Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.IX-XII
in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It `
` was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day `
` before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the `
` wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed `
` into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and `
` on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as `
` when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but `
` was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer `
` passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the `
` Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman `
` whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. `
` `
` He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a `
` massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was `
` dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining `
` hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet `
` his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress `
` and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little `
` springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to `
` set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and `
` down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most `
` extraordinary contortions. `
` `
` "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is `
` looking up at the numbers of the houses." `
` `
` "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his `
` hands. `
` `
` "Here?" `
` `
` "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I `
` think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As `
` he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and `
` pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the `
` clanging. `
` `
` A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still `
` gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in `
` his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and `
` pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his `
` body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the `
` extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his `
` feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we `
` both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. `
` Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting `
` beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, `
` soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. `
` `
` "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. `
` "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have `
` recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into `
` any little problem which you may submit to me." `
` `
` The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting `
` against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his `
` brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. `
` `
` "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. `
` `
` "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. `
` `
` "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my `
` reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might `
` have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet `
` borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; `
` but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have `
` been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. `
` The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found `
` out of this horrible affair." `
` `
` "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a `
` clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen `
` you." `
` `
` "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your `
` ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & `
` Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." `
` `
` The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior `
` partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City `
` of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the `
` foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We `
` waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced `
` himself to tell his story. `
` `
` "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened `
` here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure `
` your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and `
` hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this `
` snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who `
` takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the `
` facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. `
` `
` "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking `
` business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative `
` investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection `
` and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means `
` of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security `
` is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction `
` during the last few years, and there are many noble families to `
` whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their `
` pictures, libraries, or plate. `
` `
` "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a `
` card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I `
` saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps `
` even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name `
` which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, `
` noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the `
` honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged `
` at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry `
` quickly through a disagreeable task. `
` `
` "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the `
` habit of advancing money.' `
` `
` "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. `
` `
` "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have `
` 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a `
` sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it `
` a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my `
` position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place `
` one's self under obligations.' `
` `
` "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. `
` `
` "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most `
` certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you `
` think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the `
` money should be paid at once.' `
` `
` "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my `
` own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be `
` rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do `
` it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must `
` insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution `
` should be taken.' `
` `
` "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a `
` square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. `
` 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' `
` `
` "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' `
` said I. `
` `
` "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, `
` flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery `
` which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said `
` he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The `
` lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the `
` sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my `
` security.' `
` `
` "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some `
` perplexity from it to my illustrious client. `
` `
` "'You doubt its value?' he asked. `
` `
` "'Not at all. I only doubt--' `
` `
` "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest `
` about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely `
` certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a `
` pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' `
` `
` "'Ample.' `
` `
` "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof `
` of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I `
` have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to `
` refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to `
` preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I `
` need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any `
` harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as `
` serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the `
` world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. `
` I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall `
` call for it in person on Monday morning.' `
` `
` "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, `
` calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 `
` pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the `
` precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not `
` but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility `
` which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it `
` was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any `
` misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever `
` consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter `
` the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned `
` once more to my work. `
` `
` "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave `
` so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had `
` been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how `
` terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I `
` determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always `
` carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might `
` never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a `
` cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel `
`
` was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day `
` before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the `
` wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed `
` into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and `
` on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as `
` when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but `
` was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer `
` passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the `
` Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman `
` whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. `
` `
` He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a `
` massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was `
` dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining `
` hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet `
` his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress `
` and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little `
` springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to `
` set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and `
` down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most `
` extraordinary contortions. `
` `
` "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is `
` looking up at the numbers of the houses." `
` `
` "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his `
` hands. `
` `
` "Here?" `
` `
` "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I `
` think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As `
` he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and `
` pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the `
` clanging. `
` `
` A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still `
` gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in `
` his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and `
` pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his `
` body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the `
` extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his `
` feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we `
` both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. `
` Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting `
` beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, `
` soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. `
` `
` "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. `
` "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have `
` recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into `
` any little problem which you may submit to me." `
` `
` The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting `
` against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his `
` brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. `
` `
` "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. `
` `
` "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. `
` `
` "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my `
` reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might `
` have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet `
` borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; `
` but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have `
` been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. `
` The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found `
` out of this horrible affair." `
` `
` "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a `
` clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen `
` you." `
` `
` "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your `
` ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & `
` Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." `
` `
` The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior `
` partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City `
` of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the `
` foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We `
` waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced `
` himself to tell his story. `
` `
` "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened `
` here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure `
` your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and `
` hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this `
` snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who `
` takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the `
` facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. `
` `
` "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking `
` business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative `
` investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection `
` and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means `
` of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security `
` is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction `
` during the last few years, and there are many noble families to `
` whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their `
` pictures, libraries, or plate. `
` `
` "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a `
` card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I `
` saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps `
` even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name `
` which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, `
` noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the `
` honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged `
` at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry `
` quickly through a disagreeable task. `
` `
` "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the `
` habit of advancing money.' `
` `
` "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. `
` `
` "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have `
` 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a `
` sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it `
` a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my `
` position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place `
` one's self under obligations.' `
` `
` "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. `
` `
` "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most `
` certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you `
` think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the `
` money should be paid at once.' `
` `
` "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my `
` own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be `
` rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do `
` it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must `
` insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution `
` should be taken.' `
` `
` "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a `
` square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. `
` 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' `
` `
` "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' `
` said I. `
` `
` "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, `
` flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery `
` which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said `
` he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The `
` lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the `
` sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my `
` security.' `
` `
` "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some `
` perplexity from it to my illustrious client. `
` `
` "'You doubt its value?' he asked. `
` `
` "'Not at all. I only doubt--' `
` `
` "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest `
` about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely `
` certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a `
` pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' `
` `
` "'Ample.' `
` `
` "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof `
` of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I `
` have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to `
` refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to `
` preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I `
` need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any `
` harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as `
` serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the `
` world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. `
` I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall `
` call for it in person on Monday morning.' `
` `
` "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, `
` calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 `
` pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the `
` precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not `
` but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility `
` which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it `
` was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any `
` misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever `
` consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter `
` the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned `
` once more to my work. `
` `
` "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave `
` so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had `
` been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how `
` terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I `
` determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always `
` carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might `
` never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a `
` cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel `
`