May 15, 2025 • 48 mins
Dive into the final volume of Arthur Conan Doyles detective stories, where he bids a heartfelt farewell to his most renowned creation - Sherlock Holmes. These eclectic tales span different stages of Holmess life, including his retirement, and are narrated from varying perspectives, including Watson, Holmes, and an omnipotent narrator. While many stories showcase Holmess famed deductive reasoning, others highlight lesser-known aspects of his character, such as his compassion, empathy, and sense of humor. His rapport with Dr. Watson, while occasionally blunt, is marked by kindness, affection, and professional respect, painting a portrait of a profound and intricate friendship that captivates readers. (Summary by T. A. Copeland).
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Section eight of the Case Book of Sherlock Holmes by
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in the
public domain. Read by Thomas Copeland, Story eight, The Adventure
of the Creeping Man. Mister Sherlock Holmes was always of
opinion that I should publish the singular facts connected with
(00:22):
Professor Presbury, if only to dispel once for all the
ugly rumors which some twenty years ago agitated the University
and were echoed in the learned societies of London. There were, however,
certain obstacles in the way, and the true history of
this curious case remained entombed in the tin box which
(00:42):
contains so many records of my friend's adventures. Now we
have at last obtained permission to ventilate the facts which
formed one of the very last cases handled by Holmes
before his retirement from practice. Even now, a certain reticence
and discretion how to be observed in laying the matter
before the public. It was one Sunday evening, early in
(01:06):
September of the year nineteen o three that I received
one of Holmes's laconic messages, come at once, if convenient,
if inconvenient, come all the same s h The relations
between us in those latter days were peculiar. He was
a man of habits, narrow and concentrated habits, and I
(01:27):
had become one of them. As an institution. I was
like the violin, the shagged tobacco, the old black pipe,
the index books, and others. Perhaps less excusable. When it
was a case of active work and a comrade was
needed upon whose nerve he could place some reliance, my
role was obvious. But apart from this I had uses.
(01:50):
I was a whetstone for his mind. I stimulated him.
He liked to think aloud in my presence. His remarks
could hardly be said to be made to me. Many
of them would have been as appropriately addressed to his bedstead,
but none the less. Having formed the habit, it had
become in some way helpful that I should register and
(02:11):
interject if I irritated him by a certain methodical slowness
in my mentality. That irritation served only to make his
own flamelike intuitions and impressions flash up the more vividly
and swiftly. Such was my humble role in our alliance.
When I arrived at Baker Street, I found him huddled
(02:31):
up in his arm chair with updrawn knees, his pipe
in his mouth, and his brow furrowed with thought. It
was clear that he was in the throes of some
vexatious problem. With a wave of his hand he indicated
my old arm chair. But otherwise for half an hour
he gave no sign that he was aware of my presence. Then,
(02:52):
with a start he seemed to come from his reverie,
and with his usual whimsical smile, he greeted me back
to what had one has been my home. You will
excuse a certain abstraction of mind, my dear Watson, said he.
Some curious facts have been submitted to me within the
last twenty four hours, and they, in turn have given
(03:14):
rise to some speculations of a more general character. I
have serious thoughts of writing a small monograph upon the
uses of dogs in the work of the detective. But surely, Holmes,
this has been explored, said I blood House sleuth hounds. No, No, Watson,
that side of the matter is of course obvious. But
(03:37):
there is another which is far more subtle. You may
recollect that in the case which you, in your sensational way,
coupled with the copper beeches. I was able, by watching
the mind of the child to form a deduction as
to the criminal habits of the very smug and respectable father. Yes,
I remember it well. My line of thoughts about dogs
(04:00):
is analogous. A dog reflects the family life. Who ever
saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family or a
sad dog in a happy one. Snarling people have snarling dogs.
Dangerous people have dangerous ones, and their passing moods may
reflect the passing moods of others. I shook my head. Surely, Holmes,
(04:25):
this is a little far fetched, said I. He had
refilled his pipe and resumed his seat, taking no notice
of my comment. The practical application of what I have
said is very close to the problem which I am investigating.
It is a tangled skein, you understand, and I am
looking for a loose end. One possible loose end lies
(04:46):
in the question why does Professor Presbury's faithful wolf found
Roy endeavor to bite him? I sank back in my
chair in some disappointment. Was it for so trip a
question as this that I had been summoned from my work?
Holmes glanced across at me. Thus, hem old Watson said,
(05:09):
he you never learn that the gravest issues may depend
upon the smallest things. But is it not, on the
face of it strange that a staid, elderly philosopher you
heard of Presbury, of course, the famous Camford physiologist, that
such a man whose friend has been his devoted wolfhound,
should now have been twice attacked by his own dog.
(05:33):
What do you make of it? The dog is ill, well,
that has to be considered, but he attacks no one else,
nor does he apparently molest his master, save on very
special occasions. Curious, Watson, very curious. But young mister Bennett
(05:53):
is before his time, if that is his ring. I
had hoped to have a longer chat with you before
he came there. There's a quick step on the stairs,
a sharp tap at the door, and a moment later
the new client presented himself. He was a tall, handsome
youth about thirty, well dressed and elegant, but with something
in his bearing which suggested the shyness of the student
(06:16):
rather than the self possession of the man of the world.
He shook hands with Holmes and then looked with some
surprise at me. This matter is very delicate, mister Holmes,
He said, consider the relation in which I stand to
Professor Presbury, both privately and publicly. I really can hardly
justify myself if I speak before any third person. Have
(06:39):
no fear, mister Bennett. Doctor Watson is the very soul
of discretion, and I can assure you that this is
a matter in which I am very likely to need
an assistant as you like, mister Holmes, you will, I
am sure understand my having some reserves in the matter.
You will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you that thisentleman,
(07:00):
mister Trevor Bennett, is professional assistant to the great scientist,
lives under his roof, and is engaged to his only daughter.
Certainly I must agree that the Professor has every claim
upon his loyalty and devotion. But it may best be
shown by taking the necessary steps to clear up this
strange mystery. I hope so, mister Holmes, that is my
(07:24):
one object. Does doctor Watson know the situation? I have
not had time to explain it. Then perhaps I had
better go over the ground again before explaining some fresh developments.
I will do so myself, said Holmes, in order to
show that I have the events in their due order.
(07:45):
The Professor Watson is a man of European reputation. His
life has been academic. There has never been a breath
of scandal. He is a widower with one daughter, Edith.
He is, I gather, a man of very virile and positive,
one might almost say combative character. So the matter stood
(08:05):
until a very few months ago. Then the current of
his life was broken. He is sixty one years of age.
But he became engaged to the daughter of Professor Morphy,
his colleague in the chair of comparative anatomy. It was not,
as I understand, the reasoned courting of an elderly man,
but rather the passionate frenzy of youth. For no one
(08:28):
could have shown himself a more devoted lover. The lady
Alice Morphy was a very perfect girl, both in mind
and body, so that there was every excuse for the
Professor's infatuation. Nonetheless, it did not meet with full approval
in his own family. We thought it rather excessive, said
(08:49):
our visitor. Exactly excessive and a little violent and unnatural.
Professor Presbury was rich, however, and there was no object
on the part of the father. The daughter, however, had
other views, and there were already several candidates for her hand, who,
if they were less eligible from a worldly point of view,
(09:12):
were at least more of an age. The girl seemed
to like the Professor in spite of his eccentricities. It
was only age which stood in the way. About this time,
a little mystery suddenly clouded the normal routine of the
Professor's life. He did what he had never done before.
(09:32):
He left home and gave no indication where he was going.
He was away a fortnight and returned looking rather travel worn.
He made no allusion to where he had been, although
he was usually the frankest of men. It chanced, however,
that our client here, mister Bennett, received a letter from
a fellow student in Prague, who said that he was
(09:54):
glad to have seen Professor presby there, although he had
not been able to talk to him. Only in this
way did his own household learn where he had been.
Now comes the point. From that time onwards, a curious
change came over the Professor. He became furtive and sly.
(10:14):
Those around him had always the feeling that he was
not the man that they had known, but that he
was under some shadow which had darkened his higher qualities.
His intellect was not effected. His lectures were as brilliant
as ever, but always there was something new, something sinister,
and unexpected. His daughter, who was devoted to him, tried
(10:37):
again and again to resume the old relations and to
penetrate this mask which your father seemed to have put
on you. Sirs, I understand did the same, But all
was in vain. And now, mister Bennet, telling your own
words the incident of the letters, you must understand, Doctor Watson,
(10:57):
that the Professor had no secrets from me. If I
were his son or his younger brother, I could not
have more completely enjoyed his confidence. As his secretary, I
handled every paper which came to him, and I opened
and subdivided his letters. Shortly after his return, all this
was changed. He told me that certain letters might come
(11:19):
to him from London, which would be marked by a
cross under the stamp. These were to be set aside
for his own eyes only. I may say that several
of these did pass through my hands, that they had
the E C mark and were in an illiterate handwriting.
