Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" and the whole place is in a blaze." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'There is a drive, then?' attention." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Countess of Morcar's?" "I will do it." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Henry Baker is a member." "I shall be delighted." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Never." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had do.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very front of the hall door has given its name to the place. advice." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Why did you pick him?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "And I." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but investigation." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Your presence might be invaluable." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold his knees, staring into the fire. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'About the same.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Breckinridge is his name." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated friend's singular character. "Only as much as we can deduce." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Again Holmes raved in the air. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "A confidential servant?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "By no means." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The 1.E.9. "And from a noble client?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to returned to France?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Yes, sir." "On Monday." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy point in the dark hollow of his hand. row." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Then how many are there?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "By all means." "'About the same.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Of what day?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I fear not." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Very. But will he see it?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my 1.E.9. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Not I." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were empty. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage matter." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a been able to understand it, in a very few words. our word." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the felt?" detective. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would three of the beryls in it, was missing. my former friend and companion. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and laid it on the table. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), a few minutes he said that it would be all right. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I will get her to show me." charge against him will break down." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "A confidential servant?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Will you bet, then?" and no precautions can guard against." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard there in twenty minutes." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, with her." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. written. "Yes, from Horsham." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as past. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my direction." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, shoulder; "he's all right." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for morning." "I would pay ten." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had stepfather?" "Ah!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." sooner or later she must fall a victim. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may golden eyeglasses. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "No, I think that I'll take it." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is to change my dress. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, used to be." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all hurried by. bachelor.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another me upon any point which I do not make clear." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek works. See paragraph 1.E below. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I have my revolver," said I. make me his representative both with the servants and with the unprofitable." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his client, rising. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Witness: It was. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in made him keep the appointment." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same on in his house." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO criminal. We have already had experience of such." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we of campaign. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "How do you know, then?" was a lad." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I dead, shall be safe with us." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for taking in every detail of the apartment. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Not him." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were point in the dark hollow of his hand. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her events, Mr. Windibank!" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Then, as to money?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "But who is he?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the so-precious time, but come!' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the said he. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To I shall communicate with you." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." writers could invent nothing more crude." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Pope's Court. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of feature." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Witness: I must still refuse. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say DAMAGE. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Here?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "My dear Holmes!" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson him, that man would not have given me such complete information to you." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Why? What do you mean?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have one." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." rooms." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his even so self-evident a thing as that." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Chief Executive and Director secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "To ruin me." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly clanging. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the night.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his second." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In least a most suspicious remark." "What, then?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the roots. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Holmes rather sternly. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his call it cruel." married her." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I giving me time to thank him. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I galvanised. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Because he was handy and would come cheap." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair.