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Título: El libro de casos de Sherlock Holmes


Autor: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle


* Un libro electrónico del Proyecto Gutenberg de Australia *

  N.º de libro electrónico: 0100291.txt

  Idioma: Inglés


Fecha de la primera publicación: diciembre de 2001


Fecha de la última actualización: marzo de 2002


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Título: El libro de casos de Sherlock Holmes


Autor: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

 CONTENIDO

 PREFACIO


LA AVENTURA DEL CLIENTE ILUSTRE


LA AVENTURA DEL SOLDADO BLANQUEADO


LA AVENTURA DE LA PIEDRA MAZARINA


LA AVENTURA DE LOS TRES TEJADOS


LA AVENTURA DEL VAMPIRO DE SUSSEX


LA AVENTURA DE LOS TRES GARRIDEBS


EL PROBLEMA DEL PUENTE THOR


LA AVENTURA DEL HOMBRE RASTRERO


LA AVENTURA DE LA MELENA DE LEÓN


LA AVENTURA DEL HUÉSPED VELADO


LA AVENTURA DE SHOSCOMBE OLD PLACE


LA AVENTURA DEL COLORISTA RETIRADO

 PREFACIO


Me temo que el señor Sherlock Holmes puede llegar a ser como uno de esos


tenores que, habiendo sobrevivido a su tiempo, todavía están tentados a hacer


repetidas reverencias de despedida a sus indulgentes audiencias. Esto debe cesar


y debe seguir el camino de toda carne, material o imaginaria. A uno le gusta


pensar que hay un limbo fantástico para los niños de


imaginación, algún lugar extraño e imposible donde los galanes de Fielding


todavía puede hacer el amor con las bellezas de Richardson, donde los héroes de Scott


Todavía puede pavonearse, los deliciosos cockneys de Dickens todavía provocan una carcajada, y


Los mundanos de Thackeray continúan llevando a cabo sus reprensibles


Carreras. Tal vez en algún humilde rincón de tal Valhalla, Sherlock y


Su Watson puede encontrar un lugar durante un tiempo, mientras que algún detective más astuto


con algún camarada aún menos astuto pueden llenar el escenario que han

  Desocupado.


Su carrera ha sido larga, aunque es posible exagerar


eso; caballeros decrépitos que se acercan a mí y me declaran que sus aventuras


formado la lectura de su niñez no se encuentran con la respuesta de mi parte


lo que parecen esperar. Uno no está ansioso por tener su propia experiencia personal.


Las fechas se manejaron tan poco amablemente. De hecho, Holmes hizo su


debut en A Study in Scarlet y en The Sign of Four, dos pequeños folletos


que aparecieron entre 1887 y 1889. Fue en 1891 cuando "Un escándalo en


Bohemia", la primera de una larga serie de cuentos, apareció en


La revista Strand. El público parecía agradecido y deseoso de


más, de modo que desde esa fecha, hace treinta y nueve años, han sido


producida en una serie rota que ahora contiene no menos de cincuenta y seis


relatos, reeditados en Las Aventuras, Las Memorias, El Regreso y


Su última reverencia. y quedan estos doce publicados durante el último


años que aquí se producen bajo el título de El Libro de Casos de


Sherlock Holmes. Comenzó sus aventuras en el corazón mismo de la


era victoriana, lo llevó a través del demasiado corto reinado de Eduardo,


y se las ha arreglado para mantener su propio nicho incluso en estos febriles


Días. Por lo tanto, sería cierto decir que los que leyeron por primera vez de él, como


jóvenes, han vivido para ver a sus propios hijos adultos seguir la


Las mismas aventuras en la misma revista. Es un ejemplo llamativo de la


paciencia y lealtad del público británico.


Al final de las Memorias, estaba totalmente decidido a traer a Holmes


hasta el final, ya que sentía que mis energías literarias no debían ser dirigidas


demasiado en un solo canal. Ese rostro pálido, nítido y de extremidades sueltas


ocupaban una parte indebida de mi imaginación. Hice el hecho,


pero, afortunadamente, ningún forense se había pronunciado sobre los restos, por lo que,


Después de un largo intervalo, no me fue difícil responder a la


lisonjera demanda y para explicar mi acto temerario. Nunca lo he hecho


Lo lamenté, porque en la práctica no he encontrado que estos


bocetos más ligeros me han impedido explorar y encontrar mi


limitaciones en ramas tan variadas de la literatura como la historia, la poesía,


las novelas históricas, la investigación psíquica y el drama. Holmes nunca había


no podría haber hecho más, aunque tal vez hubiera resistido un poco más.


Poco en el camino del reconocimiento de mi obra literaria más seria.


Y así, lector, ¡adiós a Sherlock Holmes! Te doy las gracias por tu pasado


constancia, y sólo puedo esperar que se haya hecho algún retorno en la forma


de esa distracción de las preocupaciones de la vida y estimulando el cambio de


pensamiento que sólo se puede encontrar en el reino de las hadas del romance.

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.


LA AVENTURA DEL CLIENTE ILUSTRE


—No puede doler ahora —fue el comentario del señor Sherlock Holmes cuando, por el


Por décima vez en otros tantos años, le pedí permiso para revelar lo siguiente


narrativa. Así fue como por fin obtuve permiso para ponerme


lo que fue, de alguna manera, el momento supremo de la vida de mi amigo.

  carrera.


Tanto Holmes como yo teníamos debilidad por el baño turco. Fue a lo largo de un


humo en la agradable lasitud de la secadero que he encontrado


menos reticente y más humano que en ninguna otra parte. En la planta superior


del establecimiento de Northumberland Avenue hay una esquina aislada


donde yacen dos lechos uno al lado del otro, y fue en ellos donde nos acostamos


el 3 de septiembre de 1902, día en que comienza mi narración. Había preguntado


si algo se movía, y por respuesta había disparado su larga,


brazo delgado y nervioso de las sábanas que lo envolvían y que le habían dibujado


Un sobre del bolsillo interior del abrigo que colgaba a su lado.


"Puede ser algún tonto quisquilloso y engreído; Puede ser una cuestión de vida


o la muerte —dijo mientras me entregaba la nota—. "No sé más que esto


mensaje me lo dice".


Era del Carlton Club y estaba fechado la noche anterior. Esto es lo que

  Leo:


Sir James Damery saluda cordialmente al Sr. Sherlock Holmes y


Lo visitará mañana a las 4:30. Sir James se ruega decir que el


El asunto sobre el que desea consultar al señor Holmes es muy delicado y


también muy importante. Confía, por lo tanto, en que el señor Holmes hará todo lo posible por


conceder esta entrevista, y que la confirmará a lo largo de la


teléfono al Carlton Club.


—No necesito decir que lo he confirmado, Watson —dijo Holmes mientras yo lo hacía—


devolvió el papel. —¿Sabes algo de este hombre, Damery?


"Solo que este nombre es una palabra familiar en la sociedad".


"Bueno, puedo decirte un poco más que eso. Tiene más bien una


reputación de arreglar asuntos delicados que deben mantenerse al margen de


los papeles. Tal vez recuerden sus negociaciones con Sir George Lewis


sobre el caso Hammerford Will. Es un hombre de mundo con una


Recurre a la diplomacia. Por lo tanto, me veo obligado a esperar que no se trate de una


y que tiene una necesidad real de nuestra ayuda".

 —¿Nuestro?


—Bueno, si es usted tan bueno, Watson.


"Seré honrado".


"Entonces tienes la hora... 4:30. Hasta entonces, podemos aplazar el asunto


de nuestras cabezas".


Yo vivía en mis propias habitaciones en Queen Anne Street en ese momento, pero


estaba en Baker Street antes de la hora indicada. Agudo a la


A la media hora, el coronel Sir James Damery fue anunciado. Difícilmente es


Es necesario describirlo, porque muchos recordarán aquel grande, fanfarrón,


personalidad honesta, esa cara ancha y bien afeitada y, sobre todo, esa


Voz agradable y suave. La franqueza brillaba en sus ojos grises irlandeses, y


El buen humor jugaba en sus labios sonrientes y móviles. Su brillante sombrero de copa,


su levita oscura, en efecto, todos los detalles, desde el alfiler de perlas en el


corbata de raso negro hasta las polainas de lavanda sobre los zapatos barnizados,


habló del meticuloso cuidado en el vestir por el que era famoso. El gran,


Un aristócrata magistral dominaba la pequeña habitación.


—Por supuesto, estaba preparado para encontrar al doctor Watson —comentó con una voz de


reverencia cortés. "Su colaboración puede ser muy necesaria, porque estamos


En esta ocasión, señor Holmes, se trata de un hombre a quien la violencia es


familiar y que, literalmente, no se quedará en nada. Debo decir que


no hay hombre más peligroso en Europa".


"He tenido varios opositores a los que se les ha aplicado ese término halagador


—dijo Holmes con una sonrisa—. "¿No fumas? A continuación,


Discúlpeme si enciendo mi pipa. Si tu hombre es más peligroso que el


el difunto profesor Moriarty, o que el coronel Sebastián Morán,


entonces sí que vale la pena conocerlo. ¿Puedo preguntarle su nombre?


—¿Has oído hablar alguna vez del barón Gruner?


—¿Te refieres al asesino austríaco?


El coronel Damery alzó sus manos enguantadas de cabrito con una carcajada. "No hay


¡Pasando por delante de usted, señor Holmes! ¡Maravilloso! Así que ya lo has dimensionado


¿Un asesino?


"Es asunto mío seguir los detalles del crimen continental. Quién


podría haber leído lo que sucedió en Praga y tener alguna duda


¡A la culpa del hombre! Se trataba de una cuestión jurídica puramente técnica y la


¡Muerte sospechosa de un testigo que lo salvó! Estoy tan seguro de que él


mató a su esposa cuando ocurrió el llamado "accidente" en el Splugen


Pasa como si lo hubiera visto hacerlo. Sabía, también, que había venido a


Inglaterra y tenía el presentimiento de que tarde o temprano me encontraría


algo de trabajo por hacer. Bueno, ¿qué ha estado haciendo el Barón Gruner? Supongo que


¿No es esta vieja tragedia la que ha vuelto a surgir?"


"No, es más grave que eso. Para vengar el crimen es importante, pero


para prevenirlo lo es más. Es una cosa terrible, señor Holmes, ver a un


terrible acontecimiento, una situación atroz, preparándose ante su


ojos, para comprender claramente a dónde conducirá y, sin embargo, no ser completamente


incapaz de evitarlo. ¿Se puede colocar a un ser humano en una situación más difícil?

  posición?"

 —Tal vez no.


"Entonces simpatizarás con el cliente en cuyos intereses estoy

  actuando".


"No entendí que fueras un mero intermediario. ¿Quién es el

  ¿Director?


—Señor Holmes, le ruego que no insista en esa pregunta. Es importante


que yo pudiera asegurarle que su honrado nombre ha sido


De ninguna manera se metió en el asunto. Sus motivos son, en último grado,


honorable y caballeroso, pero prefiere permanecer en el anonimato. No necesito


decir que sus honorarios estarán asegurados y que se le dará un


perfectamente a mano alzada. Seguramente el nombre real de tu cliente es

  ¿Inmaterial?"


—Lo siento —dijo Holmes—. "Estoy acostumbrado a tener misterio en un extremo


de mis casos, pero tenerlo en ambos extremos es demasiado confuso. Me temo, señor


James, que debo negarme a actuar.


Nuestro visitante estaba muy perturbado. Su rostro grande y sensible era


oscurecido por la emoción y la decepción.


—Apenas se da cuenta del efecto de su propia acción, señor Holmes —dijo—


él. "Me pones en un dilema muy serio, porque estoy perfectamente seguro


que estarías orgulloso de hacerte cargo del caso si pudiera darte la


hechos, y sin embargo una promesa me prohíbe revelarlos todos. Permítanme, en


por lo menos, exponerme todo lo que pueda delante de ti?"


"Por supuesto, siempre y cuando se entienda que me comprometo a

  nada".


"Eso se entiende. En primer lugar, sin duda has oído hablar de


¿El general de Merville?


—¿De Merville de Khyber? Sí, he oído hablar de él.


"Tiene una hija, Violet de Merville, joven, rica, hermosa,


lograda, una mujer maravilla en todos los sentidos. Es esta hija, esta


hermosa e inocente muchacha, a quien nos esforzamos por salvar de la


garras de un demonio".


—Entonces, ¿el barón Gruner tiene algún control sobre ella?


"El más fuerte de todos los agarres en lo que concierne a una mujer: el sostén de


amar. El tipo es, como habrás oído, extraordinariamente guapo,


de la manera más fascinante. una voz suave y ese aire de romance


y misterio que significa tanto para una mujer. Se dice que tiene la


todo el sexo a su merced y haber hecho un amplio uso del hecho".


Pero ¿cómo llegó un hombre así a conocer a una dama de la categoría de la señorita Violeta?

  ¿De Merville?


"Fue en un viaje en yate por el Mediterráneo. La empresa, aunque selecta,


pagaban sus propios pasajes. Sin duda, los promotores apenas se dieron cuenta de la


El verdadero carácter de Baron hasta que fue demasiado tarde. El villano adjunto


a la dama, y con tal efecto que ha


Se ganó absolutamente su corazón. Decir que ella lo ama difícilmente se expresa


eso. Ella lo adora, está obsesionada con él. Fuera de él hay


nada en la tierra. Ella no escuchará una sola palabra en su contra. Todo


se ha hecho para curarla de su locura, pero en vano. En resumen, ella


le propone casarse con él el mes que viene. Como es mayor de edad y tiene una voluntad de


hierro, es difícil saber cómo prevenirla".


– ¿Sabe del episodio austriaco?


"El astuto diablo le ha contado todos los desagradables escándalos públicos de su


vida pasada, pero siempre de tal manera que se hiciera pasar por un


mártir inocente. Ella acepta absolutamente su versión y la escuchará

  Ningún otro".


"¡Querida mía! Pero seguramente has dejado escapar inadvertidamente el nombre de tu


¿cliente? Es, sin duda, el general de Merville.


Nuestro visitante se movió inquieto en su silla.


—Podría engañarle diciéndoselo, señor Holmes, pero no sería así


verdadero. De Merville es un hombre destrozado. El soldado fuerte ha sido completamente


desmoralizado por este incidente. Ha perdido el nervio que nunca falló


en el campo de batalla y se ha convertido en un anciano débil y torpe,


totalmente incapaz de enfrentarse a un bribón brillante y enérgico como


este austriaco. Mi cliente, sin embargo, es un viejo amigo, uno que ha conocido


íntimamente durante muchos años y tuvo un interés paternal en la


esta joven ya que usaba vestidos cortos. Él no puede ver esta tragedia


consumado sin ningún intento de detenerlo. No hay nada en lo que


Scotland Yard puede actuar. Fue su propia sugerencia que deberías estar


pero fue, como he dicho, con la condición expresa de que


No debe involucrarse personalmente en el asunto. No tengo ninguna duda,


Señor Holmes, con sus grandes poderes podría localizar fácilmente a mi cliente


a través de mí, pero debo pedirte, por una cuestión de honor, que te abstengas


de hacerlo, y no irrumpir en su incógnito".


Holmes esbozó una sonrisa caprichosa.


—Creo que puedo prometerlo sin temor a equivocarme —dijo—. "Debo añadir que su


que el problema me interesa, y que estaré dispuesto a examinarlo. Cómo


¿Debo mantenerme en contacto contigo?"


"El Carlton Club me encontrará. Pero en caso de emergencia, hay un


llamada telefónica privada, 'XX.31'".


Holmes lo anotó y se sentó, sin dejar de sonreír, con el cuaderno de notas abierto


sobre sus rodillas.


—¿La dirección actual del barón, por favor?


"Vernon Lodge, cerca de Kingston. Es una casa grande. Ha sido


afortunado en algunas especulaciones bastante turbias y es un hombre rico, lo que


naturalmente lo convierte en un antagonista más peligroso".


—¿Está en casa en este momento?

 —Sí.


"Aparte de lo que me has dicho, ¿puedes darme algo más?


información sobre el hombre?


"Tiene gustos caros. Es un aficionado a los caballos. Por un corto tiempo


jugó al polo en Hurlingham, pero luego se habló de este asunto de Praga


Y tuvo que irse. Colecciona libros y cuadros. Es un hombre con una


considerable faceta artística de su naturaleza. Es, creo, un


autoridad reconocida sobre la cerámica china y ha escrito un libro sobre

  el sujeto".


—Una mente compleja —dijo Holmes—. "Todos los grandes criminales tienen eso. Mi viejo


Su amigo Charlie Peace era un virtuoso del violín. Wainwright no era mezquino


artista. Podría citar muchos más. Bien, Sir James, usted informará a su


cliente que estoy volviendo mi mente hacia el barón Gruner. No puedo decir más.


Tengo algunas fuentes de información propias, y me atrevo a decir que podemos


encontrar algún medio de abrir el asunto".


Cuando nuestro visitante nos hubo dejado, Holmes permaneció sentado tanto tiempo en sus pensamientos, que


Me pareció que se había olvidado de mi presencia. Al fin, sin embargo,


regresó rápidamente a la tierra.


—Bueno, Watson, ¿alguna opinión? —preguntó.


—Creo que será mejor que veas a la joven en persona.


—Mi querido Watson, si su pobre y destrozado padre no puede moverla, ¿cómo


¿Prevaleceré yo, un extraño? Y, sin embargo, hay algo en el


sugerencia si todo lo demás falla. Pero creo que hay que partir de una


ángulo diferente. Me imagino que Shinwell Johnson podría ser de ayuda.


No he tenido ocasión de mencionar a Shinwell Johnson en estas memorias


porque rara vez he sacado mis casos de las últimas fases de mi


carrera de un amigo. Durante los primeros años del siglo se convirtió en un


valioso asistente. Johnson, lamento decirlo, se hizo un nombre primero como


villano muy peligroso y cumplió dos mandatos en Parkhurst. Finalmente


se arrepintió y se alió con Holmes, actuando como su agente en la enorme


el hampa de Londres y la obtención de información que a menudo


resultó ser de vital importancia. Si Johnson hubiera sido un "nark" de la


policía pronto habría sido expuesto, pero a medida que se ocupaba de los casos


que nunca llegó directamente a los tribunales, sus actividades nunca fueron


realizado por sus compañeros. Con el glamour de sus dos convicciones


Sobre él, tenía la entrada de todos los clubes nocturnos, casas de doss y


juego en la ciudad, y su rápida observación y su cerebro activo


lo convirtió en un agente ideal para obtener información. Fue a él a quien


Sherlock Holmes propuso entonces volverse.


No me fue posible seguir los pasos inmediatos dados por mi


amigo, porque tenía algunos asuntos profesionales urgentes por mi cuenta, pero


Aquella noche se reunió con él en casa de los Simpson, donde, sentados en una


pequeña mesa en la ventana delantera y mirando hacia abajo al arroyo que corre


de la vida en el Strand, me contó algo de lo que había pasado.


—Johnson está al acecho —dijo—. "Es posible que recoja algo de basura en el


recovecos más oscuros del inframundo, porque está allá abajo, en medio de la oscuridad


raíces del crimen, que debemos buscar los secretos de este hombre".


"Pero si la dama no acepta lo que ya se sabe, ¿por qué habría de hacerlo alguien


¿Un nuevo descubrimiento tuyo la aparta de su propósito?


—¿Quién sabe, Watson? El corazón y la mente de la mujer son enigmas insolubles para el


masculino. El asesinato puede ser tolerado o explicado, y sin embargo algunos


La ofensa podría ser molesta. El barón Gruner me comentó...


—¡Te lo comentó!


—Oh, desde luego, no te había hablado de mis planes. Bueno, Watson, me encanta


para llegar a un acuerdo cercano con mi hombre. Me gusta conocerlo cara a cara y


Leí por mí mismo la materia de la que está hecho. Cuando le di a Johnson


Tomé un taxi a Kingston y encontré al barón en un


estado de ánimo muy afable".


—¿Te reconoció?


"No hubo ninguna dificultad al respecto, porque simplemente envié mi tarjeta. Él


es un excelente antagonista, fresco como el hielo, de voz sedosa y relajante como


uno de tus asesores de moda, y venenoso como una cobra. Él tiene


un verdadero aristócrata del crimen con una superficial


sugerencia del té de la tarde y toda la crueldad de la tumba detrás de él.


Sí, me alegro de que me hayan llamado la atención sobre el barón Adelbert

  Gruner.


—¿Dices que era afable?


"Un gato ronroneante que cree ver posibles ratones. La


La afabilidad es más mortífera que la violencia de las almas más groseras. Suyos


El saludo era característico. —Más bien pensé que te vería antes


o más tarde, señor Holmes -dijo-. —Te has comprometido, sin duda, por


General de Merville, para tratar de detener mi matrimonio con su


hija, Violeta. Eso es así, ¿no es así?

 "Accedí.


"'Mi querido hombre', dijo. ' solo arruinarás tu propio bien merecido


reputación. No es un caso en el que pueda tener éxito. Tú


tendrá un trabajo estéril, por no hablar de incurrir en algún peligro. Déjame


Le aconsejo encarecidamente que se retire de inmediato.


"'Es curioso', respondí, 'pero ese fue el mismo consejo que yo le di a mí.


tenía la intención de darle. Tengo un respeto por su cerebro, barón, y


lo poco que he visto de tu personalidad no la ha disminuido.


Permítanme decírselo de hombre a hombre. Nadie quiere rastrillar tu pasado


y te hacen sentir indebidamente incómodo. Se acabó, y ahora estás en


aguas tranquilas, pero si persistes en este matrimonio levantarás un


enjambre de enemigos poderosos que nunca te dejarán en paz hasta que


han hecho que Inglaterra esté demasiado caliente para retenerte. ¿Vale la pena el juego? Seguro que


Sería más prudente si dejaras en paz a la dama. No sería agradable para


si estos hechos de tu pasado fueran traídos a su conocimiento.


"El barón tiene pequeñas puntas de pelo depiladas debajo de la nariz, como el corto


antenas de un insecto. Estos se estremecieron de diversión mientras escuchaba:


Y finalmente estalló en una risita suave.


»—Disculpe mi diversión, señor Holmes —dijo—, pero es muy gracioso


verte tratando de jugar una mano sin cartas. No creo que


Cualquiera podría hacerlo mejor, pero es bastante patético de todos modos. No


una carta de colores, señor Holmes, nada más que la más pequeña de las

  pequeño'.

 —Eso crees.


"'Así que lo sé. Déjame aclararte la cosa, porque mi propia mano es tan


fuerte que puedo permitirme el lujo de mostrarlo. He tenido la suerte de


Gánate todo el cariño de esta dama. Esto me fue dado a pesar de


el hecho de que le contara muy claramente todos los incidentes desdichados en


mi vida pasada. También le dije que ciertas personas malvadas y malvadas


--espero que te reconozcas-- vendría a ella y le diría


estas cosas. y le advertí cómo tratarlos. Has oído hablar de


sugestión post-hipnótica. El señor Holmes. Pues ya verás cómo funciona


porque un hombre de personalidad puede usar el hipnotismo sin ningún pase vulgar o


payasadas. Así que ella está lista para ti y, no tengo duda, te daría


una cita, porque ella está muy dispuesta a la voluntad de su padre, salvo


sólo en un pequeño asunto.


—Bueno, Watson, parecía que no había nada más que decir, así que me despedí


con toda la fría dignidad que pude convocar, pero, como tenía la mano en la mano,


la manija de la puerta, me detuvo.


»—Por cierto, señor Holmes —dijo—, ¿conocía usted a Le Brun, el francés?

  ¿Agente?

 »—Sí —dije—.


—¿Sabes lo que le sucedió?


"Escuché que fue golpeado por algunos apaches en el distrito de Montmartre


y lisiado de por vida'.


—Muy cierto, señor Holmes. Por una curiosa coincidencia había sido


indagando en mis asuntos sólo una semana antes. No lo haga, señor Holmes;


No es algo afortunado. Varios lo han descubierto. Mi última palabra


Para ti es, sigue tu propio camino y déjame ir el mío. ¡Adiós!


—Así que ahí está, Watson. Ya estás al día".


"El tipo parece peligroso".


"Muy peligroso. Hago caso omiso de los fanfarrones, pero este es el tipo de


hombre que dice bastante menos de lo que quiere decir".


"¿Debes interferir? ¿Realmente importa si se casa con la chica?"


"Teniendo en cuenta que sin duda asesinó a su última esposa, debo decir


Importaba mucho. Además, ¡el cliente! Bueno, bueno, no necesitamos


Discute eso. Cuando hayas terminado tu café, será mejor que vuelvas a casa


conmigo, porque el alegre Shinwell estará allí con su informe.


Lo encontramos, efectivamente, un hombre enorme, tosco, de cara roja y escorbútico,


con un par de vívidos ojos negros que eran el único signo externo de


la mente muy astuta en su interior. Parece que se había sumergido en lo que


Era peculiarmente su reino, y a su lado, en el sofá, había una marca


que había criado en la forma de una joven delgada y parecida a una llama


con un rostro pálido e intenso, joven, y sin embargo tan desgastado por el pecado y


Tristeza de que se leyeran los terribles años que habían dejado sus leprosos


marca sobre ella.


—Es la señorita Kitty Winter —dijo Shinwell Johnson, agitando su mano gorda—


A modo de introducción. —Lo que ella no sabe... bueno, ahí hablará


para sí misma. Ponga mi mano sobre ella, señor Holmes, dentro de una hora de

  su mensaje".


"Soy fácil de encontrar", dijo la joven. "Demonios, Londres, me atrapa cada


Hora. La misma dirección para Porky Shinwell. Somos viejos amigos, Porky, tú y


Yo. Pero, ¡por cripes! Hay otro que debería estar abajo en un lugar más bajo.


¡Diablos que nosotros si hubiera justicia en el mundo! Ese es el hombre que tú


Lo que buscamos, señor Holmes.


Holmes sonrió. —Deduzco que tenemos sus buenos deseos, señorita Winter.


"Si puedo ayudar a ponerlo en el lugar que le corresponde, soy tuyo hasta el cascabel".


dijo nuestro visitante con feroz energía. Había una intensidad de odio


en su rostro blanco y firme y en sus ojos llameantes, como los de una mujer rara vez y


El hombre nunca puede alcanzarlo.


—No hace falta que se refiera a mi pasado, señor Holmes. Eso no está ni aquí ni


allí. Pero lo que soy Adelbert Gruner me hizo. Si pudiera tirar de él


¡Abajo!" Se aferró frenéticamente con las manos en el aire. —¡Oh, si yo


¡Solo podría arrastrarlo al pozo donde ha empujado a tantos!"


—¿Sabes cómo está el asunto?


"Porky Shinwell me lo ha estado diciendo. Está detrás de otro pobre tonto


y quiere casarse con ella esta vez. Quieres detenerlo. Bueno, seguro que


saber lo suficiente sobre este diablo como para evitar que cualquier chica decente entre en sus cabales


queriendo estar en la misma parroquia con él".


"Ella no está en sus cabales. Está locamente enamorada. Le han dicho todo


sobre él. A ella no le importa nada".


– ¿Te han contado el asesinato?

 —Sí.


"¡Mi Señor, debe tener un nervio!"


"Ella los califica a todos como calumnias".


—¿No podrías poner pruebas ante sus estúpidos ojos?


"Bueno, ¿puedes ayudarnos a hacerlo?"


"¿No soy yo mismo una prueba? Si me parara frente a ella y le dijera cómo solía

  yo...


"¿Harías esto?"


"¿Lo haría? ¡No lo haría!"


"Bueno, podría valer la pena intentarlo. Pero él le ha contado la mayoría de sus pecados


y tuvo el perdón de ella, y entiendo que no volverá a abrir el

  pregunta".


—Le aseguro que no se lo contó todo —dijo la señorita Winter—. "Cogí un


vislumbrar uno o dos asesinatos además del que armó tanto alboroto. Él


hablaba de alguien a su manera aterciopelada y luego me miraba con un gesto


Mira fijamente y di: 'Murió dentro de un mes'. No era aire caliente,


cualquiera de los dos. Pero yo no le presté mucha atención, ya ves, yo mismo lo amaba en ese momento


Hora. ¡Todo lo que hacía iba conmigo, igual que con este pobre tonto! Allí


fue solo una de las cosas que me sacudió. ¡Sí, por cripes! si no hubiera sido


por su lengua venenosa y mentirosa que explica y calma. Yo habría


lo dejó esa misma noche. Es un libro que él tiene, un libro de cuero marrón


con un candado, y sus brazos en oro por fuera. Creo que era un poco


borracho esa noche, de lo contrario no me lo habría mostrado".


—¿Qué fue, entonces?


"Te lo digo. El señor Holmes. Este hombre colecciona mujeres, y se enorgullece de


su colección. como algunos hombres coleccionan polillas o mariposas. Lo tenía todo


en ese libro. Fotografías instantáneas. nombres, detalles, todo sobre


ellos. Era un libro bestial, un libro que nadie había sido de allí, aunque hubiera venido de allí.


la cuneta, podría haber armado. Pero era el libro de Adelbert Gruner


De todos modos. 'Almas que he arruinado'. Podría haberlo puesto en el


afuera si así lo hubiera pensado. Sin embargo, eso no es ni aquí ni


porque el libro no te serviría, y, si lo hiciera, no puedes

  Consíguelo".

 —¿Dónde está?


"¿Cómo puedo decirte dónde está ahora? Ha pasado más de un año desde que me fui


él. Sé dónde lo guardó entonces. Es un gato preciso y ordenado de un hombre en


muchos de sus caminos, así que tal vez todavía esté en el casillero de la vieja


en el estudio interno. ¿Conoces su casa?


—He estado en el estudio —dijo Holmes—.


"Lo has hecho. ¿aunque? No has sido lento en el trabajo si solo comenzaste


Esta mañana. Tal vez el querido Adelbert haya encontrado a su pareja esta vez. El


El estudio exterior es el que tiene la vajilla china, un gran vaso


armario entre las ventanas. Luego, detrás de su escritorio, está la puerta que


conduce al estudio interior, una pequeña habitación donde guarda papeles y

  cosas".


—¿No tiene miedo de los ladrones?


"Adelbert no es un cobarde. Su peor enemigo no podía decir eso de él. Él


puede valerse por sí mismo. Hay una alarma antirrobo por la noche. Además, ¿qué


está ahí para un ladrón, a menos que se haya salido con la suya con toda esta fantasía

  ¿Vajilla?


—Nada bueno —dijo Shinwell Johnson con la voz decidida del experto—.


"Ninguna valla quiere cosas de ese tipo que no se pueden fundir ni vender".


—Así es —dijo Holmes—. —Bien, ahora, señorita Winter. Si llamaras a


aquí mañana por la tarde a las cinco. Mientras tanto, consideraría


si su sugerencia de ver a esta dama personalmente puede no ser


arreglado. Le estoy sumamente agradecido por su cooperación. Necesito


No digo que mis clientes consideren liberalmente...


—Nada de eso, señor Holmes —exclamó la joven—. "No estoy fuera de


dinero. Déjame ver a este hombre en el lodo, y tengo todo por lo que he trabajado


--en el barro con mi pie en su cara maldita. Ese es mi precio. Estoy


contigo mañana o cualquier otro día, siempre y cuando estés en su pista.


Porky, que está aquí, siempre te dirá dónde encontrarme.


No volví a ver a Holmes hasta la noche siguiente, cuando cenamos


una vez más en nuestro restaurante Strand. Se encogió de hombros cuando


le preguntó qué suerte había tenido en su entrevista. Luego le dijo a la


historia, que repetiría de esta manera. Su declaración dura y seca necesita


Un poco de edición para suavizarlo en los términos de la vida real.


—No hubo ninguna dificultad en la cita —dijo Holmes—.


"Porque la muchacha se gloría en mostrar una abyecta obediencia filial en todos los


cosas secundarias en un intento de expiar su flagrante violación de la misma


en su compromiso. El general telefoneó diciendo que todo estaba listo, y el fogoso


La señorita W. se presentó de acuerdo con lo previsto, de modo que a las cinco y media


El coche nos dejó en el número 104 de Berkeley Square, donde el viejo soldado


uno de esos horribles castillos grises de Londres que harían de un


iglesia parecen frívolas. Un lacayo nos mostró un gran


Salón con cortinas amarillas, y allí estaba la dama esperándonos,


recatada, pálida, encerrada, tan inflexible y remota como una imagen de nieve


en una montaña.


—No sé muy bien cómo aclarársela, Watson. Tal vez usted


puede conocerla antes de que terminemos, y puedes usar tu propio don de


palabras. Es hermosa, pero con la belleza etérea de otro mundo de


algún fanático cuyos pensamientos están puestos en lo alto. He visto rostros semejantes en


las imágenes de los antiguos maestros de la Edad Media. Cómo un hombre bestia


podría haber puesto sus viles garras sobre un ser así del más allá, no puedo


imaginar. Es posible que hayas notado cómo los extremos se llaman entre sí, el


espiritual al animal, el hombre de las cavernas al ángel. Nunca viste un


Peor caso que este.


Sabía a qué habíamos venido, por supuesto, ese villano no había perdido nada.


tiempo en envenenar su mente contra nosotros. El advenimiento de la señorita Winter más bien


La sorprendió, creo, pero nos hizo señas para que nos sentáramos en nuestras respectivas sillas como un


La reverenda abadesa recibió a dos mendicantes bastante leprosos. Si tu cabeza


tiende a hincharse. mi querido Watson, tome un curso con la señorita Violet de

Merville.


»—Bien, señor —dijo ella con voz como el viento de un iceberg—, su


El nombre me resulta familiar. Has llamado. según tengo entendido, para difamar a mi


prometido, el barón Gruner. Es solo por la petición de mi padre que te veo


en absoluto, y te advierto de antemano que cualquier cosa que puedas decir no podría


posiblemente tengan el más mínimo efecto en mi mente.


– Lo sentía por ella, Watson. Pensé en ella por un momento mientras


habría pensado en una hija propia. No suelo ser elocuente. Yo


Usa mi cabeza, no mi corazón. Pero realmente le supliqué con todos los


calidez de palabras que pude encontrar en mi naturaleza. Le imaginé el


horrible posición de la mujer que sólo se despierta al carácter de un hombre después de


Ella es su esposa, una mujer que tiene que someterse a ser acariciada por la sangre


manos y labios lascivos. No le perdoné nada: la vergüenza, el miedo,


la agonía, la desesperanza de todo. Todas mis palabras calientes no pudieron traerme


Un matiz de color en esas mejillas de marfil o un destello de emoción en esas mejillas de marfil


esos ojos abstraídos. Pensé en lo que el bribón había dicho acerca de un


influencia post-hipnótica. Realmente se podía creer que estaba viviendo


sobre la tierra en algún sueño extático. Sin embargo, no había nada


indefinida en sus respuestas.


»—Le he escuchado con paciencia, señor Holmes —dijo ella—. El


El efecto sobre mi mente es exactamente como se predijo. Soy consciente de que Adelbert,


que mi prometido, ha tenido una vida tormentosa en la que ha incurrido en amarguras


odios y calumnias muy injustas. Eres solo el último de una serie


que han traído sus calumnias delante de mí. Posiblemente tengas buenas intenciones,


aunque me entero de que eres un agente pagado que habría sido igualmente


dispuesto a actuar a favor del barón como en su contra. Pero en cualquier caso te deseo


para entender de una vez por todas que lo amo y que él me ama, y


que la opinión de todo el mundo no es para mí más que el twitter de


esos pájaros fuera de la ventana. Si su noble naturaleza ha tenido alguna vez por un


Es posible que haya sido enviado especialmente para levantarlo


a su verdadero y elevado nivel. No lo tengo claro... --


Sobre mi compañero: «¿Quién puede ser esta señorita?».


"Estaba a punto de contestar cuando la chica irrumpió como un torbellino. Si es que alguna vez


Viste llamas y hielo cara a cara, eran esas dos mujeres.


—Te diré quién soy —exclamó, saltando de la silla—.


boca torcida por la pasión: "Soy su última amante. Yo soy uno de los


cien que ha tentado y usado y arruinado y arrojado al


Rehúsa el montón, como él también lo hará contigo. Es más probable que su pila de basura sea


una tumba, y tal vez eso sea lo mejor. Te digo, mujer insensata, que si


Si te casas con este hombre, él será tu muerte. Puede ser un corazón roto


O puede ser un cuello roto, pero él te tendrá de una forma u otra.


No es por amor a ti que estoy hablando. No me importa un comino


maldice si vives o mueres. Es por odio hacia él y por despecho


y vengarme de él por lo que me hizo. Pero es todo lo que


Y no es necesario que me mires así, mi buena señora, porque puedes


Sé más bajo que yo antes de que termines con él'.


»—Preferiría no hablar de estos asuntos —dijo la señorita de Merville—


fríamente. "Permítanme decir de una vez por todas que conozco tres pasajes en


la vida de mi prometido, en la que se enredó con el diseño de mujeres, y


que estoy seguro de su sincero arrepentimiento por cualquier mal que pueda

  lo han hecho'.


"'¡Tres pasajes!', gritó mi compañero. ' ¡Tonto! Eres inefable

  ¡Tonto!'


—Señor Holmes, le ruego que ponga fin a esta entrevista.


—dijo la gélida voz—. "He obedecido el deseo de mi padre al verte, pero


No estoy obligado a escuchar los desvaríos de esta persona".


»Con un juramento, la señorita Winter se lanzó hacia delante, y si yo no la hubiera atrapado


muñeca habría agarrado a esta mujer enloquecedora por el cabello. Yo


la arrastró hacia la puerta y tuvo suerte de que volviera a subir a la cabina


sin una escena pública, porque estaba fuera de sí de rabia. En un resfriado


Yo mismo me sentí bastante furioso, Watson, porque había algo


indescriptiblemente molesto en la calma distante y suprema


autocomplacencia de la mujer a la que tratábamos de salvar. Así que ahora, una vez


De nuevo, usted sabe exactamente cómo estamos, y está claro que debo planear


Un nuevo movimiento de apertura, ya que esta táctica no funcionará. Me mantendré en contacto


con usted, Watson, porque es más que probable que tenga su


papel que desempeñar, aunque es posible que el siguiente movimiento se encuentre


con ellos más que con nosotros".


Y así fue. Su golpe cayó, o más bien el golpe de él, porque yo nunca pude


Creo que la señora estaba al tanto de ello. Creo que podría mostrarte el


el mismo adoquín sobre el que me encontraba cuando mis ojos se posaron en el


y una punzada de horror recorrió mi alma. Fue


entre el Grand Hotel y la estación de Charing Cross, donde un


El vendedor de periódicos exhibía sus periódicos vespertinos. La cita fue de apenas dos días


después de la última conversación. Allí, negro sobre amarillo, estaba el terrible

  Hoja de noticias:


ATAQUE ASESINO CONTRA SHERLOCK HOLMES


Creo que me quedé atónito por unos momentos. Entonces tengo un confundido


recuerdo de haber arrebatado un papel. de la protesta del hombre,


a quien no había pagado, y, finalmente, de estar en la puerta de un


farmacia mientras subía el fatídico párrafo. Así fue como

  Corrió:


Nos enteramos con pesar de que el señor Sherlock Holmes, el conocido soldado


detective, fue víctima esta mañana de un asalto homicida que ha


lo dejó en una posición precaria. No hay detalles exactos a la mano,


pero el suceso parece haber ocurrido alrededor de las doce de la noche en Regent


Calle, afuera del Café Royal. El ataque fue realizado por dos hombres armados con


y el señor Holmes fue golpeado en la cabeza y en el cuerpo, recibiendo


lesiones que los médicos describen como las más graves. Fue llevado a


Charing Cross Hospital y luego insistió en que lo llevaran a su


habitaciones en Baker Street. Los malhechores que lo atacaron parecen haber


hombres vestidos respetablemente, que escaparon de los transeúntes


pasando por el Café Royal y saliendo a Glasshouse Street detrás de él.


Sin duda pertenecían a esa fraternidad criminal que tantas veces ha tenido


ocasión para lamentar la actividad y el ingenio del hombre herido.


No necesito decir que mis ojos apenas habían echado una ojeada al párrafo


antes de que me subiera a un coche y me dirigiera a Baker Street. Yo


encontró a Sir Leslie Oakshott, el famoso cirujano, en el vestíbulo y a su


Brougham esperando en la acera.


"No hay peligro inmediato", fue su informe. "Dos heridas laceradas en el cuero cabelludo y


algunos moretones considerables. Han sido necesarios varios puntos de sutura.


Se ha inyectado morfina y el silencio es esencial, pero una entrevista de


Unos minutos no estarían absolutamente prohibidos".


Con este permiso entré sigilosamente en la habitación a oscuras. La víctima fue


Y oí mi nombre en un ronco susurro. El ciego era


tres cuartas partes hacia abajo, pero un rayo de sol se filtró oblicuamente y golpeó


la cabeza vendada del herido. Una mancha carmesí se había empapado


a través de la compresa de lino blanco. Me senté a su lado e incliné la cabeza.


—Muy bien, Watson. No parezcas tan asustado —murmuró en voz muy débil—


voz. "No es tan malo como parece".


"¡Gracias a Dios por eso!"


"Soy un poco experto en un solo palo. como sabéis. Tomé la mayoría de ellos


en guardia. Fue el segundo hombre el que fue demasiado para mí".


—¿Qué puedo hacer, Holmes? Por supuesto, fue ese maldito tipo el que puso


ellos. Iré y le quitaré el pellejo si me lo ordenas.


—¡El bueno de Watson! No, no podemos hacer nada allí a menos que la policía no


sus manos sobre los hombres. Pero su huida había sido bien preparada. Nosotros


puedo estar seguro de eso. Espera un poco. Tengo mis planes. Lo primero es


para exagerar mis heridas. Acudirán a ti en busca de noticias. Póntelo


grueso, Watson. Suerte si vivo la semana fuera del delirio de la conmoción cerebral, ¿qué


¡Te gusta! No se puede exagerar".

"But Sir Leslie Oakshott?"
—¿Y Sir Leslie Oakshott?

"Oh, he's all right. He shall see the worst side of me. I'll look after
"Oh, está bien. Verá el peor lado de mí. Yo me encargaré de

that."   eso".

"Anything else?"  —¿Algo más?

"Yes. Tell Shinwell Johnson to get that girl out of the way. Those
"Sí. Dile a Shinwell Johnson que saque a esa chica del camino. Aquellos

beauties will be after her now. They know, of course, that she was with
Las bellezas la perseguirán ahora. Ellos saben, por supuesto, que ella estaba con

me in the case. If they dared to do me in it is not likely they will
yo en el caso. Si se atrevieron a hacerme en mí, no es probable que lo hagan

neglect her. That is urgent. Do it to-night."
descuidarla. Eso es urgente. Hazlo esta noche.

"I'll go now. Anything more?"
"Me iré ahora. ¿Algo más?

"Put my pipe on the table--and the tobacco-slipper. Right! Come in
Pon mi pipa sobre la mesa, y la zapatilla de tabaco. ¡Derecha! Pasa

each morning and we will plan our campaign."
cada mañana y planificaremos nuestra campaña".

I arranged with Johnson that evening to take Miss Winter to a quiet
Esa noche me puse de acuerdo con Johnson para llevar a la señorita Winter a una casa tranquila.

suburb and see that she lay low until the danger was past.
suburbio y ver que permaneció oculta hasta que pasó el peligro.

For six days the public were under the impression that Holmes was at
Durante seis días, el público tuvo la impresión de que Holmes estaba en

the door of death. The bulletins were very grave and there were
la puerta de la muerte. Los boletines eran muy serios y había

sinister paragraphs in the papers. My continual visits assured me that
siniestros párrafos en los periódicos. Mis continuas visitas me aseguraban que

it was not so bad as that. His wiry constitution and his determined
No era tan malo como eso. Su constitución enjuta y su decidida

will were working wonders. He was recovering fast, and I had suspicions
Will estaba haciendo maravillas. Se estaba recuperando rápidamente y yo tenía sospechas

at times that he was really finding himself faster than he pretended
a veces en que realmente se estaba encontrando más rápido de lo que pretendía

even to me. There was a curious secretive streak in the man which led
incluso a mí. Había una curiosa veta secreta en el hombre que conducía a

to many dramatic effects, but left even his closest friend guessing as
a muchos efectos dramáticos, pero dejó incluso a su amigo más cercano adivinando como

to what his exact plans might be. He pushed to an extreme the axiom
a cuáles podrían ser sus planes exactos. Llevó al extremo el axioma

that the only safe plotter was he who plotted alone. I was nearer him
que el único conspirador seguro era el que conspiraba solo. Yo estaba más cerca de él

than anyone else, and yet I was always conscious of the gap between.
que nadie y, sin embargo, siempre fui consciente de la brecha que había entre ellos.

On the seventh day the stitches were taken out, in spite of which there
Al séptimo día se quitaron los puntos, a pesar de lo cual hubo

was a report of erysipelas in the evening papers. The same evening
fue un informe de erisipela en los periódicos vespertinos. Esa misma noche

papers had an announcement which I was bound, sick or well, to carry to
Los periódicos tenían un anuncio que yo estaba obligado, enfermo o sano, a llevar a

my friend. It was simply that among the passengers on the Cunard boat
Mi amigo. Era simplemente que entre los pasajeros del barco Cunard

Ruritania, starting from Liverpool on Friday, was the Baron Adelbert
Ruritania, que partió de Liverpool el viernes, fue el Barón Adelbert

Gruner, who had some important financial business to settle in the
Gruner, que tenía que asentar algunos negocios financieros importantes en el

States before his impending wedding to Miss Violet de Merville, only
Estados antes de su inminente boda con la señorita Violet de Merville,

daughter of, etc., etc. Holmes listened to the news with a cold,
hija de, etc., etc. Holmes escuchó la noticia con un gesto frío.

concentrated look upon his pale face, which told me that it hit him
mirada concentrada en su rostro pálido, que me dijo que lo había golpeado

hard.   duro.

"Friday!" he cried. "Only three clear days. I believe the rascal wants
"¡Viernes!", exclamó. "Solo tres días despejados. Creo que el bribón quiere

to put himself out of danger's way. But he won't, Watson! By the Lord
para ponerse fuera del peligro. ¡Pero no lo hará, Watson! Por el Señor

Harry, he won't! Now, Watson, I want you to do something for me."
¡Harry, no lo hará! Ahora, Watson, quiero que haga algo por mí.

"I am here to be used, Holmes."
—Estoy aquí para que me utilicen, Holmes.

"Well, then, spend the next twenty-four hours in an intensive study of
"Bien, entonces, pasa las próximas veinticuatro horas en un estudio intensivo de

Chinese pottery."   Cerámica china".

He gave no explanations and I asked for none. By long experience I had
No dio ninguna explicación y yo no le pedí ninguna. Por una larga experiencia que tuve

learned the wisdom of obedience. But when I had left his room I walked
aprendió la sabiduría de la obediencia. Pero cuando salí de su habitación, caminé

down Baker Street, revolving in my head how on earth I was to carry out
por Baker Street, dando vueltas en mi cabeza sobre cómo diablos iba a llevar a cabo

so strange an order. Finally I drove to the London Library in St.
Tan extraño orden. Finalmente me dirigí a la Biblioteca de Londres en St.

James's Square, put the matter to my friend Lomax, the sublibrarian,
James's Square, le pregunté a mi amigo Lomax, el subbibliotecario,

and departed to my rooms with a goodly volume under my arm.
y me fui a mis aposentos con un buen volumen bajo el brazo.

It is said that the barrister who crams up a case with such care that
Se dice que el abogado que abarrota un caso con tanto cuidado que

he can examine an expert witness upon the Monday has forgotten all his
puede interrogar a un perito el lunes ha olvidado todas sus

forced knowledge before the Saturday. Certainly I should not like now
conocimiento forzado antes del sábado. Ciertamente, no me gustaría ahora

to pose as an authority upon ceramics. And yet all that evening, and
para hacerse pasar por una autoridad en cerámica. Y, sin embargo, toda esa noche, y

all that night with a short interval for rest, and all next morning, I
toda esa noche con un breve intervalo para descansar, y toda la mañana siguiente,

was sucking in knowledge and committing names to memory. There I
absorbía el conocimiento y memorizaba nombres. Allí

learned of the hall-marks of the great artist-decorators, of the
de las señas de identidad de los grandes artistas-decoradores, de los

mystery of cyclical dates, the marks of the Hung-wu and the beauties of
misterio de las fechas cíclicas, las marcas del Hung-wu y las bellezas de

the Yung-lo, the writings of Tang-ying, and the glories of the
el Yung-lo, los escritos de Tang-ying y las glorias de los

primitive period of the Sung and the Yuan. I was charged with all this
período primitivo de los Sung y los Yuan. A mí me acusaron de todo esto

information when I called upon Holmes next evening. He was out of bed
información cuando visité a Holmes la noche siguiente. Estaba fuera de la cama

now, though you would not have guessed it from the published reports,
Ahora, aunque no lo hubieras adivinado por los informes publicados,

and he sat with his much-bandaged head resting upon his hand in the
y se sentó con la cabeza muy vendada apoyada en la mano en el

depth of his favourite armchair.
profundidad de su sillón favorito.

"Why, Holmes," I said, "if one believed the papers, you are dying."
—Vaya, Holmes —dije—, si uno cree en los periódicos, se está muriendo.

"That," said he, "is the very impression which I intended to convey.
—Ésa —dijo— es precisamente la impresión que pretendía transmitir.

And now, Watson, have you learned your lessons?"
Y ahora, Watson, ¿ha aprendido usted la lección?

"At least I have tried to."
"Al menos yo lo he intentado".

"Good. You could keep up an intelligent conversation on the subject?"
"Muy bien. ¿Podrías mantener una conversación inteligente sobre el tema?

"I believe I could."
"Creo que podría".

"Then hand me that little box from the mantelpiece."
"Entonces entrégame esa cajita de la repisa de la chimenea".

He opened the lid and took out a small object most carefully wrapped in
Abrió la tapa y sacó un pequeño objeto envuelto con mucho cuidado

some fine Eastern silk. This he unfolded, and disclosed a delicate
un poco de seda fina oriental. Esto lo desdobló, y reveló una delicada

little saucer of the most beautiful deep-blue colour.
platillo del más bello color azul profundo.

"It needs careful handling, Watson. This is the real egg-shell pottery
—Hay que manejarlo con cuidado, Watson. Esta es la verdadera cerámica de cáscara de huevo

of the Ming dynasty. No finer piece ever passed through Christie's. A
de la dinastía Ming. Ninguna pieza más fina ha pasado por Christie's. Un

complete set of this would be worth a king's ransom--in fact, it is
Un conjunto completo de esto valdría el rescate de un rey, de hecho, lo es

doubtful if there is a complete set outside the imperial palace of
dudoso que haya un conjunto completo fuera del palacio imperial de

Peking. The sight of this would drive a real connoisseur wild."
Pekín. La visión de esto volvería loco a un verdadero conocedor".

"What am I to do with it?"
—¿Qué voy a hacer yo con él?

Holmes handed me a card upon which was printed: "Dr. Hill Barton, 369
Holmes me entregó una tarjeta en la que estaba impreso: «Dr. Hill Barton, 369

Half Moon Street."
Calle de la Media Luna.

"That is your name for the evening, Watson. You will call upon Baron
—Ése es su nombre para la noche, Watson. Llamarás al Barón

Gruner. I know something of his habits, and at half-past eight he would
Gruner. Sé algo de sus costumbres, y a las ocho y media

probably be disengaged. A note will tell him in advance that you are
probablemente se desvincule. Una nota le dirá de antemano que usted está

about to call, and you will say that you are bringing him a specimen of
a punto de llamar, y le dirás que le traes un ejemplar de

an absolutely unique set of Ming china. You may as well be a medical
un conjunto absolutamente único de porcelana Ming. Es como si fuera un médico

man, since that is a part which you can play without duplicity. You are
hombre, ya que ese es un papel que puedes desempeñar sin duplicidad. Tú

a collector this set has come your way, you have heard of the Baron's
un coleccionista este conjunto se ha cruzado en tu camino, has oído hablar de la casa del Barón

interest in the subject, and you are not averse to selling at a price."
interés en el tema, y no eres reacio a vender a un precio".

"What price?"  —¿A qué precio?

"Well asked, Watson. You would certainly fall down badly if you did not
—Bien preguntado, Watson. Ciertamente caerías mal si no lo hicieras

know the value of your own wares. This saucer was got for me by Sir
Conoce el valor de tus propias mercancías. Este platillo me lo consiguió Sir

James, and comes, I understand, from the collection of his client. You
James, y viene, según tengo entendido, de la colección de su cliente. Tú

will not exaggerate if you say that it could hardly be matched in the
no exageraré si dices que difícilmente podría ser igualado en el

world."   mundo".

"I could perhaps suggest that the set should be valued by an expert."
"Tal vez podría sugerir que el conjunto debería ser valorado por un experto".

"Excellent, Watson! You scintillate to-day. Suggest Christie or
—¡Excelente, Watson! Hoy centelleas. Sugiera Christie o

Sotheby. Your delicacy prevents your putting a price for yourself."
Sotheby. Tu delicadeza te impide ponerte precio".

"But if he won't see me?"
—¿Y si no quiere verme?

"Oh, yes, he will see you. He has the collection mania in its most
"Oh, sí, él te verá. Tiene la manía coleccionista en su máxima expresión

acute form--and especially on this subject, on which he is an
y especialmente en este tema, en el que es un

acknowledged authority. Sit down, Watson, and I will dictate the
autoridad reconocida. Siéntese, Watson, y yo le dictaré la

letter. No answer needed. You will merely say that you are coming, and
carta. No se necesita respuesta. Te limitarás a decir que vienes, y

why."   ¿Por qué?

It was an admirable document, short, courteous, and stimulating to the
Era un documento admirable, breve, cortés y estimulante para la

curiosity of the connoisseur. A district messenger was duly dispatched
curiosidad del conocedor. Un mensajero de distrito fue debidamente enviado

with it. On the same evening, with the precious saucer in my hand and
con él. Esa misma noche, con el precioso platillo en la mano y

the card of Dr. Hill Barton in my pocket, I set off on my own
Con la tarjeta del doctor Hill Barton en el bolsillo, me puse en marcha por mi cuenta

adventure.   aventura.

The beautiful house and grounds indicated that Baron Gruner was, as Sir
La hermosa casa y los jardines indicaban que el barón Gruner era, como Sir

James had said, a man of considerable wealth. A long winding drive,
Había dicho Santiago, un hombre de considerable riqueza. Un largo y sinuoso viaje,

with banks of rare shrubs on either side, opened out into a great
con bancos de arbustos raros a ambos lados, abiertos a un gran

gravelled square adorned with statues. The place had been built by a
Plaza de grava adornada con estatuas. El lugar había sido construido por un

South African gold king in the days of the great boom, and the long,
El rey del oro sudafricano en los días del gran auge, y de la larga

low house with the turrets at the corners, though an architectural
casa baja con las torretas en las esquinas, aunque una

nightmare, was imposing in its size and solidity. A butler, who would
pesadilla, era imponente en su tamaño y solidez. Un mayordomo, que

have adorned a bench of bishops, showed me in and handed me over to a
han adornado un banco de obispos, me han hecho entrar y me han entregado a un

plush-clad footman, who ushered me into the Baron's presence.
lacayo vestido de felpa, que me hizo pasar a la presencia del barón.

He was standing at the open front of a great case which stood between
Estaba de pie frente a la fachada abierta de un gran maletín que se encontraba entre

the windows and which contained part of his Chinese collection. He
las vidrieras y que contenía parte de su colección china. Él

turned as I entered with a small brown vase in his hand.
Me volví cuando entré con un pequeño jarrón marrón en la mano.

"Pray sit down, Doctor," said he. "I was looking over my own treasures
—Siéntese, doctor —dijo—. "Estaba mirando mis propios tesoros

and wondering whether I could really afford to add to them. This little
y preguntándome si realmente podría permitirme el lujo de agregarles más. Este pequeño

Tang specimen, which dates from the seventh century, would probably
El espécimen de Tang, que data del siglo VII, probablemente

interest you. I am sure you never saw finer workmanship or a richer
te interesan. Estoy seguro de que nunca has visto una mano de obra más fina o una más rica

glaze. Have you the Ming saucer with you of which you spoke?"
glasear. ¿Llevas contigo el platillo Ming del que hablaste?

I carefully unpacked it and handed it to him. He seated himself at his
Lo desempaqué con cuidado y se lo entregué. Se sentó en su

desk, pulled over the lamp, for it was growing dark, and set himself to
Sobre la lámpara, porque estaba oscureciendo, y se puso a trabajar

examine it. As he did so the yellow light beat upon his own features,
Examínalo. Mientras lo hacía, la luz amarilla golpeaba sus propias facciones,

and I was able to study them at my ease.
y pude estudiarlos a mis anchas.

He was certainly a remarkably handsome man. His European reputation for
Era, sin duda, un hombre extraordinariamente guapo. Su reputación europea de

beauty was fully deserved. In figure he was not more than of middle
La belleza era totalmente merecida. En figura no era más que de mediana

size, but was built upon graceful and active lines. His face was
tamaño, sino que se construyó sobre líneas elegantes y activas. Su rostro estaba

swarthy, almost Oriental, with large, dark, languorous eyes which might
moreno, casi oriental, con ojos grandes, oscuros y lánguidos que podrían

easily hold an irresistible fascination for women. His hair and
fácilmente ejercen una fascinación irresistible por las mujeres. Su cabello y

moustache were raven black, the latter short, pointed, and carefully
El bigote era negro cuervo, este último corto, puntiagudo y cuidadosamente

waxed. His features were regular and pleasing, save only his straight,
Encerado. Sus facciones eran regulares y agradables, salvo su rectitud,

thin-lipped mouth. If ever I saw a murderer's mouth it was there--a
boca de labios finos. Si alguna vez vi la boca de un asesino, fue allí, una

cruel, hard gash in the face, compressed, inexorable, and terrible. He
Cruel, duro corte en la cara, comprimido, inexorable y terrible. Él

was ill-advised to train his moustache away from it, for it was
no era aconsejable apartar su bigote de ella, porque era

Nature's danger-signal, set as a warning to his victims. His voice was
La señal de peligro de la naturaleza, puesta como advertencia a sus víctimas. Su voz era

engaging and his manners perfect. In age I should have put him at
atractivo y sus modales perfectos. En edad debí haberlo puesto en

little over thirty, though his record afterwards showed that he was
poco más de treinta, aunque su historial posterior mostró que era

forty-two.   cuarenta y dos.

"Very fine--very fine indeed!" he said at last. "And you say you have
—¡Muy bien, muy bien! —dijo al fin—. "Y tú dices que lo has hecho

a set of six to correspond. What puzzles me is that I should not have
un conjunto de seis para corresponder. Lo que me desconcierta es que no debería haber

heard of such magnificent specimens. I only know of one in England to
oyó hablar de tan magníficos especímenes. Sólo conozco uno en Inglaterra que

match this, and it is certainly not likely to be in the market. Would
coincidan con esto, y ciertamente no es probable que esté en el mercado. Sería

it be indiscreet if I were to ask you, Dr. Hill Barton, how you
Sería indiscreto si le preguntara a usted, doctor Hill Barton, cómo

obtained this?"   ¿Obtuviste esto?"

"Does it really matter?" I asked with as careless an air as I could
—¿De verdad importa? —pregunté con el aire más descuidado que pude

muster.   reunir.

"You can see that the piece is genuine, and, as to the value, I am
"Se puede ver que la pieza es genuina y, en cuanto al valor, lo soy

content to take an expert's valuation."
contento de tomar la valoración de un experto".

"Very mysterious," said he with a quick, suspicious flash of his dark
—Muy misterioso —dijo con un rápido y sospechoso destello de su oscuridad—

eyes. "In dealing with objects of such value, one naturally wishes to
ojos. "Al tratar con objetos de tal valor, uno naturalmente desea

know all about the transaction. That the piece is genuine is certain. I
Conozca todo sobre la transacción. Que la pieza es genuina es seguro. Yo

have no doubts at all about that. But suppose--I am bound to take
No tengo ninguna duda al respecto. Pero supongamos que estoy obligado a tomar

every possibility into account--that it should prove afterwards that
que se tenga en cuenta toda posibilidad, que se demuestre después que

you had no right to sell?"
¿No tenías derecho a vender?"

"I would guarantee you against any claim of the son."
"Te garantizo que no tendrás que hacer ninguna reclamación del hijo".

"That, of course, would open up the question as to what your guarantee
"Eso, por supuesto, abriría la pregunta de cuál es su garantía

was worth."   valía la pena".

"My bankers would answer that."
"Mis banqueros responderían a eso".

"Quite so. And yet the whole transaction strikes me as rather unusual."
—Muy bien. Y, sin embargo, toda la transacción me parece bastante inusual.

"You can do business or not," said I with indifference. "I have given
—Puedes hacer negocios o no —dije con indiferencia—. "He dado

you the first offer as I understood that you were a connoisseur, but I
la primera oferta, ya que entendí que eras un conocedor, pero

shall have no difficulty in other quaerers."
no tendrá dificultad en otros cuaqueros".

"Who told you I was a connoisseur?"
—¿Quién te dijo que yo era un entendido?

"I was aware that you had written a book upon the subject."
—Sabía que habías escrito un libro sobre el tema.

"Have you read the book?"
—¿Has leído el libro?

"No."  —No.

"Dear me, this becomes more and more difficult for me to understand!
"¡Querida mía, esto se vuelve cada vez más difícil de entender para mí!

You are a connoisseur and collector with a very valuable piece in your
Eres un conocedor y coleccionista con una pieza muy valiosa en tu

collection, and yet you have never troubled to consult the one book
y, sin embargo, nunca te has molestado en consultar el único libro

which would have told you of the real meaning and value of what you
lo que te habría dicho el verdadero significado y valor de lo que

held. How do you explain that?"
mantenido. ¿Cómo se explica eso?

"I am a very busy man. I am a doctor in practice."
"Soy un hombre muy ocupado. Soy médico en ejercicio".

"That is no answer. If a man has a hobby he follows it up, whatever his
"Esa no es una respuesta. Si un hombre tiene un pasatiempo, lo sigue, sea cual sea su

other pursuits may be. You said in your note that you were a
Otras actividades pueden serlo. Dijiste en tu nota que eras un

connoisseur."   conocedor".

"So I am."  —Así soy.

"Might I ask you a few questions to test you? I am obliged to tell you,
"¿Podría hacerte algunas preguntas para ponerte a prueba? Me veo obligado a decirte,

Doctor--if you are indeed a doctor--that the incident becomes more
Doctor, si es que usted es médico, que el incidente se vuelva más

and more suspicious. I would ask you what do you know of the Emperor
y más sospechosos. Te pregunto qué sabes del Emperador

Shomu and how do you associate him with the Shoso-in near Nara? Dear
Shomu y ¿cómo lo asocias con el Shoso-in cerca de Nara? Caro

me, does that puzzle you? Tell me a little about the Nonhern Wei
Yo, ¿eso te desconcierta? Cuéntame un poco sobre el Nonhern Wei

dynasty and its place in the history of ceramics."
dinastía y su lugar en la historia de la cerámica".

I sprang from my chair in simulated anger.
Salté de mi silla con fingida ira.

"This is intolerable, sir," said I. "I came here to do you a favour,
—Esto es intolerable, señor —dije—. He venido aquí para hacerle un favor.

and not to be examined as if I were a schoolboy. My knowledge on these
y no ser examinado como si fuera un colegial. Mi conocimiento sobre estos

subjects may be second only to your own, but I certainly shall not
Los temas pueden ser superados sólo por los tuyos, pero ciertamente no lo haré

answer questions which have been put in so offensive a way."
responder a preguntas que han sido formuladas de una manera tan ofensiva".

He looked at me steadily. The languor had gone from his eyes. They
Me miró fijamente. La languidez había desaparecido de sus ojos. Ellos

suddenly glared. There was a gleam of teeth from between those cruel
De repente lo fulminó con la mirada. Hubo un destello de dientes entre aquellos crueles

lips.   labios.

"What is the game? You are here as a spy. You are an emissary of
"¿Cuál es el juego? Estás aquí como espía. Eres un emisario de

Holmes. This is a trick that you are playing upon me. The fellow is
Holmes. Este es un truco que me estás jugando. El tipo es

dying I hear, so he sends his tools to keep watch upon me. You've made
Oigo morir, así que envía sus herramientas para que me vigilen. Has hecho

your way in here without leave, and, by God! you may find it harder to
Entra aquí sin permiso, y, ¡por Dios! Es posible que le resulte más difícil

get out than to get in."
salir que entrar".

He had sprung to his feet, and I stepped back, bracing myself for an
Se había puesto en pie de un salto, y di un paso atrás, preparándome para un

attack, for the man was beside himself with rage. He may have suspected
ataque, porque el hombre estaba fuera de sí de rabia. Es posible que sospechara

me from the first; certainly this cross-examination had shown him the
yo desde el principio; Ciertamente, este contrainterrogatorio le había mostrado la

truth; but it was clear that I could not hope to deceive him. He dived
verdad; pero estaba claro que no podía esperar engañarlo. Se zambulló

his hand into a side-drawer and rummaged furiously. Then something
metió la mano en un cajón lateral y hurgó furiosamente. Entonces algo

struck upon his ear, for he stood listening intently.
Le dio en el oído, porque estaba escuchando atentamente.

"Ah!" he cried. "Ah!" and dashed into the room behind him.
—¡Ah! —exclamó—. —¡Ah! —y corrió a la habitación detrás de él—.

Two steps took me to the open door, and my mind will ever carry a clear
Dos pasos me llevaron a la puerta abierta, y mi mente siempre tendrá una visión clara

picture of the scene within. The window leading out to the garden was
imagen de la escena interior. La ventana que daba al jardín era

wide open. Beside it, looking like some terrible ghost, his head gin
abierto de par en par. A su lado, con aspecto de fantasma terrible, su cabeza

with bloody bandages, his face drawn and white, stood Sherlock Holmes.
con vendajes ensangrentados, con el rostro enrojecido y pálido, estaba Sherlock Holmes.

The next instant he was through the gap, and I heard the crash of his
Al instante siguiente había atravesado la brecha, y oí el estrépito de su

body among the laurel bushes outside. With a howl of rage the master of
cuerpo entre los arbustos de laurel del exterior. Con un aullido de rabia, el maestro de

the house rushed after him to the open window.
La casa corrió tras él hasta la ventana abierta.

And then! It was done in an instant, and yet I clearly saw it. An arm
¡Y entonces! Se hizo en un instante y, sin embargo, lo vi claramente. Un brazo

--a woman's arm--shot out from among the leaves. At the same instant
--el brazo de una mujer-- salió disparado de entre las hojas. En el mismo instante

the Baron uttered a horrible cry--a yell which will always ring in my
el barón lanzó un grito horrible, un grito que siempre resonará en mi

memory. He clapped his two hands to his face and rushed round the room,
memoria. Se llevó las dos manos a la cara y corrió por la habitación.

beating his head horribly against the walls. Then he fell upon the
golpeándose horriblemente la cabeza contra las paredes. Luego cayó sobre el

carpet, rolling and writhing, while scream after scream resounded
alfombra, rodando y retorciéndose, mientras resonaba grito tras grito

through the house.
a través de la casa.

"Water! For God's sake, water!" was his cry.
"¡Agua! ¡Por el amor de Dios, agua!", fue su grito.

I seized a carafe from a side-table and rushed to his aid. At the same
Cogí una jarra de una mesita auxiliar y corrí en su ayuda. Al mismo tiempo,

moment the butler and several footmen ran in from the hall. I remember
En ese momento, el mayordomo y varios lacayos entraron corriendo desde el vestíbulo. Recuerdo

that one of them fainted as I knelt by the injured man and turned that
que uno de ellos se desmayó cuando me arrodillé junto al herido y le di la vuelta

awful face to the light of the lamp. The vitriol was eating into it
horrible cara a la luz de la lámpara. El vitriolo se lo estaba comiendo

everywhere and dripping from the ears and the chin. One eye was already
por todas partes y goteando de las orejas y la barbilla. Un ojo ya estaba

white and glazed. The other was red and inflamed. The features which I
blanco y vidriado. El otro estaba enrojecido e inflamado. Las características que

had admired a few minutes before were now like some beautiful painting
había admirado unos minutos antes eran ahora como un bello cuadro

over which the artist has passed a wet and foul sponge. They were
sobre la cual el artista ha pasado una esponja húmeda y fétida. Fueron

blurred, discoloured, inhuman, terrible.
borroso, descolorido, inhumano, terrible.

In a few words I explained exactly what had occurred, so far as the
En pocas palabras expliqué exactamente lo que había ocurrido, en cuanto a la

vitriol attack was concerned. Some had climbed through the window and
Se trataba de un ataque de vitriolo. Algunos habían trepado por la ventana y

others had rushed out on to the lawn, but it was dark and it had begun
otros habían corrido al césped, pero estaba oscuro y había comenzado

to rain. Between his screams the victim raged and raved against the
a llover. Entre sus gritos, la víctima se enfureció y despotricó contra el

avenger. "It was that hell-cat, Kitty Winter!" he cried. "Oh, the
vengador. —¡Era esa gata del infierno, Kitty Winter! —exclamó—. —¡Oh, el

she-devil! She shall pay for it! She shall pay! Oh, God in heaven, this
¡Diablesa! ¡Ella pagará por ello! ¡Ella pagará! Oh, Dios en el cielo, esto

pain is more than I can bear!"
¡El dolor es más de lo que puedo soportar!"

I bathed his face in oil, put cotton wadding on the raw surfaces, and
Bañé su cara en aceite, puse guata de algodón en las superficies crudas y

administered a hypodermic of morphia. All suspicion of me had passed
administró una morfia hipodérmica. Toda sospecha sobre mí había desaparecido

from his mind in the presence of this shock, and he clung to my hands
de su mente en presencia de esta conmoción, y se aferró a mis manos

as if I might have the power even yet to clear those dead-fish eyes
como si pudiera tener el poder, aunque todavía tuviera, el poder de despejar esos ojos de pez muerto

which glazed up at me. I could have wept over the ruin had l not
que me miró. Podría haber llorado sobre la ruina si no hubiera sido por

remembered very clearly the vile life which had led up to so hideous a
recordaba muy claramente la vil vida que había conducido a una vida tan horrible

change. It was loathsome to feel the pawing of his burning hands, and I
cambio. Era repugnante sentir el roce de sus manos ardientes, y yo

was relieved when his family surgeon, closely followed by a specialist,
se sintió aliviado cuando su cirujano de cabecera, seguido de cerca por un especialista,

came to relieve me of my charge. An inspector of police had also
vino a relevarme de mi cargo. Un inspector de policía también había

arrived, and to him I handed my real card. It would have been useless
Llegué y le entregué mi tarjeta real. Habría sido inútil

as well as foolish to do otherwise, for I was nearly as well known by
así como insensato hacer lo contrario, porque yo era casi tan conocido por

sight at the Yard as Holmes himself. Then I left that house of gloom
en el Yard como el propio Holmes. Entonces dejé esa casa de penumbra

and terror. Within an hour I was at Baker Street.
y el terror. Al cabo de una hora estaba en Baker Street.

Holmes was seated in his familiar chair, looking very pale and
Holmes estaba sentado en su silla familiar, con un aspecto muy pálido y

exhausted. Apart from his injuries, even his iron nerves had been
exhausto. Aparte de sus heridas, incluso sus nervios de hierro habían sido

shocked by the events of the evening, and he listened with horror to my
conmocionado por los acontecimientos de la noche, y escuchó con horror mi

account of the Baron's transformation.
relato de la transformación del barón.

"The wages of sin, Watson--the wages of sin!" said he. "Sooner or
-¡La paga del pecado, Watson, la paga del pecado! -dijo-. "Tarde o temprano

later it will always come. God knows, there was sin enough," he added,
Más tarde siempre llegará. Dios sabe que hubo suficiente pecado", agregó.

taking up a brown volume from the table. "Here is the book the woman
tomando un volumen marrón de la mesa. "Aquí está el libro de la mujer

talked of. If this will not break off the marriage, nothing ever could.
de lo que se habla. Si esto no rompe el matrimonio, nada podría hacerlo.

But it will, Watson. It must. No self-respecting woman could stand it."
Pero lo hará, Watson. Debe serlo. Ninguna mujer que se precie podría soportarlo".

"It is his love diary?"
—¿Es su diario de amor?

"Or his lust diary. Call it what you will. The moment the woman told us
"O su diario de lujuria. Llámalo como quieras. El momento en que la mujer nos dijo

of it I realized what a tremendous weapon was there if we could but lay
me di cuenta de lo tremenda que era el arma que había allí, si pudiéramos

our hands on it. I said nothing at the time to indicate my thoughts,
nuestras manos en él. No dije nada en ese momento para indicar mis pensamientos,

for this woman might have given it away. But I brooded over it. Then
porque esta mujer podría haberlo regalado. Pero le di vueltas. Entonces

this assault upon me gave me the chance of letting the Baron think that
este asalto contra mí me dio la oportunidad de hacer creer al barón que

no precautions need be taken against me. That was all to the good. I
No es necesario tomar ninguna precaución contra mí. Todo eso fue para bien. Yo

would have waited a little longer, but his visit to America forced my
hubiera esperado un poco más, pero su visita a América me obligó a

hand. He would never have left so compromising a document behind him.
mano. Nunca habría dejado atrás un documento tan comprometedor.

Therefore we had to act at once. Burglary at night is impossible. He
Por lo tanto, teníamos que actuar de inmediato. Robar por la noche es imposible. Él

takes precautions. But there was a chance in the evening if I could
Toma precauciones. Pero había una oportunidad por la noche si podía

only be sure that his attention was engaged. That was where you and
Solo asegúrate de que su atención estaba ocupada. Ahí fue donde tú y

your blue saucer came in. But I had to be sure of the position of the
Tu platillo azul entró. Pero tenía que estar seguro de la posición de la

book, and I knew I had only a few minutes in which to act, for my time
Sabía que sólo tenía unos minutos para actuar, por mi tiempo

was limited by your knowledge of Chinese pottery. Therefore I gathered
estaba limitado por su conocimiento de la cerámica china. Por lo tanto, reuní

the girl up at the last moment. How could I guess what the little
la muchacha se levantó en el último momento. ¿Cómo podría adivinar lo que el pequeño

packet was that she carried so carefully under her cloak? I thought she
¿Era el paquete que llevaba con tanto cuidado debajo de su capa? Pensé que ella

had come altogether on my business, but it seems she had some of her
Había venido por mi cuenta, pero parece que ella tenía algo de su

own."   propio".

"He guessed I came from you."
– Supuso que venía de ti.

"I feared he would. But you held him in play just long enough for me to
"Temía que lo hiciera. Pero lo mantuviste en juego el tiempo suficiente para que yo lo hiciera.

get the book, though not long enough for an unobserved escape. Ah, Sir
Consigue el libro, aunque no lo suficiente como para escapar sin ser observado. ¡Ah, señor!

James, I am very glad you have come!"
¡James, me alegro mucho de que hayas venido!"

Our courtly friend had appeared in answer to a previous summons. He
Nuestro amigo cortesano había comparecido en respuesta a una citación anterior. Él

listened with the deepest attention to Holmes's account of what had
escuchó con la más profunda atención el relato de Holmes sobre lo que había

occurred.   Ocurrió.

"You have done wonders--wonders!" he cried when he had heard the
-¡Has hecho maravillas, maravillas! -exclamó al oír el

narrative. "But if these injuries are as terrible as Dr. Watson
narrativa. Pero si estas lesiones son tan terribles como las del doctor Watson

describes, then surely our purpose of thwarting the marriage is
describe, entonces seguramente nuestro propósito de frustrar el matrimonio es

sufficiently gained without the use of this horrible book."
suficientemente ganado sin el uso de este horrible libro".

Holmes shook his head.
Holmes negó con la cabeza.

"Women of the De Merville type do not act like that. She would love him
"Las mujeres del tipo De Merville no actúan así. Ella lo amaría

the more as a disfigured martyr. No, no. It is his moral side, not his
tanto más como un mártir desfigurado. No, no. Es su lado moral, no el suyo

physical, which we have to destroy. That book will bring her back to
físico, que tenemos que destruir. Ese libro la traerá de vuelta a

earth--and I know nothing else that could. It is in his own writing.
y no conozco nada más que pueda hacerlo. Está escrito por él mismo.

She cannot get past it."
Ella no puede superarlo".