If he answered them at all, the answers did not
(11:39):
pass through my hands, nor into the letter basket. In
which our correspondence was collected, and the box, said Holmes. Ah, yes,
the box. The professor brought back a little wooden box
from his travels. It was the one thing which suggested
a continental tour, for it was one of those quaint
carved things which one associates with Germany. This he placed
(12:04):
in his instrument cupboard. One day, in looking for a canula,
I took up the box. To my surprise, he was
very angry and reproved me in words which were quite
savage for my curiosity. It was the first time such
a thing had happened, and I was deeply hurt. I
endeavored to explain that it was a mere accident that
(12:25):
I had touched the box, But all the evening I
was conscious that he looked at me harshly, and that
the incident was rankling in his mind. Mister Bennett drew
a little diary book from his pocket that was on
July second, said he. You are certainly an admirable witness,
said Holmes, I may need some of these dates which
(12:47):
you have noted. I learned the method, among other things,
from my great teacher, from the time that I observed
of normality in his behavior. I felt that it was
my duty to study his case. Thus I have it
here that it was on that very day, July second,
that Roy attacked the professor as he came from his
(13:07):
study into the hall. Again, on July eleventh there was
a scene of the same sort. And then I have
a note of yet another upon July twentieth. After that
we had to banish Roy to the stables. He was
a dear, affectionate animal. But I fear I weary you,
mister Bennett, spoke in a tone of reproach, for it
(13:30):
was very clear that Holmes was not listening. His face
was rigid, and his eyes gazed abstractedly at the ceiling.
With an effort he recovered himself singular, most singular. He murmured,
these details were new to me, mister Bennet. I think
we have now fairly gone over the old ground, have
(13:51):
we not? But you spoke of some fresh developments, the
pleasant open face of our visitor clouded over shadowed by
some grim remembrance. What I speak of occurred the night
before last, said he. I was lying awake about two
in the morning when I was aware of a dull,
(14:11):
muffled sound coming from the passage. I opened my door
and peeped out. I should explain that the professor sleeps
at the end of the passage. The date being asked Holmes,
our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant an interruption.
I have said, sir, that it was the night before last,
that is September fourth. Holmes nodded and smiled. Pray continue
(14:37):
said he he sleeps at the end of the passage
and would have to pass my door in order to
reach the staircase. It was a really terrifying experience, mister Holmes.
I think that I am as strong nerved as my neighbor's,
but I was shaken by what I saw. The passage
was dark save that one window half way along it.
(14:57):
Through a patch of light, I could see that something
was coming along the passage, something dark and crouching. Then
suddenly it emerged into the light, and I saw that
it was he. He was crawling, mister Holmes, crawling. He
was not quite on his hands and knees, I should
rather say, on his hands and feet, with his face
(15:20):
sunk between his hands. Yet he seemed to move with ease.
I was so paralyzed by the sight that it was
not until he had reached my door that I was
able to step forward and ask if I could assist him.
His answer was extraordinary. He sprang up, spat out some
atrocious word at me, and hurried on past me and
(15:41):
down the staircase. I waited for about an hour, but
he did not come back. He must have been daylight
before he regained his room. Well, Watson, what make you
of that, asked Holmes, with the air of the pathologist
who presents a rare specimen lumbay ago. Possibly, I have
(16:01):
known a severe attack make a man walk in just
such a way, and nothing would be more trying to
the temper. Good Watson, you always keep us flat footed
on the ground, But we can hardly accept lumbago. Since
he was able to stand erect in a moment. He
was never better in health, said Bennett. In fact, he
(16:23):
is stronger than I have known him for years. But
there are the facts, mister Holmes. It is not a
case in which we can consult the police. And yet
we are utterly at our wits end as to what
to do, and we feel in some strange way that
we are drifting towards disaster. Edith, Miss Presbury feels as
I do that we cannot wait passively any longer. It
(16:46):
is certainly a very curious and suggestive case. What do
you think, Watson, speaking as a medical man, said, I
it appears to be a case for an alienist. The
old gentleman cerebral processes were disturbed by the love affair.
He made a journey abroad in the hope of breaking
himself of the passion. His letters and the box may
(17:09):
be connected with some other private transaction alone, perhaps, or
share certificates which are in the box. And the wolf
found no doubt disapproved of the financial bargain. No, no, Watson,
there is more in it than this. Now I can
only suggest what Sherlock Holmes was about to suggest will
(17:31):
never be known. For at this moment the door opened
and a young lady was shown into the room. As
she appeared, mister Bennet sprang up with a cry and
ran forward with his hands out to meet those which
she had herself outstretched. Edith dear nothing the matter, I hope,
I felt. I must follow you, Oh Jack, I have
(17:53):
been so dreadfully frightened. It is awful to be there alone.
Mister Holmes, this is the young lady I spoke of,
this is my fiancee. We were gradually coming to that conclusion,
were we not. Watson Holmes answered with a smile. I
take it, miss Presbury, that there is some fresh development
(18:13):
in the case, and that you thought we should know
our new visitor. A bright, handsome girl of the conventional
English type, smiled back at homes so as she seated
herself beside mister Bennet. When I found mister Bennett had
left his hotel, I thought I should probably find him here.
Of course he had told me that he would consult you.
(18:35):
But oh, mister Holmes, can you do nothing for my
poor father. I have hopes, Miss Presbery, but the case
is still obscure. Perhaps what you have to say may
throw some fresh light upon it. It was last night,
mister Holmes. He had been very strange all day. I
am sure that there are times when he has no
(18:56):
recollection of what he does. He lives as in a
strange Yesterday was such a day. It was not my
father with whom I lived. His outward shell was there,
but it was not really. He tell me what happened.
I was awakened in the night by the dog barking
most furiously. Poor Roy he is chained now near the stable.
(19:19):
I may say that I always sleep with my door locked,
for as jack as mister Bennet will tell you, we
all have a feeling of impending danger. My room is
on the second floor. It happened that the blind was
up in my window, and there was bright moonlight outside.
As I lay with my eyes fixed upon the square
of light, listening to the frenzied barkings of the dog,
(19:42):
I was amazed to see my father's face looking in
at me. Mister Holmes. I nearly died of surprise and horror.
There it was pressed against the windowpane, and one hand
seemed to be raised as if to push up the window.
If that window had opened, I think I should have
gone mad. It was no illusion, mister Holmes. Don't deceive
(20:03):
yourself by thinking so, I dare say. It was twenty
seconds or so that I lay paralyzed and washed the face.
Then it vanished. But I could not. I could not
spring out of bed and look out after it. I
lay cold and shivering till morning. At breakfast. He was
sharp and fierce in manner, and made no allusion to
(20:24):
the adventure of the night. Neither did I. But I
gave an excuse for coming to town, and here I am, Holmes,
looked thoroughly surprised at Miss Presberry's narrative. My dear young lady,
you say that your room is on the second floor.
Is there a long ladder in the garden? No, mister Holmes,
(20:45):
that is the amazing part of it. There is no
possible way of reaching the window. And yet he was
there the day being September fifth, said Holmes. That certainly
complicates matters. It was the young ladies turn to look surprised.
This is the second time that you have alluded to
the date, mister Holmes, said Bennett. Is it possible that
(21:07):
it has any bearing upon the case. It is possible,
very possible, and yet I have not life full material
at present. Possibly you are thinking of the connection between
insanity and faces of the moon. No, I assure you
it was quite a different line of thought. Possibly you
(21:28):
can leave your note book with me and I will
check the dates. Now, I think, Watson, that our line
of action is perfectly clear. This young lady has informed us,
and I have the greatest confidence in her intuition that
her father remembers little or nothing which occurs upon certain dates.
We will therefore call upon him as if he had
given us an appointment upon such a date. He will
(21:51):
put it down to his own lack of memory. Thus
we will open our campaign by having a good close
view of him. That is excellent, said mister Bennett. I
warn you, however, that the professor is irascible and violent
at times, Holmes smiled. There are reasons why we should
come at once, very cogent reasons. If my theories hold good,
(22:13):
tomorrow mister Bennett will certainly see us in Camfort. There is,
if I remember writ an inn called the Chequers, where
the port used to be above mediocrity and the linen
was above reproach. I think Watson, that our lot for
the next few days might lie in less pleasant places.
Monday morning found us on our way to the famous
(22:34):
university town, an easy effort on the part of Holmes,
who had no roots to pull up, but one which
involved frantic planning and hurrying on my part, as my
practice was by this time not inconsiderable. Holmes made no
allusion to the case until after we had deposited our
suit cases at the ancient hostel of which he had spoken.
(22:54):
I think Watson that we can catch the professor just
before lunch. He lectures at eleven and should have an
interval at home. What possible excuse have we for calling?
Holmes glanced at his note book. There was a period
of excitement upon August twenty sixth. We will assume that
he is a little hazy as to what he does
(23:16):
at such times. If we insist that we are there
by appointment, I think he will hardly venture to contradict us.
Have you the effrontery necessary to put it through? We
can but try, excellent Watson, compound of the busy bee
and excelsior. We can but try the motto of the firm.
(23:37):
A friendly native will surely guide us such a one.
