“”Itisalsomycustom”saidhe，smilinginthemostpleasant
fashionuntilhiseyeswerejusttwolittleshiningslitsamidthe
whitecreasesofhisface，”toadvancetomyyoungladieshalftheir
salarybeforehand，sothattheymaymeetanylittleexpensesof
theirjourneyandtheirwardrobe。”
“ItseemedtomethatIhadnevermetsofascinatingandso
thoughtfulaman。AsIwasalreadyindebttomytradesmen，the
advancewasagreatconvenience，andYettherewassomethingunnatural
aboutthewholetransactionwhichmademewishtoknowalittlemore
beforeIquitecommittedmyself。
“”MayIaskwhereyoulive，sir？”saidI。
“”Hampshire。Charmingruralplace。TheCopperBeeches，fivemileson
thefarsideofWinchester。Itisthemostlovelycountry，mydear
younglady，andthedearestoldcountry-house。”
“”Andmyduties，sir？Ishouldbegladtoknowwhattheywouldbe。”
“”Onechild-onedearlittleromperjustsixyearsold。Oh，ifyou
couldseehimkillingcockroacheswithaslipper！Smack！smack！smack！
Threegonebeforeyoucouldwink！”Heleanedbackinhischairand
laughedhiseyesintohisheadagain。
“Iwasalittlestartledatthenatureofthechild”samusement，but
thefather”slaughtermademethinkthatperhapshewasjoking。
“”Mysoleduties，then”Iasked，”aretotakechargeofasingle
child？”
“”No，no，notthesole，notthesole，mydearyounglady”hecried。”Yourdutywouldbe，asIamsureyourgoodsensewouldsuggest，to
obeyanylittlecommandsmywifemightgive，providedalwaysthatthey
weresuchcommandsasaladymightwithproprietyobey。Youseeno
difficulty，heh？”
“”Ishouldbehappytomakemyselfuseful。”
“”Quiteso。Indressnow，forexample。Wearefaddypeople，you
know-faddybutkind-hearted。Ifyouwereaskedtowearanydresswhich
wemightgiveyou，youwouldnotobjecttoourlittlewhim。Heh？”
“”No”saidI，considerablyastonishedathiswords。
“”Ortosithere，orsitthere，thatwouldnotbeoffensivetoyou？”
“”Oh，no。”
“”Ortocutyourhairquiteshortbeforeyoucometous？”
“Icouldhardlybelievemyears。Asyoumayobserve，Mr。Holmes，
myhairissomewhatluxuriant，andofaratherpeculiartintof
chestnut。Ithasbeenconsideredartistic。Icouldnotdreamof
sacrificingitinthisoffhandfashion。
“”Iamafraidthatthatisquiteimpossible”saidI。Hehadbeen
watchingmeeagerlyoutofhissmalleyes，andIcouldseeashadow
passoverhisfaceasIspoke。
“”Iamafraidthatitisquiteessential”saidhe。”Itisa
littlefancyofmywife”s，andladies”fancies，youknow，madam，
ladies”fanciesmustbeconsulted。Andsoyouwon”tcutyourhair？”
“”No，sir，Ireallycouldnot”Iansweredfirmly。
“”Ah，verywell；thenthatquitesettlesthematter。Itisapity，
becauseinotherrespectsyouwouldreallyhavedoneverynicely。In
thatcase，MissStoper，Ihadbestinspectafewmoreofyouryoung
ladies。”
“Themanageresshadsatallthiswhilebusywithherpapers
withoutawordtoeitherofus，butsheglancedatmenowwithsomuch
annoyanceuponherfacethatIcouldnothelpsuspectingthatshe
hadlostahandsomecommissionthroughmyrefusal。
“”Doyoudesireyournametobekeptuponthebooks？”sheasked。
“”Ifyouplease，MissStoper。”
“”Wellreally，itseemsratheruseless，sinceyourefusethemost
excellentoffersinthisfashion”saidshesharply。”Youcanhardly
expectustoexertourselvestofindanothersuchopeningforyou。
Good-daytoyou，MissHunter。”Shestruckagonguponthetable，andI
wasshownoutbythepage。
“Well，Mr。Holmes，whenIgotbacktomylodgingsandfoundlittle
enoughinthecupboard，andtwoorthreebillsuponthetable，Ibegan
toaskmyselfwhetherIhadnotdoneaveryfoolishthing。After
all，ifthesepeoplehadstrangefadsandexpectedobedienceonthe
mostextraordinarymatters，theywereatleastreadytopayfor
theireccentricity。VeryfewgovernessesinEnglandaregettingL100a
year。Besides，whatusewasmyhairtome？Manypeopleareimprovedby
wearingitshort，andperhapsIshouldbeamongthenumber。NextdayI
wasinclinedtothinkthatIhadmadeamistake，andbytheday
afterIwassureofit。Ihadalmostovercomemypridesofarastogo
backtotheagencyandinquirewhethertheplacewasstillopenwhenI
receivedthisletterfromthegentlemanhimself。Ihaveithere，andI
willreadittoyou：
“TheCopperBeeches，nearWinchester。
“DEARMISSHUNTER：
“MissStoperhasverykindlygivenmeyouraddress，andIwritefrom
heretoaskyouwhetheryouhavereconsideredyourdecision。Mywife
isveryanxiousthatyoushouldcome，forshehasbeenmuch
attractedbymydescriptionofyou。WearewillingtogiveL30a
quarter，orL120ayear，soastorecompenseyouforanylittle
inconveniencewhichourfadsmaycauseyou。Theyarenotvery
exacting，afterall。Mywifeisfondofaparticularshadeofelectric
blue，andwouldlikeyoutowearsuchadressindoorsinthe
morning。Youneednot，however，gototheexpenseofpurchasingone，
aswehaveonebelongingtomydeardaughterAlicenowin
Philadelphia，whichwould，Ishouldthink，fityouverywell。Then，
astosittinghereorthere，oramusingyourselfinanymanner
indicated，thatneedcauseyounoinconvenience。Asregardsyourhair，
itisnodoubtapity，especiallyasIcouldnothelpremarkingits
beautyduringourshortinterview，butIamafraidthatImust
remainfirmuponthispoint，andIonlyhopethattheincreasedsalary
mayrecompenseyoufortheloss。Yourduties，asfarasthechildis
concerned，areverylight。Nowdotrytocome，andIshallmeetyou
withthedog-cartatWinchester。Letmeknowyourtrain。
“Yoursfaithfully，
“JEPHRORUCASTLE。”
“ThatistheletterwhichIhavejustreceived，Mr。Holmes，andmy
mindismadeupthatIwillacceptit。Ithought，however，thatbefore
takingthefinalstepIshouldliketosubmitthewholemattertoyour
consideration。”
“Well，MissHunter，ifyourmindismadeup，thatsettlesthe
question，“saidHolmes，smiling。
“Butyouwouldnotadvisemetorefuse？“
“IconfessthatitisnotthesituationwhichIshouldliketoseea
sisterofmineapplyfor。”
“Whatisthemeaningofitall，Mr。Holmes？“
“Ah，Ihavenodata。Icannottell。Perhapsyouhaveyourselfformed
someopinion？“
“Well，thereseemstometobeonlyonepossiblesolution。Mr。
Rucastleseemedtobeaverykind，good-naturedman。Isitnot
possiblethathiswifeisalunatic，thathedesirestokeepthe