Sir James carried away both it and the precious saucer. As I was myself
Sir James se lo llevó a él y al precioso platillo. Como yo era yo mismo

overdue, I went down with him into the street. A brougham was waiting
Atrasado, bajé con él a la calle. Un brougham estaba esperando

for him. He sprang in, gave a hurried order to the cockaded coachman,
para él. Entró de un salto, dio una orden apresurada al cochero con escarapela:

and drove swiftly away. He flung his overcoat half out of the window to
y se alejó rápidamente. Arrojó su abrigo a medias por la ventana para

cover the armorial bearings upon the panel, but I had seen them in the
cubría los escudos de armas sobre el panel, pero yo los había visto en el

glare of our fanlight none the less. I gasped with surprise. Then I
sin embargo, el resplandor de nuestro lucernario. Me quedé sin aliento de sorpresa. Entonces yo

turned back and ascended the stair to Holmes's room.
Se dio la vuelta y subió la escalera que conducía a la habitación de Holmes.

"I have found out who our client is," I cried, bursting with my great
—He averiguado quién es nuestro cliente —exclamé, estallando en mi gran

news. "Why, Holmes, it is--"
noticia. —Vaya, Holmes, es...

"It is a loyal friend and a chivalrous gentleman," said Holmes, holding
—Es un amigo leal y un caballero caballeroso —dijo Holmes, sosteniendo

up a restraining hand. "Let that now and forever be enough for us."
levanta una mano que te restringe. "Que eso sea suficiente ahora y para siempre".

I do not know how the incriminating book was used. Sir James may have
No sé cómo se usó el libro incriminatorio. Es posible que Sir James haya

managed it. Or it is more probable that so delicate a task was
lo gestionó. O es más probable que una tarea tan delicada fuera

entrusted to the young lady's father. The effect, at any rate, was all
confiado al padre de la joven. El efecto, en cualquier caso, fue todo

that could be desired.
Eso podría ser deseable.

Three days later appeared a paragraph in the Morning Post to say that
Tres días después apareció un párrafo en el Morning Post que decía que

the marriage between Baron Adelbert Gruner and Miss Violet de Merville
el matrimonio entre el barón Adelbert Gruner y la señorita Violet de Merville

would not take place. The same paper had the first police-court hearing
no se llevaría a cabo. El mismo periódico tuvo la primera audiencia policial-judicial

of the proceedings against Miss Kitty Winter on the grave charge of
del proceso contra la señorita Kitty Winter por la grave acusación de

vitriol-throwing. Such extenuating circumstances came out in the trial
Lanzamiento de vitriolo. Tales circunstancias atenuantes salieron a la luz en el juicio

that the sentence, as will be remembered was the lowest that was
que la sentencia, como se recordará, fue la más baja que se

possible for such an offence. Sherlock Holmes was threatened with a
posible para tal delito. Sherlock Holmes fue amenazado con una

prosecution for burglary, but when an object is good and a client is
enjuiciamiento por robo, pero cuando un objeto es bueno y un cliente es

sufficiently illustrious, even the rigid British law becomes human and
ilustre, incluso la rígida ley británica se convierte en humana y

elastic. My friend has not yet stood in the dock.
elástico. Mi amigo aún no se ha sentado en el banquillo de los acusados.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLANCHED SOLDIER
LA AVENTURA DEL SOLDADO BLANQUEADO

The ideas of my friend Watson, though limited, are exceedingly
Las ideas de mi amigo Watson, aunque limitadas, son excesivamente

pertinacious. For a long time he has worried me to write an experience
pertinaz. Durante mucho tiempo me ha preocupado por escribir una experiencia

of my own. Perhaps I have rather invited this persecution, since I have
de los míos. Tal vez he invitado más bien a esta persecución, ya que he

often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are his own
A menudo tuve ocasión de señalarle cuán superficiales son los suyos

accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of
cuentas y acusarlo de complacer el gusto popular en lugar de

confining himself rigidly to facts and figures. "Try it yourself,
limitándose rígidamente a los hechos y a las cifras. "Pruébalo tú mismo,

Holmes!" he has retorted, and I am compelled to admit that, having
¡Holmes!», ha replicado, y me veo obligado a admitirlo, después de haberlo admitido.

taken my pen in my hand, I do begin to realize that the matter must be
Tomando mi pluma en la mano, empiezo a darme cuenta de que el asunto debe ser

presented in such a way as may interest the reader. The following case
presentados de tal manera que puedan interesar al lector. El siguiente caso

can hardly fail to do so, as it is among the strangest happenings in my
difícilmente puedo dejar de hacerlo, ya que es uno de los sucesos más extraños en mi

collection though it chanced that Watson had no note of it in his
aunque se dio la casualidad de que Watson no tenía ninguna nota de ello en su

collection. Speaking of my old friend and biographer, I would take this
colección. Hablando de mi viejo amigo y biógrafo, me quedaría con esto

opportunity to remark that if I burden myself with a companion in my
oportunidad de hacer notar que si me agobio con un compañero en mi

various little inquiries it is not done out of sentiment or caprice,
varias pequeñas indagaciones no se hace por sentimiento o capricho,

but it is that Watson has some remarkable characteristics of his own to
pero es que Watson tiene algunas características notables propias para

which in his modesty he has given small attention amid his exaggerated
que en su modestia ha prestado poca atención en medio de su exagerada

estimates of my own performances. A confederate who foresees your
estimaciones de mis propios desempeños. Un cómplice que prevé tu

conclusions and course of action is always dangerous, but one to whom
conclusiones y curso de acción es siempre peligroso, pero uno para quien

each development comes as a perpetual surprise, and to whom the future
Cada desarrollo llega como una sorpresa perpetua, y para quien el futuro

is always a closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate.
es siempre un libro cerrado, es de hecho un compañero de ayuda ideal.

I find from my notebook that it was in January, 1903, just after the
Descubro en mi cuaderno que fue en enero de 1903, justo después de la

conclusion of the Boer War, that I had my visit from Mr. James M. Dodd,
Al final de la Guerra de los Bóers, recibí la visita del Sr. James M. Dodd,

a big, fresh, sunburned, upstanding Briton. The good Watson had at that
un británico grande, fresco, quemado por el sol y erguido. El bueno que Watson tenía en eso

time deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action which I can recall
El tiempo me abandonó por una esposa, la única acción egoísta que puedo recordar

in our association. I was alone.
en nuestra asociación. Estaba solo.

It is my habit to sit with my back to the window and to place my
Tengo la costumbre de sentarme de espaldas a la ventana y colocar mi

visitors in the opposite chair, where the light falls full upon them.
visitantes en la silla de enfrente, donde la luz cae de lleno sobre ellos.

Mr. James M. Dodd seemed somewhat at a loss how to begin the interview.
El señor James M. Dodd parecía no saber cómo empezar la entrevista.

I did not attempt to help him, for his silence gave me more time for
No intenté ayudarlo, porque su silencio me daba más tiempo para

observation. I have found it wise to impress clients with a sense of
observación. Me ha parecido prudente impresionar a los clientes con un sentido de

power, and so I gave him some of my conclusions.
poder, y así le di algunas de mis conclusiones.

"From South Africa, sir, I perceive."
—De Sudáfrica, señor, según creo.

"Yes, sir," he answered, with some surprise.
—Sí, señor —contestó con cierta sorpresa—.

"Imperial Yeomanry, I fancy."
"Yeomanry Imperial, me imagino."

"Exactly."  —Exactamente.

"Middlesex Corps, no doubt."
– El Cuerpo de Middlesex, sin duda.

"That is so. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard."
"Eso es así. Señor Holmes, usted es un mago.

I smiled at his bewildered expression.
Sonreí ante su expresión de desconcierto.

"When a gentleman of virile appearance enters my room with such tan
"Cuando un caballero de apariencia viril entra en mi habitación con tal bronceado

upon his face as an English sun could never give, and with his
en su rostro como un sol inglés nunca podría dar, y con su

handkerchief in his sleeve instead of in his pocket, it is not
pañuelo en la manga en lugar de en el bolsillo, no es

difficult to place him. You wear a short beard, which shows that you
Es difícil ubicarlo. Llevas una barba corta, lo que demuestra que

were not a regular. You have the cut of a riding-man. As to Middlesex,
no eran asiduos. Tienes el corte de un jinete. En cuanto a Middlesex,

your card has already shown me that you are a stockbroker from
Tu tarjeta ya me ha mostrado que eres un corredor de bolsa de

Throgmorton Street. What other regiment would you join?"
Calle Throgmorton. ¿A qué otro regimiento te unirías?

"You see everything."  "Lo ves todo".

"I see no more than you, but I have trained myself to notice what I
"No veo más que a ti, pero me he entrenado para notar lo que

see. However, Mr. Dodd, it was not to discuss the science of
ver. Sin embargo, Sr. Dodd, no era para discutir la ciencia de la

observation that you called upon me this morning. What has been
Observación que me has visitado esta mañana. Lo que ha sido

happening at Tuxbury Old Park?"
¿Está ocurriendo en Tuxbury Old Park?

"Mr. Holmes--!"  —Señor Holmes--!

"My dear sir, there is no mystery. Your letter came with that heading,
"Mi querido señor, no hay ningún misterio. Su carta venía con ese encabezamiento,

and as you fixed this appointment in very pressing terms it was clear
Y como usted fijó este nombramiento en términos muy apremiantes, estaba claro

that something sudden and important had occurred."
que algo repentino e importante había ocurrido".

"Yes, indeed. But the letter was written in the afternoon, and a good
—Sí, efectivamente. Pero la carta fue escrita por la tarde, y una buena

deal has happened since then. If Colonel Emsworth had not kicked me out
El acuerdo ha ocurrido desde entonces. Si el coronel Emsworth no me hubiera echado

--"

"Kicked you out!"  "¡Te echó!"

"Well, that was what it amounted to. He is a hard nail, is Colonel
"Bueno, eso era lo que equivalía. Es un clavo duro, es coronel

Emsworth. The greatest martinet in the Army in his day, and it was a
Emsworth. El martinete más grande del Ejército en su época, y fue un

day of rough language, too. I couldn't have stuck the colonel if it had
día de lenguaje áspero, también. No podría haber pegado al coronel si lo hubiera hecho

not been for Godfrey's sake."
no ha sido por el bien de Godfrey.

I lit my pipe and leaned back in my chair.
Encendí mi pipa y me recosté en la silla.

"Perhaps you will explain what you are talking about."
"Tal vez me explique de qué está hablando".

My client grinned mischievously.
Mi cliente sonrió con picardía.

"I had got into the way of supposing that you knew everything without
"Me había metido en el camino de suponer que lo sabías todo sin

being told," said he. "But I will give you the facts, and I hope to God
que se lo digan -dijo-. "Pero te daré los hechos, y espero en Dios

that you will be able to tell me what they mean. I've been awake all
que podrás decirme lo que significan. He estado despierto todo el tiempo

night puzzling my brain, and the more I think the more incredible does
noche desconcertando mi cerebro, y cuanto más pienso, más increíble

it become.   se convierte.

"When I joined up in January, 1901--just two years ago--young
"Cuando me incorporé en enero de 1901, hace apenas dos años, joven

Godfrey Emsworth had joined the same squadron. He was Colonel
Godfrey Emsworth se había unido al mismo escuadrón. Era coronel

Emsworth's only son--Emsworth the Crimean V. C.--and he had the
El único hijo de Emsworth, Emsworth el de Crimea, V. C., y tuvo el

fighting blood in him, so it is no wonder he volunteered. There was not
luchando contra la sangre en él, por lo que no es de extrañar que se ofreciera como voluntario. No hubo

a finer lad in the regiment. We formed a friendship--the sort of
un muchacho más fino del regimiento. Formamos una amistad, una especie de

friendship which can only be made when one lives the same life and
amistad que solo se puede hacer cuando se vive la misma vida y

shares the same joys and sorrows. He was my mate--and that means a
comparte las mismas alegrías y tristezas. Era mi compañero, y eso significa una

good deal in the Army. We took the rough and the smooth together for a
buen negocio en el Ejército. Tomamos lo áspero y lo liso juntos por un tiempo

year of hard fighting. Then he was hit with a bullet from an elephant
Año de duros combates. Luego fue alcanzado por una bala de un elefante

gun in the action near Diamond Hill outside-Pretoria. I got one letter
en la acción cerca de Diamond Hill, en las afueras de Pretoria. Recibí una carta

from the hospital at Cape Town and one from Southampton. Since then not
del hospital de Ciudad del Cabo y uno de Southampton. Desde entonces no

a word--not one word, Mr. Holmes, for six months and more, and he my
ni una palabra, ni una palabra, señor Holmes, durante seis meses o más, y él no dijo nada.

closest pal.   Amigo más cercano.

"Well, when the war was over, and we all got back, I wrote to his
"Bueno, cuando terminó la guerra y todos regresamos, le escribí a él

father and asked where Godfrey was. No answer. I waited a bit and then
padre y preguntó dónde estaba Godfrey. No hubo respuesta. Esperé un poco y luego

I wrote again. This time I had a reply, short and gruff. Godfrey had
Volví a escribir. Esta vez tuve una respuesta, corta y brusca. Godfrey había

gone on a voyage round the world, and it was not likely that he would
se había ido de viaje alrededor del mundo, y no era probable que lo hiciera

be back for a year. That was all.
Vuelve por un año. Eso fue todo.

"I wasn't satisfied, Mr. Holmes. The whole thing seemed to me so damned
—No estaba satisfecho, señor Holmes. Todo el asunto me parecía tan maldito

unnatural. He was a good lad, and he would not drop a pal like that. It
antinatural. Era un buen muchacho y no dejaría caer a un amigo así. Eso

was not like him. Then, again, I happened to know that he was heir to a
no era como él. Entonces, de nuevo, supe que era heredero de un

lot of money, and also that his father and he did not always hit it off
mucho dinero, y también que su padre y él no siempre se llevaban bien

too well. The old man was sometimes a bully, and young Godfrey had too
demasiado bien. El viejo era a veces un matón, y el joven Godfrey también lo había sido

much spirit to stand it. No, I wasn't satisfied, and I determined that
mucho espíritu para soportarlo. No, no estaba satisfecho, y lo determiné

I would get to the root of the matter. It happened, however, that my
Llegaría a la raíz del asunto. Sucedió, sin embargo, que mi

own affairs needed a lot of straightening out, after two years'
Sus propios asuntos necesitaban mucho arreglo, después de dos años de

absence, and so it is only this week that I have been able to take up
ausencia, y por eso es sólo esta semana que he podido retomar

Godfrey's case again. But since I have taken it up I mean to drop
Otra vez el caso de Godfrey. Pero ya que lo he tomado, tengo la intención de dejarlo

everything in order to see it through."
todo con el fin de llevarlo a cabo".

Mr. James M. Dodd appeared to be the sort of person whom it would be
El Sr. James M. Dodd parecía ser el tipo de persona que sería

better to have as a friend than as an enemy. His blue eyes were stern
Es mejor tenerlo como amigo que como enemigo. Sus ojos azules eran severos

and his square jaw had set hard as he spoke.
y su mandíbula cuadrada se había endurecido mientras hablaba.

"Well, what have you done?" I asked.
"Bueno, ¿qué has hecho?" —pregunté.

"My first move was to get down to his home, Tuxbury Old Park, near
"Lo primero que hice fue ir a su casa, Tuxbury Old Park, cerca de allí.

Bedford, and to see for myself how the ground lay. I wrote to the
Bedford, y ver por mí mismo cómo estaba el terreno. Escribí a la

mother, therefore--I had had quite enough of the curmudgeon of a
Por lo tanto, ya estaba harto del cascarrabias de un

father--and I made a clean frontal attack: Godfrey was my chum, I had
Y yo le hice un ataque frontal y directo: Godfrey era mi amigo, yo tenía

a great deal of interest which I might tell her of our common
mucho interés que podría contarle de nuestro común

experiences, I should be in the neighbourhood, would there be any
experiencias, debería estar en el barrio, ¿habría alguna

objection, et cetera? In reply I had quite an amiable answer from her
objeción, etcétera? En respuesta, recibí una respuesta bastante amable de su parte

and an offer to put me up for the night. That was what took me down on
y una oferta para alojarme por la noche. Eso fue lo que me deprimió

Monday.   Lunes.

"Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible--five miles from anywhere. There
"Tuxbury Old Hall es inaccesible, a cinco millas de cualquier lugar. Allí

was no trap at the station, so I had to walk, carrying my suitcase, and
no había trampa en la estación, así que tuve que caminar, cargando mi maleta, y

it was nearly dark before I arrived. It is a great wandering house,
Era casi de noche antes de que yo llegara. Es una gran casa errante,

standing in a considerable park. I should judge it was of all sorts of
de pie en un parque considerable. Juzgaría que era de todo tipo de

ages and styles, starting on a half-timbered Elizabethan foundation and
edades y estilos, comenzando sobre una base isabelina de entramado de madera y

ending in a Victorian portico. Inside it was all panelling and tapestry
terminando en un pórtico victoriano. En el interior todo eran paneles y tapices

and half-effaced old pictures, a house of shadows and mystery. There
y viejos cuadros medio borrados, una casa de sombras y misterio. Allí

was a butler, old Ralph, who seemed about the same age as the house,
Era un mayordomo, el viejo Ralph, que parecía tener más o menos la misma edad que la casa,

and there was his wife, who might have been older. She had been
Y allí estaba su esposa, que podría haber sido mayor. Había sido

Godfrey's nurse, and I had heard him speak of her as second only to his
Era la nodriza de Godfrey, y yo le había oído hablar de ella como la segunda después de la suya

mother in his affections, so I was drawn to her in spite of her queer
madre en sus afectos, así que me sentí atraído por ella a pesar de su extraña

appearance. The mother I liked also--a gentle little white mouse of a
apariencia. La madre también me gustaba, un ratoncito blanco y gentil

woman. It was only the colonel himself whom I barred.
mujer. Sólo le excluí al propio coronel.

"We had a bit of barney right away, and I should have walked back to
"Tomamos un poco de barney de inmediato, y debería haber regresado a

the station if I had not felt that it might be playing his game for me
la estación si no hubiera sentido que podría estar jugando su juego para mí

to do so. I was shown straight into his study, and there I found him, a
para hacerlo. Me llevaron directamente a su estudio, y allí lo encontré, un

huge, bow-backed man with a smoky skin and a straggling gray beard,
Hombre enorme, de espalda arqueada, con la piel ahumada y una barba gris desordenada,

seated behind his littered desk. A red-veined nose jutted out like a
sentado detrás de su escritorio lleno de basura. Una nariz con venas rojas sobresalía como un

vulture's beak, and two fierce gray eyes glared at me from under tufted
pico de buitre, y dos feroces ojos grises me miraron desde debajo de los mechones

brows. I could understand now why Godfrey seldom spoke of his father.
Cejas. Ahora comprendía por qué Godfrey rara vez hablaba de su padre.

"'Well, sir,' said he in a rasping voice, 'I should be interested to
»—Bien, señor —dijo con voz áspera—, me interesaría

know the real reasons for this visit.'
conocer las verdaderas razones de esta visita.

"I answered that I had explained them in my letter to his wife.
Le contesté que se lo había explicado en mi carta a su esposa.

"'Yes, yes, you said that you had known Godfrey in Africa. We have, of
—Sí, sí, dijiste que habías conocido a Godfrey en África. Tenemos, por supuesto

course, only your word for that.'
Por supuesto, solo tu palabra para eso'.

"'I have his letters to me in my pocket.'
"'Tengo sus cartas para mí en mi bolsillo'.

"'Kindly let me see them.'
"'Por favor, déjame verlos'.

"He glanced at the two which I handed him, and then he tossed them
"Miró los dos que le entregué y luego los arrojó

back.   Atrás.

"'Well, what then?' he asked.
"'Bueno, ¿y entonces qué?', preguntó.

"'I was fond of your son Godfrey, sir. Many ties and memories united
—Le tenía cariño a su hijo Godfrey, señor. Muchos lazos y recuerdos unidos

us. Is it not natural that I should wonder at his sudden silence and
nos. ¿No es natural que me maravillese de su repentino silencio y

should wish to know what has become of him?'
¿Querría saber qué ha sido de él?

"'I have some recollections, sir, that I had already corresponded with
»—Tengo algunos recuerdos, señor, con los que ya había mantenido correspondencia

you and had told you what had become of him. He has gone upon a voyage
y te había dicho lo que había sido de él. Se ha ido de viaje

round the world. His health was in a poor way after his African
alrededor del mundo. Su salud era mala después de su

experiences, and both his mother and I were of opinion that camplete
experiencias, y tanto su madre como yo éramos de la opinión de que camplete

rest and change were needed. Kindly pass that explanation on to any
Había que descansar y cambiar. Por favor, transmita esa explicación a cualquier

other friends who may be interested in the matter.'
otros amigos que puedan estar interesados en el asunto.

"'Certainly,' I answered. 'But perhaps you would have the goodness to
"'Ciertamente', respondí. ' Pero tal vez tendrías la bondad de

let me have the name of the steamer and of the line by which he sailed,
Déjame saber el nombre del vapor y de la línea por la que navegaba,

together with the date. I have no doubt that I should be able to get a
junto con la fecha. No tengo ninguna duda de que debería ser capaz de obtener un

letter through to him.'
carta a través de él.

"My request seemed both to puzzle and to irritate my host. His great
"Mi petición pareció desconcertar e irritar a mi anfitrión. Su gran

eyebrows came down over his eyes, and he tapped his fingers impatiently
Las cejas le cubrieron los ojos y se golpeó los dedos con impaciencia

on the table. He looked up at last with the expression of one who has
sobre la mesa. Alzó por fin la vista con la expresión de quien tiene

seen his adversary make a dangerous move at chess, and has decided how
ha visto a su adversario hacer una jugada peligrosa en el ajedrez, y ha decidido cómo

to meet it.
para cumplirlo.

"'Many people, Mr. Dodd,' said he, 'would take offence at your
»—Mucha gente, señor Dodd —dijo—, se sentiría ofendida por su

infernal pertinacity and would think that this insistence had reached
pertinacia infernal y pensaría que esta insistencia había llegado a

the point of damned impertinence.'
el punto de la maldita impertinencia.

"'You must put it down, sir, to my real love for your son.'
—Debe atribuirlo, señor, a mi verdadero amor por su hijo.

"'Exactly. I have already made every allowance upon that score. I must
"'Exactamente. Ya he hecho todas las concesiones al respecto. Debo

ask you, however, to drop these inquiries. Every family has its own
sin embargo, le pedimos que abandone estas consultas. Cada familia tiene el suyo

inner knowledge and its own motives, which cannot always be made clear
conocimiento interno y sus propios motivos, que no siempre pueden ser aclarados

to outsiders, however well-intentioned. My wife is anxious to hear
a los forasteros, por bien intencionados que sean. Mi esposa está ansiosa por escuchar

something of Godfrey's past which you are in a position to tell her,
algo del pasado de Godfrey que usted está en condiciones de contarle,

but I would ask you to let the present and the future alone. Such
pero les pido que dejen en paz el presente y el futuro. Tal

inquiries serve no useful purpose, sir, and place us in a delicate and
Las indagaciones no sirven de nada, señor, y nos colocan en una situación delicada y delicada.

difficult position.'   difícil posición'.

"So I came to a dead end, Mr. Holmes. There was no getting past it. I
—Así que llegué a un callejón sin salida, señor Holmes. No había forma de superarlo. Yo

could only pretend to accept the situation and register a vow inwardly
sólo podía fingir que aceptaba la situación y registrar un voto interiormente

that I would never rest until my friend's fate had been cleared up. It
que nunca descansaría hasta que se aclarara el destino de mi amigo. Eso

was a dull evening. We dined quietly, the three of us, in a gloomy,
Era una noche aburrida. Cenamos tranquilamente, los tres, en un ambiente sombrío,

faded old room. The lady questioned me eagerly about her son, but the
Habitación vieja y descolorida. La señora me interrogó ansiosamente acerca de su hijo, pero el

old man seemed morose and depressed. I was so bored by the whole
El anciano parecía taciturno y deprimido. Estaba tan aburrido por todo el

proceeding that I made an excuse as soon as I decently could and
procediendo que me excusé tan pronto como pude decentemente y

retired to my bedroom. It was a large, bare room on the ground floor,
Me retiré a mi dormitorio. Era una habitación grande y desnuda en la planta baja,

as gloomy as the rest of the house, but after a year of sleeping upon
tan lúgubre como el resto de la casa, pero después de un año de dormir

the veldt, Mr. Holmes, one is not too particular about one's quarters.
El veldt, señor Holmes, uno no es demasiado exigente con sus aposentos.

I opened the curtains and looked out into the garden, remarking that it
Abrí las cortinas y miré hacia el jardín, observando que

was a fine night with a bright half-moon. Then I sat down by the
Era una hermosa noche con una media luna brillante. Luego me senté junto a la

roaring fire with the lamp on a table beside me, and endeavoured to
fuego rugiente con la lámpara sobre una mesa a mi lado, y me esforcé por

distract my mind with a novel. I was interrupted, however, by Ralph,
distraer mi mente con una novela. Sin embargo, Ralph me interrumpió.

the old butler, who came in with a fresh supply of coals.
el viejo mayordomo, que entró con una nueva provisión de carbón.

"'I thought you might run short in the night-time, sir. It is bitter
—Pensé que se quedaría corto por la noche, señor. Es amargo

weather and these rooms are cold.'
El clima y estas habitaciones son frías.

"He hesitated before leaving the room, and when I looked round he was
"Vaciló antes de salir de la habitación, y cuando miré a mi alrededor estaba

standing facing me with a wistful look upon his wrinkled face.
De pie frente a mí con una mirada melancólica en su rostro arrugado.

"'Beg your pardon, sir, but I could not help hearing what you said of
—Le ruego que me perdone, señor, pero no he podido evitar oír lo que ha dicho de

young Master Godfrey at dinner. You know, sir, that my wife nursed him,
el joven maestro Godfrey en la cena. Sabe usted, señor, que mi esposa lo amamantó,

and so I may say I am his foster-father. It's natural we should take an
y así puedo decir que soy su padre adoptivo. Es natural que tomemos un

interest. And you say he carried himself well, sir?'
interés. ¿Y dice usted que se portó bien, señor?

"'There was no braver man in the regiment. He pulled me out once from
"No había hombre más valiente en el regimiento. Me sacó una vez de

under the rifles of the Boers, or maybe I should not be here.'
bajo los fusiles de los bóers, o tal vez no debería estar aquí.

"The old butler rubbed his skinny hands.
"El viejo mayordomo se frotó las manos flacas.

"'Yes, sir, yes, that is Master Godfrey all over. He was always
—Sí, señor, sí, ese es el señor Godfrey por todas partes. Siempre estuvo

courageous. There's not a tree in the park, sir, that he has not
valeroso. No hay un árbol en el parque, señor, que él no tenga

climbed. Nothing would stop him. He was a fine boy--and oh, sir, he
Subió. Nada lo detendría. Era un buen muchacho, y ¡oh, señor!,

was a fine man.'
era un buen hombre.

"I sprang to my feet.
"Me puse en pie de un salto.

"'Look here!' I cried. 'You say he was. You speak as if he were dead.
"'¡Mira aquí!' Lloré. – Dices que lo era. Hablas como si estuviera muerto.

What is all this mystery? What has become of Godfrey Emsworth?'
¿Qué es todo este misterio? ¿Qué ha sido de Godfrey Emsworth?

"I gripped the old man by the shoulder, but he shrank away.
"Agarré al anciano por el hombro, pero él se encogió.

"'I don't know what you mean, sir. Ask the master about Master
—No sé a qué se refiere, señor. Pregúntale al maestro sobre el Maestro

Godfrey. He knows. It is not for me to interfere.'
Godfrey. Él lo sabe. No me corresponde a mí interferir'.

"He was leaving the room, but I held his arm
"Estaba saliendo de la habitación, pero yo lo sostuve del brazo

"'Listen,' I said. 'You are going to answer one question before you
"'Escucha', le dije. ' Vas a responder a una pregunta antes que tú

leave if I have to hold you all night. Is Godfrey dead?"
vete si tengo que abrazarte toda la noche. ¿Está muerto Godfrey?

"He could not face my eyes. He was like a man hypnotized The answer was
"No podía mirarme a los ojos. Era como un hombre hipnotizado La respuesta fue

dragged from his lips. It was a terrible and unexpected one.
arrancado de sus labios. Fue terrible e inesperado.

"'I wish to God he was!' he cried, and, tearing himself free he dashed
—¡Ojalá lo fuera! —exclamó, y, liberándose de un tirón, se precipitó

from the room.
de la habitación.

"You will think, Mr. Holmes, that I returned to my chair in no very
-Pensará, señor Holmes, que he vuelto a mi silla en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.

happy state of mind. The old man's words seemed to me to bear only one
estado de ánimo feliz. Las palabras del anciano me parecieron tener una sola

interpretation. Clearly my poor friend had become involved in some
interpretación. Era evidente que mi pobre amigo se había visto envuelto en algunos

criminal or, at the least, disreputable transaction which touched the
transacción criminal o, por lo menos, de mala reputación, que afectó a la

family honour. That stern old man had sent his son away and hidden him
honor familiar. Aquel anciano severo había despedido a su hijo y lo había escondido

from the world lest some scandal should come to light. Godfrey was a
del mundo para que no saliera a la luz algún escándalo. Godfrey era un

reckless fellow. He was easily influenced by those around him. No doubt
Tipo imprudente. Era fácilmente influenciable por los que lo rodeaban. Sin duda

he had fallen into bad hands and been misled to his ruin. It was a
Había caído en malas manos y había sido engañado para su ruina. Fue un

piteous business, if it was indeed so, but even now it was my duty to
Es un asunto lamentable, si es que lo era, pero incluso ahora era mi deber

hunt him out and see if I could aid him. I was anxiously pondering the
A buscarlo y ver si podía ayudarlo. Estaba reflexionando ansiosamente sobre el

matter when I looked up, and there was Godfrey Emsworth standing before
Cuando levanté la vista, vi que Godfrey Emsworth estaba de pie frente a mí.

me."   yo".

My client had paused as one in deep emotion.
Mi cliente había hecho una pausa como uno solo en una profunda emoción.

"Pray continue," I said. "Your problem presents some very unusual
—Por favor, continúe —dije—. "Su problema presenta algunos aspectos muy inusuales

features."   características".

"He was outside the window, Mr. Holmes, with his face pressed against
—Estaba al otro lado de la ventana, señor Holmes, con la cara pegada a la ventana.

the glass. I have told you that I looked out at the night. When I did
el vaso. Ya te he dicho que me asomé a la noche. Cuando lo hice

so I left the curtains partly open. His figure was framed in this gap.
así que dejé las cortinas entreabiertas. Su figura estaba enmarcada en este hueco.

The window came down to the ground and I could see the whole length of
La ventana bajaba hasta el suelo y podía ver toda la longitud de la

it, but it was his face which held my gaze. He was deadly pale--never
Pero era su rostro el que sostenía mi mirada. Estaba mortalmente pálido, nunca

have I seen a man so white. I reckon ghosts may look like that; but his
¿He visto a un hombre tan blanco? Calculo que los fantasmas pueden verse así; pero su

eyes met mine, and they were the eyes of a living man. He sprang back
Los ojos se encontraron con los míos, y eran los ojos de un hombre vivo. Retrocedió de un salto

when he saw that I was looking at him, and he vanished into the
cuando vio que yo lo miraba, y se desvaneció en el

darkness.   oscuridad.

"There was something shocking about the man, Mr. Holmes. It wasn't
Había algo chocante en aquel hombre, señor Holmes. No fue así

merely that ghastly face glimmering as white as cheese in the darkness.
simplemente ese rostro espantoso que brillaba tan blanco como el queso en la oscuridad.

It was more subtle than that--something slinking, something furtive,
Era más sutil que eso: algo que se escabullía, algo furtivo,

something guilty--something very unlike the frank, manly lad that I
algo culpable, algo muy diferente del muchacho franco y varonil que yo

had known. It left a feeling of horror in my mind.
había sabido. Dejó una sensación de horror en mi mente.

"But when a man has been soldiering for a year or two with brother Boer
"Pero cuando un hombre ha estado soldando durante un año o dos con el hermano Boer

as a playmate, he keeps his nerve and acts quickly. Godfrey had hardly
Como compañero de juegos, mantiene los nervios y actúa rápidamente. Godfrey apenas había

vanished before I was at the window. There was an awkward catch, and I
desapareció antes de que yo estuviera en la ventana. Hubo una trampa incómoda, y yo

was some little time before I could throw it up. Then I nipped through
Pasó un poco de tiempo antes de que pudiera vomitarlo. Luego mordisqueé

and ran down the garden path in the direction that I thought he might
y corrió por el sendero del jardín en la dirección que pensé que podría

have taken.   han tomado.

"It was a long path and the light was not very good, but it seemed to
"Era un camino largo y la luz no era muy buena, pero parecía que

me something was moving ahead of me. I ran on and called his name, but
Algo se movía delante de mí. Seguí corriendo y lo llamé por su nombre, pero

it was no use. When I got to the end of the path there were several
De nada sirvió. Cuando llegué al final del camino había varios

others branching in different directions to various outhouses. I stood
otros se ramifican en diferentes direcciones hacia varias letrinas. Me puse de pie

hesitating, and as I did so I heard distinctly the sound of a closing
vacilando, y mientras lo hacía, oí claramente el sonido de un cierre

door. It was not behind me in the house, but ahead of me, somewhere in
puerta. No estaba detrás de mí en la casa, sino delante de mí, en algún lugar de mi casa.

the darkness. That was enough, Mr. Holmes, to assure me that what I had
la oscuridad. Eso bastaba, señor Holmes, para asegurarme que lo que tenía

seen was not a vision. Godfrey had run away from me, and he had shut a
Lo visto no era una visión. Godfrey se había escapado de mí, y había cerrado una

door behind him. Of that I was certain.
puerta detrás de él. De eso estaba seguro.

"There was nothing more I could do, and I spent an uneasy night turning
"No había nada más que pudiera hacer, y pasé una noche incómoda

the matter over in my mind and trying to find some theory which would
el asunto en mi mente y tratando de encontrar alguna teoría que

cover the facts. Next day I found the colonel rather more conciliatory,
Cubrir los hechos. Al día siguiente encontré al coronel bastante más conciliador,

and as his wife remarked that there were some places of interest in the
y como su esposa comentó que había algunos lugares de interés en el

neighbourhood, it gave me an opening to ask whether my presence for one
barrio, me dio una oportunidad para preguntarme si mi presencia para uno

more night would incommode them. A somewhat grudging acquiescence from
Más noche los incomodaría. Una aquiescencia un tanto a regañadientes por parte de

the old man gave me a clear day in which to make my observations. I was
El anciano me dio un día despejado para hacer mis observaciones. Era

already perfectly convinced that Godfrey was in hiding somewhere near,
ya perfectamente convencido de que Godfrey estaba escondido en algún lugar cercano,

but where and why remained to be solved.
pero quedaba por resolver dónde y por qué.

"The house was so large and so rambling that a regiment might be hid
"La casa era tan grande y tan laberíntica que un regimiento podría estar escondido

away in it and no one the wiser. If the secret lay there it was
en ella y nadie se da cuenta. Si el secreto estaba ahí, era

difficult for me to penetrate it. But the door which I had heard close
difícil para mí penetrarlo. Pero la puerta que había oído cerrarse

was certainly not in the house. I must explore the garden and see what
ciertamente no estaba en la casa. Debo explorar el jardín y ver qué

I could find. There was no difficulty in the way, for the old people
Pude encontrar. No había ninguna dificultad en el camino, para los ancianos

were busy in their own fashion and left me to my own devices.
estaban ocupados a su manera y me dejaban a mi suerte.

"There were several small outhouses, but at the end of the garden there
"Había varias letrinas pequeñas, pero al final del jardín había

was a detached building of some size--large enough for a gardener's
era un edificio unifamiliar de cierto tamaño, lo suficientemente grande como para que un jardinero

or a gamekeeper's residence. Could this be the place whence the sound
o la residencia de un guardabosques. ¿Podría ser este el lugar de donde proviene el sonido?

of that shutting door had come? I approached it in a careless fashion
de esa puerta cerrada había venido? Lo abordé de una manera descuidada

as though I were strolling aimlessly round the grounds. As I did so, a
como si estuviera paseando sin rumbo por los jardines. Mientras lo hacía, un

small, brisk, bearded man in a black coat and bowler hat--not at all
Hombre pequeño, enérgico y barbudo, con un abrigo negro y un bombín, en absoluto

the gardener type--came out of the door. To my surprise, he locked it
El tipo jardinero salió por la puerta. Para mi sorpresa, lo cerró con llave

after him and put the key in his pocket. Then he looked at me with some
tras él y se guardó la llave en el bolsillo. Luego me miró con un poco de

surprise on his face.
sorpresa en su rostro.

"'Are you a visitor here?' he asked.
"'¿Es usted un visitante aquí?', preguntó.

"I explained that I was and that I was a friend of Godfrey's.
"Le expliqué que sí y que era amigo de Godfrey.

"'What a pity that he should be away on his travels, for he would have
"'¡Qué lástima que se haya ido de viaje, pues habría

so liked to see me,' I continued.
tanto que me gustaba verme', continué.

"'Quite so. Exactly,' said he with a rather guilty air. 'No doubt you
"'Muy bien. Exacto -dijo con aire bastante culpable-. —Sin duda

will renew your visit at some more propitious time.' He passed on, but
renovará su visita en algún momento más propicio. Falleció, pero

when I turned I observed that he was standing watching me,
cuando me volví observé que estaba de pie mirándome,

half-concealed by the laurels at the far end of the garden.
medio oculto por los laureles en el otro extremo del jardín.

"I had a good look at the little house as I passed it, but the windows
"Eché un buen vistazo a la casita cuando pasé por ella, pero las ventanas

were heavily curtained, and, so far as one could see, it was empty. I
estaban pesadamente cortinadas y, por lo que se podía ver, estaba vacía. Yo

might spoil my own game and even be ordered off the premises if I were
podría estropear mi propio juego e incluso ser expulsado de las instalaciones si estuviera

too audacious, for I was still conscious that I was being watched.
demasiado audaz, porque todavía era consciente de que me estaban observando.

Therefore, I strolled back to the house and waited for night before I
Por lo tanto, regresé a la casa y esperé la noche antes de

went on with my inquiry. When all was dark and quiet I slipped out of
Continué con mi indagación. Cuando todo estaba oscuro y silencioso, me escabullí de

my window and made my way as silently as possible to the mysterious
mi ventana y me dirigí lo más silenciosamente posible hacia el misterioso

lodge.   logia.

"I have said that it was heavily curtained, but now I found that the
"He dicho que estaba muy cubierto con cortinas, pero ahora me he dado cuenta de que el

windows were shuttered as well. Some light, however, was breaking
Las ventanas también estaban cerradas. Algo de luz, sin embargo, se estaba rompiendo

through one of them, so I concentrated my attention upon this. I was in
a través de uno de ellos, así que concentré mi atención en esto. Yo estaba en

luck, for the curtain had not been quite closed, and there was a crack
suerte, porque la cortina no se había cerrado del todo y había una grieta

in the shutter, so that I could see the inside of the room. It was a
en el obturador, para que pudiera ver el interior de la habitación. Fue un

cheery place enough, a bright lamp and a blazing fire. Opposite to me
Un lugar lo suficientemente alegre, una lámpara brillante y un fuego ardiente. Frente a mí

was seated the little man whom I had seen in the morning. He was
Estaba sentado el hombrecillo que había visto por la mañana. Él era

smoking a pipe and reading a paper."
fumar en pipa y leer un periódico".

"What paper?" I asked.
—¿Qué papel? —pregunté.

My client seemed annoyed at the interruption of his narrative.
Mi cliente parecía molesto por la interrupción de su narración.

"Can it matter?" he asked.
"¿Puede importar?", preguntó.

"It is most essential."
"Es lo más esencial".

"I really took no notice."
"Realmente no le hice caso".

"Possibly you observed whether it was a broad-leafed paper or of that
—Es posible que hayas observado si se trataba de un papel de hoja ancha o de aquel

smaller type which one associates with weeklies."
letra más pequeña que se asocia con los semanarios".

"Now that you mention it, it was not large. It might have been the
"Ahora que lo mencionas, no era grande. Podría haber sido el

Spectator. However, I had little thought to spare upon such details,
Espectador. Sin embargo, no pensé mucho en tales detalles,

for a second man was seated with his back to the window, and I could
porque un segundo hombre estaba sentado de espaldas a la ventana, y pude

swear that this second man was Godfrey. I could not see his face, but I
juro que este segundo hombre era Godfrey. No pude verle la cara, pero

knew the familiar slope of his shoulders. He was leaning upon his elbow
conocía la inclinación familiar de sus hombros. Estaba apoyado en su codo

in an attitude of great melancholy, his body turned towards the fire. I
En una actitud de gran melancolía, su cuerpo se volvió hacia el fuego. Yo

was hesitating as to what I should do when there was a sharp tap on my
estaba dudando en cuanto a lo que debía hacer cuando hubo un golpecito brusco en mi

shoulder, and there was Colonel Emsworth beside me.
hombro, y allí estaba el coronel Emsworth a mi lado.

"'This way, sir!' said he in a low voice. He walked in silence to the
—¡Por aquí, señor! —dijo en voz baja—. Caminó en silencio hacia el

house, and I followed him into my own bedroom. He had picked up a
Y lo seguí hasta mi propio dormitorio. Había cogido un

time-table in the hall.
Horario en la sala.

" There is a train to London at 8:30,' said he. 'The trap will be at
—Hay un tren a Londres a las 8:30 —dijo—. La trampa estará en

the door at eight.'
la puerta a las ocho.

"He was white with rage, and, indeed, I felt myself in so difficult a
"Estaba pálido de rabia, y, en verdad, me sentía en una situación tan difícil

position that I could only stammer out a few incoherent apologies in
posición en la que sólo pude balbucear unas cuantas disculpas incoherentes en

which I tried to excuse myself by urging my anxiety for my friend.
lo cual traté de excusarme insistiendo en mi ansiedad por mi amigo.

"'The matter will not bear discussion,' said he abruptly. 'You have
"'El asunto no soportará discusión', dijo bruscamente. ' Tienes

made a most damnable intrusion into the privacy of our family. You were
hizo una intrusión condenable en la privacidad de nuestra familia. Estabas

here as a guest and you have become a spy. I have nothing more to say,
aquí como invitado y te has convertido en un espía. No tengo nada más que decir,

sir, save that I have no wish ever to see you again.'
Señor, salvo que no tengo ningún deseo de volver a verle jamás.

"At this I lost my temper, Mr. Holmes, and I spoke with some warmth.
Al oír esto, perdí los estribos, señor Holmes, y hablé con cierta cordialidad.

"'I have seen your son, and I am convinced that for some reason of
"He visto a su hijo, y estoy convencido de que por alguna razón de

your own you are concealing him from the world. I have no idea what
Lo estás ocultando al mundo. No tengo ni idea de lo que

your motives are in cutting him off in this fashion, but I am sure that
tus motivos están en cortarlo de esta manera, pero estoy seguro de que

he is no longer a free agent. I warn you, Colonel Emsworth, that until
Ya no es agente libre. Le advierto, coronel Emsworth, que hasta que no

I am assured as to the safety and well-being of my friend I shall never
Estoy seguro de que la seguridad y el bienestar de mi amigo nunca lo haré.

desist in my efforts to get to the bottom of the mystery, and I shall
desistiré de mis esfuerzos por llegar al fondo del misterio, y

certainly not allow myself to be intimidated by anything which you may
Ciertamente, no me permito intimidarme por nada de lo que puedas

say or do.'
decir o hacer'.

"The old fellow looked diabolical, and I really thought he was about to
"El viejo parecía diabólico, y realmente pensé que estaba a punto de hacerlo

attack me. I have said that he was a gaunt, fierce old giant, and
atácame. He dicho que era un viejo gigante demacrado y feroz, y

though I am no weakling I might have been hard put to it to hold my own
aunque no soy un debilucho, podría haber sido difícil sostenerme

against him. However, after a long glare of rage he turned upon his
en su contra. Sin embargo, después de una larga mirada de rabia, se volvió hacia su

heel and walked out of the room. For my part, I took the appointed
y salió de la habitación. Por mi parte, tomé la decisión designada

train in the morning, with the full intention of coming straight to you
Entrena por la mañana, con toda la intención de venir directamente a ti

and asking for your advice and assistance at the appointment for which
y solicitar su consejo y asistencia en la cita para la que se

I had already written."
Yo ya había escrito".

Such was the problem which my visitor laid before me. It presented, as
Tal era el problema que mi visitante me presentaba. Presentó, como

the astute reader will have already perceived, few difficulties in its
el lector astuto ya habrá percibido, pocas dificultades en su

solution, for a very limited choice of alternatives must get to the
solución, para una elección muy limitada de alternativas debe llegar a la

root of the matter. Still, elementary as it was, there were points of
raíz del asunto. Sin embargo, a pesar de lo elemental que era, había puntos de

interest and novelty about it which may excuse my placing it upon
interés y novedad en ella, lo que puede excusarme de que la coloque en

record. I now proceeded, using my familiar method of logical analysis,
grabar. Proseguí entonces, usando mi conocido método de análisis lógico,

to narrow down the possible solutions.
para acotar las posibles soluciones.

"The servants," I asked; "how many were in the house?"
—Los criados —pregunté—; —¿Cuántos había en la casa?

"To the best of my belief there were only the old butler and his wife.
"Que yo sepa, sólo estaban el viejo mayordomo y su esposa.

They seemed to live in the simplest fashion."
Parecían vivir de la manera más simple".

"There was no servant, then, in the detached house?"
—¿No había ningún sirviente, entonces, en la casa unifamiliar?

"None, unless the little man with the beard acted as such. He seemed,
—Ninguno, a menos que el hombrecito de la barba actuara como tal. Parecía,

however, to be quite a superior person."
sin embargo, ser una persona bastante superior".

"That seems very suggestive. Had you any indication that food was
"Eso me parece muy sugerente. ¿Tenías algún indicio de que la comida era

conveyed from the one house to the other?"
transportado de una casa a la otra?"

"Now that you mention it, I did see old Ralph carrying a basket down
Ahora que lo mencionas, he visto al viejo Ralph cargando una cesta

the garden walk and going in the direction of this house. The idea of
el paseo por el jardín y yendo en dirección a esta casa. La idea de

food did not occur to me at the moment."
La comida no se me ocurrió en ese momento".

"Did you make any local inquiries?"
– ¿Hiciste alguna averiguación local?

"Yes, I did. I spoke to the station-master and also to the innkeeper in
"Sí, lo hice. Hablé con el jefe de estación y también con el posadero de la casa.

the village. I simply asked if they knew anything of my old comrade,
el pueblo. Simplemente les pregunté si sabían algo de mi viejo camarada,

Godfrey Emsworth. Both of them assured me that he had gone for a voyage
Godfrey Emsworth. Ambos me aseguraron que se había ido de viaje

round the world. He had come home and then had almost at once started
alrededor del mundo. Había llegado a casa y casi de inmediato se había puesto en marcha

off again. The story was evidently universally accepted."
otra vez. Evidentemente, la historia fue universalmente aceptada".

"You said nothing of your suspicions?"
—¿No dijiste nada de tus sospechas?

"Nothing."  —Nada.

"That was very wise. The matter should certainly be inquired into. I
"Eso fue muy sabio. Sin duda, el asunto debe ser investigado. Yo

will go back with you to Tuxbury Old Park."
volveré contigo a Tuxbury Old Park.

"To-day?"  —¿Hoy?

It happened that at the moment I was clearing up the case which my
Sucedió que en el momento en que yo estaba aclarando el caso que mi

friend Watson has described as that of the Abbey School, in which the
Watson lo ha descrito como el de la Escuela de la Abadía, en la que el

Duke of Greyminster was so deeply involved. I had also a commission
El duque de Greyminster estaba muy involucrado. También tuve un encargo

from the Sultan of Turkey which called for immediate action, as
del Sultán de Turquía, que pedía una acción inmediata,

political consequences of the gravest kind might arise from its
consecuencias políticas de la más grave índole podrían derivarse de su

neglect. Therefore it was not until the beginning of the next week, as
descuidar. Por lo tanto, no fue hasta el comienzo de la semana siguiente, ya que

my diary records, that I was able to start forth on my mission to
mi diario registra, que pude iniciar mi misión de

Bedfordshire in company with Mr. James M. Dodd. As we drove to Eustonn
Bedfordshire en compañía del Sr. James M. Dodd. Mientras nos dirigíamos a Eustonn

we picked up a grave and tacitum gentleman of iron-gray aspect, with
Recogimos a un caballero grave y tácito, de aspecto gris hierro, con

whom I had made the necessary arrangements.
a quien había hecho los arreglos necesarios.

"This is an old friend," said I to Dodd. "It is possible that his
—Es un viejo amigo —le dije a Dodd—. "Es posible que su

presence may be entirely unnecessary, and, on the other hand, it may be
presencia puede ser totalmente innecesaria y, por otro lado, puede ser

essential. It is not necessary at the present stage to go further into
esencial. No es necesario en esta etapa profundizar en

the matter."   el asunto".

The narratives of Watson have accustomed the reader, no doubt, to the
Las narraciones de Watson han acostumbrado al lector, sin duda, a la

fact that I do not waste words or disclose my thoughts while a case is
el hecho de que no desperdicio palabras ni revelo mis pensamientos mientras se

actually under consideration. Dodd seemed surprised, but nothing more
actualmente en consideración. Dodd pareció sorprendido, pero nada más

was said, and the three of us continued our journey together. In the
se dijo, y los tres continuamos nuestro viaje juntos. En

train I asked Dodd one more question which I wished our companion to
Le hice a Dodd una pregunta más que deseaba que nuestro compañero

hear.   oír.

"You say that you saw your friend's face quite clearly at the window,
"Dices que viste la cara de tu amigo con toda claridad en la ventana,

so clearly that you are sure of his identity?"
¿Tan claramente que estás seguro de su identidad?

"I have no doubt about it whatever. His nose was pressed against the
"No tengo ninguna duda al respecto. Tenía la nariz pegada a la

glass. The lamplight shone full upon him."
vidrio. La luz de la lámpara brilló de lleno sobre él".

"It could not have been someone resembling him?"
—¿No podría haber sido alguien que se pareciera a él?

"No, no, it was he."
"No, no, fue él".

"But you say he was changed?"
—¿Pero dices que cambió?

"Only in colour. His face was--how shall I describe it?--it was of
"Solo en color. Su rostro era... ¿cómo describirlo?-- era de

a fish-belly whiteness. It was bleached."
una blancura de vientre de pez. Estaba blanqueado".

"Was it equally pale all over?"
—¿Estaba igual de pálido por todas partes?

"I think not. It was his brow which I saw so clearly as it was pressed
"Creo que no. Era su frente la que vi tan claramente mientras estaba apretada

against the window."
contra la ventana.

"Did you call to him?"
—¿Lo llamaste?

"I was too startled and horrified for the moment. Then I pursued him,
"Estaba demasiado asustado y horrorizado por el momento. Entonces lo perseguí,

as I have told you, but without result."
como te he dicho, pero sin resultado".

My case was practically complete, and there was only one small incident
Mi caso estaba prácticamente completo, y solo hubo un pequeño incidente

needed to round it off. When, after a considerable drive, we arrived at
necesario para redondearlo. Cuando, después de un viaje considerable, llegamos a

the strange old rambling house which my client had described, it was
La extraña y vieja casa laberíntica que mi cliente había descrito, era

Ralph, the elderly butler, who opened the door. I had requisitioned the
Ralph, el anciano mayordomo, que abrió la puerta. Yo había requisado el

carriage for the day and had asked my elderly friend to remain within
carruaje por el día y le había pedido a mi anciano amigo que se quedara dentro

it unless we should summon him. Ralph, a little wrinkled old fellow,
a menos que lo llamemos. Ralph, un viejito arrugado,

was in the conventional costume of black coat and pepper-and-salt
vestía el traje convencional de abrigo negro y pimienta y sal

trousers, with only one curious variant. He wore brown leather gloves,
pantalones, con una sola variante curiosa. Llevaba guantes de cuero marrón,

which at sight of us he instantly shuffled off, laying them down on the
los cuales, al vernos, se apartó al instante, dejándolos en el suelo.

hall-table as we passed in. I have, as my friend Watson may have
mesa de salón cuando entramos. Lo he hecho, como puede haberlo hecho mi amigo Watson

remarked, an abnormally acute set of senses, and a faint but incisive
Un conjunto anormalmente agudo de sentidos, y un débil pero incisivo

scent was apparent. It seemed to centre on the hall table. I turned,
El olor era evidente. Parecía centrarse en la mesa del vestíbulo. Me volví,

placed my hat there, knocked it off, stooped to pick it up, and
Allí puse mi sombrero, me lo quité, me agaché para recogerlo y

contrived to bring my nose within a foot of the gloves. Yes, it was
Se las ingenió para acercar mi nariz a un pie de los guantes. Sí, lo fue

undoubtedly from them that the curious tarry odour was oozing. I passed
Indudablemente, de ellos rezumaba el curioso olor a alquitrán. Pasé

on into the study with my case complete. Alas, that I should have to
Entré en el estudio con mi caso completo. ¡Ay, que tuviera que

show my hand so when I tell my own story! It was by concealing such
¡Muestro mi mano para que cuente mi propia historia! Fue ocultando tal

links in the chain that Watson was enabled to produce his meretricious
eslabones de la cadena que Watson pudo producir su meretricio

finales.

Colonel Emsworth was not in his room, but he came quickly enough on
El coronel Emsworth no estaba en su habitación, pero se acercó rápidamente

receipt of Ralph's message. We heard his quick, heavy step in the
recepción del mensaje de Ralph. Oímos sus pasos rápidos y pesados en el

passage. The door was flung open and he rushed in with bristling beard
pasaje. La puerta se abrió de golpe y él entró corriendo con la barba erizada

and twisted features, as terrible an old man as ever I have seen. He
y rasgos retorcidos, el anciano más terrible que he visto jamás. Él

held our cards in his hand, and he tore them up and stamped on the
Tenía nuestras cartas en la mano, las rompió y estampó en el

fragments.   Fragmentos.

"Have I not told you, you infernal busybody, that you are warned off
—¿No te he dicho, entrometido infernal, que estás prevenido

the premises? Never dare to show your damned face here again. If you
¿Las premisas? No te atrevas a volver a mostrar tu maldita cara aquí. Si usted

enter again without my leave I shall be within my rights if I use
entrar de nuevo sin mi permiso, estaré en mi derecho si uso

violence. I'll shoot you, sir! By God, I will! As to you, sir," turning
violencia. ¡Le dispararé, señor! ¡Por Dios, lo haré! En cuanto a usted, señor —volviéndose

upon me, "I extend the same warning to you. I am familiar with your
"Te extiendo la misma advertencia. Conozco su

ignoble profession, but you must take your reputed talents to some
profesión innoble, sino que debes llevar tus reputados talentos a algún

other field. There is no opening for them here."
otro campo. Aquí no hay ninguna oportunidad para ellos".

"I cannot leave here," said my client firmly, "until I hear from
—No puedo irme de aquí —dijo mi cliente con firmeza— hasta que tenga noticias de

Godfrey's own lips that he is under no restraint."
Los propios labios de Godfrey de que no está bajo ninguna restricción.

Our involuntary host rang the bell.
Nuestro anfitrión involuntario tocó el timbre.

"Ralph," he said, "telephone down to the county police and ask the
—Ralph —dijo—, telefonea a la policía del condado y pregúntale a la policía del condado.

inspector to send up two constables. Tell him there are burglars in the
inspector para enviar a dos alguaciles. Dígale que hay ladrones en el

house."   casa".

"One moment," said I. "You must be aware, Mr. Dodd, that Colonel
—Un momento —dije—. Debe usted saber, señor Dodd, que el coronel

Emsworth is within his rights and that we have no legal status within ...

his house. On the other hand, he should recognize that your action is ...

prompted entirely by solicitude for his son. I venture to hope that if ...

I were allowed to have five minutes conversation with Colonel Emsworth ...

I could certainly alter his view of the matter." ...

"I am not so easily altered," said the old soldier. "Ralph, do what I ...

have told you. What the devil are you waiting for? Ring up the police!" ...

"Nothing of the sort," I said, putting my back to the door. "Any police ...

interference would bring about the very catastrophe which you dread." I ...

took out my notebook and scribbled one word upon a loose sheet. "That," ...

said I as I handed it to Colonel Emsworth, "is what has brought us ...

here." ...

He stared at the writing with a face from which every expression save ...

amazement had vanished. ...

"How do you know?" he gasped, sitting down heavily in his chair. ...

"It is my business to know things. That is my trade." ...

He sat in deep thought, his gaunt hand tugging at his straggling beard. ...

Then he made a gesture of resignation. ...

"Well, if you wish to see Godfrey, you shall. It is no doing of mine, ...

but you have forced my hand. Ralph, tell Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Kent that ...

in five minutes we shall be with them." ...

At the end of that time we passed down the garden path and found ...

ourselves in front of the mystery house at the end. A small bearded man ...

stood at the door with a look of considerable astonishment upon his ...

face. ...

"This is very sudden, Colonel Emsworth," said he. "This will disarrange ...

all our plans." ...

"I can't help it, Mr. Kent. Our hands have been forced. Can Mr. Godfrey ...

see us?" ...

"Yes, he is waiting inside." He turned and led us into a large plainly ...

furnished front room. A man was standing with his back to the fire, and ...

at the sight of him my client sprang forward with outstretched hand. ...

"Why, Godfrey, old man, this is fine!" ...

But the other waved him back. ...

"Don't touch me, Jimmie. Keep your distance. Yes, you may well stare! I ...

don't quite look the smart Lance-Corporal Emsworth, of B Squadron, do ...

I?"

His appearance was certainly extraordinary. One could see that he had ...

indeed been a handsome man with clear-cut features sunburned by an ...

African sun, but mottled in patches over this darker surface were ...

curious whitish patches which had bleached his skin. ...

"That's why I don't court visitors," said he. "I don't mind you, ...

Jimmie, but I could have done without your friend. I suppose there is ...

some good reason for it, but you have me at a disadvantage." ...

"I wanted to be sure that all was well with you, Godfrey. I saw you ...

that night when you looked into my window, and I could not let the ...

matter rest till I had cleared things up." ...

"Old Ralph told me you were there, and I couldn't help taking a peep at ...

you. I hoped you would not have seen me, and I had to run to my burrow ...

when I heard the window go up." ...

"But what in heaven's name is the matter?" ...

"Well, it's not a long story to tell," said he, lighting a cigarette. ...

"You remember that morning fight at Buffelsspruit, outside Pretoria, on ...

the Eastern railway line? You heard I was hit?" ...

"Yes, I heard that but I never got particulars." ...

"Three of us got separated from the others. It was very broken country, ...

you may remember. There was Simpson--the fellow we called Baldy ...

Simpson--and Anderson, and I. We were clearing brother Boer, but he ...

lay low and got the three of us. The other two were killed. I got an ...

elephant bullet through my shoulder. I stuck on to my horse, however, ...

and he galloped several miles before I fainted and rolled off the ...

saddle. ...

"When I came to myself it was nightfall, and I raised myself up, ...

feeling very weak and ill. To my surprise there was a house close ...

beside me, a fairly large house with a broad stoep and many windows. It ...

was deadly cold. You remember the kind of numb cold which used to come ...

at evening, a deadly, sickening sort of cold, very different from a ...

crisp healthy frost. Well, I was chilled to the bone, and my only hope ...

seemed to lie in reaching that house. I staggered to my feet and ...

dragged myself along, hardly conscious of what I did. I have a dim ...

memory of slowly ascending the steps, entering a wide-opened door, ...

passing into a large room which contained several beds, and throwing ...

myself down with a gasp of satisfaction upon one of them. It was ...

unmade, but that troubled me not at all. I drew the clothes over my ...

shivering body and in a moment I was in a deep sleep. ...

"It was morning when I wakened, and it seemed to me that instead of ...

coming out into a world of sanity I had emerged into some extraordinary ...

nightmare. The African sun flooded through the big, curtainless ...

windows, and every detail of the great, bare, whitewashed dormitory ...

stood out hard and clear. In front of me was standing a small, ...

dwarf-like man with a huge, bulbous head, who was jabbering excitedly ...

in Dutch, waving two horrible hands which looked to me like brown ...

sponges. Behind him stood a group of people who seemed to be intensely ...

amused by the situation, but a chill came over me as I looked at them. ...

Not one of them was a normal human being. Every one was twisted or ...

swollen or disfigured in some strange way. The laughter of these ...

strange monstrosities was a dreadful thing to hear. ...

"It seemed that none of them could speak English, but the situation ...

wanted clearing up, for the creature with the big head was growing ...

furiously angry, and, uttering wild-beast cries, he had laid his ...

deformed hands upon me and was dragging me out of bed, regardless of ...

the fresh flow of blood from my wound. The little monster was as strong ...

as a bull, and I don't know what he might have done to me had not an ...

elderly man who was clearly in authority been attracted to the room by ...

the hubbub; He said a few stern words in Dutch, and my persecutor ...

shrank away. Then he turned upon me, gazing at me in the utmost ...

amazement. ...

"'How in the world did you come here?' he asked in amazement. 'Wait a ...

bit! I see that you are tired out and that wounded shoulder of yours ...

wants looking after. I am a doctor, and I'll soon have you tied up. ...

But, man alive! you are in far greater danger here than ever you were ...

on the battlefield. You are in the Leper Hospital, and you have slept ...

in a leper's bed.' ...

"Need I tell you more, Jimmie? It seems that in view of the approaching ...

battle all these poor creatures had been evacuated the day before. ...

Then, as the British advanced, they had been brought back by this, ...

their medical superintendent, who assured me that, though he believed ...

he was immune to the disease, he would none the less never have dared ...

to do what I had done. He put me in a private room, treated me kindly, ...

and within a week or so I was removed to the general hospital at ...

Pretoria. ...

"So there you have my tragedy. I hoped against hope, but it was not ...

until I had reached home that the terrible signs which you see upon my ...

face told me that I had not escaped. What was I to do? I was in this ...

lonely house. We had two servants whom we could utterly trust. There ...

was a house where I could live. Under pledge of secrecy, Mr. Kent, who ...

is a surgeon, was prepared to stay with me. It seemed simple enough on ...

those lines. The alternative was a dreadful one--segregation for life ...

among strangers with never a hope of release. But absolute secrecy was ...

necessary, or even in this quiet countryside there would have been an ...

outcry, and I should have been dragged to my horrible doom. Even you, ...

Jimmie--even you had to be kept in the dark. Why my father has ...

relented I cannot imagine." ...

Colonel Emsworth pointed to me. ...

"This is the gentleman who forced my hand." He unfolded the scrap of ...

paper on which I had written the word "Leprosy." "It seemed to me that ...

if he knew so much as that it was safer that he should know all." ...

"And so it was," said I. "Who knows but good may come of it? I ...

understand that only Mr. Kent has seen the patient. May I ask, sir, if ...

you are an authority on such complaints, which are, I understand, ...

tropical or semi-tropical in their nature?" ...

"I have the ordinary knowledge of the educated medical man," he ...

observed with some stiffness. ...

"I have no doubt, sir, that you are fully competent, but I am sure that ...

you will agree that in such a case a second opinion is valuable. You ...

have avoided this, I understand, for fear that pressure should be put ...

upon you to segregate the patient." ...

"That is so," said Colonel Emsworth. ...

"I foresaw this situation," I explained, "and I have brought with me a ...

friend whose discretion may absolutely be trusted. I was able once to ...

do him a professional service, and he is ready to advise as a friend ...

rather than as a specialist. His name is Sir James Saunders." ...

The prospect of an interview with Lord Roberts would not have excited ...

greater wonder and pleasure in a raw subaltern than was now reflected ...

upon the face of Mr. Kent. ...

"I shall indeed be proud," he murmured. ...

"Then I will ask Sir James to step this way. He is at present in the ...

carriage outside the door. Meanwhile, Colonel Emsworth, we may perhaps ...

assemble in your study, where I could give the necessary explanations." ...

And here it is that I miss my Watson. By cunning questions and ...

ejaculations of wonder he could elevate my simple art, which is but ...

systematized common sense, into a prodigy. When I tell my own story I ...

have no such aid. And yet I will give my process of thought even as I ...

gave it to my small audience, which included Godfrey's mother in the ...

study of Colonel Emsworth. ...

"That process," said I, "starts upon the supposition that when you have ...

eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however ...

improbable, must be the truth. It may well be that several explanations ...

remain, in which case one tries test after test until one or other of ...

them has a convincing amount of support. We will now apply this ...

principle to the case in point. As it was first presented to me, there ...

were three possible explanations of the seclusion or incarceration of ...

this gentleman in an outhouse of his father's mansion. There was the ...

explanation that he was in hiding for a crime, or that he was mad and ...

that they wished to avoid an asylum, or that he had some disease which ...

caused his segregation. I could think of no other adequate solutions. ...

These, then, had to be sifted and balanced against each other. ...

"The criminal solution would not bear inspection. No unsolved crime had ...

been reported from that district. I was sure of that. If it were some ...

crime not yet discovered, then clearly it would be to the interest of ...

the family to get rid of the delinquent and send him abroad rather than ...

keep him concealed at home. I could see no explanation for such a line ...

of conduct. ...

"Insanity was more plausible. The presence of the second person in the ...

outhouse suggested a keeper. The fact that he locked the door when he ...

came out strengthened the supposition and gave the idea of constraint. ...

On the other hand, this constraint could not be severe or the young man ...

could not have got loose and come down to have a look at his friend. ...

You will remember, Mr. Dodd, that I felt round for points, asking you, ...

for example, about the paper which Mr. Kent was reading. Had it been ...

the Lancet or the British Medical Journal it would have helped me. It ...

is not illegal, however, to keep a lunatic upon private premises so ...

long as there is a qualified person in attendance and that the ...

authorities have been duly notified. Why, then, all this desperate ...

desire for secrecy? Once again I could not get the theory to fit the ...

facts. ...

"There remained the third possibility, into which, rare and unlikely as ...

it was, everything seemed to fit. Leprosy is not uncommon in South ...

Africa. By some extraordinary chance this youth might have contracted ...

it. His people would be placed in a very dreadful position, since they ...

would desire to save him from segregation. Great secrecy would be ...

needed to prevent rumours from getting about and subsequent ...

interference by the authorities. A devoted medical man, if sufficiently ...

paid, would easily be found to take charge of the sufferer. There would ...

be no reason why the latter should not be allowed freedom after dark. ...

Bleaching of the skin is a common result of the disease. The case was a ...

strong one--so strong that I determined to act as if it were actually ...

proved. When on arriving here I noticed that Ralph, who carries out the ...

meals, had gloves which are impregnated with disinfectants, my last ...

doubts were removed. A single word showed you, sir, that your secret ...

was discovered, and if I wrote rather than said it, it was to prove to ...

you that my discretion was to be trusted." ...

I was finishing this little analysis of the case when the door was ...

opened and the austere figure of the great dermatologist was ushered ...

in. But for once his sphinx-like features had relaxed and there was a ...

warm humanity in his eyes. He strode up to Colonel Emsworth and shook ...

him by the hand. ...

"It is often my lot to bring ill-tidings and seldom good," said he. ...

"This occasion is the more welcome. It is not leprosy." ...

"What?" ...

"A well-marked case of pseudo-leprosy or ichthyosis, a scalelike ...

affection of the skin, unsightly, obstinate, but possibly curable, and ...

certainly noninfective. Yes, Mr. Holmes, the coincidence is a ...

remarkable one. But is it coincidence? Are there not subtle forces at ...

work of which we know little? Are we assured that the apprehension from ...

which this young man has no doubt suffered terribly since his exposure ...

to its contagion may not produce a physical effect which simulates that ...

which it fears? At any rate, I pledge my professional reputation--But ...

the lady has fainted! I think that Mr. Kent had better be with her ...

until she recovers from this joyous shock." ...

THE ADVENTURE OF THE MAZARIN STONE ...

It was pleasant to Dr. Watson to find himself once more in the untidy ...

room of the first floor in Baker Street which had been the ...

starting-point of so many remarkable adventures. He looked round him at ...

the scientific charts upon the wall, the acid-charred bench of ...

chemicals, the violin-case leaning in the corner, the coal-scuttle, ...

which contained of old the pipes and tobacco. Finally, his eyes came ...

round to the fresh and smiling face of Billy, the young but very wise ...

and tactful page, who had helped a little to fill up the gap of ...

loneliness and isolation which surrounded the saturnine figure of the ...

great detective. ...

"It all seems very unchanged, Billy. You don't change, either. I hope ...

the same can be said of him?" ...

Billy glanced with some solicitude at the closed door of the bedroom. ...

"I think he's in bed and asleep," he said. ...

It was seven in the evening of a lovely summer's day, but Dr. Watson ...

was sufficiently familiar with the irregularity of his old friend's ...

hours to feel no surprise at the idea. ...

"That means a case, I suppose?" ...

"Yes, sir, he is very hard at it just now. I'm frightened for his ...

health. He gets paler and thinner, and he eats nothing. 'When will you ...

be pleased to dine, Mr. Holmes?' Mrs. Hudson asked. 'Seven-thirty, the ...

day after to-morrow,' said he. You know his way when he is keen on a ...

case." ...

"Yes, Billy, I know." ...

"He's following someone. Yesterday he was out as a workman looking for ...

a job. To-day he was an old woman. Fairly took me in, he did, and I ...

ought to know his ways by now." Billy pointed with a grin to a very ...

baggy parasol which leaned against the sofa. "That's part of the old ...

woman's outfit," he said. ...

"But what is it all about, Billy?" ...

Billy sank his voice, as one who discusses great secrets of State. "I ...

don't mind telling you, sir, but it should go no farther. It's this ...

case of the Crown diamond." ...

"What--the hundred-thousand-pound burglary?" ...

"Yes, sir. They must get it back, sir. Why, we had the Prime Minister ...

and the Home Secretary both sitting on that very sofa. Mr. Holmes was ...

very nice to them. He soon put them at their ease and promised he would ...

do all he could. Then there is Lord Cantlemere--" ...

"Ah!" ...

"Yes, sir, you know what that means. He's a stiff'un, sir, if I may say ...

so. I can get along with the Prime Minister, and I've nothing against ...

the Home Secretary, who seemed a civil, obliging sort of man, but I ...

can't stand his Lordship. Neither can Mr. Holmes, sir. You see, he ...

don't believe in Mr. Holmes and he was against employing him. He'd ...

rather he failed." ...

"And Mr. Holmes knows it?" ...

"Mr. Holmes always knows whatever there is to know." ...

"Well, we'll hope he won't fail and that Lord Cantlemere will be ...

confounded. But I say, Billy, what is that curtain for across the ...

window?" ...

"Mr. Holmes had it put up there three days ago. We've got something ...

funny behind it." ...

Billy advanced and drew away the drapery which screened the alcove of ...

the bow window. ...

Dr. Watson could not restrain a cry of amazement. There was a facsimile ...

of his old friend, dressing-gown and all, the face turned ...

three-quarters towards the window and downward, as though reading an ...

invisible book, while the body was sunk deep in an armchair. Billy ...

detached the head and held it in the air. ...

"We put it at different angles, so that it may seem more lifelike. I ...

wouldn't dare touch it if the blind were not down. But when it's up you ...

can see this from across the way." ...

"We used something of the sort once before." ...

"Before my time," said Billy. He drew the window curtains apart and ...

looked out into the street. "There are folk who watch us from over ...

yonder. I can see a fellow now at the window. Have a look for ...

yourself." ...

Watson had taken a step forward when the bedroom door opened, and the ...

long, thin form of Holmes emerged, his face pale and drawn, but his ...

step and bearing as active as ever. With a single spring he was at the ...

window, and had drawn the blind once more. ...

"That will do, Billy," said he. "You were in danger of your life then, ...

my boy, and I can't do without you just yet. Well, Watson, it is good ...

to see you in your old quarters once again. You come at a critical ...

moment." ...

"So I gather." ...

"You can go, Billy. That boy is a problem, Watson. How far am I ...

justified in allowing him to be in danger?" ...

"Danger of what, Holmes?" ...

"Of sudden death. I'm expecting something this evening." ...

"Expecting what?" ...

"To be murdered, Watson." ...

"No, no, you are joking, Holmes!" ...

"Even my limited sense of humour could evolve a better joke than that. ...

But we may be comfortable in the meantime, may we not? Is alcohol ...

permitted? The gasogene and cigars are in the old place. Let me see you ...

once more in the customary armchair. You have not, I hope, learned to ...

despise my pipe and my lamentable tobacco? It has to take the place of ...

food these days." ...

"But why not eat?" ...

"Because the faculties become refined when you starve them. Why, ...

surely, as a doctor, my dear Watson, you must admit that what your ...

digestion gains in the way of blood supply is so much lost to the ...

brain. I am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is a mere appendix. ...

Therefore, it is the brain I must consider." ...

"But this danger, Holmes?" ...

"Ah. yes, in case it should come off, it would perhaps be as well that ...

you should burden your memory with the name and address of the ...

murderer. You can give it to Scotland Yard, with my love and a parting ...

blessing. Sylvius is the name--Count Negretto Sylvius. Write it down, ...

man, write it down! 136 Moorside Gardens, N. W. Got it?" ...

Watson's honest face was twitching with anxiety. He knew only too well ...

the immense risks taken by Holmes and was well aware that what he said ...

was more likely to be under-statement than exaggeration. Watson was ...

always the man of action, and he rose to the occasion. ...

"Count me in, Holmes. I have nothing to do for a day or two." ...

"Your morals don't improve, Watson. You have added fibbing to your ...

other vices. You bear every sign of the busy medical man, with calls on ...

him every hour." ...

"Not such important ones. But can't you have this fellow arrested?" ...

"Yes, Watson, I could. That's what worries him so." ...

"But why don't you?" ...

"Because I don't know where the diamond is." ...

"Ah! Billy told me--the missing Crown jewel!" ...

"Yes, the great yellow Mazarin stone. I've cast my net and I have my ...

fish. But I have not got the stone. What is the use of taking them? We ...

can make the world a better place by laying them by the heels. But that ...

is not what I am out for. It's the stone I want." ...

"And is this Count Sylvius one of your fish?" ...

"Yes, and he's a shark. He bites. The other is Sam Merton the boxer. ...

Not a bad fellow, Sam, but the Count has used him. Sam's not a shark.

He is a great big silly bull-headed gudgeon. But he is flopping about

in my net all the same."

"Where is this Count Sylvius?"

"I've been at his very elbow all the morning. You've seen me as an old

lady, Watson. I was never more convincing. He actually picked up my

parasol for me once. 'By your leave, madame,' said he--half-ltalian,

you know, and with the Southern graces of manner when in the mood, but

a devil incarnate in the other mood. Life is full of whimsical

happenings, Watson."

"It might have been tragedy."

"Well, perhaps it might. I followed him to old Straubenzee's workshop

in the Minories. Straubenzee made the air-gun--a very pretty bit of

work, as I understand, and I rather fancy it is in the opposite window

at the present moment. Have you seen the dummy? Of course, Billy showed

it to you. Well, it may get a bullet through its beautiful head at any

moment. Ah, Billy, what is it?"

The boy had reappeared in the room with a card upon a tray. Holmes

glanced at it with raised eyebrows and an amused smile.

"The man himself. I had hardly expected this. Grasp the nettle, Watson!

A man of nerve. Possibly you have heard of his reputation as a shooter

of big game. It would indeed be a triumphant ending to his excellent

sporting record if he added me to his bag. This is a proof that he

feels my toe very close behind his heel."

"Send for the police."

"I probably shall. But not just yet. Would you glance carefully out of

the window, Watson, and see if anyone is hanging about in the street?"

Watson looked warily round the edge of the curtain.

"Yes, there is one rough fellow near the door."

"That will be Sam Merton--the faithful but rather fatuous Sam. Where

is this gentleman, Billy?"

"In the waiting-room, sir."

"Show him up when I ring."

"Yes, sir." ...

"If I am not in the room, show him in all the same."

"Yes, sir." ...

Watson waited until the door was closed, and then he turned earnestly

to his companion.

"Look here, Holmes, this is simply impossible. This is a desperate man,

who sticks at nothing. He may have come to murder you."

"I should not be surprised."

"I insist upon staying with you."

"You would be horribly in the way."

"In his way?"

"No, my dear fellow--in my way."

"Well, I can't possibly leave you."

"Yes, you can, Watson. And you will, for you have never failed to play

the game. I am sure you will play it to the end. This man has come for

his own purpose, but he may stay for mine."

Holmes took out his notebook and scribbled a few lines. "Take a cab to

Scotland Yard and give this to Youghal of the C. I. D. Come back with

the police. The fellow's arrest will follow."

"I'll do that with joy.

"Before you return I may have just time enough to find out where the

stone is." He touched the bell. "I think we will go out through the

bedroom. This second exit is exceedingly useful. I rather want to see

my shark without his seeing me, and I have, as you will remember, my

own way of doing it."

