It is years since the incidents of which I speak took place, and yet it is with diffidence that I allude1 to them. For a long time, even with the utmost discretion2 and reticence3, it would have been impossible to make the facts public, but now the principal person concerned is beyond the reach of human law, and with due suppression the story may be told in such fashion as to injure no one. It records an absolutely unique experience in the career both of Mr. Sherlock Holmes and of myself. The reader will excuse me if I conceal4 the date or any other fact by which he might trace the actual occurrence.
We had been out for one of our evening rambles5, Holmes and I, and had returned about six o'clock on a cold, frosty winter's evening. As Holmes turned up the lamp the light fell upon a card on the table. He glanced at it, and then, with an ejaculation of disgust, threw it on the floor. I picked it up and read:
CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILVERTON, Appledore Towers, Hampstead. Agent.
"Who is he?" I asked.
"The worst man in London," Holmes answered, as he sat down and stretched his legs before the fire. "Is anything on the back of the card?"
I turned it over.
"Will call at 6:30—C.A.M.," I read.
"Hum! He's about due. Do you feel a creeping, shrinking sensation, Watson, when you stand before the serpents in the Zoo, and see the slithery, gliding8, venomous creatures, with their deadly eyes and wicked, flattened9 faces? Well, that's how Milverton impresses me. I've had to do with fifty murderers in my career, but the worst of them never gave me the repulsion which I have for this fellow. And yet I can't get out of doing business with him—indeed, he is here at my invitation."
"But who is he?"
"I'll tell you, Watson. He is the king of all the blackmailers. Heaven help the man, and still more the woman, whose secret and reputation come into the power of Milverton! With a smiling face and a heart of marble, he will squeeze and squeeze until he has drained them dry. The fellow is a genius in his way, and would have made his mark in some more savoury trade. His method is as follows: He allows it to be known that he is prepared to pay very high sums for letters which compromise people of wealth and position. He receives these wares10 not only from treacherous11 valets or maids, but frequently from genteel ruffians, who have gained the confidence and affection of trusting women. He deals with no niggard hand. I happen to know that he paid seven hundred pounds to a footman for a note two lines in length, and that the ruin of a noble family was the result. Everything which is in the market goes to Milverton, and there are hundreds in this great city who turn white at his name. No one knows where his grip may fall, for he is far too rich and far too cunning to work from hand to mouth. He will hold a card back for years in order to play it at the moment when the stake is best worth winning. I have said that he is the worst man in London, and I would ask you how could one compare the ruffian, who in hot blood bludgeons his mate, with this man, who methodically and at his leisure tortures the soul and wrings13 the nerves in order to add to his already swollen15 money-bags?"
I had seldom heard my friend speak with such intensity16 of feeling.
"But surely," said I, "the fellow must be within the grasp of the law?"
"Technically17, no doubt, but practically not. What would it profit a woman, for example, to get him a few months' imprisonment18 if her own ruin must immediately follow? His victims dare not hit back. If ever he blackmailed20 an innocent person, then indeed we should have him, but he is as cunning as the Evil One. No, no, we must find other ways to fight him."
"And why is he here?"
"Because an illustrious client has placed her piteous case in my hands. It is the Lady Eva Blackwell, the most beautiful debutante21 of last season. She is to be married in a fortnight to the Earl of Dovercourt. This fiend has several imprudent letters—imprudent, Watson, nothing worse—which were written to an impecunious22 young squire23 in the country. They would suffice to break off the match. Milverton will send the letters to the Earl unless a large sum of money is paid him. I have been commissioned to meet him, and—to make the best terms I can."
At that instant there was a clatter24 and a rattle25 in the street below. Looking down I saw a stately carriage and pair, the brilliant lamps gleaming on the glossy26 haunches of the noble chestnuts27. A footman opened the door, and a small, stout28 man in a shaggy astrakhan overcoat descended29. A minute later he was in the room.
