The Engineer’s Thumb Adventure

Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his notice—that of Mr. Hatherley’s thumb, and that of Colonel Warburton’s madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly served to weaken the effect.

Of all the problems brought to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, during the years we had known each other, I introduced only two to him. They were the case of Mr. Hatherley’s thumb and that of Colonel Warburton’s madness. The latter may have offered more scope for a perceptive and original observer. But the former began so strangely and was so dramatic in its details that it may be more worth recording. This is so even though it gave my friend fewer opportunities to use the deductive methods that brought him such remarkable results. I believe the story has appeared more than once in the newspapers. But, like all such accounts, it is much less striking when presented all at once in a single half-column of print. It is more striking when the facts slowly unfold before your own eyes. Then the mystery gradually clears as each new discovery takes you a step closer to the complete truth. The events made a deep impression on me at the time. The passage of two years has hardly weakened that impression.

It was in the summer of ’89, not long after my marriage, that the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence.

The events I am about to summarize happened in the summer of ’89, not long after my marriage. I had returned to civilian medical practice and had finally left Holmes in his Baker Street rooms. But I visited him often, and occasionally persuaded him to set aside his Bohemian habits and visit us. My practice had grown steadily. Since I lived fairly close to Paddington Station, I gained a few patients among the officials there. I had cured one of them of a painful, lingering illness. He never tired of praising my skills and trying to send me every sufferer he could influence.

One morning, at a little before seven o’clock, I was awakened by the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door tightly behind him.

One morning, a little before seven, the maid woke me by tapping at my door. She announced that two men from Paddington were waiting in the consulting room. I dressed quickly. I knew from experience that railway cases were seldom trivial, so I hurried downstairs. As I came down, my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door tightly behind him.

“I’ve got him here,” he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shoulder; “he’s all right.”

“I’ve got him here,” he whispered, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. “He’s all right.”

“What is it, then?” I asked, for his manner suggested that it was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room.

“What is it, then?” I asked. His manner suggested that he had caged some strange creature in my room.

“It’s a new patient,” he whispered. “I thought I’d bring him round myself; then he couldn’t slip away. There he is, all safe and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the same as you.” And off he went, this trusty tout, without even giving me time to thank him.

“It’s a new patient,” he whispered. “I thought I’d bring him over myself, so he couldn’t slip away. There he is, safe and sound. I must go now, Doctor. I have my duties, just the same as you.” And off he went, this trusty recruiter, without even giving me time to thank him.

I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his strength of mind to control.

I entered my consulting room and found a man sitting by the table. He wore a plain heather tweed suit. He had laid his soft cloth cap on my books. A handkerchief wrapped around one of his hands was covered with bloodstains. He was young, no more than twenty-five, I would say, with a strong, masculine face. But he was extremely pale and seemed deeply distressed. It seemed to take all his willpower to control his agitation.

“I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor,” said he, “but I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the side-table.”

“I’m sorry to wake you so early, Doctor,” he said, “but I had a very serious accident last night. I came in by train this morning and asked at Paddington where I could find a doctor. A kind man offered to bring me here. I gave the maid a card, but I see she left it on the side table.”

I took it up and glanced at it. “Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor).” That was the name, style, and abode of my morning visitor. “I regret that I have kept you waiting,” said I, sitting down in my library-chair. “You are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a monotonous occupation.”

I picked it up and glanced at it. “Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor).” That was my morning visitor’s name, profession, and address. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting,” I said, sitting down in my library chair. “I understand you’ve just traveled through the night. That can be monotonous in itself.”

“Oh, my night could not be called monotonous,” said he, and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical instincts rose up against that laugh.

“Oh, you couldn’t call my night monotonous,” he said, and laughed. He laughed heartily, with a high, ringing note. He leaned back in his chair, shaking with laughter. All my medical instincts rebelled against that laugh.

“Stop it!” I cried; “pull yourself together!” and I poured out some water from a caraffe.

“Stop it!” I cried. “Pull yourself together!” I poured some water from a jug.

It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very weary and pale-looking.

It was no use, however. He was having one of those hysterical outbursts that can overcome a strong person after a great crisis has passed. Soon he recovered, looking very tired and pale.

“I have been making a fool of myself,” he gasped.

“I've been making a fool of myself,” he gasped.

“Not at all. Drink this.” I dashed some brandy into the water, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks.

“Not at all. Drink this.” I added some brandy to the water, and color began to return to his pale cheeks.

“That’s better!” said he. “And now, Doctor, perhaps you would kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb used to be.”

“That’s better!” he said. “Now, Doctor, perhaps you could please tend to my thumb, or rather, where my thumb used to be.”

He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the roots.

He unwrapped the handkerchief and held out his hand. The sight made even my hardened nerves shudder. Four fingers stuck out, and a horrible red, spongy patch lay where his thumb should have been. The thumb had been hacked or torn out at the root.

“Good heavens!” I cried, “this is a terrible injury. It must have bled considerably.”

“My goodness!” I cried. “This is a terrible injury. It must have bled a lot.”

“Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig.”

“Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think I must have been unconscious for a long time. When I woke up, it was still bleeding. So I tied one end of my handkerchief tightly around my wrist and tightened it with a twig.”

“Excellent! You should have been a surgeon.”

“Excellent! You should have been a surgeon.”

“It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own province.”

“It’s a question of hydraulics, you see, and it was within my area of expertise.”

