No. 2 The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 2 The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Blanched

Arthur Conan Doyle

the ideas of_my friend Watson, though limited , are exceedingly pertinacious for_a_long_time has worried write experience of_my own perhaps I_have rather invited this persecution , since I_have often had occasion point out him how superficial are his own accounts and accuse him pandering popular taste instead confining himself rigidly facts and figures " try yourself , Holmes ! " has retorted , and I_am compelled admit that , having taken pen hand , I_do begin realize_that the matter must_be presented in_such_a_way may interest the reader the following case can hardly fail to_do_so , as_it_is among_the strangest happenings collection though chanced that Watson had note in_his Speaking of_my old friend and biographer , i_would take this opportunity remark that I burden myself with companion various little inquiries it_is_not done out sentiment caprice , but is_that Watson has some remarkable characteristics of_his own to_which in_his modesty has_given small attention amid his exaggerated estimates of_my own performances confederate who foresees your conclusions and course action always dangerous , but one to_whom each development comes perpetual surprise , and to_whom the future always closed book , indeed ideal helpmate

I_find from notebook that_it_was January , 1903, just after_the conclusion of_the Boer war , that I had visit from Mr James M Dodd, big , fresh , sunburned , upstanding Briton the good Watson had at_that_time deserted for wife , the only selfish action which I_can recall in_our association i_was alone

it_is habit sit with back to_the window and to_place visitors in_the opposite chair , where the light falls full upon them Mr James M Dodd seemed somewhat loss how to_begin the interview I_did_not attempt help him , for_his silence gave_me more time for observation I_have found wise impress clients with sense power , and I_gave him some of_my conclusions

" from south Africa, sir , I perceive "

" yes , sir ," answered , with some surprise

" imperial yeomanry , I fancy "

" exactly "

"Middlesex corps , no_doubt "

" that_is Mr Holmes, you_are wizard "

I smiled his bewildered expression

" when gentleman virile appearance enters room with_such tan upon his face English sun could never give , and with_his handkerchief in_his sleeve instead in_his pocket , it_is_not difficult to_place him you wear short beard , which shows that you were_not regular you_have the cut riding- man as_to Middlesex, your card has already shown that you_are stockbroker from Throgmorton street what other regiment would you join ? "

" you_see everything "

" I_see more than you , but I_have trained myself notice what I_see however , Mr Dodd, it_was not discuss the science observation that you called upon this_morning what_has_been happening Tuxbury old park ? "

" Mr Holmes -- ! "

" dear_Sir , there_is mystery your letter came with_that heading, and as_you fixed this appointment very pressing terms it_was clear that something sudden and important had occurred "

" yes , indeed but the letter was written in_the afternoon , and good_deal has happened since then colonel Emsworth had_not kicked out --"

"Kicked you out ! "

" well , that was what amounted he_is hard nail , colonel Emsworth the greatest martinet in_the army in_his day , and it_was day rough language , too I couldn't have stuck the colonel if_it had_not_been for Godfrey 's sake "

I lit pipe and leaned back chair

" perhaps you_will explain what you_are talking about "

client grinned mischievously

"I had got into_the way supposing that you_knew everything without being told ," said " but i_will give_you the facts, and I_hope god that you_will_be_able to_tell what they mean I've been awake all night puzzling brain , and_the more i_think the more incredible does become

" when I joined January , 1901 -- just two years_ago -- young Godfrey Emsworth had joined the same squadron he_was colonel Emsworth's only son -- Emsworth the Crimean V C -- and had the fighting blood him , it_is wonder volunteered there_was not finer lad in_the regiment formed friendship -- the sort which can only made when one lives the same life and shares the same joys and sorrows he_was mate -- and_that means good_deal in_the army took the rough and_the smooth together for year hard fighting then he_was hit with from elephant gun in_the action near diamond hill outside -Pretoria I got one letter from_the hospital cape town and one from Southampton since then not word -- not one word , Mr Holmes, for six months and more , and closest PAL

" well , when_the war was over , and all got back , i_wrote to_his father and asked where Godfrey was answer I waited bit and then i_wrote again this_time I had reply , short and gruff Godfrey had gone voyage round the world , and it_was not likely that he_would_be back for year that was all

"I wasn't satisfied , Mr Holmes the whole thing seemed to_me damned unnatural he_was good lad, and he_would_not drop PAL like that it_was not like him then , again , I happened to_know that he_was heir lot money , and also that his father and he_did_not always hit off too well the old man was sometimes bully , and young Godfrey had too_much spirit stand , I wasn't satisfied , and I determined that i_would get to_the root of_the matter happened , however , that own affairs needed lot straightening out , after two years' absence , and it_is only this week that I_have_been_able to_take Godfrey 's case again but since I_have taken I mean drop everything in_order_to_see through "

Mr James M Dodd appeared to_be the sort person whom would_be better to_have friend than enemy his blue eyes were stern and_his square jaw had set hard spoke

" well , what have_you done ? " I asked

" first move was to_get down to_his home , Tuxbury old park , near Bedford , and to_see for_myself how the ground lay i_wrote to_the mother , therefore -- I had had quite enough of_the curmudgeon father -- and I_made clean frontal attack : Godfrey was chum , I had great deal interest which I_might tell her of_our common experiences , i_should_be in_the neighbourhood, would there any objection , et_cetera ? reply I had quite amiable answer from her and offer to_put for_the night that was what took down Monday