On the back of a smart hansom, swept us past
a row of ancient colleges, and, finally, turning into a
tree lined drive, pulled up at the door of a
charming house, girt round with lawns and covered with purple wisteria.
Professor Presbury was certainly surrounded with every sign not only
(23:59):
of comfort, but of blood. Even as we pulled up,
a grizzled head appeared at the front window, and we
were aware of a pair of keen eyes from under
shaggy brows, which surveyed us through large horn glasses. A
moment later we were actually in his sanctum, and the
mysterious scientist whose vigaries had brought us from London was
(24:19):
standing before us. There was certainly no sign of eccentricity,
either in his manner or appearance, for he was a portly,
large featured man, grave, tall and frock coated with the
dignity of bearing which a lecturer needs. His eyes were
his most remarkable feature, keen, observant, and clever to the
verge of cunning. It looked at our cards. Praise it down, gentlemen.
(24:45):
What can I do for you? Mister Holmes smiled amiably.
It was the question which I was about to put
to you, Professor. To me, sir, and possibly there is
some mistake. I heard through a second person that Professor
Presby of Camford had need of my services. Oh indeed,
(25:05):
it seemed to me that there was a malicious sparkle
in the intense gray eyes. You heard that? Did you?
May I ask the name of your informant? I am sorry, Professor,
but the matter was rather confidential. If I have made
a mistake, there is no harm done. I can only
express my regret. Not at all I should wish to
go further into this matter. It interests me. Have you
(25:29):
any scrap of writing, any letter or telegram to bear
out your assertion? No, I have not. I presume that
you do not go so far as to assert that
I summoned you. I would rather answer no questions, said Holmes.
No I daresay not, said the professor with asperity. However,
(25:49):
that particular one can be answered very easily without your aid.
He walked across the room to the bell. Our London friend,
mister Bennett, answered the call. Come in, mister Bennett. These
two gentlemen have come from London under the impression that
they have been summoned. You handle all my correspondents. Have
you a note of anything going to a person named Holmes? No,
(26:13):
Sir Bennett answered with a flush. That is conclusive, said
the Professor, glaring angrily at my companion. Now, sir, he
leaned forward with his two hands upon the table, it
seems to me your possession as a very questionable one.
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. I can only repeat that I
am sorry that we have made a needless intrusion. Hardly
(26:36):
enough mister Holmes, the old man cried in a high
screaming voice, with extraordinary malignancy upon his face. He got
between us and the door as he spoke, and he
shook his two hands at us with furious passion. You
can hardly get out of it so easily as that
his face was convulse to see, grinned and gibbered at
us in his senseless rage. I am convinced that we
(26:59):
should have had to fight our way out of the
room if mister Bennet had not intervened. My dear professor,
He cried, consider your position, Consider the scandal at the university.
Mister Holmes is a well known man. You cannot possibly
treat him with such discourtesy. Circily, our host, if I
may call him, so, cleared the path to the door.
(27:22):
We were glad to find ourselves outside the house and
in the quiet of the tree line drive. Holmes seemed
greatly amused by the episode. Our learned friend's nerves are
somewhat out of order, said he. Perhaps our intrusion was
a little crude, and yet we have gained that personal
contact which I desired. But dear me Watson, he is
(27:44):
surely at our heels the villain still pursues us. There
were the sounds of running feet behind, but it was,
to my relief, not the formidable professor but his assistant
who appeared round the curve of the drive. He came
panting up to us. I am sorry, mister Holmes. I
wish to apologize, my dear sir. There is no need.
(28:04):
It is all in the way of professional experience. I
have never seen him in a more dangerous mood. But
he grows more sinister. You can understand now why his
daughter and I are alarmed, And yet his mind is
perfectly clear. Too clear, said Holmes. That was my miscalculation.
It is evident that his memory is much more reliable
(28:26):
than I had thought. By the way, can we, before
we go see the window of miss Presbury's room. Mister
Bennett pushed his way through some shrubs and we had
a view of the side of the house. It is there,
the second on the left. Dear me. It seems hardly accessible,
and yet you will observe that there is a creeper
(28:49):
below and a water pipe above, which gives some foothold.
I could not climb it myself, said mister Bennet. Very
likely it would certainly be a day dangerous exploit for
any normal man. There was one other thing I wished
to tell you, mister Holmes. I have the address of
the man in London to whom the Professor writes he
(29:11):
seems to have written this morning, and I got it
from his blotting paper. It is an ignoble position for
a trusted secretary. But what else can I do? Holmes
glanced at the paper and put it into his pocket.
Dora a curious name, Slavonik, I imagine, well, it is
an important link in the chain. We return to London
(29:34):
this afternoon. Mister Bennett, I see no good purpose to
be served by our remaining. We cannot arrest the Professor
because he has done no crime, nor can we place
him under constraint, for he cannot be proved to be mad.
No action is as yet possible. Then what on earth
are we to do a little patience, mister Bennett. Things
(29:55):
will soon develop. Unless I am mistaken. Next Tuesday may
mark a crisis. Certainly we shall be in Camford on
that day. Meanwhile, the general position is undeniably unpleasant, and
if Miss Presbury can prolong her visit, that is easy.
Then let her stay till we can assure her that
(30:17):
all danger is past. Meanwhile, let him have his way
and do not cross him. So long as he is
in a good humor. All is well there he is,
said Bennett in a startled whisper. Looking between the branches,
we saw the tall, erect figure emerge from the hall door,
and look around him. He stood leaning forward, his hands
(30:38):
swinging straight before him, his head turning from side to side.
The secretary, with a last wave, slipped off among the trees,
and we saw him presently rejoin his employer, the two
entering the house together in what seemed to be an
animated and even excited conversation. I expect the old gentleman
has been putting two and two together, said Holmes as
(30:59):
we hotel wards. He struck me as having a particularly
clear and logical brain from the little I saw of him. Explosive,
no doubt. But then from his point of view, he
has something to explode about if detectives are put on
his track and he suspects his own household of doing it.
I rather fancy that friend Bennett is in for an
(31:20):
uncomfortable time. Homes stopped at the post office and sent
off a telegram on our way. The answer reached us
in the evening, and he tossed it across to me.
Have visited the commercial road and seen Dorac suave person
Bohemian elderly keeps large general store. Mercer. Mercer is since
(31:43):
your time, said Holmes. He is my general utility man
who looks up routine business. It was important to know
something of the man with whom our professor was so
secretly corresponding. His nationality connects him with the prague visit.
Thank goodness that something connects with something, said I. At
present we seem to be faced with a long series
(32:05):
of inexplicable incidents with no bearing upon each other. For example,
what possible connection can there be between an angry wolf
found and a visit to Bohemia, or either of them
with a man crawling down a passage at night? As
to your dates, that is the biggest mystification of all.
(32:25):
Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands. We were, i may say,
seated in the old sitting room of an ancient hotel,
with a bottle of the famous vintage of which Holmes
had spoken on the table between us. Well, now let
us take the dates first, said he. His finger tips together,
and his manner as if he were addressing a class.
(32:48):
This excellent young man's diary shows that there was trouble
upon July second, and from then onwards it seems to
have been at nine day intervals, with so far as
I remember, only one exception. Thus, the last outbreak upon
Friday was on September third, which also falls into the series,
(33:08):
as did August twenty sixth, which preceded it. The thing
is beyond coincidence. My was forced to agree. Let us
then form the provisional theory that every nine days the
professor takes some strong drug which has a passing but
highly poisonous effect. Is naturally violent nature is intensified by it.
(33:31):
He learned to take this drug while he was in
Prague and is now supplied with it by a Bohemian
intermediary in London. This all hangs together, Watson. But the dog,
the face at the window, the creepy man in the passage, Well, well,
we have made a beginning. I should not expect any
(33:51):
fresh developments until next Tuesday. In the meantime, we can
only keep in touch with friend Bennett and enjoy the
amenities of this charming town. In the morning, mister Bennett
slipped round to bring us the latest report. As Holmes
had imagined, times had not been easy with him, without
exactly accusing him of being responsible for our presence. The
(34:13):
professor had been very rough and rude in his speech,
and evidently felt some strong grievance. This morning, he was
quite himself again, however, and had delivered his usual brilliant
lecture to a crowded class. Apart from his queer fits,
said Bennett, he is actually more energy and vitality than
I can ever remember, nor was his brain ever clearer.
(34:35):
But it's not he. It's never the man whom we
have known. I don't think you have anything to fear
now for a week at least, Holmes answered, I am
a busy man, and doctor Watson has his patience to
attend to. Let us agree that we meet here at
this hour next Tuesday, and I shall be surprised if
(34:56):
before we leave you again we are not able to explain,
even if we cannot, perhaps put an end to your troubles. Meanwhile,
keep us posted in what occurs. I saw nothing of
my friend for the next few days, but on the
following Monday evening I had a short note asking me
to meet him next day at the train. From what
(35:17):
he told me as we traveled up to Camford, all
was well. The peace of the professor's house had been unruffled,
and his own conduct perfectly normal. This also was the
report which was given to us by mister Bennett himself,
when he called upon us that evening at our old
quarters in the Chequers. He heard from his London correspondent
(35:38):
to day there was a letter, and there was a
small packet, each with the cross under the stamp, which
warned me not to touch them. There's been nothing else that
may prove quite enough, said Holmes grimly. Now, mister Bennett,
we shall, I think come to some conclusion to night.