“This has been done,” said I, examining the wound, “by a very heavy and sharp instrument.”

“This was done with a very heavy, sharp instrument,” I said, examining the wound.

“A thing like a cleaver,” said he.

“Something like a cleaver,” he said.

“An accident, I presume?”

“An accident, I assume?”

“By no means.”

“Not at all.”

“What! a murderous attack?”

“What! An attempted murder?”

“Very murderous indeed.”

“Very murderous, certainly.”

“You horrify me.”

“You horrify me.”

I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time.

I sponged the wound, cleaned it, and dressed it. Finally, I covered it with cotton padding and bandages treated with antiseptic. He lay back without flinching, though he bit his lip from time to time.

“How is that?” I asked when I had finished.

“How is that?” I asked when I finished.

“Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through.”

“Excellent! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel like a new man. I was very weak, but I’ve been through a lot.”

“Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently trying to your nerves.”

“Perhaps you had better not talk about it. The matter is clearly upsetting you.”

“Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so vague that it is a question whether justice will be done.”

“Oh, no, not now. I’ll have to tell my story to the police. But between ourselves, without this wound as convincing evidence, I’d be surprised if they believed me. My story is very unusual, and I don’t have much proof to back it up. Even if they believe me, the clues I can give them are so vague that justice may not be done.”

“Ha!” cried I, “if it is anything in the nature of a problem which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the official police.”

“Ha!” I cried. “If you have a problem you want solved, I strongly recommend going to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before the police.”

“Oh, I have heard of that fellow,” answered my visitor, “and I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me an introduction to him?”

“Oh, I’ve heard of him,” my visitor replied. “I’d be very glad if he took the case. Though of course I must also involve the police. Would you introduce me to him?”

“I’ll do better. I’ll take you round to him myself.”

“I’ll do better. I’ll take you to him myself.”

“I should be immensely obliged to you.”

“I would be very grateful to you.”

“We’ll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?”

“We’ll call a cab and go together. We’ll be just in time to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel up to it?”

“Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story.”

“Yes, I won't feel at ease until I've told my story.”

“Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an instant.” I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my new acquaintance to Baker Street.

“Then my servant will call a cab, and I’ll join you in a moment.” I rushed upstairs and briefly explained the matter to my wife. Five minutes later, I was in a cab with my new acquaintance, on our way to Baker Street.

Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of brandy and water within his reach.

As I expected, Sherlock Holmes was lounging in his sitting room in his dressing gown. He was reading the personal advertisements in The Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe. He had filled the pipe with all the leftover tobacco from his smokes the day before. He had carefully dried and collected it on the corner of the mantelpiece. He greeted us with his usual quiet warmth, ordered fresh bacon and eggs, and joined us for a hearty meal. Afterward, he settled our new acquaintance on the sofa, placed a pillow under his head, and put a glass of brandy and water within his reach.

“It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Mr. Hatherley,” said he. “Pray, lie down there and make yourself absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant.”

“It’s easy to see that you’ve had an unusual experience, Mr. Hatherley,” he said. “Please lie down there and make yourself completely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you’re tired. Keep up your strength with a little drink.”

“Thank you,” said my patient, “but I have felt another man since the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar experiences.”

“Thank you,” said my patient, “but I’ve felt like a new man since the doctor bandaged me. I think your breakfast has completed the cure. I’ll take up as little of your valuable time as possible, so I’ll begin my strange story at once.”

Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which our visitor detailed to us.

Holmes sat in his big armchair, looking tired and heavy-eyed. His expression concealed his sharp and eager nature. I sat opposite him, and we listened in silence as our visitor told us a strange story.

“You must know,” said he, “that I am an orphan and a bachelor, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of money through my poor father’s death, I determined to start in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Street.

“You should know,” he said, “that I am an orphan and unmarried. I live alone in rented rooms in London. I am a hydraulic engineer, and I gained considerable experience during my seven-year apprenticeship at Venner & Matheson. It is a well-known firm in Greenwich. Two years ago, I completed my apprenticeship. I had also inherited a fair sum of money when my poor father died. So I decided to start my own business and rented an office in Victoria Street.

“I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. During two years I have had three consultations and one small job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought me. My gross takings amount to £ 27 10s. Every day, from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to believe that I should never have any practice at all.

“I suppose everyone finds starting their own business a dreary experience. For me, it has been especially dreary. In two years, I have had three consultations and one small job. That is absolutely all the work my profession has brought me. My total earnings come to £27 10s. Every day, I waited in my little office from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon. At last, I began to lose heart. I came to believe that I would never have a practice at all.

“Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the name of ‘Colonel Lysander Stark’ engraved upon it. Close at his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than thirty.

“Yesterday, though, just as I was thinking of leaving the office, my clerk came in. He said a gentleman was waiting to see me on business. He also brought me a card engraved with the name ‘Colonel Lysander Stark’. The colonel himself followed close behind him. He was somewhat taller than average, but extremely thin. I do not think I have ever seen such a thin man. His face tapered to a sharp nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was stretched tightly over his prominent bones. Yet his thinness seemed natural, not the result of disease. His eyes were bright, his step was brisk, and his manner was confident. He was dressed plainly but neatly. I would judge him to be closer to forty than thirty.

“‘Mr. Hatherley?’ said he, with something of a German accent. ‘You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret.’

“‘Mr. Hatherley?’ he said, with a slight German accent. ‘Mr. Hatherley, you were recommended to me as someone skilled at your job. I was also told you are discreet and can keep a secret.’

“I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an address. ‘May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?’

“I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would by such praise. ‘May I ask who spoke so well of me?’

“‘Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.’

“‘Well, perhaps it is better not to tell you that just now. The same source tells me that you are an orphan and unmarried. You also live alone in London.’

“‘That is quite correct,’ I answered; ‘but you will excuse me if I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that you wished to speak to me?’

“‘That is quite right,’ I answered. ‘But forgive me, I don't see how all this relates to my professional qualifications. I understood that you wanted to speak to me about a professional matter?’

“‘Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute secrecy is quite essential—absolute secrecy, you understand, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from one who lives in the bosom of his family.’

“‘Certainly. But you will find that everything I say is relevant. I have a professional assignment for you, but absolute secrecy is essential. Absolute secrecy, you understand. And of course we may expect more secrecy from a man who lives alone than from one who lives with his family.’

“‘If I promise to keep a secret,’ said I, ‘you may absolutely depend upon my doing so.’

“‘If I promise to keep a secret,’ I said, ‘you can absolutely count on me to keep it.’

“He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye.

“He stared at me as I spoke. I thought I had never seen such a suspicious, questioning look.

“‘Do you promise, then?’ said he at last.

“‘Do you promise, then?’ he said at last.

“‘Yes, I promise.’

“‘Yes, I promise.’

“‘Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?’

“‘Complete silence before, during, and after? No mention of the matter at all, either spoken or written?’

“‘I have already given you my word.’

“‘I already gave you my word.’

“‘Very good.’ He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was empty.

“‘Very good.’ He suddenly jumped up and raced across the room like lightning. He threw open the door. The hallway outside was empty.

“‘That’s all right,’ said he, coming back. ‘I know that clerks are sometimes curious as to their master’s affairs. Now we can talk in safety.’ He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look.

“‘That’s all right,’ he said, coming back. ‘I know clerks are sometimes curious about their employer’s affairs. Now we can talk safely.’ He pulled his chair very close to mine. Then he began staring at me again with the same questioning, thoughtful look.

“A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from showing my impatience.

“The strange behavior of this gaunt man was beginning to fill me with disgust and something like fear. Even my fear of losing a client could not keep me from showing my impatience.

“‘I beg that you will state your business, sir,’ said I; ‘my time is of value.’ Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the words came to my lips.

“‘Please tell me why you’re here, sir,’ I said. ‘My time is valuable.’ Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the words just came out.

“‘How would fifty guineas for a night’s work suit you?’ he asked.

“‘How does fifty guineas for a night’s work sound to you?’ he asked.

“‘Most admirably.’

“‘Very well.’

“‘I say a night’s work, but an hour’s would be nearer the mark. I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as that?’

“‘I say a night’s work, but an hour would be closer to the mark. I just want your opinion on a hydraulic stamping machine that has stopped working properly. If you show us what is wrong, we can soon fix it ourselves. What do you think of a job like that?’

“‘The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.’

“‘The work seems easy and the pay very generous.’

“‘Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last train.’

“‘Exactly. We’ll need you to come tonight on the last train.’

“‘Where to?’

“‘Where to?’

“‘To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about 11:15.’

“‘To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a small place near the Oxfordshire border, within seven miles of Reading. A train from Paddington would get you there at about 11:15.’

“‘Very good.’

“‘Very good.’

“‘I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.’

“‘I’ll come down in a carriage to meet you.’

“‘There is a drive, then?’

“‘So there is a drive?’

“‘Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good seven miles from Eyford Station.’

“‘Yes, our little place is well out in the country. It is a good seven miles from Eyford Station.’

“‘Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the night.’

“‘Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there’s no chance of a train back. I’d have to stay the night.’

“‘Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.’

“‘Yes, we could easily give you a place to sleep.’

“‘That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient hour?’

“‘That is very inconvenient. Could I come at a better time?’

“‘We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do so.’

“‘We decided it would be best for you to come late. To make up for any inconvenience, we are paying you a fee that would buy an opinion from the leading experts in your profession. And you are a young and unknown man. Still, of course, if you would like to withdraw from the business, there is plenty of time to do so.’

“I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they would be to me. ‘Not at all,’ said I, ‘I shall be very happy to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to do.’

“I thought of the fifty guineas and how useful they would be to me. ‘Not at all,’ I said. ‘I’d be very happy to do as you wish. But I’d like to understand a little more clearly what you want me to do.’

“‘Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from eavesdroppers?’

“‘Exactly. It is only natural that asking you to promise secrecy has made you curious. I don't want you to agree to anything without knowing all the details. I assume we are absolutely safe from eavesdroppers?’

“‘Entirely.’

“‘Completely.’

“‘Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that fuller’s-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in one or two places in England?’

“‘Then this is the situation. You probably know that fuller’s-earth is a valuable product. It is found in only one or two places in England?’

“‘I have heard so.’

“‘I’ve heard that.’

“‘Some little time ago I bought a small place—a very small place—within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to discover that there was a deposit of fuller’s-earth in one of my fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two very much larger ones upon the right and left—both of them, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?’

