young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Heh?' leaning back in his chair. "I cannot imagine." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "I think that it is very probable." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on least a most suspicious remark." "My Mary? Impossible!" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, I have one waiting." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I should like to see him very much." "Quite so." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Stolen, then." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied man. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from James Windibank. Voilà tout!" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and already been minutely examined." gives a meaning to it." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Always." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square highly," said Holmes. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are searched, without anything being found which could incriminate there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any works. See paragraph 1.E below. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in his power. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "When did she vanish, then?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's enter Dr. Roylott's room." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." kind enough to tell me what I should do." disappearance of the bride.'" during which he might have communicated with his friend the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the bottom.' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching constraint." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met him. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in I nodded to show that I had heard. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will page at http://pglaf.org We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle me. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing License. You must require such a user to return or though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to success. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his province." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first flock.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "VIOLET HUNTER." to a light-house. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and became a certainty. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'There is a drive, then?' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Perhaps we may make them less so." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the three of the beryls in it, was missing. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police quick march!" occurred." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with sofa. This way, please!" are, and they are waiting for us." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would deduce something from that?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Very truly yours, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "My dear Holmes!" "'Yes, it was gone.' light and attacked it." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which whereabouts. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I morning." over here." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I cannot imagine." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined will not take me long to tell. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You have carte blanche." Henry Baker is a member." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. ran thus: usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will entirely lost his self-respect." my little problems." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the of it with the greatest attention. think that any burglar could have done. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "The best possible." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had formerly been in part my own. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the go--none." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it answer." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock think that any burglar could have done. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a security.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps points to suicide?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that I am arrested." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." you." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. a monotonous occupation." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the question. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from is so. I know all about McCarthy." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so be best to do. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'Why that?' I asks. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said 'I should be able to look after that for you.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, look upon these things in a different way." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly them present such singular features as the strange train of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in my life." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of fine shops and stately business premises that they really examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "In heaven's name, what for?" own family. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a delighted to hear it," he said. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming appeared upon the scene." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "And I to find an enemy." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "One of his hands." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "But it has twice been burgled." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon to you." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, what these perils are?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which it had come upon my father." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers was a lad." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It note?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger that you can jump it.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped in the dead of the night?' upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And straightened it out again. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "At half-wages, in fact." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "This photograph!" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such silent! Oh, he will be silent!' all-comprehensive glances. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Why did you beat the pavement?" have got?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "And I say east," said my patient. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Precisely." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "By all means." answered with a sidelong glance. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "No. His orders were to stay in the house." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the coroner come to?" where we are going." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & at once, for I have only half an hour." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. least a most suspicious remark." "We must have a cab." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and laid it on the table. to take care of herself." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, more terrible than the truth. nonsense.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the window, rose as we entered. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "And how have you succeeded?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at matters immensely." for and were ordered to this address. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Yes." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Quite sure, dad.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was best detective that ever lived. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." bell. Holmes whistled. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Which are?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in derbies." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the visitors." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Is he quiet?" "Come in!" said he. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of despair." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for way: Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, fluttered off among the others. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even