If my deductions are correct, we should have an opportunity
(36:00):
of bringing matters to a head. In order to do so,
it is necessary to hold the Professor under observation. I
would suggest therefore, that you remain awake and on the lookout.
Should you hear him pass your door, do not interrupt him,
but follow him as discreetly as you can. Doctor Watson
and I will not be far off. By the way.
(36:22):
Where is the key of that little box of which
you spoke upon his watch chain. I fancy our researches
must lie in that direction. At the worst, the lock
should not be very formidable. Have you any other able
bodied man on the premises there is the coachman mc veil.
Where does he sleep over the stables? We might possibly
(36:45):
want him. Well, we can do no more until we
see how things develop. Good Bye, but I expect that
we shall see you before morning. It was nearly midnight
before we took our station among some bushes immediately opposite
the hall door of the Professor. It was a fine night,
but chilly, and we were glad of our warm overcoats.
(37:07):
There was a breeze, and clouds were scudding across the sky,
obscuring from time to time the half moon. It would
have been a dismal vigil were it not for the
expectation and excitement which carried us along, and the assurance
of my comrade. Though we had probably reached the end
of the strange sequence of events which had engaged our attention.
(37:29):
If the cycle of nine days holds good, then we
shall have the Professor at his worst to night, said Holmes.
The fact that these strange symptoms began after his visit
to Prague that he is in secret correspondence with the
Bohemian dealer in London, who presumably represents some one in Prague,
and that he received a packet from him this very day.
(37:52):
All point in one direction. What he takes and why
he takes it are still beyond our ken but that
it em in some way from Prague is clear enough.
He takes it under definite directions which regulate this Ninth
day system, which was the first point which attracted my attention.
But his symptoms are most remarkable. Did you observe his knuckles?
(38:16):
I had to converse 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 by the mode of progression observed by Holmes. Paused
(38:37):
and suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead. Oh, Watson, Watson,
what a fool I have been? It seems incredible, and
yet it must be true. All points in one direction.
How could I miss seeing the connection of ideas? Those knuckles,
How could I have passed those knuckles and the dog
(38:58):
and the ivy. It surely time that I disappeared 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 lamp
lit background, we saw the tall figure of Professor Presbury.
He was clad in his dressing gown as he stood
(39:21):
outlined in the doorway. He was erect, but leaning forward
with dangling arms, as when we saw him last. Now
he stepped forward into the drive, and an extraordinary change
came over him. He sank down into a crouching position,
and moved along upon his hands and feet, skipping every
now and then as if he were overflowing with energy
(39:43):
and vitality. He moved along the face of the house
and then round the corner. As he disappeared, Bennett slipped
through the hall door and softly followed him. Come, Watson, Come,
cried Holmes. And we stole as softly as we could
through the bushes until we had gained a spot, whence
we could see the other side of the house, which
(40:03):
was bathed in the light of the half moon. The
Professor was clearly visible, crouching at the foot of the
ivy covered wall, as we watched him, he suddenly began,
with incredible agility to ascend it from branch to branch.
He sprang, sure of foot and firm of grasp, climbing
apparently in mere joy at his own powers, with no
(40:24):
definite object in view. With his dressing gown flapping on
each side of him, he looked like some huge bat
glued against the side of his own house, a great square,
dark patch upon the moonlit wall. Presently, he tired at
this amusement, and dropping from branch to branch, he squatted
down into the old attitude and moved towards the stables,
(40:46):
creeping along in the same strange way as before. The
wolfhound was out, now barking furiously and more excited than ever.
When it actually caught sight of its master, it was
straining on its chain and quivering with eagerness and rage.
The professor squatted down, very deliberately, just out of reach
of the hound, and began to provoke it in every
(41:08):
possible way. He took handfuls of pebbles from the drive
and threw them in the dog's face, prodded him with
a stick which he had picked up, flipped his hands
about only a few inches from the gaping mouth, and
endeavored in every way to increase the animal's fury, which
was already beyond all control. In all our adventures, I
(41:28):
do not know that I have ever seen a more
strange sight than this impassive and still dignified figure, crouching
frog like upon the ground and goading to a wilder
exhibition of passion the maddened hound, which ramped and raged
in front of him by all manner of ingenious and
calculated cruelty. And then, in a moment it happened. It
(41:51):
was not the chain that prove but it was the
collar that slipped, for it had been made for a
thick necked Newfoundland. We heard the rattle of falling metal,
and the next instant dog and man were rolling on
the ground together, the one roaring in rage, the other
screaming in a strange, shrill falsetto of terror. It was
(42:12):
a very narrow thing for the Professor's life. The savage
creature had him fairly by the throat, its fangs had
bitten deep, and he was senseless. Before we could reach
him and drag the two apart. It might have been
a dangerous task for us, but Bennett's voice and presence
brought the great wolf pound instantly to reason. The uproar
(42:32):
had brought the sleepy and astonished coachman from his room
above the stables. I'm not surprised, said he, shaking his head.
I've seen him at it before. I knew the dog
would get him sooner or later. The hound was secured,
and together we carried the professor up to his room,
(42:52):
where Bennett, who had a medical decree, helped me to
dress his torn throat. The sharp teeth had passed dangerously
near the cry at artery, and the hemorrhage was serious.
In half an hour the danger was past. I had
given the patient an injection of morphia, and he had
sunk into deep sleep. Then and only then were we
(43:12):
able to look at each other and take stock of
the situation. I think our first class surgeon should see him,
said I. For God's sake, no, cried Bennett. At present,
the scandal is confined to our own household. It is
safe with us. If it gets beyond these walls, it
will never stop. Consider his position at the university is
(43:32):
European reputation. The feelings of his daughter quite so, said Holmes.
I think it may be quite possible to keep the
matter to ourselves, and also to prevent its recurrence. Now
that we have a free hand the key from the
watch chain, mister Bennett mac fhile will guard the patient
and let us know if there is any change. Let
(43:54):
us see what we can find in the Professor's mysterious box.
There was not much, but there was enough, an empty vial,
another merely full, a hypodermic syringe, several letters in a
crabbed foreign hand. The marks on the envelopes showed that
they were those which had disturbed the routine of the Secretary,
(44:15):
and each was dated from the commercial road and signed
a Dorac. They were mere invoices to say that a
fresh bottle was being sent to Professor Presbury, or receipts
to acknowledge the money. There was one other envelope, however,
in a more educated hand, in bearing the Austrian stamp
with the post mark of Prague. Here we have our material,
(44:38):
cried Holmes as he tore out the enclosure. Honored colleague,
it ran since your esteemed visit, I have thought much
of your case, and though in your circumstances there are
some special reasons for the treatment. I would none the
less enjoin caution, as my results have shown that it
is not without danger of a kind. It is possible
(45:01):
that the serum of anthropoid would have been better. I have,
as I explained to you, used black faced Longour because
a specimen was accessible. Longour is of course a crawler
and climber, while Anthropoid walks erect and is in all
ways nearer. I beg you to take every possible precaution
(45:21):
that there be no premature revelation of the process. I
have one other client in England, and Dorac is my
agent for both weekly reports. Will oblige yours with high esteem.
H Loewenstein Lowenstein. The name brought back to me the
memory of some snippet from a newspaper which spoke of
(45:43):
an obscure scientist who is striving in some unknown way
for the secret of rejuvenescence and the elixir of life.
Lowenstein a progue Lowenstein with a wondrous strength giving serum
tabooed by the profession because he refused to reveal it source.
In a few words, I said what I remembered. Bennett
(46:04):
had taken a manual of zoology from the shells Langour.
He read the great black faced monkey of the moollyon slopes,
biggest and most human of climbing monkeys. Many details are
added well thanks to you, mister Holmes. It is very
clear that we have traced the evil to its source.
(46:24):
The real source, said Holmes, lies, of course, in that
untimely love affair, which gave our impetuous professor the idea
that he could only gain his wish by turning himself
into a younger man. When one tries to rise above nature,
one is liable to fall below it. The highest type
of man may revert to the animal if he leaves
(46:46):
the straight road of destiny. He sat musing for a
little with the pile in his hand, looking at the
clear liquid within. When I have written to this man
and told him that I hold him criminally responsible for
the poisons which he circulates, we will have no more trouble.
But it may recur. Others may find a better way.
(47:09):
There is danger here, a very real danger to humanity.
Consider Watson, that the material, the sensual, the worldly would
all prolong their worthless lives. The spiritual would not avoid
the call to something higher. It would be the survival
of the least fit. What sort of cesspool, may not
(47:30):
our poor world become Suddenly the dreamer disappeared, and Holmes,
the man of action, sprang from his chair. I think
there is nothing more to be said, mister Bennett. The
various incidents will now fit themselves easily into the general scheme.
The dog, of course, was aware of the change, far
more quickly than you. His smell would insure that it
(47:52):
was the monkey, not the professor, whom Roy attacked, just
as it was the monkey who teased Roy. Climbing was
a joy to the creature, and it was a mere chance.
