
of
her
beauty
I'll
tell
you
one
other
thing
he
said
Patent
leathers
and
Square
toes
came
in
the
same
cab
and
they
walked
down
the
pathway
together
as
friendly
as
possible
arm
in
arm
in
all
probability
When
they
got
inside
they
walked
up
and
down
the
room
or
rather
Patent
leathers
stood
still
while
Square
toes
walked
up
and
down
I
could
read
all
that
in
the
dust
and
I
could
read
that
as
he
walked
he
grew
more
and
more
excited
That
is
shown
by
the
increased
length
of
his
strides
He
was
talking
all
the
while
and
working
himself
up
no
doubt
into
a
fury
Then
the
tragedy
occurred
I've
told
you
all
I
know
myself
now
for
the
rest
is
mere
surmise
and
conjecture
We
have
a
good
working
basis
however
on
which
to
start
We
must
hurry
up
for
I
want
to
go
to
Halle's
concert
to
hear
Norman
Neruda
this
afternoon
This
conversation
had
occurred
while
our
cab
had
been
threading
its
way
through
a
long
succession
of
dingy
streets
and
dreary
by
ways
In
the
dingiest
and
dreariest
of
them
our
driver
suddenly
came
to
a
stand
That's
Audley
Court
in
there
he
said
pointing
to
a
narrow
slit
in
the
line
of
dead
coloured
brick
You'll
find
me
here
when
you
come
back
Audley
Court
was
not
an
attractive
locality
The
narrow
passage
led
us
into
a
quadrangle
paved
with
flags
and
lined
by
sordid
dwellings
We
picked
our
way
among
groups
of
dirty
children
and
through
lines
of
discoloured
linen
until
we
came
to
Number
the
door
of
which
was
decorated
with
a
small
slip
of
brass
on
which
the
name
Rance
was
engraved
On
enquiry
we
found
that
the
constable
was
in
bed
and
we
were
shown
into
a
little
front
parlour
to
await
his
coming
He
appeared
presently
looking
a
little
irritable
at
being
disturbed
in
his
slumbers
I
made
my
report
at
the
office
he
said
Holmes
took
a
half
sovereign
from
his
pocket
and
played
with
it
pensively
We
thought
that
we
should
like
to
hear
it
all
from
your
own
lips
he
said
I
shall
be
most
happy
to
tell
you
anything
I
can
the
constable
answered
with
his
eyes
upon
the
little
golden
disk
Just
let
us
hear
it
all
in
your
own
way
as
it
occurred
Rance
sat
down
on
the
horsehair
sofa
and
knitted
his
brows
as
though
determined
not
to
omit
anything
in
his
narrative
I'll
tell
it
ye
from
the
beginning
he
said
My
time
is
from
ten
at
night
to
six
in
the
morning
At
eleven
there
was
a
fight
at
the
White
Hart
but
bar
that
all
was
quiet
enough
on
the
beat
At
one
o'clock
it
began
to
rain
and
I
met
Harry
Murcher
him
who
has
the
Holland
Grove
beat
and
we
stood
together
at
the
corner
of
Henrietta
Street
a
talkin'
Presently
maybe
about
two
or
a
little
after
I
thought
I
would
take
a
look
round
and
see
that
all
was
right
down
the
Brixton
Road
It
was
precious
dirty
and
lonely
Not
a
soul
did
I
meet
all
the
way
down
though
a
cab
or
two
went
past
me
I
was
a
strollin'
down
thinkin'
between
ourselves
how
uncommon
handy
a
four
of
gin
hot
would
be
when
suddenly
the
glint
of
a
light
caught
my
eye
in
the
window
of
that
same
house
Now
I
knew
that
them
two
houses
in
Lauriston
Gardens
was
empty
on
account
of
him
that
owns
them
who
won't
have
the
drains
seen
to
though
the
very
last
tenant
what
lived
in
one
of
them
died
o'
typhoid
fever
I
was
knocked
all
in
a
heap
therefore
at
seeing
a
light
in
the
window
and
I
suspected
as
something
was
wrong
When
I
got
to
the
door
You
stopped
and
then
walked
back
to
the
garden
gate
my
companion
interrupted
What
did
you
do
that
for
Rance
gave
a
violent
jump
and
stared
at
Sherlock
Holmes
with
the
utmost
amazement
upon
his
features
Why
that's
true
sir
he
said
though
how
you
come
to
know
it
Heaven
only
knows
Ye
see
when
I
got
up
to
the
door
it
was
so
still
and
so
lonesome
that
I
thought
I'd
be
none
the
worse
for
some
one
with
me
I
ain't
afeared
of
anything
on
this
side
o'
the
grave
but
I
thought
that
maybe
it
was
him
that
died
o'
the
typhoid
inspecting
the
drains
what
killed
him
The
thought
gave
me
a
kind
o'
turn
and
I
walked
back
to
the
gate
to
see
if
I
could
see
Murcher's
lantern
but
there
wasn't
no
sign
of
him
nor
of
anyone
else
There
was
no
one
in
the
street
Not
a
livin'
soul
sir
nor
as
much
as
a
dog
Then
I
pulled
myself
together
and
went
back
and
pushed
the
door
open
All
was
quiet
inside
so
I
went
into
the
room
where
the
light
was
a
burnin'
There
was
a
candle
flickerin'
on
the
mantelpiece
a
red
wax
one
and
by
its
light
I
saw
Yes
I
know
all
that
you
saw
You
walked
round
the
room
several
times
and
you
knelt
down
by
the
body
and
then
you
walked
through
and
tried
the
kitchen
door
and
then
John
Rance
sprang
to
his
feet
with
a
frightened
face
and
suspicion
in
his
eyes
Where
was
you
hid
to
see
all
that
he
cried
It
seems
to
me
that
you
knows
a
deal
more
than
you
should
Holmes
laughed
and
threw
his
card
across
the
table
to
the
constable
Don't
get
arresting
me
for
the
murder
he
said
I
am
one
of
the
hounds
and
not
the
wolf
Mr
Gregson
or
Mr
Lestrade
will
answer
for
that
Go
on
though
What
did
you
do
next
Rance
resumed
his
seat
without
however
losing
his
mystified
expression
I
went
back
to
the
gate
and
sounded
my
whistle
That
brought
Murcher
and
two
more
to
the
spot
Was
the
street
empty
then
Well
it
was
as
far
as
anybody
that
could
be
of
any
good
goes
What
do
you
mean
The
constable's
features
broadened
into
a
grin
I've
seen
many
a
drunk
chap
in
my
time
he
said
but
never
anyone
so
cryin'
drunk
as
that
cove
He
was
at
the
gate
when
I
came
out
a
leanin'
up
agin
the
railings
and
a
singin'
at
the
pitch
o'
his
lungs
about
Columbine's
New
fangled
Banner
or
some
such
stuff
He
couldn't
stand
far
less
help
What
sort
of
a
man
was
he
asked
Sherlock
Holmes
John
Rance
appeared
to
be
somewhat
irritated
at
this
digression
He
was
an
uncommon
drunk
sort
o'
man
he
said
He'd
ha'
found
hisself
in
the
station
if
we
hadn't
been
so
took
up
His
face
his
dress
didn't
you
notice
them
Holmes
broke
in
impatiently
I
should
think
I
did
notice
them
seeing
that
I
had
to
prop
him
up
me
and
Murcher
between
us
He
was
a
long
chap
with
a
red
face
the
lower
part
muffled
round
That
will
do
cried
Holmes
What
became
of
him
We'd
enough
to
do
without
lookin'
after
him
the
policeman
said
in
an
aggrieved
voice
I'll
wager
he
found
his
way
home
all
right
How
was
he
dressed
A
brown
overcoat
Had
he
a
whip
in
his
hand
A
whip
no
He
must
have
left
it
behind
muttered
my
companion
You
didn't
happen
to
see
or
hear
a
cab
after
that
No
There's
a
half
sovereign
for
you
my
companion
said
standing
up
and
taking
his
hat
I
am
afraid
Rance
that
you
will
never
rise
in
the
force
That
head
of
yours
should
be
for
use
as
well
as
ornament
You
might
have
gained
your
sergeant's
stripes
last
night
The
man
whom
you
held
in
your
hands
is
the
man
who
holds
the
clue
of
this
mystery
and
whom
we
are
seeking
There
is
no
use
of
arguing
about
it
now
I
tell
you
that
it
is
so
Come
along
Doctor
We
started
off
for
the
cab
together
leaving
our
informant
incredulous
but
obviously
uncomfortable
The
blundering
fool
Holmes
said
bitterly
as
we
drove
back
to
our
lodgings
Just
to
think
of
his
having
such
an
incomparable
bit
of
good
luck
and
not
taking
advantage
of
it
I
am
rather
in
the
dark
still
It
is
true
that
the
description
of
this
man
tallies
with
your
idea
of
the
second
party
in
this
mystery
But
why
should
he
come
back
to
the
house
after
leaving
it
That
is
not
the
way
of
criminals
The
ring
man
the
ring
that
was
what
he
came
back
for
If
we
have
no
other
way
of
catching
him
we
can
always
bait
our
line
with
the
ring
I
shall
have
him
Doctor
I'll
lay
you
two
to
one
that
I
have
him
I
must
thank
you
for
it
all
I
might
not
have
gone
but
for
you
and
so
have
missed
the
finest
study
I
ever
came
across
a
study
in
scarlet
eh
Why
shouldn't
we
use
a
little
art
jargon
There's
the
scarlet
thread
of
murder
running
through
the
colourless
skein
of
life
and
our
duty
is
to
unravel
it
and
isolate
it
and
expose
every
inch
of
it
And
now
for
lunch
and
then
for
Norman
Neruda
Her
attack
and
her
bowing
are
splendid
What's
that
little
thing
of
Chopin's
she
plays
so
magnificently
Tra
la
la
lira
lira
lay
Leaning
back
in
the
cab
this
amateur
bloodhound
carolled
away
like
a
lark
while
I
meditated
upon
the
many
sidedness
of
the
human
mind
CHAPTER
V
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
Holmes'
departure
for
the
concert
I
lay
down
upon
the
sofa
and
endeavoured
to
get
a
couple
of
hours'
sleep
It
was
a
useless
attempt
My
mind
had
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
recognized
that
justice
must
be
done
and
that
the
depravity
of
the
victim
was
no
condonment
in
the
eyes
of
the
law
The
more
I
thought
of
it
the
more
extraordinary
did
my
companion's
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
if
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
Holmes
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
that
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
memories
in
our
souls
of
those
misty
centuries
when
the
world
was
in
its
childhood
That's
rather
a
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
Maiwand
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
woman's
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
B
Baker
Street
between
eight
and
nine
this
evening
Excuse
my
using
your
name
he
said
If
I
used
my
own
some
of
these
dunderheads
would
recognize
it
and
want
to
meddle
in
the
affair
That
is
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
florid
friend
with
the
square
toes
If
he
does
not
come
himself
he
will
send
an
accomplice
Would
he
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
Drebber's
body
and
did
not
miss
it
at
the
time
After
leaving
the
house
he
discovered
his
loss
and
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
eye
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
load
it
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
favourite
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
stall
yesterday
De
Jure
inter
Gentes
published
in
Latin
at
Liege
in
the
Lowlands
in
Charles'
head
was
still
firm
on
his
shoulders
when
this
little
brown
backed
volume
was
struck
off
Who
is
the
printer
Philippe
de
Croy
whoever
he
may
have
been
On
the
fly
leaf
in
very
faded
ink
is
written
Ex
libris
Guliolmi
Whyte
I
wonder
who
William
Whyte
was
Some
pragmatical
seventeenth
century
lawyer
I
suppose
His
writing
has
a
legal
twist
about
it
Here
comes
our
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
live
here
asked
a
clear
but
rather
harsh
voice
We
could
not
hear
the
servant's
reply
but
the
door
closed
and
some
one
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
us
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
as
has
brought
me
good
gentlemen
she
said
dropping
another
curtsey
a
gold
wedding
ring
in
the
Brixton
Road
It
belongs
to
my
girl
Sally
as
was
married
only
this
time
twelvemonth
which
her
husband
is
steward
aboard
a
Union
boat
and
what
he'd
say
if
he
come
'ome
and
found
her
without
her
ring
is
more
than
I
can
think
he
being
short
enough
at
the
best
o'
times
but
more
especially
when
he
has
the
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
inquired
taking
up
a
pencil
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
at
Mayfield
Place
Peckham
And
your
name
is
My
name
is
Sawyer
her's
is
Dennis
which
Tom
Dennis
married
her
and
a
smart
clean
lad
too
as
long
as
he's
at
sea
and
no
steward
in
the
company
more
thought
of
but
when
on
shore
what
with
the
women
and
what
with
liquor
shops
Here
is
your
ring
Mrs
Sawyer
I
interrupted
in
obedience
to
a
sign
from
my
companion
it
clearly
belongs
to
your
daughter
and
I
am
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
feebly
along
the
other
side
while
her
pursuer
dogged
her
some
little
distance
behind
Either
his
whole
theory
is
incorrect
I
thought
to
myself
or
else
he
will
be
led
now
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
he
might
be
but
I
sat
stolidly
puffing
at
my
pipe
and
skipping
over
the
pages
of
Henri
Murger's
Vie
de
Boh
me
Ten
o'clock
passed
and
I
heard
the
footsteps
of
the
maid
as
they
pattered
off
to
bed
Eleven
and
the
more
stately
tread
of
the
landlady
passed
my
door
bound
for
the
same
destination
It
was
close
upon
twelve
before
I
heard
the
sharp
sound
of
his
latch
key
The
instant
he
entered
I
saw
by
his
face
that
he
had
not
been
successful
Amusement
and
chagrin
seemed
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
Yarders
know
it
for
the
world
he
cried
dropping
into
his
chair
I
have
chaffed
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
foot
sore
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
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
away
we
rattled
and
never
drew
rein
until
we
reached
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
though
When
I
reached
him
he
was
groping
about
frantically
in
the
empty
cab
and
giving
vent
to
the
finest
assorted
collection
of
oaths
that
ever
I
listened
to
There
was
no
sign
or
trace
of
his
passenger
and
I
fear
it
will
be
some
time
before
he
gets
his
fare
On
inquiring
at
Number
we
found
that
the
house
belonged
to
a
respectable
paperhanger
named
Keswick
and
that
no
one
of
the
name
either
of
Sawyer
or
Dennis
had
ever
been
heard
of
there
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
to
be
so
taken
in
It
must
have
been
a
young
man
and
an
active
one
too
besides
being
an
incomparable
actor
The
get
up
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
are
looking
done
up
Take
my
advice
and
turn
in
I
was
certainly
feeling
very
weary
so
I
obeyed
his
injunction
I
left
Holmes
seated
in
front
of
the
smouldering
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
CHAPTER
VI
TOBIAS
GREGSON
SHOWS
WHAT
HE
CAN
DO
THE
papers
next
day
were
full
of
the
Brixton
Mystery
as
they
termed
it
Each
had
a
long
account
of
the
affair
and
some
had
leaders
upon
it
in
addition
There
was
some
information
in
them
which
was
new
to
me
I
still
retain
in
my
scrap
book
numerous
clippings
and
extracts
bearing
upon
the
case
Here
is
a
condensation
of
a
few
of
them
The
Daily
Telegraph
remarked
that
in
the
history
of
crime
there
had
seldom
been
a
tragedy
which
presented
stranger
features
The
German
name
of
the
victim
the
absence
of
all
other
motive
and
the
sinister
inscription
on
the
wall
all
pointed
to
its
perpetration
by
political
refugees
and
revolutionists
The
Socialists
had
many
branches
in
America
and
the
deceased
had
no
doubt
infringed
their
unwritten
laws
and
been
tracked
down
by
them
After
alluding
airily
to
the
Vehmgericht
aqua
tofana
Carbonari
the
Marchioness
de
Brinvilliers
the
Darwinian
theory
the
principles
of
Malthus
and
the
Ratcliff
Highway
murders
the
article
concluded
by
admonishing
the
Government
and
advocating
a
closer
watch
over
foreigners
in
England
The
Standard
commented
upon
the
fact
that
lawless
outrages
of
the
sort
usually
occurred
under
a
Liberal
Administration
They
arose
from
the
unsettling
of
the
minds
of
the
masses
and
the
consequent
weakening
of
all
authority
The
deceased
was
an
American
gentleman
who
had
been
residing
for
some
weeks
in
the
Metropolis
He
had
stayed
at
the
boarding
house
of
Madame
Charpentier
in
Torquay
Terrace
Camberwell
He
was
accompanied
in
his
travels
by
his
private
secretary
Mr
Joseph
Stangerson
The
two
bade
adieu
to
their
landlady
upon
Tuesday
the
th
inst
and
departed
to
Euston
Station
with
the
avowed
intention
of
catching
the
Liverpool
express
They
were
afterwards
seen
together
upon
the
platform
Nothing
more
is
known
of
them
until
Mr
Drebber's
body
was
as
recorded
discovered
in
an
empty
house
in
the
Brixton
Road
many
miles
from
Euston
How
he
came
there
or
how
he
met
his
fate
are
questions
which
are
still
involved
in
mystery
Nothing
is
known
of
the
whereabouts
of
Stangerson
We
are
glad
to
learn
that
Mr
Lestrade
and
Mr
Gregson
of
Scotland
Yard
are
both
engaged
upon
the
case
and
it
is
confidently
anticipated
that
these
well
known
officers
will
speedily
throw
light
upon
the
matter
The
Daily
News
observed
that
there
was
no
doubt
as
to
the
crime
being
a
political
one
The
despotism
and
hatred
of
Liberalism
which
animated
the
Continental
Governments
had
had
the
effect
of
driving
to
our
shores
a
number
of
men
who
might
have
made
excellent
citizens
were
they
not
soured
by
the
recollection
of
all
that
they
had
undergone
Among
these
men
there
was
a
stringent
code
of
honour
any
infringement
of
which
was
punished
by
death
Every
effort
should
be
made
to
find
the
secretary
Stangerson
and
to
ascertain
some
particulars
of
the
habits
of
the
deceased
A
great
step
had
been
gained
by
the
discovery
of
the
address
of
the
house
at
which
he
had
boarded
a
result
which
was
entirely
due
to
the
acuteness
and
energy
of
Mr
Gregson
of
Scotland
Yard
Sherlock
Holmes
and
I
read
these
notices
over
together
at
breakfast
and
they
appeared
to
afford
him
considerable
amusement
I
told
you
that
whatever
happened
Lestrade
and
Gregson
would
be
sure
to
score
That
depends
on
how
it
turns
out
Oh
bless
you
it
doesn't
matter
in
the
least
If
the
man
is
caught
it
will
be
on
account
of
their
exertions
if
he
escapes
it
will
be
in
spite
of
their
exertions
It's
heads
I
win
and
tails
you
lose
Whatever
they
do
they
will
have
followers
Un
sot
trouve
toujours
un
plus
sot
qui
l'admire
What
on
earth
is
this
I
cried
for
at
this
moment
there
came
the
pattering
of
many
steps
in
the
hall
and
on
the
stairs
accompanied
by
audible
expressions
of
disgust
upon
the
part
of
our
landlady
It's
the
Baker
Street
division
of
the
detective
police
force
said
my
companion
gravely
and
as
he
spoke
there
rushed
into
the
room
half
a
dozen
of
the
dirtiest
and
most
ragged
street
Arabs
that
ever
I
clapped
eyes
on
'Tention
cried
Holmes
in
a
sharp
tone
and
the
six
dirty
little
scoundrels
stood
in
a
line
like
so
many
disreputable
statuettes
In
future
you
shall
send
up
Wiggins
alone
to
report
and
the
rest
of
you
must
wait
in
the
street
Have
you
found
it
Wiggins
No
sir
we
hain't
said
one
of
the
youths
I
hardly
expected
you
would
You
must
keep
on
until
you
do
Here
are
your
wages
He
handed
each
of
them
a
shilling
Now
off
you
go
and
come
back
with
a
better
report
next
time
He
waved
his
hand
and
they
scampered
away
downstairs
like
so
many
rats
and
we
heard
their
shrill
voices
next
moment
in
the
street
There's
more
work
to
be
got
out
of
one
of
those
little
beggars
than
out
of
a
dozen
of
the
force
Holmes
remarked
The
mere
sight
of
an
official
looking
person
seals
men's
lips
These
youngsters
however
go
everywhere
and
hear
everything
They
are
as
sharp
as
needles
too
all
they
want
is
organisation
Is
it
on
this
Brixton
case
that
you
are
employing
them
I
asked
Yes
there
is
a
point
which
I
wish
to
ascertain
It
is
merely
a
matter
of
time
Hullo
we
are
going
to
hear
some
news
now
with
a
vengeance
Here
is
Gregson
coming
down
the
road
with
beatitude
written
upon
every
feature
of
his
face
Bound
for
us
I
know
Yes
he
is
stopping
There
he
is
There
was
a
violent
peal
at
the
bell
and
in
a
few
seconds
the
fair
haired
detective
came
up
the
stairs
three
steps
at
a
time
and
burst
into
our
sitting
room
My
dear
fellow
he
cried
wringing
Holmes'
unresponsive
hand
congratulate
me
I
have
made
the
whole
thing
as
clear
as
day
A
shade
of
anxiety
seemed
to
me
to
cross
my
companion's
expressive
face
Do
you
mean
that
you
are
on
the
right
track
he
asked
The
right
track
Why
sir
we
have
the
man
under
lock
and
key
And
his
name
is
Arthur
Charpentier
sub
lieutenant
in
Her
Majesty's
navy
cried
Gregson
pompously
rubbing
his
fat
hands
and
inflating
his
chest
Sherlock
Holmes
gave
a
sigh
of
relief
and
relaxed
into
a
smile
Take
a
seat
and
try
one
of
these
cigars
he
said
We
are
anxious
to
know
how
you
managed
it
Will
you
have
some
whiskey
and
water
I
don't
mind
if
I
do
the
detective
answered
The
tremendous
exertions
which
I
have
gone
through
during
the
last
day
or
two
have
worn
me
out
Not
so
much
bodily
exertion
you
understand
as
the
strain
upon
the
mind
You
will
appreciate
that
Mr
Sherlock
Holmes
for
we
are
both
brain
workers
You
do
me
too
much
honour
said
Holmes
gravely
Let
us
hear
how
you
arrived
at
this
most
gratifying
result
The
detective
seated
himself
in
the
arm
chair
and
puffed
complacently
at
his
cigar
Then
suddenly
he
slapped
his
thigh
in
a
paroxysm
of
amusement
The
fun
of
it
is
he
cried
that
that
fool
Lestrade
who
thinks
himself
so
smart
has
gone
off
upon
the
wrong
track
altogether
He
is
after
the
secretary
Stangerson
who
had
no
more
to
do
with
the
crime
than
the
babe
unborn
I
have
no
doubt
that
he
has
caught
him
by
this
time
The
idea
tickled
Gregson
so
much
that
he
laughed
until
he
choked
And
how
did
you
get
your
clue
Ah
I'll
tell
you
all
about
it
Of
course
