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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crawling

dates,

Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands were , I_may say , seated in_the old sitting- room of_the ancient hotel , with bottle of_the famous vintage of_which Holmes had spoken on_the table between_us

" well , now , let_us take_the dates first ," said , his fingertips together and_his manner as_if were addressing class " this excellent young man 's diary shows that there_was trouble upon July 2d, and from then onward seems to_have_been nine- day intervals, with , so_far I remember , only_one exception thus the last outbreak upon Friday was September 3d, which also falls into_the series , did August 26th, which preceded the thing beyond coincidence "

i_was forced agree

" let_us , then , form the provisional theory that every nine days the professor takes some strong drug which_has passing but highly poisonous effect his naturally violent nature intensified by_it learned to_take this drug while he_was Prague, and_is now supplied with Bohemian intermediary London this all hangs together , Watson ! "

" but the dog , the face at_the window , the creeping man in_the passage ? "

" well , well , we_have_made beginning I should_not expect any fresh developments until next Tuesday in_the meantime we_can only keep touch with friend Bennett and enjoy the amenities of_this charming town "

in_the morning Mr Bennett slipped round bring the latest report Holmes had imagined , times had_not_been easy with_him without exactly accusing him being responsible for_our presence , the professor had_been very rough and rude in_his speech , and evidently felt some strong grievance this_morning he_was quite himself again , however , and had delivered his usual brilliant lecture crowded class " apart from_his queer fits," said Bennett , " has actually more energy and vitality than I_can ever remember , nor was his brain ever clearer but 's not -- 's never the man whom we_have known "

"I don't think you_have anything fear now for week at_least ," Holmes answered " I_am busy man , and Dr Watson has his patients attend let_us agree that meet here at_this hour next Tuesday , and I_shall_be surprised before leave you again we_are_not able explain , even if_we_cannot perhaps put end , your troubles meanwhile , keep posted what occurs "

I_saw nothing of_my friend for_the next few_days , but on_the following Monday evening I had short note asking meet him next_day at_the train from what he_told as_we travelled up_to Camford all was well , the peace of_the professor 's house had_been unruffled , and_his own conduct perfectly normal this also was_the report which_was given by_Mr Bennett himself when he_called upon that evening our old quarters in_the Chequers " heard from_his London correspondent - day there_was letter and small packet , each with_the cross under the stamp which warned not touch them there_has_been nothing else "

" that_may prove quite enough ," said Holmes grimly " now , Mr Bennett , we_shall , i_think , come some conclusion tonight if_my deductions are correct we_should_have opportunity bringing matters head in_order to_do_so it_is necessary hold the professor under observation i_would suggest , therefore , that you remain awake and on_the lookout should you hear him pass your door , do_not interrupt him , but follow him discreetly as_you_can Dr Watson and i_will_not_be far off by_the_way , where is_the key of_that little box of_which you spoke ? "

" upon his watch - chain "

"I fancy our researches must lie in_that direction at_the worst the lock should_not_be very formidable have_you any_other able-bodied man on_the premises ? "

" there_is the coachman , Macphail "

" where does sleep ? "

" over the stables "

" we_might possibly want him well , we_can more until see how things develop , good -bye -- but I expect that we_shall see you before morning "

it_was nearly midnight before took our station among some bushes immediately opposite the hall door of_the professor it_was fine night , but chilly , and were glad of_our warm overcoats there_was breeze , and clouds were scudding across the sky , obscuring from_time to_time the half - moon would_have_been dismal vigil were not for_the expectation and excitement which carried along , and_the assurance of_my comrade that had probably reached the end of_the strange sequence events which had engaged our attention

" if_the cycle nine days holds good then we_shall_have the professor his worst - night ," said Holmes " the fact that_these strange symptoms began after his visit Prague, that he_is secret correspondence with Bohemian dealer London , who presumably represents someone Prague, and_that received packet from_him this very day , all point one direction what takes and why takes are still beyond our ken, but that_it emanates some way from Prague clear enough takes under definite directions which regulate this ninth- day system , which_was the first point which attracted attention but his symptoms are most remarkable did you observe his knuckles ? "

I had confess that I_did_not

" thick and horny way which_is quite new experience always look at_the hands first , Watson then cuffs, trouserknees, and boots very curious knuckles which can only explained by_the mode progression observed --" Holmes paused and suddenly clapped his hand to_his forehead "Oh, Watson, Watson, what fool I_have_been ! seems incredible , and yet must_be true all points one direction how could I miss seeing the connection ideas ? those knuckles how could I_have passed those knuckles ? and_the dog ! and_the ivy ! 's surely time that I disappeared into that little farm of_my dreams look out , Watson ! here he_is ! we_shall_have the chance seeing for ourselves "

the hall door had slowly opened , and against the lamplit background saw the tall professor Presbury he_was clad in_his dressing gown stood outlined in_the doorway he_was erect but leaning forward with dangling arms, when saw him last

now stepped forward into_the drive , and extraordinary change came over him sank down into crouching position and moved along upon his hands and feet , skipping every now_and_then as_if were overflowing with energy and vitality moved along the face of_the house and then round the corner disappeared Bennett slipped through_the hall door and softly followed him