I take it that the pastime brought him to the
young lady's window. There is an early train to town, Watson,
but I think we shall just have time for a
cup of tea at the Chequers before we catch it.
(48:16):
End of the Adventure of the Creeping Man.
Section eight of the Case Book of Sherlock Holmes by
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in the
public domain. Read by Thomas Copeland, Story eight, The Adventure
of the Creeping Man. Mister Sherlock Holmes was always of
opinion that I should publish the singular facts connected with
(00:22):
Professor Presbury, if only to dispel once for all the
ugly rumors which some twenty years ago agitated the University
and were echoed in the learned societies of London. There were, however,
certain obstacles in the way, and the true history of
this curious case remained entombed in the tin box which
(00:42):
contains so many records of my friend's adventures. Now we
have at last obtained permission to ventilate the facts which
formed one of the very last cases handled by Holmes
before his retirement from practice. Even now, a certain reticence
and discretion how to be observed in laying the matter
before the public. It was one Sunday evening, early in
(01:06):
September of the year nineteen o three that I received
one of Holmes's laconic messages, come at once, if convenient,
if inconvenient, come all the same s h The relations
between us in those latter days were peculiar. He was
a man of habits, narrow and concentrated habits, and I
(01:27):
had become one of them. As an institution. I was
like the violin, the shagged tobacco, the old black pipe,
the index books, and others. Perhaps less excusable. When it
was a case of active work and a comrade was
needed upon whose nerve he could place some reliance, my
role was obvious. But apart from this I had uses.
(01:50):
I was a whetstone for his mind. I stimulated him.
He liked to think aloud in my presence. His remarks
could hardly be said to be made to me. Many
of them would have been as appropriately addressed to his bedstead,
but none the less. Having formed the habit, it had
become in some way helpful that I should register and
(02:11):
interject if I irritated him by a certain methodical slowness
in my mentality. That irritation served only to make his
own flamelike intuitions and impressions flash up the more vividly
and swiftly. Such was my humble role in our alliance.
When I arrived at Baker Street, I found him huddled
(02:31):
up in his arm chair with updrawn knees, his pipe
in his mouth, and his brow furrowed with thought. It
was clear that he was in the throes of some
vexatious problem. With a wave of his hand he indicated
my old arm chair. But otherwise for half an hour
he gave no sign that he was aware of my presence. Then,
(02:52):
with a start he seemed to come from his reverie,
and with his usual whimsical smile, he greeted me back
to what had one has been my home. You will
excuse a certain abstraction of mind, my dear Watson, said he.
Some curious facts have been submitted to me within the
last twenty four hours, and they, in turn have given
(03:14):
rise to some speculations of a more general character. I
have serious thoughts of writing a small monograph upon the
uses of dogs in the work of the detective. But surely, Holmes,
this has been explored, said I blood House sleuth hounds. No, No, Watson,
that side of the matter is of course obvious. But
(03:37):
there is another which is far more subtle. You may
recollect that in the case which you, in your sensational way,
coupled with the copper beeches. I was able, by watching
the mind of the child to form a deduction as
to the criminal habits of the very smug and respectable father. Yes,
I remember it well. My line of thoughts about dogs
(04:00):
is analogous. A dog reflects the family life. Who ever
saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family or a
sad dog in a happy one. Snarling people have snarling dogs.
Dangerous people have dangerous ones, and their passing moods may
reflect the passing moods of others. I shook my head. Surely, Holmes,
(04:25):
this is a little far fetched, said I. He had
refilled his pipe and resumed his seat, taking no notice
of my comment. The practical application of what I have
said is very close to the problem which I am investigating.
It is a tangled skein, you understand, and I am
looking for a loose end. One possible loose end lies
(04:46):
in the question why does Professor Presbury's faithful wolf found
Roy endeavor to bite him? I sank back in my
chair in some disappointment. Was it for so trip a
question as this that I had been summoned from my work?
Holmes glanced across at me. Thus, hem old Watson said,
(05:09):
he you never learn that the gravest issues may depend
upon the smallest things. But is it not, on the
face of it strange that a staid, elderly philosopher you
heard of Presbury, of course, the famous Camford physiologist, that
such a man whose friend has been his devoted wolfhound,
should now have been twice attacked by his own dog.
(05:33):
What do you make of it? The dog is ill, well,
that has to be considered, but he attacks no one else,
nor does he apparently molest his master, save on very
special occasions. Curious, Watson, very curious. But young mister Bennett
(05:53):
is before his time, if that is his ring. I
had hoped to have a longer chat with you before
he came there. There's a quick step on the stairs,
a sharp tap at the door, and a moment later
the new client presented himself. He was a tall, handsome
youth about thirty, well dressed and elegant, but with something
in his bearing which suggested the shyness of the student
(06:16):
rather than the self possession of the man of the world.
He shook hands with Holmes and then looked with some
surprise at me. This matter is very delicate, mister Holmes,
He said, consider the relation in which I stand to
Professor Presbury, both privately and publicly. I really can hardly
justify myself if I speak before any third person. Have
(06:39):
no fear, mister Bennett. Doctor Watson is the very soul
of discretion, and I can assure you that this is
a matter in which I am very likely to need
an assistant as you like, mister Holmes, you will, I
am sure understand my having some reserves in the matter.
You will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you that thisentleman,
(07:00):
mister Trevor Bennett, is professional assistant to the great scientist,
lives under his roof, and is engaged to his only daughter.
Certainly I must agree that the Professor has every claim
upon his loyalty and devotion. But it may best be
shown by taking the necessary steps to clear up this
strange mystery. I hope so, mister Holmes, that is my
(07:24):
one object. Does doctor Watson know the situation? I have
not had time to explain it. Then perhaps I had
better go over the ground again before explaining some fresh developments.
I will do so myself, said Holmes, in order to
show that I have the events in their due order.
(07:45):
The Professor Watson is a man of European reputation. His
life has been academic. There has never been a breath
of scandal. He is a widower with one daughter, Edith.
He is, I gather, a man of very virile and positive,
one might almost say combative character. So the matter stood
(08:05):
until a very few months ago. Then the current of
his life was broken. He is sixty one years of age.
But he became engaged to the daughter of Professor Morphy,
his colleague in the chair of comparative anatomy. It was not,
as I understand, the reasoned courting of an elderly man,
but rather the passionate frenzy of youth. For no one
(08:28):
could have shown himself a more devoted lover. The lady
Alice Morphy was a very perfect girl, both in mind
and body, so that there was every excuse for the
Professor's infatuation. Nonetheless, it did not meet with full approval
in his own family. We thought it rather excessive, said
(08:49):
our visitor. Exactly excessive and a little violent and unnatural.
Professor Presbury was rich, however, and there was no object
on the part of the father. The daughter, however, had
other views, and there were already several candidates for her hand, who,
if they were less eligible from a worldly point of view,
(09:12):
were at least more of an age. The girl seemed
to like the Professor in spite of his eccentricities. It
was only age which stood in the way. About this time,
a little mystery suddenly clouded the normal routine of the
Professor's life. He did what he had never done before.
(09:32):
He left home and gave no indication where he was going.
He was away a fortnight and returned looking rather travel worn.
He made no allusion to where he had been, although
he was usually the frankest of men. It chanced, however,
that our client here, mister Bennett, received a letter from
a fellow student in Prague, who said that he was
(09:54):
glad to have seen Professor presby there, although he had
not been able to talk to him. Only in this
way did his own household learn where he had been.
Now comes the point. From that time onwards, a curious
change came over the Professor. He became furtive and sly.
(10:14):
Those around him had always the feeling that he was
not the man that they had known, but that he
was under some shadow which had darkened his higher qualities.
His intellect was not effected. His lectures were as brilliant
as ever, but always there was something new, something sinister,
and unexpected. His daughter, who was devoted to him, tried
(10:37):
again and again to resume the old relations and to
penetrate this mask which your father seemed to have put
on you. Sirs, I understand did the same, But all
was in vain. And now, mister Bennet, telling your own
words the incident of the letters, you must understand, Doctor Watson,
(10:57):
that the Professor had no secrets from me. If I
were his son or his younger brother, I could not
have more completely enjoyed his confidence. As his secretary, I
handled every paper which came to him, and I opened
and subdivided his letters. Shortly after his return, all this
was changed. He told me that certain letters might come
(11:19):
to him from London, which would be marked by a
cross under the stamp. These were to be set aside
for his own eyes only. I may say that several
of these did pass through my hands, that they had
the E C mark and were in an illiterate handwriting.
