“Nowcomesthepoint。Fromthattimeonwardacuriouschangecame
　　overtheprofessor。Hebecamefurtiveandsly。Thosearoundhimhad
　　alwaysthefeelingthathewasnotthemanthattheyhadknown，but
　　thathewasundersomeshadowwhichhaddarkenedhishigherqualities。
　　Hisintellectwasnotaffected。Hislectureswereasbrilliantas
　　ever。Butalwaystherewassomethingnew，somethingsinisterand
　　unexpected。Hisdaughter，whowasdevotedtohim，triedagainand
　　againtoresumetheoldrelationsandtopenetratethismaskwhichher
　　fatherseemedtohaveputon。You，sir，asIunderstand，didthesame-
　　butallwasinvain。Andnow，Mr。Bennett，tellinyourownwords
　　theincidentoftheletters。”
　　“Youmustunderstand，Dr。Watson，thattheprofessorhadno
　　secretsfromme。IfIwerehissonorhisyoungerbrotherIcould
　　nothavemorecompletelyenjoyedhisconfidence。AshissecretaryI
　　handledeverypaperwhichcametohim，andIopenedandsubdividedhis
　　letters。Shortlyafterhisreturnallthiswaschanged。Hetoldme
　　thatcertainlettersmightcometohimfromLondonwhichwouldbe
　　markedbyacrossunderthestamp。Theseweretobesetasidefor
　　hisowneyesonly。Imaysaythatseveralofthesedidpassthroughmy
　　hands，thattheyhadtheE。C。mark，andwereinanilliterate
　　handwriting。Ifheansweredthematalltheanswersdidnotpass
　　throughmyhandsnorintotheletter-basketinwhichour
　　correspondencewascollected。”
　　“Andthebox，“saidHolmes。
　　“Ah，yes，thebox。Theprofessorbroughtbackalittlewoodenbox
　　fromhistravels。ItwastheonethingwhichsuggestedaContinental
　　tour，foritwasoneofthosequaintcarvedthingswhichone
　　associateswithGermany。Thisheplacedinthisinstrumentcupboard。
　　Oneday，inlookingforacanula，Itookupthebox。Tomysurprisehe
　　wasveryangry，andreprovedmeinwordswhichwerequitesavagefor
　　mycuriosity。Itwasthefirsttimesuchathinghadhappened，andI
　　wasdeeplyhurt。Iendeavouredtoexplainthatitwasamere
　　accidentthatIhadtouchedthebox，ButalltheeveningIwas
　　consciousthathelookedatmeharshlyandthattheincidentwas
　　ranklinginhismind。”Mr。Bennettdrewalittlediarybookfromhis
　　pocket。“ThatwasonJuly2d，“saidhe。
　　“Youarecertainlyanadmirablewitness，“saidHolmes。“Imayneed
　　someofthesedateswhichyouhavenoted。”
　　“Ilearnedmethodamongotherthingsfrommygreatteacher。Fromthe
　　timethatIobservedabnormalityinhisbehaviourIfeltthatitwas
　　mydutytostudyhiscase。ThusIhaveitherethatitwasonthat
　　veryday，July2d，thatRoyattackedtheprofessorashecamefromhis
　　studyintothehall。Again，onJuly11ththerewasasceneofthesame
　　sort，andthenIhaveanoteofyetanotheruponJuly20th。Afterthat
　　webidtobanishRoytothestables。Hewasadear，affectionate
　　animal-butIfearIwearyyou。”
　　Mr。Bennettspokeinatoneofreproach，foritwasveryclear
　　thatHolmeswasnotlistening。Hisfacewasrigidandhiseyesgazed
　　abstractedlyattheceiling。Withaneffortherecoveredhimself。
　　“Singular！Mostsingular！“hemurmured。“Thesedetailswerenewto
　　me，Mr。Bennett。Ithinkwehavenowfairlygoneovertheold
　　ground，havewenot？Butyouspokeofsomefreshdevelopments。”
　　Thepleasant，openfaceofourvisitorcloudedover，shadowedby
　　somegrimremembrance。“WhatIspeakofoccurredthenightbefore
　　last，“saidhe。“Iwaslyingawakeabouttwointhemorning，whenI
　　wasawareofadullmuffledsoundcomingfromthepassage。Iopenedmy
　　doorandpeepedout。Ishouldexplainthattheprofessorsleepsatthe
　　endofthepassage-“
　　“Thedatebeing-？“askedHolmes。
　　Ourvisitorwasclearlyannoyeditsoirrelevantaninterruption。
　　“Ihavesaid，sir，thatitwasthenightbeforelast-thatis，
　　September4th。”
　　Holmesnoddedandsmiled。
　　“Praycontinue，“saidhe。
　　“Hesleepsattheendofthepassageandwouldhavetopassmy
　　doorinordertoreachthestaircase。Itwasareallyterrifying
　　experience，Mr。Holmes。IthinkthatIamasstrong-nervedasmy
　　neighbours，butIwasshakenbywhatIsaw。Thepassagewasdark
　　savethatonewindowhalfwayalongitthrewapatchoflight。I
　　couldseethatsomethingwascomingalongthepassage，something
　　darkandcrouching。Thensuddenlyitemergedintothelight，andIsaw
　　thatitwashe。Hewascrawling，Mr。Holmes-crawling！Hewasnot
　　quiteonhishandsandknees。Ishouldrathersayonhishandsand
　　feet，withhisfacesunkbetweenhishands。Yetheseemedtomovewith
　　case。Iwassoparalyzedbythesightthatitwasnotuntilhehad
　　reachedmydoorthatIwasabletostepforwardandaskifIcould
　　assisthim。Hisanswerwasextraordinary。Hesprangup，spatout
　　someatrociouswordatme，andhurriedonpastme，anddownthe
　　staircase。Iwaitedaboutforanhour，buthedidnotcomeback。It
　　musthavebeendaylightbeforeheregainedhisroom。”
　　“Well，Watson，whatmakeyouofthat？“askedHolmeswiththeair
　　ofthepathologistwhopresentsararespecimen。
　　“Lumbago，possibly。Ihaveknownasevereattackmakeamanwalk
　　injustsuchaway，andnothingwouldbemoretryingtothetemper。”
　　“Good，Watson！Youalwayskeepusflat-footedontheground。But
　　wecanhardlyacceptLumbago，sincehewasabletostanderectina
　　moment。”
　　“Hewasneverbetterinhealth，“saidBennett。“Infact，heis
　　strongerthanIhaveknownhimforyears。Buttherearethefacts，Mr。
　　Holmes。Itisnotacaseinwhichwecanconsultthepolice，andyet
　　weareutterlyatourwit”sendastowhattodo，andwefeelin
　　somestrangewaythatwearedriftingtowardsdisaster。Edith-Miss
　　Presbury-feelsasIdo，thatwecannotwaitpassivelyanylonger。”
　　“Itiscertainlyaverycuriousandsuggestivecase。Whatdoyou
　　thinkWatson？“
　　“Speakingasamedicalman，“saidI，“itappearstobeacaseforan
　　alienist。Theoldgentleman”scerebraloprocessesweredisturbedby
　　theloveaffair。Hemadeajourneyabroadinthehopeofbreaking
　　himselfofthepassion。Hislettersandtheboxmaybeconnected
　　withsomeotherprivatetransaction-aloan，perhaps，orshare
　　certificates，whichareinthebox。”
　　“Andthewolfhoundnodoubtdisapprovedofthefinancialbargain。
　　No，no，Watson，thereismoreinitthanthis。Now，Icanonly
　　suggest-“
　　WhatSherlockHolmeswasabouttosuggestwillneverbeknown，for
　　atthismomentthedooropenedandayoungladywasshownintothe