Charles Augustus Milverton was a man of fifty, with a large, intellectual head, a round, plump, hairless face, a perpetual frozen smile, and two keen gray eyes, which gleamed brightly from behind broad, gold-rimmed glasses. There was something of Mr. Pickwick's benevolence30 in his appearance, marred31 only by the insincerity of the fixed32 smile and by the hard glitter of those restless and penetrating33 eyes. His voice was as smooth and suave34 as his countenance35, as he advanced with a plump little hand extended, murmuring his regret for having missed us at his first visit. Holmes disregarded the outstretched hand and looked at him with a face of granite37. Milverton's smile broadened, he shrugged38 his shoulders removed his overcoat, folded it with great deliberation over the back of a chair, and then took a seat.
"This gentleman?" said he, with a wave in my direction. "Is it discreet39? Is it right?"
"Dr. Watson is my friend and partner."
"Very good, Mr. Holmes. It is only in your client's interests that I protested. The matter is so very delicate——"
"Dr. Watson has already heard of it."
"Then we can proceed to business. You say that you are acting40 for Lady Eva. Has she empowered you to accept my terms?"
"What are your terms?"
"Seven thousand pounds."
"And the alternative?"
"My dear sir, it is painful for me to discuss it, but if the money is not paid on the 14th, there certainly will be no marriage on the 18th." His insufferable smile was more complacent41 than ever.
Holmes thought for a little.
"You appear to me," he said, at last, "to be taking matters too much for granted. I am, of course, familiar with the contents of these letters. My client will certainly do what I may advise. I shall counsel her to tell her future husband the whole story and to trust to his generosity42."
"You evidently do not know the Earl," said he.
From the baffled look upon Holmes's face, I could see clearly that he did.
"What harm is there in the letters?" he asked.
"They are sprightly—very sprightly," Milverton answered. "The lady was a charming correspondent. But I can assure you that the Earl of Dovercourt would fail to appreciate them. However, since you think otherwise, we will let it rest at that. It is purely44 a matter of business. If you think that it is in the best interests of your client that these letters should be placed in the hands of the Earl, then you would indeed be foolish to pay so large a sum of money to regain45 them." He rose and seized his astrakhan coat.
Holmes was gray with anger and mortification46.
"Wait a little," he said. "You go too fast. We should certainly make every effort to avoid scandal in so delicate a matter."
Milverton relapsed into his chair.
"I was sure that you would see it in that light," he purred.
"At the same time," Holmes continued, "Lady Eva is not a wealthy woman. I assure you that two thousand pounds would be a drain upon her resources, and that the sum you name is utterly47 beyond her power. I beg, therefore, that you will moderate your demands, and that you will return the letters at the price I indicate, which is, I assure you, the highest that you can get."
Milverton's smile broadened and his eyes twinkled humorously.
"I am aware that what you say is true about the lady's resources," said he. "At the same time you must admit that the occasion of a lady's marriage is a very suitable time for her friends and relatives to make some little effort upon her behalf. They may hesitate as to an acceptable wedding present. Let me assure them that this little bundle of letters would give more joy than all the candelabra and butter-dishes in London."
"It is impossible," said Holmes.
"Dear me, dear me, how unfortunate!" cried Milverton, taking out a bulky pocketbook. "I cannot help thinking that ladies are ill-advised in not making an effort. Look at this!" He held up a little note with a coat-of-arms upon the envelope. "That belongs to—well, perhaps it is hardly fair to tell the name until to-morrow morning. But at that time it will be in the hands of the lady's husband. And all because she will not find a beggarly sum which she could get by turning her diamonds into paste. It IS such a pity! Now, you remember the sudden end of the engagement between the Honourable49 Miss Miles and Colonel Dorking? Only two days before the wedding, there was a paragraph in the MORNING POST to say that it was all off. And why? It is almost incredible, but the absurd sum of twelve hundred pounds would have settled the whole question. Is it not pitiful? And here I find you, a man of sense, boggling about terms, when your client's future and honour are at stake. You surprise me, Mr. Holmes."
"What I say is true," Holmes answered. "The money cannot be found. Surely it is better for you to take the substantial sum which I offer than to ruin this woman's career, which can profit you in no way?"
"There you make a mistake, Mr. Holmes. An exposure would profit me indirectly50 to a considerable extent. I have eight or ten similar cases maturing. If it was circulated among them that I had made a severe example of the Lady Eva, I should find all of them much more open to reason. You see my point?"
