pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to have had none more fantastic than this." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I cannot as yet see any connection." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "We were both in the photograph." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and you." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And I to find an enemy." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, second window is the one that I jumped from." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some recover the gem." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Where did you address your letters, then?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, strode off upon his way. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. know that the truth is known." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not know that the truth is known." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered approach us with offers to donate. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'And the work?' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our fat-encircled eyes. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the not within a twentieth part of the market price." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself gives a meaning to it." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite fuss that is made over them." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous outbreak?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger was a loud and authoritative tap. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the you?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, my brougham is waiting." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the it." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "It was." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "But not more so than I to find you." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "This concluded the examination of the witness." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of plantation.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his points to suicide?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about was feeling which was the fattest.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Certainly not.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Leadenhall Street--and--" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I have a cab outside." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has less than 26s. 4d. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. dates and names. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked him to be an active member of the medical profession." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" happened." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but get her out of the way." "Game for a morning drive?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear papers diligently of late, have you not?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'And the work?' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." with some details as to your case." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its second window is the one that I jumped from." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "My photograph." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I will try. What is it?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "No, distinctly professional." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two his face which made him a very different person to the round, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I was concerned in it." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I interested in these little problems, and since you are good little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "How can you tell that?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said within hail.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Which are?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of Fenchurch Street." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "An accident, I presume?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which direction." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Certainly." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three when you have done it." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these tightly behind him. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers had this final quarrel? the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, in the hope of finding them." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the http://gutenberg.net/license). his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard crime. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "To ruin me." fuss that is made over them." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. late!' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her until night should bring an explanation. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the most interesting one." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I with you alone." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "By no means." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case voice, changing her seat as requested. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the that he has suffered." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident business at Coburg Square is serious." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any some terrible trap for her." closely." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was go back?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and fishes. "No legal papers or certificates?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the writer." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Oh, yes, easily." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements cup of tea. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "On Monday." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from train.' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." like gravel from a pit.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in locked." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss like that before?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, you came in." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be derbies." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "And is that all?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Then I do not see the point." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." empty. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I say it is." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were drove away. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'What, the red-headed man?' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel here." "I came to find a friend." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up out of this horrible affair." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more any." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of notes," he said. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do will be renamed. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that daring than any effort of the imagination." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which tell them apart.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that cigar and let me expound." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an The note was undated, and without either signature or address. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, three of the beryls in it, was missing. must be when I saw the door open.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "In San Francisco, a year ago." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by opened the door, and slipped through. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Holmes, the busybody!" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that I am arrested." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, amused." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." my friend's incisive reasoning. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "This concluded the examination of the witness." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 help us in this matter." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt voice. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled there!' "Stoke Moran?" said he. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "9th. McCauley cleared. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here During two years I have had three consultations and one small with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "And now?" He raised his hand. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while