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[Assistant] He leaned back in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was joking. My sole duties then, I asked, are to take charge of a single child.


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[Assistant] Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided always that there were such commands as a lady might with propriety obey. You see no difficulty, eh? I should be happy to make myself useful. Quite so.


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[Assistant] In dress now. For example, we are faddy people, you know. Faddy but kind-hearted.


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[Assistant] If you were asked to wear any dress which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim, eh?


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[Assistant] No, said I, considerably astonished at his words.


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[Assistant] Or to sit here, or sit there. That would not be offensive to you. Oh no. Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us. I could hardly believe my ears.


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[Assistant] As you may observe, Mr Holmes, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of chestnut. It has been considered artistic.


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[Assistant] He had been watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a shadow pass over his face as I spoke.


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[Assistant] I am afraid that it is quite essential, said he.


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[Assistant] It is a little fancy of my wife's and ladies' fancies, you know, madam. Ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your hair? No, sir, I really could not, I answered firmly.


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[Assistant] Oh, well very well then. That quite settles the matter.


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[Assistant] It is a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very nicely.


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[Assistant] In that case, Miss Stoper, I'd best inspect a few more of your young ladies.


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[Assistant] The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers, without a word to either of us.


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[Assistant] But she glanced at me now with so much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal.


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[Assistant] Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books? She asked. If you please, Miss Stoper.


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[Assistant] Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the most excellent offers in this fashion," said she sharply.


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[Assistant] You can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such opening for you. Good day to you, Miss Hunter.


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[Assistant] When I got back to my lodgings and found little enough in the cupboard and two or three bills upon the table,


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[Assistant] I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very foolish thing.


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[Assistant] After all, if these people had strange fads and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were at least ready to pay for their eccentricity.


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[Assistant] Very few governesses in England are getting £100 a year. Besides, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing it short, and perhaps I should be among the number.


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[Assistant] Next day I was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I was sure of it.


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[Assistant] I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it here, and I will read it to you. The Copper Beaches near Winchester Dear Miss Hunter


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[Assistant] Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have reconsidered your decision.


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[Assistant] My wife is very anxious that you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you.


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[Assistant] We are willing to give thirty pounds a quarter or one hundred and twenty pounds a year so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting after all.


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[Assistant] My wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning.


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[Assistant] As to sitting here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that need cause you no inconvenience.


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[Assistant] As regards your hair it is no doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty during our short interview.


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[Assistant] But I am afraid that I must remain firm upon this point.


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[Assistant] And I only hope that the increased salary may recompense you for the loss.


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[Assistant] Your duties as far as the child is concerned are very light.


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[Assistant] Now do try to come, and I shall meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Yours faithfully, Geoffrow Roodcastle.


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[Assistant] That is the letter which I have just received, Mr Holmes, and my mind is made up that I will accept it.


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[Assistant] I thought however, that before taking the final step


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[Assistant] I should like to submit the whole matter to your consideration.


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[Assistant] Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up that settles the question," said Holmes, smiling. But you would not advise me to refuse.


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[Assistant] I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to see a sister of mine apply for. What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes? Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself formed some opinion.


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[Assistant] Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution.


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[Assistant] Mr Rue Castle seemed to be very kind, good-natured man. Is it not possible that his wife is a lunatic?


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[Assistant] that he desires to keep the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum


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[Assistant] In fact as matters stand, it is the most probable one.


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[Assistant] But in any case it does not seem to be a nice household for a young lady. But the money, Mr Holmes, the money. Well, yes, of course, the pay is good. Too good. That is what makes me uneasy.


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[Assistant] Why should they give you £120 a year when they could have their pick for £40? There must be some strong reason behind.


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[Assistant] I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would understand afterwards if I wanted your help.


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[Assistant] I should feel so much stronger if I felt you were at the back of me. Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you.


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[Assistant] I assure you that your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has come my way for some months.


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[Assistant] There is something distinctly novel about some of the features.


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[Assistant] If you should find yourself in doubt, or in danger— Danger? What danger do you foresee? Holmes shook his head gravely.


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[Assistant] It would cease to be a danger if we could define it, said he.


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[Assistant] But at any time, day or night, a telegram would bring me down to your help. That is enough.


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[Assistant] She rose briskly from her chair, with the anxiety all swept from her face.


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[Assistant] I shall go down to Hampshire quite easy in my mind now. I shall ride to Mr Roo Castle


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[Assistant] Sacrifice my poor hair tonight and start for Winchester tomorrow.


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[Assistant] With a few grateful words to Holmes, she bade us both good night and bustled off upon her way.


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[Assistant] At least," said I, as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the stairs, she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to take care of herself. And she would need to be, said Holmes gravely.


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[Assistant] I am much mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past.


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[Assistant] It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled.


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[Assistant] A fortnight went by during which I frequently found my thoughts turning in her direction, and wondering what strange side alley of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into.


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[Assistant] The unusual salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to something


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[Assistant] Though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond my powers to determine.


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[Assistant] As to Holmes, I observed that he sat frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an abstracted air.


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[Assistant] But he swept the matter away with a wave of his hand when I mentioned it.


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[Assistant] And yet he would always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have accepted such a situation.


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[Assistant] The telegram which we eventually received came late one night, just as I was thinking of turning in, and Holmes was settling down to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a test-tube at night, and find him in the same position when I came down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope,


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[Assistant] And then, glancing at the message threw it across to me.


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[Assistant] Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to his chemical studies. The summons was a brief and urgent one.


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[Assistant] Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at Midnay tomorrow," it said. Do come. I am at my wit's end. Hunter. Will you come up with me? asked Holmes, glancing up. I should wish to. Just look it up, then.


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[Assistant] There's a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my bradshaw. It is due at Winchester at 11.30. That will do very nicely.


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[Assistant] Then perhaps I'd better postpone my analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the morning.


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[Assistant] By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the old English capital.


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[Assistant] Holmes had been buried in the morning papers all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he threw them down and began to admire the scenery.


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[Assistant] It was an ideal spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white clouds drifting across from west to east.


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[Assistant] The sun was shining very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air which set an edge to a man's energy.


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[Assistant] All over the countryside, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and grey roofs of the farm steadings peeped out from amid the light green of the new foliage.


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[Assistant] Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. But Holmes shook his head gravely.


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[Assistant] That it is one of the curses of a mind with a turn like mine, that I must look at everything with reference to my own special subject.


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[Assistant] You look at these scattered houses, and you are impressed by their beauty.


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[Assistant] I look at them, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their isolation, and of the impunity with which crime may be committed there.


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[Assistant] Good heavens! I cried. Who would associate crime with these dear old homesteads?


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[Assistant] They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside. You horrify me. But the reason is very obvious.


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[Assistant] The pressure of public opinion can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish.


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[Assistant] There is no lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the neighbours. And then the whole machinery of justice is ever so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is but a step between the crime and the dock.


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[Assistant] But look at these lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law.


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[Assistant] Think of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser.


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[Assistant] Had this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of country which makes the danger.


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[Assistant] Still, it is clear that she is not personally threatened.


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[Assistant] No, if she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away. Quite so, she has her freedom.


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[Assistant] What can be the matter then? Can you suggest no explanation?


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[Assistant] I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we shall no doubt find waiting for us.


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[Assistant] Well, there is the Tower of the Cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to tell.


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[Assistant] The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no distance from the station, and there we found the young lady waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch awaited us upon the table.


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[Assistant] I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. It is so very kind of you both. But indeed, I do not know what I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me. Pray tell us what has happened to you.


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[Assistant] I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Rewcastle to be back before three.


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[Assistant] I got his leave to come into town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose. Let us have everything in its due order.


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[Assistant] Holmes thrust his long thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen.


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[Assistant] In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Ruecastle. It is only fair to them to say that, but I cannot understand them, and I am not easy in my mind about them. What can you not understand? Their reasons for their conduct, but you shall have it all just as it occurred.


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[Assistant] When I came down, Mr Roo Castle met me here and drove me in his dog cart to the Copper Beaches.


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[Assistant] It is, as he said, beautifully situated.


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[Assistant] But it is not beautiful in itself, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all stained and streaked with damp and bad weather.


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[Assistant] There are grounds round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which slopes down to the Southampton High Road, which curves past about a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs to the house.


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[Assistant] But the woods all round are part of Lord Southerton's preserves.


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[Assistant] A clump of copper beaches immediately in front of the hall door has given its name to the place.


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[Assistant] I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child.


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[Assistant] There was no truth, Mr Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs Rewcastle is not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman.


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[Assistant] Much younger than her husband. Not more than thirty, I should think. While he can hardly be less than forty-five.


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[Assistant] From their conversation I have gathered that they have been married about seven years.


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[Assistant] That he was a widower and that his only child by the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia.


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[Assistant] Mr Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the daughter could not have been less than twenty,


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[Assistant] I can quite imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her father's young


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[Assistant] Mrs Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind, as well as in feature.


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[Assistant] She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. She was a non-entity.


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[Assistant] It was easy to see that she was passionately devoted both to her husband and to her little son.


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[Assistant] Her light grey eyes wandered continually from one to the other.


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[Assistant] Noting every little want and forestalling it, if possible.


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[Assistant] He was kind to her also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they seemed to be a happy couple.


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[Assistant] And yet she had some secret sorrow, this woman.


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[Assistant] She would often be lost in deep thought, with the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in tears.


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[Assistant] I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature.


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[Assistant] He is small for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large.


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[Assistant] His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking.


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[Assistant] Giving pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the capture of mice, little birds and insects.


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[Assistant] But I would rather not talk about the creature, Mr Holmes, and indeed he has little to do with my story.


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[Assistant] I am glad of all details, remarked my friend, whether they seem to you to be relevant or not. I shall try not to miss anything of importance.


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[Assistant] The one unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a man and his wife.


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[Assistant] Toller, for that is his name, is a rough uncouth man with grizzled hair and whiskers and a perpetual smell of drink.


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[Assistant] Twice, since I have been with them, he has been quite drunk, and yet Mr Rewcastle seems to take no notice of it.


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[Assistant] His wife is very tall and a strong woman with a sour face.


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[Assistant] But fortunately I spend most of my time in the nursery, and my own room, which are next to each other in one corner of the building.


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[Assistant] For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beaches my life was very quiet.


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[Assistant] On the third, Mrs Roo Castle came down, just after breakfast, and whispered something to her husband. Oh yes, said he, turning to me.


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[Assistant] We are very much obliged to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whim so far as to cut your hair.


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[Assistant] I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric blue dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in your room.


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[Assistant] And if you would be so good as to put it on, we should both be extremely obliged.


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[Assistant] The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige,


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[Assistant] Both Mr. and Mrs. Rue Castle expressed a delight at the look of it, which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence.


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[Assistant] They were waiting for me in the drawing room, which is a very large room, stretching along the entire front of the house, with three long windows reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was asked to sit.


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[Assistant] And then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary.


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[Assistant] Mrs Rewcastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so much as smiled.


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[Assistant] But sat with her hands in her lap and a sad anxious look upon her face.


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[Assistant] After an hour or so Mr Rucastle suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the day.


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[Assistant] That I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the nursery.


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[Assistant] Two days later the same performance was gone through under exactly similar circumstances.


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[Assistant] Again I change my dress. Again I sat in the window.


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[Assistant] And again I laughed very heartily at the funny stories of which my employer had an immense repertoire, and which he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel,


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[Assistant] And moving my chair a little sideways that my own shadow might not fall upon the page he begged me to read aloud to him.


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[Assistant] I read for about ten minutes beginning in the heart of a chapter and then suddenly in the middle of a sentence


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[Assistant] He ordered me to cease and to change my dress.


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[Assistant] You can easily imagine, Mr Holmes, how curious I became as to what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly be.


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[Assistant] They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been broken


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[Assistant] So a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the glass in my handkerchief.


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[Assistant] On the next occasion, in the midst of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to, with a little management, to see all that there was behind me. I confessed that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that was my first impression.


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[Assistant] At the second glance, however, I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road.


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[Assistant] A small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my direction.


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[Assistant] The road is an important highway and there are usually people there.


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[Assistant] This man, however, was leaning against the railings which bordered our field, and was looking earnestly up.


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[Assistant] I lowered my anchor-chief and glanced at Mrs Rue Castle to find her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing.


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[Assistant] But I am convinced that she had divined, that I had a mirror in my hand, and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once.


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[Assistant] There is an impertinent fellow upon the road there, who stares up at Miss Hunter. No friend of yours, Miss Hunter? he asked. No, I know no one in these parts. Dear me, how very impertinent! Kindly turn round and notion to him to go away. Surely it would be better to take no notice.


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[Assistant] No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn round and wave him away like that. I did as I was told.


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[Assistant] And at the same instant Mrs Rukasso drew down the blind.


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[Assistant] That was a week ago and from that time I have not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor seen the man in the road.


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[Assistant] Pray continue," said Holmes. Your narrative promises to be a most interesting one. You will find it rather disconnected, I fear.


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[Assistant] And there may prove to be a little relation between the different incidents of which I speak.


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[Assistant] On the very first day that I was at the Copper Beaches, Mr Rewcastle took me to a small outhouse which stands near the kitchen door.


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[Assistant] As we approached it I heard the sharp rattling of a chain and the sounds of a large animal moving about. Look in here!


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[Assistant] I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes and of a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Though he frightened.


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[Assistant] Said my employer, laughing at the start which I had given.


