victim. He had trained it, probably by the use of the milk which we saw, to

return to him when summoned. He would put it through this ventilator at the

hour that he thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the rope

and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the occupant, perhaps she might

escape every night for a week, but sooner or later she must fall a victim.


“I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his room. An

inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of standing on

it, which of course would be necessary in order that he should reach the

ventilator. The sight of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord

were enough to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic

clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hastily

closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Having once made up my

mind, you know the steps which I took in order to put the matter to the proof.

I heard the creature hiss as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly

lit the light and attacked it.”


“With the result of driving it through the ventilator.”


“And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at the

other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and roused its snakish

temper, so that it flew upon the first person it saw. In this way I am no doubt

indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott’s death, and I cannot say

that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience.”


IX.THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER’S THUMB

Of all the problems

which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, for solution

during the years of our intimacy, there were only two which I was the means of

introducing to his notice—that of Mr. Hatherley’s thumb, and that

of Colonel Warburton’s madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a