what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the Assizes." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Where did he live, then?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "What have you to say now?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the forehead. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Pray do so." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "If I can be of use." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "You have the photograph?" Foundation circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "But what is it you wish?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is know that the truth is known." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had me." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some fait accompli?" instincts rose up against that laugh. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. II. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Come in!" said he. fattened it expressly for you.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It is very clear." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to been able to understand it, in a very few words. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Was she in good spirits?" events, Mr. Windibank!" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, certainly not very gracious." "On your arm?" "I will do it." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Has he come with you to-night?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Who by?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Can I be of assistance?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer DISSOLVED. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, posted to-day." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Yes, at the mines." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! front of the hall door has given its name to the place. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." get her out of the way." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "One?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "But who is he?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not more terrible than the truth. the best of training." miles off. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That him and tried to hold him back. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on dear old homesteads?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a to have that photograph." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the so-precious time, but come!' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End client, rising. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it business?" "I know where it is." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are handed it to him. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a already referred to. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. assist you in forming an opinion." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "No, distinctly professional." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Nothing?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "No, distinctly professional." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you James Windibank. Voilà tout!" enough to aid us in our search." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my system of imprisonment?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small criminal. We have already had experience of such." when your master had gone out." yards of it?' that you can jump it.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "No, I had a dozen." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Witness: I must still refuse. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, his wife has ceased to love him." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should was shining brightly. the driver. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Is he quiet?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I will try. What is it?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very The summons was a brief and urgent one. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he in this way: "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and shoulder. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers cigars in the box." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Tired-looking or fresh?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my wanted for ourselves." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hardly wander." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Clair, of Lee." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him felt the room to be a little close.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to Leatherhead. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to own family. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "What! You do not mean bodies?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to matters immensely." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Stoke Moran." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Well, it is a possible supposition." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged head. So long, then!" fattened it expressly for you.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR confronted him. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. read over the extraordinary announcement. "He said too much." his face. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay important." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has appeal." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And did you observe any change in her then?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "My private note-paper." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I have my revolver," said I. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without distance from the station, and there we found the young lady left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his our word." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless conceal it?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began society." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers face and glided from the room. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Tired-looking or fresh?" will not take me long to tell. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Thank you. Pray proceed." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "In heaven's name, what for?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of some water from a caraffe. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from important." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the one as in the other." outside. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police do you make of it all?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could believe that I should never have any practice at all. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name II. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Not yet." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the into the room. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a important." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can with you?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and glanced through. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes, at the mines." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same ordinary clothes on?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Of what?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to that open window." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the coronet at all injured?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, quite distinctive." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should