The Adventure of the Devil's Foot* by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Adventure of the Devil's Foot* by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Adventures

Sherlock Holmes the

Conan

1910

recording from_time to_time some_of_the curious experiences and interesting recollections which I associate with long and intimate friendship with Mr Sherlock Holmes, I_have continually been faced difficulties caused his own aversion publicity to_his sombre and cynical spirit all popular applause was always abhorrent , and nothing amused him more at_the end successful case than hand over the actual exposure some orthodox official , and listen with mocking smile to_the general chorus misplaced congratulation it_was indeed this attitude upon_the part of_my friend and certainly not any lack interesting material which_has caused late years lay very few of_my records before_the public participation some of_his adventures was always privilege which entailed discretion and reticence upon

it_was , then , with considerable surprise that I received from Holmes last Tuesday - has never been known write where would serve - in_the following terms :

why_not tell them of_the Cornish horror - strangest case I_have handled I_have idea what backward sweep memory had brought the matter fresh to_his mind , what freak had caused him desire that i_should recount ; but I hasten , before another cancelling may arrive , hunt out the notes which give_me the exact details of_the case and lay the narrative before readers

it_was , then , in_the spring of_the year 1897 that Holmes's iron constitution showed some symptoms giving way in_the face constant hard work most exacting kind , aggravated , perhaps , occasional indiscretions of_his own march of_that year Dr Moore Agar, Harley street , whose dramatic introduction Holmes I_may some day recount , gave positive injunctions that_the famous private agent lay aside all his cases and surrender himself complete rest he_wished avert absolute breakdown the state of_his health was not matter in_which himself took the faintest interest , for_his mental detachment was , but he_was induced last , on_the threat being permanently disqualified from work , to_give himself complete change scene and air thus was_that in_the early spring of_that year we_found ourselves together small cottage near Poldhu Bay, at_the further extremity of_the Cornish peninsula

it_was singular spot , and one peculiarly well suited to_the grim humour of_my patient from_the windows of_our little whitewashed house , which stood high upon grassy headland , looked down upon_the whole sinister semicircle Mounts Bay, that old death trap sailing vessels, with its fringe black cliffs and surge swept reefs on_which innumerable seamen have met their end with northerly breeze lies placid and sheltered , inviting the storm - tossed craft tick into_it for rest and protection

then come the sudden swirl round of_the wind , the blustering gale from_the south - west , the dragging anchor , the lee shore , and_the last battle in_the creaming breakers the wise mariner stands far out from_that evil place

on_the land side our surroundings were sombre on_the sea it_was country rolling moors, lonely and dun -coloured, with occasional church tower mark the site some old - world village every direction upon these moors there were traces some vanished race which had passed utterly away , and left its sole record strange monuments stone , irregular mounds which contained the burned ashes of_the dead , and curious earthworks which hinted prehistoric strife the glamour and mystery of_the place , with its sinister atmosphere forgotten nations, appealed to_the imagination of_my friend , and spent much of_his time long walks and solitary meditations upon_the moor the ancient Cornish language had also arrested his attention , and had , I remember , conceived the idea that_it_was akin to_the Chaldean, and had_been largely derived from_the Phoenician traders tin had received consignment books upon philology and was settling down develop this thesis when suddenly , sorrow and to_his unfeigned delight , we_found ourselves , even in_that land dreams, plunged into problem our very doors which_was more intense , more engrossing, and infinitely more mysterious than any of_those which had driven from London our simple life and peaceful , healthy routine were violently interrupted, and were precipitated into_the midst series events which caused the utmost excitement not_only Cornwall but throughout_the whole west England many of_my readers may retain some recollection what_was called at_the_time " the Cornish horror ," though most imperfect account of_the matter reached the London press now , after thirteen years, i_will give the true details of_this inconceivable affair to_the public

I_have said that scattered towers marked the villages which dotted this part Cornwall the nearest of_these was_the hamlet Tredannick Wollas, where the cottages couple hundred inhabitants clustered round ancient , moss - grown church the vicar of_the parish , Mr Roundhay, was something archaeologist , and such Holmes had made his acquaintance he_was middle - aged man , portly and affable , with considerable fund local lore his invitation had taken tea at_the vicarage and had come to_know also , Mr Mortimer Tregennis, independent gentleman , who increased the clergyman 's scanty resources taking rooms in_his large , straggling house the vicar , being bachelor , was glad to_come such arrangement , though had little common with_his lodger , who was thin , dark , spectacled man , with stoop which gave the impression actual , physical deformity I remember that during our short visit we_found the vicar garrulous , but his lodger strangely reticent , sad - faced , introspective man , sitting with averted eyes , brooding apparently upon his own affairs

these were the two men who entered abruptly into our little sitting- room Tuesday , march the 16th, shortly after our breakfast hour , as_we were smoking together , preparatory our daily excursion upon_the moors

" Mr Holmes," said the vicar agitated voice , " the most extraordinary and tragic affair has occurred during the night it_is_the most unheard - business we_can only regard special Providence that you_should chance to_be here at_the_time , for all England you_are the one man we_need "

I glared at_the intrusive vicar with very friendly eyes ; but Holmes took his pipe from_his lips and sat in_his chair like old hound who hears the view -halloa waved his hand to_the sofa , and_our palpitating visitor with_his agitated companion sat side side upon Mr Mortimer Tregennis was more self - contained than_the clergyman , but the twitching of_his thin hands and_the brightness of_his dark eyes showed that_they shared common emotion