matterquietforfearsheshouldbetakentoanasylum，andthathe
humoursherfanciesineverywayinordertopreventanoutbreak？“
“Thatisapossiblesolution-infact，asmattersstand，itisthe
mostprobableone。Butinanycaseitdoesnotseemtobeanice
householdforayounglady。”
“Butthemoney，Mr。Holmes，themoney！“
“Well，yes，ofcoursethepayisgood-toogood。Thatiswhatmakes
meuneasy。WhyshouldtheygiveyouL120ayear，whentheycould
havetheirpickforL40？Theremustbesomestrongreasonbehind。”
“IthoughtthatifItoldyouthecircumstancesyouwouldunderstand
afterwardsifIwantedyourhelp。Ishouldfeelsomuchstrongerif
Ifeltthatyouwereatthebackofme。”
“Oh，youmaycarrythatfeelingawaywithyou。Iassureyouthat
yourlittleproblempromisestobethemostinterestingwhichhascome
mywayforsomemonths。Thereissomethingdistinctlynovelaboutsome
ofthefeatures。Ifyoushouldfindyourselfindoubtorindanger-“
“Danger！Whatdangerdoyouforesee？“
Holmesshookhisheadgravely。“Itwouldceasetobeadangerif
wecoulddefineit，“saidhe。“Butatanytime，dayornight，a
telegramwouldbringmedowntoyourhelp。”
“Thatisenough。”Sherosebrisklyfromherchairwiththeanxiety
allsweptfromherface。“IshallgodowntoHampshirequiteeasyin
mymindnow。IshallwritetoMr。Rucastleatonce，sacrificemy
poorhairto-night，andstartforWinchesterto-morrow。”Withafew
gratefulwordstoHolmesshebadeusbothgood-nightandbustledoff
uponherway。
“Atleast，“saidIasweheardherquick，firmstepsdescending
thestairs，“sheseemstobeayoungladywhoisverywellableto
takecareofherself。”
“Andshewouldneedtobe，“saidHolmesgravely。“Iammuchmistaken
ifwedonothearfromherbeforemanydaysarepast。”
Itwasnotverylongbeforemyfriend”spredictionwasfulfilled。
Afortnightwentby，duringwhichIfrequentlyfoundmythoughts
turninginherdirectionandwonderingwhatstrangeside-alleyof
humanexperiencethislonelywomanhadstrayedinto。Theunusual
salary，thecuriousconditions，thelightduties，allpointedto
somethingabnormal，thoughwhetherafadoraplot，orwhethertheman
wereaphilanthropistoravillain，itwasquitebeyondmypowersto
determine。AstoHolmes，Iobservedthathesatfrequentlyforhalfan
houronend，withknittedbrowsandanabstractedair，butheswept
thematterawaywithawaveofhishandwhenImentionedit。“Data！
data！data！“hecriedimpatiently。“Ican”tmakebrickswithoutclay。”
Andyethewouldalwayswindupbymutteringthatnosisterofhis
shouldeverhaveacceptedsuchasituation。
Thetelegramwhichweeventuallyreceivedcamelateonenightjust
asIwasthinkingofturninginandHolmeswassettlingdowntooneof
thoseall-nightchemicalresearcheswhichhefrequentlyindulgedin，
whenIwouldleavehimstoopingoveraretortandatest-tubeatnight
andfindhiminthesamepositionwhenIcamedowntobreakfastinthe
morning。Heopenedtheyellowenvelope，andthen，glancingatthe
message，threwitacrosstome。
“JustlookupthetrainsinBradshaw，“saidhe，andturnedbackto
hischemicalstudies。
Thesummonswasabriefandurgentone。
PleasebeattheBlackSwanHotelatWinchesteratmidday
to-morrow[itsaid]。Docome！Iamatmywit”send。
HUNTER。
“Willyoucomewithme？“askedHolmes，glancingup。
“Ishouldwishto。”
“Justlookitup，then。”
“Thereisatrainathalf-pastnine，“saidI，glancingovermy
Bradshaw。“ItisdueatWinchesterat11：3O。”
“Thatwilldoverynicely。ThenperhapsIhadbetterpostponemy
analysisoftheacetones，aswemayneedtobeatourbestinthe
morning。”
Byeleveno”clockthenextdaywewerewelluponourwaytothe
oldEnglishcapital。Holmeshadbeenburiedinthemorningpapers
allthewaydown，butafterwehadpassedtheHampshireborderhe
threwthemdownandbegantoadmirethescenery。Itwasanideal
springday，alightbluesky，fleckedwithlittlefleecywhite
cloudsdriftingacrossfromwesttoeast。Thesunwasshiningvery
brightly，andyettherewasanexhilaratingnipintheair，which
setanedgetoaman”senergy。Alloverthecountryside，awaytothe
rollinghillsaroundAldershot，thelittleredandgrayroofsofthe
farm-steadingspeepedoutfromamidthelightgreenofthenew
foliage。
“Aretheynotfreshandbeautiful？“Icriedwithallthe
enthusiasmofamanfreshfromthefogsofBakerStreet。
ButHolmesshookhisheadgravely。
“Doyouknow，Watson，“saidhe，“thatitisoneofthecursesofa
mindwithaturnlikeminethatImustlookateverythingwith
referencetomyownspecialsubject。Youlookatthesescattered
houses，andyouareimpressedbytheirbeauty。Ilookatthem，andthe
onlythoughtwhichcomestomeisafeelingoftheirisolationand
oftheimpunitywithwhichcrimemaybecommittedthere。”
“Goodheavens！“Icried。“Whowouldassociatecrimewiththese
dearoldhomesteads？“
“Theyalwaysfillmewithacertainhorror。Itismybelief，Watson，
foundeduponmyexperience，thatthelowestandvilestalleysin
Londondonotpresentamoredreadfulrecordofsinthandoesthe
smilingandbeautifulcountryside。”
“Youhorrifyme！“
“Butthereasonisveryobvious。Thepressureofpublicopinion
candointhetownwhatthelawcannotaccomplish。Thereisnolaneso
vilethatthescreamofatorturedchild，orthethudofa
drunkard”sblow，doesnotbegetsympathyandindignationamongthe
neighbours，andthenthewholemachineryofjusticeiseversoclose
thatawordofcomplaintcansetitgoing，andthereisbutastep
betweenthecrimeandthedock。Butlookattheselonelyhouses，
eachinitsownfields，filledforthemostpartwithpoorignorant
folkwhoknowlittleofthelaw。Thinkofthedeedsofhellish
cruelty，thehiddenwickednesswhichmaygoon，yearin，yearout，
insuchplaces，andnonethewiser。Hadthisladywhoappealstous
forhelpgonetoliveinWinchester，Ishouldneverhavehadafear
forher。Itisthefivemilesofcountrywhichmakesthedanger。
Still，itisclearthatsheisnotpersonallythreatened。”
“No。IfshecancometoWinchestertomeetusshecangetaway。”
“Quiteso。Shehasherfreedom。”
“Whatcanbethematter，then？Canyousuggestnoexplanation？“
“Ihavedevisedsevenseparateexplanations，eachofwhichwould
coverthefactsasfarasweknowthem。Butwhichoftheseis
correctcanonlybedeterminedbythefreshinformationwhichweshall
