the naval treaty-第5章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


spoke；　and　a　look　of　something　akin　to　fear　sprang　up　in　his　eyes。　〃Do

you　know；〃　said　he；　〃that　I　begin　to　believe　that　I　am　the　unconscious

centre　of　some　monstrous　conspiracy；　and　that　my　life　is　aimed　at　as

well　as　my　honour？〃

　　〃Ah！〃　cried　Holmes。

　　〃It　sounds　incredible；　for　I　have　not；　as　far　as　I　know；　an　enemy　in

the　world。　Yet　from　last　night's　experience　I　can　come　to　no　other

conclusion。〃

　　〃Pray　let　me　hear　it。〃

　　〃You　must　know　that　last　night　was　the　very　first　night　that　I

have　ever　slept　without　a　nurse　in　the　room。　I　was　so　much　better　that

I　though　I　could　dispense　with　one。　I　had　a　night…light　burning；

however。　Well；　about　two　in　the　morning　I　had　sunk　into　a　light

sleep　when　I　was　suddenly　aroused　by　a　slight　noise。　It　was　like　the

sound　which　a　mouse　makes　when　it　is　gnawing　a　plank；　and　I　lay

listening　to　it　for　some　time　under　the　impression　that　it　must　come

from　that　cause。　Then　it　grew　louder；　and　suddenly　there　came　from　the

window　a　sharp　metallic　snick。　I　sat　up　in　amazement。　There　could　be

no　doubt　what　the　sounds　were　now。　The　first　ones　had　been　caused　by

someone　forcing　an　instrument　through　the　slit　between　the　sashes；　and

the　second　by　the　catch　being　pressed　back。

　〃There　was　a　pause　then　for　about　ten　minutes；　as　if　the　person

were　waiting　to　see　whether　the　noise　had　awakened　me。　Then　I　heard

a　gentle　creaking　as　the　window　was　very　slowly　opened。　I　could

stand　it　no　longer；　for　my　nerves　are　not　what　they　used　to　be。　I

sprang　out　of　bed　and　flung　open　the　shutters。　A　man　was　crouching

at　the　window。　I　could　see　little　of　him；　for　he　was　gone　like　a

flash。　He　was　wrapped　in　some　sort　of　cloak　which　came　across　the

lower　part　of　his　face。　One　thing　only　I　am　sure　of；　and　that　is

that　he　had　some　weapon　in　his　hand。　It　looked　to　me　like　a　long

knife。　I　distinctly　saw　the　gleam　of　it　as　he　turned　to　run。〃

　　〃This　is　most　interesting；〃　said　Holmes。　〃Pray　what　did　you　do

then？〃

　　〃I　should　have　followed　him　through　the　open　window　if　I　had　been

stronger。　As　it　was；　I　rang　the　bell　and　roused　the　house。　It　took

some　little　time；　for　the　bell　rings　in　the　kitchen　and　the　servants

all　sleep　upstairs。　I　shouted；　however；　and　that　brought　Joseph

down；　and　he　roused　the　others。　Joseph　and　the　groom　found　marks　on

the　bed　outside　the　window；　but　the　weather　has　been　so　dry　lately

that　they　found　it　hopeless　to　follow　the　trail　across　the　grass。

There's　a　place；　however；　on　the　wooden　fence　which　skirts　the　road

which　shows　signs；　they　tell　me；　as　if　someone　had　got　over；　and　had

snapped　the　top　of　the　rail　in　doing　so。　I　have　said　nothing　to　the

local　police　yet；　for　I　thought　I　had　best　have　your　opinion　first。〃

　　This　tale　of　our　client's　appeared　to　have　an　extraordinary　effect

upon　Sherlock　Holmes。　He　rose　from　his　chair　and　paced　about　the

room　in　uncontrollable　excitement。

　　〃Misfortunes　never　come　single；〃　said　Phelps；　smiling；　though　it　was

evident　that　his　adventure　had　somewhat　shaken　him。

　　〃You　have　certainly　had　your　share；〃　said　Holmes。　〃Do　you　think

you　could　walk　round　the　house　with　me？〃

　　〃Oh；　yes；　I　should　like　a　little　sunshine。　Joseph　will　come；　too。〃

　　〃And　I　also；〃　said　Miss　Harrison。

　　〃I　am　afraid　not；〃　said　Holmes；　shaking　his　head。　〃I　think　I　must

ask　you　to　remain　sitting　exactly　where　you　are。〃

　　The　young　lady　resumed　her　seat　with　an　air　of　displeasure。　Her

brother；　however；　had　joined　us　and　we　set　off　all　four　together。　We

passed　round　the　lawn　to　the　outside　of　the　young　diplomatist's

window。　There　were；　as　he　had　said；　marks　upon　the　bed；　but　they

were　hopelessly　blurred　and　vague。　Holmes　stooped　over　them　for　an