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[Assistant] It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, so that he's always as keen as mustard.


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[Assistant] Toller lets him loose every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs upon.


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[Assistant] For goodness sake, don't you ever on any pretext set your foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is worth. The warning was no idle one.


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[Assistant] For two nights later, I happened to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning.


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[Assistant] It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day.


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[Assistant] I was standing wrapped in the peaceful beauty of the scene.


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[Assistant] When I was aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper beaches.


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[Assistant] As it emerged into the moonshine, I saw what it was.


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[Assistant] It was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny-tinted with hanging jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones.


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[Assistant] It walked slowly across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side.


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[Assistant] That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart, which I do not think that any burglar could have done. And now I have a very strange experience to tell you.


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[Assistant] I had as you know cut off my hair in London and I had placed it in a great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening after the child was in bed


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[Assistant] I began to amuse myself by examining the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. There was an old chest of drawers in the room


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[Assistant] The two upper ones empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two with


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[Assistant] And as I had still much to pack away, I was naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer.


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[Assistant] It struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it.


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[Assistant] The very first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and the same thickness.


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[Assistant] But then the impossibility of the thing obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the drawer?


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[Assistant] With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it not extraordinary?


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[Assistant] Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer.


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[Assistant] And I said nothing of the matter to the root-castles, as I felt that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had locked.


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[Assistant] I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr Holmes,


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[Assistant] And I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head.


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[Assistant] There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited at all.


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[Assistant] A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked.


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[Assistant] One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rootcastle coming out through this door.


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[Assistant] His keys in his hand and a look on his face which made him a very different person to the round jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his temples with passion.


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[Assistant] He locked the door and hurried past me without a word or a look. This aroused my curiosity.


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[Assistant] So when I went out for a walk in the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted.


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[Assistant] As I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally,


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[Assistant] Mr Rookassle came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever.


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[Assistant] Ah," said he, "'you must not think me rude if I pass you without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with business matters.' I assured him that I was not offended. "'By the way,' said I,


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[Assistant] You seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of them has the shutters up.


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[Assistant] I have made my dark room up there, but dear me, what an observant young lady we have come upon! Who would have believed it? Who would have ever believed it?" He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there, and annoyance, but no jest.


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[Assistant] Well, Mr Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I was all on fire to go over them.


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[Assistant] It was not mere curiosity, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty.


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[Assistant] A feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this place.


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[Assistant] They talk of women's instinct. Perhaps it was women's instinct which gave me that feeling.


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[Assistant] At any rate, it was there, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the forbidden door. It was only yesterday that the chance came.


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[Assistant] I may tell you that besides Mr Ruekessel, both Toller and his wife find something to do in these deserted rooms.


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[Assistant] And I once saw him carrying a large black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he's been drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk.


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[Assistant] And when I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at all that he had left it there.


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[Assistant] Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an admirable opportunity.


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[Assistant] I turn the key gently in the lock, open the door and slip through.


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[Assistant] There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third of which were open.


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[Assistant] They each led into an empty room, dusty and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through them. The centre door was closed.


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[Assistant] And across the outside of it had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with stout cord


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[Assistant] The door itself was locked as well, and the key was not there.


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[Assistant] This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the shuttered window outside.


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[Assistant] And yet I could see by the glimmer from beneath it that the room was not in darkness.


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[Assistant] Evidently there was a skylight which let in light from above.


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[Assistant] As I stood in the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it might veil,


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[Assistant] I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little slit of dim light which shone out from under the door.


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[Assistant] A mad, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr Holmes.


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[Assistant] My over-strung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran. Ran as though some dreadful hand were behind me, clutching at the skirt of my dress.


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[Assistant] I rushed down the passage, through the door, and straight into the arms of Mr Rue Castle, who was waiting outside.


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[Assistant] It was you then. I thought that it must be when I saw the door open. Oh, I'm so frightened, I panted. My dear young lady, my dear young lady, and what has frightened you, my dear young lady? But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I was keenly on my guard against him.


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[Assistant] I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing.


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[Assistant] Only that?" said he, looking at me keenly. Why, what did you think? I asked. Why, do you think that I locked the door? I am sure that I do not know. It is to keep people out who have no business there, do you see? He was still smiling in that most amiable manner. I am sure if I had known


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[Assistant] Well then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that threshold again...


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[Assistant] Here in an instant the smile hardened into a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a demon. I'll throw you to the mastiff. I was so terrified as I do not know what I did. I suppose that I must have rushed past him into my room.


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[Assistant] I remember nothing until I found myself lying on my bed, trembling all over. Then I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without some advice.


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[Assistant] I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of course I might have fled from the house.


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[Assistant] But my curiosity was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would send you a wire.


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[Assistant] I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then returned, feeling very much easier.


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[Assistant] A horrible doubt came into my mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose.


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[Assistant] But I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, or who would venture to set him free.


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[Assistant] I slipped in in safety and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you.


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[Assistant] I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this morning, but I must be back before three o'clock.


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[Assistant] For Mr and Mrs Rue Castle are going on a visit, and will be away all the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now, I have told you all my adventures, Mr Holmes.


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[Assistant] And I should be very glad if you could tell me what it all means, and above all what I should do.


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[Assistant] Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story.


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[Assistant] I heard his wife tell Mrs Ruecastle that she could do nothing with him. That is well. And the Ruecastles go out to-night? Yes. Is there a cellar with a good strong lock? Yes, the wine cellar.


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[Assistant] You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could perform one more feat?


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[Assistant] We shall be at the copper beaches by seven o'clock, my friend and I. The root castles will be gone by that time, and toller will, we hope, be incapable.


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[Assistant] There only remains Mrs Taller, who might give the alarm.


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[Assistant] If you could send her into the cellar on some errand and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate matters immensely. I will do it.


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[Assistant] Excellent. We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of course, there is only one feasible explanation. You have been brought there to personate someone, and the real person is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious.


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[Assistant] As to who this prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Rucassel, if I remember right, who is said to have gone to America.


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[Assistant] You were chosen doubtless as resembling her in height, figure, and the colour of your hair.


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[Assistant] Hers have been cut off, very possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you came upon her tresses.


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[Assistant] The man in the road was undoubtedly some friend of hers—possibly her fiancé—and no doubt as you wore the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that Miss Rootcastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer desired his attentions.


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[Assistant] The dog is let loose at night to prevent him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly clear.


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[Assistant] You as a medical man are continually gaining light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid?


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[Assistant] I have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of parents by studying their children.


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[Assistant] This child's disposition is abnormally cruel merely for cruelty's sake.


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[Assistant] And whether he derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their power.


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[Assistant] I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes, cried our client. A thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you have hit it.


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[Assistant] Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to this poor creature.