“‘Some time ago, I bought a small property within ten miles of Reading. A very small one. I was lucky enough to discover a deposit of fuller’s-earth in one of my fields. But when I examined it, I found it was comparatively small. It formed a link between two much larger deposits on either side. Both of those, however, were on my neighbours’ land. These good people had no idea their land contained something quite as valuable as a gold mine. Naturally, I wanted to buy their land before they discovered its true value. Unfortunately, I had no money to do so. But I let a few friends in on the secret. They suggested that we quietly work our own little deposit without anyone knowing. In that way, we could earn enough money to buy the neighbouring fields. We have been doing this for some time now, and we installed a hydraulic press to help us. As I have already explained, the press has broken down, and we want your advice about it. But we guard our secret very carefully. If people learned that hydraulic engineers were coming to our little house, they would soon start asking questions. Then, if the facts came out, we could say goodbye to any chance of buying these fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I made you promise not to tell a human being that you are going to Eyford tonight. I hope I’ve made everything clear?’

“‘I quite follow you,’ said I. ‘The only point which I could not quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press in excavating fuller’s-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out like gravel from a pit.’

“‘I understand you,’ I said. ‘The only thing I couldn’t understand was how you could use a hydraulic press to excavate fuller’s-earth. As I understand it, fuller’s-earth is dug from a pit like gravel.’

“‘Ah!’ said he carelessly, ‘we have our own process. We compress the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I trust you.’ He rose as he spoke. ‘I shall expect you, then, at Eyford at 11:15.’

“‘Ah!’ he said casually, ‘we have our own process. We compress the earth into bricks so we can remove it without revealing what it is. But that is just a detail. I have now told you everything, Mr. Hatherley, and shown you how much I trust you.’ He stood up as he spoke. ‘I expect you at Eyford at 11:15, then.’

“‘I shall certainly be there.’

“‘I’ll certainly be there.’

“‘And not a word to a soul.’ He looked at me with a last long, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank grasp, he hurried from the room.

“‘And don’t tell a soul.’ He gave me one last long, questioning look. Then he pressed my hand with a cold, damp grip and hurried out of the room.

“Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fuller’s-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue.

“Well, when I thought it all over calmly, I was very surprised by the sudden job I had been given. I’m sure you can both imagine that. On the one hand, I was glad. The fee was at least ten times what I would have charged, and the job might lead to others. On the other hand, my client’s face and manner had left an unpleasant impression on me. I didn’t think his explanation about the fuller’s-earth justified my coming at midnight. Nor did it explain his extreme anxiety that I might tell someone about the job. However, I put all my fears aside and ate a hearty supper. Then I drove to Paddington and set off, having followed his instructions to keep quiet exactly.

“At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o’clock. I was the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the horse could go.”

“At Reading, I had to change trains and stations. Still, I caught the last train to Eyford. I reached the small, dimly lit station after eleven o’clock. I was the only passenger to get off. The only person on the platform was a sleepy porter carrying a lantern. But when I passed through the small gate, I found the man I had met that morning waiting in the shadows on the other side. Without a word, he grabbed my arm and hurried me into a carriage with its door open. He pulled up the windows on both sides and tapped on the carriage. We set off as fast as the horse could go.”

“One horse?” interjected Holmes.

“One horse?” Holmes interrupted.

“Yes, only one.”

“Yes, only one.”

“Did you observe the colour?”

“Did you notice the color?”

“Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the carriage. It was a chestnut.”

“Yes, I saw it by the carriage lights as I was getting in. It was chestnut-colored.”

“Tired-looking or fresh?”

“Tired-looking or fresh?”

“Oh, fresh and glossy.”

“Oh, fresh and shiny.”

“Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue your most interesting statement.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry I interrupted you. Please continue your very interesting account.”

“Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage drove away.

“Then we set off and drove for at least an hour. Colonel Lysander Stark had said it was only seven miles. But judging by our apparent speed and the time we took, I thought it must have been closer to twelve. He sat beside me in silence the whole time. More than once, when I glanced at him, I noticed him staring at me intently. The country roads in that part of the world seemed poor, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I tried to look out the windows to see where we were. But the glass was frosted, and I could see nothing except the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and then I ventured a remark to break the monotony of the journey. But the colonel answered only in single words, and the conversation soon died out. At last, though, the bumpy road gave way to the crisp, smooth surface of a gravel driveway, and the carriage stopped. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang out. As I followed him, he quickly pulled me into a porch that opened in front of us. We stepped almost directly from the carriage into the hall, so I could not get even a fleeting glimpse of the front of the house. The moment I crossed the threshold, the door slammed heavily behind us. I heard the faint rattle of wheels as the carriage drove away.

“It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the lamp in his hand.

“It was pitch dark inside the house. The colonel fumbled around looking for matches, muttering under his breath. Suddenly, a door opened at the other end of the passage. A long, golden bar of light shone toward us. It grew wider, and a woman appeared holding a lamp above her head. She leaned forward and peered at us. I could see that she was pretty. The light gleamed on her dark dress, and I could tell it was made of rich material. She spoke a few words in a foreign language, as though asking a question. My companion answered with a single gruff word. She started so violently that she nearly dropped the lamp. Colonel Stark went up to her and whispered something in her ear. Then he pushed her back into the room she had come from. He walked toward me again, carrying the lamp.

“‘Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a few minutes,’ said he, throwing open another door. It was a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the door. ‘I shall not keep you waiting an instant,’ said he, and vanished into the darkness.

