Wehadalllistenedintentlytothisremarkablestatement。Itwas
　　Holmeswhobrokethesilence。
　　“Ourdifficultiesarenotover，“heremarked，shakinghishead。“Our
　　policeworkends，butourlegalworkbegins。”
　　“Exactly，“saidI。“Aplausiblelawyercouldmakeitoutasanact
　　ofself-defence。Theremaybeahundredcrimesinthebackground，
　　butitisonlyonthisonethattheycanbetried。”
　　“Come，come，“saidBaynescheerily，“Ithinkbetterofthelaw
　　thanthat。Self-defenceisonething。Toenticeamanincoldblood
　　withtheobjectofmurderinghimisanother，whateverdangeryoumay
　　fearfromhim。No，no，weshallallbejustifiedwhenweseethe
　　tenantsofHighGableatthenextGuildfordAssizes。”
　　Itisamatterofhistory，however，thatalittletimewasstill
　　toelapsebeforetheTigerofSanPedroshouldmeetwithhis
　　deserts。Wilyandbold，heandhiscompanionthrewtheirpursueroff
　　theirtrackbyenteringalodging-houseinEdmontonStreetandleaving
　　bytheback-gateintoCurzonSquare。Fromthatdaytheywereseenno
　　moreinEngland。SomesixmonthsafterwardstheMarquessofMontalva
　　andSignorRulli，hissecretary，werebothmurderedintheirrooms
　　attheHotelEscurialatMadrid。ThecrimewasascribedtoNihilism，
　　andthemurdererswereneverarrested。InspectorBaynesvisitedus
　　atBakerStreetwithaprinteddescriptionofthedarkfaceofthe
　　secretary，andofthemasterfulfeatures，themagneticblackeyes，and
　　thetuftedbrowsofhismaster。Wecouldnotdoubtthatjustice，if
　　belated，hadcomeatlast。
　　“Achaoticcase，mydearWatson，“saidHolmesoveranevening
　　pipe。“Itwillnotbepossibleforyoutopresentitinthatcompact
　　formwhichisdeartoyourheart。Itcoverstwocontinents，concerns
　　twogroupsofmysteriouspersons，andisfurthercomplicatedbythe
　　highlyrespectablepresenceofourfriend，ScottEccles，whose
　　inclusionshowsmethatthedeceasedGarciahadaschemingmindand
　　awell-developedinstinctofself-preservation。Itisremarkable
　　onlyforthefactthatamidaperfectjungleofpossibilitieswe，with
　　ourworthycollaborator，theinspector，havekeptourcloseholdon
　　theessentialsandsobeenguidedalongthecrookedandwinding
　　path。Isthereanypointwhichisnotquitecleartoyou？“
　　“Theobjectofthemulattocook”sreturn？“
　　“Ithinkthatthestrangecreatureinthekitchenmayaccountfor
　　it。ThemanwasaprimitivesavagefromthebackwoodsofSanPedro，
　　andthiswashisfetish。Whenhiscompanionandhehadfledtosome
　　prearrangedretreat-alreadyoccupied，nodoubtbyaconfederate-
　　thecompanionhadpersuadedhimtoleavesocompromisinganarticleof
　　furniture。Butthemulatto”sheartwaswithit，andhewasdrivenback
　　toitnextday，when，onreconnoitringthroughthewindow，hefound
　　policemanWaltersinpossession。Hewaitedthreedayslonger，andthen
　　hispietyorhissuperstitiondrovehimtotryoncemore。Inspector
　　Baynes，who，withhisusualastuteness，hadminimizedtheincident
　　beforeme，hadreallyrecognizeditsimportanceandhadleftatrap
　　intowhichthecreaturewalked。Anyotherpoint，Watson？“
　　“Thetornbird，thepailofblood，thecharredbones，allthe
　　mysteryofthatweirdkitchen？“
　　Holmessmiledasheturnedupanentryinhisnotebook。
　　“IspentamorningintheBritishMuseumreadinguponthatand
　　otherpoints。HereisaquotationfromEckermann”sVoodooismandthe
　　NegroidReligions：
　　Thetruevoodoo-worshipperattemptsnothingofimportancewithout
　　certainsacrificeswhichareintendedtopropitiatehisunclean
　　gods。Inextremecasestheseritestaketheformofhumansacrifices
　　followedbycannibalism。Themoreusualvictimsareawhitecock，
　　whichispluckedinpiecesalive，orablackgoat，whosethroatiscut
　　andbodyburned。
　　“Soyouseeoursavagefriendwasveryorthodoxinhisritual。Itis
　　grotesque，Watson，“Holmesadded，asheslowlyfastenedhis
　　notebook，“but，asIhavehadoccasiontoremark，thereisbutone
　　stepfromthegrotesquetothehorrible。”-
　　THEEND。
　　1891
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEBOSCOMBEVALLEYMYSTERY
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　Wewereseatedatbreakfastonemorning，mywifeandI，whenthe
　　maidbroughtinatelegram。ItwasfromSherlockHolmesandranin
　　thisway：
　　Haveyouacoupleofdaystospare？Havejustbeenwiredforfrom
　　thewestofEnglandinconnectionwithBoscombeValleytragedy。
　　Shallbegladifyouwillcomewithme。Airandsceneryperfect。Leave
　　Paddingtonbythe11：15。
　　“Whatdoyousay，dear？“saidmywife，lookingacrossatme。“Will
　　yougo？“
　　“Ireallydon”tknowwhattosay。Ihaveafairlylonglistat
　　present。”
　　“Oh，Anstrutherwoulddoyourworkforyou。Youhavebeenlooking
　　alittlepalelately。Ithinkthatthechangewoulddoyougood，and
　　youarealwayssointerestedinMr。SherlockHolmes”scases。”
　　“IshouldbeungratefulifIwerenot，seeingwhatIgained
　　throughoneofthem，“Ianswered。“ButifIamtogo，Imustpackat
　　once，forIhaveonlyhalfanhour。”
　　MyexperienceofcamplifeinAfghanistanhadatleasthadthe
　　effectofmakingmeapromptandreadytraveller。Mywantswerefew
　　andsimple，sothatinlessthanthetimestatedIwasinacabwith
　　myvalise，rattlingawaytoPaddingtonStation。SherlockHolmeswas
　　pacingupanddowntheplatform，histall，gauntfiguremadeeven
　　gaunterandtallerbyhislonggraytravelling-cloakandclosefitting
　　clothcap。
　　“Itisreallyverygoodofyoutocome，Watson，“saidhe。“It
　　makesaconsiderabledifferencetome，havingsomeonewithmeon
　　whomIcanthoroughlyrely。Localaidisalwayseitherworthlessor
　　elsebiassed。IfyouwillkeepthetwocornerseatsIshallgetthe
　　tickets。”
　　Wehadthecarriagetoourselvessaveforanimmenselitterof
　　paperswhichHolmeshadbroughtwithhim。Amongtheseherummaged
　　andread，withintervalsofnote-takingandofmeditation，untilwe
　　werepastReading。Thenhesuddenlyrolledthemallintoagigantic
　　ballandtossedthemupontotherack。
