No 8 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

by Arthur Conan Doyle

On glancing over my notes seventy odd cases eight years studied the methods friend Sherlock Holmes, many tragic, some comic, large number merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as rather love art than acquirement of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic Of all these varied cases, however, recall any which presented more singular features than that associated well-known Surrey family Roylotts of Stoke Moran The events occurred early days association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bache- lors in Baker Street possible that placed them upon record before, but promise of secrecy , only been freed month untimely death lady the pledge was given perhaps facts should now come to light, for reasons widespread rumours death of Dr Grimesby Roylott which tend to matter even more terrible truth

early in April year '83 that I woke one morning Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, side bed late riser, as rule, and clock mantelpiece showed me only quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just little resentment, for myself regular in my habits

"Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the common lot Mrs Hudson knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you "

" it, then -- fire ? "

"No; client It seems that young lady has arrived in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me waiting now sitting-room Now, when young ladies wander metropolis hour morning, and knock sleepy people up out beds, I presume something very pressing to communicate Should it prove an interesting case, , , wish it outset , at any rate, that call you and the chance "

"My dear fellow, miss it for anything "

I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes plofessional investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on logical basis wlth which he unravelled the problems which were submitted to him I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready to accompany my friend down sitting-room lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who sitting window, rose entered

"Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily "My name is Sherlock Holmes my intimate friend and associate, Dr Watson, before whom speak as freely as before myself Ha ! that Mrs Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire Pray draw up , and order you cup of hot coffee, for I observe that shivering "

"lt cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in low voice, changing her seat as requested

"What, then ? "

" fear, Mr Holmes terror " She raised her veil as she spoke, and we that she was indeed in pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and gray, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal Her features and figure were those of woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray, and her expression was weary and haggard Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one quick, all- comprehensive glances

" not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm " soon set matters right, come in by train , "

" me, then ? "

"No, but I observe the second half of return ticket palm of your left glove started early, and yet you had good drive in dog-cart, along heavy roads, reached the station "

The lady gave violent start and stared in bewilderment at my companion

" no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling "The left arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no seven places The marks are perfectly fresh no vehicle save dog-cart which throws up mud way, and then only sit left-hand side driver "

"Whatever your reasons , perfectly correct," said she "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at twenty past, and came in first train to Waterloo Sir, stand this strain no longer; go mad continues no one to -- none, save , who cares , and he, poor fellow, of little aid heard of you, Mr Holmes; heard of you from Mrs Farintosh, whom you helped hour of her sore need from her that I had your address Oh, sir, not think that help me, too, and throw little light dense darkness which surrounds me ? At present out power to reward you for your services, but in month or six weeks married, control own income, and then you find me ungrateful "

Holmes turned desk and, unlocking it, drew out small case-book, which he consulted

"Farintosh," said he "Ah yes, I recall the case; concerned with an opal tiara time, Watson only say, madam, that happy to devote the same care to your case as of your friend reward, my profession is its own reward; but at liberty to defray whatever expenses put to, which suits you best And now I beg that lay everything in forming an opinion matter "

"Alas ! " replied our visitor, "the very horror situation lies fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to another, that even he of all others right to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him fancies of nervous woman say so, but read it soothing answers and averted eyes But heard, Mr Holmes, that you deeply manifold wickedness human heart advise me how to walk amid the dangers which encompass me "

" all attention, madam "

"My name is Helen Stoner, and living with my stepfa- ther, the last survivor of oldest Saxon families in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, western border of Surrey "

Holmes nodded his head "The name is familiar ," said he

"The family was at richest in England, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire north, and Hampshire west last century, however, four successive heirs were of dissolute and wasteful disposi- tion, family ruin was eventually completed by gambler days Regency Nothing was left save few acres of ground, two-hundred-year-old house, itself crushed under heavy mortgage The last squire dragged out his exis- tence there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that adapt himself new conditions, obtained an advance from relative, which enabled him medical degree and went out to Calcutta, where, by his professional skill force of character, he established large practice In fit of anger, however, caused by some robberies which perpetrated house, he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped capital sen- tence As , he suffered long term of imprisonment and afterwards returned to England morose and disappointed man

"When Dr Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs Stoner, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, Bengal Artillery My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old mother's re-marriage She had considerable sum of money -- not lOOO pounds year -- and this she bequeathed to Dr Roylott entirely while we resided , with provision that certain annual sum allowed to each of us event marriage Shortly after our return to England my mother died -- she was killed eight in railway accident near Crewe Dr Roylott then abandoned his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to live old ancestral house at Stoke Moran The money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and there seemed no obstacle to our happiness