“‘Perhaps you would be kind enough to wait in this room for a few minutes,’ he said, opening another door. It was a quiet, small room with plain furnishings. Several German books lay scattered on a round table in the center. Colonel Stark put the lamp on a harmonium beside the door. ‘I won’t keep you waiting a moment,’ he said, and vanished into the darkness.

“I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee.

“I glanced at the books on the table. Despite my ignorance of German, I could see that two were scientific treatises. The others were volumes of poetry. Then I walked over to the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the countryside. But a heavily barred oak shutter was closed across it. The house was remarkably silent. An old clock ticked loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise everything was deathly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began to creep over me. Who were these German people, and what were they doing in this strange, remote place? And where was the place? I knew only that I was about ten miles from Eyford. I had no idea whether I was north, south, east, or west of it. Then again, Reading and possibly other large towns were within that distance. So the place might not be so secluded after all. Yet the absolute stillness made it quite certain that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, humming softly to keep my spirits up. I felt that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee.

“Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her.

“Suddenly, in the complete silence, the door of my room swung slowly open without warning. The woman stood in the doorway, with the dark hall behind her. The yellow light from my lamp fell on her eager, beautiful face. I could see at once that she was sick with fear. The sight sent a chill through my heart. She held up one shaking finger to warn me to be silent. Then she whispered a few words of broken English. Like a frightened horse, she kept glancing back into the darkness behind her.

“‘I would go,’ said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to speak calmly; ‘I would go. I should not stay here. There is no good for you to do.’

“‘I would go,’ she said. She seemed to me to be trying hard to speak calmly. ‘I would go. I would not stay here. There is nothing useful for you to do.’

“‘But, madam,’ said I, ‘I have not yet done what I came for. I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.’

“‘But, madam,’ I said, ‘I haven't yet done what I came to do. I can't leave until I've seen the machine.’

“‘It is not worth your while to wait,’ she went on. ‘You can pass through the door; no one hinders.’ And then, seeing that I smiled and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. ‘For the love of Heaven!’ she whispered, ‘get away from here before it is too late!’

“‘There’s no point in waiting,’ she went on. ‘You can go through the door. No one will stop you.’ But when she saw me smile and shake my head, she suddenly dropped her restraint. She stepped forward, wringing her hands. ‘For the love of Heaven!’ she whispered, ‘get away from here before it’s too late!’

“But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and as noiselessly as she had come.

“But I am stubborn by nature, and obstacles only make me more eager to take on a task. I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, my tiring journey, and the unpleasant night that seemed to lie ahead. Was it all to be for nothing? Why should I sneak away without completing my assignment or receiving the payment I was owed? For all I knew, this woman might be obsessed with a single idea. Her manner had shaken me more than I cared to admit. Even so, I stood firm, shook my head again, and said I intended to stay where I was. She was about to plead with me again when a door slammed upstairs. Then we heard several people coming down the stairs. She listened for a moment and threw up her hands in despair. Then she vanished as suddenly and silently as she had come.

“The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson.

“The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short, stocky man. The man's soft gray beard grew from the folds of his double chin. He was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson.

“‘This is my secretary and manager,’ said the colonel. ‘By the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just now. I fear that you have felt the draught.’

“‘This is my secretary and manager,’ said the colonel. ‘By the way, I thought I had just left this door shut. I’m afraid you’ve felt the draft.’

“‘On the contrary,’ said I, ‘I opened the door myself because I felt the room to be a little close.’

“‘Actually,’ I said, ‘I opened the door myself because the room felt a little stuffy.’

“He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. ‘Perhaps we had better proceed to business, then,’ said he. ‘Mr. Ferguson and I will take you up to see the machine.’

“He gave me one of his suspicious looks. ‘Perhaps we should get down to business, then,’ he said. ‘Mr. Ferguson and I will take you up to see the machine.’

“‘I had better put my hat on, I suppose.’

“‘I suppose I'd better put my hat on.’

“‘Oh, no, it is in the house.’

“‘Oh, no, it's in the house.’

“‘What, you dig fuller’s-earth in the house?’

“‘What, you dig fuller’s earth in the house?’

“‘No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us know what is wrong with it.’

“‘No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. All we want you to do is examine the machine and tell us what is wrong with it.’

“We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at least a fellow-countryman.

“We went upstairs together. The colonel led the way with the lamp, and the fat manager and I followed. The old house was a maze of corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and small, low doors. Generations of people had worn hollows in the thresholds. Above the ground floor, there were no carpets or signs of furniture. Plaster was peeling from the walls, and damp had left unhealthy green blotches. I tried to look as calm as possible. But although I had disregarded the lady’s warnings, I had not forgotten them. I kept a close eye on my two companions. Ferguson seemed gloomy and quiet. But from the little he said, I could tell that he was at least a fellow countryman.

“Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and the colonel ushered me in.

“Colonel Lysander Stark finally stopped in front of a low door and unlocked it. Inside was a small, square room that could hardly fit the three of us at once. Ferguson stayed outside, and the colonel led me in.

“‘We are now,’ said he, ‘actually within the hydraulic press, and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set it right.’

“‘We are now,’ he said, ‘inside the hydraulic press. It would be very unpleasant for us if anyone turned it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is actually the end of the descending piston. It comes down on this metal floor with the force of many tons. Outside, small columns of water receive the force. They transmit and multiply it in the way you know. The machine runs well enough, but its movement is somewhat stiff, and it has lost a little power. Perhaps you would be kind enough to look it over and show us how to fix it.’

“I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller’s-earth was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the colonel looking down at me.

