No. 8 The Adventure of the Creeping Man by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 8 The Adventure of the Creeping Man by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Edith --

Presbury -- feels

passively

" it_is certainly very curious and suggestive case what do_you_think , Watson ? "

"Speaking medical man ," said I, " appears to_be case for alienist the old gentleman 's cerebral processes were disturbed by_the love affair he_made journey abroad in_the hope breaking himself of_the passion his letters and_the box may_be connected with some other private transaction -- loan , perhaps , cenificates, which are in_the box "

" and_the wolfhound no_doubt disapproved of_the financial bargain , , Watson, there_is more in_it than this now , I_can only suggest --"

what Sherlock Holmes was about suggest will never known , for at_this moment the door opened and young lady was shown into_the room she appeared Mr Bennett sprang with cry and ran forward with_his hands out meet those which she had herself outstretched

"Edith, dear ! nothing the matter , I_hope ? "

" I_felt I_must follow you Oh, jack , I_have_been dreadfully frightened ! it_is awful to_be there alone "

" Mr Holmes, this_is_the young lady I spoke this_is fiancee "

" were gradually coming to_that conclusion , were not , Watson ? " Holmes answered with smile "I take , miss Presbury, that_there_is some fresh development in_the case , and_that you thought we_should know ? "

our new visitor , bright , handsome girl conventional English type , smiled back Holmes she seated herself beside Mr Bennett

" when I_found Mr Bennett had left his hotel i_thought i_should probably find him here of_course , had told that he_would consult you but , oh, Mr Holmes, can_you nothing for_my poor father ? "

" I_have hopes, miss Presbury, but the case still obscure perhaps what you_have to_say may throw some fresh light upon "

" it_was last night , Mr Holmes had_been very strange all day I_am_sure that_there_are times when has recollection what he_does lives strange dream yesterday was such day it_was not father with_whom I lived his outward shell was there , but it_was not really "

" tell what happened "

" i_was awakened in_the night by_the dog barking most furiously poor Roy, he_is chained now near the stable I_may say that I always sleep with door locked; for , jack -- Mr Bennett -- will tell you , all have feeling impending danger room on_the second floor happened that_the blind was window , and there_was bright moonlight outside I lay with eyes fixed upon_the square light , listening to_the frenzied barkings of_the dog , i_was amazed to_see father 's face looking Mr Holmes, I nearly died surprise and horror there it_was pressed against the windowpane , and one hand seemed to_be raised as_if push the window if_that window had opened , i_think i_should_have gone mad it_was delusion , Mr Holmes Don't deceive yourself thinking I dare say it_was twenty seconds so_that I lay paralyzed and watched the face then vanished , but I_could_not -- spring out bed and look out after I lay cold and shivering till morning breakfast he_was sharp and fierce manner , and made allusion to_the adventure of_the night neither did I, but I_gave excuse for coming town - and here I_am "

Holmes looked thoroughly surprised miss Presbury's narrative

" dear young lady , you say that your room on_the second floor is_there long ladder in_the garden ? "

" , Mr Holmes, that_is_the amazing part there_is possible way reaching the window -- and yet he_was there "

" the date being September 5th," said Holmes " that certainly complicates matters "

was_the young lady 's turn look surprised " this_is_the second time that you_have alluded to_the date , Mr Holmes," said Bennett " is_it possible that_it has any bearing upon_the case ? "

" it_is possible -- very -- and yet I_have_not full material present "

" possibly you_are thinking of_the connection between insanity and phases of_the moon ? "

" , I assure you it_was quite different line thought possibly you_can leave your notebook with , and_I_will check the dates now i_think , Watson, that_our line action perfectly clear this young lady has informed -- and I_have the greatest confidence her intuition -- that her father remembers little nothing which occurs upon certain dates we_will therefore call upon him as_if had given appointment upon_such date he_will put down to_his own lack memory thus we_will open our campaign having good view him "

" that_is excellent ," said Mr Bennett "I warn you , however , that_the professor irascible and violent times "

Holmes smiled " there_are reasons why we_should come once -- very cogent reasons if_my theories hold good - morrow , Mr Bennett , will certainly see Camford there_is , I remember right , inn called the Chequers where the port used to_be above mediocrity and_the linen was above reproach i_think , Watson, that_our lot for_the next few_days might lie less pleasant places "

Monday morning found on_our way to_the famous university town -- easy effort on_the_part Holmes, who had roots pull , but one which involved frantic planning and hurrying part , practice was by_this_time not inconsiderable Holmes made allusion to_the case until after had deposited our suitcases at_the ancient hostel of_which had spoken

" i_think , Watson, that we_can catch the professor just before lunch lectures eleven and should_have interval home "

" what possible excuse have for calling ? "

Holmes glanced his notebook

" there_was period excitement upon August 26th we_will assume that he_is little hazy as_to what he_does such times if_we insist that we_are there appointment i_think he_will hardly venture contradict have_you the effrontery necessary to_put through ? "

" we_can but try "

" excellent , Watson ! compound of_the busy bee and excelsior we_can but try -- the motto of_the firm friendly native will surely guide "

such one on_the back smart hansom swept past row ancient colleges and , finally turning into tree - lined drive , pulled at_the door charming house , girt round with lawns and covered with purple wistaria professor Presbury was certainly surrounded with every sign not_only comfort but luxury even as_we pulled , grizzled head appeared at_the front window , and were aware pair keen eyes from under shaggy brows which surveyed through large horn glasses moment later were actually in_his sanctum , and_the mysterious scientist , whose vagaries had brought from London , was standing before_us there_was certainly sign eccentricity either in_his manner appearance , for he_was portly, largefeatured man , grave , tall , and frock - coated , with_the dignity bearing which lecturer needs his eyes were his most remarkable feature , keen , observant , and clever to_the verge cunning

looked our cards " pray sit down , gentlemen what can I_do for_you ? "