It was, therefore, an empty room into which Billy, a minute later,

ushered Count Sylvius. The famous game-shot, sportsman, and

man-about-town was a big, swarthy fellow, with a formidable dark

moustache shading a cruel, thin-lipped mouth, and surmounted by a long,

curved nose like the beak of an eagle. He was well dressed, but his

brilliant necktie, shining pin, and glittering rings were flamboyant in

their effect. As the door closed behind him he looked round him with

fierce, startled eyes, like one who suspects a trap at every turn. Then

he gave a violent start as he saw the impassive head and the collar of

the dressing-gown which projected above the armchair in the window. At

first his expression was one of pure amazement. Then the light of a

horrible hope gleamed in his dark, murderous eyes. He took one more

glance round to see that there were no witnesses, and then, on tiptoe,

his thick stick half raised, he approached the silent figure. He was

crouching for his final spring and blow when a cool, sardonic voice

greeted him from the open bedroom door:

"Don't break it, Count! Don't break it!"

The assassin staggered back, amazement in his convulsed face. For an

instant he half raised his loaded cane once more, as if he would turn

his violence from the effigy to the original; but there was something

in that steady gray eye and mocking smile which caused his hand to sink

to his side.

"It's a pretty little thing," said Holmes, advancing towards the image.

"Tavernier, the French modeller, made it. He is as good at waxworks as

your friend Straubenzee is at air-guns."

"Air-guns, sir! What do you mean?"

"Put your hat and stick on the side-table. Thank you! Pray take a seat.

Would you care to put your revolver out also? Oh, very good, if you

prefer to sit upon it. Your visit is really most opportune, for I

wanted badly to have a few minutes' chat with you."

The Count scowled, with heavy, threatening eyebrows.

"I, too, wished to have some words with you, Holmes. That is why I am

here. I won't deny that I intended to assault you just now."

Holmes swung his leg on the edge of the table.

"I rather gathered that you had some idea of the sort in your head,"

said he. "But why these personal attentions?"

"Because you have gone out of your way to annoy me. Because you have

put your creatures upon my track."

"My creatures! I assure you no!"

"Nonsense! I have had them followed. Two can play at that game,

Holmes."

"It is a small point, Count Sylvius, but perhaps you would kindly give

me my prefix when you address me. You can understand that, with my

routine of work, I should find myself on familiar terms with half the

rogues' gallery, and you will agree that exceptions are invidious."

"Well, Mr. Holmes, then."

"Excellent! But I assure you you are mistaken about my alleged agents."

Count Sylvius laughed contemptuously.

"Other people can observe as well as you. Yesterday there was an old

sporting man. To-day it was an elderly woman. They held me in view all

day."

"Really, sir, you compliment me. Old Baron Dowson said the night before

he was hanged that in my case what the law had gained the stage had

lost. And now you give my little impersonations your kindly praise?"

"It was you--you yourself?"

Holmes shrugged his shoulders. "You can see in the corner the parasol

which you so politely handed to me in the Minories before you began to

suspect."

"If I had known, you might never--"

"Have seen this humble home again. I was well aware of it. We all have

neglected opportunities to deplore. As it happens, you did not know, so

here we are!"

The Count's knotted brows gathered more heavily over his menacing eyes.

"What you say only makes the matter worse. It was not your agents but

your play-acting, busybody self! You admit that you have dogged me.

Why?"

"Come now, Count. You used to shoot lions in Algeria."

"Well?"

"But why?"

"Why? The sport--the excitement--the danger!"

"And, no doubt, to free the country from a pest?"

"Exactly!"

"My reasons in a nutshell!"

The Count sprang to his feet, and his hand involuntarily moved back to

his hip-pocket.

"Sit down, sir, sit down! There was another, more practical, reason. I

want that yellow diamond!"

Count Sylvius lay back in his chair with an evil smile.

"Upon my word!" said he.

"You knew that I was after you for that. The real reason why you are

here to-night is to find out how much I know about the matter and how

far my removal is absolutely essential. Well, I should say that, from

your point of view, it is absolutely essential, for I know all about

it, save only one thing, which you are about to tell me."

"Oh, indeed! And pray, what is this missing fact?"

"Where the Crown diamond now is."

The Count looked sharply at his companion. "Oh, you want to know that,

do you? How the devil should I be able to lell you where it is?"

"You can, and you will."

"Indeed!"

"You can't bluff me, Count Sylvius." Holmes's eyes, as he gazed at him,

contracted and lightened until they were like two menacing points of

steel. "You are absolute plate-glass. I see to the very back of your

mind."

"Then, of course, you see where the diamond is!"

Holmes clapped his hands with amusement, and then pointed a derisive

finger. "Then you do know. You have admitted it!"

"I admit nothing."

"Now, Count, if you will be reasonable we can do business. If not, you

will get hurt."

Count Sylvius threw up his eyes to the ceiling. "And you talk about

bluff!" said he.

Holmes looked at him thoughtfully like a master chess-player who

meditates his crowning move. Then he threw open the table drawer and

drew out a squat notebook.

"Do you know what I keep in this book?"

"No, sir, I do not!"

"You!"

"Me!"

"Yes, sir, you! You are all here--every action of yor vile and

dangerous life."

"Damn you, Holmes!" cried the Count with blazing eyes. "There are

limits to my patience!"

"It's all here, Count. The real facts as to the death of old Mrs.

Harold, who left you the Blymer estate, which you so rapidly gambled

away."

"You are dreaming!"

"And the complete life history of Miss Minnie Warrender."

"Tut! You will make nothing of that!"

"Plenty more here, Count. Here is the robbery in the train de-luxe to

the Riviera on February 13, 1892. Here is the forged check in the same

year on the Credit Lyonnais."

"No, you're wrong there."

"Then I am right on the others! Now, Count, you are a card-player. When

the other fellow has all the trumps, it saves time to throw down your

hand."

"What has all this talk to do with the jewel of which you spoke?"

"Gently, Count. Restrain that eager mind! Let me get to the points in

my own humdrum fashion. I have all this against you; but, above all, I

have a clear case against both you and your fighting bully in the case

of the Crown diamond."

"Indeed!"

"I have the cabman who took you to Whitehall and the cabman who brought

you away. I have the commissionaire who saw you near the case. I have

Ikey Sanders, who refused to cut it up for you. Ikey has peached, and

the game is up."

The veins stood out on the Count's forehead. His dark, hairy hands were

clenched in a convulsion of restrained emotion. He tried to speak, but

the words would not shape themselves.

"That's the hand I play from," said Holmes. "I put it all upon the

table. But one card is missing. It's the king of diamonds. I don't know

where the stone is."

"You never shall know."

"No? Now, be reasonable, Count. Consider the situation. You are going

to be locked up for twenty years. So is Sam Merton. What good are you

going to get out of your diamond? None in the world. But if you hand it

over--well, I'll compound a felony. We don't want you or Sam. We want

the stone. Give that up, and so far as I am concerned you can go free

so long as you behave yourself in the future. If you make another slip

well, it will be the last. But this time my commission is to get the

stone, not you."

"But if I refuse?"

"Why, then--alas!--it must be you and not the stone."

Billy had appeared in answer to a ring.

"I think, Count, that it would be as well to have your friend Sam at

this conference. After all, his interests should be represented. Billy,

you will see a large and ugly gentleman outside the front door. Ask him

to come up."

"If he won't come, sir?"

"No violence, Billy. Don't be rough with him. If you tell him that

Count Sylvius wants him he will certainly come."

"What are you going to do now?" asked the Count as Billy disappeared.

"My friend Watson was with me just now. I told him that I had a shark

and a gudgeon in my net; now I am drawing the net and up they come

together."

The Count had risen from his chair, and his hand was behind his back.

Holmes held something half protruding from the pocket of his

dressing-gown.

"You won't die in your bed, Holmes."

"I have often had the same idea. Does it matter very much? Aher all,

Count, your own exit is more likely to be perpendicular than

horizontal. But these anticipations of the future are morbid. Why not

give ourselves up to the unrestrained enjoyment of the present?"

A sudden wild-beast light sprang up in the dark, menacing eyes of the

master criminal. Holmes's figure seemed to grow taller as he grew tense

and ready.

"It is no use your fingering your revolver, my friend," he said in a

quiet voice. "You know perfectly well that you dare not use it, even if

I gave you time to draw it. Nasty, noisy things, revolvers, Count.

Better stick to air-guns. Ah! I think I hear the fairy footstep of your

estimable partner. Good day, Mr. Merton. Rather dull in the street, is

it not?"

The prize-fighter, a heavily built young man with a stupid, obstinate,

slab-sided face, stood awkwardly at the door, looking about him with a

puzzled expression. Holmes's debonair manner was a new experience, and

though he vaguely felt that it was hostile, he did not know how to

counter it. He turned to his more astute comrade for help.

"What's the game now, Count? What's this fellow want? What's up?" His

voice was deep and raucous.

The Count shrugged his shoulders, and it was Holmes who answered.

"If I may put it in a nutshell, Mr. Merton, I should say it was all

up."

The boxer still addressed his remarks to his associate.

"Is this cove trying to be funny, or what? I'm not in the funny mood

myself."

"No, I expect not," said Holmes. "I think I can promise you that you

will feel even less humorous as the evening advances. Now, look here,

Count Sylvius. I'm a busy man and I can't waste time. I'm going into

that bedroom. Pray make yourselves quite at home in my absence. You can

explain to your friend how the matter lies without the restraint of my

presence. I shall try over the Hoffman 'Barcarole' upon my violin. In

five minutes I shall return for your final answer. You quite grasp the

alternative, do you not? Shall we take you, or shall we have the

stone?"

Holmes withdrew, picking up his violin from the corner as he passed. A

few moments later the long-drawn, wailing notes of that most haunting

of tunes came faintly through the closed door of the bedroom.

"What is it, then?" asked Merton anxiously as his companion turned to

him. "Does he know about the stone?"

"He knows a damned sight too much about it. I'm not sure that he

doesn't know all about it."

"Good Lord!" The boxer's sallow face turned a shade whiter.

"Ikey Sanders has split on us."

"He has, has he? I'll do him down a thick 'un for that if I swing for

  él".

"That won't help us much. We've got to make up our minds what to do."

"Half a mo'," said the boxer, looking suspiciously at the bedroom door.

"He's a leary cove that wants watching. I suppose he's not listening?"

"How can he be listening with that music going?"

"That's right. Maybe somebody's behind a curtain. Too many curtains in

this room." As he looked round he suddenly saw for the first time the

effigy in the window, and stood staring and pointing, too amazed for

words.

"Tut! it's only a dummy," said the Count.

"A fake, is it? Well, strike me! Madame Tussaud ain't in it. It's the

living spit of him, gown and all. But them curtains Count!"

"Oh, confound the curtains! We are wasting our time, and there is none

too much. He can lag us over this stone."

"The deuce he can!"

"But he'll let us slip if we only tell him where the swag is."

"What! Give it up? Give up a hundred thousand quid?"

"It's one or the other."

Merton scratched his short-cropped pate.

"He's alone in there. Let's do him in. If his light were out we should

have nothing to fear."

The Count shook his head.

"He is armed and ready. If we shot him we could hardly get away in a

place like this. Besides, it's likely enough that the police know

whatever evidence he has got. Hallo! What was that?"

There was a vague sound which seemed to come from the window. Both men

sprang round, but all was quiet. Save for the one strange figure seated

in the chair, the room was certainly empty.

"Something in the street," said Merton. "Now look here, guv'nor, you've

got the brains. Surely you can think a way out of it. If slugging is no

use then it's up to you."

"I've fooled better men than he," the Count answered. "The stone is

here in my secret pocket. I take no chances leaving it about. It can be

out of England to-night and cut into four pieces in Amsterdam before

Sunday. He knows nothing of Van Seddar."

"I thought Van Seddar was going next week."

"He was. But now he must get off by the next boat. One or other of us

must slip round with the stone to Lime Street and tell him."

"But the false bottom ain't ready."

"Well, he must take it as it is and chance it. There's not a moment to

lose." Again, with the sense of danger which becomes an instinct with

the sportsman, he paused and looked hard at the window. Yes, it was

surely from the street that the faint sound had come.

"As to Holmes," he continued, "we can fool him easily enough. You see,

the damned fool won't arrest us if he can get the stone. Well, we'll

promise him the stone. We'll put him on the wrong track about it, and

before he finds that it is the wrong track it will be in Holland and we

out of the country."

"That sounds good to me!" cried Sam Merton with a grin.

"You go on and tell the Dutchman to get a move on him. I'll see this

sucker and fill him up with a bogus confession. I'll tell him that the

stone is in Liverpool. Confound that whining music; it gets on my

nerves! By the time he finds it isn't in Liverpool it will be in

quarters and we on the blue water. Come back here, out of a line with

that keyhole. Here is the stone."

"I wonder you dare carry it."

"Where could I have it safer? If we could take it out of Whitehall

someone else could surely take it out of my lodgings."

"Let's have a look at it."

Count Sylvius cast a somewhat unflattering glance at his associate and

disregarded the unwashed hand which was extended towards him.

"What--d'ye think I'm going to snatch it off you? See here, mister,

I'm getting a bit tired of your ways."

"Well, well, no offence, Sam. We can't afford to quarrel. Come over to

the window if you want to see the beauty properly. Now hold it to the

  ¡luz! ¡Aquí!"

 "¡Gracias!"


Con un solo salto, Holmes había saltado de la silla del maniquí y había


agarró la preciosa joya. Lo sostenía ahora en una mano, mientras que en la otra


apuntó con un revólver a la cabeza del conde. Los dos villanos retrocedieron tambaleándose


en total asombro. Antes de que se hubiesen recuperado, Holmes había pulsado el botón

  Timbre eléctrico.


—¡Nada de violencia, caballeros, nada de violencia, se lo ruego! Considere la


¡Mueble! Debe tener muy claro que su posición es una


Imposible. La policía está esperando abajo".

The Count's bewilderment overmastered his rage and fear.
El desconcierto del conde se apoderó de su rabia y su miedo.

"But how the deuce--?" he gasped.
—Pero cómo diablos--? —jadeó—.

"Your surprise is very natural. You are not aware that a second door
"Tu sorpresa es muy natural. No eres consciente de que una segunda puerta

from my bedroom leads behind that curtain. I fancied that you must have
desde mi habitación conduce detrás de esa cortina. Me imaginé que debías haber

heard me when I displaced the figure, but luck was on my side. It gave
me escuchó cuando desplacé la figura, pero la suerte estuvo de mi lado. Dio

me a chance of listening to your racy conversation which would have
una oportunidad de escuchar tu conversación picante que habría

been painfully constrained had you been aware of my presence."
Si hubieras sido consciente de mi presencia, te hubieras constreñido dolorosamente.

The Count gave a gesture of resignation.
El conde hizo un gesto de resignación.

"We give you best, Holmes. I believe you are the devil himself."
—Le damos lo mejor de sí, Holmes. Creo que eres el mismísimo diablo.

"Not far from him, at any rate," Holmes answered with a polite smile.
—No muy lejos de él, en todo caso —respondió Holmes con una sonrisa cortés—.

Sam Merton's slow intellect had only gradually appreciated the
El lento intelecto de Sam Merton sólo había apreciado gradualmente la

situation. Now, as the sound of heavy steps came from the stairs
situación. Ahora, mientras el sonido de pasos pesados venía de las escaleras

outside, he broke silence at last.
Afuera, rompió el silencio por fin.

"A fair cop!" said he. "But, I say, what about that bloomin' fiddle! I
—¡Un buen policía! —dijo—. "Pero, digo, ¿qué pasa con ese violín floreciente? Yo

hear it yet."
Escúchalo todavía".

"Tut, tut!" Holmes answered. "You are perfectly right. Let it play!
"¡Tut, tut!" —contestó Holmes—. "Tienes toda la razón. ¡Déjalo jugar!

These modern gramophones are a remarkable invention."
Estos gramófonos modernos son un invento notable".

There was an inrush of police, the handcuffs clicked and the criminals
Hubo una avalancha de policías, las esposas hicieron clic y los delincuentes

were led to the waiting cab. Watson lingered with Holmes,
fueron conducidos al taxi que los esperaba. Watson se quedó con Holmes.

congratulating him upon this fresh leaf added to his laurels. Once more
felicitándole por esta hoja fresca añadida a sus laureles. Una vez más

their conversation was interrupted by the imperturbable Billy with his
su conversación fue interrumpida por el imperturbable Billy con su

card-tray.   bandeja de tarjetas.

"Lord Cantlemere sir."  —Lord Cantlemere, señor.

"Show him up, Billy. This is the eminent peer who represents the very
– Enséñalo, Billy. Este es el par eminente que representa a la misma

highest interests," said Holmes. "He is an excellent and loyal person,
intereses más elevados", dijo Holmes. "Es una persona excelente y leal,

but rather of the old regime. Shall we make him unbend? Dare we venture
sino más bien del antiguo régimen. ¿Haremos que se doblegue? Nos atrevemos a aventurarnos

upon a slight liberty? He knows, we may conjecture, nothing of what has
sobre una ligera libertad? Él no sabe, podemos conjeturar, nada de lo que ha

occurred."   ocurrió".

The door opened to admit a thin, austere figure with a hatchet face and
La puerta se abrió para dar paso a una figura delgada y austera, con cara de hacha y

drooping mid-Victorian whiskers of a glossy blackness which hardly
bigotes caídos de mediados de la época victoriana de una negrura brillante que apenas

corresponded with the rounded shoulders and feeble gait. Holmes
correspondía a los hombros redondeados y al andar débil. Holmes

advanced affably, and shook an unresponsive hand.
avanzó afablemente y estrechó una mano que no respondía.

"How do you do, Lord Cantlemere? It is chilly for the time of year, but
—¿Cómo está, lord Cantlemere? Hace frío para la época del año, pero

rather warm indoors. May I take your overcoat?"
bastante cálido en el interior. ¿Puedo llevarme tu abrigo?

"No, I thank you; I will not take it off."
"No, te lo agradezco; No me lo voy a quitar".

Holmes laid his hand insistently upon the sleeve.
Holmes puso insistentemente la mano sobre la manga.

"Pray allow me! My friend Dr. Watson would assure you that these
"¡Por favor, permítame! Mi amigo el Dr. Watson le aseguraría que estos

changes of temperature are most insidious."
Los cambios de temperatura son de lo más insidiosos".

His Lordship shook himself free with some impatience.
Su Señoría se liberó con cierta impaciencia.

"I am quite comfortable, sir. I have no need to stay. I have simply
—Me siento muy cómodo, señor. No tengo necesidad de quedarme. Simplemente, he

looked in to know how your self-appointed task was progressing."
miré hacia adentro para saber cómo progresaba la tarea que se había asignado a sí mismo".

"It is difficult--very difficult."
"Es difícil, muy difícil".

"I feared that you would find it so."
—Temía que lo encontraras así.

There was a distinct sneer in the old courtier's words and manner.
Había una clara mueca de desprecio en las palabras y los modales del viejo cortesano.

"Every man finds his limitations, Mr. Holmes, but at least it cures us
—Todo hombre encuentra sus limitaciones, señor Holmes, pero al menos nos cura a nosotros

of the weakness of self-satisfaction."
de la debilidad de la autosatisfacción".

"Yes, sir, I have been much perplexed."
—Sí, señor, me he quedado muy perplejo.

"No doubt."  —Sin duda.

"Especially upon one point. Possibly you could help me upon
"Especialmente en un punto. Posiblemente podrías ayudarme en

"You apply for my advice rather late in the day. I thought that you had
"Solicitas mi consejo bastante tarde en el día. Pensé que tenías

your own all-sufficient methods. Still, I am ready to help you."
sus propios métodos suficientes. Aun así, estoy listo para ayudarte".

"You see, Lord Cantlemere, we can no doubt frame a case against the
—Verá, lord Cantlemere, sin duda podemos presentar un caso contra el

actual thieves."   ladrones de verdad".

"When you have caught them."
"Cuando los hayas atrapado".

"Exactly. But the question is--how shall we proceed against the
—Exactamente. Pero la pregunta es: ¿cómo procederemos contra la

receiver?"   ¿Receptor?"

"Is this not rather premature?"
—¿No es esto bastante prematuro?

"It is as well to have our plans ready. Now, what would you regard as
"Es bueno tener nuestros planes listos. Ahora bien, ¿qué considerarías como

final evidence against the receiver?"
¿Pruebas definitivas contra el síndico?"

"The actual possession of the stone."
"La posesión real de la piedra".

"You would arrest him upon that?"
—¿Lo arrestarías por eso?

"Most undoubtedly."  —Sin lugar a dudas.

Holmes seldom laughed, but he got as near it as his old friend Watson
Holmes rara vez se reía, pero se acercaba tanto como su viejo amigo Watson

could remember.   podía recordar.

"In that case, my dear sir, I shall be under the painful necessity of
—En ese caso, mi querido señor, me veré en la dolorosa necesidad de

advising your arrest."
avisando de su detención".

Lord Cantlemere was very angry. Some of the ancient fires flickered up
Lord Cantlemere estaba muy enfadado. Algunos de los antiguos fuegos parpadearon

into his sallow cheeks.
en sus mejillas cetrinas.

"You take a great liberty, Mr. Holmes. In fifty years of official life
—Tómese usted una gran libertad, señor Holmes. En cincuenta años de vida oficial

I cannot recall such a case. I am a busy man, sir engaged upon
No recuerdo un caso así. Soy un hombre ocupado, señor, ocupado en

important affairs, and I have no time or taste for foolish jokes. I may
asuntos importantes, y no tengo tiempo ni gusto para chistes tontos. Puede que

tell you frankly, sir, that I have never been a believer in your
Le digo francamente, señor, que nunca he creído en su

powers, and that I have always been of the opinion that the matter was
poderes, y que siempre he sido de la opinión de que el asunto era

far safer in the hands of the regular police force. Your conduct
mucho más seguro en manos de la fuerza policial regular. Su conducta

confirms all my conclusions. I have the honour, sir, to wish you
confirma todas mis conclusiones. Tengo el honor, señor, de desearle

good-evening."   Buenas noches.

Holmes had swiftly changed his position and was between the peer and
Holmes había cambiado rápidamente de posición y se encontraba entre el par y el compañero.

the door.   La puerta.

"One moment, sir," said he. "To actually go off with the Mazarin stone
—Un momento, señor —dijo—. "Ir con la piedra de Mazarino

would be a more serious offence than to be found in temporary
constituiría un delito más grave que el que se encuentra en un

possession of it."
posesión de la misma".

"Sir, this is intolerable! Let me pass."
"¡Señor, esto es intolerable! Déjame pasar".

"Put your hand in the right-hand pocket of your overcoat."
"Pon tu mano en el bolsillo derecho de tu abrigo".

"What do you mean, sir?"
—¿Qué quiere decir, señor?

"Come--come, do what I ask."
"Ven, ven, haz lo que te pido".

An instant later the amazed peer was standing, blinking and stammering,
Un instante después, el asombrado par estaba de pie, parpadeando y tartamudeando,

with the great yellow stone on his shaking palm.
con la gran piedra amarilla en la palma temblorosa.

"What! What! How is this, Mr. Holmes?"
"¡Qué! ¡Qué! ¿Cómo es esto, señor Holmes?

"Too bad, Lord Cantlemere, too bad!" cried Holmes. "My old friend here
-¡Lástima, lord Cantlemere, lástima! -exclamó Holmes-. "Mi viejo amigo aquí

will tell you that I have an impish habit of practical joking. Also
Te diré que tengo la traviesa costumbre de bromear con la práctica. Además

that I can never resist a dramatic situation. I took the liberty--the
que nunca puedo resistirme a una situación dramática. Me tomé la libertad, el

very great liberty, I admit--of putting the stone into your pocket at
Admito una libertad muy grande, de poner la piedra en el bolsillo en el

the beginning of our interview."
el comienzo de nuestra entrevista".

The old peer stared from the stone to the smiling face before him.
El viejo colega miró desde la piedra hasta el rostro sonriente que tenía delante.

"Sir, I am bewildered. But--yes--it is indeed the Mazarin stone. We
"Señor, estoy desconcertado. Pero, sí, es la piedra de Mazarino. Nosotros

are greatly your debtors, Mr. Holmes. Your sense of humour may, as you
son sus grandes deudores, señor Holmes. Tu sentido del humor puede, como

admit, be somewhat perverted, and its exhibition remarkably untimely,
admitir, ser algo pervertido, y su exhibición notablemente inoportuna,

but at least I withdraw any reflection I have made upon your amazing
pero al menos retiro cualquier reflexión que haya hecho sobre tu asombroso

professional powers. But how--"
facultades profesionales. Pero, ¿cómo...?

"The case is but half finished; the details can wait. No doubt, Lord
"El caso está a medio terminar; Los detalles pueden esperar. Sin duda, Señor

Cantlemere, your pleasure in telling of this successful result in the
Cantlemere, tu placer en contar este exitoso resultado en el

exalted circle to which you return will be some small atonement for my
exaltado círculo al que regreses será una pequeña expiación por mi

practical joke. Billy, you will show his Lordship out, and tell Mrs.
inocentada. Billy, le mostrarás a Su Señoría y le dirás a la Sra.

Hudson that I should be glad if she would send up dinner for two as
Hudson que me alegraría si me enviara la cena para dos como

soon as possible."
tan pronto como sea posible".

THE ADVENTURE OF THE THREE GABLES
LA AVENTURA DE LOS TRES TEJADOS

I don't think that any of my adventures with Mr. Sherlock Holmes opened
No creo que ninguna de mis aventuras con el señor Sherlock Holmes haya comenzado

quite so abruptly, or so dramatically, as that which I associate with
tan bruscamente, o tan dramáticamente, como la que yo asocio con

The Three Gables. I had not seen Holmes for some days and had no idea
Los tres tejados. Hacía varios días que no veía a Holmes y no tenía ni idea

of the new channel into which his activities had been directed. He was
del nuevo cauce por el que se habían dirigido sus actividades. Él era

in a chatty mood that morning, however, and had just settled me into
sin embargo, esa mañana estaba de buen humor, y acababa de acomodarme en

the well-worn low armchair on one side of the fire, while he had curled
el gastado sillón bajo a un lado del fuego, mientras se acurrucaba

down with his pipe in his mouth upon the opposite chair, when our
con la pipa en la boca sobre la silla de enfrente, cuando nuestro

visitor arrived. If I had said that a mad bull had arrived it would
Llegó el visitante. Si hubiera dicho que había llegado un toro rabioso habría sido

give a clearer impression of what occurred.
dar una impresión más clara de lo que ocurrió.

The door had flown open and a huge negro had burst into the room. He
La puerta se había abierto de golpe y un negro enorme había irrumpido en la habitación. Él

would have been a comic figure if he had not been terrific, for he was
habría sido una figura cómica si no hubiera sido tremendo, porque era

dressed in a very loud gray check suit with a flowing salmon-coloured
vestido con un traje de cuadros grises muy llamativo con un fluido color salmón

tie. His broad face and flattened nose were thrust forward, as his
atar. Su cara ancha y su nariz achatada fueron empujadas hacia adelante, mientras su

sullen dark eyes, with a smouldering gleam of malice in them, turned
hoscos ojos oscuros, con un brillo ardiente de malicia en ellos, se volvieron

from one of us to the other.
de uno a otro.

"Which of you gen'l'men is Masser Holmes?" he asked.
—¿Quién de vosotros es Masser Holmes? —preguntó.

Holmes raised his pipe with a languid smile.
Holmes alzó su pipa con una sonrisa lánguida.

"Oh! it's you, is it?" said our visitor, coming with an unpleasant,
—¡Oh! Eres tú, ¿verdad? -dijo nuestro visitante, acercándose con un desagradable

stealthy step round the angle of the table. "See here, Masser Holmes,
Camina sigilosamente alrededor del ángulo de la mesa. —Mira, señor Holmes,

you keep your hands out of other folks' business. Leave folks to manage
Mantienes tus manos fuera de los asuntos de otras personas. Deja que la gente se encargue de la gestión

their own affairs. Got that, Masser Holmes?"
sus propios asuntos. ¿Entendido, señor Holmes?

"Keep on talking," said Holmes. "It's fine."
—Sigue hablando —dijo Holmes—. "Está bien".

"Oh! it's fine, is it?" growled the savage. "It won't be so damn fine
—¡Oh! Está bien, ¿verdad?", gruñó el salvaje. "No estará tan malditamente bien

if I have to trim you up a bit. I've handled your kind before now, and
si tengo que recortarte un poco. He manejado a los tuyos antes de ahora, y

they didn't look fine when I was through with them. Look at that,
no se veían bien cuando terminé con ellos. Mira eso

Masser Holmes!"   ¡Masser Holmes!

He swung a huge knotted lump of a fist under my friend's nose. Holmes
Balanceó un enorme puño anudado debajo de la nariz de mi amigo. Holmes

examined it closely with an air of great interest.
Lo examinó detenidamente con un aire de gran interés.

"Were you born so?" he asked. "Or did it come by degrees?"
"¿Naciste así?", preguntó. —¿O fue poco a poco?

It may have been the icy coolness of my friend, or it may have been the
Puede haber sido la frialdad helada de mi amigo, o puede haber sido la

slight clatter which I made as I picked up the poker. In any case, our
leve ruido que hice al coger el atizador. En cualquier caso, nuestro

visitor's manner became less flamboyant.
Los modales de los visitantes se volvieron menos extravagantes.

"Well, I've given you fair warnin'," said he. "I've a friend that's
—Bueno, te he avisado —dijo—. "Tengo un amigo que es

interested out Harrow way--you know what I'm meaning--and he don't
A la manera de Harrow, ya sabes a lo que me refiero, y él no

intend to have no buttin' in by you. Got that? You ain't the law, and I
Tengo la intención de no tener ningún entrometimiento contigo. ¿Entendido? Tú no eres la ley, y yo

ain't the law either, and if you come in I'll be on hand also. Don't
Tampoco es la ley, y si vienes yo también estaré a tu disposición. No

you forget it."
lo olvidas".

"I've wanted to meet you for some time," said Holmes. "I won't ask you
—Hace tiempo que quería conocerte —dijo Holmes—. "No te lo preguntaré

to sit down, for I don't like the smell of you, but aren't you Steve
que me siente, porque no me gusta tu olor, pero ¿no eres Steve?

Dixie, the bruiser?"
¿Dixie, el matón?

"That's my name, Masser Holmes, and you'll get put through it for sure
—Ése es mi nombre, señor Holmes, y seguro que tendrá que pasar por eso

if you give me any lip."
si me das un labio.

"It is certainly the last thing you need," said Holmes, staring at our
-Es sin duda lo último que necesita usted -dijo Holmes, mirando fijamente a nuestro

visitor's hideous mouth. "But it was the killing of young Perkins
la horrible boca del visitante. Pero fue el asesinato del joven Perkins

outside the Holborn--Bar What! you're not going?"
fuera del Holborn... ¡Bar Qué! ¿No vas a ir?

The negro had sprung back, and his face was leaden. "I won't listen to
El negro había saltado hacia atrás y su rostro estaba plomizo. "No voy a escuchar

no such talk," said he. "What have I to do with this 'ere Perkins,
No se habla de eso -dijo-. —¿Qué tengo yo que ver con este Perkins?

Masser Holmes? I was trainin' at the Bull Ring in Birmingham when this
¿Masser Holmes? Estaba entrenando en la Plaza de Toros de Birmingham cuando esto

boy done gone get into trouble."
El chico se ha ido a meterse en problemas".

"Yes, you'll tell the magistrate about it, Steve," said Holmes. "I've
—Sí, se lo dirá al magistrado, Steve —dijo Holmes—. "He

been watching you and Barney Stockdale--"
Te he estado observando a ti y a Barney Stockdale...

"So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes--"
"¡Así que ayúdame el Señor! Masser Holmes...

"That's enough. Get out of it. I'll pick you up when I want you."
"Eso es suficiente. Sal de ahí. Te recogeré cuando te quiera".

"Good-mornin', Masser Holmes. I hope there ain't no hard feelin's about
—Buenos días, señor Holmes. Espero que no haya ningún sentimiento duro

this 'ere visit?"
¿Esta visita previa?

"There will be unless you tell me who sent you."
"Lo habrá, a menos que me digas quién te envió".

"Why, there ain't no secret about that, Masser Holmes. It was that same
—Vaya, no hay ningún secreto en eso, señor Holmes. Era lo mismo

gen'l'man that you have just done gone mention."
El general que acabas de hacer ha ido a mencionar.

"And who set him on to it?"
—¿Y quién lo puso en eso?

"S'elp me. I don't know, Masser Holmes. He just say, 'Steve, you go see
"S'elp me. No lo sé, señor Holmes. Él solo dijo: 'Steve, ve a ver

Mr. Holmes, and tell him his life ain't safe if he go down Harrow way.'
Señor Holmes, y dígale que su vida no está a salvo si se va por el camino de Harrow.

That's the whole truth." Without waiting for any further questioning,
Esa es toda la verdad". Sin esperar más preguntas,

our visitor bolted out of the room almost as precipitately as he had
Nuestro visitante salió corriendo de la habitación casi tan precipitadamente como lo había hecho

entered. Holmes knocked out the ashes of his pipe with a quiet chuckle.
entro. Holmes apagó las cenizas de su pipa con una risita silenciosa.

"I am glad you were not forced to break his woolly head, Watson. I
—Me alegro de que no se haya visto obligado a romperle la cabeza lanuda, Watson. Yo

observed your manoeuvres with the poker. But he is really rather a
Observé tus maniobras con el atizador. Pero en realidad es más bien un

harmless fellow, a great muscular, foolish, blustering baby, and easily
un tipo inofensivo, un gran musculoso, tonto, fanfarrón, y fácilmente

cowed, as you have seen. He is one of the Spencer John gang and has
acobardado, como has visto. Es uno de los miembros de la pandilla de Spencer John y tiene

taken part in some dirty work of late which I may clear up when I have
Últimamente he tomado parte en algún trabajo sucio que tal vez aclare cuando haya

time. His immediate principal, Barney, is a more astute person. They
Hora. Su director inmediato, Barney, es una persona más astuta. Ellos

specialize in assaults, intimidation, and the like. What I want to know
especialízate en asaltos, intimidación y similares. Lo que quiero saber

is, who is at the back of them on this particular occasion?"
es, ¿quién está detrás de ellos en esta ocasión en particular?"

"But why do they want to intimidate you?"
—¿Pero por qué quieren intimidarte?

"It is this Harrow Weald case. It decides me to look into the matter,
"Es el caso de Harrow Weald. Me decide a investigar el asunto,

for if it is worth anyone's while to take so much trouble, there must
porque si vale la pena que alguien se tome tantas molestias, debe haber

be something in it."
ser algo en ella".

"But what is it?"
—¿Pero qué es?

"I was going to tell you when we had this comic interlude. Here is Mrs.
"Te iba a decir cuando tuvimos este interludio cómico. Aquí está la Sra.

Maberley's note. If you care to come with me we will wire her and go
Nota de Maberley. Si quieres venir conmigo, la telegrafiaremos y nos iremos

out at once."
fuera de inmediato".

DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES [I read]:
ESTIMADO SR. SHERLOCK HOLMES [Leo]:

I have had a succession of strange incidents occur to me in connection
Me han ocurrido una sucesión de incidentes extraños en relación con

with this house, and I should much value your advice. You would find me
con esta casa, y valoraría mucho sus consejos. Me encontrarías

at home any time to-morrow. The house is within a short walk of the
en casa a cualquier hora mañana. La casa se encuentra a pocos pasos de la

Weald Station. I believe that my late husband, Mortimer Maberley, was
Estación Weald. Creo que mi difunto esposo, Mortimer Maberley, fue

one of your early clients.
uno de sus primeros clientes.

Yours faithfully, MARY MABERLEY.
Atentamente, MARY MABERLEY.

The address was "The Three Gables, Harrow Weald."
La dirección era "Los Tres Tejados, Harrow Weald".

"So that's that!" said Holmes. "And now, if you can spare the time,
-¡Eso es todo! -dijo Holmes-. "Y ahora, si puedes dedicar tiempo,

Watson, we will get upon our way."
Watson, seguiremos nuestro camino.

A short railway journey, and a shorter drive, brought us to the house,
Un corto viaje en tren, y un viaje más corto, nos llevaron a la casa,

a brick and timber villa, standing in its own acre of undeveloped
una villa de ladrillo y madera, que se encuentra en su propio acre de tierra sin desarrollar

grassland. Three small projections above. the upper windows made a
pradera. Tres pequeñas proyecciones arriba. Las ventanas superiores formaban un

feeble attempt to justify its name. Behind was a grove of melancholy,
débil intento de justificar su nombre. Detrás había un bosquecillo de melancolía,

half-grown pines, and the whole aspect of the place was poor and
pinos a medio crecer, y todo el aspecto del lugar era pobre y

depressing. None the less, we found the house to be well furnished, and
deprimente. Sin embargo, encontramos que la casa estaba bien amueblada, y

the lady who received us was a most engaging elderly person, who bore
La señora que nos recibió era una anciana muy atractiva, que llevaba

every mark of refinement and culture.
todas las marcas de refinamiento y cultura.

"I remember your husband well, madam," said Holmes, "though it is some
-Recuerdo bien a su marido, señora -dijo Holmes-, aunque se trate de un

years since he used my services in some trifling matter."
Hacía años que no usaba mis servicios en algún asunto insignificante.

"Probably you would be more familiar with the name of my son Douglas."
Probablemente estarías más familiarizado con el nombre de mi hijo Douglas.

Holmes looked at her with great interest.
Holmes la miró con gran interés.

"Dear me! Are you the mother of Douglas Maberley? I knew him slightly.
"¡Querida mía! ¿Eres la madre de Douglas Maberley? Lo conocía un poco.

But of course all London knew him. What a magnificent creature he was!
Pero, por supuesto, todo Londres lo conocía. ¡Qué criatura tan magnífica era!

Where is he now?"
¿Dónde está ahora?

"Dead, Mr. Holmes, dead! He was attache at Rome, and he died there of
-¡Muerto, señor Holmes, muerto! Fue agregado en Roma, y allí murió de

pneumonia last month."
neumonía el mes pasado".

"I am sorry. One could not connect death with such a man. I have never
"Lo siento. No se podía relacionar la muerte con un hombre así. Nunca lo he hecho

known anyone so vitally alive. He lived intensely--every fibre of
conocía a alguien tan vitalmente vivo. Vivió intensamente, cada fibra de

him!"   ¡Él!"

"Too intensely, Mr. Holmes. That was the ruin of him. You remember him
—Con demasiada intensidad, señor Holmes. Esa fue su ruina. Te acuerdas de él

as he was--debonair and splendid. You did not see the moody, morose,
como era, elegante y espléndido. No viste al malhumorado, taciturno,

brooding creature into which he developed. His heart was broken. In a
criatura melancólica en la que se convirtió. Su corazón estaba roto. En un

single month I seemed to see my gallant boy turn into a worn-out
Un mes me pareció ver a mi gallardo muchacho convertirse en un agotado

cynical man."   hombre cínico".

"A love affair--a woman?"
—¿Una historia de amor... una mujer?

"Or a fiend. Well, it was not to talk of my poor lad that I asked you
"O un demonio. Bueno, no fue para hablar de mi pobre muchacho que te pregunté

to come, Mr. Holmes."
que vendrá, señor Holmes.

"Dr. Watson and I are at your service."
El doctor Watson y yo estamos a su servicio.

"There have been some very strange happenings. I have been in this
"Ha habido algunos sucesos muy extraños. He estado en esto

house more than a year now, and as I wished to lead a retired life I
casa de más de un año, y como deseaba llevar una vida retirada,

have seen little of my neighbours. Three days ago I had a call from a
He visto poco a mis vecinos. Hace tres días recibí una llamada de un

man who said that he was a house agent. He said that this house would
hombre que dijo que era agente de la casa. Dijo que esta casa

exactly suit a client of his, and that if I would part with it money
exactamente a un cliente suyo, y que si me desprendiera de él dinero

would be no object. It seemed to me very strange as there are several
no sería un problema. Me pareció muy extraño ya que hay varios

empty houses on the market which appear to be equally eligible, but
casas vacías en el mercado que parecen ser igualmente elegibles, pero

naturally I was interested in what he said. I therefore named a price
naturalmente me interesó lo que dijo. Por lo tanto, puse un precio

which was five hundred pounds more than I gave. He at once closed with
que eran quinientas libras más de lo que yo di. Enseguida cerró con

the offer, but added that his client desired to buy the furniture as
la oferta, pero añadió que su cliente deseaba comprar los muebles como

well and would I put a price upon it. Some of this furniture is from my
bueno, y le pondría precio. Algunos de estos muebles son de mi

old home, and it is, as you see, very good, so that I named a good
antigua casa, y es, como ves, muy buena, de modo que nombré una buena

round sum. To this also he at once agreed. I had always wanted to
suma redonda. A esto también accedió de inmediato. Siempre había querido

travel, and the bargain was so good a one that it really seemed that I
y el trato era tan bueno que realmente parecía que yo

should be my own mistress for the rest of my life.
debería ser mi propia amante por el resto de mi vida.

"Yesterday the man arrived with the agreement all drawn out. Luckily I
"Ayer llegó el hombre con el acuerdo todo estirado. Por suerte

showed it to Mr. Sutro, my lawyer, who lives in Harrow. He said to me,
Se lo mostré al Sr. Sutro, mi abogado, que vive en Harrow. Me dijo:

'This is a very strange document. Are you aware that if you sign it you
"Este es un documento muy extraño. ¿Eres consciente de que si lo firmas,

could not legally take anything out of the house--not even your own
legalmente no podía sacar nada de la casa, ni siquiera la suya

private possessions?' When the man came again in the evening I pointed
¿Posesiones privadas? Cuando el hombre volvió por la noche, le señalé

this out, and I said that I meant only to sell the furniture.
Y le dije que sólo quería vender los muebles.

"'No, no, everything,' said he.
"'No, no, todo', dijo.

"'But my clothes? My jewels?'
"'¿Pero mi ropa? ¿Mis joyas?

"'Well, well, some concession might be made for your personal effects.
—Bueno, bueno, se podría hacer alguna concesión por sus efectos personales.

But nothing shall go out of the house unchecked. My client is a very
Pero nada saldrá de la casa sin control. Mi cliente es un cliente muy

liberal man, but he has his fads and his own way of doing things. It is
Hombre liberal, pero tiene sus modas y su propia forma de hacer las cosas. Lo es

everything or nothing with him.'
todo o nada con él'.

"'Then it must be nothing,' said I. And there the matter was left, but
»—Entonces no debe ser nada —dije—. Y ahí quedó el asunto, pero

the whole thing seemed to me to be so unusual that I thought--"
todo me pareció tan insólito que pensé...

Here we had a very extraordinary interruption.
Aquí tuvimos una interrupción muy extraordinaria.

Holmes raised his hand for silence. Then he strode across the room,
Holmes levantó la mano para pedir silencio. Luego cruzó la habitación a grandes zancadas,

flung open the door, and dragged in a great gaunt woman whom he had
abrió la puerta de par en par y arrastró a una mujer grande y demacrada que había

seized by the shoulder. She entered with ungainly struggle like some
agarrado por el hombro. Entró con una lucha desgarbada como la de algunos

huge awkward chicken, torn, squawking, out of its coop.
Enorme gallina torpe, arrancada, graznando, fuera de su gallinero.

"Leave me alone! What are you a-doin' of?" she screeched.
"¡Déjame en paz! ¿Qué estás haciendo?", chilló.

"Why, Susan, what is this?"
—¿Por qué, Susan, qué es esto?

"Well, ma'am, I was comin' in to ask if the visitors was stayin' for
—Bueno, señora, venía a preguntar si los visitantes se quedaban por

lunch when this man jumped out at me."
almuerzo cuando este hombre saltó hacia mí".

"I have been listening to her for the last five minutes, but did not
"La he estado escuchando durante los últimos cinco minutos, pero no lo he hecho

wish to interrupt your most interesting narrative. Just a little
deseo interrumpir su narración más interesante. Solo un poco

wheezy, Susan, are you not? You breathe too heavily for that kind of
Sibilante, Susan, ¿no es así? Respiras demasiado fuerte para ese tipo de

work."   trabajo".

Susan turned a sulky but amazed face upon her captor. "Who be you,
Susan miró a su captor con cara malhumorada pero asombrada. "¿Quién eres tú?

anyhow, and what right have you a-pullin' me about like this?"
De todos modos, ¿y qué derecho tienes a tirar de mí de esta manera?

"It was merely that I wished to ask a question in your presence. Did
—Era simplemente que deseaba hacer una pregunta en su presencia. ¿Lo hizo?

you, Mrs. Maberley, mention to anyone that you were going to write to
usted, señora Maberley, mencione a cualquiera a quien le iba a escribir

me and consult me?"
y consultarme?"

"No, Mr. Holmes, I did not."
—No, señor Holmes, no lo hice.

"Who posted your letter?"
– ¿Quién envió tu carta?

"Susan did."  – Susan lo hizo.

"Exactly. Now, Susan, to whom was it that you wrote or sent a message
—Exactamente. Ahora, Susan, ¿a quién le escribiste o enviaste un mensaje

to say that your mistress was asking advice from me?"
¿Decir que tu ama me pedía consejo?

"It's a lie. I sent no message."
"Es mentira. No envié ningún mensaje".

"Now, Susan, wheezy people may not live long, you know. It's a wicked
"Ahora, Susan, es posible que las personas sibilantes no vivan mucho tiempo, ¿sabes? Es un malvado

thing to tell fibs. Whom did you tell?"
Cosas que decir mentiras. ¿A quién se lo dijiste?

"Susan!" cried her mistress, "I believe you are a bad, treacherous
-¡Susana! -exclamó su ama-, creo que eres una mala y traicionera

woman. I remember now that I saw you speaking to someone over the
mujer. Recuerdo ahora que te vi hablando con alguien por el

hedge."   seto".

"That was my own business," said the woman sullenly.
—Eso era asunto mío —dijo la mujer hoscamente—.

"Suppose I tell you that it was Barney Stockdale to whom you spoke?"
—¿Y si le digo que fue Barney Stockdale con quien usted habló?

said Holmes.   —dijo Holmes—.

"Well, if you know, what do you want to ask for?"
"Bueno, si lo sabes, ¿qué quieres pedir?"

"I was not sure, but I know now. Well now, Susan, it will be worth ten
"No estaba seguro, pero ahora lo sé. Pues bien, Susan, valdrá diez

pounds to you if you will tell me who is at the back of Barney."
libras a usted si me dice quién está detrás de Barney.

"Someone that could lay down a thousand pounds for every ten you have
"Alguien que podría poner mil libras por cada diez que tienes

in the world."
en el mundo".

"So, a rich man? No; you smiled--a rich woman. Now we have got so
"Entonces, ¿un hombre rico? No; Sonreíste, una mujer rica. Ahora tenemos tan

far, you may as well give the name and earn the tenner."
Es mejor que le des el nombre y te ganes el diez.

"I'll see you in hell first."
"Primero te veré en el infierno".

"Oh, Susan! Language!"  —¡Oh, Susana! ¡Lenguaje!"

"I am clearing out of here. I've had enough of you all. I'll send for
"Me voy de aquí. Ya he tenido suficiente de todos ustedes. Mandaré a buscar

my box to-morrow." She flounced for the door.
mi caja mañana. Corrió hacia la puerta.

"Good-bye, Susan. Paregoric is the stuff.... Now," he continued,
– Adiós, Susan. La paregórica es la materia... Ahora", continuó,

turning suddenly from lively to severe when the door had closed behind
pasando de repente de animado a severo cuando la puerta se cerró detrás

the flushed and angry woman, "this gang means business. Look how close
La mujer sonrojada y enojada, "Esta pandilla va en serio. Mira lo cerca que

they play the game. Your letter to me had the 10 P.M. postmark. And yet
Juegan el juego. Su carta para mí tenía el matasellos de las 10 de la noche. Y, sin embargo,

Susan passes the word to Barney. Barney has time to go to his employer
Susan le pasa la voz a Barney. Barney tiene tiempo para ir a ver a su empleador

and get instructions; he or she--I incline to the latter from Susan's
y recibir instrucciones; él o ella, me inclino por lo segundo desde el punto de vista de Susan

grin when she thought I had blundered--forms a plan. Black Steve is
sonreía cuando pensaba que me había equivocado, forma un plan. Steve el Negro es

called in, and I am warned off by eleven o'clock next morning. That's
Llamé y me avisaron a las once de la mañana siguiente. Es decir

quick work, you know."
Trabajo rápido, ya sabes".

"But what do they want?"
—¿Pero qué es lo que quieren?

"Yes, that's the question. Who had the house before you?"
"Sí, esa es la pregunta. ¿Quién tenía la casa antes que tú?

"A retired sea captain called Ferguson."
– Un capitán de barco retirado llamado Ferguson.

"Anything remarkable about him?"
– ¿Hay algo notable en él?

"Not that ever I heard of."
"De eso nunca he oído hablar".

"I was wondering whether he could have buried something. Of course,
"Me preguntaba si podría haber enterrado algo. Claro

when people bury treasure nowadays they do it in the Post-Office bank.
cuando la gente entierra tesoros hoy en día, lo hace en el banco de la oficina de correos.

But there are always some lunatics about. It would be a dull world
Pero siempre hay algunos lunáticos por ahí. Sería un mundo aburrido

without them. At first I thought of some buried valuable. But why, in
sin ellos. Al principio pensé en algún objeto de valor enterrado. Pero, ¿por qué, en

that case, should they want your furniture? You don't happen to have a
En ese caso, ¿deberían querer tus muebles? No tienes un

Raphael or a first folio Shakespeare without knowing it?"
¿Rafael o un primer folio de Shakespeare sin saberlo?

"No, I don't think I have anything rarer than a Crown Derby tea-set."
"No, no creo que tenga nada más raro que un juego de té Crown Derby".

"That would hardly justify all this mystery. Besides, why should they
"Eso difícilmente justificaría todo este misterio. Además, ¿por qué deberían

not openly state what they want? If they covet your tea-set, they can
no declarar abiertamente lo que quieren? Si codician tu juego de té, pueden

surely offer a price for it without buying you out, lock, stock, and
seguramente ofrezca un precio por él sin comprarlo, bloquear, almacenar y

barrel. No, as I read it, there is something which you do not know that
barril. No, tal como lo leo, hay algo que usted no sabe que

you have, and which you would not give up if you did know."
que tienes, y a la que no renunciarías si lo supieras".

"That is how I read it," said I.
—Así es como lo leo —dije—.

"Dr. Watson agrees, so that settles it."
El doctor Watson está de acuerdo, así que eso lo resuelve.

"Well, Mr. Holmes, what can it be?"
—Bueno, señor Holmes, ¿qué puede ser?

"Let us see whether by this purely mental analysis we can get it to a
"Veamos si por medio de este análisis puramente mental podemos llegar a un punto crítico.

finer point. You have been in this house a year."
punto más fino. Llevas un año en esta casa.

"Nearly two."  —Casi dos.

"All the better. During this long period no one wants anything from
"Tanto mejor. Durante este largo período nadie quiere nada de

you. Now suddenly within three or four days you have urgent demands.
tú. Ahora, de repente, dentro de tres o cuatro días, tienes demandas urgentes.

What would you gather from that?"
¿Qué sacarías de eso?

"It can only mean," said I, "that the object, whatever it may be, has
—Sólo puede significar —dije— que el objeto, sea cual fuere, tiene

only just come into the house."
Acabo de entrar en la casa".

"Settled once again," said Holmes. "Now, Mrs. Maberley has any object
—Arreglado una vez más —dijo Holmes—. Ahora bien, la señora Maberley tiene algún objeto

just arrived?"   ¿Acabas de llegar?

"No, I have bought nothing new this year."
"No, no he comprado nada nuevo este año".

"Indeed! That is very remarkable. Well, I think we had best let matters
—¡Efectivamente! Eso es muy notable. Bueno, creo que es mejor que dejemos las cosas

develop a little further until we have clearer data. Is that lawyer of
Desarrollar un poco más hasta tener datos más claros. ¿Es ese abogado de

yours a capable man?"
¿Eres un hombre capaz?

"Mr. Sutro is most capable."
"El Sr. Sutro es muy capaz".

"Have you another maid, or was the fair Susan, who has just banged your
—¿Tienes otra doncella, o era la hermosa Susana, que acaba de

front door alone?"
¿Solo en la puerta de entrada?"

"I have a young girl."
"Tengo una niña".

"Try and get Sutro to spend a night or two in the house. You might
"Intenta que Sutro pase una o dos noches en la casa. Es posible que

possibly want protection."
posiblemente quieran protección".

"Against whom?"  —¿Contra quién?

"Who knows? The matter is certainly obscure. If I can't find what they
"¿Quién sabe? El asunto es ciertamente oscuro. Si no puedo encontrar lo que ellos

are after, I must approach the matter from the other end and try to get
Lo que busco, debo abordar el asunto desde el otro extremo y tratar de conseguir

at the principal. Did this house-agent man give any address?"
en el principal. ¿Dio alguna dirección este agente inmobiliario?

"Simply his card and occupation. Haines-Johnson, Auctioneer and
"Simplemente su tarjeta y su ocupación. Haines-Johnson, subastador y

Valuer."   Tasador".

"I don't think we shall find him in the directory. Honest business men
"No creo que lo encontremos en el directorio. Hombres de negocios honestos

don't conceal their place of business. Well, you will let me know any
No oculte su lugar de trabajo. Bueno, ya me dirás cualquier

fresh development. I have taken up your case, and you may rely upon it
nuevo desarrollo. Me he hecho cargo de su caso, y puede confiar en él

that I shall see it through."
que yo lo llevaré a cabo".

As we passed through the hall Holmes's eyes, which missed nothing,
Al pasar por el vestíbulo, los ojos de Holmes, que no se perdían en nada,

lighted upon several trunks and cases which were piled in a corner. The
alumbrado sobre varios baúles y estuches que estaban apilados en un rincón. El

labels shone out upon them.
Las etiquetas brillaban sobre ellos.

"'Milano.' 'Lucerne.' These are from Italy."
"'Milano'. – Lucerna. Estos son de Italia".

"They are poor Douglas's things."
Son cosas del pobre Douglas.

"You have not unpacked them? How long have you had them?"
"¿No los has desempacado? ¿Cuánto tiempo hace que los tienes?

"They arrived last week."
"Llegaron la semana pasada".

"But you said--why, surely this might be the missing link. How do we
Pero tú dijiste... bueno, seguramente este podría ser el eslabón perdido. ¿Cómo hacemos

know that there is not something of value there?"
¿Sabes que no hay nada de valor allí?"

"There could not possibly be, Mr. Holmes. Poor Douglas had only his pay
—No es posible, señor Holmes. El pobre Douglas sólo tenía su paga

and a small annuity. What could he have of value?"
y una pequeña anualidad. ¿Qué podría tener de valor?

Holmes was lost in thought.
Holmes estaba absorto en sus pensamientos.

"Delay no longer, Mrs. Maberley," he said at last. "Have these things
—No se demore más, señora Maberley —dijo al fin—. "Tener estas cosas

taken upstairs to your bedroom. Examine them as soon as possible and
llevado arriba a su dormitorio. Examínelos lo antes posible y

see what they cohtain. I will come tomorrow and hear your report."
Mira lo que cohtain. Vendré mañana y escucharé su informe".

It was quite evident that The Three Gables was under very close
Era bastante evidente que Los Tres Tejados estaba muy cerca

surveillance, for as we came round the high hedge at the end of the
vigilancia, pues al rodear el alto seto al final de la

lane there was the negro prize-fighter standing in the shadow. We came
Allí estaba el boxeador negro parado en la sombra. Vinimos

on him quite suddenly, and a grim and menacing figure he looked in that
de repente, y una figura sombría y amenazadora se fijó en aquel

lonely place. Holmes clapped his hand to his pocket.
lugar solitario. Holmes se llevó la mano al bolsillo.

"Lookin' for your gun, Masser Holmes?"
– ¿Está buscando su pistola, señor Holmes?

"No, for my scent-bottle, Steve."
—No, por mi frasco de perfumes, Steve.

"You are funny, Masser Holmes, ain't you?"
—Es usted gracioso, señor Holmes, ¿verdad?

"It won't be funny for you, Steve, if I get after you. I gave you fair
—No será gracioso para ti, Steve, si te persigo. Te di lo justo

warning this morning."
advertencia esta mañana".

"Well, Masser Holmes, I done gone think over what you said, and I don't
—Bueno, señor Holmes, ya he pensado en lo que ha dicho, y no lo hago

want no more talk about that affair of Masser Perkins. S'pose I can
No quiero hablar más de ese asunto de Masser Perkins. S'pose I can

help you, Masser Holmes, I will."
ayudarle, señor Holmes, lo haré.

"Well, then, tell me who is behind you on this job."
"Bueno, entonces, dime quién está detrás de ti en este trabajo".

"So help me the Lord! Masser Holmes, I told you the truth before. I
"¡Así que ayúdame el Señor! Señor Holmes, ya le dije la verdad. Yo

don't know. My boss Barney gives me orders and that's all."
No sé. Mi jefe Barney me da órdenes y eso es todo".

"Well, just bear in mind, Steve, that the lady in that house, and
—Bueno, ten en cuenta, Steve, que la señora de esa casa, y

everything under that roof, is under my protection. Don't forget it."
Todo lo que hay bajo ese techo, está bajo mi protección. No lo olvides".

"All right, Masser Holmes. I'll remember."
—Muy bien, señor Holmes. Lo recordaré".

"I've got him thoroughly frightened for his own skin, Watson," Holmes
—Lo tengo muy asustado por su propio pellejo, Watson —Holmes—

remarked as we walked on. "I think he would double-cross his employer
comentó mientras caminábamos. "Creo que traicionaría a su empleador

if he knew who he was. It was lucky I had some knowledge of the Spencer
si supiera quién era. Fue una suerte que tuviera algún conocimiento de los Spencer

John crowd, and that Steve was one of them. Now, Watson, this is a case
John y que Steve era uno de ellos. Ahora bien, Watson, este es un caso

for Langdale Pike, and I am going to see him now. When I get back I may
para Langdale Pike, y voy a verlo ahora. Cuando vuelva, puede que

be clearer in the matter."
Sé más claro en el asunto".

I saw no more of Holmes during the day, but I could well imagine how he
No volví a ver a Holmes durante el día, pero me imaginaba cómo lo hacía.

spent it, for Langdale Pike was his human book of reference upon all
Langdale Pike era su libro humano de referencia sobre todos los

matters of social scandal. This strange, languid creature spent his
asuntos de escándalo social. Esta extraña y lánguida criatura gastó su

waking hours in the bow window of a St. James's Street club and was the
horas de vigilia en el escaparate de un club de St. James's Street y era el

receivingstation as well as the transmitter for all the gossip of the
estación receptora, así como el transmisor de todos los chismes de la

metropolis. He made, it was said, a four-figure income by the
metrópoli. Ganaba, se decía, un ingreso de cuatro cifras por el

paragraphs which he contributed every week to the garbage papers which
párrafos que aportaba cada semana a los periódicos basura que

cater to an inquisitive public. If ever, far down in the turbid depths
atender a un público curioso. Si alguna vez, muy abajo en las turbias profundidades

of London life, there was some strange swirl or eddy, it was marked
de la vida londinense, había un extraño remolino o remolino, estaba marcado

with automatic exactness by this human dial upon the surface. Holmes
con exactitud automática por este dial humano sobre la superficie. Holmes

discreetly helped Langdale to knowledge, and on occasion was helped in
discretamente ayudó a Langdale a conocer, y en ocasiones se le ayudó en

turn.   giro.

When I met my friend in his room early next morning, I was conscious
Cuando me encontré con mi amigo en su habitación a la mañana siguiente, estaba consciente

from his bearing that all was well, but none the less a most unpleasant
de su porte que todo estaba bien, pero no por ello dejaba de ser muy desagradable

surprise was awaiting us. It took the shape of the following telegram.
La sorpresa nos esperaba. Tomó la forma del siguiente telegrama.

Please come out at once. Client's house burgled in the night. Police in
Por favor, salgan de inmediato. La casa del cliente fue robada en la noche. Policía en

possession.   posesión.

SUTRO.

Holmes whistled. "The drama has come to a crisis, and quicker than I
Holmes silbó. "El drama ha llegado a una crisis, y más rápido que yo

had expected. There is a great driving-power at the back of this
había esperado. Hay una gran potencia motriz detrás de esto

business, Watson, which does not surprise me after what I have heard.
Watson, lo cual no me sorprende después de lo que he oído.

This Sutro, of course, is her lawyer. I made a mistake, I fear, in not
Este Sutro, por supuesto, es su abogado. Cometí un error, me temo, al no

asking you to spend the night on guard. This fellow has clearly proved
pidiéndote que pases la noche de guardia. Este tipo ha demostrado claramente

a broken reed. Well, there is nothing for it but another journey to
una caña rota. Bueno, no hay nada más que otro viaje a

Harrow Weald."   Harrow Weald.

We found The Three Gables a very different establishment to the orderly
Nos pareció que Los Tres Tejados era un establecimiento muy diferente al ordenanza

household of the previous day. A small group of idlers had assembled at
hogar del día anterior. Un pequeño grupo de holgazanes se había reunido en

the garden gate, while a couple of constables were examining the
la puerta del jardín, mientras un par de alguaciles examinaban la

windows and the geranium beds. Within we met a gray old gentleman, who
las ventanas y los lechos de geranios. Dentro nos encontramos con un anciano caballero gris, que

introduced himself as the lawyer together with a bustling, rubicund
se presentó como el abogado junto con un bullicioso y rubicundo

inspector, who greeted Hoimes as an old friend.
inspector, que saludó a Hoimes como a un viejo amigo.

"Well, Mr. Holmes, no chance for you in this case, I'm afraid. Just a
—Bueno, señor Holmes, me temo que no hay ninguna posibilidad para usted en este caso. Solo un

common, ordinary burglary, and well within the capacity of the poor old
robo común y ordinario, y dentro de la capacidad de los pobres ancianos

police. No experts need apply."
policía. No es necesario que los expertos se postulen".

"I am sure the case is in very good hands," said Holmes. "Merely a
—Estoy seguro de que el caso está en muy buenas manos —dijo Holmes—. "Un mero

common burglary, you say?"
¿Un robo común, dices?

"Quite so. We know pretty well who the men are and where to find them.
—Muy bien. Sabemos bastante bien quiénes son los hombres y dónde encontrarlos.

It is that gang of Barney Stockdale, with the big nigger in it--
Es esa pandilla de Barney Stockdale, con el gran negro dentro...

they've been seen about here."
se han visto por aquí".

"Excellent! What did they get?"
"¡Excelente! ¿Qué obtuvieron?

"Well, they don't seem to have got much. Mrs. Maberley was chloroformed
"Bueno, no parece que tengan mucho. La señora Maberley estaba cloroformizada

and the house was--Ah! here is the lady herself."
y la casa era... ¡Ah! Aquí está la dama misma.

Our friend of yesterday, looking very pale and ill, had entered the
Nuestro amigo de ayer, muy pálido y enfermo, había entrado en el

room, leaning upon a little maidservant.
habitación, apoyada en una pequeña sirvienta.

"You gave me good advice, Mr. Holmes," said she, smiling ruefully.
—Me ha dado usted un buen consejo, señor Holmes —dijo ella, sonriendo con pesar—.

"Alas, I did not take it! I did not wish to trouble Mr. Sutro, and so I
"¡Ay, no lo tomé! No quise molestar al señor Sutro, y por eso

was unprotected."   estaba desprotegido".

"I only heard of it this morning," the lawyer explained.
"Recién me enteré esta mañana", explicó el abogado.

"Mr. Holmes advised me to have some friend in the house. I neglected
El señor Holmes me aconsejó que tuviera algún amigo en la casa. Descuidé

his advice, and I have paid for it."
su consejo, y yo he pagado por ello".

"You look wretchedly ill," said Holmes. "Perhaps you are hardly equal
—Pareces terriblemente enfermo —dijo Holmes—. "Tal vez no seáis iguales

to telling me what occurred."
a contarme lo que ocurrió".

"It is all here," said the inspector, tapping a bulky notebook.
—Todo está aquí —dijo el inspector, dando golpecitos a un voluminoso cuaderno—.

"Still, if the lady is not too exhausted--"
—De todos modos, si la dama no está demasiado agotada...

"There is really so little to tell. I have no doubt that wicked Susan
"Realmente hay muy poco que contar. No tengo ninguna duda de que la malvada Susan

had planned an entrance for them. They must have known the house to an
había planeado una entrada para ellos. Debieron conocer la casa de una persona

inch. I was conscious for a moment of the chloroform rag which was
pulgada. Por un momento me di cuenta del trapo de cloroformo que estaba

thrust over my mouth, but I have no notion how long I may have been
me tapó la boca, pero no tengo ni idea de cuánto tiempo pude haber estado

senseless. When I woke, one man was at the bedside and another was
insensato. Cuando me desperté, un hombre estaba al lado de la cama y otro estaba

rising with a bundle in his hand from among my son's baggage, which was
levantándose con un bulto en la mano de entre el equipaje de mi hijo, que estaba

partially opened and littered over the floor. Before he could get away
parcialmente abierto y tirado por el suelo. Antes de que pudiera escapar

I sprang up and seized him."
Me levanté de un salto y lo agarré".

"You took a big risk," said the inspector.
—Corrió usted un gran riesgo —dijo el inspector—.

"I clung to him, but he shook me off, and the other may have struck me,
"Me aferré a él, pero él me sacudió, y el otro pudo haberme golpeado,

for I can remember no more. Mary the maid heard the noise and began
porque no me acuerdo más. María, la doncella, oyó el ruido y comenzó a

screaming out of the window. That brought the police, but the rascals
gritando por la ventana. Eso trajo a la policía, pero los sinvergüenzas

had got away."
se había escapado".

"What did they take?"
—¿Qué se llevaron?

"Well, I don't think there is anything of value missing. I am sure
"Bueno, no creo que falte nada de valor. Estoy seguro

there was nothing in my son's trunks."
No había nada en los baúles de mi hijo".

"Did the men leave no clue?"
—¿Los hombres no dejaron ninguna pista?

"There was one sheet of paper which I may have torn from the man that I
"Había una hoja de papel que pude haberle arrancado al hombre que había

grasped. It was lying all crumpled on the floor. It is in my son's
Agarró. Estaba tirado en el suelo, todo arrugado. Está en la casa de mi hijo

handwriting."   escritura a mano".

"Which means that it is not of much use," said the inspector. "Now if
—Lo que significa que no sirve de mucho —dijo el inspector—. "Ahora bien, si

it had been in the burglar's--"
Había estado en casa del ladrón...

"Exactly," said Holmes. "What rugged common sense! None the less, I
—Exacto —dijo Holmes—. "¡Qué rudo sentido común! Sin embargo, yo

should be curious to see it."
debería tener curiosidad por verlo".

The inspector drew a folded sheet of foolscap from his pocketbook.
El inspector sacó de su cartera una hoja doblada de papel de papel.

"I never pass anything, however trifling," said he with some pomposity.
—Nunca apruebo nada, por insignificante que sea —dijo con cierta pomposidad—.

"That is my advice to you, Mr. Holmes. In twentyfive years' experience
—Ése es mi consejo para usted, señor Holmes. En veinticinco años de experiencia

I have learned my lesson. There is always the chance of finger-marks or
He aprendido la lección. Siempre existe la posibilidad de marcas de dedos o

something."   algo".

Holmes inspected the sheet of paper.
Holmes inspeccionó la hoja de papel.

"What do you make of it, Inspector?"
—¿Qué piensa usted de eso, inspector?

"Seems to be the end of some queer novel, so far as I can see."
Parece ser el final de una novela queer, por lo que puedo ver.

"It may certainly prove to be the end of a queer tale," said Holmes.
—Ciertamente puede ser el final de un cuento extraño —dijo Holmes—.

"You have noticed the number on the top of the page. It is two hundred
"Te has fijado en el número que aparece en la parte superior de la página. Son doscientos

and forty-five. Where are the odd two hundred and forty-four pages?"
y cuarenta y cinco. ¿Dónde están las doscientas cuarenta y cuatro páginas?

"Well, I suppose the burglars got those. Much good may it do them!"
—Bueno, supongo que los ladrones se los llevaron. ¡Que les haga mucho bien!"

"It seems a queer thing to break into a house in order to steal such
"Parece una cosa extraña entrar en una casa para robar

papers as that. Does it suggest anything to you, Inspector?"
papeles como ese. ¿Le sugiere algo, inspector?

"Yes, sir, it suggests that in their hurry the rascals just grabbed at
—Sí, señor, esto sugiere que en su prisa los bribones se agarraron

what came first to hand. I wish them joy of what they got."
Lo primero que llegó a la mano. Les deseo alegría por lo que obtuvieron".

"Why should they go to my son's things?" asked Mrs. Maberley.
—¿Por qué iban a ir a las cosas de mi hijo? —preguntó la señora Maberley.

"Well, they found nothing valuable downstairs, so they tried their luck
"Bueno, no encontraron nada valioso abajo, así que probaron suerte

upstairs. That is how I read it. What do you make of it, Mr. Holmes?"
hacia arriba. Así es como lo leo. ¿Qué piensa usted de ello, señor Holmes?

"I must think it over, Inspector. Come to the window, Watson." Then, as
—Debo pensarlo bien, inspector. Acércate a la ventana, Watson. Entonces, como

we stood together, he read over the fragment of paper. It began in the
Nos quedamos juntos, leyó el fragmento de papel. Comenzó en el

middle of a sentence and ran like this:
en medio de una oración y decía así:

"...face bled considerably from the cuts and blows, but it was nothing
"... La cara sangraba considerablemente por los cortes y los golpes, pero no era nada

to the bleeding of his heart as he saw that lovely face, the face for
a la hemorragia de su corazón al ver ese rostro hermoso, el rostro para

which he had been prepared to sacrifice his very life, looking out at
que había estado dispuesto a sacrificar su propia vida,

his agony and humiliation. She smiled--yes, by Heaven! she smiled,
su agonía y humillación. Ella sonrió... ¡Sí, por Dios! Ella sonrió,

like the heartless fiend she was, as he looked up at her. It was at
como el demonio desalmado que era, mientras él la miraba. Fue en

that moment that love died and hate was born. Man must live for
Ese momento en que murió el amor y nació el odio. El hombre debe vivir para

something. If it is not for your embrace, my lady, then it shall surely
algo. Si no es por vuestro abrazo, mi señora, entonces seguramente lo será

be for your undoing and my complete revenge."
ser por tu perdición y por mi completa venganza".

"Queer grammar!" said Holmes with a smile as he handed the paper back
—¡Gramática extraña! —dijo Holmes con una sonrisa mientras le devolvía el papel—

to the inspector. "Did you notice how the 'he' suddenly changed to
al inspector. "¿Te diste cuenta de cómo el 'él' de repente cambió a

'my'? The writer was so carried away by his own story that he imagined
¿'Mi'? El escritor se dejó llevar tanto por su propia historia que imaginó

himself at the supreme moment to be the hero."
en el momento supremo para ser el héroe".

"It seemed mighty poor stuff," said the inspector as he replaced it in
—Parecía una cosa muy pobre —dijo el inspector mientras la volvía a colocar

his book. "What! are you off, Mr. Holmes?"
su libro. "¡Qué! ¿Se ha marchado, señor Holmes?

"I don't think there is anything more for me to do now that the case is
"No creo que haya nada más que pueda hacer ahora que el caso está

in such capable hands. By the way, Mrs. Maberley, did you say you
en manos tan capaces. Por cierto, señora Maberley, ¿ha dicho usted que

wished to travel?"
¿Deseabas viajar?"

"It has always been my dream, Mr. Holmes."
—Siempre ha sido mi sueño, señor Holmes.

"Where would you like to go--Cairo, Madeira, the Riviera?"
—¿A dónde te gustaría ir, a El Cairo, a Madeira, a la Riviera?

"Oh if I had the money I would go round the world."
"Oh, si tuviera el dinero, daría la vuelta al mundo".

"Quite so. Round the world. Well, good-morning. I may drop you a line
—Muy bien. Alrededor del mundo. Bueno, buenos días. Puede que te escriba unas líneas

in the evening." As we passed the window I caught a glimpse of the
por la noche". Al pasar por la ventana alcancé a vislumbrar el

inspector's smile and shake of the head. "These clever fellows have
Sonrisa del inspector y movimiento de cabeza. "Estos tipos inteligentes han

always a touch of madness." That was what I read in the inspector's
siempre un toque de locura". Eso fue lo que leí en la

smile.   sonreír.

"Now, Watson, we are at the last lap of our little journey," said
—Ahora, Watson, estamos en la última etapa de nuestro pequeño viaje —dijo—

Holmes when we were back in the roar of central London once more. "I
Holmes cuando volvimos a estar en el rugido del centro de Londres una vez más. "Yo

think we had best clear the matter up at once, and it would be well
Creo que será mejor que aclaremos el asunto de una vez, y sería bueno

that you should come with me, for it is safer to have a witness when
que vengáis conmigo, porque es más seguro tener un testigo cuando

you are dealing with such a lady as Isadora Klein."
estás tratando con una dama como Isadora Klein.

We had taken a cab and were speeding to some address in Grosvenor
Habíamos tomado un taxi y nos dirigíamos a toda velocidad a una dirección en Grosvenor

Square. Holmes had been sunk in thought, but he roused himself
Cuadrado. Holmes se había sumido en sus pensamientos, pero se despertó

suddenly.   de repente.

"By the way, Watson, I suppose you see it all clearly?"
—Por cierto, Watson, supongo que lo ve todo con claridad.

"No, I can't say that I do. I only gather that we are going to see the
"No, no puedo decir que lo haga. Lo único que deduzco es que vamos a ver el

lady who is behind all this mischief."
señora que está detrás de todas estas travesuras".

"Exactly! But does the name Isadora Klein convey nothing to you? She
"¡Exactamente! Pero, ¿el nombre de Isadora Klein no te transmite nada? Ella

was, of course, the celebrated beauty. There was never a woman to touch
era, por supuesto, la célebre belleza. Nunca hubo una mujer a quien tocar

her. She is pure Spanish, the real blood of the masterfui
su. Es pura española, la verdadera sangre del maestro.

Conquistadors, and her people have been leaders in Pernambuco for
conquistadores, y su pueblo han sido líderes en Pernambuco durante

generations. She married the aged German sugar king, Klein, and
Generaciones. Se casó con el anciano rey alemán del azúcar, Klein, y

presently found herself the richest as well as the most lovely widow
Al poco tiempo se encontró con la viuda más rica y encantadora

upon earth. Then there was an interval of adventure when she pleased
sobre la tierra. Luego hubo un intervalo de aventura cuando ella quiso

her own tastes. She had several lovers, and Douglas Maberley, one of
sus propios gustos. Tuvo varios amantes, y Douglas Maberley, uno de los

the most striking men in London, was one of them. It was by all
el hombre más llamativo de Londres, fue uno de ellos. Lo fue por todos

accounts more than an adventure with him. He was not a society
cuenta más que una aventura con él. No era una sociedad

butterfly but a strong, proud man who gave and expected all. But she is
mariposa, sino un hombre fuerte y orgulloso que lo dio y lo esperó todo. Pero ella es

the 'belle dame sans merci' of fiction. When her caprice is satisfied
La 'belle dame sans merci' de la ficción. Cuando su capricho está satisfecho

the matter is ended, and if the other party in the matter can't take
el asunto ha terminado, y si la otra parte en el asunto no puede tomar

her word for it she knows how to bring it home to him."
Su palabra para ello, ella sabe cómo hacérsela realidad".

"Then that was his own story--"
—Entonces esa fue su propia historia...

"Ah! you are piecing it together now. I hear that she is about to marry
—¡Ah! Lo estás armando ahora. Escuché que está a punto de casarse

the young Duke of Lomond, who might almost be her son. His Grace's ma
el joven duque de Lomond, que casi podría ser su hijo. La madre de Su Gracia

might overlook the age, but a big scandal would be a different matter,
podría pasar por alto la edad, pero un gran escándalo sería un asunto diferente,

so it is imperative--Ah! here we are."
por lo que es imperativo... ¡Ah! Aquí estamos".

It was one of the finest corner-houses of the West End. A machine-like
Era una de las mejores casas de esquina del West End. Una máquina

footman took up our cards and returned with word that the lady was not
El lacayo tomó nuestras tarjetas y regresó con la noticia de que la dama no estaba

at home. "Then we shall wait until she is," said Holmes cheerfully.
En casa. -Entonces esperaremos a que lo esté -dijo Holmes alegremente-.

The machine broke down.
La máquina se descompuso.

"Not at home means not at home to you," said the footman.
—No en casa significa no estar en casa para ti —dijo el lacayo—.

"Good," Holmes answered. "That means that we shall not have to wait.
—Bien —contestó Holmes—. "Eso significa que no tendremos que esperar.

