Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.IX-XII
cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel `
` with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs `
` and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. `
` `
` "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to `
` thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep `
` out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three `
` maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose `
` absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy `
` Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few `
` months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has `
` always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has `
` attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. `
` That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we `
` believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. `
` `
` "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it `
` will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an `
` only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. `
` Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am `
` myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very `
` likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I `
` had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a `
` moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it `
` would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I `
` meant it for the best. `
` `
` "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my `
` business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, `
` wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the `
` handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a `
` member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming `
` manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long `
` purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards `
` and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again `
` to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his `
` allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried `
` more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he `
` was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir `
` George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. `
` `
` "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George `
` Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently `
` brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could `
` hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than `
` Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been `
` everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of `
` great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far `
` away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his `
` cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that `
` he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, `
` too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into `
` character. `
` `
` "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but `
` when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the `
` world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my `
` daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, `
` a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and `
` gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know `
` what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone `
` against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for `
` he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I `
` think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it `
` would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his `
` whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! `
` `
` "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and `
` I shall continue with my miserable story. `
` `
` "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after `
` dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious `
` treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name `
` of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am `
` sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. `
` Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous `
` coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. `
` `
` "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. `
` `
` "'In my own bureau.' `
` `
` "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the `
` night.' said he. `
` `
` "'It is locked up,' I answered. `
` `
` "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I `
` have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' `
` `
` "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of `
` what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with `
` a very grave face. `
` `
` "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let `
` me have 200 pounds?' `
` `
` "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too `
` generous with you in money matters.' `
` `
` "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, `
` or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' `
` `
` "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. `
` `
` "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' `
` said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money `
` in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try `
` other means.' `
` `
` "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the `
` month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which `
` he bowed and left the room without another word. `
` `
` "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my `
` treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go `
` round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I `
` usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform `
` myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself `
` at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as `
` I approached. `
` `
` "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little `
` disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out `
` to-night?' `
` `
` "'Certainly not.' `
` `
` "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she `
` has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that `
` it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' `
` `
` "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer `
` it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' `
` `
` "'Quite sure, dad.' `
` `
` "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom `
` again, where I was soon asleep. `
` `
` "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may `
` have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question `
` me upon any point which I do not make clear." `
` `
` "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." `
` `
` "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be `
` particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety `
` in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. `
` About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in `
` the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an `
` impression behind it as though a window had gently closed `
` somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my `
` horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in `
` the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, `
` and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. `
` `
` "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you `
` touch that coronet?' `
` `
` "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, `
` dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the `
` light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be `
` wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry `
` he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I `
` snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with `
` three of the beryls in it, was missing. `
` `
` "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have `
` destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the `
` jewels which you have stolen?' `
` `
` "'Stolen!' he cried. `
` `
` "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. `
` `
` "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. `
` `
` "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I `
` call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to `
` tear off another piece?' `
` `
` "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it `
` any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, `
` since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in `
` the morning and make my own way in the world.' `
` `
` "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried `
` half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to `
` the bottom.' `
` `
` "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such `
` as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to `
` call the police, let the police find what they can.' `
` `
` "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my `
` voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, `
` at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the `
` whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the `
` ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the `
` investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a `
`
` with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs `
` and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. `
` `
` "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to `
` thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep `
` out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three `
` maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose `
` absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy `
` Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few `
` months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has `
` always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has `
` attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. `
` That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we `
` believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. `
` `
` "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it `
` will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an `
` only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. `
` Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am `
` myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very `
` likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I `
` had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a `
` moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it `
` would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I `
` meant it for the best. `
` `
` "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my `
` business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, `
` wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the `
` handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a `
` member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming `
` manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long `
` purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards `
` and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again `
` to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his `
` allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried `
` more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he `
` was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir `
` George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. `
` `
` "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George `
` Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently `
` brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could `
` hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than `
` Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been `
` everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of `
` great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far `
` away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his `
` cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that `
` he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, `
` too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into `
` character. `
` `
` "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but `
` when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the `
` world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my `
` daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, `
` a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and `
` gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know `
` what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone `
` against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for `
` he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I `
` think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it `
` would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his `
` whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! `
` `
` "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and `
` I shall continue with my miserable story. `
` `
` "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after `
` dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious `
` treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name `
` of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am `
` sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. `
` Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous `
` coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. `
` `
` "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. `
` `
` "'In my own bureau.' `
` `
` "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the `
` night.' said he. `
` `
` "'It is locked up,' I answered. `
` `
` "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I `
` have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' `
` `
` "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of `
` what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with `
` a very grave face. `
` `
` "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let `
` me have 200 pounds?' `
` `
` "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too `
` generous with you in money matters.' `
` `
` "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, `
` or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' `
` `
` "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. `
` `
` "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' `
` said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money `
` in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try `
` other means.' `
` `
` "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the `
` month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which `
` he bowed and left the room without another word. `
` `
` "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my `
` treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go `
` round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I `
` usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform `
` myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself `
` at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as `
` I approached. `
` `
` "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little `
` disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out `
` to-night?' `
` `
` "'Certainly not.' `
` `
` "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she `
` has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that `
` it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' `
` `
` "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer `
` it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' `
` `
` "'Quite sure, dad.' `
` `
` "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom `
` again, where I was soon asleep. `
` `
` "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may `
` have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question `
` me upon any point which I do not make clear." `
` `
` "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." `
` `
` "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be `
` particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety `
` in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. `
` About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in `
` the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an `
` impression behind it as though a window had gently closed `
` somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my `
` horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in `
` the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, `
` and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. `
` `
` "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you `
` touch that coronet?' `
` `
` "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, `
` dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the `
` light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be `
` wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry `
` he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I `
` snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with `
` three of the beryls in it, was missing. `
` `
` "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have `
` destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the `
` jewels which you have stolen?' `
` `
` "'Stolen!' he cried. `
` `
` "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. `
` `
` "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. `
` `
` "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I `
` call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to `
` tear off another piece?' `
` `
` "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it `
` any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, `
` since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in `
` the morning and make my own way in the world.' `
` `
` "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried `
` half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to `
` the bottom.' `
` `
` "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such `
` as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to `
` call the police, let the police find what they can.' `
` `
` "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my `
` voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, `
` at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the `
` whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the `
` ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the `
` investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a `
`