nodoubtfindwaitingforus。Well，thereisthetowerofthe
cathedral，andweshallsoonlearnallthatMissHunterhastotell。”
TheBlackSwanisaninnofreputeintheHighStreet，atno
distancefromthestation，andtherewefoundtheyoungladywaiting
forus。Shehadengagedasitting-room，andourlunchawaitedus
uponthetable。
“Iamsodelightedthatyouhavecome，“shesaidearnestly。“Itis
soverykindofyouboth；butindeedIdonotknowwhatIshoulddo。
Youradvicewillbealtogetherinvaluabletome。”
“Praytelluswhathashappenedtoyou。”
“Iwilldoso，andImustbequick，forIhavepromisedMr。Rucastle
tobebackbeforethree。Igothisleavetocomeintotownthis
morning，thoughhelittleknewforwhatpurpose。”
“Letushaveeverythinginitsdueorder。”Holmesthrusthislong
thinlegsouttowardsthefireandcomposedhimselftolisten。
“Inthefirstplace，ImaysaythatIhavemet，onthewhole，with
noactualill-treatmentfromMr。andMrs。Rucastle。Itisonlyfairto
themtosaythat。ButIcannotunderstandthem，andIamnoteasyin
mymindaboutthem。”
“Whatcanyounotunderstand？“
“Theirreasonsfortheirconduct。Butyoushallhaveitalljust
asitoccurred。WhenIcamedown，Mr。Rucastlemetmehereanddrove
meinhisdog-carttotheCopperBeeches。Itis，ashesaid，
beautifullysituated，butitisnotbeautifulinitself，foritisa
largesquareblockofahouse，whitewashed，butallstainedand
streakedwithdampandbadweather。Therearegroundsroundit，
woodsonthreesides，andonthefourthafieldwhichslopesdownto
theSouthamptonhighroad，whichcurvespastaboutahundredyardsfrom
thefrontdoor。Thisgroundinfrontbelongstothehouse，butthe
woodsallroundarepartofLordSoutherton”spreserves。Aclumpof
copperbeechesimmediatelyinfrontofthehalldoorhasgivenits
nametotheplace。
“Iwasdrivenoverbymyemployer，whowasasamiableasever，and
wasintroducedbyhimthateveningtohiswifeandthechild。There
wasnotruth，Mr。Holmes，intheconjecturewhichseemedtoustobe
probableinyourroomsatBakerStreet。Mrs。Rucastleisnotmad。I
foundhertobeasilent，pale-facedwoman，muchyoungerthanher
husband，notmorethanthirty，Ishouldthink，whilehecanhardly
belessthanforty-five。FromtheirconversationIhavegathered
thattheyhavebeenmarriedaboutsevenyears，thathewasa
widower，andthathisonlychildbythefirstwifewasthedaughter
whohasgonetoPhiladelphia。Mr。Rucastletoldmeinprivatethatthe
reasonwhyshehadleftthemwasthatshehadanunreasoning
aversiontoherstepmother。Asthedaughtercouldnothavebeenless
thantwenty，Icanquiteimaginethatherpositionmusthavebeen
uncomfortablewithherfather”syoungwife。
“Mrs。Rucastleseemedtometobecolourlessinmindaswellasin
feature。Sheimpressedmeneitherfavourablynorthereverse。She
wasanonentity。Itwaseasytoseethatshewaspassionately
devotedbothtoherhusbandandtoherlittleson。Herlightgrayeyes
wanderedcontinuallyfromonetotheother，notingeverylittlewant
andforestallingitifpossible。Hewaskindtoheralsoinhisbluff，
boisterousfashion，andonthewholetheyseemedtobeahappycouple。
Andyetshehadsomesecretsorrow，thiswoman。Shewouldoftenbe
lostindeepthought，withthesaddestlookuponherface。Morethan
onceIhavesurprisedherintears。Ihavethoughtsometimesthatit
wasthedispositionofherchildwhichweigheduponhermind，forI
havenevermetsoutterlyspoiledandsoill-naturedalittle
creature。Heissmallforhisage，withaheadwhichisquite
disproportionatelylarge。Hiswholelifeappearstobespentinan
alternationbetweensavagefitsofpassionandgloomyintervalsof
sulking。Givingpaintoanycreatureweakerthanhimselfseemstobe
hisoneideaofamusement，andheshowsquiteremarkabletalentin
planningthecaptureofmice，littlebirds，andinsects。ButIwould
rathernottalkaboutthecreature，Mr。Holmes，and，indeed，hehas
littletodowithmystory。”
“Iamgladofalldetails，“remarkedmyfriend，“whethertheyseem
toyoutoberelevantornot。”
“Ishalltrynottomissanythingofimportance。Theone
unpleasantthingaboutthehouse，whichstruckmeatonce，wasthe
appearanceandconductoftheservants。Thereareonlytwo，aman
andhiswife。Toller，forthatishisname，isarough，uncouthman，
withgrizzledhairandwhiskers，andaperpetualsmellofdrink。Twice
sinceIhavebeenwiththemhehasbeenquitedrunk，andyetMr。
Rucastleseemedtotakenonoticeofit。Hiswifeisaverytalland
strongwomanwithasourface，assilentasMrs。Rucastleandmuch
lessamiable。Theyareamostunpleasantcouple，butfortunatelyI
spendmostofmytimeinthenurseryandmyownroom，whicharenext
toeachotherinonecornerofthebuilding。
“FortwodaysaftermyarrivalattheCopperBeechesmylifewas
veryquiet；onthethird，Mrs。Rucastlecamedownjustafterbreakfast
andwhisperedsomethingtoherhusband。
“”Oh，yes”saidhe，turningtome，”weareverymuchobligedto
you，MissHunter，forfallinginwithourwhimssofarastocut
yourhair。Iassureyouthatithasnotdetractedinthetiniest
iotafromyourappearance。Weshallnowseehowtheelectric-blue
dresswillbecomeyou。Youwillfinditlaidoutuponthebedin
yourroom，andifyouwouldbesogoodastoputitonweshould
bothbeextremelyobliged。”
“ThedresswhichIfoundwaitingformewasofapeculiarshadeof
blue。Itwasofexcellentmaterial，asortofbeigebutitbore
unmistakablesignsofhavingbeenwornbefore。Itcouldnothave
beenabetterfitifIhadbeenmeasuredforit。BothMr。andMrs。
Rucastleexpressedadelightatthelookofit，whichseemedquite
exaggeratedinitsvehemence。Theywerewaitingformeinthe
drawing-room，whichisaverylargeroom，stretchingalongthe
entirefrontofthehouse，withthreelongwindowsreachingdownto
thefloor。Achairhadbeenplacedclosetothecentralwindow，with
itsbackturnedtowardsit。InthisIwasaskedtosit，andthenMr。
Rucastle，walkingupanddownontheothersideoftheroom，began
totellmeaseriesofthefunnieststoriesthatIhaveever
listenedto。Youcannotimaginehowcomicalhewas，andIlaughed
untilIwasquiteweary。Mrs。Rucastle，however，whohasevidently
nosenseofhumour，neversomuchassmiled，butsatwithherhandsin
herlap，andasad，anxiouslookuponherface。Afteranhourorso，