Kindly give this note to your mistress."
Por favor, entréguele esta nota a su señora.

He scribbled three or four words upon a sheet of his notebook, folded
Garabateó tres o cuatro palabras en una hoja de su cuaderno, doblada

it, and handed it to the man.
y se lo entregó al hombre.

"What did you say, Holmes?" I asked.
—¿Qué ha dicho usted, Holmes? —pregunté.

"I simply wrote: 'Shall it be the police, then?' I think that should
"Simplemente escribí: '¿Será la policía, entonces?' Creo que eso debería

pass us in."
Pásanos".

It did--with amazing celerity. A minute later we were in an Arabian
Lo hizo, con asombrosa celeridad. Un minuto más tarde estábamos en un árabe

Nights drawing-room, vast and wonderful, in a half gloom, picked out
Noches de salón, vasto y maravilloso, en una penumbra, escogido

with an occasional pink electric light. The lady had come, I felt, to
con una luz eléctrica rosa ocasional. Sentí que la señora había venido a

that time of life when even the proudest beauty finds the half light
ese momento de la vida en el que hasta la belleza más orgullosa encuentra la penumbra

more welcome. She rose from a settee as we entered: tall, queenly, a
más bienvenidos. Se levantó de un sofá cuando entramos: alta, majestuosa, una

perfect figure, a lovely mask-like face, with two wonderful Spanish
figura perfecta, una hermosa cara de máscara, con dos maravillosos españoles

eyes which looked murder at us both.
ojos que nos miraban a los dos.

"What is this intrusion--and this insulting message?" she asked,
"¿Qué es esta intrusión y este mensaje insultante?", preguntó.

holding up the slip of paper.
sosteniendo el trozo de papel.

"I need not explain, madame. I have too much respect for your
—No necesito explicarlo, señora. Tengo demasiado respeto por tu

intelligence to do so--though I confess that intelligence has been
inteligencia para hacerlo, aunque confieso que la inteligencia ha sido

surprisingly at fault of late."
Sorprendentemente, últimamente he tenido la culpa".

"How so, sir?"  —¿Cómo es eso, señor?

"By supposing that your hired bullies could frighten me from my work.
—Suponiendo que tus matones a sueldo pudieran asustarme de mi trabajo.

Surely no man would take up my profession if it were not that danger
Seguramente ningún hombre tomaría mi profesión si no fuera por ese peligro

attracts him. It was you, then, who forced me to examine the case of
lo atrae. Fuiste, pues, quien me obligó a examinar el caso de

young Maberley."   el joven Maberley.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. What have I to do with
"No tengo idea de lo que estás hablando. ¿Qué tengo yo que ver con

hired bullies?"   ¿Matones contratados?"

Holmes turned away wearily.
Holmes se dio la vuelta con cansancio.

"Yes, I have underrated your intelligence. Well, good-afternoon!"
"Sí, he subestimado tu inteligencia. Bueno, ¡buenas tardes!

"Stop! Where are you going?"
"¡Alto! ¿A dónde vas?

"To Scotland Yard."  – A Scotland Yard.

We had not got halfway to the door before she had overtaken us and was
No habíamos llegado a la mitad de la puerta cuando ella nos alcanzó y fue

holding his arm. She had turned in a moment from steel to velvet.
sosteniéndole del brazo. Había pasado en un momento del acero al terciopelo.

"Come and sit down, gentlemen. Let us talk this matter over. I feel
"Vengan y siéntense, caballeros. Hablemos de este asunto. Me siento

that I may be frank with you, Mr. Holmes. You have the feelings of a
para que pueda ser franco con usted, señor Holmes. Tienes los sentimientos de un

gentleman. How quick a woman's instinct is to find it out. I will treat
caballero. Qué rápido es el instinto de una mujer para descubrirlo. Trataré

you as a friend."
tú como amigo".

"I cannot promise to reciprocate, madame. I am not the law, but I
—No puedo prometer corresponder, señora. Yo no soy la ley, pero yo

represent justice so far as my feeble powers go. I am ready to listen,
representar la justicia hasta donde llegan mis débiles facultades. Estoy listo para escuchar,

and then I will tell you how I will act."
y luego te diré cómo actuaré".

"No doubt it was foolish of me to threaten a brave man like yourself."
Sin duda fue una tontería por mi parte amenazar a un hombre valiente como tú.

"What was really foolish, madame, is that you have placed yourself in
-Lo que ha sido una tontería, señora, es que os hayáis metido en

the power of a band of rascals who may blackmail or give you away."
el poder de una banda de bribones que pueden chantajearte o delatarte".

"No, no! I am not so simple. Since I have promised to be frank, I may
"¡No, no! No soy tan simple. Ya que he prometido ser franco, puedo

say that no one, save Barney Stockdale and Susan, his wife, have the
dicen que nadie, excepto Barney Stockdale y Susan, su esposa, tienen la

least idea who their employer is. As to them, well, it is not the first
menos idea de quién es su empleador. En cuanto a ellos, bueno, no es el primero

--" She smiled and nodded with a charming coquettish intimacy.
--Sonrió y asintió con una encantadora y coqueta intimidad-.

"I see. You've tested them before."
—Ya veo. Ya los has probado antes".

"They are good hounds who run silent."
"Son buenos sabuesos que corren en silencio".

"Such hounds have a way sooner or later of biting the hand that feeds
"Tales sabuesos tienen una manera tarde o temprano de morder la mano que se alimenta

them. They will be arrested for this burglary. The police are already
ellos. Serán arrestados por este robo. La policía ya está

after them."   después de ellos".

"They will take what comes to them. That is what they are paid for. I
"Tomarán lo que les llegue. Para eso se les paga. Yo

shall not appear in the matter."
no comparecerá en el asunto".

"Unless I bring you into it."
"A menos que te traiga a él".

"No, no, you would not. You are a gentleman. It is a woman's secret."
"No, no, no lo harías. Eres un caballero. Es el secreto de una mujer".

"In the first place, you must give back this manuscript."
"En primer lugar, debes devolver este manuscrito".

She broke into a ripple of laughter and walked to the fireplace. There
Ella estalló en una ola de risas y caminó hacia la chimenea. Allí

was a calcined mass which she broke up with the poker. "Shall I give
era una masa calcinada que rompió con el atizador. "¿Debo dar

this back?" she asked. So roguish and exquisite did she look as she
¿De vuelta?", preguntó. Tan pícara y exquisita se veía como

stood before us with a challenging smile that I felt of all Holmes's
se paró frente a nosotros con una sonrisa desafiante que yo sentía de todos los Holmes

criminals this was the one whom he would find it hardest to face.
Criminales, este era el que le resultaría más difícil de enfrentar.

However, he was immune from sentiment.
Sin embargo, era inmune a los sentimientos.

"That seals your fate," he said coldly. "You are very prompt in your
—Eso sella tu destino —dijo con frialdad—. "Eres muy rápido en tu

actions, madame, but you have overdone it on this occasion."
Acciones, señora, pero en esta ocasión se ha excedido usted.

She threw the poker down with a clatter.
Tiró el atizador al suelo con estrépito.

"How hard you are!" she cried. "May I tell you the whole story?"
"¡Qué duro eres!", exclamó. —¿Puedo contarte toda la historia?

"I fancy I could tell it to you."
—Me imagino que podría decírtelo.

"But you must look at it with my eyes, Mr. Holmes. You must realize it
—Pero debe mirarlo con mis ojos, señor Holmes. Debes darte cuenta de ello

from the point of view of a woman who sees all her life's ambition
desde el punto de vista de una mujer que ve toda la ambición de su vida

about to be ruined at the last moment. Is such a woman to be blamed if
a punto de arruinarse en el último momento. ¿Hay que culpar a una mujer así si

she protects herself?"
¿Se protege a sí misma?"

"The original sin was yours."
"El pecado original fue tuyo".

"Yes, yes! I admit it. He was a dear boy, Douglas, but it so chanced
"¡Sí, sí! Lo admito. Era un chico muy querido, Douglas, pero dio la casualidad

that he could not fit into my plans. He wanted marriage--marriage,
que no podía encajar en mis planes. Quería el matrimonio, el matrimonio,

Mr. Holmes--with a penniless commoner. Nothing less would serve him.
El señor Holmes, con un plebeyo sin un céntimo. Nada menos le serviría.

Then he became pertinacious. Because I had given he seemed to think
Luego se volvió pertinaz. Porque yo le había dado parecía pensar

that I still must give, and to him only. It was intolerable. At last I
que todavía debo darle, y sólo a él. Era intolerable. Al fin

had to make him realize it."
tenía que hacer que se diera cuenta".

"By hiring ruffians to beat him under your own window."
"Contratando rufianes para que lo golpeen debajo de tu propia ventana".

"You do indeed seem to know everything. Well, it is true. Barney and
"De hecho, parece que lo sabes todo. Bueno, es cierto. Barney y

the boys drove him away, and were, I admit, a little rough in doing so.
los muchachos lo ahuyentaron y, lo reconozco, fueron un poco bruscos al hacerlo.

But what did he do then? Could I have believed that a gentleman would
Pero, ¿qué hizo entonces? ¿Podría haber creído que un caballero

do such an act? He wrote a book in which he described his own story. I,
¿Hacer tal acto? Escribió un libro en el que describió su propia historia. Yo

of course, was the wolf; he the lamb. It was all there, under different
Por supuesto, era el lobo; él el cordero. Todo estaba ahí, bajo diferentes

names, of course; but who in all London would have failed to recognize
nombres, por supuesto; pero ¿quién en todo Londres no habría reconocido

it? What do you say to that, Mr. Holmes?"
¿eso? ¿Qué dice usted a eso, señor Holmes?

"Well, he was within his rights."
"Bueno, estaba en su derecho".

"It was as if the air of Italy had got into his blood and brought with
"Era como si el aire de Italia se le hubiera metido en la sangre y traído consigo

it the old cruel Italian spirit. He wrote to me and sent me a copy of
es el viejo y cruel espíritu italiano. Me escribió y me envió una copia de

his book that I might have the torture of anticipation. There were two
su libro para que yo pudiera tener la tortura de la anticipación. Había dos

copies, he said--one for me, one for his publisher."
Copias, dijo, una para mí, otra para su editor.

"How did you know the publisher's had not reached him?"
—¿Cómo supo que la editorial no le había llegado?

"I knew who his publisher was. It is not his only novel, you know. I
"Sabía quién era su editor. No es su única novela, ¿sabes? Yo

found out that he had not heard from Italy. Then came Douglas's sudden
se enteró de que no había tenido noticias de Italia. Luego vino la repentina

death. So long as that other manuscript was in the world there was no
muerte. Mientras ese otro manuscrito estuvo en el mundo, no hubo

safety for me. Of course, it must be among his effects, and these would
seguridad para mí. Por supuesto, debe estar entre sus efectos, y estos

be returned to his mother. I set the gang at work. One of them got into
ser devuelto a su madre. Puse a trabajar a la pandilla. Uno de ellos se metió en

the house as servant. I wanted to do the thing honestly. I really and
la casa como sirviente. Quería hacerlo honestamente. Realmente y

truly did. I was ready to buy the house and everything in it. I offered
Realmente lo hizo. Estaba listo para comprar la casa y todo lo que había en ella. Ofrecí

any price she cared to ask. I only tried the other way when everything
cualquier precio que se atreviera a pedir. Solo lo intenté al revés cuando todo

else had failed. Now, Mr. Holmes, granting that I was too hard on
de lo contrario, había fracasado. Ahora, señor Holmes, concediendo que yo fui demasiado duro con

Douglas--and, God knows, I am sorry for it!--what else could I do
Douglas --y, Dios sabe, lo siento-- qué otra cosa podía hacer

with my whole future at stake?"
con todo mi futuro en juego?"

Sherlock Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
Sherlock Holmes se encogió de hombros.

"Well, well," said he, "I suppose I shall have to compound a felony as
—Bien, bueno —dijo—, supongo que tendré que agravar un delito grave como

usual. How much does it cost to go round the world in first-class
usual. ¿Cuánto cuesta dar la vuelta al mundo en primera clase?

style?"   estilo?"

The lady stared in amazement.
La dama se quedó mirando con asombro.

"Could it be done on five thousand pounds?"
—¿Podría hacerse con cinco mil libras?

"Well, I should think so, indeed!"
—¡Bueno, yo creo que sí!

"Very good. I think you will sign me a check for that, and I will see
"Muy bien. Creo que me firmarás un cheque por eso, y ya veré

that it comes to Mrs. Maberley. You owe her a little change of air.
que llega a la señora Maberley. Le debes un pequeño cambio de aires.

Meantime, lady"--he wagged a cautionary forefinger--"have a care!
Mientras tanto, señora -agitó un dedo índice en señal de advertencia-, ¡tenga cuidado!

Have a care! You can't play with edged tools forever without cutting
¡Cuídate! No se puede jugar con herramientas afiladas para siempre sin cortar

those dainty hands."
esas manos delicadas".

THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUSSEX VAMPIRE
LA AVENTURA DEL VAMPIRO DE SUSSEX

Holmes had read carefully a note which the last post had brought him.
Holmes había leído atentamente una nota que le había traído el último correo.

Then, with the dry chuckle which was his nearest approach to a laugh,
Luego, con la risita seca que era lo más cercano a una risa,

he tossed it over to me.
Me lo tiró.

"For a mixture of the modern and the mediaeval, of the practical and of
"Por una mezcla de lo moderno y lo medieval, de lo práctico y de lo

the wildly fanciful, I think this is surely the limit," said he. "What
los salvajemente fantasiosos, creo que este es sin duda el límite -dijo-. "¿Qué

do you make of it, Watson?"
¿Lo cree usted, Watson?

I read as follows:
Leo lo siguiente:

46, OLD JEWRY,  46, VIEJO JUDÍO,

Nov. 19th.   19 de noviembre.

Re Vampires  Re Vampiros

SIR:  SEÑOR:

Our client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea brokers, of
Nuestro cliente, el Sr. Robert Ferguson, de Ferguson y Muirhead, corredores de té, de

Mincing Lane, has made some inquiry from us in a communication of even
Mincing Lane, nos ha hecho alguna consulta en una comunicación de

date concerning vampires. As our firm specializes entirely upon the
fecha concerniente a los vampiros. Como nuestra firma se especializa enteramente en la

assessment of machinery the matter hardly comes within our purview, and we
evaluación de la maquinaria, la cuestión apenas entra dentro de nuestro ámbito de competencia, y

have therefore recommended Mr. Ferguson to call upon
por lo tanto, han recomendado al Sr. Ferguson que recurra a

you and lay the matter before you. We have not forgotten your successful
y exponer el asunto ante ti. No hemos olvidado su éxito

action in the case of Matilda Briggs.
acción en el caso de Matilda Briggs.

We are, sir,  Somos, señor,

Faithfully yours,  Atentamente,

MORRISON, MORRISON, AND DODD.
MORRISON, MORRISON Y DODD.

per E. J. C.
según E. J. C.

"Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson," said Holmes
—Matilda Briggs no era el nombre de una mujer joven, Watson —dijo Holmes—

in a reminiscent voice. "It was a ship which is associated with the
con una voz reminiscente. "Era un barco que está asociado con el

giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared.
rata gigante de Sumatra, una historia para la que el mundo aún no está preparado.

But what do we know about vampires? Does it come within our purview
Pero, ¿qué sabemos de los vampiros? ¿Entra dentro de nuestro ámbito de competencia?

either? Anything is better than stagnation, but really we seem to have
¿cualquiera de los dos? Cualquier cosa es mejor que el estancamiento, pero en realidad parece que tenemos

been switched on to a Grimms' fairy tale. Make a long arm, Watson, and
se ha convertido en un cuento de hadas de los hermanos Grimm. Haz un brazo largo, Watson, y

see what V has to say."
a ver qué tiene que decir V".

I leaned back and took down the great index volume to which he
Me eché hacia atrás y tomé el gran volumen índice al que se había acercado.

referred. Holmes balanced it on his knee, and his eyes moved slowly and
Referido. Holmes la balanceó sobre sus rodillas, y sus ojos se movieron lentamente y

lovingly over the record of old cases, mixed with the accumulated
amorosamente sobre el registro de casos antiguos, mezclado con el acumulado

information of a lifetime.
información de toda una vida.

"Voyage of the Gloria Scott," he read. "That was a bad business. I have
"Viaje del Gloria Scott", leyó. "Ese fue un mal negocio. Tengo

some recollection that you made a record of it, Watson, though I was
algún recuerdo de que usted lo había registrado, Watson, aunque yo estaba

unable to congratulate you upon the result. Victor Lynch, the forger.
incapaz de felicitarle por el resultado. Víctor Lynch, el falsificador.

Venomous lizard or gila. Remarkable case, that! Vittoria, the circus
Lagarto venenoso o gila. ¡Caso notable, ese! Vittoria, el circo

belle. Vanderbilt and the Yeggman. Vipers. Vigor, the Hammersmith
belleza. Vanderbilt y el Yeggman. Víboras. Vigor, el herrero de martillos

wonder. Hullo! Hullo! Good old index. You can't beat it. Listen to
maravilla. ¡Hola! ¡Hola! Buen índice antiguo. No se puede superar. Escuchar

this, Watson. Vampirism in Hungary. And again, Vampires in
esto, Watson. El vampirismo en Hungría. Y de nuevo, Vampiros en

Transylvania." He turned over the pages with eagerness, but after a
Transilvania". Pasó las páginas con impaciencia, pero después de un

short intent perusal he threw down the great book with a snarl of
Con una breve lectura atenta, arrojó el gran libro con un gruñido de

disappointment.   decepción.

"Rubbish, Watson, rubbish! What have we to do with walking corpses who
—¡Basura, Watson, basura! ¿Qué tenemos que ver con los cadáveres andantes que

can only be held in their grave by stakes driven through their hearts?
¿Solo pueden ser retenidos en su tumba por estacas clavadas en sus corazones?

It's pure lunacy."
Es una locura pura".

"But surely," said I, "the vampire was not necessarily a dead man? A
—Pero sin duda —dije—, ¿no era necesariamente un hombre muerto? Un

living person might have the habit. I have read, for example, of the
persona viva podría tener el hábito. He leído, por ejemplo, sobre la

old sucking the blood of the young in order to retain their youth."
viejos chupando la sangre de los jóvenes para conservar su juventud".

"You are right, Watson. It mentions the legend in one of these
—Tiene usted razón, Watson. Menciona la leyenda en uno de estos

references. But are we to give serious attention to such things? This
Referencias. Pero, ¿debemos prestar atención seria a tales cosas? Éste

agency stands flat-footed upon the ground, and there it must remain.
El albedrío está con los pies en el suelo, y allí debe permanecer.

The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply. I fear that we
El mundo es lo suficientemente grande para nosotros. No es necesario que los fantasmas se postulen. Me temo que

cannot take Mr. Robert Ferguson very seriously. Possibly this note may
no puede tomar muy en serio al Sr. Robert Ferguson. Es posible que esta nota pueda

be from him and may throw some light upon what is worrying him."
puede arrojar alguna luz sobre lo que le preocupa".

He took up a second letter which had lain unnoticed upon the table
Tomó una segunda carta que había pasado desapercibida sobre la mesa

while he had been absorbed with the first. This he began to read with a
mientras que él había sido absorbido por el primero. Esto lo empezó a leer con un

smile of amusement upon his face which gradually faded away into an
sonrisa divertida en su rostro, que poco a poco se desvaneció en una

expression of intense interest and concentration. When he had finished
expresión de intenso interés y concentración. Cuando hubo terminado

he sat for some little time lost in thought with the letter dangling
Permaneció un rato sentado, absorto en sus pensamientos, con la carta colgando

from his fingers. Finally, with a start, he aroused himself from his
de sus dedos. Finalmente, con un sobresalto, se despertó de su

reverie.   ensueño.

"Cheeseman's, Lamberley. Where is Lamberley, Watson?"
– Cheeseman's, Lamberley. ¿Dónde está Lamberley, Watson?

"It is in Sussex, South of Horsham."
Está en Sussex, al sur de Horsham.

"Not very far, eh? And Cheeseman's?"
—No muy lejos, ¿eh? ¿Y la de Cheeseman?

"I know that country, Holmes. It is full of old houses which are named
—Conozco ese país, Holmes. Está lleno de casas antiguas que se llaman

after the men who built them centuries ago. You get Odley's and
después de los hombres que los construyeron hace siglos. Obtienes Odley's y

Harvey's and Carriton's--the folk are forgotten but their names live
Harvey's y Carriton's: la gente está olvidada, pero sus nombres viven

in their houses."
en sus casas".

"Precisely," said Holmes coldly. It was one of the peculiarities of his
—Precisamente —dijo Holmes con frialdad—. Era una de las peculiaridades de su

proud, self-contained nature that though he docketed any fresh
naturaleza orgullosa y encerrada en sí misma que, aunque no registraba ninguna nueva

information very quietly and accurately in his brain, he seldom made
información muy tranquila y precisa en su cerebro, rara vez hacía

any acknowledgment to the giver. "I rather fancy we shall know a good
cualquier reconocimiento al dador. —Me imagino que sabremos un buen

deal more about Cheeseman's, Lamberley, before we are through. The
Más información sobre Cheeseman's, Lamberley, antes de que terminemos. El

letter is, as I had hoped, from Robert Ferguson. By the way, he claims
La carta es, como esperaba, de Robert Ferguson. Por cierto, afirma

acquaintance with you."
conocerte".

"With me!"  "¡Conmigo!"

"You had better read it."
Será mejor que lo leas.

He handed the letter across. It was headed with the address quoted.
Le entregó la carta. Estaba encabezada con la dirección citada.

DEAR MR HOLMES [it said]:
ESTIMADO SR. HOLMES [decía]:

I have been recommended to you by my lawyers, but indeed the matter is so
Mis abogados me lo han recomendado, pero en realidad el asunto es así

extraordinarily delicate that it is most difficult to discuss. It concerns
extraordinariamente delicado que es muy difícil de discutir. Se trata de

a friend for whom I am acting. This gentleman married some five years ago
un amigo para el que estoy actuando. Este caballero se casó hace unos cinco años

a Peruvian lady the daughter of a Peruvian merchant, whom he had met in
una dama peruana, hija de un comerciante peruano, a quien había conocido en

connection with the importation of nitrates. The lady was very beautiful,
relación con la importación de nitratos. La señora era muy hermosa,

but the fact of her foreign birth and of her alien religion always caused
pero el hecho de su nacimiento en el extranjero y de su religión extranjera siempre causó

a separation of interests and of feelings between husband and wife, so
una separación de intereses y de sentimientos entre marido y mujer, por lo que

that after a time his love may have cooled towards her and he may have
que después de un tiempo su amor se haya enfriado hacia ella y él haya

come to regard their union as a mistake. He felt there were sides of her
llegan a considerar su unión como un error. Sintió que había lados de ella

character which he could never explore or understand. This was the more
carácter que nunca pudo explorar ni comprender. Esto fue lo más

painful as she was as loving a wife as a man could have--to all appearance
A pesar de lo dolorosa que era, era una esposa tan amorosa como un hombre podía haberlo hecho, según todas las apariencias

absolutely devoted.   absolutamente devoto.

Now for the point which I will make more plain when we meet. Indeed, this
Ahora el punto que dejaré más claro cuando nos encontremos. De hecho, este

note is merely to give you a general idea of the situation and to
nota es simplemente para darle una idea general de la situación y para

ascertain whether you would care to interest yourself in the matter. The
Averigüe si le interesaría interesarse en el asunto. El

lady began to show some curious traits quite alien to her ordinarily sweet
La dama comenzó a mostrar algunos rasgos curiosos que le eran ajenos a su dulzura ordinaria

and gentle disposition. The gentleman had been married twice and he had
y disposición gentil. El caballero se había casado dos veces y había

one son by the first wife. This boy was now fifteen, a very charming and
un hijo de la primera esposa. Este muchacho tenía ahora quince años, un hombre muy encantador y

affectionate youth, though unhappily injured through an accident in
afectuosa juventud, aunque desgraciadamente herida por un accidente en

childhood. Twice the wife was caught in the act of assaulting this poor
niñez. Dos veces la esposa fue sorprendida en el acto de agredir a este pobre

lad in the most unprovoked way. Once she struck him with a stick and left
muchacho de la manera más no provocada. Una vez ella lo golpeó con un palo y se fue

a great weal on his arm. This was a small matter, however, compared with ...

her conduct to her own child, a dear boy just under one year of age. On ...

one occasion about a month ago this child had been left by its nurse for ...

a few minutes. A loud cry from the baby, as of pain, called the nurse ...

back. As she ran into the room she saw her employer, the lady, leaning ...

over the baby and apparently biting his neck. There was a small wound in ...

the neck from which a stream of blood had escaped. The nurse was so ...


horrorizada de querer llamar al marido, pero la dama le imploró


no lo hiciera y, de hecho, le dio cinco libras como precio por su silencio.


Nunca se dio ninguna explicación, y por el momento el asunto quedó pasado


sobre. Dejó, sin embargo, una terrible impresión en la mente de la enfermera, y


A partir de ese momento comenzó a vigilar de cerca a su ama y a mantener una


vigilaba más de cerca al bebé, a quien amaba tiernamente. Le pareció que


Así como ella miraba a la madre, así la madre la miraba a ella, y que cada vez que


vez que se vio obligada a dejar solo al bebé que la madre estaba esperando


Ponte manos a la obra. Día y noche la enfermera cubría al niño, y día y noche


La madre silenciosa y vigilante parecía estar al acecho como espera un lobo


un cordero. Debe leerte de lo más increíble y, sin embargo, te ruego que lo tomes


En serio, la vida de un niño y la cordura de un hombre pueden depender de ello.


Al fin llegó un día terrible en que los hechos ya no podían ser


oculta al marido. Los nervios de la enfermera habían cedido; Podía


no soportará más la tensión, y se limpió el pecho hasta el


hombre. A él le pareció un cuento tan descabellado como puede parecerte ahora. Él sabía


que su esposa fuera una esposa amorosa y, salvo por las agresiones a su hijastro,


una madre amorosa. ¿Por qué, entonces, habría de herir a su querido bebé?


Le dijo a la enfermera que estaba soñando, que sus sospechas eran las de


lunática, y que tales calumnias contra su ama no debían ser


Tolerado. Mientras hablaban, se escuchó un repentino grito de dolor. Enfermera


Y el Maestro corrieron juntos a la guardería. Imagina sus sentimientos,


El señor Holmes, al ver a su esposa levantarse de una posición arrodillada junto a la


catre y vio sangre en el cuello expuesto del niño y en la sábana. Con un


grito de horror, volvió el rostro de su esposa hacia la luz y vio sangre


alrededor de sus labios. Era ella, ella, sin lugar a dudas, la que había bebido el


la sangre del pobre bebé. Así está el asunto. Ahora está confinada en su habitación.


No ha habido ninguna explicación. El marido está medio demente. Él sabe,


y sé, poco de vampirismo más allá del nombre. Habíamos pensado que era


algún cuento salvaje de partes extranjeras. Y, sin embargo, aquí, en el corazón mismo de la


Sussex inglés: bueno, todo esto se puede discutir con usted por la mañana.


¿Me verás? ¿Usarás tus grandes poderes para ayudar a un distraído


¿hombre? Si es así, por favor telegrafíe a Ferguson, Cheeseman's, Lamberley, y estaré


en sus habitaciones a las diez.

 Atentamente

ROBERT FERGUSON.


P. D. Creo que tu amigo Watson jugó al rugby en el Blackheath cuando yo estaba


tres cuartos para Richmond. Es la única presentación personal que

  puede dar.


—Claro que me acordaba de él —dije mientras dejaba la carta—. "Grande


Bob Ferguson, el mejor Richmond de tres cuartos que jamás haya tenido. Siempre estuvo


Un tipo bonachón. Es propio de él estar tan preocupado por la salud de un amigo.

  caso".


Holmes me miró pensativo y sacudió la cabeza.


—Nunca entiendo sus límites, Watson —dijo—. "Hay inexplorados


posibilidades sobre ti. Baja un cable, como un buen tipo. '¿Voluntad


examina tu caso con placer'".

 —¡Tu caso!


"No debemos dejar que piense que esta agencia es un hogar para los


débil mental. Por supuesto que es su caso. Envíale ese cable y deja que el


la materia descansa hasta la mañana".


Puntualmente, a las diez de la mañana siguiente, Ferguson entró en nuestra habitación. Yo


lo recordaba como un hombre largo, de lados de losa, con las extremidades sueltas y una


Un buen giro de velocidad que lo había llevado alrededor de muchas espaldas enemigas.


Seguramente no hay nada en la vida más doloroso que encontrarse con el naufragio de


Un buen atleta al que se ha conocido en su mejor momento. Su gran cuerpo tenía


Caído, su cabello de lino era escaso y sus hombros estaban encorvados. Yo


miedo de que yo despertara en él las emociones correspondientes.


—Hullo, Watson —dijo, y su voz seguía siendo profunda y cordial—. "Tú


no te veas como el hombre que hiciste cuando te arrojé por encima de las cuerdas


la multitud en el Old Deer Park. Supongo que también he cambiado un poco. Pero


Es este último día o dos los que me han envejecido. Veo por su telegrama, Sr.


Holmes, que no sirve de nada que pretenda ser el lugarteniente de nadie.


—Es más sencillo tratar directamente —dijo Holmes—.


"Por supuesto que sí. Pero puedes imaginar lo difícil que es cuando estás


hablando de la única mujer a la que estás obligado a proteger y ayudar. Qué


¿Puedo hacer? ¿Cómo voy a ir a la policía con una historia así? Y, sin embargo, el


Hay que proteger a los niños. ¿Es una locura, señor Holmes? ¿Es


¿Algo en la sangre? ¿Tienes algún caso similar en tu experiencia?


Por el amor de Dios, dame un consejo, que estoy al límite de mi ingenio.


—Muy naturalmente, señor Ferguson. Ahora siéntate aquí y recompóncete


y dame algunas respuestas claras. Te puedo asegurar que estoy muy lejos


de estar al límite de mi ingenio, y que estoy seguro de que encontraremos algunos


solución. En primer lugar, cuéntame qué pasos has dado. ¿Es tu esposa?


¿Sigues cerca de los niños?


"Tuvimos una escena espantosa. Es una mujer muy cariñosa, señor Holmes. Si


Alguna vez una mujer amó a un hombre con todo su corazón y con toda su alma, ella me ama a mí. Ella


me dolió el corazón que yo hubiera descubierto esto horrible, esto


Increíble, secreto. Ni siquiera hablaba. Ella no contestó a mi


reproches, salvo para mirarme con una especie de mirada salvaje y desesperada


sus ojos. Luego corrió a su habitación y se encerró. Desde entonces


Ella se ha negado a verme. Tiene una sirvienta que estuvo con ella antes que ella


matrimonio, Dolores de nombre, una amiga más que una sirvienta. Ella toma


su comida para ella".


—¿Entonces el niño no corre peligro inmediato?


La señora Mason, la enfermera, ha jurado que no lo dejará ni de noche ni de noche.


día. Puedo confiar absolutamente en ella. Estoy más inquieto por la pobrecita


Jack, porque, como te dije en mi nota, ha sido agredido dos veces por

  ella".

 —¿Pero nunca herido?


"No, ella lo golpeó salvajemente. Es tanto más terrible cuanto que es un pobre


pequeño lisiado inofensivo". Las facciones demacradas de Ferguson se suavizaron a medida que


habló de su hijo. "Uno pensaría que la condición del querido muchacho


ablandar el corazón de cualquiera. Una caída en la infancia y una columna vertebral torcida, el Sr.


Holmes. Pero el corazón más querido y amoroso que hay en su interior".


Holmes había cogido la carta del día anterior y la estaba leyendo.


—¿Qué otros reclusos hay en su casa, señor Ferguson?


"Dos sirvientes que no han estado mucho tiempo con nosotros. Un mozo de cuadra, Michael,


que duerme en la casa. Mi esposa, yo, mi hijo Jack, mi bebé, Dolores,


y la Sra. Mason. Eso es todo".


"Deduzco que usted no conocía bien a su esposa en el momento de su

  ¿Matrimonio?"


"Solo la conocía desde hacía unas semanas".


—¿Cuánto tiempo llevaba con ella esta doncella Dolores?

 —Algunos años.


—Entonces el carácter de tu mujer sería más conocido por Dolores


que por ti?"


—Sí, puedes decirlo.


Holmes tomó nota.


—Me imagino —dijo— que puedo ser más útil en Lamberley que aquí.


Es eminentemente un caso para la investigación personal. Si la dama se queda


En su habitación, nuestra presencia no podía molestarla ni incomodarla. De


Por supuesto, nos quedaríamos en la posada.


Ferguson hizo un gesto de alivio.


—Es lo que esperaba, señor Holmes. Hay un excelente tren a las dos


de Victoria, si pudieras venir.


"Por supuesto que podríamos venir. En la actualidad hay una pausa. Puedo darte mi


energías indivisas. Watson, por supuesto, viene con nosotros. Pero hay uno


o dos puntos sobre los que quiero estar muy seguro antes de empezar. Éste


infeliz dama, según tengo entendido, ha aparecido para asaltar tanto a la


niños, su propio bebé y tu hijito?"

 —Así es.


"Pero las agresiones toman diferentes formas, ¿no es así? Ha vencido

  tu hijo".


"Una vez con un palo y otra muy salvajemente con las manos".


– ¿No dio ninguna explicación de por qué lo golpeó?


Ninguna, salvo que ella lo odiaba. Una y otra vez lo repitió".


"Bueno, eso no es desconocido entre las madrastras. Unos celos póstumos,


dirá. ¿Es celosa la dama por naturaleza?"


—Sí, está muy celosa, celosa con toda la fuerza de su fuego

  amor tropical".


Pero el muchacho... tiene quince años, según tengo entendido, y probablemente muy


desarrollado en la mente, ya que su cuerpo ha sido circunscrito en acción. ¿Lo hizo?


¿No te ha dado ninguna explicación de estas agresiones?


"No, declaró que no había ninguna razón".


—¿Eran buenos amigos en otras épocas?


"No, nunca hubo amor entre ellos".


—¿Y tú dices que es cariñoso?


"Nunca en el mundo podría haber un hijo tan devoto. Mi vida es suya


vida. Está absorto en lo que digo o hago".


Una vez más, Holmes tomó nota. Durante algún tiempo permaneció sumido en sus pensamientos.


"No hay duda de que tú y el muchacho eran grandes camaradas antes de este segundo


matrimonio. Estabais muy juntos, ¿verdad?

 —Mucho.


"Y el muchacho, que tenía una naturaleza tan afectuosa, era devoto, sin duda,


a la memoria de su madre?"

 "Muy devoto".


"Ciertamente parecería ser un muchacho muy interesante. Hay uno


Otro punto sobre estas agresiones. ¿Fueron los extraños ataques contra el


bebé y las agresiones a su hijo en el mismo período?"


"En el primer caso fue así. Era como si un frenesí se hubiera apoderado de ella,


y había descargado su rabia sobre ambos. En el segundo caso, sólo se trataba de


Jack que sufrió. La señora Mason no tenía ninguna queja que hacer sobre el bebé.


"Eso ciertamente complica las cosas".


—No le sigo del todo, señor Holmes.


"Posiblemente no. Uno forma teorías provisionales y espera el tiempo o el


conocimiento más completo para explotarlos. Un mal hábito, señor Ferguson, pero humano


La naturaleza es débil. Me temo que tu viejo amigo aquí ha dado una


visión exagerada de mis métodos científicos. Sin embargo, solo diré en


en la que su problema no me parece que sea


insoluble, y que puede esperar encontrarnos en Victoria a las dos

  en punto.


Era la tarde de un aburrido y brumoso día de noviembre cuando, después de haber dejado nuestras maletas


en Chequers, Lamberley, atravesamos la arcilla de Sussex de una larga


sinuoso camino y finalmente llegó a la aislada y antigua casa de campo en

which Ferguson dwelt. It was a large, straggling building, very old in
en la que vivía Ferguson. Era un edificio grande y desvencijado, muy viejo en

the centre, very new at the wings with towering Tudor chimneys and a
el centro, muy nuevo en las alas con imponentes chimeneas Tudor y una

lichen-spotted, high-pitched roof of Horsham slabs. The doorsteps were
techo de losas de Horsham con manchas de líquenes y a dos aguas. Los umbrales de las puertas eran

worn into curves, and the ancient tiles which lined the porch were
desgastado en curvas, y las tejas antiguas que bordeaban el porche estaban

marked with the rebus of a cheese and a man after the original builder.
marcado con el rebus de un queso y un hombre según el constructor original.

Within, the ceilings were corrugated with heavy oaken beams, and the
En el interior, los techos estaban corrugados con pesadas vigas de roble, y el

uneven floors sagged into sharp curves. An odour of age and decay
Los pisos irregulares se hundían en curvas pronunciadas. Olor a edad y decadencia

pervaded the whole crumbling building.
impregnaba todo el edificio en ruinas.

There was one very large central room into which Ferguson led us. Here,
Había una sala central muy grande a la que Ferguson nos llevó. Aquí

in a huge old-fashioned fireplace with an iron screen behind it dated
en una enorme chimenea anticuada con una pantalla de hierro detrás

1670, there blazed and spluttered a splendid log fire.
En 1670, ardía y chisporroteaba una espléndida hoguera de leña.

The room, as I gazed round, was a most singular mixture of dates and of
La habitación, mientras miraba a mi alrededor, era una mezcla muy singular de fechas y de

places. The half-panelled walls may well have belonged to the original
Lugares. Las paredes de medio panel bien podrían haber pertenecido al original

yeoman farmer of the seventeenth century. They were ornamented,
Agricultor campesino del siglo XVII. Estaban adornados,

however, on the lower part by a line of well-chosen modern
Sin embargo, en la parte inferior por una línea de

water-colours; while above, where yellow plaster took the place of oak,
acuarelas; mientras que arriba, donde el yeso amarillo ocupaba el lugar del roble,

there was hung a fine collection of South American utensils and
colgaba una fina colección de utensilios sudamericanos y

weapons, which had been brought, no doubt, by the Peruvian lady
armas, que habían sido traídas, sin duda, por la dama peruana

upstairs. Holmes rose, with that quick curiosity which sprang from his
hacia arriba. Holmes se levantó, con esa rápida curiosidad que brotaba de su

eager mind, and examined them with some care. He returned with his eyes
mente ansiosa, y los examinó con cierto cuidado. Regresó con los ojos

full of thought.
lleno de pensamiento.

"Hullo!" he cried. "Hullo!"
"¡Hullo!", exclamó. "¡Hullo!"

A spaniel had lain in a basket in the corner. It came slowly forward
Un spaniel yacía en una canasta en un rincón. Avanzó lentamente

towards its master, walking with difficulty. Its hind legs moved
hacia su amo, caminando con dificultad. Sus patas traseras se movían

irregularly and its tail was on the ground. It licked Ferguson's hand.
irregularmente y su cola estaba en el suelo. Lamió la mano de Ferguson.

"What is it, Mr. Holmes?"
—¿Qué pasa, señor Holmes?

"The dog. What's the matter with it?"
"El perro. ¿Qué le pasa?"

"That's what puzzled the vet. A sort of paralysis. Spinal meningitis,
"Eso es lo que desconcertó al veterinario. Una especie de parálisis. Meningitis espinal,

he thought. But it is passing. He'll be all right soon--won't you,
pensó. Pero está pasando. Él estará bien pronto, ¿no es así?

Carlo?"   ¿Carlo?

A shiver of assent passed through the drooping tail. The dog's mournful
Un escalofrío de asentimiento recorrió la cola caída. El perro está triste

eyes passed from one of us to the other. He knew that we were
Los ojos pasaron de uno a otro. Él sabía que estábamos

discussing his case.
discutiendo su caso.

"Did it come on suddenly?"
—¿Apareció de repente?

"In a single night."
"En una sola noche".

"How long ago?"  —¿Hace cuánto tiempo?

"It may have been four months ago."
"Puede haber sido hace cuatro meses".

"Very remarkable. Very suggestive."
"Muy notable. Muy sugerente".

"What do you see in it, Mr. Holmes?"
—¿Qué ve usted en ella, señor Holmes?

"A confirmation of what I had already thought."
"Una confirmación de lo que ya había pensado".

"For God's sake, what do you think, Mr. Holmes? It may be a mere
—Por el amor de Dios, ¿qué le parece, señor Holmes? Puede ser un mero

intellectual puzzle to you, but it is life and death to me! My wife a
¡Es un enigma intelectual para ti, pero es de vida o muerte para mí! Mi esposa a

would-be murderer--my child in constant danger! Don't play with me,
¡Asesino en potencia, mi hijo en constante peligro! No juegues conmigo,

Mr. Holmes. It is too terribly serious."
El señor Holmes. Es demasiado grave".

The big Rugby three-quarter was trembling all over. Holmes put his hand
El gran tres cuartos de Rugby temblaba por todas partes. Holmes le tendió la mano

soothingly upon his arm.
suavemente sobre su brazo.

"I fear that there is pain for you, Mr. Ferguson, whatever the solution
—Me temo que hay dolor para usted, señor Ferguson, sea cual sea la solución

may be," said he. "I would spare you all I can. I cannot say more for
puede ser -dijo-. "Te ahorraría todo lo que pueda. No puedo decir más sobre

the instant, but before I leave this house I hope I may have something
pero antes de irme de esta casa espero tener algo

definite."   Definitivamente".

"Please God you may! If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will go up to
—¡Por favor, Dios, que puedas! Si me disculpan, señores, subiré a

my wife's room and see if there has been any change."
la habitación de mi esposa y ver si ha habido algún cambio".

He was away some minutes, during which Holmes resumed his examination
Estuvo ausente unos minutos, durante los cuales Holmes reanudó su examen

of the curiosities upon the wall. When our host returned it was clear
de las curiosidades de la pared. Cuando nuestro anfitrión regresó, estaba claro

from his downcast face that he had made no progress. He brought with
de su rostro abatido que no había hecho ningún progreso. Trajo consigo

him a tall, slim, brown-faced girl.
Era una muchacha alta, delgada y de rostro moreno.

"The tea is ready, Dolores," said Ferguson. "See that your mistress has
—El té está listo, Dolores —dijo Ferguson—. "Mira que tu ama tiene

everything she can wish."
todo lo que ella pueda desear".

"She verra ill," cried the girl, looking with indignant eyes at her
-¡Está muy enferma! -exclamó la muchacha, mirándola con ojos indignados-

master. "She no ask for food. She verra ill. She need doctor. I
maestro. "Ella no pide comida. Ella verra enferma. Necesita médico. Yo

frightened stay alone with her without doctor."
asustado, quédate a solas con ella sin médico".

Ferguson looked at me with a question in his eyes.
Ferguson me miró con una pregunta en los ojos.

"I should be so glad if I could be of use."
—Me alegraría mucho si pudiera ser útil.

"Would your mistress see Dr. Watson?"
—¿Quiere ver su ama al doctor Watson?

"I take him. I no ask leave. She needs doctor."
"Me lo llevo. No pido permiso. Necesita médico".

"Then I'll come with you at once."
—Entonces iré contigo enseguida.

I followed the girl, who was quivering with strong emotion, up the
Seguí a la muchacha, que temblaba de fuerte emoción, por la

staircase and down an ancient corridor. At the end was an iron-clamped
escalera y por un antiguo pasillo. Al final había una abrazadera de hierro

and massive door. It struck me as I looked at it that if Ferguson tried
y puerta maciza. Al mirarlo, se me ocurrió que si Ferguson lo intentaba

to force his way to his wife he would find it no easy matter. The girl
Forzar el camino hacia su esposa no le resultaría fácil. La chica

drew a key from her pocket, and the heavy oaken planks creaked upon
sacó una llave del bolsillo y los pesados tablones de roble crujieron sobre

their old hinges. I passed in and she swiftly followed, fastening the
sus viejas bisagras. Entré y ella me siguió rápidamente, abrochando el

door behind her.
puerta detrás de ella.

On the bed a woman was lying who was clearly in a high fever. She was
En la cama yacía una mujer que claramente tenía fiebre alta. Ella fue

only half conscious, but as I entered she raised a pair of frightened
sólo medio consciente, pero cuando entré levantó un par de

but beautiful eyes and glared at me in apprehension. Seeing a stranger,
pero hermosos ojos y me miraron con aprensión. Al ver a un extraño,

she appeared to be relieved and sank back with a sigh upon the pillow.
Pareció aliviada y se dejó caer con un suspiro sobre la almohada.

I stepped up to her with a few reassuring words, and she lay still
Me acerqué a ella con unas palabras tranquilizadoras, y ella se quedó quieta

while I took her pulse and temperature. Both were high, and yet my
mientras le tomaba el pulso y la temperatura. Ambos eran altos, y sin embargo mi

impression was that the condition was rather that of mental and nervous
impresión era que la condición era más bien la de una enfermedad mental y nerviosa.

excitement than of any actual seizure.
excitación que de cualquier convulsión real.

"She lie like that one day, two day. I 'fraid she die," said the girl.
"Ella se acostó así un día, dos días. No sé si se muere -dijo la muchacha-.

The woman turned her flushed and handsome face towards me.
La mujer volvió su rostro sonrojado y hermoso hacia mí.

"Where is my husband?"
"¿Dónde está mi marido?"

"He is below and would wish to see you."
Está abajo y desearía verte.

"I will not see him. I will not see him." Then she seemed to wander off
"No lo veré. No lo veré". Luego pareció alejarse

into delirium. "A fiend! A fiend! Oh, what shall I do with this devil?"
en el delirio. "¡Un demonio! ¡Un demonio! Oh, ¿qué haré con este diablo?

"Can I help you in any way?"
"¿Puedo ayudarte de alguna manera?"

"No. No one can help. It is finished. All is destroyed. Do what I will,
"No. Nadie puede ayudar. Está terminado. Todo está destruido. Haz lo que yo quiera,

all is destroyed."
todo está destruido".

The woman must have some strange delusion. I could not see honest Bob
La mujer debe de tener algún extraño delirio. No pude ver al honesto Bob

Ferguson in the character of fiend or devil.
Ferguson en el personaje de demonio o diablo.

"Madame," I said, "your husband loves you dearly. He is deeply grieved
—Señora —le dije—, su marido la quiere mucho. Está profundamente afligido

at this happening."
en este momento".

Again she turned on me those glorious eyes.
Volvió a mirarme aquellos ojos gloriosos.

"He loves me. Yes. But do I not love him? Do I not love him even to
"Él me ama. Sí. Pero, ¿acaso no lo amo? ¿Acaso no lo amo ni siquiera hasta

sacrifice myself rather than break his dear heart? That is how I love
sacrificarme antes que romper su querido corazón? Así es como amo

him. And yet he could think of me--he could speak of me so."
él. Y, sin embargo, podía pensar en mí, podía hablar de mí de esa manera.

"He is full of grief, but he cannot understand."
"Está lleno de dolor, pero no puede entender".

"No, he cannot understand. But he should trust."
"No, no puede entender. Pero debería confiar".

"Will you not see him?" I suggested.
—¿No lo verás? Sugerí.

"No, no, I cannot forget those terrible words nor the look upon his
—No, no, no puedo olvidar esas terribles palabras ni la mirada de su

face. I will not see him. Go now. You can do nothing for me. Tell him
cara. No lo veré. Ve ahora. No puedes hacer nada por mí. Díselo

only one thing. I want my child. I have a right to my child. That is
Solo una cosa. Quiero a mi hijo. Tengo derecho a mi hijo. Es decir

the only message I can send him." She turned her face to the wall and
el único mensaje que puedo enviarle". Volvió la cara hacia la pared y

would say no more.
no diría más.

I returned to the room downstairs, where Ferguson and Holmes still sat
Regresé a la habitación de abajo, donde Ferguson y Holmes seguían sentados

by the fire. Ferguson listened moodily to my account of the interview.
junto al fuego. Ferguson escuchó malhumorado mi relato de la entrevista.

"How can I send her the child?" he said. "How do I know what strange
"¿Cómo puedo enviarle al niño?", dijo. "¿Cómo sé lo extraño

impulse might come upon her? How can I ever forget how she rose from
¿Podría sobrevenirle un impulso? ¿Cómo podré olvidar cómo se levantó de

beside it with its blood upon her lips?" He shuddered at the
junto a ella, con su sangre en los labios? Se estremeció al oír la

recollection. "The child is safe with Mrs. Mason, and there he must
recuerdo. El niño está a salvo con la señora Mason, y allí debe

remain."   permanecer".

A smart maid, the only modern thing which we had seen in the house, had
Una doncella elegante, la única cosa moderna que habíamos visto en la casa, tenía

brought in some tea. As she was serving it the door opened and a youth
trajo un poco de té. Mientras lo servía, la puerta se abrió y un joven

entered the room. He was a remarkable lad, pale-faced and fair-haired,
Entró en la habitación. Era un muchacho notable, de rostro pálido y cabello rubio,

with excitable light blue eyes which blazed into a sudden flame of
con excitables ojos celestes que resplandecían en una súbita llama de

emotion and joy as they rested upon his father. He rushed forward and
emoción y alegría mientras descansaban sobre su padre. Corrió hacia adelante y

threw his arms round his neck with the abandon of a loving girl.
Se echó los brazos al cuello con el abandono de una muchacha cariñosa.

"Oh, daddy," he cried, "I did not know that you were due yet. I should
"Oh, papá", exclamó, "aún no sabía que ibas a nacer. Debería

have been here to meet you. Oh, I am so glad to see you!"
He estado aquí para conocerte. ¡Oh, me alegro mucho de verte!

Ferguson gently disengaged himself from the embrace with some little
Ferguson se soltó suavemente del abrazo con un poco de

show of embarrassment.
muestra de vergüenza.

"Dear old chap," said he, patting the flaxen head with a very tender
-Querido viejo -dijo, acariciando la cabeza de lino con un gesto muy tierno-

hand. "I came early because my friends, Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson, have
mano. "Llegué temprano porque mis amigos, el señor Holmes y el doctor Watson, tienen

been persuaded to come down and spend an evening with us."
me han persuadido para que viniera a pasar una noche con nosotros.

"Is that Mr. Holmes, the detective?"
—¿Es el señor Holmes, el detective?

"Yes."  —Sí.

The youth looked at us with a very penetrating and, as it seemed to me,
El joven nos miró con una mirada muy penetrante y, según me pareció,

unfriendly gaze.   mirada hostil.

"What about your other child, Mr. Ferguson?" asked Holmes. "Might we
—¿Y su otro hijo, señor Ferguson? —preguntó Holmes. "¿Podríamos

make the acquaintance of the baby?"
¿Conocer al bebé?

"Ask Mrs. Mason to bring baby down," said Ferguson. The boy went off
—Pídale a la señora Mason que baje al bebé —dijo Ferguson—. El chico se fue

with a curious, shambling gait which told my surgical eyes that he was
con un andar curioso y tambaleante que le dijo a mis ojos quirúrgicos que estaba

suffering from a weak spine. Presently he returned, and behind him came
Sufre de una columna vertebral débil. Al poco rato regresó, y detrás de él venía

a tall, gaunt woman bearing in her arms a very beautiful child,
una mujer alta y demacrada que llevaba en sus brazos a un niño muy hermoso,

dark-eyed, golden-haired, a wonderful mixture of the Saxon and the
de ojos oscuros, cabellos dorados, una maravillosa mezcla de sajón y

Latin. Ferguson was evidently devoted to it, for he took it into his
Latín. Era evidente que Ferguson era devoto de ella, pues la tomó en su

arms and fondled it most tenderly.
brazos y lo acarició con la mayor ternura.

"Fancy anyone having the heart to hurt him," he muttered as he glanced
—Imagínate que alguien tenga el corazón de hacerle daño —murmuró mientras miraba

down at the small, angry red pucker upon the cherub throat.
en el pequeño y enojado fruncido fruncido rojo sobre la garganta del querubín.

It was at this moment that I chanced to glance at Holmes and saw a most
Fue en ese momento cuando por casualidad eché una ojeada a Holmes y vi una

singular intentness in his expression. His face was as set as if it had
singular intención en su expresión. Su rostro estaba tan firme como si lo hubiera hecho

been carved out of old ivory, and his eyes, which had glanced for a
tallado en marfil viejo, y sus ojos, que habían mirado en busca de una

moment at father and child, were now fixed with eager curiosity upon
momento en el que el padre y el hijo estaban ahora fijos con ansiosa curiosidad en

something at the other side of the room. Following his gaze I could
algo al otro lado de la habitación. Siguiendo su mirada pude

only guess that he was looking out through the window at the
sólo adivinar que estaba mirando a través de la ventana a la

melancholy, dripping garden. It is true that a shutter had half closed
jardín melancólico y chorreante. Es cierto que una persiana se había cerrado a medias

outside and obstructed the view, but none the less it was certainly at
y obstruía la vista, pero no por ello dejaba de ser

the window that Holmes was fixing his concentrated attention. Then he
la ventana en la que Holmes fijaba su concentrada atención. A continuación,

smiled, and his eyes came back to the baby. On its chubby neck there
sonrió y sus ojos volvieron al bebé. En su cuello regordete hay

was this small puckered mark. Without speaking, Holmes examined it with
era esta pequeña marca fruncida. Sin hablar, Holmes lo examinó con

care. Finally he shook one of the dimpled fists which waved in front of
cuidado. Finalmente sacudió uno de los puños con hoyuelos que ondeaban frente a él.

him.   él.

"Good-bye, little man. You have made a strange start in life. Nurse, I
—Adiós, hombrecito. Has tenido un comienzo extraño en la vida. Enfermera, I

should wish to have a word with you in private."
desearía hablar con usted en privado.

He took her aside and spoke earnestly for a few minutes. I only heard
La llevó a un lado y habló con seriedad durante unos minutos. Solo escuché

the last words, which were: "Your anxiety will soon, I hope, be set at
las últimas palabras, que fueron: "Espero que pronto tu ansiedad se ponga en

rest." The woman, who seemed to be a sour, silent kind of creature,
descansa". La mujer, que parecía ser una criatura amargada y silenciosa,

withdrew with the child.
se retiró con el niño.

"What is Mrs. Mason like?" asked Holmes.
—¿Cómo es la señora Mason? —preguntó Holmes.

"Not very prepossessing externally, as you can see, but a heart of
"No es muy atractivo externamente, como puedes ver, pero un corazón de

gold, and devoted to the child."
oro, y dedicado al niño".

"Do you like her, Jack?" Holmes turned suddenly upon the boy. His
—¿Te gusta, Jack? Holmes se volvió de repente hacia el muchacho. Suyos

expressive mobile face shadowed over, and he shook his head.
Expresivo rostro móvil se ensombreció, y negó con la cabeza.

"Jacky has very strong likes and dislikes," said Ferguson, putting his
"Jacky tiene gustos y disgustos muy fuertes", dijo Ferguson, poniendo su

arm round the boy. "Luckily I am one of his likes."
brazo alrededor del niño. "Por suerte soy uno de sus gustos".

The boy cooed and nestled his head upon his father's breast. Ferguson
El niño arrulló y apoyó su cabeza en el pecho de su padre. Ferguson

gently disengaged him.
Lo desenganchó suavemente.

"Run away, little Jacky," said he, and he watched his son with loving
—Huye, pequeño Jacky —dijo, y miró a su hijo con cariño

eyes until he disappeared. "Now, Mr. Holmes," he continued when the boy
ojos hasta que desapareció. —Ahora, señor Holmes —continuó cuando el muchacho

was gone, "I really feel that I have brought you on a fool's errand,
"Realmente siento que te he traído a una tontería,

for what can you possibly do save give me your sympathy? It must be an
Porque, ¿qué puedes hacer sino darme tu simpatía? Debe ser un

exceedingly delicate and complex affair from your point of view."
Un asunto sumamente delicado y complejo desde su punto de vista".

"It is certainly delicate," said my friend with an amused smile, "but I
—Es ciertamente delicado —dijo mi amigo con una sonrisa divertida—, pero yo

have not been struck up to now with its complexity. It has been a case
hasta ahora no se han dado cuenta de su complejidad. Ha sido un caso

for intellectual deduction, but when this original intellectual
para la deducción intelectual, pero cuando este intelectual original

deduction is confirmed point by point by quite a number of independent
deducción es confirmada punto por punto por un buen número de

incidents, then the subjective becomes objective and we can say
incidentes, entonces lo subjetivo se convierte en objetivo y podemos decir

confidently that we have reached our goal. I had, in fact, reached it
con la confianza de que hemos alcanzado nuestro objetivo. De hecho, lo había alcanzado

before we left Baker Street, and the rest has merely been observation
antes de salir de Baker Street, y el resto ha sido mera observación

and confirmation."   y confirmación".

Ferguson put his big hand to his furrowed forehead.
Ferguson se llevó la mano grande a la frente fruncida.

"For heaven's sake, Holmes," he said hoarsely; "if you can see the
—Por el amor de Dios, Holmes —dijo con voz ronca—; "Si puedes ver el

truth in this matter, do not keep me in suspense. How do I stand? What
Verdad en este asunto, no me tengas en suspenso. ¿Cómo me paro? Qué

shall I do? I care nothing as to how you have found your facts so long
¿Lo hago? No me importa cómo has encontrado tus hechos durante tanto tiempo

as you have really got them."
como realmente los tienes".

"Certainly I owe you an explanation, and you shall have it. But you
—Ciertamente, te debo una explicación, y la tendrás. Pero tú

will permit me to handle the matter in my own way? Is the lady capable
¿Me permitirá manejar el asunto a mi manera? ¿Es capaz la dama?

of seeing us, Watson?"
¿De vernos, Watson?

"She is ill, but she is quite rational."
"Está enferma, pero es bastante racional".

"Very good. It is only in her presence that we can clear the matter up.
"Muy bien. Sólo en su presencia podemos aclarar el asunto.

Let us go up to her."
Vamos a acercarnos a ella.

"She will not see me," cried Ferguson.
—No me verá —exclamó Ferguson—.

"Oh, yes, she will," said Holmes. He scribbled a few lines upon a sheet
—Oh, sí, lo hará —dijo Holmes—. Garabateó unas líneas en una hoja

of paper. "You at least have the entree, Watson. Will you have the
de papel. —Al menos tiene usted la entrada, Watson. ¿Tendrá la

goodness to give the lady this note?"
¿Dios mío para darle a la dama esta nota?

I ascended again and handed the note to Dolores, who cautiously opened
Subí de nuevo y le entregué la nota a Dolores, que abrió cautelosamente

the door. A minute later I heard a cry from within, a cry in which joy
La puerta. Un minuto después escuché un grito desde adentro, un grito en el que la alegría

and surprise seemed to be blended. Dolores looked out.
y la sorpresa parecía mezclarse. Dolores miró hacia afuera.

"She will see them. She will leesten," said she.
"Ella los verá. Ella va a leer -dijo ella-.

At my summons Ferguson and Holmes came up. As we entered the room
A mi llamada, Ferguson y Holmes se acercaron. Al entrar en la habitación

Ferguson took a step or two towards his wife, who had raised herself in
Ferguson dio uno o dos pasos hacia su esposa, que se había criado en

the bed, but she held out her hand to repulse him. He sank into an
la cama, pero ella le tendió la mano para rechazarlo. Se hundió en un

armchair, while Holmes seated himself beside him, after bowing to the
mientras Holmes se sentaba a su lado, después de hacer una reverencia a la

lady, who looked at him with wide-eyed amazement.
señora, que lo miró con los ojos muy abiertos.

"I think we can dispense with Dolores," said Holmes. "Oh, very well,
—Creo que podemos prescindir de Dolores —dijo Holmes—. "Oh, muy bien,

madame, if you would rather she stayed I can see no objection. Now, Mr.
Señora, si prefiere que se quede, no veo ninguna objeción. Ahora bien, el Sr.

Ferguson, I am a busy man with many calls, and my methods have to be
Ferguson, soy un hombre ocupado con muchas llamadas, y mis métodos tienen que ser

short and direct. The swiftest surgery is the least painful. Let me
corto y directo. La cirugía más rápida es la menos dolorosa. Déjame

first say what will ease your mind. Your wife is a very good, a very
Primero diga lo que le aliviará la mente. Tu esposa es muy buena, muy

loving, and a very ill-used woman."
amorosa y una mujer muy maltratada".

Ferguson sat up with a cry of joy.
Ferguson se incorporó con un grito de alegría.

"Prove that, Mr. Holmes, and I am your debtor forever."
—Demuéstrelo, señor Holmes, y yo seré su deudor para siempre.

"I will do so, but in doing so I must wound you deeply in another
"Lo haré, pero al hacerlo debo herirte profundamente en otro

direction."   dirección".

"I care nothing so long as you clear my wife. Everything on earth is
"No me importa nada con tal de que limpies a mi esposa. Todo en la tierra es

insignificant compared to that."
insignificante en comparación con eso".

"Let me tell you, then, the train of reasoning which passed through my
"Déjame decirte, entonces, la línea de razonamiento que pasó por mi

mind in Baker Street. The idea of a vampire was to me absurd. Such
mente en Baker Street. La idea de un vampiro era absurda para mí. Tal

things do not happen in criminal practice in England. And yet your
cosas no suceden en la práctica criminal en Inglaterra. Y, sin embargo, su

observation was precise. You had seen the lady rise from beside the
La observación fue precisa. Habías visto a la dama levantarse de junto a la

child's cot with the blood upon her lips."
cuna de niña con la sangre en los labios".

"I did."  —Lo hice.

"Did it not occur to you that a bleeding wound may be sucked for some
"¿No se te ocurrió que una herida sangrante puede ser succionada por algún

other purpose than to draw the blood from it? Was there not a queen in
¿Otro propósito que no sea el de sacarle la sangre? ¿No había una reina en

English history who sucked such a wound to draw poison from it?"
¿Quién se ha chupado semejante herida para sacarle veneno?

"Poison!"  "¡Veneno!"

"A South American household. My instinct felt the presence of those
"Un hogar sudamericano. Mi instinto sintió la presencia de aquellos

weapons upon the wall before my eyes ever saw them. It might have been
armas en la pared antes de que mis ojos las vieran. Podría haber sido

other poison, but that was what occurred to me. When I saw that little
otro veneno, pero eso fue lo que se me ocurrió. Cuando vi ese pequeño

empty quiver beside the small birdbow, it was just what I expected to
carcaj vacío al lado del pequeño arco de pájaro, era justo lo que esperaba

see. If the child were pricked with one of those arrows dipped in
ver. Si el niño fuera pinchado con una de esas flechas clavadas

curare or some other devilish drug, it would mean death if the venom
curare o alguna otra droga diabólica, significaría la muerte si el veneno

were not sucked out.
no fueron succionados.

"And the dog! If one were to use such a poison, would one not try it
—¡Y el perro! Si uno fuera a usar tal veneno, ¿no lo probaría?

first in order to see that it had not lost its power? I did not foresee
¿Primero para ver que no había perdido su poder? Yo no preví

the dog, but at least I understand him and he fitted into my
el perro, pero al menos lo entiendo y encajó en mi

reconstruction.   reconstrucción.

"Now do you understand? Your wife feared such an attack. She saw it
"¿Ahora entiendes? Su esposa temía tal ataque. Ella lo vio

made and saved the child's life, and yet she shrank from telling you
hizo y salvó la vida de la niña, y sin embargo se rehusó a decírtelo

all the truth, for she knew how you loved the boy and feared lest it
toda la verdad, porque ella sabía cuánto amabas al muchacho y temías que no

break your heart."
Rompe tu corazón".

"Jacky!"  "¡Jacky!"

"I watched him as you fondled the child just now. His face was clearly
"Lo observé mientras acariciabas al niño hace un momento. Su rostro era claramente

reflected in the glass of the window where the shutter formed a
reflejado en el cristal de la ventana donde el postigo formaba un

background. I saw such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as I have seldom
fondo. Vi tales celos, un odio tan cruel, como pocas veces he visto

seen in a human face."
visto en un rostro humano".

"My Jacky!"  —¡Mi Jacky!

"You have to face it, Mr. Ferguson. It is the more painful because it
– Tiene que afrontarlo, señor Ferguson. Es tanto más doloroso cuanto que

is a distorted love, a maniacal exaggerated love for you, and possibly
es un amor distorsionado, un amor maníaco exagerado por ti, y posiblemente

for his dead mother, which has prompted his action. His very soul is
por su madre muerta, lo que ha motivado su acción. Su alma misma es

consumed with hatred for this splendid child, whose health and beauty
consumido por el odio hacia este espléndido niño, cuya salud y belleza

are a contrast to his own weakness."
son un contraste con su propia debilidad".

"Good God! It is incredible!"
—¡Dios mío! ¡Es increíble!".

"Have I spoken the truth, madame?"
—¿He dicho la verdad, señora?

The lady was sobbing, with her face buried in the pillows. Now she
La señora sollozaba, con la cara enterrada en las almohadas. Ahora ella

turned to her husband.
se volvió hacia su marido.

"How could I tell you, Bob? I felt the blow it would be to you. It was
—¿Cómo podría decírtelo, Bob? Sentí el golpe que sería para ti. Fue

better that I should wait and that it should come from some other lips
mejor que esperara y que saliera de otros labios

than mine. When this gentleman, who seems to have powers of magic,
que la mía. Cuando este caballero, que parece tener poderes de magia,

wrote that he knew all, I was glad."
escribió que él lo sabía todo, me alegré".

"I think a year at sea would be my prescription for Master Jacky," said
"Creo que un año en el mar sería mi receta para el Maestro Jacky", dijo

Holmes, rising from his chair. "Only one thing is still clouded,
Holmes, levantándose de la silla. "Solo una cosa está aún nublada,

madame. We can quite understand your attacks upon Master Jacky. There
señora. Podemos entender perfectamente sus ataques contra el Maestro Jacky. Allí

is a limit to a mother's patience. But how did you dare to leave the
es un límite a la paciencia de una madre. Pero, ¿cómo te atreviste a salir de la

child these last two days?"
niño estos últimos dos días?"

"I had told Mrs. Mason. She knew."
—Se lo había dicho a la señora Mason. Ella lo sabía.

"Exactly. So I imagined."
—Exactamente. Así me lo imaginé".

Ferguson was standing by the bed, choking, his hands outstretched and
Ferguson estaba de pie junto a la cama, ahogándose, con las manos extendidas y

quivering.   trémulo.

"This, I fancy, is the time for our exit, Watson," said Holmes in a
—Me imagino que éste es el momento de nuestra salida, Watson —dijo Holmes con voz entrecortada—

whisper. "If you will take one elbow of the too faithful Dolores, I
susurrar. -Si le das un codazo a la demasiado fiel Dolores,

will take the other. There, now," he added as he closed the door behind
tomará el otro. Ahí, ahora —añadió mientras cerraba la puerta tras de sí—

him, "I think we may leave them to settle the rest among themselves."
"Creo que podemos dejarlos para que arreglen el resto entre ellos".

I have only one further note of this case. It is the letter which
Sólo tengo una nota más sobre este caso. Es la letra la que

Holmes wrote in final answer to that with which the narrative begins.
Holmes escribió en respuesta final a aquello con lo que comienza la narración.

It ran thus:
Decía así:

BAKER STREET,  CALLE BAKER,

Nov. 21st.   21 de noviembre.

Re Vampires   Re Vampiros

SIR:  SEÑOR:

Referring to your letter of the 19th, I beg to state that I have looked
Refiriéndome a su carta del día 19, le ruego que diga que he mirado

into the inquiry of your client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and
investigación de su cliente, el Sr. Robert Ferguson, de Ferguson y

Muirhead, tea brokers, of Mincing Lane, and that the matter has been
Muirhead, corredores de té, de Mincing Lane, y que el asunto ha sido

brought to a satisfactory conclusion. With thanks for your recommendation,
llevado a una conclusión satisfactoria. Gracias por su recomendación,

I am, sir,  Soy, señor,

Faithfully yours,  Atentamente,

SHERLOCK HOLMES.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE THREE GARRIDEBS
LA AVENTURA DE LOS TRES GARRIDEBS

It may have been a comedy, or it may have been a tragedy. It cost one
Puede haber sido una comedia, o puede haber sido una tragedia. Costó uno

man his reason, it cost me a blood-letting, and it cost yet another man
A mí me costó una sangría, y me costó a otro hombre

the penalties of the law. Yet there was certainly an element of comedy.
las penas de la ley. Sin embargo, ciertamente había un elemento de comedia.

Well, you shall judge for yourselves.
Pues bien, juzgaréis por vosotros mismos.

I remember the date very well, for it was in the same month that Holmes
Recuerdo muy bien la fecha, porque fue en el mismo mes en que Holmes

refused a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be
rechazó el título de caballero por servicios que tal vez algún día puedan ser

described. I only refer to the matter in passing, for in my position of
Descrito. Sólo me refiero al asunto de pasada, porque en mi posición de

partner and confidant I am obliged to be particularly careful to avoid
compañero y confidente me veo obligado a tener especial cuidado de evitar

any indiscretion. I repeat, however, that this enables me to fix the
cualquier indiscreción. Repito, sin embargo, que esto me permite arreglar el problema

date, which was the latter end of June, 1902, shortly after the
fecha, que fue a finales de junio de 1902, poco después de la

conclusion of the South African War. Holmes had spent several days in
Holmes había pasado varios días en la guerra de Sudáfrica.

bed, as was his habit from time to time, but he emerged that morning
cama, como era su costumbre de vez en cuando, pero salió esa mañana

with a long foolscap document in his hand and a twinkle of amusement in
con un largo documento en la mano y un destello de diversión en la mano.

his austere gray eyes.
sus austeros ojos grises.

"There is a chance for you to make some money. friend Watson," said he.
"Existe la posibilidad de que ganes algo de dinero. —dijo el amigo Watson —dijo—.

"Have you ever heard the name of Garrideb?"
—¿Has oído alguna vez el nombre de Garrideb?

I admitted that I had not.
Admití que no lo había hecho.

"Well, if you can lay your hand upon a Garrideb, there's money in it."
—Bueno, si puedes poner tu mano sobre un Garrideb, hay dinero en él.

"Why?"  —¿Por qué?

"Ah, that's a long story--rather a whimsical one, too. I don't think
—Ah, esa es una larga historia, también bastante caprichosa. No creo que

in all our explorations of human complexities we have ever come upon
en todas nuestras exploraciones de las complejidades humanas que hemos encontrado

anything more singular. The fellow will be here presently for
cualquier cosa más singular. El becario estará aquí dentro de poco para

cross-examination, so I won't open the matter up till he comes. But,
contrainterrogatorio, así que no abriré el asunto hasta que venga. Pero

meanwhile, that's the name we want."
Mientras tanto, ese es el nombre que queremos".

The telephone directory lay on the table beside me, and I turned over
La guía telefónica estaba sobre la mesa, a mi lado, y me di la vuelta

the pages in a rather hopeless quest. But to my amazement there was
las páginas en una búsqueda bastante desesperada. Pero para mi asombro había

this strange name in its due place. I gave a cry of triumph.
este extraño nombre en su debido lugar. Di un grito de triunfo.

"Here you are, Holmes! Here it is!"
—¡Aquí está, Holmes! ¡Aquí está!"

Holmes took the book from my hand.
Holmes me quitó el libro de la mano.

"'Garrideb, N.,'" he read, "'136 Little Ryder Street, W.' Sorry to
"'Garrideb, N.'", leyó, "'136 Little Ryder Street, W.'

disappoint you, my dear Watson, but this is the man himself. That is
Le decepciono, mi querido Watson, pero éste es el hombre mismo. Es decir

the address upon his letter. We want another to match him."
la dirección que figuraba en su carta. Queremos que otro lo iguale".

Mrs. Hudson had come in with a card upon a tray. I took it up and
La señora Hudson había entrado con una tarjeta en una bandeja. Lo tomé y

glanced at it.
Le echó un vistazo.

"Why, here it is!" I cried in amazement. "This is a different initial.
"¡Vaya, aquí está!" Lloré de asombro. "Esta es una inicial diferente.

John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law, Moorville, Kansas, U.S.A."
John Garrideb, Consejero Jurídico, Moorville, Kansas, U.S.A."

Holmes smiled as he looked at the card. "I am afraid you must make yet
Holmes sonrió mientras miraba la tarjeta. —Me temo que todavía tienes que hacer

another effort, Watson," said he. "This gentleman is also in the plot
Otro esfuerzo, Watson -dijo-. "Este señor también está en la trama

already, though I certainly did not expect to see him this morning.

However, he is in a position to tell us a good deal which I want to

know."

A moment later he was in the room. Mr. John Garrideb, Counsellor at

Law, was a short, powerful man with the round, fresh, clean-shaven face

characteristic of so many American men of affairs. The general effect

was chubby and rather childlike, so that one received the impression of

quite a young man with a broad set smile upon his face. His eyes,

however, were arresting. Seldom in any human head have I seen a pair

which bespoke a more intense inward life, so bright were they, so

alert, so responsive to every change of thought. His accent was

American, but was not accompanied by any eccentricity of speech.

"Mr. Holmes?" he asked, glancing from one to the other. "Ah, yes! Your
—¿Señor Holmes? —preguntó, mirando de uno a otro. "¡Ah, sí! Usted

pictures are not unlike you, sir, if I may say so. I believe you have
Las imágenes no son muy diferentes a las suyas, señor, si se me permite decirlo. Creo que sí

had a letter from my namesake, Mr. Nathan Garrideb, have you not?"
Tenía una carta de mi tocayo, el señor Nathan Garrideb, ¿no es así?

"Pray sit down," said Sherlock Holmes. "We shall, I fancy, have a good
—Siéntese, por favor, —dijo Sherlock Holmes—. —Me imagino que tendremos una buena

deal to discuss." He took up his sheets of foolscap. "You are, of
acuerdo para discutir". Tomó sus hojas de papel. "Tú eres, de

course, the Mr. John Garrideb mentioned in this document. But surely
por supuesto, el Sr. John Garrideb mencionado en este documento. Pero seguro

you have been in England some time?"
¿Has estado en Inglaterra algún tiempo?

"Why do you say that, Mr. Holmes?" I seemed to read sudden suspicion in
—¿Por qué dice eso, señor Holmes? Me pareció leer una súbita sospecha en

those expressive eyes.
esos ojos expresivos.

"Your whole outfit is English."
"Todo tu atuendo es inglés".

Mr. Garrideb forced a laugh. "I've read of your tricks, Mr. Holmes, but
El señor Garrideb forzó una carcajada. —He leído acerca de sus trucos, señor Holmes, pero

I never thought I would be the subject of them. Where do you read
Nunca pensé que sería el sujeto de ellos. ¿Dónde se lee?

that?"   ¿Eso?"

"The shoulder cut of your coat, the toes of your boots--could anyone
El corte de los hombros de tu abrigo, las puntas de tus botas... ¿Podría alguien

doubt it?"   ¿Lo dudas?

"Well, well, I had no idea I was so obvious a Britisher. But business
"Bueno, bueno, no tenía idea de que era tan obviamente un británico. Pero los negocios

brought me over here some time ago, and so, as you say, my outfit is
me trajo aquí hace algún tiempo, y así, como dices, mi atuendo es

nearly all London. However, I guess your time is of value, and we did
casi todo Londres. Sin embargo, supongo que su tiempo es valioso, y lo hicimos

not meet to talk about the cut of my socks. What about getting down to
No me reuní para hablar del corte de mis calcetines. ¿Qué hay de bajar a

that paper you hold in your hand?"
¿Ese papel que tienes en la mano?

Holmes had in some way ruffled our visitor, whose chubby face had
Holmes había irritado de alguna manera a nuestro visitante, cuyo rostro regordete había

assumed a far less amiable expression.
asumió una expresión mucho menos amable.

"Patience! Patience, Mr. Garrideb!" said my friend in a soothing voice.
"¡Paciencia! ¡Paciencia, señor Garrideb!", dijo mi amigo con voz tranquilizadora.

"Dr. Watson would tell you that these little digressions of mine
El doctor Watson le diría que estas pequeñas digresiones mías

sometimes prove in the end to have some bearing on the matter. But why
a veces resultan al final tener alguna relación con el asunto. Pero por qué

did Mr. Nathan Garrideb not come with you?"
¿No ha venido con usted el señor Nathan Garrideb?

"Why did he ever drag you into it at all?" asked our visitor with a
—¿Por qué te arrastró a ella? —preguntó nuestro visitante con una sonrisa

sudden outflame of anger. "What in thunder had you to do with it? Here
súbita llama de ira. —¿Qué demonios tuviste que ver con eso? Aquí

was a bit of professional business between two gentlemen, and one of
era un poco de negocio profesional entre dos caballeros, y uno de los

them must needs call in a detective! I saw him this morning, and he
¡Tienen que llamar a un detective! Lo vi esta mañana, y él

told me this fool-trick he had played me, and that's why I am here. But
me dijo esta tontería que me había hecho, y por eso estoy aquí. Pero

I feel bad about it, all the same."
Me siento mal por eso, de todos modos".