　　“Haveyouheardanythingofthecase？“heasked。
　　“Notaword。Ihavenotseenapaperforsomedays。”
　　“TheLondonpresshasnothadveryfullaccounts。Ihavejustbeen
　　lookingthroughalltherecentpapersinordertomasterthe
　　particulars。Itseems，fromwhatIgather，tobeoneofthosesimple
　　caseswhicharesoextremelydifficult。”
　　“Thatsoundsalittleparadoxical。”
　　“Butitisprofoundlytrue。Singularityisalmostinvariablyaclue。
　　Themorefeaturelessandcommonplaceacrimeis，themoredifficultit
　　istobringithome。Inthiscase，however，theyhaveestablisheda
　　veryseriouscaseagainstthesonofthemurderedman。”
　　“Itisamurder，then？“
　　“Well，itisconjecturedtobeso。Ishalltakenothingfor
　　granteduntilIhavetheopportunityoflookingpersonallyintoit。
　　Iwillexplainthestateofthingstoyou，asfarasIhavebeen
　　abletounderstandit，inaveryfewwords。
　　“BoscombeValleyisacountrydistrictnotveryfarfromRoss，in
　　Herefordshire。ThelargestlandedproprietorinthatpartisaMr。
　　JohnTurner，whomadehismoneyinAustraliaandreturnedsomeyears
　　agototheoldcountry。Oneofthefarmswhichheheld，thatof
　　Hatherley，waslettoMr。CharlesMcCarthy，whowasalsoan
　　ex-Australian。Themenhadknowneachotherinthecolonies，sothat
　　itwasnotunnaturalthatwhentheycametosettledowntheyshoulddo
　　soasneareachotheraspossible。Turnerwasapparentlythericher
　　man，soMcCarthybecamehistenantbutstillremained，itseems，
　　upontermsofperfectequality，astheywerefrequentlytogether。
　　McCarthyhadoneson，aladofeighteen，andTurnerhadanonly
　　daughterofthesameage，butneitherofthemhadwivesliving。They
　　appeartohaveavoidedthesocietyoftheneighbouringEnglish
　　familiesandtohaveledretiredlives，thoughboththeMcCarthyswere
　　fondofsportandwerefrequentlyseenattherace-meetingsofthe
　　neighbourhood。McCarthykepttwoservants-amanandagirl。Turnerhad
　　aconsiderablehousehold，somehalf-dozenattheleast。Thatisas
　　muchasIhavebeenabletogatheraboutthefamilies。Nowforthe
　　facts。
　　“OnJune3rd，thatis，onMondaylastMcCarthylefthishouseat
　　HatherleyaboutthreeintheafternoonandwalkeddowntotheBoscombe
　　Pool，whichisasmalllakeformedbythespreadingoutofthe
　　streamwhichrunsdowntheBoscombeValley。Hehadbeenoutwithhis
　　serving-maninthemorningatRoss，andhehadtoldthemanthathe
　　musthurry，ashehadanappointmentofimportancetokeepatthree。
　　Fromthatappointmenthenevercamebackalive。
　　“FromHatherleyFarmhousetotheBoscombePoolisaquarterofa
　　mile，andtwopeoplesawhimashepassedoverthisground。Onewasan
　　oldwoman，whosenameisnotmentioned，andtheotherwasWilliam
　　Crowder，agame-keeperintheemployofMr。Turner。Boththese
　　witnessesdeposethatMr。McCarthywaswalkingalone。The
　　game-keeperaddsthatwithinafewminutesofhisseeingMr。
　　McCarthypasshehadseenhisson，Mr。JamesMcCarthy，goingthe
　　samewaywithagununderhisarm。Tothebestofhisbelief，the
　　fatherwasactuallyinsightatthetime，andthesonwasfollowing
　　him。Hethoughtnomoreofthematteruntilheheardintheeveningof
　　thetragedythathadoccurred。
　　“ThetwoMcCarthyswereseenafterthetimewhenWilliamCrowder，
　　thegame-keeper，lostsightofthem。TheBoscombePoolisthickly
　　woodedround，withjustafringeofgrassandofreedsroundtheedge。
　　Agirloffourteen，PatienceMoran，whoisthedaughterofthe
　　lodge-keeperoftheBoscombeValleyestate，wasinoneofthewoods
　　pickingflowers。Shestatesthatwhileshewasthereshesaw，atthe
　　borderofthewoodandclosebythelake，Mr。McCarthyandhisson，
　　andthattheyappearedtobehavingaviolentquarrel。SheheardMr。
　　McCarthytheelderusingverystronglanguagetohisson，andshe
　　sawthelatterraiseuphishandasiftostrikehisfather。Shewas
　　sofrightenedbytheirviolencethatsheranawayandtoldher
　　motherwhenshereachedhomethatshehadleftthetwoMcCarthys
　　quarrellingnearBoscombePool，andthatshewasafraidthattheywere
　　goingtofight。ShehadhardlysaidthewordswhenyoungMr。
　　McCarthycamerunninguptothelodgetosaythathehadfoundhis
　　fatherdeadinthewood，andtoaskforthehelpofthe
　　lodge-keeper。Hewasmuchexcited，withouteitherhisgunorhis
　　hat，andhisrighthandandsleevewereobservedtobestainedwith
　　freshblood。Onfollowinghimtheyfoundthedeadbodystretchedout
　　uponthegrassbesidethepool。Theheadhadbeenbeateninby
　　repeatedblowsofsomeheavyandbluntweapon。Theinjurieswere
　　suchasmightverywellhavebeeninflictedbythebutt-endofhis
　　son”sgun，whichwasfoundlyingonthegrasswithinafewpacesof
　　thebody。Underthesecircumstancestheyoungmanwasinstantly
　　arrested，andaverdictof”wilfulmurder”havingbeenreturnedatthe
　　inquestonTuesday，hewasonWednesdaybroughtbeforethemagistrates
　　atRoss，whohavereferredthecasetothenextAssizes。Thosearethe
　　mainfactsofthecaseastheycameoutbeforethecoronerandthe
　　police-court。”
　　“Icouldhardlyimagineamoredamningcase，“Iremarked。“Ifever
　　circumstantialevidencepointedtoacriminalitdoessohere。”
　　“Circumstantialevidenceisaverytrickything，“answeredHolmes
　　thoughtfully。“Itmayseemtopointverystraighttoonething，butif
　　youshiftyourownpointofviewalittle，youmayfinditpointingin
　　anequallyuncompromisingmannertosomethingentirelydifferent。It
　　mustbeconfessed，however，thatthecaselooksexceedinglygrave
　　againsttheyoungman，anditisverypossiblethatheisindeedthe
　　culprit。Thereareseveralpeopleintheneighbourhood，however，and
　　amongthemMissTurner，thedaughteroftheneighbouringland-owner，
　　whobelieveinhisinnocence，andwhohaveretainedLestrade，whomyou
　　mayrecollectinconnectionwith”AStudyinScarlet”，toworkoutthe
　　caseinhisinterest。Lestrade，beingratherpuzzled，hasreferredthe
　　casetome，andhenceitisthattwomiddleagedgentlemenareflying