Holmes sprang from his chair.
"Get behind him, Watson! Don't let him out! Now, sir, let us see the contents of that notebook."
Milverton had glided51 as quick as a rat to the side of the room and stood with his back against the wall.
"Mr. Holmes, Mr. Holmes," he said, turning the front of his coat and exhibiting the butt48 of a large revolver, which projected from the inside pocket. "I have been expecting you to do something original. This has been done so often, and what good has ever come from it? I assure you that I am armed to the teeth, and I am perfectly52 prepared to use my weapons, knowing that the law will support me. Besides, your supposition that I would bring the letters here in a notebook is entirely53 mistaken. I would do nothing so foolish. And now, gentlemen, I have one or two little interviews this evening, and it is a long drive to Hampstead." He stepped forward, took up his coat, laid his hand on his revolver, and turned to the door. I picked up a chair, but Holmes shook his head, and I laid it down again. With bow, a smile, and a twinkle, Milverton was out of the room, and a few moments after we heard the slam of the carriage door and the rattle of the wheels as he drove away.
Holmes sat motionless by the fire, his hands buried deep in his trouser pockets, his chin sunk upon his breast, his eyes fixed upon the glowing embers. For half an hour he was silent and still. Then, with the gesture of a man who has taken his decision, he sprang to his feet and passed into his bedroom. A little later a rakish young workman, with a goatee beard and a swagger, lit his clay pipe at the lamp before descending54 into the street. "I'll be back some time, Watson," said he, and vanished into the night. I understood that he had opened his campaign against Charles Augustus Milverton, but I little dreamed the strange shape which that campaign was destined55 to take.
For some days Holmes came and went at all hours in this attire56, but beyond a remark that his time was spent at Hampstead, and that it was not wasted, I knew nothing of what he was doing. At last, however, on a wild, tempestuous57 evening, when the wind screamed and rattled58 against the windows, he returned from his last expedition, and having removed his disguise he sat before the fire and laughed heartily59 in his silent inward fashion.
"You would not call me a marrying man, Watson?"
"No, indeed!"
"You'll be interested to hear that I'm engaged."
"My dear fellow! I congrat——"
"To Milverton's housemaid."
"Good heavens, Holmes!"
"I wanted information, Watson."
"Surely you have gone too far?"
"It was a most necessary step. I am a plumber60 with a rising business, Escott, by name. I have walked out with her each evening, and I have talked with her. Good heavens, those talks! However, I have got all I wanted. I know Milverton's house as I know the palm of my hand."
"But the girl, Holmes?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"You can't help it, my dear Watson. You must play your cards as best you can when such a stake is on the table. However, I rejoice to say that I have a hated rival, who will certainly cut me out the instant that my back is turned. What a splendid night it is!"
"You like this weather?"
"It suits my purpose. Watson, I mean to burgle Milverton's house to-night."
I had a catching61 of the breath, and my skin went cold at the words, which were slowly uttered in a tone of concentrated resolution. As a flash of lightning in the night shows up in an instant every detail of a wild landscape, so at one glance I seemed to see every possible result of such an action—the detection, the capture, the honoured career ending in irreparable failure and disgrace, my friend himself lying at the mercy of the odious62 Milverton.
"For heaven's sake, Holmes, think what you are doing," I cried.
"My dear fellow, I have given it every consideration. I am never precipitate63 in my actions, nor would I adopt so energetic and, indeed, so dangerous a course, if any other were possible. Let us look at the matter clearly and fairly. I suppose that you will admit that the action is morally justifiable64, though technically criminal. To burgle his house is no more than to forcibly take his pocketbook—an action in which you were prepared to aid me."
I turned it over in my mind.
"Yes," I said, "it is morally justifiable so long as our object is to take no articles save those which are used for an illegal purpose."
"Exactly. Since it is morally justifiable, I have only to consider the question of personal risk. Surely a gentleman should not lay much stress upon this, when a lady is in most desperate need of his help?"
"You will be in such a false position."
