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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Creeping

Arthur Conan Doyle /Sherlock Holmes

Mr Sherlock Holmes was always opinion that i_should publish the singular facts connected with professor Presbury, only dispel once for all the ugly rumours which some twenty years_ago agitated the university and were echoed in_the learned societies London there were , however , certain obstacles in_the way , and_the true history of_this curious case remained entombed in_the tin box which contains so_many records of_my friend 's adventures now we_have last obtained permission ventilate the facts which formed one_of_the very last cases handled Holmes before his retirement from practice even now certain reticence and discretion have to_be observed laying the matter before_the public

it_was one Sunday evening early September of_the year 1903 that I received one Holmes's laconic messages:

come once convenient -- inconvenient come all the same S H

the relations between_us those latter days were peculiar he_was man habits, narrow and concentrated habits, and I had become one_of_them institution i_was like the violin , the shag tobacco , the old black pipe , the index books, and others perhaps less excusable when it_was case active work and comrade was needed upon whose nerve he_could place some reliance, role was obvious but apart from_this I had uses i_was whetstone for_his mind I stimulated him liked to_think aloud presence his remarks could hardly said to_be made to_me -- many_of_them would_have_been appropriately addressed to_his bedstead -- but none the less , having formed the habit , had become some way helpful that i_should register and interject I irritated him certain methodical slowness mentality , that irritation served only to_make his own flame - like intuitions and impressions flash the more vividly and swiftly such was humble role in_our alliance

when I arrived baker street I_found him huddled in_his armchair with updrawn knees, his pipe in_his mouth and_his brow furrowed with thought it_was clear that he_was in_the throes some vexatious problem with wave of_his hand indicated old , but otherwise for half hour he_gave sign that he_was aware of_my presence then with start he_seemed to_come from_his reverie , and with_his usual whimsical smile greeted back what had once been home

" you_will excuse certain abstraction mind , dear Watson," said " some curious facts have_been submitted to_me within_the last twenty-four hours, and_they turn have given rise some speculations more general character I_have serious thoughts writing small monograph upon_the uses dogs in_the work of_the detective "

" but surely , Holmes, this has_been explored ," said I "Bloodhounds -- sleuth -hounds --"

" , , Watson, that side of_the matter , of_course , obvious but there_is another which_is far more subtle you_may recollect that in_the case which you , your sensational way , coupled with_the copper Beeches, i_was able , watching the mind of_the child , to_form deduction as_to_the criminal habits of_the very smug and respectable father "

" yes , I remember well "

" line thoughts about dogs analogous dog reflects the family life whoever saw frisky dog gloomy family , sad dog happy one ? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have ones and their passing moods may reflect the passing moods others "

I shook head " surely , Holmes, this_is little far -fetched," said I

had refilled his pipe and resumed his seat , taking notice of_my comment

" the practical application what I_have said very to_the problem which I_am investigating it_is tangled skein , you understand and I_am looking for loose end one possible loose end lies in_the question : why does professor Presbury's wolfhound , Roy, endeavour bite him ? "

I sank back chair some disappointment was_it for trivial question as_this that I had_been summoned from work ? Holmes glanced across

" the same old Watson ! " said " you never learn that_the gravest issues may depend upon_the smallest things but is_it not on_the face strange that staid , elderly philosopher -- you 've heard Presbury, of_course , the famous Camford physiologist ? - that such man , whose friend has_been his devoted wolfhound , should now have_been twice attacked his own dog ? what do_you make ? "

" the dog ill "

" well , that has_to considered but attacks one else , nor does apparently molest his master , save very special occasions curious , Watson -- very curious but young Mr Bennett before his time that_is his ring I had hoped to_have longer chat with_you before he_came "

there_was quick step on_the stairs, sharp tap at_the door and moment later the new client presented himself he_was tall , handsome youth about thirty, well dressed and elegant , but with something in_his bearing which suggested the shyness of_the student rather than_the self - possession of_the man of_the world shook hands with Holmes, and then looked with some surprise

" this_matter very delicate , Mr Holmes," he_said " consider the relation in_which I stand professor Presbury both privately and publicly I really can hardly justify myself I speak before any third person "

" have fear , Mr Bennett Dr Watson is_the very soul discretion , and I_can assure you that_this_is matter in_which I_am very likely need assistant "

" as_you like , Mr Holmes you_will , I_am_sure , understand having some reserves in_the matter "

" you_will appreciate , Watson, when I tell you that_this gentleman , Mr Trevor Bennett , professional assistant to_the great scientist , lives under his roof , and_is engaged to_his only daughter certainly we_must agree that_the professor has every claim upon his loyalty and devotion but may best shown taking the necessary steps clear this strange mystery "

" I_hope , Mr Holmes that_is one object Does Dr Watson know the situation ? "

" I_have_not_had time explain "

" then perhaps I had better over the ground again before explaining some fresh developments "

" i_will do_so myself ," said Holmes, " in_order show that I_have the events their due order the professor , Watson, man European reputation his life has_been academic there has never been breath scandal he_is widower with one daughter , Edith he_is , I gather , man very virile and positive , one might almost say combative, character the matter stood until very few_months_ago