"There was no reflection upon you, Mr. Garrideb. It was simply zeal
—No hubo ninguna reflexión sobre usted, señor Garrideb. Era simplemente celo

upon his part to gain your end--an end which is, I understand,
de su parte para conseguir vuestro fin, un fin que es, según entiendo,

equally vital for both of you. He knew that I had means of getting
igualmente vital para ambos. Sabía que yo tenía medios para conseguir

information, and, therefore, it was very natural that he should apply
información y, por lo tanto, era muy natural que solicitara

to me."   a mí".

Our visitor's angry face gradually cleared.
El rostro enojado de nuestro visitante se aclaró gradualmente.

"Well, that puts it different," said he. "When I went to see him this
—Bueno, eso lo pone diferente —dijo—. "Cuando fui a verlo esto

morning and he told me he had sent to a detective, I just asked for
mañana y me dijo que había enviado a un detective, solo le pedí

your address and came right away. I don't want police butting into a
su dirección y vino de inmediato. No quiero que la policía se meta en un

private matter. But if you are content just to help us find the man,
asunto privado. Pero si te contentas con ayudarnos a encontrar al hombre,

there can be no harm in that."
No puede haber nada malo en eso".

"Well, that is just how it stands," said Holmes. "And now, sir, since
—Bueno, así es como están las cosas —dijo Holmes—. —Y ahora, señor, ya que

you are here, we had best have a clear account from your own lips. My
Ya estás aquí, más vale que tengamos un relato claro de tus propios labios. Mi

friend here knows nothing of the details."
Amigo aquí no sabe nada de los detalles.

Mr. Garrideb surveyed me with not too friendly a gaze.
El señor Garrideb me miró con una mirada no demasiado amistosa.

"Need he know?" he asked.
"¿Necesita saberlo?", preguntó.

"We usually work together."
"Por lo general, trabajamos juntos".

"Well, there's no reason it should be kept a secret. I'll give you the
"Bueno, no hay razón para que se mantenga en secreto. Te daré el

facts as short as I can make them. If you came from Kansas I would not
hechos tan breves como puedo hacerlos. Si vinieras de Kansas, no lo haría

need to explain to you who Alexander Hamilton Garrideb was. He made his
Necesito explicarles quién fue Alexander Hamilton Garrideb. Hizo su

money in real estate, and afterwards in the wheat pit at Chicago, but
dinero en bienes raíces, y después en el pozo de trigo de Chicago, pero

he spent it in buying up as much land as would make one of your
Lo gastó en comprar tanta tierra como para hacer que uno de sus

counties, lying along the Arkansas River, west of Fort Dodge. It's
condados, que se encuentran a lo largo del río Arkansas, al oeste de Fort Dodge. Es

grazing-land and lumber-land and arable-land and mineralized-land, and
tierras de pastoreo y tierras madereras y tierras cultivables y tierras mineralizadas, y

just every sort of land that brings dollars to the man that owns it.
todo tipo de tierra que le dé dólares al hombre que la posee.

"He had no kith nor kin--or, if he had, I never heard of it. But he
No tenía parientes ni parientes, o, si los tenía, nunca había oído hablar de ellos. Pero él

took a kind of pride in the queerness of his name. That was what
se enorgullecía de lo extraño de su nombre. Eso fue lo que

brought us together. I was in the law at Topeka, and one day I had a
nos reunió. Yo estudiaba derecho en Topeka, y un día tuve una

visit from the old man, and he was tickled to death to meet another man
visita del anciano, y se sintió muerto de cosquillas al encontrarse con otro hombre

with his own name. It was his pet fad, and he was dead set to find out
con su propio nombre. Era su moda favorita, y estaba decidido a descubrirlo

if there were any more Garridebs in the world. 'Find me another!' said
si es que hubiera más Garridebs en el mundo. '¡Búscame otro!', dijo

he. I told him I was a busy man and could not spend my life hiking
él. Le dije que era un hombre ocupado y que no podía pasarme la vida haciendo senderismo

round the world in search of Garridebs. 'None the less,' said he, 'that
dar la vuelta al mundo en busca de Garridebs. —Sin embargo —dijo—, que

is just what you will do if things pan out as I planned them.' I
es justo lo que harás si las cosas salen como las planeé'. Yo

thought he was joking, but there was a powerful lot of meaning in the
pensó que estaba bromeando, pero había un poderoso significado en el

words, as I was soon to discover.
palabras, como pronto descubriría.

"For he died within a year of saying them, and he left a will behind
"Porque murió al año de haberlas dicho, y dejó un testamento

him. It was the queerest will that has ever been filed in the State of
él. Fue el testamento más extraño que jamás se haya presentado en el Estado de

Kansas. His property was divided into three parts and I was to have one
Kansas. Su propiedad estaba dividida en tres partes y yo iba a tener una

on condition that I found two Garridebs who would share the remainder.
con la condición de que encontrara dos Garridebs que compartieran el resto.

It's five million dollars for each if it is a cent, but we can't lay a
Son cinco millones de dólares por cada uno si es un centavo, pero no podemos poner un

finger on it until we all three stand in a row.
dedo sobre él hasta que los tres nos paremos en fila.

"It was so big a chance that I just let my legal practice slide and I
"Fue una oportunidad tan grande que dejé pasar mi práctica legal y

set forth looking for Garridebs. There is not one in the United States.
Salir en busca de Garridebs. No hay ninguno en los Estados Unidos.

I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and never a Garrideb
Lo recorrí, señor, con un peine de dientes finos y nunca con un Garrideb

could I catch. Then I tried the old country. Sure enough there was the
podría atrapar. Luego probé el viejo país. Efectivamente, estaba el

name in the London telephone directory. I went after him two days ago
nombre en la guía telefónica de Londres. Fui a buscarlo hace dos días

and explained the whole matter to him. But he is a lone man, like
y le explicó todo el asunto. Pero es un hombre solitario, como

myself, with some women relations, but no men. It says three adult men
yo, con algunas mujeres, pero ningún hombre. Dice tres hombres adultos

in the will. So you see we still have a vacancy, and if you can help to
en el testamento. Así que ya ves que todavía tenemos una vacante, y si puedes ayudar a

fill it we will be very ready to pay your charges."
Llénalo, estaremos muy dispuestos a pagar tus cargos".

"Well, Watson," said Holmes with a smile, "l said it was rather
—Bueno, Watson —dijo Holmes con una sonrisa—, dije que era más bien

whimsical, did I not? I should have thought, sir, that your obvious way
caprichoso, ¿verdad? Debería haber pensado, señor, que su manera obvia

was to advertise in the agony columns of the papers."
era anunciarse en las columnas de agonía de los periódicos".

"I have done that, Mr. Holmes. No replies."
—Así lo he hecho, señor Holmes. No hay respuestas".

"Dear me! Well, it is certainly a most curious little problem. I may
"¡Querida mía! Bueno, ciertamente es un pequeño problema de lo más curioso. Puede que

take a glance at it in my leisure. By the way, it is curious that you
Échale un vistazo en mi tiempo libre. Por cierto, es curioso que

should have come from Topeka. I used to have a correspondent--he is
debería haber venido de Topeka. Solía tener un corresponsal, él es

dead now--old Dr. Lysander Starr, who was mayor in 1890."
El viejo doctor Lysander Starr, que fue alcalde en 1890.

"Good old Dr. Starr!" said our visitor. "His name is still honoured.
—¡El bueno del doctor Starr! —dijo nuestro visitante—. "Su nombre sigue siendo honrado.

Well, Mr. Holmes, I suppose all we can do is to report to you and let
Bien, señor Holmes, supongo que todo lo que podemos hacer es informarle a usted y dejar que

you know how we progress. I reckon you will hear within a day or two."
Ya sabes cómo progresamos. Calculo que lo sabrás dentro de uno o dos días.

With this assurance our American bowed and departed.
Con esta seguridad, nuestro americano se inclinó y se marchó.

Holmes had lit his pipe, and he sat for some time with a curious smile
Holmes había encendido su pipa y permaneció sentado un rato con una sonrisa curiosa

upon his face.
en su rostro.

"Well?" I asked at last.
—¿Y bien? —pregunté al fin.

"I am wondering, Watson--just wondering!"
—¡Me lo pregunto, Watson, me lo pregunto!

"At what?"  —¿A qué?

Holmes took his pipe from his lips.
Holmes se quitó la pipa de los labios.

"I was wondering, Watson, what on earth could be the object of this man
—Me preguntaba, Watson, ¿cuál diablos podría ser el objeto de este hombre

in telling us such a rigmarole of lies. I nearly asked him so--for
en decirnos semejante galimatías de mentiras. Estuve a punto de pedírselo...

there are times when a brutal frontal attack is the best policy--but
Hay momentos en que un ataque frontal brutal es la mejor política, pero

I judged it better to let him think he had fooled us. Here is a man
Juzgué que era mejor dejarle creer que nos había engañado. Aquí hay un hombre

with an English coat frayed at the elbow and trousers bagged at the
con un abrigo inglés deshilachado en el codo y pantalones envueltos en el

knee with a year's wear, and yet by this document and by his own
rodilla con un año de desgaste, y sin embargo, por este documento y por el suyo propio

account he is a provincial American lately landed in London. There have
Es un norteamericano provinciano que acaba de aterrizar en Londres. Ha habido

been no advertisements in the agony columns. You know that I miss
No ha habido anuncios en las columnas de agonía. Sabes que echo de menos

nothing there. They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and
Allí no hay nada. Son mi escondite favorito para poner un pájaro, y

I would never have overlooked such a cock pheasant as that. I never
Nunca habría pasado por alto un faisán como ese. Yo nunca

knew a Dr. Lysander Starr, of Topeka. Touch him where you would he was
conocía al doctor Lysander Starr, de Topeka. Tócalo donde te gustaría que estuviera

false. I think the fellow is really an American, but he has worn his
falso. Creo que el tipo es realmente un americano, pero ha usado su

accent smooth with years of London. What is his game, then, and what
acento suave con años de Londres. ¿Cuál es, entonces, su juego, y cuál es

motive lies behind this preposterous search for Garridebs? It's worth
¿El motivo se esconde detrás de esta absurda búsqueda de Garridebs? Vale la pena

our attention, for, granting that the man is a rascal, he is certainly
nuestra atención, porque, admitiendo que el hombre es un bribón, ciertamente es

a complex and ingenious one. We must now find out if our other
uno complejo e ingenioso. Ahora debemos averiguar si nuestros otros

correspondent is a fraud also. Just ring him up, Watson."
corresponsal también es un fraude. Llámalo, Watson.

I did so, and heard a thin, quavering voice at the other end of the
Así lo hice, y oí una voz débil y temblorosa al otro lado de la

line.   línea.

"Yes, yes, I am Mr. Nathan Garrideb. Is Mr. Holmes there? I should very
"Sí, sí, soy el señor Nathan Garrideb. ¿Está allí el señor Holmes? Debería muy bien

much like to have a word with Mr. Holmes."
Me gustaría hablar con el señor Holmes.

My friend took the instrument and I heard the usual syncopated
Mi amigo tomó el instrumento y escuché el sincopado habitual

dialogue.   diálogo.

"Yes, he has been here. I understand that you don't know him.... How
"Sí, ha estado aquí. Entiendo que no lo conoces... Cómo

long? ... Only two days! ... Yes, yes, of course, it is a most
¿largo? ... ¡Solo dos días! ... Sí, sí, por supuesto, es un

captivating prospect. Will you be at home this evening? I suppose your
perspectiva cautivadora. ¿Estarás en casa esta noche? Supongo que tu

namesake will not be there? . . . Very good, we will come then, for I
¿El tocayo no estará allí? . . . Muy bien, vendremos entonces, porque yo

would rather have a chat without him.... Dr. Watson will come with
preferiría tener una charla sin él.... El Dr. Watson vendrá con

me.... I understand from your note that you did not go out often....
me.... Entiendo por su nota que no salía a menudo...

Well, we shall be round about six. You need not mention it to the
Bueno, estaremos alrededor de las seis. No es necesario que se lo mencione al

American lawyer.... Very good. Good-bye!"
Abogado estadounidense.... Muy bien. ¡Adiós!"

It was twilight of a lovely spring evening, and even Little Ryder
Era el crepúsculo de una hermosa tarde de primavera, e incluso Little Ryder

Street, one of the smaller offshoots from the Edgware Road, within a
Street, una de las ramificaciones más pequeñas de Edgware Road, dentro de un

stone-cast of old Tyburn Tree of evil memory, looked golden and
molde de piedra del viejo árbol de Tyburn de mala memoria, parecía dorado y

wonderful in the slanting rays of the setting sun. The particular house
maravilloso en los rayos oblicuos del sol poniente. La casa en particular

to which we were directed was a large, old-fashioned, Early Georgian
a la que nos dirigían era un gran, anticuado, georgiano primitivo

edifice, with a flat brick face broken only by two deep bay windows on
edificio, con una fachada plana de ladrillo rota sólo por dos profundos ventanales

the ground floor. It was on this ground floor that our client lived,
la planta baja. Fue en esta planta baja donde vivió nuestro cliente,

and, indeed, the low windows proved to be the front of the huge room in
Y, en efecto, las ventanas bajas resultaron ser la parte delantera de la enorme sala de

which he spent his waking hours. Holmes pointed as we passed to the
en las que pasaba sus horas de vigilia. Holmes señaló mientras pasábamos hacia el

small brass plate which bore the curious name.
pequeña placa de latón que llevaba el curioso nombre.

"Up some years, Watson," he remarked, indicating its discoloured
—Hasta hace algunos años, Watson —comentó, señalando que estaba descolorido—

surface. "It's his real name, anyhow, and that is something to note."
Superficie. "Es su nombre real, de todos modos, y eso es algo a tener en cuenta".

The house had a common stair, and there were a number of names painted
La casa tenía una escalera común, y había varios nombres pintados

in the hall, some indicating offices and some private chambers. It was
en el vestíbulo, algunas indicando despachos y otras habitaciones privadas. Fue

not a collection of residential flats, but rather the abode of Bohemian
no una colección de pisos residenciales, sino más bien la morada de Bohemia

bachelors. Our client opened the door for us himself and apologized by
Solteros. Nuestro cliente nos abrió la puerta él mismo y se disculpó

saying that the woman in charge left at four o'clock. Mr. Nathan
diciendo que la mujer a cargo se fue a las cuatro en punto. Sr. Nathan

Garrideb proved to be a very tall, loosejointed, round-backed person,
Garrideb demostró ser una persona muy alta, de articulaciones sueltas y espalda redonda,

gaunt and bald, some sixty-odd years of age. He had a cadaverous face,
demacrado y calvo, de unos sesenta y tantos años de edad. Tenía la cara cadavérica,

with the dull dead skin of a man to whom exercise was unknown. Large
con la piel muerta y opaca de un hombre para quien el ejercicio era desconocido. Grande

round spectacles and a small projecting goat's beard combined with his
gafas redondas y una pequeña barba de cabra saliente combinada con su

stooping attitude to give him an expression of peering curiosity. The
actitud encorvada para darle una expresión de curiosidad escudriñadora. El

general effect, however, was amiable, though eccentric.
El efecto general, sin embargo, fue amable, aunque excéntrico.

The room was as curious as its occupant. It looked like a small museum.
La habitación era tan curiosa como su ocupante. Parecía un pequeño museo.

It was both broad and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round,
Era a la vez ancha y profunda, con armarios y armarios alrededor,

crowded with specimens, geological and anatomical. Cases of butterflies
abarrotado de especímenes, geológicos y anatómicos. Casos de mariposas

and moths flanked each side of the entrance. A large table in the
y polillas flanqueaban cada lado de la entrada. Una gran mesa en el

centre was littered with all sorts of debris, while the tall brass tube
El centro estaba lleno de todo tipo de escombros, mientras que el alto tubo de latón

of a powerful microscope bristled up among them. As I glanced round I
de un poderoso microscopio erizado entre ellos. Mientras miraba a mi alrededor,

was surprised at the universality of the man's interests. Here was a
se sorprendió de la universalidad de los intereses del hombre. Aquí había un

case of ancient coins. There was a cabinet of flint instruments. Behind
Caja de monedas antiguas. Había un gabinete de instrumentos de pedernal. Atrás

his central table was a large cupboard of fossil bones. Above was a
Su mesa central era un gran armario de huesos fósiles. Arriba había un

line of plaster skulls with such names as "Neanderthal," "Heidelberg,"
línea de cráneos de yeso con nombres como "Neanderthal", "Heidelberg",

"Cro-Magnon" printed beneath them. It was clear that he was a student
"Cro-Magnon" impreso debajo de ellos. Estaba claro que era un estudiante

of many subjects. As he stood in front of us now, he held a piece of
de muchos temas. Mientras estaba de pie frente a nosotros, sostenía un pedazo de

chamois leather in his right hand with which he was polishing a coin.
gamuza en la mano derecha con la que estaba puliendo una moneda.

"Syracusan--of the best period," he explained, holding it up. "They
—Siracusano, de la mejor época —explicó, sosteniéndolo en alto—. "Ellos

degenerated greatly towards the end. At their best I hold them supreme,
degeneró en gran medida hacia el final. En su mejor momento, los sostengo supremos,

though some prefer the Alexandrian school. You will find a chair here,
aunque algunos prefieren la escuela alejandrina. Aquí encontrarás una silla,

Mr. Holmes. Pray allow me to clear these bones. And you, sir--ah,
El señor Holmes. Por favor, permíteme limpiar estos huesos. Y usted, señor, ah,

yes, Dr. Watson--if you would have the goodness to put the Japanese
Sí, doctor Watson, si tuviera la bondad de poner a los japoneses

vase to one side. You see round me my little interests in life. My
jarrón a un lado. Ves a mi alrededor mis pequeños intereses en la vida. Mi

doctor lectures me about never going out, but why should I go out when
El médico me sermonea acerca de que nunca salgo, pero ¿por qué debería salir cuando

I have so much to hold me here? I can assure you that the adequate
¿Tengo tanto que retenerme aquí? Les puedo asegurar que la adecuada

cataloguing of one of those cabinets would take me three good months."
Catalogar uno de esos gabinetes me llevaría tres buenos meses".

Holmes looked round him with curiosity.
Holmes miró a su alrededor con curiosidad.

"But do you tell me that you never go out?" he said.
"¿Pero me dices que nunca sales?", dijo.

"Now and again I drive down to Sotheby's or Christie's. Otherwise I
"De vez en cuando voy a Sotheby's o Christie's. De lo contrario,

very seldom leave my room. I am not too strong, and my researches are
Muy rara vez salgo de mi habitación. No soy demasiado fuerte, y mis investigaciones sí lo son

very absorbing. But you can imagine, Mr. Holmes, what a terrific shock
Muy absorbente. Pero puede imaginarse, señor Holmes, qué terrible conmoción

--pleasant but terrific--it was for me when I heard of this
--agradable pero tremendo-- fue para mí cuando me enteré de esto

unparalleled good fortune. It only needs one more Garrideb to complete
Una buena fortuna sin igual. Solo necesita un Garrideb más para completarlo

the matter, and surely we can find one. I had a brother, but he is
el asunto, y seguro que podemos encontrar uno. Tenía un hermano, pero es

dead, and female relatives are disqualified. But there must surely be
muertos, y las mujeres de la familia son descalificadas. Pero sin duda debe haberla

others in the world. I had heard that you handled strange cases, and
otros en el mundo. Había oído que manejabas casos extraños, y

that was why I sent to you. Of course, this American gentleman is quite
por eso te envié. Por supuesto, este caballero americano es bastante

right, and I should have taken his advice first, but I acted for the
correcto, y debería haber seguido su consejo primero, pero actué por el

best."   lo mejor".

"I think you acted very wisely indeed," said Holmes. "But are you
—Creo que ha actuado usted con mucha prudencia —dijo Holmes—. —¿Pero lo eres tú

really anxious to acquire an estate in America?"
¿Realmente ansioso por adquirir una propiedad en América?"

"Certainly not, sir. Nothing would induce me to leave my collection.
—Por supuesto que no, señor. Nada me induciría a abandonar mi colección.

But this gentleman has assured me that he will buy me out as soon as we
Pero este caballero me ha asegurado que me comprará tan pronto como

have established our claim. Five million dollars was the sum named.
han establecido nuestra reclamación. Cinco millones de dólares fue la suma mencionada.

There are a dozen specimens in the market at the present moment which
Hay una docena de especímenes en el mercado en este momento que

fill gaps in my collection, and which I am unable to purchase for want
llenar los vacíos en mi colección, y que no puedo comprar por falta

of a few hundred pounds. Just think what I could do with five million
de unos pocos cientos de libras. Imagínate lo que podría hacer con cinco millones

dollars. Why, I have the nucleus of a national collection. I shall be
Dólares. Bueno, yo tengo el núcleo de una colección nacional. Yo seré

the Hans Sloane of my age."
el Hans Sloane de mi edad".

His eyes gleamed behind his great spectacles. It was very clear that no
Sus ojos brillaban detrás de sus grandes gafas. Estaba muy claro que no

pains would be spared by Mr. Nathan Garrideb in finding a namesake.
El Sr. Nathan Garrideb se ahorraría esfuerzos para encontrar un homónimo.

"I merely called to make your acquaintance, and there is no reason why
"Simplemente te llamé para conocerte, y no hay razón para ello

I should interrupt your studies," said Holmes. "I prefer to establish
Debería interrumpir sus estudios -dijo Holmes-. "Yo prefiero establecer

personal touch with those with whom I do business. There are few
contacto personal con aquellos con quienes hago negocios. Hay pocos

questions I need ask, for I have your very clear narrative in my
preguntas que necesito hacer, porque tengo su narrativa muy clara en mi

pocket, and I filled up the blanks when this American gentleman called.
bolsillo, y llené los espacios en blanco cuando este caballero americano llamó.

I understand that up to this week you were unaware of his existence."
Tengo entendido que hasta esta semana no sabías de su existencia.

"That is so. He called last Tuesday."
"Eso es así. Me llamó el martes pasado".

"Did he tell you of our interview to-day?"
—¿Le ha hablado de nuestra entrevista de hoy?

"Yes, he came straight back to me. He had been very angry."
"Sí, volvió directamente a mí. Había estado muy enojado".

"Why should he be angry?"
"¿Por qué debería estar enojado?"

"He seemed to think it was some reflection on his honour. But he was
"Parecía pensar que era una reflexión sobre su honor. Pero lo fue

quite cheerful again when he returned."
Muy alegre de nuevo cuando regresó".

"Did he suggest any course of action?"
– ¿Sugirió algún curso de acción?

"No, sir, he did not."
—No, señor, no lo hizo.

"Has he had, or asked for, any money from you?"
—¿Ha tenido o te ha pedido dinero?

"No, sir, never!"  —¡No, señor, nunca!

"You see no possible object he has in view?"
—¿No ves ningún objeto posible que tenga a la vista?

"None, except what he states."
—Ninguna, excepto lo que él dice.

"Did you tell him of our telephone appointment?"
– ¿Le avisó de nuestra cita telefónica?

"Yes, sir, I did."
—Sí, señor, lo hice.

Holmes was lost in thought. I could see that he was puzzled.
Holmes estaba absorto en sus pensamientos. Pude ver que estaba desconcertado.

"Have you any articles of great value in your collection?"
—¿Tiene algún artículo de gran valor en su colección?

"No, sir. I am not a rich man. It is a good collection, but not a very
—No, señor. No soy un hombre rico. Es una buena colección, pero no muy

valuable one."   valiosa".

"You have no fear of burglars?"
—¿No tienes miedo a los ladrones?

"Not the least."  —Ni lo más mínimo.

"How long have you been in these rooms?"
—¿Cuánto tiempo llevas en estas habitaciones?

"Nearly five years."  "Casi cinco años".

Holmes's cross-examination was interrupted by an imperative knocking at
El interrogatorio de Holmes fue interrumpido por un imperativo golpe a la puerta.

the door. No sooner had our client unlatched it than the American
La puerta. Tan pronto como nuestro cliente lo destrabó, el americano

lawyer burst excitedly into the room.
El abogado irrumpió emocionado en la habitación.

"Here you are!" he cried, waving a paper over his head. "I thought I
—¡Aquí estás! —exclamó, agitando un papel sobre su cabeza—. "Pensé que

should be in time to get you. Mr. Nathan Garrideb, my congratulations!
debería llegar a tiempo para conseguirlo. Sr. Nathan Garrideb, ¡mis felicitaciones!

You are a rich man, sir. Our business is happily finished and all is
Usted es un hombre rico, señor. Nuestro negocio está felizmente terminado y todo está

well. As to you, Mr. Holmes, we can only say we are sorry if we have
pozo. En cuanto a usted, señor Holmes, sólo podemos decir que lo sentimos si no hemos

given you any useless trouble."
cualquier molestia inútil".

He handed over the paper to our client, who stood staring at a marked
Le entregó el papel a nuestro cliente, que se quedó mirando fijamente un

advertisement. Holmes and I leaned forward and read it over his
anuncio. Holmes y yo nos inclinamos hacia delante y lo leímos por encima de su

shoulder. This is how it ran:
hombro. Así es como funcionaba:

HOWARD GARRIDEB

CONSTRUCTOR OF ACRICULTURAL MACHINERY
CONSTRUCTOR DE MAQUINARIA ACRICOLA

Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills, harrows, farmer's carts,
Encuadernadoras, segadoras, arados de vapor y manuales, taladros, gradas, carros de agricultores,

buckboards, and all other appliances. Estimates for Artesian Wells.
buckboards, y todos los demás aparatos. Estimaciones para pozos artesianos.

Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston
Aplicar Grosvenor Buildings, Aston

"Glorious!" gasped our host. "That makes our third man."
"¡Glorioso!", jadeó nuestro anfitrión. "Eso hace que sea nuestro tercer hombre".

"I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham," said the Americn, "and my
—Había abierto investigaciones en Birmingham —dijo el Americn—, y mi

agent there has sent me this advertisement from a local paper. We must
Un agente me ha enviado este anuncio de un periódico local. Debemos

hustle and put the thing through. I have written to this man and told
Apresúrate y pon la cosa a través. Le he escrito a este hombre y le he dicho

him that you will see him in his office to-morrow afternoon at four
que lo verá en su despacho mañana a las cuatro de la tarde

o'clock."   en punto.

"You want me to see him?"
—¿Quieres que lo vea?

"What do you say, Mr. Holmes? Don't you think it would be wiser? Here
—¿Qué dice usted, señor Holmes? ¿No crees que sería más sabio? Aquí

am I, a wandering American with a wonderful tale. Why should he believe
Soy yo, un americano errante con una historia maravillosa. ¿Por qué habría de creer?

what I tell him? But you are a Britisher with solid references, and he
¿Qué le digo? Pero tú eres un británico con referencias sólidas, y él

is bound to take notice of what you say. I would go with you if you
está obligado a tomar nota de lo que dices. Yo iría contigo si tú

wished, but I have a very busy day to-morrow, and I could always follow
pero mañana tengo un día muy ocupado, y siempre podría seguirlo

you if you are in any trouble."
si estás en algún problema".

"Well, I have not made such a journey for years."
"Bueno, hace años que no hago un viaje así".

"It is nothing, Mr. Garrideb. I have figured out our connections. You
—No es nada, señor Garrideb. He descubierto nuestras conexiones. Tú

leave at twelve and should be there soon after two. Then you can be
Salga a las doce y estará allí poco después de las dos. Entonces puedes ser

back the same night. All you have to do is to see this man, explain the
De vuelta la misma noche. Todo lo que tienes que hacer es ver a este hombre, explicarle el

matter, and get an affidavit of his existence. By the Lord!" he added
y obtener una declaración jurada de su existencia. ¡Por el Señor!", añadió

hotly, "considering I've come all the way from the centre of America,
"Teniendo en cuenta que he venido desde el centro de América,

it is surely little enough if you go a hundred miles in order to put
Seguramente es poco si recorres cien millas para poner

this matter through."
este asunto a través".

"Quite so," said Holmes. "I think what this gentleman says is very
—Así es —dijo Holmes—. "Creo que lo que dice este señor es muy

true."   cierto".

Mr. Nathan Garrideb shrugged his shoulders with a disconsolate air.
El señor Nathan Garrideb se encogió de hombros con aire desconsolado.

"Well, if you insist I shall go," said he. "It is certainly hard for me
—Bueno, si insistes en que me vaya —dijo—. "Ciertamente es difícil para mí

to refuse you anything, considering the glory of hope that you have
negarte cualquier cosa, considerando la gloria de esperanza que tienes

brought into my life."
traído a mi vida".

"Then that is agreed," said Holmes, "and no doubt you will let me have
—Entonces eso está acordado —dijo Holmes—, y sin duda me lo hará

a report as soon as you can."
Un informe tan pronto como puedas".

"I'll see to that," said the American. "Well," he added looking at his
—Yo me encargaré de eso —dijo el americano—. —Bueno —añadió mirando su

watch, "I'll have to get on. I'll call to-morrow, Mr. Nathan, and see
mira: "Tendré que seguir adelante. Mañana lo llamaré, señor Nathan, y lo veré

you off to Birmingham. Coming my way, Mr. Holmes? Well, then, good-bye,
te vas a Birmingham. ¿Viene hacia mí, señor Holmes? Bueno, entonces, adiós,

and we may have good news for you to-morrow night."
Y mañana por la noche tendremos buenas noticias para ti.

I noticed that my friend's face cleared when the American left the
Noté que la cara de mi amigo se aclaró cuando el estadounidense salió de la

room, and the look of thoughtful perplexity had vanished.
y la mirada de perplejidad pensativa se había desvanecido.

"I wish I could look over your collection, Mr. Garrideb," said he. "In
—Me gustaría poder echar un vistazo a su colección, señor Garrideb —dijo—. "En

my profession all sorts of odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of
mi profesión toda clase de conocimientos extraños me son útiles, y esta habitación de

yours is a storehouse of it."
el tuyo es un almacén de ella".

Our client shone with pleasure and his eyes gleamed from behind his big
Nuestro cliente brillaba de placer y sus ojos brillaban detrás de su gran

glasses.   gafas.

"I had always heard, sir, that you were a very intelligent man," said
—Siempre había oído, señor, que usted era un hombre muy inteligente —dijo—

he. "I could take you round now if you have the time."
él. Podría llevarte a dar una vuelta ahora, si tienes tiempo.

"Unfortunately, I have not. But these specimens are so well labelled
"Desafortunadamente, no lo he hecho. Pero estos especímenes están muy bien etiquetados

and classified that they hardly need your personal explanation. If I
y clasificados que apenas necesitan su explicación personal. Si yo

should be able to look in to-morrow, I presume that there would be no
podría mirar mañana, supongo que no habría

objection to my glancing over them?"
¿Objeción a que les eche un vistazo?

"None at all. You are most welcome. The place will, of course, be shut
"Ninguna. De nada. El lugar, por supuesto, estará cerrado

up, but Mrs. Saunders is in the basement up to four o'clock and would
Pero la señora Saunders está en el sótano hasta las cuatro de la tarde y no quiere

let you in with her key."
Déjate entrar con su llave.

"Well, I happen to be clear to-morrow afternoon. If you would say a
—Bueno, mañana por la tarde me lo he aclarado. Si se dijera un

word to Mrs. Saunders it would be quite in order. By the way, who is
Le dije a la señora Saunders que estaría en orden. Por cierto, ¿quién es

your house-agent?"   ¿Su agente de la casa?

Our client was amazed at the sudden question.
Nuestro cliente se sorprendió ante la repentina pregunta.

"Holloway and Steele, in the Edgware Road. But why?"
– Holloway y Steele, en Edgware Road. Pero, ¿por qué?

"I am a bit of an archaeologist myself when it comes to houses," said
"Yo mismo soy un poco arqueólogo cuando se trata de casas", dijo

Holmes, laughing. "I was wondering if this was Queen Anne or Georgian."
Holmes, riendo. "Me preguntaba si se trataba de la reina Ana o de Georgia".

"Georgian, beyond doubt."
—Georgiano, sin lugar a dudas.

"Really. I should have thought a little earlier. However, it is easily
"De verdad. Debería haberlo pensado un poco antes. Sin embargo, es fácil

ascertained. Well, good-bye, Mr. Garrideb, and may you have every
Comprobada. Bien, adiós, señor Garrideb, y que tenga usted todas las cosas que le consiguen.

success in your Birmingham journey."
éxito en su viaje a Birmingham".

The house-agent's was close by, but we found that it was closed for the
La casa del agente estaba cerca, pero descubrimos que estaba cerrada por el tiempo.

day, so we made our way back to Baker Street. It was not till after
Así que regresamos a Baker Street. No fue hasta después

dinner that Holmes reverted to the subject.
Holmes volvió al tema.

"Our little problem draws to a close," said he. "No doubt you have
—Nuestro pequeño problema llega a su fin —dijo—. "No hay duda de que lo has hecho

outlined the solution in your own mind."
esboza la solución en tu propia mente".

"I can make neither head nor tail of it."
"No puedo entenderlo ni la cabeza ni la cola".

"The head is surely clear enough and the tail we should see to-morrow.
La cabeza es sin duda bastante clara y la cola la veremos mañana.

Did you notice nothing curious about that advertisement?"
¿No has notado nada curioso en ese anuncio?

"I saw that the word 'plough' was misspelt."
"Vi que la palabra 'arado' estaba mal escrita".

"Oh, you did notice that, did you? Come, Watson, you improve all the
"Oh, te diste cuenta de eso, ¿verdad? Vamos, Watson, usted mejora todos los

time. Yes, it was bad English but good American. The printer had set it
Hora. Sí, era mal inglés, pero buen americano. La impresora lo había configurado

up as received. Then the buckboards. That is American also. And
tal como se recibió. Luego los buckboards. Eso también es estadounidense. Y

artesian wells are commoner with them than with us. It was a typical
Los pozos artesianos son más comunes con ellos que con nosotros. Era un típico

American advertisement, but purporting to be from an English firm. What
Publicidad estadounidense, pero pretendiendo ser de una empresa inglesa. Qué

do you make of that?"
¿Qué piensas de eso?

"I can only suppose that this American lawyer put it in himself. What
"Sólo puedo suponer que este abogado norteamericano se lo metió a sí mismo. Qué

his object was I fail to understand."
su objeto era, no lo entiendo.

"Well, there are alternative explanations. Anyhow, he wanted to get
"Bueno, hay explicaciones alternativas. De todos modos, quería conseguir

this good old fossil up to Birmingham. That is very clear. I might have
este viejo fósil hasta Birmingham. Eso está muy claro. Podría haberlo hecho

told him that he was clearly going on a wild-goose chase, but, on
le dijo que claramente iba a una cacería inútil, pero,

second thoughts, it seemed better to clear the stage by letting him go.
Pensándolo bien, parecía mejor despejar el escenario dejándolo ir.

To-morrow, Watson--well, to-morrow will speak for itself."
Mañana, Watson... bueno, mañana hablará por sí solo.

Holmes was up and out early. When he returned at lunchtime I noticed
Holmes se levantó temprano y salió. Cuando regresó a la hora del almuerzo me di cuenta de que

that his face was very grave.
que su rostro era muy grave.

"This is a more serious matter than I had expected, Watson," said he.
—Este es un asunto más serio de lo que esperaba, Watson —dijo—.

"It is fair to tell you so, though I know it will only be an additional
"Es justo decírtelo, aunque sé que solo será un más

reason to you for running your head into danger. I should know my
razón para que corras tu cabeza hacia el peligro. Debería saber que mi

Watson by now. But there is danger, and you should know it."
Watson a estas alturas. Pero hay peligro, y tú debes saberlo".

"Well, it is not the first we have shared, Holmes. I hope it may not be
—Bueno, no es la primera vez que compartimos, Holmes. Espero que no sea así

the last. What is the particular danger this time?"
la última. ¿Cuál es el peligro particular esta vez?"

"We are up against a very hard case. I have identified Mr. John
"Nos enfrentamos a un caso muy difícil. He identificado al Sr. John

Garrideb, Counsellor at Law. He is none other than 'Killer' Evans, of
Garrideb, Consejero Jurídico. Él no es otro que 'Killer' Evans, de

sinister and murderous reputation."
reputación siniestra y asesina".

"I fear I am none the wiser."
Me temo que no soy el más sabio.

"Ah, it is not part of your profession to carry about a portable
—¡Ah!, no es parte de tu profesión llevar un portátil

Newgate Calendar in your memory. I have been down to see friend
Calendario Newgate en tu memoria. He ido a ver a un amigo

Lestrade at the Yard. There may be an occasional want of imaginative
Lestrade en el astillero. Puede haber una falta ocasional de imaginación

intuition down there, but they lead the world for thoroughness and
intuición allá abajo, pero lideran el mundo por su minuciosidad y

method. I had an idea that we might get on the track of our American
método. Tenía la idea de que podríamos seguir la pista de nuestro americano

friend in their records. Sure enough, I found his chubby face smiling
amigo en sus registros. Efectivamente, encontré su cara regordeta sonriendo

up at me from the rogues' portrait gallery. 'James Winter, alias
hacia mí desde la galería de retratos de los pícaros. 'James Winter, alias

Morecroft, alias Killer Evans,' was the inscription below." Holmes drew
Morecroft, alias Killer Evans', era la inscripción de abajo". Holmes dibujó

an envelope from his pocket. "I scribbled down a few points from his
un sobre de su bolsillo. "Garabateé algunos puntos de su

dossier: Aged forty-four. Native of Chicago. Known to have shot three
Expediente: Cuarenta y cuatro años. Nativo de Chicago. Se sabe que disparó a tres

men in the States. Escaped from penitentiary through political
hombres en los Estados Unidos. Escapó de la penitenciaría por motivos políticos

influence. Came to London in 1893. Shot a man over cards in a
influencia. Llegó a Londres en 1893. Disparó a un hombre por encima de las cartas en un

night-club in the Waterloo Road in January, 1895. Man died, but he was
club nocturno en Waterloo Road en enero de 1895. El hombre murió, pero fue

shown to have been the aggressor in the row. Dead man was identified as
se demostró que fue el agresor en la fila. El hombre muerto fue identificado como

Rodger Prescott, famous as forger and coiner in Chicago. Killer Evans
Rodger Prescott, famoso como falsificador y acuñador de monedas en Chicago. Evans asesino

released in 1901. Has been under police supervision since, but so far
lanzado en 1901. Ha estado bajo supervisión policial desde entonces, pero hasta ahora

as known has led an honest life. Very dangerous man, usually carries
Como se sabe, ha llevado una vida honesta. Hombre muy peligroso, suele llevar

arms and is prepared to use them. That is our bird, Watson--a
armas y está preparado para usarlas. Ése es nuestro pájaro, Watson, un

sporting bird, as you must admit."
Pájaro deportivo, como debes admitir.

"But what is his game?"
—¿Pero cuál es su juego?

"Well, it begins to define itself. I have been to the houseagent's. Our
"Bueno, empieza a definirse a sí mismo. He estado en casa del agente de la casa. Nuestro

client, as he told us, has been there five years. It was unlet for a
El cliente, según nos dijo, ha estado allí cinco años. Fue desembarazado por un

year before then. The previous tenant was a gentleman at large named
año antes. El inquilino anterior era un caballero prófugo llamado

Waldron. Waldron's appearance was well remembered at the office. He had
Waldron. La aparición de Waldron fue bien recordada en la oficina. Tenía

suddenly vanished and nothing more been heard of him. He was a tall,
De repente desapareció y no se supo nada más de él. Era un hombre alto,

bearded man with very dark features. Now, Prescott, the man whom Killer
Hombre barbudo de rasgos muy oscuros. Ahora, Prescott, el hombre a quien Killer

Evans had shot, was, according to Scotland Yard, a tall, dark man with
Evans había disparado, era, según Scotland Yard, un hombre alto y moreno con

a beard. As a working hypothesis, I think we may take it that Prescott,
una barba. Como hipótesis de trabajo, creo que podemos considerar que Prescott,

the American criminal, used to live in the very room which our innocent
el criminal americano, solía vivir en la misma habitación en la que nuestros inocentes

friend now devotes to his museum. So at last we get a link, you see."
amigo ahora se dedica a su museo. Así que por fin tenemos un vínculo, ¿sabes?

"And the next link?"
—¿Y el siguiente enlace?

"Well, we must go now and look for that."
"Bueno, ahora tenemos que ir a buscar eso".

He took a revolver from the drawer and handed it to me.
Sacó un revólver del cajón y me lo entregó.

"I have my old favourite with me. If our Wild West friend tries to live
"Tengo a mi viejo favorito conmigo. Si nuestro amigo del Salvaje Oeste intenta vivir

up to his nickname, we must be ready for him. I'll give you an hour for
Hasta su apodo, debemos estar preparados para él. Te daré una hora para

a siesta, Watson, and then I think it will be time for our Ryder Street
una siesta, Watson, y luego creo que será el momento de nuestra Ryder Street

adventure."   aventura".

It was just four o'clock when we reached the curious apartment of
Eran apenas las cuatro de la tarde cuando llegamos al curioso apartamento de

Nathan Garrideb. Mrs. Saunders, the caretaker, was about to leave, but
Nathan Garrideb. La señora Saunders, la cuidadora, estaba a punto de irse, pero

she had no hesitation in admitting us, for the door shut with a spring
No dudó en admitirnos, porque la puerta se cerró con un resorte

lock, and Holmes promised to see that all was safe before we left.
Holmes prometió asegurarse de que todo estaba a salvo antes de que nos fuéramos.

Shortly afterwards the outer door closed, her bonnet passed the bow
Poco después se cerró la puerta exterior, su sombrero pasó la proa

window, and we knew that we were alone in the lower floor of the house.
ventana, y sabíamos que estábamos solos en el piso inferior de la casa.

Holmes made a rapid examination of the premises. There was one cupboard
Holmes hizo un rápido examen de las instalaciones. Había un armario

in a dark corner which stood out a little from the wall. It was behind
en un rincón oscuro que sobresalía un poco de la pared. Estaba detrás

this that we eventually crouched while Holmes in a whisper outlined his
que finalmente nos agachamos mientras Holmes, en un susurro, esbozaba su

intentions.   Intenciones.

"He wanted to get our amiable friend out of his room--that is very
Quería sacar a nuestro amable amigo de su habitación, eso es muy

clear, and, as the collector never went out, it took some planning to
claro, y, como el coleccionista nunca salía, se necesitaba un poco de planificación para

do it. The whole of this Garrideb invention was apparently for no other
Hazlo. Al parecer, todo este invento de Garrideb no servía para otra cosa

end. I must say, Watson, that there is a certain devilish ingenuity
fin. Debo decir, Watson, que hay una cierta ingenuidad diabólica

about it, even if the queer name of the tenant did give him an opening
al respecto, incluso si el extraño nombre del inquilino le daba una oportunidad

which he could hardly have expected. He wove his plot with remarkable
lo que difícilmente podría haber esperado. Tejió su trama con notables

cunning.''   astuto''.

"But what did he want?"
—¿Pero qué quería?

"Well, that is what we are here to find out. It has nothing whatever to
"Bueno, eso es lo que estamos aquí para averiguar. No tiene nada que ver con

do with our client, so far as I can read the situation. It is something
hacer con nuestro cliente, por lo que puedo leer la situación. Es algo

connected with the man he murdered--the man who may have been his
con el hombre que asesinó, el hombre que pudo haber sido su

confederate in crime. There is some guilty secret in the room. That is
cómplice en el crimen. Hay un secreto culpable en la habitación. Es decir

how I read it. At first I thought our friend might have something in
como yo lo leo. Al principio pensé que nuestro amigo podría tener algo en el interior.

his collection more valuable than he knew--something worth the
su colección era más valiosa de lo que él creía, algo que valía la pena

attention of a big criminal. But the fact that Rodger Prescott of evil
atención de un gran criminal. Pero el hecho de que Rodger Prescott del mal

memory inhabited these rooms points to some deeper reason. Well,
La memoria habitada en estas habitaciones apunta a alguna razón más profunda. Pozo

Watson, we can but possess our souls in patience and see what the hour
Watson, no podemos más que tener paciencia con nuestras almas y ver qué hora

may bring."   puede traer".

That hour was not long in striking. We crouched closer in the shadow as
Esa hora no tardó en sonar. Nos agachamos más cerca en la sombra mientras

we heard the outer door open and shut. Then came the sharp, metallic
Oímos que la puerta exterior se abría y se cerraba. Luego vino el afilado y metálico

snap of a key, and the American was in the room. He closed the door
Al apretar una llave, el americano estaba en la habitación. Cerró la puerta

softly behind him, took a sharp glance around him to see that all was
suavemente detrás de él, echó una mirada aguda a su alrededor para ver que todo estaba

safe, threw off his overcoat, and walked up to the central table with
Se quitó el abrigo y se acercó a la mesa central con

the brisk manner of one who knows exactly what he has to do and how to
la manera enérgica de alguien que sabe exactamente lo que tiene que hacer y cómo hacerlo

do it. He pushed the table to one side, tore up the square of carpet on
Hazlo. Apartó la mesa a un lado y rompió el cuadrado de la alfombra

which it rested, rolled it completely back, and then, drawing a jemmy
que descansó, lo hizo rodar completamente hacia atrás, y luego, sacando un jemmy

from his inside pocket, he knelt down and worked vigorously upon the
De su bolsillo interior, se arrodilló y trabajó vigorosamente sobre el

floor. Presently we heard the sound of sliding boards, and an instant
piso. De pronto oímos el sonido de tablas deslizantes, y un instante

later a square had opened in the planks. Killer Evans struck a match,
Más tarde se había abierto un cuadrado en los tablones. Killer Evans encendió una cerilla,

lit a stump of candle, and vanished from our view.
encendió un tocón de vela y desapareció de nuestra vista.

Clearly our moment had come. Holmes touched my wrist as a signal, and
Era evidente que había llegado nuestro momento. Holmes me tocó la muñeca como una señal, y

together we stole across to the open trap-door. Gently as we moved,
Juntos cruzamos sigilosamente hasta la trampilla abierta. Suavemente mientras nos movíamos,

however, the old floor must have creaked under our feet, for the head
Sin embargo, el viejo suelo debe haber crujido bajo nuestros pies, porque la cabeza

of our American, peering anxiously round, emerged suddenly from the
de nuestro americano, mirando ansiosamente a su alrededor, emergió de repente de la

open space. His face turned upon us with a glare of baffled rage, which
intemperie. Su rostro se volvió hacia nosotros con una mirada de rabia desconcertada, que

gradually softened into a rather shamefaced grin as he realized that
Poco a poco se suavizó en una sonrisa bastante avergonzada cuando se dio cuenta de que

two pistols were pointed at his head.
Le apuntaron con dos pistolas a la cabeza.

"Well, well!" said he coolly as he scrambled to the surface. "I guess
—¡Bueno, bueno! —dijo con frialdad mientras salía a la superficie—. "Supongo que

you have been one too many for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I
Ha sido usted demasiado para mí, señor Holmes. Vi a través de mi juego,

suppose, and played me for a sucker from the first. Well, sir, I hand
Supongamos, y me tomó por tonto desde el principio. Bien, señor, yo le entrego

it to you; you have me beat and--"
a ti; Me has golpeado y...

In an instant he had whisked out a revolver from his breast and had
En un instante había sacado un revólver de su pecho y había

fired two shots. I felt a sudden hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been
disparó dos tiros. Sentí un repentino abrasamiento caliente, como si un hierro al rojo vivo hubiera sido

pressed to my thigh. There was a crash as Holmes's pistol came down on
apretado contra mi muslo. Se produjo un estrépito cuando la pistola de Holmes cayó sobre

the man's head. I had a vision of him sprawling upon the floor with
la cabeza del hombre. Tuve una visión de él tendido en el suelo con

blood running down his face while Holmes rummaged him for weapons. Then
La sangre le corría por la cara mientras Holmes le buscaba armas. Entonces

my friend's wiry arms were round me, and he was leading me to a chair.
Los brazos nervudos de mi amigo me rodeaban y me conducía a una silla.

"You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say that you are not hurt!"
—¿No está herido, Watson? ¡Por el amor de Dios, di que no estás herido!"

It was worth a wound--it was worth many wounds--to know the depth
Valía una herida, valía muchas heridas, conocer la profundidad

of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard
de lealtad y amor que se escondía detrás de esa fría máscara. Lo claro, duro

eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the
Los ojos se oscurecieron por un momento y los labios firmes temblaban. En el caso de la

one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a
única vez vislumbré un gran corazón, así como un

great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service
gran cerebro. Todos mis años de servicio humilde pero decidido

culminated in that moment of revelation.
culminó en ese momento de revelación.

"It's nothing, Holmes. It's a mere scratch."
—No es nada, Holmes. Es un simple rasguño".

He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife.
Me había roto los pantalones con su navaja.

"You are right," he cried with an immense sigh of relief. "It is quite
—Tienes razón —exclamó con un inmenso suspiro de alivio—. "Es bastante

superficial." His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who
superficial". Su rostro se puso como pedernal mientras miraba a nuestro prisionero, que

was sitting up with a dazed face. "By the Lord, it is as well for you.
estaba sentado con el rostro aturdido. "Por el Señor, que es bueno para ti.

If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room
Si hubieras matado a Watson, no habrías salido de esta habitación

alive. Now, sir, what have you to say for yourself?"
vivo. Ahora, señor, ¿qué tiene usted que decir de sí mismo?

He had nothing to say for himself. He only sat and scowled. I leaned on
No tenía nada que decir por sí mismo. Solo se sentó y frunció el ceño. Me apoyé en

Holmes's arm, and together we looked down into the small cellar which
Holmes, y juntos miramos hacia el pequeño sótano que

had been disclosed by the secret flap. It was still illuminated by the
había sido revelado por la solapa secreta. Todavía estaba iluminado por el

candle which Evans had taken down with him. Our eyes fell upon a mass
vela que Evans se había llevado consigo. Nuestros ojos se posaron en una masa

of rusted machinery, great rolls of paper, a litter of bottles, and,
de maquinaria oxidada, grandes rollos de papel, un montón de botellas y,

neatly arranged upon a small table, a number of neat little bundles.
Sobre una mesita estaban ordenadamente dispuestos, una serie de pequeños bultos ordenados.

"A printing press--a counterfeiter's outfit," said Holmes.
—Una imprenta, el traje de un falsificador —dijo Holmes—.

"Yes, sir," said our prisoner, staggering slowly to his feet and then
—Sí, señor —dijo nuestro prisionero, poniéndose en pie tambaleándose lentamente, y luego

sinking into the chair. "The greatest counterfeiter London ever saw.
hundiéndose en la silla. "El mayor falsificador que Londres haya visto jamás.

That's Prescott's machine, and those bundles on the table are two
Esa es la máquina de Prescott, y esos paquetes sobre la mesa son dos

thousand of Prescott's notes worth a hundred each and fit to pass
mil de billetes de Prescott valían cien cada uno y eran aptos para ser aprobados

anywhere. Help yourselves, gentlemen. Call it a deal and let me beat ...

it."   él".

Holmes laughed.  Holmes se echó a reír.

"We don't do things like that, Mr. Evans. There is no bolthole for you
—Nosotros no hacemos cosas así, señor Evans. No hay agujero para ti

in this country. You shot this man Prescott, did you not?"
en este país. Le disparaste a este hombre, Prescott, ¿verdad?

"Yes, sir, and got five years for it, though it was he who pulled on
—Sí, señor, y me dieron cinco años por ello, aunque fue él quien tiró

me. Five years--when I should have had a medal the size of a soup
me. Cinco años, cuando debería haber tenido una medalla del tamaño de una sopa

plate. No living man could tell a Prescott from a Bank of England, and
plato. Ningún hombre vivo podría distinguir a un Prescott de un Banco de Inglaterra, y

if I hadn't put him out he would have flooded London with them. I was
si no lo hubiera echado, habría inundado Londres con ellos. Era

the only one in the world who knew where he made them. Can you wonder
el único en el mundo que sabía dónde los hacía. ¿Te puedes preguntar

that I wanted to get to the place? And can you wonder that when I found
que quería llegar al lugar? ¿Y puedes extrañarte de que cuando encontré

this crazy boob of a bug-hunter with the queer name squatting right on
esta loca teta de cazador de insectos con el nombre extraño en cuclillas

the top of it, and never quitting his room, I had to do the best I
y sin salir nunca de su habitación, tuve que hacer lo mejor que pude.

could to shift him? Maybe I would have been wiser if I had put him
¿Podría cambiarlo? Tal vez hubiera sido más sabio si lo hubiera puesto

away. It would have been easy enough, but I'm a soft-hearted guy that
lejos. Hubiera sido bastante fácil, pero soy un tipo de buen corazón que

can't begin shooting unless the other man has a gun also. But say, Mr.
No puede comenzar a disparar a menos que el otro hombre también tenga un arma. Pero dime, Sr.

Holmes, what have I done wrong, anyhow? I've not used this plant. I've
Holmes, ¿qué he hecho mal? No he usado esta planta. He

not hurt this old stiff. Where do you get me?"
no lastimar a este viejo tieso. ¿De dónde me sacas?

"Only attempted murder, so far as I can see," said Holmes. "But that's
—Por lo que veo, sólo intento de asesinato —dijo Holmes—. "Pero eso es

not our job. They take that at the next stage. What we wanted at
no es nuestro trabajo. Lo toman en la siguiente etapa. Lo que queríamos en

present was just your sweet self. Please give the Yard a call, Watson.
El presente era solo tu dulce yo. Por favor, llame al Astillero, Watson.

It won't be entirely unexpected."
No será del todo inesperado".

So those were the facts about Killer Evans and his remarkable invention
Así que esos fueron los hechos sobre Killer Evans y su notable invento

of the three Garridebs. We heard later that our poor old friend never
de los tres Garridebs. Más tarde nos enteramos de que nuestro pobre viejo amigo nunca

got over the shock of his dissipated dreams. When his castle in the air
superó la conmoción de sus sueños disipados. Cuando su castillo en el aire

fell down, it buried him beneath the ruins. He was last heard of at a
cayó, lo sepultó bajo las ruinas. La última vez que se supo de él fue en un

nursing-home in Brixton. It was a glad day at the Yard when the
residencia de ancianos en Brixton. Era un día alegre en el Yard cuando el

Prescott outfit was discovered, for, though they knew that it existed,
El equipo de Prescott fue descubierto, pues, aunque sabían que existía,

they had never been able, after the death of the man, to find out where
Nunca habían podido, después de la muerte del hombre, averiguar dónde

it was. Evans had indeed done great service and caused several worthy
Fue. De hecho, Evans había prestado un gran servicio y había causado varios

C. I. D. men to sleep the sounder, for the counterfeiter stands in a
C. I. D. hombres para dormir la saca, porque el falsificador está en un

class by himself as a public danger. They would willingly have
clase por sí mismo como un peligro público. De buena gana lo habrían hecho

subscribed to that soup-plate medal of which the criminal had spoken,
suscrito a la medalla del plato de sopa de que había hablado el criminal,

but an unappreciative bench took a less favourable view, and the Killer
pero un tribunal desagradecido adoptó una opinión menos favorable, y el Asesino

returned to those shades from which he had just emerged.
volvió a las sombras de las que acababa de salir.

THE PROBLEM OF THOR BRIDGE
EL PROBLEMA DEL PUENTE THOR

Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross,
En algún lugar de las bóvedas del banco de Cox and Co., en Charing Cross,

there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatchbox with my name, John
hay una caja de despacho de hojalata desgastada y maltratada con mi nombre, John

H. Watson, M. D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is crammed
H. Watson, M. D., Late Indian Army, pintado en la tapa. Está abarrotado

with papers, nearly all of which are records of cases to illustrate the
con documentos, casi todos los cuales son registros de casos para ilustrar la

curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to
curiosos problemas que el señor Sherlock Holmes tuvo que afrontar en varias ocasiones

examine. Some, and not the least interesting, were complete failures,
examinar. Algunos, y no menos interesantes, fueron fracasos totales,

and as such will hardly bear narrating, since no final explanation is
y, como tal, difícilmente soportará ser narrado, ya que no hay una explicación final

forthcoming. A problem without a solution may interest the student, but
próximo. Un problema sin solución puede interesar al estudiante, pero

can hardly fail to annoy the casual reader. Among these unfinished
difícilmente puede dejar de molestar al lector casual. Entre estos inconclusos

tales is that of Mr. James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own
es la del Sr. James Phillimore, quien, volviendo a su propio

house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world. No less
casa para conseguir su paraguas, nunca más se vio en este mundo. Nada menos que

remarkable is that of the cutter Alicia, which sailed one spring
notable es el del cúter Alicia, que navegó una primavera

morning into a small patch of mist from where she never again emerged,
mañana en una pequeña mancha de niebla de donde nunca más salió,

nor was anything further ever heard of herself and her crew. A third
Tampoco se supo nada más de ella y de su tripulación. Un tercero

case worthy of note is that of Isadora Persano, the well-known
digno de mención es el de Isadora Persano, la conocida

journalist and duellist, who was found stark staring mad with a match
periodista y duelista, que fue encontrado con la mirada perdida con un fósforo

box in front of him which contained a remarkable worm said to be
caja frente a él, que contenía un gusano notable que se decía que era

unknown to science. Apart from these unfathomed cases, there are some
desconocido para la ciencia. Aparte de estos casos insondables, hay algunos

which involve the secrets of private families to an extent which would
que involucran los secretos de las familias privadas en una medida que

mean consternation in many exalted quarters if it were thought possible
consternación en muchos lugares exaltados si se creyera posible

that they might find their way into print. I need not say that such a
para que pudieran encontrar su camino en la imprenta. No necesito decir que tal

breach of confidence is unthinkable, and that these records will be
abuso de confianza es impensable, y que estos registros serán

separated and destroyed now that my friend has time to turn his
destrozados y destruidos ahora que mi amigo tiene tiempo de convertir su

energies to the matter. There remain a considerable residue of cases of
energías a la materia. Sigue habiendo un residuo considerable de casos de

greater or less interest which I might have edited before had I not
mayor o menor interés que podría haber editado antes si no hubiera

feared to give the public a surfeit which might react upon the
temía dar al público un exceso que pudiera reaccionar ante la

reputation of the man whom above all others I revere. In some I was
reputación del hombre a quien venero por encima de todos los demás. En algunos estuve

myself concerned and can speak as an eye-witness, while in others I was
y puedo hablar como testigo ocular, mientras que en otros estaba

either not present or played so small a part that they could only be
o bien no estaban presentes o desempeñaban un papel tan pequeño que sólo podían ser

told as by a third person. The following narrative is drawn from my own
contada como por una tercera persona. La siguiente narración está extraída de la mía

experience.   experiencia.

It was a wild morning in October, and I observed as I was dressing how
Era una mañana salvaje de octubre, y observé mientras me vestía cómo

the last remaining leaves were being whirled from the solitary plane
Las últimas hojas que quedaban estaban siendo arremolinadas desde el plano solitario

tree which graces the yard behind our house. I descended to breakfast
árbol que adorna el patio detrás de nuestra casa. Bajé a desayunar

prepared to find my companion in depressed spirits, for, like all great
preparado para encontrar a mi compañero en los espíritus deprimidos, porque, como todos los grandes

artists, he was easily impressed by his surroundings. On the contrary,
artistas, se dejaba impresionar fácilmente por su entorno. Al contrario

I found that he had nearly finished his meal, and that his mood was
Descubrí que casi había terminado su comida, y que su estado de ánimo era

particularly bright and joyous, with that somewhat sinister
particularmente brillante y alegre, con ese algo siniestro

cheerfulness which was characteristic of his lighter moments.
alegría que era característica de sus momentos más ligeros.

"You have a case, Holmes?" I remarked.
– ¿Tiene usted un caso, Holmes? —comenté—.

"The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious, Watson," he
—La facultad de deducción es ciertamente contagiosa, Watson —dijo—

answered. "It has enabled you to probe my secret. Yes, I have a case.
Respondió. "Te ha permitido sondear mi secreto. Sí, tengo un caso.

After a month of trivialities and stagnation the wheels move once
Después de un mes de trivialidades y estancamiento, las ruedas se mueven una vez

more."   más".

"Might I share it?"
—¿Podría compartirlo?

"There is little to share, but we may discuss it when you have consumed
"Hay poco que compartir, pero podemos discutirlo cuando hayas consumido

the two hard-boiled eggs with which our new cook has favoured us. Their
los dos huevos duros con los que nos ha favorecido nuestro nuevo cocinero. Su

condition may not be unconnected with the copy of the Family Herald
condición no puede ser ajena a la copia del Family Herald

which I observed yesterday upon the hall-table. Even so trivial a
que observé ayer sobre la mesa del vestíbulo. Aun cuando sea tan trivial

matter as cooking an egg demands an attention which is conscious of the
como cocinar un huevo exige una atención que sea consciente de la

passage of time and incompatible with the love romance in that
paso del tiempo e incompatible con el romance amoroso en el que

excellent periodical."   Excelente periódico".

A quarter of an hour later the table had been cleared and we were face
Un cuarto de hora más tarde, la mesa había sido retirada y estábamos frente a frente.

to face. He had drawn a letter from his pocket.
a enfrentar. Había sacado una carta de su bolsillo.

"You have heard of Neil Gibson, the Gold King?" he said.
—¿Has oído hablar de Neil Gibson, el Rey del Oro? —preguntó.

"You mean the American Senator?"
—¿Te refieres al senador americano?

"Well, he was once Senator for some Western state, but is better known
"Bueno, una vez fue senador por algún estado del oeste, pero es más conocido

as the greatest gold-mining magnate in the world."
como el mayor magnate de la minería de oro del mundo".

"Yes, I know of him. He has surely lived in England for some time. His
"Sí, lo conozco. Seguramente ha vivido en Inglaterra durante algún tiempo. Suyos

name is very familiar."
El nombre es muy familiar".

"Yes, he bought a considerable estate in Hampshire some five years ago.
—Sí, compró una finca considerable en Hampshire hace unos cinco años.

Possibly you have already heard of the tragic end of his wife?"
¿Es posible que ya hayas oído hablar del trágico final de su esposa?

"Of course. I remember it now. That is why the name is familiar. But I
"Por supuesto. Lo recuerdo ahora. Es por eso que el nombre es familiar. Pero yo

really know nothing of the details."
realmente no sé nada de los detalles".

Holmes waved his hand towards some papers on a chair. "I had no idea
Holmes hizo un gesto con la mano hacia unos papeles que había en una silla. "No tenía ni idea

that the case was coming my way or I should have had my extracts
que el caso se me venía encima o debería haber tenido mis extractos

ready," said he. "The fact is that the problem, though exceedingly
Listo -dijo-. "El hecho es que el problema, aunque sea

sensational, appeared to present no difficulty. The interesting
sensacional, no parecía presentar ninguna dificultad. Lo interesante

personality of the accused does not obscure the clearness of the
personalidad del acusado no oscurece la claridad de la

evidence. That was the view taken by the coroner's jury and also in the
evidencia. Este fue el punto de vista adoptado por el jurado forense y también en el caso

police-court proceedings. It is now referred to the Assizes at
procedimientos policiales-judiciales. Ahora se remite a las Audiencias de

Winchester. I fear it is a thankless business. I can discover facts,
Winchester. Me temo que es un negocio ingrato. Puedo descubrir hechos,

Watson, but I cannot change them. Unless some entirely new and
Watson, pero no puedo cambiarlos. A menos que algunos

unexpected ones come to light I do not see what my client can hope
salen a la luz inesperados No veo lo que mi cliente puede esperar

for."   para".

"Your client?"  —¿Su cliente?

"Ah, I forgot I had not told you. I am getting into your involved
—Ah, se me olvidaba que no te lo había dicho. Me estoy metiendo en tu involucramiento

habit, Watson, of telling a story backward. You had best read this
hábito, Watson, de contar una historia al revés. Será mejor que leas esto

first."   Primero".

The letter which he handed to me, written in a bold, masterful hand,
La carta que me entregó, escrita con una letra audaz y magistral,

ran as follows:
se ejecutó de la siguiente manera:

CLARIDGE'S HOTEL,  HOTEL CLARIDGE,

October 3rd.   3 de octubre.

DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:
ESTIMADO SR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:

I can't see the best woman God ever made go to her death without doing all
No puedo ver a la mejor mujer que Dios haya hecho ir a su muerte sin hacer todo

that is possible to save her. I can't explain things--I can't even try to
que es posible salvarla. No puedo explicar las cosas, ni siquiera puedo intentarlo

explain them, but I know beyond all doubt that Miss Dunbar is innocent.
Pero sé sin lugar a dudas que la señorita Dunbar es inocente.

You know the facts--who doesn't? It has been the gossip of the country.
Tú conoces los hechos, ¿quién no? Ha sido el chisme del país.

And never a voice raised for her! It's the damned injustice of it all
¡Y nunca se alzó una voz por ella! Es la maldita injusticia de todo esto

that makes me crazy. That woman has a heart that wouldn't let her kill a
Eso me vuelve loco. Esa mujer tiene un corazón que no la dejaría matar a un

fly. Well, I'll come at eleven to-morrow and see if you can get some ray
volar. Bueno, vendré mañana a las once y veré si puedes conseguir un rayo

of light in the dark. Maybe I have a clue and don't know it. Anyhow,
de luz en la oscuridad. Tal vez tengo una pista y no la sé. En todo caso

all I know and all I have and all I am are for your use if only you can
todo lo que sé, todo lo que tengo y todo lo que soy es para tu uso, si tan solo puedes

save her. If ever in your life you showed your powers, put them now into
sálvala. Si alguna vez en tu vida mostraste tus poderes, ponlos ahora en

this case.   este caso.

Yours faithfully,  Atentamente

J. NEIL GIBSON.

"There you have it," said Sherlock Holmes, knocking out the ashes of
—Ahí lo tienes —dijo Sherlock Holmes, apagando las cenizas de

his after-breakfast pipe and slowly refilling it. "That is the
su pipa de sobredesayuno y rellenándola lentamente. "Ese es el

gentleman I await. As to the story, you have hardly time to master all
caballero que espero. En cuanto a la historia, apenas tienes tiempo para dominarla toda

these papers, so I must give it to you in a nutshell if you are to take
estos papeles, así que debo dárselos en pocas palabras si va a tomar

an intelligent interest in the proceedings. This man is the greatest
un interés inteligente en los procedimientos. Este hombre es el más grande

financial power in the world, and a man, as I understand, of most
poder financiero en el mundo, y un hombre, según tengo entendido, de la mayoría de los

violent and formidable character. He married a wife, the victim of this
carácter violento y formidable. Se casó con una mujer, víctima de este

tragedy, of whom I know nothing save that she was past her prime, which
tragedia, de la que no sé nada, salvo que ya había pasado la flor de la vida, lo cual

was the more unfortunate as a very attractive governess superintended
era tanto más desafortunado cuanto que una institutriz muy atractiva supervisaba

the education of two young children. These are the three people
la educación de dos niños pequeños. Estas son las tres personas

concerned, and the scene is a grand old manor house, the centre of a
y la escena es una gran casa solariega antigua, el centro de una

historical English state. Then as to the tragedy. The wife was found in
estado histórico inglés. Luego, en cuanto a la tragedia. La esposa fue encontrada en

the grounds nearly half a mile from the house, late at night, clad in
los terrenos a casi media milla de la casa, a altas horas de la noche,

her dinner dress, with a shawl over her shoulders and a revolver bullet
su vestido de noche, con un chal sobre los hombros y una bala de revólver

through her brain. No weapon was found near her and there was no local
a través de su cerebro. No se encontró ningún arma cerca de ella y no había ningún lugareño

clue as to the murder. No weapon near her, Watson--mark that! The
pista sobre el asesinato. No hay ningún arma cerca de ella, Watson... ¡fíjate en eso! El

crime seems to have been committed late in the evening, and the body
El crimen parece haberse cometido a altas horas de la noche, y el cuerpo

was found by a gamekeeper about eleven o'clock, when it was examined by
fue encontrado por un guardabosques alrededor de las once de la noche, cuando fue examinado por

the police and by a doctor before being carried up to the house. Is
por la policía y por un médico antes de ser llevado a la casa. Es

this too condensed, or can you follow it clearly?"
esto demasiado condensado, ¿o puedes seguirlo claramente?"

"It is all very clear. But why suspect the governess?"
"Está todo muy claro. Pero, ¿por qué sospechar de la institutriz?

"Well, in the first place there is some very direct evidence. A
"Bueno, en primer lugar hay algunas pruebas muy directas. Un

revolver with one discharged chamber and a calibre which corresponded
revólver con una recámara descargada y un calibre que correspondía

with the bullet was found on the floor of her wardrobe." His eyes fixed
con la bala fue encontrada en el piso de su armario". Sus ojos fijos

and he repeated in broken words, "On--the--floor--of--her--
y repitió con palabras entrecortadas: "En el suelo de ella...

wardrobe." Then he sank into silence, and I saw that some train of
guardarropa". Luego se hundió en el silencio, y vi que un tren de

thought had been set moving which I should be foolish to interrupt.
Se había puesto en movimiento un pensamiento que sería tonto interrumpir.

Suddenly with a start he emerged into brisk life once more. "Yes,
De repente, con un sobresalto, emergió a la vida enérgica una vez más. "Sí,

Watson, it was found. Pretty damning, eh? So the two juries thought.
Watson, se encontró. Bastante condenatorio, ¿eh? Así pensaron los dos jurados.

Then the dead woman had a note upon her making an appointment at that
Entonces la mujer muerta tenía una nota en la que le indicaba que había concertado una cita en ese momento

very place and signed by the governess. How's that? Finally there is
muy lugar y firmado por la institutriz. ¿Cómo es eso? Por último, está

the motive. Senator Gibson is an attractive person. If his wife dies,
el motivo. El senador Gibson es una persona atractiva. Si su esposa muere,

who more likely to succeed her than the young lady who had already by
quién tenía más probabilidades de sucederla que la joven que ya había pasado

all accounts received pressing attentions from her employer? Love,
¿Todas las cuentas recibían atenciones apremiantes de su empleador? Amar

fortune, power, all depending upon one middleaged life. Ugly, Watson--
la fortuna, el poder, todo depende de una vida de mediana edad. Feo, Watson...

very ugly!"   ¡Muy feo!"

"Yes, indeed, Holmes."  —Sí, en efecto, Holmes.

"Nor could she prove an alibi. On the contrary, she had to admit that
"Tampoco pudo probar una coartada. Por el contrario, tuvo que admitir que

she was down near Thor Bridge--that was the scene of the tragedy--
estaba cerca del puente de Thor, que era el escenario de la tragedia.

about that hour. She couldn't deny it, for some passing villager had
más o menos a esa hora. No podía negarlo, porque algún aldeano que pasaba por allí había

seen her there."
La he visto allí.

"That really seems final."
"Eso realmente parece definitivo".

"And yet, Watson--and yet! This bridge--a single broad span of
—Y sin embargo, Watson... ¡y sin embargo! Este puente, un solo y ancho tramo de

stone with balustraded sides--carries the drive over the narrowest
piedra con los lados de la balaustrada, lleva la unidad sobre el más estrecho

part of a long, deep, reed-girt sheet of water. Thor Mere it is called.
parte de una lámina de agua larga, profunda y ceñida de juncos. Thor Mere, se llama.

In the mouth of the bridge lay the dead woman. Such are the main facts.
En la boca del puente yacía la mujer muerta. Tales son los principales hechos.

But here, if I mistake not, is our client, considerably before his
Pero aquí, si no me equivoco, está nuestro cliente, considerablemente antes que su

time."   tiempo".

Billy had opened the door, but the name which he announced was an
Billy había abierto la puerta, pero el nombre que anunció era un

unexpected one. Mr. Marlow Bates was a stranger to both of us. He was a
inesperado. El señor Marlow Bates era un desconocido para los dos. Era un

thin, nervous wisp of a man with frightened eyes and a twitching, ...

hesitating manner--a man whom my own professional eye would judge to ...

be on the brink of an absolute nervous breakdown. ...

"You seem agitated, Mr. Bates," said Holmes. "Pray sit down. I fear I ...

can only give you a short time, for I have an appointment at eleven." ...

"I know you have," our visitor gasped, shooting out short sentences ...

like a man who is out of breath. "Mr. Gibson is coming. Mr. Gibson is ...

my employer. I am manager of his estate. Mr. Holmes, he is a villain-- ...

an infernal villain." ...

"Strong language, Mr. Bates." ...

"I have to be emphatic, Mr. Holmes, for the time is so limited. I would ...

not have him find me here for the world. He is almost due now. But I ...

was so situated that I could not come earlier. His secretary, Mr. ...

Ferguson, only told me this morning of his appointment with you." ...

"And you are his manager?" ...

"I have given him notice. In a couple of weeks I shall have shaken off ...

his accursed slavery. A hard man, Mr. Holmes, hard to all about him. ...

Those public charities are a screen to cover his private iniquities. ...

But his wife was his chief victim. He was brutal to her--yes, sir, ...

brutal! How she came by her death I do not know, but I am sure that he ...

had made her life a misery to her. She was a creature of the tropics, a ...

Brazilian by birth, as no doubt you know." ...

"No, it had escaped me." ...

"Tropical by birth and tropical by nature. A child of the sun and of ...

passion. She had loved him as such women can love, but when her own ...

physical charms had faded--I am told that they once were great-- ...

there was nothing to hold him. We all liked her and felt for her and ...

hated him for the way that he treated her. But he is plausible and ...

cunning. That is all I have to say to you. Don't take him at his face ...

value. There is more behind. Now I'll go. No, no, don't detain me! He ...

is almost due." ...

With a frightened look at the clock our strange visitor literally ran ...

to the door and disappeared. ...

"Well! Well!" said Holmes after an interval of silence. "Mr. Gibson ...

seems to have a nice loyal household. But the warning is a useful one, ...

and now we can only wait till the man himself appears." ...

Sharp at the hour we heard a heavy step upon the stairs, and the famous ...

millionaire was shown into the room. As I looked upon him I understood ...

not only the fears and dislike of his manager but also the execrations ...

which so many business rivals have heaped upon his head. If I were a ...

sculptor and desired to idealize the successful man of affairs, iron of ...

nerve and leathery of conscience, I should choose Mr. Neil Gibson as my ...

model. His tall, gaunt, craggy figure had a suggestion of hunger and ...

rapacity. An Abraham Lincoln keyed to base uses instead of high ones ...

would give some idea of the man. His face might have been chiselled in ...

granite, hard-set, craggy, remorseless, with deep lines upon it, the ...

scars of many a crisis. Cold gray eyes, looking shrewdly out from under ...

bristling brows, surveyed us each in turn. He bowed in perfunctory ...

fashion as Holmes mentioned my name, and then with a masterful air of ...

possession he drew a chair up to my companion and seated himself with ...

his bony knees almost touching him. ...

"Let me say right here, Mr. Holmes," he began, "that money is nothing ...

to me in this case. You can burn it if it's any use in lighting you to ...

the truth. This woman is innocent and this woman has to be cleared, and ...

it's up to you to do it. Name your figure!" ...

"My professional charges are upon a fixed scale," said Holmes coldly. ...

"I do not vary them, save when I remit them altogether." ...

"Well, if dollars make no difference to you, think of the reputation. ...

If you pull this off every paper in England and America will be booming ...

you. You'll be the talk of two continents." ...

"Thank you, Mr. Gibson, I do not think that I am in need of booming. It ...

may surprise you to know that I prefer to work anonymously, and that it ...

is the problem itself which attracts me. But we are wasting time. Let ...

us get down to the facts." ...

"I think that you will find all the main ones in the press reports. I ...

don't know that I can add anything which will help you. But if there is ...

anything you would wish more light upon--well, I am here to give it." ...

"Well, there is just one point." ...

"What is it?" ...

"What were the exact relations between you and Miss Dunbar?" ...

The Gold King gave a violent start and half rose from his chair. Then ...

his massive calm came back to him. ...

"I suppose you are within your rights--and maybe doing your duty-- ...

in asking such a question, Mr. Holmes." ...

"We will agree to suppose so," said Holmes. ...

"Then I can assure you that our relations were entirely and always ...

those of an employer towards a young lady whom he never conversed with, ...

or ever saw, save when she was in the company of his children." ...

Holmes rose from his chair. ...

"I am a rather busy man, Mr. Gibson," said he, "and I have no time or ...

taste for aimless conversations. I wish you goodmorning." ...

Our visitor had risen also, and his great loose figure towered above ...

Holmes. There was an angry gleam from under those bristling brows and a ...

tinge of colour in the sallow cheeks. ...

"What the devil do you mean by this, Mr. Holmes? Do you dismiss my ...

case?" ...

"Well, Mr. Gibson, at least I dismiss you. I should have thought my ...

words were plain." ...

"Plain enough, but what's at the back of it? Raising the price on me, ...

or afraid to tackle it, or what? I've a right to a plain answer." ...

"Well, perhaps you have," said Holmes. "I'll give you one. This case is ...

quite sufficiently complicated to start with without the further ...

difficulty of false information." ...