　　room。AssheappearedMr。Bennettsprangupwithacryandranforward
　　withhishandsouttomeetthosewhichshehadherselfoutstretched。
　　“Edith，dear！Nothingthematter，Ihope？“
　　“IfeltImustfollowyou。Oh，Jack，Ihavebeensodreadfully
　　frightened！Itisawfultobetherealone。”
　　“Mr。Holmes，thisistheyoungladyIspokeof。Thisismyfiancee。”
　　“Weweregraduallycomingtothatconclusion，werewenot，
　　Watson？“Holmesansweredwithasmile。“Itakeit，MissPresbury，that
　　thereissomefreshdevelopmentinthecase，andthatyouthoughtwe
　　shouldknow？“
　　Ournewvisitor，abright，handsomegirlofaconventionalEnglish
　　type，smiledbackatHolmesassheseatedherselfbesideMr。Bennett。
　　“WhenIfoundMr。BennetthadlefthishotelIthoughtIshould
　　probablyfindhimhere。Ofcourse，hehadtoldmethathewould
　　consultyou。But，oh，Mr。Holmes，canyoudonothingformypoor
　　father？“
　　“Ihavehopes，MissPresbury，butthecaseisstillobscure。Perhaps
　　whatyouhavetosaymaythrowsomefreshlightuponit。”
　　“Itwaslastnight，Mr。Holmes。Hehadbeenverystrangeallday。
　　Iamsurethattherearetimeswhenhehasnorecollectionofwhat
　　hedoes。Helivesasinastrangedream。Yesterdaywassuchaday。
　　ItwasnotmyfatherwithwhomIlived。Hisoutwardshellwasthere，
　　butitwasnotreallyhe。”
　　“Tellmewhathappened。”
　　“Iwasawakenedinthenightbythedogbarkingmostfuriously。Poor
　　Roy，heischainednownearthestable。ImaysaythatIalways
　　sleepwithmydoorlocked；for，asJack-asMr。Bennett-willtell
　　you，weallhaveafeelingofimpendingdanger。Myroomisonthe
　　secondfloor。Ithappenedthattheblindwasupinmywindow，and
　　therewasbrightmoonlightoutside。AsIlaywithmyeyesfixedupon
　　thesquareoflight，listeningtothefrenziedbarkingsofthedog，
　　Iwasamazedtoseemyfather”sfacelookinginatme。Mr。Holmes，I
　　nearlydiedofsurpriseandhorror。Thereitwaspressedagainstthe
　　window-pane，andonehandseemedtoberaisedasiftopushupthe
　　window。Ifthatwindowhadopened，IthinkIshouldhavegonemad。
　　Itwasnodelusion，Mr。Holmes。Don”tdeceiveyourselfbythinkingso。
　　IdaresayitwastwentysecondsorsothatIlayparalyzedand
　　watchedtheface。Thenitvanished，butIcouldnot-Icouldnot
　　springoutofbedandlookoutafterit。Ilaycoldandshiveringtill
　　morning。Atbreakfasthewassharpandfierceinmanner，andmadeno
　　allusiontotheadventureofthenight。NeitherdidI，butIgavean
　　excuseforcomingtotown-andhereIam。”
　　HolmeslookedthoroughlysurprisedatMissPresbury”snarrative。
　　“Mydearyounglady，yousaythatyourroomisonthesecond
　　floor。Istherealongladderinthegarden？“
　　“No，Mr。Holmes，thatistheamazingpartofit。Thereisno
　　possiblewayofreachingthewindow-andyethewasthere。”
　　“ThedatebeingSeptember5th，“saidHolmes。“Thatcertainly
　　complicatesmatters。”
　　Itwastheyounglady”sturntolooksurprised。“Thisisthe
　　secondtimethatyouhavealludedtothedate，Mr。Holmes，“said
　　Bennett。“Isitpossiblethatithasanybearinguponthecase？“
　　“Itispossible-verypossible-andyetIhavenotmyfull
　　materialatpresent。”
　　“Possiblyyouarethinkingoftheconnectionbetweeninsanityand
　　phasesofthemoon？“
　　“No，Iassureyou。Itwasquiteadifferentlineofthought。
　　Possiblyyoucanleaveyournotebookwithme，andIwillcheckthe
　　dates。NowIthink，Watson，thatourlineofactionisperfectly
　　clear。Thisyoungladyhasinformedus-andIhavethegreatest
　　confidenceinherintuition-thatherfatherrememberslittleor
　　nothingwhichoccursuponcertaindates。Wewillthereforecallupon
　　himasifhehadgivenusanappointmentuponsuchadate。Hewillput
　　itdowntohisownlackofmemory。Thuswewillopenourcampaignby
　　havingagoodcloseviewofhim。”
　　“Thatisexcellent，“saidMr。Bennett。“Iwarnyou，however，that
　　theprofessorisirascibleandviolentattimes。”
　　Holmessmiled。“Therearereasonswhyweshouldcomeatonce-very
　　cogentreasonsifmytheoriesholdgood。To-morrow，Mr。Bennett，
　　willcertainlyseeusinCamford。Thereis，ifIrememberright，an
　　inncalledtheChequerswheretheportusedtobeabovemediocrityand
　　thelinenwasabovereproached。Ithink，Watson，thatourlotfor
　　thenextfewdaysmightbeinlesspleasantplaces。”
　　Monday，morningfoundusonourwaytothefamousuniversitytown-
　　aneasyeffortonthepartofHolmes，whohadnorootstopullup，but
　　onewhichinvolvedfranticplanningandhurryingonmypart，asmy
　　practicewasbythistimenotinconsiderable。Holmesmadeno
　　allusiontothecaseuntilafterwehaddepositedoursuitcasesatthe
　　ancienthostelofwhichhehadspoken。
　　“Ithink，Watson，thatwecancatchtheprofessorjustbeforelunch。
　　Helecturesatelevenandshouldhaveanintervalathome。”
　　“Whatpossibleexcusehaveweforcalling？“
　　Holmesglancedathisnotebook。
　　“TherewasaperiodofexcitementuponAugust26th。Wewillassume
　　thatheisalittlehazyastowhathedoesatsuchtimes。Ifwe
　　insistthatwearetherebyappointmentIthinkhewillhardlyventure
　　tocontradictus。Haveyoutheeffronterynecessarytoputit
　　through？“
　　“Wecanbuttry。”
　　“Excellent，Watson！CompoundoftheBusyBeeandExcellsior。We
　　canbuttry-themottoofthefirm。Afriendlynativewillsurely
　　guideus。”
　　Suchaoneonthebackofasmarthansomsweptuspastarowof
　　ancientcollegesand，finallyturningintoatree-lineddrive，
　　pulledupatthedoorofacharminghouse，girtroundwithlawnsand
　　coveredwithpurplewistaria。ProfessorPresburywascertainly
　　surroundedwitheverysignnotonlyofcomfortbutofluxury。Even
　　aswepulledup，agrizzledheadappearedatthefrontwindow，and
　　wewereawareofapairofkeeneyesfromundershaggybrowswhich
　　surveyedusthroughlargehornglasses。Amomentlaterwewere
　　actuallyinhissanctum，andthemysteriousscientist，whose
　　vagarieshadbroughtusfromLondon，wasstandingbeforeus。Therewas
　　certainlynosignofeccentricityeitherinhismanneror
　　appearance，forhewasaportly，large-featuredman，grave，tall，
　　andfrock-coated，withthedignityofbearingwhichalecturer
　　needs。Hiseyeswerehismostremarkablefeature，keen，observant，and
　　clevertothevergeofcunning。
　　Helookedatourcards。“Praysitdown，gentlemen。WhatcanIdofor
　　you？“