Mr。Rucastlesuddenlyremarkedthatitwastimetocommencetheduties
oftheday，andthatImightchangemydressandgotolittleEdward
inthenursery。
“Twodayslaterthissameperformancewasgonethroughunderexactly
similarcircumstances。AgainIchangedmydress，againIsatinthe
window，andagainIlaughedveryheartilyatthefunnystoriesof
whichmyemployerhadanimmenserepertoire，andwhichhetold
inimitably。Thenhehandedmeayellow-backednovel，andmovingmy
chairalittlesideways，thatmyownshadowmightnotfalluponthe
page，hebeggedmetoreadaloudtohim。Ireadforabouttenminutes，
beginningintheheartofachapter，andthensuddenly，inthe
middleofasentence，heorderedmetoceaseandtochangemydress。
“Youcaneasilyimagine，Mr。Holmes，howcuriousIbecameastowhat
themeaningofthisextraordinaryperformancecouldpossiblybe。
Theywerealwaysverycareful，Iobserved，toturnmyfaceawayfrom
thewindow，sothatIbecameconsumedwiththedesiretoseewhat
wasgoingonbehindmyback。Atfirstitseemedtobeimpossible，
butIsoondevisedameans。Myhand-mirrorhadbeenbroken，soahappy
thoughtseizedme，andIconcealedapieceoftheglassinmy
handkerchief。Onthenextoccasion，inthemidstofmylaughter，Iput
myhandkerchiefuptomyeyes，andwasablewithalittlemanagement
toseeallthattherewasbehindme。IconfessthatIwas
disappointed。Therewasnothing。Atleastthatwasmyfirst
impression。Atthesecondglance，however，Iperceivedthatthere
wasamanstandingintheSouthamptonRoad，asmallbeardedmanina
graysuit，whoseemedtobelookinginmydirection。Theroadisan
importanthighway，andthereareusuallypeoplethere。Thisman，
however，wasleaningagainsttherailingswhichborderedourfieldand
waslookingearnestlyup。Iloweredmyhandkerchiefandglancedat
Mrs。Rucastletofindhereyesfixeduponmewithamostsearching
gaze。Shesaidnothing，butIamconvincedthatshehaddivinedthatI
hadamirrorinmyhandandhadseenwhatwasbehindme。Sheroseat
once。
“”Jephro”saidshe，”thereisanimpertinentfellowupontheroad
therewhostaresupatMissHunter。”
“”Nofriendofyours，MissHunter？”heasked。
“”No，Iknownooneintheseparts。”
“”Dearme！Howveryimpertinent！Kindlyturnroundandmotiontohim
togoaway。”
“”Surelyitwouldbebettertotakenonotice。”
“”No，no，weshouldhavehimloiteringherealways。Kindlyturn
roundandwavehimawaylikethat。”
“IdidasIwastold，andatthesameinstantMrs。Rucastledrew
downtheblind。Thatwasaweekago，andfromthattimeIhavenotsat
againinthewindow，norhaveIwornthebluedress，norseenthe
manintheroad。”
“Praycontinue，“saidHolmes。“Yournarrativepromisestobea
mostinterestingone。”
“Youwillfinditratherdisconnected，Ifear，andtheremayprove
tobelittlerelationbetweenthedifferentincidentsofwhichI
speak。OntheveryfirstdaythatIwasattheCopperBeeches，Mr。
Rucastletookmetoasmallouthousewhichstandsnearthekitchen
door。AsweapproacheditIheardthesharprattlingofachain，and
thesoundasofalargeanimalmovingabout。
“Lookinhere！“saidMr。Rucastle，showingmeaslitbetweentwo
planks。“Ishenotabeauty？“
“Ilookedthroughandwasconsciousoftwoglowingeyes，andofa
vaguefigurehuddledupinthedarkness。
“Don”tbefrightened，“saidmyemployer，laughingatthestartwhich
Ihadgiven。“It”sonlyCarlo，mymastiff。Icallhimmine，butreally
oldToller，mygroom，istheonlymanwhocandoanythingwithhim。We
feedhimonceaday，andnottoomuchthen，sothatheisalwaysas
keenasmustard。Tollerletshimlooseeverynight，andGodhelpthe
trespasserwhomhelayshisfangsupon。Forgoodness”sakedon”tyou
everonanypretextsetyourfootoverthethresholdatnight，for
it”sasmuchasyourlifeisworth。”
“Thewarningwasnoidleone，fortwonightslaterIhappenedto
lookoutofmybedroomwindowabouttwoo”clockinthemorning。Itwas
abeautifulmoonlightnight，andthelawninfrontofthehousewas
silveredoverandalmostasbrightasday。Iwasstanding，raptinthe
peacefulbeautyofthescene，whenIwasawarethatsomethingwas
movingundertheshadowofthecopperbeeches。Asitemergedinto
themoonshineIsawwhatitwas。Itwasagiantdog，aslargeasa
calf，tawnytinted，withhangingjowl，blackmuzzle，andhuge
projectingbones。Itwalkedslowlyacrossthelawnandvanishedinto
theshadowupontheotherside。Thatdreadfulsentinelsentachillto
myheartwhichIdonotthinkthatanyburglarcouldhavedone。
“AndnowIhaveaverystrangeexperiencetotellyou。Ihad，asyou
know，cutoffmyhairinLondon，andIhadplaceditinagreatcoil
atthebottomofmytrunk。Oneevening，afterthechildwasinbed，
Ibegantoamusemyselfbyexaminingthefurnitureofmyroomandby
rearrangingmyownlittlethings。Therewasanoldchestofdrawersin
theroom，thetwoupperonesemptyandopen，theloweronelocked。I
hadfilledthefirsttwowithmylinen，andasIhadstillmuchto
packawayIwasnaturallyannoyedatnothavingtheuseofthethird
drawer。Itstruckmethatitmighthavebeenfastenedbyamere
oversight，soItookoutmybunchofkeysandtriedtoopenit。The
veryfirstkeyfittedtoperfection，andIdrewthedraweropen。There
wasonlyonethinginit，butIamsurethatyouwouldneverguess
whatitwas。Itwasmycoilofhair。
“Itookitupandexaminedit。Itwasofthesamepeculiartint，and
thesamethickness。Butthentheimpossibilityofthethingobtruded
itselfuponme。Howcouldmyhairhavebeenlockedinthedrawer？With
tremblinghandsIundidmytrunk，turnedoutthecontents，anddrew
fromthebottommyownhair。Ilaidthetwotressestogether，andI
assureyouthattheywereidentical。Wasitnotextraordinary？
PuzzleasIwould，Icouldmakenothingatallofwhatitmeant。I
returnedthestrangehairtothedrawer，andIsaidnothingofthe
mattertotheRucastlesasIfeltthatIhadputmyselfinthewrong
byopeningadrawerwhichtheyhadlocked。
“Iamnaturallyobservant，asyoumayhaveremarked，Mr。Holmes，and
Isoonhadaprettygoodplanofthewholehouseinmyhead。Therewas
onewing，however，whichappearednottobeinhabitedatall。Adoor
whichfacedthatwhichledintothequartersoftheTollersopened
intothissuite，butitwasinvariablylocked。Oneday，however，as
Iascendedthestair，ImetMr。Rucastlecomingoutthroughthisdoor，