"Meaning that I lie." ...

"Well, I was trying to express it as delicately as I could, but if you ...

insist upon the word I will not contradict you." ...

I sprang to my feet, for the expression upon the millionaire's face was ...

fiendish in its intensity, and he had raised his great knotted fist. ...

Holmes smiled languidly and reached his hand out for his pipe. ...

"Don't be noisy, Mr. Gibson. I find that after breakfast even the ...

smallest argument is unsettling. I suggest that a stroll in the morning ...

air and a little quiet thought will be greatly to your advantage." ...

With an effort the Gold King mastered his fury. I could not but admire ...

him, for by a supreme self-command he had turned in a minute from a hot ...

flame of anger to a frigid and contemptuous indifference. ...

"Well, it's your choice. I guess you know how to run your own business. ...

I can't make you touch the case against your will. You've done yourself ...

no good this morning, Mr. Holmes, for I have broken stronger men than ...

you. No man ever crossed me and was the better for it." ...

"So many have said so, and yet here I am," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, ...

good-morning, Mr. Gibson. You have a good deal yet to learn." ...

Our visitor made a noisy exit, but Holmes smoked in imperturbable ...

silence with dreamy eyes fixed upon the ceiling. ...

"Any views, Watson?" he asked at last. ...

"Well, Holmes, I must confess that when I consider that this is a man ...

who would certainly brush any obstacle from his path, and when I ...

remember that his wife may have been an obstacle and an object of ...

dislike, as that man Bates plainly told us, it seems to me--" ...

"Exactly. And to me also." ...

"But what were his relations with the governess, and how did you ...

discover them?" ...

"Bluff, Watson, bluff! When I considered the passionate, ...

unconventional, unbusinesslike tone of his letter and contrasted it ...

with his self-contained manner and appearance, it was pretty clear that ...

there was some deep emotion which centred upon the accused woman rather ...

than upon the victim. We've got to understand the exact relations of ...

those three people if we are to reach the truth. You saw the frontal ...

attack which I made upon him, and how imperturbably he received it. ...

Then I bluffed him by giving him the impression that I was absolutely ...

certain, when in reality I was only extremely suspicious." ...

"Perhaps he will come back?" ...

"He is sure to come back. He must come back. He can't leave it where it ...

is. Ha! isn't that a ring? Yes, there is his footstep. Well, Mr. ...

Gibson, I was just saying to Dr. Watson that you were somewhat ...

overdue." ...

The Gold King had reentered the room in a more chastened mood than he ...

had left it. His wounded pride still showed in his resentful eyes, but ...

his common sense had shown him that he must yield if he would attain ...

his end. ...

"I've been thinking it over, Mr. Holmes, and I feel that I have been ...

hasty in taking your remarks amiss. You are justified in getting down ...

to the facts, whatever they may be, and I think the more of you for it. ...

I can assure you, however, that the relations between Miss Dunbar and ...

me don't really touch this case." ...

"That is for me to decide, is it not?" ...

"Yes, I guess that is so. You're like a surgeon who wants every symptom ...

before he can give his diagnosis." ...

"Exactly. That expresses it. And it is only a patient who has an object ...

in deceiving his surgeon who would conceal the facts of his case." ...

"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would ...

shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with ...

a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case. ...

I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some ...

corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders. And you burst ...

suddenly into it. But the object excuses you, since it was to try and ...

save her. Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open, and you can ...

explore where you will. What is it you want?" ...

"The truth." ...

The Gold King paused for a moment as one who marshals his thoughts. His ...

grim, deep-lined face had become even sadder and more grave. ...

"I can give it to you in a very few words, Mr. Holmes," said he at ...

last. "There are some things that are painful as well as difficult to ...

say, so I won't go deeper than is needful. I met my wife when I was ...

gold-hunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto was the daughter of a government ...

official at Manaos, and she was very beautiful. I was young and ardent ...

in those days, but even now, as I look back with colder blood and a ...

more critical eye, I can see that she was rare and wonderful in her ...

beauty. It was a deep rich nature, too, passionate, whole-hearted, ...

tropical, ill-balanced, very different from the American women whom I ...

had known. Well, to make a long story short, I loved her and I married ...

her. It was only when the romance had passed--and it lingered for ...

years--that I realized that we had nothing--absolutely nothing-- ...

in common. My love faded. If hers had faded also it might have been ...

easier. But you know the wonderful way of women! Do what I might, ...

nothing could turn her from me. If I have been harsh to her, even ...

brutal as some have said, it has been because I knew that if I could ...

kill her love, or if it turned to hate, it would be easier for both of ...

us. But nothing changed her. She adored me in those English woods as ...

she had adored me twenty years ago on the banks of the Amazon. Do what ...

I might, she was as devoted as ever. ...

"Then came Miss Grace Dunbar. She answered our advertisement and became ...

governess to our two children. Perhaps you have seen her portrait in ...

the papers. The whole world has proclaimed that she also is a very ...

beautiful woman. Now, I make no pretence to be more moral than my ...

neighbours, and I will admit to you that I could not live under the ...

same roof with such a woman and in daily contact with her without ...

feeling a passionate regard for her. Do you blame me, Mr. Holmes?" ...

"I do not blame you for feeling it. I should blame you if you expressed ...

it, since this young lady was in a sense under your protection." ...

"Well, maybe so," said the millionaire, though for a moment the reproof ...

had brought the old angry gleam into his eyes. "I'm not pretending to ...

be any better than I am. I guess all my life I've been a man that ...

reached out his hand for what he wanted, and I never wanted anything ...

more than the love and possession of that woman. I told her so." ...

"Oh, you did, did you?" ...

Holmes could look very formidable when he was moved. ...

"I said to her that if I could marry her I would, but that it was out ...

of my power. I said that money was no object and that all I could do to ...

make her happy and comfortable would be done." ...

"Very generous, I am sure," said Holmes with a sneer. ...

"See here, Mr. Holmes. I came to you on a question of evidence, not on ...

a question of morals. I'm not asking for your criticism." ...

"It is only for the young lady's sake that I touch your case at all," ...

said Holmes sternly. "I don't know that anything she is accused of is ...

really worse than what you have yourself admitted, that you have tried ...

to ruin a defenceless girl who was under your roof. Some of you rich ...

men have to be taught that all the world cannot be bribed into ...

condoning your offences." ...

To my surprise the Gold King took the reproof with equanimity. ...

"That's how I feel myself about it now. I thank God that my plans did ...

not work out as I intended. She would have none of it, and she wanted ...

to leave the house instantly." ...

"Why did she not?" ...

"Well, in the first place, others were dependent upon her, and it was ...

no light matter for her to let them all down by sacrificing her living. ...

When I had sworn--as I did--that she should never be molested ...

again, she consented to remain. But there was another reason. She knew ...

the influence she had over me, and that it was stronger than any other ...

influence in the world. She wanted to use it for good." ...

"How?" ...

"Well, she knew something of my affairs. They are large, Mr. Holmes-- ...

large beyond the belief of an ordinary man. I can make or break--and ...

it is usually break. It wasn't individuals only. It was communities, ...

cities, even nations. Business is a hard game, and the weak go to the ...

wall. I played the game for all it was worth. I never squealed myself, ...

and I never cared if the other fellow squealed. But she saw it ...

different. I guess she was right. She believed and said that a fortune ...

for one man that was more than he needed should not be built on ten ...

thousand ruined men who were left without the means of life. That was ...

how she saw it, and I guess she could see past the dollars to something ...

that was more lasting. She found that I listened to what she said, and ...

she believed she was serving the world by influencing my actions. So ...

she stayed--and then this came along." ...

"Can you throw any light upon that?" ...

The Gold King paused for a minute or more, his head sunk in his hands, ...

lost in deep thought. ...

"It's very black against her. I can't deny that. And women lead an ...

inward life and may do things beyond the judgment of a man. At first I ...

was so rattled and taken aback that I was ready to think she had been ...

led away in some extraordinary fashion that was clean against her usual ...

nature. One explanation came into my head. I give it to you, Mr. ...

Holmes, for what it is worth. There is no doubt that my wife was ...

bitterly jealous. There is a soul-jealousy that can be as frantic as ...

any body-jealousy, and though my wife had no cause--and I think she ...

understood this--for the latter, she was aware that this English girl ...

exerted an influence upon my mind and my acts that she herself never ...

had. It was an influence for good, but that did not mend the matter. ...

She was crazy with hatred and the heat of the Amazon was always in her ...

blood. She might have planned to murder Miss Dunbar--or we will say ...

to threaten her with a gun and so frighten her into leaving us. Then ...

there might have been a scuffle and the gun gone off and shot the woman ...

who held it." ...

"That possibility had already occurred to me," said Holmes. "Indeed, it ...

is the only obvious alternative to deliberate murder." ...

"But she utterly denies it." ...

"Well, that is not final--is it? One can understand that a woman ...

placed in so awful a position might hurry home still in her ...

bewilderment holding the revolver. She might even throw it down among ...

her clothes, hardly knowing what she was doing, and when it was found ...

she might try to lie her way out by a total denial, since all ...

explanation was impossible. What is against such a supposition?" ...

"Miss Dunbar herself." ...

"Well, perhaps." ...

Holmes looked at his watch. "I have no doubt we can get the necessary ...

permits this morning and reach Winchester by the evening train. When I ...

have seen this young lady it is very possible that I may be of more use ...

to you in the matter, though I cannot promise that my conclusions will ...

necessarily be such as you desire." ...

There was some delay in the official pass, and instead of reaching ...

Winchester that day we went down to Thor Place, the Hampshire estate of ...

Mr. Neil Gibson. He did not accompany us himself, but we had the ...

address of Sergeant Coventry, of the local police, who had first ...

examined into the affair. He was a tall, thin, cadaverous man, with a ...

secretive and mysterious manner which conveyed the idea that he knew or ...

suspected a very great deal more than he dared say. He had a trick, ...

too, of suddenly sinking his voice to a whisper as if he had come upon ...

something of vital importance, though the information was usually ...

commonplace enough. Behind these tricks of manner he soon showed ...

himself to be a decent, honest fellow who was not too proud to admit ...

that he was out of his depth and would welcome any help. ...

"Anyhow, I'd rather have you than Scotland Yard, Mr. Holmes," said he. ...

"If the Yard gets called into a case, then the local loses all credit ...

for success and may be blamed for failure. Now, you play straight, so ...

I've heard." ...

"I need not appear in the matter at all," said Holmes to the evident ...

relief of our melancholy acquaintance. "If I can clear it up I don't ...

ask to have my name mentioned." ...

"Well, it's very handsome of you, I am sure. And your friend, Dr. ...

Watson, can be trusted, I know. Now, Mr. Holmes, as we walk down to the ...

place there is one question I should like to ask you. I'd breathe it to ...

no soul but you." He looked round as though he hardly dare utter the ...

words. "Don't you think there might be a case against Mr. Neil Gibson ...

himself?" ...

"I have been considering that." ...

"You've not seen Miss Dunbar. She is a wonderful fine woman in every ...

way. He may well have wished his wife out of the road. And these ...

Americans are readier with pistols than our folk are. It was his ...

pistol, you know." ...

"Was that clearly made out?" ...

"Yes, sir. It was one of a pair that he had." ...

"One of a pair? Where is the other?" ...

"Well, the gentleman has a lot of firearms of one sort and another. We ...

never quite matched that particular pistol--but the box was made for ...

two." ...

"If it was one of a pair you should surely be able to match it." ...

"Well, we have them all laid out at the house if you would care to look ...

them over." ...

"Later, perhaps. I think we will walk down together and have a look at ...

the scene of the tragedy." ...

This conversation had taken place in the little front room of Sergeant ...

Coventry's humble cottage which served as the local police-station. A ...

walk of half a mile or so across a wind-swept heath, all gold and ...

bronze with the fading ferns, brought us to a side-gate opening into ...

the grounds of the Thor Place estate. A path led us through the ...

pheasant preserves, and then from a clearing we saw the widespread, ...

half-timbered house, half Tudor and half Georgian, upon the crest of ...

the hill. Beside us there was a long, reedy pool, constricted in the ...

centre where the main carriage drive passed over a stone bridge, but ...

swelling into small lakes on either side. Our guide paused at the mouth ...

of this bridge, and he pointed to the ground. ...

"That was where Mrs. Gibson's body lay. I marked it by that stone." ...

"I understand that you were there before it was moved?" ...

"Yes, they sent for me at once." ...

"Who did?" ...

"Mr. Gibson himself. The moment the alarm was given and he had rushed ...

down with others from the house, he insisted that nothing should be ...

moved until the police should arrive." ...

"That was sensible. I gathered from the newspaper report that the shot ...

was fired from close quarters." ...

"Yes, sir, very close." ...

"Near the right temple?" ...

"Just behind it, sir." ...

"How did the body lie?" ...

"On the back, sir. No trace of a struggle. No marks. No weapon. The ...

short note from Miss Dunbar was clutched in her left hand." ...

"Clutched, you say?" ...

"Yes, sir, we could hardly open the fingers." ...

"That is of great importance. It excludes the idea that anyone could ...

have placed the note there after death in order to furnish a false ...

clue. Dear me! The note, as I remember, was quite short: ...

"'I will be at Thor Bridge at nine o'clock. G. DUNBAR.' ...

"Was that not so?" ...

"Yes, sir." ...

"Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it?" ...

"Yes, sir." ...

"What was her explanation?" ...

"Her defence was reserved for the Assizes. She would say nothing." ...

"The problem is certainly a very interesting one. The point of the ...

letter is very obscure, is it not?" ...

"Well, sir," said the guide, "it seemed, if I may be so bold as to say ...

so, the only really clear point in the whole case." ...

Holmes shook his head. ...

"Granting that the letter is genuine and was really written, it was ...

certainly received some time before--say one hour or two. Why, then, ...

was this lady still clasping it in her left hand? Why should she carry ...

it so carefully? She did not need to refer to it in the interview. Does ...

it not seem remarkable?" ...

"Well, sir, as you put it, perhaps it does." ...

"I think I should like to sit quietly for a few minutes and think it ...

out." He seated himself upon the stone ledge of the bridge, and I could ...

see his quick gray eyes darting their questioning glances in every ...

direction. Suddenly he sprang up again and ran across to the opposite ...

parapet, whipped his lens from his pocket, and began to examine the ...

stonework. ...

"This is curious," said he. ...

"Yes, sir, we saw the chip on the ledge. I expect it's been done by ...

some passer-by." ...

The stonework was gray, but at this one point it showed white for a ...

space not larger than a sixpence. When examined closely one could see ...

that the surface was chipped as by a sharp blow. ...

"It took some violence to do that," said Holmes thoughtfully. With his ...

cane he struck the ledge several times without leaving a mark. "Yes, it ...

was a hard knock. In a curious place, too. It was not from above but ...

from below, for you see that it is on the lower edge of the parapet." ...

"But it is at least fifteen feet from the body." ...

"Yes, it is fifteen feet from the body. It may have nothing to do with ...

the matter, but it is a point worth noting. I do not think that we have ...

anything more to learn here. There were no footsteps, you say?" ...

"The ground was iron hard, sir. There were no traces at all." ...

"Then we can go. We will go up to the house first and look over these ...

weapons of which you speak. Then we shall get on to Winchester, for I ...

should desire to see Miss Dunbar before we go farther." ...

Mr. Neil Gibson had not returned from town, but we saw in the house the ...

neurotic Mr. Bates who had called upon us in the morning. He showed us ...

with a sinister relish the formidable array of firearms of various ...

shapes and sizes which his employer had accumulated in the course of an ...

adventurous life. ...

"Mr. Gibson has his enemies, as anyone would expect who knew him and ...

his methods," said he. "He sleeps with a loaded revolver in the drawer ...

beside his bed. He is a man of violence, sir, and there are times when ...

all of us are afraid of him. I am sure that the poor lady who has ...

passed was often terrified." ...

"Did you ever witness physical violence towards her?" ...

"No, I cannot say that. But I have heard words which were nearly as bad ...

--words of cold, cutting contempt, even before the servants." ...

"Our millionaire does not seem to shine in private life," remarked ...

Holmes as we made our way to the station. "Well, Watson, we have come ...

on a good many facts, some of them new ones, and yet I seem some way ...

from my conclusion. In spite of the very evident dislike which Mr. ...

Bates has to his employer, I gather from him that when the alarm came ...

he was undoubtedly in his library. Dinner was over at 8:30 and all was ...

normal up to then. It is true that the alarm was somewhat late in the ...

evening, but the tragedy certainly occurred about the hour named in the ...

note. There is no evidence at all that Mr. Gibson had been out of doors ...

since his return from town at five o'clock. On the other hand, Miss ...

Dunbar, as I understand it, admits that she had made an appointment to ...

meet Mrs. Gibson at the bridge. Beyond this she would say nothing, as ...

her lawyer had advised her to reserve her defence. We have several very ...

vital questions to ask that young lady, and my mind will not be easy ...

until we have seen her. I must confess that the case would seem to me ...

to be very black against her if it were not for one thing." ...

"And what is that, Holmes?" ...

"The finding of the pistol in her wardrobe." ...

"Dear me, Holmes!" I cried, "that seemed to me to be the most damning ...

incident of all." ...

"Not so, Watson. It had struck me even at my first perfunctory reading ...

as very strange, and now that I am in closer touch with the case it is ...

my only firm ground for hope. We must look for consistency. Where there ...

is a want of it we must suspect deception." ...

"I hardly follow you." ...

"Well now, Watson, suppose for a moment that we visualize you in the ...

character of a woman who, in a cold, premeditated fashion, is about to ...

get rid of a rival. You have planned it. A note has been written. The ...

victim has come. You have your weapon. The crime is done. It has been ...

workmanlike and complete. Do you tell me that after carrying out so ...

crafty a crime you would now ruin your reputation as a criminal by ...

forgetting to fling your weapon into those adjacent reed-beds which ...

would forever cover it, but you must needs carry it carefully home and ...

put it in your own wardrobe, the very first place that would be ...

searched? Your best friends would hardly call you a schemer, Watson, ...

and yet I could not picture you doing anything so crude as that." ...

"In the excitement of the moment." ...

"No, no, Watson, I will not admit that it is possible. Where a crime is ...

coolly premeditated, then the means of covering it are coolly ...

premeditated also. I hope, therefore, that we are in the presence of a ...

serious misconception." ...

"But there is so much to explain." ...

"Well, we shall set about explaining it. When once your point of view ...

is changed, the very thing which was so damning becomes a clue to the ...

truth. For example, there is this revolver. Miss Dunbar disclaims all ...

knowledge of it. On our new theory she is speaking truth when she says ...

so. Therefore, it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there? ...

Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not that person the actual ...

criminal? You see how we come at once upon a most fruitful line of ...

inquiry." ...

We were compelled to spend the night at Winchester, as the formalities ...

had not yet been completed, but next morning, in the company of Mr. ...

Joyce Cummings, the rising barrister who was entrusted with the ...

defence, we were allowed to see the young lady in her cell. I had ...

expected from all that we had heard to see a beautiful woman, but I can ...

never forget the effect which Miss Dunbar produced upon me. It was no ...

wonder that even the masterful millionaire had found in her something ...

more powerful than himself--something which could control and guide ...

him. One felt, too, as one looked at the strong, clear-cut, and yet ...

sensitive face, that even should she be capable of some impetuous deed, ...

none the less there was an innate nobility of character which would ...

make her influence always for the good. She was a brunette, tall, with ...

a noble figure and commanding presence, but her dark eyes had in them ...

the appealing, helpless expression of the hunted creature who feels the ...

nets around it, but can see no way out from the toils. Now, as she ...

realized the presence and the help of my famous friend, there came a ...

touch of colour in her wan cheeks and a light of hope began to glimmer ...

in the glance which she turned upon us. ...

"Perhaps Mr. Neil Gibson has told you something of what occurred ...

between us?" she asked in a low, agitated voice. ...

"Yes," Holmes answered, "you need not pain yourself by entering into ...

that part of the story. After seeing you, I am prepared to accept Mr. ...

Gibson's statement both as to the influence which you had over him and ...

as to the innocence of your relations with him. But why was the whole ...

situation not brought out in court?" ...

"It seemed to me incredible that such a charge could be sustained. I ...

thought that if we waited the whole thing must clear itself up without ...

our being compelled to enter into painful details of the inner life of ...

the family. But I understand that far from clearing it has become even ...

more serious." ...

"My dear young lady," cried Holmes earnestly, "I beg you to have no ...

illusions upon the point. Mr. Cummings here would assure you that all ...

the cards are at present against us, and that we must do everything ...

that is possible if we are to win clear. It would be a cruel deception ...

to pretend that you are not in very great danger. Give me all the help ...

you can, then, to get at the truth." ...

"I will conceal nothing." ...

"Tell us, then, of your true relations with Mr. Gibson's wife." ...

"She hated me, Mr. Holmes. She hated me with all the fervour of her ...

tropical nature. She was a woman who would do nothing by halves, and ...

the measure of her love for her husband was the measure also of her ...

hatred for me. It is probable that she misunderstood our relations. I ...

would not wish to wrong her, but she loved so vividly in a physical ...

sense that she could hardly understand the mental, and even spiritual, ...

tie which held her husband to me, or imagine that it was only my desire ...

to influence his power to good ends which kept me under his roof. I can ...

see now that I was wrong. Nothing could justify me in remaining where I ...

was a cause of unhappiness, and yet it is certain that the unhappiness ...

would have remained even if I had left the house." ...

"Now, Miss Dunbar," said Holmes, "I beg you to tell us exactly what ...

occurred that evening." ...

"I can tell you the truth so far as I know it, Mr. Holmes, but I am in ...

a position to prove nothing, and there are points--the most vital ...

points--which I can neither explain nor can I imagine any ...

explanation." ...

"If you will find the facts, perhaps others may find the explanation." ...

"With regard, then, to my presence at Thor Bridge that night, I ...

received a note from Mrs. Gibson in the morning. It lay on the table of ...

the schoolroom, and it may have been left there by her own hand. It ...

implored me to see her there after dinner, said she had something ...

important to say to me, and asked me to leave an answer on the sundial ...

in the garden, as she desired no one to be in our confidence. I saw no ...

reason for such secrecy, but I did as she asked, accepting the ...

appointment. She asked me to destroy her note and I burned it in the ...

schoolroom grate. She was very much afraid of her husband, who treated ...

her with a harshness for which I frequently reproached him, and I could ...

only imagine that she acted in this way because she did not wish him to ...

know of our interview." ...

"Yet she kept your reply very carefully?" ...

"Yes. I was surprised to hear that she had it in her hand when she ...

died." ...

"Well, what happened then?" ...

"I went down as I had promised. When I reached the bridge she was ...

waiting for me. Never did I realize till that moment how this poor ...

creature hated me. She was like a mad woman--indeed, I think she was ...

a mad woman, subtly mad with the deep power of deception which insane ...

people may have. How else could she have met me with unconcern every ...

day and yet had so raging a hatred of me in her heart? I will not say ...

what she said. She poured her whole wild fury out in burning and ...

horrible words. I did not even answer--I could not. It was dreadful ...

to see her. I put my hands to my ears and rushed away. When I left her ...

she was standing, still shrieking out her curses at me, in the mouth of ...

the bridge." ...

"Where she was afterwards found?" ...

"Within a few yards from the spot." ...

"And yet, presuming that she met her death shortly after you left her, ...

you heard no shot?" ...

"No, I heard nothing. But, indeed, Mr. Holmes, I was so agitated and ...

horrified by this terrible outbreak that I rushed to get back to the ...

peace of my own room, and I was incapable of noticing anything which ...

happened." ...

"You say that you returned to your room. Did you leave it again before ...

next morning?" ...

"Yes, when the alarm came that the poor creature had met her death I ...

ran out with the others." ...

"Did you see Mr. Gibson?" ...

"Yes, he had just returned from the bridge when I saw him. He had sent ...

for the doctor and the police." ...

"Did he seem to you much perturbed?" ...

"Mr. Gibson is a very strong, self-contained man. I do not think that ...

he would ever show his emotions on the surface. But I, who knew him so ...

well, could see that he was deeply concerned." ...

"Then we come to the all-important point. This pistol that was found in ...

your room. Had you ever seen it before?" ...

"Never, I swear it." ...

"When was it found?" ...

"Next morning, when the police made their search." ...

"Among your clothes?" ...

"Yes, on the floor of my wardrobe under my dresses." ...

"You could not guess how long it had been there?" ...

"It had not been there the morning before." ...

"How do you know?" ...

"Because I tidied out the wardrobe." ...

"That is final. Then someone came into your room and placed the pistol ...

there in order to inculpate you." ...

"It must have been so." ...

"And when?" ...

"It could only have been at meal-time, or else at the hours when I ...

would be in the schoolroom with the children." ...

"As you were when you got the note?" ...

"Yes, from that time onward for the whole morning." ...

"Thank you, Miss Dunbar. Is there any other point which could help me ...

in the investigation?" ...

"I can think of none." ...

"There was some sign of violence on the stonework of the bridge--a ...

perfectly fresh chip just opposite the body. Could you suggest any ...

possible explanation of that?" ...

"Surely it must be a mere coincidence." ...

"Curious, Miss Dunbar, very curious. Why should it appear at the very ...

time of the tragedy, and why at the very place?" ...

"But what could have caused it? Only great violence could have such an ...

effect." ...

Holmes did not answer. His pale, eager face had suddenly assumed that ...

tense, far-away expression which I had learned to associate with the ...

supreme manifestations of his genius. So evident was the crisis in his ...

mind that none of us dared to speak, and we sat, barrister, prisoner, ...

and myself, watching him in a concentrated and absorbed silence. ...

Suddenly he sprang from his chair, vibrating with nervous energy and ...

the pressing need for action. ...

"Come, Watson, come!" he cried. ...

"What is it, Mr. Holmes?" ...

"Never mind, my dear lady. You will hear from me, Mr. Cummings. With ...

the help of the god of justice I will give you a case which will make ...

England ring. You will get news by to-morrow, Miss Dunbar, and ...

meanwhile take my assurance that the clouds are lifting and that I have ...

every hope that the light of truth is breaking through." ...

It was not a long journey from Winchester to Thor Place, but it was ...

long to me in my impatience, while for Holmes it was evident that it ...

seemed endless; for, in his nervous restlessness he could not sit ...

still, but paced the carriage or drummed with his long, sensitive ...

fingers upon the cushions beside him. Suddenly, however, as we neared ...

our destination he seated himself opposite to me--we had a ...

first-class carriage to ourselves--and laying a hand upon each of my ...

knees he looked into my eyes with the peculiarly mischievous gaze which ...

was charactenstic of his more imp-like moods. ...

"Watson," said he, "I have some recollection that you go armed upon ...

these excursions of ours." ...

It was as well for him that I did so, for he took little care for his ...

own safety when his mind was once absorbed by a problem so that more ...

than once my revolver had been a good friend in need. I reminded him of ...

the fact. ...

"Yes, yes, I am a little absent-minded in such matters. But have you ...

your revolver on you?" ...

I produced it from my hip-pocket, a short, handy, but very serviceable ...

little weapon. He undid the catch, shook out the cartridges, and ...

examined it with care. ...

"It's heavy--remarkably heavy," said he. ...

"Yes, it is a solid bit of work." ...

He mused over it for a minute. ...

"Do you know, Watson," said he, "I believe your revolver is going to ...

have a very intimate connection with the mystery which we are ...

investigating." ...

"My dear Holmes, you are joking." ...

"No, Watson, I am very serious. There is a test before us. If the test ...

comes off, all will be clear. And the test will depend upon the conduct ...

of this little weapon. One cartridge out. Now we will replace the other ...

five and put on the safety-catch. So! That increases the weight and ...

makes it a better reproduction." ...

I had no glimmer of what was in his mind, nor did he enlighten me, but ...

sat lost in thought until we pulled up in the little Hampshire station. ...

We secured a ramshackle trap, and in a quarter of an hour were at the ...

house of our confidential friend, the sergeant. ...

"A clue, Mr. Holmes? What is it?" ...

"It all depends upon the behaviour of Dr. Watson's revolver," said my ...

friend. "Here it is. Now, officer, can you give me ten yards of ...

string?" ...

The village shop provided a ball of stout twine. ...

"I think that this is all we will need," said Holmes. "Now, if you ...

please, we will get off on what I hope is the last stage of our ...

journey." ...

The sun was setting and turning the rolling Hampshire moor into a ...

wonderful autumnal panorama. The sergeant, with many critical and ...

incredulous glances, which showed his deep doubts of the sanity of my ...

companion, lurched along beside us. As we approached the scene of the ...

crime I could see that my friend under all his habitual coolness was in ...

truth deeply agitated. ...

"Yes," he said in answer to my remark, "you have seen me miss my mark ...

before, Watson. I have an instinct for such things, and yet it has ...

sometimes played me false. It seemed a certainty when first it flashed ...

across my mind in the cell at Winchester, but one drawback of an active ...

mind is that one can always conceive alternative explanations which ...

would make our scent a false one. And yet--and yet--Well, Watson, ...

we can but try." ...

As he walked he had firmly tied one end of the string to the handle of ...

the revolver. We had now reached the scene of the tragedy. With great ...

care he marked out under the guidance of the policeman the exact spot ...

where the body had been stretched. He then hunted among the heather and ...

the ferns until he found a considerable stone. This he secured to the ...

other end of his line of string, and he hung it over the parapet of the ...

bridge so that it swung clear above the water. He then stood on the ...

fatal spot, some distance from the edge of the bridge, with my revolver ...

in his hand, the string being taut between the weapon and the heavy ...

stone on the farther side. ...

"Now for it!" he cried. ...

At the words he raised the pistol to his head, and then let go his ...

grip. In an instant it had been whisked away by the weight of the ...

stone, had struck with a sharp crack against the parapet, and had ...

vanished over the side into the water. It had hardly gone before Holmes ...

was kneeling beside the stonework, and a joyous cry showed that he had ...

found what he expected. ...

"Was there ever a more exact demonstration?" he cried. "See, Watson, ...

your revolver has solved the problem!" As he spoke he pointed to a ...

second chip of the exact size and shape of the first which had appeared ...

on the under edge of the stone balustrade. ...

"We'll stay at the inn to-night," he continued as he rose and faced the ...

astonished sergeant. "You will, of course, get a grappling-hook and you ...

will easily restore my friend's revolver. You will also find beside it ...

the revolver, string and weight with which this vindictive woman ...

attempted to disguise her own crime and to fasten a charge of murder ...

upon an innocent victim. You can let Mr. Gibson know that I will see ...

him in the morning, when steps can be taken for Miss Dunbar's ...

vindication." ...

Late that evening, as we sat together smoking our pipes in the village ...

inn, Holmes gave me a brief review of what had passed. ...

"I fear, Watson," said he, "that you will not improve any reputation ...

which I may have acquired by adding the case of the Thor Bridge mystery ...

to your annals. I have been sluggish in mind and wanting in that ...

mixture of imagination and reality which is the basis of my art. I ...

confess that the chip in the stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest ...

the true solution, and that I blame myself for not having attained it ...

sooner. ...

"It must be admitted that the workings of this unhappy woman's mind ...

were deep and subtle, so that it was no very simple matter to unravel ...

her plot. I do not think that in our adventures we have ever come ...

across a stranger example of what perverted love can bring about. ...

Whether Miss Dunbar was her rival in a physical or in a merely mental ...

sense seems to have been equally unforgivable in her eyes. No doubt she ...

blamed this innocent lady for all those harsh dealings and unkind words ...

with which her husband tried to repel her too demonstrative affection. ...

Her first resolution was to end her own life. Her second was to do it ...

in such a way as to involve her victim in a fate which was worse far ...

than any sudden death could be. ...

"We can follow the various steps quite clearly, and they show a ...

remarkable subtlety of mind. A note was extracted very cleverly from ...

Miss Dunbar which would make it appear that she had chosen the scene of ...

the crime. In her anxiety that it should be discovered she somewhat ...

overdid it by holding it in her hand to the last. This alone should ...

have excited my suspicions earlier than it did. ...

"Then she took one of her husband's revolvers--there was, as you saw, ...

an arsenal in the house--and kept it for her own use. A similar one ...

she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe after discharging ...

one barrel, which she could easily do in the woods without attracting ...

attention. She then went down to the bridge where she had contrived ...

this exceedingly ingenious method for getting rid of her weapon. When ...

Miss Dunbar appeared she used her last breath in pouring out her ...

hatred, and then, when she was out of hearing, carried out her terrible ...

purpose. Every link is now in its place and the chain is complete. The ...

papers may ask why the mere was not dragged in the first instance, but ...

it is easy to be wise after the event, and in any case the expanse of a ...

reed-filled lake is no easy matter to drag unless you have a clear ...

perception of what you are looking for and where. Well, Watson, we have ...

helped a remarkable woman, and also a formidable man. Should they in ...

the future join their forces, as seems not unlikely, the financial ...

world may find that Mr. Neil Gibson has learned something in that ...

schoolroom of sorrow where our earthly lessons are taught." ...

THE ADVENTURE OF THE CREEPING MAN ...

Mr. Sherlock Holmes was always of opinion that I should publish the ...

singular facts connected with Professor Presbury, if only to dispel ...

once for all the ugly rumours 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 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 have to be observed in laying the ...

matter before the public. ...

It was one Sunday evening early in September of the year 1903 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 had become one of ...

them. As an institution I was like the violin, the shag 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. 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 ...

interject. If I irritated him by a certain methodical slowness in my ...

mentality, that irritation served only to make his own flame-like ...

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 up in his armchair ...

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 armchair, but ...

otherwise for half an hour he gave no sign that he was aware of my ...

presence. Then with a start he seemed to come from his reverie, and ...

with his usual whimsical smile he greeted me back to what had once 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 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. "Bloodhounds-- ...

sleuth-hounds--" ...

"No, no, Watson, that side of the matter is, of course, obvious. But ...

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 is analogous. A dog reflects the family ...

life. Whoever 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, 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 in the question: Why does Professor Presbury's wolfhound, Roy, ...

endeavour to bite him?" ...

I sank back in my chair in some disappointment. Was it for so trivial a ...

question as this that I had been summoned from my work? Holmes glanced ...

across at me. ...

"The same old Watson!" said 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've 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? 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 Mr. Bennett is before his ...

time if that is his ring. I had hoped to have a longer chat with you ...

before he came." ...

There was 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 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, Mr. 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 no fear, Mr. Bennett. Dr. 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, Mr. Holmes. You will, I am sure, understand my having ...

some reserves in the matter." ...

"You will appreciate it, Watson, when I tell you that this gentleman, ...

Mr. Trevor Bennett, is professional assistant to the great scientist, ...

lives under his roof, and is engaged to his only daughter. Certainly we ...

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, Mr. Holmes. That is my one object. Does Dr. 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. 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 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 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. None the less, it did not meet with full approval in his ...

own family." ...

"We thought it rather excessive," said our visitor. ...

"Exactly. Excessive and a little violent and unnatural. Professor ...

Presbury was rich, however, and there was no objection upon 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, 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. 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, Mr. Bennett, received a letter from a ...

fellowstudent in Prague, who said that he was glad to have seen ...

Professor Presbury 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 onward a curious change came over ...

the professor. He became furtive and sly. 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 affected. 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 again and again to resume the ...

old relations and to penetrate this mask which her father seemed to ...

have put on. You, sir, as I understand, did the same--but all was in ...

vain. And now, Mr. Bennett, tell in your own words the incident of the ...

letters." ...

"You must understand, Dr. Watson, 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 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 pass through my hands nor into the ...

letterbasket 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 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 ...

endeavoured to explain that it was a mere accident that 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." Mr. Bennett ...

drew a little diary book from his pocket. "That was on July 2d," said ...

he.

"You are certainly an admirable witness," said Holmes. "I may need some ...

of these dates which you have noted." ...

"I learned method among other things from my great teacher. From the ...

time that I observed abnormality in his behaviour I felt that it was my ...

duty to study his case. Thus I have it here that it was on that very ...

day, July 2d, that Roy attacked the professor as he came from his study ...

into the hall. Again, on July 11th, there was a scene of the same sort, ...

and then I have a note of yet another upon July 20th. After that we had ...

to banish Roy to the stables. He was a dear, affectionate animal--but ...

I fear I weary you." ...

Mr. Bennett spoke in a tone of reproach, for it 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, ...

Mr. Bennett. I think we have now fairly gone over the old ground, have ...

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 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 4th." ...

Holmes nodded and smiled. ...

"Pray continue," 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, ...

Mr. Holmes. I think that I am as strong-nerved as my neighbours, but I ...

was shaken by what I saw. The passage was dark save that one window ...

halfway along it threw 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, ...

Mr. Holmes--crawling! He was not quite on his hands and knees. I ...

should rather say on his hands and feet, with his face 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 down the staircase. I waited about for an hour, but he did not come ...

back. It 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. ...

"Lumbago, possibly. I have 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 is stronger ...

than I have known him for years. But there are the facts, Mr. Holmes. ...

It is not a case in which we can consult the police, and yet we are ...

utterly at our wit's 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 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's 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 be connected with some ...

other private transaction--a loan, perhaps, or share cenificates, ...

which are in the box." ...

"And the wolfhound 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 never be known, for at ...

this moment the door opened and a young lady was shown into the room. ...

As she appeared Mr. Bennett 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 been so dreadfully ...

frightened! It is awful to be there alone." ...

"Mr. 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 in the case, and that you thought we should ...

know?" ...

Our new visitor, a bright, handsome girl of a conventional English ...

type, smiled back at Holmes as she seated herself beside Mr. Bennett. ...

"When I found Mr. Bennett had left his hotel I thought I should ...

probably find him here. Of course, he had told me that he would consult ...

you. But, oh, Mr. Holmes, can you do nothing for my poor father?" ...

"I have hopes, Miss Presbury, but the case is still obscure. Perhaps ...

what you have to say may throw some fresh light upon it." ...

"It was last night, Mr. Holmes. He had been very strange all day. I am ...

sure that there are times when he has no recollection of what he does. ...

He lives as in a strange dream. 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. I may say that I always sleep ...

with my door locked; for, as Jack--as Mr. Bennett--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, I was amazed ...

to see my father's face looking in at me. Mr. 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 delusion, ...

Mr. Holmes. Don't deceive yourself by thinking so. I dare say it was ...

twenty seconds or so that I lay paralyzed and watched 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 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 Presbury'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, Mr. Holmes, that is the amazing part of it. There is no possible ...

way of reaching the window--and yet he was there." ...

"The date being September 5th," said Holmes. "That certainly ...

complicates matters." ...

It was the young lady's turn to look surprised. "This is the second ...

time that you have alluded to the date, Mr. Holmes," said Bennett. "Is ...

it possible that it has any bearing upon the case?" ...

"It is possible--very possible--and yet I have not my full material ...

at present." ...

"Possibly you are thinking of the connection between insanity and ...

phases of the moon?" ...

"No, I assure you. It was quite a different line of thought. Possibly ...

you can leave your notebook 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 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 Mr. 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. To-morrow, Mr. Bennett, will ...

certainly see us in Camford. There is, if I remember right, 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 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 suitcases at the ancient hostel ...

of which he had spoken. ...

"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 notebook. ...

"There was a period of excitement upon August 26th. We will assume that ...

he is a little hazy as to what he does 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. 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 ...

wistaria. Professor Presbury was certainly surrounded with every sign ...

not only of comfort but of luxury. 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 vagaries had brought us from London, was ...

standing before us. There was certainly no sign of eccentricity either ...

in his manner or appearance, for he was a portly, largefeatured 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. ...

He looked at our cards. "Pray sit down, gentlemen. What can I do for ...

you?" ...

Mr. Holmes smiled amiably. ...

"It was the question which I was about to put to you, Professor." ...

"To me, sir!" ...

"Possibly there is some mistake. I heard through a second person that ...

Professor Presbury of Camford had need of my services." ...

"Oh, indeed!" 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 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 dare say not," said the professor with asperity. "However, that ...

particular one can be answered very easily without your aid." ...

He walked across the room to the bell. Our London friend Mr. Bennett, ...

answered the call. ...

"Come in, Mr. Bennett. These two gentlemen have come from London under ...

the impression that they have been summoned. You handle all my
la impresión de que han sido convocados. Tú manejas todos mis

correspondence. Have you a note of anything going to a person named
correspondencia. Tener una nota de cualquier cosa que vaya a una persona llamada

Holmes?"   ¿Holmes?

"No, sir," Bennett answered with a flush.
—No, señor —respondió Bennett ruborizado—.

"That is conclusive," said the professor, glaring angrily at my
—Eso es concluyente —dijo el profesor, mirando con enojo a mi

companion. "Now, sir"--he leaned forward with his two hands upon the
compañero. —Ahora, señor —se inclinó hacia delante con las dos manos sobre el

table--" it seems to me that your position is a very questionable
Me parece que su posición es muy cuestionable

one."   uno".

Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
Holmes se encogió de hombros.

"I can only repeat that I am sorry that we have made a needless
"Solo puedo repetir que lamento que hayamos hecho un esfuerzo innecesario

intrusion."   intrusión".

"Hardly enough, Mr. Holmes!" the old man cried in a high screaming
-¡Apenas basta, señor Holmes! -exclamó el anciano con un grito agudo-

voice, with extraordinary malignancy upon his face. He got between us
voz, con una malignidad extraordinaria en su rostro. Se interpuso entre nosotros

and the door as he spoke, and he shook his two hands at us with furious
y la puerta mientras hablaba, y nos estrechó las dos manos con furia

passion. "You can hardly get out of it so easily as that." His face was
pasión. "Difícilmente se puede salir de esto tan fácilmente como ese". Su rostro estaba

convulsed, and he grinned and gibbered at us in his senseless rage. I
convulsionó, y nos sonrió y farfulló con su rabia sin sentido. Yo

am convinced that we should have had to fight our way out of the room
Estoy convencido de que tendríamos que haber tenido que luchar para salir de la habitación

if Mr. Bennett had not intervened.
si el Sr. Bennett no hubiera intervenido.

"My dear Professor," he cried, "consider your position! Consider the
—Mi querido profesor —exclamó—, ¡considere su posición! Considere la

scandal at the university! Mr. Holmes is a wellknown man. You cannot
¡Escándalo en la universidad! El señor Holmes es un hombre muy conocido. No se puede

possibly treat him with such discourtesy."
posiblemente lo traten con tanta descortesía".

Sulkily our host--if I may call him so--cleared the path to the
Enfurruñado, nuestro anfitrión -si se me permite llamarlo así- despejó el camino hacia el

door. We were glad to find ourselves outside the house and in the quiet
puerta. Nos alegramos de encontrarnos fuera de la casa y en la tranquilidad

of the tree-lined drive. Holmes seemed greatly amused by the episode.
del camino arbolado. Holmes pareció muy divertido con el episodio.

"Our learned friend's nerves are somewhat out of order," said he.
—Los nervios de nuestro erudito amigo están algo fuera de lugar —dijo—.

"Perhaps our intrusion was a little crude, and yet we have gained that
"Tal vez nuestra intrusión fue un poco burda y, sin embargo, lo hemos ganado

personal contact which I desired. But, dear me, Watson, he is surely at
contacto personal que deseaba. Pero, querido Watson, seguramente está en

our heels. The villain still pursues us."
nuestros tacones. El villano todavía nos persigue".

There were the sounds of running feet behind, but it was, to my relief,
Se oían ruidos de pies corriendo detrás, pero fue, para mi alivio,

not the formidable professor but his assistant who appeared round the
no el formidable profesor, sino su ayudante que apareció en la

curve of the drive. He came panting up to us.
curva de la unidad. Se acercó jadeante a nosotros.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Holmes. I wished to apologize."
—Lo siento mucho, señor Holmes. Quería disculparme".

"My dear sir, there is no need. It is all in the way of professional
"Mi querido señor, no hay necesidad. Todo está en el camino de lo profesional

experience." ...

"I have never seen him in a more dangerous mood. But he grows more
"Nunca lo he visto en un estado de ánimo más peligroso. Pero crece más

sinister. You can understand now why his daughter and I are alarmed.
siniestro. Ahora puedes entender por qué su hija y yo estamos alarmados.

And yet his mind is perfectly clear."
Y, sin embargo, su mente está perfectamente clara".

"Too clear!" said Holmes. "That was my miscalculation. It is evident
-¡Demasiado claro! -dijo Holmes-. "Ese fue mi error de cálculo. Es evidente

that his memory is much more reliable than I had thought. By the way,
que su memoria es mucho más fidedigna de lo que yo pensaba. A propósito

can we, before we go, see the window of Miss Presbury's room?"
¿Podemos, antes de irnos, ver la ventana de la habitación de la señorita Presbury?

Mr. Bennett pushed his way through some shrubs, and we had a view of
El señor Bennett se abrió paso a través de unos arbustos, y tuvimos una vista de

the side of the house.
el costado de la casa.

"It is there. The second on the left."
"Está ahí. El segundo a la izquierda".

"Dear me, it seems hardly accessible. And yet you will observe that
"Querida mía, parece difícilmente accesible. Y, sin embargo, observarás que

there is a creeper below and a water-pipe above which give some
hay una enredadera debajo y una tubería de agua encima que da algunos

foothold."   punto de apoyo".

"I could not climb it myself," said Mr. Bennett.
"No podría escalarlo yo mismo", dijo el Sr. Bennett.

"Very likely. It would certainly be a dangerous exploit for any normal
"Muy probablemente. Sin duda, sería un exploit peligroso para cualquier persona normal

man."   hombre".

"There was one other thing I wish to tell you, Mr. Holmes. I have the
—Hay otra cosa que quiero decirle, señor Holmes. Tengo el

address of the man in London to whom the professor writes. He seems to
dirección del hombre de Londres a quien escribe el profesor. Parece que

have written this morning, and I got it from his blotting-paper. It is
He escrito esta mañana, y lo he sacado de su papel secante. Lo es

an ignoble position for a trusted secretary, but what else can I do?"
una posición innoble para una secretaria de confianza, pero ¿qué más puedo hacer?"

Holmes glanced at the paper and put it into his pocket.
Holmes echó un vistazo al papel y se lo guardó en el bolsillo.

"Dorak--a curious name. Slavonic, I imagine. Well, it is an important
—Dorak, un nombre curioso. Eslavo, me imagino. Bueno, es un importante

link in the chain. We return to London this afternoon, Mr. Bennett. I
eslabón de la cadena. Regresamos a Londres esta tarde, Sr. Bennett. Yo

see no good purpose to be served by our remaining. We cannot arrest the
No veo ningún buen propósito que sirva nuestro resto. No podemos detener a los

professor because he has done no crime, nor can we place him under
profesor porque no ha cometido ningún delito, ni podemos ponerlo bajo

constraint, for he cannot be proved to be mad. No action is as yet
coacción, porque no se puede probar que esté loco. Todavía no se ha tomado ninguna medida

possible."   posible".

"Then what on earth are we to do?"
"Entonces, ¿qué diablos vamos a hacer?"

"A little patience, Mr. Bennett. Things will soon develop. Unless I am
—Un poco de paciencia, señor Bennett. Las cosas pronto se desarrollarán. A menos que yo sea

mistaken, next Tuesday may mark a crisis. Certainly we shall be in
equivocado, el próximo martes puede marcar una crisis. Ciertamente, estaremos en

Camford on that day. Meanwhile, the general position is undeniably
Camford ese día. Mientras tanto, la posición general es innegablemente

unpleasant, and if Miss Presbury can prolong her visit"
desagradable, y si la señorita Presbury puede prolongar su visita.

"That is easy."  "Eso es fácil".

"Then let her stay till we can assure her that all danger is past.
"Entonces que se quede hasta que podamos asegurarle que todo peligro ha pasado.

Meanwhile, let him have his way and do not cross him. So long as he is
Mientras tanto, déjalo que se salga con la suya y no lo cruces. Mientras él sea

in a good humour all is well."
De buen humor todo está bien".

"There he is!" said Bennett in a startled whisper. Looking between the
—¡Ahí está! —dijo Bennett en un susurro sobresaltado—. Mirando entre el

branches we saw the tall, erect figure emerge from the hall door and
vimos la figura alta y erguida emerger de la puerta del vestíbulo y

look around him. He stood leaning forward, his hands swinging straight
Mira a su alrededor. Se quedó de pie, inclinado hacia delante, con las manos estiradas

before him, his head turning from side to side. The secretary with a
Ante él, con la cabeza girando de un lado a otro. La secretaria con un

last wave slipped off among the trees, and we saw him presently rejoin
La última ola se deslizó entre los árboles, y lo vimos reincorporarse al poco tiempo

his employer, the two entering the house together in what seemed to be
su empleador, los dos entraron juntos a la casa en lo que parecía ser

animated and even excited conversation.
conversación animada e incluso animada.

"I expect the old gentleman has been putting two and two together,"
"Supongo que el anciano caballero ha estado juntando dos y dos"

said Holmes as we walked hotelward. "He struck me as having a
—dijo Holmes mientras caminábamos hacia el hotel—. "Me pareció que tenía una

particularly clear and logical brain from the little I saw of him.
particularmente claro y lógico por lo poco que vi de él.

Explosive, no doubt, but then from his point of view he has something
Explosivo, sin duda, pero desde su punto de vista tiene algo

to explode about if detectives are put on his track and he suspects his
explotar si los detectives se ponen tras su pista y sospecha de su

own household of doing it. I rather fancy that friend Bennett is in for
propio hogar de hacerlo. Me imagino que le espera a ese amigo Bennett

an uncomfortable time." ...

Holmes stopped at a 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 Dorak. Suave person, Bohemian, ...

elderly. Keeps large general store. MERCER. ...

"Mercer is since 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 up with the Prague visit." ...

"Thank goodness that something connects with something," said I. "At ...

present we seem to be faced by a long series of inexplicable incidents ...

with no bearing upon each other. For example, what possible connection ...

can there be between an angry wolfhound 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." ...

Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands. We were, I may say, seated in the ...

old sitting-room of the 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 fingertips ...

together and his manner as if he were addressing a class. "This ...

excellent young man's diary shows that there was trouble upon July 2d, ...

and from then onward 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 3d, which also falls into the series, as did ...

August 26th, which preceded it. The thing is beyond coincidence." ...

I 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. His naturally violent nature is intensified by it. 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 creeping man in the passage?" ...

"Well, well, we have made a beginning. I should not expect any 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 Mr. 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 ...

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 has actually more ...

energy and vitality than I can ever remember, nor was his brain ever ...

clearer. 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 Dr. Watson has his patients to ...

attend to. Let us agree that we meet here at this hour next Tuesday, ...

and I shall be surprised if 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 he told me as we travelled 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 us ...

by Mr. Bennett himself when he called upon us that evening at our old ...

quarters in the Chequers. "He heard from his London correspondent ...

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 has been ...

nothing else." ...

"That may prove quite enough," said Holmes grimly. "Now, Mr. Bennett, ...

we shall, I think, come to some conclusion tonight. If my deductions ...

are correct we should have an opportunity 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. Dr. Watson and I will not be ...

far off. By the way, 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, Macphail." ...

"Where does he sleep?" ...

"Over the stables." ...

"We might possibly 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. 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 that we had probably reached the end of the ...

strange sequence of events which had engaged our attention. ...

"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 a Bohemian dealer in London, who presumably ...

represents someone in Prague, and that he received a packet from him ...

this very day, all point in one direction. What he takes and why he ...

takes it are still beyond our ken, but that it emanates 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?" ...

I had to confess that I did not. ...

"Thick and horny in a way which is quite new in my experience. Always ...

look at the hands first, Watson. Then cuffs, trouserknees, and boots. ...

Very curious knuckles which can only be explained by the mode of ...

progression observed by--" Holmes paused 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! And the ivy! It's 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 lamplit background we ...

saw the tall figure of Professor Presbury. He was clad in his dressing ...

gown. As he stood 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 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 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 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 of this amusement, and, dropping from ...

branch to branch, he squatted down into the old attitude and moved ...

towards the stables, 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 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, flicked his hands about only a few inches from the ...

gaping mouth, and endeavoured in every way to increase the animal's ...

fury, which was already beyond all control. In all our adventures I 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 was not the chain that broke, 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 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 them and drag the two apart. It ...

might have been a dangerous task for us, but Bennett's voice and ...

presence brought the great wolflhound instantly to reason. The uproar ...

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, where Bennett, who had a medical degree, helped me to dress his ...

torn throat. The sharp teeth had passed dangerously near the carotid ...

artery, and the haemorrhage 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 able to look at each ...

other and to take stock of the situation. ...

"I think a 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, his 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, Mr. Bennett. Macphail ...

will guard the patient and let us know if there is any change. Let us ...

see what we can find in the professor's mysterious box." ...

There was not much, but there was enough--an empty phial, another ...

nearly 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, and each was dated ...

from the Commercial Road and signed "A. Dorak." They were mere invoices ...

to say that a fresh bottle was being sent to Professor Presbury, or ...

receipt to acknowledge money. There was one other envelope, however, in ...

a more educated hand and bearing the Austrian stamp with the postmark ...

of Prague. "Here we have our material!" cried Holmes as he tore out the ...

enclosure. ...

HONOURED 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 that the serum of anthropoid ...

would have been better. I have, as I explained to you, used black-faced ...

langur because a specimen was accessible. Langur 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 that there be no premature ...

revelation of the process. I have one other client in England, and Dorak ...

is my agent for both. Weekly reports will oblige. ...

Yours with high esteem, ...

H. LOWENSTEIN. ...

Lowenstein! The name brought back to me the memory of some snippet from ...

a newspaper which spoke of an obscure scientist who was striving in ...

some unknown way for the secret of rejuvenescence and the elixir of ...

life. Lowenstein of Prague! Lowenstein with the wondrous ...

strength-giving serum, tabooed by the profession because he refused to ...

reveal its source. In a few words I said what I remembered. Bennett had ...

taken a manual of zoology from the shelves."'Langur,'" he read "'the ...

great black-faced monkey of the Himalayan slopes, biggest and most ...

human of climbing monkeys.' Many details are added. Well, thanks to you, ...

Mr. Holmes, it is very clear that we have traced the evil to its ...

source." ...

"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 the straight road of ...

destiny." He sat musing for a little with the phial 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. There is danger there--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 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, Mr. 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 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." ...

THE ADVENTURE OF THE LION'S MANE ...

It is a most singular thing that a problem which was certainly as ...

abstruse and unusual as any which I have faced in my long professional ...

career should have come to me after my retirement, and be brought, as ...

it were, to my very door. It occurred after my withdrawal to my little ...

Sussex home, when I had given myself up entirely to that soothing life ...

of Nature for which I had so often yearned during the long years spent ...

amid the gloom of London. At this period of my life the good Watson had ...

passed almost beyond my ken. An occasional week-end visit was the most ...

that I ever saw of him. Thus I must act as my own chronicler. Ah! had ...

he but been with me, how much he might have made of so wonderful a ...

happening and of my eventual triumph against every difficulty! As it ...

is, however, I must needs tell my tale in my own plain way, showing by ...

my words each step upon the difficult road which lay before me as I ...

searched for the mystery of the Lion's Mane. ...

My villa is situated upon the southern slope of the downs, commanding a ...

great view of the Channel. At this point the coast-line is entirely of ...

chalk cliffs, which can only be descended by a single, long, tortuous ...

path, which is steep and slippery. At the bottom of the path lie a ...

hundred yards of pebbles and shingle, even when the tide is at full. ...

Here and there, however, there are curves and hollows which make ...

splendid swimmingpools filled afresh with each flow. This admirable ...

beach extends for some miles in each direction, save only at one point ...

where the little cove and village of Fulworth break the line. ...

My house is lonely. I, my old housekeeper, and my bees have the estate ...

all to ourselves. Half a mile off, however, is Harold Stackhurst's ...

well-known coaching establishment, The Gables, quite a large place, ...

which contains some score of young fellows preparing for various ...

professions, with a staff of several masters. Stackhurst himself was a ...

well-known rowing Blue in his day, and an excellent all-round scholar. ...

He and I were always friendly from the day I came to the coast, and he ...

was the one man who was on such terms with me that we could drop in on ...

each other in the evenings without an invitation. ...

Towards the end of July, 1907, there was a severe gale, the wind ...

blowing up-channel, heaping the seas to the base of the cliffs and ...

leaving a lagoon at the turn of the tide. On the morning of which I ...

speak the wind had abated, and all Nature was newly washed and fresh. ...

It was impossible to work upon so delightful a day, and I strolled out ...

before breakfast to enjoy the exquisite air. I walked along the cliff ...

path which led to the steep descent to the beach. As I walked I heard a ...

shout behind me, and there was Harold Stackhurst waving his hand in ...

cheery greeting. ...

"What a morning, Mr. Holmes! I thought I should see you out." ...

"Going for a swim, I see." ...

"At your old tricks again," he laughed, patting his bulging pocket. ...

"Yes. McPherson started early, and I expect I may find him there." ...

Fitzroy McPherson was the science master, a fine upstanding young ...

fellow whose life had been crippled by heart trouble following ...

rheumatic fever. He was a natural athlete, however, and excelled in ...

every game which did not throw too great a strain upon him. Summer and ...

winter he went for his swim, and, as I am a swimmer myself, I have ...

often joined him. ...

At this moment we saw the man himself. His head showed above the edge ...

of the cliff where the path ends. Then his whole figure appeared at the ...

top, staggering like a drunken man. The next instant he threw up his ...

hands and, with a terrible cry, fell upon his face. Stackhurst and I ...

rushed forward--it may have been fifty yards--and turned him on his ...

back. He was obviously dying. Those glazed sunken eyes and dreadful ...

livid cheeks could mean nothing else. One glimmer of life came into his ...

face for an instant, and he uttered two or three words with an eager ...

air of warning. They were slurred and indistinct, but to my ear the ...

last of them, which burst in a shriek from his lips, were "the Lion's ...

Mane." It was utterly irrelevant and unintelligible, and yet I could ...

twist the sound into no other sense. Then he half raised himself from ...

the ground, threw his arms into the air, and fell forward on his side. ...

He was dead. ...

My companion was paralyzed by the sudden horror of it, but I, as may ...

well be imagined, had every sense on the alert. And I had need, for it ...

was speedily evident that we were in the presence of an extraordinary ...

case. The man was dressed only in his Burberry overcoat, his trousers, ...

and an unlaced pair of canvas shoes. As he fell over, his Burberry, ...

which had been simply thrown round his shoulders, slipped off, exposing ...

his trunk. We stared at it in amazement. His back was covered with dark ...

red lines as though he had been terribly flogged by a thin wire ...

scourge. The instrument with which this punishment had been inflicted ...

was clearly flexible, for the long, angry weals curved round his ...

shoulders and ribs. There was blood dripping down his chin, for he had ...

bitten through his lower lip in the paroxysm of his agony. His drawn ...

and distorted face told how terrible that agony had been. ...

I was kneeling and Stackhurst standing by the body when a shadow fell ...

across us, and we found that Ian Murdoch was by our side. Murdoch was ...

the mathematical coach at the establishment, a tall, dark, thin man, so ...

taciturn and aloof that none can be said to have been his friend. He ...

seemed to live in some high abstract region of surds and conic ...

sections, with little to connect him with ordinary life. He was looked ...

upon as an oddity by the students, and would have been their butt, but ...

there was some strange outlandish blood in the man, which showed itself ...

not only in his coal-black eyes and swarthy face but also in occasional ...

outbreaks of temper, which could only be described as ferocious. On one ...

occasion, being plagued by a little dog belonging to McPherson, he had ...

caught the creature up and hurled it through the plate-glass window, an ...

action for which Stackhurst would certainly have given him his ...

dismissal had he not been a very valuable teacher. Such was the strange ...

complex man who now appeared beside us. He seemed to be honestly ...

shocked at the sight before him, though the incident of the dog may ...

show that there was no great sympathy between the dead man and himself.
muestran que no había gran simpatía entre el muerto y él.

"Poor fellow! Poor fellow! What can I do? How can I help?"
—¡Pobre hombre! ¡Pobre! ¿Qué puedo hacer? ¿Cómo puedo ayudar?"

"Were you with him? Can you tell us what has happened?"
—¿Estuviste con él? ¿Puede decirnos qué ha pasado?

"No, no, I was late this morning. I was not on the beach at all. I have
"No, no, llegué tarde esta mañana. No estaba en la playa en absoluto. Tengo

come straight from The Gables. What can I do?"
vienen directamente de The Gables. ¿Qué puedo hacer?"

"You can hurry to the police-station at Fulworth. Report the matter at
—Puede darse prisa en ir a la comisaría de policía de Fulworth. Reporte el asunto en

once."   una vez".

Without a word he made off at top speed, and I proceeded to take the
Sin decir una palabra, se alejó a toda velocidad, y yo procedí a tomar el

matter in hand, while Stackhurst, dazed at this tragedy, remained by
asunto en la mano, mientras Stackhurst, aturdido por esta tragedia, permanecía

the body. My first task naturally was to note who was on the beach.
el cuerpo. Mi primera tarea, naturalmente, fue anotar quién estaba en la playa.

From the top of the path I could see the whole sweep of it, and it was
Desde lo alto del sendero pude ver toda la extensión del mismo, y fue

absolutely deserted save that two or three dark figures could be seen
absolutamente desierta, salvo que se veían dos o tres figuras oscuras

far away moving towards the village of Fulworth. Having satisfied
A lo lejos, avanzando hacia el pueblo de Fulworth. Habiendo satisfecho

myself upon this point, I walked slowly down the path. There was clay
Llegados a este punto, caminé lentamente por el sendero. Había arcilla

or soft marl mixed with the chalk, and every here and there I saw the
o marga blanda mezclada con la tiza, y de vez en cuando veía el

same footstep, both ascending and descending. No one else had gone down
misma pisada, tanto ascendente como descendente. Nadie más había caído

to the beach by this track that morning. At one place I observed the
a la playa por esta pista esa mañana. En un lugar observé el

print of an open hand with the fingers towards the incline. This could
Impresión de una mano abierta con los dedos hacia la inclinación. Esto podría

only mean that poor McPherson had fallen as he ascended. There were
sólo significaba que el pobre McPherson se había caído mientras ascendía. Había

rounded depressions, too, which suggested that he had come down upon
depresiones redondeadas, también, lo que sugería que había caído sobre

his knees more than once. At the bottom of the path was the
sus rodillas más de una vez. Al final del camino estaba el

considerable lagoon left by the retreating tide. At the side of it
considerable laguna dejada por la marea en retirada. Al lado de la misma

McPherson had undressed, for there lay his towel on a rock. It was
McPherson se había desnudado, pues allí yacía su toalla sobre una roca. Fue

folded and dry, so that it would seem that, after all, he had never
doblado y seco, de modo que pareciera que, después de todo, nunca había

entered the water. Once or twice as I hunted round amid the hard
entró en el agua. Una o dos veces, mientras cazaba en medio de la dura

shingle I came on little patches of sand where the print of his canvas
Llegué a pequeños parches de arena donde la impresión de su lienzo

shoe, and also of his naked foot, could be seen. The latter fact proved
zapato, y también de su pie desnudo. Este último hecho probó

that he had made all ready to bathe, though the towel indicated that he
que había preparado todo para bañarse, aunque la toalla indicaba que

had not actually done so.
en realidad no lo había hecho.

And here was the problem clearly defined--as strange a one as had
Y aquí estaba el problema claramente definido, tan extraño como el que había

ever confronted me. The man had not been on the beach more than a
alguna vez me confrontó. El hombre no había estado en la playa más de un

quarter of an hour at the most. Stackhurst had followed him from The
un cuarto de hora como máximo. Stackhurst lo había seguido desde el

Gables, so there could be no doubt about that. He had gone to bathe and
Gables, así que no podía haber ninguna duda al respecto. Había ido a bañarse y

had stripped, as the naked footsteps showed. Then he had suddenly
se había desnudado, como mostraban los pasos desnudos. Entonces, de repente,

huddled on his clothes again--they were all dishevelled and
acurrucado de nuevo en sus ropas, todos estaban desaliñados y

unfastened--and he had returned without bathing, or at any rate
y había regresado sin bañarse, o por lo menos sin

without drying himself. And the reason for his change of purpose had
sin secarse. Y la razón de su cambio de propósito había

been that he had been scourged in some savage, inhuman fashion,
que había sido azotado de una manera salvaje e inhumana,

tortured until he bit his lip through in his agony, and was left with
torturado hasta que se mordió el labio en su agonía, y se quedó con

only strength enough to crawl away and to die. Who had done this
solo la fuerza suficiente para arrastrarse y morir. ¿Quién lo había hecho?

barbarous deed? There were, it is true, small grottos and caves in the
¿Hazaña bárbara? Había, es cierto, pequeñas grutas y cuevas en el

base of the cliffs, but the low sun shone directly into them, and there
base de los acantilados, pero el sol bajo brillaba directamente sobre ellos, y allí

was no place for concealment. Then, again, there were those distant
no era lugar para el ocultamiento. Luego, de nuevo, estaban aquellos distantes

figures on the beach. They seemed too far away to have been connected
figuras en la playa. Parecían demasiado lejanos para haber estado conectados

with the crime, and the broad lagoon in which McPherson had intended to
con el crimen, y la amplia laguna en la que McPherson había intentado

bathe lay between him and them, lapping up to the rocks. On the sea two
El baño se interponía entre él y ellos, lamiendo las rocas. En el mar dos

or three fishingboats were at no great distance. Their occupants might
o tres barcos de pesca no estaban a gran distancia. Sus ocupantes podrían

be examined at our leisure. There were several roads for inquiry, but
ser examinado a nuestro antojo. Había varios caminos para indagar, pero

none which led to any very obvious goal.
ninguno que condujera a un objetivo muy obvio.

When I at last returned to the body I found that a little group of
Cuando por fin regresé al cuerpo, encontré que un pequeño grupo de

wondering folk had gathered round it. Stackhurst was, of course, still
Stackhurst, por supuesto, seguía quieto.

there, and Ian Murdoch had just arrived with Anderson, the village
Ian Murdoch acababa de llegar con Anderson, el pueblo

constable, a big, ginger-moustached man of the slow, solid Sussex breed
Un hombre corpulento, de bigote pelirrojo, de la lenta y sólida raza de los Sussex

--a breed which covers much good sense under a heavy, silent exterior.
Una raza que esconde mucho sentido común bajo un exterior pesado y silencioso.

He listened to everything, took note of all we said, and finally drew
Escuchó todo, tomó nota de todo lo que dijimos y finalmente dibujó

me aside.   a un lado.

"I'd be glad of your advice, Mr. Holmes. This is a big thing for me to
—Me encantaría que me aconsejara, señor Holmes. Esto es algo muy importante para mí

handle, and I'll hear of it from Lewes if I go wrong."
Y me enteraré de ello por Lewes si me equivoco.

I advised him to send for his immediate superior, and for a doctor;
Le aconsejé que mandara llamar a su superior inmediato y a un médico;

also to allow nothing to be moved, and as few fresh footmarks as
también para no permitir que se mueva nada, y tan pocas huellas frescas como

possible to be made, until they came. In the meantime I searched the
posible de hacer, hasta que llegaron. Mientras tanto, busqué en el

dead man's pockets. There were his handkerchief, a large knife, and a
bolsillos de hombre muerto. Allí estaban su pañuelo, un cuchillo grande y un

small folding card-case. From this projected a slip of paper, which I
Pequeño tarjetero plegable. De esto salió un pedazo de papel, que

unfolded and handed to the constable. There was written on it in a
desplegado y entregado al alguacil. Había escrito en él en un

scrawling, feminine hand:
garabato, mano femenina:

I will be there, you may be sure.
Allí estaré, puedes estar seguro.

MAUDIE. ...

It read like a love affair, an assignation, though when and where were
Se leía como una historia de amor, una asignación, aunque cuándo y dónde fueron

a blank. The constable replaced it in the card-case and returned it
un espacio en blanco. El alguacil la volvió a colocar en el tarjetero y la devolvió

with the other things to the pockets of the Burberry. Then, as nothing
con las otras cosas a los bolsillos del Burberry. Entonces, como nada

more suggested itself, I walked back to my house for breakfast, having
más se sugirió, caminé de regreso a mi casa para desayunar, habiendo

first arranged that the base of the cliffs should be thoroughly
primero dispuso que la base de los acantilados se

searched.   Buscado.

Stackhurst was round in an hour or two to tell me that the body had
Stackhurst se acercó en una o dos horas para decirme que el cuerpo había sido destruido.

been removed to The Gables, where the inquest would be held. He brought
trasladado a The Gables, donde se llevaría a cabo la investigación. Trajo

with him some serious and definite news. As I expected, nothing had
con él algunas noticias serias y definitivas. Como esperaba, nada había

been found in the small caves below the cliff, but he had examined the
había sido encontrado en las pequeñas cuevas debajo del acantilado, pero había examinado el

papers in McPherson's desk and there were several which showed an
papeles en el escritorio de McPherson, y había varios que mostraban una

intimate correspondence with a certain Miss Maud Bellamy, of Fulworth.
correspondencia íntima con una tal señorita Maud Bellamy, de Fulworth.

We had then established the identity of the writer of the note.
Habíamos establecido entonces la identidad del autor de la nota.

"The police have the letters," he explained. "I could not bring them.
"La policía tiene las cartas", explicó. "No pude traerlos.

But there is no doubt that it was a serious love affair. I see no
Pero no hay duda de que fue una historia de amor seria. No veo

reason, however, to connect it with that horrible happening save,
razón, sin embargo, para conectarlo con ese horrible suceso salvado,

indeed, that the lady had made an appointment with him."
De hecho, que la señora había concertado una cita con él.

"But hardly at a bathing-pool which all of you were in the habit of
Pero difícilmente en una piscina de baño a la que todos ustedes tenían la costumbre de

using," I remarked.
usando", comenté.

"It is mere chance," said he, "that several of the students were not
—Es pura casualidad —dijo— que varios de los estudiantes no lo fueran.

with McPherson."   con McPherson".

"Was it mere chance?"
—¿Fue mera casualidad?

Stackhurst knit his brows in thought.
Stackhurst frunció las cejas pensativo.

"Ian Murdoch held them back," said he. "He would insist upon some
"Ian Murdoch los detuvo", dijo. "Insistía en algunos

algebraic demonstration before breakfast. Poor chap, he is dreadfully
Demostración algebraica antes del desayuno. Pobre muchacho, es terriblemente

cut up about it all."
Cortarlo todo".

"And yet I gather that they were not friends."
"Y, sin embargo, deduzco que no eran amigos".

"At one time they were not. But for a year or more Murdoch has been as
"Hubo un tiempo en que no lo eran. Pero durante un año o más, Murdoch ha sido tan

near to McPherson as he ever could be to anyone. He is not of a very
tan cerca de McPherson como podría estarlo de cualquiera. No es de una familia muy

sympathetic disposition by nature."
disposición simpática por naturaleza".

"So I understand. I seem to remember your telling me once about a
"Así que lo entiendo. Creo recordar que una vez me hablaste de un

quarrel over the ill-usage of a dog."
riñir por el mal uso de un perro".

"That blew over all right."
"Eso voló muy bien".

"But left some vindictive feeling, perhaps."
"Pero dejó un sentimiento vengativo, tal vez".

"No, no, I am sure they were real friends."
"No, no, estoy seguro de que eran amigos de verdad".

"Well, then, we must explore the matter of the girl. Do you know her?"
—Bien, entonces, debemos explorar el asunto de la muchacha. ¿La conoces?

"Everyone knows her. She is the beauty of the neighbourhood--a real
"Todo el mundo la conoce. Ella es la belleza del barrio, una verdadera

beauty, Holmes, who would draw attention everywhere. I knew that
Holmes, que llamaría la atención por todas partes. Lo sabía

McPherson was attracted by her, but I had no notion that it had gone so
McPherson se sintió atraído por ella, pero yo no tenía ni idea de que hubiera sido así

far as these letters would seem to indicate."
por lo que parecen indicar estas cartas".

"But who is she?"
—¿Pero quién es ella?

"She is the daughter of old Tom Bellamy who owns all the boats and
Es la hija del viejo Tom Bellamy, dueño de todos los barcos y

bathing-cots at Fulworth. He was a fisherman to start with, but is now
catres de baño en Fulworth. Al principio era pescador, pero ahora lo es

a man of some substance. He and his son William run the business."
un hombre de cierta sustancia. Él y su hijo William dirigen el negocio".

"Shall we walk into Fulworth and see them?"
—¿Entramos en Fulworth y los vemos?

"On what pretext?"  —¿Con qué pretexto?

"Oh, we can easily find a pretext. After all, this poor man did not
"Oh, podemos encontrar fácilmente un pretexto. Después de todo, este pobre hombre no

ill-use himself in this outrageous way. Some human hand was on the
abusar de sí mismo de esta manera escandalosa. Alguna mano humana estaba en el

handle of that scourge, if indeed it was a scourge which inflicted the
de ese flagelo, si es que fue un flagelo el que infligió la

injuries. His circle of acquaintances in this lonely place was surely
Lesiones. Su círculo de conocidos en este lugar solitario era sin duda

limited. Let us follow it up in every direction and we can hardly fail
limitado. Sigámoslo en todas las direcciones y difícilmente podemos fallar

to come upon the motive, which in turn should lead us to the criminal."
para dar con el motivo, que a su vez debería llevarnos al criminal".

It would have been a pleasant walk across the thyme-scented downs had
Habría sido un agradable paseo por las colinas perfumadas de tomillo si hubiera sido

our minds not been poisoned by the tragedy we had witnessed. The
nuestras mentes no habían sido envenenadas por la tragedia que habíamos presenciado. El

village of Fulworth lies in a hollow curving in a semicircle round the
pueblo de Fulworth se encuentra en una hondonada que se curva en un semicírculo alrededor de la

bay. Behind the old-fashioned hamlet several modern houses have been
bahía. Detrás de la antigua aldea se han construido varias casas modernas.

built upon the rising ground. It was to one of these that Stackhurst
construido sobre el terreno elevado. Fue a uno de ellos a quien Stackhurst

guided me. ...

"That's The Haven, as Bellamy called it. The one with the corner tower ...

and slate roof. Not bad for a man who started with nothing but--By ...

Jove, look at that!" ...

The garden gate of The Haven had opened and a man had emerged. There ...

was no mistaking that tall, angular, straggling figure. It was Ian ...

Murdoch, the mathematician. A moment later we confronted him upon the ...

road. ...

"Hullo!" said Stackhurst. The man nodded, gave us a sideways glance ...

from his curious dark eyes, and would have-passed us, but his principal ...

pulled him up. ...

"What were you doing there?" he asked. ...

Murdoch's face flushed with anger. "I am your subordinate, sir, under ...

your roof. I am not aware that I owe you any account of my private ...

actions." ...

Stackhurst's nerves were near the surface after all he had endured. ...

Otherwise, perhaps, he would have waited. Now he lost his temper ...

completely. ...

"In the circumstances your answer is pure impertinence, Mr. Murdoch." ...

"Your own question might perhaps come under the same heading." ...

"This is not the first time that I have had to overlook your ...

insubordinate ways. It will certainly be the last. You will kindly make ...

fresh arrangements for your future as speedily as you can." ...

"I had intended to do so. I have lost to-day the only person who made ...

The Gables habitable." ...

He strode off upon his way, while Stackhurst, with angry eyes, stood ...

glaring after him. "Is he not an impossible, intolerable man?" he ...

cried. ...

The one thing that impressed itself forcibly upon my mind was that Mr. ...

Ian Murdoch was taking the first chance to open a path of escape from ...

the scene of the crime. Suspicion, vague and nebulous, was now ...

beginning to take outline in my mind. Perhaps the visit to the Bellamys ...

might throw some further light upon the matter. Stackhurst pulled ...

himself together, and we went forward to the house. ...

Mr. Bellamy proved to be a middle-aged man with a flaming red beard. He ...

seemed to be in a very angry mood, and his face was soon as florid as ...

his hair. ...

"No, sir, I do not desire any particulars. My son here"--indicating a ...

powerful young man, with a heavy, sullen face, in the corner of the ...

sitting-room--"is of one mind with me that Mr. McPherson's attentions ...

to Maud were insulting. Yes, sir, the word 'marriage' was never ...

mentioned, and yet there were letters and meetings, and a great deal ...

more of which neither of us could approve. She has no mother, and we ...

are her only guardians. We are determined--" ...

But the words were taken from his mouth by the appearance of the lady ...

herself. There was no gainsaying that she would have graced any ...

assembly in the world. Who could have imagined that so rare a flower ...

would grow from such a root and in such an atmosphere? Women have ...

seldom been an attraction to me, for my brain has always governed my ...

heart, but I could not look upon her perfect clear-cut face, with all ...

the soft freshness of the downlands in her delicate colouring, without ...

realizing that no young man would cross her path unscathed. Such was ...

the girl who had pushed open the door and stood now, wide-eyed and ...

intense, in front of Harold Stackhurst. ...