Doctor
Watson
this
is
strictly
between
ourselves
The
first
difficulty
which
we
had
to
contend
with
was
the
finding
of
this
American's
antecedents
Some
people
would
have
waited
until
their
advertisements
were
answered
or
until
parties
came
forward
and
volunteered
information
That
is
not
Tobias
Gregson's
way
of
going
to
work
You
remember
the
hat
beside
the
dead
man
Yes
said
Holmes
by
John
Underwood
and
Sons
Camberwell
Road
Gregson
looked
quite
crest
fallen
I
had
no
idea
that
you
noticed
that
he
said
Have
you
been
there
No
Ha
cried
Gregson
in
a
relieved
voice
you
should
never
neglect
a
chance
however
small
it
may
seem
To
a
great
mind
nothing
is
little
remarked
Holmes
sententiously
Well
I
went
to
Underwood
and
asked
him
if
he
had
sold
a
hat
of
that
size
and
description
He
looked
over
his
books
and
came
on
it
at
once
He
had
sent
the
hat
to
a
Mr
Drebber
residing
at
Charpentier's
Boarding
Establishment
Torquay
Terrace
Thus
I
got
at
his
address
Smart
very
smart
murmured
Sherlock
Holmes
I
next
called
upon
Madame
Charpentier
continued
the
detective
I
found
her
very
pale
and
distressed
Her
daughter
was
in
the
room
too
an
uncommonly
fine
girl
she
is
too
she
was
looking
red
about
the
eyes
and
her
lips
trembled
as
I
spoke
to
her
That
didn't
escape
my
notice
I
began
to
smell
a
rat
You
know
the
feeling
Mr
Sherlock
Holmes
when
you
come
upon
the
right
scent
a
kind
of
thrill
in
your
nerves
Have
you
heard
of
the
mysterious
death
of
your
late
boarder
Mr
Enoch
J
Drebber
of
Cleveland
I
asked
The
mother
nodded
She
didn't
seem
able
to
get
out
a
word
The
daughter
burst
into
tears
I
felt
more
than
ever
that
these
people
knew
something
of
the
matter
At
what
o'clock
did
Mr
Drebber
leave
your
house
for
the
train
I
asked
At
eight
o'clock
she
said
gulping
in
her
throat
to
keep
down
her
agitation
His
secretary
Mr
Stangerson
said
that
there
were
two
trains
one
at
and
one
at
He
was
to
catch
the
first
And
was
that
the
last
which
you
saw
of
him
A
terrible
change
came
over
the
woman's
face
as
I
asked
the
question
Her
features
turned
perfectly
livid
It
was
some
seconds
before
she
could
get
out
the
single
word
Yes
and
when
it
did
come
it
was
in
a
husky
unnatural
tone
There
was
silence
for
a
moment
and
then
the
daughter
spoke
in
a
calm
clear
voice
No
good
can
ever
come
of
falsehood
mother
she
said
Let
us
be
frank
with
this
gentleman
We
did
see
Mr
Drebber
again
God
forgive
you
cried
Madame
Charpentier
throwing
up
her
hands
and
sinking
back
in
her
chair
You
have
murdered
your
brother
Arthur
would
rather
that
we
spoke
the
truth
the
girl
answered
firmly
You
had
best
tell
me
all
about
it
now
I
said
Half
confidences
are
worse
than
none
Besides
you
do
not
know
how
much
we
know
of
it
On
your
head
be
it
Alice
cried
her
mother
and
then
turning
to
me
I
will
tell
you
all
sir
Do
not
imagine
that
my
agitation
on
behalf
of
my
son
arises
from
any
fear
lest
he
should
have
had
a
hand
in
this
terrible
affair
He
is
utterly
innocent
of
it
My
dread
is
however
that
in
your
eyes
and
in
the
eyes
of
others
he
may
appear
to
be
compromised
That
however
is
surely
impossible
His
high
character
his
profession
his
antecedents
would
all
forbid
it
Your
best
way
is
to
make
a
clean
breast
of
the
facts
I
answered
Depend
upon
it
if
your
son
is
innocent
he
will
be
none
the
worse
Perhaps
Alice
you
had
better
leave
us
together
she
said
and
her
daughter
withdrew
Now
sir
she
continued
I
had
no
intention
of
telling
you
all
this
but
since
my
poor
daughter
has
disclosed
it
I
have
no
alternative
Having
once
decided
to
speak
I
will
tell
you
all
without
omitting
any
particular
It
is
your
wisest
course
said
I
Mr
Drebber
has
been
with
us
nearly
three
weeks
He
and
his
secretary
Mr
Stangerson
had
been
travelling
on
the
Continent
I
noticed
a
Copenhagen
label
upon
each
of
their
trunks
showing
that
that
had
been
their
last
stopping
place
Stangerson
was
a
quiet
reserved
man
but
his
employer
I
am
sorry
to
say
was
far
otherwise
He
was
coarse
in
his
habits
and
brutish
in
his
ways
The
very
night
of
his
arrival
he
became
very
much
the
worse
for
drink
and
indeed
after
twelve
o'clock
in
the
day
he
could
hardly
ever
be
said
to
be
sober
His
manners
towards
the
maid
servants
were
disgustingly
free
and
familiar
Worst
of
all
he
speedily
assumed
the
same
attitude
towards
my
daughter
Alice
and
spoke
to
her
more
than
once
in
a
way
which
fortunately
she
is
too
innocent
to
understand
On
one
occasion
he
actually
seized
her
in
his
arms
and
embraced
her
an
outrage
which
caused
his
own
secretary
to
reproach
him
for
his
unmanly
conduct
But
why
did
you
stand
all
this
I
asked
I
suppose
that
you
can
get
rid
of
your
boarders
when
you
wish
Mrs
Charpentier
blushed
at
my
pertinent
question
Would
to
God
that
I
had
given
him
notice
on
the
very
day
that
he
came
she
said
But
it
was
a
sore
temptation
They
were
paying
a
pound
a
day
each
fourteen
pounds
a
week
and
this
is
the
slack
season
I
am
a
widow
and
my
boy
in
the
Navy
has
cost
me
much
I
grudged
to
lose
the
money
I
acted
for
the
best
This
last
was
too
much
however
and
I
gave
him
notice
to
leave
on
account
of
it
That
was
the
reason
of
his
going
Well
My
heart
grew
light
when
I
saw
him
drive
away
My
son
is
on
leave
just
now
but
I
did
not
tell
him
anything
of
all
this
for
his
temper
is
violent
and
he
is
passionately
fond
of
his
sister
When
I
closed
the
door
behind
them
a
load
seemed
to
be
lifted
from
my
mind
Alas
in
less
than
an
hour
there
was
a
ring
at
the
bell
and
I
learned
that
Mr
Drebber
had
returned
He
was
much
excited
and
evidently
the
worse
for
drink
He
forced
his
way
into
the
room
where
I
was
sitting
with
my
daughter
and
made
some
incoherent
remark
about
having
missed
his
train
He
then
turned
to
Alice
and
before
my
very
face
proposed
to
her
that
she
should
fly
with
him
You
are
of
age
he
said
and
there
is
no
law
to
stop
you
I
have
money
enough
and
to
spare
Never
mind
the
old
girl
here
but
come
along
with
me
now
straight
away
You
shall
live
like
a
princess
Poor
Alice
was
so
frightened
that
she
shrunk
away
from
him
but
he
caught
her
by
the
wrist
and
endeavoured
to
draw
her
towards
the
door
I
screamed
and
at
that
moment
my
son
Arthur
came
into
the
room
What
happened
then
I
do
not
know
I
heard
oaths
and
the
confused
sounds
of
a
scuffle
I
was
too
terrified
to
raise
my
head
When
I
did
look
up
I
saw
Arthur
standing
in
the
doorway
laughing
with
a
stick
in
his
hand
I
don't
think
that
fine
fellow
will
trouble
us
again
he
said
I
will
just
go
after
him
and
see
what
he
does
with
himself
With
those
words
he
took
his
hat
and
started
off
down
the
street
The
next
morning
we
heard
of
Mr
Drebber's
mysterious
death
This
statement
came
from
Mrs
Charpentier's
lips
with
many
gasps
and
pauses
At
times
she
spoke
so
low
that
I
could
hardly
catch
the
words
I
made
shorthand
notes
of
all
that
she
said
however
so
that
there
should
be
no
possibility
of
a
mistake
It's
quite
exciting
said
Sherlock
Holmes
with
a
yawn
What
happened
next
When
Mrs
Charpentier
paused
the
detective
continued
I
saw
that
the
whole
case
hung
upon
one
point
Fixing
her
with
my
eye
in
a
way
which
I
always
found
effective
with
women
I
asked
her
at
what
hour
her
son
returned
I
do
not
know
she
answered
Not
know
No
he
has
a
latch
key
and
he
let
himself
in
After
you
went
to
bed
Yes
When
did
you
go
to
bed
About
eleven
So
your
son
was
gone
at
least
two
hours
Yes
Possibly
four
or
five
Yes
What
was
he
doing
during
that
time
I
do
not
know
she
answered
turning
white
to
her
very
lips
Of
course
after
that
there
was
nothing
more
to
be
done
I
found
out
where
Lieutenant
Charpentier
was
took
two
officers
with
me
and
arrested
him
When
I
touched
him
on
the
shoulder
and
warned
him
to
come
quietly
with
us
he
answered
us
as
bold
as
brass
I
suppose
you
are
arresting
me
for
being
concerned
in
the
death
of
that
scoundrel
Drebber
he
said
We
had
said
nothing
to
him
about
it
so
that
his
alluding
to
it
had
a
most
suspicious
aspect
Very
said
Holmes
He
still
carried
the
heavy
stick
which
the
mother
described
him
as
having
with
him
when
he
followed
Drebber
It
was
a
stout
oak
cudgel
What
is
your
theory
then
Well
my
theory
is
that
he
followed
Drebber
as
far
as
the
Brixton
Road
When
there
a
fresh
altercation
arose
between
them
in
the
course
of
which
Drebber
received
a
blow
from
the
stick
in
the
pit
of
the
stomach
perhaps
which
killed
him
without
leaving
any
mark
The
night
was
so
wet
that
no
one
was
about
so
Charpentier
dragged
the
body
of
his
victim
into
the
empty
house
As
to
the
candle
and
the
blood
and
the
writing
on
the
wall
and
the
ring
they
may
all
be
so
many
tricks
to
throw
the
police
on
to
the
wrong
scent
Well
done
said
Holmes
in
an
encouraging
voice
Really
Gregson
you
are
getting
along
We
shall
make
something
of
you
yet
I
flatter
myself
that
I
have
managed
it
rather
neatly
the
detective
answered
proudly
The
young
man
volunteered
a
statement
in
which
he
said
that
after
following
Drebber
some
time
the
latter
perceived
him
and
took
a
cab
in
order
to
get
away
from
him
On
his
way
home
he
met
an
old
shipmate
and
took
a
long
walk
with
him
On
being
asked
where
this
old
shipmate
lived
he
was
unable
to
give
any
satisfactory
reply
I
think
the
whole
case
fits
together
uncommonly
well
What
amuses
me
is
to
think
of
Lestrade
who
had
started
off
upon
the
wrong
scent
I
am
afraid
he
won't
make
much
of
Why
by
Jove
here's
the
very
man
himself
It
was
indeed
Lestrade
who
had
ascended
the
stairs
while
we
were
talking
and
who
now
entered
the
room
The
assurance
and
jauntiness
which
generally
marked
his
demeanour
and
dress
were
however
wanting
His
face
was
disturbed
and
troubled
while
his
clothes
were
disarranged
and
untidy
He
had
evidently
come
with
the
intention
of
consulting
with
Sherlock
Holmes
for
on
perceiving
his
colleague
he
appeared
to
be
embarrassed
and
put
out
He
stood
in
the
centre
of
the
room
fumbling
nervously
with
his
hat
and
uncertain
what
to
do
This
is
a
most
extraordinary
case
he
said
at
last
a
most
incomprehensible
affair
Ah
you
find
it
so
Mr
Lestrade
cried
Gregson
triumphantly
I
thought
you
would
come
to
that
conclusion
Have
you
managed
to
find
the
Secretary
Mr
Joseph
Stangerson
The
Secretary
Mr
Joseph
Stangerson
said
Lestrade
gravely
was
murdered
at
Halliday's
Private
Hotel
about
six
o'clock
this
morning
CHAPTER
VII
LIGHT
IN
THE
DARKNESS
THE
intelligence
with
which
Lestrade
greeted
us
was
so
momentous
and
so
unexpected
that
we
were
all
three
fairly
dumfoundered
Gregson
sprang
out
of
his
chair
and
upset
the
remainder
of
his
whiskey
and
water
I
stared
in
silence
at
Sherlock
Holmes
whose
lips
were
compressed
and
his
brows
drawn
down
over
his
eyes
Stangerson
too
he
muttered
The
plot
thickens
It
was
quite
thick
enough
before
grumbled
Lestrade
taking
a
chair
I
seem
to
have
dropped
into
a
sort
of
council
of
war
Are
you
are
you
sure
of
this
piece
of
intelligence
stammered
Gregson
I
have
just
come
from
his
room
said
Lestrade
I
was
the
first
to
discover
what
had
occurred
We
have
been
hearing
Gregson's
view
of
the
matter
Holmes
observed
Would
you
mind
letting
us
know
what
you
have
seen
and
done
I
have
no
objection
Lestrade
answered
seating
himself
I
freely
confess
that
I
was
of
the
opinion
that
Stangerson
was
concerned
in
the
death
of
Drebber
This
fresh
development
has
shown
me
that
I
was
completely
mistaken
Full
of
the
one
idea
I
set
myself
to
find
out
what
had
become
of
the
Secretary
They
had
been
seen
together
at
Euston
Station
about
half
past
eight
on
the
evening
of
the
third
At
two
in
the
morning
Drebber
had
been
found
in
the
Brixton
Road
The
question
which
confronted
me
was
to
find
out
how
Stangerson
had
been
employed
between
and
the
time
of
the
crime
and
what
had
become
of
him
afterwards
I
telegraphed
to
Liverpool
giving
a
description
of
the
man
and
warning
them
to
keep
a
watch
upon
the
American
boats
I
then
set
to
work
calling
upon
all
the
hotels
and
lodging
houses
in
the
vicinity
of
Euston
You
see
I
argued
that
if
Drebber
and
his
companion
had
become
separated
the
natural
course
for
the
latter
would
be
to
put
up
somewhere
in
the
vicinity
for
the
night
and
then
to
hang
about
the
station
again
next
morning
They
would
be
likely
to
agree
on
some
meeting
place
beforehand
remarked
Holmes
So
it
proved
I
spent
the
whole
of
yesterday
evening
in
making
enquiries
entirely
without
avail
This
morning
I
began
very
early
and
at
eight
o'clock
I
reached
Halliday's
Private
Hotel
in
Little
George
Street
On
my
enquiry
as
to
whether
a
Mr
Stangerson
was
living
there
they
at
once
answered
me
in
the
affirmative
No
doubt
you
are
the
gentleman
whom
he
was
expecting
they
said
He
has
been
waiting
for
a
gentleman
for
two
days
Where
is
he
now
I
asked
He
is
upstairs
in
bed
He
wished
to
be
called
at
nine
I
will
go
up
and
see
him
at
once
I
said
It
seemed
to
me
that
my
sudden
appearance
might
shake
his
nerves
and
lead
him
to
say
something
unguarded
The
Boots
volunteered
to
show
me
the
room
it
was
on
the
second
floor
and
there
was
a
small
corridor
leading
up
to
it
The
Boots
pointed
out
the
door
to
me
and
was
about
to
go
downstairs
again
when
I
saw
something
that
made
me
feel
sickish
in
spite
of
my
twenty
years'
experience
From
under
the
door
there
curled
a
little
red
ribbon
of
blood
which
had
meandered
across
the
passage
and
formed
a
little
pool
along
the
skirting
at
the
other
side
I
gave
a
cry
which
brought
the
Boots
back
He
nearly
fainted
when
he
saw
it
The
door
was
locked
on
the
inside
but
we
put
our
shoulders
to
it
and
knocked
it
in
The
window
of
the
room
was
open
and
beside
the
window
all
huddled
up
lay
the
body
of
a
man
in
his
nightdress
He
was
quite
dead
and
had
been
for
some
time
for
his
limbs
were
rigid
and
cold
When
we
turned
him
over
the
Boots
recognized
him
at
once
as
being
the
same
gentleman
who
had
engaged
the
room
under
the
name
of
Joseph
Stangerson
The
cause
of
death
was
a
deep
stab
in
the
left
side
which
must
have
penetrated
the
heart
And
now
comes
the
strangest
part
of
the
affair
What
do
you
suppose
was
above
the
murdered
man
I
felt
a
creeping
of
the
flesh
and
a
presentiment
of
coming
horror
even
before
Sherlock
Holmes
answered
The
word
RACHE
written
in
letters
of
blood
he
said
That
was
it
said
Lestrade
in
an
awe
struck
voice
and
we
were
all
silent
for
a
while
There
was
something
so
methodical
and
so
incomprehensible
about
the
deeds
of
this
unknown
assassin
that
it
imparted
a
fresh
ghastliness
to
his
crimes
My
nerves
which
were
steady
enough
on
the
field
of
battle
tingled
as
I
thought
of
it
The
man
was
seen
continued
Lestrade
A
milk
boy
passing
on
his
way
to
the
dairy
happened
to
walk
down
the
lane
which
leads
from
the
mews
at
the
back
of
the
hotel
He
noticed
that
a
ladder
which
usually
lay
there
was
raised
against
one
of
the
windows
of
the
second
floor
which
was
wide
open
After
passing
he
looked
back
and
saw
a
man
descend
the
ladder
He
came
down
so
quietly
and
openly
that
the
boy
imagined
him
to
be
some
carpenter
or
joiner
at
work
in
the
hotel
He
took
no
particular
notice
of
him
beyond
thinking
in
his
own
mind
that
it
was
early
for
him
to
be
at
work
He
has
an
impression
that
the
man
was
tall
had
a
reddish
face
and
was
dressed
in
a
long
brownish
coat
He
must
have
stayed
in
the
room
some
little
time
after
the
murder
for
we
found
blood
stained
water
in
the
basin
where
he
had
washed
his
hands
and
marks
on
the
sheets
where
he
had
deliberately
wiped
his
knife
I
glanced
at
Holmes
on
hearing
the
description
of
the
murderer
which
tallied
so
exactly
with
his
own
There
was
however
no
trace
of
exultation
or
satisfaction
upon
his
face
Did
you
find
nothing
in
the
room
which
could
furnish
a
clue
to
the
murderer
he
asked
Nothing
Stangerson
had
Drebber's
purse
in
his
pocket
but
it
seems
that
this
was
usual
as
he
did
all
the
paying
There
was
eighty
odd
pounds
in
it
but
nothing
had
been
taken
Whatever
the
motives
of
these
extraordinary
crimes
robbery
is
certainly
not
one
of
them
There
were
no
papers
or
memoranda
in
the
murdered
man's
pocket
except
a
single
telegram
dated
from
Cleveland
about
a
month
ago
and
containing
the
words
J
H
is
in
Europe
There
was
no
name
appended
to
this
message
And
there
was
nothing
else
Holmes
asked
Nothing
of
any
importance
The
man's
novel
with
which
he
had
read
himself
to
sleep
was
lying
upon
the
bed
and
his
pipe
was
on
a
chair
beside
him
There
was
a
glass
of
water
on
the
table
and
on
the
window
sill
a
small
chip
ointment
box
containing
a
couple
of
pills
Sherlock
Holmes
sprang
from
his
chair
with
an
exclamation
of
delight
The
last
link
he
cried
exultantly
My
case
is
complete
The
two
detectives
stared
at
him
in
amazement
I
have
now
in
my
hands
my
companion
said
confidently
all
the
threads
which
have
formed
such
a
tangle
There
are
of
course
details
to
be
filled
in
but
I
am
as
certain
of
all
the
main
facts
from
the
time
that
Drebber
parted
from
Stangerson
at
the
station
up
to
the
discovery
of
the
body
of
the
latter
as
if
I
had
seen
them
with
my
own
eyes
I
will
give
you
a
proof
of
my
knowledge
Could
you
lay
your
hand
upon
those
pills
I
have
them
said
Lestrade
producing
a
small
white
box
I
took
them
and
the
purse
and
the
telegram
intending
to
have
them
put
in
a
place
of
safety
at
the
Police
Station
It
was
the
merest
chance
my
taking
these
pills
for
I
am
bound
to
say
that
I
do
not
attach
any
importance
to
them
Give
them
here
said
Holmes
Now
Doctor
turning
to
me
are
those
ordinary
pills
They
certainly
were
not
They
were
of
a
pearly
grey
colour
small
round
and
almost
transparent
against
the
light
From
their
lightness
and
transparency
I
should
imagine
that
they
are
soluble
in
water
I
remarked
Precisely
so
answered
Holmes
Now
would
you
mind
going
down
and
fetching
that
poor
little
devil
of
a
terrier
which
has
been
bad
so
long
and
which
the
landlady
wanted
you
to
put
out
of
its
pain
yesterday
I
went
downstairs
and
carried
the
dog
upstair
in
my
arms
It's
laboured
breathing
and
glazing
eye
showed
that
it
was
not
far
from
its
end
Indeed
its
snow
white
muzzle
proclaimed
that
it
had
already
exceeded
the
usual
term
of
canine
existence
I
placed
it
upon
a
cushion
on
the
rug
I
will
now
cut
one
of
these
pills
in
two
said
Holmes
and
drawing
his
penknife
he
suited
the
action
to
the
word
One
half
we
return
into
the
box
for
future
purposes
The
other
half
I
will
place
in
this
wine
glass
in
which
is
a
teaspoonful
of
water
You
perceive
that
our
friend
the
Doctor
is
right
and
that
it
readily
dissolves
This
may
be
very
interesting
said
Lestrade
in
the
injured
tone
of
one
who
suspects
that
he
is
being
laughed
at
I
cannot
see
however
what
it
has
to
do
with
the
death
of
Mr
Joseph
Stangerson
Patience
my
friend
patience
You
will
find
in
time
that
it
has
everything
to
do
with
it
I
shall
now
add
a
little
milk
to
make
the
mixture
palatable
and
on
presenting
it
to
the
dog
we
find
that
he
laps
it
up
readily
enough
As
he
spoke
he
turned
the
contents
of
the
wine
glass
into
a
saucer
and
placed
it
in
front
of
the
terrier
who
speedily
licked
it
dry
Sherlock
Holmes'
earnest
demeanour
had
so
far
convinced
us
that
we
all
sat
in
silence
watching
the
animal
intently
and
expecting
some
startling
effect
None
such
appeared
however
The
dog
continued
to
lie
stretched
upon
tho
cushion
breathing
in
a
laboured
way
but
apparently
neither
the
better
nor
the
worse
for
its
draught
Holmes
had
taken
out
his
watch
and
as
minute
followed
minute
without
result
an
expression
of
the
utmost
chagrin
and
disappointment
appeared
upon
his
features
He
gnawed
his
lip
drummed
his
fingers
upon
the
table
and
showed
every
other
symptom
of
acute
impatience
So
great
was
his
emotion
that
I
felt
sincerely
sorry
for
him
while
the
two
detectives
smiled
derisively
by
no
means
displeased
at
this
check
which
he
had
met
It
can't
be
a
coincidence
he
cried
at
last
springing
from
his
chair
and
pacing
wildly
up
and
down
the
room
it
is
impossible
that
it
should
be
a
mere
coincidence
The
very
pills
which
I
suspected
in
the
case
of
Drebber
are
actually
found
after
the
death
of
Stangerson
And
yet
they
are
inert
What
can
it
mean
Surely
my
whole
chain
of
reasoning
cannot
have
been
false
It
is
impossible
And
yet
this
wretched
dog
is
none
the
worse
Ah
I
have
it
I
have
it
With
a
perfect
shriek
of
delight
he
rushed
to
the
box
cut
the
other
pill
in
two
dissolved
it
added
milk
and
presented
it
to
the
terrier
The
unfortunate
creature's
tongue
seemed
hardly
to
have
been
moistened
in
it
before
it
gave
a
convulsive
shiver
in
every
limb
and
lay
as
rigid
and
lifeless
as
if
it
had
been
struck
by
lightning
Sherlock
Holmes
drew
a
long
breath
and
wiped
the
perspiration
from
his
forehead
I
should
have
more
faith
he
said
I
ought