　　westwardatfiftymilesanhourinsteadofquietlydigestingtheir
　　breakfastsathome。”
　　“Iamafraid，“saidI，“thatthefactsaresoobviousthatyou
　　willfindlittlecredittobegainedoutofthiscase。”
　　“Thereisnothingmoredeceptivethananobviousfact，“heanswered，
　　laughing。“Besides，wemaychancetohituponsomeotherobviousfacts
　　whichmayhavebeenbynomeansobvioustoMr。Lestrade。Youknowme
　　toowelltothinkthatIamboastingwhenIsaythatIshalleither
　　confirmordestroyhistheorybymeanswhichheisquiteincapable
　　ofemploying，orevenofunderstanding。Totakethefirstexampleto
　　hand，Iveryclearlyperceivethatinyourbedroomthewindowis
　　upontheright-handside，andyetIquestionwhetherMr。Lestrade
　　wouldhavenotedevensoself-evidentathingasthat。”
　　“Howonearth-“
　　“Mydearfellow，Iknowyouwell。Iknowthemilitaryneatnesswhich
　　characterizesyou。Youshaveeverymorning，andinthisseasonyou
　　shavebythesunlight，butsinceyourshavingislessandless
　　completeaswegetfartherbackontheleftside，untilitbecomes
　　positivelyslovenlyaswegetroundtheangleofthejaw，itissurely
　　veryclearthatthatislessilluminatedthantheother。Icouldnot
　　imagineamanofyourhabitslookingathimselfinanequallight
　　andbeingsatisfiedwithsucharesult。Ionlyquotethisasatrivial
　　exampleofobservationandinference。Thereinliesmymetier，andit
　　isjustpossiblethatitmaybeofsomeserviceintheinvestigation
　　whichliesbeforeus。Thereareoneortwominorpointswhichwere
　　broughtoutintheinquest，andwhichareworthconsidering。”
　　“Whatarethey？“
　　“Itappearsthathisarrestdidnottakeplaceatonce，butafter
　　thereturntoHatherleyFarm。Ontheinspectorofconstabulary
　　informinghimthathewasaprisoner，heremarkedthathewasnot
　　surprisedtohearit，andthatitwasnomorethanhisdeserts。His
　　observationofhishadthenaturaleffectofremovinganytracesof
　　doubtwhichmighthaveremainedinthemindsofthecoroner”sjury。”
　　“Itwasaconfession，“Iejaculated。
　　“No，foritwasfollowedbyaprotestationofinnocence。”
　　“Comingonthetopofsuchadamningseriesofevents，itwasat
　　leastamostsuspiciousremark。”
　　“Onthecontrary，“saidHolmes，“itisthebrightestriftwhichI
　　canatpresentseeintheclouds。Howeverinnocenthemightbe，he
　　couldnotbesuchanabsoluteimbecileasnottoseethatthe
　　circumstanceswereveryblackagainsthim。Hadheappearedsurprised
　　athisownarrestorfeignedindignationatit，Ishouldhavelooked
　　uponitashighlysuspicious，becausesuchsurpriseorangerwouldnot
　　benaturalunderthecircumstances，andyetmightappeartobethe
　　bestpolicytoaschemingman。Hisfrankacceptanceofthesituation
　　markshimaseitheraninnocentman，orelseasamanof
　　considerableself-restraintandfirmness。Astohisremarkabouthis
　　deserts，itwasalsonotunnaturalifyouconsiderthathestood
　　besidethedeadbodyofhisfather，andthatthereisnodoubtthathe
　　hadthatverydaysofarforgottenhisfilialdutyastobandywords
　　withhim，andeven，accordingtothelittlegirlwhoseevidenceis
　　soimportant，toraisehishandasiftostrikehim。Theself-reproach
　　andcontritionwhicharedisplayedinhisremarkappeartometobe
　　thesignsofahealthymindratherthanofaguiltyone。”
　　Ishookmyhead。“Manymenhavebeenhangedonfarslighter
　　evidence，“Iremarked。
　　“Sotheyhave。Andmanymenhavebeenwrongfullyhanged。”
　　“Whatistheyoungman”sownaccountofthematter？“
　　“Itis，Iamafraid，notveryencouragingtohissupporters，
　　thoughthereareoneortwopointsinitwhicharesuggestive。You
　　willfindithere，andmayreaditforyourself。”
　　HepickedoutfromhisbundleacopyofthelocalHerefordshire
　　paper，andhavingturneddownthesheethepointedouttheparagraph
　　inwhichtheunfortunateyoungmanhadgivenhisownstatementofwhat
　　hadoccurred。Isettledmyselfdowninthecornerofthecarriage
　　andreaditverycarefully。Itraninthisway：
　　Mr。JamesMcCarthy，theonlysonofthedeceased，wasthencalled
　　andgaveevidenceasfollows：“Ihadbeenawayfromhomeforthree
　　daysatBristol，andhadonlyjustreturneduponthemorningoflast
　　Monday，the3rd。Myfatherwasabsentfromhomeatthetimeofmy
　　arrival，andIwasinformedbythemaidthathehaddrivenoverto
　　RosswithJohnCobb，thegroom。ShortlyaftermyreturnIheardthe
　　wheelsofhistrapintheyard，and，lookingoutofmywindow，Isaw
　　himgetoutandwalkrapidlyoutoftheyard，thoughIwasnotaware
　　inwhichdirectionhewasgoing。Ithentookmygunandstrolledout
　　inthedirectionoftheBoscombePool，withtheintentionof
　　visitingtherabbit-warrenwhichisupontheotherside。OnmywayI
　　sawWilliamCrowder，thegame-keeper，ashehadstatedinhis
　　evidence；butheismistakeninthinkingthatIwasfollowingmy
　　father。Ihadnoideathathewasinfrontofme。Whenaboutahundred
　　yardsfromthepoolIheardacryof”Cooee！”whichwasausualsignal
　　betweenmyfatherandmyself。Ithenhurriedforward，andfoundhim
　　standingbythepool。Heappearedtobemuchsurprisedatseeingme
　　andaskedmeratherroughlywhatIwasdoingthere。Aconversation
　　ensuedwhichledtohighwordsandalmosttoblows，formyfather
　　wasamanofaveryviolenttemper。Seeingthathispassionwas
　　becomingungovernable，IlefthimandreturnedtowardsHatherleyFarm。
　　Ihadnotgonemorethan150yards，however，whenIheardahideous
　　outcrybehindme，whichcausedmetorunbackagain。Ifoundmyfather
　　expiringupontheground，withhisheadterriblyinjured。Idroppedmy
　　gunandheldhiminmyarms，buthealmostinstantlyexpired。I
　　kneltbesidehimforsomeminutes，andthenmademywaytoMr。
　　Turner”slodge-keeper，hishousebeingthenearest，toaskfor
　　assistance。IsawnoonenearmyfatherwhenIreturned，andIhaveno
　　ideahowhecamebyhisinjuries。Hewasnotapopularman，being
　　somewhatcoldandforbiddinginhismanners；buthehad，asfarasI
　　know，noactiveenemies。Iknownothingfurtherofthematter。”
