“格洛里亞斯科特”號三桅帆船 （中英在線)

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“格洛里亞斯科特”號三桅帆船   




　　一個冬天的黃昏，我和我的朋友歇洛克·福爾摩斯對坐在壁爐兩側，福爾摩斯說道：“華生，我這里有幾個文件，我確實認為很值得你一讀。這些文件和‘格洛里亞斯科特’號三桅帆船奇案有關系。治安官老特雷佛就是因讀了這些文件驚嚇而死的?！?
　　福爾摩斯從抽屜里取出一個顏色晦暗的小圓紙筒，解開繩帶，交給我一張石青色的紙，這是一封字跡潦草的短簡，上面寫著：
　　The supply of game for London is going steadily up (it ran).Head keeperHudson, Webelieve, has been now told to reeive all orders for fly-paper and-for-preservation of your hen-pheasant's life.
　　（按字面可譯為：倫敦野味供應正穩步上升。我們相信總保管赫德森現已奉命接受一切粘蠅紙的訂貨單并保存你的雌雉的生命。——譯者）
　　讀完這封莫名其妙的短簡，我抬起頭，看見福爾摩斯正在觀看我的表情，還抿著嘴發笑。
　　“你似乎有點弄糊涂了吧？”他說道。
　　“我看不出象這樣的一份短簡怎么能把人嚇死。在我看來其內容只不過是荒唐胡言罷了?！?
　　“不錯?？墒鞘聦嵣?，那位健壯的老人，讀完這封短簡，竟如手槍射中的靶子一樣，應聲而倒一命嗚呼了。”
　　“你倒惹起了我的好奇心，”我說道，“可是剛才你為什么說，我有特別的原因，一定要研究這件案子呢？”
　　“因為這是我著手承辦的第一樁案件啊?！?
　　我一直都在設法探問我的同伴，想讓他講講當初是什么原因使他下決心轉向偵探犯罪活動的，可是他一直也沒有興致講。這時他俯身坐在扶手椅上，把文件鋪在膝蓋上，然后點起煙斗吸了一陣子，并把文件翻來覆去地察看著。
　　“你從來沒聽我談起過維克托·特雷佛么？”他問道，“他是我在大學兩年中結識的唯一好友。我本來極不善交游，華生，總喜歡一個人愁眉苦臉地呆在房里，訓練自己的思想方法，所以極少與同年人交往。除了擊劍和拳術以外，我也不很愛好體育，而那時我的學習方法與別人也截然不同。因此，我們根本沒有往來的必要。特雷佛是我唯一結識的人。這是因為有一天早晨，我到小教堂去，他的猛犬咬了我的踝骨，這樣一件意外的事使我們相識了。
　　“開始交往雖很平淡，但令人難忘。我在床上躺了十天，特雷佛常來看望我。最初他閑聊幾分鐘就走，可是不久，我們交談的時間延長了。到那學期結束以前，我們已成了莫逆之交。他精神飽滿，血氣方剛，精力充沛，在許多方面和我恰恰相反，但我們也有一些相同之處。當我發現他也和我一樣落落寡合時，我們便越加親密。后來他請我到他父親那里去，他父親住在諾?？丝さ亩啬崴髌沾?，我接受了他的邀請，去度一個月的假期。
　　“老特雷佛是治安官，又是一個地主，顯然有錢有勢。敦尼索普村在布羅德市郊外，是朗麥爾北部的一個小村落。特雷佛的宅邸是一所老式的、面積很大的櫟木梁磚瓦房，門前有一條通道，兩旁是茂盛的菩提樹。附近有許多沼澤地，那是狩獵野鴨的絕妙場所，更是垂釣的好地方。有一個小而精致的藏書室，我聽說，是從原來的房主手中隨房屋一起購買的。此外，有一位還算不錯的廚子。故而一個人在這里度一個月假，倘若仍不能心滿意足，那他就是一個過分挑剔的人了。
　　“老特雷佛妻子已故，我朋友是他的獨生子。
　　“我聽說，他原來還有一個女兒，但在去伯明翰途中，患白喉死去。老特雷佛使我非常感興趣。他知識并不多，可是體力和腦力都相當強。他對書本所知甚少，但曾經遠游，見過許多世面，對于所見所聞，都能牢記不忘。從外貌上看，他體格很結實，身材粗壯，一頭蓬亂的灰白頭發，一張飽經風霜的褐色面孔，一雙藍色的眼睛，眼光銳利得近乎兇殘。但他在鄉中卻以和藹、慈善著稱，盛傳他在法院理案時也以寬大為懷。
　　“在我到他家不久，一天傍晚，飯后我們正坐在一起喝葡萄酒，小特雷佛忽然談到我所養成的那些觀察和推理習慣。那時我已經把它歸納成一種方法，雖然還未體會到它對我一生將起的作用。這位老人顯然認為他的兒子言過其實，把我的一點雕蟲小技過分夸大了。
　　“‘那么，福爾摩斯先生，’他興致勃勃地笑著說，‘我正是一個絕妙的題材，看你能不能從我身上推斷點什么東西出來。’
　　“‘恐怕我推斷不出多少來，’我回答道，‘我推測你在過去一年里擔心有人對你進行襲擊?！?
　　“這位老人嘴角上的笑意頓時消失貽盡，大吃一驚，兩眼盯著我。
　　“‘啊呀，確實是這樣，’他說道，‘維克托，你知道，’老人轉身向他兒子說道，‘在我們把來沼澤地偷獵的那伙人趕走以后，他們立誓要殺死我們，而愛德華·霍利先生果真遭到了偷襲。從那以后我總是小心提防，但不知你是怎么知道這事的呢？’
　　“‘你有一根非常漂亮的手杖，’我答道，‘我從杖上刻著的字看出，你買它不超過一年。可是你卻下了不少工夫把手杖頭上鑿個洞，灌上熔化了的鉛，把它做成可怕的武器。我料想你若不擔心有什么危險，是絕不會采取這種預防措施的。’
　　“‘還有呢？’他微笑著問道。
　　“‘你年輕時還經常參加拳擊。’
　　“‘這也說對了。你怎么知道的呢？是不是我的鼻子有些被打歪了？’
　　“‘不是，’我說道，‘我是從你耳朵上知道的。你的耳朵特別扁平寬厚，那是拳擊家的特征?！?
　　“‘還有呢？’
　　“‘從你手上的老繭看，你曾做過許多采掘工作。’
　　“‘我確實是從金礦上致富的?！?
　　“‘你曾經到過新西蘭。’
　　“‘這也不錯?！?
　　“‘你去過日本?！?
　　“‘十分正確。’
　　“‘你曾經和一個人交往得非常密切，那個人姓名的縮寫字母是Ｊ．Ａ．，可是后來，你卻極力想把他徹底忘掉?！?
　　“這時老特雷佛先生慢慢地站起身來，把那雙藍色的大眼睛瞪得圓圓的，用奇怪而瘋狂的眼神死盯著我，然后一頭向前栽去，他的臉撞在桌布上的硬果殼堆里，昏迷不省人事。
　　“華生，你可想而知，當時我和他兒子兩人是多么震驚了。
　　可是，他失去知覺的時間并不長，因為正當我們給他解開衣領，把洗指杯中的冷水澆到他臉上時，他喘了一口氣就坐起來了。
　　“‘啊，孩子們，’他強作笑臉說道，‘但愿沒有嚇著你們。我的外貌看起來很強壯，可是心臟很弱，毫不費力就可使我昏倒。福爾摩斯先生，我不知道你是怎么推斷出來的，不過我覺得，那些實際存在的偵探也好，虛構出來的偵探也好，在你手下，都只不過象一些小孩子罷了。先生，你可以把它做為你一生的職業。你可以記住我這個飽經世事的人所說的話。’
　　“華生，請你相信這點。當時，搞推斷僅僅是我的業余愛好，首先促使我想到這種愛好可以作為終生職業的，就是他的勸告以及對我的能力的言過其實的評價。然而，當時，我對東道主突然生病感到非常不安，顧不得去想別的事。
　　“‘我希望我沒有說什么使你痛苦的話。’我說道。
　　“‘啊，你當真觸到了我的痛處。但我想問一下，你是怎樣知道的，你知道了多少情況？’現在他半開玩笑地說道，可是雙眼依然殘留著驚駭的神情。
　　“‘這是很簡單的，’我說道，‘那天我們在小艇中，你卷起袖子去捉魚，我見你胳臂彎上刺著Ｊ．Ａ．二字，字形仍然清晰可辨，但筆劃已弄得模糊了。字的四周又染著墨跡，分明后來你曾設法要把那字跡抹去。由此可見這兩個縮寫字母，你本來十分熟悉，后來卻想忘掉它。’
　　“‘你的眼力好厲害??！’他放心地松了一口氣，說道，‘這事正象你所說的那樣。不過我們不必去談論它了。一切鬼魂之中，我們舊相知的陰魂是最兇惡的。我們到彈子房去安靜地吸一支煙吧。’
　　“從那天以后，雖然老特雷佛對我的態度仍然非常親切，但親切中總帶有幾分疑慮。這一點連他的兒子也覺察出來了。
　　‘你可把爸爸嚇了一跳，’小特雷佛說道，‘他再也弄不清，什么事你知道，什么事你不知道了。’依我看，老特雷佛雖然不愿流露出他的疑慮，但他心里的疑慮卻非常強烈，一舉一動都隱約流露出來。我終于確信是我引起了他的不安，便決定向他們告辭?？墒蔷驮谖译x開的前一天，發生了一件小事，這事后來證明是非常重要的。
　　“那時我們三個人坐在花園草坪的椅子上曬太陽，欣賞布羅德的景色，一個女仆走過來說有一個人在門外求見老特雷佛先生。
　　“‘他叫什么名字？’我的東道主問道。
　　“‘他不說?！?
　　“‘那么，他要干什么呢？’
　　“‘他說你認識他，他只要同你談一談?！?
　　“‘那么領他到這里來。’過了一會兒，便有一個瘦小枯槁的人走進來，此人形容猥瑣，步履拖沓，身著一件夾克敞著懷，袖口上有一塊柏油污痕，里面是一件紅花格襯衫，棉布褲子，一雙長統靴已破舊不堪。他那棕色的臉龐瘦削，顯出狡猾的樣子，總帶著笑容，露出一排不整齊的黃牙。他的雙手滿布皺紋，半握拳，顯然是水手們常有的姿態。在他無精打彩地穿過草坪向我們走過來時，我聽到老特雷佛喉中發出一種類似打呃的聲音，從椅子上跳下來，奔向屋里。轉瞬間又跑回來，當他經過我面前時，我聞到一股濃烈的白蘭地酒味。
　　“‘喂，朋友，’他說道，‘你找我有什么事？’
　　“那個水手站在那里，雙眼惶惑地望著老特雷佛，依然咧嘴微笑。
　　“‘你不認識我了嗎？’水手問道。
　　“‘啊，哎呀，這一定是赫德森了，’老特雷佛驚異地說道。
　　“‘我正是赫德森，先生，’這個水手說道，‘喂，從我上次見到你，三十多年過去了。你現在已安居在你的家園里，而我仍生活于困苦之中?！啊?，你應該知道我并沒有忘記過去的日子，’老特雷佛大聲說，一面向水手走過去，低聲說了幾句，然后又提高嗓門說道，‘請到廚房里，先吃點喝點，我肯定可以給你安排一個位置。’
　　“‘謝謝你，先生，’水手掠一掠他的額發說道，‘我剛剛下了航速為八海里的不定期貨船，在那上面我干了兩年，偏偏人手又少，所以需要休息。我想我只好去找貝多斯先生或來找你了?！?
　　“‘啊，’老特雷佛大聲喊道，‘你知道貝多斯先生在哪里嗎？’
　　“‘謝天謝地，先生，我的老朋友在哪兒，我全都知道，’這個人獰笑道，匆匆跟在女仆身后向廚房走去。老特雷佛先生含糊地向我們說，他去采礦時，曾和這個人同船而行。說罷他就把我們丟在草坪上，自己走進屋里去。過了一小時我們才進屋去，發現老特雷佛爛醉如泥、直挺挺地躺在餐室的沙發上。這整個事件，在我心中留下了非常惡劣的印象。因此，第二天我離開敦尼索普村時，絲毫不感到惋惜。因為我覺得，我住在他家，一定是使我的朋友感到為難的根源。
　　“所有這一切發生在漫長的假期中的第一個月。我又回到了倫敦住所，用七個星期時間做了一些有機化學實驗。然而，深秋中某一天，假期即將結束，我收到我朋友的一封電報，請我回到敦尼索普村去，并說他非常需要我的指教和協助。我當然又把別的事丟開，立即趕回北方去了。
　　“他坐在一輛雙輪單馬車上在車站等我，我一眼就能看出，這兩個月來，他備受磨難，變得消瘦異常，失去了平時特有的高聲談笑興高采烈的性格。
　　“‘爸爸危在旦夕，’他第一句話便說道。
　　“‘不可能！’我叫喊道，‘怎么回事？’