instant；　and　then　rose　shrugging　his　shoulders。

　　〃I　don't　think　anyone　could　make　much　of　this；〃　said　he。　〃Let　us

go　round　the　house　and　see　why　this　particular　room　was　chosen　by

the　burglar。　I　should　have　thought　those　larger　windows　of　the

drawing…room　and　dining…room　would　have　had　more　attractions　for　him。〃

　　〃They　are　more　visible　from　the　road；〃　suggested　Mr。　Joseph

Harrison。

　　〃Ah；　yes；　of　course。　There　is　a　door　here　which　he　might　have

attempted。　What　is　it　for？〃

　　〃It　is　the　side　entrance　for　trades…people。　Of　course　it　is　locked

at　night。〃

　　〃Have　you　ever　had　an　alarm　like　this　before？〃

　　〃Never；〃　said　our　client。

　　〃Do　you　keep　plate　in　the　house；　or　anything　to　attract　burglars？〃

　　〃Nothing　of　value。〃

　　Holmes　strolled　round　the　house　with　his　hands　in　his　pockets　and

a　negligent　air　which　was　unusual　with　him。

　　〃By　the　way；〃　said　he　to　Joseph　Harrison；　〃you　found　some　place；　I

understand；　where　the　fellow　scaled　the　fence。　Let　us　have　a　look　at

that！〃

　　The　plump　young　man　led　us　to　a　spot　where　the　top　of　one　of　the

wooden　rails　had　been　cracked。　A　small　fragment　of　the　wood　was

hanging　down。　Holmes　pulled　it　off　and　examined　it　critically。

　　〃Do　you　think　that　was　done　last　night？　It　looks　rather　old；　does　it

not？〃

　　〃Well；　possibly　so。〃

　　〃There　are　no　marks　of　anyone　jumping　down　upon　the　other　side。

No；　I　fancy　we　shall　get　no　help　here。　Let　us　go　back　to　the　bedroom

and　talk　the　matter　over。〃

　　Percy　Phelps　was　walking　very　slowly；　leaning　upon　the　arm　of　his

future　brother…in…law。　Holmes　walked　swiftly　across　the　lawn；　and　we

were　at　the　open　window　of　the　bedroom　long　before　the　others　came　up。

　　〃Miss　Harrison；〃　said　Holmes；　speaking　with　the　utmost　intensity

of　manner；　〃you　must　stay　where　you　are　all　day。　Let　nothing　prevent

you　from　staying　where　you　are　all　day。　It　is　of　the　utmost

importance。〃

　　〃Certainly；　if　you　wish　it；　Mr。　Holmes；〃　said　the　girl　in

astonishment。

　　〃When　you　go　to　bed　lock　the　door　of　this　room　on　the　outside　and

keep　the　key。　Promise　to　do　this。〃

　　〃But　Percy？〃

　　〃He　will　come　to　London　with　us。〃

　　〃And　am　I　to　remain　here？〃

　　〃It　is　for　his　sake。　You　can　serve　him。　Quick！　Promise！〃

　　She　gave　a　quick　nod　of　assent　just　as　the　other　two　came　up。

　　〃Why　do　you　sit　moping　there；　Annie？〃　cried　her　brother。　〃Come　out

into　the　sunshine！〃

　　〃No；　thank　you；　Joseph。　I　have　a　slight　headache　and　this　room　is

deliciously　cool　and　soothing。〃

　　〃What　do　you　propose　now；　Mr。　Holmes？〃　asked　our　client。

　　〃Well；　in　investigating　this　minor　affair　we　must　not　lose　sight

of　our　main　inquiry。　It　would　be　a　very　great　help　to　me　if　you

would　come　up　to　London　with　us。〃

　　〃At　once？〃

　　〃Well；　as　soon　as　you　conveniently　can。　Say　in　an　hour。〃

　　〃I　feel　quite　strong　enough；　if　I　can　really　be　of　any　help。〃

　　〃The　greatest　possible。〃

　　〃Perhaps　you　would　like　me　to　stay　there　to…night？〃

　　〃I　was　just　going　to　propose　it。〃

　　〃Then；　if　my　friend　of　the　night　comes　to　revisit　me；　he　will　find

the　bird　flown。　We　are　all　in　your　hands；　Mr。　Holmes；　and　you　must

tell　us　exactly　what　you　would　like　done。　Perhaps　you　would　prefer

that　Joseph　came　with　us　so　as　to　look　after　me？〃

　　〃Oh；　no；　my　friend　Watson　is　a　medical　man；　you　know；　and　he'll　look

after　you。　We'll　have　our　lunch　here；　if　you　will　permit　us；　and

then　we　shall　all　three　set　off　for　town　together。〃

　　It　was　arranged　as　he　suggested；　though　Miss　Harrison　excused

herself　from　leaving　the　bedroom；　in　accordance　with　Holmes's

suggestion。　What　the　object　of　my　friend's　maneuvres　was　I　could　not

conceive；　unless　it　were　to　keep　the　lady　away　from　Phelps；　who；

rejoiced　by　his　returning　health　and　by　the　prospect　of　action；