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[Assistant] We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock.


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[Assistant] At that hour we shall be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the mystery.


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[Assistant] We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we reached the copper beaches.


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[Assistant] Having put up our trap at a wayside public house.


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[Assistant] The group of trees with their dark leaves shining like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun were sufficient to mark the house, even had Miss Hunter not been standing smiling on the doorstep.


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[Assistant] A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. That is Mrs. Taller in the cellar, said she. Her husband lies snoring on the kitchen rug.


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[Assistant] Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of Mr. Rue Castle's.


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[Assistant] You have done well indeed," cried Holmes with enthusiasm. Now lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black business.


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[Assistant] We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Hunter had described.


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[Assistant] Homes cut the cord and remove the transverse bar.


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[Assistant] And he tried the various keys in the lock, but without success.


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[Assistant] I think, Miss Hunter, that we had better go in without you.


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[Assistant] Now, Watson, put your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our way in.


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[Assistant] It was an old rickety door, and gave at once before our united strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty.


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[Assistant] There was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a basket full of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner gone.


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[Assistant] There has been some villainy here," said Holmes. This beauty has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim off. But how?


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[Assistant] Through the skylight—we shall soon see how he managed it—he swung himself up onto the roof.


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[Assistant] Ah, yes, he cried. Here's the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it. But it is impossible, said Miss Hunter. The ladder was not there when the root-castles went away.


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[Assistant] I tell you that he is a clever and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he whose step I hear now upon the stair.


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[Assistant] I think, Watson, that it will be as well for you to have your pistol ready.


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[Assistant] The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the door of the room.


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[Assistant] A very fat and burly man with a heavy stick in his hand.


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[Assistant] Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wall at the sight of him.


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[Assistant] But Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and confronted him.


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[Assistant] You villain, said he, where's your daughter?


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[Assistant] The fat man cast his eyes around and then up at the open skylight.


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[Assistant] It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked. You thieves, spies and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I will serve you.


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[Assistant] He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he could go. He's gone for the dog, cried Miss Hunter. I have my revolver, said I.


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[Assistant] Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed down the stairs together.


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[Assistant] We had hardly reached the hall when we heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to.


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[Assistant] An elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out at a side door.


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[Assistant] Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house with Tolla hurrying behind us.


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[Assistant] There was the huge famished brute, its black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and screamed upon the ground.


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[Assistant] Running up, I blew its brains out, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great creases of his neck.


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[Assistant] With much labour we separated them and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house.


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[Assistant] We laid him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sober Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to relieve his pain.


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[Assistant] Mr. Ruckus will let me out when he came back before he went up to you.


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[Assistant] Ah, Miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains were wasted.


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[Assistant] Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her.


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[Assistant] It is clear that Mrs. Taller knows more about this matter than anyone else.


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[Assistant] Yes sir, I do, and I'm ready enough to tell what I know.


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[Assistant] Then pray sit down and let us hear it, for there are several points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark.


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[Assistant] I will soon make it clear to you," said she, and I would have done so before now if I could have got out from my cellar.


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[Assistant] If there's police court business over this, you'll remember that I was the one that stood your friend. And that I was Miss Alice's friend too.


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[Assistant] She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that her father married again. She was slighted like, and had no say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until after she met Mr Fowler at a friend's house.


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[Assistant] As well as I could learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will.


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[Assistant] But she was so quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them, but just left everything in Mr Rewcastle's hands.


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[Assistant] He knew he was safe with her, but when there was a chance of a husband coming forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not he could use her money.


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[Assistant] When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until she got brain fever, and for six weeks was at death's door.


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[Assistant] Then she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her beautiful hair cut off—but that didn't make no change in her young man—and he stuck to her as true as a man could be.


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[Assistant] I think that what you have been good enough to tell us makes the matter fairly clear and that I can deduce all that remains.


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[Assistant] Mr Rucastle then, I presume, took to this system of imprisonment.


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[Assistant] Yes, sir, and brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler. That was it, sir.


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[Assistant] But Mr. Fowler, being a persevering man, as a good seaman should be, blockaded the house, and having met you, succeeded by certain arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your interests were the same as his.


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[Assistant] Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Mrs. Toller serenely.


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[Assistant] And in this way he managed that your good man should have no want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment when your master had gone out. You have it, sir, just as it happened.


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[Assistant] I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Taller," said Holmes, for you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us.


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[Assistant] And here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rue Castle. So I think, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, as it seems to me that our locust stand-eye now is rather a questionable one.


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[Assistant] And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the copper beaches in front of the door.


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[Assistant] Mr. Rucastle survived, but was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of his devoted wife.


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[Assistant] They still live with their old servants, who probably know so much of Rewcastle's past life that he finds it difficult to part from them.


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[Assistant] Mr. Fowler and Miss Ruecastle were married, by special licence in Southampton, the day after their flight.


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[Assistant] My friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success.


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[Assistant] End of The Adventure of the Copper Beaches, and the last story in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Read by David Clarke


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[Assistant] Now I know today was difficult for everybody, but I'm so proud of the way Blackwell pulled together to save a young girl's life.


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[Assistant] As principal of Blackwell Academy, I take my duties seriously.


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[Assistant] They were not, and that is indeed your responsibility. Mr. Jefferson?


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[Assistant] Since you are responsible for the Vortex Club Parties, and since Ms. Marsh did attend your last party, you'll have to answer some more questions.


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[Assistant] Does she tell you her plan? Or anything at all? Please, tell us everything.


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[Assistant] Mark, I do know that Ms. Marsh has assisted you on class events.


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[Assistant] And we need to involve the academy in possible disciplinarian measures for you.


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[Assistant] Let Max speak for herself. Everything we talked about here will be looked into.


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[Assistant] Alright, Ms. Caulfield, please sign here to confirm what you've told us. I'll continue this investigation from there.


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[Assistant] Well, I think we know less now than when we started. We'll be assisting the police with further inquiries. I know this has been a stressful day.


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[Assistant] I know, Red Boy. He's very nice. I doubt he'll harm the Tang Monk.


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[Assistant] That vase just traveled around the world, through all the oceans and rivers.


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[Assistant] It now holds an ocean's worth of water. Magic water.


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[Assistant] The water will put out Red Boy's fire.


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[Assistant] I have what I need now, said Quan Yin. Let's go.


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[Assistant] I'm going to pour magic water around Red Boy's Mountain, said Guanyin.


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[Assistant] Please make sure all the animals are far, far away from the mountain.


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[Assistant] Wukong, go down there and get the demon to come out, said Guanyin. Fight him, but don't defeat him.


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[Assistant] Instead, lead him up here to me.


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[Assistant] No Wukong, said Kuan Yin. Don't hurt the demon.


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[Assistant] I'm fascinated. As Michelle Grant, I'm very worried.