　　“‘他中了風，是神經受了嚴重刺激。今天一直處在危險中，我看他現在未必還活著?！?
　　“華生，你可以想見，我聽到這意外的消息，是多么驚駭。
　　“‘是什么引起的呢？’我問道。
　　“‘啊，這就是要害之處。請你上車，我們路上詳細談一談。你還記得你走的前一天晚上來的那個家伙嗎？’
　　“‘當然記得了。’
　　“‘你知道那天我們請進屋里的是什么人嗎？’
　　“‘不知道。’
　　“‘福爾摩斯，那是一個魔鬼，’他大聲喊道。
　　“我吃驚地呆望著他。
　　“‘正是，他確實是一個魔鬼，自從他來了以后，我們沒有一時一刻安寧過，一點也沒有。從那天夜晚起爸爸就沒有抬頭之時，現在他的生命危在旦夕，他的心也碎了。這都是因為那個該死的赫德森。’
　　“‘那么，他有什么勢力呢？’
　　“‘啊，這正是我要設法知道的。象爸爸這樣慈祥、寬厚的善良長者，怎么會落到那樣一種惡棍的魔爪中去呢！不過，福爾摩斯，我很高興你能前來。我非常相信你的判斷和處事能力，我知道你能給我想出一個最好的辦法。’
　　“我們的馬車疾馳在鄉間潔凈而平坦的大路上，在我們的前方是布羅德的一展平陽，隱現在落日紅霞之中。在左手邊的一片小樹林后面，我已遙望到那位治安官屋上高高的煙囪和旗桿了。
　　“‘爸爸讓這家伙作園丁，’他的同伴說道，‘后來，那人很不滿意，便被提升為管家。全家似乎完全在他控制之下，他整日游蕩，為所欲為。女仆們向我父親訴說他酗酒成性，語言卑鄙。爸爸便多方提高她們的薪水，來補償她們遇到的麻煩。這家伙經常劃著小船，帶上我爸爸最好的獵槍去游獵。而在他這樣干時，臉上總是帶著諷刺挖苦、側目斜視、目無一切的神情，假使他是一個和我同樣年紀的人，我早已把他打翻在地上不止二十次了。福爾摩斯，我告訴你，在這段時間里，我只有拚命克制自己，現在我自問，假如我不克制自己，可能情況反而會好些。
　　“‘唉，我們的境況越來越壞。赫德森這個畜牲越來越囂張，有一天，他竟當著我的面，傲慢無禮地回答我父親，我便抓住他肩膀把他推出門去。他一聲不響地溜走了，發青的面孔和兩只惡狠狠的眼睛，露出一種恫嚇的神情。在這以后，我不知道可憐的父親同這個人又作過什么交涉，但第二天父親來找我，要我向赫德森道歉。你可以想象到，我當然拒絕了，并且問父親為什么要容許這樣一個壞蛋對他和我們全家這樣放肆無禮。
　　“‘我父親說道：“啊，我的孩子，你說得完全對，可是你不知道我的處境啊。不過你一定會知道，維克托。不管發生什么事，我都要設法讓你知道。但你現在總不愿使你可憐的老爸爸傷心罷？孩子?！?
　　“‘爸爸非常激動，整天把自己關在書房里，我從窗戶望見他正在忙于書寫。
　　“‘那天晚上，發生了一件使我如釋重負的事，因為赫德森對我們說，他打算離開我們。我們吃過午飯后，正在餐室坐著，他走進來，喝得半醉，聲音沙啞地說出了他的打算。
　　“‘他說道：“我在諾?？耸軌蛄?，我要到漢普郡貝多斯先生那里去。我敢說，他一定象你那樣高興見到我?！?
　　“‘“赫德森，我希望你不是懷著惡感離開這兒的?！蔽腋赣H卑躬屈節地說，這使我渾身血液沸騰起來。
　　“‘“他還沒有向我賠禮道歉呢，”他瞟了我一眼，繃著臉說道。
　　“‘爸爸轉身對我說道：“維克托，你應該承認，你對這位可敬的朋友確實失了禮?！?
　　“‘我回答道：“恰恰相反，我認為我們父子對他容忍得太過分了?！?
　　“‘赫德森咆哮如雷地說道：“啊，你認為是這樣么，是不是？那好極了，伙計。我們走著瞧吧！”
　　“‘他無精打采地走出屋去，半小時以后便離開我家，使爸爸處于可憐的擔驚受怕的狀態。我聽到爸爸一夜又一夜地在室內踱來踱去，而在他剛剛恢復信心時，災禍終于從天而降?！啊烤故窃趺椿厥?？’我急忙問道。
　　“‘非常怪。昨晚爸爸收到一封信，信上蓋著福丁哈姆的郵戳。爸爸看過之后，雙手輕輕拍打著頭部，好象失魂落魄的人一樣，開始在室內繞圈子。后來我把他扶到沙發上，他的嘴和眼皮都歪向一側。我看他是中了風，立即請來福德哈姆醫生，和我一起把爸爸扶到床上，可是他癱瘓越來越厲害，一點也沒有恢復知覺的跡象，我想我們很難看到他活著了?！?
　　“‘小特雷佛，你簡直是在嚇唬我！’我大聲說道，‘那么，那封信里究竟有什么東西能引起這樣可怕的惡果呢？’
　　“‘沒有什么。這就是莫名其妙的地方。這封信荒誕而瑣碎。啊，我的上帝，我所擔心的事果然來了！’
　　“他說時，我們已走到林蔭路轉彎處，看到在微弱的燈光下，房子的窗簾都放下了。我們走到門口，我朋友顯出滿面悲痛，一位黑衣紳士走了出來。
　　“‘醫生，我爸爸什么時候故去的？’特雷佛問道。
　　“‘幾乎就在你剛剛離去的時候?！?
　　“‘他可曾蘇醒過？’
　　“‘臨終之前蘇醒過一會兒?！?
　　“‘給我留下什么話嗎？’
　　“‘他只說那些紙都在日本柜子的后抽屜里?！?
　　“我的朋友和醫生一同向死者的住房走去，我卻留在書房中，腦子里不住翻騰這全部事件，我覺得自己從來沒有象這樣憂郁過。老特雷佛過去是一個拳擊家、旅行家，又是一個采金人，那他怎么會聽任這個橫眉怒目的水手的支配？還有，為什么他一聽提到他手臂上半模糊的姓名開頭字母竟昏厥過去，而接到一封從福丁哈姆寄來的信竟嚇死了呢？這時，我想起福丁哈姆是在漢普郡，就是貝多斯先生的故里，而那個水手就是對他進行敲詐去了。那么這封信可能是水手赫德森發來的，信中說他已經檢舉了特雷佛過去犯罪的秘密。要不然就是貝多斯發來的，信中警告老特雷佛，有一個舊日的同伙即將檢舉這件事。這看起來是很明顯的。但這封信怎么又象他兒子所說的那樣，瑣碎而又荒誕呢？那他一定是看錯了。如果真如此，那這里面一定有一種特別的密碼，字面的意思和實際的含意不同。我必須看看這封信。如果信中果真有隱秘在內，我相信我可以破譯出來。我沒點燈坐著反復思考這個問題約有一個小時，后來一個滿面淚痕的女仆拿進一盞燈來，我的朋友小特雷佛緊跟著走進來。他面色蒼白，但鎮靜自若，手中拿著現在攤在我膝蓋上的這幾張紙。他在我對面坐下來，把燈移到桌邊，把寫在石青色紙上潦草的短簡指給我看，這短簡就是你現在看到的這個：‘倫敦野味供應正穩步上升。我們相信總保管赫德森現已奉命接受一切粘蠅紙的訂貨單并保存你的雌雉的生命。’“恐怕我第一次讀這封信時臉上的惶惑表情也象你剛才一樣。然后，我又非常仔細地重讀了一遍。顯然不出我所料，這些奇怪詞組里隱藏著一些秘密的含意?？赡芟蟆诚壖垺汀骑簟@類詞組是事先約好的暗語。這種暗語可以任意約定。無論如何也推斷不出它的含義。不過我不相信情況會是這樣的，而赫德森這個詞的出現似乎表明信的內容正合我的這種猜想。而且這短簡是貝多斯發來的，而不是那個水手。我又把詞句倒過來讀，可是那‘性命、雌雉’等詞組卻令人大失所望。于是我又試著隔一個詞一讀，但無論‘ｔｈｅｏｆｆｏｒ’，還是‘ｓｕｐｐｌｙｇａｍｅＬｏｎｄｏｎ’都沒有絲毫意義。
　　“可是過了一會，打開這個悶葫蘆的鑰匙終于落到我的手里，我看出從第一個詞開始，每隔兩個詞一讀，就可以讀出含義來，這些含義足以使老特雷佛陷入絕境。
　　“詞句簡短扼要，是告警信。我當即把它讀給我的朋友聽：
　　‘The game is up. Hudson has told all. Fly for your life.’
　　（譯為：一切都完了。赫德森已全部檢舉。你趕快逃命吧?。?
　　“維克托·特雷佛雙手顫抖地捂著臉?！也孪耄欢ㄊ沁@樣的，’他說道，‘這比死還要難堪，因為這意味著蒙受恥辱?？墒恰翱偙９堋焙汀按骑簟边@兩個詞兒又是什么意思呢？’“‘這些詞兒在信中沒有什么意思，可是如果我們沒有別的辦法找到那位發信人，這對我們倒大有用處。你看他開始寫的是‘Ｔｈｅ…ｇａｍｅ…ｉｓ’等等，寫完預先擬好的詞句，便在每兩個詞之間填進兩個詞兒。他很自然地使用首先出現在頭腦中的詞兒?？梢源_信，他是一個熱衷于打獵的人，或是一個喜愛飼養家禽的人。你了解貝多斯的情況嗎？’
　　“‘呃，經你這樣一提，’他說道，‘我倒想起來啦，每年秋季，我那可憐的爸爸常常接到貝多斯的邀請到他那里去打獵?！?
　　“‘那么這封信一定是他發來的了，’我說道，‘現在我們只需查明，那個水手赫德森究竟掌握了什么秘密，用來威脅這兩個有權有勢的人。’
　　“‘唉，福爾摩斯，我擔心那是一件罪惡和丟人的事！’我的朋友驚呼道，‘不過我對你不必保守什么秘密。這就是爸爸的聲明，是在他得知赫德森的檢舉迫在眉睫時寫下來的。我按醫生傳的話在日本柜子里找到了它。請把它拿去讀給我聽聽，因為我自己實在沒有力氣也沒有勇氣去讀它了?！?
　　“華生，這幾張紙就是小特雷佛給我的，那天晚上我在舊書房讀給他聽過，現在我讀給你聽。你看，這幾張紙外面寫著：‘“格洛里亞斯科特”號三桅帆船航行記事。一八五五年十月八日自法爾默思啟航，同年十一月六日在北緯十五度二十分，西經二十五度十四分沉沒?！锩媸怯眯藕男问接涊d的。
　　“‘我最親愛的兒子，既然那日益迫近的恥辱使我的暮年暗淡無光，我可以老實而誠懇地說，我并不畏懼法律，也不怕喪失我在本郡的官職，更不擔心相識的人小看我而使我痛心疾首?？墒且幌氲侥愫軔畚?，而且極為尊敬我，卻要因為我而蒙受恥辱，這才使我心如刀絞。但是如果一直懸在我頭上的橫禍果真降臨了，那么我希望你讀一讀本篇記事，那時你就可以直接從中了解我該受何種責罰。另一方面，如果平安無事（愿萬能的慈悲上帝賜準！），萬一這張紙還沒有毀掉而落入你手中，我懇求你，看在上帝份上，看在你親愛的母親份上，看在我們父子間的恩情份上，把它一燒了之，永世遺忘吧。
　　“‘但如若那時你果真讀到此信，則我知道事已敗露，置身囹圄了，或十之八九我已噤舌長眠了（因為你知道我的心臟衰弱）。但無論屬于以上哪種情況，即已無需繼續隱瞞。以下事事千真萬確，愿誓肺腑，以求寬恕。
　　“‘親愛的孩子，我本來不叫特雷佛，年輕時叫詹姆斯·阿米塔奇［詹姆斯·阿米塔奇兩個詞縮寫字母為Ｊ．Ａ．。——譯者注。］由此你就明白我那次受驚昏厥的原因了。我是指幾個星期以前，你大學的朋友對我講的那番話，在我聽來好象一語道破了我化名的秘密。作為阿米塔奇，我在倫敦銀行工作，而作為阿米塔奇，我被定了違犯國法之罪，判處流刑。孩子，不要過分苛責我吧。這是一筆所謂賭債，我只好償還，我便用了不屬于我自己的錢去償還了。當然我確有把握能在察覺之前把它補上。可是最可怕的厄運臨頭了，我所指望的款項竟然沒能到手，又加上提前查帳，使我的虧空暴露出來。這件案子本來可以處理得寬大一些，可是三十年前的法律比現在嚴酷得多。于是在我二十三歲生日那天，便定了重罪和其他三十七名罪犯一起被鎖在“格洛里亞斯科特”號帆船的甲板上，流放到澳大利亞去。
　　“‘那是一八五五年，克里米亞戰事正酣。本來載運罪犯的船只大部分在黑海中作軍事運輸，因此政府只好用較小的不適當的船只來遣送罪犯?！案衤謇飦喫箍铺亍碧柗亲鲋袊枞~生意的，式樣古老，船首很重，船身很寬。新式快速帆船早已勝過了它。這只三桅帆船載重五百噸，船上除了三十八名囚犯以外，還載有水手二十六名，士兵十八名，船長一名，船副三名，醫生一名，牧師一名和獄卒四名。從法爾默思啟航時，船上共約一百人。