" come , Watson, come ! " cried Holmes, and stole softly we_could through_the bushes until had gained spot whence could_see the other side of_the house , which_was bathed in_the light of_the half - moon the professor was clearly visible crouching at_the foot of_the ivy- covered wall as_we watched him suddenly began with incredible agility ascend from branch branch sprang , sure foot and firm grasp , climbing apparently mere joy his own powers, with definite object view with_his dressing- gown flapping each side him , looked like some huge bat glued against the side of_his own house , great square dark patch upon_the moonlit wall presently tired of_this amusement , and , dropping from branch branch , squatted down into_the old attitude and moved towards the stables, creeping along in_the same strange way before the wolfhound was out now , barking furiously , and more excited than ever when actually caught sight of_its master it_was straining its chain and quivering with eagerness and rage the professor squatted down very deliberately just out reach of_the hound and began provoke every possible way he_took handfuls pebbles from_the drive and threw them in_the dog 's face , prodded him with stick which had picked , flicked his hands about only few inches gaping mouth , and endeavoured every way increase the animal 's fury , which_was already beyond all control all our adventures I_do_not know that I_have ever seen more strange sight than this impassive and still dignified crouching frog - like upon_the ground and goading wilder exhibition passion the maddened hound , which ramped and raged front him , all manner ingenious and calculated cruelty

and then moment happened ! it_was not the chain that broke , but was_the collar that slipped , for_it had_been made for thick - necked Newfoundland heard the rattle falling metal , and_the next instant dog and man were rolling on_the ground together , the one roaring rage , the other screaming strange shrill falsetto terror it_was very narrow thing for_the professor 's life the savage creature had him fairly by_the throat , its fangs had bitten deep , and he_was senseless before we_could reach them and drag the two apart might_have_been dangerous task for_us , but Bennett 's voice and presence brought the great wolflhound instantly reason the uproar had brought the sleepy and astonished coachman from_his room above the stables "I'm not surprised ," said , shaking his head "I've seen him before I_knew the dog would get him sooner later "

the hound was secured , and together carried the professor to_his room , where Bennett , who had medical degree , helped dress his torn throat the sharp teeth had passed dangerously near the carotid artery , and_the haemorrhage was serious half hour the danger was past , I had given the patient injection morphia, and had sunk into deep sleep then , and only then , were able look each_other and to_take stock of_the situation

" i_think first - class surgeon should_see him ," said I

" for god 's sake , ! " cried Bennett " present the scandal confined our own household it_is safe with_us if_it gets beyond these walls it_will never stop consider his position at_the university , his European reputation , the feelings of_his daughter "

" quite ," said Holmes " i_think may_be quite possible to_keep the matter ourselves , and also to_prevent its recurrence now that we_have free hand the key from_the watch - chain , Mr Bennett Macphail will guard the patient and_let_us_know if_there_is any change let_us_see what we_can find in_the professor 's mysterious box "

there_was not much , but enough -- empty phial , another nearly full , hypodermic syringe , several letters crabbed, foreign hand the marks on_the envelopes showed that_they were those which had disturbed the routine of_the secretary , and each was dated from_the commercial road and signed "A Dorak " they were mere invoices to_say that fresh bottle was being sent professor Presbury, receipt acknowledge money there_was one other envelope , however , more educated hand and bearing the Austrian stamp with_the postmark Prague " here we_have our material ! " cried Holmes tore out the enclosure

HONOURED colleague [ ran]: since your esteemed visit I_have thought much your case , and though your circumstances there_are some special reasons for_the treatment , i_would none the less enjoin caution , results have shown that_it_is not without danger kind it_is possible that_the serum anthropoid would_have_been better I_have , I explained to_you , used black - faced langur because specimen was accessible Langur , of_course , crawler and climber , while walks erect and_is all ways nearer I beg you to_take every possible precaution that there premature revelation of_the process I_have one other client England , and Dorak agent for both

weekly reports will oblige yours with high esteem , H LOWENSTEIN

Lowenstein ! the name brought back to_me the memory some snippet from newspaper which spoke obscure scientist who was striving some unknown way for_the secret rejuvenescence and_the elixir life Lowenstein Prague ! Lowenstein with_the wondrous strength -giving serum , tabooed by_the profession because refused reveal its source few words I_said what I remembered Bennett had taken manual zoology from_the shelves " 'Langur ' " read " ' the great black - faced monkey of_the Himalayan slopes, biggest and most human climbing monkeys many details are added well , thanks to_you , Mr Holmes, it_is very clear that we_have traced the evil its source "

" the real source ," said Holmes, "lies, of_course , in_that untimely love affair which gave our impetuous professor the idea that he_could only gain his wish turning himself into younger man when one tries rise above nature one liable to_fall below the highest type man may revert to_the animal leaves the straight road destiny " sat musing for little with_the phial in_his hand , looking at_the clear liquid within " when I_have written to_this man and told him that I hold him criminally responsible for_the poisons which circulates, we_will_have more trouble but may recur Others may find better way there_is danger there -- very real danger humanity consider , Watson, that_the material , the sensual , the worldly would all prolong their worthless lives the spiritual would_not avoid the call something higher would_be the survival of_the least fit what sort cesspool may not our poor world become ? " suddenly the dreamer disappeared , and Holmes, the man action , sprang from_his chair " i_think there_is nothing more to_be said , Mr Bennett the various incidents will now fit themselves easily into_the general scheme the dog , of_course , was aware of_the change far more quickly than you his smell would insure that was_the monkey , not the professor , whom Roy attacked, just was_the monkey who teased Roy Climbing was joy to_the creature , and it_was mere chance , I take , that_the pastime brought him to_the young lady 's window there_is early train town , Watson, but i_think we_shall just have time for cup tea at_the Chequers before catch "

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