"Well, that is part of the risk. There is no other possible way of regaining65 these letters. The unfortunate lady has not the money, and there are none of her people in whom she could confide12. To-morrow is the last day of grace, and unless we can get the letters to-night, this villain66 will be as good as his word and will bring about her ruin. I must, therefore, abandon my client to her fate or I must play this last card. Between ourselves, Watson, it's a sporting duel67 between this fellow Milverton and me. He had, as you saw, the best of the first exchanges, but my self-respect and my reputation are concerned to fight it to a finish."
"Well, I don't like it, but I suppose it must be," said I. "When do we start?"
"You are not coming."
"Then you are not going," said I. "I give you my word of honour—and I never broke it in my life—that I will take a cab straight to the police-station and give you away, unless you let me share this adventure with you."
"You can't help me."
"How do you know that? You can't tell what may happen. Anyway, my resolution is taken. Other people besides you have self-respect, and even reputations."
Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow cleared, and he clapped me on the shoulder.
"Well, well, my dear fellow, be it so. We have shared this same room for some years, and it would be amusing if we ended by sharing the same cell. You know, Watson, I don't mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction. See here!" He took a neat little leather case out of a drawer, and opening it he exhibited a number of shining instruments. "This is a first-class, up-to-date burgling kit68, with nickel-plated jemmy, diamond-tipped glass-cutter, adaptable69 keys, and every modern improvement which the march of civilization demands. Here, too, is my dark lantern. Everything is in order. Have you a pair of silent shoes?"
"I have rubber-soled tennis shoes."
"Excellent! And a mask?"
"I can make a couple out of black silk."
"I can see that you have a strong, natural turn for this sort of thing. Very good, do you make the masks. We shall have some cold supper before we start. It is now nine-thirty. At eleven we shall drive as far as Church Row. It is a quarter of an hour's walk from there to Appledore Towers. We shall be at work before midnight. Milverton is a heavy sleeper70, and retires punctually at ten-thirty. With any luck we should be back here by two, with the Lady Eva's letters in my pocket."
Holmes and I put on our dress-clothes, so that we might appear to be two theatre-goers homeward bound. In Oxford71 Street we picked up a hansom and drove to an address in Hampstead. Here we paid off our cab, and with our great coats buttoned up, for it was bitterly cold, and the wind seemed to blow through us, we walked along the edge of the heath.
"It's a business that needs delicate treatment," said Holmes. "These documents are contained in a safe in the fellow's study, and the study is the ante-room of his bed-chamber. On the other hand, like all these stout, little men who do themselves well, he is a plethoric72 sleeper. Agatha—that's my fiancee—says it is a joke in the servants' hall that it's impossible to wake the master. He has a secretary who is devoted73 to his interests, and never budges74 from the study all day. That's why we are going at night. Then he has a beast of a dog which roams the garden. I met Agatha late the last two evenings, and she locks the brute75 up so as to give me a clear run. This is the house, this big one in its own grounds. Through the gate—now to the right among the laurels76. We might put on our masks here, I think. You see, there is not a glimmer77 of light in any of the windows, and everything is working splendidly."
With our black silk face-coverings, which turned us into two of the most truculent78 figures in London, we stole up to the silent, gloomy house. A sort of tiled veranda79 extended along one side of it, lined by several windows and two doors.
"That's his bedroom," Holmes whispered. "This door opens straight into the study. It would suit us best, but it is bolted as well as locked, and we should make too much noise getting in. Come round here. There's a greenhouse which opens into the drawing-room."
The place was locked, but Holmes removed a circle of glass and turned the key from the inside. An instant afterwards he had closed the door behind us, and we had become felons80 in the eyes of the law. The thick, warm air of the conservatory81 and the rich, choking fragrance82 of exotic plants took us by the throat. He seized my hand in the darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs83 which brushed against our faces. Holmes had remarkable84 powers, carefully cultivated, of seeing in the dark. Still holding my hand in one of his, he opened a door, and I was vaguely85 conscious that we had entered a large room in which a cigar had been smoked not long before. He felt his way among the furniture, opened another door, and closed it behind us. Putting out my hand I felt several coats hanging from the wall, and I understood that I was in a passage. We passed along it and Holmes very gently opened a door upon the right-hand side. Something rushed out at us and my heart sprang into my mouth, but I could have laughed when I realized that it was the cat. A fire was burning in this new room, and again the air was heavy with tobacco smoke. Holmes entered on tiptoe, waited for me to follow, and then very gently closed the door. We were in Milverton's study, and a portiere at the farther side showed the entrance to his bedroom.