　　“‘通常囚犯船的囚室隔板都用厚橡木制成，可是這只船的囚室隔板卻非常薄。還在我們被帶到碼頭時，我特別注意到一個人，他現在就囚在船尾和我相鄰的囚室里。這是一個年輕人，面容清秀，沒有胡須，細長的鼻子，癟嘴。他一副得意神情，走起路來昂首闊步，最突出的，還是身材特別高大，我看誰的頭也到不了他的肩部，他肯定至少有六英尺半高。在這么多憂郁而消沉的面孔里，看到這樣一張精力充沛而堅定果斷的面孔，那是非同小可的?？吹竭@張面孔，猶如暴風雨中送來爐火。我發現他和我為鄰，非常歡喜。一天夜深人靜，幾句細語送進我的耳鼓，我回頭一看，原來是他設法在囚室隔板上挖了一個洞，這更使我喜不自勝。
　　“‘他說道：“喂，朋友！你叫什么名字？因什么罪名被關在這里？”
　　“‘我回答了他，反問他是誰。
　　“‘他說道：“我叫杰克·普倫德加斯特，我發誓，在你和我分手之前，你會知道我的好處的?！?
　　“‘我記得聽說過他的案子，因為在我自己被捕以前，他的案子在全國曾經轟動一時。他出身良家，又很能干，但沾染了不可救藥的惡習，靠巧妙的欺詐，從倫敦巨商手中騙取了巨款。
　　“‘這時他便驕傲地說道：“哈，哈！你想起我這件案子了?！?
　　“‘我說：“的確，我記得很清楚。”
　　“‘他說：“那么，你可記得那案子有什么特別嗎？”
　　“‘我說：“有什么特別呢？”
　　“‘他說：“我弄到將近二十五萬鎊巨款，不是嗎？”
　　“‘我說：“人家說是這么多。”
　　“‘他說：“可這筆贓款并沒有追回去，你知道嗎？”
　　“‘我回答：“不知道。”
　　“‘他又問道：“喂，你猜這筆巨款現在在什么地方？”
　　“‘我說道：“一點也猜不出。”
　　“‘他大聲說道：“這筆錢還在我的掌握之中。一點不假！記在我名下的金鎊數，比你的頭發絲還要多。小伙伴，要是你手里有錢，又懂得怎樣管錢用錢，那你就可以隨心所欲了。喂！你不要認為一個可以隨心所欲的人，他會甘心在這滿是耗子、甲蟲的破舊中國航船的惡臭貨艙里坐以待斃，不，先生，這樣的人不僅要自救，還要搭救他的難友。你可以大干一場！緊緊依靠他，你可以憑圣經宣誓，他一定能把你救出來。”
　　“‘他當時說話的語調就是這樣。起初我并不當一回事。可是過了一會，他又對我試探了一番，并且一本正經地向我宣誓，告訴我確實有一個奪取船只的秘密計劃。在上船之前，已經有十二個犯人事先做了準備，普倫德加斯特領頭，他用金錢作動力。
　　“‘普倫德加斯特說：“我有一個同伙，是一個難得的好人，完全誠實可靠，錢在他手里。你猜現在這個人在哪里？呃，他就是這只船上的牧師——那位牧師，一點不錯！他在船上穿一件黑上衣，身份證響當當，箱子里的錢足以買通全船的一切人。全體水手都是他的心腹。在他們簽名受雇以前，他用現金貼現一股腦兒就把他們收買過來了。他還收買了兩個獄卒和二副梅勒，要是他認為船長值得收買，那他連船長本人也要收買過來?！?
　　“‘我問道：“那么，我們究竟要干什么呢？”
　　“‘他說：“你看呢？我們要使一些士兵的衣服比裁縫做的更加鮮紅?！?
　　“‘我說：“可他們都有武器啊?！?
　　“‘他說：“小伙子，我們也要武裝起來，每人兩支手槍。
　　我們有全體水手做后盾，要是還不能奪取這只船，那我們早該讓人送進幼女寄宿學校了。今夜你和在你左鄰那個人談一談，看看他是否可靠?！?
　　“‘我照辦了，知道我的左鄰是個年輕人，處境和我相同，罪名是偽造貨幣。他原名伊文斯。現在也象我一樣，已更名改姓，是英國南方一個富有而幸運的人。他完全樂意參加這一密謀，因為只有這樣我們才能自救，所以在我們的船橫渡海灣之前，全船犯人只有兩個未參與這一秘密。一個意志薄弱，我們不敢信任他，另一個患黃疸病，對我們沒有什么用處。
　　“‘一開始，我們的奪船行動確實沒有遇到阻礙。水手們是一伙無賴，是專門挑選來干這種事的。冒牌牧師不斷到我們囚艙來給我們鼓勁，他背著一個黑書包，好象是滿裝著經文，他出來進去十分忙碌。到第三天，我們每個人的床腳都存有一把銼刀、兩支手槍、一磅炸藥和二十發子彈了。兩個獄卒早就是普倫德加斯特的心腹，二副也成了他的幫手。船上和我們作對的，只有船長、兩個船副、兩個獄卒、馬丁中尉和他的十八名士兵以及那位醫生。事情雖然非常保險，但我們還是決定倍加謹慎，準備夜間進行突然襲擊。然而，動手比我們預料的要快得多。情況是這樣的：
　　“‘在該船開航后第三個星期的一天晚上，醫生來給一個犯人看病。他把手伸到犯人床鋪下面，摸到了手槍的輪廓。如果他當時不動聲色，就可能使我們的事情全部告吹，但他是個膽小鬼，驚叫一聲，面無血色，這就使那個囚徒立即明白了是怎么回事，并將他抓住。他來不及發出警報，嘴便被堵住，綁到床上。醫生來時打開了通往甲板的門上的鎖，我們就通過此門，一擁而上。兩個哨兵中彈倒地，一個班長跑來看看發生了什么事，也遭到同樣下場。另有兩個兵士把著官艙的門，他們的火槍似乎沒有裝火藥，因為根本就沒向我們開火。他們在打算上刺刀時中彈身亡。在我們一擁沖入船長室時，里面已響起了槍聲，推門一看，只見船長已倒下，腦髓把釘在桌上的大西洋航海圖都染污了，而牧師站在死尸旁，手里拿的手槍還在冒煙呢。兩個船副早已就擒，整個事情看來大功告成。
　　“‘官艙緊靠船長室，我們一窩蜂奔到那里，在長靠椅上一坐，一起暢談起來，因為覺得又一次恢復了自由而欣喜若狂。官艙的四周都是貨箱，冒牌牧師威爾遜弄來一箱，拿出二十瓶褐色葡萄酒。我們打碎瓶頸，把酒倒進酒杯，正待舉杯痛飲，突然出其不意聽到一陣槍聲，官艙里頓時煙霧彌漫，隔著桌子竟看不見東西了。等到煙消霧散，這里已是血肉橫飛。威爾遜和其他八個人倒在地上垂死掙扎，至今我想起那桌上的血和褐色葡萄酒還覺得惡心。我們一見這情景就嚇壞了。我想當時要不是多虧了普倫德加斯特，那一定全完了。他象公牛一般，一聲怒吼沖出門去，所有活著的人也都隨他一擁而出。我們沖到艙外，看見船尾站著中尉和他手下的十個士兵，官艙上有一個旋轉天窗，正對著桌子上方，稍稍打開一些，他們就從隙縫中向我們射擊。我們趁他們來不及重新裝填火藥，沖上前去。他們雖然英勇抵抗，但我們占了上風，戰斗不到五分鐘就把他們全解決了。我的天??！這只帆船簡直象一個屠宰場！普倫德加斯特就象狂怒的魔鬼，把一個又一個的士兵象小孩一樣提起來，不管死活，通通扔到海里。有一個中士傷勢很重，還出人意外地泅游了很長時間，直到某個善人一槍打碎他的腦袋才肯罷休。戰斗結束，只剩下兩個獄卒、兩個船副和一名醫生，其余敵人已全部消滅。
　　“‘對剩下的這幾個敵人怎樣處置，我們發生了爭論。許多人欣喜奪回了自由，打心眼兒里不愿意再殺人。殺死手執武器的士兵是一回事，對冷酷無情地殘殺人而無動于衷則是另一回事。我們八個人，五個犯人和三個水手說，我們不愿看見殺死他們，但普倫德加斯特和他的一伙人卻無動于衷。他說，我們求得安全的唯一機會就是把事情干利落，他不愿留一個活口將來站到證人席上去饒舌。這差一點兒又使我們遭到拘禁，不過他終于答應說，如果我們愿意，就可以乘小艇離開他們。我們對這個建議欣然答應，因為早已厭惡這種血腥的勾當，我們明白這次殺人之后，還會有更殘酷的事發生。
　　于是，他發給我們每人一套水手服，一桶淡水，一小桶腌牛肉，一小桶餅干和一個指南針。普倫德加斯特扔給我們一張航海圖，告訴我們要說我們是一艘失事船只的水手，船是在北緯十五度，西經二十五度沉沒的。然后他割斷纜索，聽憑我們漂流而去。
　　“‘我親愛的兒子，現在我要講到這個故事最驚人的情節了。在騷亂的時候，水手們曾經落帆逆風行駛，但在我們離開之后，他們又揚起風帆，乘東北風離開我們緩緩駛去。我們的小艇便隨平穩起伏的波濤前進。這伙人里，只有我和伊文斯受教育最多。我倆坐下來查看海圖，確定我們所在的地點，計劃向何處海岸行駛。這是一個需要慎重對待的問題，因為向北約五百英里是佛得角群島，向東約七百英里是非洲海岸。由于風向轉北，我們基本上確認向塞拉利昂行駛比較好，于是便掉轉船首向此方向駛去。這時從小艇向后方看，三桅帆船已不見船身，只見船桅。我們正在向它眺望，突然看到一股濃密的黑煙直升而起，象一棵怪樹懸在天際。幾秒鐘以后，一聲雷鳴般巨響震人耳鼓，等到煙消霧散，“格洛里亞斯科特”號帆船已渺無蹤影。我們立即掉轉船首，全力向該處駛去，那依然繚繞的海面煙塵反映了該船遇難的慘狀。
　　“‘我們用了很長時間才到達那里，開始我們怕來得太晚，救不出什么人了。只見一條支離破碎的小船和一些斷桅殘板隨波起伏，這顯示出帆船的沉沒地點，但未見活人蹤影。在我們失望地掉轉船頭時，忽聽有人呼救，這才看到不遠處有一個人直挺挺地橫躺在一塊殘板上。我們把他拖到船上一看，原來是一個叫赫德森的年輕水手，他被燒傷，筋疲力盡，口不能言，直到第二天清早，才把事情經過告訴我們。
　　“‘原來，在我們離開以后，普倫德加斯特和他那一伙人就動手殺害那剩下來的五個被囚禁的人。他把兩個獄卒槍斃后扔進海里，對三副也如法炮制。普倫德加斯特下到中艙親手割斷了可憐的醫生的喉嚨。這時只剩下勇敢機智的大副本人。他見普倫德加斯特手持血淋淋的屠刀向他走來，便掙開事先設法弄松了的綁索，跑上甲板，一頭鉆進尾艙。有十二個罪犯手持手槍向他沖來，只見他手里拿著一盒火柴坐在火藥桶邊，這桶火藥已經打開，船上共載著一百桶火藥。大副發誓說，誰要是動他一下，他就叫全船人同歸于盡。話猶未了就發生了爆炸。赫德森認為這是一個罪犯開槍誤中了火藥桶，而不是大副用火柴點著的。但不管原因何在，反正“格洛里亞斯科特”號帆船和那些劫船暴徒就此完結。
　　“‘我親愛的孩子，簡單說來，涉及到我的可怕事件的過程就是這樣。第二天，一艘開往澳大利亞的雙桅船“霍特斯潑”號搭救了我們。該船船長輕易地相信了我們是遇難客船的幸存者。海軍部將“格洛里亞斯科特”號運輸船作為海上失事記錄在案，而它的真實命運卻一點也沒泄露出去。經過一段順利航程之后，“霍特斯潑”號讓我們在悉尼上岸，伊文斯和我更名改姓前去采礦，在各國人麇集之中，我們毫不費力地隱瞞了過去的身份。其余的事我也不必細說了。后來我們發跡了，周游一番，以富有的殖民地居民身份返回英國，購置了產業。二十多年來，我們安居樂業，生活美滿，希望把過去的事永遠埋葬。后來，這個水手來找我們，我一眼就認出他就是我們從沉船殘骸上救上來的那個人，當時我的感覺就可想而知了。他不知怎樣追蹤到此，欺我們畏懼之心，對我們進行敲詐勒索。你現在該明白，我為什么極力對他和好了，你也該多少同情我內心充滿的恐懼了。他雖然離開我到另一個受欺者那里去了，可是還在對我進行虛聲恫嚇?！?
　　“下面的字寫時手已顫栗不止，幾乎難以辨認，‘貝多斯寫來密信說，赫德森已全部檢舉。上帝啊，可憐可憐我們吧！’
　　“這就是那天晚上我讀給小特雷佛聽的故事。華生，這種情況可算是富有戲劇性的案子了。我的好友經過這場風波，肝腸寸斷，便遷往特拉伊去種茶樹，我聽說他在那里混得不錯。至于那個水手和貝多斯，自從寫了那封告警信以后，便音信全無，無影無蹤了。沒有人向警局提出檢舉，所以貝多斯是錯把赫德森的威脅當做事實。有人看到赫德森潛伏在附近，警局認為他殺害貝多斯以后逃跑了。而我確信事實恰恰相反。八成是貝多斯陷入絕境，認為赫德森告發了自己，便報仇雪恨殺死赫德森，攜帶手頭所有現款逃出國去。這就是這件案子的情況，醫生，如果它們對你采集資料有所助益，我很樂意供你選用?！?br />