hiskeysinhishand，andalookonhisfacewhichmadehimavery
differentpersontotheround，jovialmantowhomIwasaccustomed。
Hischeekswerered，hisbrowwasallcrinkledwithanger，andthe
veinsstoodoutathistempleswithpassion。Helockedthedoorand
hurriedpastmewithoutawordoralook。
“Thisarousedmycuriosity，sowhenIwentoutforawalkinthe
groundswithmycharge，IstrolledroundtothesidefromwhichI
couldseethewindowsofthispartofthehouse。Therewerefourof
theminarow，threeofwhichweresimplydirty，whilethefourth
wasshutteredup。Theywereevidentlyalldeserted。AsIstrolledup
anddown，glancingatthemoccasionally，Mr。Rucastlecameoutto
me，lookingasmerryandjovialasever。
“”Ah！”saidhe，”youmustnotthinkmerudeifIpassedyou
withoutaword，mydearyounglady。Iwaspreoccupiedwithbusiness
matters。”
“IassuredhimthatIwasnotoffended。”Bytheway”saidI，”you
seemtohavequiteasuiteofspareroomsupthere，andoneofthem
hastheshuttersup。”
“Helookedsurprisedand，asitseemedtome，alittlestartledat
myremark。
“”Photographyisoneofmyhobbies”saidhe。”Ihavemademydark
roomupthere。But，dearme！whatanobservantyoungladywehavecome
upon。Whowouldhavebelievedit？”Hespokeinajestingtone，but
therewasnojestinhiseyesashelookedatme。Ireadsuspicion
thereandannoyance，butnojest。
“Well，Mr。Holmes，fromthemomentthatIunderstoodthatthere
wassomethingaboutthatsuiteofroomswhichIwasnottoknow，Iwas
allonfiretogooverthem。Itwasnotmerecuriosity，thoughI
havemyshareofthat。Itwasmoreafeelingofduty-afeelingthat
somegoodmightcomefrommypenetratingtothisplace。Theytalkof
woman”sinstinct；perhapsitwaswoman”sinstinctwhichgavemethat
feeling。Atanyrate，itwasthere，andIwaskeenlyonthelookout
foranychancetopasstheforbiddendoor。
“Itwasonlyyesterdaythatthechancecame。Imaytellyouthat，
besidesMr。Rucastle，bothTollerandhiswifefindsomethingtodoin
thesedesertedrooms，andIoncesawhimcarryingalargeblack
linenbagwithhimthroughthedoor。Recentlyhehasbeendrinking
hard，andyesterdayeveninghewasverydrunk；andwhenIcame
upstairstherewasthekeyinthedoor。Ihavenodoubtatallthathe
hadleftitthere。Mr。andMrs。Rucastlewerebothdownstairs，andthe
childwaswiththem，sothatIhadanadmirableopportunity。I
turnedthekeygentlyinthelock，openedthedoor，andslipped
through。
“Therewasalittlepassageinfrontofme，unpaperedand
uncarpeted，whichturnedatarightangleatthefartherend。Round
thiscornerwerethreedoorsinaline，thefirstandthirdofwhich
wereopen。Theyeachledintoanemptyroom，dustyandcheerless，with
twowindowsintheoneandoneintheother，sothickwithdirtthat
theeveninglightglimmereddimlythroughthem。Thecentredoorwas
closed，andacrosstheoutsideofithadbeenfastenedoneofthe
broadbarsofanironbed，padlockedatoneendtoaringinthewall，
andfastenedattheotherwithstoutcord。Thedooritselfwas
lockedaswell，andthekeywasnotthere。Thisbarricadeddoor
correspondedclearlywiththeshutteredwindowoutside，andyetI
couldseebytheglimmerfrombeneathitthattheroomwasnotin
darkness。Evidentlytherewasaskylightwhichletinlightfrom
above。AsIstoodinthepassagegazingatthesinisterdoorand
wonderingwhatsecretitmightveil，Isuddenlyheardthesoundof
stepswithintheroomandsawashadowpassbackwardandforward
againstthelittleslitofdimlightwhichshoneoutfromunderthe
door。Amad，unreasoningterrorroseupinmeatthesight，Mr。
Holmes。Myoverstrungnervesfailedmesuddenly，andIturnedand
ran-ranasthoughsomedreadfulhandwerebehindmeclutchingatthe
skirtofmydress。Irusheddownthepassage，throughthedoor，and
straightintothearmsofMr。Rucastle，whowaswaitingoutside。
“”So”saidhe，smiling，”itwasyou，then。Ithoughtthatitmust
bewhenIsawthedooropen。”
“”Oh，Iamsofrightened！”Ipanted。
“”Mydearyounglady！mydearyounglady！”-youcannotthinkhow
caressingandsoothinghismannerwas-；”andwhathasfrightenedyou，
mydearlady？”
“Buthisvoicewasjustalittletoocoaxing。Heoverdidit。Iwas
keenlyonmyguardagainsthim。”Iwasfoolishenoughtogointotheemptywing”Ianswered。”But
itissolonelyandeerieinthisdimlightthatIwasfrightened
andranoutagain。Oh，itissodreadfullystillinthere！”
“”Onlythat？”saidhe，lookingatmekeenly。
“”Why，whatdidyouthink？”Iasked。
“”WhydoyouthinkthatIlockthisdoor？”
“”IamsurethatIdonotknow。”
“”Itistokeeppeopleoutwhohavenobusinessthere。Doyou
see？”Hewasstillsmilinginthemostamiablemanner。
“”IamsureifIhadknown-”
“”Well，then，youknownow。Andifyoueverputyourfootover
thatthresholdagain”-hereinaninstantthesmilehardenedintoa
grinofrage，andheglareddownatmewiththefaceofa
demon-”I”llthrowyoutothemastiff。”
“IwassoterrifiedthatIdonotknowwhatIdid。Isupposethat
Imusthaverushedpasthimintomyroom。IremembernothinguntilI
foundmyselflyingonmybedtremblingallover。ThenIthoughtof
you，Mr。Holmes。Icouldnotlivetherelongerwithoutsomeadvice。
Iwasfrightenedofthehouse，oftheman，ofthewoman，ofthe
servants，evenofthechild。Theywereallhorribletome。IfI
couldonlybringyoudownallwouldbewell。OfcourseImighthave
fledfromthehouse，butmycuriositywasalmostasstrongasmy
fears。Mymindwassoonmadeup。Iwouldsendyouawire。Iputon
myhatandcloak，wentdowntotheoffice，whichisabouthalfa
milefromthehouse，andthenreturned，feelingverymucheasier。A
horribledoubtcameintomymindasIapproachedthedoorlestthedog
mightbeloose，butIrememberedthatTollerhaddrunkhimselfinto
astateofinsensibilitythatevening，andIknewthathewastheonly
oneinthehouseholdwhohadanyinfluencewiththesavagecreature，
orwhowouldventuretosethimfree。Islippedinandlayawake
halfthenightinmyjoyatthethoughtofseeingyou。Ihadno
difficultyingettingleavetocomeintoWinchesterthismorning，
butImustbebackbeforethreeo”clock，forMr。andMrs。Rucastleare
goingonavisit，andwillbeawayalltheevening，sothatImust
lookafterthechild。NowIhavetoldyouallmyadventures，Mr。
Holmes，andIshouldbeverygladifyoucouldtellmewhatitall
