No. 12 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 12 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange by Arthur Conan Doyle
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" what , then , do_you suppose ? "

" that only two glasses were used , and_that the dregs both were poured into third glass , to_give the false impression that three people had_been here in_that way all the beeswing would_be in_the last glass , would not ? yes , I_am convinced that_this_is but I_have hit upon_the true explanation this_one small phenomenon , then instant the case rises from_the commonplace to_the exceedingly remarkable , for_it can only mean that lady Brackenstall and her maid have deliberately lied to_us , that not one word of_their story is_to_be believed, that they_have some very strong reason for covering the real criminal , and_that we_must construct our case for ourselves without any help from_them that_is_the mission which now lies before_us , and here , Watson, is_the Sydenham train "

the household at_the abbey grange were much surprised our return , but Sherlock Holmes, finding that Stanley Hopkins had gone off report headquarters , took possession of_the dining- room , locked the door upon_the inside , and devoted himself for two hours one of_those minute and laborious investigations which form the solid basis on_which his brilliant edifices deduction were reared seated corner like interested student who observes the demonstration of_his professor , I followed every step of_that remarkable research the window , the curtains, the carpet , the chair , the ropeeach turn was minutely examined and duly pondered the body of_the unfortunate baronet had_been removed , and all else remained as_we had seen in_the morning finally , astonishment , Holmes climbed to_the massive mantelpiece far above his head hung the few inches red cord which were still attached to_the wire for_a_long_time gazed upward , and then attempt to_get nearer to_it rested his knee upon wooden bracket on_the wall this brought his hand within few inches of_the broken end of_the rope , but it_was not this so_much as_the bracket itself which seemed engage his attention finally , sprang down with ejaculation satisfaction

" 's all right , Watson," said " we_have got our caseone of_the most remarkable in_our collection but , dear , how slowwitted I_have_been , and how nearly I_have committed the blunder of_my lifetime ! now , i_think that , with few missing links, chain almost complete "

" you_have got your men ? "

" man , Watson, man only_one , but very formidable person strong lionwitness the blow that bent that poker ! Six foot three height , active squirrel , dexterous with_his fingers, finally , remarkably quick -witted, for_this whole ingenious story of_his concoction yes , Watson, we_have come upon_the handiwork very remarkable individual and yet , in_that bell - rope , has_given clue which should_not have left doubt "

" where was_the clue ? "

" well , if_you were pull down bell - rope , Watson, where would you expect break ? surely at_the spot where it_is attached to_the wire why should break three inches from_the top , this_one has_done ? "

" because it_is frayed there ? "

" exactly this end , which we_can examine , frayed he_was cunning enough do_that with_his knife but the other end is_not frayed you_could_not observe that from here , but if_you were on_the mantelpiece you_would see that_it_is cut clean off without any mark fraying whatever you_can reconstruct what occurred the man needed the rope he_would_not tear down for fear giving the alarm ringing the bell what did ? sprang on_the mantelpiece, could_not quite reach , put his knee on_the bracketyou will see the impression in_the dust and got his knife bear upon_the cord I_could_not reach the place at_least three inchesfrom which I infer that he_is three inches bigger man than I look at_that mark seat of_the oaken chair ! what_is ? "

" blood "

" undoubtedly it_is blood this alone puts the lady 's story out court she were seated on_the chair when_the crime was_done , how comes that mark ? , , she was placed in_the chair after_the death her husband I'll wager that_the black dress shows corresponding mark to_this we_have_not_yet met our Waterloo , Watson, but this_is our Marengo, for_it begins defeat and ends victory i_should like now to_have few words with_the nurse , Theresa we_must_be wary for while , if_we_are to_get the information which we_want "

she was interesting person , this stern Australian nurse taciturn , suspicious , ungracious , took some_time before Holmes's pleasant manner and frank acceptance all that she said thawed her into corresponding amiability she did_not attempt conceal her hatred for her late employer

" yes , sir , it_is true that threw the decanter I heard him call mistress name , and i_told him that he_would_not dare to_speak her brother had_been there then was_that threw he_might_have thrown dozen had but left bonny bird alone he_was forever ill -treating her , and she too proud complain she will not even tell all that has_done her she never told of_those marks her arm that you saw this_morning , but I_know very_well that they_come from stab with hatpin the sly devilGod forgive that i_should speak him , now that he_is dead ! but devil he_was , ever one walked the earth he_was all honey when first met himonly eighteen months_ago , and both feel as_if were eighteen years she had only just arrived London yes , it_was her first voyageshe had never been from home before won her with_his title and_his money and_his false London ways she made mistake she has paid for_it , ever woman did what month did meet him ? well , I tell you it_was just after arrived arrived June , and it_was July they were married January last year yes , she_is down in_the morning - room again , and I_have no_doubt she will see you , but you_must not ask too_much her , for she has gone through all that flesh and blood will stand "

lady Brackenstall was reclining on_the same couch , but looked brighter than before the maid had entered with_us , and began once more foment the bruise upon her mistress 's brow