The naval treaty





　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Conan Doyle

　　The July which immediately succeeded my marriage was made memorable by threecases of interest in which I had the privilege of being associated with SherlockHolmes, and of studying his methods. I find them recorded in my notes under theheadings of 'the adventure of the Second stain', 'the adventure of the naval treaty',and 'the adventure of the tired captain'. The first of these, however, deals withinterests of such importance, and implicates so many of the first families in thekingdom, that for many years it will be impossible to make it public. No case,however, in which Holmes was ever engaged has illustrated the value of his analyticalmethods so clearly or has impressed those who were associated with him so deeply. Istill retain an almost verbatim report of the interview in which he demonstrated thetrue facts of the case to Monsieur Dubuque, of the Paris police, and fritz vonWaldbaum, the well-known specialist of Dantzig, both of whom had wasted theirenergies upon what proved to be side-issues. The new century will have come,however, before the story can be safely told. Meanwhile, I pass on to the second uponmy list, which promised also, at one time, to be of national importance, and wasmarked by several incidents which give it a quite unique character.During my school-days I had been intimately associated with a lad named PercyPhelps, who was of much the same age as myself, though he was two classes ahead ofme. He was a very brilliant boy, and carried away every prize which the school had tooffer, finishing his exploits by winning a scholarship, which sent him on to continuehis triumphant career at Cambridge. He was, I remember, extremely well connectedand ever when we were all little boys together, we knew that his mother's brother wasLord Holdhurst, the great Conservative politician. This gaudy relationship did himlittle good at school; on the contrary, it seemed rather a piquant thing to us to chevyhim about the playground and hit him over the shins with a wicket. But it was anotherthing when he came out into the world. I heard vaguely that his abilities and theinfluence which he commanded had won him a good position at the Foreign Office,and then he passed completely out of my mind until the following letter recalled hisexistence:

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　'BRIARBRAE, WOKING
　　'MY DEAR WATSON, ----- I have no doubt that you can remember "tadpole" Phelps,who was in the fifth form when you were in the third. It is possible even that you mayhave heard that, through my uncle's influence, I obtained a good appointment at theForeign Office, and that I was in situation of trust and honour until a horriblemisfortune came suddenly to blast my career.
　　'There is no use writing the details of that dreadful event. In the event of youracceding to my request, it is probable that I shall have narrated them to you. I haveonly just recovered from nine weeks of brain fever, and am still exceedingly weak. Doyou think that you could bring your friend, Mr. Holmes, down to see me? I should liketo have his opinion of the case, though the authorities assure me that nothing more canbe dong. Do try to bring him down, and as soon as possible. Every minute seems anhour while I live in this horrible suspense. Assure him that, if I have not asked hisadvice sooner, it was not because I did not appreciate his talents, but because I havebeen off my head ver since the blow fell. Now I am clear again, though I dare notthink of it too much for fear of a relapse. I am still so weak that I have to write, as yousee, by dictating. Do try and bring him.'Your old schoolfellow,PERCY PHELPS
　　There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in thereiterated appeals to bring Holmes. So moved was I that, even if it had been a difficultmatter, I should have tried it; but, of course, I knew well that Holmes loved his art so,that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it. My wifeagreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, andso, within an hour of breakfast-time, I found myself back once more in the old roomsin Baker Street.
　　Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown and working hardover a chemical investigation. A large curved retort was boiling furiously in the bluishflame of a Bunsen burner, and the distilled drops were condensing into a two-litremeasure. My friend hardly glanced up as I entered, and I, seeing that his investigationmust be of importance, seated myself in an arm-chair and waited. He dipped into thisbottle or that, drawing out a few drops of each with his glass pipette, and finallybrought a test-tube containing a solution over to the table. In his right hand he had aslip of litmus-paper.
　　'You come at a crisis, Watson,' said he. 'If this paper remains blue, all is well. If itturns red, it means a man's life.' He dipped it into the test-tube, and it flushed at onceinto a dull, dirty crimson. 'Hum! I thought as much!' he cried. 'I shall be at yourservice in one instant, Watson. You will find tobacco in the Persian slipper.' He turnedto his desk and scribbled off several telegrams, which were handed over to thepage-boy. Then he threw himself down in the chair opposite, and drew up his kneesuntil his fingers clasped round his long, thin shins.
　　'A very commonplace little murder,' said he. 'You've got something better, I fancy.You are the stormy petrel of crime, Watson. What is it?'
　　I handed him the letter, which he read with the most concentrated attention.
　　'It does not tell us very much, does it?' he remarked, as he handed it back to me.
　　'Hardly anything.'
　　'And yet the writing is not his own.'
　　'Precisely. It is a woman's.'
　　'A man's surely!' I cried.
　　'No, a woman's; and a woman of rare character. You see, at the commencement ofan investigation, it is something to know that your client is in close contact withsomeone who for good or evil has an exceptional nature. My interest is alreadyawakened in the case. If you are ready, we will start at once for Woking and see thisdiplomatist who is in such evil case, and the lady to whom he dictates his letters.'
　　We were fortunate enough to catch an early train at Waterloo, and in a little underan hour we found ourselves among the fir-woods and the heather of Woking.Briarbrae proved to be a large detached house standing in extensive grounds, within afew minutes' walk of the station. On sending in our cards we were shown into anelegantly appointed drawing-room, where we were joined in a few minutes by a ratherstout man, who received us with much hospitality. His age may have been nearer fortythan thirty, but his cheeks were so ruddy and his eyes so merry, that he still conveyedthe impression of a plump and mischievous boy.
　　'I am so glad that you have come' said he, shaking our hands with effusion. 'Percyhas been inquiring for you all the morning. Ah, poor old chap, he clings to any straw.His father and mother asked me to see you, for the mere mention of the subject is verypainful to them.'
　　'We have had no details yet,' observed Holmes. 'I perceive that you are notyourself a member of the family.'
　　Our acquaintance looked surprised, and then glancing down he began to laugh.
　　'Of course you saw the "J. H." Monogram on my locket,' said he. 'For a moment Ithought you had done something clever. Joseph Harrison is my name, and as Percy isto marry my sister Annie, I shall at least be a relation by marriage. You will find mysister in his room, for she has nursed him hand-and-foot these two months back.Perhaps we had better go in at once, for I know how impatient he is.'
　　The chamber into which we were shown was on the same floor as thedrawing-room. It was furnished partly as a sitting- and partly as a bedroom, withflowers arranged daintily in every nook and corner. A young man, very pale and worn,was lying upon a sofa near the open window, through which came the rich scent of thegarden and the balmy summer air. A woman was sitting beside him, and rose as weentered.
　　'Shall I leave, Percy?' she asked.
　　He clutched her hand to detain her. 'How are you, Watson?' said he, cordially. 'Ishould never have known you under that moustache, and I dare say you would not beprepared to swear to me. This, I presume, is your celebrated friend, Mr. SherlockHolmes?'
　　I introduced him in a few words, and we both sat down. The stout young man hadleft us, but his sister still remained, with her hand in that of the invalid. She was astriking-looking woman, a little short and thick for symmetry, but with a beautifulolive complexion, large, dark Italian eyes, and a wealth of deep black hair. Her richtints made the white face of her companion the more worn and haggard by thecontrast.
　　'I won't waste your time,' said he, raising himself upon the sofa. 'I'll plunge intothe matter without further preamble. I was a happy and successful man, Mr. Holmes,and on the eve of being married, when a sudden and dreadful misfortune wrecked allmy prospects in life.
　　'I was, as Watson may have told you, in the Foreign Office, and through theinfluence of my uncle, Lord Holdhurst, I rose rapidly to a responsible position. Whenmy uncle became Foreign Minister in this Administration he gave me severalmissions of trust, and as I always brought them to a successful conclusion, he came atlast to have the utmost confidence in my ability and tact.
　　'Nearly ten weeks ago- to be more accurate, on the 23rd of May –he called me intohis private room and, after complimenting me upon the good work which I had done,informed me that he had a new commission of trust for me to execute.
　　' "This," said he, taking a grey roll of paper from his bureau, "is the original of thatsecret treaty between England and Italy, of which, I regret to say, some rumours havealready got into the public Press. It is of enormous importance that nothing furthershould leak out. The French or Russian Embassies would pay an immense sum learnthe contents of these papers. They should not leave my bureau were it not that it isabsolutely necessary to have them copied. You have a desk in your office?"
　　' "Yes, sir."
　　' "Then take the treaty and lock it up there. I shall give directions that you mayremain behind when the others go, so that you may copy it at your leisure, withoutfear of being overlooked. When you have finished, re-lock both the original and thedraft in the desk, and hand them over to personally to-morrow morning."
　　'I took the papers and—'
　　'Excuse me an instant,' said Holmes; 'were you alone during this conversation?'
　　'Absolutely.'
　　'In a large room?'
　　'Thirty feet each way.'
　　'In the centre?'
　　'Yes, about it.'
　　'And speaking low?'
　　'My uncle's voice is always remarkably low. I hardly spoke at all.'
　　'Thank you,' said Holmes, shutting his eyes; 'pray go on.'
　　'I did exactly what he had indicated, and waited until the other clerks had departed.One of them in my room, Charles Gorot, had some arrears of work to make up, so Ileft him there and went out to dine. When I returned he was gone. I was anxious tohurry my work, for I knew that Joseph, the Mr. Harrison whom you saw just now, wasin town, and that he would travel down to Woking by the eleven o'clock train, and Iwanted if possible to catch it.
　　'When I came to examine the treaty I saw at once that it was of such importancethat my uncle had been guilty of no exaggeration in what he had said. Without goinginto details, I may say that it defined the position of Great Britain towards the TripleAlliance, and foreshadowed the policy which this country would pursue in the eventof the French fleet gaining a complete ascendency over that of Italy in theMediterranean. The questions treated in it were purely naval. At the end were thesignatures of the high dignitaries who had signed it. I glanced my eyes over it, andthen settled down to my task of copying.
　　'It was a long document, written in the French language, and containing twenty-sixseparate articles. I copied as quickly as I could, but at nine o'clock I had only donenine articles, and it seemed hopeless for me to attempt to catch my train. I was fellingdrowsy and stupid, partly from my dinner and also from the effects of along day'swork. A cup of coffee would clear my brain. A commissionaire remains all night in alittle lodge at the foot of the stairs, and is in the habit of making coffee at hisspirit-lamp for any of the officials who may be working overtime. I rang the bell,therefore, to summon him.
　　'To my surprise, it was a woman who answered the summons, a large, coarse-faced,elderly woman, in an apron. She explained that she was the commissionaire's wife,who did the charing, and I gave her the order for the coffee.
　　'I wrote two more articles, and then, feeling more drowsy than ever, I rose andwalked up and down the room to stretch my legs. My coffee had not yet come, and Iwondered what the cause of the delay could be. Opening the door, I started down thecorridor to find out. There was a straight passage dimly lit which led from the room inwhich I had been working, and was the only exit from it. It ended in curving staircase,with the commissionaire's lodge in the passage at the bottom. Half-way down thisstaircase is a small landing, with another passage running into it at right angles. Thesecond one leads, by means of a second small stair, to a side-door used by servants,and also as a short cut by clerks when coming from Charles Street.
　　'Here is a rough chart of the place.'
　　'Thank you. I think that I quite follow you,' said Sherlock Holmes.
　　'It is of the utmost importance that you should notice this point. I went down thestairs and into the hall, where I found the commissionaire fast asleep in his box, withthe kettle boiling furiously upon the spirit-lamp, for the water was spurting over thefloor. I had put out my hand and was about to shake the man, who was still sleepingsoundly, when a bell over his head rang loudly, and he woke with a start.
　　' "Mr. Phelps, sir!" said he, looking at me in bewilderment.
　　' "I came down to see if my coffee was ready."
　　' "I was boiling the kettle when I fell asleep, sir." He looked at me and then up atthe still quivering bell, with an ever-growing astonishment upon his face.
　　' "If you was here, sir, then who rang the bell?" he asked.
　　' "The bell!" I said. "What bell is it?"
　　' "It's the bell of the room you were working in."
　　'A cold hand seemed to close round my heart. Someone, then, was in that roomwhere my precious treaty lay upon the table. I ran frantically up the stairs and alongthe passage. There was no one in the corridor, Mr. Holmes. There was no one in theroom. All was exactly as I left it, save only that the papers committed to my care hadbeen taken from the desk on which they lay. The copy was there and the original wasgone.'
　　Holmes sat up in his chair and rubbed his hands. I could see that the problem wasentirely to his heart. 'Pray, what did you do then?' he murmured.
　　'I recognized in an instant that the thief must have come up the stairs from theside-door. Of course I must have met him if he had come the other way.'
　　'You were satisfied that he could not have been concealed in the room all the time,or in the corridor which you have just described as dimly lighted?'
　　'It is absolutely impossible. A rat could not conceal himself either in the room orthe corridor. There is no cover at all.'
　　'Thank you. Pray proceed.'
　　'The commissionaire, seeing by may pale face that something was to be feared, hadfollowed me upstairs. Now we both rushed along the corridor and down the steepsteps which led to Charles Street. The door at bottom was closed but unlocked. Weflung it open and rushed out. I can distinctly remember that as we did so there camethree chimes from a neighbouring church. It was a quarter to ten.'
　　'That is of enormous importance,' said Holmes, making a note upon his shirt cuff.
　　'The night was very dark, and a thin, warm rain was falling. There was no one inCharles Street, but a great traffic was going on, as usual, in Whitehall, at the extremity.We rushed along the pavement, bareheaded as we were, and at the far corner we founda policeman standing.
　　' "A robbery has been committed," I gasped. "A document of immense value hasbeen stolen from the Foreign Office. Has anyone passed this way?'
　　' "I have been standing here for a quarter of an hour, sir," said he; "only one personhas passed during that time—a woman, tall and elderly, with a Paisley Shawl."
　　' "Ah, that is only my wife," cried the commissionaire. "Has no one else passed?"
　　' "No one."
　　' "Then it must be the other way that the thief took," cried the fellow, tugging at mysleeve.
　　'But I was not satisfied, and the attempts which he made to draw me awayincreased my suspicions.
　　' "Which way did the woman go?" I cried.
　　' "I don't know, sir. I noticed her pass, but I had no special reason for watching her.She seemed to be in a hurry."
　　' "How long ago was it?"
　　' " Oh, not very many minutes."
　　' "Within the last five?"
　　' "Well, it could not be more than five."
　　' "You're only wasting your time, sir, and every minute now is of importance,"cried the commissionaire. "Take my word for it that my old woman has nothing to dowith it, and come down to the other end of the street. Well, if you won't, I will," andwith that he rushed off in the other direction.
　　'But I was after him in an instant and caught him by the sleeve.
　　' "Where do you live?" said I.
　　' "No. 16 Ivy Lane, Brixton," he answered; "but don't let yourself be drawn awayupon a false scent, Mr. Phelps. Come to the other end of the street, and let us see if wecan hear of anything."
　　'Nothing was to be lost by following his advice. With the policeman we bothhurried down, but only to find the street full of traffic, many people coming and going,but all only too eager to get to a place of safety upon so wet a night. There was nolounger who could tell us who had passed.
　　'Then we returned to the office, and searched the stairs and the passage withoutresult. The corridor which led to the room was laid down with a kind of creamylinoleum, which shows an impression very easily. We examined it very carefully, butfound no outline of any footmark.'
　　'Had it been raining all the evening?'
　　'Since about seven.'
　　'How is it, then, that the woman who came into the room about nine left no traceswith her muddy boots?'
　　'I am glad you raise the point. It occurred to me at the time. The charwomen are inthe habit of taking off their boots at the commissionaire's office, and putting on listslippers.'