　　Mr。Holmessmiledamiably。
　　“ItwasthequestionwhichIwasabouttoputtoyou，Professor。”
　　“Tome，sir！“
　　“Possiblythereissomemistake。Iheardthroughasecondperson
　　thatProfessorPresburyofCamfordhadneedofmyservices。”
　　“Oh，indeed！“Itseemedtomethattherewasamalicioussparkle
　　intheintensegrayeyes。“Youheardthat，didyou？MayIaskthename
　　ofyourinformant？“
　　“Iamsorry，Professor，butthematterwasratherconfidential。IfI
　　havemadeamistakethereisnoharmdone。Icanonlyexpressmy
　　regret。”
　　“Notatall。Ishouldwishtogofurtherintothismatter。It
　　interestsme。Haveyouanyscrapofwriting，anyletterortelegram，
　　tobearoutyourassertion？“
　　“No，Ihavenot。”
　　“IpresumethatyoudonotgosofarastoassertthatIsummoned
　　you？“
　　“Iwouldratheranswernoquestions，“saidHolmes。
　　“No，Idaresaynot，“saidtheprofessorwithasperity。“However，
　　thatparticularonecanbeansweredveryeasilywithoutyouraid。”
　　Hewalkedacrosstheroomtothebell。OurLondonfriend，Mr。
　　Bennett，answeredthecall。
　　“Comein，Mr。Bennett。ThesetwogentlemenhavecomefromLondon
　　undertheimpressionthattheyhavebeensummoned。Youhandleallmy
　　correspondence。Haveyouanoteofanythinggoingtoapersonnamed
　　Holmes？“
　　“No，sir，“Bennettansweredwithaflush。
　　“Thatisconclusive，“saidtheprofessor，glaringangrilyatmy
　　companion。“Now，sir“-heleanedforwardwithhistwohandsuponthe
　　table-“itseemstomethatyourpositionisaveryquestionableone。”
　　Holmesshruggedhisshoulders。
　　“IcanonlyrepeatthatIamsorrythatwehavemadeaneedless
　　intrusion。”
　　“Hardlyenough，Mr。Holmes！“theoldmancriedinahighscreaming
　　voice，withextraordinarymalignancyuponhisface。Hegotbetween
　　usandthedoorashespoke，andheshookhistwohandsatuswith
　　furiouspassion。“Youcanhardlygetoutofitsoeasilyasthat。”His
　　facewasconvulsed，andhegrinnedandgibberedatusinhissenseless
　　rage。Iamconvincedthatweshouldhavehadtofightourwayoutof
　　theroomifMr。Bennetthadnotintervened。
　　“MydearProfessor，“hecried，“consideryourposition！Considerthe
　　scandalattheuniversity！Mr。Holmesisawell-knownman。You
　　cannotpossiblytreathimwithsuchdiscourtesy。”
　　Sulkilyourhost-ifImaycallhimso-clearedthepathtothe
　　door。Weweregladtofindourselvesoutsidethehouseandinthe
　　quietofthetree-lineddrive。Holmesseemedgreatlyamusedbythe
　　episode。
　　“Ourlearnedfriend”snervesaresomewhatoutoforder，“saidhe。
　　“Perhapsourintrusionwasalittlecrude，andyetwehavegainedthat
　　personalcontactwhichIdesired。But，dearme，Watson，heissurely
　　atourheels。Thevillainstillpursuesus。”
　　Therewerethesoundsofrunningfeetbehind，butitwas，tomy
　　relief，nottheformidableprofessorbuthisassistantwhoappeared
　　roundthecurveofthedrive。Hecamepantinguptous。
　　“Iamsosorry，Mr。Holmes。Iwishedtoapologize。”
　　“Mydearsir，thereisnoneed。Itisallinthewayofprofessional
　　experience。”
　　“Ihaveneverseenhiminamoredangerousmood。Buthegrowsmore
　　sinister。YoucanunderstandnowwhyhisdaughterandIarealarmed。
　　Andyethismindisperfectlyclear。”
　　“Tooclear！“saidHolmes。“Thatwasmymiscalculation。Itisevident
　　thathismemoryismuchmorereliablethanIhadthought。Bythe
　　way，canwe，beforewego，seethewindowofMissPresbury”sroom？“
　　Mr。Bennettpushedhiswaythroughsomeshrubs，andwehadaviewof
　　thesideofthehouse。
　　“Itisthere。Thesecondontheleft。”
　　“Dearme，itseemshardlyaccessible。Andyetyouwillobserve
　　thatthereisacreeperbellowandawater-pipeabovewhichgive
　　somefoothold。”
　　“Icouldnotclimbitmyself，“saidMr。Bennett。
　　“Verylikely。Itwouldcertainlybeadangerousexploitforany
　　normalman。”
　　“TherewasoneotherthingIwishtotellyou，Mr。Holmes。Ihave
　　theaddressofthemaninLondontowhomtheprofessorwrites。He
　　seemstohavewrittenthismorning，andIgotitfromhis
　　blotting-paper。Itisanignoblepositionforatrustedsecretary，but
　　whatelsecanIdo？“
　　Holmesglancedatthepaperandputitintohispocket。
　　“Dorak-acuriousname。Slavonic，Iimagine。Well，itisan
　　importantlinkinthechain。WereturntoLondon，thisafternoon，
　　Mr。Bennett。Iseenogoodpurposetobeservedbyourremaining。We
　　cannotarresttheprofessorbecausehehasdonenocrime，norcanwe
　　placehimunderconstraint，forhecannotbeprovedtobemad。No
　　actionisisyetpossible。”
　　“Thenwhatoneartharewetodo？“
　　“Alittlepatience，Mr。Bennett。Thingswillsoondevelop。Unless
　　Iammistaken，nextTuesdaymaymarkacrisis。Certainlyweshallbe
　　inCamfordonthatday。meanwhile，thegeneralpositionis
　　undeniablyunpleasant，andifMissPresburycanprolonghervisit-“
　　Thatiseasy。”
　　“Thenletherstaytillwecanassureherthatalldangerispast。
　　Meanwhile，lethimhavehiswayanddonotcrosshim。Solongasheis
　　inagoodhumouralliswell。”
　　“Thereheis！“saidBennettinastartledwhisper。Lookingbetween
　　thebrancheswesawthetall，greatfigureemergefromthehalldoor
　　andlookaroundhim。Hestoodleaningforward，hishandsswinging
　　straightbeforehim，hisheadturningfromsidetoside。Thesecretary
　　withalastwaveslippedoffamongthetrees，andwesawhimpresently
　　rejoinhisemployer，thetwoenteringthehousetogetherinwhat
　　seemedtobeanimatedandevenexcitedconversation。
　　“Iexpecttheoldgentlemanhasbeenputtingtwoandtwo
　　together，“saidHolmesaswewalkedhotelward。“Hestruckmeashaving
　　aparticularlyclearandlogicalbrainfromthelittleIsawofhim。
　　Explosive，nodoubt，butthenfromhispointofviewhehas
　　somethingtoexplodeaboutifdetectivesareputonhistrackandhe
　　suspectshisownhouseholdofdoingit。Iratherfancythatfriend
　　Bennettisinforanuncomfortabletime。”
　　Holmesstoppedatapost-officeandsentoffatelegramonour
　　way。Theanswerreachedusintheevening，andhetosseditacross
　　tome。
　　HavevisitedtheCommercialRoadandseenDorak。Suaveperson，
　　Bohemian，elderly。Keepslargegeneralstore。
　　MERCER。
　　“Mercerissinceyourtime，“saidHolmes。“Heismygeneral
　　utilitymanwholooksuproutinebusiness。Itwasimportanttoknow
　　somethingofthemanwithwhomourprofessorwassosecretly