" then the current of_his life was broken he_is sixty- one years_of_age , but became engaged to_the daughter professor Morphy, his colleague in_the chair comparative anatomy it_was not , I understand , the reasoned courting elderly man but rather the passionate frenzy youth , for one could_have shown himself more devoted lover the lady , Alice Morphy, was very perfect girl both mind and body , so_that there_was every excuse for_the professor 's infatuation none the less , did_not meet with full approval in_his own family "

" thought rather excessive ," said our visitor

" exactly excessive and little violent and unnatural professor Presbury was rich , however , and there_was objection upon_the part of_the father the daughter , however , had other views, and there were already several candidates for her hand , who , if_they were less eligible from worldly point view , were at_least more age the girl seemed like the professor in_spite of_his eccentricities it_was only age which stood in_the way

" about_this_time little mystery suddenly clouded the normal routine of_the professor 's life he_did what had never done before left home and gave indication where he_was going he_was away fortnight and returned looking rather travel - worn he_made allusion where had_been , although he_was usually the frankest men chanced , however , that_our client here , Mr Bennett , received letter from fellowstudent Prague, who said that he_was glad_to_have seen professor Presbury there , had_not_been able to_talk him only in_this_way did his own household learn where had_been

" now comes the point from_that_time onward curious change came over the professor became furtive and sly those around him had always the feeling that he_was not the man that_they had known , but that he_was under some shadow which had darkened his higher qualities his intellect was not affected his lectures were brilliant ever but always there_was something new , sinister and unexpected his daughter , who was devoted him , tried again and again resume the old relations and penetrate this mask which her father seemed to_have put you , sir , I understand , did the same -- but all was vain and now , Mr Bennett , tell your own words the incident of_the letters "

" you_must understand , Dr Watson, that_the professor had secrets from I were his son his younger brother I_could_not have more completely enjoyed his confidence his secretary I handled every paper which came him , and I opened and subdivided his letters shortly after his return all this_was changed he_told that certain letters might come him from London which would_be marked cross under the stamp these were to_be set aside for_his own eyes only I_may say that several of_these did pass through hands, that_they had the E C mark , and were illiterate handwriting answered them all the answers did_not pass through hands nor into_the letterbasket in_which our correspondence was collected "

" and_the box ," said Holmes

"Ah, yes , the box the professor brought back little wooden box from_his travels was_the one_thing which suggested continental tour , for it_was one of_those quaint carved things which one associates with Germany this placed in_his instrument cupboard one day , looking for canula, i_took the box surprise he_was very angry , and reproved words which were quite savage for_my curiosity was_the first time such thing had happened , and i_was deeply hurt I endeavoured explain that_it_was mere accident that I had touched the box , but all the evening i_was conscious that looked harshly and_that the incident was rankling in_his mind " Mr Bennett drew little diary book from_his pocket " that was July 2d," said

" you_are certainly admirable witness ," said Holmes " I_may need some_of_these dates which you_have noted "

"I learned method among other things from great teacher from_the time that I observed abnormality in_his behaviour I_felt that_it_was duty study his case thus I_have here on_that very day , July 2d, that Roy attacked the professor he_came from_his study into_the hall again , July 11th, there_was scene of_the same sort , and then I_have note yet another upon July 20th after_that had banish Roy to_the stables he_was dear , affectionate animal -- but I_fear I weary you "

Mr Bennett spoke tone reproach , for it_was very clear that Holmes was not listening his face was rigid and_his eyes gazed abstractedly at_the ceiling with effort recovered himself

" singular ! most ! " murmured " these details were new to_me , Mr Bennett i_think we_have now fairly gone over the old ground , have not ? but you spoke some fresh developments "

the pleasant , open face of_our visitor clouded over , shadowed some grim remembrance " what I speak occurred the night before last ," said " i_was lying awake about two in_the morning , when i_was aware dull muffled sound coming from_the passage I opened door and peeped out i_should explain that_the professor sleeps at_the end of_the passage --"

" the date being ? " asked Holmes

our visitor was clearly annoyed irrelevant interruption

" I_have said , sir , that_it_was the night before last -- that_is , September 4th "

Holmes nodded and smiled

" pray continue ," said

" sleeps at_the end of_the passage and would_have to_pass door in_order reach the staircase it_was really terrifying experience , Mr Holmes i_think that I_am strong -nerved neighbours, but i_was shaken what I_saw the passage was dark save that one window halfway along threw patch light I could_see that something was coming along the passage , dark and crouching then suddenly emerged into_the light , and I_saw that_it_was he_was crawling, Mr Holmes -- crawling ! he_was not quite on_his hands and knees i_should rather say on_his hands and feet , with_his face sunk between his hands yet he_seemed move with ease i_was paralyzed by_the sight not until had reached door that i_was able step forward and ask I_could assist him his answer was extraordinary sprang , spat out some atrocious word , and hurried past , and down the staircase I waited about for hour , but he_did_not come back must_have been daylight before regained his room "

" well , Watson, what make you of_that ? " asked Holmes with_the air of_the pathologist who presents rare specimen

" lumbago , possibly I_have known severe attack make man walk just such way , and nothing would_be more trying to_the temper "

" good , Watson ! you always keep flat - footed on_the ground but we_can hardly accept lumbago , since he_was able stand erect moment "

" he_was never better health ," said Bennett " in_fact , he_is stronger than I_have known him for years but there_are the facts, Mr Holmes it_is_not case in_which we_can consult the police , and yet we_are utterly our wit 's end as_to what to_do , and we_feel some strange way that we_are drifting towards

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