"Tuxbury old hall inaccessible -- five miles from anywhere there_was trap at_the station , I had walk , carrying suitcase , and it_was nearly dark before I arrived it_is great wandering house , standing considerable park i_should judge it_was all sorts ages and styles, starting half - timbered Elizabethan foundation and ending Victorian portico inside it_was all panelling and tapestry and half -effaced old pictures, house shadows and mystery there_was butler , old Ralph, who seemed about_the same age as_the house , and his wife , who might_have_been older she had_been Godfrey 's nurse , and I had heard him speak her second only to_his mother in_his affections, i_was drawn her in_spite her queer appearance the mother I liked also -- gentle little white mouse woman it_was only the colonel himself whom I barred

" had bit barney right away , and i_should_have walked back to_the station I had_not felt that_it might_be playing his game for_me to_do_so i_was shown straight into his study , and there I_found him , huge , bow -backed man with smoky skin and straggling gray beard , seated behind his littered desk red - veined nose jutted out like vulture 's beak , and two fierce gray eyes glared from under tufted brows I_could understand now why Godfrey seldom spoke of_his father

" ' well , sir ,' said rasping voice , ' i_should_be interested to_know the real reasons for_this visit '

"I answered that I had explained them letter to_his wife

" ' yes , yes , you said that you had known Godfrey Africa we_have , of_course , only your word for_that '

" ' I_have his letters to_me pocket '

" ' kindly let see them '

" glanced at_the two which I handed him , and then tossed them back

" ' well , what then ? ' asked

" ' i_was fond your son Godfrey , sir many ties and memories united is_it not natural that i_should wonder his sudden silence and should wish to_know what has become him ? '

" ' I_have some recollections, sir , that I had already corresponded with_you and had told you what had become him has gone upon voyage round the world his health was poor way after his African experiences , and both his mother and I were opinion that camplete rest and change were needed kindly pass that explanation any_other friends who_may_be interested in_the matter '

" ' certainly ,' I answered ' but perhaps you_would_have the goodness let have the name of_the steamer and of_the line by_which sailed , together with_the date I_have no_doubt that i_should_be able to_get letter through him '

" request seemed both puzzle and irritate host his great eyebrows came down over his eyes , and tapped his fingers impatiently on_the table looked last with_the expression one who has seen his adversary make dangerous move chess , and has decided how meet

" ' many people , Mr Dodd,' said , ' would take offence your infernal pertinacity and would think that_this insistence had reached the point damned impertinence '

" ' you_must put down , sir , real love for your son '

" ' exactly I_have already made every allowance upon that score I_must ask_you , however , drop these inquiries every family has its own inner knowledge and its own motives, which cannot always made clear outsiders, however well -intentioned wife anxious hear something Godfrey 's past which you_are in_a_position to_tell her , but i_would ask_you let the present and_the future alone such inquiries serve useful purpose , sir , and place delicate and difficult '

" I_came dead end , Mr Holmes there_was getting past I_could only pretend accept the situation and register vow inwardly that i_would never rest until friend 's fate had_been cleared it_was dull evening dined quietly , the three , gloomy, faded old room the lady questioned eagerly about her son , but the old man seemed morose and depressed i_was bored by_the whole proceeding that I_made excuse as_soon_as I decently could and retired bedroom it_was large , bare room on_the ground floor , gloomy as_the rest of_the house , but after year sleeping upon_the veldt, Mr Holmes, one is_not too particular about one 's quarters I opened the curtains and looked out into_the garden , remarking that_it_was fine night with bright half - moon then I sat down by_the roaring fire with_the lamp table beside , and endeavoured distract mind with novel i_was interrupted, however , Ralph, the old butler , who came with fresh supply coals

" ' i_thought you_might run short in_the night - time , sir it_is bitter weather and these rooms are cold '

" hesitated before leaving the room , and when I looked round he_was standing facing with wistful look upon his wrinkled face

" ' beg your pardon , sir , but I_could_not help hearing what you said young master Godfrey dinner you_know , sir , that wife nursed him , and I_may say I_am his foster - father 's natural we_should take interest and you say carried himself well , sir ? '

" ' there_was braver man in_the regiment pulled out once from under the rifles of_the Boers, maybe I should_not_be here '

" the old butler rubbed his skinny hands

" ' yes , sir , yes , that_is master Godfrey all over he_was always courageous there 's not tree in_the park , sir , that has_not climbed nothing would stop him he_was fine boy -- and oh, sir , he_was fine man '

"I sprang feet

" ' look here ! ' I cried ' you say he_was you speak as_if were dead what_is all this mystery ? what has become Godfrey Emsworth ? '

"I gripped the old man by_the shoulder , but shrank away

" 'I don't know what you mean , sir ask_the master about master Godfrey he_knows it_is_not for_me interfere '

" he_was leaving the room , but I held his arm

" ' listen ,' I_said ' you_are going answer one question before_you leave I_have hold you all night Godfrey dead ? "

" he_could_not face eyes he_was like man hypnotized the answer was dragged from_his lips it_was terrible and unexpected one

" ' i_wish god he_was ! ' cried , and , tearing himself free dashed from_the room

" you_will think , Mr Holmes, that I returned chair very happy state mind the old man 's words seemed to_me bear only_one interpretation clearly poor friend had become involved some criminal , at_the least , disreputable transaction which touched the family honour that stern old man had sent his son away and hidden him from_the world lest some scandal should come light Godfrey was reckless

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