　　corresponding。HisnationalityconnectsupwiththePraguevisit。”
　　“Thankgoodnessthatsomethingconnectswithsomething，“saidI。“At
　　presentweseemtobefacedbyalongseriesofinexplicableincidents
　　withnobearinguponeachother。Forexample，whatpossibleconnection
　　cantherebebetweenanangrywolfhoundandavisittoBohemia，or
　　eitherofthemwithamancrawlingdownapassageatnight？Astoyour
　　dates，thatisthebiggestmystificationofall。”
　　Holmessmiledandrubbedhishands，Wewere，Imaysay，seatedin
　　theoldsitting-roomoftheancienthotel，withabottleofthefamous
　　vintageofwhichHolmeshadspokenonthetablebetweenus。
　　“Well，now，letustakethedatesfirst，“saidhe，hisfinger-tips
　　togetherandhismannerasifhewereaddressingaclass。“This
　　excellentyoungman”sdiaryshowsthattherewastroubleuponJuly2d，
　　andfromthenonwarditseemstohavebeenatnine-dayintervals，
　　with，sofarasIremember，onlyoneexception。Thusthelastoutbreak
　　uponFridaywasonSeptember3rd，whichalsofallsintotheseries，as
　　didAugust26th，whichprecededit。Thethingisbeyondcoincidence。”
　　Iwasforcedtoagree。
　　“Letus，then，formtheprovisionaltheorythateveryninedays
　　theprofessortakessomestrongdrugwhichhasapassingbuthighly
　　poisonouseffect。Hisnaturallyviolentnatureisintensifiedbyit。
　　HelearnedtotakethisdrugwhilehewasinPrague，andisnow
　　suppliedwithitbyaBohemianintermediaryinLondon。Thisall
　　hangstogether，Watson！“
　　“Butthedog，thefaceatthewindow，thecreepingmaninthe
　　passage？“
　　“Well，well，wehavemadeabeginning。Ishouldnotexpectanyfresh
　　developmentsuntilnextTuesday。Inthemeantimewecanonlykeepin
　　touchwithfriendBennettandenjoy，theamnenitiesofthischarming
　　town。”
　　InthemorningMr。Bennettslippedroundtobringusthelatest
　　report。AsHolmeshadimagined，timeshadnotbeeneasywithhim。
　　Withoutexactlyaccusinghimofbeingresponsibleforourpresence，
　　theprofessorhadbeenveryroughandrudeinhisspeech，and
　　evidentlyfeltsomestronggrievance。Thismorninghewasquite
　　himselfagain，However，andhaddeliveredhisusualbrilliant
　　lecturetoacrowdedclass。“Apartfromhisqueerfits，“saidBennett，
　　“hehasactuallymoreenergyandvitality，thanIcaneverremember，
　　norwashisbraineverclearer。Butit”snothe-it”snevertheman
　　whomwehaveknown。”
　　“Idon”tthinkyouhaveanythingtofearnowforaweekatleast，“
　　Holmesanswered。“Iamabusyman，andDr。Watsonhashispatients
　　toattendto。Letusagreethatwemeethereatthishournext
　　Tuesday，andIshallbesurprisedifbeforeweleaveyouagainwe
　　arenotabletoexplain，evenifwecannotperhapsputanendto，your
　　troubles。Meanwhile，keepuspostedinwhatoccurs。”
　　Isawnothingofmyfriendforthenextfewdays，butonthe
　　followingMondayeveningIhadashortnoteaskingmetomeethimnext
　　dayatthetrain。FromwhathetoldmeaswetravelleduptoCamford
　　allwaswell，thepeaceoftheprofessor”shousehadbeenunruffled，
　　andhisownconductperfectlynormal。Thisalsowasthereportwhich
　　wasgivenusbyMr。Bennetthimselfwhenhecalleduponusthat
　　eveningatouroldquartersintheChequers。“HeheardfromhisLondon
　　correspondentto-day。Therewasaletterandtherewasasmallpacket，
　　eachwiththecrossunderthestampwhichwarnedmenottotouchthem。
　　Therehasbeennothingelse。”
　　Thatmayprovequiteenough，“saidHolmesgrimly。“Now，Mr。Bennett，
　　weshall，Ithink，cometosomeconclusionto-night。Ifmy
　　deductionsarecorrectweshouldhaveanopportunityofbringing
　　matterstoahead。Inordertodosoitisnecessarytoholdthe
　　professorunderobservation。Iwouldsuggest，therefore，thatyou
　　remainawakeandonthelookout。Shouldyouhearhimpassyourdoor，
　　donotinterrupthim，butfollowhimasdiscreetlyasyoucan。Dr。
　　WatsonandIwillnotbefaroff。Bytheway，whereisthekeyofthat
　　littleboxofwhichyouspoke？“
　　“Uponhiswatch-chain。”
　　“Ifancyourresearchesmustlieinthatdirection。Attheworstthe
　　lockshouldnotbeveryformidable。Haveyouanyotherable-bodiedman
　　onthepremises？“
　　“Thereisthecoachman，Macphail。”
　　“Wheredoeshesleep？“
　　“Overthestables。”
　　“Wemightpossiblywanthim。Well，wecandonomoreuntilwesee
　　howthingsdevelop。Good-bye-butIexpectthatweshallseeyou
　　beforemorning。”
　　Itwasnearlymidnightbeforewetookourstationamongsome
　　bushesimmediatelyoppositethehalldooroftheprofessor。Itwasa
　　finenight，butchilly，andweweregladofourwarmovercoats。
　　Therewasabreeze，andcloudswerescuddingacrossthesky，obscuring
　　fromtimetotimethehalf-moon。Itwouldhavebeenadismalvigil
　　wereitnotfortheexpectationandexcitementwhichcarriedusalong，
　　andtheassuranceofmycomradethatwehadprobablyreachedtheend
　　ofthestrangesequenceofeventswhichhadengagedourattention。
　　“Ifthecircleofninedaysholdsgoodthenweshallhavethe
　　professorathisworstto-night，“saidHolmes。“Thefactthatthese
　　strangesymptomsbeganafterhisvisittoPrague，thatheisinsecret
　　correspondencewithaBohemiandealerinLondon，whopresumably
　　representssomeoneinPrague，andthathereceivedapacketfromhim
　　thisveryday，allpointinonedirection。Whathetakesandwhyhe
　　takesitarestillbeyondourken，butthatitemanatesinsomeway
　　fromPragueisclearenough。Hetakesitunderdefinitedirections
　　whichregulatethisninth-daysystem，whichwasthefirstpoint
　　whichattractedmyattention。Buthissymptomsaremostremarkable。
　　Didyouobservehisknuckles？“
　　IhadtoconfessthatIdidnot。
　　“Thickandhornyinawaywhichisquitenewinmyexperience。
　　Alwayslookatthehandsfirst，Watson。Thencuffs，trouser-knees，and
　　boots。Verycuriousknuckleswhichcanonlybeexplainedbythemode
　　ofprogressionobservedby-“Holmespausedandsuddenlyclappedhis
　　handtohisforehead。“Oh，Watson，Watson，whatafoolIhavebeen！It
　　seemsincredible，andyetitmustbetrue。Allpointsinone
　　direction。HowcouldImissseeingtheconnectionofideas？Those
　　knuckles-howcouldIhavepassedthoseknuckles？Andthedog！Andthe
　　ivy！It”ssurelytimethatIdisappearedintothatlittlefarmofmy
　　dreams。Lookout，Watson！Hereheis！Weshallhavethechanceof
　　seeingforourselves。”