“I took the lamp from him and examined the machine very thoroughly. It was enormous and capable of exerting tremendous pressure. Then I went outside and pressed down the levers that controlled it. A hissing sound immediately told me there was a small leak. It was allowing water to flow back through one of the side cylinders. On inspection, I found a rubber band around the head of a driving rod. It had shrunk and no longer quite filled the socket in which it moved. This was clearly the cause of the loss of power. I pointed it out to my companions, who listened very carefully. They asked several practical questions about how to fix it. Once I had explained the repair, I returned to the machine’s main chamber. I took a good look around to satisfy my own curiosity. It was obvious at a glance that the story about fuller’s earth was a complete fabrication. It would be absurd to build such a powerful machine for such a modest purpose. The walls were wooden, but the floor was a large iron trough. When I examined it, I saw a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I bent down and scraped at the deposit to see exactly what it was. Then I heard a muttered exclamation in German and saw the colonel’s deathly pale face looking down at me.

“‘What are you doing there?’ he asked.

“‘What are you doing there?’ he asked.

“I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that which he had told me. ‘I was admiring your fuller’s-earth,’ said I; ‘I think that I should be better able to advise you as to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it was used.’

“I felt angry that he had tricked me with such an elaborate story. ‘I was admiring your fuller’s-earth,’ I said. ‘I think I could advise you better about your machine if I knew exactly what it was used for.’”

“The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in his grey eyes.

“The moment I said the words, I regretted speaking so rashly. His face hardened, and a threatening light flashed in his grey eyes.

“‘Very well,’ said he, ‘you shall know all about the machine.’ He took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and shoves. ‘Hullo!’ I yelled. ‘Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!’

“‘All right,’ he said, ‘you’ll know all about the machine.’ He stepped back, slammed the little door, and turned the key in the lock. I rushed to the door and pulled the handle. But it was locked tight and did not budge when I kicked and shoved it. ‘Hello!’ I yelled. ‘Hello! Colonel! Let me out!’

“And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope back to my heart.

“And then, suddenly, I heard a sound in the silence that made my heart leap into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of the leaking cylinder. He had started the engine. The lamp still stood on the floor where I had put it while examining the trough. By its light, I saw the black ceiling coming down toward me, slowly and in jerks. But I knew better than anyone that its force would crush me to a shapeless pulp within a minute. I threw myself against the door, screaming, and clawed at the lock with my nails. I begged the colonel to let me out, but the relentless clanking of the levers drowned out my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head. I raised my hand and felt its hard, rough surface. Then it suddenly occurred to me that the pain of dying would depend greatly on my position. If I lay face down, the weight would fall on my spine. I shuddered at the thought of that terrible snap. Perhaps the other way would be easier. But did I have the nerve to lie there and watch that deadly black shadow lowering unsteadily toward me? I could no longer stand upright when I saw something that filled my heart with hope again.

“I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me how narrow had been my escape.

“I have said that although the floor and ceiling were iron, the walls were wood. As I took one last hurried look around, I saw a thin line of yellow light between two boards. The line grew wider and wider as a small panel was pushed back. For a moment, I could hardly believe that this was a door leading away from death. The next moment, I threw myself through and lay half-fainting on the other side. The panel closed behind me. But the crash of the lamp, followed moments later by the clang of the two metal slabs, told me how narrowly I had escaped.

“I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend whose warning I had so foolishly rejected.

“Frantic tugging at my wrist brought me back to my senses. I found myself lying on the stone floor of a narrow corridor. A woman was bending over me, tugging at me with her left hand and holding a candle in her right. She was the same good friend whose warning I had so foolishly ignored.

“‘Come! come!’ she cried breathlessly. ‘They will be here in a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the so-precious time, but come!’

“‘Come! Come!’ she cried breathlessly. ‘They'll be here in a moment. They'll see you're not there. Oh, don't waste this precious time. Come!’

“This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about her like one who is at her wit’s end. Then she threw open a door which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon was shining brightly.

“This time, at least, I did not dismiss her advice. I staggered to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding staircase. The staircase led to another broad passage. Just as we reached it, we heard running footsteps and two voices shouting to each other. One voice came from our floor, and the other from the floor below. My guide stopped and looked around, as if she did not know what to do. Then she threw open a door leading into a bedroom. Moonlight shone brightly through its window.

“‘It is your only chance,’ said she. ‘It is high, but it may be that you can jump it.’

“‘It’s your only chance,’ she said. ‘It’s high, but you may be able to jump it.’

“As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a butcher’s cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round him and tried to hold him back.

“As she spoke, a light appeared at the far end of the passage. I saw Colonel Lysander Stark’s lean figure rushing forward. He held a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a butcher’s cleaver in the other. I ran across the bedroom, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet, sweet, and wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight! It could not be more than thirty feet down. I climbed onto the windowsill, but I hesitated to jump. First, I wanted to hear what happened between the woman who had saved me and the villain pursuing me. If he mistreated her, I was determined to go back and help her, whatever the risk. The thought had hardly crossed my mind before he reached the door and pushed past her. But she threw her arms around him and tried to hold him back.

“‘Fritz! Fritz!’ she cried in English, ‘remember your promise after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be silent! Oh, he will be silent!’

“‘Fritz! Fritz!’ she cried in English. ‘Remember your promise after the last time. You said it would not happen again. He will be silent! Oh, he will be silent!’