　　TheCoroner：Didyourfathermakeanystatementtoyoubeforehe
　　died？
　　Witness：Hemumbledafewwords，butIcouldonlycatchsome
　　allusiontoarat。
　　TheCoroner：Whatdidyouunderstandbythat？
　　Witness：Itconveyednomeaningtome。Ithoughtthathewas
　　delirious。
　　TheCoroner：Whatwasthepointuponwhichyouandyourfatherhad
　　thisfinalquarrel？
　　Witness：Ishouldprefernottoanswer。
　　TheCoroner：IamafraidthatImustpressit。
　　Witness：Itisreallyimpossibleformetotellyou。Icanassure
　　youthatithasnothingtodowiththesadtragedywhichfollowed。
　　TheCoroner：Thatisforthecourttodecide。Ineednotpointout
　　toyouthatyourrefusaltoanswerwillprejudiceyourcase
　　considerablyinanyfutureproceedingswhichmayarise。
　　Witness：Imuststillrefuse。
　　TheCoroner：Iunderstandthatthecryof”Cooee”wasacommon
　　signalbetweenyouandyourfather？
　　Witness：Itwas。
　　TheCoroner：Howwasit，then，thatheuttereditbeforehesawyou，
　　andbeforeheevenknewthatyouhadreturnedfromBristol？
　　Witnesswithconsiderableconfusion：Idonotknow。
　　AJuryman：Didyouseenothingwhicharousedyoursuspicionswhen
　　youreturnedonhearingthecryandfoundyourfatherfatallyinjured？
　　Witness：Nothingdefinite。
　　TheCoroner：Whatdoyoumean？
　　Witness：IwassodisturbedandexcitedasIrushedoutintothe
　　open，thatIcouldthinkofnothingexceptofmyfather。YetIhave
　　avagueimpressionthatasIranforwardsomethinglayupontheground
　　totheleftofme。Itseemedtometobesomethinggrayincolour，a
　　coatofsomesort，oraplaidperhaps。WhenIrosefrommyfatherI
　　lookedroundforit，butitwasgone。
　　“Doyoumeanthatitdisappearedbeforeyouwentforhelp？“
　　“Yes，itwasgone。”
　　“Youcannotsaywhatitwas？“
　　“No，Ihadafeelingsomethingwasthere。”
　　“Howfarfromthebody？“
　　“Adozenyardsorso。”
　　“Andhowfarfromtheedgeofthewood？“
　　“Aboutthesame。”
　　“Thenifitwasremoveditwaswhileyouwerewithinadozenyards
　　ofit？“
　　“Yes，butwithmybacktowardsit。”
　　Thisconcludedtheexaminationofthewitness。
　　“Isee，“saidIasIglanceddownthecolumn，“thatthecoronerin
　　hisconcludingremarkswasrathersevereuponyoungMcCarthy。Hecalls
　　attention，andwithreason，tothediscrepancyabouthisfatherhaving
　　signalledtohimbeforeseeinghim，alsotohisrefusaltogive
　　detailsofhisconversationwithhisfather，andhissingular
　　accountofhisfather”sdyingwords。Theyareall，asheremarks，very
　　muchagainsttheson。”
　　Holmeslaughedsoftlytohimselfandstretchedhimselfoutupon
　　thecushionedseat。“Bothyouandthecoronerhavebeenatsome
　　pains，“saidhe，“tosingleouttheverystrongestpointsintheyoung
　　man”sfavour。Don”tyouseethatyoualternatelygivehimcreditfor
　　havingtoomuchimaginationandtoolittle？Toolittle，ifhecould
　　notinventacauseofquarrelwhichwouldgivehimthesympathyofthe
　　jury；toomuch，ifheevolvedfromhisowninnerconsciousness
　　anythingsooutreasadyingreferencetoarat，andtheincidentof
　　thevanishingcloth。No，sir，Ishallapproachthiscasefromthe
　　pointofviewthatwhatthisyoungmansaysistrue，andweshall
　　seewhitherthathypothesiswillleadus。Andnowhereismypocket
　　Petrarch，andnotanotherwordshallIsayofthiscaseuntilweare
　　onthesceneofaction。WelunchatSwindon，andIseethatweshall
　　bethereintwentyminutes。”
　　Itwasnearlyfouro”clockwhenweatlast，afterpassingthrough
　　thebeautifulStroudValley，andoverthebroadgleamingSevern，found
　　ourselvesattheprettylittlecountry-townofRoss。Alean
　　ferret-likeman，furtiveandsly-looking，waswaitingforusupon
　　theplatform。Inspiteofthelightbrowndustcoatandleather
　　leggingswhichheworeindeferencetohisrusticsurroundings，I
　　hadnodifficultyinrecognizingLestrade，ofScotlandYard。With
　　himwedrovetotheHerefordArmswherearoomhadalreadybeen
　　engagedforus。
　　“Ihaveorderedacarriage，“saidLestradeaswesatoveracupof
　　tea。“Iknewyourenergeticnature，andthatyouwouldnotbehappy
　　untilyouhadbeenonthesceneofthecrime。”
　　“Itwasveryniceandcomplimentaryofyou，“Holmesanswered。“Itis
　　entirelyaquestionofbarometricpressure。”
　　Lestradelookedstartled。“Idonotquitefollow，“hesaid。
　　“Howistheglass？Twenty-nine，Isee。Nowind，andnotacloudin
　　thesky。Ihaveacasefulofcigarettesherewhichneedsmoking，and
　　thesofaisverymuchsuperiortotheusualcountryhotelabomination。
　　IdonotthinkthatitisprobablethatIshallusethecarriage
　　to-night。”
　　Lestradelaughedindulgently。“Youhave，nodoubt，alreadyformed
　　yourconclusionsfromthenewspapers，“hesaid。“Thecaseisas
　　plainasapikestaff，andthemoreonegoesintoittheplainerit
　　becomes。Still，ofcourse，onecan”trefusealady，andsuchavery
　　positiveone，too。Shehadheardofyou，andwouldhaveyour
　　opinion，thoughIrepeatedlytoldherthattherewasnothingwhichyou
　　coulddowhichIhadnotalreadydone。Why，blessmysoul！hereisher
　　carriageatthedoor。”
　　Hehadhardlyspokenbeforethererushedintotheroomoneofthe
　　mostlovelyyoungwomenthatIhaveeverseeninmylife。Herviolet
　　eyesshining，herlipsparted，apinkflushuponhercheeks，all
　　thoughtofhernaturalreservelostinheroverpoweringexcitementand
　　concern。
　　“Oh，Mr。SherlockHolmes！“shecried，glancingfromonetotheother
　　ofus，andfinally，withawoman”squickintuition，fasteningupon
　　mycompanion，“Iamsogladthatyouhavecome。Ihavedrivendown
　　totellyouso。IknowthatJamesdidn”tdoit。Iknowit，andI
　　wantyoutostartuponyourworkknowingit，too。Neverletyourself
　　doubtuponthatpoint。Wehaveknowneachothersincewewerelittle
　　children，andIknowhisfaultsasnooneelsedoes；butheistoo
　　tenderheartedtohurtafly。Suchachargeisabsurdtoanyonewho
　　reallyknowshim。”
　　“Ihopewemayclearhim，MissTurner，“saidSherlockHolmes。“You
　　mayrelyuponmydoingallthatIcan。”
　　“Butyouhavereadtheevidence，Youhaveformedsomeconclusion？Do
