Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.I-IV
`
` "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab `
` drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a `
` remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached-- `
` evidently the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a `
` great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the `
` maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly `
` at home. `
` `
` "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch `
` glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and `
` down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see `
` nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than `
` before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from `
` his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he `
` shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to `
` the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if `
` you do it in twenty minutes!' `
` `
` "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do `
` well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, `
` the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under `
` his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of `
` the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall `
` door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, `
` but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. `
` `
` "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a `
` sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' `
` `
` "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing `
` whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her `
` landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked `
` twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could `
` object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign `
` if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to `
` twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. `
` `
` "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the `
` others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their `
` steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid `
` the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there `
` save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who `
` seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three `
` standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side `
` aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. `
` Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to `
` me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards `
` me. `
` `
` "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' `
` `
` "'What then?' I asked. `
` `
` "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' `
` `
` "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was `
` I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, `
` and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally `
` assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to `
` Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and `
` there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady `
` on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was `
` the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my `
` life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just `
` now. It seems that there had been some informality about their `
` license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them `
` without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance `
` saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in `
` search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean `
` to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." `
` `
` "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what `
` then?" `
` `
` "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if `
` the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate `
` very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church `
` door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and `
` she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as `
` usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove `
` away in different directions, and I went off to make my own `
` arrangements." `
` `
` "Which are?" `
` `
` "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the `
` bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to `
` be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want `
` your co-operation." `
` `
` "I shall be delighted." `
` `
` "You don't mind breaking the law?" `
` `
` "Not in the least." `
` `
` "Nor running a chance of arrest?" `
` `
` "Not in a good cause." `
` `
` "Oh, the cause is excellent!" `
` `
` "Then I am your man." `
` `
` "I was sure that I might rely on you." `
` `
` "But what is it you wish?" `
` `
` "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to `
` you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that `
` our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I `
` have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must `
` be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns `
` from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." `
` `
` "And what then?" `
` `
` "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to `
` occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must `
` not interfere, come what may. You understand?" `
` `
` "I am to be neutral?" `
` `
` "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small `
` unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being `
` conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the `
` sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close `
` to that open window." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what `
` I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of `
` fire. You quite follow me?" `
` `
` "Entirely." `
` `
` "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar- `
` shaped roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke- `
` rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. `
` Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, `
` it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then `
` walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten `
` minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" `
` `
` "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, `
` and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry `
` of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." `
` `
` "Precisely." `
` `
` "Then you may entirely rely on me." `
` `
` "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I `
` prepare for the new role I have to play." `
` `
` He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in `
` the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist `
` clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white `
` tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and `
` benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have `
` equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His `
` expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every `
` fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as `
` science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in `
` crime. `
` `
` It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still `
` wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in `
` Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just `
` being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, `
` waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such `
` as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, `
` but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On `
` the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was `
` remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men `
` smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his `
` wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and `
` several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with `
` cigars in their mouths. `
` `
` "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of `
` the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The `
` photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are `
` that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey `
` Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his `
` princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the `
` photograph?" `
` `
` "Where, indeed?" `
` `
` "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is `
` cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's `
` dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid `
` and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We `
` may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." `
`
` "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab `
` drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a `
` remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached-- `
` evidently the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a `
` great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the `
` maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly `
` at home. `
` `
` "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch `
` glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and `
` down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see `
` nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than `
` before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from `
` his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he `
` shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to `
` the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if `
` you do it in twenty minutes!' `
` `
` "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do `
` well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, `
` the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under `
` his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of `
` the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall `
` door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, `
` but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. `
` `
` "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a `
` sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' `
` `
` "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing `
` whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her `
` landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked `
` twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could `
` object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign `
` if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to `
` twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. `
` `
` "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the `
` others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their `
` steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid `
` the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there `
` save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who `
` seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three `
` standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side `
` aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. `
` Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to `
` me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards `
` me. `
` `
` "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' `
` `
` "'What then?' I asked. `
` `
` "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' `
` `
` "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was `
` I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, `
` and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally `
` assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to `
` Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and `
` there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady `
` on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was `
` the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my `
` life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just `
` now. It seems that there had been some informality about their `
` license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them `
` without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance `
` saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in `
` search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean `
` to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." `
` `
` "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what `
` then?" `
` `
` "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if `
` the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate `
` very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church `
` door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and `
` she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as `
` usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove `
` away in different directions, and I went off to make my own `
` arrangements." `
` `
` "Which are?" `
` `
` "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the `
` bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to `
` be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want `
` your co-operation." `
` `
` "I shall be delighted." `
` `
` "You don't mind breaking the law?" `
` `
` "Not in the least." `
` `
` "Nor running a chance of arrest?" `
` `
` "Not in a good cause." `
` `
` "Oh, the cause is excellent!" `
` `
` "Then I am your man." `
` `
` "I was sure that I might rely on you." `
` `
` "But what is it you wish?" `
` `
` "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to `
` you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that `
` our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I `
` have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must `
` be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns `
` from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." `
` `
` "And what then?" `
` `
` "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to `
` occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must `
` not interfere, come what may. You understand?" `
` `
` "I am to be neutral?" `
` `
` "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small `
` unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being `
` conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the `
` sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close `
` to that open window." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what `
` I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of `
` fire. You quite follow me?" `
` `
` "Entirely." `
` `
` "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar- `
` shaped roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke- `
` rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. `
` Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, `
` it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then `
` walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten `
` minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" `
` `
` "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, `
` and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry `
` of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." `
` `
` "Precisely." `
` `
` "Then you may entirely rely on me." `
` `
` "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I `
` prepare for the new role I have to play." `
` `
` He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in `
` the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist `
` clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white `
` tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and `
` benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have `
` equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His `
` expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every `
` fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as `
` science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in `
` crime. `
` `
` It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still `
` wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in `
` Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just `
` being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, `
` waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such `
` as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, `
` but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On `
` the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was `
` remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men `
` smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his `
` wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and `
` several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with `
` cigars in their mouths. `
` `
` "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of `
` the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The `
` photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are `
` that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey `
` Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his `
` princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the `
` photograph?" `
` `
` "Where, indeed?" `
` `
` "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is `
` cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's `
` dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid `
` and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We `
` may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." `
`