" I_hope ," said the lady , " that you_have_not come cross - examine again ? "

" ," Holmes answered , in_his gentlest voice , " i_will_not cause you any unnecessary trouble , lady Brackenstall, and whole desire to_make things easy for_you , for I_am convinced that you_are much - tried woman if_you_will treat friend and trust , you_may find that i_will justify your trust "

" what do_you_want to_do ? "

" to_tell the truth "

" Mr Holmes ! "

" , , lady Brackenstallit use you_may_have heard any little reputation which I possess i_will stake all on_the fact that your story absolute fabrication "

mistress and maid were both staring Holmes with pale faces and frightened eyes " you_are impudent fellow ! " cried Theresa " do_you_mean to_say that has told lie ? "

Holmes rose from_his chair " have_you nothing to_tell ? "

" I_have told you everything "

" think once more , lady Brackenstall would not better to_be frank ? "

for instant there_was hesitation her beautiful face then some new strong thought caused set like mask " I_have told you all I_know "

Holmes took his hat and shrugged his shoulders " I_am sorry ," he_said , and without another word left the room and_the house there_was pond in_the park , and to_this friend led the way it_was frozen over , but single hole was left for_the convenience solitary swan Holmes gazed , and then passed to_the lodge gate there scribbled short note for Stanley Hopkins, and left with_the lodge - keeper

" may_be hit , may_be miss , but we_are bound to_do something for friend Hopkins, just justify this second visit ," said " i_will_not quite take him into confidence yet i_think our next scene operations must_be the shipping office of_the Adelaide- Southampton line , which stands at_the end pall mall , I remember right there_is second line steamers which connect south Australia with England , but we_will draw the larger cover first "

Holmes's card sent to_the manager ensured instant attention , and he_was not long acquiring all the information he_needed June '95, only_one of_their line had reached home port was_the rock GIBRALTAR, their largest and best boat reference to_the passenger list showed that miss Fraser, Adelaide, with her maid had made the voyage her the boat was now somewhere south of_the Suez canal her way Australia her officers were the same '95, with one exception the first officer , Mr jack Crocker, had_been made captain and was to_take charge of_their new ship , the bass rock , sailing two days' time from Southampton lived Sydenham, but he_was likely to_be in_that morning for instructions, if_we cared wait for him

, Mr Holmes had desire to_see him , but would be_glad_to_know more about his record and character

his record was magnificent there_was not officer in_the fleet touch him to_his character , he_was reliable duty , but wild , desperate fellow off the deck of_his ship hotheaded , excitable , but loyal , honest , and kindhearted that was_the pith of_the information with_which Holmes left the office of_the Adelaide- Southampton company thence drove Scotland yard , but , instead entering, sat in_his cab with_his brows drawn down , lost profound thought finally drove round to_the Charing cross telegraph office , sent off message , and then , last , we_made for baker street once more

" , I couldn't do_it , Watson," said , as_we reentered our room " once that warrant was_made out , nothing earth would save him once_or_twice career I_feel that I_have_done more real harm discovery of_the criminal than ever had done his crime I_have learned caution now , and I had rather play tricks with_the law England than with own conscience let_us_know little more before act "

before evening , had visit from inspector Stanley Hopkins things were_not going very_well with_him

"I believe that you_are wizard , Mr Holmes I really sometimes think that you_have powers that_are_not human now , how earth could you_know that_the stolen silver was at_the bottom of_that pond ? "

"I didn't know "

" but you told examine "

" you got , then ? "

" yes , I got "

" I_am very_glad I_have helped you "

" but you haven 't helped you have_made the affair far more difficult what sort burglars are they who steal silver and then throw into_the nearest pond ? "

" it_was certainly rather eccentric behavior i_was merely going on_the idea that if_the silver had_been taken persons who did_not want itwho merely took for blind , werethen they_would naturally anxious to_get rid "

" but why should such idea cross your mind ? "

" well , i_thought it_was possible when_they came out through_the French window , there_was the pond with one tempting little hole in_the ice , right front of_their noses could there better hiding- place ? "

"Ah, hiding-placethat better ! " cried Stanley Hopkins " yes , yes , I_see all now ! it_was early , there were folk upon_the roads, they were afraid being seen with_the silver , they sank in_the pond , intending return for_it when_the coast was clear excellent , Mr Holmesthat better than your idea blind "

" quite , you_have got admirable theory I_have no_doubt that own ideas were quite wild , but you_must admit that they_have ended discovering the silver "

" yes , siryes it_was all your doing but I_have_had bad setback "

"A setback ? "

" yes , Mr Holmes the Randall gang were arrested New_York this_morning "

" dear , Hopkins ! that_is certainly rather against your theory that_they committed murder Kent last night "

" it_is fatal , Mr Holmesabsolutely fatal still , there_are other gangs three besides the Randalls, may_be some new gang of_which the police have never heard "