Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.I-IV
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truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the `
` direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" `
` `
` "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of `
` our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. `
` `
` The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His `
` slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of `
` decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and `
` his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual `
` strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled `
` hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air `
` of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an `
` ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were `
` tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that `
` he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. `
` `
` "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my `
` note?" `
` `
` "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to `
` see me here to avoid scandal." `
` `
` "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." `
` `
` "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my `
` companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question `
` was already answered. `
` `
` "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It `
` is so. I know all about McCarthy." `
` `
` The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. `
` "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you `
` my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at `
` the Assizes." `
` `
` "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. `
` `
` "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It `
` would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears `
` that I am arrested." `
` `
` "It may not come to that," said Holmes. `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter `
` who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. `
` Young McCarthy must be got off, however." `
` `
` "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for `
` years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a `
` month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." `
` `
` Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand `
` and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he `
` said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson `
` here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the `
` last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall `
` not use it unless it is absolutely needed." `
` `
` "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I `
` shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I `
` should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the `
` thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but `
` will not take me long to tell. `
` `
` "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil `
` incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of `
` such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, `
` and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be `
` in his power. `
` `
` "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap `
` then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at `
` anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck `
` with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you `
` would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and `
` we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time `
` to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. `
` Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party `
` is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. `
` `
` "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and `
` we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers `
` and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of `
` their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, `
` however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of `
` the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the `
` Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his `
` wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every `
` feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made `
` our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted `
` from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and `
` respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in `
` the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, `
` to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, `
` and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. `
` Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down `
` the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned `
` over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was `
` going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. `
` `
` "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in `
` Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his `
` foot. `
` `
` "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be `
` as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and `
` you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, `
` law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman `
` within hail.' `
` `
` "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking `
` them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land `
` ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; `
` turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my `
` elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more `
` afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he `
` wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without `
` question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing `
` which I could not give. He asked for Alice. `
` `
` "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was `
` known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that `
` his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was `
` firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that `
` I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that `
` was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do `
` his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses `
` to talk it over. `
` `
` "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I `
` smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. `
` But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in `
` me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my `
` daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she `
` were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I `
` and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a `
` man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and `
` a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, `
` I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! `
` Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I `
` did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, `
` I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl `
` should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more `
` than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction `
` than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought `
` back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I `
` was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in `
` my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that `
` occurred." `
` `
` "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man `
` signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we `
` may never be exposed to such a temptation." `
` `
` "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" `
` `
` "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you `
` will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the `
` Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is `
` condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be `
` seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or `
` dead, shall be safe with us." `
` `
` "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, `
` when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace `
` which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his `
` giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. `
` `
` "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate `
` play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such `
` a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, `
` 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" `
` `
` James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a `
` number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and `
` submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven `
` months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is `
` every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily `
` together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their `
` past. `
`
` direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" `
` `
` "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of `
` our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. `
` `
` The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His `
` slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of `
` decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and `
` his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual `
` strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled `
` hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air `
` of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an `
` ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were `
` tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that `
` he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. `
` `
` "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my `
` note?" `
` `
` "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to `
` see me here to avoid scandal." `
` `
` "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." `
` `
` "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my `
` companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question `
` was already answered. `
` `
` "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It `
` is so. I know all about McCarthy." `
` `
` The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. `
` "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you `
` my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at `
` the Assizes." `
` `
` "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. `
` `
` "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It `
` would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears `
` that I am arrested." `
` `
` "It may not come to that," said Holmes. `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter `
` who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. `
` Young McCarthy must be got off, however." `
` `
` "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for `
` years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a `
` month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." `
` `
` Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand `
` and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he `
` said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson `
` here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the `
` last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall `
` not use it unless it is absolutely needed." `
` `
` "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I `
` shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I `
` should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the `
` thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but `
` will not take me long to tell. `
` `
` "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil `
` incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of `
` such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, `
` and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be `
` in his power. `
` `
` "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap `
` then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at `
` anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck `
` with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you `
` would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and `
` we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time `
` to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. `
` Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party `
` is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. `
` `
` "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and `
` we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers `
` and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of `
` their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, `
` however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of `
` the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the `
` Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his `
` wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every `
` feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made `
` our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted `
` from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and `
` respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in `
` the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, `
` to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, `
` and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. `
` Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down `
` the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned `
` over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was `
` going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. `
` `
` "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in `
` Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his `
` foot. `
` `
` "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be `
` as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and `
` you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, `
` law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman `
` within hail.' `
` `
` "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking `
` them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land `
` ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; `
` turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my `
` elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more `
` afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he `
` wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without `
` question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing `
` which I could not give. He asked for Alice. `
` `
` "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was `
` known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that `
` his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was `
` firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that `
` I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that `
` was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do `
` his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses `
` to talk it over. `
` `
` "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I `
` smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. `
` But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in `
` me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my `
` daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she `
` were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I `
` and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a `
` man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and `
` a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, `
` I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! `
` Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I `
` did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, `
` I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl `
` should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more `
` than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction `
` than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought `
` back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I `
` was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in `
` my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that `
` occurred." `
` `
` "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man `
` signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we `
` may never be exposed to such a temptation." `
` `
` "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" `
` `
` "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you `
` will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the `
` Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is `
` condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be `
` seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or `
` dead, shall be safe with us." `
` `
` "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, `
` when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace `
` which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his `
` giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. `
` `
` "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate `
` play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such `
` a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, `
` 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" `
` `
` James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a `
` number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and `
` submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven `
` months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is `
` every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily `
` together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their `
` past. `
`