the dates. Now I think, Watson, that our line of action is perfectlyclear. This young lady has informed us—and I have the greatestconfidence in her intuition—that her father remembers little ornothing which occurs upon certain dates. We will therefore callupon 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 openour campaign by having a good close view of him.”
“That is excellent,” said Mr. Bennett. “I warn you, however, thatthe professor is irascible and violent at times.”
Holmes smiled. “There are reasons why we should comeat once—very cogent reasons if my theories hold good. Tomorrow,Mr. Bennett, will certainly see us in Camford. There is,if I remember right, an inn called the Chequers where the portused to be above mediocrity and the linen was above reproach. Ithink, Watson, that our lot for the next few days might lie in lesspleasant places.”
Monday morning found us on our way to the famous universitytown—an easy effort on the part of Holmes, who had no rootsto pull up, but one which involved frantic planning and hurryingon my part, as my practice was by this time not inconsiderable.
Holmes made no allusion to the case until after we had depositedour suitcases at the ancient hostel of which he had spoken.
“I think, Watson, that we can catch the professor just beforelunch. 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 willassume that he is a little hazy as to what he does at such times. Ifwe insist that we are there by appointment I think he will hardlyventure to contradict us. Have you the effrontery necessary to putit 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 surelyguide us.”
Such a one on the back of a smart hansom swept us past a rowof ancient colleges and, finally turning into a tree-lined drive,pulled up at the door of a charming house, girt round with lawnsand covered with purple wistaria. Professor Presbury was certainlysurrounded with every sign not only of comfort but of luxury. Evenas we pulled up, a grizzled head appeared at the front window, andwe were aware of a pair of keen eyes from under shaggy browswhich surveyed us through large horn glasses. A moment later wewere actually in his sanctum, and the mysterious scientist, whosevagaries had brought us from London, was standing before us.
1354 The Complete Sherlock Holmes
There was certainly no sign of eccentricity either in his manner orappearance, for he was a portly, large-featured man, grave, tall, andfrock-coated, with the dignity of bearing which a lecturer needs.
His eyes were his most remarkable feature, keen, observant, andclever to the verge of cunning.
He looked at our cards. “Pray sit down, gentlemen. What can Ido 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 secondperson that Professor Presbury of Camford had need of myservices.”
“Oh, indeed!” It seemed to me that there was a malicioussparkle in the intense gray eyes. “You heard that, did you? May Iask the name of your informant?”
“I am sorry, Professor, but the matter was rather confidential. Ifhave made a mistake there is no harm done. I can only expressmy regret.”
“Not at all. I should wish to go further into this matter. Itinterests 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 summonedyou?”
“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 fromLondon under the impression that they have been summoned. Youhandle all my correspondence. Have you a note of anything goingto a person named Holmes?”
“No, sir,” Bennett answered with a flush.
“That is conclusive,” said the professor, glaring angrily at mycompanion. “Now, sir” —he leaned forward with his two handsupon the table— “it seems to me that your position is a veryquestionable one.”
Holmes shrugged his shoulders.
“I can only repeat that I am sorry that we have made a needlessintrusion.”
“Hardly enough, Mr. Holmes!” the old man cried in a highscreaming voice, with extraordinary malignancy upon his face.
He got between us and the door as he spoke, and he shook hisThe Case Book of Sherlock Holmes 1355
two hands at us with furious passion. “You can hardly get out ofit so easily as that.” His face was convulsed, and he grinned andgibbered at us in his senseless rage. I am convinced that we shouldhave had to fight our way out of the room if Mr. Bennett had notintervened.
“My dear Professor,” he cried, “consider your position! Considerthe scandal at the university! Mr. Holmes is a well-known man.
You cannot possibly treat him with such discourtesy.”
Sulkily our host—if I may call him so—cleared the path to thedoor. We were glad to find ourselves outside the house and in thequiet of the tree-lined drive. Holmes seemed greatly amused bythe episode.
“Our learned friend’s nerves are somewhat out of order,” said he.
“Perhaps our intrusion was a little crude, and yet we have gainedthat personal contact which I desired. But, dear me, Watson, he issurely at our heels. The villain still pursues us.”
There were the sounds of running feet behind, but it was, to myrelief, not the formidable professor but his assistant who appearedround the curve of the drive. He came panting up to us.
“I am so sorry, Mr. Holmes. I wished to apologize.”
“My dear sir, there is no need. It is all in the way of professionalexperience.”