　　Thehalldoorhadslowlyopened，andagainstthelamplit
　　backgroundwesawthetallfigureofProfessorPresbury。Hewasclad
　　inhisdressing-gown。Ashestoodoutlinedinthedoorwayhewasgreat
　　butleaningforwardwithdanglingarms，aswhenwesawhimlast。
　　Nowhesteppedforwardintothedrive，andanextraordinarychange
　　cameoverhim。Hesankdownintoacrouchingpositionandmoved
　　alonguponhishandsandfeet，skippingeverynowandthenasifhe
　　wereoverflowingwithenergyandvitality。Hemovedalongtheface
　　ofthehouseandthenroundthecorner。AshedisappearedBennett
　　slippedthroughthehalldoorandsoftlyfollowedhim。
　　“Come，Watson，come！“criedHolmes，andwestoleassoftlyaswe
　　couldthroughthebushesuntilwehadgainedaspotwhencewecould
　　seetheothersideofthehouse，whichwasbathedinthelightof
　　thehalf-moon。Theprofessorwasclearlyvisiblecrouchingatthefoot
　　oftheivy-coveredwall。Aswewatchedhimhesuddenlybeganwith
　　incredibleagilitytoascendit。Frombranchtobranchhesprang，sure
　　offootandfirmofgrasp，climbingapparentlyinmerejoyathis
　　ownpowers，withnodefiniteobjectinview。Withhisdressing-gown
　　flappingoneachsideofhim，helookedlikesomehugebatglued
　　againstthesideofhisownhouse，agreatsquaredarkpatchupon
　　themoonlitwall。Presentlyhetiredofthisamusement，and，
　　droppingfrombranchtobranch，hesquatteddownintotheoldattitude
　　andmovedtowardsthestables，creepingalonginthesamestrange
　　wayasbefore。Thewolfhoundwasoutnow，barkingfuriously，and
　　moreexcitedthaneverwhenitactuallycaughtsightofitsmaster。It
　　wasstrainingonitschainandquiveringwitheagernessandrage。
　　Theprofessorsquatteddownverydeliberatelyjustoutofreachofthe
　　boundandbegantoprovokeitineverypossibleway。Hetook
　　handfulsofpebblesfromthedriveandthrewtheminthedog”sface，
　　proddedhimwithastickwhichhehadpickedup，flickedhishands
　　aboutonlyafewinchesfromthegapingmouth，andendeavouredin
　　everywaytoincreasetheanimal”sfury，whichwasalreadybeyond
　　allcontrol。InallouradventuresIdonotknowthatIhaveeverseen
　　amorestrangesightthanthisimpassiveandstilldignifiedfigure
　　crouchingfrog-likeuponthegroundandgoadingtoawilderexhibition
　　ofpassionthemaddenedhound，whichrampedandragedinfrontofhim，
　　byallmannerofingeniousandcalculatedcruelty。
　　Andtheninamomentithappened！Itwasnotthechainthatbroke，
　　butitwasthecollarthatslipped，forithadbeenmadefora
　　thick-neckedNewfoundland。Weheardtherattleoffallingmetal，and
　　thenextinstantdogandmanwererollingonthegroundtogether，
　　theoneroaringinrage，theotherscreaminginastrangeshrill
　　falsettoofterror。Itwasaverynarrowthingfortheprofessor”s
　　life。Thesavagecreaturehadhimfairlybythethroat，itsfangs
　　hadbittendeep，andhewassenselessbeforewecouldreachthemand
　　dragthetwoapart。Itmighthavebeenadangeroustaskforus，but
　　Bennett”svoiceandpresencebroughtthegreatwolfhoundinstantly
　　toreason。Theuproarhadbroughtthesleepyandastonishedcoachman
　　fromhisroomabovethestables。“I”mnotsurprised，“saidhe，shaking
　　hisbead。“I”veseenhimatitbefore。Iknewthedogwouldgethim
　　soonerorlater。”
　　Thehoundwassecured，andtogetherwecarriedtheprofessorupto
　　hisroom，whereBennett，whohadamedicaldegree，helpedmeto
　　dresshistornthroat。Thesharpteethhadpasseddangerouslynearthe
　　carotidartery，andthehaemorrhagewasserious。Inhalfanhourthe
　　dangerwaspast，Ihadgiventhepatientaninjectionofmorphia，
　　andhehadsunkintodeepsleep。Then，andonlythen，wereweable
　　tolookateachotherandtotakestockofthesituation。
　　“Ithinkafirst-classsurgeonshouldseehim，“saidI。
　　“ForGod”ssake，no！“criedBennett。“Atpresentthescandalis
　　confinedtoourownhousehold。Itissafewithus。Ifitgetsbeyond
　　thesewallsitwillneverstop。Considerhispositionatthe
　　university，hisEuropeanreputation，thefeelingsofhisdaughter。”
　　“Quiteso，“saidHolmes。“Ithinkitmaybequitepossibletokeep
　　themattertoourselves，andalsotopreventitsrecurrencenowthat
　　wehaveafreehand。Thekeyfromthewatch-chain，Mr。Bennett。
　　Macphailwillguardthepatientandletusknowifthereisany
　　change。Letusseewhatwecanfindintheprofessor”smysterious
　　box。”
　　Therewasnotmuch，buttherewasenough-anemptyphial，another
　　nearlyfull，ahypodermicsyringe，severallettersinacrabbed，
　　foreignhand。Themarksontheenvelopesshowedthattheywerethose
　　whichhaddisturbedtheroutineofthesecretary，andeachwasdated
　　fromtheCommercialRoadandsigned“A。Dorak。”Theyweremere
　　invoicestosaythatafreshbottlewasbeingsenttoProfessor
　　Presbury，orreceipttoacknowledgemoney。Therewasoneother
　　envelope，however，inamoreeducatedbandandbearingtheAustrian
　　stampwiththepostmarkofPrague。“Herewehaveourmaterial！“
　　criedHolmesashetoreouttheenclosure。
　　HONOUREDCOLLEAGUE[itran]：
　　SinceyouresteemedvisitIhavethoughtmuchofyourcase，and
　　thoughinyourcircumstancestherearesomespecialreasonsforthe
　　treatment，Iwouldnonethelessenjoincaution，asmyresultshave
　　shownthatitisnotwithoutdangerofakind。
　　Itispossiblethattheserumofanthropoidwouldhavebeen
　　better。Ihave，asIexplainedtoyou，usedblack-facedlangurbecause
　　aspecimenwasaccessible。Languris，ofcourse，acrawlerand
　　climber，whileanthropoidwalkerectandisinallwaysnearer。
　　Ibegyoutotakeeverypossibleprecautionthattherebeno
　　prematurerevelationoftheprocess。Ihaveoneotherclientin
　　England，andDorakismyagentforboth。
　　Weeklyreportswilloblige。
　　Yourswithhighesteem，
　　H。LOWENSTEIN。
　　Lowenstein！Thenamebroughtbacktomethememoryofsomesnippet
　　fromanewspaperwhich，spokeofanobscurescientistwhowasstriving
　　insomeunknownwayforthesecretofrejuvenescenceandtheelixirof
　　life。LowensteinofPrague！Lowensteinwiththewondrous
　　strength-givingserum，tabooedbytheprofessionbecauseherefusedto
　　revealitssource。InafewwordsIsaidwhatIremembered。Bennett
　　hadtakenamanualofzoologyfromtheshelves。“”Langur”“heread，
　　“”thegreatblack-facedmonkeyoftheHimalayanslopes，biggestand
