Holmes answered. “I am a busy man, and Dr. Watson has hispatients to attend to. Let us agree that we meet here at this hournext Tuesday, and I shall be surprised if before we leave you againwe are not able to explain, even if we cannot perhaps put an endto, your troubles. Meanwhile, keep us posted in what occurs.”
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
I saw nothing of my friend for the next few days, but on thefollowing Monday evening I had a short note asking me to meethim next day at the train. From what he told me as we travelledup to Camford all was well, the peace of the professor’s house hadbeen unruffled, and his own conduct perfectly normal. This alsowas the report which was given us by Mr. Bennett himself whenhe called upon us that evening at our old quarters in the Chequers.
He heard from his London correspondent to-day. There was aletter and there was a small packet, each with the cross underthe stamp which warned me not to touch them. There has beennothing else.”
“That may prove quite enough,” said Holmes grimly. “Now, Mr. Bennett, we shall, I think, come to some conclusion tonight. If mydeductions are correct we should have an opportunity of bringingmatters to a head. In order to do so it is necessary to hold theprofessor under observation. I would suggest, therefore, that youremain awake and on the lookout. Should you hear him pass yourdoor, do not interrupt him, but follow him as discreetly as youcan. Dr. Watson and I will not be far off. By the way, where is thekey of that little box of which you spoke?”
“Upon his watch-chain.”
“I fancy our researches must lie in that direction. At the worstthe lock should not be very formidable. Have you any other ablebodiedman on the premises?”
“There is the coachman, Macphail.”
“Where does he sleep?”
“Over the stables.”
“We might possibly want him. Well, we can do no more until wesee how things develop, Good-bye—but I expect that we shall seeyou before morning.”
It was nearly midnight before we took our station among somebushes immediately opposite the hall door of the professor. It wasfine night, but chilly, and we were glad of our warm overcoats.
There was a breeze, and clouds were scudding across the sky,obscuring from time to time the half-moon. It would have been adismal vigil were it not for the expectation and excitement whichcarried us along, and the assurance of my comrade that we hadprobably reached the end of the strange sequence of events whichhad engaged our attention.
“If the cycle of nine days holds good then we shall have theprofessor at his worst to-night,” said Holmes. “The fact that thesestrange symptoms began after his visit to Prague, that he is insecret correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in London, whopresumably represents someone in Prague, and that he receivedpacket from him this very day, all point in one direction.
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He takes and why he takes it are still beyond our ken, but that itemanates in some way from Prague is clear enough. He takes itunder definite directions which regulate this ninth-day system,which was the first point which attracted my attention. But hissymptoms are most remarkable. Did you observe his knuckles?”
I had to confess that I did not.
“Thick and horny in a way which is quite new in my experience.
Always look at the hands first, Watson. Then cuffs, trouser-knees,and boots. Very curious knuckles which can only be explained bythe mode of progression observed by——” Holmes paused andsuddenly clapped his hand to his forehead. “Oh, Watson, Watson,what a fool I have been! It seems incredible, and yet it must betrue. All points in one direction. How could I miss seeing theconnection of ideas? Those knuckles how could I have passedthose knuckles? And the dog! And the ivy! It’s surely time that Idisappeared into that little farm of my dreams. Look out, Watson!
Here he is! We shall have the chance of seeing for ourselves.”
The hall door had slowly opened, and against the lamplitbackground we saw the tall figure of Professor Presbury. He wasclad in his dressing gown. As he stood outlined in the doorway hewas erect but leaning forward with dangling arms, as when we sawhim last.
Now he stepped forward into the drive, and an extraordinarychange came over him. He sank down into a crouching positionand moved along upon his hands and feet, skipping every nowand then as if he were overflowing with energy and vitality. Hemoved along the face of the house and then round the corner. Ashe disappeared Bennett slipped through the hall door and softlyfollowed him.
“Come, Watson, come!” cried Holmes, and we stole as softly aswe could through the bushes until we had gained a spot whencewe could see the other side of the house, which was bathed in thelight of the half-moon. The professor was clearly visible crouchingat the foot of the ivy-covered wall. As we watched him he suddenlybegan with incredible agility to ascend it. From branch to branchhe sprang, sure of foot and firm of grasp, climbing apparently inmere joy at his own powers, with no definite object in view. Withhis dressing-gown flapping on each side of him, he looked likesome huge bat glued against the side of his own house, a greatsquare dark patch upon the moonlit wall. Presently he tired of thisamusement, and, dropping from branch to branch, he squatteddown into the old attitude and moved towards the stables,creeping along in the same strange way as before. The wolfhoundwas out now, barking furiously, and more excited than ever whenit actually caught sight of its master. It was straining on its chain1360 The Complete Sherlock Holmes.