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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Arthur Conan Doyle /Sherlock Holmes

it_was bitterly cold and frosty morning , towards the end of_the winter '97, that i_was awakened tugging shoulder it_was Holmes the candle in_his hand shone upon his eager , stooping face , and told glance that something was amiss " come , Watson, come ! " cried " the game afoot not word ! into your clothes and come ! "

Ten minutes later were both cab , and rattling through_the silent streets on_our way Charing cross station the first faint winter 's dawn was beginning appear , and we_could dimly see the occasional early workman passed , blurred and indistinct in_the opalescent London reek Holmes nestled silence into his heavy coat , and i_was glad to_do_the same , for_the air was most bitter , and neither had broken our fast

it_was not until had consumed some hot tea at_the station and taken our places in_the Kentish train that were sufficiently thawed, to_speak and I listen Holmes drew note from_his pocket , and read aloud :

abbey grange , Marsham, Kent, 3:30 . M

dear_Mr HOLMES:

i_should_be very_glad your immediate assistance what promises to_be most remarkable case it_is something quite your line except for releasing the lady i_will_see that everything kept exactly I_have found , but I beg you not lose instant , as_it_is difficult leave sir Eustace there

yours faithfully, Stanley HOPKINS

"Hopkins has called seven times, and each occasion his summons has_been entirely justified ," said Holmes "I fancy that every_one of_his cases has found its way into your collection , and I_must admit , Watson, that you_have some power selection , which atones for much which I deplore your narratives your fatal habit looking everything from_the point view story instead scientific exercise has ruined what might_have_been instructive and even classical series demonstrations you slur over work of_the utmost finesse and delicacy , in_order dwell upon sensational details which_may excite , but cannot possibly , the reader "

" why do_you not write them yourself ? " I_said , with some bitterness

" i_will , dear Watson, i_will present I_am , as_you_know , fairly busy , but I propose devote declining years to_the composition textbook , which shall focus the whole art detection into one volume our present research appears to_be case murder "

" you_think this sir Eustace dead , then ? "

" i_should say Hopkins's writing shows considerable agitation , and he_is_not emotional man yes , I gather there_has_been violence , and_that the body left for_our inspection mere suicide would_not have caused him send for_me as_to_the release of_the lady , would appear that she locked her room during the tragedy we_are moving high life , Watson, crackling paper , `E B ' monogram , coat - -arms, picturesque address i_think that friend Hopkins will live to_his reputation , and_that we_shall_have interesting morning the crime was committed before twelve last night "

" how can_you possibly tell ? "

" inspection of_the trains, and reckoning the time the local police had to_be called , they had communicate with Scotland yard , Hopkins had to_go out , and turn had send for_me all that makes fair night 's work well , here we_are Chiselhurst station , and we_shall soon set our doubts rest "

drive couple miles through narrow country lanes brought park gate , which_was opened for_us old lodge - keeper , whose haggard face bore the reflection some great disaster the avenue ran through noble park , between lines ancient elms, and ended low , widespread house , pillared front after_the fashion Palladio the central part was evidently great age and shrouded ivy, but the large windows showed that modern changes had_been carried out , and one wing of_the house appeared to_be entirely new

the youthful and alert , eager face inspector Stanley Hopkins confronted in_the open doorway "I'm very_glad you_have come , Mr Holmes and you , too , Dr Watson but , indeed , I had my_time over again , I should_not have troubled you , for since_the lady has_come herself , she has_given clear account of_the affair that_there_is not much left for_us to_do you remember that Lewisham gang burglars ? "

" what , the three Randalls ? "

" exactly ; the father and two sons 's their work I_have_not doubt they_did job Sydenham fortnight ago and were seen and described rather cool to_do another soon and near , but it_is they , beyond all doubt 's hanging matter this_time "

" sir Eustace dead , then ? "

" yes , his head was knocked with_his own poker "

" sir Eustace Brackenstall, the driver tells "

"Exactlyone of_the richest men KentLady Brackenstall in_the morning - room poor lady , she has had most dreadful experience she seemed half dead when I_saw her first i_think you had best see her and hear her account of_the facts then we_will examine the dining- room together "

lady Brackenstall was ordinary person seldom have I seen graceful , womanly presence , and beautiful face she was blonde, golden -haired, blue - eyed , and would no_doubt have_had the perfect complexion which goes with_such coloring, had_not her recent experience left her drawn and haggard her sufferings were physical as_well mental , for over one eye rose hideous , plum colored swelling, which her maid , tall , austere woman , was bathing assiduously with vinegar and water the lady lay back exhausted upon couch , but her quick , observant gaze , as_we entered the room , and_the alert expression her beautiful features, showed that neither her wits nor her courage had_been shaken her terrible experience she was enveloped loose dressing- gown blue and silver , but black sequin - covered dinner - dress lay upon_the couch beside her

" I_have told you all that happened , Mr Hopkins," she said , wearily " could you not repeat for_me ? well , if_you_think necessary , i_will tell these gentlemen what occurred have they been in_the dining- room yet ? "

" i_thought they had better hear your ladyship 's story first "

