1910

In recording curious experiences and interesting recollections which I associate with my long and intimate friendship with Mr Sherlock Holmes, continually been faced by difficulties caused by his own aversion to publicity sombre and cynical spirit all popular applause was always abhorrent, and nothing amused him more end of successful case than to hand over the actual exposure to some orthodox official, and to listen with mocking smile general chorus of misplaced congratulation indeed this attitude part friend and certainly not any lack of interesting material caused me of late years to lay very few records public My participation in some adventures was always privilege which entailed discretion and reticence upon me

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

tell them Cornish horror-strangest case handled no idea what backward sweep of memory had brought the matter fresh mind, or what freak had caused him to desire that recount it; but I hasten, before another cancelling telegram may arrive, to hunt out the notes which the exact details case and to lay the narrative before my readers

, then, spring year 1897 that Holmes's iron constitution showed some symptoms of giving way face of constant hard work of most exacting kind, aggravated, perhaps, by occasional indiscretions own In March year Dr Moore Agar, of Harley Street, whose dramatic introduction to Holmes some day recount, gave positive injunctions famous private agent lay aside all his cases and surrender himself to complete rest if to avert an absolute breakdown The state health was not matter he himself took the faintest interest, mental detachment was absolute, but induced at last, threat of being permanently disqualified from work, himself complete change of scene and air Thus it early spring year ourselves together in small cottage near Poldhu Bay, further extremity Cornish peninsula

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

Then come the sudden swirl round wind, the blustering gale south-west, the dragging anchor, the lee shore, last battle creaming breakers The wise mariner stands far out evil place

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

said that scattered towers marked the villages which dotted this part of Cornwall The nearest hamlet of Tredannick Wollas, where the cottages of couple of hundred inhabitants clustered round an ancient, moss-grown church The vicar parish, Mr Roundhay, was something of an archaeologist, and as such Holmes had made his acquaintance middle-aged man, portly and affable, with considerable fund of local lore At his invitation we had taken tea vicarage and had come also, Mr Mortimer Tregennis, an independent gentleman, who increased the clergyman's scanty resources by taking rooms large, straggling house The vicar, being bachelor, was glad to such an arrangement, though he had little in common lodger, who was thin, dark, spectacled man, with stoop which gave the impression of actual, physical deformity I remember that during our short visit 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 on Tuesday, March the 16th, shortly after our breakfast hour, were smoking together, preparatory to our daily excursion moors

" Mr Holmes," said the vicar in an agitated voice, "the most extraordinary and tragic affair has occurred during the night most unheard-of business only regard it as special providence that chance here , for in all England the one man "

I glared intrusive vicar with no very friendly eyes; but Holmes took his pipe lips and sat up chair like an old hound who hears the view-halloa He waved his hand sofa, palpitating visitor agitated companion sat side by side upon it Mr Mortimer Tregennis was more self-contained clergyman, but the twitching thin hands brightness dark eyes showed shared common emotion

"Shall I speak or you ? " he asked vicar

"Well, seem to the discovery, whatever it , vicar to it second-hand, perhaps you had better speaking," said Holmes

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

"Perhaps I had best say few words first," said the vicar, "and then judge listen details from Mr Tregennis, or whether we hasten at once scene mysterious affair explain, then, friend here spent last evening company two brothers, Owen and George, and sister Brenda, at their house of Tredannick Wartha, near the old stone cross moor He left them shortly after ten o'clock, playing cards round the dining-room table, in excellent health and spirits , being an early riser, he walked direction before breakfast and was overtaken carriage of Dr Richards, who explained that he had just been sent for on most urgent call to Tredannick Wartha Mr Mortimer Tregennis naturally went When he arrived at Tredannick Wartha an extraordinary state of things His two brothers sister were seated round the table exactly as he had left them, the cards still spread in front candles burned down sockets The sister lay back stone-dead in her chair, while the two brothers sat on each side of her laughing, shouting, and singing, the senses stricken clean All three , the dead woman two demented men, retained upon their faces an expression utmost horror- convulsion of terror dreadful to look upon no sign presence of anyone house, except Mrs Porter, the old cook and housekeeper, who declared that she had slept deeply and heard no sound during the night Nothing stolen or disarranged, and absolutely no explanation of what the horror frightened woman to death and two strong men out senses the situation, Mr Holmes, in nutshell, and to clear it up done great work "

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

" look into ," at last " face of it, it would appear case of very exceptional nature been there yourself, Mr Roundhay ? "

"No, Mr Holmes Mr Tregennis brought back the account vicarage, and I at once hurried over to consult you "

"How far house where this singular tragedy occurred ? "

"About mile inland "

"Then walk over together But before we start few questions, Mr Mortimer Tregennis "

The other silent all , but I had observed that his more controlled excitement was even greater obtrusive emotion clergyman He sat with pale, drawn face, his anxious gaze fixed upon Holmes, thin hands clasped convulsively together His pale lips quivered as he listened dreadful experience which had befallen his family, dark eyes seemed to reflect something horror scene

"Ask what you like, Mr Holmes," said he eagerly " bad thing of, but answer you the truth "

"Tell me about last night "