If he answered them at all, the answers did not
(11:39):
pass through my hands, nor into the letter basket. In
which our correspondence was collected, and the box, said Holmes. Ah, yes,
the box. The professor brought back a little wooden box
from his travels. It was the one thing which suggested
a continental tour, for it was one of those quaint
carved things which one associates with Germany. This he placed
(12:04):
in his instrument cupboard. One day, in looking for a canula,
I took up the box. To my surprise, he was
very angry and reproved me in words which were quite
savage for my curiosity. It was the first time such
a thing had happened, and I was deeply hurt. I
endeavored to explain that it was a mere accident that
(12:25):
I had touched the box, But all the evening I
was conscious that he looked at me harshly, and that
the incident was rankling in his mind. Mister Bennett drew
a little diary book from his pocket that was on
July second, said he. You are certainly an admirable witness,
said Holmes, I may need some of these dates which
(12:47):
you have noted. I learned the method, among other things,
from my great teacher, from the time that I observed
of normality in his behavior. I felt that it was
my duty to study his case. Thus I have it
here that it was on that very day, July second,
that Roy attacked the professor as he came from his
(13:07):
study into the hall. Again, on July eleventh there was
a scene of the same sort. And then I have
a note of yet another upon July twentieth. After that
we had to banish Roy to the stables. He was
a dear, affectionate animal. But I fear I weary you,
mister Bennett, spoke in a tone of reproach, for it
(13:30):
was very clear that Holmes was not listening. His face
was rigid, and his eyes gazed abstractedly at the ceiling.
With an effort he recovered himself singular, most singular. He murmured,
these details were new to me, mister Bennet. I think
we have now fairly gone over the old ground, have
(13:51):
we not? But you spoke of some fresh developments, the
pleasant open face of our visitor clouded over shadowed by
some grim remembrance. What I speak of occurred the night
before last, said he. I was lying awake about two
in the morning when I was aware of a dull,
(14:11):
muffled sound coming from the passage. I opened my door
and peeped out. I should explain that the professor sleeps
at the end of the passage. The date being asked Holmes,
our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant an interruption.
I have said, sir, that it was the night before last,
that is September fourth. Holmes nodded and smiled. Pray continue
(14:37):
said he he sleeps at the end of the passage
and would have to pass my door in order to
reach the staircase. It was a really terrifying experience, mister Holmes.
I think that I am as strong nerved as my neighbor's,
but I was shaken by what I saw. The passage
was dark save that one window half way along it.
(14:57):
Through a patch of light, I could see that something
was coming along the passage, something dark and crouching. Then
suddenly it emerged into the light, and I saw that
it was he. He was crawling, mister Holmes, crawling. He
was not quite on his hands and knees, I should
rather say, on his hands and feet, with his face
(15:20):
sunk between his hands. Yet he seemed to move with ease.
I was so paralyzed by the sight that it was
not until he had reached my door that I was
able to step forward and ask if I could assist him.
His answer was extraordinary. He sprang up, spat out some
atrocious word at me, and hurried on past me and
(15:41):
down the staircase. I waited for about an hour, but
he did not come back. He must have been daylight
before he regained his room. Well, Watson, what make you
of that, asked Holmes, with the air of the pathologist
who presents a rare specimen lumbay ago. Possibly, I have
(16:01):
known a severe attack make a man walk in just
such a way, and nothing would be more trying to
the temper. Good Watson, you always keep us flat footed
on the ground, But we can hardly accept lumbago. Since
he was able to stand erect in a moment. He
was never better in health, said Bennett. In fact, he
(16:23):
is stronger than I have known him for years. But
there are the facts, mister Holmes. It is not a
case in which we can consult the police. And yet
we are utterly at our wits end as to what
to do, and we feel in some strange way that
we are drifting towards disaster. Edith, Miss Presbury feels as
I do that we cannot wait passively any longer. It
(16:46):
is certainly a very curious and suggestive case. What do
you think, Watson, speaking as a medical man, said, I
it appears to be a case for an alienist. The
old gentleman cerebral processes were disturbed by the love affair.
He made a journey abroad in the hope of breaking
himself of the passion. His letters and the box may
(17:09):
be connected with some other private transaction alone, perhaps, or
share certificates which are in the box. And the wolf
found no doubt disapproved of the financial bargain. No, no, Watson,
there is more in it than this. Now I can
only suggest what Sherlock Holmes was about to suggest will
(17:31):
never be known. For at this moment the door opened
and a young lady was shown into the room. As
she appeared, mister Bennet sprang up with a cry and
ran forward with his hands out to meet those which
she had herself outstretched. Edith dear nothing the matter, I hope,
I felt. I must follow you, Oh Jack, I have
(17:53):
been so dreadfully frightened. It is awful to be there alone.
Mister Holmes, this is the young lady I spoke of,
this is my fiancee. We were gradually coming to that conclusion,
were we not. Watson Holmes answered with a smile. I
take it, miss Presbury, that there is some fresh development
(18:13):
in the case, and that you thought we should know
our new visitor. A bright, handsome girl of the conventional
English type, smiled back at homes so as she seated
herself beside mister Bennet. When I found mister Bennett had
left his hotel, I thought I should probably find him here.
Of course he had told me that he would consult you.
(18:35):
But oh, mister Holmes, can you do nothing for my
poor father. I have hopes, Miss Presbery, but the case
is still obscure. Perhaps what you have to say may
throw some fresh light upon it. It was last night,
mister Holmes. He had been very strange all day. I
am sure that there are times when he has no
(18:56):
recollection of what he does. He lives as in a
strange Yesterday was such a day. It was not my
father with whom I lived. His outward shell was there,
but it was not really. He tell me what happened.
I was awakened in the night by the dog barking
most furiously. Poor Roy he is chained now near the stable.
(19:19):
I may say that I always sleep with my door locked,
for as jack as mister Bennet will tell you, we
all have a feeling of impending danger. My room is
on the second floor. It happened that the blind was
up in my window, and there was bright moonlight outside.
As I lay with my eyes fixed upon the square
of light, listening to the frenzied barkings of the dog,
(19:42):
I was amazed to see my father's face looking in
at me. Mister Holmes. I nearly died of surprise and horror.
There it was pressed against the windowpane, and one hand
seemed to be raised as if to push up the window.
If that window had opened, I think I should have
gone mad. It was no illusion, mister Holmes. Don't deceive
(20:03):
yourself by thinking so, I dare say. It was twenty
seconds or so that I lay paralyzed and washed the face.
Then it vanished. But I could not. I could not
spring out of bed and look out after it. I
lay cold and shivering till morning. At breakfast. He was
sharp and fierce in manner, and made no allusion to
(20:24):
the adventure of the night. Neither did I. But I
gave an excuse for coming to town, and here I am, Holmes,
looked thoroughly surprised at Miss Presberry's narrative. My dear young lady,
you say that your room is on the second floor.
Is there a long ladder in the garden? No, mister Holmes,
(20:45):
that is the amazing part of it. There is no
possible way of reaching the window. And yet he was
there the day being September fifth, said Holmes. That certainly
complicates matters. It was the young ladies turn to look surprised.
This is the second time that you have alluded to
the date, mister Holmes, said Bennett. Is it possible that
(21:07):
it has any bearing upon the case. It is possible,
very possible, and yet I have not life full material
at present. Possibly you are thinking of the connection between
insanity and faces of the moon. No, I assure you
it was quite a different line of thought. Possibly you
(21:28):
can leave your note book with me and I will
check the dates. Now, I think, Watson, that our line
of action is perfectly clear. This young lady has informed us,
and I have the greatest confidence in her intuition that
her father remembers little or nothing which occurs upon certain dates.
We will therefore call upon him as if he had
given us an appointment upon such a date. He will
(21:51):
put it down to his own lack of memory. Thus
we will open our campaign by having a good close
view of him. That is excellent, said mister Bennett. I
warn you, however, that the professor is irascible and violent
at times, Holmes smiled. There are reasons why we should
come at once, very cogent reasons. If my theories hold good,
(22:13):
tomorrow mister Bennett will certainly see us in Camfort. There is,
if I remember writ an inn called the Chequers, where
the port used to be above mediocrity and the linen
was above reproach. I think Watson, that our lot for
the next few days might lie in less pleasant places.
Monday morning found us on our way to the famous
(22:34):
university town, an easy effort on the part of Holmes,
who had no roots to pull up, but one which
involved frantic planning and hurrying on my part, as my
practice was by this time not inconsiderable. Holmes made no
allusion to the case until after we had deposited our
suit cases at the ancient hostel of which he had spoken.
(22:54):
I think Watson that we can catch the professor just
before lunch. He lectures at eleven and should have an
interval at home. What possible excuse have we for calling?
Holmes glanced at his note book. There was a period
of excitement upon August twenty sixth. We will assume that
he is a little hazy as to what he does
(23:16):
at such times. If we insist that we are there
by appointment, I think he will hardly venture to contradict us.
Have you the effrontery necessary to put it through? We
can but try, excellent Watson, compound of the busy bee
and excelsior. We can but try the motto of the firm.
(23:37):
A friendly native will surely guide us such a one.
On the back of a smart hansom, swept us past
a row of ancient colleges, and, finally, turning into a
tree lined drive, pulled up at the door of a
charming house, girt round with lawns and covered with purple wisteria.
