Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.I-IV
"I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If `
` ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so `
` here." `
` `
` "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes `
` thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, `
` but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it `
` pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something `
` entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case `
` looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very `
` possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people `
` in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the `
` daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his `
` innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect `
` in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in `
` his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the `
` case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are `
` flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly `
` digesting their breakfasts at home." `
` `
` "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you `
` will find little credit to be gained out of this case." `
` `
` "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he `
` answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some `
` other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to `
` Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting `
` when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by `
` means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of `
` understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly `
` perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand `
` side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted `
` even so self-evident a thing as that." `
` `
` "How on earth--" `
` `
` "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness `
` which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this `
` season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less `
` and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until `
` it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the `
` jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated `
` than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking `
` at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a `
` result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and `
` inference. Therein lies my m�tier, and it is just possible that `
` it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before `
` us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in `
` the inquest, and which are worth considering." `
` `
` "What are they?" `
` `
` "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after `
` the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary `
` informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not `
` surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. `
` This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any `
` traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the `
` coroner's jury." `
` `
` "It was a confession," I ejaculated. `
` `
` "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." `
` `
` "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at `
` least a most suspicious remark." `
` `
` "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I `
` can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, `
` he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the `
` circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared `
` surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I `
` should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such `
` surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, `
` and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His `
` frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent `
` man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and `
` firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not `
` unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of `
` his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day `
` so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and `
` even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so `
` important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The `
` self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark `
` appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a `
` guilty one." `
` `
` I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter `
` evidence," I remarked. `
` `
` "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." `
` `
` "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" `
` `
` "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, `
` though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. `
` You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." `
` `
` He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire `
` paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the `
` paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own `
` statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the `
` corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this `
` way: `
` `
` "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called `
` and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for `
` three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the `
` morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at `
` the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he `
` had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after `
` my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, `
` looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out `
` of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was `
` going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of `
` the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit `
` warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William `
` Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but `
` he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had `
` no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards `
` from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal `
` between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found `
` him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at `
` seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A `
` conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, `
` for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his `
` passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned `
` towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, `
` however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me `
` to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, `
` with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in `
` my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for `
` some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, `
` his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one `
` near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by `
` his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and `
` forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no `
` active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' `
` `
` "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before `
` he died? `
` `
` "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some `
` allusion to a rat. `
` `
` "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? `
` `
` "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was `
` delirious. `
` `
` "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father `
` had this final quarrel? `
` `
` "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. `
` `
` "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. `
` `
` "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can `
` assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which `
` followed. `
` `
` "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point `
` out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case `
` considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. `
` `
` "Witness: I must still refuse. `
` `
` "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common `
` signal between you and your father? `
` `
` "Witness: It was. `
` `
` "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw `
` you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? `
` `
` "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. `
` `
` "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions `
` when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father `
` fatally injured? `
` `
` "Witness: Nothing definite. `
` `
` "The Coroner: What do you mean? `
` `
` "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into `
` the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet `
` I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay `
` upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be `
` something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. `
` When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was `
` gone. `
` `
` "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' `
` `
` "'Yes, it was gone.' `
` `
` "'You cannot say what it was?' `
` `
` "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' `
` `
`
` ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so `
` here." `
` `
` "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes `
` thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, `
` but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it `
` pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something `
` entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case `
` looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very `
` possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people `
` in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the `
` daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his `
` innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect `
` in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in `
` his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the `
` case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are `
` flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly `
` digesting their breakfasts at home." `
` `
` "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you `
` will find little credit to be gained out of this case." `
` `
` "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he `
` answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some `
` other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to `
` Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting `
` when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by `
` means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of `
` understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly `
` perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand `
` side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted `
` even so self-evident a thing as that." `
` `
` "How on earth--" `
` `
` "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness `
` which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this `
` season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less `
` and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until `
` it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the `
` jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated `
` than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking `
` at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a `
` result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and `
` inference. Therein lies my m�tier, and it is just possible that `
` it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before `
` us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in `
` the inquest, and which are worth considering." `
` `
` "What are they?" `
` `
` "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after `
` the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary `
` informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not `
` surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. `
` This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any `
` traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the `
` coroner's jury." `
` `
` "It was a confession," I ejaculated. `
` `
` "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." `
` `
` "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at `
` least a most suspicious remark." `
` `
` "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I `
` can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, `
` he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the `
` circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared `
` surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I `
` should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such `
` surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, `
` and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His `
` frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent `
` man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and `
` firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not `
` unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of `
` his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day `
` so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and `
` even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so `
` important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The `
` self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark `
` appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a `
` guilty one." `
` `
` I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter `
` evidence," I remarked. `
` `
` "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." `
` `
` "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" `
` `
` "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, `
` though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. `
` You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." `
` `
` He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire `
` paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the `
` paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own `
` statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the `
` corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this `
` way: `
` `
` "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called `
` and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for `
` three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the `
` morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at `
` the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he `
` had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after `
` my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, `
` looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out `
` of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was `
` going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of `
` the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit `
` warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William `
` Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but `
` he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had `
` no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards `
` from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal `
` between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found `
` him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at `
` seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A `
` conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, `
` for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his `
` passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned `
` towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, `
` however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me `
` to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, `
` with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in `
` my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for `
` some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, `
` his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one `
` near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by `
` his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and `
` forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no `
` active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' `
` `
` "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before `
` he died? `
` `
` "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some `
` allusion to a rat. `
` `
` "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? `
` `
` "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was `
` delirious. `
` `
` "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father `
` had this final quarrel? `
` `
` "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. `
` `
` "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. `
` `
` "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can `
` assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which `
` followed. `
` `
` "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point `
` out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case `
` considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. `
` `
` "Witness: I must still refuse. `
` `
` "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common `
` signal between you and your father? `
` `
` "Witness: It was. `
` `
` "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw `
` you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? `
` `
` "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. `
` `
` "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions `
` when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father `
` fatally injured? `
` `
` "Witness: Nothing definite. `
` `
` "The Coroner: What do you mean? `
` `
` "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into `
` the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet `
` I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay `
` upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be `
` something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. `
` When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was `
` gone. `
` `
` "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' `
` `
` "'Yes, it was gone.' `
` `
` "'You cannot say what it was?' `
` `
` "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' `
` `
`