No. 1 The Adventure of the Empty House by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 1 The Adventure of the Empty House by Arthur Conan Doyle
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Arthur Conan Doyle

it_was in_the spring of_the year 1894 that all London was interested , and_the fashionable world dismayed , by_the murder of_the Honourable Ronald Adair under most unusual and inexplicable circumstances the public has already learned those particulars of_the crime which came out in_the police investigation ; but good_deal was suppressed upon that occasion , since_the case for_the prosecution was overwhelmingly strong that_it_was not necessary bring forward all the facts only now , at_the end nearly ten years, am I allowed supply those missing links which make the whole of_that remarkable chain the crime was interest itself, but that was nothing to_me compared to_the inconceivable sequel , which afforded the greatest shock and surprise any event adventurous life even now , after_this long interval , I_find myself thrilling i_think , and feeling once more that sudden flood joy , amazement , and incredulity which utterly submerged mind let say to_that public which_has shown some interest those glimpses which I_have occasionally given them of_the thoughts and actions very remarkable man that_they_are not blame I_have_not shared knowledge with_them , for i_should_have considered first duty have_done had I not been barred positive prohibition from_his own lips, which_was only withdrawn upon_the third last month

can_be imagined that intimacy with Sherlock Holmes had interested deeply crime , and_that after his disappearance I never failed read with care the various problems which came before_the public , and I even attempted more than once for_my own private satisfaction employ his methods their solution , though with indifferent success there_was none , however , which appealed to_me like this tragedy Ronald Adair I_read the evidence at_the inquest , which led up_to verdict wilful murder against some person persons unknown , I realised more clearly than I had ever done the loss which the community had sustained by_the death Sherlock Holmes there were points about_this strange business which would , i_was sure , have specially appealed him , and_the efforts of_the police would_have_been supplemented, more probably anticipated , by_the trained observation and_the alert mind of_the first criminal agent Europe all day I drove upon round I turned over the case mind , and found explanation which appeared to_me to_be adequate at_the risk telling twice - told tale i_will recapitulate the facts as_they were known to_the public at_the conclusion of_the inquest

the Honourable Ronald Adair was_the second son of_the earl Maynooth, at_that_time governor one_of_the Australian Colonies Adair's mother had returned from undergo the operation for cataract , and she , her son Ronald, and her daughter Hilda were living together 427, park Lane the youth moved in_the best society , had , so_far was known , enemies, and particular vices had_been engaged miss Edith Woodley, Carstairs, but the engagement broken off mutual consent some months before , and there_was sign that_it had left any very profound feeling behind for_the rest the man 's life moved narrow and conventional circle , for_his habits were quiet and_his nature unemotional yet it_was upon_this easy - going young aristocrat that death came most strange and unexpected form between_the hours ten and eleven-twenty on_the night march 30th, 1894

Ronald Adair was fond cards, playing continually , but never for such stakes would hurt him he_was member of_the Baldwin , the Cavendish, and_the bagatelle card clubs it_was shown that after dinner on_the day of_his death had played rubber whist at_the latter club had also played there in_the afternoon the evidence of_those who had played with_him -- Mr Murray , sir John hardy , and colonel Moran -- showed that_the game was whist , and_that there_was fairly equal fall of_the cards Adair might_have lost five pounds, but not more his fortune was considerable one , and such loss could_not any_way affect him had played nearly every day one club other , but he_was cautious player , and usually rose winner came out evidence that partnership with colonel Moran had actually won as_much four hundred and twenty pounds sitting some weeks before from Godfrey Milner and lord Balmoral so_much for_his recent history , came out at_the inquest

on_the evening of_the crime returned from_the club exactly ten his mother and sister were out spending the evening with relation the servant deposed that she heard him enter the front room on_the second floor , generally used his sitting- room she had lit fire there , and smoked she had opened the window sound was heard from_the room until eleven-twenty, the hour of_the return lady Maynooth and her daughter Desiring to_say good - night , she had attempted enter her son 's room the door was locked on_the inside , and answer could_be got to_their cries and knocking help was obtained and_the door forced the unfortunate young man was found lying near the table his head had_been horribly mutilated expanding revolver , but weapon any sort was to_be found in_the room on_the table lay two bank -notes for ten pounds each and seventeen pounds ten silver and gold , the money arranged little piles varying amount there were some figures also upon sheet paper with_the names some club friends opposite to_them , from_which it_was conjectured that before his death he_was endeavouring to_make out his losses winnings cards

minute examination of_the circumstances served only make_the case more complex in_the first place , reason could_be given why the young man should_have fastened the door upon_the inside there_was the possibility that_the murderer had done this and had afterwards escaped by_the window the drop was at_least twenty feet , however , and bed crocuses full bloom lay beneath neither the flowers nor the earth showed any sign having been disturbed , nor were there any marks upon_the narrow strip grass which separated the house from_the road Apparently, therefore , was_the young man himself who had fastened the door but how did come his death ? one could_have climbed up_to_the window without leaving traces suppose man had fired through_the window , would indeed remarkable shot who_could with revolver inflict deadly wound again , park Lane frequented thoroughfare , and there_is cab - stand within hundred yards of_the house one had heard shot and yet there_was the dead man , and there the , which had mushroomed out , soft -nosed bullets will , and inflicted wound which_must have caused instantaneous death such were the circumstances of_the park Lane mystery , which were further complicated entire absence motive , since , I_have said , young Adair was not known to_have any enemy , and attempt had_been made remove the money valuables in_the room