　　'That is very clear. There were no marks, then, though the night was a wet one?The chain of events is certainly one of extraordinary interest. What did you do next?'
　　'We examined the room also. There was no possibility of a secret door, and thewindows are quite thirty feet from the ground. Both of them were fastened on theinside. The carpet prevents any possibility of a trap-door, and the ceiling is of theordinary white-washed kind. I will pledge my life that whoever stole my papers couldonly have come through the door.'
　　'How about the fireplace?'
　　'They use none. There is a stove. The bell-rope hangs from the wire just to the rightof my desk. Whoever rang it must have come right up to the desk to do it. But whyshould any criminal wish to ring the bell? It is a most insoluble mystery.'
　　Certainly the incident was unusual. What were your next steps? You examined theroom, I presume, to see if the intruder had left any traces—any cigar-end, or droppedglove, or hairpin, or other trifle?'
　　'There was of nothing of the sort.'
　　'No smell?'
　　'Well, we never thought of that.'
　　'Ah, a scent of tobacco would have been worth a great deal to us in such aninvestigation.'
　　'I never smoke myself, so I think I should have observed it if there had been anysmell of tobacco. There was absolutely no clue of any kind. The only tangible factwas that the commissionaire's wife—Mrs. Tangey was the name—had hurried out ofthe place. He could give no explanation save that it was about the time when thewoman always went home. The policeman and I agreed that our best plan would be toseize the woman before she could get rid of the papers, presuming that she had them.
　　'The alarm had reached Scotland Yard by this time, and Mr. Forbes, the detective,came round at once and took up the case with a great deal of energy. We hired ahansom, and in half an hour we were at the address which had been given to us. Ayoung woman opened the door, who proved to be Mrs. Tangey's eldest daughter. Hermother had to come back yet, and we were shown into the front room to wait.
　　'About ten minutes later a knock came at the door, and here we made the oneserious mistake for which we allowed the girl to do so. We heard her say, "Mother,there are two men in the house waiting to see you," and an instant afterwards weheard the patter of feet rushing down the passage. Forbes flung open the door, and weboth ran into the back room or kitchen, but the woman had got there before us. Shestared at us with defiant eyes, and then suddenly recognizing me, an expression ofabsolute astonishment came over her face.
　　' "Why, if it isn't Mr. Phelps, of the office!" she cried.
　　Come, come, who did you think we were when you ran away from us?" asked mycompanion.
　　I thought you were the brokers," said she. "We've had some trouble with atradesman."
　　That's not quite good enough," answered Forbes. "We have reason to believe thatyou have taken a paper of importance from the Foreign Office, and that you ran in herto dispose of it. You must come back with us to Scotland Yard to be searched."
　　'It was in vain that she protested and resisted. A four-wheeler was brought, and weall three drove back in it. We had first made an examination of the kitchen, andespecially of the kitchen fire, to see whether she might have made away with thepapers during the instant that she was alone. There were no signs. However, of anyashes or scraps. When we reached Scotland Yard she was handed over at once to thefemale searcher. I waited in an agony of suspense until she came back with her report.There were no signs of the papers.
　　'Then, for the first time, the horror of my situation came in its full force upon me.Hitherto I had been so confident of regaining the treaty at once that I had not dared tothink of what would be the consequence if I failed to do so. But now there wasnothing more to be done, and I had leisure to realize my position. It was horrible!Watson there would tell you that I was a nervous, sensitive boy at school. It is mynature. I thought of my uncle and of his colleagues in the Cabinet, of the shame whichI had brought upon him, upon myself, upon everyone connected with me. Whatthought I was the victim of an extraordinary accident? No allowance is made foraccidents where diplomatic interests are at stake. I was ruined; shamefully, hopelesslyruined. I don't know what I did. I fancy I must have made a scene. I have a dimrecollection of a group of officials who crowded round me endeavouring to soothe me.One of them drove down with me to Waterloo and saw me into the Woking train. Ibelieve that he would have come all the way had it not been that Dr. Ferrier, who livesnear me, was going down by that very train. The doctor most kindly took charge ofme, and it was well he did so, for I had a fit in the station, and before we reachedhome I was practically a raving maniac.
　　'You can imagine the state of things here when they were roused from their beds bythe doctor's ringing, and found me in this condition. Poor Annie here and my motherwere broken-hearted. Dr. Ferrier had just heard enough from the detective at thestation to be able to give an idea of what had happened, and his story did not mendmatters. It was evident to all that I was in for a long illness, so Joseph was bundled outof this cheery bedroom, and it was turned into a sickroom for me. Here I have lain, Mr.Holmes, for over nine weeks, unconscious, and raving with brain fever. If it had notbeen for Miss Harrison here and for the doctor's care I should not be speaking to younow. she has nursed me by day, and a hired nurse has looked after me by night, for inmy mad fits I was capable of anything. Slowly my reason has cleared, but it is onlyduring the last three days that my memory has quite returned. Sometimes I wish that itnever had. The first thing I did was to wire to Mr. Forbes, who had the case in hand.He came out and assured me that, though everything has been done, no trace of a cluehas been discovered. The commissionaire and his wife have been examined in everyway without any light being thrown upon the matter. The suspicions of the police thenrested upon young Gorot, who, as you may remember, stayed overtime in the officethat night. His remaining behind and his French name were really the only two pointswhich could suggest suspicion; but as a matter of fact, I did not begin work until hehad gone, and his people are of Huguenot extraction, but as English in sympathy andtradition as you and I are. Nothing was found to implicate him in any way, and therethe matter dropped. I turn to you, Mr. Holmes, as absolutely my last hope. If you failme, then my honour as well as my position are for ever forfeited.'
　　The invalid sank back upon his cushions, tired out by this long recital, while hisnurse poured him out a glass of some stimulating medicine. Holmes sat silently withhis head thrown back and his eyes closed in an attitude which might seem listless to astranger, but which I knew betokened the most intense absorption.
　　'Your statement has been so explicit,' said he at last, 'that you have really left mevery few questions to ask. There is one of the very utmost importance, however. Didyou tell anyone that you had this special task to perform?'
　　'No one.'
　　'Not Miss Harrison here, for example?'
　　'No. I had not been back to Woking between getting the order and executing thecommission.'
　　'And none of your people had by chance been to see you?'
　　'None.'
　　'Did any of them know their way about in the office?'
　　'Oh, yes; all of them had been shown over it.'
　　'Still, of course, if you said nothing to anyone about the treaty, these inquiries areirrelevant.'
　　'I said nothing.'
　　'Do you know anything that he is an old soldier.'
　　'What regiment?'
　　'Oh, I have heard—Coldstream Guards.'
　　'Thank you. I have no doubt I can get details from Forbes. The authorities areexcellent at amassing facts, though they do not always use them to advantage. What alovely thing a rose is!'
　　he walked past the couch to the open window, and held up the drooping stalk of amoss rose, looking down at the dainty blend of crimson and green. It was a new phaseof his character to me, for I had never before seen him show any keen interest innatural objects.
　　'There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion,' said he, leaningwith his back against the shutters. 'It can be built up as an exact science by thereasoner. Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest inthe flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessaryfor our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colourare an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which givesextras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers.'
　　Percy Phelps and his nurse looked at Holmes during this demonstration withsurprise and a good deal of disappointment written upon their faces. He had falleninto a reverie, with the moss rose between his fingers. It had lasted some minutesbefore the young lady broke in upon it.
　　'Do you see any prospect of solving this mystery, Mr. Holmes?' she asked, with atouch of asperity in her voice.
　　'Oh, the mystery!' he answered, coming back with a start to the realities of life.'Well, it would be absurd to deny that the case is a very abstruse and complicated one;but I can promise you that I will look into the matter and let you know any pointswhich may strike me.'
　　'Do you see any clue?'
　　'You have furnished me with seven, but of course I must test them before I canpronounce upon their value.'
　　'You suspect someone?'
　　'I suspect myself—'
　　'What?'
　　'Of coming to conclusion too rapidly.'
　　'Then go to London and test your conclusions.'
　　'Your advice is very excellent, Miss Harrison,' said Holmes, rising. 'I think,Watson, we cannot do better. Do not allow yourself to indulge in false hopes, Mr.Phelps. The affair is a very tangled one.'
　　'I shall be in a fever until I see you again,' cried the diplomatist.
　　'Well, I'll come out by the same train to-morrow, though it's more than likely thatmy report will be a negative one.'
　　'God bless you for promising to come,' cried our client. 'It gives me fresh life toknow that something is being done. By the way, I have had a letter from LordHoldhurst.'
　　'Ha! What did he say?'
　　'He was cold, but not harsh. I dare say my severe illness prevented him from beingthat. He repeated that the matter was of the utmost importance, and added that nosteps would be taken about my future—by which he means, of course, mydismissal—until my health was restored and I had an opportunity of repairing mymisfortune.'
　　'Well, that was reasonable and considerate,' said Holmes. 'Come, Watson, for wehave a good day's work before us in town.'
　　Mr. Joseph Harrison drove us down to the station, and we were soon whirling up ina Portsmouth train. Holmes was sunk in profound thought, and hardly opened hismouth until we had passed Clapham Junction.
　　'It's a very cheering thing to come into London by any of these lines which runhigh and allow you to look down upon the houses like this.'
　　I thought he was joking, for the view was sordid enough, but he soon explainedhimself.
　　'Look at those big, isolated clumps of buildings rising up above the slates, likebrick islands in a lead-coloured sea.'
　　'The Board schools.'
　　'Lighthouses, my boy! Beacons of the future! Capsules, with hundreds of brightlittle seeds in each, out of which will spring the wiser, better England of the future. Isuppose that man Phelps does not drink?'
　　'I should not think so.'
　　'Nor should I. But we are bound to take every possibility into account. The poordevil has certainly got himself into very deep water, and it's a question whether weshall ever be able to get him ashore. What did you think of Miss Harrison?'
　　'A girl of strong character.'
　　'Yes, but she is a good sort, or I am mistaken. She and her brother are the onlychildren of an iron-master somewhere up Northumberland way. Phelps got engaged toher when travelling last winter, and she came down to be introduced to his people,with her brother as escort. Then came the smash, and she stayed on to nurse her lover,while brother Joseph, finding himself pretty snug, stayed on too. I've been making afew independent inquiries, you see. But today must be a day of inquiries.'
　　'My practice—'I began.
　　'Oh, if you find your own cases more interesting than mine—'said Holmes, withsome asperity.
　　'I was going to say that my practice could get along very well for a day or two,since it is the slackest time in the year.'
　　'Excellent,' said he, recovering his good humour. 'Then we'll look into this mattertogether. I think that we should begin by seeing Forbes. He can probably tell us all thedetails we want, until we know from what side the case is to be approached.'
　　'You said you had a clue.'
　　'Well, we have several, but we can only test their value by further inquiry. Themost difficult crime to track is the one which is purposeless. Now, this is notpurposeless. Who is it that profits by it? There is the French Ambassador, there is theRussian, there is whoever might sell it to either of these, and there is Lord Holdhurst.'
　　'Lord Holdhurst!'
　　'Well, it is just conceivable that a statesman might find himself in a position wherehe was not sorry to have such a document accidentally destroyed.'
　　'Not a statesman with the honourable record of Lord Holdhurst.'
　　'It is a possibility, and we cannot afford to disregard it. We shall see the noble lordto-day, and find out if he can tell us anything. Meanwhile, I have already set inquiriesupon foot.'
　　'Already?'
　　'Yes, I sent wires from Woking station to every evening paper in London. Thisadvertisement will appear in each of them.'
　　He handed over a sheet torn from the notebook. On it was scribbled in pencil:
　　'￡10 Reward.—The number of the cab which dropped a fare at or about the doorof the Foreign Office in Charles Street, at a quarter to ten in the evening of May 23rd.Apply 221B Baker Street.'
　　'You are confident that the thief came in a cab?'
　　'If not, there is no harm done. But if Mr. Phelps is correct in stating that there is nohiding-place either in the room or the corridors, then the person must have come fromoutside. If he came from outside on so wet a night, and yet left no trace of damp uponthe linoleum, which was examined within a few minutes of his passing, then it isexceedingly probable that he came in a cab. Yes, I think that we may safely deduce acab.'
　　'It sounds plausible.'
　　'That is one of the clues of which I spoke. It may lead us to something. And then,of course, there is the bell—which is the most distinctive feature of the case. Whyshould the bell ring? Was it the thief that did it out of bravado? Or was it someonewho was with the thief who did it in order to prevent the crime? Or was it an accident?Or was it—?' He sank back into the state of intense and silent thought from which hehad emerged, but it seemed to me, accustomed as I was to his every mood, that somenew possibility had dawned suddenly upon him.
　　It was twenty-past three when we reached our terminus, and after a hasty luncheonat the buffer we pushed on at once to Scotland Yard. Holmes had already wired toForbes, and we found him waiting to receive us: a small, foxy man, with a sharp butby no means amiable expression. He was decidedly frigid in his manner to us,especially when he heard the errand upon which we had come.
　　'I've heard of your methods before now, Mr. Holmes,' said he, tartly. 'You areready enough to use all the information that the police can lay at your disposal, andthen you try to finish the case yourself and bring discredit upon them.'
　　'On the contrary,' said Holmes; 'out of my last fifty-three cases my name has onlyappeared in four, and the police have had all the credit in forty-nine. I don't blame youfor not knowing this; for you are young and inexperienced; but if you wished to get onin your new duties you will work with me, and not against me.'
　　'I'd be very glad of a hint or two,' said the detective, changing his manner. 'I'vecertainly had no credit from the case so far.'
　　'What steps have you taken?'
　　'Tangey, the commissionaire, has been shadowed. He left the Guards with a goodcharacter, and we can find nothing against him. His wife is a bad lot, though. I fancyshe knows more about this than appears.'
