Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.V-VIII
death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even `
` more terrible than the truth. `
` `
` It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to `
` find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my `
` bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the `
` mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I `
` blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little `
` resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. `
` `
` "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the `
` common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she `
` retorted upon me, and I on you." `
` `
` "What is it, then--a fire?" `
` `
` "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a `
` considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She `
` is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander `
` about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock `
` sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is `
` something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it `
` prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to `
` follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should `
` call you and give you the chance." `
` `
` "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." `
` `
` I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his `
` professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid `
` deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a `
` logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were `
` submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in `
` a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A `
` lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in `
` the window, rose as we entered. `
` `
` "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock `
` Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, `
` before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am `
` glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the `
` fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot `
` coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." `
` `
` "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low `
` voice, changing her seat as requested. `
` `
` "What, then?" `
` `
` "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as `
` she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable `
` state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless `
` frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features `
` and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot `
` with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. `
` Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, `
` all-comprehensive glances. `
` `
` "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and `
` patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no `
` doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." `
` `
` "You know me, then?" `
` `
` "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm `
` of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had `
` a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached `
` the station." `
` `
` The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my `
` companion. `
` `
` "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left `
` arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven `
` places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a `
` dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you `
` sit on the left-hand side of the driver." `
` `
` "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said `
` she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at `
` twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I `
` can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. `
` I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, `
` and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, `
` Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you `
` helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had `
` your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, `
` too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness `
` which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward `
` you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be `
` married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you `
` shall not find me ungrateful." `
` `
` Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small `
` case-book, which he consulted. `
` `
` "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was `
` concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, `
` Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote `
` the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to `
` reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty `
` to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which `
` suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us `
` everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the `
` matter." `
` `
` "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation `
` lies in the 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 to whom of all others I have a right to `
` look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it `
` as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can `
` read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have `
` heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold `
` wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid `
` the dangers which encompass me." `
` `
` "I am all attention, madam." `
` `
` "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who `
` is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in `
` England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of `
` Surrey." `
` `
` Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. `
` `
` "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the `
` estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, `
` and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four `
` successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, `
` and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the `
` days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, `
` and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under `
` a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence `
` there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but `
` his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to `
` the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which `
` enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, `
` where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he `
` established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused `
` by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he `
` beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital `
` sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and `
` afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. `
` `
` "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, `
` the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. `
` My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old `
` at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable `
` sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she `
` bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, `
` with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to `
` each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return `
` to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a `
` railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his `
` attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us `
` to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The `
` money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and `
` there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. `
` `
` "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. `
` Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our `
` neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of `
` Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in `
` his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious `
` quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper `
` approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the `
` family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been `
` intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of `
` disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the `
` police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, `
` and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of `
` immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. `
` `
` "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a `
` stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I `
` could gather together that I was able to avert another public `
` exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, `
` and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few `
` acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, `
` and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, `
` wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a `
` passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a `
` correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, `
` which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the `
` villagers almost as much as their master. `
` `
` "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I `
` had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with `
` us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was `
` but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already `
` begun to whiten, even as mine has." `
` `
` "Your sister is dead, then?" `
` `
` "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish `
` to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I `
` have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own `
` age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden `
` sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we `
` were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's `
`
` more terrible than the truth. `
` `
` It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to `
` find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my `
` bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the `
` mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I `
` blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little `
` resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. `
` `
` "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the `
` common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she `
` retorted upon me, and I on you." `
` `
` "What is it, then--a fire?" `
` `
` "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a `
` considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She `
` is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander `
` about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock `
` sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is `
` something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it `
` prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to `
` follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should `
` call you and give you the chance." `
` `
` "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." `
` `
` I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his `
` professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid `
` deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a `
` logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were `
` submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in `
` a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A `
` lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in `
` the window, rose as we entered. `
` `
` "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock `
` Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, `
` before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am `
` glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the `
` fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot `
` coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." `
` `
` "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low `
` voice, changing her seat as requested. `
` `
` "What, then?" `
` `
` "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as `
` she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable `
` state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless `
` frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features `
` and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot `
` with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. `
` Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, `
` all-comprehensive glances. `
` `
` "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and `
` patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no `
` doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." `
` `
` "You know me, then?" `
` `
` "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm `
` of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had `
` a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached `
` the station." `
` `
` The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my `
` companion. `
` `
` "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left `
` arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven `
` places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a `
` dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you `
` sit on the left-hand side of the driver." `
` `
` "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said `
` she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at `
` twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I `
` can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. `
` I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, `
` and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, `
` Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you `
` helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had `
` your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, `
` too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness `
` which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward `
` you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be `
` married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you `
` shall not find me ungrateful." `
` `
` Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small `
` case-book, which he consulted. `
` `
` "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was `
` concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, `
` Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote `
` the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to `
` reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty `
` to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which `
` suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us `
` everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the `
` matter." `
` `
` "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation `
` lies in the 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 to whom of all others I have a right to `
` look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it `
` as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can `
` read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have `
` heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold `
` wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid `
` the dangers which encompass me." `
` `
` "I am all attention, madam." `
` `
` "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who `
` is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in `
` England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of `
` Surrey." `
` `
` Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. `
` `
` "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the `
` estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, `
` and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four `
` successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, `
` and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the `
` days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, `
` and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under `
` a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence `
` there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but `
` his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to `
` the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which `
` enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, `
` where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he `
` established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused `
` by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he `
` beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital `
` sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and `
` afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. `
` `
` "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, `
` the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. `
` My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old `
` at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable `
` sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she `
` bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, `
` with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to `
` each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return `
` to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a `
` railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his `
` attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us `
` to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The `
` money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and `
` there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. `
` `
` "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. `
` Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our `
` neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of `
` Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in `
` his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious `
` quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper `
` approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the `
` family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been `
` intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of `
` disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the `
` police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, `
` and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of `
` immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. `
` `
` "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a `
` stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I `
` could gather together that I was able to avert another public `
` exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, `
` and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few `
` acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, `
` and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, `
` wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a `
` passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a `
` correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, `
` which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the `
` villagers almost as much as their master. `
` `
` "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I `
` had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with `
` us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was `
` but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already `
` begun to whiten, even as mine has." `
` `
` "Your sister is dead, then?" `
` `
` "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish `
` to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I `
` have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own `
` age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden `
` sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we `
` were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's `
`