Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.IX-XII
"'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, `
` questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank `
` grasp, he hurried from the room. `
` `
` "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very `
` much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission `
` which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was `
` glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked `
` had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that `
` this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face `
` and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon `
` me, and I could not think that his explanation of the `
` fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my `
` coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell `
` anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate `
` a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having `
` obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. `
` `
` "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. `
` However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I `
` reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the `
` only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the `
` platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed `
` out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of `
` the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a `
` word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door `
` of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either `
` side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the `
` horse could go." `
` `
` "One horse?" interjected Holmes. `
` `
` "Yes, only one." `
` `
` "Did you observe the colour?" `
` `
` "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the `
` carriage. It was a chestnut." `
` `
` "Tired-looking or fresh?" `
` `
` "Oh, fresh and glossy." `
` `
` "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue `
` your most interesting statement." `
` `
` "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel `
` Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I `
` should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the `
` time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat `
` at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than `
` once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me `
` with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good `
` in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I `
` tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we `
` were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out `
` nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now `
` and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the `
` journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the `
` conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the `
` road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, `
` and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang `
` out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch `
` which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of `
` the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the `
` most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that `
` I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, `
` and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage `
` drove away. `
` `
` "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled `
` about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. `
` Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a `
` long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew `
` broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she `
` held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. `
` I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which `
` the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich `
` material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as `
` though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a `
` gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly `
` fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered `
` something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room `
` from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the `
` lamp in his hand. `
` `
` "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a `
` few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a `
` quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the `
` centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel `
` Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the `
` door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and `
` vanished into the darkness. `
` `
` "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my `
` ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises `
` on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked `
` across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of `
` the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded `
` across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old `
` clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise `
` everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began `
` to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were `
` they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And `
` where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was `
` all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no `
` idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, `
` were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, `
` after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, `
` that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, `
` humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling `
` that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. `
` `
` "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the `
` utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman `
` was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind `
` her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and `
` beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with `
` fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one `
` shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few `
` whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, `
` like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. `
` `
` "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to `
` speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no `
` good for you to do.' `
` `
` "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I `
` cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' `
` `
` "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass `
` through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled `
` and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and `
` made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love `
` of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too `
` late!' `
` `
` "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to `
` engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I `
` thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of `
` the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to `
` go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried `
` out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This `
` woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout `
` bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I `
` cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention `
` of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties `
` when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps `
` was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up `
` her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and `
` as noiselessly as she had come. `
` `
` "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man `
` with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double `
` chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. `
` `
` "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the `
` way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just `
` now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' `
` `
` "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I `
` felt the room to be a little close.' `
` `
` "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had `
` better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I `
` will take you up to see the machine.' `
` `
` "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' `
` `
` "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' `
` `
` "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' `
` `
` "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. `
` All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us `
` know what is wrong with it.' `
` `
` "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the `
` fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, `
` with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little `
` low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the `
` generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no `
` signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster `
` was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in `
` green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an `
` air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the `
` lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon `
` my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent `
` man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at `
` least a fellow-countryman. `
` `
` "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which `
` he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three `
` of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, `
` and the colonel ushered me in. `
` `
` "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and `
` it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were `
` to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the `
` end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of `
` many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns `
`
` questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank `
` grasp, he hurried from the room. `
` `
` "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very `
` much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission `
` which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was `
` glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked `
` had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that `
` this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face `
` and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon `
` me, and I could not think that his explanation of the `
` fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my `
` coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell `
` anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate `
` a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having `
` obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. `
` `
` "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. `
` However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I `
` reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the `
` only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the `
` platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed `
` out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of `
` the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a `
` word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door `
` of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either `
` side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the `
` horse could go." `
` `
` "One horse?" interjected Holmes. `
` `
` "Yes, only one." `
` `
` "Did you observe the colour?" `
` `
` "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the `
` carriage. It was a chestnut." `
` `
` "Tired-looking or fresh?" `
` `
` "Oh, fresh and glossy." `
` `
` "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue `
` your most interesting statement." `
` `
` "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel `
` Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I `
` should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the `
` time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat `
` at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than `
` once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me `
` with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good `
` in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I `
` tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we `
` were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out `
` nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now `
` and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the `
` journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the `
` conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the `
` road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, `
` and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang `
` out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch `
` which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of `
` the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the `
` most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that `
` I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, `
` and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage `
` drove away. `
` `
` "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled `
` about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. `
` Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a `
` long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew `
` broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she `
` held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. `
` I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which `
` the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich `
` material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as `
` though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a `
` gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly `
` fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered `
` something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room `
` from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the `
` lamp in his hand. `
` `
` "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a `
` few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a `
` quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the `
` centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel `
` Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the `
` door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and `
` vanished into the darkness. `
` `
` "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my `
` ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises `
` on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked `
` across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of `
` the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded `
` across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old `
` clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise `
` everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began `
` to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were `
` they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And `
` where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was `
` all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no `
` idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, `
` were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, `
` after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, `
` that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, `
` humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling `
` that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. `
` `
` "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the `
` utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman `
` was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind `
` her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and `
` beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with `
` fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one `
` shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few `
` whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, `
` like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. `
` `
` "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to `
` speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no `
` good for you to do.' `
` `
` "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I `
` cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' `
` `
` "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass `
` through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled `
` and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and `
` made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love `
` of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too `
` late!' `
` `
` "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to `
` engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I `
` thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of `
` the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to `
` go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried `
` out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This `
` woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout `
` bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I `
` cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention `
` of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties `
` when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps `
` was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up `
` her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and `
` as noiselessly as she had come. `
` `
` "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man `
` with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double `
` chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. `
` `
` "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the `
` way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just `
` now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' `
` `
` "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I `
` felt the room to be a little close.' `
` `
` "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had `
` better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I `
` will take you up to see the machine.' `
` `
` "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' `
` `
` "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' `
` `
` "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' `
` `
` "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. `
` All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us `
` know what is wrong with it.' `
` `
` "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the `
` fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, `
` with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little `
` low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the `
` generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no `
` signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster `
` was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in `
` green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an `
` air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the `
` lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon `
` my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent `
` man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at `
` least a fellow-countryman. `
` `
` "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which `
` he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three `
` of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, `
` and the colonel ushered me in. `
` `
` "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and `
` it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were `
` to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the `
` end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of `
` many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns `
`