It was a good fire, and the room was illuminated86 by it. Near the door I saw the gleam of an electric switch, but it was unnecessary, even if it had been safe, to turn it on. At one side of the fireplace was a heavy curtain which covered the bay window we had seen from outside. On the other side was the door which communicated with the veranda. A desk stood in the centre, with a turning-chair of shining red leather. Opposite was a large bookcase, with a marble bust87 of Athene on the top. In the corner, between the bookcase and the wall, there stood a tall, green safe, the firelight flashing back from the polished brass88 knobs upon its face. Holmes stole across and looked at it. Then he crept to the door of the bedroom, and stood with slanting89 head listening intently. No sound came from within. Meanwhile it had struck me that it would be wise to secure our retreat through the outer door, so I examined it. To my amazement90, it was neither locked nor bolted. I touched Holmes on the arm, and he turned his masked face in that direction. I saw him start, and he was evidently as surprised as I.
"I don't like it," he whispered, putting his lips to my very ear. "I can't quite make it out. Anyhow, we have no time to lose."
"Can I do anything?"
"Yes, stand by the door. If you hear anyone come, bolt it on the inside, and we can get away as we came. If they come the other way, we can get through the door if our job is done, or hide behind these window curtains if it is not. Do you understand?"
I nodded, and stood by the door. My first feeling of fear had passed away, and I thrilled now with a keener zest91 than I had ever enjoyed when we were the defenders92 of the law instead of its defiers. The high object of our mission, the consciousness that it was unselfish and chivalrous93, the villainous character of our opponent, all added to the sporting interest of the adventure. Far from feeling guilty, I rejoiced and exulted94 in our dangers. With a glow of admiration95 I watched Holmes unrolling his case of instruments and choosing his tool with the calm, scientific accuracy of a surgeon who performs a delicate operation. I knew that the opening of safes was a particular hobby with him, and I understood the joy which it gave him to be confronted with this green and gold monster, the dragon which held in its maw the reputations of many fair ladies. Turning up the cuffs96 of his dress-coat—he had placed his overcoat on a chair—Holmes laid out two drills, a jemmy, and several skeleton keys. I stood at the centre door with my eyes glancing at each of the others, ready for any emergency, though, indeed, my plans were somewhat vague as to what I should do if we were interrupted. For half an hour, Holmes worked with concentrated energy, laying down one tool, picking up another, handling each with the strength and delicacy97 of the trained mechanic. Finally I heard a click, the broad green door swung open, and inside I had a glimpse of a number of paper packets, each tied, sealed, and inscribed98. Holmes picked one out, but it was as hard to read by the flickering99 fire, and he drew out his little dark lantern, for it was too dangerous, with Milverton in the next room, to switch on the electric light. Suddenly I saw him halt, listen intently, and then in an instant he had swung the door of the safe to, picked up his coat, stuffed his tools into the pockets, and darted100 behind the window curtain, motioning me to do the same.
It was only when I had joined him there that I heard what had alarmed his quicker senses. There was a noise somewhere within the house. A door slammed in the distance. Then a confused, dull murmur36 broke itself into the measured thud of heavy footsteps rapidly approaching. They were in the passage outside the room. They paused at the door. The door opened. There was a sharp snick as the electric light was turned on. The door closed once more, and the pungent101 reek102 of a strong cigar was borne to our nostrils103. Then the footsteps continued backward and forward, backward and forward, within a few yards of us. Finally there was a creak from a chair, and the footsteps ceased. Then a key clicked in a lock, and I heard the rustle104 of papers.