"I know already that Fitzroy is dead," she said. "Do not be afraid to ...

tell me the particulars." ...

"This other gentleman of yours let us know the news," explained the ...

father. ...

"There is no reason why my sister should be brought into the matter," ...

growled the younger man. ...

The sister turned a sharp, fierce look upon him. "This is my business, ...

William. Kindly leave me to manage it in my own way. By all accounts ...

there has been a crime committed. If I can help to show who did it, it ...

is the least I can do for him who is gone." ...

She listened to a short account from my companion, with a composed ...

concentration which showed me that she possessed strong character as ...

well as great beauty. Maud Bellamy will always remain in my memory as a ...

most complete and remarkable woman. It seems that she already knew me ...

by sight, for she turned to me at the end. ...

"Bring them to justice, Mr. Holmes. You have my sympathy and my help, ...

whoever they may be." It seemed to me that she glanced defiantly at her ...

father and brother as she spoke. ...

"Thank you," said I. "I value a woman's instinct in such matters. You ...

use the word 'they.' You think that more than one was concerned?" ...

"I knew Mr. McPherson well enough to be aware that he was a brave and a ...

strong man. No single person could ever have inflicted such an outrage ...

upon him." ...

"Might I have one word with you alone?" ...

"I tell you, Maud, not to mix yourself up in the matter," cried her ...

father angrily. ...

She looked at me helplessly. "What can I do?" ...

"The whole world will know the facts presently, so there can be no harm ...

if I discuss them here," said I. "I should have preferred privacy, but ...

if your father will not allow it he must share the deliberations." Then ...

I spoke of the note which had been found in the dead man's pocket. "It ...

is sure to be produced at the inquest. May I ask you to throw any light ...

upon it that you can?" ...

"I see no reason for mystery," she answered. "We were engaged to be ...

married, and we only kept it secret because Fitzroy's uncle, who is ...

very old and said to be dying, might have disinherited him if he had ...

married against his wish. There was no other reason." ...

"You could have told us," growled Mr. Bellamy. ...

"So I would, father, if you had ever shown sympathy." ...

"I object to my girl picking up with men outside her own station." ...

"It was your prejudice against him which prevented us from telling you. ...

As to this appointment"--she fumbled in her dress and produced a ...

crumpled note--"it was in answer to this." ...

DEAREST [ran the message]: ...

The old place on the beach just after sunset on Tuesday. ...

It is the only time I can get away. ...

F.M. ...

"Tuesday was to-day, and I had meant to meet him to-night." ...

I turned over the paper. "This never came by post. How did you get it?" ...

"I would rather not answer that question. It has really nothing to do ...

with the matter which you are investigating. But anything which bears ...

upon that I will most freely answer." ...

She was as good as her word, but there was nothing which was helpful in ...

our investigation. She had no reason to think that her fiance had any ...

hidden enemy, but she admitted that she had had several warm admirers. ...

"May I ask if Mr. Ian Murdoch was one of them?" ...

She blushed and seemed confused. ...

"There was a time when I thought he was. But that was all changed when ...

he understood the relations between Fitzroy and myself." ...

Again the shadow round this strange man seemed to me to be taking more ...

definite shape. His record must be examined. His rooms must be ...

privately searched. Stackhurst was a willing collaborator, for in his ...

mind also suspicions were forming. We returned from our visit to The ...

Haven with the hope that one free end of this tangled skein was already ...

in our hands. ...

A week passed. The inquest had thrown no light upon the matter and had ...

been adjourned for further evidence. Stackhurst had made discreet ...

inquiry about his subordinate, and there had been a superficial search ...

of his room, but without result. Personally, I had gone over the whole ...

ground again, both physically and mentally, but with no new ...

conclusions. In all my chronicles the reader will find no case which ...

brought me so completely to the limit of my powers. Even my imagination ...

could conceive no solution to the mystery. And then there came the ...

incident of the dog. ...

It was my old housekeeper who heard of it first by that strange ...

wireless by which such people collect the news of the countryside. ...

"Sad story this, sir, about Mr. McPherson's dog," said she one evening. ...

I do not encourage such conversations, but the words arrested my ...

attention. ...

"What of Mr. McPherson's dog?" ...

"Dead, sir. Died of grief for its master." ...

"Who told you this?" ...

"Why, sir, everyone is talking of it. It took on terrible, and has ...

eaten nothing for a week. Then to-day two of the young gentlemen from ...

The Gables found it dead--down on the beach, sir, at the very place ...

where its master met his end." ...

"At the very place." The words stood out clear in my memory. Some dim ...

perception that the matter was vital rose in my mind. That the dog ...

should die was after the beautiful, faithful nature of dogs. But "in ...

the very place"! Why should this lonely beach be fatal to it? Was it ...

possible that it also had been sacrificed to some revengeful feud? Was ...

it possible--? Yes, the perception was dim, but already something was ...

building up in my mind. In a few minutes I was on my way to The Gables, ...

where I found Stackhurst in his study. At my request he sent for ...

Sudbury and Blount, the two students who had found the dog. ...

"Yes, it lay on the very edge of the pool," said one of them. "It must ...

have followed the trail of its dead master." ...

I saw the faithful little creature, an Airedale terrier, laid out upon ...

the mat in the hall. The body was stiff and rigid, the eyes projecting, ...

and the limbs contorted. There was agony in every line of it. ...

From The Gables I walked down to the bathing-pool. The sun had sunk and ...

the shadow of the great cliff lay black across the water, which ...

glimmered dully like a sheet of lead. The place was deserted and there ...

was no sign of life save for two sea-birds circling and screaming ...

overhead. In the fading light I could dimly make out the little dog's ...

spoor upon the sand round the very rock on which his master's towel had ...

been laid. For a long time I stood in deep meditation while the shadows ...

grew darker around me. My mind was filled with racing thoughts. You ...

have known what it was to be in a nightmare in which you feel that ...

there is some all-important thing for which you search and which you ...

know is there, though it remains forever just beyond your reach. That ...

was how I felt that evening as I stood alone by that place of death. ...

Then at last I turned and walked slowly homeward. ...

I had just reached the top of the path when it came to me. Like a ...

flash, I remembered the thing for which I had so eagerly and vainly ...

grasped. You will know, or Watson has written in vain, that I hold a ...

vast store of out-of-the-way knowledge without scientific system, but ...

very available for the needs of my work. My mind is like a crowded ...

box-room with packets of all sorts stowed away therein--so many that ...

I may well have but a vague perception of what was there. I had known ...

that there was something which might bear upon this matter. It was ...

still vague, but at least I knew how I could make it clear. It was ...

monstrous, incredible, and yet it was always a possibility. I would ...

test it to the full. ...

There is a great garret in my little house which is stuffed with books. ...

It was into this that I plunged and rummaged for an hour. At the end of ...

that time I emerged with a little chocolate and silver volume. Eagerly ...

I turned up the chapter of which I had a dim remembrance. Yes, it was ...

indeed a far-fetched and unlikely proposition, and yet I could not be ...

at rest until I had made sure if it might, indeed, be so. It was late ...

when I retired, with my mind eagerly awaiting the work of the morrow. ...

But that work met with an annoying interruption. I had hardly swallowed ...

my early cup of tea and was starting for the beach when I had a call ...

from Inspector Bardle of the Sussex Constabulary--a steady, solid, ...

bovine man with thoughtful eyes, which looked at me now with a very ...

troubled expression. ...

"I know your immense experience, sir," said he. "This is quite ...

unofficial, of course, and need go no farther. But I am fairly up ...

against it in this McPherson case. The question is, shall I make an ...

arrest, or shall I not?" ...

"Meaning Mr. Ian Murdoch?" ...

"Yes, sir. There is really no one else when you come to think of it. ...

That's the advantage of this solitude. We narrow it down to a very ...

small compass. If he did not do it, then who did?" ...

"What have you against him?" ...

He had gleaned along the same furrows as I had. There was Murdoch's ...

character and the mystery which seemed to hang round the man. His ...

furious bursts of temper, as shown in the incident of the dog. The fact ...

that he had quarrelled with McPherson in the past, and that there was ...

some reason to think that he might have resented his attentions to Miss ...

Bellamy. He had all my points, but no fresh ones, save that Murdoch ...

seemed to be making every preparation for departure. ...

"What would my position be if I let him slip away with all this ...

evidence against him?" The burly, phlegmatic man was sorely troubled in ...

his mind. ...

"Consider," I said, "all the essential gaps in your case. On the ...

morning of the crime he can surely prove an alibi. He had been with his ...

scholars till the last moment, and within a few minutes of McPherson's ...

appearance he came upon us from behind. Then bear in mind the absolute ...

impossibility that he could single-handed have inflicted this outrage ...

upon a man quite as strong as himself. Finally, there is this question ...

of the instrument with which these injuries were inflicted." ...

"What could it be but a scourge or flexible whip of some sort?" ...

"Have you examined the marks?" I asked. ...

"I have seen them. So has the doctor." ...

"But I have examined them very carefully with a lens. They have ...

peculiarities." ...

"What are they, Mr. Holmes?" ...

I stepped to my bureau and brought out an enlarged photograph. "This is ...

my method in such cases," I explained. ...

"You certainly do things thoroughly, Mr. Holmes." ...

"I should hardly be what I am if I did not. Now let us consider this ...

weal which extends round the right shoulder. Do you observe nothing ...

remarkable?" ...

"I can't say I do." ...

"Surely it is evident that it is unequal in its intensity. There is a ...

dot of extravasated blood here, and another there. There are similar ...

indications in this other weal down here. What can that mean?" ...

"I have no idea. Have you?" ...

"Perhaps I have. Perhaps I haven't. I may be able to say more soon. ...

Anything which will define what made that mark will bring us a long way ...

towards the criminal." ...

"It is, of course, an absurd idea," said the policeman, "but if a ...

red-hot net of wire had been laid across the back, then these better ...

marked points would represent where the meshes crossed each other." ...

"A most ingenious comparison. Or shall we say a very stiff ...

cat-o'-nine-tails with small hard knots upon it?" ...

"By Jove, Mr. Holmes, I think you have hit it." ...

"Or there may be some very different cause, Mr. Bardle. But your case ...

is far too weak for an arrest. Besides, we have those last words--the ...

'Lion's Mane.'" ...

"I have wondered whether Ian--" ...

"Yes, I have considered that. If the second word had borne any ...

resemblance to Murdoch--but it did not. He gave it almost in a ...

shriek. I am sure that it was 'Mane.'" ...

"Have you no alternative, Mr. Holmes?" ...

"Perhaps I have. But I do not care to discuss it until there is ...

something more solid to discuss." ...

"And when will that be?" ...

"In an hour--possibly less." ...

The inspector rubbed his chin and looked at me with dubious eyes. ...

"I wish I could see what was in your mind, Mr. Holmes. Perhaps it's ...

those fishing-boats." ...

"No, no, they were too far out." ...

"Well, then, is it Bellamy and that big son of his? They were not too ...

sweet upon Mr. McPherson. Could they have done him a mischief?" ...

"No, no, you won't draw me until I am ready," said I with a smile. ...

"Now, Inspector, we each have our own work to do. Perhaps if you were ...

to meet me here at midday--" ...

So far we had got when there came the tremendous interruption which was ...

the beginning of the end. ...

My outer door was flung open, there were blundering footsteps in the ...

passage, and Ian Murdoch staggered into the room, pallid, dishevelled, ...

his clothes in wild disorder, clawing with his bony hands at the ...

furniture to hold himself erect. "Brandy! Brandy!" he gasped, and fell ...

groaning upon the sofa. ...

He was not alone. Behind him came Stackhurst, hatless and panting, ...

almost as distrait as his companion. ...

"Yes, yes, brandy!" he cried. "The man is at his last gasp. It was all ...

I could do to bring him here. He fainted twice upon the way." ...

Half a tumbler of the raw spirit brought about a wondrous change. He ...

pushed himself up on one arm and swung his coat from his shoulders. ...

"For God's sake oil, opium, morphia!" he cried. "Anything to ease this ...

infernal agony!" ...

The inspector and I cried out at the sight. There, crisscrossed upon ...

the man's naked shoulder, was the same strange reticulated pattern of ...

red, inflamed lines which had been the death-mark of Fitzroy McPherson. ...

The pain was evidently terrible and was more than local, for the ...

sufferer's breathing would stop for a time, his face would turn black, ...

and then with loud gasps he would clap his hand to his heart, while his ...

brow dropped beads of sweat. At any moment he might die. More and more ...

brandy was poured down his throat, each fresh dose bringing him back to ...

life. Pads of cotton-wool soaked in salad-oil seemed to take the agony ...

from the strange wounds. At last his head fell heavily upon the ...

cushion. Exhausted Nature had taken refuge in its last storehouse of ...

vitality. It was half a sleep and half a faint, but at least it was ...

ease from pain. ...

To question him had been impossible, but the moment we were assured of ...

his condition Stackhurst turned upon me. ...

"My God!" he cried, "what is it, Holmes? What is it?" ...

"Where did you find him?" ...

"Down on the beach. Exactly where poor McPherson met his end. If this ...

man's heart had been weak as McPherson's was, he would not be here now. ...

More than once I thought he was gone as I brought him up. It was too ...

far to The Gables, so I made for you." ...

"Did you see him on the beach?" ...

"I was walking on the cliff when I heard his cry. He was at the edge of ...

the water, reeling about like a drunken man. I ran down, threw some ...

clothes about him, and brought him up. For heaven's sake, Holmes, use ...

all the powers you have and spare no pains to lift the curse from this ...

place, for life is becoming unendurable. Can you, with all your ...

world-wide reputation, do nothing for us?" ...

"I think I can, Stackhurst. Come with me now! And you, Inspector, come ...

along! We will see if we cannot deliver this murderer into your hands." ...

Leaving the unconscious man in the charge of my housekeeper, we all ...

three went down to the deadly lagoon. On the shingle there was piled a ...

little heap of towels and clothes left by the stricken man. Slowly I ...

walked round the edge of the water, my comrades in Indian file behind ...

me. Most of the pool was quite shallow, but under the cliff where the ...

beach was hollowed out it was four or five feet deep. It was to this ...

part that a swimmer would naturally go, for it formed a beautiful ...

pellucid green pool as clear as crystal. A line of rocks lay above it ...

at the base of the cliff, and along this I led the way, peering eagerly ...

into the depths beneath me. I had reached the deepest and stillest pool ...

when my eyes caught that for which they were searching, and I burst ...

into a shout of triumph. ...

"Cyanea!" I cried. "Cyanea! Behold the Lion's Mane!" ...

The strange object at which I pointed did indeed look like a tangled ...

mass torn from the mane of a lion. It lay upon a rocky shelf some three ...


pies bajo el agua, una curiosa criatura ondulante, vibrante y peluda con


vetas plateadas entre sus cabellos amarillos. Pulsaba con un sonido lento,


dilatación y contracción intensas.


"Ya ha hecho bastante daño. ¡Su día ha terminado!" Lloré. "Ayúdame,


¡Stackhurst! Acabemos con el asesino para siempre".


Había una gran roca justo encima de la cornisa, y la empujamos hasta que


cayó con un tremendo chapoteo en el agua. Cuando las ondas habían


Despejado vimos que se había asentado en la cornisa de abajo. Un aleteo


El borde de la membrana amarilla mostraba que nuestra víctima estaba debajo de ella. Un grueso


una espuma aceitosa brotaba de debajo de la piedra y manchaba el agua alrededor,


subiendo lentamente a la superficie.


—¡Pues esto me atrapa! —exclamó el inspector—. —¿Qué ha sido, señor Holmes?


Nací y crecí por estos lares, pero nunca vi algo así. Eso


no pertenecen a Sussex".


—Igual de bien para Sussex —comenté—. "Puede haber sido el suroeste


Gale que lo trajo a colación. Regresen a mi casa, ustedes dos, y yo lo haré


te da la terrible experiencia de alguien que tiene buenas razones para recordar


su propio encuentro con el mismo peligro de los mares".


Cuando llegamos a mi estudio, descubrimos que Murdoch se había recuperado


que podía sentarse. Estaba aturdido mentalmente, y de vez en cuando estaba


sacudido por un paroxismo de dolor. Con palabras entrecortadas explicó que había


Ninguna noción de lo que se le había ocurrido, salvo que terribles punzadas le habían ocurrido


de repente lo atravesó, y que había necesitado toda su entereza para


llegar al banco.


—Aquí hay un libro —dije, tomando el pequeño volumen—, que primero


trajo luz a lo que podría haber sido una oscuridad para siempre. Es 'Fuera de


Puertas', del célebre observador J. G. Wood. El propio Wood estuvo muy cerca de


pereció por el contacto con esta vil criatura, por lo que escribió con una


pleno conocimiento. Cyanea capillata es el nombre completo del malhechor, y


puede ser tan peligroso para la vida y mucho más doloroso que la mordedura de un


La cobra. Permítanme dar brevemente este extracto.


"'Si el bañista viera una masa redondeada suelta de membranas leonadas y


fibras, algo así como puñados muy grandes de melena de león y plata


papel, que tenga cuidado, porque este es el aguijón temible, Cyanea capillata.


¿Podría describirse más claramente nuestro siniestro conocido?


"Continúa contando su propio encuentro con uno cuando nadaba fuera del


costa de Kent. Descubrió que la criatura irradiaba casi invisible


filamentos a una distancia de cincuenta pies, y que cualquiera dentro de ese


La circunferencia del centro mortal estaba en peligro de muerte. Incluso en un


El efecto sobre Wood fue casi fatal.


"'Los hilos multitudinarios causaron ligeras líneas escarlatas en la piel que


En un examen más detallado se resolvió en diminutos puntos o pústulas, cada punto


cargado como si fuera con una aguja al rojo vivo que se abría paso a través de la

  nervios'.


"El dolor local era, como él mismo explica, la parte menor de lo exquisito

  tormento.


"Los punzadas me atravesaron el pecho, haciéndome caer como si hubiera sido golpeado por un


bala. La pulsación cesaba, y entonces el corazón daba seis o más


siete saltos como si fuera a abrirse paso a través del pecho.


"Estuvo a punto de matarlo, a pesar de que solo había estado expuesto a él en el


océano perturbado y no en las estrechas aguas tranquilas de una piscina. Él


dice que apenas pudo reconocerse después, tan pálido,


Arrugado y arrugado estaba su rostro. Bebió un trago de brandy, un trago entero


y parece haberle salvado la vida. Ahí está el libro,


Inspector. Te lo dejo, y no puedes dudar de que contiene un


explicación completa de la tragedia del pobre McPherson".


"Y, de paso, me exonera", comentó Ian Murdoch con ironía.


sonreír. —No le culpo a usted, inspector, ni a usted, señor Holmes, por su


Las sospechas eran naturales. Siento que en vísperas de mi arresto


sólo me he librado compartiendo la suerte de mi pobre amigo.


"No, señor Murdoch. Yo ya estaba en la pista, y si hubiera estado tan


tan pronto como pretendía, bien podría haberte salvado de este terrible

  experiencia".


—Pero ¿cómo lo supo, señor Holmes?


"Soy un lector omnívoro con una memoria extrañamente retentiva para


pequeñeces. Esa frase "la melena de león" me rondaba por la mente. Sabía que yo


lo había visto en algún lugar en un contexto inesperado. Ustedes han visto que


describe a la criatura. No tengo ninguna duda de que estaba flotando en el


agua cuando McPherson la vio, y que esta frase era la única


que podía transmitirnos una advertencia en cuanto a la criatura que había sido

  su muerte".


—Entonces, por lo menos, yo estoy absuelto —dijo Murdoch, levantándose lentamente hacia su lugar—


pies. "Hay una o dos palabras de explicación que debo dar:


porque conozco la dirección en que han corrido tus indagaciones. Es cierto


que yo amaba a esta señora, pero desde el día en que ella eligió a mi amiga


McPherson, mi único deseo era ayudarla a ser feliz. Yo estaba bien


contento de hacerse a un lado y actuar como su intermediario. A menudo llevaba


sus mensajes, y era porque yo estaba en su confianza y


porque me era tan querida que me apresuré a contarle mi


muerte de un amigo, no sea que alguien me impida en un momento más repentino y


manera despiadada. No quiso hablarle, señor, de nuestras relaciones, por temor a


deberías desaprobarlo y podría sufrir. Pero con tu permiso debo


Trata de volver a The Gables, porque mi cama será muy bienvenida.


Stackhurst le tendió la mano. "Todos nuestros nervios han estado a flor de piel


-dijo-. "Perdona lo pasado, Murdoch. Vamos a


entendernos mejor en el futuro". Se desmayaron juntos


con los brazos entrelazados de manera amistosa. El inspector se quedó,


mirándome en silencio con sus ojos de buey.


—¡Bueno, lo has conseguido! —exclamó al fin—. "Había leído de ti, pero yo


Nunca lo creyó. ¡Es maravilloso!"


Me vi obligado a negar con la cabeza. Aceptar semejante alabanza era rebajar la

  normas propias.


"Fui lento al principio, culpablemente lento. Si el cuerpo hubiera sido encontrado en


el agua difícilmente podría haberla perdido. Fue la toalla la que engañó


me. Al pobre hombre nunca se le había ocurrido secarse, y yo a mi vez


le hicieron creer que nunca había estado en el agua. ¿Por qué, entonces,


¿Debería sugerirse a mí el ataque de cualquier criatura acuática? Eso fue


donde me extravié. Bueno, bueno, inspector, a menudo me aventuré a hablar de paja


señores de la policía, pero Cyanea capillata está muy cerca de


vengó a Scotland Yard".


LA AVENTURA DEL HUÉSPED VELADO


Si se tiene en cuenta que el Sr. Sherlock Holmes ejerció activamente durante


veintitrés años, y que durante diecisiete de ellos se me permitió


cooperar con él y tomar nota de sus actos, quedará claro


que tengo una gran cantidad de material a mi disposición. El problema siempre ha sido


no ha sido para encontrar, sino para elegir. Está la larga fila de anuarios


que llenan un estante y allí están las cajas de despacho llenas de


documentos, una cantera perfecta para el estudioso no sólo del crimen, sino de


los escándalos sociales y oficiales de finales de la época victoriana. Acerca de


estos últimos, puedo decir que los escritores de cartas agónicas, que ruegan


que el honor de sus familias o la reputación de antepasados famosos


no pueden ser tocados, no tienen nada que temer. La discreción y el alto sentido común


de honor profesional que siempre han distinguido a mi amigo son


todavía en la elección de estas memorias, y no habrá confianza en


Abusado. Desapruebo, sin embargo, de la manera más enérgica los intentos que


últimamente se han hecho para llegar a estos papeles y destruirlos. La fuente


de estos ultrajes es conocido, y si se repiten tengo al Sr.


La autoridad de Holmes para decir que toda la historia concerniente a la


político, el faro y el cormorán adiestrado serán entregados a


el público. Hay al menos un lector que lo entenderá.


No es razonable suponer que cada uno de estos casos haya dado lugar a


Holmes la oportunidad de mostrar esos curiosos dones del instinto y


observación que he tratado de exponer en estas memorias.


A veces tenía que recoger la fruta con mucho esfuerzo, a veces se caía


fácilmente en su regazo. Pero las tragedias humanas más terribles eran a menudo


implicado en los casos que le trajeron el menor número de


oportunidades, y es una de ellas la que ahora deseo registrar. En


Al contarlo, he hecho un ligero cambio de nombre y lugar, pero


Por lo demás, los hechos son los expuestos.


Una mañana, a finales de 1896, recibí una nota apresurada de


Holmes me pidió que asistiera. Cuando llegué lo encontré sentado en un


atmósfera cargada de humo, con una anciana y maternal de la


Escriba casera en la silla correspondiente frente a él.


—Es la señora Merrilow, de South Brixton —dijo mi amigo con un gesto de la mano—


de la mano. —La señora Merrilow no se opone al tabaco, Watson, si usted


desean dar rienda suelta a sus sucios hábitos. La señora Merrilow tiene una interesante


historia que contar, lo que bien puede conducir a nuevos desarrollos en los que su


presencia puede ser útil".


—Cualquier cosa que pueda hacer...


—Comprenderá, señora Merrilow, que si voy a ver a la señora Ronder


preferiría tener un testigo. Le harás entender que


antes de que lleguemos.


—Dios le bendiga, señor Holmes —dijo nuestro visitante—, está tan ansiosa de


¡Mira que puedes traer a toda la parroquia pisándote los talones!"


—Entonces vendremos a primera hora de la tarde. Vamos a ver que tenemos nuestro


Los hechos son correctos antes de empezar. Si los repasamos, ayudará al Dr.


Watson para entender la situación. Dices que la señora Ronder ha sido


que tu huésped lleva siete años y que sólo le has visto la cara una vez.


-¡Y ojalá no lo hubiera hecho! -dijo la señora Merrilow-.


"Estaba, según tengo entendido, terriblemente mutilado".


—Bueno, señor Holmes, difícilmente diría usted que es una cara. Es decir


cómo se veía. Nuestro lechero la vislumbró una vez asomándose por el


ventana superior, y dejó caer su lata y la leche por todo el frente


jardín. Ese es el tipo de cara que es. Cuando la vi, me encontré con


Sin darse cuenta, se cubrió rápidamente, y luego dijo: 'Ahora, señora.


Merrilow, por fin sabes por qué nunca levanto el velo.


—¿Sabes algo de su historia?

 —Nada de nada.


– ¿Dio referencias cuando vino?


—No, señor, pero dio dinero contante y sonante, y mucho. Un cuarto de alquiler


sobre la mesa de antemano y sin discutir sobre los términos. En estos


veces una mujer pobre como yo no puede permitirse el lujo de rechazar una oportunidad como

  eso".


– ¿Dio alguna razón para elegir tu casa?


"El mío está muy alejado de la carretera y es más privado que la mayoría.

Then, again, I only take the one, and I have no family of my own. I
Por otra parte, solo tomo uno, y no tengo familia propia. Yo

reckon she had tried others and found that mine suited her best. It's
Calculó que había probado otros y descubrió que el mío era el que mejor se adaptaba a ella. Es

privacy she is after, and she is ready to pay for it."
privacidad que busca, y está dispuesta a pagar por ella".

"You say that she never showed her face from first to last save on the
"Dices que nunca dio la cara desde el primero hasta el último, salvo en el

one accidental occasion. Well, it is a very remarkable story, most
una ocasión accidental. Bueno, es una historia muy notable, la mayoría

remarkable, and I don't wonder that you want it examined."
Notable, y no me extraña que quieras que lo examinen.

"I don't, Mr. Holmes. I am quite satisfied so long as I get my rent.
—No lo sé, señor Holmes. Estoy bastante satisfecho siempre y cuando me den el alquiler.

You could not have a quieter lodger, or one who gives less trouble."
No podrías tener un huésped más tranquilo, o uno que dé menos problemas.

"Then what has brought matters to a head?"
—Entonces, ¿qué es lo que ha llevado las cosas a un punto crítico?

"Her health, Mr. Holmes. She seems to be wasting away. And there's
—Su salud, señor Holmes. Parece que se está consumiendo. Y hay

something terrible on her mind. 'Murder!' she cries. 'Murder!' And once
Algo terrible en su mente. "¡Asesinato!", grita. —¡Asesinato! Y una vez

I heard her: 'You cruel beast! You monster!' she cried. It was in the
La escuché: '¡Bestia cruel! ¡Monstruo!", exclamó. Fue en el

night, and it fair rang through the house and sent the shivers through
Y resonó en toda la casa y provocó escalofríos

me. So I went to her in the morning. 'Mrs. Ronder,' I says, 'if you
me. Así que fui a verla por la mañana. —Señora Ronder —le dije—, si usted

have anything that is troubling your soul, there's the clergy,' I says,
algo que esté perturbando tu alma, ahí está el clero', le dije,

'and there's the police. Between them you should get some help.' 'For
"Y está la policía. Entre los dos tendríais que ayudaros. «En el caso de

God's sake, not the police!' says she, 'and the clergy can't change
¡Por el amor de Dios, no de la policía!", dice ella, "y el clero no puede cambiar

what is past. And yet,' she says, 'it would ease my mind if someone
lo que es pasado. Y, sin embargo, dice, "me tranquilizaría si alguien

knew the truth before I died.' 'Well,' says I, 'if you won't have the
sabía la verdad antes de morir'. —Bueno —le dije—, si no tienes la

regulars, there is this detective man what we read about'--beggin'
Clientes habituales, hay un detective del que leemos...

your pardon, Mr. Holmes. And she, she fair jumped at it. 'That's the
Perdóneme, señor Holmes. Y ella, ella simplemente saltó sobre eso. "Ese es el

man,' says she. 'I wonder I never thought of it before. Bring him here,
hombre', dice ella. "Me pregunto si nunca había pensado en eso antes. Tráelo aquí,

Mrs. Merrilow, and if he won't come, tell him I am the wife of Ronder's
Y si no viene, dígale que soy la esposa de Ronder

wild beast show. Say that, and give him the name Abbas Parva. Here it
espectáculo de bestias salvajes. Di eso, y dale el nombre de Abbas Parva. Aquí está

is as she wrote it, Abbas Parva. 'That will bring him if he's the man I
es como ella lo escribió, Abbas Parva. Eso lo traerá, si es el hombre que yo

think he is.'"
Creo que lo es'".

"And it will, too," remarked Holmes. "Very good, Mrs. Merrilow. I
—Y también lo hará —comentó Holmes—. —Muy bien, señora Merrilow. Yo

should like to have a little chat with Dr. Watson. That will carry us
Me gustaría tener una pequeña charla con el Dr. Watson. Que nos llevará

till lunch-time. About three o'clock you may expect to see us at your
hasta la hora del almuerzo. A eso de las tres de la tarde puede esperar vernos en su

house in Brixton."
casa en Brixton".

Our visitor had no sooner waddled out of the room--no other verb can
Tan pronto como nuestro visitante salió contoneándose de la habitación, ningún otro verbo puede hacerlo

describe Mrs. Merrilow's method of progression--than Sherlock Holmes
describir el método de progresión de la señora Merrilow, que Sherlock Holmes

threw himself with fierce energy upon the pile of commonplace books in
se arrojó con feroz energía sobre la pila de libros vulgares

the corner. For a few minutes there was a constant swish of the leaves,
la esquina. Durante unos minutos hubo un constante chasquido de las hojas,

and then with a grunt of satisfaction he came upon what he sought. So
Y luego, con un gruñido de satisfacción, dio con lo que buscaba. Así que

excited was he that he did not rise, but sat upon the floor like some
Tan excitado estaba que no se levantó, sino que se sentó en el suelo como algunos

strange Buddha, with crossed legs, the huge books all round him, and
extraño Buda, con las piernas cruzadas, los enormes libros a su alrededor, y

one open upon his knees.
uno abierto sobre sus rodillas.

"The case worried me at the time, Watson. Here are my marginal notes to
– El caso me preocupó en ese momento, Watson. Aquí están mis notas marginales para

prove it. I confess that I could make nothing of it. And yet I was
Pruébalo. Confieso que no pude hacer nada al respecto. Y, sin embargo, estaba

convinced that the coroner was wrong. Have you no recollection of the
convencido de que el forense estaba equivocado. ¿No recuerdas nada de la

Abbas Parva tragedy?"
¿Tragedia de Abbas Parva?

"None, Holmes."  —Ninguna, Holmes.

"And yet you were with me then. But certainly my own impression was
"Y, sin embargo, estabas conmigo entonces. Pero, ciertamente, mi propia impresión fue

very superficial. For there was nothing to go by, and none of the
muy superficial. Porque no había nada por lo que pasar, y ninguno de los

parties had engaged my services. Perhaps you would care to read the
partes habían contratado mis servicios. Tal vez le interese leer el

papers?"   ¿Papeles?

"Could you not give me the points?"
—¿No podrías darme los puntos?

"That is very easily done. It will probably come back to your memory as
"Eso es muy fácil de hacer. Probablemente volverá a tu memoria como

I talk. Ronder, of course, was a household word. He was the rival of
Yo hablo. Ronder, por supuesto, era una palabra familiar. Era el rival de

Wombwell, and of Sanger, one of the greatest showmen of his day. There
Wombwell, y de Sanger, uno de los más grandes hombres del espectáculo de su tiempo. Allí

is evidence, however, that he took to drink, and that both he and his
es evidencia, sin embargo, de que se dedicó a la bebida, y que tanto él como su

show were on the down grade at the time of the great tragedy. The
estaban en declive en el momento de la gran tragedia. El

caravan had halted for the night at Abbas Parva, which is a small
caravana se había detenido para pasar la noche en Abbas Parva, que es un pequeño

village in Berkshire, when this horror occurred. They were on their way
pueblo de Berkshire, cuando ocurrió este horror. Estaban en camino

to Wimbledon, travelling by road, and they were simply camping and not
a Wimbledon, viajando por carretera, y simplemente estaban acampando y no

exhibiting, as the place is so small a one that it would not have paid
exhibiendo, ya que el lugar es tan pequeño que no habría pagado

them to open.
para que se abran.

"They had among their exhibits a very fine North African lion. Sahara
"Tenían entre sus exhibiciones un león norteafricano muy fino. Sahara

King was its name, and it was the habit, both of Ronder and his wife,
Rey era su nombre, y era la costumbre, tanto de Ronder como de su esposa,

to give exhibitions inside its cage. Here, you see, is a photograph of
para dar exhibiciones dentro de su jaula. Aquí, como ven, hay una fotografía de

the performance by which you will perceive that Ronder was a huge
la actuación por la que percibirás que Ronder era un gran

porcine person and that his wife was a very magnificent woman. It was
porcino y que su esposa era una mujer magnífica. Fue

deposed at the inquest that there had been some signs that the lion was
depuso en la investigación que había habido algunos indicios de que el león estaba

dangerous, but, as usual, familiarity begat contempt, and no notice was
peligroso, pero, como de costumbre, la familiaridad engendró desprecio, y no se le prestó atención

taken of the fact.
tomado del hecho.

"It was usual for either Ronder or his wife to feed the lion at night.
"Era habitual que Ronder o su esposa alimentaran al león por la noche.

Sometimes one went, sometimes both, but they never allowed anyone else
A veces iba uno, a veces los dos, pero nunca dejaban ir a nadie más

to do it, for they believed that so long as they were the food-carriers
que lo hicieran, porque creían que mientras fueran los portadores de alimentos

he would regard them as benefactors and would never molest them. On
Los consideraría como benefactores y nunca los molestaría. En

this particular night, seven years ago, they both went, and a very
Esta noche en particular, hace siete años, ambos fueron, y una

terrible happening followed, the details of which have never been made
A esto le siguió un terrible suceso, cuyos detalles nunca se han dado a conocer

clear.   claro.

"It seems that the whole camp was roused near midnight by the roars of
"Parece que todo el campamento fue despertado cerca de la medianoche por los rugidos de

the animal and the screams of the woman. The different grooms and
el animal y los gritos de la mujer. Los diferentes novios y

employees rushed from their tents, carrying lanterns, and by their
Los empleados se precipitaron desde sus tiendas, llevando linternas, y con sus

light an awful sight was revealed. Ronder lay, with the back of his
A la luz se reveló un espectáculo espantoso. Ronder yacía, con la parte posterior de su

head crushed in and deep claw-marks across his scalp, some ten yards
la cabeza aplastada y profundas marcas de garras en el cuero cabelludo, a unos diez metros

from the cage, which was open. Close to the door of the cage lay Mrs.
de la jaula, que estaba abierta. Cerca de la puerta de la jaula yacía la señora

Ronder upon her back, with the creature squatting and snarling above
Ronder sobre su espalda, con la criatura en cuclillas y gruñendo arriba

her. It had torn her face in such a fashion that it was never thought
su. Le había desgarrado la cara de tal manera que nunca se pensó

that she could live. Several of the circus men, headed by Leonardo, the
que podía vivir. Varios de los hombres del circo, encabezados por Leonardo, el

strong man, and Griggs, the clown, drove the creature off with poles,
hombre fuerte, y Griggs, el payaso, ahuyentó a la criatura con palos,

upon which it sprang back into the cage and was at once locked in. How
tras lo cual saltó de nuevo a la jaula y fue encerrado de inmediato. Cómo

it had got loose was a mystery. It was conjectured that the pair
Se había soltado era un misterio. Se conjeturó que la pareja

intended to enter the cage, but that when the door was loosed the
tenía la intención de entrar en la jaula, pero que cuando se soltó la puerta

creature bounded out upon them. There was no other point of interest in
criatura saltó sobre ellos. No había ningún otro punto de interés en

the evidence save that the woman in a delirium of agony kept screaming,
la evidencia salvo que la mujer en un delirio de agonía no dejaba de gritar:

'Coward! Coward!' as she was carried back to the van in which they
—¡Cobarde! ¡Cobarde!", mientras la llevaban de vuelta a la furgoneta en la que

lived. It was six months before she was fit to give evidence, but the
Vivido. Pasaron seis meses antes de que estuviera en condiciones de declarar, pero el

inquest was duly held, with the obvious verdict of death from
la investigación se llevó a cabo debidamente, con el obvio veredicto de muerte de

misadventure."   desventura.

"What alternative could be conceived?" said I.
—¿Qué alternativa podría concebirse? —pregunté.

"You may well say so. And yet there were one or two points which
—Bien puedes decirlo. Y, sin embargo, había uno o dos puntos que

worried young Edmunds, of the Berkshire Constabulary. A smart lad that!
preocupado el joven Edmunds, de la policía de Berkshire. ¡Un muchacho inteligente que!

He was sent later to Allahabad. That was how I came into the matter,
Más tarde fue enviado a Allahabad. Así fue como entré en el asunto,

for he dropped in and smoked a pipe or two over it."
porque se dejó caer y fumó una pipa o dos sobre ella.

"A thin, yellow-haired man?"
—¿Un hombre delgado y de pelo amarillo?

"Exactly. I was sure you would pick up the trail presently."
—Exactamente. Estaba seguro de que pronto seguirías el rastro.

"But what worried him?"
—¿Pero qué le preocupaba?

"Well, we were both worried. It was so deucedly difficult to
"Bueno, los dos estábamos preocupados. Era muy difícil

reconstruct the affair. Look at it from the lion's point of view. He is
reconstruir el asunto. Míralo desde el punto de vista del león. Lo es

liberated. What does he do? He takes half a dozen bounds forward, which
liberado. ¿Qué hace? Da media docena de saltos hacia adelante, lo que

brings him to Ronder. Ronder turns to fly--the claw-marks were on the
lo lleva a Ronder. Ronder se vuelve para volar: las marcas de las garras estaban en el

back of his head--but the lion strikes him down. Then, instead of
parte posterior de su cabeza, pero el león lo derriba. Entonces, en lugar de

bounding on and escaping, he returns to the woman, who was close to the
Saltando y escapando, regresa a la mujer, que estaba cerca de la

cage, and he knocks her over and chews her face up. Then, again, those
Cage, y él la derriba y le muerde la cara. Por otra parte, esos

cries of hers would seem to imply that her husband had in some way
Sus gritos parecían implicar que su marido había

failed her. What could the poor devil have done to help her? You see
le falló. ¿Qué podría haber hecho el pobre diablo para ayudarla? Lo ves

the difficulty?"   ¿La dificultad?"

"Quite."  —Bastante.

"And then there was another thing. It comes back to me now as I think
"Y luego hubo otra cosa. Vuelve a mí ahora mientras pienso

it over. There was some evidence that just at the time the lion roared
se acabó. Había alguna evidencia de que justo en el momento en que el león rugió

and the woman screamed, a man began shouting in terror."
Y la mujer gritó, un hombre empezó a gritar de terror".

"This man Ronder, no doubt."
—Este hombre, Ronder, sin duda.

"Well, if his skull was smashed in you would hardly expect to hear from
"Bueno, si le rompieran el cráneo, difícilmente esperarías saber de él

him again. There were at least two witnesses who spoke of the cries of
otra vez. Hubo al menos dos testigos que hablaron de los gritos de

a man being mingled with those of a woman."
un hombre mezclado con los de una mujer".

"I should think the whole camp was crying out by then. As to the other
"Creo que todo el campamento estaba llorando para entonces. En cuanto a la otra

points, I think I could suggest a solution."
puntos, creo que podría sugerir una solución".

"I should be glad to consider it."
—Estaría encantado de considerarlo.

"The two were together, ten yards from the cage, when the lion got
"Los dos estaban juntos, a diez metros de la jaula, cuando el león se acercó

loose. The man turned and was struck down. The woman conceived the idea
suelto. El hombre se dio la vuelta y fue derribado. La mujer concibió la idea

of getting into the cage and shutting the door. It was her only refuge.
de meterse en la jaula y cerrar la puerta. Era su único refugio.

She made for it, and just as she reached it the beast bounded after her
Se dirigió hacia él, y justo cuando llegó a él, la bestia saltó tras ella

and knocked her over. She was angry with her husband for having
y la derribó. Estaba enojada con su esposo por haber

encouraged the beast's rage by turning. If they had faced it they might
alentó la furia de la bestia volviéndose. Si lo hubieran enfrentado, podrían haberlo hecho

have cowed it. Hence her cries of 'Coward!'"
lo han acobardado. De ahí sus gritos de '¡Cobarde!'".

"Brilliant, Watson! Only one flaw in your diamond."
—¡Brillante, Watson! Solo un defecto en tu diamante.

"What is the flaw, Holmes?"
—¿Cuál es el defecto, Holmes?

"If they were both ten paces from the cage, how came the beast to get
"Si los dos estaban a diez pasos de la jaula, ¿cómo llegó la bestia a

loose?"   ¿Suelto?"

"Is it possible that they had some enemy who loosed it?"
—¿Es posible que tuvieran algún enemigo que lo soltara?

"And why should it attack them savagely when it was in the habit of
¿Y por qué habría de atacarlos salvajemente cuando tenía la costumbre de

playing with them, and doing tricks with them inside the cage?"
¿Jugar con ellos y hacer trucos con ellos dentro de la jaula?"

"Possibly the same enemy had done something to enrage it."
"Posiblemente el mismo enemigo había hecho algo para enfurecerlo".

Holmes looked thoughtful and remained in silence for some moments.
Holmes se quedó pensativo y permaneció en silencio durante unos instantes.

"Well, Watson, there is this to be said for your theory. Ronder was a
—Bien, Watson, hay algo que decir de su teoría. Ronder era un

man of many enemies. Edmunds told me that in his cups he was horrible.
hombre de muchos enemigos. Edmunds me dijo que en sus copas era horrible.

A huge bully of a man, he cursed and slashed at everyone who came in
Un gran matón de hombre, maldecía y cortaba a todos los que entraban

his way. I expect those cries about a monster, of which our visitor has
a su manera. Espero esos gritos sobre un monstruo, del que nuestro visitante ha

spoken, were nocturnal reminiscences of the dear departed. However, our
habladas, eran reminiscencias nocturnas de los queridos difuntos. Sin embargo, nuestro

speculations are futile until we have all the facts. There is a cold
Las especulaciones son inútiles hasta que tengamos todos los hechos. Hay un resfriado

partridge on the sideboard, Watson, and a bottle of Montrachet. Let us
perdiz en el aparador, Watson, y una botella de Montrachet. Permítanos

renew our energies before we make a fresh call upon them."
renueven nuestras energías antes de hacer un nuevo llamado a ellos".

When our hansom deposited us at the house of Mrs. Merrilow, we found
Cuando nuestro coche nos depositó en la casa de la señora Merrilow, encontramos

that plump lady blocking up the open door of her humble but retired
esa señora regordeta bloqueando la puerta abierta de su humilde pero retirada

abode. It was very clear that her chief preoccupation was lest she
morada. Estaba muy claro que su principal preocupación era no

should lose a valuable lodger, and she implored us, before showing us
perdería un huésped valioso, y nos imploró, antes de mostrarnos

up, to say and do nothing which could lead to so undesirable an end.
decir, no hacer nada que pudiera conducir a un fin tan indeseable.

Then, having reassured her, we followed her up the straight, badly
Luego, después de haberla tranquilizado, la seguimos por la recta, mal

carpeted staircase and were shown into the room of the mysterious
alfombrada escalera y fueron conducidos a la habitación de la misteriosa

lodger.   huésped.

It was a close, musty, ill-ventilated place, as might be expected,
Era un lugar cerrado, mohoso y mal ventilado, como era de esperar.

since its inmate seldom left it. From keeping beasts in a cage, the
ya que su recluso rara vez salía de ella. De mantener a las bestias en una jaula, el

woman seemed, by some retribution of fate, to have become herself a
mujer parecía, por alguna retribución del destino, haberse convertido ella misma en una

beast in a cage. She sat now in a broken armchair in the shadowy corner
bestia en una jaula. Ahora estaba sentada en un sillón roto en el rincón sombrío

of the room. Long years of inaction had coarsened the lines of her
de la habitación. Largos años de inacción habían endurecido sus líneas

figure, but at some period it must have been beautiful, and was still
pero en algún momento debió de ser hermosa, y todavía estaba

full and voluptuous. A thick dark veil covered her face, but it was cut
pleno y voluptuoso. Un espeso velo oscuro cubría su rostro, pero estaba cortado

off close at her upper lip and disclosed a perfectly shaped mouth and a
cerca de su labio superior y reveló una boca perfectamente formada y una

delicately rounded chin. I could well conceive that she had indeed been
mentón delicadamente redondeado. Bien podía concebir que, en efecto, había sido

a very remarkable woman. Her voice, too, was well modulated and
una mujer muy notable. Su voz, también, estaba bien modulada y

pleasing.   agradable.

"My name is not unfamiliar to you, Mr. Holmes," said she. "I thought
—Mi nombre no le es desconocido, señor Holmes —dijo ella—. "Pensé

that it would bring you."
que te traería".

"That is so, madam, though I do not know how you are aware that I was
-Así es, señora, aunque no sé cómo sabéis que yo estaba

interested in your case."
interesado en su caso".

"I learned it when I had recovered my health and was examined by Mr.
"Lo supe cuando recuperé mi salud y fui examinado por el Sr.

Edmunds, the county detective. I fear I lied to him. Perhaps it would
Edmunds, el detective del condado. Me temo que le mentí. Tal vez sí

have been wiser had I told the truth."
habría sido más sabio si hubiera dicho la verdad".

"It is usually wiser to tell the truth. But why did you lie to him?"
"Por lo general, es más sabio decir la verdad. Pero, ¿por qué le mentiste?

"Because the fate of someone else depended upon it. I know that he was
"Porque de ello dependía el destino de otra persona. Sé que lo fue

a very worthless being, and yet I would not have his destruction upon
un ser muy inútil, y sin embargo no quería que su destrucción cayera sobre

my conscience. We had been so close--so close!"
mi conciencia. ¡Habíamos estado tan cerca, tan cerca!"

"But has this impediment been removed?"
—¿Pero se ha eliminado este impedimento?

"Yes, sir. The person that I allude to is dead."
—Sí, señor. La persona a la que aludo está muerta".

"Then why should you not now tell the police anything you know?"
—Entonces, ¿por qué no le dices ahora a la policía nada de lo que sabes?

"Because there is another person to be considered. That other person is
"Porque hay otra persona a tener en cuenta. Esa otra persona es

myself. I could not stand the scandal and publicity which would come
yo mismo. No podía soportar el escándalo y la publicidad que vendría

from a police examination. I have not long to live, but I wish to die
de un examen policial. No me queda mucho tiempo de vida, pero deseo morir

undisturbed. And yet I wanted to find one man of judgment to whom I
Imperturbado. Y, sin embargo, quise encontrar a un hombre de juicio a quien

could tell my terrible story, so that when I am gone all might be
podría contar mi terrible historia, para que cuando yo me haya ido todo sea

understood."   entendido".

"You compliment me, madam. At the same time, I am a responsible person.
—Me felicita, señora. Al mismo tiempo, soy una persona responsable.

I do not promise you that when you have spoken I may not myself think
No te prometo que, cuando hayas hablado, yo mismo no pensaré

it my duty to refer the case to the police."
Es mi deber remitir el caso a la policía".

"I think not, Mr. Holmes. I know your character and methods too well,
—Creo que no, señor Holmes. Conozco demasiado bien tu carácter y tus métodos,

for I have followed your work for some years. Reading is the only
porque he seguido tu trabajo durante algunos años. La lectura es la única

pleasure which fate has left me, and I miss little which passes in the
placer que el destino me ha dejado, y echo de menos poco de lo que pasa en el

world. But in any case, I will take my chance of the use which you may
mundo. Pero, en cualquier caso, me arriesgaré a utilizarlo

make of my tragedy. It will ease my mind to tell it."
hacer de mi tragedia. Me tranquilizará contarlo".

"My friend and I would be glad to hear it."
Mi amigo y yo nos alegraríamos de oírlo.

The woman rose and took from a drawer the photograph of a man. He was
La mujer se levantó y sacó de un cajón la fotografía de un hombre. Él era

clearly a professional acrobat, a man of magnificent physique, taken
claramente un acróbata profesional, un hombre de magnífico físico,

with his huge arms folded across his swollen chest and a smile breaking
con sus enormes brazos cruzados sobre su pecho hinchado y una sonrisa quebrada

from under his heavy moustache--the self-satisfied smile of the man
debajo de su espeso bigote, la sonrisa satisfecha del hombre

of many conquests.
de muchas conquistas.

"That is Leonardo," she said.
"Ese es Leonardo", dijo.

"Leonardo, the strong man, who gave evidence?"
"Leonardo, el hombre fuerte, ¿quién dio testimonio?"

"The same. And this--this is my husband."
"Lo mismo. Y este–este es mi esposo".

It was a dreadful face--a human pig, or rather a human wild boar, for
Era un rostro espantoso: un cerdo humano, o más bien un jabalí humano, porque

it was formidable in its bestiality. One could imagine that vile mouth
Era formidable en su bestialidad. Uno podría imaginar esa boca vil

champing and foaming in its rage, and one could conceive those small,
en su furia, y uno podía concebir aquellos pequeños,

vicious eyes darting pure malignancy as they looked forth upon the
ojos viciosos que lanzaban pura malignidad mientras miraban hacia el

world. Ruffian, bully, beast--it was all written on that heavy-jowled
mundo. Rufián, matón, bestia, todo estaba escrito en ese pesado

face.   cara.

"Those two pictures will help you, gentlemen, to understand the story.
"Esas dos imágenes les ayudarán, caballeros, a entender la historia.

I was a poor circus girl brought up on the sawdust, and doing springs
Yo era una pobre muchacha de circo criada en el aserrín y haciendo resortes

through the hoop before I was ten. When I became a woman this man loved
a través del aro antes de cumplir los diez años. Cuando me convertí en mujer, este hombre amó

me, if such lust as his can be called love, and in an evil moment I
si una lujuria como la suya puede llamarse amor, y en un mal momento

became his wife. From that day I was in hell, and he the devil who
se convirtió en su esposa. Desde aquel día estuve en el infierno, y el diablo que

tormented me. There was no one in the show who did not know of his
me atormentaba. No había nadie en el programa que no supiera de su

treatment. He deserted me for others. He tied me down and lashed me
tratamiento. Me abandonó por otros. Me ató y me azotó

with his ridingwhip when I complained. They all pitied me and they all
con su látigo cuando me quejé. Todos se compadecían de mí y todos

loathed him, but what could they do? They feared him, one and all. For
Lo aborrecían, pero ¿qué podían hacer? Le temían, todos y cada uno de ellos. Para

he was terrible at all times, and murderous when he was drunk. Again
Era terrible en todo momento, y asesino cuando estaba borracho. Otra vez

and again he was had up for assault, and for cruelty to the beasts, but
y otra vez fue tenido por asalto y por crueldad con las bestias, pero

he had plenty of money and the fines were nothing to him. The best men
Tenía mucho dinero y las multas no eran nada para él. Los padrinos

all left us, and the show began to go downhill. It was only Leonardo
Todos nos dejaron y el espectáculo comenzó a ir cuesta abajo. Era solo Leonardo

and I who kept it up--with little Jimmy Griggs, the clown. Poor
y yo, que seguí así, con el pequeño Jimmy Griggs, el payaso. Pobre

devil, he had not much to be funny about, but he did what he could to
diablo, no tenía mucho de qué ser gracioso, pero hizo lo que pudo para

hold things together.
Mantén las cosas juntas.

"Then Leonardo came more and more into my life. You see what he was
"Luego Leonardo llegó cada vez más a mi vida. Ya ves lo que era

like. I know now the poor spirit that was hidden in that splendid body,
gustar. Ahora conozco el pobre espíritu que se escondía en ese cuerpo espléndido,

but compared to my husband he seemed like the angel Gabriel. He pitied
pero comparado con mi esposo parecía el ángel Gabriel. Se compadeció

me and helped me, till at last our intimacy turned to love--deep,
y me ayudó, hasta que al fin nuestra intimidad se convirtió en amor, profundo,

deep, passionate love, such love as I had dreamed of but never hoped to
un amor profundo y apasionado, un amor como el que había soñado pero que nunca esperé

feel. My husband suspected it, but I think that he was a coward as well
sentir. Mi marido lo sospechaba, pero creo que también era un cobarde

as a bully, and that Leonardo was the one man that he was afraid of. He
como un matón, y que Leonardo era el único hombre al que le tenía miedo. Él

took revenge in his own way by torturing me more than ever. One night
se vengó a su manera torturándome más que nunca. Una noche

my cries brought Leonardo to the door of our van. We were near tragedy
mis gritos llevaron a Leonardo a la puerta de nuestra furgoneta. Estuvimos al borde de la tragedia

that night, and soon my lover and I understood that it could not be
esa noche, y pronto mi amante y yo comprendimos que no podía ser

avoided. My husband was not fit to live. We planned that he should die.
Evitar. Mi esposo no estaba en condiciones de vivir. Planeamos que muriera.

"Leonardo had a clever, scheming brain. It was he who planned it. I do
"Leonardo tenía un cerebro inteligente e intrigante. Fue él quien lo planeó. Sí

not say that to blame him, for I was ready to go with him every inch of
No digo eso para culparle, porque yo estaba dispuesto a ir con él hasta el último centímetro de

the way. But I should never have had the wit to think of such a plan.
el camino. Pero nunca debí haber tenido el ingenio de pensar en un plan así.

We made a club--Leonardo made it--and in the leaden head he
Hicimos un garrote, Leonardo lo hizo, y en la cabeza de plomo

fastened five long steel nails, the points outward, with just such a
cinco largos clavos de acero, con las puntas hacia afuera, con tal

spread as the lion's paw. This was to give my husband his death-blow,
extendido como la pata del león. Esto fue para darle a mi esposo su golpe mortal,

and yet to leave the evidence that it was the lion which we would loose
y, sin embargo, dejar la evidencia de que era el león el que perderíamos

who had done the deed.
que había hecho el hecho.

"It was a pitch-dark night when my husband and I went down, as was our
"Era una noche oscura cuando mi esposo y yo bajamos, al igual que nuestro

custom, to feed the beast. We carried with us the raw meat in a zinc
costumbre, para alimentar a la bestia. Llevábamos con nosotros la carne cruda en un

pail. Leonardo was waiting at the corner of the big van which we should
cubo. Leonardo esperaba en la esquina de la gran furgoneta que debíamos

have to pass before we reached the cage. He was too slow, and we walked
Tenemos que pasar antes de llegar a la jaula. Era demasiado lento y caminamos

past him before he could strike, but he followed us on tiptoe and I
antes de que pudiera atacar, pero nos siguió de puntillas y yo

heard the crash as the club smashed my husband's skull. My heart leaped
Escuché el estruendo cuando el garrote le rompió el cráneo a mi esposo. Mi corazón dio un vuelco

with joy at the sound. I sprang forward, and I undid the catch which
con alegría por el sonido. Salté hacia adelante y deshice el pestillo que

held the door of the great lion's cage.
sostenía la puerta de la jaula del gran león.

"And then the terrible thing happened. You may have heard how quick
"Y entonces sucedió lo terrible. Es posible que hayas escuchado lo rápido que

these creatures are to scent human blood, and how it excites them. Some
Estas criaturas deben oler la sangre humana y cómo las excita. Alguno

strange instinct had told the creature in one instant that a human
Un extraño instinto le había dicho a la criatura en un instante que un humano

being had been slain. As I slipped the bars it bounded out and was on
había sido asesinado. Cuando resbalé las barras, saltó y estaba encendido

me in an instant. Leonardo could have saved me. If he had rushed
en un instante. Leonardo podría haberme salvado. Si se hubiera precipitado

forward and struck the beast with his club he might have cowed it. But
y golpeó a la bestia con su garrote, podría haberla acobardado. Pero

the man lost his nerve. I heard him shout in his terror, and then I saw
El hombre perdió los nervios. Lo oí gritar de terror, y entonces vi

him turn and fly. At the same instant the teeth of the lion met in my
Que se dé la vuelta y vuele. En el mismo instante los dientes del león se encontraron en mi

face. Its hot, filthy breath had already poisoned me and I was hardly
cara. Su aliento caliente y sucio ya me había envenenado y apenas estaba

conscious of pain. With the palms of my hands I tried to push the great
consciente del dolor. Con las palmas de mis manos traté de empujar el gran

steaming, blood-stained jaws away from me, and I screamed for help. I
Las mandíbulas humeantes y manchadas de sangre se alejaron de mí, y grité pidiendo ayuda. Yo

was conscious that the camp was stirring, and then dimly I remembered a
Era consciente de que el campamento se agitaba, y entonces recordé vagamente un

group of men. Leonardo, Griggs, and others, dragging me from under the
grupo de hombres. Leonardo, Griggs y otros, arrastrándome de debajo de la

creature's paws. That was my last memory, Mr. Holmes, for many a weary
patas de criaturas. Ése fue mi último recuerdo, señor Holmes, para muchos

month. When I came to myself and saw myself in the mirror, I cursed
mes. Cuando volví en mí y me vi en el espejo, maldije

that lion--oh, how I cursed him!--not because he had torn away my
ese león, ¡oh, cómo lo maldije-- no porque me hubiera arrancado

beauty but because he had not torn away my life. I had but one desire,
belleza, sino porque no me había arrebatado la vida. No tenía más que un deseo,

Mr. Holmes, and I had enough money to gratify it. It was that I should
El señor Holmes y yo teníamos suficiente dinero para satisfacerlo. Era que yo debía

cover myself so that my poor face should be seen by none, and that I
cubrirme para que mi pobre rostro no sea visto por nadie, y para que yo

should dwell where none whom I had ever known should find me. That was
habitaría donde nadie a quien yo hubiera conocido me encontraría. Eso fue

all that was left to me to do--and that is what I have done. A poor
todo eso me quedaba por hacer, y eso es lo que he hecho. Un pobre

wounded beast that has crawled into its hole to die--that is the end
bestia herida que se ha metido en su agujero para morir, ese es el fin

of Eugenia Ronder."
de Eugenia Ronder".

We sat in silence for some time after the unhappy woman had told her
Nos sentamos en silencio durante algún tiempo después de que la infeliz mujer se lo dijera

story. Then Holmes stretched out his long arm and patted her hand with
cuento. Entonces Holmes extendió su largo brazo y le dio unas palmaditas en la mano

such a show of sympathy as I had seldom known him to exhibit.
una muestra de simpatía como pocas veces le había visto exhibir.

"Poor girl!" he said. "Poor girl! The ways of fate are indeed hard to
"¡Pobre niña!", dijo. "¡Pobre niña! Los caminos del destino son, en efecto, difíciles de

understand. If there is not some compensation hereafter, then the world
entender. Si no hay alguna compensación en el más allá, entonces el mundo

is a cruel jest. But what of this man Leonardo?"
es una broma cruel. Pero, ¿qué hay de este hombre, Leonardo?

"I never saw him or heard from him again. Perhaps I have been wrong to
"Nunca más lo volví a ver ni a saber nada de él. Tal vez me he equivocado al

feel so bitterly against him. He might as soon have loved one of the
sentir tan amargamente contra él. Tan pronto podría haber amado a uno de los

freaks whom we carried round the country as the thing which the lion
monstruos a los que llevábamos por todo el país como la cosa que el león

had left. But a woman's love is not so easily set aside. He had left me
se había ido. Pero el amor de una mujer no se deja de lado tan fácilmente. Me había dejado

under the beast's claws, he had deserted me in my need, and yet I could
bajo las garras de la bestia, me había abandonado en mi necesidad, y sin embargo podía

not bring myself to give him to the gallows. For myself, I cared
no me atrevo a entregarlo a la horca. Por mi parte, me importaba

nothing what became of me. What could be more dreadful than my actual
Nada de lo que fue de mí. ¿Qué podría ser más terrible que mi

life? But I stood between Leonardo and his fate."
¿vida? Pero yo me interponía entre Leonardo y su destino".

"And he is dead?"
—¿Y está muerto?

"He was drowned last month when bathing near Margate. I saw his death
"Se ahogó el mes pasado cuando se bañaba cerca de Margate. Vi su muerte

in the paper."
en el periódico".

"And what did he do with this five-clawed club, which is the most
"¿Y qué hizo con este garrote de cinco garras, que es el más

singular and ingenious part of all your story?"
¿Es una parte singular e ingeniosa de toda tu historia?

"I cannot tell, Mr. Holmes. There is a chalk-pit by the camp, with a
—No puedo decirlo, señor Holmes. Hay un pozo de tiza junto al campamento, con un

deep green pool at the base of it. Perhaps in the depths of that pool
Piscina de color verde profundo en la base de la misma. Tal vez en las profundidades de esa piscina

--"

"Well, well, it is of little consequence now. The case is closed."
"Bueno, bueno, ahora tiene poca importancia. El caso está cerrado".

"Yes," said the woman, "the case is closed."
—Sí —dijo la mujer—, el caso está cerrado.

We had risen to go, but there was something in the woman's voice which
Nos habíamos levantado para irnos, pero había algo en la voz de la mujer que

arrested Holmes's attention. He turned swiftly upon her.
llamó la atención de Holmes. Se volvió rápidamente hacia ella.

"Your life is not your own," he said. "Keep your hands off it."
"Tu vida no es tuya", dijo. "Mantén tus manos alejadas de él".

"What use is it to anyone?"
"¿De qué le sirve a alguien?"

"How can you tell? The example of patient suffering is in itself the
"¿Cómo puedes saberlo? El ejemplo del sufrimiento del paciente es en sí mismo el

most precious of all lessons to an impatient world."
la más preciosa de todas las lecciones para un mundo impaciente".

The woman's answer was a terrible one. She raised her veil and stepped
La respuesta de la mujer fue terrible. Se levantó el velo y dio un paso

forward into the light.
hacia adelante hacia la luz.

"I wonder if you would bear it," she said.
—Me pregunto si lo soportarías —dijo—.

It was horrible. No words can describe the framework of a face when the
Fue horrible. No hay palabras que puedan describir el armazón de un rostro cuando el

face itself is gone. Two living and beautiful brown eyes looking sadly
La cara misma se ha ido. Dos vivos y hermosos ojos marrones que miran con tristeza

out from that grisly ruin did but make the view more awful. Holmes held
Salir de aquella espeluznante ruina no hizo más que hacer que la vista fuera más espantosa. Holmes sostuvo

up his hand in a gesture of pity and protest, and together we left the
levantó la mano en un gesto de lástima y protesta, y juntos salimos de la

room.   cuarto.

Two days later, when I called upon my friend, he pointed with some
Dos días después, cuando visité a mi amigo, me señaló con algunos

pride to a small blue bottle upon his mantelpiece. I picked it up.
orgullo a una pequeña botella azul sobre la repisa de la chimenea. Lo recogí.

There was a red poison label. A pleasant almondy odour rose when I
Había una etiqueta roja de veneno. Un agradable olor a almendra se elevó cuando

opened it.   Lo abrió.

"Prussic acid?" said I.
—¿Ácido prúsico? —pregunté.

"Exactly. It came by post. 'I send you my temptation. I will follow
—Exactamente. Llegó por correo. "Te envío mi tentación. Seguiré

your advice.' That was the message. I think, Watson, we can guess the
tu consejo'. Ese fue el mensaje. Creo, Watson, que podemos adivinar la

name of the brave woman who sent it."
nombre de la valiente mujer que lo envió".

THE ADVENTURE OF SHOSCOMBE OLD PLACE
LA AVENTURA DE SHOSCOMBE OLD PLACE

Sherlock Holmes had been bending for a long time over a low-power
Sherlock Holmes llevaba mucho tiempo doblado sobre un

microscope. Now he straightened himself up and looked round at me in
microscopio. Ahora se enderezó y me miró a mi alrededor

triumph.   triunfo.

"It is glue, Watson," said he. "Unquestionably it is glue. Have a look
—Es pegamento, Watson —dijo—. "Incuestionablemente es pegamento. Echa un vistazo

at these scattered objects in the field!"
¡A estos objetos dispersos en el campo!"

I stooped to the eyepiece and focussed for my vision.
Me incliné hacia el ocular y me concentré en mi visión.

"Those hairs are threads from a tweed coat. The irregular gray masses
"Esos pelos son hilos de un abrigo de tweed. Las masas grises irregulares

are dust. There are epithelial scales on the left. Those brown blobs in
son polvo. Hay escamas epiteliales a la izquierda. Esas manchas marrones en

the centre are undoubtedly glue."
El centro es, sin duda, pegamento".

"Well," I said, laughing, "I am prepared to take your word for it. Does
—Bueno —dije, riendo—, estoy dispuesto a creer en tu palabra. Hace

anything depend upon it?"
¿Hay algo que dependa de ello?

"It is a very fine demonstration," he answered. "In the St. Pancras
"Es una demostración muy buena", respondió. "En el St. Pancras

case you may remember that a cap was found beside the dead policeman.
Tal vez recuerde que se encontró una gorra al lado del policía muerto.

The accused man denies that it is his. But he is a picture-frame maker
El acusado niega que sea suyo. Pero él es un fabricante de marcos de fotos

who habitually handles glue."
que habitualmente manipula pegamento".

"Is it one of your cases?"
—¿Es uno de tus casos?

"No; my friend, Merivale, of the Yard, asked me to look into the case.
—No; mi amiga Merivale, del Yard, me pidió que investigara el caso.

Since I ran down that coiner by the zinc and copper filings in the seam
Desde que corrí por esa acuñadora por las limaduras de zinc y cobre en la veta

of his cuff they have begun to realize the importance of the
de su puño han comenzado a darse cuenta de la importancia de la

microscope." He looked impatiently at his watch. "I had a new client
microscopio". Miró con impaciencia su reloj. "Tenía un nuevo cliente

calling, but he is overdue. By the way, Watson, you know something of
llamando, pero está atrasado. Por cierto, Watson, usted sabe algo de

racing?"   ¿Carreras?"

"I ought to. I pay for it with about half my wound pension."
—Debería. Lo pago con aproximadamente la mitad de mi pensión de heridas".

"Then I'll make you my 'Handy Guide to the Turf.' What about Sir Robert
"Entonces te haré mi 'Guía práctica para el césped'. ¿Y Sir Robert?

Norberton? Does the name recall anything?"
¿Norberton? ¿El nombre recuerda algo?

"Well, I should say so. He lives at Shoscombe Old Place, and I know it
"Bueno, debería decirlo. Vive en Shoscombe Old Place, y yo lo sé

well, for my summer quarters were down there once. Norberton nearly
Bueno, porque mis cuarteles de verano estuvieron allí una vez. Norberton estuvo a punto de

came within your province once."
una vez estuvo dentro de tu provincia".

"How was that?"  —¿Cómo fue eso?

"It was when he horsewhipped Sam Brewer, the well-known Curzon Street
"Fue cuando azotó a Sam Brewer, el conocido Curzon Street

money-lender, on Newmarket Heath. He nearly killed the man."
prestamista, en Newmarket Heath. Estuvo a punto de matar al hombre".

"Ah, he sounds interesting! Does he often indulge in that way?"
"¡Ah, suena interesante! ¿A menudo se entrega de esa manera?"

"Well, he has the name of being a dangerous man. He is about the most
"Bueno, tiene fama de ser un hombre peligroso. Es el más

daredevil rider in England--second in the Grand National a few years
temerario jinete en Inglaterra, segundo en el Grand National unos años

back. He is one of those men who have overshot their true generation.
Atrás. Es uno de esos hombres que han sobrepasado a su verdadera generación.

He should have been a buck in the days of the Regency--a boxer, an
Debería haber sido un macho en los días de la Regencia, un boxeador, un

athlete, a plunger on the turf, a lover of fair ladies, and, by all
atleta, un desatascador en el césped, un amante de las bellas damas y, por supuesto,

account, so far down Queer Street that he may never find his way back
tan lejos en Queer Street que tal vez nunca encuentre el camino de regreso

again."   otra vez".

"Capital, Watson! A thumb-nail sketch. I seem to know the man. Now, can
—¡Capital, Watson! Un boceto en miniatura. Parece que conozco al hombre. Ahora bien, ¿puede

you give me some idea of Shoscombe Old Place?"
¿Me das una idea de Shoscombe Old Place?

"Only that it is in the centre of Shoscombe Park, and that the famous
Sólo que está en el centro de Shoscombe Park, y que el famoso

Shoscombe stud and training quarters are to be found there."
Allí se encuentran los cuarteles de entrenamiento y los sementales de Shoscombe".

"And the head trainer," said Holmes, "is John Mason. You need not look
—Y el entrenador principal —dijo Holmes— es John Mason. No es necesario que mires

surprised at my knowledge, Watson, for this is a letter from him which
Watson, porque se trata de una carta suya que

I am unfolding. But let us have some more about Shoscombe. I seem to
Me estoy desplegando. Pero hablemos un poco más de Shoscombe. Me parece que

have struck a rich vein."
han tocado una rica veta".

"There are the Shoscombe spaniels," said I. "You hear of them at every
—Están los Shoscombe spaniels —dije—. Oyes hablar de ellos a todas horas.

dog show. The most exclusive breed in England. They are the special
Exposición canina. La raza más exclusiva de Inglaterra. Son los especiales

pride of the lady of Shoscombe Old Place."
orgullo de la dama de Shoscombe Old Place.

"Sir Robert Norberton's wife, I presume!"
—¡La esposa de Sir Robert Norberton, supongo!

"Sir Robert has never married. Just as well, I think, considering his
Sir Robert nunca se ha casado. Igual de bien, creo, teniendo en cuenta su

prospects. He lives with his widowed sister, Lady Beatrice Falder."
porvenir. Vive con su hermana viuda, lady Beatrice Falder.

"You mean that she lives with him?"
– ¿Quieres decir que vive con él?

"No, no. The place belonged to her late husband, Sir James. Norberton
"No, no. El lugar pertenecía a su difunto esposo, Sir James. Norberton

has no claim on it at all. It is only a life interest and reverts to
no tiene ningún derecho sobre ella en absoluto. Es solo un interés de vida y vuelve a

her husband's brother. Meantime, she draws the rents every year."
el hermano de su marido. Mientras tanto, ella cobra las rentas todos los años".

"And brother Robert, I suppose, spends the said rents?"
—¿Y el hermano Robert, supongo, gasta las rentas mencionadas?

"That is about the size of it. He is a devil of a fellow and must lead
"Eso es más o menos el tamaño de la misma. Es un tipo diabólico y debe liderar

her a most uneasy life. Yet I have heard that she is devoted to him.
una vida de lo más inquieta. Sin embargo, he oído que ella es devota de él.

But what is amiss at Shoscombe?"
Pero, ¿qué pasa en Shoscombe?

"Ah, that is just what I want to know. And here, I expect, is the man
"Ah, eso es justo lo que quiero saber. Y aquí, supongo, está el hombre

who can tell us."
quién puede decírnoslo".

The door had opened and the page had shown in a tall, clean-shaven man
La puerta se había abierto y el paje había aparecido en un hombre alto y bien afeitado

with the firm, austere expression which is only seen upon those who
con la expresión firme y austera que sólo se ve en aquellos que

have to control horses or boys. Mr. John Mason had many of both under
tienen que controlar caballos o niños. El Sr. John Mason tenía muchas de ambas bajo

his sway, and he looked equal to the task. He bowed with cold
Su balanceo, y parecía estar a la altura de la tarea. Se inclinó con frialdad

self-possession and seated himself upon the chair to which Holmes had
y se sentó en la silla a la que Holmes se había sentado.

waved him.   —le hizo un gesto con la mano—.

"You had my note, Mr. Holmes?"
—¿Tenía usted mi nota, señor Holmes?

"Yes, but it explained nothing."
—Sí, pero no explicaba nada.

"It was too delicate a thing for me to put the details on paper. And
"Era algo demasiado delicado para mí poner los detalles en papel. Y

too complicated. It was only face to face I could do it."
demasiado complicado. Solo cara a cara podía hacerlo".

"Well, we are at your disposal."
"Bueno, estamos a su disposición".

"First of all, Mr. Holmes, I think that my employer, Sir Robert, has
—En primer lugar, señor Holmes, creo que mi patrón, Sir Robert, ha

gone mad."   enloquecido".

Holmes raised his eyebrows. "This is Baker Street, not Harley Street,"
Holmes enarcó las cejas. "Esto es Baker Street, no Harley Street"

said he. "But why do you say so?"
-dijo-. —¿Pero por qué lo dices?

"Well, sir, when a man does one queer thing, or two queer things, there
—Bien, señor, cuando un hombre hace una cosa rara, o dos cosas raras, hay

may be a meaning to it, but when everything he does is queer, then you
puede ser un significado para ello, pero cuando todo lo que hace es raro, entonces

begin to wonder. I believe Shoscombe Prince and the Derby have turned
empiezan a preguntarse. Creo que Shoscombe Prince y el Derby han cambiado

his brain."   su cerebro".

"That is a colt you are running?"
—¿Es un potro el que corres?

"The best in England, Mr. Holmes. I should know, if anyone does. Now,
—El mejor de Inglaterra, señor Holmes. Debería saberlo, si es que alguien lo sabe. Ahora

I'll be plain with you, for I know you are gentlemen of honour and that
Seré franco con vosotros, porque sé que sois caballeros de honor y que

it won't go beyond the room. Sir Robert has got to win this Derby. He's
No irá más allá de la habitación. Sir Robert tiene que ganar este Derby. Él es

up to the neck, and it's his last chance. Everything he could raise or
hasta el cuello, y es su última oportunidad. Todo lo que pudiera levantar o

borrow is on the horse--and at fine odds, too! You can get forties
Borrow está en el caballo, ¡y además en buenas condiciones! Puedes llegar a los cuarenta

now, but it was nearer the hundred when he began to back him."
Ahora, pero ya era más cerca de los cien cuando empezó a apoyarlo.

"But how is that if the horse is so good?"
—¿Pero cómo es eso si el caballo es tan bueno?

"The public don't know how good he is. Sir Robert has been too clever
"El público no sabe lo bueno que es. Sir Robert ha sido demasiado listo

for the touts. He has the Prince's half-brother out for spins. You
para los revendedores. Tiene al hermanastro del Príncipe dando vueltas. Tú

can't tell 'em apart. But there are two lengths in a furlong between
No puedo distinguirlos. Pero hay dos longitudes en un furlón entre

them when it comes to a gallop. He thinks of nothing but the horse and
cuando se trata de un galope. No piensa en nada más que en el caballo y

the race. His whole life is on it. He's holding off the Jews till then.
la carrera. Toda su vida está en ello. Él está manteniendo a raya a los judíos hasta entonces.

If the Prince fails him he is done."
Si el Príncipe le falla, está acabado".

"It seems a rather desperate gamble, but where does the madness come
"Parece una apuesta bastante desesperada, pero ¿de dónde viene la locura?

in?"   ¿En?"

"Well, first of all, you have only to look at him. I don't believe he
"Bueno, en primer lugar, solo tienes que mirarlo. No le creo

sleeps at night. He is down at the stables at all hours. His eyes are
duerme por la noche. Está en los establos a todas horas. Sus ojos son

wild. It has all been too much for his nerves. Then there is his
salvaje. Todo ha sido demasiado para sus nervios. Luego está su

conduct to Lady Beatrice!"
¡Conduce a lady Beatrice!

"Ah! What is that?"
—¡Ah! ¿Qué es eso?"

"They have always been the best of friends. They had the same tastes,
"Siempre han sido los mejores amigos. Tenían los mismos gustos,

the two of them, and she loved the horses as much as he did. Every day
los dos, y ella amaba a los caballos tanto como él. Todos los días

at the same hour she would drive down to see them--and, above all,
A la misma hora bajaba a verlos y, sobre todo,

she loved the Prince. He would prick up his ears when he heard the
amaba al Príncipe. Aguzaba el oído cuando oía el

wheels on the gravel, and he would trot out each morning to the
ruedas sobre la grava, y salía trotando todas las mañanas a la

carriage to get his lump of sugar. But that's all over now."
carruaje para conseguir su terrón de azúcar. Pero todo eso ya pasó".

"Why?"  —¿Por qué?

"Well, she seems to have lost all interest in the horses. For a week
—Bueno, parece que ha perdido todo interés por los caballos. Durante una semana

now she has driven past the stables with never so much as
Ahora ha pasado por delante de los establos sin ni siquiera

'Good-morning'!"   —¡Buenos días!