　　younotseesomeloophole，someflaw？Doyounotyourselfthinkthat
　　heisinnocent？“
　　“Ithinkthatitisveryprobable。”
　　“There，now！“shecried，throwingbackherheadandlooking
　　defiantlyatLestrade。“Youhear！Hegivesmehopes。”
　　Lestradeshruggedhisshoulders。“Iamafraidthatmycolleague
　　hasbeenalittlequickinforminghisconclusions，“hesaid。
　　“Butheisright。Oh！Iknowthatheisright。Jamesneverdidit。
　　Andabouthisquarrelwithhisfather，Iamsurethatthereasonwhy
　　hewouldnotspeakaboutittothecoronerwasbecauseIwasconcerned
　　init。”
　　“Inwhatway？“askedHolmes。
　　“Itisnotimeformetohideanything。Jamesandhisfatherhad
　　manydisagreementsaboutme。Mr。McCarthywasveryanxiousthat
　　thereshouldbeamarriagebetweenus。JamesandIhavealwaysloved
　　eachotherasbrotherandsister；butofcourseheisyoungandhas
　　seenverylittleoflifeyet，and-and-well，henaturallydidnot
　　wishtodoanythinglikethatyet。Sotherewerequarrels，andthis，I
　　amsure，wasoneofthem。”
　　“Andyourfather？“askedHolmes。“Washeinfavourofsuchaunion？“
　　“No，hewasaversetoitalso。NoonebutMr。McCarthywasinfavour
　　ofit。”AquickblushpassedoverherfreshyoungfaceasHolmes
　　shotoneofhiskeen，questioningglancesather。
　　“Thankyouforthisinformation，“saidhe。“MayIseeyourfatherif
　　Icalltomorrow？“
　　“Iamafraidthedoctorwon”tallowit。”
　　“Thedoctor？“
　　“Yes，haveyounotheard？Poorfatherhasneverbeenstrongfor
　　yearsback，butthishasbrokenhimdowncompletely。Hehastakento
　　hisbed，andDr。Willowssaysthatheisawreckandthathis
　　nervoussystemisshattered。Mr。McCarthywastheonlymanalivewho
　　hadknowndadintheolddaysinVictoria。”
　　“Ha！InVictoria！Thatisimportant。”
　　“Yes，atthemines。”
　　“Quiteso；atthegold-mines，where，asIunderstand，Mr。Turner
　　madehismoney。”
　　“Yes，certainly。”
　　“Thankyou，MissTurner。Youhavebeenofmaterialassistanceto
　　me。”
　　“Youwilltellmeifyouhaveanynewsto-morrow。Nodoubtyou
　　willgototheprisontoseeJames。Oh，ifyoudo，Mr。Holmes，dotell
　　himthatIknowhimtobeinnocent。”
　　“Iwill，MissTurner。”
　　“Imustgohomenow，fordadisveryill，andhemissesmesoifI
　　leavehim。Good-bye，andGodhelpyouinyourundertaking。”She
　　hurriedfromtheroomasimpulsivelyasshehadentered，andwe
　　heardthewheelsofhercarriagerattleoffdownthestreet。
　　“Iamashamedofyou，Holmes，“saidLestradewithdignityaftera
　　fewminutes”silence。“Whyshouldyouraiseuphopeswhichyouare
　　boundtodisappoint？Iamnotover-tenderofheart，butIcallit
　　cruel。”
　　“IthinkthatIseemywaytoclearingJamesMcCarthy，“saidHolmes。
　　“Haveyouanordertoseehiminprison？“
　　“Yes，butonlyforyouandme。”
　　“ThenIshallreconsidermyresolutionaboutgoingout。Wehave
　　stilltimetotakeatraintoHerefordandseehimto-night？“
　　“Ample。”
　　“Thenletusdoso。Watson，Ifearthatyouwillfinditvery
　　slow，butIshallonlybeawayacoupleofhours。”
　　Iwalkeddowntothestationwiththem，andthenwanderedthrough
　　thestreetsofthelittletown，finallyreturningtothehotel，
　　whereIlayuponthesofaandtriedtointerestmyselfina
　　yellow-backednovel。Thepunyplotofthestorywassothin，
　　however，whencomparedtothedeepmysterythroughwhichwewere
　　groping，andIfoundmyattentionwandersocontinuallyfromthe
　　fictiontothefact，thatIatlastflungitacrosstheroomand
　　gavemyselfupentirelytoaconsiderationoftheeventsoftheday。
　　Supposingthatthisunhappyyoungman”sstorywereabsolutelytrue，
　　thenwhathellishthing，whatabsolutelyunforeseenand
　　extraordinarycalamitycouldhaveoccurredbetweenthetimewhenhe
　　partedfromhisfather，andthemomentwhen，drawnbackbyhis
　　screams，herushedintotheglade？Itwassomethingterribleand
　　deadly。Whatcoulditbe？Mightnotthenatureoftheinjuries
　　revealsomethingtomymedicalinstincts？Irangthebellandcalled
　　fortheweeklycountypaper，whichcontainedaverbatimaccountofthe
　　inquest。Inthesurgeon”sdepositionitwasstatedthatthe
　　posteriorthirdoftheleftparietalboneandthelefthalfofthe
　　occipitalbonehadbeenshatteredbyaheavyblowfromabluntweapon。
　　Imarkedthespotuponmyownhead。Clearlysuchablowmusthavebeen
　　struckfrombehind。Thatwastosomeextentinfavourofthe
　　accused，aswhenseenquarrellinghewasfacetofacewithhisfather。
　　Still，itdidnotgoforverymuch，fortheoldermanmighthave
　　turnedhisbackbeforetheblowfell。Still，itmightbeworthwhile
　　tocallHolmes”sattentiontoit。Thentherewasthepeculiardying
　　referencetoarat。Whatcouldthatmean？Itcouldnotbedelirium。
　　Amandyingfromasuddenblowdoesnotcommonlybecomedelirious。No，
　　itwasmorelikelytobeanattempttoexplainhowhemethisfate。
　　Butwhatcoulditindicate？Icudgelledmybrainstofindsome
　　possibleexplanation。Andthentheincidentofthegrayclothseen
　　byyoungMcCarthy。Ifthatweretruethemurderermusthavedropped
　　somepartofhisdress，presumablyhisovercoat，inhisflightand
　　musthavehadthehardihoodtoreturnandtocarryitawayatthe
　　instantwhenthesonwaskneelingwithhisbackturnednotadozen
　　pacesoff。Whatatissueofmysteriesandimprobabilitiesthewhole
　　thingwas！IdidnotwonderatLestrade”sopinion，andyetIhadso
　　muchfaithinSherlockHolmes”sinsightthatIcouldnotlosehope
　　aslongaseveryfreshfactseemedtostrengthenhisconvictionof
　　youngMcCarthy”sinnocence。
　　ItwaslatebeforeSherlockHolmesreturned。Hecamebackalone，for
　　Lestradewasstayinginlodgingsinthetown。
　　“Theglassstillkeepsveryhigh，“heremarkedashesatdown。“It
　　isofimportancethatitshouldnotrainbeforeweareabletogoover
　　theground。Ontheotherhand，amanshouldbeathisverybestand
　　keenestforsuchniceworkasthat，andIdidnotwishtodoitwhen
　　faggedbyalongjourney。IhaveseenyoungMcCarthy。”
　　“Andwhatdidyoulearnfromhim？“
　　“Nothing。”
　　“Couldhethrownolight？“
　　“Noneatall。Iwasinclinedtothinkatonetimethatheknewwho