So far I had not dared to look out, but now I gently parted the division of the curtains in front of me and peeped through. From the pressure of Holmes's shoulder against mine, I knew that he was sharing my observations. Right in front of us, and almost within our reach, was the broad, rounded back of Milverton. It was evident that we had entirely miscalculated his movements, that he had never been to his bedroom, but that he had been sitting up in some smoking or billiard room in the farther wing of the house, the windows of which we had not seen. His broad, grizzled head, with its shining patch of baldness, was in the immediate19 foreground of our vision. He was leaning far back in the red leather chair, his legs outstretched, a long, black cigar projecting at an angle from his mouth. He wore a semi-military smoking jacket, claret-coloured, with a black velvet105 collar. In his hand he held a long, legal document which he was reading in an indolent fashion, blowing rings of tobacco smoke from his lips as he did so. There was no promise of a speedy departure in his composed bearing and his comfortable attitude.
I felt Holmes's hand steal into mine and give me a reassuring106 shake, as if to say that the situation was within his powers, and that he was easy in his mind. I was not sure whether he had seen what was only too obvious from my position, that the door of the safe was imperfectly closed, and that Milverton might at any moment observe it. In my own mind I had determined107 that if I were sure, from the rigidity109 of his gaze, that it had caught his eye, I would at once spring out, throw my great coat over his head, pinion110 him, and leave the rest to Holmes. But Milverton never looked up. He was languidly interested by the papers in his hand, and page after page was turned as he followed the argument of the lawyer. At least, I thought, when he has finished the document and the cigar he will go to his room, but before he had reached the end of either, there came a remarkable development, which turned our thoughts into quite another channel.
Several times I had observed that Milverton looked at his watch, and once he had risen and sat down again, with a gesture of impatience111. The idea, however, that he might have an appointment at so strange an hour never occurred to me until a faint sound reached my ears from the veranda outside. Milverton dropped his papers and sat rigid108 in his chair. The sound was repeated, and then there came a gentle tap at the door. Milverton rose and opened it.
"Well," said he, curtly112, "you are nearly half an hour late."
So this was the explanation of the unlocked door and of the nocturnal vigil of Milverton. There was the gentle rustle of a woman's dress. I had closed the slit6 between the curtains as Milverton's face had turned in our direction, but now I ventured very carefully to open it once more. He had resumed his seat, the cigar still projecting at an insolent113 angle from the corner of his mouth. In front of him, in the full glare of the electric light, there stood a tall, slim, dark woman, a veil over her face, a mantle114 drawn115 round her chin. Her breath came quick and fast, and every inch of the lithe7 figure was quivering with strong emotion.
"Well," said Milverton, "you made me lose a good night's rest, my dear. I hope you'll prove worth it. You couldn't come any other time—eh?"
The woman shook her head.
"Well, if you couldn't you couldn't. If the Countess is a hard mistress, you have your chance to get level with her now. Bless the girl, what are you shivering about? That's right. Pull yourself together. Now, let us get down to business." He took a notebook from the drawer of his desk. "You say that you have five letters which compromise the Countess d'Albert. You want to sell them. I want to buy them. So far so good. It only remains116 to fix a price. I should want to inspect the letters, of course. If they are really good specimens—Great heavens, is it you?"
The woman, without a word, had raised her veil and dropped the mantle from her chin. It was a dark, handsome, clear-cut face which confronted Milverton—a face with a curved nose, strong, dark eyebrows117 shading hard, glittering eyes, and a straight, thin-lipped mouth set in a dangerous smile.
"It is I," she said, "the woman whose life you have ruined."
Milverton laughed, but fear vibrated in his voice. "You were so very obstinate," said he. "Why did you drive me to such extremities118? I assure you I wouldn't hurt a fly of my own accord, but every man has his business, and what was I to do? I put the price well within your means. You would not pay."
"So you sent the letters to my husband, and he—the noblest gentleman that ever lived, a man whose boots I was never worthy119 to lace—he broke his gallant120 heart and died. You remember that last night, when I came through that door, I begged and prayed you for mercy, and you laughed in my face as you are trying to laugh now, only your coward heart cannot keep your lips from twitching121. Yes, you never thought to see me here again, but it was that night which taught me how I could meet you face to face, and alone. Well, Charles Milverton, what have you to say?"