"You think there has been a quarrel?"
—¿Crees que ha habido una pelea?

"And a bitter, savage, spitelful quarrel at that. Why else would he
Y una pelea amarga, salvaje y rencorosa. ¿Por qué, si no, lo haría?

give away her pet spaniel that she loved as if he were her child? He
¿Regalar a su mascota spaniel que amaba como si fuera su hijo? Él

gave it a few days ago to old Barnes, what keeps the Green Dragon,
se lo dio hace unos días al viejo Barnes, lo que mantiene al Dragón Verde,

three miles off, at Crendall."
a tres millas de distancia, en Crendall.

"That certainly did seem strange."
"Eso ciertamente me pareció extraño".

"Of course, with her weak heart and dropsy one couldn't expect that she
"Por supuesto, con su corazón débil y su hidropesía, uno no podía esperar que ella

could get about with him, but he spent two hours every evening in her
podía andar con él, pero pasaba dos horas todas las noches en su casa.

room. He might well do what he could, for she has been a rare good
cuarto. Bien podría hacer lo que pudiera, porque ella ha sido un bien raro

friend to him. But that's all over, too. He never goes near her. And
amigo de él. Pero eso también se acabó. Nunca se acerca a ella. Y

she takes it to heart. She is brooding and sulky and drinking, Mr.
Ella se lo toma muy en serio. Está melancólica, malhumorada y bebiendo, señor

Holmes--drinking like a fish."
Holmes, bebiendo como un pez.

"Did she drink before this estrangement?"
– ¿Bebía antes de este distanciamiento?

"Well, she took her glass, but now it is often a whole bottle of an
"Bueno, ella tomó su vaso, pero ahora a menudo es una botella entera de un

evening. So Stephens, the butler, told me. It's all changed, Mr.
Noche. Así me lo dijo Stephens, el mayordomo. Todo ha cambiado, Sr.

Holmes, and there is something damned rotten about it. But then, again,
Holmes, y hay algo malditamente podrido en ello. Pero entonces, de nuevo,

what is master doing down at the old church crypt at night? And who is
¿Qué hace el Maestro en la antigua cripta de la iglesia por la noche? ¿Y quién es

the man that meets him there?"
¿El hombre que se encuentra con él allí?

Holmes rubbed his hands.
Holmes se frotó las manos.

"Go on, Mr. Mason. You get more and more interesting."
—Continúe, señor Mason. Te vuelves cada vez más interesante".

"It was the butler who saw him go. Twelve o'clock at night and raining
"Fue el mayordomo quien lo vio irse. Doce de la noche y lloviendo

hard. So next night I was up at the house and, sure enough, master was
duro. Así que a la noche siguiente estaba en la casa y, efectivamente, el maestro estaba

off again. Stephens and I went after him, but it was jumpy work, for it
otra vez. Stephens y yo fuimos tras él, pero era un trabajo nervioso, por eso

would have been a bad job if he had seen us. He's a terrible man with
Habría sido un mal trabajo si nos hubiera visto. Es un hombre terrible con

his fists if he gets started, and no respecter of persons. So we were
sus puños si se pone en marcha, y no hace acepción de personas. Así que estábamos

shy of getting too near, but we marked him down all light. It was the
A pesar de que no nos acercamos demasiado, lo marcamos como todo luz. Era el

haunted crypt that he was making for, and there was a man waiting for
cripta encantada a la que se dirigía, y había un hombre esperando

him there."   él allí".

"What is this haunted cryp?"
"¿Qué es este grito embrujado?"

"Well, sir, there is an old ruined chapel in the park. It is so old
—Bueno, señor, hay una vieja capilla en ruinas en el parque. Es tan viejo

that nobody could fix its date. And under it there's a crypt which has
que nadie podía fijar su fecha. Y debajo de ella hay una cripta que tiene

a bad name among us. It's a dark, damp, lonely place by day, but there
un mal nombre entre nosotros. Es un lugar oscuro, húmedo y solitario durante el día, pero hay

are few in that county that would have the nerve to go near it at
son pocos en ese condado que tendrían el descaro de acercarse a él en

night. But master's not afraid. He never feared anything in his life.
Noche. Pero el maestro no tiene miedo. Nunca temió nada en su vida.

But what is he doing there in the night-time?"
Pero, ¿qué hace allí por la noche?

"Wait a bit!" said Holmes. "You say there is another man there. It must
-¡Espera un poco! -dijo Holmes-. "Dices que hay otro hombre allí. Debe

be one of your own stablemen, or someone from the house! Surely you
¡Sé uno de tus propios mozos de cuadra o alguien de la casa! Seguro que

have only to spot who it is and question him?"
¿No tienes más que ver quién es y preguntarle?

"It's no one I know."
"No es nadie que yo conozca".

"How can you say that?"
"¿Cómo puedes decir eso?"

"Because I have seen him, Mr. Holmes. It was on that second night. Sir
—Porque lo he visto, señor Holmes. Fue en esa segunda noche. Señor

Robert turned and passed us--me and Stephens, quaking in the bushes
Robert se dio la vuelta y pasó junto a nosotros, Stephens y yo, temblando entre los arbustos

like two bunny-rabbits, for there was a bit of moon that night. But we
como dos conejitos, porque esa noche había un poco de luna. Pero nosotros

could hear the other moving about behind. We were not afraid of him. So
podía oír al otro moviéndose detrás. No le teníamos miedo. Así que

we up when Sir Robert was gone and pretended we were just having a walk
nos levantamos cuando Sir Robert se había ido y fingimos que solo estábamos dando un paseo

like in the moonlight, and so we came right on him as casual and
como a la luz de la luna, y así nos acercamos a él como casual y

innocent as you please. 'Hullo, mate! who may you be?' says I. I guess
inocente como quieras. —¡Hullo, compañero! ¿Quién eres?', le digo. Creo que sí

he had not heard us coming, so he looked over his shoulder with a face
No nos había oído venir, así que miró por encima del hombro con cara

as if he had seen the devil coming out of hell. He let out a yell, and
como si hubiera visto al diablo salir del infierno. Dejó escapar un grito, y

away he went as hard as he could lick it in the darkness. He could run!
Se alejó tan fuerte como pudo lamerlo en la oscuridad. ¡Podía correr!

--I'll give him that. In a minute he was out of sight and hearing, and
--Le daré eso. Al cabo de un minuto se perdió de vista y de oído, y

who he was, or what he was, we never found."
Quién era, o qué era, nunca lo encontramos".

"But you saw him clearly in the moonlight?"
—¿Pero lo viste claramente a la luz de la luna?

"Yes, I would swear to his yellow face--a mean dog, I should say.
—Sí, lo juraría por su cara amarilla, un perro malvado, diría yo.

What could he have in common with Sir Robert?"
¿Qué podía tener en común con Sir Robert?

Holmes sat for some time lost in thought.
Holmes permaneció un rato sentado, absorto en sus pensamientos.

"Who keeps Lady Beatrice Falder company?" he asked at last.
—¿Quién hace compañía a lady Beatrice Felder? —preguntó al fin.

"There is her maid, Carrie Evans. She has been with her this five
"Ahí está su sirvienta, Carrie Evans. Ha estado con ella estos cinco años

years."   años".

"And is, no doubt, devoted?"
—¿Y es, sin duda, devota?

Mr. Mason shuffled uncomfortably.
El señor Mason arrastró los pies incómodo.

"She's devoted enough," he answered at last. "But I won't say to whom."
—Es bastante devota —contestó al fin—. "Pero no diré a quién".

"Ah!" said Holmes.  -¡Ah! -dijo Holmes-.

"I can't tell tales out of school."
"No puedo contar cuentos fuera de la escuela".

"I quite understand, Mr. Mason. Of course, the situation is clear
—Lo comprendo perfectamente, señor Mason. Por supuesto, la situación es clara

enough. From Dr. Watson's description of Sir Robert I can realize that
bastante. A partir de la descripción que hace el Dr. Watson de Sir Robert, puedo darme cuenta de que

no woman is safe from him. Don't you think the quarrel between brother
Ninguna mujer está a salvo de él. ¿No crees que la pelea entre hermanos

and sister may lie there?"
¿Y la hermana puede yacer allí?

"Well, the scandal has been pretty clear for a long time."
"Bueno, el escándalo ha sido bastante claro durante mucho tiempo".

"But she may not have seen it before. Let us suppose that she has
"Pero es posible que no lo haya visto antes. Supongamos que tiene

suddenly found it out. She wants to get rid of the woman. Her brother
de repente lo descubrió. Quiere deshacerse de la mujer. Su hermano

will not permit it. The invalid, with her weak heart and inability to
no lo permitirá. La enferma, con su corazón débil y su incapacidad para

get about, has no means of enforcing her will. The hated maid is still
no tiene medios para hacer cumplir su voluntad. La odiada sirvienta sigue siendo

tied to her. The lady refuses to speak, sulks, takes to drink. Sir
atado a ella. La señora se niega a hablar, se enfurruña, se pone a beber. Señor

Robert in his anger takes her pet spaniel away from her. Does not all
Robert, en su enojo, le quita a su perro spaniel mascota. No todos los

this hang together?"
¿Están juntos?"

"Well, it might do--so far as it goes."
—Bueno, podría servir, hasta donde llegue.

"Exactly! As far as it goes. How would all that bear upon the visits by
"¡Exactamente! Hasta donde llega. ¿Cómo afectaría todo esto a las visitas de

night to the old crypt? We can't fit that into our plot."
noche a la vieja cripta? No podemos encajar eso en nuestra trama".

"No, sir, and there is something more that I can't fit in. Why should
—No, señor, y hay algo más que no puedo encajar. ¿Por qué debería

Sir Robert want to dig up a dead body?"
¿Sir Robert quiere desenterrar un cadáver?

Holmes sat up abruptly.
Holmes se incorporó bruscamente.

"We only found it out yesterday--after I had written to you.
Lo descubrimos ayer, después de haberle escrito.

Yesterday Sir Robert had gone to London, so Stephens and I went down to
Ayer Sir Robert había ido a Londres, así que Stephens y yo fuimos a Londres.

the crypt. It was all in order, sir, except that in one corner was a
la cripta. Todo estaba en orden, señor, excepto que en un rincón había un

bit of a human body."
un pedazo de cuerpo humano".

"You informed the police, I suppose?"
– ¿Has informado a la policía, supongo?

Our visitor smiled grimly.
Nuestro visitante sonrió sombríamente.

"Well, sir, I think it would hardly interest them. It was just the head
—Bueno, señor, creo que no les interesaría. Era solo la cabeza

and a few bones of a mummy. It may have been a thousand years old. But
y unos huesos de una momia. Puede haber tenido mil años de antigüedad. Pero

it wasn't there before. That I'll swear, and so will Stephens. It had
Antes no estaba allí. Lo juro, y Stephens también. Tenía

been stowed away in a corner and covered over with a board, but that
guardado en un rincón y cubierto con una tabla, pero que

corner had always been empty before."
La esquina siempre había estado vacía antes".

"What did you do with it?"
—¿Qué hiciste con él?

"Well, we just left it there."
"Bueno, lo dejamos ahí".

"That was wise. You say Sir Robert was away yesterday. Has he
"Eso fue sabio. Dice usted que Sir Robert estuvo ausente ayer. ¿Ha

returned?"   ¿Ha vuelto?

"We expect him back to-day."
"Esperamos que regrese hoy".

"When did Sir Robert give away his sister's dog?"
—¿Cuándo regaló Sir Robert el perro de su hermana?

"It was just a week ago to-day. The creature was howling outside the
"Hoy fue hace apenas una semana. La criatura aullaba fuera de la

old wellhouse, and Sir Robert was in one of his tantrums that morning.
Sir Robert estaba en uno de sus berrinches esa mañana.

He caught it up, and I thought he would have killed it. Then he gave it
Lo alcanzó, y pensé que lo habría matado. Luego se lo dio

to Sandy Bain, the jockey, and told him to take the dog to old Barnes
a Sandy Bain, el jockey, y le dijo que llevara al perro al viejo Barnes

at the Green Dragon, for he never wished to see it again."
en el Dragón Verde, porque no deseaba volver a verlo jamás.

Holmes sat for some time in silent thought. He had lit the oldest and
Holmes permaneció un rato en silencio, pensativo. Había encendido el más viejo y

foulest of his pipes.
la más sucia de sus pipas.

"I am not clear yet what you want me to do in this matter, Mr. Mason,"
—Todavía no tengo claro lo que quiere que haga en este asunto, señor Mason.

he said at last. "Can't you make it more definite?"
—dijo al fin—. —¿No puedes hacerlo más definitivo?

"Perhaps this will make it more definite, Mr. Holmes," said our
-Tal vez esto lo haga más preciso, señor Holmes -dijo nuestro padre-.

visltor.

He took a paper from his pocket, and, unwrapping it carefully, he
Sacó un papel del bolsillo y, desenvolviéndolo cuidadosamente,

exposed a charred fragment of bone.
expuso un fragmento de hueso carbonizado.

Holmes examined it with interest.
Holmes lo examinó con interés.

"Where did you get it?"
—¿De dónde lo has sacado?

"There is a central heating furnace in the cellar under Lady Beatrice's
Hay un horno de calefacción central en el sótano de la casa de lady Beatrice

room. It's been off for some time, but Sir Robert complained of cold
cuarto. Ha estado apagado durante algún tiempo, pero Sir Robert se quejó de frío

and had it on again.
y se lo volvió a poner.

"Harvey runs it--he's one of my lads. This very morning he came to me
Harvey lo dirige, es uno de mis muchachos. Esta misma mañana vino a verme

with this which he found raking out the cinders. He didn't like the
con esto que halló rastrillando las cenizas. No le gustaba el

look of it."
mire de ello".

"Nor do I," said Holmes. "What do you make of it, Watson?"
—Yo tampoco —dijo Holmes—. —¿Qué piensa usted de eso, Watson?

It was burned to a black cinder, but there could be no question as to
Se quemó hasta quedar reducida a cenizas negras, pero no cabía duda de que

its anatomical significance.
su importancia anatómica.

"It's the upper condyle of a human femur," said I.
—Es el cóndilo superior de un fémur humano —dije—.

"Exactly!" Holmes had become very serious. "When does this lad tend to
"¡Exactamente!" Holmes se había puesto muy serio. "¿Cuándo tiende este muchacho a

the furnace?"   ¿El horno?

"He makes it up every evening and then leaves it."
"Lo recupera todas las noches y luego lo deja".

"Then anyone could visit it during the night?"
—¿Entonces cualquiera podría visitarlo durante la noche?

"Yes, sir."  —Sí, señor.

"Can you enter it from outside?"
"¿Puedes entrar desde afuera?"

"There is one door from outside. There is another which leads up by a
"Hay una puerta desde afuera. Hay otro que conduce por un

stair to the passage in which Lady Beatrice's room is situated."
escalera al pasillo en el que se encuentra la habitación de lady Beatrice.

"These are deep waters, Mr. Mason; deep and rather dirty. You say that
—Son aguas profundas, señor Mason; profundo y bastante sucio. Dices que

Sir Robert was not at home last night?"
¿Sir Robert no estuvo en casa anoche?

"No, sir."  —No, señor.

"Then, whoever was burning bones, it was not he."
"Entonces, quienquiera que estuviera quemando huesos, no era él".

"That's true. sir."  "Es verdad. Señor.

"What is the name of that inn you spoke of?"
—¿Cómo se llama esa posada de la que hablaste?

"The Green Dragon."  "El Dragón Verde".

"Is there good fishing in that part of Berkshire?" The honest trainer
—¿Hay buena pesca en esa parte de Berkshire? El entrenador honesto

showed very clearly upon his face that he was convinced that yet
mostraba muy claramente en su rostro que estaba convencido de que todavía

another lunatic had come into his harassed life.
Otro lunático había llegado a su vida acosada.

"Well, sir, I've heard there are trout in the mill-stream and pike in
—Bien, señor, he oído que hay truchas en el arroyo del molino y lucios en el arroyo del molino.

the Hall lake."
el lago Hall".

"That's good enough. Watson and I are famous fishermen--are we not,
"Eso es suficiente. Watson y yo somos pescadores famosos, ¿no es así?

Watson? You may address us in future at the Green Dragon. We should
¿Watson? Puede dirigirse a nosotros en el futuro en el Dragón Verde. Deberíamos

reach it to-night. I need not say that we don't want to see you, Mr.
llegar a ella esta noche. No necesito decir que no queremos verlo, Sr.

Mason, but a note will reach us, and no doubt I could find you if I
Mason, pero nos llegará una nota, y sin duda podría encontrarte si

want you. When we have gone a little farther into the matter I will let
te quiero. Cuando hayamos profundizado un poco más en el asunto, dejaré que

you have a considered opinion."
tienes una opinión meditada".

Thus it was that on a bright May evening Holmes and I found ourselves
Así fue como en una luminosa tarde de mayo Holmes y yo nos encontramos

alone in a first-class carriage and bound for the little
solo en un vagón de primera clase y con destino a la pequeña

"halt-on-demand" station of Shoscombe. The rack above us was covered
Estación de "parada a pedido" de Shoscombe. El estante sobre nosotros estaba cubierto

with a formidable litter of rods, reels, and baskets. On reaching our
con una formidable camada de cañas, carretes y cestas. Al llegar a nuestro

destination a short drive took us to an old-fashioned tavern, where a
Un corto trayecto en coche nos llevó a una taberna anticuada, donde un

sporting host, Josiah Barnes, entered eagerly into our plans for the
El presentador deportivo, Josiah Barnes, entró con entusiasmo en nuestros planes para el

extirpation of the fish of the neighbourhood.
extirpación de los peces de la vecindad.

"What about the Hall lake and the chance of a pike?" said Holmes.
—¿Y qué hay del lago Hall y de la posibilidad de una pica? —preguntó Holmes.

The face of the innkeeper clouded.
El rostro del posadero se nubló.

"That wouldn't do, sir. You might chance to find yourself in the lake
—Eso no serviría, señor. Es posible que te encuentres en el lago

before you were through."
antes de que hubieras terminado".

"How's that, then?"  —¿Cómo es eso, entonces?

"It's Sir Robert, sir. He's terrible jealous of touts. If you two
—Es Sir Robert, señor. Es terriblemente celoso de los revendedores. Si ustedes dos

strangers were as near his training quarters as that he'd be after you
Los extraños estaban tan cerca de sus cuarteles de entrenamiento como si él estuviera detrás de ti

as sure as fate. He ain't taking no chances, Sir Robert ain't."
tan seguro como el destino. Él no se arriesga, Sir Robert tampoco.

"I've heard he has a horse entered for the Derby."
– He oído que tiene un caballo inscrito para el Derby.

"Yes, and a good colt, too. He carries all our money for the race, and
—Sí, y un buen potro también. Él lleva todo nuestro dinero para la carrera, y

all Sir Robert's into the bargain. By the way"--he looked at us with
todo Sir Robert está en el trato. Por cierto", nos miró con

thoughtful eyes--"I suppose you ain't on the turf yourselves?"
Ojos pensativos: —¿Supongo que no estáis en el césped?

"No, indeed. Just two weary Londoners who badly need some good
—No, por supuesto. Solo dos londinenses cansados que necesitan desesperadamente algo bueno

Berkshire air."   Aire de Berkshire.

"Well, you are in the right place for that. There is a deal of it lying
"Bueno, estás en el lugar correcto para eso. Hay un trato de mentira

about. But mind what I have told you about Sir Robert. He's the sort
acerca de. Pero tenga en cuenta lo que le he dicho acerca de Sir Robert. Es el tipo de

that strikes first and speaks afterwards. Keep clear of the park."
que golpea primero y habla después. Manténgase alejado del parque".

"Surely, Mr. Barnes! We certainly shall. By the way, that was a most
—¡Seguramente, señor Barnes! Ciertamente lo haremos. Por cierto, eso fue lo más

beautiful spaniel that was whining in the hall."
hermoso spaniel que lloriqueaba en el pasillo".

"I should say it was. That was the real Shoscombe breed. There ain't a
"Debería decir que lo fue. Esa era la verdadera raza Shoscombe. No hay un

better in England."
mejor en Inglaterra".

"I am a dog-fancier myself," said Holmes. "Now, if it is a fair
—Yo también soy un aficionado a los perros —dijo Holmes—. "Ahora, si es una feria

question, what would a prize dog like that cost?"
Pregunta, ¿cuánto costaría un perro de premio como ese?"

"More than I could pay, sir. It was Sir Robert himself who gave me this
—Más de lo que podía pagar, señor. Fue el propio Sir Robert quien me lo dio

one. That's why I have to keep it on a lead. It would be off to the
Uno. Es por eso que tengo que mantenerlo en una correa. Sería el turno de la

Hall in a jiffy if I gave it its head."
Hall en un santiamén si le diera la cabeza.

"We are getting some cards in our hand, Watson," said Holmes when the
—Tenemos algunas cartas en la mano, Watson —dijo Holmes cuando el

landlord had left us. "It's not an easy one to play, but we may see our
El propietario nos había dejado. "No es fácil de jugar, pero es posible que veamos nuestro

way in a day or two. By the way, Sir Robert is still in London, I hear.
manera en uno o dos días. Por cierto, he oído que Sir Robert sigue en Londres.

We might, perhaps, enter the sacred domain to-night without fear of
Tal vez esta noche podamos entrar en el sagrado dominio sin temor a

bodily assault. There are one or two points on which I should like
agresión corporal. Hay uno o dos puntos sobre los que me gustaría

reassurance."   tranquilidad".

"Have you any theory, Holmes?"
—¿Tiene usted alguna teoría, Holmes?

"Only this, Watson, that something happened a week or so ago which has
—Sólo esto, Watson, que hace una semana o algo que ha ocurrido hace más o menos

cut deep into the life of the Shoscombe household. What is that
penetró profundamente en la vida de la familia Shoscombe. Qué es eso

something? We can only guess at it from its effects. They seem to be of
¿algo? Solo podemos adivinarlo por sus efectos. Parecen ser de

a curiously mixed character. But that should surely help us. It is only
Un personaje curiosamente mixto. Pero eso seguramente debería ayudarnos. Es sólo

the colourless, uneventful case which is hopeless.
el caso incoloro, sin incidentes, que no tiene remedio.

"Let us consider our data. The brother no longer visits the beloved
"Consideremos nuestros datos. El hermano ya no visita a la amada

invalid sister. He gives away her favourite dog. Her dog, Watson! Does
hermana inválida. Regala a su perro favorito. ¡Su perro, Watson! Hace

that suggest nothing to you?"
que no te sugieran nada?"

"Nothing but the brother's spite."
"Nada más que el rencor del hermano".

"Well, it might be so. Or--well, there is an alternative. Now to
"Bueno, podría ser así. O, bueno, hay una alternativa. Ahora a

continue our review of the situation from the time that the quarrel, if
continuar nuestra revisión de la situación desde el momento en que la pelea, si

there is a quarrel, began. The lady keeps her room, alters her habits,
Hay una pelea, comenzó. La señora conserva su habitación, cambia sus hábitos,

is not seen save when she drives out with her maid, refuses to stop at
no se le ve más que cuando sale con su sirvienta, se niega a detenerse en

the stables to greet her favourite horse and apparently takes to drink.
los establos para saludar a su caballo favorito y, al parecer, se pone a beber.

That covers the case, does it not?"
Eso cubre el caso, ¿no es así?

"Save for the business in the crypt."
"Salvo por el negocio en la cripta".

"That is another line of thought. There are two, and I beg you will not
"Esa es otra línea de pensamiento. Hay dos, y te ruego que no lo hagas

tangle them. Line A, which concerns Lady Beatrice, has a vaguely
enredarlos. La línea A, que concierne a Lady Beatrice, tiene una vaga

sinister flavour, has it not?"
Sabor siniestro, ¿no es así?

"I can make nothing of it."
"No puedo hacer nada al respecto".

"Well, now, let us take up line B, which concerns Sir Robert. He is mad
—Bien, ahora pasemos a la línea B, que concierne a Sir Robert. Está loco

keen upon winning the Derby. He is in the hands of the Jews, and may at
con ganas de ganar el Derby. Está en manos de los judíos, y puede estar en manos de los judíos.

any moment be sold up and his racing stables seized by his creditors.
en cualquier momento sería vendido y sus establos de carreras confiscados por sus acreedores.

He is a daring and desperate man. He derives his income from his
Es un hombre audaz y desesperado. Obtiene sus ingresos de su

sister. His sister's maid is his willing tool. So far we seem to be on
hermana. La sirvienta de su hermana es su herramienta dispuesta. Hasta ahora parece que estamos en

fairly safe ground, do we not?"
Terreno bastante seguro, ¿no es así?

"But the crypt?"  —¿Y la cripta?

"Ah, yes, the crypt! Let us suppose, Watson--it is merely a
—¡Ah, sí, la cripta! Supongamos, Watson, que no es más que una

scandalous supposition, a hypothesis put forward for argument's sake--
suposición escandalosa, una hipótesis planteada por el bien de la discusión...

that Sir Robert has done away with his sister."
que Sir Robert se ha deshecho de su hermana.

"My dear Holmes, it is out of the question."
—Mi querido Holmes, está fuera de discusión.

"Very possibly, Watson. Sir Robert is a man of an honourable stock. But
—Muy posiblemente, Watson. Sir Robert es un hombre de estirpe honorable. Pero

you do occasionally find a carrion crow among the eagles. Let us for a
De vez en cuando se encuentra un cuervo carroñero entre las águilas. Permítanos por un momento

moment argue upon this supposition. He could not fly the country until
momento de argumentar sobre esta suposición. No pudo volar el país hasta que

he had realized his fortune, and that fortune could only be realized by
Se había dado cuenta de su fortuna, y esa fortuna sólo podía ser realizada por

bringing off this coup with Shoscombe Prince. Therefore, he has still
dando este golpe con Shoscombe Prince. Por lo tanto, todavía tiene

to stand his ground. To do this he would have to dispose of the body of
para mantenerse firme. Para ello, tendría que deshacerse del cuerpo de

his victim, and he would also have to find a substitute who would
su víctima, y también tendría que encontrar un sustituto que le permitiera

impersonate her. With the maid as his confidante that would not be
hacerse pasar por ella. Con la criada como confidente, eso no sería

impossible. The woman's body might be conveyed to the crypt, which is a
imposible. El cuerpo de la mujer puede ser transportado a la cripta, que es una

place so seldom visited, and it might be secretly destroyed at night in
lugar tan raramente visitado, y podría ser destruido secretamente por la noche en

the furnace, leaving behind it such evidence as we have already seen.
el horno, dejando tras de sí evidencias como las que ya hemos visto.

What say you to that, Watson?"
¿Qué dice usted a eso, Watson?

"Well, it is all possible if you grant the original monstrous
"Bueno, todo es posible si concedes el monstruo original

supposition."   suposición".

"I think that there is a small experiment which we may try to-morrow,
"Creo que hay un pequeño experimento que podemos intentar mañana,

Watson, in order to throw some light on the matter. Meanwhile, if we
Watson, con el fin de arrojar algo de luz sobre el asunto. Mientras tanto, si

mean to keep up our characters, I suggest that we have our host in for
Con la intención de mantener nuestros personajes, sugiero que tengamos a nuestro anfitrión en

a glass of his own wine and hold some high converse upon eels and dace,
un vaso de su propio vino y mantener una gran conversación sobre anguilas y dace,

which seems to be the straight road to his affections. We may chance to
que parece ser el camino recto hacia sus afectos. Es posible que tengamos la oportunidad de

come upon some useful local gossip in the process."
Encuéntrate con algún chisme local útil en el proceso".

In the morning Holmes discovered that we had come without our
Por la mañana, Holmes descubrió que habíamos venido sin nuestro

spoon-bait for jack, which absolved us from fishing for the day. About
cebo de cuchara para Jack, que nos absolvió de pescar durante el día. Acerca de

eleven o'clock we started for a walk, and he obtained leave to take the
A las once salimos a dar un paseo, y él obtuvo permiso para tomar el

black spaniel with us.
Black Spaniel con nosotros.

"This is the place," said he as we came to two high park gates with
—Este es el lugar —dijo cuando llegamos a dos altas puertas del parque con

heraldic griffins towering above them. "About midday, Mr Barnes informs
grifos heráldicos que se elevan por encima de ellos. "Alrededor del mediodía, el señor Barnes informa

me, the old lady takes a drive, and the carriage must slow down while
yo, la anciana da un paseo, y el carruaje debe reducir la velocidad mientras

the gates are opened. When it comes through, and before it gathers
Las puertas se abren. Cuando se manifiesta, y antes de que se reúna

speed, I want you, Watson, to stop the coachman with some question.
Quiero que usted, Watson, detenga al cochero con alguna pregunta.

Never mind me. I shall stand behind this holly-bush and see what I can
No te preocupes por mí. Me pondré detrás de este acebo y veré lo que pueda

see."   mira".

It was not a long vigil. Within a quarter of an hour we saw the big
No fue una vigilia larga. Al cabo de un cuarto de hora vimos el gran

open yellow barouche coming down the long avenue, with two splendid,
baruché amarillo abierto que baja por la larga avenida, con dos espléndidas,

high-stepping gray carriage horses in the shafts. Holmes crouched
Caballos de carruaje grises de paso alto en los ejes. Holmes se agachó

behind his bush with the dog. I stood unconcemedly swinging a cane in
detrás de su arbusto con el perro. Me quedé de pie, sin pensar, blandiendo un bastón

the roadway. A keeper ran out and the gates swung open.
la calzada. Un portero salió corriendo y las puertas se abrieron.

The carriage had slowed to a walk, and I was able to get a good look at
El carruaje había aminorado la marcha y pude verlo bien

the occupants. A highly coloured young woman with flaxen hair and
los ocupantes. Una joven muy coloreada con cabello rubio y

impudent eyes sat on the left. At her right was an elderly person with
Ojos impúdicos se posaron a la izquierda. A su derecha había una persona mayor con

rounded back and a huddle of shawls about her face and shoulders which
espalda redondeada y un montón de chales alrededor de la cara y los hombros que

proclaimed the invalid. When the horses reached the highroad I held up
proclamó al inválido. Cuando los caballos llegaron a la carretera, me detuve

my hand with an authoritative gesture, and as the coachman pulled up I
mi mano con un gesto autoritario, y cuando el cochero se detuvo,

inquired if Sir Robert was at Shoscombe Old Place.
preguntó si Sir Robert estaba en Shoscombe Old Place.

At the same moment Holmes stepped out and released the spaniel. With a
En el mismo momento, Holmes salió y soltó al spaniel. Con un

joyous cry it dashed forward to the carriage and sprang upon the step.
Con un grito de júbilo, se precipitó hacia el carruaje y saltó sobre el escalón.

Then in a moment its eager greeting changed to furious rage, and it
Entonces, en un momento, su saludo ansioso se transformó en furiosa rabia, y

snapped at the black skirt above it.
espetó la falda negra que tenía encima.

"Drive on! Drive on!" shrieked a harsh voice. The coachman lashed the
"¡Sigue conduciendo! ¡Adelante!", gritó una voz áspera. El cochero azotó el

horses, and we were left standing in the roadway.
caballos, y nos quedamos parados en la calzada.

"Well, Watson, that's done it," said Holmes as he fastened the lead to
—Bueno, Watson, eso es todo —dijo Holmes mientras sujetaba la correa a la correa—

the neck of the excited spaniel. "He thought it was his mistress, and
el cuello del excitado spaniel. "Pensó que era su amante, y

he found it was a stranger. Dogs don't make mistakes."
Descubrió que era un extraño. Los perros no cometen errores".

"But it was the voice of a man!" I cried.
—¡Pero era la voz de un hombre! Lloré.

"Exactly! We have added one card to our hand, Watson, but it needs
"¡Exactamente! Hemos añadido una carta a nuestra mano, Watson, pero necesita

careful playing, all the same."
Jugar con cuidado, de todos modos".

My companion seemed to have no further plans for the day, and we did
Mi compañero parecía no tener más planes para el día, y nosotros sí

actually use our fishing tackle in the mill-stream with the result that
utilizar nuestros aparejos de pesca en la corriente del molino, con el resultado de que

we had a dish of trout for our supper. It was only after that meal that
Cenamos un plato de trucha. Fue solo después de esa comida que

Holmes showed signs of renewed activity. Once more we found ourselves
Holmes mostró signos de renovada actividad. Una vez más nos encontramos a nosotros mismos

upon the same road as in the morning, which led us to the park gates. A
por el mismo camino que por la mañana, que nos condujo a las puertas del parque. Un

tall, dark figure was awaiting us there, who proved to be our London
Allí nos esperaba una figura alta y morena, que resultó ser nuestro Londres

acquaintance, Mr. John Mason, the trainer.
conocido, el Sr. John Mason, el entrenador.

"Good-evening, gentlemen," said he. "I got your note, Mr. Holmes. Sir
-Buenas noches, caballeros -dijo-. —Recibí su nota, señor Holmes. Señor

Robert has not returned yet, but I hear that he is expected to-night."
Robert aún no ha regresado, pero he oído que se le espera esta noche.

"How far is this crypt from the house?" asked Holmes.
—¿A qué distancia está esta cripta de la casa? —preguntó Holmes.

"A good quarter of a mile."
—Un buen cuarto de milla.

"Then I think we can disregard him altogether."
"Entonces creo que podemos ignorarlo por completo".

"I can't afford to do that, Mr. Holmes. The moment he arrives he will
—No puedo permitirme hacer eso, señor Holmes. En el momento en que llegue, lo hará

want to see me to get the last news of Shoscombe Prince."
¿Quieres verme para tener las últimas noticias de Shoscombe Prince?

"I see! In that case we must work without you, Mr. Mason. You can show
"¡Ya veo! En ese caso, debemos trabajar sin usted, Sr. Mason. Puedes mostrar

us the crypt and then leave us."
nos la cripta y luego dejarnos".

It was pitch-dark and without a moon, but Mason led us over the
Estaba completamente oscuro y sin luna, pero Mason nos guió por el

grass-lands until a dark mass loomed up in front of us which proved to
praderas hasta que una masa oscura se alzó frente a nosotros y resultó ser

be the ancient chapel. We entered the broken gap which was once the
ser la antigua capilla. Entramos en la brecha rota que una vez fue el

porch, and our guide, stumbling among heaps of loose masonry, picked
porche, y nuestro guía, tropezando entre montones de mampostería suelta, escogió

his way to the corner of the building, where a steep stair led down
se dirigió a la esquina del edificio, donde bajaba una empinada escalera

into the crypt. Striking a match, he illuminated the melancholy place
en la cripta. Encendió una cerilla e iluminó el melancólico lugar

--dismal and evil-smelling, with ancient crumbling walls of rough-hewn
--lúgubre y maloliente, con viejas paredes desmoronadas de madera toscamente labrada.

stone, and piles of coffins, some of lead and some of stone, extending
y montones de ataúdes, algunos de plomo y otros de piedra, que se extendían

upon one side right up to the arched and groined roof which lost itself
por un lado, hasta el techo arqueado y de arista que se perdió

in the shadows above our heads. Holmes had lit his lantern, which shot
en las sombras sobre nuestras cabezas. Holmes había encendido su linterna, que disparó

a tiny tunnel of vivid yellow light upon the mournful scene. Its rays
un minúsculo túnel de vívida luz amarilla sobre la lúgubre escena. Sus rayos

were reflected back from the coffin-plates, many of them adorned with
se reflejaban en las placas de los ataúdes, muchas de ellas adornadas con

the griffin and coronet of this old family which carried its honours
el grifo y la corona de esta antigua familia que llevaba sus honores

even to the gate of Death.
hasta la puerta de la Muerte.

"You spoke of some bones, Mr. Mason. Could you show them before you
—Ha hablado usted de unos huesos, señor Mason. ¿Podrías mostrárselas ante ti?

go?"   ¿Ir?

"They are here in this corner." The trainer strode across and then
"Están aquí, en este rincón". El entrenador cruzó a grandes zancadas y luego

stood in silent surprise as our light was turned upon the place. "They
nos quedamos en silencio sorprendidos cuando nuestra luz se encendió en el lugar. "Ellos

are gone," said he.
se han ido -dijo-.

"So I expected," said Holmes, chuckling. "I fancy the ashes of them
—Eso esperaba —dijo Holmes, riéndose—. "Me imagino las cenizas de ellos

might even now be found in that oven which had already consumed a
incluso ahora se podía encontrar en ese horno que ya había consumido un

part."   parte".

"But why in the world would anyone want to burn the bones of a man who
"Pero, ¿por qué alguien querría quemar los huesos de un hombre que

has been dead a thousand years?" asked John Mason.
¿Ha muerto mil años?", preguntó John Mason.

"That is what we are here to find out," said Holmes. "It may mean a
—Eso es lo que venimos a averiguar —dijo Holmes—. "Puede significar un

long search, and we need not detain you. I fancy that we shall get our
larga búsqueda, y no necesitamos detenerlo. Me imagino que obtendremos nuestro

solution before morning."
solución antes de que amanezca".

When John Mason had left us, Holmes set to work making a very careful
Cuando John Mason nos hubo dejado, Holmes se puso manos a la obra haciendo una

examination of the graves, ranging from a very ancient one, which
examen de las tumbas, que van desde una muy antigua, que

appeared to be Saxon, in the centre, through a long line of Norman
parecía ser sajón, en el centro, a través de una larga línea de normandos

Hugos and Odos, until we reached the Sir William and Sir Denis Falder
Hugos y Odos, hasta llegar a Sir William y Sir Denis Falder

of the eighteenth century. It was an hour or more before Holmes came to
del siglo XVIII. Pasó una hora o más antes de que Holmes volviera en sí

a leaden coffin standing on end before the entrance to the vault. I ...

heard his little cry of satisfaction and was aware from his hurried but
oyó su pequeño grito de satisfacción, y se dio cuenta por su apresurada pero

purposeful movements that he had reached a goal. With his lens he was
movimientos intencionados de que había alcanzado una meta. Con su lente fue

eagerly examining the edges of the heavy lid. Then he drew from his
examinando ansiosamente los bordes de la pesada tapa. Luego sacó de su

pocket a short jemmy, a box-opener, which he thrust into a chink,
Metió en el bolsillo un Jemmy corto, un abridor de cajas, que metió en una grieta,

levering back the whole front, which seemed to be secured by only a
haciendo palanca hacia atrás todo el frente, que parecía estar asegurado por sólo un

couple of clamps. There was a rending, tearing sound as it gave way,
par de abrazaderas. Hubo un sonido desgarrador, desgarrador, cuando cedió,

but it had hardly hinged back and partly revealed the contents before
pero apenas se había echado hacia atrás y revelaba en parte el contenido antes

we had an unforeseen interruption.
Tuvimos una interrupción imprevista.

Someone was walking in the chapel above. It was the firm, rapid step of
Alguien caminaba por la capilla de arriba. Fue el paso firme y rápido de

one who came with a definite purpose and knew well the ground upon
uno que vino con un propósito definido y conocía bien el terreno sobre el que se

which he walked. A light streamed down the stairs, and an instant later
que caminó. Una luz bajó por las escaleras, y un instante después

the man who bore it was framed in the Gothic archway. He was a terrible
el hombre que lo portaba estaba enmarcado en el arco gótico. Era un terrible

figure, huge in stature and fierce in manner. A large stable-lantern
Figura, enorme en estatura y feroz en modales. Una gran linterna de establo

which he held in front of him shone upward upon a strong, heavily
que sostenía frente a él brillaba hacia arriba sobre un fuerte y pesado

moustached face and angry eyes, which glared round him into every
bigotudo y ojos furiosos, que miraban a su alrededor a todos los

recess of the vault, finally fixing themselves with a deadly stare upon
recovecos de la bóveda, fijándose finalmente con una mirada mortal en

my companion and myself.
mi compañero y yo.

"Who the devil are you?" he thundered. "And what are you doing upon my
"¿Quién diablos eres?", tronó. —¿Y qué haces con mi

property?" Then, as Holmes returned no answer he took a couple of steps
propiedad?" Luego, como Holmes no contestó, dio un par de pasos

forward and raised a heavy stick which he carried. "Do you hear me?" he
y levantó un pesado bastón que llevaba. "¿Me oyes?", dijo

cried. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" His cudgel quivered in
Exclamó. "¿Quién eres? ¿Qué haces aquí? Su garrote se estremeció

the air.   el aire.

But instead of shrinking Holmes advanced to meet him.
Pero en lugar de encogerse, Holmes avanzó a su encuentro.

"I also have a question to ask you, Sir Robert," he said in his
—Yo también tengo una pregunta que hacerle, Sir Robert —dijo en su discurso—

sternest tone. "Who is this? And what is it doing here?"
tono más severo. "¿Quién es este? ¿Y qué hace aquí?

He turned and tore open the coffin-lid behind him. In the glare of the
Se dio la vuelta y abrió la tapa del ataúd tras de sí. En el resplandor de la

lantern I saw a body swathed in a sheet from head to foot with
linterna vi un cuerpo envuelto en una sábana de la cabeza a los pies con

dreadful, witch-like features, all nose and chin, projecting at one
rasgos espantosos, parecidos a los de una bruja, todos nariz y barbilla, que se proyectan hacia uno

end, the dim, glazed eyes staring from a discoloured and crumbling
los ojos apagados y vidriosos que miran desde un lugar descolorido y desmoronado

face.   cara.

The baronet had staggered back with a cry and supported himself against
El baronet se había tambaleado hacia atrás con un grito y se apoyó en

a stone sarcophagus.
un sarcófago de piedra.

"How came you to know of this?" he cried. And then, with some return of
"¿Cómo te enteraste de esto?", exclamó. Y luego, con algún retorno de

his truculent manner: "What business is it of yours?"
su manera truculenta: "¿Qué asunto es tuyo?"

"My name is Sherlock Holmes," said my companion. "Possibly it is
—Me llamo Sherlock Holmes —dijo mi compañero—. "Posiblemente lo sea

familiar to you. In any case, my business is that of every other good
familiar para usted. En cualquier caso, mi negocio es el de cualquier otro bien

citizen--to uphold the law. It seems to me that you have much to
ciudadano, para defender la ley. Me parece que tienes mucho que hacer

answer for."   responder por".

Sir Robert glared for a moment, but Holmes's quiet voice and cool,
Sir Robert lo miró un momento, pero la voz tranquila de Holmes y su

assured manner had their effect.
de manera segura surtió efecto.

"'Fore God, Mr. Holmes, it's all right," said he. "Appearances are
—Por Dios, señor Holmes, todo está bien —dijo—. "Las apariencias son

against me, I'll admit, but I could act no otherwise."
contra mí, lo admito, pero no podría actuar de otra manera.

"I should be happy to think so, but I fear your explanations must be
—Me alegraría pensar que sí, pero me temo que sus explicaciones deben serlo

before the police."
ante la policía".

Sir Robert shrugged his broad shoulders.
Sir Robert se encogió de hombros.

"Well, if it must be, it must. Come up to the house and you can judge
"Bueno, si tiene que serlo, tiene que serlo. Acércate a la casa y podrás juzgar

for yourself how the matter stands."
por ti mismo, cómo está el asunto".

A quarter of an hour later we found ourselves in what I judge, from the
Un cuarto de hora más tarde nos encontrábamos en lo que juzgo, desde el punto de vista de la

lines of polished barrels behind glass covers, to be the gun-room of
líneas de cañones pulidos detrás de las tapas de vidrio, para ser la sala de armas de

the old house. It was comfortably furnished, and here Sir Robert left
la vieja casa. Estaba cómodamente amueblada, y allí se marchó Sir Robert

us for a few moments. When he returned he had two companions with him;
por unos momentos. Cuando regresó, tenía dos compañeros con él;

the one, the florid young woman whom we had seen in the carriage; the
la una, la joven florida que habíamos visto en el carruaje; el

other, a small rat-faced man with a disagreeably furtive manner. These
otro, un hombrecillo con cara de rata y modales desagradablemente furtivos. Estos

two wore an appearance of utter bewilderment, which showed that the
dos de ellos presentaban una apariencia de total desconcierto, lo que demostraba que el

baronet had not yet had time to explain to them the turn events had
Baronet aún no había tenido tiempo de explicarles el giro de los acontecimientos

taken.   Tomado.

"There," said Sir Robert with a wave of his hand, "are Mr. and Mrs.
—Ahí están —dijo Sir Robert con un gesto de la mano— el señor y la señora

Norlett. Mrs. Norlett, under her maiden name of Evans, has for some
Norlett. La señora Norlett, bajo su apellido de soltera Evans, ha

years been my sister's confidential maid. I have brought them here
años ha sido la sirvienta confidencial de mi hermana. Los he traído aquí

because I feel that my best course is to explain the true position to
porque siento que mi mejor camino es explicar la verdadera posición a

you, and they are the two people upon earth who can substantiate what I
y son las dos personas sobre la tierra que pueden corroborar lo que yo

say."   decir".

"Is this necessary, Sir Robert? Have you thought what you are doing?"
—¿Es necesario, Sir Robert? ¿Has pensado lo que estás haciendo?"

cried the woman.
—exclamó la mujer—.

"As to me, I entirely disclaim all responsibility," said her husband.
"En cuanto a mí, renuncio por completo a toda responsabilidad", dijo su esposo.

Sir Robert gave him a glance of contempt. "I will take all
Sir Robert le dirigió una mirada de desprecio. "Me llevaré todo

responsibility," said he. "Now, Mr. Holmes, listen to a plain statement
responsabilidad", dijo. —Ahora, señor Holmes, escuche una declaración clara

of the facts.
de los hechos.

"You have clearly gone pretty deeply into my affairs or I should not
Está claro que te has metido bastante en mis asuntos, de lo contrario no debería hacerlo

have found you where I did. Therefore, you know already, in all ...

probability, that I am running a dark horse for the Derby and that ...

everything depends upon my success. If I win, all is easy. If I lose-- ...

well, I dare not think of that!" ...

"I understand the position," said Holmes. ...

"I am dependent upon my sister, Lady Beatrice, for everything. But it ...

is well known that her interest in the estate is for her own life only. ...

For myself, I am deeply in the hands of the Jews. I have always known ...

that if my sister were to die my creditors would be on to my estate ...

like a flock of vultures. Everything would be seized--my stables, my ...

horses--everything. Well, Mr. Holmes, my sister did die just a week ...

ago." ...

"And you told no one!" ...

"What could I do? Absolute ruin faced me. If I could stave things off ...

for three weeks all would be well. Her maid's husband--this man here ...

--is an actor. It came into our heads--it came into my head--that ...

he could for that short period personate my sister. It was but a case ...

of appearing daily in the carriage, for no one need enter her room save ...

the maid. It was not difficult to arrange. My sister died of the dropsy ...

which had long afflicted her." ...

"That will be for a coroner to decide." ...

"Her doctor would certify that for months her symptoms have threatened ...

such an end." ...

"Well, what did you do?" ...

"The body could not remain there. On the first night Norlett and I ...

carried it out to the old well-house, which is now never used. We were ...

followed, however, by her pet spaniel, which yapped continually at the ...

door, so I felt some safer place was needed. I got rid of the spaniel, ...

and we carried the body to the crypt of the church. There was no ...

indignity or irreverence, Mr. Holmes. I do not feel that I have wronged ...

the dead." ...

"Your conduct seems to me inexcusable, Sir Robert." ...

The baronet shook his head impatiently. "It is easy to preach," said ...

he. "Perhaps you would have felt differently if you had been in my ...

position. One cannot see all one's hopes and all one's plans shattered ...

at the last moment and make no effort to save them. It seemed to me ...

that it would be no unworthy resting-place if we put her for the time ...

in one of the coffins of her husband's ancestors lying in what is still ...

consecrated ground. We opened such a coffin, removed the contents, and ...

placed her as you have seen her. As to the old relics which we took ...

out, we could not leave them on the floor of the crypt. Norlett and I ...

removed them, and he descended at night and burned them in the central ...

furnace. There is my story, Mr. Holmes, though how you forced my hand ...

so that I have to tell it is more than I can say." ...

Holmes sat for some time lost in thought. ...

"There is one flaw in your narrative, Sir Robert," he said at last. ...

"Your bets on the race, and therefore your hopes for the future, would ...

hold good even if your creditors seized your estate." ...

"The horse would be part of the estate. What do they care for my bets? ...

As likely as not they would not run him at all. My chief creditor is, ...

unhappily, my most bitter enemy--a rascally fellow, Sam Brewer, whom ...

I was once compelled to horsewhip on Newmarket Heath. Do you suppose ...

that he would try to save me?" ...

"Well, Sir Robert," said Holmes, rising, "this matter must, of course, ...

be referred to the police. It was my duty to bring the facts to light, ...

and there I must leave it. As to the morality or decency of your ...

conduct, it is not for me to express an opinion. It is nearly midnight, ...

Watson, and I think we may make our way back to our humble abode." ...

It is generally known now that this singular episode ended upon a ...

happier note than Sir Robert's actions deserved. Shoscombe Prince did ...

win the Derby, the sporting owner did net eighty thousand pounds in ...

bets, and the creditors did hold their hand until the race was over, ...

when they were paid in full, and enough was left to reestablish Sir ...

Robert in a fair position in life. Both police and coroner took a ...

lenient view of the transaction, and beyond a mild censure for the ...

delay in registering the lady's decease, the lucky owner got away ...

scatheless from this strange incident in a career which has now ...

outlived its shadows and promises to end in an honoured old age. ...

THE ADVENTURE OF THE RETIRED COLOURMAN ...

Sherlock Holmes was in a melancholy and philosophic mood that morning. ...

His alert practical nature was subject to such reactions. ...

"Did you see him?" he asked. ...

"You mean the old fellow who has just gone out?" ...

"Precisely." ...

"Yes, I met him at the door." ...

"What did you think of him?" ...

"A pathetic, futile, broken creature." ...

"Exactly, Watson. Pathetic and futile. But is not all life pathetic and ...

futile? Is not his story a microcosm of the whole? We reach. We grasp. ...

And what is left in our hands at the end? A shadow. Or worse than a ...

shadow--misery." ...

"Is he one of your clients?" ...

"Well, I suppose I may call him so. He has been sent on by the Yard. ...

Just as medical men occasionally send their incurables to a quack. They ...

argue that they can do nothing more, and that whatever happens the ...

patient can be no worse than he is." ...

"What is the matter?" ...

Holmes took a rather soiled card from the table. "Josiah Amberley. He ...

says he was junior partner of Brickfall and Amberley, who are ...

manufacturers of artistic materials. You will see their names upon ...

paint-boxes. He made his little pile, retired from business at the age ...

of sixty-one, bought a house at Lewisham. and settled down to rest ...

after a life of ceaseless grind. One would think his future was ...

tolerably assured." ...

"Yes, indeed." ...

Holmes glanced over some notes which he had scribbled upon the back of ...

an envelope. ...

"Retired in 1896, Watson. Early in 1897 he married a woman twenty years ...

younger than himself--a good-looking woman, too. if the photograph ...

does not flatter. A competence, a wife, leisure--it seemed a straight ...

road which lay before him. And yet within two years he is, as you have ...

seen, as broken and miserable a creature as crawls beneath the sun." ...

"But what has happened?" ...

"The old story, Watson. A treacherous friend and a fickle wife. It ...

would appear that Amberley has one hobby in life, and it is chess. Not ...

far from him at Lewisham there lives a young doctor who is also a ...

chess-player. I have noted his name as Dr. Ray Ernest. Ernest was ...

frequently in the house, and an intimacy between him and Mrs. Amberley ...

was a natural sequence, for you must admit that our unfortunate client ...

has few outward graces, whatever his inner virtues may be. The couple ...

went off together last week--destination untraced. What is more, the ...

faithless spouse carried off the old man's deed-box as her personal ...

luggage with a good part of his life's savings within. Can we find the ...

lady? Can we save the money? A commonplace problem so far as it has ...

developed, and yet a vital one for Josiah Amberley." ...

"What will you do about it?" ...

"Well, the immediate question, my dear Watson, happens to be, What will ...

you do?--if you will be good enough to understudy me. You know that I ...

am preoccupied with this case of the two Coptic Patriarchs, which ...

should come to a head to-day. I really have not time to go out to ...

Lewisham, and yet evidence taken on the spot has a special value. The ...

old fellow was quite insistent that I should go, but I explained my ...

difficulty. He is prepared to meet a representative." ...

"By all means," I answered. "I confess I don't see that I can be of ...

much service, but I am willing to do my best." And so it was that on a ...

summer afternoon I set forth to Lewisham, little dreaming that within a ...

week the affair in which I was engaging would be the eager debate of ...

all England. ...

It was late that evening before I returned to Baker Street and gave an ...

account of my mission. Holmes lay with his gaunt figure stretched in ...

his deep chair, his pipe curling forth slow wreaths of acrid tobacco, ...

while his eyelids drooped over his eyes so lazily that he might almost ...

have been asleep were it not that at any halt or questionable passage ...

of my narrative they half lifted, and two gray eyes, as bright and keen ...

as rapiers, transfixed me with their searching glance. ...

"The Haven is the name of Mr. Josiah Amberley's house," I explained. "I ...

think it would interest you, Holmes. It is like some penurious ...

patrician who has sunk into the company of his inferiors. You know that ...

particular quarter, the monotonous brick streets, the weary suburban ...

highways. Right in the middle of them, a little island of ancient ...

culture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded by a high sun-baked ...

wall mottled with lichens and topped with moss, the sort of wall--" ...

"Cut out the poetry, Watson," said Holmes severely. "I note that it was ...

a high brick wall." ...

"Exactly. I should not have known which was The Haven had I not asked a ...

lounger who was smoking in the street. I have a reason for mentioning ...

him. He was a tall, dark, heavily moustached, rather military-looking ...

man. He nodded in answer to my inquiry and gave me a curiously ...

questioning glance, which came back to my memory a little later. ...

"I had hardly entered the gateway before I saw Mr. Amberley coming down ...

the drive. I only had a glimpse of him this morning, and he certainly ...

gave me the impression of a strange creature, but when I saw him in ...

full light his appearance was even more abnormal." ...

"I have, of course, studied it, and yet I should be interested to have ...

your impression," said Holmes. ...

"He seemed to me like a man who was literally bowed down by care. His ...

back was curved as though he carried a heavy burden. Yet he was not the ...

weakling that I had at first imagined, for his shoulders and chest have ...

the framework of a giant, though his figure tapers away into a pair of ...

spindled legs." ...

"Left shoe wrinkled, right one smooth." ...

"I did not observe that." ...

"No, you wouldn't. I spotted his artificial limb. But proceed." ...

"I was struck by the snaky locks of grizzled hair which curled from ...

under his old straw hat, and his face with its fierce, eager expression ...

and the deeply lined features." ...

"Very good, Watson. What did he say?" ...

"He began pouring out the story of his grievances. We walked down the ...

drive together, and of course I took a good look round. I have never ...

seen a worse-kept place. The garden was all running to seed, giving me ...

an impression of wild neglect in which the plants had been allowed to ...

find the way of Nature rather than of art. How any decent woman could ...

have tolerated such a state of things, I don't know. The house, too, ...

was slatternly to the last degree, but the poor man seemed himself to ...

be aware of it and to be trying to remedy it, for a great pot of green ...

paint stood in the centre of the hall, and he was carrying a thick ...

brush in his left hand. He had been working on the woodwork. ...

"He took me into his dingy sanctum, and we had a long chat. Of course, ...

he was disappointed that you had not come yourself. 'I hardly ...

expected,' he said, 'that so humble an individual as myself, especially ...

after my heavy financial loss, could obtain the complete attention of ...

so famous a man as Mr. Sherlock Holmes.' ...

"I assured him that the financial question did not arise. 'No of ...

course, it is art for art's sake with him,' said he, 'but even on the ...

artistic side of crime he might have found something here to study. And ...

human nature, Dr. Watson--the black ingratitude of it all! When did I ...

ever refuse one of her requests? Was ever a woman so pampered? And that ...

young man--he might have been my own son. He had the run of my house. ...

And yet see how they have treated me! Oh, Dr. Watson, it is a dreadful, ...

dreadful world!' ...

"That was the burden of his song for an hour or more. He had, it seems, ...

no suspicion of an intrigue. They lived alone save for a woman who ...

comes in by the day and leaves every evening at six. On that particular ...

evening old Amberley, wishing to give his wife a treat, had taken two ...

upper circle seats at the Haymarket Theatre. At the last moment she had ...

complained of a headache and had refused to go. He had gone alone. ...

There seemed to be no doubt about the fact, for he produced the unused ...

ticket which he had taken for his wife." ...

"That is remarkable--most remarkable," said Holmes, whose interest in ...

the case seemed to be rising. "Pray continue, Watson. I find your ...

narrative most arresting. Did you personally examine this ticket? You ...

did not, perchance, take the number?" ...

"It so happens that I did," I answered with some pride. "It chanced to ...

be my old school number, thirty-one, and so is stuck in my head." ...

"Excellent, Watson! His seat, then, was either thirty or thirty-two." ...

"Quite so," I answered with some mystification. "And on B row." ...

"That is most satisfactory. What else did he tell you?" ...

"He showed me his strong-room, as he called it. It really is a ...

strong-room--like a bank--with iron door and shutter-- ...

burglarproof, as he claimed. However, the woman seems to have had a ...

duplicate key, and between them they had carried off some seven ...

thousand pounds' worth of cash and securities." ...

"Securities! How could they dispose of those?" ...

"He said that he had given the police a list and that he hoped they ...

would be unsaleable. He had got back from the theatre about midnight ...

and found the place plundered, the door and window open, and the ...

fugitives gone. There was no letter or message, nor has he heard a word ...

since. He at once gave the alarm to the police." ...

Holmes brooded for some minutes. ...

"You say he was painting. What was he painting?" ...

"Well, he was painting the passage. But he had already painted the door ...

and woodwork of this room I spoke of." ...

"Does it not strike you as a strange occupation in the circumstances?" ...

"'One must do something to ease an aching heart.' That was his own ...

explanation. It was eccentric, no doubt, but he is clearly an eccentric ...

man. He tore up one of his wife's photographs in my presence--tore it ...

up furiously in a tempest of passion. 'I never wish to see her damned ...

face again,' he shrieked." ...

"Anything more, Watson?" ...

"Yes, one thing which struck me more than anything else. I had driven ...

to the Blackheath Station and had caught my train there when, just as ...

it was starting, I saw a man dart into the carriage next to my own. You ...

know that I have a quick eye for faces, Holmes. It was undoubtedly the ...

tall, dark man whom I had addressed in the street. I saw him once more ...

at London Bridge, and then I lost him in the crowd. But I am convinced ...

that he was following me." ...

"No doubt! No doubt!" said Holmes. "A tall, dark, heavily moustached ...

man, you say, with gray-tinted sun-glasses?" ...

"Holmes, you are a wizard. I did not say so, but he had gray-tinted ...

sun-glasses." ...

"And a Masonic tie-pin?" ...

"Holmes!" ...

"Quite simple, my dear Watson. But let us get down to what is ...

practical. I must admit to you that the case, which seemed to me to be ...

so absurdly simple as to be hardly worth my notice, is rapidly assuming ...

a very different aspect. It is true that though in your mission you ...

have missed everything of importance, yet even those things which have ...

obtruded themselves upon your notice give rise to serious thought." ...

"What have I missed?" ...

"Don't be hurt, my dear fellow. You know that I am quite impersonal. No ...

one else would have done better. Some possibly not so well. But clearly ...

you have missed some vital points. What is the opinion of the ...

neighbours about this man Amberley and his wife? That surely is of ...

importance. What of Dr. Ernest? Was he the gay Lothario one would ...

expect? With your natural advantages, Watson, every lady is your helper ...

and accomplice. What about the girl at the post-office, or the wife of ...

the greengrocer? I can picture you whispering soft nothings with the ...

young lady at the Blue Anchor, and receiving hard somethings in ...

exchange. All this you have left undone." ...

"It can still be done." ...

"It has been done. Thanks to the telephone and the help of the Yard, I ...

can usually get my essentials without leaving this room. As a matter of ...

fact, my information confirms the man's story. He has the local repute ...

of being a miser as well as a harsh and exacting husband. That he had a ...

large sum of money in that strong-room of his is certain. So also is it ...

that young Dr. Ernest, an unmarried man, played chess with Amberley, ...

and probably played the fool with his wife. All this seems plain ...

sailing, and one would think that there was no more to be said--and ...

yet!--and yet!" ...

"Where lies the difficulty?" ...

"In my imagination, perhaps. Well, leave it there, Watson. Let us ...

escape from this weary workaday world by the side door of music. Carina ...

sings to-night at the Albert Hall, and we still have time to dress, ...

dine, and enjoy." ...

In the morning I was up betimes, but some toast crumbs and two empty ...

eggshells told me that my companion was earlier still. I found a ...

scribbled note upon the table. ...

DEAR WATSON: ...

There are one or two points of contact which I should wish to establish ...

with Mr. Josiah Amberley. When I have done so we can dismiss the case--or ...

not. I would only ask you to be on hand about three o'clock, as I conceive ...

it possible that I may want you. ...

S.H. ...

I saw nothing of Holmes all day, but at the hour named he returned, ...

grave, preoccupied, and aloof. At such times it was wiser to leave him ...

to himself. ...

"Has Amberley been here yet?" ...

"No." ...

"Ah! I am expecting him." ...

He was not disappointed, for presently the old fellow arrived with a ...

very worried and puzzled expression upon his austere face. ...

"I've had a telegram, Mr. Holmes. I can make nothing of it." He handed ...

it over, and Holmes read it aloud. ...

"Come at once without fail. Can give you information as to your recent ...

loss. ELMAN. The Vicarage." ...

"Dispatched at 2:10 from Little Purlington," said Holmes. "Little ...

Purlington is in Essex, I believe, not far from Frinton. Well, of ...

course you will start at once. This is evidently from a responsible ...

person, the vicar of the place. Where is my Crockford? Yes, here we ...

have him: 'J. C. Elman, M. A., Living of Moosmoor cum Little ...

Purlington.' Look up the trains, Watson." ...

"There is one at 5:20 from Liverpool Street." ...

"Excellent. You had best go with him, Watson. He may need help or ...

advice. Clearly we have come to a crisis in this affair." ...

But our client seemed by no means eager to start. ...

"It's perfectly absurd, Mr. Holmes," he said. "What can this man ...

possibly know of what has occurred? It is waste of time and money." ...

"He would not have telegraphed to you if he did not know something. ...

Wire at once that you are coming." ...

"I don't think I shall go." ...

Holmes assumed his sternest aspect. ...

"It would make the worst possible impression both on the police and ...

upon myself, Mr. Amberley, if when so obvious a clue arose you should ...

refuse to follow it up. We should feel that you were not really in ...

earnest in this investigation." ...

Our client seemed horrified at the suggestion. ...

"Why, of course I shall go if you look at it in that way," said he. "On ...

the face of it, it seems absurd to suppose that this parson knows ...

anything, but if you think--" ...

"I do think," said Holmes with emphasis, and so we were launched upon ...

our journey. Holmes took me aside before we left the room and gave me ...

one word of counsel, which showed that he considered the matter to be ...

of importance. "Whatever you do, see that he really does go," said he. ...

"Should he break away or return, get to the nearest telephone exchange ...

and send the single word 'Bolted.' I will arrange here that it shall ...

reach me wherever I am." ...

Little Purlington is not an easy place to reach, for it is on a branch ...

line. My remembrance of the journey is not a pleasant one, for the ...

weather was hot, the train slow, and my companion sullen and silent, ...

hardly talking at all save to make an occasional sardonic remark as to ...

the futility of our proceedings. When we at last reached the little ...

station it was a two-mile drive before we came to the Vicarage, where a ...

big, solemn, rather pompous clergyman received us in his study. Our ...

telegram lay before him. ...

"Well, gentlemen," he asked, "what can I do for you?" ...

"We came," I explained, "in answer to your wire." ...

"My wire! I sent no wire." ...

"I mean the wire which you sent to Mr. Josiah Amberley about his wife ...

and his money." ...

"If this is a joke, sir, it is a very questionable one," said the vicar ...

angrily. "I have never heard of the gentleman you name, and I have not ...

sent a wire to anyone." ...

Our client and I looked at each other in amazement. ...

"Perhaps there is some mistake," said I; "are there perhaps two ...

vicarages? Here is the wire itself, signed Elman and dated from the ...

Vicarage." ...

"There is only one vicarage, sir, and only one vicar, and this wire is ...

a scandalous forgery, the origin of which shall certainly be ...

investigated by the police. Meanwhile, I can see no possible object in ...

prolonging this interview." ...

So Mr. Amberley and I found ourselves on the roadside in what seemed to ...

me to be the most primitive village in England. We made for the ...

telegraph office, but it was already closed. There was a telephone, ...

however, at the little Railway Arms, and by it I got into touch with ...

Holmes, who shared in our amazement at the result of our journey. ...

"Most singular!" said the distant voice. "Most remarkable! I much fear, ...

my dear Watson, that there is no return train to-night. I have ...

unwittingly condemned you to the horrors of a country inn. However, ...

there is always Nature, Watson--Nature and Josiah Amberley--you can ...

be in close commune with both." I heard his dry chuckle as he turned ...

away. ...

It was soon apparent to me that my companion's reputation as a miser ...

was not undeserved. He had grumbled at the expense of the journey, had ...

insisted upon travelling third-class, and was now clamorous in his ...

objections to the hotel bill. Next morning, when we did at last arrive ...

in London, it was hard to say which of us was in the worse humour. ...

"You had best take Baker Street as we pass," said I. "Mr. Holmes may ...

have some fresh instructions." ...

"If they are not worth more than the last ones they are not of much ...

use," said Amberley with a malevolent scowl. None the less, he kept me ...

company. I had already warned Holmes by telegram of the hour of our ...

arrival, but we found a message waiting that he was at Lewisham and ...

would expect us there. That was a surprise, but an even greater one was ...

to find that he was not alone in the sitting-room of our client. A ...

stern-looking, impassive man sat beside him, a dark man with ...

gray-tinted glasses and a large Masonic pin projecting from his tie. ...

"This is my friend Mr. Barker," said Holmes. "He has been interesting ...

himself also in your business, Mr. Josiah Amberley, though we have been ...

working independently. But we both have the same question to ask you!" ...

Mr. Amberley sat down heavily. He sensed impending danger. I read it in ...

his straining eyes and his twitching features. ...

"What is the question, Mr. Holmes?" ...

"Only this: What did you do with the bodies?" ...

The man sprang to his feet with a hoarse scream. He clawed into the air ...

with his bony hands. His mouth was open, and for the instant he looked ...

like some horrible bird of prey. In a flash we got a glimpse of the ...

real Josiah Amberley, a misshapen demon with a soul as distorted as his ...

body. As he fell back into his chair he clapped his hand to his lips as ...

if to stifle a cough. Holmes sprang at his throat like a tiger and ...

twisted his face towards the ground. A white pellet fell from between ...

his gasping lips. ...

"No short cuts, Josiah Amberley. Things must be done decently and in ...

order. What about it, Barker?" ...

"I have a cab at the door," said our taciturn companion. ...

"It is only a few hundred yards to the station. We will go together. ...

You can stay here, Watson. I shall be back within half an hour." ...

The old colourman had the strength of a lion in that great trunk of ...

his, but he was helpless in the hands of the two experienced ...

man-handlers. Wriggling and twisting he was dragged to the waiting cab, ...

and I was left to my solitary vigil in the ill-omened house. In less ...

time than he had named, however, Holmes was back, in company with a ...

smart young police inspector. ...

"I've left Barker to look after the formalities," said Holmes. "You had ...

not met Barker, Watson. He is my hated rival upon the Surrey shore. ...

When you said a tall dark man it was not difficult for me to complete ...

the picture. He has several good cases to his credit, has he not, ...

Inspector?" ...

"He has certainly interfered several times," the inspector answered ...

with reserve. ...

"His methods are irregular, no doubt, like my own. The irregulars are ...

useful sometimes, you know. You, for example, with your compulsory ...

warning about whatever he said being used against him, could never have ...

bluffed this rascal into what is virtually a confession." ...

"Perhaps not. But we get there all the same, Mr. Holmes. Don't imagine ...

that we had not formed our own views of this case, and that we would ...

not have laid our hands on our man. You will excuse us for feeling sore ...

when you jump in with methods which we cannot use, and so rob us of the ...

credit." ...

"There shall be no such robbery, MacKinnon. I assure you that I efface ...

myself from now onward, and as to Barker, he has done nothing save what ...

I told him." ...

The inspector seemed considerably relieved. ...

"That is very handsome of you, Mr. Holmes. Praise or blame can matter ...

little to you, but it is very different to us when the newspapers begin ...

to ask questions." ...

"Quite so. But they are pretty sure to ask questions anyhow, so it ...

would be as well to have answers. What will you say, for example, when ...

the intelligent and enterprising reporter asks you what the exact ...

points were which aroused your suspicion, and finally gave you a ...

certain conviction as to the real facts?" ...

The inspector looked puzzled. ...

"We don't seem to have got any real facts yet, Mr. Holmes. You say that ...

the prisoner, in the presence of three witnesses, practically confessed ...

by trying to commit suicide, that he had murdered his wife and her ...

lover. What other facts have you?" ...

"Have you arranged for a search?" ...

"There are three constables on their way." ...

"Then you will soon get the clearest fact of all. The bodies cannot be ...

far away. Try the cellars and the garden. It should not take long to ...

dig up the likely places. This house is older than the water-pipes. ...

There must be a disused well somewhere. Try your luck there." ...

"But how did you know of it, and how was it done?" ...

"I'll show you first how it was done, and then I will give the ...

explanation which is due to you, and even more to my longsuffering ...

friend here, who has been invaluable throughout. But, first, I would ...

give you an insight into this man's mentality. It is a very unusual one ...

--so much so that I think his destination is more likely to be ...

Broadmoor than the scaffold. He has, to a high degree, the sort of mind ...

which one associates with the mediaeval Italian nature rather than with ...

the modern Briton. He was a miserable miser who made his wife so ...

wretched by his niggardly ways that she was a ready prey for any ...

adventurer. Such a one came upon the scene in the person of this ...

chess-playing doctor. Amberley excelled at chess--one mark, Watson, ...

of a scheming mind. Like all misers, he was a jealous man, and his ...

jealousy became a frantic mania. Rightly or wrongly, he suspected an ...

intrigue. He determined to have his revenge, and he planned it with ...

diabolical cleverness. Come here!" ...

Holmes led us along the passage with as much certainty as if he had ...

lived in the house and halted at the open door of the strong-room. ...

"Pooh! What an awful smell of paint!" cried the inspector. ...

"That was our first clue," said Holmes. "You can thank Dr. Watson's ...

observation for that, though he failed to draw the inference. It set my ...

foot upon the trail. Why should this man at such a time be filling his ...

house with strong odours? Obviously, to cover some other smell which he ...

wisfhed to conceal--some guilty smell which would suggest suspicions. ...

Then came the idea of a room such as you see here with iron door and ...

shutter--a hermetically sealed room. Put those two facts together, ...

and whither do they lead? I could only determine that by examining the ...

house myself. I was already certain that the case was serious, for I ...

had examined the box-office chart at the Haymarket Theatre--another ...

of Dr. Watson's bull's-eyes--and ascertained that neither B thirty ...

nor thirty-two of the upper circle had been occupied that night. ...

Therefore, Amberley had not been to the theatre, and his alibi fell to ...

the ground. He made a bad slip when he allowed my astute friend to ...

notice the number of the seat taken for his wife. The question now ...

arose how I might be able to examine the house. I sent an agent to the ...

most impossible village I could think of, and summoned my man to it at ...

such an hour that he could not possibly get back. To prevent any ...

miscarriage, Dr. Watson accompanied him. The good vicar's name I took, ...

of course, out of my Crockford. Do I make it all clear to you?" ...

"It is masterly," said the inspector in an awed voice. ...

"There being no fear of interruption I proceeded to burgle the house. ...

Burglary has always been an alternative profession had I cared to adopt ...

it, and I have little doubt that I should have come to the front. ...

Observe what I found. You see the gas-pipe along the skirting here. ...

Very good. It rises in the angle of the wall, and there is a tap here ...

in the corner. The pipe runs out into the strong-room, as you can see, ...

and ends in that plaster rose in the centre of the ceiling, where it is ...

concealed by the ornamentation. That end is wide open. At any moment by ...

turning the outside tap the room could be flooded with gas. With door ...

and shutter closed and the tap full on I would not give two minutes of ...

conscious sensation to anyone shut up in that little chamber. By what ...

devilish device he decoyed them there I do not know, but once inside ...

the door they were at his mercy." ...

The inspector examined the pipe with interest. "One of our officers ...

mentioned the smell of gas," said he, "but of course the window and ...

door were open then, and the paint--or some of it--was already ...

about. He had begun the work of painting the day before, according to ...

his story. But what next, Mr. Holmes?" ...

"Well, then came an incident which was rather unexpected to myself. I ...

was slipping through the pantry window in the early dawn when I felt a ...

hand inside my collar, and a voice said: 'Now, you rascal, what are you ...

doing in there?' When I could twist my head round I looked into the ...

tinted spectacles of my friend and rival, Mr. Barker. It was a curious ...

foregathering and set us both smiling. It seems that he had been ...

engaged by Dr. Ray Ernest's family to make some investigations and had ...

come to the same conclusion as to foul play. He had watched the house ...

for some days and had spotted Dr. Watson as one of the obviously ...

suspicious characters who had called there. He could hardly arrest ...

Watson, but when he saw a man actually climbing out of the pantry ...

window there came a limit to his restraint. Of course, I told him how ...

matters stood and we continued the case together." ...

"Why him? Why not us?" ...

"Because it was in my mind to put that little test which answered so ...

admirably. I fear you would not have gone so far." ...

The inspector smiled. ...

"Well, maybe not. I understand that I have your word, Mr. Holmes, that ...

you step right out of the case now and that you turn all your results ...

over to us." ...

"Certainly, that is always my custom." ...

"Well, in the name of the force I thank you. It seems a clear case, as ...

you put it, and there can't be much difficulty over the bodies." ...

"I'll show you a grim little bit of evidence," said Holmes, "and I am ...

sure Amberley himself never observed it. You'll get results, Inspector, ...

by always putting yourself in the other fellow's place, and thinking ...

what you would do yourself. It takes some imagination, but it pays. ...

Now, we will suppose that you were shut up in this little room, had not ...

two minutes to live, but wanted to get even with the fiend who was ...

probably mocking at you from the other side of the door. What would you ...

do?" ...

"Write a message." ...

"Exactly. You would like to tell people how you died. No use writing on ...

paper. That would be seen. If you wrote on the wall someone might rest ...

upon it. Now, look here! Just above the skirting is scribbled with a ...

purple indelible pencil: 'We we--' That's all.'' ...

"What do you make of that?" ...

"Well, it's only a foot above the ground. The poor devil was on the ...

floor dying when he wrote it. He lost his senses before he could ...

finish." ...

"He was writing, 'We were murdered.'" ...

"That's how I read it. If you find an indelible pencil on the body--" ...

"We'll look out for it, you may be sure. But those securities? Clearly ...

there was no robbery at all. And yet he did possess those bonds. We ...

verified that." ...

"You may be sure he has them hidden in a safe place. When the whole ...

elopement had passed into history, he would suddenly discover them and ...

announce that the guilty couple had relented and sent back the plunder ...

or had dropped it on the way." ...

"You certainly seem to have met every difficulty," said the inspector. ...

"Of course, he was bound to call us in, but why he should have gone to ...

you I can't understand." ...

"Pure swank!" Holmes answered. "He felt so clever and so sure of ...

himself that he imagined no one could touch him. He could say to any ...

suspicious neighbour, 'Look at the steps I have taken. I have consulted ...

not only the police but even Sherlock Holmes.'" ...

The inspector laughed. ...

"We must forgive you your 'even,' Mr. Holmes," said he "it's as ...

workmanlike a job as I can remember." ...

A couple of days later my friend tossed across to me a copy of the ...

bi-weekly North Surrey Observer. Under a series of flaming headlines, ...

which began with "The Haven Horror" and ended with "Brilliant Police ...

Investigation," there was a packed column of print which gave the first ...

consecutive account of the affair. The concluding paragraph is typical ...

of the whole. It ran thus: ...

The remarkable acumen by which Inspector MacKinnon ...

deduced from the smell of paint that some other smell, that ...

of gas, for example, might be concealed; the bold deduction ...

that the strong-room might also be the death-chamber, and ...

the subsequent inquiry which led to the discovery of the ...

bodies in a disused well, cleverly concealed by a dogkennel, should ...

live in the history of crime as a standing ...

example of the intelligence of our professional detectives. ...

"Well, well, MacKinnon is a good fellow," said Holmes with a tolerant ...

smile. "You can file it in our archives, Watson. Some day the true ...

story may be told." ...

THE END ...