Mr Holmes smiled amiably

" was_the question which i_was about to_put to_you , professor "

" to_me , sir ! "

" possibly there_is some mistake I heard through second person that professor Presbury Camford had need of_my services "

"Oh, indeed ! " seemed to_me that there_was malicious sparkle in_the intense gray eyes " you heard that , did you ? may I ask_the name your informant ? "

" I_am sorry , professor , but the matter was rather confidential I_have_made mistake there_is harm done I_can only express regret "

" not all i_should wish to_go funher into this_matter interests have_you any scrap writing, any letter , bear out your assertion ? "

" , I_have_not "

"I presume that you_do_not so_far as_to assert that I summoned you ? "

" i_would rather answer questions," said Holmes

" , I dare say not ," said the professor with asperity " however , that particular one can_be answered very easily without your aid "

walked across the room to_the bell our London friend Mr Bennett , answered the call

" come , Mr Bennett these two gentlemen have come from London under the impression that they_have been summoned you handle all correspondence have_you note anything going person named Holmes ? "

" , sir ," Bennett answered with flush

" that_is conclusive ," said the professor , glaring angrily companion " now , sir " -- leaned forward with_his two hands upon_the table --" seems to_me that your position very questionable one "

Holmes shrugged his shoulders

" I_can only repeat that I_am sorry that we_have_made needless intrusion "

" hardly enough , Mr Holmes ! " the old man cried high screaming voice , with extraordinary malignancy upon his face got between_us and_the door spoke , and shook his two hands with furious passion " you_can hardly get out easily as_that " his face was convulsed, and grinned and gibbered in_his senseless rage I_am convinced that we_should_have had fight our way out_of_the room Mr Bennett had_not intervened

" dear professor ," cried , " consider your position ! the scandal at_the university ! Mr Holmes wellknown man you_cannot possibly treat him with_such discourtesy "

sulkily our host -- I_may call him -- cleared the path to_the door were glad to_find ourselves outside the house and in_the quiet of_the tree - lined drive Holmes seemed great ! y amused by_the episode

" our learned friend 's nerves are somewhat out order ," said " perhaps our intrusion was little crude , and yet we_have gained that personal contact which I desired but , dear , Watson, he_is surely our heels the villain still pursues "

there were the sounds running feet behind , but it_was , relief , not the formidable professor but his assistant who appeared round the curve of_the drive he_came panting to_us

" I_am sorry , Mr Holmes I wished apologize "

" dear_Sir , there_is need it_is all in_the way professional experience "

" I_have never seen him more dangerous mood but grows more sinister you_can understand now why his daughter and I are alarmed and yet his mind perfectly clear "

" too clear ! " said Holmes " that was miscalculation it_is evident that his memory much more reliable than I had thought by_the_way , can , before , see the window miss Presbury's room ? "

Mr Bennett pushed his way through some shrubs, and had view of_the side of_the house

" is_there the second on_the left "

" dear , seems hardly accessible and yet you_will observe that_there_is creeper below and water - pipe above which give some foothold "

" I_could_not climb myself ," said Mr Bennett

" very likely would certainly dangerous exploit for any normal man "

" there_was one other thing i_wish to_tell you , Mr Holmes I_have the address of_the man London to_whom the professor writes seems to_have written this_morning , and I got from_his blotting- paper it_is ignoble position for trusted secretary , but what else can I_do ? "

Holmes glanced at_the paper and put into his pocket

"Dorak -- curious name Slavonic, I imagine well , it_is important link in_the chain return London this afternoon , Mr Bennett I_see good purpose to_be served our remaining we_cannot arrest the professor because has_done crime , nor can place him under constraint , for he_cannot_be proved to_be mad action as_yet possible "

" then what earth are to_do ? "

"A little patience , Mr Bennett things will soon develop unless I_am mistaken , next Tuesday may mark crisis certainly we_shall_be Camford on_that_day meanwhile , the general position undeniably unpleasant , and miss Presbury can prolong her visit "

" that_is easy "

" then let her stay till we_can assure her that all danger past meanwhile , let him have his way and do_not cross him so_long he_is good humour all well "

" there he_is ! " said Bennett startled whisper looking between_the branches saw the tall , erect emerge from_the hall door and look around him stood leaning forward , his hands swinging straight before him , his head turning from side side the secretary with last wave slipped off among_the trees, and saw him presently rejoin his employer , the two entering the house together what seemed to_be animated and even excited conversation

"I expect the old gentleman has_been putting two and two together ," said Holmes as_we walked hotelward " struck having particularly clear and logical brain from_the little I_saw him explosive , no_doubt , but then from_his point view has something explode about detectives are put on_his track and suspects his own household doing I rather fancy that friend Bennett for uncomfortable time "

Holmes stopped post - office and sent off on_our way the answer reached in_the evening , and tossed across to_me

have visited the commercial road and seen Dorak suave person , Bohemian , elderly Keeps large general store MERCER

"Mercer since your time ," said Holmes " he_is general utility man who looks routine business it_was important to_know something of_the man with_whom our professor was secretly corresponding his nationality connects with_the Prague visit "

" thank goodness that something connects with ," said I " present seem_to_be faced long series inexplicable incidents with bearing upon each_other " for example , what possible connection can there between angry wolfhound and visit Bohemia, either of_them with

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