to
know
by
this
time
that
when
a
fact
appears
to
be
opposed
to
a
long
train
of
deductions
it
invariably
proves
to
be
capable
of
bearing
some
other
interpretation
Of
the
two
pills
in
that
box
one
was
of
the
most
deadly
poison
and
the
other
was
entirely
harmless
I
ought
to
have
known
that
before
ever
I
saw
the
box
at
all
This
last
statement
appeared
to
me
to
be
so
startling
that
I
could
hardly
believe
that
he
was
in
his
sober
senses
There
was
the
dead
dog
however
to
prove
that
his
conjecture
had
been
correct
It
seemed
to
me
that
the
mists
in
my
own
mind
were
gradually
clearing
away
and
I
began
to
have
a
dim
vague
perception
of
the
truth
All
this
seems
strange
to
you
continued
Holmes
because
you
failed
at
the
beginning
of
the
inquiry
to
grasp
the
importance
of
the
single
real
clue
which
was
presented
to
you
I
had
the
good
fortune
to
seize
upon
that
and
everything
which
has
occurred
since
then
has
served
to
confirm
my
original
supposition
and
indeed
was
the
logical
sequence
of
it
Hence
things
which
have
perplexed
you
and
made
the
case
more
obscure
have
served
to
enlighten
me
and
to
strengthen
my
conclusions
It
is
a
mistake
to
confound
strangeness
with
mystery
The
most
commonplace
crime
is
often
the
most
mysterious
because
it
presents
no
new
or
special
features
from
which
deductions
may
be
drawn
This
murder
would
have
been
infinitely
more
difficult
to
unravel
had
the
body
of
the
victim
been
simply
found
lying
in
the
roadway
without
any
of
those
outr
and
sensational
accompaniments
which
have
rendered
it
remarkable
These
strange
details
far
from
making
the
case
more
difficult
have
really
had
the
effect
of
making
it
less
so
Mr
Gregson
who
had
listened
to
this
address
with
considerable
impatience
could
contain
himself
no
longer
Look
here
Mr
Sherlock
Holmes
he
said
we
are
all
ready
to
acknowledge
that
you
are
a
smart
man
and
that
you
have
your
own
methods
of
working
We
want
something
more
than
mere
theory
and
preaching
now
though
It
is
a
case
of
taking
the
man
I
have
made
my
case
out
and
it
seems
I
was
wrong
Young
Charpentier
could
not
have
been
engaged
in
this
second
affair
Lestrade
went
after
his
man
Stangerson
and
it
appears
that
he
was
wrong
too
You
have
thrown
out
hints
here
and
hints
there
and
seem
to
know
more
than
we
do
but
the
time
has
come
when
we
feel
that
we
have
a
right
to
ask
you
straight
how
much
you
do
know
of
the
business
Can
you
name
the
man
who
did
it
I
cannot
help
feeling
that
Gregson
is
right
sir
remarked
Lestrade
We
have
both
tried
and
we
have
both
failed
You
have
remarked
more
than
once
since
I
have
been
in
the
room
that
you
had
all
the
evidence
which
you
require
Surely
you
will
not
withhold
it
any
longer
Any
delay
in
arresting
the
assassin
I
observed
might
give
him
time
to
perpetrate
some
fresh
atrocity
Thus
pressed
by
us
all
Holmes
showed
signs
of
irresolution
He
continued
to
walk
up
and
down
the
room
with
his
head
sunk
on
his
chest
and
his
brows
drawn
down
as
was
his
habit
when
lost
in
thought
There
will
be
no
more
murders
he
said
at
last
stopping
abruptly
and
facing
us
You
can
put
that
consideration
out
of
the
question
You
have
asked
me
if
I
know
the
name
of
the
assassin
I
do
The
mere
knowing
of
his
name
is
a
small
thing
however
compared
with
the
power
of
laying
our
hands
upon
him
This
I
expect
very
shortly
to
do
I
have
good
hopes
of
managing
it
through
my
own
arrangements
but
it
is
a
thing
which
needs
delicate
handling
for
we
have
a
shrewd
and
desperate
man
to
deal
with
who
is
supported
as
I
have
had
occasion
to
prove
by
another
who
is
as
clever
as
himself
As
long
as
this
man
has
no
idea
that
anyone
can
have
a
clue
there
is
some
chance
of
securing
him
but
if
he
had
the
slightest
suspicion
he
would
change
his
name
and
vanish
in
an
instant
among
the
four
million
inhabitants
of
this
great
city
Without
meaning
to
hurt
either
of
your
feelings
I
am
bound
to
say
that
I
consider
these
men
to
be
more
than
a
match
for
the
official
force
and
that
is
why
I
have
not
asked
your
assistance
If
I
fail
I
shall
of
course
incur
all
the
blame
due
to
this
omission
but
that
I
am
prepared
for
At
present
I
am
ready
to
promise
that
the
instant
that
I
can
communicate
with
you
without
endangering
my
own
combinations
I
shall
do
so
Gregson
and
Lestrade
seemed
to
be
far
from
satisfied
by
this
assurance
or
by
the
depreciating
allusion
to
the
detective
police
The
former
had
flushed
up
to
the
roots
of
his
flaxen
hair
while
the
other's
beady
eyes
glistened
with
curiosity
and
resentment
Neither
of
them
had
time
to
speak
however
before
there
was
a
tap
at
the
door
and
the
spokesman
of
the
street
Arabs
young
Wiggins
introduced
his
insignificant
and
unsavoury
person
Please
sir
he
said
touching
his
forelock
I
have
the
cab
downstairs
Good
boy
said
Holmes
blandly
Why
don't
you
introduce
this
pattern
at
Scotland
Yard
he
continued
taking
a
pair
of
steel
handcuffs
from
a
drawer
See
how
beautifully
the
spring
works
They
fasten
in
an
instant
The
old
pattern
is
good
enough
remarked
Lestrade
if
we
can
only
find
the
man
to
put
them
on
Very
good
very
good
said
Holmes
smiling
The
cabman
may
as
well
help
me
with
my
boxes
Just
ask
him
to
step
up
Wiggins
I
was
surprised
to
find
my
companion
speaking
as
though
he
were
about
to
set
out
on
a
journey
since
he
had
not
said
anything
to
me
about
it
There
was
a
small
portmanteau
in
the
room
and
this
he
pulled
out
and
began
to
strap
He
was
busily
engaged
at
it
when
the
cabman
entered
the
room
Just
give
me
a
help
with
this
buckle
cabman
he
said
kneeling
over
his
task
and
never
turning
his
head
The
fellow
came
forward
with
a
somewhat
sullen
defiant
air
and
put
down
his
hands
to
assist
At
that
instant
there
was
a
sharp
click
the
jangling
of
metal
and
Sherlock
Holmes
sprang
to
his
feet
again
Gentlemen
he
cried
with
flashing
eyes
let
me
introduce
you
to
Mr
Jefferson
Hope
the
murderer
of
Enoch
Drebber
and
of
Joseph
Stangerson
The
whole
thing
occurred
in
a
moment
so
quickly
that
I
had
no
time
to
realize
it
I
have
a
vivid
recollection
of
that
instant
of
Holmes'
triumphant
expression
and
the
ring
of
his
voice
of
the
cabman's
dazed
savage
face
as
he
glared
at
the
glittering
handcuffs
which
had
appeared
as
if
by
magic
upon
his
wrists
For
a
second
or
two
we
might
have
been
a
group
of
statues
Then
with
an
inarticulate
roar
of
fury
the
prisoner
wrenched
himself
free
from
Holmes's
grasp
and
hurled
himself
through
the
window
Woodwork
and
glass
gave
way
before
him
but
before
he
got
quite
through
Gregson
Lestrade
and
Holmes
sprang
upon
him
like
so
many
staghounds
He
was
dragged
back
into
the
room
and
then
commenced
a
terrific
conflict
So
powerful
and
so
fierce
was
he
that
the
four
of
us
were
shaken
off
again
and
again
He
appeared
to
have
the
convulsive
strength
of
a
man
in
an
epileptic
fit
His
face
and
hands
were
terribly
mangled
by
his
passage
through
the
glass
but
loss
of
blood
had
no
effect
in
diminishing
his
resistance
It
was
not
until
Lestrade
succeeded
in
getting
his
hand
inside
his
neckcloth
and
half
strangling
him
that
we
made
him
realize
that
his
struggles
were
of
no
avail
and
even
then
we
felt
no
security
until
we
had
pinioned
his
feet
as
well
as
his
hands
That
done
we
rose
to
our
feet
breathless
and
panting
We
have
his
cab
said
Sherlock
Holmes
It
will
serve
to
take
him
to
Scotland
Yard
And
now
gentlemen
he
continued
with
a
pleasant
smile
we
have
reached
the
end
of
our
little
mystery
You
are
very
welcome
to
put
any
questions
that
you
like
to
me
now
and
there
is
no
danger
that
I
will
refuse
to
answer
them
PART
II
The
Country
of
the
Saints
CHAPTER
I
ON
THE
GREAT
ALKALI
PLAIN
IN
the
central
portion
of
the
great
North
American
Continent
there
lies
an
arid
and
repulsive
desert
which
for
many
a
long
year
served
as
a
barrier
against
the
advance
of
civilisation
From
the
Sierra
Nevada
to
Nebraska
and
from
the
Yellowstone
River
in
the
north
to
the
Colorado
upon
the
south
is
a
region
of
desolation
and
silence
Nor
is
Nature
always
in
one
mood
throughout
this
grim
district
It
comprises
snow
capped
and
lofty
mountains
and
dark
and
gloomy
valleys
There
are
swift
flowing
rivers
which
dash
through
jagged
ca
ons
and
there
are
enormous
plains
which
in
winter
are
white
with
snow
and
in
summer
are
grey
with
the
saline
alkali
dust
They
all
preserve
however
the
common
characteristics
of
barrenness
inhospitality
and
misery
There
are
no
inhabitants
of
this
land
of
despair
A
band
of
Pawnees
or
of
Blackfeet
may
occasionally
traverse
it
in
order
to
reach
other
hunting
grounds
but
the
hardiest
of
the
braves
are
glad
to
lose
sight
of
those
awesome
plains
and
to
find
themselves
once
more
upon
their
prairies
The
coyote
skulks
among
the
scrub
the
buzzard
flaps
heavily
through
the
air
and
the
clumsy
grizzly
bear
lumbers
through
the
dark
ravines
and
picks
up
such
sustenance
as
it
can
amongst
the
rocks
These
are
the
sole
dwellers
in
the
wilderness
In
the
whole
world
there
can
be
no
more
dreary
view
than
that
from
the
northern
slope
of
the
Sierra
Blanco
As
far
as
the
eye
can
reach
stretches
the
great
flat
plain
land
all
dusted
over
with
patches
of
alkali
and
intersected
by
clumps
of
the
dwarfish
chaparral
bushes
On
the
extreme
verge
of
the
horizon
lie
a
long
chain
of
mountain
peaks
with
their
rugged
summits
flecked
with
snow
In
this
great
stretch
of
country
there
is
no
sign
of
life
nor
of
anything
appertaining
to
life
There
is
no
bird
in
the
steel
blue
heaven
no
movement
upon
the
dull
grey
earth
above
all
there
is
absolute
silence
Listen
as
one
may
there
is
no
shadow
of
a
sound
in
all
that
mighty
wilderness
nothing
but
silence
complete
and
heart
subduing
silence
It
has
been
said
there
is
nothing
appertaining
to
life
upon
the
broad
plain
That
is
hardly
true
Looking
down
from
the
Sierra
Blanco
one
sees
a
pathway
traced
out
across
the
desert
which
winds
away
and
is
lost
in
the
extreme
distance
It
is
rutted
with
wheels
and
trodden
down
by
the
feet
of
many
adventurers
Here
and
there
there
are
scattered
white
objects
which
glisten
in
the
sun
and
stand
out
against
the
dull
deposit
of
alkali
Approach
and
examine
them
They
are
bones
some
large
and
coarse
others
smaller
and
more
delicate
The
former
have
belonged
to
oxen
and
the
latter
to
men
For
fifteen
hundred
miles
one
may
trace
this
ghastly
caravan
route
by
these
scattered
remains
of
those
who
had
fallen
by
the
wayside
Looking
down
on
this
very
scene
there
stood
upon
the
fourth
of
May
eighteen
hundred
and
forty
seven
a
solitary
traveller
His
appearance
was
such
that
he
might
have
been
the
very
genius
or
demon
of
the
region
An
observer
would
have
found
it
difficult
to
say
whether
he
was
nearer
to
forty
or
to
sixty
His
face
was
lean
and
haggard
and
the
brown
parchment
like
skin
was
drawn
tightly
over
the
projecting
bones
his
long
brown
hair
and
beard
were
all
flecked
and
dashed
with
white
his
eyes
were
sunken
in
his
head
and
burned
with
an
unnatural
lustre
while
the
hand
which
grasped
his
rifle
was
hardly
more
fleshy
than
that
of
a
skeleton
As
he
stood
he
leaned
upon
his
weapon
for
support
and
yet
his
tall
figure
and
the
massive
framework
of
his
bones
suggested
a
wiry
and
vigorous
constitution
His
gaunt
face
however
and
his
clothes
which
hung
so
baggily
over
his
shrivelled
limbs
proclaimed
what
it
was
that
gave
him
that
senile
and
decrepit
appearance
The
man
was
dying
dying
from
hunger
and
from
thirst
He
had
toiled
painfully
down
the
ravine
and
on
to
this
little
elevation
in
the
vain
hope
of
seeing
some
signs
of
water
Now
the
great
salt
plain
stretched
before
his
eyes
and
the
distant
belt
of
savage
mountains
without
a
sign
anywhere
of
plant
or
tree
which
might
indicate
the
presence
of
moisture
In
all
that
broad
landscape
there
was
no
gleam
of
hope
North
and
east
and
west
he
looked
with
wild
questioning
eyes
and
then
he
realised
that
his
wanderings
had
come
to
an
end
and
that
there
on
that
barren
crag
he
was
about
to
die
Why
not
here
as
well
as
in
a
feather
bed
twenty
years
hence
he
muttered
as
he
seated
himself
in
the
shelter
of
a
boulder
Before
sitting
down
he
had
deposited
upon
the
ground
his
useless
rifle
and
also
a
large
bundle
tied
up
in
a
grey
shawl
which
he
had
carried
slung
over
his
right
shoulder
It
appeared
to
be
somewhat
too
heavy
for
his
strength
for
in
lowering
it
it
came
down
on
the
ground
with
some
little
violence
Instantly
there
broke
from
the
grey
parcel
a
little
moaning
cry
and
from
it
there
protruded
a
small
scared
face
with
very
bright
brown
eyes
and
two
little
speckled
dimpled
fists
You've
hurt
me
said
a
childish
voice
reproachfully
Have
I
though
the
man
answered
penitently
I
didn't
go
for
to
do
it
As
he
spoke
he
unwrapped
the
grey
shawl
and
extricated
a
pretty
little
girl
of
about
five
years
of
age
whose
dainty
shoes
and
smart
pink
frock
with
its
little
linen
apron
all
bespoke
a
mother's
care
The
child
was
pale
and
wan
but
her
healthy
arms
and
legs
showed
that
she
had
suffered
less
than
her
companion
How
is
it
now
he
answered
anxiously
for
she
was
still
rubbing
the
towsy
golden
curls
which
covered
the
back
of
her
head
Kiss
it
and
make
it
well
she
said
with
perfect
gravity
shoving
the
injured
part
up
to
him
That's
what
mother
used
to
do
Where's
mother
Mother's
gone
I
guess
you'll
see
her
before
long
Gone
eh
said
the
little
girl
Funny
she
didn't
say
good
bye
she
'most
always
did
if
she
was
just
goin'
over
to
Auntie's
for
tea
and
now
she's
been
away
three
days
Say
it's
awful
dry
ain't
it
Ain't
there
no
water
nor
nothing
to
eat
No
there
ain't
nothing
dearie
You'll
just
need
to
be
patient
awhile
and
then
you'll
be
all
right
Put
your
head
up
agin
me
like
that
and
then
you'll
feel
bullier
It
ain't
easy
to
talk
when
your
lips
is
like
leather
but
I
guess
I'd
best
let
you
know
how
the
cards
lie
What's
that
you've
got
Pretty
things
fine
things
cried
the
little
girl
enthusiastically
holding
up
two
glittering
fragments
of
mica
When
we
goes
back
to
home
I'll
give
them
to
brother
Bob
You'll
see
prettier
things
than
them
soon
said
the
man
confidently
You
just
wait
a
bit
I
was
going
to
tell
you
though
you
remember
when
we
left
the
river
Oh
yes
Well
we
reckoned
we'd
strike
another
river
soon
d'ye
see
But
there
was
somethin'
wrong
compasses
or
map
or
somethin'
and
it
didn't
turn
up
Water
ran
out
Just
except
a
little
drop
for
the
likes
of
you
and
and
And
you
couldn't
wash
yourself
interrupted
his
companion
gravely
staring
up
at
his
grimy
visage
No
nor
drink
And
Mr
Bender
he
was
the
fust
to
go
and
then
Indian
Pete
and
then
Mrs
McGregor
and
then
Johnny
Hones
and
then
dearie
your
mother
Then
mother's
a
deader
too
cried
the
little
girl
dropping
her
face
in
her
pinafore
and
sobbing
bitterly
Yes
they
all
went
except
you
and
me
Then
I
thought
there
was
some
chance
of
water
in
this
direction
so
I
heaved
you
over
my
shoulder
and
we
tramped
it
together
It
don't
seem
as
though
we've
improved
matters
There's
an
almighty
small
chance
for
us
now
Do
you
mean
that
we
are
going
to
die
too
asked
the
child
checking
her
sobs
and
raising
her
tear
stained
face
I
guess
that's
about
the
size
of
it
Why
didn't
you
say
so
before
she
said
laughing
gleefully
You
gave
me
such
a
fright
Why
of
course
now
as
long
as
we
die
we'll
be
with
mother
again
Yes
you
will
dearie
And
you
too
I'll
tell
her
how
awful
good
you've
been
I'll
bet
she
meets
us
at
the
door
of
Heaven
with
a
big
pitcher
of
water
and
a
lot
of
buckwheat
cakes
hot
and
toasted
on
both
sides
like
Bob
and
me
was
fond
of
How
long
will
it
be
first
I
don't
know
not
very
long
The
man's
eyes
were
fixed
upon
the
northern
horizon
In
the
blue
vault
of
the
heaven
there
had
appeared
three
little
specks
which
increased
in
size
every
moment
so
rapidly
did
they
approach
They
speedily
resolved
themselves
into
three
large
brown
birds
which
circled
over
the
heads
of
the
two
wanderers
and
then
settled
upon
some
rocks
which
overlooked
them
They
were
buzzards
the
vultures
of
the
west
whose
coming
is
the
forerunner
of
death
Cocks
and
hens
cried
the
little
girl
gleefully
pointing
at
their
ill
omened
forms
and
clapping
her
hands
to
make
them
rise
Say
did
God
make
this
country
In
course
He
did
said
her
companion
rather
startled
by
this
unexpected
question
He
made
the
country
down
in
Illinois
and
He
made
the
Missouri
the
little
girl
continued
I
guess
somebody
else
made
the
country
in
these
parts
It's
not
nearly
so
well
done
They
forgot
the
water
and
the
trees
What
would
ye
think
of
offering
up
prayer
the
man
asked
diffidently
It
ain't
night
yet
she
answered
It
don't
matter
It
ain't
quite
regular
but
He
won't
mind
that
you
bet
You
say
over
them
ones
that
you
used
to
say
every
night
in
the
waggon
when
we
was
on
the
Plains
Why
don't
you
say
some
yourself
the
child
asked
with
wondering
eyes
I
disremember
them
he
answered
I
hain't
said
none
since
I
was
half
the
height
o'
that
gun
I
guess
it's
never
too
late
You
say
them
out
and
I'll
stand
by
and
come
in
on
the
choruses
Then
you'll
need
to
kneel
down
and
me
too
she
said
laying
the
shawl
out
for
that
purpose
You've
got
to
put
your
hands
up
like
this
It
makes
you
feel
kind
o'
good
It
was
a
strange
sight
had
there
been
anything
but
the
buzzards
to
see
it
Side
by
side
on
the
narrow
shawl
knelt
the
two
wanderers
the
little
prattling
child
and
the
reckless
hardened
adventurer
Her
chubby
face
and
his
haggard
angular
visage
were
both
turned
up
to
the
cloudless
heaven
in
heartfelt
entreaty
to
that
dread
being
with
whom
they
were
face
to
face
while
the
two
voices
the
one
thin
and
clear
the
other
deep
and
harsh
united
in
the
entreaty
for
mercy
and
forgiveness
The
prayer
finished
they
resumed
their
seat
in
the
shadow
of
the
boulder
until
the
child
fell
asleep
nestling
upon
the
broad
breast
of
her
protector
He
watched
over
her
slumber
for
some
time
but
Nature
proved
to
be
too
strong
for
him
For
three
days
and
three
nights
he
had
allowed
himself
neither
rest
nor
repose
Slowly
the
eyelids
drooped
over
the
tired
eyes
and
the
head
sunk
lower
and
lower
upon
the
breast
until
the
man's
grizzled
beard
was
mixed
with
the
gold
tresses
of
his
companion
and
both
slept
the
same
deep
and
dreamless
slumber
Had
the
wanderer
remained
awake
for
another
half
hour
a
strange
sight
would
have
met
his
eyes
Far
away
on
the
extreme
verge
of
the
alkali
plain
there
rose
up
a
little
spray
of
dust
very
slight
at
first
and
hardly
to
be
distinguished
from
the
mists
of
the
distance
but
gradually
growing
higher
and
broader
until
it
formed
a
solid
well
defined
cloud
This
cloud
continued
to
increase
in
size
until
it
became
evident
that
it
could
only
be
raised
by
a
great
multitude
of
moving
creatures
In
more
fertile
spots
the
observer
would
have
come
to
the
conclusion
that
one
of
those
great
herds
of
bisons
which
graze
upon
the
prairie
land
was
approaching
him
This
was
obviously
impossible
in
these
arid
wilds
As
the
whirl
of
dust
drew
nearer
to
the
solitary
bluff
upon
which
the
two
castaways
were
reposing
the
canvas
covered
tilts
of
waggons
and
the
figures
of
armed
horsemen
began
to
show
up
through
the
haze
and
the
apparition
revealed
itself
as
being
a
great
caravan
upon
its
journey
for
the
West
But
what
a
caravan
When
the
head
of
it
had
reached
the
base
of
the
mountains
the
rear
was
not
yet
visible
on
the
horizon
Right
across
the
enormous
plain
stretched
the
straggling
array
waggons
and
carts
men
on
horseback
and
men
on
foot
Innumerable
women
who
staggered
along
under
burdens
and
children
who
toddled
beside
the
waggons
or
peeped
out
from
under
the
white
coverings
This
was
evidently
no
ordinary
party
of
immigrants
but
rather
some
nomad
people
who
had
been
compelled
from
stress
of
circumstances
to
seek
themselves
a
new
country
There
rose
through
the
clear
air
a
confused
clattering
and
rumbling
from
this
great
mass
of
humanity
with
the
creaking
of
wheels
and
the
neighing
of
horses
Loud
as
it
was
it
was
not
sufficient
to
rouse
the
two
tired
wayfarers
above
them
At
the
head
of
the
column
there
rode
a
score
or
more
of
grave
ironfaced
men
clad
in
sombre
homespun
garments
and
armed
with
rifles
On
reaching
the
base
of
the
bluff
they
halted
and
held
a
short
council
among
themselves
The
wells
are
to
the
right
my
brothers
said
one
a
hard
lipped
clean
shaven
man
with
grizzly
hair
To
the
right
of
the
Sierra
Blanco
so
we
shall
reach
the
Rio
Grande
said
another
Fear
not
for
water
cried
a
third
He
who
could
draw
it
from
the
rocks
will
not
now
abandon
His
own
chosen
people
Amen
Amen
responded
the
whole
party
They
were
about
to
resume
their
journey
when
one
of
the
youngest
and
keenest
eyed
uttered
an
exclamation
and
pointed
up
at
the
rugged
crag
above
