Always look at the hands first, Watson. Then cuffs, trouser-knees,and boots. Very curious knuckles which can only be explained bythe mode of progression observed by——” Holmes paused andsuddenly clapped his hand to his forehead. “Oh, Watson, Watson,what a fool I have been! It seems incredible, and yet it must betrue. All points in one direction. How could I miss seeing theconnection of ideas? Those knuckles how could I have passedthose knuckles? And the dog! And the ivy! It’s surely time that Idisappeared into that little farm of my dreams. Look out, Watson!
Here he is! We shall have the chance of seeing for ourselves.”
The hall door had slowly opened, and against the lamplitbackground we saw the tall figure of Professor Presbury. He wasclad in his dressing gown. As he stood outlined in the doorway hewas erect but leaning forward with dangling arms, as when we sawhim last.
Now he stepped forward into the drive, and an extraordinarychange came over him. He sank down into a crouching positionand moved along upon his hands and feet, skipping every nowand then as if he were overflowing with energy and vitality. Hemoved along the face of the house and then round the corner. Ashe disappeared Bennett slipped through the hall door and softlyfollowed him.
“Come, Watson, come!” cried Holmes, and we stole as softly aswe could through the bushes until we had gained a spot whencewe could see the other side of the house, which was bathed in thelight of the half-moon. The professor was clearly visible crouchingat the foot of the ivy-covered wall. As we watched him he suddenlybegan with incredible agility to ascend it. From branch to branchhe sprang, sure of foot and firm of grasp, climbing apparently inmere joy at his own powers, with no definite object in view. Withhis dressing-gown flapping on each side of him, he looked likesome huge bat glued against the side of his own house, a greatsquare dark patch upon the moonlit wall. Presently he tired of thisamusement, and, dropping from branch to branch, he squatteddown into the old attitude and moved towards the stables,creeping along in the same strange way as before. The wolfhoundwas out now, barking furiously, and more excited than ever whenit actually caught sight of its master. It was straining on its chainand quivering with eagerness and rage. The professor squatteddown very deliberately just out of reach of the hound and beganto provoke it in every possible way. He took handfuls of pebblesfrom the drive and threw them in the dog’s face, prodded himwith a stick which he had picked up, flicked his hands about onlya few inches from the gaping mouth, and endeavoured in every wayto 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 morestrange sight than this impassive and still dignified figure crouchingfrog-like upon the ground and goading to a wilder exhibition ofpassion the maddened hound, which ramped and raged in front ofhim, by all manner of ingenious and calculated cruelty.
And then in a moment it happened! It was not the chain thatbroke, but it was the collar that slipped, for it had been madefor a thick-necked Newfoundland. We heard the rattle of fallingmetal, and the next instant dog and man were rolling on theground together, the one roaring in rage, the other screaming ina strange shrill falsetto of terror. It was a very narrow thing forthe professor’s life. The savage creature had him fairly by thethroat, its fangs had bitten deep, and he was senseless before wecould reach them and drag the two apart. It might have been adangerous task for us, but Bennett’s voice and presence broughtthe great wolfhound instantly to reason. The uproar had broughtthe sleepy and astonished coachman from his room above thestables. “I’m not surprised,” said he, shaking his head. “I’ve seenhim at it before. I knew the dog would get him sooner or later.”
The hound was secured, and together we carried the professorup to his room, where Bennett, who had a medical degree,helped me to dress his torn throat. The sharp teeth had passeddangerously near the carotid artery, and the haemorrhage wasserious. In half an hour the danger was past, I had given thepatient an injection of morphia, and he had sunk into deep sleep.
Then, and only then, were we able to look at each other and totake 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 scandalis confined to our own household. It is safe with us. If it getsbeyond these walls it will never stop. Consider his position at theuniversity, his European reputation, the feelings of his daughter.”
“Quite so,” said Holmes. “I think it may be quite possible tokeep the matter to ourselves, and also to prevent its recurrencenow that we have a free hand. The key from the watch-chain,Mr. Bennett. Macphail will guard the patient and let us know ifthere is any change. Let us see what we can find in the professor’smysterious box.”
There was not much, but there was enough—an empty phial,another nearly full, a hypodermic syringe, several letters in acrabbed, foreign hand. The marks on the envelopes showed thatthey 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 wasbeing sent to Professor Presbury, or receipt to acknowledge money.
There was one other envelope, however, in a more educated handand bearing the Austrian stamp with the postmark of Prague. “Herewe 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, andthough in your circumstances there are some special reasons for thetreatment, I would none the less enjoin caution, as my results haveshown that it is not without danger of a kind.