" I_shall_be_glad when_you can arrange matters it_is horrible to_me to_think him still lying there " she shuddered and buried her face her hands she did , the loose gown fell back from her forearms Holmes uttered exclamation

" you_have other injuries, madam ! what_is this ? " two vivid red spots stood out one_of_the white , round limbs she hastily covered

" it_is nothing has connection with_this hideous business tonight if_you and your friend will sit down , i_will tell you all I_can I_am the wife sir Eustace Brackenstall I_have_been married about year I suppose that_it_is use attempting conceal that_our marriage has_not_been happy one I_fear that all our neighbors would tell you that , even I were attempt deny perhaps the fault may_be partly mine i_was brought in_the freer , less conventional atmosphere south Australia , and this English life , with its proprieties and its primness , is_not congenial to_me

" but the main reason lies in_the one fact , which_is notorious everyone , and_that is_that sir Eustace was confirmed drunkard to_be with_such man for hour unpleasant can_you imagine what means for sensitive and high - spirited woman to_be tied him for day and night ? it_is sacrilege , crime , villainy hold that such marriage binding I_say that_these monstrous laws yours will bring curse upon_the landGod will not let such wickedness endure " for instant she sat , her cheeks flushed , and her eyes blazing from under the terrible mark upon her brow then the strong , soothing hand of_the austere maid drew her head down to_the cushion , and_the wild anger died away into passionate sobbing last she continued :

" i_will tell you about last night you_are aware , perhaps , that in_this house all the servants sleep in_the modern wing this central block made of_the dwelling-rooms, with_the kitchen behind and_our bedroom above maid , Theresa, sleeps above room there_is one else , and sound could alarm those who_are in_the farther wing this must_have been well known to_the robbers, they_would not have acted as_they_did

" sir Eustace retired about half - past ten the servants had already gone to_their quarters only maid was , and she had remained her room at_the top of_the house until I needed her services I sat until after eleven in_this room , absorbed book then I walked round to_see that all was right before I went upstairs it_was custom do_this myself , for , I_have explained , sir Eustace was not always to_be trusted I went into_the kitchen , the butler 's pantry , the gun - room , the billiard- room , the drawing- room , and finally the dining- room

" I approached the window , which_is covered with thick curtains, I suddenly felt the wind blow upon face and realized that_it_was open I flung the curtain aside and found myself face_to_face with broad - shouldered elderly man , who had just stepped into_the room the window long French one , which really forms door leading to_the lawn I held bedroom candle lit hand , and , its light , behind the first man I_saw two others, who were in_the act entering I stepped back , but the fellow was instant caught first by_the wrist and then by_the throat I opened mouth scream , but struck savage blow with_his fist over the eye , and felled to_the ground I_must_have been unconscious for_a_few_minutes , for when I_came myself , I_found that_they had torn down the bell - rope , and had secured tightly to_the oaken chair which stands at_the head of_the dining- table i_was firmly bound that I_could_not move , and handkerchief round mouth prevented from uttering sound

" it_was at_this instant that unfortunate husband entered the room had evidently heard some suspicious sounds, and he_came prepared for such scene he_found he_was dressed nightshirt and trousers , with_his favorite blackthorn cudgel in_his hand rushed at_the burglars, but anotherit was elderly manstooped, picked the poker out_of_the grate and struck him horrible blow passed fell with groan and never moved again I fainted once more , but again could only have_been for very few_minutes during which i_was insensible when I opened eyes I_found that_they had collected the silver from_the sideboard , and_they had drawn bottle wine which stood there each of_them had glass in_his hand I_have already told you , have I not , that one was elderly , with beard , and_the others young , hairless lads they might_have_been father with_his two sons they talked together whispers then they came over and made sure that i_was securely bound finally they withdrew , closing the window after them it_was quite quarter hour before I got mouth free when I_did , screams brought the maid assistance the other servants were soon alarmed , and sent for_the local police , who instantly communicated with London that_is really all that I_can tell you , gentlemen , and I trust that it_will_not_be necessary for_me to_go over painful story again "

" any questions, Mr Holmes ? " asked Hopkins

" i_will_not impose any further tax upon lady Brackenstall's patience and time ," said Holmes " before I into_the dining- room , i_should like hear your experience " looked at_the maid

" I_saw the men before ever they came into_the house ," said she " I sat bedroom window I_saw three men in_the moonlight down by_the lodge gate yonder , but i_thought nothing at_the_time it_was more than hour after_that I heard mistress scream , and down I ran, to_find her , poor lamb, just she says , and him on_the floor , with_his blood and brains over the room it_was enough drive woman out her wits, tied there , and her very dress spotted with_him , but she never wanted courage , did miss Mary Fraser Adelaide and lady Brackenstall abbey grange hasn't learned new ways you 've questioned her long enough , you gentlemen , and now she_is coming her own room , just with her old Theresa, to_get the rest that she badly needs " with motherly tenderness the gaunt woman put her arm round her mistress and led her from_the room

" she has_been with her all her life ," said Hopkins " nursed her baby , and came with her

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