them
From
its
summit
there
fluttered
a
little
wisp
of
pink
showing
up
hard
and
bright
against
the
grey
rocks
behind
At
the
sight
there
was
a
general
reining
up
of
horses
and
unslinging
of
guns
while
fresh
horsemen
came
galloping
up
to
reinforce
the
vanguard
The
word
Redskins
was
on
every
lip
There
can't
be
any
number
of
Injuns
here
said
the
elderly
man
who
appeared
to
be
in
command
We
have
passed
the
Pawnees
and
there
are
no
other
tribes
until
we
cross
the
great
mountains
Shall
I
go
forward
and
see
Brother
Stangerson
asked
one
of
the
band
And
I
and
I
cried
a
dozen
voices
Leave
your
horses
below
and
we
will
await
you
here
the
Elder
answered
In
a
moment
the
young
fellows
had
dismounted
fastened
their
horses
and
were
ascending
the
precipitous
slope
which
led
up
to
the
object
which
had
excited
their
curiosity
They
advanced
rapidly
and
noiselessly
with
the
confidence
and
dexterity
of
practised
scouts
The
watchers
from
the
plain
below
could
see
them
flit
from
rock
to
rock
until
their
figures
stood
out
against
the
skyline
The
young
man
who
had
first
given
the
alarm
was
leading
them
Suddenly
his
followers
saw
him
throw
up
his
hands
as
though
overcome
with
astonishment
and
on
joining
him
they
were
affected
in
the
same
way
by
the
sight
which
met
their
eyes
On
the
little
plateau
which
crowned
the
barren
hill
there
stood
a
single
giant
boulder
and
against
this
boulder
there
lay
a
tall
man
long
bearded
and
hard
featured
but
of
an
excessive
thinness
His
placid
face
and
regular
breathing
showed
that
he
was
fast
asleep
Beside
him
lay
a
little
child
with
her
round
white
arms
encircling
his
brown
sinewy
neck
and
her
golden
haired
head
resting
upon
the
breast
of
his
velveteen
tunic
Her
rosy
lips
were
parted
showing
the
regular
line
of
snow
white
teeth
within
and
a
playful
smile
played
over
her
infantile
features
Her
plump
little
white
legs
terminating
in
white
socks
and
neat
shoes
with
shining
buckles
offered
a
strange
contrast
to
the
long
shrivelled
members
of
her
companion
On
the
ledge
of
rock
above
this
strange
couple
there
stood
three
solemn
buzzards
who
at
the
sight
of
the
new
comers
uttered
raucous
screams
of
disappointment
and
flapped
sullenly
away
The
cries
of
the
foul
birds
awoke
the
two
sleepers
who
stared
about
them
in
bewilderment
The
man
staggered
to
his
feet
and
looked
down
upon
the
plain
which
had
been
so
desolate
when
sleep
had
overtaken
him
and
which
was
now
traversed
by
this
enormous
body
of
men
and
of
beasts
His
face
assumed
an
expression
of
incredulity
as
he
gazed
and
he
passed
his
boney
hand
over
his
eyes
This
is
what
they
call
delirium
I
guess
he
muttered
The
child
stood
beside
him
holding
on
to
the
skirt
of
his
coat
and
said
nothing
but
looked
all
round
her
with
the
wondering
questioning
gaze
of
childhood
The
rescuing
party
were
speedily
able
to
convince
the
two
castaways
that
their
appearance
was
no
delusion
One
of
them
seized
the
little
girl
and
hoisted
her
upon
his
shoulder
while
two
others
supported
her
gaunt
companion
and
assisted
him
towards
the
waggons
My
name
is
John
Ferrier
the
wanderer
explained
me
and
that
little
un
are
all
that's
left
o'
twenty
one
people
The
rest
is
all
dead
o'
thirst
and
hunger
away
down
in
the
south
Is
she
your
child
asked
someone
I
guess
she
is
now
the
other
cried
defiantly
she's
mine
'cause
I
saved
her
No
man
will
take
her
from
me
She's
Lucy
Ferrier
from
this
day
on
Who
are
you
though
he
continued
glancing
with
curiosity
at
his
stalwart
sunburned
rescuers
there
seems
to
be
a
powerful
lot
of
ye
Nigh
upon
ten
thousand
said
one
of
the
young
men
we
are
the
persecuted
children
of
God
the
chosen
of
the
Angel
Merona
I
never
heard
tell
on
him
said
the
wanderer
He
appears
to
have
chosen
a
fair
crowd
of
ye
Do
not
jest
at
that
which
is
sacred
said
the
other
sternly
We
are
of
those
who
believe
in
those
sacred
writings
drawn
in
Egyptian
letters
on
plates
of
beaten
gold
which
were
handed
unto
the
holy
Joseph
Smith
at
Palmyra
We
have
come
from
Nauvoo
in
the
State
of
Illinois
where
we
had
founded
our
temple
We
have
come
to
seek
a
refuge
from
the
violent
man
and
from
the
godless
even
though
it
be
the
heart
of
the
desert
The
name
of
Nauvoo
evidently
recalled
recollections
to
John
Ferrier
I
see
he
said
you
are
the
Mormons
We
are
the
Mormons
answered
his
companions
with
one
voice
And
where
are
you
going
We
do
not
know
The
hand
of
God
is
leading
us
under
the
person
of
our
Prophet
You
must
come
before
him
He
shall
say
what
is
to
be
done
with
you
They
had
reached
the
base
of
the
hill
by
this
time
and
were
surrounded
by
crowds
of
the
pilgrims
pale
faced
meek
looking
women
strong
laughing
children
and
anxious
earnest
eyed
men
Many
were
the
cries
of
astonishment
and
of
commiseration
which
arose
from
them
when
they
perceived
the
youth
of
one
of
the
strangers
and
the
destitution
of
the
other
Their
escort
did
not
halt
however
but
pushed
on
followed
by
a
great
crowd
of
Mormons
until
they
reached
a
waggon
which
was
conspicuous
for
its
great
size
and
for
the
gaudiness
and
smartness
of
its
appearance
Six
horses
were
yoked
to
it
whereas
the
others
were
furnished
with
two
or
at
most
four
a
piece
Beside
the
driver
there
sat
a
man
who
could
not
have
been
more
than
thirty
years
of
age
but
whose
massive
head
and
resolute
expression
marked
him
as
a
leader
He
was
reading
a
brown
backed
volume
but
as
the
crowd
approached
he
laid
it
aside
and
listened
attentively
to
an
account
of
the
episode
Then
he
turned
to
the
two
castaways
If
we
take
you
with
us
he
said
in
solemn
words
it
can
only
be
as
believers
in
our
own
creed
We
shall
have
no
wolves
in
our
fold
Better
far
that
your
bones
should
bleach
in
this
wilderness
than
that
you
should
prove
to
be
that
little
speck
of
decay
which
in
time
corrupts
the
whole
fruit
Will
you
come
with
us
on
these
terms
Guess
I'll
come
with
you
on
any
terms
said
Ferrier
with
such
emphasis
that
the
grave
Elders
could
not
restrain
a
smile
The
leader
alone
retained
his
stern
impressive
expression
Take
him
Brother
Stangerson
he
said
give
him
food
and
drink
and
the
child
likewise
Let
it
be
your
task
also
to
teach
him
our
holy
creed
We
have
delayed
long
enough
Forward
On
on
to
Zion
On
on
to
Zion
cried
the
crowd
of
Mormons
and
the
words
rippled
down
the
long
caravan
passing
from
mouth
to
mouth
until
they
died
away
in
a
dull
murmur
in
the
far
distance
With
a
cracking
of
whips
and
a
creaking
of
wheels
the
great
waggons
got
into
motion
and
soon
the
whole
caravan
was
winding
along
once
more
The
Elder
to
whose
care
the
two
waifs
had
been
committed
led
them
to
his
waggon
where
a
meal
was
already
awaiting
them
You
shall
remain
here
he
said
In
a
few
days
you
will
have
recovered
from
your
fatigues
In
the
meantime
remember
that
now
and
for
ever
you
are
of
our
religion
Brigham
Young
has
said
it
and
he
has
spoken
with
the
voice
of
Joseph
Smith
which
is
the
voice
of
God
CHAPTER
II
THE
FLOWER
OF
UTAH
THIS
is
not
the
place
to
commemorate
the
trials
and
privations
endured
by
the
immigrant
Mormons
before
they
came
to
their
final
haven
From
the
shores
of
the
Mississippi
to
the
western
slopes
of
the
Rocky
Mountains
they
had
struggled
on
with
a
constancy
almost
unparalleled
in
history
The
savage
man
and
the
savage
beast
hunger
thirst
fatigue
and
disease
every
impediment
which
Nature
could
place
in
the
way
had
all
been
overcome
with
Anglo
Saxon
tenacity
Yet
the
long
journey
and
the
accumulated
terrors
had
shaken
the
hearts
of
the
stoutest
among
them
There
was
not
one
who
did
not
sink
upon
his
knees
in
heartfelt
prayer
when
they
saw
the
broad
valley
of
Utah
bathed
in
the
sunlight
beneath
them
and
learned
from
the
lips
of
their
leader
that
this
was
the
promised
land
and
that
these
virgin
acres
were
to
be
theirs
for
evermore
Young
speedily
proved
himself
to
be
a
skilful
administrator
as
well
as
a
resolute
chief
Maps
were
drawn
and
charts
prepared
in
which
the
future
city
was
sketched
out
All
around
farms
were
apportioned
and
allotted
in
proportion
to
the
standing
of
each
individual
The
tradesman
was
put
to
his
trade
and
the
artisan
to
his
calling
In
the
town
streets
and
squares
sprang
up
as
if
by
magic
In
the
country
there
was
draining
and
hedging
planting
and
clearing
until
the
next
summer
saw
the
whole
country
golden
with
the
wheat
crop
Everything
prospered
in
the
strange
settlement
Above
all
the
great
temple
which
they
had
erected
in
the
centre
of
the
city
grew
ever
taller
and
larger
From
the
first
blush
of
dawn
until
the
closing
of
the
twilight
the
clatter
of
the
hammer
and
the
rasp
of
the
saw
was
never
absent
from
the
monument
which
the
immigrants
erected
to
Him
who
had
led
them
safe
through
many
dangers
The
two
castaways
John
Ferrier
and
the
little
girl
who
had
shared
his
fortunes
and
had
been
adopted
as
his
daughter
accompanied
the
Mormons
to
the
end
of
their
great
pilgrimage
Little
Lucy
Ferrier
was
borne
along
pleasantly
enough
in
Elder
Stangerson's
waggon
a
retreat
which
she
shared
with
the
Mormon's
three
wives
and
with
his
son
a
headstrong
forward
boy
of
twelve
Having
rallied
with
the
elasticity
of
childhood
from
the
shock
caused
by
her
mother's
death
she
soon
became
a
pet
with
the
women
and
reconciled
herself
to
this
new
life
in
her
moving
canvas
covered
home
In
the
meantime
Ferrier
having
recovered
from
his
privations
distinguished
himself
as
a
useful
guide
and
an
indefatigable
hunter
So
rapidly
did
he
gain
the
esteem
of
his
new
companions
that
when
they
reached
the
end
of
their
wanderings
it
was
unanimously
agreed
that
he
should
be
provided
with
as
large
and
as
fertile
a
tract
of
land
as
any
of
the
settlers
with
the
exception
of
Young
himself
and
of
Stangerson
Kemball
Johnston
and
Drebber
who
were
the
four
principal
Elders
On
the
farm
thus
acquired
John
Ferrier
built
himself
a
substantial
log
house
which
received
so
many
additions
in
succeeding
years
that
it
grew
into
a
roomy
villa
He
was
a
man
of
a
practical
turn
of
mind
keen
in
his
dealings
and
skilful
with
his
hands
His
iron
constitution
enabled
him
to
work
morning
and
evening
at
improving
and
tilling
his
lands
Hence
it
came
about
that
his
farm
and
all
that
belonged
to
him
prospered
exceedingly
In
three
years
he
was
better
off
than
his
neighbours
in
six
he
was
well
to
do
in
nine
he
was
rich
and
in
twelve
there
were
not
half
a
dozen
men
in
the
whole
of
Salt
Lake
City
who
could
compare
with
him
From
the
great
inland
sea
to
the
distant
Wahsatch
Mountains
there
was
no
name
better
known
than
that
of
John
Ferrier
There
was
one
way
and
only
one
in
which
he
offended
the
susceptibilities
of
his
co
religionists
No
argument
or
persuasion
could
ever
induce
him
to
set
up
a
female
establishment
after
the
manner
of
his
companions
He
never
gave
reasons
for
this
persistent
refusal
but
contented
himself
by
resolutely
and
inflexibly
adhering
to
his
determination
There
were
some
who
accused
him
of
lukewarmness
in
his
adopted
religion
and
others
who
put
it
down
to
greed
of
wealth
and
reluctance
to
incur
expense
Others
again
spoke
of
some
early
love
affair
and
of
a
fair
haired
girl
who
had
pined
away
on
the
shores
of
the
Atlantic
Whatever
the
reason
Ferrier
remained
strictly
celibate
In
every
other
respect
he
conformed
to
the
religion
of
the
young
settlement
and
gained
the
name
of
being
an
orthodox
and
straight
walking
man
Lucy
Ferrier
grew
up
within
the
log
house
and
assisted
her
adopted
father
in
all
his
undertakings
The
keen
air
of
the
mountains
and
the
balsamic
odour
of
the
pine
trees
took
the
place
of
nurse
and
mother
to
the
young
girl
As
year
succeeded
to
year
she
grew
taller
and
stronger
her
cheek
more
rudy
and
her
step
more
elastic
Many
a
wayfarer
upon
the
high
road
which
ran
by
Ferrier's
farm
felt
long
forgotten
thoughts
revive
in
their
mind
as
they
watched
her
lithe
girlish
figure
tripping
through
the
wheatfields
or
met
her
mounted
upon
her
father's
mustang
and
managing
it
with
all
the
ease
and
grace
of
a
true
child
of
the
West
So
the
bud
blossomed
into
a
flower
and
the
year
which
saw
her
father
the
richest
of
the
farmers
left
her
as
fair
a
specimen
of
American
girlhood
as
could
be
found
in
the
whole
Pacific
slope
It
was
not
the
father
however
who
first
discovered
that
the
child
had
developed
into
the
woman
It
seldom
is
in
such
cases
That
mysterious
change
is
too
subtle
and
too
gradual
to
be
measured
by
dates
Least
of
all
does
the
maiden
herself
know
it
until
the
tone
of
a
voice
or
the
touch
of
a
hand
sets
her
heart
thrilling
within
her
and
she
learns
with
a
mixture
of
pride
and
of
fear
that
a
new
and
a
larger
nature
has
awoken
within
her
There
are
few
who
cannot
recall
that
day
and
remember
the
one
little
incident
which
heralded
the
dawn
of
a
new
life
In
the
case
of
Lucy
Ferrier
the
occasion
was
serious
enough
in
itself
apart
from
its
future
influence
on
her
destiny
and
that
of
many
besides
It
was
a
warm
June
morning
and
the
Latter
Day
Saints
were
as
busy
as
the
bees
whose
hive
they
have
chosen
for
their
emblem
In
the
fields
and
in
the
streets
rose
the
same
hum
of
human
industry
Down
the
dusty
high
roads
defiled
long
streams
of
heavily
laden
mules
all
heading
to
the
west
for
the
gold
fever
had
broken
out
in
California
and
the
Overland
Route
lay
through
the
City
of
the
Elect
There
too
were
droves
of
sheep
and
bullocks
coming
in
from
the
outlying
pasture
lands
and
trains
of
tired
immigrants
men
and
horses
equally
weary
of
their
interminable
journey
Through
all
this
motley
assemblage
threading
her
way
with
the
skill
of
an
accomplished
rider
there
galloped
Lucy
Ferrier
her
fair
face
flushed
with
the
exercise
and
her
long
chestnut
hair
floating
out
behind
her
She
had
a
commission
from
her
father
in
the
City
and
was
dashing
in
as
she
had
done
many
a
time
before
with
all
the
fearlessness
of
youth
thinking
only
of
her
task
and
how
it
was
to
be
performed
The
travel
stained
adventurers
gazed
after
her
in
astonishment
and
even
the
unemotional
Indians
journeying
in
with
their
pelties
relaxed
their
accustomed
stoicism
as
they
marvelled
at
the
beauty
of
the
pale
faced
maiden
She
had
reached
the
outskirts
of
the
city
when
she
found
the
road
blocked
by
a
great
drove
of
cattle
driven
by
a
half
dozen
wild
looking
herdsmen
from
the
plains
In
her
impatience
she
endeavoured
to
pass
this
obstacle
by
pushing
her
horse
into
what
appeared
to
be
a
gap
Scarcely
had
she
got
fairly
into
it
however
before
the
beasts
closed
in
behind
her
and
she
found
herself
completely
imbedded
in
the
moving
stream
of
fierce
eyed
long
horned
bullocks
Accustomed
as
she
was
to
deal
with
cattle
she
was
not
alarmed
at
her
situation
but
took
advantage
of
every
opportunity
to
urge
her
horse
on
in
the
hopes
of
pushing
her
way
through
the
cavalcade
Unfortunately
the
horns
of
one
of
the
creatures
either
by
accident
or
design
came
in
violent
contact
with
the
flank
of
the
mustang
and
excited
it
to
madness
In
an
instant
it
reared
up
upon
its
hind
legs
with
a
snort
of
rage
and
pranced
and
tossed
in
a
way
that
would
have
unseated
any
but
a
most
skilful
rider
The
situation
was
full
of
peril
Every
plunge
of
the
excited
horse
brought
it
against
the
horns
again
and
goaded
it
to
fresh
madness
It
was
all
that
the
girl
could
do
to
keep
herself
in
the
saddle
yet
a
slip
would
mean
a
terrible
death
under
the
hoofs
of
the
unwieldy
and
terrified
animals
Unaccustomed
to
sudden
emergencies
her
head
began
to
swim
and
her
grip
upon
the
bridle
to
relax
Choked
by
the
rising
cloud
of
dust
and
by
the
steam
from
the
struggling
creatures
she
might
have
abandoned
her
efforts
in
despair
but
for
a
kindly
voice
at
her
elbow
which
assured
her
of
assistance
At
the
same
moment
a
sinewy
brown
hand
caught
the
frightened
horse
by
the
curb
and
forcing
a
way
through
the
drove
soon
brought
her
to
the
outskirts
You're
not
hurt
I
hope
miss
said
her
preserver
respectfully
She
looked
up
at
his
dark
fierce
face
and
laughed
saucily
I'm
awful
frightened
she
said
naively
whoever
would
have
thought
that
Poncho
would
have
been
so
scared
by
a
lot
of
cows
Thank
God
you
kept
your
seat
the
other
said
earnestly
He
was
a
tall
savage
looking
young
fellow
mounted
on
a
powerful
roan
horse
and
clad
in
the
rough
dress
of
a
hunter
with
a
long
rifle
slung
over
his
shoulders
I
guess
you
are
the
daughter
of
John
Ferrier
he
remarked
I
saw
you
ride
down
from
his
house
When
you
see
him
ask
him
if
he
remembers
the
Jefferson
Hopes
of
St
Louis
If
he's
the
same
Ferrier
my
father
and
he
were
pretty
thick
Hadn't
you
better
come
and
ask
yourself
she
asked
demurely
The
young
fellow
seemed
pleased
at
the
suggestion
and
his
dark
eyes
sparkled
with
pleasure
I'll
do
so
he
said
we've
been
in
the
mountains
for
two
months
and
are
not
over
and
above
in
visiting
condition
He
must
take
us
as
he
finds
us
He
has
a
good
deal
to
thank
you
for
and
so
have
I
she
answered
he's
awful
fond
of
me
If
those
cows
had
jumped
on
me
he'd
have
never
got
over
it
Neither
would
I
said
her
companion
You
Well
I
don't
see
that
it
would
make
much
matter
to
you
anyhow
You
ain't
even
a
friend
of
ours
The
young
hunter's
dark
face
grew
so
gloomy
over
this
remark
that
Lucy
Ferrier
laughed
aloud
There
I
didn't
mean
that
she
said
of
course
you
are
a
friend
now
You
must
come
and
see
us
Now
I
must
push
along
or
father
won't
trust
me
with
his
business
any
more
Good
bye
Good
bye
he
answered
raising
his
broad
sombrero
and
bending
over
her
little
hand
She
wheeled
her
mustang
round
gave
it
a
cut
with
her
riding
whip
and
darted
away
down
the
broad
road
in
a
rolling
cloud
of
dust
Young
Jefferson
Hope
rode
on
with
his
companions
gloomy
and
taciturn
He
and
they
had
been
among
the
Nevada
Mountains
prospecting
for
silver
and
were
returning
to
Salt
Lake
City
in
the
hope
of
raising
capital
enough
to
work
some
lodes
which
they
had
discovered
He
had
been
as
keen
as
any
of
them
upon
the
business
until
this
sudden
incident
had
drawn
his
thoughts
into
another
channel
The
sight
of
the
fair
young
girl
as
frank
and
wholesome
as
the
Sierra
breezes
had
stirred
his
volcanic
untamed
heart
to
its
very
depths
When
she
had
vanished
from
his
sight
he
realized
that
a
crisis
had
come
in
his
life
and
that
neither
silver
speculations
nor
any
other
questions
could
ever
be
of
such
importance
to
him
as
this
new
and
all
absorbing
one
The
love
which
had
sprung
up
in
his
heart
was
not
the
sudden
changeable
fancy
of
a
boy
but
rather
the
wild
fierce
passion
of
a
man
of
strong
will
and
imperious
temper
He
had
been
accustomed
to
succeed
in
all
that
he
undertook
He
swore
in
his
heart
that
he
would
not
fail
in
this
if
human
effort
and
human
perseverance
could
render
him
successful
He
called
on
John
Ferrier
that
night
and
many
times
again
until
his
face
was
a
familiar
one
at
the
farm
house
John
cooped
up
in
the
valley
and
absorbed
in
his
work
had
had
little
chance
of
learning
the
news
of
the
outside
world
during
the
last
twelve
years
All
this
Jefferson
Hope
was
able
to
tell
him
and
in
a
style
which
interested
Lucy
as
well
as
her
father
He
had
been
a
pioneer
in
California
and
could
narrate
many
a
strange
tale
of
fortunes
made
and
fortunes
lost
in
those
wild
halcyon
days
He
had
been
a
scout
too
and
a
trapper
a
silver
explorer
and
a
ranchman
Wherever
stirring
adventures
were
to
be
had
Jefferson
Hope
had
been
there
in
search
of
them
He
soon
became
a
favourite
with
the
old
farmer
who
spoke
eloquently
of
his
virtues
On
such
occasions
Lucy
was
silent
but
her
blushing
cheek
and
her
bright
happy
eyes
showed
only
too
clearly
that
her
young
heart
was
no
longer
her
own
Her
honest
father
may
not
have
observed
these
symptoms
but
they
were
assuredly
not
thrown
away
upon
the
man
who
had
won
her
affections
It
was
a
summer
evening
when
he
came
galloping
down
the
road
and
pulled
up
at
the
gate
She
was
at
the
doorway
and
came
down
to
meet
him
He
threw
the
bridle
over
the
fence
and
strode
up
the
pathway
I
am
off
Lucy
he
said
taking
her
two
hands
in
his
and
gazing
tenderly
down
into
her
face
I
won't
ask
you
to
come
with
me
now
but
will
you
be
ready
to
come
when
I
am
here
again
And
when
will
that
be
she
asked
blushing
and
laughing
A
couple
of
months
at
the
outside
I
will
come
and
claim
you
then
my
darling
There's
no
one
who
can
stand
between
us
And
how
about
father
she
asked
He
has
given
his
consent
provided
we
get
these
mines
working
all
right
I
have
no
fear
on
that
head
Oh
well
of
course
if
you
and
father
have
arranged
it
all
there's
no
more
to
be
said
she
whispered
with
her
cheek
against
his
broad
breast
Thank
God
he
said
hoarsely
stooping
and
kissing
her
It
is
settled
then
The
longer
I
stay
the
harder
it
will
be
to
go
They