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[Assistant] Hello, Max. Thanks again for helping me fight the power.


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[Assistant] Max, you always show up when I'm talking about you.


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[Assistant] I'm surprised, Max. I didn't think you and Nathan were exactly friends.


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[Assistant] So, you don't know where Nathan is? I saw him sulking off campus earlier. But you look like you have more on your mind than a question.


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[Assistant] You did a wonderful thing. And now we have to make sure Kate gets the help she needs. Do you need to talk to a counselor?


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[Assistant] Shut down that damn vortex club for a start.


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[Assistant] I don't mean to get riled up, but that party should have been postponed. It's extremely tasteless given what happened with Kate.


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[Assistant] Especially when your father is Blackwell's biggest sponsor. This elitist nonsense has no place here. You're right.


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[Assistant] I love seeing you and Warren and all my students at your best here. But you're all too young to be so cynical. But you truly give me hope.


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[Assistant] If I could, I'd be collecting my Nobel Prize in Science today.


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[Assistant] I haven't been able to wrap my mind around that eclipse, much less the snow and whales.


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[Assistant] Nothing is beyond science except for our lack of knowledge. We may never know why, but that doesn't change reality. I am worried about reality.


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[Assistant] That's all you need to kill off sea and wildlife here. Unless you know something I don't.


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[Assistant] It was likely stolen from the South Pacific by local fishermen. But I know what you're saying. There's a lot of energy here. I'm sorry, Ms. Grant. I have to get going. I'll see you later. It's always good talking to you, Max.


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[Assistant] Bonjour. That's great, they finally went to Paris.


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[Assistant] I was reading about that missing girl, Rachel Amber.


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[Assistant] I wish I was a better friend. I know Chloe doesn't get many visitors.


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[Assistant] We should have taken over Arcadia Bay when we had the chance. There's still time for you.


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[Assistant] It is with a heavy heart that I take up my pen to write these the last words in which I shall ever record the singular gifts by which my friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes was distinguished.


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[Assistant] In an incoherent, and as I deeply feel, an entirely inadequate fashion, I have endeavoured to give some account of my strange experiences in his company, from the chance which first brought us together, at the period of the study in Scarlet, up to the time of his interference in the matter of the naval treaty.


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[Assistant] An interference which had the unquestionable effect of preventing a serious international complication.


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[Assistant] It was my intention to have stopped there, and to have said nothing of that event which has created a void in my life which the lapse of two years has done little to fill.


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[Assistant] My hand has been forced, however, by the recent letters in which Colonel James Moriarty defends the memory of his brother, and I have no choice but to lay the facts before the public exactly as they occurred.


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[Assistant] I alone know the absolute truth of the matter, and I am satisfied that the time has come when no good purpose is to be served by its suppression.


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[Assistant] As far as I know, there have been only three accounts in the public press.


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[Assistant] That in the Journal de Genève on May 6, 1891, the Reuters Dispatch in the English Papers on May 7, and finally the recent letter to which I have alluded.


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[Assistant] Of these the first and second were extremely condensed.


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[Assistant] While the last is, as I shall now show, an absolute perversion of the facts.


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[Assistant] It lies with me to tell for the first time what really took place between Professor Moriarty and Mr. Sherlock Holmes.


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[Assistant] It made me remember that after my marriage and my subsequent start in private practice, the very intimate relations which had existed between Holmes and myself became to some extent modified.


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[Assistant] He still came to me from time to time when he desired a companion in his investigation, but these occasions grew more and more seldom.


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[Assistant] Until I found that in the year 1890 there were only three cases of which I retain any record.


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[Assistant] During the winter of that year, and the early spring of 1891, I saw in the papers that he had been engaged by the French Government upon a matter of supreme importance.


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[Assistant] And I received two notes from Holmes, dated from Narbonne and from Nîmes, from which I gathered that his stay in France was likely to be a long one.


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[Assistant] It was with some surprise, therefore, that I saw him walk into my consulting room upon the evening of April 24th.


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[Assistant] It struck me that he was looking even paler and thinner than usual.


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[Assistant] Yes, I have been using myself up rather too freely," he remarked in answer to my look rather than to my words.


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[Assistant] I have been a little pressed of late. Have you any objection to my closing your shutters?


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[Assistant] The only light in the room came from the lamp upon the table at which I had been reading.


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[Assistant] I think that you know me well enough, Watson, to understand that I am by no means a nervous man. At the same time it is stupidity rather than courage to refuse to recognise danger when it is close upon you. Might I trouble you for a match?


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[Assistant] He drew in the smoke of his cigarette as if the soothing influence was grateful to him


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[Assistant] I must apologize for calling so late," said he, and I must further beg you to be so unconventional as to allow me to leave your house presently by scrambling over your back garden wall. But what does it all mean? I asked.


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[Assistant] He held out his hand, and I saw in the light of the lamp that two of his knuckles were burst and bleeding.


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[Assistant] Then it makes it easier for me to propose that you should come away with me for a week to the continent. Where? Oh, anywhere. It's all the same to me.


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[Assistant] There was something very strange in all this. It was not Holmes's nature to take an aimless holiday, and something about his pale, worn face told me that his nerves were at their highest tension.


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[Assistant] He saw the question in my eyes, and putting his fingertips together, and his elbows upon his knees, he explained the situation.


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[Assistant] You have probably never heard of Professor Moriarty, said he. Never.


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[Assistant] Aye, there's the genius and the wonder of the thing," he cried. The man pervades London, and no one has heard of him.


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[Assistant] That's what puts him on a pinnacle in the records of crime.


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[Assistant] I tell you, Watson, in all seriousness, that if I could beat that man, if I could free society of him, I should feel that my own career had reached its summit, and I should be prepared to turn to some more placid line in life.


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[Assistant] Between ourselves, the recent cases in which I have been of assistance to the royal family of Scandinavia and to the French Republic,


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[Assistant] Have left me in such a position that I could continue to live in the quiet fashion which is most congenial to me.


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[Assistant] And to concentrate my attention upon my chemical researches.


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[Assistant] But I could not rest, Watson. I could not sit quiet in my chair if I thought that such a man as Professor Moriarty were walking the streets of London unchallenged. What has he done, then? His career has been an extraordinary one.


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[Assistant] He is a man of good birth and excellent education, endowed by nature with a phenomenal mathematical faculty.


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[Assistant] At the age of twenty-one he wrote a treatise upon the binomial theorem, which has had a European vogue.


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[Assistant] On the strength of it, he won the mathematical chair at one of our smaller universities, and had to all appearances a most brilliant career before him.


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[Assistant] The man had hereditary tendencies of the most diabolical kind.


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[Assistant] A criminal strain ran in his blood, which instead of being modified, was increased and rendered infinitely more dangerous by his extraordinary mental powers.