　　haddoneitandwasscreeninghimorher，butIamconvincednow
　　thatheisaspuzzledaseveryoneelse。Heisnotavery
　　quick-wittedyouth，thoughcomelytolookatand，Ishouldthink，
　　soundatheart。”
　　“Icannotadmirehistaste，“Iremarked，“ifitisindeedafact
　　thathewasaversetoamarriagewithsocharmingayoungladyasthis
　　MissTurner。”
　　“Ah，therebyhangsaratherpainfultale。Thisfellowismadly，
　　insanely，inlovewithher，butsometwoyearsago，whenhewasonlya
　　lad，andbeforehereallyknewher，forshehadbeenawayfiveyears
　　ataboarding-school，whatdoestheidiotdobutgetintotheclutches
　　ofabarmaidinBristolandmarryherataregistryoffice？Noone
　　knowsawordofthematter，butyoucanimaginehowmaddeningit
　　mustbetohimtobeupbraidedfornotdoingwhathewouldgivehis
　　veryeyestodo，butwhatheknowstobeabsolutelyimpossible。Itwas
　　sheerfrenzyofthissortwhichmadehimthrowhishandsupintothe
　　airwhenhisfather，attheirlastinterview，wasgoadinghimonto
　　proposetoMissTurner。Ontheotherhand，hehadnomeansof
　　supportinghimself，andhisfather，whowasbyallaccountsavery
　　hardman，wouldhavethrownhimoverutterlyhadheknownthetruth。
　　Itwaswithhisbarmaidwifethathehadspentthelastthreedays
　　inBristol，andhisfatherdidnotknowwherehewas。Markthatpoint。
　　Itisofimportance。Goodhascomeoutofevil，however，forthe
　　barmaid，findingfromthepapersthatheisinserioustroubleand
　　likelytobehanged，hasthrownhimoverutterlyandhaswrittento
　　himtosaythatshehasahusbandalreadyintheBermudaDockyard，
　　sothatthereisreallynotiebetweenthem。Ithinkthatofnews
　　hasconsoledyoungMcCarthyforallthathehassuffered。”
　　“Butifheisinnocent，whohasdoneit？“
　　“Ah！who？Iwouldcallyourattentionveryparticularlytotwo
　　points。Oneisthatthemurderedmanhadanappointmentwithsomeone
　　atthepool，andthatthesomeonecouldnothavebeenhisson，forhis
　　sonwasaway，andhedidnotknowwhenhewouldreturn。Thesecond
　　isthatthemurderedmanwasheardtocry”Cooee！”beforeheknewthat
　　hissonhadreturned。Thosearethecrucialpointsuponwhichthecase
　　depends。AndnowletustalkaboutGeorgeMeredith，ifyouplease，and
　　weshallleaveallminormattersuntilto-morrow。”
　　Therewasnorain，asHolmeshadforetold，andthemorningbroke
　　brightandcloudless。Atnineo”clockLestradecalledforuswith
　　thecarriage，andwesetoffforHatherleyFarmandtheBoscombePool。
　　“Thereisseriousnewsthismorning，“Lestradeobserved。“Itissaid
　　thatMr。Turner，oftheHall，issoillthathislifeisdespaired
　　of。”
　　“Anelderlyman，Ipresume？“saidHolmes。
　　“Aboutsixty；buthisconstitutionhasbeenshatteredbyhislife
　　abroad，andhehasbeeninfailinghealthforsometime。Thisbusiness
　　hashadaverybadeffectuponhim。Hewasanoldfriendof
　　McCarthy”s，and，Imayadd，agreatbenefactortohim，forIhave
　　learnedthathegavehimHatherleyFarmrentfree。”
　　“Indeed！Thatisinteresting，“saidHolmes。
　　“Oh，yes！Inahundredotherwayshehashelpedhim。Everybodyabout
　　herespeaksofhiskindnesstohim。”
　　“Really！Doesitnotstrikeyouasalittlesingularthatthis
　　McCarthy，whoappearstohavehadlittleofhisown，andtohave
　　beenundersuchobligationstoTurner，shouldstilltalkofmarrying
　　hissontoTurner”sdaughter，whois，presumably，heiresstothe
　　estate，andthatinsuchaverycocksuremanner，asifitwere
　　merelyacaseofaproposalandallelsewouldfollow？Itisthe
　　morestrange，sinceweknowthatTurnerhimselfwasaversetothe
　　idea。Thedaughtertoldusasmuch。Doyounotdeducesomethingfrom
　　that？“
　　“Wehavegottothedeductionsandtheinferences，“saidLestrade，
　　winkingatme。“Ifindithardenoughtotacklefacts，Holmes，without
　　flyingawayaftertheoriesandfancies。”
　　“Youareright，“saidHolmesdemurely，“youdofinditveryhard
　　totacklethefacts。”
　　“Anyhow，Ihavegraspedonefactwhichyouseemtofinditdifficult
　　togetholdof，“repliedLestradewithsomewarmth。
　　“Andthatis-“
　　“ThatMcCarthyseniormethisdeathfromMcCarthyjuniorandthat
　　alltheoriestothecontraryarethemerestmoonshine。”
　　“Well，moonshineisabrighterthingthanfog，“saidHolmes，
　　laughing。“ButIamverymuchmistakenifthisisnotHatherleyFarm
　　upontheleft。”
　　“Yes，thatisit。”Itwasawidespread，comfortable-looking
　　building，two-storied，slate-roofed，withgreatyellowblotchesof
　　lichenuponthegraywalls。Thedrawnblindsandthesmokeless
　　chimneys，however，gaveitastrickenlook，asthoughtheweightof
　　thishorrorstilllayheavyuponit。Wecalledatthedoor，whenthe
　　maid，atHolmes”srequest，showedusthebootswhichhermasterwore
　　atthetimeofhisdeath，andalsoapairoftheson”s，thoughnotthe
　　pairwhichhehadthenhad。Havingmeasuredtheseverycarefully
　　fromsevenoreightdifferentpoints，Holmesdesiredtobeledto
　　thecourt-yard，fromwhichweallfollowedthewindingtrackwhichled
　　toBoscombePool。
　　SherlockHolmeswastransformedwhenhewashotuponsuchascentas
　　this。MenwhohadonlyknownthequietthinkerandlogicianofBaker
　　Streetwouldhavefailedtorecognizehim。Hisfaceflushedand
　　darkened。Hisbrowsweredrawnintotwohardblacklines，whilehis
　　eyesshoneoutfrombeneaththemwithasteelyglitter。Hisfacewas
　　bentdownward，hisshouldersbowed，hislipscompressed，andtheveins
　　stoodoutlikewhipcordinhislong，sinewyneck。Hisnostrils
　　seemedtodilatewithapurelyanimallustforthechase，andhismind
　　wassoabsolutelyconcentrateduponthematterbeforehimthata
　　questionorremarkfellunheededuponhisears，or，atthemost，
　　onlyprovokedaquick，impatientsnarlinreply。Swiftlyand
　　silentlyhemadehiswayalongthetrackwhichranthroughthe
　　meadows，andsobywayofthewoodstotheBoscombePool。Itwasdamp，
　　marshyground，asisallthatdistrict，andthereweremarksofmany
　　feet，bothuponthepathandamidtheshortgrasswhichboundedit