are
waiting
for
me
at
the
ca
on
Good
bye
my
own
darling
good
bye
In
two
months
you
shall
see
me
He
tore
himself
from
her
as
he
spoke
and
flinging
himself
upon
his
horse
galloped
furiously
away
never
even
looking
round
as
though
afraid
that
his
resolution
might
fail
him
if
he
took
one
glance
at
what
he
was
leaving
She
stood
at
the
gate
gazing
after
him
until
he
vanished
from
her
sight
Then
she
walked
back
into
the
house
the
happiest
girl
in
all
Utah
CHAPTER
III
JOHN
FERRIER
TALKS
WITH
THE
PROPHET
THREE
weeks
had
passed
since
Jefferson
Hope
and
his
comrades
had
departed
from
Salt
Lake
City
John
Ferrier's
heart
was
sore
within
him
when
he
thought
of
the
young
man's
return
and
of
the
impending
loss
of
his
adopted
child
Yet
her
bright
and
happy
face
reconciled
him
to
the
arrangement
more
than
any
argument
could
have
done
He
had
always
determined
deep
down
in
his
resolute
heart
that
nothing
would
ever
induce
him
to
allow
his
daughter
to
wed
a
Mormon
Such
a
marriage
he
regarded
as
no
marriage
at
all
but
as
a
shame
and
a
disgrace
Whatever
he
might
think
of
the
Mormon
doctrines
upon
that
one
point
he
was
inflexible
He
had
to
seal
his
mouth
on
the
subject
however
for
to
express
an
unorthodox
opinion
was
a
dangerous
matter
in
those
days
in
the
Land
of
the
Saints
Yes
a
dangerous
matter
so
dangerous
that
even
the
most
saintly
dared
only
whisper
their
religious
opinions
with
bated
breath
lest
something
which
fell
from
their
lips
might
be
misconstrued
and
bring
down
a
swift
retribution
upon
them
The
victims
of
persecution
had
now
turned
persecutors
on
their
own
account
and
persecutors
of
the
most
terrible
description
Not
the
Inquisition
of
Seville
nor
the
German
Vehm
gericht
nor
the
Secret
Societies
of
Italy
were
ever
able
to
put
a
more
formidable
machinery
in
motion
than
that
which
cast
a
cloud
over
the
State
of
Utah
Its
invisibility
and
the
mystery
which
was
attached
to
it
made
this
organization
doubly
terrible
It
appeared
to
be
omniscient
and
omnipotent
and
yet
was
neither
seen
nor
heard
The
man
who
held
out
against
the
Church
vanished
away
and
none
knew
whither
he
had
gone
or
what
had
befallen
him
His
wife
and
his
children
awaited
him
at
home
but
no
father
ever
returned
to
tell
them
how
he
had
fared
at
the
hands
of
his
secret
judges
A
rash
word
or
a
hasty
act
was
followed
by
annihilation
and
yet
none
knew
what
the
nature
might
be
of
this
terrible
power
which
was
suspended
over
them
No
wonder
that
men
went
about
in
fear
and
trembling
and
that
even
in
the
heart
of
the
wilderness
they
dared
not
whisper
the
doubts
which
oppressed
them
At
first
this
vague
and
terrible
power
was
exercised
only
upon
the
recalcitrants
who
having
embraced
the
Mormon
faith
wished
afterwards
to
pervert
or
to
abandon
it
Soon
however
it
took
a
wider
range
The
supply
of
adult
women
was
running
short
and
polygamy
without
a
female
population
on
which
to
draw
was
a
barren
doctrine
indeed
Strange
rumours
began
to
be
bandied
about
rumours
of
murdered
immigrants
and
rifled
camps
in
regions
where
Indians
had
never
been
seen
Fresh
women
appeared
in
the
harems
of
the
Elders
women
who
pined
and
wept
and
bore
upon
their
faces
the
traces
of
an
unextinguishable
horror
Belated
wanderers
upon
the
mountains
spoke
of
gangs
of
armed
men
masked
stealthy
and
noiseless
who
flitted
by
them
in
the
darkness
These
tales
and
rumours
took
substance
and
shape
and
were
corroborated
and
re
corroborated
until
they
resolved
themselves
into
a
definite
name
To
this
day
in
the
lonely
ranches
of
the
West
the
name
of
the
Danite
Band
or
the
Avenging
Angels
is
a
sinister
and
an
ill
omened
one
Fuller
knowledge
of
the
organization
which
produced
such
terrible
results
served
to
increase
rather
than
to
lessen
the
horror
which
it
inspired
in
the
minds
of
men
None
knew
who
belonged
to
this
ruthless
society
The
names
of
the
participators
in
the
deeds
of
blood
and
violence
done
under
the
name
of
religion
were
kept
profoundly
secret
The
very
friend
to
whom
you
communicated
your
misgivings
as
to
the
Prophet
and
his
mission
might
be
one
of
those
who
would
come
forth
at
night
with
fire
and
sword
to
exact
a
terrible
reparation
Hence
every
man
feared
his
neighbour
and
none
spoke
of
the
things
which
were
nearest
his
heart
One
fine
morning
John
Ferrier
was
about
to
set
out
to
his
wheatfields
when
he
heard
the
click
of
the
latch
and
looking
through
the
window
saw
a
stout
sandy
haired
middle
aged
man
coming
up
the
pathway
His
heart
leapt
to
his
mouth
for
this
was
none
other
than
the
great
Brigham
Young
himself
Full
of
trepidation
for
he
knew
that
such
a
visit
boded
him
little
good
Ferrier
ran
to
the
door
to
greet
the
Mormon
chief
The
latter
however
received
his
salutations
coldly
and
followed
him
with
a
stern
face
into
the
sitting
room
Brother
Ferrier
he
said
taking
a
seat
and
eyeing
the
farmer
keenly
from
under
his
light
coloured
eyelashes
the
true
believers
have
been
good
friends
to
you
We
picked
you
up
when
you
were
starving
in
the
desert
we
shared
our
food
with
you
led
you
safe
to
the
Chosen
Valley
gave
you
a
goodly
share
of
land
and
allowed
you
to
wax
rich
under
our
protection
Is
not
this
so
It
is
so
answered
John
Ferrier
In
return
for
all
this
we
asked
but
one
condition
that
was
that
you
should
embrace
the
true
faith
and
conform
in
every
way
to
its
usages
This
you
promised
to
do
and
this
if
common
report
says
truly
you
have
neglected
And
how
have
I
neglected
it
asked
Ferrier
throwing
out
his
hands
in
expostulation
Have
I
not
given
to
the
common
fund
Have
I
not
attended
at
the
Temple
Have
I
not
Where
are
your
wives
asked
Young
looking
round
him
Call
them
in
that
I
may
greet
them
It
is
true
that
I
have
not
married
Ferrier
answered
But
women
were
few
and
there
were
many
who
had
better
claims
than
I
I
was
not
a
lonely
man
I
had
my
daughter
to
attend
to
my
wants
It
is
of
that
daughter
that
I
would
speak
to
you
said
the
leader
of
the
Mormons
She
has
grown
to
be
the
flower
of
Utah
and
has
found
favour
in
the
eyes
of
many
who
are
high
in
the
land
John
Ferrier
groaned
internally
There
are
stories
of
her
which
I
would
fain
disbelieve
stories
that
she
is
sealed
to
some
Gentile
This
must
be
the
gossip
of
idle
tongues
What
is
the
thirteenth
rule
in
the
code
of
the
sainted
Joseph
Smith
Let
every
maiden
of
the
true
faith
marry
one
of
the
elect
for
if
she
wed
a
Gentile
she
commits
a
grievous
sin
This
being
so
it
is
impossible
that
you
who
profess
the
holy
creed
should
suffer
your
daughter
to
violate
it
John
Ferrier
made
no
answer
but
he
played
nervously
with
his
riding
whip
Upon
this
one
point
your
whole
faith
shall
be
tested
so
it
has
been
decided
in
the
Sacred
Council
of
Four
The
girl
is
young
and
we
would
not
have
her
wed
grey
hairs
neither
would
we
deprive
her
of
all
choice
We
Elders
have
many
heifers
but
our
children
must
also
be
provided
Stangerson
has
a
son
and
Drebber
has
a
son
and
either
of
them
would
gladly
welcome
your
daughter
to
their
house
Let
her
choose
between
them
They
are
young
and
rich
and
of
the
true
faith
What
say
you
to
that
Ferrier
remained
silent
for
some
little
time
with
his
brows
knitted
You
will
give
us
time
he
said
at
last
My
daughter
is
very
young
she
is
scarce
of
an
age
to
marry
She
shall
have
a
month
to
choose
said
Young
rising
from
his
seat
At
the
end
of
that
time
she
shall
give
her
answer
He
was
passing
through
the
door
when
he
turned
with
flushed
face
and
flashing
eyes
It
were
better
for
you
John
Ferrier
he
thundered
that
you
and
she
were
now
lying
blanched
skeletons
upon
the
Sierra
Blanco
than
that
you
should
put
your
weak
wills
against
the
orders
of
the
Holy
Four
With
a
threatening
gesture
of
his
hand
he
turned
from
the
door
and
Ferrier
heard
his
heavy
step
scrunching
along
the
shingly
path
He
was
still
sitting
with
his
elbows
upon
his
knees
considering
how
he
should
broach
the
matter
to
his
daughter
when
a
soft
hand
was
laid
upon
his
and
looking
up
he
saw
her
standing
beside
him
One
glance
at
her
pale
frightened
face
showed
him
that
she
had
heard
what
had
passed
I
could
not
help
it
she
said
in
answer
to
his
look
His
voice
rang
through
the
house
Oh
father
father
what
shall
we
do
Don't
you
scare
yourself
he
answered
drawing
her
to
him
and
passing
his
broad
rough
hand
caressingly
over
her
chestnut
hair
We'll
fix
it
up
somehow
or
another
You
don't
find
your
fancy
kind
o'
lessening
for
this
chap
do
you
A
sob
and
a
squeeze
of
his
hand
was
her
only
answer
No
of
course
not
I
shouldn't
care
to
hear
you
say
you
did
He's
a
likely
lad
and
he's
a
Christian
which
is
more
than
these
folk
here
in
spite
o'
all
their
praying
and
preaching
There's
a
party
starting
for
Nevada
to
morrow
and
I'll
manage
to
send
him
a
message
letting
him
know
the
hole
we
are
in
If
I
know
anything
o'
that
young
man
he'll
be
back
here
with
a
speed
that
would
whip
electro
telegraphs
Lucy
laughed
through
her
tears
at
her
father's
description
When
he
comes
he
will
advise
us
for
the
best
But
it
is
for
you
that
I
am
frightened
dear
One
hears
one
hears
such
dreadful
stories
about
those
who
oppose
the
Prophet
something
terrible
always
happens
to
them
But
we
haven't
opposed
him
yet
her
father
answered
It
will
be
time
to
look
out
for
squalls
when
we
do
We
have
a
clear
month
before
us
at
the
end
of
that
I
guess
we
had
best
shin
out
of
Utah
Leave
Utah
That's
about
the
size
of
it
But
the
farm
We
will
raise
as
much
as
we
can
in
money
and
let
the
rest
go
To
tell
the
truth
Lucy
it
isn't
the
first
time
I
have
thought
of
doing
it
I
don't
care
about
knuckling
under
to
any
man
as
these
folk
do
to
their
darned
prophet
I'm
a
free
born
American
and
it's
all
new
to
me
Guess
I'm
too
old
to
learn
If
he
comes
browsing
about
this
farm
he
might
chance
to
run
up
against
a
charge
of
buckshot
travelling
in
the
opposite
direction
But
they
won't
let
us
leave
his
daughter
objected
Wait
till
Jefferson
comes
and
we'll
soon
manage
that
In
the
meantime
don't
you
fret
yourself
my
dearie
and
don't
get
your
eyes
swelled
up
else
he'll
be
walking
into
me
when
he
sees
you
There's
nothing
to
be
afeared
about
and
there's
no
danger
at
all
John
Ferrier
uttered
these
consoling
remarks
in
a
very
confident
tone
but
she
could
not
help
observing
that
he
paid
unusual
care
to
the
fastening
of
the
doors
that
night
and
that
he
carefully
cleaned
and
loaded
the
rusty
old
shotgun
which
hung
upon
the
wall
of
his
bedroom
CHAPTER
IV
A
FLIGHT
FOR
LIFE
ON
the
morning
which
followed
his
interview
with
the
Mormon
Prophet
John
Ferrier
went
in
to
Salt
Lake
City
and
having
found
his
acquaintance
who
was
bound
for
the
Nevada
Mountains
he
entrusted
him
with
his
message
to
Jefferson
Hope
In
it
he
told
the
young
man
of
the
imminent
danger
which
threatened
them
and
how
necessary
it
was
that
he
should
return
Having
done
thus
he
felt
easier
in
his
mind
and
returned
home
with
a
lighter
heart
As
he
approached
his
farm
he
was
surprised
to
see
a
horse
hitched
to
each
of
the
posts
of
the
gate
Still
more
surprised
was
he
on
entering
to
find
two
young
men
in
possession
of
his
sitting
room
One
with
a
long
pale
face
was
leaning
back
in
the
rocking
chair
with
his
feet
cocked
up
upon
the
stove
The
other
a
bull
necked
youth
with
coarse
bloated
features
was
standing
in
front
of
the
window
with
his
hands
in
his
pocket
whistling
a
popular
hymn
Both
of
them
nodded
to
Ferrier
as
he
entered
and
the
one
in
the
rocking
chair
commenced
the
conversation
Maybe
you
don't
know
us
he
said
This
here
is
the
son
of
Elder
Drebber
and
I'm
Joseph
Stangerson
who
travelled
with
you
in
the
desert
when
the
Lord
stretched
out
His
hand
and
gathered
you
into
the
true
fold
As
He
will
all
the
nations
in
His
own
good
time
said
the
other
in
a
nasal
voice
He
grindeth
slowly
but
exceeding
small
John
Ferrier
bowed
coldly
He
had
guessed
who
his
visitors
were
We
have
come
continued
Stangerson
at
the
advice
of
our
fathers
to
solicit
the
hand
of
your
daughter
for
whichever
of
us
may
seem
good
to
you
and
to
her
As
I
have
but
four
wives
and
Brother
Drebber
here
has
seven
it
appears
to
me
that
my
claim
is
the
stronger
one
Nay
nay
Brother
Stangerson
cried
the
other
the
question
is
not
how
many
wives
we
have
but
how
many
we
can
keep
My
father
has
now
given
over
his
mills
to
me
and
I
am
the
richer
man
But
my
prospects
are
better
said
the
other
warmly
When
the
Lord
removes
my
father
I
shall
have
his
tanning
yard
and
his
leather
factory
Then
I
am
your
elder
and
am
higher
in
the
Church
It
will
be
for
the
maiden
to
decide
rejoined
young
Drebber
smirking
at
his
own
reflection
in
the
glass
We
will
leave
it
all
to
her
decision
During
this
dialogue
John
Ferrier
had
stood
fuming
in
the
doorway
hardly
able
to
keep
his
riding
whip
from
the
backs
of
his
two
visitors
Look
here
he
said
at
last
striding
up
to
them
when
my
daughter
summons
you
you
can
come
but
until
then
I
don't
want
to
see
your
faces
again
The
two
young
Mormons
stared
at
him
in
amazement
In
their
eyes
this
competition
between
them
for
the
maiden's
hand
was
the
highest
of
honours
both
to
her
and
her
father
There
are
two
ways
out
of
the
room
cried
Ferrier
there
is
the
door
and
there
is
the
window
Which
do
you
care
to
use
His
brown
face
looked
so
savage
and
his
gaunt
hands
so
threatening
that
his
visitors
sprang
to
their
feet
and
beat
a
hurried
retreat
The
old
farmer
followed
them
to
the
door
Let
me
know
when
you
have
settled
which
it
is
to
be
he
said
sardonically
You
shall
smart
for
this
Stangerson
cried
white
with
rage
You
have
defied
the
Prophet
and
the
Council
of
Four
You
shall
rue
it
to
the
end
of
your
days
The
hand
of
the
Lord
shall
be
heavy
upon
you
cried
young
Drebber
He
will
arise
and
smite
you
Then
I'll
start
the
smiting
exclaimed
Ferrier
furiously
and
would
have
rushed
upstairs
for
his
gun
had
not
Lucy
seized
him
by
the
arm
and
restrained
him
Before
he
could
escape
from
her
the
clatter
of
horses'
hoofs
told
him
that
they
were
beyond
his
reach
The
young
canting
rascals
he
exclaimed
wiping
the
perspiration
from
his
forehead
I
would
sooner
see
you
in
your
grave
my
girl
than
the
wife
of
either
of
them
And
so
should
I
father
she
answered
with
spirit
but
Jefferson
will
soon
be
here
Yes
It
will
not
be
long
before
he
comes
The
sooner
the
better
for
we
do
not
know
what
their
next
move
may
be
It
was
indeed
high
time
that
someone
capable
of
giving
advice
and
help
should
come
to
the
aid
of
the
sturdy
old
farmer
and
his
adopted
daughter
In
the
whole
history
of
the
settlement
there
had
never
been
such
a
case
of
rank
disobedience
to
the
authority
of
the
Elders
If
minor
errors
were
punished
so
sternly
what
would
be
the
fate
of
this
arch
rebel
Ferrier
knew
that
his
wealth
and
position
would
be
of
no
avail
to
him
Others
as
well
known
and
as
rich
as
himself
had
been
spirited
away
before
now
and
their
goods
given
over
to
the
Church
He
was
a
brave
man
but
he
trembled
at
the
vague
shadowy
terrors
which
hung
over
him
Any
known
danger
he
could
face
with
a
firm
lip
but
this
suspense
was
unnerving
He
concealed
his
fears
from
his
daughter
however
and
affected
to
make
light
of
the
whole
matter
though
she
with
the
keen
eye
of
love
saw
plainly
that
he
was
ill
at
ease
He
expected
that
he
would
receive
some
message
or
remonstrance
from
Young
as
to
his
conduct
and
he
was
not
mistaken
though
it
came
in
an
unlooked
for
manner
Upon
rising
next
morning
he
found
to
his
surprise
a
small
square
of
paper
pinned
on
to
the
coverlet
of
his
bed
just
over
his
chest
On
it
was
printed
in
bold
straggling
letters
Twenty
nine
days
are
given
you
for
amendment
and
then
The
dash
was
more
fear
inspiring
than
any
threat
could
have
been
How
this
warning
came
into
his
room
puzzled
John
Ferrier
sorely
for
his
servants
slept
in
an
outhouse
and
the
doors
and
windows
had
all
been
secured
He
crumpled
the
paper
up
and
said
nothing
to
his
daughter
but
the
incident
struck
a
chill
into
his
heart
The
twenty
nine
days
were
evidently
the
balance
of
the
month
which
Young
had
promised
What
strength
or
courage
could
avail
against
an
enemy
armed
with
such
mysterious
powers
The
hand
which
fastened
that
pin
might
have
struck
him
to
the
heart
and
he
could
never
have
known
who
had
slain
him
Still
more
shaken
was
he
next
morning
They
had
sat
down
to
their
breakfast
when
Lucy
with
a
cry
of
surprise
pointed
upwards
In
the
centre
of
the
ceiling
was
scrawled
with
a
burned
stick
apparently
the
number
To
his
daughter
it
was
unintelligible
and
he
did
not
enlighten
her
That
night
he
sat
up
with
his
gun
and
kept
watch
and
ward
He
saw
and
he
heard
nothing
and
yet
in
the
morning
a
great
had
been
painted
upon
the
outside
of
his
door
Thus
day
followed
day
and
as
sure
as
morning
came
he
found
that
his
unseen
enemies
had
kept
their
register
and
had
marked
up
in
some
conspicuous
position
how
many
days
were
still
left
to
him
out
of
the
month
of
grace
Sometimes
the
fatal
numbers
appeared
upon
the
walls
sometimes
upon
the
floors
occasionally
they
were
on
small
placards
stuck
upon
the
garden
gate
or
the
railings
With
all
his
vigilance
John
Ferrier
could
not
discover
whence
these
daily
warnings
proceeded
A
horror
which
was
almost
superstitious
came
upon
him
at
the
sight
of
them
He
became
haggard
and
restless
and
his
eyes
had
the
troubled
look
of
some
hunted
creature
He
had
but
one
hope
in
life
now
and
that
was
for
the
arrival
of
the
young
hunter
from
Nevada
Twenty
had
changed
to
fifteen
and
fifteen
to
ten
but
there
was
no
news
of
the
absentee
One
by
one
the
numbers
dwindled
down
and
still
there
came
no
sign
of
him
Whenever
a
horseman
clattered
down
the
road
or
a
driver
shouted
at
his
team
the
old
farmer
hurried
to
the
gate
thinking
that
help
had
arrived
at
last
At
last
when
he
saw
five
give
way
to
four
and
that
again
to
three
he
lost
heart
and
abandoned
all
hope
of
escape
Single
handed
and
with
his
limited
knowledge
of
the
mountains
which
surrounded
the
settlement
he
knew
that
he
was
powerless
The
more
frequented
roads
were
strictly
watched
and
guarded
and
none
could
pass
along
them
without
an
order
from
the
Council
Turn
which
way
he
would
there
appeared
to
be
no
avoiding
the
blow
which
hung
over
him
Yet
the
old
man
never
wavered
in
his
resolution
to
part
with
life
itself
before
he
consented
to
what
he
regarded
as
his
daughter's
dishonour
He
was
sitting
alone
one
evening
pondering
deeply
over
his
troubles
and
searching
vainly
for
some
way
out
of
them
That
morning
had
shown
the
figure
upon
the
wall
of
his
house
and
the
next
day
would
be
the
last
of
the
allotted
time
What
was
to
happen
then
All
manner
of
vague
and
terrible
fancies
filled
his
imagination
And
his
daughter
what
was
to
become
of
her
after
he
was
gone
Was
there
no
escape
from
the
invisible
network
which
was
drawn
all
round
them
He
sank
his
head
upon
the
table
and
sobbed
at
the
thought
of
his
own
impotence
What
was
that
In
the
silence
he
heard
a
gentle
scratching
sound
low
but
very
distinct
in
the
quiet
of
the
night
It
came
from
the
door
of
the
house
Ferrier
crept
into
the
hall
and
listened
intently
There
was
a
pause
for
a
few
moments
and
then
the
low
insidious
sound
was
repeated
Someone
was
evidently
tapping
very
gently
upon
one
of
the
panels
of
the
door
Was
it
some
midnight
assassin
who
had
come
to
carry
out
the
murderous
orders
of
the
secret
tribunal
Or
was
it
some
agent
who
was
marking
up
that
the
last
day
of
grace
had
arrived
John
Ferrier
felt
that
instant
death
would
be
better
than
the
suspense
which
shook
his
nerves
and
chilled
his
heart
Springing
forward
he
drew
the
bolt
and
threw
the
door
open
Outside
all
was
calm
and
quiet
The
night
was
fine
and
the
stars
were
twinkling
brightly
overhead
The
little
front
garden
lay
before
the
farmer's
eyes
bounded
by
the
fence
and
gate
but
neither
there
nor
on
the
road
was
any
human
being
to
be
seen
With
a
sigh
of
relief
Ferrier
looked
to
right
and
to
left
until
happening
to
glance
straight
down
at
his
own
feet
he
saw
to
his
astonishment
a
man
lying
flat
upon
his
face
upon
the
ground
with
arms
and
legs
all
asprawl
So
unnerved
was
he
at
the
sight
that
he
leaned
up
against
the
wall
with
his
hand
to
his
throat
to
stifle
his
inclination
to
call
out
His
first
thought
was
that
the
prostrate
figure
was
that
of
some
wounded
or
dying
man
but
as
he
watched
it
he
saw
it
writhe
along
the
ground
and
into
the
hall
with
the
rapidity
and
noiselessness
of
a
serpent
Once
within
the
house
the
man
sprang
to
his
feet
closed
the
door
and
revealed
to
the
astonished
farmer
the
fierce
face
and
resolute
expression
of
Jefferson
Hope
Good
God
gasped
John
Ferrier
How
you
scared
me
Whatever
made
you
come
in
like
that
Give
me
food
the
other
said