　　'Have you shadowed her?'
　　'We have set one of our women on to her. Mrs. Tangey drinks, and our woman hasbeen with her twice when she well on, but she could get nothing out of her.'
　　'I understand that they have had brokers in the house?'
　　'Yes, but they were paid off.'
　　'Where did the money come from?'
　　'That was all right. His pension was due; they have not shown any sign of being infunds.'
　　'What explanation did she give of having answered the bell when Mr. Phelps rangfor the coffee?'
　　'She said that her husband was very tired and she wished to relieve him.'
　　'Well, certainly that would agree with his being found, a little later, asleep in hischair. There is nothing against them, then, but the woman's character. Did you ask herwhy she hurried away that night? Her haste attracted the attention of thepolice-constable.'
　　'She was later than usual, and wanted to get home.'
　　'Did you point out to her that you and Mr. Phelps, who started at least twentyminutes after her, got there before her?'
　　'She explains that by the difference between a bus and a hansom.'
　　'Did she make it clear why, on reaching her house, she ran into the back kitchen?'
　　'Because she had the money there with which to pay off the brokers.'
　　'She has at least an answer for everything. Did you ask her whether in leaving hismet anyone or saw anyone loitering about Charles Street?'
　　'She saw no one but the constable.'
　　'Well, you seem to have cross-examined her pretty thoroughly. What else have youdone?'
　　'The clerk, Gorot, has been shadowed all these nine weeks, but without result. Wecan show nothing against him.'
　　'Anything else?'
　　'Well, we have nothing else to go upon—no evidence of any kind.'
　　'Have you formed any theory about how that bell rang?'
　　'Well, I must confess that it bears me. It was a cool hand, whoever it was, to go andgive the alarm like that.'
　　'Yes, it was a queer thing to do. Many thanks to you for what you have told me. If Ican put the man into your hands you shall hear from me. Come along, Watson!'
　　'Where are we going to now?' I asked, as we left the office.
　　'We are now going to interview Lord Holdhurst, the Cabinet Minister and futurePremier of England.'
　　We were fortunate in finding that Lord Holdhurst was still in his chambers atDowning Street, and on Holmes sending in his card we were instantly shown up. Thestatesman received us with that old-fashioned courtesy for which he is remarkable,and seated us on the two luxurious easy chairs on either side of the fireplace. Standingon the rug between us, with his slight, tall figure, his sharp-featured, thoughtful face,and his curling hair prematurely tinged with grey, he seemed to represent that not toocommon type, a nobleman who is in truth noble.
　　'Your name is very familiar to me, Mr. Holmes,' said he, smiling. 'And, of course, Icannot pretend to be ignorant of the object of your visit. There has only been oneoccurrence in these offices which could call for your attention. In whose interest areyou acting, may I ask?'
　　'In that of Mr. Percy Phelps,' answered Holmes.
　　'Ah, my unfortunate nephew! You can understand that our kinship makes it themore impossible for me to screen him in any way. I fear that the incident must have avery prejudicial effect upon his career.'
　　'But if the document is found?'
　　'Ah, that, of course, would be different.'
　　'I had one or two questions which I wished to ask you, Lord Holdhurst.'
　　'I shall be happy to give you any information in my power.'
　　'Was it in this room that you gave your instructions as to the copying of thedocument?'
　　'It was.'
　　'Then you could hardly have been overheard?'
　　'It is out of the question.'
　　'Did you ever mention to anyone that it was your intention to give out the treaty tobe copied?'
　　'Never.'
　　'You are certain of that?'
　　'Absolutely.'
　　'Well, since you never said so, and Mr. Phelps never said so, and nobody else knewanything of the matter, then the thief's presence in the room was purely accidental. Hesaw his chance and he took it.'
　　The statesman smiled. 'You take me out of my province there,' said he.
　　Holmes considered for a moment. 'There is another very important point which Iwish to discuss with you,' said he. 'You feared, as I understand, that very grave resultsmight follow from the details of this treaty becoming known?'
　　A shadow passed over the expressive face of the statesman. 'Very grave results,indeed.'
　　'And have they occurred?'
　　'Not yet.'
　　'If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French or Russian Foreign Office, youwould expect to hear of it?'
　　'I should,' said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry face.
　　'Since nearly ten weeks have elapsed, then, and nothing has been heard, it is notunfair to suppose that for some reason the treaty has not reached them?'
　　Lord Holdhurst shrugged his shoulders.
　　'We can hardly suppose, Mr. Holmes, that the thief took the treaty in order to frameit and hang it up.'
　　'Perhaps he is waiting for a better price.'
　　'If he waits a little longer he will get no price at all. The treaty will cease to be asecret in a few months.'
　　'That is most important,' said Holmes. 'Of course it is a possible supposition thatthe thief has had a sudden illness—'
　　'An attack of brain fever, for example?' asked the statesman, flashing a swiftglance at him.
　　'I did not say so,' said Holmes, imperturbably. 'And now, Lord Holdhurst, we havealready taken up too much of your valuable time, and we shall wish you a good day.'
　　'Every success to your investigation, be the criminal who it may,' answered thenobleman, as he bowed us out at the door.
　　'He's a fine fellow,' said Holmes, as we came out into Whitehall. 'But he has astruggle to keep up his position. He is far from rich, and has many calls. You noticed,of course, that his boots had been re-soled? Now, Watson, I won't detain you fromyour legitimate work any longer. I shall do nothing more to-day, unless I have ananswer to my cab advertisement. But I should be extremely obliged to you if youwould come down with me to Woking to-morrow, by the same train which we tookto-day.'
　　I met him accordingly next morning, and we travelled down to Woking together.He had had no answer to his advertisement, he said, and no fresh light had beenthrown upon the case. He had, when he so willed it, the utter immobility ofcountenance of a Red Indian, and I could not gather from his appearance whether hewas satisfied or not with the position of the case. His conversation, I remember, wasabout the Bertillon system of measurements, and he expressed his enthusiasticadmiration of the French savant.
　　We found our client still under the charge of his devoted nurse, but lookingconsiderably better than before. He rose from the sofa and greeted us withoutdifficulty when we entered.
　　'Any news?' he asked, eagerly.
　　'My report, as I expected, is a negative one,' said Holmes. 'I have seen Forbes, andI have seen your uncle, and I have set one or two trains of inquiry upon foot whichmay lead to something.'
　　'You have not lost heart, then?'
　　'By no means.'
　　'God bless you for saying that!' cried Miss Harrison. 'If we keep our courage andour patience, the truth must come out.'
　　'We have more to tell you than you have for us,' said Phelps, re-seating him uponthe couch.
　　'I hoped you might have something.'
　　'Yes, we have had an adventure during the night, and one which might have provedto be a serious one.' His expression grew very grave as he spoke, and a look ofsomething akin to fear sprang up in his eyes. 'Do you know,' said he, 'that I begin tobelieve that I am the unconscious centre of some monstrous conspiracy, and that mylife is aimed at as well as my honour?'
　　'Ah!' cried Holmes.
　　'It sounds incredible, for I have not, as far as I know, an enemy in the world. Yetfrom last night's experience I can come to no other conclusion.'
　　'Pray let me hear it.'
　　'You must know that last night was the very first night that I have ever sleptwithout a nurse in the room. I was so much better that I thought I could dispense withone. I had a night-light burning, however. Well, about two in the morning I had sunkinto a light sleep, when I was suddenly aroused by a slight noise. It was like the soundwhich a mouse makes when it is gnawing a plank, and I lay listening to it for sometime under the impression that it must come from that cause. Then it grew louder, andsuddenly there came from the window a sharp metallic snick. I sat up in amazement.There could be no doubt what the sounds were now. The faint ones had been causedby someone forcing an instrument through the silt between the sashes, and the secondby the catch being pressed back.
　　'There was a pause then for about ten minutes, as if the person were waiting to seewhether the noise had awoken me. Then I heard a gentle creaking as the window wasvery slowly opened. I could stand it no longer, for my nerves are not what they usedto be. I sprang out of bed and flung open the shutter. A man was crouching at thewindow. I could see little of him, for he was gone like a flash. He was wrapped insome sort of cloak, which came across the lower part of his face. One thing only I amsure of, and that is that he had some weapon in his hand. It looked to me like a longknife. I distinctly saw the gleam of it as he turned to run.'
　　'This is most interesting,' said Holmes. 'Pray, what did you do then?'
　　'I should have followed him through the open window if I had been stronger. As itwas, I rang the bell and roused the house. It took me some little time, for the bell ringsin the kitchen, and the servants all sleep upstairs. I shouted, however, and that broughtJoseph down, and he roused the others. Joseph and the groom found marks on theflower-bed outside the window, but the weather has been so dry lately that they foundit hopeless to follow the trail across the grass. There's a place, however, on thewooden fence which skirts the road which shows signs, they tell me, as if someonehad got over and had snapped the top of the rail in doing so. I have said nothing to thelocal police yet, for I thought I had best have your opinion first.'
　　This tale of our client's appeared to have an extraordinary effect upon SherlockHolmes. He rose from his chair and paced about the room in uncontrollableexcitement.
　　'Misfortunes never come singly,' said Phelps, smiling, though it was evident thathis adventure had somewhat shaken him.
　　'You have certainly had your share,' said Holmes. 'Do you think you could walkround the house with me?'
　　'Oh, yes, I should like a little sunshine. Joseph will come too?'
　　'And I also,' said Miss Harrison.
　　'I am afraid not,' said Holmes, shaking his head. 'I think I must ask you to remainsitting exactly where you are.'
　　The young lady resumed her seat with an air of displeasure. Her brother, however,had joined us, and we set off all four together. We passed round the lawn to theoutside of the young diplomatist's window. There were, as he had said, marks uponthe flower-bed, but they were hopelessly blurred and vague. Holmes stooped overthem for an instant, and then rose, shrugging his shoulders.
　　'I don't think anyone could make much of this,' said he. 'Let us go round the houseand see why this particular room was chosen by the burglar. I should have thoughtthose larger windows of the drawing-room and dining-room would have had moreattractions for him.'
　　'They are more visible from the road,' suggested Mr. Joseph Harrison.
　　'Ah, yes, of course. There is a door here which he might have attempted. What is itfor?'
　　'It is the side-entrance for tradespeople. Of course, it is locked at night.'
　　'Have you ever had an alarm like this before?'
　　'Never,' said our client.
　　'Do you keep plate in the house, or anything to attract burglars?'
　　'Nothing of value.'
　　Holmes strolled round the house with his hands in his pockets, and a negligent airwhich was unusual with him.
　　'By the way,' said he to Joseph Harrison, 'you found some place, I understand,where the fellow scaled the fence. Let us have a look at that.'
　　The young man led us to a spot where the top of one of the wooden rails had beencracked. A small fragment of the wood was hanging down. Holmes pulled it off andexamined it critically.
　　'Do you think that was done last night? It looks rather old, does it not?'
　　'Well, possibly so.'
　　'There are no marks of anyone jumping down upon the other side. No, I fancy weshall get no help here. Let us go back to the bedroom and talk the matter over.'
　　Percy Phelps was walking very slowly, leaning upon the arm of his futurebrother-in-law. Holmes walked swiftly across the lawn, and we were at the openwindow of the bedroom long before the others came up.
　　'Miss Harrison,' said Holmes, speaking with the utmost intensity of manner, 'youmust stay where you are all day. Let nothing prevent you from staying where you areall day. It is of most vital importance.'
　　'Certainly, if you wish it, Mr. Holmes,' said the girl, in astonishment.
　　'When you go to bed lock the door of this room on the outside and keep the key.Promise to do this.'
　　'But Percy?'
　　'He will come to London with us.'
　　'And I am to remain here?'
　　'It is for his sake. You can serve him! Quick! Promise!'
　　she gave a nod of assent just as the other two came up.
　　'Why do you sit moping there, Annie?' cried her brother. 'Come out into thesunshine!'
　　'No, thank you, Joseph. I have a slight headache, and this room is deliciously cooland soothing.'
　　'What do you propose now, Mr. Holmes?' asked out client.
　　'Well, in investigating this minor affair we must not lose sight of our main inquiry.It would be a very great help to me if you could come up to London with us.'
　　'At once?'
　　'Well, as soon as you conveniently can. Say in an hour.'
　　'I feel quite strong enough, if I can really be of any help.'
　　'The greatest possible.'
　　'Perhaps you would like me to stay there to-night.'
　　'I was just going to propose it.'
　　'Then if my friend of the night comes to revisit me, he will find the bird flown. Weare all in your hands, Mr. Holmes, and you must tell us exactly what you would likedone. Perhaps you would prefer that Joseph came with us, so as to look after me?'
　　'Oh, no; my friend Watson is a medical man, you know, and he'll look after you.We'll have our lunch here, if you will permit us, and then we shall all three set off fortown together.'
　　It was arranged as he suggested, though Miss Harrison excused herself fromleaving the bedroom, in accordance with Holmes's suggestion. What the object of myfriend's manoeuvres was I could not conceive, unless it were to keep the lady awayfrom Phelps, who, rejoiced by his returning health and by the prospect of action,lunched with us in the dinning-room. Holmes had a still more startling surprise for us,however, for after accompanying us down to the station and seeing us into ourcarriage, he calmly announced that he had no intention of leaving Woking.
　　'There are one or two small points which I should desire to clear up before I go,'said he. 'Your absence, Mr. Phelps, will in some ways rather assist me. Watson, whenyou reach London you would oblige me by driving at once to Baker Street with ourfriend here, and remaining with him until I see you again. It is fortunate that you areold schoolfellows, as you must have much to talk over. Mr. Phelps can have the sparebedroom to-night, and I shall be with you in time for breakfast, for there is a trainwhich will take me into Waterloo at eight.'
　　'But how about our investigation in London?' asked Phelps, ruefully.
　　'We can do that to-morrow. I think that just at present I can be of more immediateuse here.'
　　'You might tell them at Briarbrae that I hope to be back to-morrow night,' criedPhelps, as we began to move from the platform.
　　'I hardly expect to go back to Briarbrae,' answered Holmes, and waved his hand tous cheerily as we shot out from the station.
　　Phelps and I talked it over on our journey, but neither of us could devise asatisfactory reason for this new development.
　　'I suppose he wants to find out some clue as to the burglary last night, if a burglar itwas. For myself, I don't believe it was an ordinary thief.'