"Don't imagine that you can bully122 me," said he, rising to his feet. "I have only to raise my voice and I could call my servants and have you arrested. But I will make allowance for your natural anger. Leave the room at once as you came, and I will say no more."
The woman stood with her hand buried in her bosom123, and the same deadly smile on her thin lips.
"You will ruin no more lives as you have ruined mine. You will wring14 no more hearts as you wrung124 mine. I will free the world of a poisonous thing. Take that, you hound—and that!—and that!—and that!"
She had drawn a little gleaming revolver, and emptied barrel after barrel into Milverton's body, the muzzle125 within two feet of his shirt front. He shrank away and then fell forward upon the table, coughing furiously and clawing among the papers. Then he staggered to his feet, received another shot, and rolled upon the floor. "You've done me," he cried, and lay still. The woman looked at him intently, and ground her heel into his upturned face. She looked again, but there was no sound or movement. I heard a sharp rustle, the night air blew into the heated room, and the avenger126 was gone.
No interference upon our part could have saved the man from his fate, but, as the woman poured bullet after bullet into Milverton's shrinking body I was about to spring out, when I felt Holmes's cold, strong grasp upon my wrist. I understood the whole argument of that firm, restraining grip—that it was no affair of ours, that justice had overtaken a villain, that we had our own duties and our own objects, which were not to be lost sight of. But hardly had the woman rushed from the room when Holmes, with swift, silent steps, was over at the other door. He turned the key in the lock. At the same instant we heard voices in the house and the sound of hurrying feet. The revolver shots had roused the household. With perfect coolness Holmes slipped across to the safe, filled his two arms with bundles of letters, and poured them all into the fire. Again and again he did it, until the safe was empty. Someone turned the handle and beat upon the outside of the door. Holmes looked swiftly round. The letter which had been the messenger of death for Milverton lay, all mottled with his blood, upon the table. Holmes tossed it in among the blazing papers. Then he drew the key from the outer door, passed through after me, and locked it on the outside. "This way, Watson," said he, "we can scale the garden wall in this direction."
I could not have believed that an alarm could have spread so swiftly. Looking back, the huge house was one blaze of light. The front door was open, and figures were rushing down the drive. The whole garden was alive with people, and one fellow raised a view-halloa as we emerged from the veranda and followed hard at our heels. Holmes seemed to know the grounds perfectly, and he threaded his way swiftly among a plantation127 of small trees, I close at his heels, and our foremost pursuer panting behind us. It was a six-foot wall which barred our path, but he sprang to the top and over. As I did the same I felt the hand of the man behind me grab at my ankle, but I kicked myself free and scrambled128 over a grass-strewn coping. I fell upon my face among some bushes, but Holmes had me on my feet in an instant, and together we dashed away across the huge expanse of Hampstead Heath. We had run two miles, I suppose, before Holmes at last halted and listened intently. All was absolute silence behind us. We had shaken off our pursuers and were safe.
We had breakfasted and were smoking our morning pipe on the day after the remarkable experience which I have recorded, when Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, very solemn and impressive, was ushered129 into our modest sitting-room130.
"Good-morning, Mr. Holmes," said he; "good-morning. May I ask if you are very busy just now?"
"Not too busy to listen to you."
"I thought that, perhaps, if you had nothing particular on hand, you might care to assist us in a most remarkable case, which occurred only last night at Hampstead."
"Dear me!" said Holmes. "What was that?"
"A murder—a most dramatic and remarkable murder. I know how keen you are upon these things, and I would take it as a great favour if you would step down to Appledore Towers, and give us the benefit of your advice. It is no ordinary crime. We have had our eyes upon this Mr. Milverton for some time, and, between ourselves, he was a bit of a villain. He is known to have held papers which he used for blackmailing131 purposes. These papers have all been burned by the murderers. No article of value was taken, as it is probable that the criminals were men of good position, whose sole object was to prevent social exposure."
"Criminals?" said Holmes. "Plural132?"
"Yes, there were two of them. They were as nearly as possible captured red-handed. We have their footmarks, we have their description, it's ten to one that we trace them. The first fellow was a bit too active, but the second was caught by the under-gardener, and only got away after a struggle. He was a middle-sized, strongly built man—square jaw133, thick neck, moustache, a mask over his eyes."