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[Assistant] Dark rumours gathered round him in the university town, and eventually he was compelled to resign his chair and to come down to London, where he set up as an army coach. So much is known to the world


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[Assistant] But what I am telling you now is what I have myself discovered.


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[Assistant] As you are aware, Watson, there is no one who knows the higher criminal world of London so well as I do.


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[Assistant] For years past I have continually been conscious of some power behind the malefactor, some deep organizing power which forever stands in the way of the law and throws its shield over the wrong-doer.


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[Assistant] Again and again in cases of the most varying sorts. Forgery cases, robberies, murders.


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[Assistant] I have felt the presence of this force, and I have deduced its action in many of those undiscovered crimes in which I have not been personally consulted.


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[Assistant] For years I have endeavoured to break through the veil which shrouded it, and at last the time came when I seized my thread and followed it, until it led me, after a thousand cunning windings, to ex-Professor Moriarty of mathematical celebrity. He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson.


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[Assistant] He is the organizer of half that is evil, of nearly all that is undetected in this great city.


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[Assistant] He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order.


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[Assistant] He sits motionless, like a spider in the centre of its web.


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[Assistant] But that web has a thousand radiations and he knows well every quiver of each of them.


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[Assistant] He does little himself. He only plans, but his agents are numerous and splendidly organized.


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[Assistant] Is there a crime to be done? A paper to be abstracted? We will say a house to be rifled, a man to be removed. The word is passed to the professor. The matter is organised and carried out.


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[Assistant] The agent may be caught. In that case money is found for his bail or his defence.


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[Assistant] But the central power which uses the agent is never caught, never so much as suspected.


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[Assistant] This was the organization which I deduced Watson, and which I devoted my whole energy to exposing and breaking up.


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[Assistant] But the Professor was fenced around with safeguards so cunningly devised that, do what I would, it seemed impossible to get evidence which would convict in a court of law.


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[Assistant] You know my powers, my dear Watson, and yet at the end of three months I was forced to confess that I had at last met an antagonist who was my intellectual equal.


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[Assistant] My horror at his crimes was lost in my admiration at his skill. But at last he made a trip, only a little, little trip.


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[Assistant] But it was more than he could afford when I was so close upon him.


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[Assistant] I had my chance, and starting from that point I have woven my net around him until now it is all ready to close.


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[Assistant] In three days, that is to say on Monday next, matters will be ripe, and the professor with all the principal members of his gang will be in the hands of the police.


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[Assistant] Then will come the greatest criminal trial of the century, clearing up of over forty mysteries, and the rope for all of them.


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[Assistant] But if we move at all prematurely, you understand, they may slip out of our hands even at the last moment.


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[Assistant] Now, if I could have done this without the knowledge of Professor Moriarty, all would have been well. But he was too wily for that.


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[Assistant] He saw every step which I took to draw my toils round him.


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[Assistant] Again and again he strove to break away, but I as often headed him off.


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[Assistant] I tell you, my friend, that if a detailed account of that silent contest could be written, it would take its place as the most brilliant bit of thrust and parry work in the history of detection.


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[Assistant] Never have I risen to such a height, and never have I been so hard pressed by an opponent. He cut deep, and yet I just undercut him.


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[Assistant] This morning the last steps were taken and three days only were wanted to complete the business.


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[Assistant] But I must confess to a start when I saw the very man, who had been so much in my thoughts, standing there on my threshold. His appearance was quite familiar to me.


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[Assistant] He is extremely tall and thin. His forehead domes out in a white curve, and his two eyes are deeply sunken in his head.


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[Assistant] He's clean-shaven, pale, and ascetic-looking, retaining something of the professor in his features.


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[Assistant] His shoulders are rounded from much study, and his face protrudes forward, and is forever slowly oscillating from side to side in a curiously reptilian fashion.


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[Assistant] He peered at me with great curiosity in his puckered eyes.


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[Assistant] You have less frontal development than I should have expected," said he at last. It is a dangerous habit to finger-loaded firearms in the pocket of one's dressing-gown.


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[Assistant] The fact is that upon his entrance I had instantly recognised the extreme personal danger in which I lay.


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[Assistant] The only conceivable escape for him lay in silencing my tongue.


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[Assistant] In an instant I had slipped the revolver from the drawer into my pocket and was covering him through the cloth.


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[Assistant] At this remark I drew the weapon out and laid it cocked upon the table.


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[Assistant] He still smiled and blinked, but there was something about his eyes which made me feel very glad that I had it there.


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[Assistant] On the contrary, I answered, I think it is fairly evident that I do. Pray take a chair. I can spare you five minutes if you have anything to say.


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[Assistant] He clapped his hand into his pocket and I raised the pistol from the table.


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[Assistant] But he merely drew out a memorandum book in which she had scribbled some dates.


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[Assistant] On the twenty-third you incomoded me. By the middle of February I was seriously inconvenienced by you.


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[Assistant] At the end of March I was absolutely hampered in my plans, and now at the close of April I find myself placed in such a position, through your continual persecution, that I am in positive danger of losing my liberty. The situation is becoming an impossible one."—'Have you any suggestion to make?' I asked.


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[Assistant] Tut, tut," said he, I am quite sure that a man of your intelligence will see that there can be but one outcome to this affair. It is necessary that you should withdraw


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[Assistant] You have worked things in such a fashion that we have only one resource left.


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[Assistant] It has been an intellectual treat to me to see the way in which you have grappled with this affair, and I say unaffectedly that it would be a grief to me to be forced to take any extreme measure. You smile, sir, but I assure you that it really would.


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[Assistant] Danger is part of my trade," I remarked.


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[Assistant] That is not danger," said he. It is inevitable destruction. You stand in the way not merely of an individual, but of a mighty organisation, the full extent of which you, with all your cleverness, have been unable to realise.


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[Assistant] You must stand clear, Mr. Holmes, or be trodden underfoot.


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[Assistant] I am afraid," said I, rising, that in the pleasure of this conversation I am neglecting business of importance which awaits me elsewhere.


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[Assistant] I know every move of your game. You can do nothing before Monday.


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[Assistant] If you are clever enough to bring destruction upon me,


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[Assistant] Rest assured that I shall do as much to you.


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[Assistant] You have paid me several compliments, Mr Moriarty," said I.


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[Assistant] Let me pay you one in return when I say that if I were assured of the former eventuality I would, in the interests of the public, cheerfully accept the latter. I can promise you the one.


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[Assistant] But not the other," he snarled, and so turned his rounded back upon me, and went peering and blinking out of the room.


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[Assistant] That was my singular interview with Professor Moriarty.


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[Assistant] I confess that it left an unpleasant effect upon my mind.


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[Assistant] His soft, precise fashion of speech leaves a conviction of sincerity which a mere bully could not produce.