means，and，aboveall，whatIshoulddo。”
HolmesandIhadlistenedspellboundtothisextraordinarystory。My
friendrosenowandpacedupanddowntheroom，hishandsinhis
pockets，andanexpressionofthemostprofoundgravityuponhisface。
“IsTollerstilldrunk？“heasked。
“Yes。IheardhiswifetellMrs。Rucastlethatshecoulddo
nothingwithhim。”
“Thatiswell。AndtheRucastlesgooutto-night？“
“Yes。”
“Isthereacellarwithagoodstronglock？“
“Yes，thewine-cellar。”
“Youseemtometohaveactedallthroughthismatterlikeavery
braveandsensiblegirl，MissHunter。Doyouthinkthatyoucould
performonemorefeat？IshouldnotaskitofyouifIdidnotthink
youaquiteexceptionalwoman。”
“Iwilltry。Whatisit？“
“WeshallbeattheCopperBeechesbyseveno”clock，myfriendand
I。TheRucastleswillbegonebythattime，andTollerwill，we
hope，beincapable。ThereonlyremainsMrs。Toller，whomightgivethe
alarm。Ifyoucouldsendherintothecellaronsomeerrand，and
thenturnthekeyuponher，youwouldfacilitatemattersimmensely。”
“Iwilldoit。”
“Excellent！Weshallthenlookthoroughlyintotheaffair。Ofcourse
thereisonlyonefeasibleexplanation。Youhavebeenbroughtthereto
personatesomeone，andtherealpersonisimprisonedinthis
chamber。Thatisobvious。Astowhothisprisoneris，Ihaveno
doubtthatitisthedaughter，MissAliceRucastle，ifIremember
right，whowassaidtohavegonetoAmerica。Youwerechosen，
doubtless，asresemblingherinheight，figure，andthecolourofyour
hair。Hershadbeencutoff，verypossiblyinsomeillnessthrough
whichshehaspassed，andso，ofcourse，yourshadtobesacrificed
also。Byacuriouschanceyoucameuponhertresses。Themaninthe
roadwasundoubtedlysomefriendofhers-possiblyherfiance-andno
doubt，asyouworethegirl”sdressandweresolikeher，hewas
convincedfromyourlaughter，wheneverhesawyou，andafterwardsfrom
yourgesture，thatMissRucastlewasperfectlyhappy，andthatshe
nolongerdesiredhisattentions。Thedogisletlooseatnightto
preventhimfromendeavouringtocommunicatewithher。Somuchis
fairlyclear。Themostseriouspointinthecaseisthedispositionof
thechild。”
“Whatonearthhasthattodowithit？“Iejaculated。
“MydearWatson，youasamedicalmanarecontinuallygaining
lightastothetendenciesofachildbythestudyoftheparents。
Don”tyouseethattheconverseisequallyvalid。Ihavefrequently
gainedmyfirstrealinsightintothecharacterofparentsbystudying
theirchildren。Thischild”sdispositionisabnormallycruel，merely
forcruelty”ssake，andwhetherhederivesthisfromhissmiling
father，asIshouldsuspect，orfromhismother，itbodesevilforthe
poorgirlwhoisintheirpower。”
“IamsurethatyouarerightMr。Holmes，“criedourclient。“A
thousandthingscomebacktomewhichmakemecertainthatyouhave
hitit。Oh，letuslosenotaninstantinbringinghelptothispoor
creature。”
“Wemustbecircumspectforwearedealingwithaverycunning
man。Wecandonothinguntilseveno”clock。Atthathourweshallbe
withyou，anditwillnotbelongbeforewesolvethemystery。”
Wewereasgoodasourword，foritwasjustsevenwhenwereached
theCopperBeeches，havingputupourtrapatawayside
public-house。Thegroupoftrees，withtheirdarkleavesshining
likeburnishedmetalinthelightofthesettingsun，were
sufficienttomarkthehouseevenhadMissHunternotbeenstanding
smilingonthedoor-step。
“Haveyoumanagedit？“askedHolmes。
Aloudthuddingnoisecamefromsomewheredownstairs。“Thatis
Mrs。Tollerinthecellar，“saidshe。“Herhusbandliessnoringonthe
kitchenrug。Herearehiskeys，whicharetheduplicatesofMr。
Rucastle”s。”
“Youhavedonewellindeed！“criedHolmeswithenthusiasm。“Nowlead
theway，andweshallsoonseetheendofthisblackbusiness。”
Wepassedupthestair，unlockedthedoor，followedondowna
passage，andfoundourselvesinfrontofthebarricadewhichMiss
Hunterhaddescribed。Holmescutthecordandremovedthetransverse
bar。Thenhetriedthevariouskeysinthelock，butwithout
success。Nosoundcamefromwithin，andatthesilenceHolmes”sface
cloudedover。
“Itrustthatwearenottoolate，“saidhe。“Ithink，Miss
Hunter，thatwehadbettergoinwithoutyou。Now，Watson，putyour
shouldertoit，andweshallseewhetherwecannotmakeourwayin。”
Itwasanoldricketydoorandgaveatoncebeforeourunited
strength。Togetherwerushedintotheroom。Itwasempty。Therewasno
furnituresavealittlepalletbed，asmalltable，andabasketful
oflinen。Theskylightabovewasopen，andtheprisonergone。
“Therehasbeensomevillainyhere，“saidHolmes；“thisbeautyhas
guessedMissHunter”sintentionsandhascarriedhisvictimoff。”
“Buthow？“
“Throughtheskylight。Weshallsoonseehowhemanagedit。”He
swunghimselfupontotheroof。“Ah，yes，“hecried，“here”stheend
ofalonglightladderagainsttheeaves。Thatishowhedidit。”
“Butitisimpossible，“saidMissHunter；“theladderwasnot
therewhentheRucastleswentaway。
“Hehascomebackanddoneit。Itellyouthatheisacleverand
dangerousman。Ishouldnotbeverymuchsurprisedifthiswerehe
whosestepIhearnowuponthestair。Ithink，Watson，thatitwould
beaswellforyoutohaveyourpistolready。”
Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforeamanappearedat
thedooroftheroom，averyfatandburlyman，withaheavystick
inhishand。MissHunterscreamedandshrunkagainstthewallatthe
sightofhim，butSherlockHolmessprangforwardandconfrontedhim。
“Youvillain！“saidhe，“where”syourdaughter？“
Thefatmancasthiseyesround，andthenupattheopenskylight。
“Itisformetoaskyouthat，“heshrieked，“youthieves！Spiesand
thieves！Ihavecaughtyou，haveI？Youareinmypower。I”llserve
you！“Heturnedandclattereddownthestairsashardashecouldgo。
“He”sgoneforthedog！“criedMissHunter。
“Ihavemyrevolver，“saidI。
“Betterclosethefrontdoor，“criedHolmes，andweallrushed
downthestairstogether。Wehadhardlyreachedthehallwhenweheard
thebayingofahound，andthenascreamofagony，withahorrible
worryingsoundwhichitwasdreadfultolistento。Anelderlymanwith
aredfaceandshakinglimbscamestaggeringoutatasidedoor。
“MyGod“hecried。“Someonehasloosedthedog。He”snotbeenfed