"That's rather vague," said Sherlock Holmes. "My, it might be a description of Watson!"
"It's true," said the inspector134, with amusement. "It might be a description of Watson."
"Well, I'm afraid I can't help you, Lestrade," said Holmes. "The fact is that I knew this fellow Milverton, that I considered him one of the most dangerous men in London, and that I think there are certain crimes which the law cannot touch, and which therefore, to some extent, justify135 private revenge. No, it's no use arguing. I have made up my mind. My sympathies are with the criminals rather than with the victim, and I will not handle this case."
Holmes had not said one word to me about the tragedy which we had witnessed, but I observed all the morning that he was in his most thoughtful mood, and he gave me the impression, from his vacant eyes and his abstracted manner, of a man who is striving to recall something to his memory. We were in the middle of our lunch, when he suddenly sprang to his feet. "By Jove, Watson, I've got it!" he cried. "Take your hat! Come with me!" He hurried at his top speed down Baker136 Street and along Oxford Street, until we had almost reached Regent Circus. Here, on the left hand, there stands a shop window filled with photographs of the celebrities137 and beauties of the day. Holmes's eyes fixed themselves upon one of them, and following his gaze I saw the picture of a regal and stately lady in Court dress, with a high diamond tiara upon her noble head. I looked at that delicately curved nose, at the marked eyebrows, at the straight mouth, and the strong little chin beneath it. Then I caught my breath as I read the time-honoured title of the great nobleman and statesman whose wife she had been. My eyes met those of Holmes, and he put his finger to his lips as we turned away from the window.
收听单词发音 |
1
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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reticence
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| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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rambles
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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wrings
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| 绞( wring的第三人称单数 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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technically
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| adv.专门地，技术上地 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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blackmailed
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| 胁迫，尤指以透露他人不体面行为相威胁以勒索钱财( blackmail的过去式 ) | |
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debutante
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| n.初入社交界的少女 | |
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impecunious
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| adj.不名一文的，贫穷的 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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25
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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26
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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27
chestnuts
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| n.栗子( chestnut的名词复数 )；栗色；栗树；栗色马 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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30
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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31
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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33
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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34
suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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35
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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36
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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37
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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38
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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39
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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40
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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41
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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42
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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43
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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45
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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46
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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47
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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48
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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49
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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50
indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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51
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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52
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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53
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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54
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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55
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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56
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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57
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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58
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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59
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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60
plumber
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| n.(装修水管的)管子工 | |
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61
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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62
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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63
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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64
justifiable
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| adj.有理由的，无可非议的 | |
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65
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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66
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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67
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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68
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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69
adaptable
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| adj.能适应的，适应性强的，可改编的 | |
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70
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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71
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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72
plethoric
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| adj.过多的，多血症的 | |
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73
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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74
budges
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| v.（使）稍微移动( budge的第三人称单数 )；（使）改变主意，（使）让步 | |
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75
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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76
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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77
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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truculent
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| adj.野蛮的，粗野的 | |
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79
veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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80
felons
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| n.重罪犯( felon的名词复数 )；瘭疽；甲沟炎；指头脓炎 | |
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81
conservatory
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| n.温室，音乐学院；adj.保存性的，有保存力的 | |
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82
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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83
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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84
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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85
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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86
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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87
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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88
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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89
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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91
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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96
cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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98
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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99
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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100
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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101
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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102
reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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103
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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104
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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105
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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106
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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107
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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108
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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110
pinion
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| v.束缚；n.小齿轮 | |
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111
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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112
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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113
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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114
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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115
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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116
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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117
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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118
extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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119
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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120
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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121
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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122
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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123
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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124
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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125
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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126
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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127
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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128
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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129
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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130
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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131
blackmailing
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| 胁迫，尤指以透露他人不体面行为相威胁以勒索钱财( blackmail的现在分词 ) | |
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132
plural
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| n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的 | |
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133
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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134
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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135
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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136
baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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137
celebrities
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| n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉 | |
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