Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.IX-XII
expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat `
` opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story `
` which our visitor detailed to us. `
` `
` "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, `
` residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a `
` hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my `
` work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & `
` Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, `
` having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of `
` money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in `
` business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria `
` Street. `
` `
` "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in `
` business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. `
` During two years I have had three consultations and one small `
` job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought `
` me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from `
` nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my `
` little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to `
` believe that I should never have any practice at all. `
` `
` "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the `
` office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who `
` wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with `
` the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at `
` his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle `
` size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have `
` ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose `
` and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over `
` his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his `
` natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his `
` step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly `
` dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than `
` thirty. `
` `
` "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. `
` 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man `
` who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet `
` and capable of preserving a secret.' `
` `
` "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an `
` address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' `
` `
` "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just `
` at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both `
` an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' `
` `
` "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if `
` I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional `
` qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter `
` that you wished to speak to me?' `
` `
` "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to `
` the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute `
` secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and `
` of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than `
` from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' `
` `
` "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely `
` depend upon my doing so.' `
` `
` "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I `
` had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. `
` `
` "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. `
` `
` "'Yes, I promise.' `
` `
` "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No `
` reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' `
` `
` "'I have already given you my word.' `
` `
` "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning `
` across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was `
` empty. `
` `
` "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are `
` sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk `
` in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to `
` stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. `
` `
` "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun `
` to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. `
` Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from `
` showing my impatience. `
` `
` "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time `
` is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the `
` words came to my lips. `
` `
` "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. `
` `
` "'Most admirably.' `
` `
` "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I `
` simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which `
` has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon `
` set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as `
` that?' `
` `
` "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' `
` `
` "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last `
` train.' `
` `
` "'Where to?' `
` `
` "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders `
` of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a `
` train from Paddington which would bring you there at about `
` 11:15.' `
` `
` "'Very good.' `
` `
` "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' `
` `
` "'There is a drive, then?' `
` `
` "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good `
` seven miles from Eyford Station.' `
` `
` "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there `
` would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop `
` the night.' `
` `
` "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' `
` `
` "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient `
` hour?' `
` `
` "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to `
` recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a `
` young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the `
` very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would `
` like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do `
` so.' `
` `
` "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they `
` would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to `
` accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to `
` understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to `
` do.' `
` `
` "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which `
` we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I `
` have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all `
` laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from `
` eavesdroppers?' `
` `
` "'Entirely.' `
` `
` "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that `
` fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found `
` in one or two places in England?' `
` `
` "'I have heard so.' `
` `
` "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small `
` place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to `
` discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my `
` fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a `
` comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two `
` very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, `
` however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were `
` absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was `
` quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my `
` interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, `
` but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I `
` took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they `
` suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little `
` deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would `
` enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been `
` doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we `
` erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already `
` explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the `
` subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it `
` once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our `
` little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts `
` came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these `
` fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you `
` promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are `
` going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' `
` `
` "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not `
` quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press `
` in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out `
` like gravel from a pit.' `
` `
` "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress `
` the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing `
` what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully `
` into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I `
` trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at `
` Eyford at 11:15.' `
` `
` "'I shall certainly be there.' `
` `
` "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, `
`
` opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story `
` which our visitor detailed to us. `
` `
` "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, `
` residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a `
` hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my `
` work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & `
` Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, `
` having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of `
` money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in `
` business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria `
` Street. `
` `
` "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in `
` business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. `
` During two years I have had three consultations and one small `
` job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought `
` me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from `
` nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my `
` little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to `
` believe that I should never have any practice at all. `
` `
` "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the `
` office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who `
` wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with `
` the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at `
` his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle `
` size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have `
` ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose `
` and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over `
` his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his `
` natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his `
` step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly `
` dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than `
` thirty. `
` `
` "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. `
` 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man `
` who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet `
` and capable of preserving a secret.' `
` `
` "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an `
` address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' `
` `
` "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just `
` at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both `
` an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' `
` `
` "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if `
` I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional `
` qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter `
` that you wished to speak to me?' `
` `
` "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to `
` the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute `
` secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and `
` of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than `
` from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' `
` `
` "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely `
` depend upon my doing so.' `
` `
` "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I `
` had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. `
` `
` "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. `
` `
` "'Yes, I promise.' `
` `
` "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No `
` reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' `
` `
` "'I have already given you my word.' `
` `
` "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning `
` across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was `
` empty. `
` `
` "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are `
` sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk `
` in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to `
` stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. `
` `
` "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun `
` to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. `
` Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from `
` showing my impatience. `
` `
` "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time `
` is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the `
` words came to my lips. `
` `
` "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. `
` `
` "'Most admirably.' `
` `
` "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I `
` simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which `
` has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon `
` set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as `
` that?' `
` `
` "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' `
` `
` "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last `
` train.' `
` `
` "'Where to?' `
` `
` "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders `
` of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a `
` train from Paddington which would bring you there at about `
` 11:15.' `
` `
` "'Very good.' `
` `
` "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' `
` `
` "'There is a drive, then?' `
` `
` "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good `
` seven miles from Eyford Station.' `
` `
` "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there `
` would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop `
` the night.' `
` `
` "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' `
` `
` "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient `
` hour?' `
` `
` "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to `
` recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a `
` young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the `
` very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would `
` like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do `
` so.' `
` `
` "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they `
` would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to `
` accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to `
` understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to `
` do.' `
` `
` "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which `
` we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I `
` have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all `
` laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from `
` eavesdroppers?' `
` `
` "'Entirely.' `
` `
` "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that `
` fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found `
` in one or two places in England?' `
` `
` "'I have heard so.' `
` `
` "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small `
` place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to `
` discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my `
` fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a `
` comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two `
` very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, `
` however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were `
` absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was `
` quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my `
` interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, `
` but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I `
` took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they `
` suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little `
` deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would `
` enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been `
` doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we `
` erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already `
` explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the `
` subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it `
` once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our `
` little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts `
` came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these `
` fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you `
` promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are `
` going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' `
` `
` "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not `
` quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press `
` in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out `
` like gravel from a pit.' `
` `
` "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress `
` the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing `
` what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully `
` into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I `
` trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at `
` Eyford at 11:15.' `
` `
` "'I shall certainly be there.' `
` `
` "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, `
`