　　oneitherside。SometimesHolmeswouldhurryon，sometimesstop
　　dead，andoncehemadequitealittledetourintothemeadow。Lestrade
　　andIwalkedbehindhim，thedetectiveindifferentandcontemptuous，
　　whileIwatchedmyfriendwiththeinterestwhichsprangfromthe
　　convictionthateveryoneofhisactionswasdirectedtowardsa
　　definiteend。
　　TheBoscombePool，whichisalittlereed-girtsheetofwatersome
　　fiftyyardsacross，issituatedattheboundarybetweenthe
　　HatherleyFarmandtheprivateparkofthewealthyMr。Turner。Above
　　thewoodswhichlinedituponthefarthersidewecouldseethered，
　　juttingpinnacleswhichmarkedthesiteoftherichlandowner”s
　　dwelling。OntheHatherleysideofthepoolthewoodsgrewverythick，
　　andtherewasanarrowbeltofsoddengrasstwentypacesacross
　　betweentheedgeofthetreesandthereedswhichlinedthelake。
　　Lestradeshowedustheexactspotatwhichthebodyhadbeenfound，
　　and，indeed，somoistwastheground，thatIcouldplainlyseethe
　　traceswhichhadbeenleftbythefallofthestrickenman。ToHolmes，
　　asIcouldseebyhiseagerfaceandpeeringeyes，verymanyother
　　thingsweretobereaduponthetrampledgrass。Heranround，likea
　　dogwhoispickingupascent，andthenturneduponmycompanion。
　　“Whatdidyougointothepoolfor？“heasked。
　　“Ifishedaboutwitharake。Ithoughttheremightbesomeweaponor
　　othertrace。Buthowonearth-“
　　“Oh，tut，tut！Ihavenotime！Thatleftfootofyourswithits
　　inwardtwistisallovertheplace。Amolecouldtraceit，andthere
　　itvanishesamongthereeds。Oh，howsimpleitwouldallhavebeenhad
　　Ibeenherebeforetheycamelikeaherdofbuffaloandwallowedall
　　overit。Hereiswherethepartywiththelodge-keepercame，and
　　theyhavecoveredalltracksforsixoreightfeetroundthebody。But
　　herearethreeseparatetracksofthesamefeet。”Hedrewoutalens
　　andlaydownuponhiswaterprooftohaveabetterview，talkingall
　　thetimetohimselfratherthantous。“TheseareyoungMcCarthy”s
　　feet。Twicehewaswalking，andonceheranswiftly，sothatthesoles
　　aredeeplymarkedandtheheelshardlyvisible。Thatbearsouthis
　　story。Heranwhenhesawhisfatherontheground。Thenhereare
　　thefather”sfeetashepacedupanddown。Whatisthis，then？Itis
　　thebutt-endofthegunasthesonstoodlistening。Andthis？Ha，
　　ha！Whathavewehere？Tiptoes！tiptoes！Square，too，quiteunusual
　　boots！Theycome，theygo，theycomeagainofcoursethatwasfor
　　thecloak。Nowwheredidtheycomefrom？“Heranupanddown，
　　sometimeslosing，sometimesfindingthetrackuntilwewerewell
　　withintheedgeofthewoodandundertheshadowofagreatbeech，the
　　largesttreeintheneighbourhood。Holmestracedhiswaytothe
　　farthersideofthisandlaydownoncemoreuponhisfacewitha
　　littlecryofsatisfaction。Foralongtimeheremainedthere，turning
　　overtheleavesanddriedsticks，gatheringupwhatseemedtometobe
　　dustintoanenvelopeandexaminingwithhislensnotonlythe
　　groundbuteventhebarkofthetreeasfarashecouldreach。A
　　jaggedstonewaslyingamongthemoss，andthisalsohecarefully
　　examinedandretained。Thenhefollowedapathwaythroughthewood
　　untilhecametothehighroad，wherealltraceswerelost。
　　“Ithasbeenacaseofconsiderableinterest，“heremarked，
　　returningtohisnaturalmanner。“Ifancythatthisgrayhouseon
　　therightmustbethelodge。IthinkthatIwillgoinandhaveaword
　　withMoran，andperhapswritealittlenote。Havingdonethat，we
　　maydrivebacktoourluncheon。Youmaywalktothecab，andIshall
　　bewithyoupresently。”
　　Itwasabouttenminutesbeforeweregainedourcabanddroveback
　　intoRoss，Holmesstillcarvingwithhimthestonewhichhehadpicked
　　upinthewood。
　　“Thismayinterestyou，Lestrade，“heremarked，holdingitout。“The
　　murderwasdonewithit。”
　　“Iseenomarks。”
　　“Therearenone。”
　　“Howdoyouknow，then？“
　　“Thegrasswasgrowingunderit。Ithadonlylainthereafew
　　days。Therewasnosignofaplacewhenceithadbeentaken。It
　　correspondswiththeinjuries。Thereisnosignofanyotherweapon。”
　　“Andthemurderer？“
　　“Isatallman，left-handed，limpswiththerightleg，wears
　　thick-soledshootingbootsandagraycloak，smokesIndiancigars，
　　usesacigar-holder，andcarriesabluntpen-knifeinhispocket。
　　Thereareseveralotherindications，butthesemaybeenoughtoaidus
　　inoursearch。”
　　Lestradelaughed。“IamafraidthatIamstillasceptic，“he
　　said。“Theoriesareallverywell，butwehavetodealwitha
　　hard-headedBritishjury。”
　　“Nousverrons，“answeredHolmescalmly。“Youworkyourownmethod，
　　andIshallworkmine。Ishallbebusythisafternoon，andshall
　　probablyreturntoLondonbytheeveningtrain。”
　　“Andleaveyourcaseunfinished？“
　　“No，finished。”
　　“Butthemystery？“
　　“Itissolved。”
　　“Whowasthecriminal，then？“
　　“ThegentlemanIdescribe。”
　　“Butwhoishe？“
　　“Surelyitwouldnotbedifficulttofindout。Thisisnotsucha
　　populousneighbourhood。”
　　Lestradeshruggedhisshoulders。“Iamapracticalman，“hesaid，
　　“andIreallycannotundertaketogoaboutthecountrylookingfora
　　left-handedgentlemanwithagame-leg。Ishouldbecomethe
　　laughing-stockofScotlandYard。”
　　“Allright，“saidHolmesquietly。“Ihavegivenyouthechance。Here
　　areyourlodgings。Good-bye。IshalldropyoualinebeforeIleave。”
　　HavingleftLestradeathisrooms，wedrovetoourhotel，wherewe
　　foundlunchuponthetable。Holmeswassilentandburiedinthought
　　withapainedexpressionuponhisface，asonewhofindshimselfin
　　aperplexingposition。
　　“Lookhere，Watson，“hesaidwhentheclothwascleared；“justsit
　　downinthischairandletmepreachtoyouforalittle。Idon”tknow
　　quitewhattodo，andIshouldvalueyouradvice。Lightacigarand
　　letmeexpound。”
　　“Praydoso。”
　　“Well，now，inconsideringthiscasetherearetwopointsabout
　　youngMcCarthy”snarrativewhichstruckusbothinstantly，although
　　theyimpressedmeinhisfavourandyouagainsthim。Onewasthe
　　factthathisfathershould，accordingtohisaccount，cry”Cooee！”