　　mosthumanofclimbingmonkeys。”Manydetailsareadded。Well，
　　thankstoyou，Mr。Holmes，itisveryclearthatwehavetracedthe
　　eviltoitssource。”
　　“Therealsource，“saidHolmes，“lies，ofcourse，inthatuntimely
　　loveaffairwhichgaveourimpetuousprofessortheideathathe
　　couldonlygainhiswishbyturninghimselfintoayoungerman。When
　　onetriestoriseabovenatureoneisliabletofallbelowit。The
　　highesttypeofmanmayreverttotheanimalifheleavestile
　　straightroadofdestiny。”Hesatmusingforalittlewiththephial
　　inhishand，lookingattheclearliquidwithin。“WhenIhave
　　writtentothismanandtoldhimthatIholdhimcriminally
　　responsibleforthepoisonswhichhecirculates，wewillhaveno
　　moretrouble。Butitmayrecur。Othersmayfindabetterway。Thereis
　　dangerthere-averyrealdangertohumanity。Consider，Watson，that
　　thematerial，thesensual，theworldlywouldallprolongtheir
　　worthlesslives。Thespiritualwouldnotavoidthecalltosomething
　　higher。Itwouldbethesurvivaloftheleastfit。Whatsortof
　　cesspoolmaynotourpoorworldbecome？“Suddenlythedreamer
　　disappeared，andHolmes，themanofaction，sprangfromhischair。
　　“Ithinkthereisnothingmoretobesaid，Mr。Bennett。Thevarious
　　incidentswillhowfitthemselveseasilyintothegeneralscheme。
　　Thedog，ofcourse，wasawareofthechangefarmorequicklythanyou。
　　Hissmellwouldinsurethat。Itwasthemonkey，nottheprofessor，
　　whomRoyattacked，justasitwasthemonkeywhoteasedRoy。
　　Climbingwasajoytothecreature，anditwasamerechance，Itake
　　it，thatthepastimebroughthimtotheyounglady”swindow。There
　　isanearlytraintotown，Watson，butIthinkweshalljusthavetime
　　foracupofteaattheChequersbeforewecatchit。”-
　　THEEND。
　　1903
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEADVENTUREOFTHEDANCINGMEN
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　THEADVENTUREOFTHEDANCINGMEN
　　Holmeshadbeenseatedforsomehoursinsilencewithhislong，thin
　　backcurvedoverachemicalvesselinwhichhewasbrewinga
　　particularlymalodorousproduct。Hisheadwassunkuponhisbreast，
　　andhelookedfrommypointofviewlikeastrange，lankbird，with
　　dullgrayplumageandablacktop-knot。
　　“So，Watson，“saidhe，suddenly，“youdonotproposetoinvestin
　　SouthAfricansecurities？“
　　Igaveastartofastonishment。AccustomedasIwastoHolmes”s
　　curiousfaculties，thissuddenintrusionintomymostintimate
　　thoughtswasutterlyinexplicable。
　　“Howonearthdoyouknowthat？“Iasked。
　　Hewheeledrounduponhisstool，withasteamingtest-tubeinhis
　　hand，andagleamofamusementinhisdeep-seteyes。
　　“Now，Watson，confessyourselfutterlytakenaback，“saidhe。
　　“Iam。”
　　“Ioughttomakeyousignapapertothateffect。”
　　“Why？“
　　“Becauseinfiveminutesyouwillsaythatitisallsoabsurdly
　　simple。”
　　“IamsurethatIshallsaynothingofthekind。”
　　“Yousee，mydearWatson“-heproppedhistest-tubeintherack，and
　　begantolecturewiththeairofaprofessoraddressinghisclass-“it
　　isnotreallydifficulttoconstructaseriesofinferences，each
　　dependentuponitspredecessorandeachsimpleinitself。If，after
　　doingso，onesimplyknocksoutallthecentralinferencesand
　　presentsone”saudiencewiththestarting-pointandtheconclusion，
　　onemayproduceastartling，thoughpossiblyameretricious，effect。
　　Now，itwasnotreallydifficult，byaninspectionofthegroove
　　betweenyourleftforefingerandthumb，tofeelsurethatyoudid
　　notproposetoinvestyoursmallcapitalinthegoldfields。”
　　“Iseenoconnection。”
　　“Verylikelynot；butIcanquicklyshowyouacloseconnection。
　　Herearethemissinglinksoftheverysimplechain：1。Youhad
　　chalkbetweenyourleftfingerandthumbwhenyoureturnedfromthe
　　clublastnight。2。Youputchalktherewhenyouplaybilliards，to
　　steadythecue。3。YouneverplaybilliardsexceptwithThurston。
　　4。Youtoldme，fourweeksago，thatThurstonhadanoptiononsome
　　SouthAfricanpropertywhichwouldexpireinamonth，andwhichhe
　　desiredyoutosharewithhim。5。Yourcheckbookislockedinmy
　　drawer，andyouhavenotaskedforthekey。6。Youdonotproposeto
　　investyourmoneyinthismanner。”
　　“Howabsurdlysimple！“Icried。
　　“Quiteso！“saidhe，alittlenettled。“Everyproblembecomesvery
　　childishwhenonceitisexplainedtoyou。Hereisanunexplainedone。
　　Seewhatyoucanmakeofthat，friendWatson。”Hetossedasheetof
　　paperuponthetable，andturnedoncemoretohischemicalanalysis。
　　Ilookedwithamazementattheabsurdhieroglyphicsuponthepaper。
　　“Why，Holmes，itisachild”sdrawing，“Icried。
　　“Oh，that”syouridea！“
　　“Whatelseshoulditbe？“
　　“ThatiswhatMr。HiltonCubitt，ofRidingThorpeManor，Norfolk，is
　　veryanxioustoknow。Thislittleconundrumcamebythefirstpost，
　　andhewastofollowbythenexttrain。There”saringatthebell，
　　Watson。Ishouldnotbeverymuchsurprisedifthiswerehe。”
　　Aheavystepwashearduponthestairs，andaninstantlaterthere
　　enteredatall，ruddy，clean-shavengentleman，whosecleareyesand
　　floridcheekstoldofalifeledfarfromthefogsofBakerStreet。He
　　seemedtobringawhiffofhisstrong，fresh，bracing，east-coast
　　airwithhimasheentered。Havingshakenhandswitheachofus，he
　　wasabouttositdown，whenhiseyeresteduponthepaperwiththe
　　curiousmarkings，whichIhadjustexaminedandleftuponthetable。
　　“Well，Mr。Holmes，whatdoyoumakeofthese？“hecried。“They
　　toldmethatyouwerefondofqueermysteries，andIdon”tthinkyou
　　canfindaqueereronethanthat。Isentthepaperonahead，sothat
　　youmighthavetimetostudyitbeforeIcame。”
　　“Itiscertainlyratheracuriousproduction，“saidHolmes。“At
　　firstsightitwouldappeartobesomechildishprank。Itconsists
　　ofanumberofabsurdlittlefiguresdancingacrossthepaperupon
　　whichtheyaredrawn。Whyshouldyouattributeanyimportancetoso
　　grotesqueanobject？“
　　“Inevershould，Mr。Holmes。Butmywifedoes。Itisfrighteningher
　　todeath。Shesaysnothing，butIcanseeterrorinhereyes。That”s
　　whyIwanttosiftthemattertothebottom。”
　　Holmesheldupthepapersothatthesunlightshonefulluponit。It
　　wasapagetornfromanotebook。Themarkingsweredoneinpencil，and