hoarsely
I
have
had
no
time
for
bite
or
sup
for
eight
and
forty
hours
He
flung
himself
upon
the
cold
meat
and
bread
which
were
still
lying
upon
the
table
from
his
host's
supper
and
devoured
it
voraciously
Does
Lucy
bear
up
well
he
asked
when
he
had
satisfied
his
hunger
Yes
She
does
not
know
the
danger
her
father
answered
That
is
well
The
house
is
watched
on
every
side
That
is
why
I
crawled
my
way
up
to
it
They
may
be
darned
sharp
but
they're
not
quite
sharp
enough
to
catch
a
Washoe
hunter
John
Ferrier
felt
a
different
man
now
that
he
realized
that
he
had
a
devoted
ally
He
seized
the
young
man's
leathery
hand
and
wrung
it
cordially
You're
a
man
to
be
proud
of
he
said
There
are
not
many
who
would
come
to
share
our
danger
and
our
troubles
You've
hit
it
there
pard
the
young
hunter
answered
I
have
a
respect
for
you
but
if
you
were
alone
in
this
business
I'd
think
twice
before
I
put
my
head
into
such
a
hornet's
nest
It's
Lucy
that
brings
me
here
and
before
harm
comes
on
her
I
guess
there
will
be
one
less
o'
the
Hope
family
in
Utah
What
are
we
to
do
To
morrow
is
your
last
day
and
unless
you
act
to
night
you
are
lost
I
have
a
mule
and
two
horses
waiting
in
the
Eagle
Ravine
How
much
money
have
you
Two
thousand
dollars
in
gold
and
five
in
notes
That
will
do
I
have
as
much
more
to
add
to
it
We
must
push
for
Carson
City
through
the
mountains
You
had
best
wake
Lucy
It
is
as
well
that
the
servants
do
not
sleep
in
the
house
While
Ferrier
was
absent
preparing
his
daughter
for
the
approaching
journey
Jefferson
Hope
packed
all
the
eatables
that
he
could
find
into
a
small
parcel
and
filled
a
stoneware
jar
with
water
for
he
knew
by
experience
that
the
mountain
wells
were
few
and
far
between
He
had
hardly
completed
his
arrangements
before
the
farmer
returned
with
his
daughter
all
dressed
and
ready
for
a
start
The
greeting
between
the
lovers
was
warm
but
brief
for
minutes
were
precious
and
there
was
much
to
be
done
We
must
make
our
start
at
once
said
Jefferson
Hope
speaking
in
a
low
but
resolute
voice
like
one
who
realizes
the
greatness
of
the
peril
but
has
steeled
his
heart
to
meet
it
The
front
and
back
entrances
are
watched
but
with
caution
we
may
get
away
through
the
side
window
and
across
the
fields
Once
on
the
road
we
are
only
two
miles
from
the
Ravine
where
the
horses
are
waiting
By
daybreak
we
should
be
half
way
through
the
mountains
What
if
we
are
stopped
asked
Ferrier
Hope
slapped
the
revolver
butt
which
protruded
from
the
front
of
his
tunic
If
they
are
too
many
for
us
we
shall
take
two
or
three
of
them
with
us
he
said
with
a
sinister
smile
The
lights
inside
the
house
had
all
been
extinguished
and
from
the
darkened
window
Ferrier
peered
over
the
fields
which
had
been
his
own
and
which
he
was
now
about
to
abandon
for
ever
He
had
long
nerved
himself
to
the
sacrifice
however
and
the
thought
of
the
honour
and
happiness
of
his
daughter
outweighed
any
regret
at
his
ruined
fortunes
All
looked
so
peaceful
and
happy
the
rustling
trees
and
the
broad
silent
stretch
of
grain
land
that
it
was
difficult
to
realize
that
the
spirit
of
murder
lurked
through
it
all
Yet
the
white
face
and
set
expression
of
the
young
hunter
showed
that
in
his
approach
to
the
house
he
had
seen
enough
to
satisfy
him
upon
that
head
Ferrier
carried
the
bag
of
gold
and
notes
Jefferson
Hope
had
the
scanty
provisions
and
water
while
Lucy
had
a
small
bundle
containing
a
few
of
her
more
valued
possessions
Opening
the
window
very
slowly
and
carefully
they
waited
until
a
dark
cloud
had
somewhat
obscured
the
night
and
then
one
by
one
passed
through
into
the
little
garden
With
bated
breath
and
crouching
figures
they
stumbled
across
it
and
gained
the
shelter
of
the
hedge
which
they
skirted
until
they
came
to
the
gap
which
opened
into
the
cornfields
They
had
just
reached
this
point
when
the
young
man
seized
his
two
companions
and
dragged
them
down
into
the
shadow
where
they
lay
silent
and
trembling
It
was
as
well
that
his
prairie
training
had
given
Jefferson
Hope
the
ears
of
a
lynx
He
and
his
friends
had
hardly
crouched
down
before
the
melancholy
hooting
of
a
mountain
owl
was
heard
within
a
few
yards
of
them
which
was
immediately
answered
by
another
hoot
at
a
small
distance
At
the
same
moment
a
vague
shadowy
figure
emerged
from
the
gap
for
which
they
had
been
making
and
uttered
the
plaintive
signal
cry
again
on
which
a
second
man
appeared
out
of
the
obscurity
To
morrow
at
midnight
said
the
first
who
appeared
to
be
in
authority
When
the
Whip
poor
Will
calls
three
times
It
is
well
returned
the
other
Shall
I
tell
Brother
Drebber
Pass
it
on
to
him
and
from
him
to
the
others
Nine
to
seven
Seven
to
five
repeated
the
other
and
the
two
figures
flitted
away
in
different
directions
Their
concluding
words
had
evidently
been
some
form
of
sign
and
countersign
The
instant
that
their
footsteps
had
died
away
in
the
distance
Jefferson
Hope
sprang
to
his
feet
and
helping
his
companions
through
the
gap
led
the
way
across
the
fields
at
the
top
of
his
speed
supporting
and
half
carrying
the
girl
when
her
strength
appeared
to
fail
her
Hurry
on
hurry
on
he
gasped
from
time
to
time
We
are
through
the
line
of
sentinels
Everything
depends
on
speed
Hurry
on
Once
on
the
high
road
they
made
rapid
progress
Only
once
did
they
meet
anyone
and
then
they
managed
to
slip
into
a
field
and
so
avoid
recognition
Before
reaching
the
town
the
hunter
branched
away
into
a
rugged
and
narrow
footpath
which
led
to
the
mountains
Two
dark
jagged
peaks
loomed
above
them
through
the
darkness
and
the
defile
which
led
between
them
was
the
Eagle
Ca
on
in
which
the
horses
were
awaiting
them
With
unerring
instinct
Jefferson
Hope
picked
his
way
among
the
great
boulders
and
along
the
bed
of
a
dried
up
watercourse
until
he
came
to
the
retired
corner
screened
with
rocks
where
the
faithful
animals
had
been
picketed
The
girl
was
placed
upon
the
mule
and
old
Ferrier
upon
one
of
the
horses
with
his
money
bag
while
Jefferson
Hope
led
the
other
along
the
precipitous
and
dangerous
path
It
was
a
bewildering
route
for
anyone
who
was
not
accustomed
to
face
Nature
in
her
wildest
moods
On
the
one
side
a
great
crag
towered
up
a
thousand
feet
or
more
black
stern
and
menacing
with
long
basaltic
columns
upon
its
rugged
surface
like
the
ribs
of
some
petrified
monster
On
the
other
hand
a
wild
chaos
of
boulders
and
debris
made
all
advance
impossible
Between
the
two
ran
the
irregular
track
so
narrow
in
places
that
they
had
to
travel
in
Indian
file
and
so
rough
that
only
practised
riders
could
have
traversed
it
at
all
Yet
in
spite
of
all
dangers
and
difficulties
the
hearts
of
the
fugitives
were
light
within
them
for
every
step
increased
the
distance
between
them
and
the
terrible
despotism
from
which
they
were
flying
They
soon
had
a
proof
however
that
they
were
still
within
the
jurisdiction
of
the
Saints
They
had
reached
the
very
wildest
and
most
desolate
portion
of
the
pass
when
the
girl
gave
a
startled
cry
and
pointed
upwards
On
a
rock
which
overlooked
the
track
showing
out
dark
and
plain
against
the
sky
there
stood
a
solitary
sentinel
He
saw
them
as
soon
as
they
perceived
him
and
his
military
challenge
of
Who
goes
there
rang
through
the
silent
ravine
Travellers
for
Nevada
said
Jefferson
Hope
with
his
hand
upon
the
rifle
which
hung
by
his
saddle
They
could
see
the
lonely
watcher
fingering
his
gun
and
peering
down
at
them
as
if
dissatisfied
at
their
reply
By
whose
permission
he
asked
The
Holy
Four
answered
Ferrier
His
Mormon
experiences
had
taught
him
that
that
was
the
highest
authority
to
which
he
could
refer
Nine
from
seven
cried
the
sentinel
Seven
from
five
returned
Jefferson
Hope
promptly
remembering
the
countersign
which
he
had
heard
in
the
garden
Pass
and
the
Lord
go
with
you
said
the
voice
from
above
Beyond
his
post
the
path
broadened
out
and
the
horses
were
able
to
break
into
a
trot
Looking
back
they
could
see
the
solitary
watcher
leaning
upon
his
gun
and
knew
that
they
had
passed
the
outlying
post
of
the
chosen
people
and
that
freedom
lay
before
them
CHAPTER
V
THE
AVENGING
ANGELS
ALL
night
their
course
lay
through
intricate
defiles
and
over
irregular
and
rock
strewn
paths
More
than
once
they
lost
their
way
but
Hope's
intimate
knowledge
of
the
mountains
enabled
them
to
regain
the
track
once
more
When
morning
broke
a
scene
of
marvellous
though
savage
beauty
lay
before
them
In
every
direction
the
great
snow
capped
peaks
hemmed
them
in
peeping
over
each
other's
shoulders
to
the
far
horizon
So
steep
were
the
rocky
banks
on
either
side
of
them
that
the
larch
and
the
pine
seemed
to
be
suspended
over
their
heads
and
to
need
only
a
gust
of
wind
to
come
hurtling
down
upon
them
Nor
was
the
fear
entirely
an
illusion
for
the
barren
valley
was
thickly
strewn
with
trees
and
boulders
which
had
fallen
in
a
similar
manner
Even
as
they
passed
a
great
rock
came
thundering
down
with
a
hoarse
rattle
which
woke
the
echoes
in
the
silent
gorges
and
startled
the
weary
horses
into
a
gallop
As
the
sun
rose
slowly
above
the
eastern
horizon
the
caps
of
the
great
mountains
lit
up
one
after
the
other
like
lamps
at
a
festival
until
they
were
all
ruddy
and
glowing
The
magnificent
spectacle
cheered
the
hearts
of
the
three
fugitives
and
gave
them
fresh
energy
At
a
wild
torrent
which
swept
out
of
a
ravine
they
called
a
halt
and
watered
their
horses
while
they
partook
of
a
hasty
breakfast
Lucy
and
her
father
would
fain
have
rested
longer
but
Jefferson
Hope
was
inexorable
They
will
be
upon
our
track
by
this
time
he
said
Everything
depends
upon
our
speed
Once
safe
in
Carson
we
may
rest
for
the
remainder
of
our
lives
During
the
whole
of
that
day
they
struggled
on
through
the
defiles
and
by
evening
they
calculated
that
they
were
more
than
thirty
miles
from
their
enemies
At
night
time
they
chose
the
base
of
a
beetling
crag
where
the
rocks
offered
some
protection
from
the
chill
wind
and
there
huddled
together
for
warmth
they
enjoyed
a
few
hours'
sleep
Before
daybreak
however
they
were
up
and
on
their
way
once
more
They
had
seen
no
signs
of
any
pursuers
and
Jefferson
Hope
began
to
think
that
they
were
fairly
out
of
the
reach
of
the
terrible
organization
whose
enmity
they
had
incurred
He
little
knew
how
far
that
iron
grasp
could
reach
or
how
soon
it
was
to
close
upon
them
and
crush
them
About
the
middle
of
the
second
day
of
their
flight
their
scanty
store
of
provisions
began
to
run
out
This
gave
the
hunter
little
uneasiness
however
for
there
was
game
to
be
had
among
the
mountains
and
he
had
frequently
before
had
to
depend
upon
his
rifle
for
the
needs
of
life
Choosing
a
sheltered
nook
he
piled
together
a
few
dried
branches
and
made
a
blazing
fire
at
which
his
companions
might
warm
themselves
for
they
were
now
nearly
five
thousand
feet
above
the
sea
level
and
the
air
was
bitter
and
keen
Having
tethered
the
horses
and
bade
Lucy
adieu
he
threw
his
gun
over
his
shoulder
and
set
out
in
search
of
whatever
chance
might
throw
in
his
way
Looking
back
he
saw
the
old
man
and
the
young
girl
crouching
over
the
blazing
fire
while
the
three
animals
stood
motionless
in
the
back
ground
Then
the
intervening
rocks
hid
them
from
his
view
He
walked
for
a
couple
of
miles
through
one
ravine
after
another
without
success
though
from
the
marks
upon
the
bark
of
the
trees
and
other
indications
he
judged
that
there
were
numerous
bears
in
the
vicinity
At
last
after
two
or
three
hours'
fruitless
search
he
was
thinking
of
turning
back
in
despair
when
casting
his
eyes
upwards
he
saw
a
sight
which
sent
a
thrill
of
pleasure
through
his
heart
On
the
edge
of
a
jutting
pinnacle
three
or
four
hundred
feet
above
him
there
stood
a
creature
somewhat
resembling
a
sheep
in
appearance
but
armed
with
a
pair
of
gigantic
horns
The
big
horn
for
so
it
is
called
was
acting
probably
as
a
guardian
over
a
flock
which
were
invisible
to
the
hunter
but
fortunately
it
was
heading
in
the
opposite
direction
and
had
not
perceived
him
Lying
on
his
face
he
rested
his
rifle
upon
a
rock
and
took
a
long
and
steady
aim
before
drawing
the
trigger
The
animal
sprang
into
the
air
tottered
for
a
moment
upon
the
edge
of
the
precipice
and
then
came
crashing
down
into
the
valley
beneath
The
creature
was
too
unwieldy
to
lift
so
the
hunter
contented
himself
with
cutting
away
one
haunch
and
part
of
the
flank
With
this
trophy
over
his
shoulder
he
hastened
to
retrace
his
steps
for
the
evening
was
already
drawing
in
He
had
hardly
started
however
before
he
realized
the
difficulty
which
faced
him
In
his
eagerness
he
had
wandered
far
past
the
ravines
which
were
known
to
him
and
it
was
no
easy
matter
to
pick
out
the
path
which
he
had
taken
The
valley
in
which
he
found
himself
divided
and
sub
divided
into
many
gorges
which
were
so
like
each
other
that
it
was
impossible
to
distinguish
one
from
the
other
He
followed
one
for
a
mile
or
more
until
he
came
to
a
mountain
torrent
which
he
was
sure
that
he
had
never
seen
before
Convinced
that
he
had
taken
the
wrong
turn
he
tried
another
but
with
the
same
result
Night
was
coming
on
rapidly
and
it
was
almost
dark
before
he
at
last
found
himself
in
a
defile
which
was
familiar
to
him
Even
then
it
was
no
easy
matter
to
keep
to
the
right
track
for
the
moon
had
not
yet
risen
and
the
high
cliffs
on
either
side
made
the
obscurity
more
profound
Weighed
down
with
his
burden
and
weary
from
his
exertions
he
stumbled
along
keeping
up
his
heart
by
the
reflection
that
every
step
brought
him
nearer
to
Lucy
and
that
he
carried
with
him
enough
to
ensure
them
food
for
the
remainder
of
their
journey
He
had
now
come
to
the
mouth
of
the
very
defile
in
which
he
had
left
them
Even
in
the
darkness
he
could
recognize
the
outline
of
the
cliffs
which
bounded
it
They
must
he
reflected
be
awaiting
him
anxiously
for
he
had
been
absent
nearly
five
hours
In
the
gladness
of
his
heart
he
put
his
hands
to
his
mouth
and
made
the
glen
re
echo
to
a
loud
halloo
as
a
signal
that
he
was
coming
He
paused
and
listened
for
an
answer
None
came
save
his
own
cry
which
clattered
up
the
dreary
silent
ravines
and
was
borne
back
to
his
ears
in
countless
repetitions
Again
he
shouted
even
louder
than
before
and
again
no
whisper
came
back
from
the
friends
whom
he
had
left
such
a
short
time
ago
A
vague
nameless
dread
came
over
him
and
he
hurried
onwards
frantically
dropping
the
precious
food
in
his
agitation
When
he
turned
the
corner
he
came
full
in
sight
of
the
spot
where
the
fire
had
been
lit
There
was
still
a
glowing
pile
of
wood
ashes
there
but
it
had
evidently
not
been
tended
since
his
departure
The
same
dead
silence
still
reigned
all
round
With
his
fears
all
changed
to
convictions
he
hurried
on
There
was
no
living
creature
near
the
remains
of
the
fire
animals
man
maiden
all
were
gone
It
was
only
too
clear
that
some
sudden
and
terrible
disaster
had
occurred
during
his
absence
a
disaster
which
had
embraced
them
all
and
yet
had
left
no
traces
behind
it
Bewildered
and
stunned
by
this
blow
Jefferson
Hope
felt
his
head
spin
round
and
had
to
lean
upon
his
rifle
to
save
himself
from
falling
He
was
essentially
a
man
of
action
however
and
speedily
recovered
from
his
temporary
impotence
Seizing
a
half
consumed
piece
of
wood
from
the
smouldering
fire
he
blew
it
into
a
flame
and
proceeded
with
its
help
to
examine
the
little
camp
The
ground
was
all
stamped
down
by
the
feet
of
horses
showing
that
a
large
party
of
mounted
men
had
overtaken
the
fugitives
and
the
direction
of
their
tracks
proved
that
they
had
afterwards
turned
back
to
Salt
Lake
City
Had
they
carried
back
both
of
his
companions
with
them
Jefferson
Hope
had
almost
persuaded
himself
that
they
must
have
done
so
when
his
eye
fell
upon
an
object
which
made
every
nerve
of
his
body
tingle
within
him
A
little
way
on
one
side
of
the
camp
was
a
low
lying
heap
of
reddish
soil
which
had
assuredly
not
been
there
before
There
was
no
mistaking
it
for
anything
but
a
newly
dug
grave
As
the
young
hunter
approached
it
he
perceived
that
a
stick
had
been
planted
on
it
with
a
sheet
of
paper
stuck
in
the
cleft
fork
of
it
The
inscription
upon
the
paper
was
brief
but
to
the
point
JOHN
FERRIER
FORMERLY
OF
SALT
LAKE
CITY
Died
August
th
The
sturdy
old
man
whom
he
had
left
so
short
a
time
before
was
gone
then
and
this
was
all
his
epitaph
Jefferson
Hope
looked
wildly
round
to
see
if
there
was
a
second
grave
but
there
was
no
sign
of
one
Lucy
had
been
carried
back
by
their
terrible
pursuers
to
fulfil
her
original
destiny
by
becoming
one
of
the
harem
of
the
Elder's
son
As
the
young
fellow
realized
the
certainty
of
her
fate
and
his
own
powerlessness
to
prevent
it
he
wished
that
he
too
was
lying
with
the
old
farmer
in
his
last
silent
resting
place
Again
however
his
active
spirit
shook
off
the
lethargy
which
springs
from
despair
If
there
was
nothing
else
left
to
him
he
could
at
least
devote
his
life
to
revenge
With
indomitable
patience
and
perseverance
Jefferson
Hope
possessed
also
a
power
of
sustained
vindictiveness
which
he
may
have
learned
from
the
Indians
amongst
whom
he
had
lived
As
he
stood
by
the
desolate
fire
he
felt
that
the
only
one
thing
which
could
assuage
his
grief
would
be
thorough
and
complete
retribution
brought
by
his
own
hand
upon
his
enemies
His
strong
will
and
untiring
energy
should
he
determined
be
devoted
to
that
one
end
With
a
grim
white
face
he
retraced
his
steps
to
where
he
had
dropped
the
food
and
having
stirred
up
the
smouldering
fire
he
cooked
enough
to
last
him
for
a
few
days
This
he
made
up
into
a
bundle
and
tired
as
he
was
he
set
himself
to
walk
back
through
the
mountains
upon
the
track
of
the
avenging
angels
For
five
days
he
toiled
footsore
and
weary
through
the
defiles
which
he
had
already
traversed
on
horseback
At
night
he
flung
himself
down
among
the
rocks
and
snatched
a
few
hours
of
sleep
but
before
daybreak
he
was
always
well
on
his
way
On
the
sixth
day
he
reached
the
Eagle
Ca
on
from
which
they
had
commenced
their
ill
fated
flight
Thence
he
could
look
down
upon
the
home
of
the
saints
Worn
and
exhausted
he
leaned
upon
his
rifle
and
shook
his
gaunt
hand
fiercely
at
the
silent
widespread
city
beneath
him
As
he
looked
at
it
he
observed
that
there
were
flags
in
some
of
the
principal
streets
and
other
signs
of
festivity
He
was
still
speculating
as
to
what
this
might
mean
when
he
heard
the
clatter
of
horse's
hoofs
and
saw
a
mounted
man
riding
towards
him
As
he
approached
he
recognized
him
as
a
Mormon
named
Cowper
to
whom
he
had
rendered
services
at
different
times
He
therefore
accosted
him
when
he
got
up
to
him
with
the
object
of
finding
out
what
Lucy
Ferrier's
fate
had
been
I
am
Jefferson
Hope
he
said
You
remember
me
The
Mormon
looked
at
him
with
undisguised
astonishment
indeed
it
was
difficult
to
recognize
in
this
tattered
unkempt
wanderer
with
ghastly
white
face
and
fierce
wild
eyes
the
spruce
young
hunter
of
former
days
Having
however
at
last
satisfied
himself
as
to
his
identity
the
man's
surprise
changed
to
consternation
You
are
mad
to
come
here
he
cried
It
is
as
much
as
my
own
life
is
worth
to
be
seen
talking
with
you
There
is
a
warrant
against
you
from
the
Holy
Four
for
assisting
the
Ferriers
away
I
don't
fear
them
or
their
warrant
Hope
said
earnestly
You
must
know
something
of
this
matter
Cowper
I
conjure
you
by
everything
you
hold
dear
to
answer
a
few
questions
We
have
always
been
friends
For
God's
sake
don't
refuse
to
answer
me
What
is
it
the
Mormon
asked
uneasily
Be
quick
The
very
rocks
have
ears
and
the
trees
eyes
What
has
become
of
Lucy
Ferrier
She
was
married
yesterday
to
young
Drebber
Hold
up
man
hold
up
you
have
no
life
left
in
you
Don't
mind
me
said
Hope
faintly
He
was
white
to
the
very
lips
and
had
sunk
down
on
the
stone
against
which
he
had
been
leaning
Married
you
say
Married
yesterday
that's
what
those
flags
are
for
on
the
Endowment
House
There
was
some
words
between
young
Drebber
and
young
Stangerson
as
to
which
was
to
have
her
They'd
both
been
in
the
party
that
followed
them
and
Stangerson
had
shot
her
father
which
seemed
to
give
him
the
best
claim
but
when
they
argued
it
out
in
council
Drebber's
party
was
the
stronger
so
the
Prophet
gave
her
over
to
him
No
one
won't
have
her
very
long
though
for
I
saw
death
in
her
face
yesterday
She
is
more
like
a
ghost
than
a
woman
Are
you
off
then
Yes
I
am
off
said
Jefferson
Hope
who
had
risen
from
his
seat
His
face
might
have
been
chiselled
out
of
marble
so
hard
and
set
was
its
expression
while
its
eyes
glowed
with
a
baleful
light
Where
are
you
going
Never
mind
he
answered
and
slinging
his
weapon
over