“‘You are mad, Elise!’ he shouted, struggling to break away from her. ‘You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me pass, I say!’ He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the garden below.

“‘You’re mad, Elise!’ he shouted, struggling to break away from her. ‘You’ll ruin us. He’s seen too much. Let me pass, I say!’ He shoved her aside and rushed to the window. Then he swung his heavy weapon at me. I had let myself drop and was hanging from the sill by my hands when the blow struck. I felt a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the garden below.

“I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the rose-bushes.

“I was shaken but not hurt by the fall. So I picked myself up and ran through the bushes as fast as I could. I knew I was still far from safe. Suddenly, as I ran, I was overcome by terrible dizziness and nausea. I glanced down at my painfully throbbing hand. For the first time, I saw that my thumb had been cut off and blood was pouring from the wound. I tried to tie my handkerchief around it, but a sudden buzzing filled my ears. The next moment, I fainted among the rosebushes.

“How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the particulars of my night’s adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the hedge close by the high road, and just a little lower down was a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream.

“How long I remained unconscious, I cannot say. It must have been a very long time. The moon had set, and a bright morning was dawning when I woke. My clothes were soaked with dew, and my coat sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thumb. The pain instantly brought back every detail of my night’s adventure. I sprang to my feet, feeling that I might still be in danger from my pursuers. But when I looked around, I was astonished to see neither the house nor the garden. I had been lying in a corner of the hedge beside the main road. A little farther down stood a long building. When I approached it, I found it was the very station where I had arrived the night before. If it had not been for the ugly wound on my hand, everything that happened during those dreadful hours might have been a nightmare.

“Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three miles off.

“Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning train. A train to Reading would leave in less than an hour. I found that the same porter who had been there when I arrived was on duty. I asked him if he had ever heard of Colonel Lysander Stark. He had not. Had he seen a carriage waiting for me the night before? No, he had not. Was there a police station nearby? There was one about three miles away.

“It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do exactly what you advise.”

“It was too far for me to go because I was weak and ill. I decided to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the police. I arrived a little after six, so I first went to have my wound treated. Then the doctor was kind enough to bring me here. I’m putting the case in your hands, and I’ll do exactly what you advise.”

We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he placed his cuttings.

We both sat in silence for a while after hearing this extraordinary story. Then Sherlock Holmes took down one of his large scrapbooks from the shelf. He kept his clippings in them.

“Here is an advertisement which will interest you,” said he. “It appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: ‘Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten o’clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was dressed in,’ etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy.”

“Here is an advertisement that will interest you,” he said. “It appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: ‘Missing since the 9th of this month, Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. He left his lodgings at ten o’clock at night and has not been heard from since. He was dressed in,’ etc., etc. Ha! I imagine that was the last time the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled.”

“Good heavens!” cried my patient. “Then that explains what the girl said.”

“Oh my goodness!” my patient cried. “Then that explains what the girl said.”

“Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Eyford.”

“Without a doubt. It is clear that the colonel was a cool and desperate man. He was determined to let nothing stand in the way of his little game. He was like a ruthless pirate who leaves no survivors on a captured ship. Well, every moment is precious now. So, if you feel up to it, we will go to Scotland Yard at once before setting off for Eyford.”

Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford for its centre.

About three hours later, we were all on a train from Reading to the little Berkshire village. The group included Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Bradstreet of Scotland Yard, a plainclothes officer, and me. Bradstreet had spread a county survey map on the seat. He was using a compass to draw a circle with Eyford at its center.

“There you are,” said he. “That circle is drawn at a radius of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir.”

“There you are,” he said. “That circle is drawn ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir.”

“It was an hour’s good drive.”

“It was a good hour’s drive.”

“And you think that they brought you back all that way when you were unconscious?”

“And you think they brought you back all that way while you were unconscious?”

“They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having been lifted and conveyed somewhere.”

“They must have done so. I also have a vague memory of being lifted and carried somewhere.”

“What I cannot understand,” said I, “is why they should have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman’s entreaties.”

“What I can’t understand,” I said, “is why they spared you when they found you lying unconscious in the garden. Perhaps the woman’s pleas softened the villain’s heart.”

“I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in my life.”

“I hardly think that’s likely. I’ve never seen a more unyielding face in my life.”

“Oh, we shall soon clear up all that,” said Bradstreet. “Well, I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it the folk that we are in search of are to be found.”

“Oh, we’ll soon clear all that up,” said Bradstreet. “Well, I’ve drawn my circle. I only wish I knew where on it to find the people we’re looking for.”

“I think I could lay my finger on it,” said Holmes quietly.

“I think I could pinpoint it,” Holmes said quietly.

“Really, now!” cried the inspector, “you have formed your opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is south, for the country is more deserted there.”

“Really!” cried the inspector. “You’ve made up your mind! Come on, let’s see who agrees with you. I say it’s south, because the countryside is more deserted there.”

“And I say east,” said my patient.

“And I say east,” said my patient.

“I am for west,” remarked the plain-clothes man. “There are several quiet little villages up there.”

“I think he went west,” said the plainclothes officer. “There are several quiet little villages up there.”

“And I am for north,” said I, “because there are no hills there, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up any.”

“And I think it was north,” I said, “because there are no hills there. Our friend said he didn't notice the carriage going uphill.”

“Come,” cried the inspector, laughing; “it’s a very pretty diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do you give your casting vote to?”