Professor Presbury was certainly surrounded with every sign not only
(23:59):
of comfort, but of blood. Even as we pulled up,
a grizzled head appeared at the front window, and we
were aware of a pair of keen eyes from under
shaggy brows, which surveyed us through large horn glasses. A
moment later we were actually in his sanctum, and the
mysterious scientist whose vigaries had brought us from London was
(24:19):
standing before us. There was certainly no sign of eccentricity,
either in his manner or appearance, for he was a portly,
large featured man, grave, tall and frock coated with the
dignity of bearing which a lecturer needs. His eyes were
his most remarkable feature, keen, observant, and clever to the
verge of cunning. It looked at our cards. Praise it down, gentlemen.
(24:45):
What can I do for you? Mister Holmes smiled amiably.
It was the question which I was about to put
to you, Professor. To me, sir, and possibly there is
some mistake. I heard through a second person that Professor
Presby of Camford had need of my services. Oh indeed,
(25:05):
it seemed to me that there was a malicious sparkle
in the intense gray eyes. You heard that? Did you?
May I ask the name of your informant? I am sorry, Professor,
but the matter was rather confidential. If I have made
a mistake, there is no harm done. I can only
express my regret. Not at all I should wish to
go further into this matter. It interests me. Have you
(25:29):
any scrap of writing, any letter or telegram to bear
out your assertion? No, I have not. I presume that
you do not go so far as to assert that
I summoned you. I would rather answer no questions, said Holmes.
No I daresay not, said the professor with asperity. However,
(25:49):
that particular one can be answered very easily without your aid.
He walked across the room to the bell. Our London friend,
mister Bennett, answered the call. Come in, mister Bennett. These
two gentlemen have come from London under the impression that
they have been summoned. You handle all my correspondents. Have
you a note of anything going to a person named Holmes? No,
(26:13):
Sir Bennett answered with a flush. That is conclusive, said
the Professor, glaring angrily at my companion. Now, sir, he
leaned forward with his two hands upon the table, it
seems to me your possession as a very questionable one.
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. I can only repeat that I
am sorry that we have made a needless intrusion. Hardly
(26:36):
enough mister Holmes, the old man cried in a high
screaming voice, with extraordinary malignancy upon his face. He got
between us and the door as he spoke, and he
shook his two hands at us with furious passion. You
can hardly get out of it so easily as that
his face was convulse to see, grinned and gibbered at
us in his senseless rage. I am convinced that we
(26:59):
should have had to fight our way out of the
room if mister Bennet had not intervened. My dear professor,
He cried, consider your position, Consider the scandal at the university.
Mister Holmes is a well known man. You cannot possibly
treat him with such discourtesy. Circily, our host, if I
may call him, so, cleared the path to the door.
(27:22):
We were glad to find ourselves outside the house and
in the quiet of the tree line drive. Holmes seemed
greatly amused by the episode. Our learned friend's nerves are
somewhat out of order, said he. Perhaps our intrusion was
a little crude, and yet we have gained that personal
contact which I desired. But dear me Watson, he is
(27:44):
surely at our heels the villain still pursues us. There
were the sounds of running feet behind, but it was,
to my relief, not the formidable professor but his assistant
who appeared round the curve of the drive. He came
panting up to us. I am sorry, mister Holmes. I
wish to apologize, my dear sir. There is no need.
(28:04):
It is all in the way of professional experience. I
have never seen him in a more dangerous mood. But
he grows more sinister. You can understand now why his
daughter and I are alarmed, And yet his mind is
perfectly clear. Too clear, said Holmes. That was my miscalculation.
It is evident that his memory is much more reliable
(28:26):
than I had thought. By the way, can we, before
we go see the window of miss Presbury's room. Mister
Bennett pushed his way through some shrubs and we had
a view of the side of the house. It is there,
the second on the left. Dear me. It seems hardly accessible,
and yet you will observe that there is a creeper
(28:49):
below and a water pipe above, which gives some foothold.
I could not climb it myself, said mister Bennet. Very
likely it would certainly be a day dangerous exploit for
any normal man. There was one other thing I wished
to tell you, mister Holmes. I have the address of
the man in London to whom the Professor writes he
(29:11):
seems to have written this morning, and I got it
from his blotting paper. It is an ignoble position for
a trusted secretary. But what else can I do? Holmes
glanced at the paper and put it into his pocket.
Dora a curious name, Slavonik, I imagine, well, it is
an important link in the chain. We return to London
(29:34):
this afternoon. Mister Bennett, I see no good purpose to
be served by our remaining. We cannot arrest the Professor
because he has done no crime, nor can we place
him under constraint, for he cannot be proved to be mad.
No action is as yet possible. Then what on earth
are we to do a little patience, mister Bennett. Things
(29:55):
will soon develop. Unless I am mistaken. Next Tuesday may
mark a crisis. Certainly we shall be in Camford on
that day. Meanwhile, the general position is undeniably unpleasant, and
if Miss Presbury can prolong her visit, that is easy.
Then let her stay till we can assure her that
(30:17):
all danger is past. Meanwhile, let him have his way
and do not cross him. So long as he is
in a good humor. All is well there he is,
said Bennett in a startled whisper. Looking between the branches,
we saw the tall, erect figure emerge from the hall door,
and look around him. He stood leaning forward, his hands
(30:38):
swinging straight before him, his head turning from side to side.
The secretary, with a last wave, slipped off among the trees,
and we saw him presently rejoin his employer, the two
entering the house together in what seemed to be an
animated and even excited conversation. I expect the old gentleman
has been putting two and two together, said Holmes as
(30:59):
we hotel wards. He struck me as having a particularly
clear and logical brain from the little I saw of him. Explosive,
no doubt. But then from his point of view, he
has something to explode about if detectives are put on
his track and he suspects his own household of doing it.
I rather fancy that friend Bennett is in for an
(31:20):
uncomfortable time. Homes stopped at the post office and sent
off a telegram on our way. The answer reached us
in the evening, and he tossed it across to me.
Have visited the commercial road and seen Dorac suave person
Bohemian elderly keeps large general store. Mercer. Mercer is since
(31:43):
your time, said Holmes. He is my general utility man
who looks up routine business. It was important to know
something of the man with whom our professor was so
secretly corresponding. His nationality connects him with the prague visit.
Thank goodness that something connects with something, said I. At
present we seem to be faced with a long series
(32:05):
of inexplicable incidents with no bearing upon each other. For example,
what possible connection can there be between an angry wolf
found and a visit to Bohemia, or either of them
with a man crawling down a passage at night? As
to your dates, that is the biggest mystification of all.
(32:25):
Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands. We were, i may say,
seated in the old sitting room of an ancient hotel,
with a bottle of the famous vintage of which Holmes
had spoken on the table between us. Well, now let
us take the dates first, said he. His finger tips together,
and his manner as if he were addressing a class.
(32:48):
This excellent young man's diary shows that there was trouble
upon July second, and from then onwards it seems to
have been at nine day intervals, with so far as
I remember, only one exception. Thus, the last outbreak upon
Friday was on September third, which also falls into the series,
(33:08):
as did August twenty sixth, which preceded it. The thing
is beyond coincidence. My was forced to agree. Let us
then form the provisional theory that every nine days the
professor takes some strong drug which has a passing but
highly poisonous effect. Is naturally violent nature is intensified by it.
(33:31):
He learned to take this drug while he was in
Prague and is now supplied with it by a Bohemian
intermediary in London. This all hangs together, Watson. But the dog,
the face at the window, the creepy man in the passage, Well, well,
we have made a beginning. I should not expect any
(33:51):
fresh developments until next Tuesday. In the meantime, we can
only keep in touch with friend Bennett and enjoy the
amenities of this charming town. In the morning, mister Bennett
slipped round to bring us the latest report. As Holmes
had imagined, times had not been easy with him, without
exactly accusing him of being responsible for our presence. The
(34:13):
professor had been very rough and rude in his speech,
and evidently felt some strong grievance. This morning, he was
quite himself again, however, and had delivered his usual brilliant
lecture to a crowded class. Apart from his queer fits,
said Bennett, he is actually more energy and vitality than
I can ever remember, nor was his brain ever clearer.
(34:35):
But it's not he. It's never the man whom we
have known. I don't think you have anything to fear
now for a week at least, Holmes answered, I am
a busy man, and doctor Watson has his patience to
attend to. Let us agree that we meet here at
this hour next Tuesday, and I shall be surprised if
(34:56):
before we leave you again we are not able to explain,
even if we cannot, perhaps put an end to your troubles. Meanwhile,
keep us posted in what occurs. I saw nothing of
my friend for the next few days, but on the
following Monday evening I had a short note asking me
to meet him next day at the train. From what
(35:17):
he told me as we traveled up to Camford, all
was well. The peace of the professor's house had been unruffled,
and his own conduct perfectly normal. This also was the
report which was given to us by mister Bennett himself,
when he called upon us that evening at our old
quarters in the Chequers. He heard from his London correspondent
(35:38):
to day there was a letter, and there was a
small packet, each with the cross under the stamp, which
warned me not to touch them. There's been nothing else that
may prove quite enough, said Holmes grimly. Now, mister Bennett,
we shall, I think come to some conclusion to night.
If my deductions are correct, we should have an opportunity
(36:00):
of bringing matters to a head. In order to do so,
it is necessary to hold the Professor under observation. I
would suggest therefore, that you remain awake and on the lookout.