his
shoulder
strode
off
down
the
gorge
and
so
away
into
the
heart
of
the
mountains
to
the
haunts
of
the
wild
beasts
Amongst
them
all
there
was
none
so
fierce
and
so
dangerous
as
himself
The
prediction
of
the
Mormon
was
only
too
well
fulfilled
Whether
it
was
the
terrible
death
of
her
father
or
the
effects
of
the
hateful
marriage
into
which
she
had
been
forced
poor
Lucy
never
held
up
her
head
again
but
pined
away
and
died
within
a
month
Her
sottish
husband
who
had
married
her
principally
for
the
sake
of
John
Ferrier's
property
did
not
affect
any
great
grief
at
his
bereavement
but
his
other
wives
mourned
over
her
and
sat
up
with
her
the
night
before
the
burial
as
is
the
Mormon
custom
They
were
grouped
round
the
bier
in
the
early
hours
of
the
morning
when
to
their
inexpressible
fear
and
astonishment
the
door
was
flung
open
and
a
savage
looking
weather
beaten
man
in
tattered
garments
strode
into
the
room
Without
a
glance
or
a
word
to
the
cowering
women
he
walked
up
to
the
white
silent
figure
which
had
once
contained
the
pure
soul
of
Lucy
Ferrier
Stooping
over
her
he
pressed
his
lips
reverently
to
her
cold
forehead
and
then
snatching
up
her
hand
he
took
the
wedding
ring
from
her
finger
She
shall
not
be
buried
in
that
he
cried
with
a
fierce
snarl
and
before
an
alarm
could
be
raised
sprang
down
the
stairs
and
was
gone
So
strange
and
so
brief
was
the
episode
that
the
watchers
might
have
found
it
hard
to
believe
it
themselves
or
persuade
other
people
of
it
had
it
not
been
for
the
undeniable
fact
that
the
circlet
of
gold
which
marked
her
as
having
been
a
bride
had
disappeared
For
some
months
Jefferson
Hope
lingered
among
the
mountains
leading
a
strange
wild
life
and
nursing
in
his
heart
the
fierce
desire
for
vengeance
which
possessed
him
Tales
were
told
in
the
City
of
the
weird
figure
which
was
seen
prowling
about
the
suburbs
and
which
haunted
the
lonely
mountain
gorges
Once
a
bullet
whistled
through
Stangerson's
window
and
flattened
itself
upon
the
wall
within
a
foot
of
him
On
another
occasion
as
Drebber
passed
under
a
cliff
a
great
boulder
crashed
down
on
him
and
he
only
escaped
a
terrible
death
by
throwing
himself
upon
his
face
The
two
young
Mormons
were
not
long
in
discovering
the
reason
of
these
attempts
upon
their
lives
and
led
repeated
expeditions
into
the
mountains
in
the
hope
of
capturing
or
killing
their
enemy
but
always
without
success
Then
they
adopted
the
precaution
of
never
going
out
alone
or
after
nightfall
and
of
having
their
houses
guarded
After
a
time
they
were
able
to
relax
these
measures
for
nothing
was
either
heard
or
seen
of
their
opponent
and
they
hoped
that
time
had
cooled
his
vindictiveness
Far
from
doing
so
it
had
if
anything
augmented
it
The
hunter's
mind
was
of
a
hard
unyielding
nature
and
the
predominant
idea
of
revenge
had
taken
such
complete
possession
of
it
that
there
was
no
room
for
any
other
emotion
He
was
however
above
all
things
practical
He
soon
realized
that
even
his
iron
constitution
could
not
stand
the
incessant
strain
which
he
was
putting
upon
it
Exposure
and
want
of
wholesome
food
were
wearing
him
out
If
he
died
like
a
dog
among
the
mountains
what
was
to
become
of
his
revenge
then
And
yet
such
a
death
was
sure
to
overtake
him
if
he
persisted
He
felt
that
that
was
to
play
his
enemy's
game
so
he
reluctantly
returned
to
the
old
Nevada
mines
there
to
recruit
his
health
and
to
amass
money
enough
to
allow
him
to
pursue
his
object
without
privation
His
intention
had
been
to
be
absent
a
year
at
the
most
but
a
combination
of
unforeseen
circumstances
prevented
his
leaving
the
mines
for
nearly
five
At
the
end
of
that
time
however
his
memory
of
his
wrongs
and
his
craving
for
revenge
were
quite
as
keen
as
on
that
memorable
night
when
he
had
stood
by
John
Ferrier's
grave
Disguised
and
under
an
assumed
name
he
returned
to
Salt
Lake
City
careless
what
became
of
his
own
life
as
long
as
he
obtained
what
he
knew
to
be
justice
There
he
found
evil
tidings
awaiting
him
There
had
been
a
schism
among
the
Chosen
People
a
few
months
before
some
of
the
younger
members
of
the
Church
having
rebelled
against
the
authority
of
the
Elders
and
the
result
had
been
the
secession
of
a
certain
number
of
the
malcontents
who
had
left
Utah
and
become
Gentiles
Among
these
had
been
Drebber
and
Stangerson
and
no
one
knew
whither
they
had
gone
Rumour
reported
that
Drebber
had
managed
to
convert
a
large
part
of
his
property
into
money
and
that
he
had
departed
a
wealthy
man
while
his
companion
Stangerson
was
comparatively
poor
There
was
no
clue
at
all
however
as
to
their
whereabouts
Many
a
man
however
vindictive
would
have
abandoned
all
thought
of
revenge
in
the
face
of
such
a
difficulty
but
Jefferson
Hope
never
faltered
for
a
moment
With
the
small
competence
he
possessed
eked
out
by
such
employment
as
he
could
pick
up
he
travelled
from
town
to
town
through
the
United
States
in
quest
of
his
enemies
Year
passed
into
year
his
black
hair
turned
grizzled
but
still
he
wandered
on
a
human
bloodhound
with
his
mind
wholly
set
upon
the
one
object
upon
which
he
had
devoted
his
life
At
last
his
perseverance
was
rewarded
It
was
but
a
glance
of
a
face
in
a
window
but
that
one
glance
told
him
that
Cleveland
in
Ohio
possessed
the
men
whom
he
was
in
pursuit
of
He
returned
to
his
miserable
lodgings
with
his
plan
of
vengeance
all
arranged
It
chanced
however
that
Drebber
looking
from
his
window
had
recognized
the
vagrant
in
the
street
and
had
read
murder
in
his
eyes
He
hurried
before
a
justice
of
the
peace
accompanied
by
Stangerson
who
had
become
his
private
secretary
and
represented
to
him
that
they
were
in
danger
of
their
lives
from
the
jealousy
and
hatred
of
an
old
rival
That
evening
Jefferson
Hope
was
taken
into
custody
and
not
being
able
to
find
sureties
was
detained
for
some
weeks
When
at
last
he
was
liberated
it
was
only
to
find
that
Drebber's
house
was
deserted
and
that
he
and
his
secretary
had
departed
for
Europe
Again
the
avenger
had
been
foiled
and
again
his
concentrated
hatred
urged
him
to
continue
the
pursuit
Funds
were
wanting
however
and
for
some
time
he
had
to
return
to
work
saving
every
dollar
for
his
approaching
journey
At
last
having
collected
enough
to
keep
life
in
him
he
departed
for
Europe
and
tracked
his
enemies
from
city
to
city
working
his
way
in
any
menial
capacity
but
never
overtaking
the
fugitives
When
he
reached
St
Petersburg
they
had
departed
for
Paris
and
when
he
followed
them
there
he
learned
that
they
had
just
set
off
for
Copenhagen
At
the
Danish
capital
he
was
again
a
few
days
late
for
they
had
journeyed
on
to
London
where
he
at
last
succeeded
in
running
them
to
earth
As
to
what
occurred
there
we
cannot
do
better
than
quote
the
old
hunter's
own
account
as
duly
recorded
in
Dr
Watson's
Journal
to
which
we
are
already
under
such
obligations
CHAPTER
VI
A
CONTINUATION
OF
THE
REMINISCENCES
OF
JOHN
WATSON
M
D
OUR
prisoner's
furious
resistance
did
not
apparently
indicate
any
ferocity
in
his
disposition
towards
ourselves
for
on
finding
himself
powerless
he
smiled
in
an
affable
manner
and
expressed
his
hopes
that
he
had
not
hurt
any
of
us
in
the
scuffle
I
guess
you're
going
to
take
me
to
the
police
station
he
remarked
to
Sherlock
Holmes
My
cab's
at
the
door
If
you'll
loose
my
legs
I'll
walk
down
to
it
I'm
not
so
light
to
lift
as
I
used
to
be
Gregson
and
Lestrade
exchanged
glances
as
if
they
thought
this
proposition
rather
a
bold
one
but
Holmes
at
once
took
the
prisoner
at
his
word
and
loosened
the
towel
which
we
had
bound
round
his
ancles
He
rose
and
stretched
his
legs
as
though
to
assure
himself
that
they
were
free
once
more
I
remember
that
I
thought
to
myself
as
I
eyed
him
that
I
had
seldom
seen
a
more
powerfully
built
man
and
his
dark
sunburned
face
bore
an
expression
of
determination
and
energy
which
was
as
formidable
as
his
personal
strength
If
there's
a
vacant
place
for
a
chief
of
the
police
I
reckon
you
are
the
man
for
it
he
said
gazing
with
undisguised
admiration
at
my
fellow
lodger
The
way
you
kept
on
my
trail
was
a
caution
You
had
better
come
with
me
said
Holmes
to
the
two
detectives
I
can
drive
you
said
Lestrade
Good
and
Gregson
can
come
inside
with
me
You
too
Doctor
you
have
taken
an
interest
in
the
case
and
may
as
well
stick
to
us
I
assented
gladly
and
we
all
descended
together
Our
prisoner
made
no
attempt
at
escape
but
stepped
calmly
into
the
cab
which
had
been
his
and
we
followed
him
Lestrade
mounted
the
box
whipped
up
the
horse
and
brought
us
in
a
very
short
time
to
our
destination
We
were
ushered
into
a
small
chamber
where
a
police
Inspector
noted
down
our
prisoner's
name
and
the
names
of
the
men
with
whose
murder
he
had
been
charged
The
official
was
a
white
faced
unemotional
man
who
went
through
his
duties
in
a
dull
mechanical
way
The
prisoner
will
be
put
before
the
magistrates
in
the
course
of
the
week
he
said
in
the
mean
time
Mr
Jefferson
Hope
have
you
anything
that
you
wish
to
say
I
must
warn
you
that
your
words
will
be
taken
down
and
may
be
used
against
you
I've
got
a
good
deal
to
say
our
prisoner
said
slowly
I
want
to
tell
you
gentlemen
all
about
it
Hadn't
you
better
reserve
that
for
your
trial
asked
the
Inspector
I
may
never
be
tried
he
answered
You
needn't
look
startled
It
isn't
suicide
I
am
thinking
of
Are
you
a
Doctor
He
turned
his
fierce
dark
eyes
upon
me
as
he
asked
this
last
question
Yes
I
am
I
answered
Then
put
your
hand
here
he
said
with
a
smile
motioning
with
his
manacled
wrists
towards
his
chest
I
did
so
and
became
at
once
conscious
of
an
extraordinary
throbbing
and
commotion
which
was
going
on
inside
The
walls
of
his
chest
seemed
to
thrill
and
quiver
as
a
frail
building
would
do
inside
when
some
powerful
engine
was
at
work
In
the
silence
of
the
room
I
could
hear
a
dull
humming
and
buzzing
noise
which
proceeded
from
the
same
source
Why
I
cried
you
have
an
aortic
aneurism
That's
what
they
call
it
he
said
placidly
I
went
to
a
Doctor
last
week
about
it
and
he
told
me
that
it
is
bound
to
burst
before
many
days
passed
It
has
been
getting
worse
for
years
I
got
it
from
over
exposure
and
under
feeding
among
the
Salt
Lake
Mountains
I've
done
my
work
now
and
I
don't
care
how
soon
I
go
but
I
should
like
to
leave
some
account
of
the
business
behind
me
I
don't
want
to
be
remembered
as
a
common
cut
throat
The
Inspector
and
the
two
detectives
had
a
hurried
discussion
as
to
the
advisability
of
allowing
him
to
tell
his
story
Do
you
consider
Doctor
that
there
is
immediate
danger
the
former
asked
Most
certainly
there
is
I
answered
In
that
case
it
is
clearly
our
duty
in
the
interests
of
justice
to
take
his
statement
said
the
Inspector
You
are
at
liberty
sir
to
give
your
account
which
I
again
warn
you
will
be
taken
down
I'll
sit
down
with
your
leave
the
prisoner
said
suiting
the
action
to
the
word
This
aneurism
of
mine
makes
me
easily
tired
and
the
tussle
we
had
half
an
hour
ago
has
not
mended
matters
I'm
on
the
brink
of
the
grave
and
I
am
not
likely
to
lie
to
you
Every
word
I
say
is
the
absolute
truth
and
how
you
use
it
is
a
matter
of
no
consequence
to
me
With
these
words
Jefferson
Hope
leaned
back
in
his
chair
and
began
the
following
remarkable
statement
He
spoke
in
a
calm
and
methodical
manner
as
though
the
events
which
he
narrated
were
commonplace
enough
I
can
vouch
for
the
accuracy
of
the
subjoined
account
for
I
have
had
access
to
Lestrade's
note
book
in
which
the
prisoner's
words
were
taken
down
exactly
as
they
were
uttered
It
don't
much
matter
to
you
why
I
hated
these
men
he
said
it's
enough
that
they
were
guilty
of
the
death
of
two
human
beings
a
father
and
a
daughter
and
that
they
had
therefore
forfeited
their
own
lives
After
the
lapse
of
time
that
has
passed
since
their
crime
it
was
impossible
for
me
to
secure
a
conviction
against
them
in
any
court
I
knew
of
their
guilt
though
and
I
determined
that
I
should
be
judge
jury
and
executioner
all
rolled
into
one
You'd
have
done
the
same
if
you
have
any
manhood
in
you
if
you
had
been
in
my
place
That
girl
that
I
spoke
of
was
to
have
married
me
twenty
years
ago
She
was
forced
into
marrying
that
same
Drebber
and
broke
her
heart
over
it
I
took
the
marriage
ring
from
her
dead
finger
and
I
vowed
that
his
dying
eyes
should
rest
upon
that
very
ring
and
that
his
last
thoughts
should
be
of
the
crime
for
which
he
was
punished
I
have
carried
it
about
with
me
and
have
followed
him
and
his
accomplice
over
two
continents
until
I
caught
them
They
thought
to
tire
me
out
but
they
could
not
do
it
If
I
die
to
morrow
as
is
likely
enough
I
die
knowing
that
my
work
in
this
world
is
done
and
well
done
They
have
perished
and
by
my
hand
There
is
nothing
left
for
me
to
hope
for
or
to
desire
They
were
rich
and
I
was
poor
so
that
it
was
no
easy
matter
for
me
to
follow
them
When
I
got
to
London
my
pocket
was
about
empty
and
I
found
that
I
must
turn
my
hand
to
something
for
my
living
Driving
and
riding
are
as
natural
to
me
as
walking
so
I
applied
at
a
cabowner's
office
and
soon
got
employment
I
was
to
bring
a
certain
sum
a
week
to
the
owner
and
whatever
was
over
that
I
might
keep
for
myself
There
was
seldom
much
over
but
I
managed
to
scrape
along
somehow
The
hardest
job
was
to
learn
my
way
about
for
I
reckon
that
of
all
the
mazes
that
ever
were
contrived
this
city
is
the
most
confusing
I
had
a
map
beside
me
though
and
when
once
I
had
spotted
the
principal
hotels
and
stations
I
got
on
pretty
well
It
was
some
time
before
I
found
out
where
my
two
gentlemen
were
living
but
I
inquired
and
inquired
until
at
last
I
dropped
across
them
They
were
at
a
boarding
house
at
Camberwell
over
on
the
other
side
of
the
river
When
once
I
found
them
out
I
knew
that
I
had
them
at
my
mercy
I
had
grown
my
beard
and
there
was
no
chance
of
their
recognizing
me
I
would
dog
them
and
follow
them
until
I
saw
my
opportunity
I
was
determined
that
they
should
not
escape
me
again
They
were
very
near
doing
it
for
all
that
Go
where
they
would
about
London
I
was
always
at
their
heels
Sometimes
I
followed
them
on
my
cab
and
sometimes
on
foot
but
the
former
was
the
best
for
then
they
could
not
get
away
from
me
It
was
only
early
in
the
morning
or
late
at
night
that
I
could
earn
anything
so
that
I
began
to
get
behind
hand
with
my
employer
I
did
not
mind
that
however
as
long
as
I
could
lay
my
hand
upon
the
men
I
wanted
They
were
very
cunning
though
They
must
have
thought
that
there
was
some
chance
of
their
being
followed
for
they
would
never
go
out
alone
and
never
after
nightfall
During
two
weeks
I
drove
behind
them
every
day
and
never
once
saw
them
separate
Drebber
himself
was
drunk
half
the
time
but
Stangerson
was
not
to
be
caught
napping
I
watched
them
late
and
early
but
never
saw
the
ghost
of
a
chance
but
I
was
not
discouraged
for
something
told
me
that
the
hour
had
almost
come
My
only
fear
was
that
this
thing
in
my
chest
might
burst
a
little
too
soon
and
leave
my
work
undone
At
last
one
evening
I
was
driving
up
and
down
Torquay
Terrace
as
the
street
was
called
in
which
they
boarded
when
I
saw
a
cab
drive
up
to
their
door
Presently
some
luggage
was
brought
out
and
after
a
time
Drebber
and
Stangerson
followed
it
and
drove
off
I
whipped
up
my
horse
and
kept
within
sight
of
them
feeling
very
ill
at
ease
for
I
feared
that
they
were
going
to
shift
their
quarters
At
Euston
Station
they
got
out
and
I
left
a
boy
to
hold
my
horse
and
followed
them
on
to
the
platform
I
heard
them
ask
for
the
Liverpool
train
and
the
guard
answer
that
one
had
just
gone
and
there
would
not
be
another
for
some
hours
Stangerson
seemed
to
be
put
out
at
that
but
Drebber
was
rather
pleased
than
otherwise
I
got
so
close
to
them
in
the
bustle
that
I
could
hear
every
word
that
passed
between
them
Drebber
said
that
he
had
a
little
business
of
his
own
to
do
and
that
if
the
other
would
wait
for
him
he
would
soon
rejoin
him
His
companion
remonstrated
with
him
and
reminded
him
that
they
had
resolved
to
stick
together
Drebber
answered
that
the
matter
was
a
delicate
one
and
that
he
must
go
alone
I
could
not
catch
what
Stangerson
said
to
that
but
the
other
burst
out
swearing
and
reminded
him
that
he
was
nothing
more
than
his
paid
servant
and
that
he
must
not
presume
to
dictate
to
him
On
that
the
Secretary
gave
it
up
as
a
bad
job
and
simply
bargained
with
him
that
if
he
missed
the
last
train
he
should
rejoin
him
at
Halliday's
Private
Hotel
to
which
Drebber
answered
that
he
would
be
back
on
the
platform
before
eleven
and
made
his
way
out
of
the
station
The
moment
for
which
I
had
waited
so
long
had
at
last
come
I
had
my
enemies
within
my
power
Together
they
could
protect
each
other
but
singly
they
were
at
my
mercy
I
did
not
act
however
with
undue
precipitation
My
plans
were
already
formed
There
is
no
satisfaction
in
vengeance
unless
the
offender
has
time
to
realize
who
it
is
that
strikes
him
and
why
retribution
has
come
upon
him
I
had
my
plans
arranged
by
which
I
should
have
the
opportunity
of
making
the
man
who
had
wronged
me
understand
that
his
old
sin
had
found
him
out
It
chanced
that
some
days
before
a
gentleman
who
had
been
engaged
in
looking
over
some
houses
in
the
Brixton
Road
had
dropped
the
key
of
one
of
them
in
my
carriage
It
was
claimed
that
same
evening
and
returned
but
in
the
interval
I
had
taken
a
moulding
of
it
and
had
a
duplicate
constructed
By
means
of
this
I
had
access
to
at
least
one
spot
in
this
great
city
where
I
could
rely
upon
being
free
from
interruption
How
to
get
Drebber
to
that
house
was
the
difficult
problem
which
I
had
now
to
solve
He
walked
down
the
road
and
went
into
one
or
two
liquor
shops
staying
for
nearly
half
an
hour
in
the
last
of
them
When
he
came
out
he
staggered
in
his
walk
and
was
evidently
pretty
well
on
There
was
a
hansom
just
in
front
of
me
and
he
hailed
it
I
followed
it
so
close
that
the
nose
of
my
horse
was
within
a
yard
of
his
driver
the
whole
way
We
rattled
across
Waterloo
Bridge
and
through
miles
of
streets
until
to
my
astonishment
we
found
ourselves
back
in
the
Terrace
in
which
he
had
boarded
I
could
not
imagine
what
his
intention
was
in
returning
there
but
I
went
on
and
pulled
up
my
cab
a
hundred
yards
or
so
from
the
house
He
entered
it
and
his
hansom
drove
away
Give
me
a
glass
of
water
if
you
please
My
mouth
gets
dry
with
the
talking
I
handed
him
the
glass
and
he
drank
it
down
That's
better
he
said
Well
I
waited
for
a
quarter
of
an
hour
or
more
when
suddenly
there
came
a
noise
like
people
struggling
inside
the
house
Next
moment
the
door
was
flung
open
and
two
men
appeared
one
of
whom
was
Drebber
and
the
other
was
a
young
chap
whom
I
had
never
seen
before
This
fellow
had
Drebber
by
the
collar
and
when
they
came
to
the
head
of
the
steps
he
gave
him
a
shove
and
a
kick
which
sent
him
half
across
the
road
You
hound
he
cried
shaking
his
stick
at
him
I'll
teach
you
to
insult
an
honest
girl
He
was
so
hot
that
I
think
he
would
have
thrashed
Drebber
with
his
cudgel
only
that
the
cur
staggered
away
down
the
road
as
fast
as
his
legs
would
carry
him
He
ran
as
far
as
the
corner
and
then
seeing
my
cab
he
hailed
me
and
jumped
in
Drive
me
to
Halliday's
Private
Hotel
said
he
When
I
had
him
fairly
inside
my
cab
my
heart
jumped
so
with
joy
that
I
feared
lest
at
this
last
moment
my
aneurism
might
go
wrong
I
drove
along
slowly
weighing
in
my
own
mind
what
it
was
best
to
do
I
might
take
him
right
out
into
the
country
and
there
in
some
deserted
lane
have
my
last
interview
with
him
I
had
almost
decided
upon
this
when
he
solved
the
problem
for
me
The
craze
for
drink
had
seized
him
again
and
he
ordered
me
to
pull
up
outside
a
gin
palace
He
went
in
leaving
word
that
I
should
wait
for
him
There
he
remained
until
closing
time
and
when
he
came
out
he
was
so
far
gone
that
I
knew
the
game
was
in
my
own
hands
Don't
imagine
that
I
intended
to
kill
him
in
cold
blood
It
would
only
have
been
rigid
justice
if
I
had
done
so
but
I
could
not
bring
myself
to
do
it
I
had
long
determined
that
he
should
have
a
show
for
his
life
if
he
chose
to
take
advantage
of
it
Among
the
many
billets
which
I
have
filled
in
America
during
my
wandering
life
I
was
once
janitor
and
sweeper
out
of
the
laboratory
at
York
College
One
day
the
professor
was
lecturing
on
poisions
and
he
showed
his
students
some
alkaloid
as
he
called
it
which
he
had
extracted
from
some
South
American
arrow
poison
and
which
was
so
powerful
that
the
least
grain
meant
instant
death
I
spotted
the
bottle
in
which
this
preparation
was
kept
and
when
they
were
all
gone
I
helped
myself
to
a
little
of
it
I
was
a
fairly
good
dispenser
so
I