fortwodays。Quick，quick，orwe”llbetoolate！“
HolmesandIrushedoutandroundtheangleofthehouse，with
Tollerhurryingbehindus。Therewasthehugefamishedbrute，its
blackmuzzleburiedinRucastle”sthroat，whilehewrithedand
screamedupontheground。Runningup，Iblewitsbrainsout，andit
felloverwithitskeenwhiteteethstillmeetinginthegreatcreases
ofhisneck。Withmuchlabourweseparatedthemandcarriedhim，
livingbuthorriblymangled，intothehouse。Welaidhimuponthe
drawing-roomsofa，andhavingdispatchedthesoberedTollertobear
thenewstohiswife，IdidwhatIcouldtorelievehispain。We
wereallassembledroundhimwhenthedooropenedandatall，gaunt
womanenteredtheroom。
“Mrs。Toller！“criedMissHunter。
“Yes，miss。Mr。Rucastleletmeoutwhenhecamebackbeforehewent
uptoyou。Ah，miss，itisapityyoudidn”tletmeknowwhatyouwere
planning，forIwouldhavetoldyouthatyourpainswerewasted。”
“Ha！“saidHolmes，lookingkeenlyather。“ItisclearthatMrs。
Tollerknowsmoreaboutthismatterthananyoneelse。”
“Yes，sir，Ido，andIamreadyenoughtotellwhatIknow。”
“Then，pray，sitdown，andletushearit，forthereareseveral
pointsonwhichImustconfessthatIamstillinthedark。”
“Iwillsoonmakeitcleartoyou，“saidshe；“andI”dhavedone
sobeforenowifIcouldha”gotoutfromthecellar。Ifthere”s
police-courtbusinessoverthis，you”llrememberthatIwastheone
thatstoodyourfriend，andthatIwasMissAlice”sfriendtoo。
“Shewasneverhappyathome，MissAlicewasn”t，fromthetime
thatherfathermarriedagain。Shewasslightedlikeandhadnosayin
anything，butitneverreallybecamebadforheruntilaftershemet
Mr。Fowleratafriend”shouse。AswellasIcouldlearn，MissAlice
hadrightsofherownbywill，butshewassoquietandpatient，she
was，thatsheneversaidawordaboutthem，butjustlefteverything
inMr。Rucastle”shands。Heknewhewassafewithher；butwhen
therewasachanceofahusbandcomingforward，whowouldaskfor
allthatthelawwouldgivehim，thenherfatherthoughtittimeto
putastoponit。Hewantedhertosignapaper，sothatwhethershe
marriedornot，hecouldusehermoney。Whenshewouldn”tdoit，he
keptonworryingheruntilshegotbrain-fever，andforsixweeks
wasatdeath”sdoor。Thenshegotbetteratlast，allworntoa
shadow，andwithherbeautifulhaircutoff；butthatdidn”tmakeno
changeinheryoungman，andhestucktoherastrueasmancouldbe。”
“Ah，“saidHolmes，“Ithinkthatwhatyouhavebeengoodenoughto
tellusmakesthematterfairlyclear，andthatIcandeduceall
thatremains。Mr。Rucastlethen，Ipresume，tooktothissystemof
imprisonment？“
“Yes，sir。”
“AndbroughtMissHunterdownfromLondoninordertogetridofthe
disagreeablepersistenceofMr。Fowler。”
“Thatwasit，sir。”
“ButMr。Fowlerbeingaperseveringman，asagoodseamanshouldbe，
blockadedthehouse，andhavingmetyousucceededbycertain
arguments，metallicorotherwise，inconvincingyouthatyour
interestswerethesameashis。”
“Mr。Fowlerwasaverykind-spoken，free-handedgentleman，“said
Mrs。Tollerserenely。
“Andinthiswayhemanagedthatyourgoodmanshouldhavenowant
ofdrink，andthataladdershouldbereadyatthemomentwhenyour
masterhadgoneout。”
“Youhaveit，sir，justasithappened。”
“Iamsureweoweyouanapology，Mrs。Toller，“saidHolmes，“for
youhavecertainlyclearedupeverythingwhichpuzzledus。Andhere
comesthecountrysurgeonandMrs。Rucastle，soIthink，Watson，
thatwehadbestescortMissHunterbacktoWinchester，asitseemsto
methatourlocusstandinowisratheraquestionableone。”
Andthuswassolvedthemysteryofthesinisterhousewiththe
copperbeechesinfrontofthedoor。Mr。Rucastlesurvived，butwas
alwaysabrokenman，keptalivesolelythroughthecareofhisdevoted
wife。Theystilllivewiththeiroldservants，whoprobablyknowso
muchofRucastle”spastlifethathefindsitdifficulttopartfrom
them。Mr。FowlerandMissRucastleweremarried，byspeciallicense，
inSouthamptonthedayaftertheirflight，andheisnowtheholderof
agovernmentappointmentintheislandofMauritius。AstoMissViolet
Hunter，myfriendHolmes，rathertomydisappointment，manifestedno
furtherinterestinherwhenonceshehadceasedtobethecentreof
oneofhisproblems，andsheisnowtheheadofaprivateschoolat
Walsall，whereIbelievethatshehasmetwithconsiderablesuccess。
THEEND。
1923
SHERLOCKHOLMES
THEADVENTUREOFTHECREEPINGMAN
bySirArthurConanDoyle
Mr。SherlockHolmeswasalwaysofopinionthatIshouldpublish
thesingularfactsconnectedwithProfessorPresbury，ifonlyto
dispelonceforalltheuglyrumourswhichsometwentyyearsago
agitatedtheuniversityandwereechoedinthelearnedsocietiesof
London。Therewere，however，certainobstaclesintheway，andthe
truehistoryofthiscuriouscaseremainedentombedinthetinbox
whichcontainssomanyrecordsofmyfriend”sadventures。Nowwe
haveatlastobtainedpermissiontoventilatethefactswhichformed
oneoftheverylastcaseshandledbyHolmesbeforehisretirement
frompractice。Evennowacertainreticenceanddiscretionhaveto
beobservedinlayingthematterbeforethepublic。
ItwasoneSundayeveningearlyinSeptemberoftheyear1903thatI
receivedoneofHolmes”slaconicmessages：
Comeatonceifconvenient-ifinconvenientcomeallthesame。
S。H。
Therelationsbetweenusinthoselatterdayswerepeculiar。Hewas
amanofhabits，narrowandconcentratedhabits，andIhadbecome
oneofthem。AsaninstitutionIwasliketheviolin，theshag
tobacco，theoldblackpipe，theindexbooks，andothersperhaps
lessexcusable。Whenitwasacaseofactiveworkandacomradewas
neededuponwhosenervehecouldplacesomereliance，myrolewas
obvious。ButapartfromthisIhaduses。Iwasawhetstoneforhis
mind。Istimulatedhim。Helikedtothinkaloudinmypresence。His
remarkscouldhardlybesaidtobemadetome-manyofthemwouldhave
beenasappropriatelyaddressedtohisbedstead-butnonetheless，
havingformedthehabit，ithadbecomeinsomewayhelpfulthatI
shouldregisterandinterject。IfIirritatedhimbyacertain
methodicalslownessinmymentality，thatirritationservedonlyto
makehisownflame-likeintuitionsandimpressionsflashupthemore
