No 5 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

by Arthur Conan Doyle

When I glance over my notes and records Sherlock Holmes cases years '82 and '90, faced by which present strange and interesting features no easy matter which and which to leave Some, however, have already gained publicity papers, and others offered field peculiar qualities which my friend possessed in so high degree, and which object papers to illustrate Some, too, have baffled his analytical skill, and , as narratives, beginnings without an ending, while others but partially cleared up, their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and sur- mise than absolute logical proof so dear to him , however, last so remark- able in its details and so startling in its results that tempted some account of it fact points in connection with it which never , and probably never , entirely cleared up

The year '87 furnished us with long series of cases of greater or less interest, I retain the records Among my headings under twelve months an account adventure Paradol Chamber, Amateur Mendicant Society, who held luxurious club lower vault of furniture warehouse, facts connected loss British bark Sophy Anderson, singular adventures Grice Patersons island of Uffa, and finally Camberwell poisoning case latter, as remembered, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, wound up two hours before, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within -- deduction greatest importance in clearing up the case All these sketch out at some future date, but present such singular features strange train of circum- stances which now taken up my pen to describe

latter days of September, equinoctial gales had set in with exceptional violence All day the wind had screamed rain had beaten against the windows, even here heart of great, hand-made London we were forced to raise our minds instant routine of life and to recognize the presence great elemental forces which shriek at mankind bars civilization, like untamed beasts in cage As evening drew in, the storm grew higher and louder, wind cried and sobbed like child chimney Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the howl gale from without seemed to blend text, splash rain to lengthen out long swash sea waves My wife was on visit to her mother's, and dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Street

"Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the bell come to-night ? Some friend of yours, perhaps ? "

"Except yourself none," he answered " encourage visitors "

"A client, then ? "

" , serious case Nothing less would bring man out day and at such an hour But I take it more likely some crony landlady's "

Sherlock Holmes was wrong conjecture, however, for there came step passage and tapping door He stretched out his long arm the lamp away from himself and towards the vacant chair newcomer must sit

"Come in ! " said he

The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of refine- ment and delicacy bearing The streaming umbrella which he held hand, long shining waterproof told fierce weather through which he had come He looked about him anxiously glare lamp, and I that his face was pale eyes heavy, like those of man weighed down with some great anxiety

"l owe you an apology," , raising his golden pince-nez eyes "I trust that not intruding that brought some traces storm and rain into your snug chamber "

" your coat and umbrella," said Holmes " rest here hook and dry presently come up south-west, "

"Yes, from Horsham "

"That clay and chalk mixture which upon your toe caps is quite distinctive "

" come for advice "

" easily got "

"And help "

" always so easy "

" heard of you, Mr Holmes I heard from Major Prendergast how you saved him Tankerville Club scandal "

"Ah, wrongfully accused of cheating at cards "

" that solve anything "

" "

"That never beaten "

" beaten four times - three times by men, and once by woman "

"But what compared number of your successes ? "

" true that generally successful "

"Then so with me "

"I beg that draw your chair fire and favour me with some details your case "

" no ordinary one "

"None which come are the last court of appeal "

"And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, ever listened to more mysterious and inexplicable chain of events than those happened in my own family "

"You fill me with interest," said Holmes "Pray the essential facts commencement, and afterwards question you as details which seem most important "

The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out towards the blaze

"My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, as far as understand, little awful business hereditary matter; so an idea facts, go back commencement affair

" know that my grandfather had two sons -- my uncle Elias and my father Joseph My father had small factory at Coventry, which he enlarged invention of bicycling patentee Openshaw unbreakable tire, business met success that able it and to retire upon handsome competence

"My uncle Elias emigrated to America when young man and became planter in Florida, where reported to war he fought in Jackson's army, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose colonel When Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned plantation, where he remained for three or four years About 1869 or 1870 back to Europe and took small estate in Sussex, near Horsham He had made very considerable fortune States, reason for leaving them was his aversion negroes, dislike Republican policy in extend- ing the franchise singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very foul-mouthed when angry, and of most retiring disposition During all the years that he lived at Horsham, if ever he set foot town He had garden and fields round his house, and there take his exercise, though very often for weeks on end never leave his room He drank great deal of brandy and smoked very heavily, but see no society and want any friends, not even his own brother