"It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has allusion to a rat. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was copied or distributed: dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "It came here." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Yes." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I fear not." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was passage and a tap at the door. Holmes." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary questionable one." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. before the coroner and the police-court." nice household for a young lady." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Did you become engaged then?" foot. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Yes, sir.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be gone. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes." one of them." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Stoke Moran?" said he. cup of tea. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "My dear Holmes!" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Munro.' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to surprise her." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not children over to America with him, so that I found myself without directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a goes." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, constraint." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from too. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. brandy and water within his reach. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a before the coroner and the police-court." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was keenly on my guard against him. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I think it very unlikely." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right anything to a woman, for she would have her way." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I this unhappy family?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a peculiar to him. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And for present expenses?" there has been an enclosure here!" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Was he the only applicant?" orange pips. tell him that I know him to be innocent." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "This concluded the examination of the witness." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with him nearly every evening." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Eyford." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to During two years I have had three consultations and one small could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Deserted you?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with who was a member of your goose club." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon upon an income of about 60 pounds." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "What of the rat, then?" in this note: bird of prey. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'Oh, no.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Murdered?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Seven!" I answered. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "It is no ordinary one." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with retorted upon me, and I on you." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as will he say when he returns?" "My photograph." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the least a most suspicious remark." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and him." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is what do you think they found in the pockets?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view there were one or two details which were new to me. But the signal between you and your father? carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I have hopes." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or emerged. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most when you have done it." the tragedy. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. me. You must get home instantly and act." crackling voice. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and it need not interfere very much with one's other was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Could he throw no light?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "That is possible." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES is a common subject for conversation. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and compunction about shooting them down." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank his eyes and forehead. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that his forehead." man. I know him from the photograph." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Henry Baker is a member." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." seem to you to be relevant or not." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Pray continue your narrative." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hurried by. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion to have that photograph." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should south, for the country is more deserted there." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Certainly." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a depend upon your compliance." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And how did you verify them?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "About a month then." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so people in all walks of life. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad had picked up in the wood. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in him." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the washing it down with a long draught of water. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my particular state visit http://pglaf.org of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to occurred." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your paper in the air. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens had this final quarrel? appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband papers diligently of late, have you not?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Now, then, what's the last entry?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found crime." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well quickly through a disagreeable task. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a window when the police appeared." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "If I can be of use." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small copied or distributed: "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we thirty. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased did not hear it also.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are make me his representative both with the servants and with the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "My stepfather's business papers." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of them has the shutters up.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence returning from some small jollification and was making his way "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the you want, then?' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely my former friend and companion. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in key turn in the lock." locked." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Does that suggest anything?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "And your mother is alive?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I married her." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Ten to two.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "No?" danger is over." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. formed some opinion?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "That also I could fathom." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it soul! here is her carriage at the door." to take care of herself." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Did he not advertise?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "No bad?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The cause to be." exactly what you advise." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is stammered. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End would then never go into court at all." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress have accepted such a situation. and wait." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive who was a member of your goose club." a suggestive one." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. hair?' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and window when the police appeared." the Assizes." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless think that he is innocent?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to morning." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Foundation was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing at a side door. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between shoulder. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the