　　raninthisway：Seeillustration。
　　Holmesexamineditforsometime，andthen，foldingitcarefullyup，
　　heplaceditinhispocketbook。
　　“Thispromisestobeamostinterestingandunusualcase，“said
　　he。“Yougavemeafewparticularsinyourletter，Mr。Hilton
　　Cubitt，butIshouldbeverymuchobligedifyouwouldkindlygo
　　overitallagainforthebenefitofmyfriend，Dr。Watson。”
　　“I”mnotmuchofastory-teller，“saidourvisitor，nervously
　　claspingandunclaspinghisgreat，stronghands。“You”lljustaskme
　　anythingthatIdon”tmakeclear。I”llbeginatthetimeofmy
　　marriagelastyear，butIwanttosayfirstofallthat，thoughI”m
　　notarichman，mypeoplehavebeenatRidingThorpeforamatterof
　　fivecenturies，andthereisnobetterknownfamilyintheCountyof
　　Norfolk。LastyearIcameuptoLondonfortheJubilee，andI
　　stoppedataboardinghouseinRussellSquare，becauseParker，the
　　vicarofourparish，wasstayinginit。TherewasanAmericanyoung
　　ladythere-Patrickwasthename-ElsiePatrick。Insomewaywebecame
　　friends，untilbeforemymonthwasupIwasasmuchinloveasman
　　couldbe。Wewerequietlymarriedataregistryoffice，andwe
　　returnedtoNorfolkaweddedcouple。You”llthinkitverymad，Mr。
　　Holmes，thatamanofagoodoldfamilyshouldmarryawifeinthis
　　fashion，knawingnothingofherpastorofherpeople，butifyou
　　sawherandknewher，itwouldhelpyoutounderstand。
　　“Shewasverystraightaboutit，wasElsie。Ican”tsaythatshedid
　　notgivemeeverychanceofgettingoutofitifIwishedtodoso。`I
　　havehadsomeverydisagreeableassociationsinmylife”saidshe，`I
　　wishtoforgetallaboutthem。Iwouldratherneveralludetothe
　　past，foritisverypainfultome。Ifyoutakeme，Hilton，youwill
　　takeawomanwhohasnothingthatsheneedbepersonallyashamedof，
　　butyouwillhavetobecontentwithmywordforit，andtoallowme
　　tobesilentastoallthatpasseduptothetimewhenIbecameyours。
　　Iftheseconditionsaretoohard，thengobacktoNorfolk，andleave
　　metothelonelylifeinwhichyoufoundme。”Itwasonlytheday
　　beforeourweddingthatshesaidthoseverywordstome。Itoldher
　　thatIwascontenttotakeheronherownterms，andIhavebeenas
　　goodasmyword。
　　“Wellwehavebeenmarriednowforayear，andveryhappywehave
　　been。Butaboutamonthago，attheendofJune，Isawforthefirst
　　timesignsoftrouble。OnedaymywifereceivedaletterfromAmerica。
　　IsawtheAmericanstamp。Sheturneddeadlywhite，readtheletter，
　　andthrewitintothefire。Shemadenoallusiontoitafterwards，and
　　Imadenone，forapromiseisapromise，butshehasneverknownan
　　easyhourfromthatmoment。Thereisalwaysalookoffearuponher
　　face-alookasifshewerewaitingandexpecting。Shewoulddobetter
　　totrustme。ShewouldfindthatIwasherbestfriend。Butuntil
　　shespeaks，Icansaynothing。Mindyou，sheisatruthfulwoman，
　　Mr。Holmes，andwhatevertroubletheremayhavebeeninherpast
　　lifeithasbeennofaultofhers。IamonlyasimpleNorfolk
　　squire，butthereisnotamaninEnglandwhorankshisfamily
　　honourmorehighlythanIdo。Sheknowsitwell，andsheknewit
　　wellbeforeshemarriedme。Shewouldneverbringanystainuponit-
　　ofthatIamsure。
　　“Well，nowIcometothequeerpartofmystory。Aboutaweekago-
　　itwastheTuesdayoflastweek-Ifoundononeofthewindow-sills
　　anumberofabsurdlittledancingfiguresliketheseuponthepaper。
　　Theywerescrawledwithchalk。Ithoughtthatitwasthestable-boy
　　whohaddrawnthem，buttheladsworeheknewnothingaboutit。
　　Anyhow，theyhadcomethereduringthenight。Ihadthemwashedout，
　　andIonlymentionedthemattertomywifeafterwards。Tomysurprise，
　　shetookitveryseriously，andbeggedmeifanymorecametolet
　　herseethem。Nonedidcomeforaweek，andthenyesterdaymorningI
　　foundthispaperlyingonthesundialinthegarden。Ishoweditto
　　Elsie，anddownshedroppedinadeadfaint。Sincethenshehaslooked
　　likeawomaninadream，halfdazed，andwithterroralwayslurkingin
　　hereyes。ItwasthenthatIwroteandsentthepapertoyou，Mr。
　　Holmes。ItwasnotathingthatIcouldtaketothepolice，forthey
　　wouldhavelaughedatme，butyouwilltellmewhattodo。Iamnot
　　arichman，butifthereisanydangerthreateningmylittlewoman，
　　Iwouldspendmylastcoppertoshieldher。”
　　Hewasafinecreature，thismanoftheoldEnglishsoil-simple，
　　straight，andgentle，withhisgreat，earnestblueeyesandbroad，
　　comelyface。Hisloveforhiswifeandhistrustinhershoneinhis
　　features。Holmeshadlistenedtohisstorywiththeutmost
　　attention，andnowhesatforsometimeinsilentthought。
　　“Don”tyouthink，Mr。Cubitt，“saidhe，atlast，“thatyourbest
　　planwouldbetomakeadirectappealtoyourwife，andtoaskher
　　tosharehersecretwithyou？“
　　HiltonCubittshookhismassivehead。
　　“Apromiseisapromise，Mr。Holmes。IfElsiewishedtotellme
　　shewould。Ifnot，itisnotformetoforceherconfidence。ButI
　　amjustifiedintakingmyownline-andIwill。”
　　“ThenIwillhelpyouwithallmyheart。Inthefirstplace，have
　　youheardofanystrangersbeingseeninyourneighbourhood？“
　　“No。”
　　“Ipresumethatitisaveryquietplace。Anyfreshfacewouldcause
　　comment？“
　　“Intheimmediateneighbourhood，yes。Butwehaveseveralsmall
　　wateringplacesnotveryfaraway。Andthefarmerstakeinlodgers。”
　　“Thesehieroglyphicshaveevidentlyameaning。Ifitisapurely
　　arbitraryone，itmaybeimpossibleforustosolveit。If，onthe
　　otherhand，itissystematic，Ihavenodoubtthatweshallgettothe
　　bottomofit。ButthisparticularsampleissoshortthatIcando
　　nothing，andthefactswhichyouhavebroughtmearesoindefinite
　　thatwehavenobasisforaninvestigation。Iwouldsuggestthatyou
　　returntoNorfolk，thatyoukeepakeenlookout，andthatyoutake
　　anexactcopyofanyfreshdancingmenwhichmayappear。Itisa
　　thousandpitiesthatwehavenotareproductionofthosewhichwere
　　doneinchalkuponthewindow-sill。Makeadiscreetinquiryalsoasto
　　anystrangersintheneighbourhood。Whenyouhavecollectedsomefresh
　　evidence，cometomeagain。ThatisthebestadvicewhichIcangive
　　you，Mr。HiltonCubitt。Ifthereareanypressingfresh
　　developments，Ishallbealwaysreadytorundownandseeyouin
　　yourNorfolkhome。”
　　TheinterviewleftSherlockHolmesverythoughtful，andseveral