vividlyandswiftly。Suchwasmyhumbleroleinouralliance。
WhenIarrivedatBakerStreetIfoundhimhuddledupinhis
armchairwithupdrawnknees，hispipeinhismouthandhisbrow
furrowedwiththought。Itwasclearthathewasinthethroesof
somevexatiousproblem。Withawaveofhishandheindicatedmyold
armchair，butotherwiseforhalfanhourhegavenosignthathewas
awareofmypresence。Thenwithastartheseemedtocomefromhis
reverie，andwithhisusualwhimsicalsmilehegreetedmebacktowhat
hadoncebeenmyhome。
“Youwillexcuseacertainabstractionofmind，mydearWatson，“
saidhe。“Somecuriousfactshavebeensubmittedtomewithinthelast
twenty-fourhours，andtheyinturnhavegivenrisetosome
speculationsofamoregeneralcharacter。Ihaveseriousthoughtsof
writingasmallmonographupontheusesofdogsintheworkofthe
detective。”
“Butsurely，Holmes，thishasbeenexplored，“saidI。
“Bloodhounds-sleuthhounds-“
No，no，Watson，thatsideofthematteris，ofcourse，obvious。
Butthereisanotherwhichisfarmoresubtle。Youmayrecollect
thatinthecasewhichyou，inyoursensationalway，coupledwith
theCopperBeeches，Iwasable，bywatchingthemindofthechild，
toformadeductionastothecriminalhabitsoftheverysmugand
respectablefather。”
“Yes，Irememberitwell。”
“Mylineofthoughtsaboutdogsisanalogous。Adogreflectsthe
familylife。Whoeversawafriskydoginagloomyfamily，orasaddog
inahappyone？Snarlingpeoplehavesnarlingdogs，dangerouspeople
havedangerousones。Andtheirpassingmoodsmayreflectthepassing
moodsofothers。”
Ishookmyhead。“Surely，Holmes，thisisalittlefar-fetched，“
saidI。
Hehadrefilledhispipeandresumedhisseat，takingnonoticeof
mycomment。
“ThepracticalapplicationofwhatIhavesaidisverycloseto
theproblemwhichIaminvestigating。Itisatangledskein，you
understand，andIamlookingforalooseend。Onepossiblelooseend
liesinthequestion：WhydoesProfessorPresbury”swolfhound，Roy，
endeavourtobitehim？“
Isankbackinmychairinsomedisappointment。Wasitforso
trivialaquestionasthisthatIhadbeensummonedfrommywork？
Holmesglancedacrossatme。
“ThesameoldWatson！“saidhe。“Youneverlearnthatthegravest
issuesmaydependuponthesmallestthings。Butisitnotonthe
faceofitstrangethatastaid，elderlyphilosopher-you”veheard
ofPresbury，ofcourse，thefamousCamfordphysiologist？-thatsuch
aman，whosefriendhasbeenhisdevotedwolfhound，shouldnowhave
beentwiceattackedbyhisowndog？Whatdoyoumakeofit？“
“Thedogisill。”
“Well，thathastobeconsidered。Butheattacksnooneelse，nor
doesheapparentlymolesthismaster，saveonveryspecial
occasions。Curious，Watson-verycurious。ButyoungMr。Bennettis
beforehistimeifthatishisring。Ihadhopedtohavealongerchat
withyoubeforehecame。”
Therewasaquicksteponthestairs，asharptapatthedoor，anda
momentlaterthenewclientpresentedhimself。Hewasatall，handsome
youthaboutthirty，welldressedandelegant，butwithsomethingin
hisbearingwhichsuggestedtheshynessofthestudentratherthanthe
self-possessionofthemanoftheworld。HeshookhandswithHolmes，
andthenlookedwithsomesurpriseatme。
“Thismatterisverydelicate，Mr。Holmes，“hesaid。“Considerthe
relationinwhichIstandtoProfessorPresburybothprivatelyand
publicly。IreallycanhardlyjustifymyselfifIspeakbeforeany
thirdperson。”
“Havenofear，Mr。Bennett。Dr。Watsonistheverysoulof
discretion，andIcanassureyouthatthisisamatterinwhichIam
verylikelytoneedanassistant。”
“Asyoulike，Mr。Holmes。Youwill，Iamsure，understandmy
havingsomereservesinthematter。”
“Youwillappreciateit，Watson，whenItellyouthatthis
gentleman，Mr。TrevorBennett，isprofessionalassistanttothe
greatscientist，livesunderhisroof，andisengagedtohisonly
daughter。Certainlywemustagreethattheprofessorhaseveryclaim
uponhisloyaltyanddevotion。Butitmaybestbeshownbytaking
thenecessarystepstoclearupthisstrangemystery。”
“Ihopeso，Mr。Holmes。Thatismyoneobject。DoesDr。Watson
knowthesituation？“
“Ihavenothadtimetoexplainit。”
“ThenperhapsIhadbettergooverthegroundagainbefore
explainingsomefreshdevelopments。”
“Iwilldosomyself，“saidHolmes，“inordertoshowthatIhave
theeventsintheirdueorder。Theprofessor，Watson，isamanof
Europeanreputation。Hislifehasbeenacademic。Therehasnever
beenabreathofscandal。Heisawidowerwithonedaughter，Edith。He
is，Igather，amanofveryvirileandpositive，onemightalmost
saycombative，character。Sothematterstooduntilaveryfew
monthsago。
“Thenthecurrentofhislifewasbroken。Heissixty-oneyearsof
age，buthebecameengagedtothedaughterofProfessorMorphy，his
colleagueinthechairofcomparativeanatomy。Itwasnot，asI
understand，thereasonedcourtingofanelderlymanbutratherthe
passionatefrenzyofyouth，fornoonecouldhaveshownhimselfamore
devotedlover。Thelady，AliceMorphy，wasaveryperfectgirlbothin
mindandbody，sothattherewaseveryexcusefortheprofessor”s
infatuation。Nonetheless，itdidnotmeetwithfullapprovalin
hisownfamily。”
“Wethoughtitratherexcessive，“saidourvisitor。
“Exactly。Excessiveandalittleviolentandunnatural。Professor
Presburywasrich，however，andtherewasnoobjectionuponthepart
ofthefather。Thedaughter，however，hadotherviews，andthere
werealreadyseveralcandidatesforherhand，who，iftheywereless
eligiblefromaworldlypointofview，wereatleastmoreofanage。
Thegirlseemedtoliketheprofessorinspiteofhis
eccentricities。Itwasonlyagewhichstoodintheway。
“Aboutthistimealittlemysterysuddenlycloudedthenormal
routineoftheprofessor”slife。Hedidwhathehadneverdonebefore。
Helefthomeandgavenoindicationwherehewasgoing。Hewasaway
afortnightandreturnedlookingrathertravel-worn。Hemadeno
allusiontowherehehadbeen，althoughhewasusuallythefrankestof
men。Itchanced，however，thatourclienthere，Mr。Bennett，
receivedaletterfromafellow-studentinPrague，whosaidthathe
wasgladtohaveseenProfessorPresburythere，althoughhehadnot
beenabletotalktohim。Onlyinthiswaydidhisownhouseholdlearn
wherehehadbeen。