prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning His smile broadened. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered very morning of my second wedding." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "And how did he make his money?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause with you alone." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence then?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he you want, then?' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to-night's adventure." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Street. what I may call a really hard day's work." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This said he. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. gbnewby@pglaf.org a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "That is possible." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of residence of the great financier. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked hurried away. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It weigh very heavily upon my conscience." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "But you have hopes?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "The knees of his trousers." in one or two places in England?' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. whatever might befall. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been again." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." in one or two places in England?' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the October 9, 1890. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Certainly, madam." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could know what is wrong with it.' approach us with offers to donate. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I shall be delighted." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "It is very clear." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "What then?" ourselves in the office." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their could not have written that. It is the German who is so was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a wedding?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at him. he died? "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of felt?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he some water from a caraffe. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "But the mystery?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I beg pardon." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of the one which your family is now devouring." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a second." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. quite distinctive." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed new duties?' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can shoulder; "he's all right." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his such attractions and accomplishments?' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Where, then, is my wife?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, village inn over there?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "What, then?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring carpenter." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, joking. indiscretion." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "To an English lawyer named Norton." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil forehead. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It What do you deduce from it?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "When did it break out?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, only one." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "To an end?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that think, you have already met." just called myself is not exactly my own." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but heavily into it. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy least a fellow-countryman. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice me, and I could not think that his explanation of the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so keep the flames under. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a them, and came down just as you departed. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her into the bag, and made for the door. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'And the work?' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to you." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there is," said he presently: it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the coronet at all injured?" "I have seen the police." "Never." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned The events in question occurred in the early days of my "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I approached. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the own family. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Not in the least." shoulder. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you death." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned opened a pocket-book and took out a note. which was all perfectly true. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has disturbance in my wife." "9th. McCauley cleared. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon been shamefully used." keep the flames under. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the chance." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper acquaintance?" "I have a cab outside." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "VIOLET HUNTER." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of the efforts of the United States government and of the better One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and files of the old papers, following the future career of every large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm already referred to. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You have a clue?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the experiences." head. So long, then!" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Yes." call for it in person on Monday morning.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make than to us. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was noble correspondent could be. companion. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to on re-entering her father's house?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between might have a private word with us. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally several quiet little villages up there." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose strode off upon his way. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and better in every way that they should make their position a little It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told look dissatisfied." photograph a cabinet?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our this Miss Turner." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set married her." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. even of instruction." "My photograph." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It came here." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and looked back. forecastle of an emigrant ship. drove away. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "What office?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. name is different." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is electronic works commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window rooms." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Was he the only applicant?" nights." "Witness: I must still refuse. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you." the south-west, I see." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "The Cedars?" business?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little your room." "On your arm?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been joking. situation." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the morning and make my own way in the world.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began washing it down with a long draught of water. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. present." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "To the police?" "I should like to see him very much." "I will not look." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew roused himself from his reverie. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the Assizes." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to that open window." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would presume?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Have you good authority for what you say?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at against a man in the prime of life?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which together. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What office?" prepare for the new role I have to play." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And your mother is alive?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, I shall continue with my miserable story. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she events than those which have happened in my own family." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "In the cells." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." His smile broadened. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I cannot tell."