　　timesinthenextfewdaysIsawhimtakehisslipofpaperfromhis
　　notebookandlooklongandearnestlyatthecuriousfigures
　　inscribeduponit。Hemadenoallusiontotheaffair，however，until
　　oneafternoonafortnightorsolater。Iwasgoingoutwhenhe
　　calledmeback。
　　“Youhadbetterstayhere，Watson。”
　　“Why？“
　　“BecauseIhadawirefromHiltonCubittthismorning。You
　　rememberHiltonCubitt，ofthedancingmen？Hewastoreach
　　LiverpoolStreetatone-twenty。Hemaybehereatanymoment。Igather
　　fromhiswirethattherehavebeensomenewincidentsofimportance。”
　　Wehadnotlongtowait，forourNorfolksquirecamestraightfrom
　　thestationasfastasahansomcouldbringhim。Hewaslooking
　　worriedanddepressed，withtiredeyesandalinedforehead。
　　“It”sgettingonmynerves，thisbusiness，Mr。Holmes，“saidhe，
　　ashesank，likeaweariedman，intoanarmchair。“It”sbadenough
　　tofeelthatyouaresurroundedbyunseen，unknownfolk，whohavesome
　　kindofdesignuponyou，butwhen，inadditiontothat，youknow
　　thatitisjustkillingyourwifebyinches，thenitbecomesasmuch
　　asfleshandbloodcanendure。She”swearingawayunderit-just
　　wearingawaybeforemyeyes。”
　　“Hasshesaidanythingyet？“
　　“No，Mr。Holmes，shehasnot。Andyettherehavebeentimeswhenthe
　　poorgirlhaswantedtospeak，andyetcouldnotquitebringherself
　　totaketheplunge。Ihavetriedtohelpher，butIdaresayIdidit
　　clumsily，andscaredherfromit。Shehasspokenaboutmyold
　　family，andourreputationinthecounty，andourprideinour
　　unsulliedhonour，andIalwaysfeltitwasleadingtothepoint，but
　　somehowitturnedoffbeforewegotthere。”
　　“Butyouhavefoundoutsomethingforyourself？“
　　“Agooddeal，Mr。Holmes。Ihaveseveralfreshdancing-men
　　picturesforyoutoexamine，and，whatismoreimportant，Ihave
　　seenthefellow。”
　　“What，themanwhodrawsthem？“
　　“Yes，Isawhimathiswork。ButIwilltellyoueverythingin
　　order。WhenIgotbackaftermyvisittoyou，theveryfirstthingI
　　sawnextmorningwasafreshcropofdancingmen。Theyhadbeen
　　drawninchalkupontheblackwoodendoorofthetool-house，which
　　standsbesidethelawninfullviewofthefrontwindows。Itookan
　　exactcopy，andhereitis。”Heunfoldedapaperandlaiditupon
　　thetable。Hereisacopyofthehieroglyphics：Seeillustration。
　　“Excellent！“saidHolmes。“Excellent！Praycontinue。”
　　“WhenIhadtakenthecopy，Irubbedoutthemarks，but，two
　　morningslater，afreshinscriptionhadappeared。Ihaveacopyof
　　ithere“：Seeillustration。
　　Holmesrubbedhishandsandchuckledwithdelight。
　　“Ourmaterialisrapidlyaccumulating，“saidhe。
　　“Threedayslateramessagewasleftscrawleduponpaper，andplaced
　　underapebbleuponthesundial。Hereitis。Thecharactersare，as
　　yousee，exactlythesameasthelastone。AfterthatIdetermined
　　tolieinwait，soIgotoutmyrevolverandIsatupinmystudy，
　　whichoverlooksthelawnandgarden。AbouttwointhemorningIwas
　　seatedbythewindow，allbeingdarksaveforthemoonlightoutside，
　　whenIheardstepsbehindme，andtherewasmywifeinher
　　dressinggown。Sheimploredmetocometobed。Itoldherfrankly
　　thatIwishedtoseewhoitwaswhoplayedsuchabsurdtricksuponus。
　　Sheansweredthatitwassomesenselesspracticaljoke，andthatI
　　shouldnottakeanynoticeofit。
　　“`Ifitreallyannoysyou，Hilton，wemightgoandtravel，youand
　　I，andsoavoidthisnuisance。”
　　“`What，bedrivenoutofourownhousebyapracticaljoker？”said
　　I。`Why，weshouldhavethewholecountylaughingatus。”
　　“`Well，cometobed”saidshe，`andwecandiscussitinthe
　　morning。”
　　“Suddenly，asshespoke，Isawherwhitefacegrowwhiteryetinthe
　　moonlight，andherhandtighteneduponmyshoulder。Somethingwas
　　movingintheshadowofthetool-house。Isawadark，creeping
　　figurewhichcrawledroundthecornerandsquattedinfrontofthe
　　door。Seizingmypistol，Iwasrushingout，whenmywifethrewher
　　armsroundmeandheldmewithconvulsivestrength。Itriedtothrow
　　heroff，butsheclungtomemostdesperately。AtlastIgotclear，
　　butbythetimeIhadopenedthedoorandreachedthehousethe
　　creaturewasgone。Hehadleftatraceofhispresence，however，for
　　thereonthedoorwastheverysamearrangementofdancingmenwhich
　　hadalreadytwiceappeared，andwhichIhavecopiedonthatpaper。
　　Therewasnoothersignofthefellowanywhere，thoughIranall
　　overthegrounds。Andyettheamazingthingisthathemusthave
　　beenthereallthetime，forwhenIexaminedthedooragaininthe
　　morning，hehadscrawledsomemoreofhispicturesundertheline
　　whichIhadalreadyseen。”
　　“Haveyouthatfreshdrawing？“
　　“Yes，itisveryshort，butImadeacopyofit，andhereitis。”
　　Againheproducedapaper。Thenewdancewasinthisform：Seeillustration。
　　“Tellme，“saidHolmes-andIcouldseebyhiseyesthathewasmuch
　　excited-“wasthisamereadditiontothefirstordiditappeartobe
　　entirelyseparate？“
　　“Itwasonadifferentpanelofthedoor。”
　　“Excellent！Thisisfarthemostimportantofallforourpurpose。
　　Itfillsmewithhopes。Now，Mr。HiltonCubitt，pleasecontinueyour
　　mostinterestingstatement。”
　　“Ihavenothingmoretosay，Mr。Holmes，exceptthatIwasangry
　　withmywifethatnightforhavingheldmebackwhenImighthave
　　caughttheskulkingrascal。ShesaidthatshefearedthatImightcome
　　toharm。Foraninstantithadcrossedmymindthatperhapswhatshe
　　reallyfearedwasthathemightcometoharm，forIcouldnotdoubt
　　thatsheknewwhothismanwas，andwhathemeantbythesestrange
　　signals。Butthereisatoneinmywife”svoice，Mr。Holmes，anda
　　lookinhereyeswhichforbiddoubt，andIamsurethatitwas
　　indeedmyownsafetythatwasinhermind。There”sthewholecase，and
　　nowIwantyouradviceastowhatIoughttodo。Myowninclinationis
　　toputhalfadozenofmyfarmladsintheshrubbery，andwhenthis
　　fellowcomesagaintogivehimsuchahidingthathewillleaveus
　　inpeaceforthefuture。”
　　“Ifearitistoodeepacaseforsuchsimpleremedies，“said
　　Holmes。“HowlongcanyoustayinLondon？“
　　“Imustgobackto-day。Iwouldnotleavemywifealoneallnight
　　foranything。Sheisverynervous，andbeggedmetocomeback。”
　　“Idaresayyouareright。Butifyoucouldhavestopped，Imight
　　possiblyhavebeenabletoreturnwithyouinadayortwo。