lunched　with　us　in　the　dining…room。　Holmes　had　a　still　more

startling　surprise　for　us；　however；　for；　after　accompanying　us　down　to

the　station　and　seeing　us　into　our　carriage；　he　calmly　announced

that　he　had　no　intention　of　leaving　Woking。

　　〃There　are　one　or　two　small　points　which　I　should　desire　to　clear　up

before　I　go；〃　said　he。　〃Your　absence；　Mr。　Phelps；　will　in　some　ways

rather　assist　me。　Watson；　when　you　reach　London　you　would　oblige　me　by

driving　at　once　to　Baker　Street　with　our　friend　here；　and　remaining

with　him　until　I　see　you　again。　It　is　fortunate　that　you　are　old

school…fellows；　as　you　must　have　much　to　talk　over。　Mr。　Phelps　can

have　the　spare　bedroom　to…night；　and　I　will　be　with　you　in　time　for

breakfast；　for　there　is　a　train　which　will　take　me　into　Waterloo　at

eight。〃

　　〃But　how　about　our　investigation　in　London？〃　asked　Phelps　ruefully。

　　〃We　can　do　that　to…morrow。　I　think　that　just　at　present　I　can　be

of　more　immediate　use　here。〃

　　〃You　might　tell　them　at　Briarbrae　that　I　hope　to　be　back　to…morrow

night；〃　cried　Phelps；　as　we　began　to　move　from　the　platform。

　　〃I　hardly　expect　to　go　back　to　Briarbrae；〃　answered　Holmes；　and

waved　his　hand　to　us　cheerily　as　we　shot　out　from　the　station。

　　Phelps　and　I　talked　it　over　on　our　journey；　but　neither　of　us

could　devise　a　satisfactory　reason　for　this　new　development。

　　〃I　suppose　he　wants　to　find　out　some　clues　as　to　the　burglary　last

night；　if　a　burglar　it　was。　For　myself；　I　don't　believe　it　was　an

ordinary　thief。〃

　　〃What　is　your　own　idea；　then？〃

　　〃Upon　my　word；　you　may　put　it　down　to　my　weak　nerves　or　not；　but　I

believe　there　is　some　deep　political　intrigue　going　on　around　me；

and　that　for　some　reason　that　passes　my　understanding　my　life　is　aimed

at　by　the　conspirators。　It　sounds　high…flown　and　absurd；　but

consider　the　facts！　Why　should　a　thief　try　to　break　in　at　a　bedroom

window　where　there　could　be　no　hope　of　any　plunder；　and　why　should

he　come　with　a　long　knife　in　his　hand？〃

　　〃You　are　sure　it　was　not　a　house…breaker's　jimmy？〃

　　〃Oh；　no；　it　was　a　knife。　I　saw　the　flash　of　the　blade　quite

distinctly。〃

　　〃But　why　on　earth　should　you　be　pursued　with　such　animosity？〃

　　〃Ah；　that　is　the　question。〃

　　〃Well；　if　Holmes　takes　the　same　view；　that　would　account　for　his

action；　would　it　not？　Presuming　that　your　theory　is　correct；　if　he　can

lay　his　hands　upon　the　man　who　threatened　you　last　night　he　will

have　gone　a　long　way　towards　finding　who　took　the　naval　treaty。　It

is　absurd　to　suppose　that　you　have　two　enemies；　one　of　whom　robs

you；　while　the　other　threatens　your　life。〃

　　〃But　Holmes　said　that　he　was　not　going　to　Briarbrae。〃

　　〃I　have　known　him　for　some　time；〃　said　I；　〃but　I　never　knew　him　do

anything　yet　without　a　very　good　reason；〃　and　with　that　our

conversation　drifted　off　on　to　other　topics。

　　But　it　was　a　weary　day　for　me。　Phelps　was　still　weak　after　his

long　illness；　and　his　misfortunes　made　him　querulous　and　nervous。　In

vain　I　endeavoured　to　interest　him　in　Afghanistan；　in　India；　in　social

questions；　in　anything　which　might　take　his　mind　out　of　the　groove。　He

would　always　come　back　to　his　lost　treaty；　wondering；　guessing；

speculating　as　to　what　Holmes　was　doing；　what　steps　Lord　Holdhurst　was

taking；　what　news　we　should　have　in　the　morning。　As　the　evening　wore

on　his　excitement　became　quite　painful。

　　〃You　have　implicit　faith　in　Holmes？〃　he　asked。

　　〃I　have　seen　him　do　some　remarkable　things。〃

　　〃But　he　never　brought　light　into　anything　quite　so　dark　as　this？〃

　　〃Oh；　yes；　I　have　known　him　solve　questions　which　presented　fewer

clues　than　yours。〃

　　〃But　not　where　such　large　interests　are　at　stake？〃

　　〃I　don't　know　that。　To　my　certain　knowledge