worked
this
alkaloid
into
small
soluble
pills
and
each
pill
I
put
in
a
box
with
a
similar
pill
made
without
the
poison
I
determined
at
the
time
that
when
I
had
my
chance
my
gentlemen
should
each
have
a
draw
out
of
one
of
these
boxes
while
I
ate
the
pill
that
remained
It
would
be
quite
as
deadly
and
a
good
deal
less
noisy
than
firing
across
a
handkerchief
From
that
day
I
had
always
my
pill
boxes
about
with
me
and
the
time
had
now
come
when
I
was
to
use
them
It
was
nearer
one
than
twelve
and
a
wild
bleak
night
blowing
hard
and
raining
in
torrents
Dismal
as
it
was
outside
I
was
glad
within
so
glad
that
I
could
have
shouted
out
from
pure
exultation
If
any
of
you
gentlemen
have
ever
pined
for
a
thing
and
longed
for
it
during
twenty
long
years
and
then
suddenly
found
it
within
your
reach
you
would
understand
my
feelings
I
lit
a
cigar
and
puffed
at
it
to
steady
my
nerves
but
my
hands
were
trembling
and
my
temples
throbbing
with
excitement
As
I
drove
I
could
see
old
John
Ferrier
and
sweet
Lucy
looking
at
me
out
of
the
darkness
and
smiling
at
me
just
as
plain
as
I
see
you
all
in
this
room
All
the
way
they
were
ahead
of
me
one
on
each
side
of
the
horse
until
I
pulled
up
at
the
house
in
the
Brixton
Road
There
was
not
a
soul
to
be
seen
nor
a
sound
to
be
heard
except
the
dripping
of
the
rain
When
I
looked
in
at
the
window
I
found
Drebber
all
huddled
together
in
a
drunken
sleep
I
shook
him
by
the
arm
It's
time
to
get
out
I
said
All
right
cabby
said
he
I
suppose
he
thought
we
had
come
to
the
hotel
that
he
had
mentioned
for
he
got
out
without
another
word
and
followed
me
down
the
garden
I
had
to
walk
beside
him
to
keep
him
steady
for
he
was
still
a
little
top
heavy
When
we
came
to
the
door
I
opened
it
and
led
him
into
the
front
room
I
give
you
my
word
that
all
the
way
the
father
and
the
daughter
were
walking
in
front
of
us
It's
infernally
dark
said
he
stamping
about
We'll
soon
have
a
light
I
said
striking
a
match
and
putting
it
to
a
wax
candle
which
I
had
brought
with
me
Now
Enoch
Drebber
I
continued
turning
to
him
and
holding
the
light
to
my
own
face
who
am
I
He
gazed
at
me
with
bleared
drunken
eyes
for
a
moment
and
then
I
saw
a
horror
spring
up
in
them
and
convulse
his
whole
features
which
showed
me
that
he
knew
me
He
staggered
back
with
a
livid
face
and
I
saw
the
perspiration
break
out
upon
his
brow
while
his
teeth
chattered
in
his
head
At
the
sight
I
leaned
my
back
against
the
door
and
laughed
loud
and
long
I
had
always
known
that
vengeance
would
be
sweet
but
I
had
never
hoped
for
the
contentment
of
soul
which
now
possessed
me
You
dog
I
said
I
have
hunted
you
from
Salt
Lake
City
to
St
Petersburg
and
you
have
always
escaped
me
Now
at
last
your
wanderings
have
come
to
an
end
for
either
you
or
I
shall
never
see
to
morrow's
sun
rise
He
shrunk
still
further
away
as
I
spoke
and
I
could
see
on
his
face
that
he
thought
I
was
mad
So
I
was
for
the
time
The
pulses
in
my
temples
beat
like
sledge
hammers
and
I
believe
I
would
have
had
a
fit
of
some
sort
if
the
blood
had
not
gushed
from
my
nose
and
relieved
me
What
do
you
think
of
Lucy
Ferrier
now
I
cried
locking
the
door
and
shaking
the
key
in
his
face
Punishment
has
been
slow
in
coming
but
it
has
overtaken
you
at
last
I
saw
his
coward
lips
tremble
as
I
spoke
He
would
have
begged
for
his
life
but
he
knew
well
that
it
was
useless
Would
you
murder
me
he
stammered
There
is
no
murder
I
answered
Who
talks
of
murdering
a
mad
dog
What
mercy
had
you
upon
my
poor
darling
when
you
dragged
her
from
her
slaughtered
father
and
bore
her
away
to
your
accursed
and
shameless
harem
It
was
not
I
who
killed
her
father
he
cried
But
it
was
you
who
broke
her
innocent
heart
I
shrieked
thrusting
the
box
before
him
Let
the
high
God
judge
between
us
Choose
and
eat
There
is
death
in
one
and
life
in
the
other
I
shall
take
what
you
leave
Let
us
see
if
there
is
justice
upon
the
earth
or
if
we
are
ruled
by
chance
He
cowered
away
with
wild
cries
and
prayers
for
mercy
but
I
drew
my
knife
and
held
it
to
his
throat
until
he
had
obeyed
me
Then
I
swallowed
the
other
and
we
stood
facing
one
another
in
silence
for
a
minute
or
more
waiting
to
see
which
was
to
live
and
which
was
to
die
Shall
I
ever
forget
the
look
which
came
over
his
face
when
the
first
warning
pangs
told
him
that
the
poison
was
in
his
system
I
laughed
as
I
saw
it
and
held
Lucy's
marriage
ring
in
front
of
his
eyes
It
was
but
for
a
moment
for
the
action
of
the
alkaloid
is
rapid
A
spasm
of
pain
contorted
his
features
he
threw
his
hands
out
in
front
of
him
staggered
and
then
with
a
hoarse
cry
fell
heavily
upon
the
floor
I
turned
him
over
with
my
foot
and
placed
my
hand
upon
his
heart
There
was
no
movement
He
was
dead
The
blood
had
been
streaming
from
my
nose
but
I
had
taken
no
notice
of
it
I
don't
know
what
it
was
that
put
it
into
my
head
to
write
upon
the
wall
with
it
Perhaps
it
was
some
mischievous
idea
of
setting
the
police
upon
a
wrong
track
for
I
felt
light
hearted
and
cheerful
I
remembered
a
German
being
found
in
New
York
with
RACHE
written
up
above
him
and
it
was
argued
at
the
time
in
the
newspapers
that
the
secret
societies
must
have
done
it
I
guessed
that
what
puzzled
the
New
Yorkers
would
puzzle
the
Londoners
so
I
dipped
my
finger
in
my
own
blood
and
printed
it
on
a
convenient
place
on
the
wall
Then
I
walked
down
to
my
cab
and
found
that
there
was
nobody
about
and
that
the
night
was
still
very
wild
I
had
driven
some
distance
when
I
put
my
hand
into
the
pocket
in
which
I
usually
kept
Lucy's
ring
and
found
that
it
was
not
there
I
was
thunderstruck
at
this
for
it
was
the
only
memento
that
I
had
of
her
Thinking
that
I
might
have
dropped
it
when
I
stooped
over
Drebber's
body
I
drove
back
and
leaving
my
cab
in
a
side
street
I
went
boldly
up
to
the
house
for
I
was
ready
to
dare
anything
rather
than
lose
the
ring
When
I
arrived
there
I
walked
right
into
the
arms
of
a
police
officer
who
was
coming
out
and
only
managed
to
disarm
his
suspicions
by
pretending
to
be
hopelessly
drunk
That
was
how
Enoch
Drebber
came
to
his
end
All
I
had
to
do
then
was
to
do
as
much
for
Stangerson
and
so
pay
off
John
Ferrier's
debt
I
knew
that
he
was
staying
at
Halliday's
Private
Hotel
and
I
hung
about
all
day
but
he
never
came
out
fancy
that
he
suspected
something
when
Drebber
failed
to
put
in
an
appearance
He
was
cunning
was
Stangerson
and
always
on
his
guard
If
he
thought
he
could
keep
me
off
by
staying
indoors
he
was
very
much
mistaken
I
soon
found
out
which
was
the
window
of
his
bedroom
and
early
next
morning
I
took
advantage
of
some
ladders
which
were
lying
in
the
lane
behind
the
hotel
and
so
made
my
way
into
his
room
in
the
grey
of
the
dawn
I
woke
him
up
and
told
him
that
the
hour
had
come
when
he
was
to
answer
for
the
life
he
had
taken
so
long
before
I
described
Drebber's
death
to
him
and
I
gave
him
the
same
choice
of
the
poisoned
pills
Instead
of
grasping
at
the
chance
of
safety
which
that
offered
him
he
sprang
from
his
bed
and
flew
at
my
throat
In
self
defence
I
stabbed
him
to
the
heart
It
would
have
been
the
same
in
any
case
for
Providence
would
never
have
allowed
his
guilty
hand
to
pick
out
anything
but
the
poison
I
have
little
more
to
say
and
it's
as
well
for
I
am
about
done
up
I
went
on
cabbing
it
for
a
day
or
so
intending
to
keep
at
it
until
I
could
save
enough
to
take
me
back
to
America
I
was
standing
in
the
yard
when
a
ragged
youngster
asked
if
there
was
a
cabby
there
called
Jefferson
Hope
and
said
that
his
cab
was
wanted
by
a
gentleman
at
B
Baker
Street
I
went
round
suspecting
no
harm
and
the
next
thing
I
knew
this
young
man
here
had
the
bracelets
on
my
wrists
and
as
neatly
snackled
as
ever
I
saw
in
my
life
That's
the
whole
of
my
story
gentlemen
You
may
consider
me
to
be
a
murderer
but
I
hold
that
I
am
just
as
much
an
officer
of
justice
as
you
are
So
thrilling
had
the
man's
narrative
been
and
his
manner
was
so
impressive
that
we
had
sat
silent
and
absorbed
Even
the
professional
detectives
blas
as
they
were
in
every
detail
of
crime
appeared
to
be
keenly
interested
in
the
man's
story
When
he
finished
we
sat
for
some
minutes
in
a
stillness
which
was
only
broken
by
the
scratching
of
Lestrade's
pencil
as
he
gave
the
finishing
touches
to
his
shorthand
account
There
is
only
one
point
on
which
I
should
like
a
little
more
information
Sherlock
Holmes
said
at
last
Who
was
your
accomplice
who
came
for
the
ring
which
I
advertised
The
prisoner
winked
at
my
friend
jocosely
I
can
tell
my
own
secrets
he
said
but
I
don't
get
other
people
into
trouble
I
saw
your
advertisement
and
I
thought
it
might
be
a
plant
or
it
might
be
the
ring
which
I
wanted
My
friend
volunteered
to
go
and
see
I
think
you'll
own
he
did
it
smartly
Not
a
doubt
of
that
said
Holmes
heartily
Now
gentlemen
the
Inspector
remarked
gravely
the
forms
of
the
law
must
be
complied
with
On
Thursday
the
prisoner
will
be
brought
before
the
magistrates
and
your
attendance
will
be
required
Until
then
I
will
be
responsible
for
him
He
rang
the
bell
as
he
spoke
and
Jefferson
Hope
was
led
off
by
a
couple
of
warders
while
my
friend
and
I
made
our
way
out
of
the
Station
and
took
a
cab
back
to
Baker
Street
CHAPTER
VII
THE
CONCLUSION
WE
had
all
been
warned
to
appear
before
the
magistrates
upon
the
Thursday
but
when
the
Thursday
came
there
was
no
occasion
for
our
testimony
A
higher
Judge
had
taken
the
matter
in
hand
and
Jefferson
Hope
had
been
summoned
before
a
tribunal
where
strict
justice
would
be
meted
out
to
him
On
the
very
night
after
his
capture
the
aneurism
burst
and
he
was
found
in
the
morning
stretched
upon
the
floor
of
the
cell
with
a
placid
smile
upon
his
face
as
though
he
had
been
able
in
his
dying
moments
to
look
back
upon
a
useful
life
and
on
work
well
done
Gregson
and
Lestrade
will
be
wild
about
his
death
Holmes
remarked
as
we
chatted
it
over
next
evening
Where
will
their
grand
advertisement
be
now
I
don't
see
that
they
had
very
much
to
do
with
his
capture
I
answered
What
you
do
in
this
world
is
a
matter
of
no
consequence
returned
my
companion
bitterly
The
question
is
what
can
you
make
people
believe
that
you
have
done
Never
mind
he
continued
more
brightly
after
a
pause
I
would
not
have
missed
the
investigation
for
anything
There
has
been
no
better
case
within
my
recollection
Simple
as
it
was
there
were
several
most
instructive
points
about
it
Simple
I
ejaculated
Well
really
it
can
hardly
be
described
as
otherwise
said
Sherlock
Holmes
smiling
at
my
surprise
The
proof
of
its
intrinsic
simplicity
is
that
without
any
help
save
a
few
very
ordinary
deductions
I
was
able
to
lay
my
hand
upon
the
criminal
within
three
days
That
is
true
said
I
I
have
already
explained
to
you
that
what
is
out
of
the
common
is
usually
a
guide
rather
than
a
hindrance
In
solving
a
problem
of
this
sort
the
grand
thing
is
to
be
able
to
reason
backwards
That
is
a
very
useful
accomplishment
and
a
very
easy
one
but
people
do
not
practise
it
much
In
the
every
day
affairs
of
life
it
is
more
useful
to
reason
forwards
and
so
the
other
comes
to
be
neglected
There
are
fifty
who
can
reason
synthetically
for
one
who
can
reason
analytically
I
confess
said
I
that
I
do
not
quite
follow
you
I
hardly
expected
that
you
would
Let
me
see
if
I
can
make
it
clearer
Most
people
if
you
describe
a
train
of
events
to
them
will
tell
you
what
the
result
would
be
They
can
put
those
events
together
in
their
minds
and
argue
from
them
that
something
will
come
to
pass
There
are
few
people
however
who
if
you
told
them
a
result
would
be
able
to
evolve
from
their
own
inner
consciousness
what
the
steps
were
which
led
up
to
that
result
This
power
is
what
I
mean
when
I
talk
of
reasoning
backwards
or
analytically
I
understand
said
I
Now
this
was
a
case
in
which
you
were
given
the
result
and
had
to
find
everything
else
for
yourself
Now
let
me
endeavour
to
show
you
the
different
steps
in
my
reasoning
To
begin
at
the
beginning
I
approached
the
house
as
you
know
on
foot
and
with
my
mind
entirely
free
from
all
impressions
I
naturally
began
by
examining
the
roadway
and
there
as
I
have
already
explained
to
you
I
saw
clearly
the
marks
of
a
cab
which
I
ascertained
by
inquiry
must
have
been
there
during
the
night
I
satisfied
myself
that
it
was
a
cab
and
not
a
private
carriage
by
the
narrow
gauge
of
the
wheels
The
ordinary
London
growler
is
considerably
less
wide
than
a
gentleman's
brougham
This
was
the
first
point
gained
I
then
walked
slowly
down
the
garden
path
which
happened
to
be
composed
of
a
clay
soil
peculiarly
suitable
for
taking
impressions
No
doubt
it
appeared
to
you
to
be
a
mere
trampled
line
of
slush
but
to
my
trained
eyes
every
mark
upon
its
surface
had
a
meaning
There
is
no
branch
of
detective
science
which
is
so
important
and
so
much
neglected
as
the
art
of
tracing
footsteps
Happily
I
have
always
laid
great
stress
upon
it
and
much
practice
has
made
it
second
nature
to
me
I
saw
the
heavy
footmarks
of
the
constables
but
I
saw
also
the
track
of
the
two
men
who
had
first
passed
through
the
garden
It
was
easy
to
tell
that
they
had
been
before
the
others
because
in
places
their
marks
had
been
entirely
obliterated
by
the
others
coming
upon
the
top
of
them
In
this
way
my
second
link
was
formed
which
told
me
that
the
nocturnal
visitors
were
two
in
number
one
remarkable
for
his
height
as
I
calculated
from
the
length
of
his
stride
and
the
other
fashionably
dressed
to
judge
from
the
small
and
elegant
impression
left
by
his
boots
On
entering
the
house
this
last
inference
was
confirmed
My
well
booted
man
lay
before
me
The
tall
one
then
had
done
the
murder
if
murder
there
was
There
was
no
wound
upon
the
dead
man's
person
but
the
agitated
expression
upon
his
face
assured
me
that
he
had
foreseen
his
fate
before
it
came
upon
him
Men
who
die
from
heart
disease
or
any
sudden
natural
cause
never
by
any
chance
exhibit
agitation
upon
their
features
Having
sniffed
the
dead
man's
lips
I
detected
a
slightly
sour
smell
and
I
came
to
the
conclusion
that
he
had
had
poison
forced
upon
him
Again
I
argued
that
it
had
been
forced
upon
him
from
the
hatred
and
fear
expressed
upon
his
face
By
the
method
of
exclusion
I
had
arrived
at
this
result
for
no
other
hypothesis
would
meet
the
facts
Do
not
imagine
that
it
was
a
very
unheard
of
idea
The
forcible
administration
of
poison
is
by
no
means
a
new
thing
in
criminal
annals
The
cases
of
Dolsky
in
Odessa
and
of
Leturier
in
Montpellier
will
occur
at
once
to
any
toxicologist
And
now
came
the
great
question
as
to
the
reason
why
Robbery
had
not
been
the
object
of
the
murder
for
nothing
was
taken
Was
it
politics
then
or
was
it
a
woman
That
was
the
question
which
confronted
me
I
was
inclined
from
the
first
to
the
latter
supposition
Political
assassins
are
only
too
glad
to
do
their
work
and
to
fly
This
murder
had
on
the
contrary
been
done
most
deliberately
and
the
perpetrator
had
left
his
tracks
all
over
the
room
showing
that
he
had
been
there
all
the
time
It
must
have
been
a
private
wrong
and
not
a
political
one
which
called
for
such
a
methodical
revenge
When
the
inscription
was
discovered
upon
the
wall
I
was
more
inclined
than
ever
to
my
opinion
The
thing
was
too
evidently
a
blind
When
the
ring
was
found
however
it
settled
the
question
Clearly
the
murderer
had
used
it
to
remind
his
victim
of
some
dead
or
absent
woman
It
was
at
this
point
that
I
asked
Gregson
whether
he
had
enquired
in
his
telegram
to
Cleveland
as
to
any
particular
point
in
Mr
Drebber's
former
career
He
answered
you
remember
in
the
negative
I
then
proceeded
to
make
a
careful
examination
of
the
room
which
confirmed
me
in
my
opinion
as
to
the
murderer's
height
and
furnished
me
with
the
additional
details
as
to
the
Trichinopoly
cigar
and
the
length
of
his
nails
I
had
already
come
to
the
conclusion
since
there
were
no
signs
of
a
struggle
that
the
blood
which
covered
the
floor
had
burst
from
the
murderer's
nose
in
his
excitement
I
could
perceive
that
the
track
of
blood
coincided
with
the
track
of
his
feet
It
is
seldom
that
any
man
unless
he
is
very
full
blooded
breaks
out
in
this
way
through
emotion
so
I
hazarded
the
opinion
that
the
criminal
was
probably
a
robust
and
ruddy
faced
man
Events
proved
that
I
had
judged
correctly
Having
left
the
house
I
proceeded
to
do
what
Gregson
had
neglected
I
telegraphed
to
the
head
of
the
police
at
Cleveland
limiting
my
enquiry
to
the
circumstances
connected
with
the
marriage
of
Enoch
Drebber
The
answer
was
conclusive
It
told
me
that
Drebber
had
already
applied
for
the
protection
of
the
law
against
an
old
rival
in
love
named
Jefferson
Hope
and
that
this
same
Hope
was
at
present
in
Europe
I
knew
now
that
I
held
the
clue
to
the
mystery
in
my
hand
and
all
that
remained
was
to
secure
the
murderer
I
had
already
determined
in
my
own
mind
that
the
man
who
had
walked
into
the
house
with
Drebber
was
none
other
than
the
man
who
had
driven
the
cab
The
marks
in
the
road
showed
me
that
the
horse
had
wandered
on
in
a
way
which
would
have
been
impossible
had
there
been
anyone
in
charge
of
it
Where
then
could
the
driver
be
unless
he
were
inside
the
house
Again
it
is
absurd
to
suppose
that
any
sane
man
would
carry
out
a
deliberate
crime
under
the
very
eyes
as
it
were
of
a
third
person
who
was
sure
to
betray
him
Lastly
supposing
one
man
wished
to
dog
another
through
London
what
better
means
could
he
adopt
than
to
turn
cabdriver
All
these
considerations
led
me
to
the
irresistible
conclusion
that
Jefferson
Hope
was
to
be
found
among
the
jarveys
of
the
Metropolis
If
he
had
been
one
there
was
no
reason
to
believe
that
he
had
ceased
to
be
On
the
contrary
from
his
point
of
view
any
sudden
change
would
be
likely
to
draw
attention
to
himself
He
would
probably
for
a
time
at
least
continue
to
perform
his
duties
There
was
no
reason
to
suppose
that
he
was
going
under
an
assumed
name
Why
should
he
change
his
name
in
a
country
where
no
one
knew
his
original
one
I
therefore
organized
my
Street
Arab
detective
corps
and
sent
them
systematically
to
every
cab
proprietor
in
London
until
they
ferreted
out
the
man
that
I
wanted
How
well
they
succeeded
and
how
quickly
I
took
advantage
of
it
are
still
fresh
in
your
recollection
The
murder
of
Stangerson
was
an
incident
which
was
entirely
unexpected
but
which
could
hardly
in
any
case
have
been
prevented
Through
it
as
you
know
I
came
into
possession
of
the
pills
the
existence
of
which
I
had
already
surmised
You
see
the
whole
thing
is
a
chain
of
logical
sequences
without
a
break
or
flaw
It
is
wonderful
I
cried
Your
merits
should
be
publicly
recognized
You
should
publish
an
account
of
the
case
If
you
won't
I
will
for
you
You
may
do
what
you
like
Doctor
he
answered
See
here
he
continued
handing
a
paper
over
to
me
look
at
this
It
was
the
Echo
for
the
day
and
the
paragraph
to
which
he
pointed
was
devoted
to
the
case
in
question
The
public
it
said
have
lost
a
sensational
treat
through
the
sudden
death
of
the
man
Hope
who
was
suspected
of
the
murder
of
Mr
Enoch
Drebber
and
of
Mr
Joseph
Stangerson
The
details
of
the
case
will
probably
be
never
known
now
though
we
are
informed
upon
good
authority
that
the
crime
was
the
result
of
an
old
standing
and
romantic
feud
in
which
love
and
Mormonism
bore
a
part
It
seems
that
both
the
victims
belonged
in
their
younger
days
to
the
Latter
Day
Saints
and
Hope
the
deceased
prisoner
hails
also
from
Salt
Lake
City
If
the
case
has
had
no
other
effect
it
at
least
brings
out
in
the
most
striking
manner
the
efficiency
of
our
detective
police
force
and
will
serve
as
a
lesson
to
all
foreigners
that
they
will
do
wisely
to
settle
their
feuds
at
home
and
not
to
carry
them
on
to
British
soil
It
is
an
open
secret
that
the
credit
of
this
smart
capture
belongs
entirely
to
the
well
known
Scotland
Yard
officials
Messrs
Lestrade
and
Gregson
The
man
was
apprehended
it
appears
in
the
rooms
of
a
certain
Mr
Sherlock
Holmes
who
has
himself
as
an
amateur
shown
some
talent
in
the
detective
line
and
who
with
such
instructors
may
hope
in
time
to
attain
to
some
degree
of
their
skill
It
is
expected
that
a
testimonial
of
some
sort
will
be
presented
to
the
two
officers
as
a
fitting
recognition
of
their
services
Didn't
I
tell
you
so
when
we
started
cried
Sherlock
Holmes
with
a
laugh
That's
the
result
of
all
our
Study
in
Scarlet
to
get
them
a
testimonial
Never
mind
I
answered
I
have
all
the
facts
in
my
journal
and
the
public
shall
know
them
In
the
meantime
you
must
make
yourself
contented
by
the
consciousness
of
success
like
the
Roman
miser
Populus
me
sibilat
at
mihi
plaudo
Ipse
domi
simul
ac
nummos
contemplor
in
arca