all day I turned these facts over mind , endeavouring hit upon some theory which could reconcile them all , and to_find that line least resistance which poor friend had declared to_be the starting- point every investigation I confess that I_made little progress in_the evening I strolled across the park , and found myself about six o'clock at_the Oxford street end park Lane group loafers upon_the pavements, all staring particular window , directed to_the house which I had come to_see tall , thin man with coloured glasses, whom I strongly suspected being plain - clothes detective , was pointing out some theory of_his own , while the others crowded round listen what he_said I got near him I_could , but his observations seemed to_me to_be absurd , I withdrew again some disgust I_did I struck against elderly deformed man , who had_been behind , and I knocked down several books which he_was carrying I remember that I picked them I observed the title one_of_them , " the origin tree worship ," and struck that_the fellow must_be some poor bibliophile who , either trade hobby , was collector obscure volumes I endeavoured apologise for_the accident , but it_was evident that_these books which I had unfortunately maltreated were very precious objects in_the eyes of_their owner with snarl contempt turned upon his heel , and I_saw his curved back and white side -whiskers disappear among_the throng

observations 427, park Lane did little clear the problem in_which i_was interested the house was separated from_the street low wall and railing, the whole not more than five feet high it_was perfectly easy , therefore , for anyone to_get into_the garden , but the window was entirely inaccessible , since there_was water - pipe anything which could help the most active man climb more puzzled than ever I retraced steps Kensington I had_not_been study five minutes when_the maid entered to_say that person desired to_see astonishment it_was none other_than strange old book - collector , his sharp , wizened face peering out from frame white hair , and_his precious volumes, dozen of_them at_least , wedged under his right arm

" you 're surprised to_see , sir ," said , strange , croaking voice

I acknowledged that i_was

" well , I've conscience , sir , and when I chanced to_see you into_this house , I_came hobbling after you , i_thought myself , I'll just step and_see that kind gentleman , and tell him that i_was bit gruff manner there_was not any harm meant, and_that I_am much obliged him for picking books "

" you make too_much trifle ," said I " may I ask how you_knew who i_was ? "

" well , sir , if_it isn't too great liberty , I_am neighbour yours , for_you 'll find little bookshop at_the corner church street , and very happy to_see you , I_am_sure maybe you collect yourself , sir ; here 's ` British Birds,' and `Catullus,' and ` the holy war ' -- bargain every_one_of_them with five volumes you_could just fill that gap on_that second shelf looks untidy , does not , sir ? "

I moved head look at_the cabinet behind when I turned again Sherlock Holmes was standing smiling across study table I rose feet , stared him for some seconds utter amazement , and then appears that I_must_have fainted for_the first and_the last time life certainly grey mist swirled before eyes , and when cleared I_found collar -ends undone and_the tingling after - taste brandy upon lips Holmes was bending over chair , his flask in_his hand

" dear Watson," said the well - remembered voice , "I owe you thousand apologies I had idea that you_would_be affected "

I gripped him by_the arm

"Holmes ! " I cried " is_it really you ? can indeed that you_are alive ? is_it possible that you succeeded climbing out of_that awful abyss ? "

" wait moment ," said " are_you sure that you_are really fit discuss things ? I_have_given you serious shock unnecessarily dramatic reappearance "

" I_am all right , but indeed , Holmes, I_can hardly believe eyes good heavens, to_think that you -- you all men -- should_be standing study ! " again I gripped him by_the sleeve and felt the thin , sinewy arm beneath " well , you 're not spirit , anyhow," said I " dear chap, I_am overjoyed to_see you sit down and tell how you came alive out of_that dreadful chasm "

sat opposite to_me and lit cigarette in_his old nonchalant manner he_was dressed in_the seedy frock - coat of_the book merchant , but the rest of_that individual lay pile white hair and old books upon_the table Holmes looked even thinner and keener than old , but there_was dead - white tinge in_his aquiline face which told that his life recently had_not_been healthy one

" I_am_glad stretch myself , Watson," said " it_is joke when tall man has to_take foot off his stature for several hours end now , dear fellow , in_the matter of_these explanations we_have , I_may ask for your co-operation , hard and dangerous night 's work front perhaps would_be better I gave_you account of_the whole situation when_that work finished "

" I_am full curiosity i_should much prefer hear now "

" you 'll come with - night ? "

" when_you like and where you like "

" this_is indeed like the old days we_shall_have time for mouthful dinner before we_need well , then , about_that chasm I had serious difficulty getting out , for_the very simple reason that I never was in_it "

" you never were in_it ? "

" , Watson, I never was in_it

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