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[Assistant] Of course, you will say, Why not take police precautions against him?


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[Assistant] The reason is that I am well convinced that it is from his agents the blow will fall. I have the best proofs that it would be so. You've already been assaulted.


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[Assistant] My dear Watson, Professor Moriarty is not a man who lets the grass grow under his feet.


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[Assistant] I went out about midday to transact some business in Oxford Street.


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[Assistant] As I passed the corner which leads from Bentink Street onto the Welbeck Street crossing, a two-horse van, furiously driven, whizzed round and was on me like a flash. I sprang for the footpath and saved myself by the fraction of a second.


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[Assistant] The van dashed round by Marlebone Lane and was gone in an instant.


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[Assistant] I kept to the pavement after that, Watson, but as I walked down Veer Street a brick came down from the roof of one of the houses and was shattered to fragments at my feet.


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[Assistant] I called the police and had the place examined.


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[Assistant] There were slates and bricks piled up on the roof preparatory to some repairs, and they would have me believe that the wind had toppled over one of these. Of course I knew better, but I could prove nothing.


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[Assistant] I took a cab after that and reached my brother's rooms in Pall Mall where I spent the day.


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[Assistant] Now I have come round to you, and on my way I was attacked by a ruff with a bludgeon.


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[Assistant] I knocked him down, and the police have him in custody, but I can tell you with the most absolute confidence that no possible connection will ever be traced between the gentleman upon whose front teeth I have barked my knuckles


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[Assistant] And the retiring mathematical coach, who is, I dare say, working out problems upon a blackboard ten miles away


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[Assistant] You will not wonder, Watson, that my first act on entering your rooms was to close your shutters, and that I have been compelled to ask your permission to leave the house by some less conspicuous exit than the front door.


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[Assistant] I had often admired my friend's courage, but never more than now, as he sat quietly checking off a series of incidents which must have combined to make up a day of horror.


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[Assistant] No, my friend, you might find me a dangerous guest.


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[Assistant] I have my plans laid, and all will be well. Matters have gone so far now that they can move without my help as far as the arrest goes.


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[Assistant] Though my presence is necessary for a conviction.


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[Assistant] It is obvious, therefore, that I cannot do better than get away for the few days which remain before the police are at liberty to act.


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[Assistant] It would be a great pleasure to me, therefore, if you would come on to the continent with me.


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[Assistant] The practice is quiet, said I, and I have an accommodating neighbour. I should be glad to come.


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[Assistant] And to start tomorrow morning? If necessary.


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[Assistant] Oh yes, it is most necessary. Then these are your instructions, and I beg, my dear Watson, that you will obey them to the letter, for you are now playing a double-handed game with me against the cleverest rogue and the most powerful syndicate of criminals in Europe. Now listen.


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[Assistant] You will dispatch whatever luggage you intend to take by a trusty messenger unaddressed to Victoria tonight.


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[Assistant] In the morning you will send for a handsome, desiring your man to take neither the first nor the second which may present itself. Into this handsome you will jump.


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[Assistant] And you will drive to the strand end of the Lowther Arcade, handing the address to the cabman upon a slip of paper, with a request that you will not throw it away.


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[Assistant] Have your fare ready, and the instant that your cab stops, dash through the arcade, timing yourself to reach the other side at a quarter past nine.


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[Assistant] You will find a small brotham waiting close to the curb, driven by a fellow with a heavy black cloak, tipped at the collar with red.


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[Assistant] Into this you will step, and you will reach Victoria in time for the Continental Express. Where shall I meet you?


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[Assistant] At the station. The second first-class carriage from the front will be reserved for us. The carriage is our rendezvous then? Yes.


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[Assistant] It was in vain that I asked Holmes to remain for the evening. It was evident to me that he thought he might bring trouble to the roof he was under, and that that was the motive which impelled him to go.


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[Assistant] With a few hurried words as to our plans for the morrow, he rose and came out with me into the garden, clambering over the wall which leads into Mortimer Street, and immediately whistling for a hansom in which I heard him drive away.


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[Assistant] In the morning, I obeyed Holmes' injunctions of the letter.


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[Assistant] A handsome was procured with such precaution as would prevent its being one which was placed ready for us, and I drove immediately after breakfast to the lather arcade, through which I hurried at the top of my speed.


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[Assistant] A Brougham was waiting with a very massive driver, wrapped in a dark cloak, who, the instant that I had stepped in, whipped up the horse and rattled off to Victoria Station.


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[Assistant] On my lighting there he turned the carriage and dashed away again without so much as a look in my direction. So far all had gone admirably.


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[Assistant] My luggage was waiting for me, and I had no difficulty in finding the carriage which Holmes had indicated.


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[Assistant] The less so as it was the only one in the train which was marked engaged.


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[Assistant] My only source of anxiety now was the non-appearance of homes.


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[Assistant] The station clock marked only seven minutes from the time when we were due to start.


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[Assistant] In vain I searched among the groups of travellers and leave-takers for the lithe figure of my friend. There was no sign of him.


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[Assistant] I spent a few minutes in assisting a venerable Italian priest who was endeavouring to make a porter understand, in his broken English, that his luggage was to be booked through to Paris.


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[Assistant] Then, having taken another look around, I returned to my carriage, where I found that the porter, in spite of the ticket, had given me my decrepit Italian friend as a travelling companion.


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[Assistant] It was useless for me to explain to him that his presence was an intrusion, for my Italian was even more limited than his English.


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[Assistant] So I shrugged my shoulders resignedly, and continued to look out anxiously for my friend.


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[Assistant] A chill of fear had come over me, as I thought that his absence might mean that some blow had fallen during the night.


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[Assistant] Already the doors had all been shut and the whistle blown when— My dear Watson, said a voice, you have not even condescended to say good morning. I turned in uncontrollable astonishment.


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[Assistant] The Aegean Ecclesiastic had turned his face towards me.


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[Assistant] For an instant the wrinkles were smoothed away, the nose drew away from the chin, the lower lips ceased to protrude, and the mouth to mumble.


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[Assistant] The dull eyes regained their fire, the drooping figure expanded.


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[Assistant] Every precaution is still necessary," he whispered.


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[Assistant] I have reason to think that they are hot upon our trail. Ah, there is Moriarty himself. The train had already begun to move as Holmes spoke.


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[Assistant] Glancing back, I saw a tall man pushing his way furiously through the crowd and waving his hand as if he desired to have the train stopped.


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[Assistant] It was too late, however, for we were rapidly gathering momentum, and an instant later had shot clear of the station.


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[Assistant] With all our precautions you see that we have cut it rather fine," said Holmes, laughing. He rose and, throwing off the black cassock and hat which had formed his disguise, he packed them away in a handbag. Have you seen the morning paper, Watson? No. You haven't seen about Baker Street, then? Baker Street?