　　'What is your idea, then?'
　　'Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not, but I believe thereis some deep political intrigue going on around me, and that, for some reason thatpasses my understanding, my life is aimed at by the conspirators. It soundshigh-flown and absurd, but consider the facts! Why should a thief try to break in at abedroom window, where there could be no hope of any plunder, and why should hecome with a long knife in his hand?'
　　'You are sure it was not a housebreaker's jemmy?'
　　'Oh, no; it was a knife. I saw the flash of the blade quite distinctly.'
　　'But why on earth should you be pursued with such animosity?'
　　'Ah! That is the question.'
　　'Well, if Holmes takes the same view, that would account for his action, would itnot? Presuming that your theory is correct, if he can lay his hands upon the man whothreatened you last night, he will have gone a long way towards finding who took thenaval treaty. It is absurd to suppose that you have two enemies, one of whom robs youwhile the other threatens your life.'
　　'But Mr. Holmes said that he was not going to Briarbrae.'
　　'I have known him for some time,' said I, 'but I never knew him do anything yetwithout a very good reason,' and with that our conversation drifted off into othertopics.
　　But it was a weary day for me. Phelps was still weak after his long illness, and hismisfortunes made him querulous and nervous. In vain I endeavoured to interest him inAfghanistan, in India, in social questions, in anything which might take his mind outof the groove. He would always come back to his lost treaty; wondering, guessing,speculating, as to what Holmes was doing, what steps lord Holdhurst was taking, whatnews we should have in the morning. As the evening wore on his excitement becamequite painful.
　　'You have implicit faith in Holmes?' he asked.
　　'I have seen him do some remarkable things.'
　　'But he never brought light into anything quite so dark as this?'
　　'Oh, yes; I have known him solve questions which presented fewer clues thanyours.'
　　'But not where such large interests are at stake?'
　　'I don't know that. To my certain knowledge he has acted on behalf of three of thereigning Houses of Europe in very vital matters.'
　　'But you know him well, Watson. He is such an inscrutable fellow, that I neverquite know what to make of him. Do you think he is hopeful? Do you think he expectsto make a success of it?'
　　'He has said nothing.'
　　'That is a bad sign.'
　　'On the contrary, I have noticed that when he is off the trail he generally says so. Itis when he is on a scent, and is not quite absolutely sure yet that it is the right one,that he is most taciturn. Now, my dear fellow, we can't help matters by makingourselves nervous about them, so let me implore you to go to bed, and so be fresh forwhatever may await us to-morrow.
　　I was able at last to persuade my companion to take my advice, though I knew fromhis excited manner that there was not much hope of sleep for him. Indeed, his moodwas infectious, for I lay tossing half the night myself, brooding over this strangeproblem, and inventing a hundred theories, each of which was more impossible thanthe last. Why had Holmes remained at Woking? Why had he asked Miss Harrison tostay in the sick-room all day? Why had he been so careful not to inform the people atBriarbrae that he intended to remain near them? I cudgelled my brains until I fellasleep in the endeavour to find some explanation which would cover all these facts.
　　It was seven o'clock when I awoke, and I set off at once for Phelps' room, to findhim haggard and spent after a sleepless night. His first question was whether Holmeshad arrived yet.
　　'He'll be here when he promised,' said I, 'and not an instant sooner or later.'
　　And my words were true, for shortly after eight a hansom dashed up to the door andour friend got out of it. Standing in the window, we saw that his left hand wasswathed in a bandage and that his face was very grim and pale. He entered the house,but it was some little time before he came upstairs.
　　'He looks like a beaten man,' cried Phelps.
　　I was forced to confess that he was right. 'After all,' said I, 'the clue of the matterlies probably here in town.'
　　Phelps gave a groan.
　　'I don't know how it is,' said he, 'but I had hoped for so much from his return. Butsurely his hand was not tied up like that yesterday? What can be the matter?'
　　'You are not wounded, Holmes?' I asked, as my friend entered the room.
　　'Tut, it is only a scratch through my own clumsiness,' he answered, nodding hisgood morning to us. 'This case of yours, Mr. Phelps, is certainly one of the darkestwhich I have ever investigated.'
　　'I feared that you would find it beyond you.'
　　'It has been a most remarkable experience.'
　　'That bandage tells of adventures,' said I. 'Won't you tell us what has happened?'
　　'After breakfast, my dear Watson. Remember that I have breathed thirty miles ofSurrey air this morning. I suppose there has been no answer to my cabmanadvertisement? Well, well, we cannot expect to score every time.'
　　The table was all laid, and, just as I was about to ring, Mrs. Hudson entered withthe tea and coffee. A few minutes later she brought in the covers, and we all drew upto the table, Holmes ravenous, I curious, and Phelps in the gloomiest state ofdepression.
　　'Mrs. Hudson has risen to the occasion,' said Holmes, uncovering a dish of curriedchicken. 'Her cuisine is a little limited, but she has as good an idea of breakfast as aScotchwoman. What have you there, Watson?'
　　'Ham and eggs,' I answered.
　　'Good! What are you going to take, Mr. Phelps: curried fowl, eggs, or will you helpyourself?'
　　'Thank you, I can eat nothing,' said Phelps.
　　'Oh, come! Try the dish before you.'
　　'Thank you, I would really rather not.'
　　'Well, then,' said Holmes, with a mischievous twinkle, 'I suppose that you have noobjection to helping me?'
　　Phelps raised the cover, and as he did so he uttered a scream, and sat there staringwith a face as white as the plate upon which he looked. Across the centre of it waslying a little cylinder of blue-grey paper. He caught it up, devoured it with his eyes,and then danced madly about the room, pressing it to his bosom and shrieking out inhis delight. Then he fell back into an arm-chair, so limp and exhausted with his ownemotions that we had to pour brandy down his throat to keep him from fainting.
　　'There! There!' said Holmes, soothingly, patting him upon the shoulder. 'It was toobad to spring it on you like this; but Watson here will tell you that I never can resist atouch of the dramatic.'
　　Phelps seized his hand and kissed it. 'God bless you!' he cried; 'you have saved myhonour.'
　　'Well, my own was at stake, you know,' said Holmes. 'I assure you, it is just ashateful to me to fail in a case as it can be to you to blunder over a commission.'
　　Phelps thrust away the precious document into the innermost pocket of his coat.
　　'I have not the heart to interrupt your breakfast any further, and yet I am dying toknow how you got it and where it was.'
　　Sherlock Holmes swallowed a cup of coffee and turned his attention to the ham andeggs. Then he rose, lit his pipe, and settled himself down into his chair.
　　'I'll tell you what I did first, and how I came to do it afterwards,' said he. 'Afterleaving you at the station I went for a charming walk through some admirable Surreyscenery to a pretty little village called Ripley, where I had my tea at an inn, and tookthe precaution of filling my flask and of putting a paper of sandwiches in my pocket.There I remained until evening, when I set off for Woking again and found myself inthe high-road outside Briarbrae just after sunset.
　　'Well, I waited until the road was clear—it is never a very frequented one at anytime, I fancy—and then I clambered over the fence into the grounds.'
　　'Surely the gate was open?' ejaculated Phelps.
　　'Yes; but I have a peculiar taste in these matters. I chose the place where the threefir trees stand, and behind their screen I got over without the least chance of anyone inthe house being able to see me. I crouched down among the bushes on the other side,and crawled from one to the other—witness the disreputable state of my trouserknees—until I had reached the clump of rhododendrons just opposite to your bedroomwindow. There I squatted down and awaited developments.
　　'The blind was not down in your room, and I could see Miss Harrison sitting therereading by the table. It was a quarter past ten when she closed her book, fastened theshutters, and retired. I heard her shut the door, and felt quite sure that she had turnedthe key in the lock.'
　　'The key?' ejaculated Phelps.
　　'Yes, I had given Miss Harrison instructions to lock the door on the outside andtake the key with her when she went to bed. She carried out every one of myinjunctions to the letter, and certainly without her co-operation you would not havethat paper in your coat pocket. She departed then, the lights went out, and I was leftsquatting in the rhododendron bush.
　　'The night was fine, but still it was a very weary vigil. Of course, it has the sort ofexcitement about it that the sportsman feels when he lies beside the watercourse andwaits for the big game. It was very long, though—almost as long, Watson, as whenyou and I waited in that deadly room when we looked into the little problem of the
　　Speckled Band.quarters, and I thought more than once that it had stopped. At last, however, about twoin the morning, I suddenly heard the gentle sound of a bolt being pushed back, and thecreaking of a key. A moment later the servants' door was opened and Mr. JosephHarrison stepped out into the moonlight.'
　　'Joseph!' ejaculated Phelps.
　　'He was bare-headed, but he had a black cloak thrown over his shoulder, so that hecould conceal his face in an instant if there were any alarm. He walked on tiptoeunder the shadow of the wall, and when he reached the window, he worked along-bladed knife through the sash and pushed back the catch. Then he flung open thewindow and, putting his knife through the crack in the shutters, he thrust the bar upand swung them open.
　　'From where I lay I had a perfect view of the inside of the room and of every one ofhis movements. He lit the two candles which stand upon the mantelpiece, and then heproceeded to turn back the corner of the carpet in the neighbourhood of the door.Presently he stooped and picked out a square piece of board, such as is usually left toenable plumbers to get at the joints of the gas pipes. This one covered, as a matter offact, the T-joint which gives off the pipe which supplies the kitchen underneath. Outof this hiding-place he drew that little cylinder of paper, pushed down the board,rearranged the carpet, blew out the candles, and walked straight into my arms as Istood waiting for him outside the window.
　　'Well, he has rather more viciousness than I gave him credit for, has Master Joseph.He flew at me with his knife, and I had to grass him twice, and got a cut over theknuckles, before I had the upper hand of him. He looked "murder" out of the only eyehe could see with when we had finished, but he listened to reason and gave up thepapers. Having got them I let my man go, but I wired full particulars to Forbes thismorning. If he is quick enough to catch his bird, well and good! But if, as I shrewdlysuspect, he finds the nest empty before he gets there, why, all the better for theGovernment. I fancy that Lord Holdhurst, for one, and Mr. Percy Phelps, for another,would very much rather that the affair never got so far as a police-court.'
　　'My God!' gasped our client. 'Do you tell me that during these long ten weeks ofagony, the stolen papers were within the very room with me all the time?'
　　'So it was.'
　　'And Joseph! Joseph a villain and a thief!'
　　'Hum! I am afraid Joseph's character is a rather deeper and more dangerous onethan one might judge from his appearance. From what I have heard from him thismorning, I gather that he has lost heavily in dabbling with stocks, and that he is readyto do anything on earth to better his fortunes. Being an absolutely selfish man, when achance presented itself he did not allow either his sister's happiness or your reputationto hold his hand.'
　　Percy Phelps sank back in his chair. 'My head whirls,' said he; 'your words havedazed me.'
　　'The principal difficulty in your case,' remarked Holmes, in his didactic fashion,'lay in the fact of there being too much evidence. What was vital was overlaid andhidden by what was irrelevant. Of all the facts which were presented to us, we had topick just those which we deemed to be essential, and then piece them together in theirorder, so as to reconstruct this very remarkable chain of events. I had already begun tosuspect Joseph, from the fact that you had intended to travel home with him that night,and that therefore it was a likely enough thing that he should call for you—knowingthe Foreign Office well—upon his way. When I heard that someone had been soanxious to get into the bedroom, in which no one but Joseph could have concealedanything—you told us in your narrative how you had turned Joseph out when youarrived with the doctor—my suspicions all changed to certainties, especially as theattempt was made on the first night upon which the nurse was absent, showing thatthe intruder was well acquainted with the ways of the house.'
　　'How blind I have been!'
　　'The facts of the case, as far as I have worked them out, are these: This JosephHarrison entered the office through the Charles Street door, and knowing his way hewalked straight into your room the instant after you left it. Finding no one there hepromptly rang the bell, and at the instant that he did so his eyes caught the paper uponthe table. A glance showed him that chance had put in his way a State document ofimmense value, and in a flash he had thrust it into his pocket and was gone. A fewminutes elapsed, as you remember, before the sleepy commissionaire drew yourattention to the bell, and those were just enough to give the thief time to make hisescape.
　　'He made his way to Woking by the first train, and, having examined his booty, andassured himself that it really was of immense value, he concealed it in what hethought was a very safe place, with the intention of taking it out again in a day or two,and carrying it to the French Embassy, or wherever he thought that a long piece wasto be had. Then came your sudden return. He, without a moment's warning, wasbundled out of his room, and from that time onwards there were always at least two ofyou there to prevent him from regaining his treasure. The situation to him must havebeen a maddening one. But at last he thought he saw his chance. He tired to steal in,but was baffled by your wakefulness. You may remember that you did not take yourusual draught that night.'
　　'I remember.'
　　'I fancy that he had taken steps to make that draught efficacious, and that he quiterelied upon your being unconscious. Of course, I understood that he would repeat theattempt whenever it could be done with safety. Your leaving the room gave him thechance he wanted. I kept Miss Harrison in it all day, so that he might not anticipate us.Then, having given him the idea that the coast was clear, I kept guard as I havedescribed. I already knew that the papers were probably in the room, but I had nodesire to rip up all the planking and skirting in search of them. I let him take them,therefore, from the hiding-place, and so saved myself an infinity of trouble. Is thereany other point which I can make clear?'
　　'Why did he try the window on the first occasion,' I asked, 'when he might haveentered by the door?'
　　'In reaching the door he would have to pass seven bedrooms. On the other hand, hecould get out on to the lawn with ease. Anything else?'
　　'You do not think,' asked Phelps, 'that he had any murderous intention? The knifewas only meant as a tool.'
　　'It may be so,' answered Holmes, shrugging his shoulders. 'I can only say forcertain that Mr. Joseph Harrison is a gentleman to whose mercy I should be extremelyunwilling to trust.'

　　　　　　　 THE END

8766

這么長```眼睛都花了```

6485

得好好修修英文了、、、

7890

挺不錯的嘛！中文英文全都有！

1057

前兩天買了一本《福爾摩斯》英文版，結果完全看不懂