" shall I speak you ? " asked of_the vicar

" well , as_you seem have_made the discovery , whatever may_be , and_the vicar have_had second - hand , perhaps you had better do_the speaking," said Holmes

I glanced at_the hastily clad clergyman , with_the formally dressed lodger seated beside him , and was amused at_the surprise which Holmes's simple deduction had brought to_their faces

" perhaps I had best say few words first ," said the vicar , " and then you_can judge if_you_will listen to_the details from Mr Tregennis, whether should_not hasten once to_the scene of_this mysterious affair I_may explain , then , that_our friend here spent last evening in_the company of_his two brothers, Owen and George , and of_his sister Brenda, their house Tredannick Wartha, which_is near the old stone cross upon_the moor left them shortly after ten o'clock, playing cards round the dining- room table , excellent health and spirits this_morning , being early riser , walked in_that direction before breakfast and was overtaken by_the carriage Dr Richards, who explained that had just been sent for most urgent call Tredannick Wartha Mr Mortimer Tregennis naturally went with_him when arrived Tredannick Wartha he_found extraordinary state things his two brothers and_his sister were seated round the table exactly had left them , the cards still spread front of_them and_the candles burned down to_their sockets the sister lay back stone - dead her chair , while the two brothers sat each side her laughing, shouting, and singing, the senses stricken clean out_of_them all three of_them , the dead woman and_the two demented men , retained upon their faces expression of_the utmost horror - convulsion terror which_was dreadful look upon there_was sign of_the presence anyone in_the house , except Mrs porter , the old cook and housekeeper , who declared that she had slept deeply and heard sound during the night nothing had_been stolen disarranged , and there_is absolutely explanation what the horror can_be which_has frightened woman death and two strong men out of_their senses the situation , Mr Holmes, nutshell , and if_you_can help_us clear you_will_have done great work "

I had hoped that some way I_could coax companion back into_the quiet which had_been the object of_our journey ; but one glance his intense face and contracted eyebrows told how vain was now the expectation sat for some little time silence , absorbed in_the strange drama which had broken upon our peace

" i_will look into this_matter ," he_said last " on_the face , would appear to_be case very exceptional nature have_you been there yourself , Mr Roundhay ? "

" , Mr Holmes Mr Tregennis brought back the account to_the vicarage , and I once hurried over with_him consult you "

" how far is_it to_the house where this singular tragedy occurred ? "

" about mile inland "

" then we_shall walk over together but before start I_must ask_you few questions, Mr Mortimer Tregennis "

the other had_been silent all this_time , but I had observed that his more controlled excitement was even greater than_the obtrusive emotion of_the clergyman sat with pale , drawn face , his anxious gaze fixed upon Holmes, and_his thin hands clasped convulsively together his pale lips quivered listened to_the dreadful experience which had befallen his family , and_his dark eyes seemed reflect something of_the horror of_the scene

" ask what you like , Mr Holmes," said eagerly " it_is bad thing to_speak , but i_will answer you the truth "

" tell about last night "

" well , Mr Holmes, I supped there , as_the vicar has said , and elder brother George proposed game whist afterwards sat down about nine o'clock it_was quarter - past ten when I moved to_go I left them all round the table , merry could_be "

" who let you out ? "

" Mrs porter had gone bed , I let himself out I shut the hall door behind the window of_the room in_which they sat was closed , but the blind was not drawn down there_was change door window this_morning , nor any reason to_think that any stranger had_been to_the house yet there they sat , driven clean mad with terror , and Brenda lying dead fright , with her head hanging over the arm of_the chair I'll never get the sight of_that room out of_my mind so_long I live "

" the facts, as_you state them , are certainly most remarkable ," said Holmes "I take that you_have theory yourself which can any_way account for_them ? "

" 's devilish, Mr Holmes, devilish ! " cried Mortimer Tregennis " it_is_not of_this world something has_come into that room which_has dashed the light reason from their minds what human contrivance could do_that ? "

" I_fear ," said Holmes, " that if_the matter beyond humanity it_is certainly beyond yet we_must exhaust all natural explanations before fall back upon_such theory as_this as_to yourself , Mr Tregennis, I take you were divided some way from your family , since they lived together and you had rooms apart ? "

" that_is , Mr Holmes, though the matter past and done with were family tin -miners Redruth, but sold out our venture company , and retired with enough to_keep I won 't deny that there_was some feeling about_the division of_the money and stood between_us for time , but it_was all forgiven and forgotten , and were the best friends together "

" looking back at_the evening which you spent together , does anything stand out your memory throwing any possible light upon_the tragedy ? think carefully , Mr Tregennis, for any clue which can help "

" there_is nothing all , sir "

" your people were their usual spirits ? "

" never better "

" were they nervous people ? did they ever show any apprehension coming danger ? "

" nothing of_the kind "

" you_have nothing add then , which could assist ? "

Mortimer Tregennis considered earnestly for moment

" there_is one_thing occurs to_me ," said last " as_we sat at_the table back was to_the window , and brother George , being partner cards, was facing I_saw him once look hard over shoulder , I turned round and looked also the blind was and_the window shut , but I_could just make out the bushes on_the lawn , and seemed to_me for moment that I_saw something moving among them I couldn't even say if_it_was man animal , but I just thought there_was there when I asked him what he_was looking , he_told that had the same feeling that_is all that I_can_say "