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[Assistant] They set fire to our rooms last night. No great harm was done. Good heavens, homes! This is intolerable.


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[Assistant] They must have lost my track completely after their bludgeon man was arrested.


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[Assistant] Otherwise, they could not have imagined that I had returned to my rooms.


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[Assistant] They have evidently taken the precaution of watching you, however, and that is what has brought Moriarty to Victoria. You could not have made any slip in coming? I did exactly what you advised. Did you find your Brougham? Yes, it was waiting. Did you recognise your coachman? No.


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[Assistant] It was my brother Mycroft. It is an advantage to get about in such a case without taking a mercenary into your confidence.


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[Assistant] But we must plan what we are to do about Moriarty now.


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[Assistant] As this is an express, and as the boat runs in connection with it, I should think we've shaken him off very effectively.


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[Assistant] My dear Watson, you evidently did not realize my meaning when I said that this man may be taken as being quite on the same intellectual plane as myself. You do not imagine that if I were the pursuer I should allow myself to be baffled by so slight an obstacle.


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[Assistant] By no means. This train stops at Canterbury, and there is always at least a quarter of an hour's delay at the boat. He will catch us there. One would think that we were the criminals. Let us have him arrested on his arrival.


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[Assistant] It would be to ruin the work of three months. We should get the big fish, but the smaller would dart right and left out of the net. On Monday we should have them all. No, an arrest is inadmissible. What then? We shall get out at Canterbury. And then?


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[Assistant] Well then, we must make a cross-country journey to New Haven, and so over to Dieppe. Moriarty will again do what I should do.


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[Assistant] He will get on to Paris, mark down our luggage, and wait for two days at the depot.


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[Assistant] In the meantime we shall treat ourselves to a couple of carpet-bags, encourage the manufacturers of the countries through which we travel, and make our way at our leisure into Switzerland via Luxembourg and Basel.


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[Assistant] At Canterbury, therefore, we are lighted, only to find that we should have to wait an hour before we could get a train to New Haven.


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[Assistant] I was still looking rather rooffully after the rapidly disappearing luggage van which contained my wardrobe, when Holmes pulled my sleeve and pointed up the line.


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[Assistant] Far away, from among the Kentish woods, there rose a thin spray of smoke.


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[Assistant] A minute later a carriage and engine could be seen flying along the open curve which leads to the station.


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[Assistant] We had hardly time to take our place behind a pile of luggage when it passed with a rattle and a roar, beating a blast of hot air into our faces.


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[Assistant] It would have been a coup de maître had he deduced what I would deduce and acted accordingly. And what would he have done had he overtaken us?


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[Assistant] There cannot be the least doubt that he would have made a murderous attack upon me.


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[Assistant] It is, however, a game at which two may play


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[Assistant] The question now is whether we should take a premature lunch here, or run our chance of starving before we reach the buffet at New Haven.


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[Assistant] We made our way to Brussels that night and spent two days there, moving on upon the third day as far as Strasbourg.


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[Assistant] On the Monday morning Holmes had telegraphed to the London police


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[Assistant] And in the evening we found a reply waiting for us at our hotel.


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[Assistant] Holmes tore it open, and then with a bitter curse hurled it into the grate.


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[Assistant] They have secured the whole gang with the exception of him. He has given them the slip.


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[Assistant] Of course when I had left the country there was no one to cope with him, but I did think that I had put the game in their hands.


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[Assistant] I think that you had better return to England, Watson. Why?


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[Assistant] Because you will find me a dangerous companion now. This man's occupation is gone. He is lost if he returns to London.


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[Assistant] If I read his character right, he will devote his whole energies to revenging himself upon me.


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[Assistant] He said as much in our short interview, and I fancy that he meant it. I should certainly recommend you to return to your practice.


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[Assistant] It was hardly an appeal to be successful with one who was an old campaigner as well as an old friend.


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[Assistant] We sat in the Strasbourg Salamanger arguing the question for half an hour, but the same night we had resumed our journey and were well on our way to Geneva.


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[Assistant] For a charming week we wandered up the valley of the Rhone, and then, branching off at Luke, we made our way over the Gemmy Pass, still deep in snow, and so by way of Interlaken to Myringen.


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[Assistant] It was a lovely trip—the dainty green of the spring below, the virgin white of the winter above—but it was clear to me that never for one instant did Holmes forget the shadow which lay across him.


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[Assistant] In the homely alpine villages, or in the lonely mountain passes, I could tell by his quick glancing eyes and his sharp scrutiny of every face that passed us, that he was well convinced that, walk where we would, we could not walk ourselves clear of the danger which was dogging our footsteps.


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[Assistant] Once, I remember, as we passed over the Jemi, and walked along the border of the melancholy Daubensee, a large rock which had been dislodged from the ridge upon our right clattered down and roared into the lake behind us.


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[Assistant] In an instant Holmes had raced up onto the ridge, and standing upon a lofty pinnacle, craned his neck in every direction.


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[Assistant] It was in vain that our guide assured him that a fall of stones was a common chance in the springtime at that spot.


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[Assistant] He said nothing, but he smiled at me with the air of a man who sees the fulfilment of that which he had expected.


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[Assistant] And yet for all his watchfulness he was never depressed.


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[Assistant] On the contrary, I can never recollect having seen him in such exuberant spirits.


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[Assistant] Again and again he recurred to the fact that if he could be assured that society was freed from Professor Moriarty, he would cheerfully bring his own career to a conclusion.


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[Assistant] I think that I may go as far as to say, Watson, that I have not lived wholly in vain," he remarked.


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[Assistant] If my record were closed to night, I could still survey it with equanimity. The air of London is a sweeter for my presence.


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[Assistant] In over a thousand cases I am not aware that I have ever used my powers upon the wrong side.


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[Assistant] Of late I have been tempted to look into the problems furnished by nature rather than those more superficial ones for which our artificial state of society is responsible.


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[Assistant] Your memoirs will draw to an end, Watson, upon the day that I crown my career by the capture or extinction of the most dangerous and capable criminal in Europe.


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[Assistant] I shall be brief and yet exact in the little which remains for me to tell. It is not a subject on which I would willingly dwell, and yet I am conscious that a duty devolves upon me to emit no detail.


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[Assistant] It was on the 3rd of May that we reached the little village of Meiringen.


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[Assistant] Where we put up at the Englischer Hof, then kept by Peter Steiler the Elder.


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[Assistant] Our landlord was an intelligent man, and spoke excellent English, having served for three years as waiter at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.


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[Assistant] At his advice, on the afternoon of the fourth, we set off together, with the intention of crossing the hills and spending the night at the hamlet of Orosunlaui.


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[Assistant] We had strict injunctions, however, on no account to pass the falls of Reichenbach, which are about halfway up the hill, without making a small detour to see them. It is indeed a fearful place.