“Come on,” cried the inspector, laughing. “We have quite a range of opinions. Between us, we’ve covered every possibility. Who gets your deciding vote?”

“You are all wrong.”

“You are all wrong.”

“But we can’t all be.”

“But we can’t all be.”

“Oh, yes, you can. This is my point.” He placed his finger in the centre of the circle. “This is where we shall find them.”

“Oh, yes, you can. This is my point.” He placed his finger in the center of the circle. “This is where we will find them.”

“But the twelve-mile drive?” gasped Hatherley.

“But what about the twelve-mile drive?” Hatherley gasped.

“Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?”

“Six miles out and six back. Nothing could be simpler. You said yourself that the horse looked fresh and glossy when you arrived. How could it look that way after traveling twelve miles over muddy roads?”

“Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough,” observed Bradstreet thoughtfully. “Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of this gang.”

“Indeed, it is a plausible trick,” Bradstreet said thoughtfully. “Of course, there can be no doubt about the nature of this gang.”

“None at all,” said Holmes. “They are coiners on a large scale, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the place of silver.”

“None at all,” said Holmes. “They make counterfeit coins on a large scale. They have used the machine to make the metal mixture they use instead of silver.”

“We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work,” said the inspector. “They have been turning out half-crowns by the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough.”

“We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work,” said the inspector. “They have been making counterfeit half-crowns by the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but we could get no farther. They had covered their tracks so well that it was clear they were very experienced. But now, thanks to this lucky chance, I think we have them for sure.”

But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape.

But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not destined to be brought to justice. As we pulled into Eyford Station, we saw a huge column of smoke rising from behind a small group of nearby trees. It hung over the landscape like an enormous ostrich feather.

“A house on fire?” asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off again on its way.

“A house on fire?” asked Bradstreet as the train started moving again.

“Yes, sir!” said the station-master.

“Yes, sir!” said the stationmaster.

“When did it break out?”

“When did it break out?”

“I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and the whole place is in a blaze.”

“I hear it happened during the night, sir, but it has gotten worse. The whole place is on fire.”

“Whose house is it?”

“Whose house is it?”

“Dr. Becher’s.”

“Dr. Becher’s.”

“Tell me,” broke in the engineer, “is Dr. Becher a German, very thin, with a long, sharp nose?”

“Tell me,” the engineer interrupted, “is Dr. Becher a very thin German with a long, sharp nose?”

The station-master laughed heartily. “No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Englishman, and there isn’t a man in the parish who has a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm.”

The station-master laughed heartily. “No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Englishman, and no man in the parish has a fuller belly. But he has a gentleman staying with him, a patient, as I understand it. The gentleman is a foreigner, and he looks as if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm.”

The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to keep the flames under.

Before the station master had finished speaking, we were all hurrying toward the fire. The road rose over a low hill. Ahead of us stood a large, sprawling whitewashed building, with flames pouring from every crack and window. In the front garden, three fire engines were trying in vain to control the flames.

“That’s it!” cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. “There is the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That second window is the one that I jumped from.”

“That’s it!” Hatherley cried, intensely excited. “There’s the gravel driveway, and there are the rose bushes where I lay. I jumped from that second window.”

“Well, at least,” said Holmes, “you have had your revenge upon them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a good hundred miles off by now.”

“Well, at least,” said Holmes, “you have had your revenge on them. There is no doubt that your oil lamp set fire to the wooden walls when the press crushed it. But they were surely too excited while chasing you to notice the fire at the time. Now keep an eye out in this crowd for your friends from last night. Though I’m very much afraid they are a good hundred miles away by now.”

And Holmes’ fears came to be realised, for from that day to this no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes’ ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their whereabouts.

And Holmes’ fears came true. From that day to this, nothing more has been heard of the beautiful woman, the sinister German, or the gloomy Englishman. Early that morning, a peasant had seen a cart carrying several people and some very large boxes. It was traveling quickly toward Reading. But there, all traces of the fugitives vanished. Even Holmes’ ingenuity failed to uncover the slightest clue to their whereabouts.

The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been already referred to.

The firefighters were deeply troubled by the strange arrangements they found inside. They were even more disturbed to discover a freshly severed human thumb on a second-floor windowsill. Around sunset, however, they finally succeeded in putting out the fire. But by then the roof had collapsed, and the whole place was in ruins. Apart from some twisted cylinders and iron pipes, nothing remained of the machinery that had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so dearly. Large quantities of nickel and tin were found stored in an outbuilding, but no coins were found. That may have explained the bulky boxes mentioned earlier.

How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out of the way of danger.

How our hydraulic engineer was taken from the garden to the spot where he regained consciousness might have remained a mystery forever. But the soft soil told us a very clear story. He had evidently been carried there by two people. One had remarkably small feet, and the other had unusually large ones. Most likely, the silent Englishman was less bold or less murderous than his companion. He had probably helped the woman carry the unconscious man out of danger.

“Well,” said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return once more to London, “it has been a pretty business for me! I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have I gained?”

“Well,” our engineer said sadly as we sat down for the journey back to London, “this has been quite an ordeal for me! I have lost my thumb and a fee of fifty guineas. And what have I gained?”

“Experience,” said Holmes, laughing. “Indirectly it may be of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your existence.”

“Experience,” said Holmes, laughing. “It may be useful indirectly, you know. You only have to put it into words to be known as excellent company for the rest of your life.”