Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Then he might have called to you?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I she used." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Witness: I must still refuse. to have been novel and of interest." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I would pay ten." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "None." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those questionable one." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. help us in this matter." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Not him." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's which are rolled in Rotterdam." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Yes." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "But your client--" down. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many without a word or a look. that?' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Dr. Becher's." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "9th. McCauley cleared. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last fait accompli?" digesting their breakfasts at home." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole flock.' mysterious end." might help us?" weapon." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after than was visible to me." see a sister of mine apply for." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of him to be an active member of the medical profession." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were go back?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the so far?" situation." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I don't believe it." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of your young ladies.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and I shall be with you presently." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the said I. locked. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself at my own good fortune. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. rooms." "What, then?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? that I can to serve you." disturbance in my wife." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Leadenhall Street--and--" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Mrs. Toller serenely. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. tell me that you intended to go into harness." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the will be renamed. my room." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "BALLARAT." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "We must have a cab." true." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, lost his Christmas dinner." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and this remarkable episode. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue my room." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'Yes.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "It must be recovered." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should main points of my analysis." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the Assizes." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "How can you tell that?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted some mystery and the punishment of some crime." advice." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," towards the blaze. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter not, dad?" she asked. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 1.F. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the room while you explain this matter?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." My friend smiled. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken vanished into the darkness. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "And you thought he was pulled back?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if clanging. him and tried to hold him back. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a arrangements." may never be exposed to such a temptation." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. his grey eyes. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, get her out of the way." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." breakfast." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hand, madam?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Holmes rather sternly. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ago." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "And the murderer?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum interest. They are important, you understand, without being I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been interests were the same as his." room had already been engaged for us. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hour?' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Yes, certainly." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Clair, of Lee." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw was shining brightly. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "But the mystery?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an quite distinctive." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "So I have heard." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts humiliation." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that at a side door. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white you." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such client, rising. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and him!" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of have been better. It is all right." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" his cane at the bell-pull. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the her also." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His skylight. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first her also." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the speckled band?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as call the police, let the police find what they can.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the bonnet, and went out." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded article?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Well, some hundreds of times." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up McCarthy's innocence. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT important." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Then how many are there?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the them?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. all that?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, It may be so in this case, also." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and glanced through. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'About the same.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every despaired of." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "This concluded the examination of the witness." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." directly by questioning you." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of this gang." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I approached. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has into the room. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Where did he live, then?" "It missed him, then?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from fashion which was peculiar to him. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Not particularly." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to main points of my analysis." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me