　　beforeseeinghim。Theotherwashissingulardyingreferencetoa
　　rat。Hemumbledseveralwords，youunderstand，butthatwasallthat
　　caughttheson”sear。Nowfromthisdoublepointourresearchmust
　　commence，andwewillbeginitbypresumingthatwhattheladsays
　　isabsolutelytrue。”
　　“Whatofthis”Cooee！”then？“
　　“Well，obviouslyitcouldnothavebeenmeantfortheson。The
　　son，asfarasheknew，wasinBristol。Itwasmerechancethathewas
　　withinearshot。The”Cooee！”wasmeanttoattracttheattentionof
　　whoeveritwasthathehadtheappointmentwith。But”Cooee”isa
　　distinctlyAustraliancry，andonewhichisusedbetween
　　Australians。Thereisastrongpresumptionthatthepersonwhom
　　McCarthyexpectedtomeethimatBoscombePoolwassomeonewhohad
　　beeninAustralia。”
　　“Whatoftherat，then？“
　　SherlockHolmestookafoldedpaperfromhispocketandflattenedit
　　outonthetable。“ThisisamapoftheColonyofVictoria，“he
　　said。“IwiredtoBristolforitlastnight。”Heputhishandover
　　partofthemap。“Whatdoyouread？“
　　“ARAT，“Iread。
　　“Andnow？“Heraisedhishand。
　　“BALLARAT。”
　　“Quiteso。Thatwasthewordthemanuttered，andofwhichhisson
　　onlycaughtthelasttwosyllables。Hewastryingtoutterthenameof
　　hismurderer。Soandso，ofBallarat。”
　　“Itiswonderful！“Iexclaimed。
　　“Itisobvious。Andnow，yousee，Ihadnarrowedthefielddown
　　considerably。Thepossessionofagraygarmentwasathirdpoint
　　which，grantingtheson”sstatementtobecorrect，wasacertainty。We
　　havecomenowoutofmerevaguenesstothedefiniteconceptionofan
　　AustralianfromBallaratwithagraycloak。”
　　“Certainly。”
　　“Andonewhowasathomeinthedistrict，forthepoolcanonlybe
　　approachedbythefarmorbytheestate，wherestrangerscould
　　hardlywander。”
　　“Quiteso。”
　　“Thencomesourexpeditionofto-day。Byanexaminationofthe
　　groundIgainedthetriflingdetailswhichIgavetothatimbecile
　　Lestrade，astothepersonalityofthecriminal。”
　　“Buthowdidyougainthem？“
　　“Youknowmymethod。Itisfoundedupontheobservationoftrifles。”
　　“HisheightIknowthatyoumightroughlyjudgefromthelengthof
　　hisstride。Hisboots，too，mightbetoldfromtheirtraces。”
　　“Yes，theywerepeculiarboots。”
　　“Buthislameness？“
　　“Theimpressionofhisrightfootwasalwayslessdistinctthan
　　hisleft。Heputlessweightuponit。Why？Becausehelimped-hewas
　　lame。”
　　“Buthisleft-handedness。”
　　“Youwereyourselfstruckbythenatureoftheinjuryasrecordedby
　　thesurgeonattheinquest。Theblowwasstruckfromimmediately
　　behind，andyetwasupontheleftside。Now，howcanthatbeunlessit
　　werebyaleft-handedman？Hehadstoodbehindthattreeduringthe
　　interviewbetweenthefatherandson。Hehadevensmokedthere。I
　　foundtheashofacigar，whichmyspecialknowledgeoftobacco
　　ashesenablesmetopronounceasanIndiancigar。Ihave，asyouknow，
　　devotedsomeattentiontothis，andwrittenalittlemonographon
　　theashesof140differentvarietiesofpipe，cigar，andcigarette
　　tobacco。Havingfoundtheash，Ithenlookedroundanddiscovered
　　thestumpamongthemosswherehehadtossedit。ItwasanIndian
　　cigar，ofthevarietywhicharerolledinRotterdam。”
　　“Andthecigar-holder？“
　　“Icouldseethattheendhadnotbeeninhismouth。Thereforehe
　　usedaholder。Thetiphadbeencutoffnotbittenoff，butthecut
　　wasnotacleanone，soIdeducedabluntpen-knife。”
　　“Holmes，“Isaid，“youhavedrawnanetroundthismanfromwhichhe
　　cannotescape，andyouhavesavedaninnocenthumanlifeastrulyas
　　ifyouhadcutthecordwhichwashanginghim。Iseethedirection
　　inwhichallthispoints。Theculpritis-“
　　“Mr。JohnTurner，“criedthehotelwaiter，openingthedoorofour
　　sitting-room，andusheringinavisitor。
　　Themanwhoenteredwasastrangeandimpressivefigure。Hisslow，
　　limpingstepandbowedshouldersgavetheappearanceofdecrepitude，
　　andyethishard，deep-lined，craggyfeatures，andhisenormous
　　limbsshowedthathewaspossessedofunusualstrengthofbodyand
　　ofcharacter。Histangledbeard，grizzledhair，andoutstanding，
　　droopingeyebrowscombinedtogiveanairofdignityandpowerto
　　hisappearance，buthisfacewasofanashenwhite，whilehislipsand
　　thecornersofhisnostrilsweretingedwithashadeofblue。Itwas
　　cleartomeataglancethathewasinthegripofsomedeadlyand
　　chronicdisease。
　　“Praysitdownonthesofa，“saidHolmesgently。“Youhadmynote？“
　　“Yes，thelodge-keeperbroughtitup。Yousaidthatyouwishedto
　　seemeheretoavoidscandal。”
　　“IthoughtpeoplewouldtalkifIwenttotheHall。”
　　“Andwhydidyouwishtoseeme？“Helookedacrossatmycompanion
　　withdespairinhiswearyeyes，asthoughhisquestionwasalready
　　answered。
　　“Yes，“saidHolmes，answeringthelookratherthanthewords。“Itis
　　so。IknowallaboutMcCarthy。”
　　Theoldmansankhisfaceinhishands。“Godhelpme！“hecried。
　　“ButIwouldnothavelettheyoungmancometoharm。Igiveyoumy
　　wordthatIwouldhavespokenoutifitwentagainsthimatthe
　　Assizes。”
　　“Iamgladtohearyousayso，“saidHolmesgravely。
　　“Iwouldhavespokennowhaditnotbeenformydeargirl。It
　　wouldbreakherheart-itwillbreakherheartwhenshehearsthatIam
　　arrested。”
　　“Itmaynotcometothat，“saidHolmes。
　　“What？“
　　“Iamnoofficialagent。Iunderstandthatitwasyourdaughter
　　whorequiredmypresencehere，andIamactinginherinterests。Young
　　McCarthymustbegotoff，however。”
　　“Iamadyingman，“saidoldTurner。“Ihavehaddiabetesforyears。
　　MydoctorsaysitisaquestionwhetherIshallliveamonth。YetI
　　wouldratherdieundermyownroofthaninajail。”
　　Holmesroseandsatdownatthetablewithhispeninhishandanda
　　bundleofpaperbeforehim。“Justtellusthetruth，“hesaid。“I
　　shalljotdownthefacts。Youwillsignit，andWatsonherecan
　　witnessit。ThenIcouldproduceyourconfessionatthelastextremity
　　tosaveyoungMcCarthy。IpromiseyouthatIshallnotuseitunless
　　itisabsolutelyneeded。”