Should you hear him pass your door, do not interrupt him,
but follow him as discreetly as you can. Doctor Watson
and I will not be far off. By the way.
(36:22):
Where is the key of that little box of which
you spoke upon his watch chain. I fancy our researches
must lie in that direction. At the worst, the lock
should not be very formidable. Have you any other able
bodied man on the premises there is the coachman mc veil.
Where does he sleep over the stables? We might possibly
(36:45):
want him. Well, we can do no more until we
see how things develop. Good Bye, but I expect that
we shall see you before morning. It was nearly midnight
before we took our station among some bushes immediately opposite
the hall door of the Professor. It was a fine night,
but chilly, and we were glad of our warm overcoats.
(37:07):
There was a breeze, and clouds were scudding across the sky,
obscuring from time to time the half moon. It would
have been a dismal vigil were it not for the
expectation and excitement which carried us along, and the assurance
of my comrade. Though we had probably reached the end
of the strange sequence of events which had engaged our attention.
(37:29):
If the cycle of nine days holds good, then we
shall have the Professor at his worst to night, said Holmes.
The fact that these strange symptoms began after his visit
to Prague that he is in secret correspondence with the
Bohemian dealer in London, who presumably represents some one in Prague,
and that he received a packet from him this very day.
(37:52):
All point in one direction. What he takes and why
he takes it are still beyond our ken but that
it em in some way from Prague is clear enough.
He takes it under definite directions which regulate this Ninth
day system, which was the first point which attracted my attention.
But his symptoms are most remarkable. Did you observe his knuckles?
(38:16):
I had to converse 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 by the mode of progression observed by Holmes. Paused
(38:37):
and suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead. Oh, Watson, Watson,
what a fool I have been? It seems incredible, and
yet it must be true. All points in one direction.
How could I miss seeing the connection of ideas? Those knuckles,
How could I have passed those knuckles and the dog
(38:58):
and the ivy. It surely time that I disappeared 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 lamp
lit background, we saw the tall figure of Professor Presbury.
He was clad in his dressing gown as he stood
(39:21):
outlined in the doorway. He was erect, but leaning forward
with dangling arms, as when we saw him last. Now
he stepped forward into the drive, and an extraordinary change
came over him. He sank down into a crouching position,
and moved along upon his hands and feet, skipping every
now and then as if he were overflowing with energy
(39:43):
and vitality. He moved along the face of the house
and then round the corner. As he disappeared, Bennett slipped
through the hall door and softly followed him. Come, Watson, Come,
cried Holmes. And we stole as softly as we could
through the bushes until we had gained a spot, whence
we could see the other side of the house, which
(40:03):
was bathed in the light of the half moon. The
Professor was clearly visible, crouching at the foot of the
ivy covered wall, as we watched him, he suddenly began,
with incredible agility to ascend it from branch to branch.
He sprang, sure of foot and firm of grasp, climbing
apparently in mere joy at his own powers, with no
(40:24):
definite object in view. With his dressing gown flapping on
each side of him, he looked like some huge bat
glued against the side of his own house, a great square,
dark patch upon the moonlit wall. Presently, he tired at
this amusement, and dropping from branch to branch, he squatted
down into the old attitude and moved towards the stables,
(40:46):
creeping along in the same strange way as before. The
wolfhound was out, now barking furiously and more excited than ever.
When it actually caught sight of its master, it was
straining on its chain and quivering with eagerness and rage.
The professor squatted down, very deliberately, just out of reach
of the hound, and began to provoke it in every
(41:08):
possible way. He took handfuls of pebbles from the drive
and threw them in the dog's face, prodded him with
a stick which he had picked up, flipped his hands
about only a few inches from the gaping mouth, and
endeavored in every way to increase the animal's fury, which
was already beyond all control. In all our adventures, I
(41:28):
do not know that I have ever seen a more
strange sight than this impassive and still dignified figure, crouching
frog like upon the ground and goading to a wilder
exhibition of passion the maddened hound, which ramped and raged
in front of him by all manner of ingenious and
calculated cruelty. And then, in a moment it happened. It
(41:51):
was not the chain that prove but it was the
collar that slipped, for it had been made for a
thick necked Newfoundland. We heard the rattle of falling metal,
and the next instant dog and man were rolling on
the ground together, the one roaring in rage, the other
screaming in a strange, shrill falsetto of terror. It was
(42:12):
a very narrow thing for the Professor's life. The savage
creature had him fairly by the throat, its fangs had
bitten deep, and he was senseless. Before we could reach
him and drag the two apart. It might have been
a dangerous task for us, but Bennett's voice and presence
brought the great wolf pound instantly to reason. The uproar
(42:32):
had brought the sleepy and astonished coachman from his room
above the stables. I'm not surprised, said he, shaking his head.
I've seen him at it before. I knew the dog
would get him sooner or later. The hound was secured,
and together we carried the professor up to his room,
(42:52):
where Bennett, who had a medical decree, helped me to
dress his torn throat. The sharp teeth had passed dangerously
near the cry at artery, and the hemorrhage was serious.
In half an hour the danger was past. I had
given the patient an injection of morphia, and he had
sunk into deep sleep. Then and only then were we
(43:12):
able to look at each other and take stock of
the situation. I think our first class surgeon should see him,
said I. For God's sake, no, cried Bennett. At present,
the scandal is confined to our own household. It is
safe with us. If it gets beyond these walls, it
will never stop. Consider his position at the university is
(43:32):
European reputation. The feelings of his daughter quite so, said Holmes.
I think it may be quite possible to keep the
matter to ourselves, and also to prevent its recurrence. Now
that we have a free hand the key from the
watch chain, mister Bennett mac fhile will guard the patient
and let us know if there is any change. Let
(43:54):
us see what we can find in the Professor's mysterious box.
There was not much, but there was enough, an empty vial,
another merely full, a hypodermic syringe, several letters in a
crabbed foreign hand. The marks on the envelopes showed that
they were those which had disturbed the routine of the Secretary,
(44:15):
and each was dated from the commercial road and signed
a Dorac. They were mere invoices to say that a
fresh bottle was being sent to Professor Presbury, or receipts
to acknowledge the money. There was one other envelope, however,
in a more educated hand, in bearing the Austrian stamp
with the post mark of Prague. Here we have our material,
(44:38):
cried Holmes as he tore out the enclosure. Honored colleague,
it ran since your esteemed visit, I have thought much
of your case, and though in your circumstances there are
some special reasons for the treatment. I would none the
less enjoin caution, as my results have shown that it
is not without danger of a kind. It is possible
(45:01):
that the serum of anthropoid would have been better. I have,
as I explained to you, used black faced Longour because
a specimen was accessible. Longour is of course a crawler
and climber, while Anthropoid walks erect and is in all
ways nearer. I beg you to take every possible precaution
(45:21):
that there be no premature revelation of the process. I
have one other client in England, and Dorac is my
agent for both weekly reports. Will oblige yours with high esteem.
H Loewenstein Lowenstein. The name brought back to me the
memory of some snippet from a newspaper which spoke of
(45:43):
an obscure scientist who is striving in some unknown way
for the secret of rejuvenescence and the elixir of life.
Lowenstein a progue Lowenstein with a wondrous strength giving serum
tabooed by the profession because he refused to reveal it source.
In a few words, I said what I remembered. Bennett
(46:04):
had taken a manual of zoology from the shells Langour.
He read the great black faced monkey of the moollyon slopes,
biggest and most human of climbing monkeys. Many details are
added well thanks to you, mister Holmes. It is very
clear that we have traced the evil to its source.
(46:24):
The real source, said Holmes, lies, of course, in that
untimely love affair, which gave our impetuous professor the idea
that he could only gain his wish by turning himself
into a younger man. When one tries to rise above nature,
one is liable to fall below it. The highest type
of man may revert to the animal if he leaves
(46:46):
the straight road of destiny. He sat musing for a
little with the pile in his hand, looking at the
clear liquid within. When I have written to this man
and told him that I hold him criminally responsible for
the poisons which he circulates, we will have no more trouble.
But it may recur. Others may find a better way.
(47:09):
There is danger here, a very real danger to humanity.
Consider Watson, that the material, the sensual, the worldly would
all prolong their worthless lives. The spiritual would not avoid
the call to something higher. It would be the survival
of the least fit. What sort of cesspool, may not
(47:30):
our poor world become Suddenly the dreamer disappeared, and Holmes,
the man of action, sprang from his chair. I think
there is nothing more to be said, mister Bennett. The
various incidents will now fit themselves easily into the general scheme.
The dog, of course, was aware of the change, far
more quickly than you. His smell would insure that it
(47:52):
was the monkey, not the professor, whom Roy attacked, just
as it was the monkey who teased Roy. Climbing was
a joy to the creature, and it was a mere chance.
I take it that the pastime brought him to the
young lady's window. There is an early train to town, Watson,
but I think we shall just have time for a
cup of tea at the Chequers before we catch it.
(48:16):
End of the Adventure of the Creeping Man.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.