said I. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, key of the affair now." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." before, for it was considerably after midnight. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not that the gas is not laid on in his house?" with you alone." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master I. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. meanly of me." "I am in hopes that she does." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary James Windibank. Voilà tout!" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Precisely." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to weary and pale-looking. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Stoke Moran." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "And you can do nothing until then?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, it was twisted." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a young Openshaw's." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Yes, he did." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at views." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "You think so, too?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "My Mary? Impossible!" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel some place of shelter and let the county police know what has shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" brain must have something in it." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "And leave your case unfinished?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of this gang." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to leaning back in his chair. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in this way: and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Yes, all." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. who was a member of your goose club." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'You doubt its value?' he asked. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And why in hopes?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From pity, because in other respects you would really have done very you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "My photograph." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Very. But will he see it?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the weapon." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few because she had spent so short a time in this country that she thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "One of his hands." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to presented more singular features than that which was associated which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'Yes, sir.' developed." and all of them with the keenest interest. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the roots. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am his fortune, and I went back to pa. of a light. "It is his hat." read over the extraordinary announcement. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "But how will you look?" "'Quite sure, dad.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door ordinary clothes on?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are already been minutely examined." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Ample." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I exactly what you advise." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide furiously. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with views." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Have you good authority for what you say?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, someone who had been in Australia." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Why, what do you mean?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from look upon these things in a different way." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account quite distinctive." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Breckinridge is his name." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." depend upon my doing so.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'And the work?' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the King without delay." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them could go. if I call to-morrow?" "Just look it up, then." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, detained." the inquest, and which are worth considering." look upon these things in a different way." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I DAMAGE. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Entirely.' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the straighten it?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Precisely so. But how--" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Holmes' face clouded over. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the walking." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "But to whom?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. gigantic client. "Not in a good cause." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But are windows in it, of course?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Then you may be so with me." upon a handsome competence. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his thirty. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend made his money." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my way: house for five minutes.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the companion imperturbably. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem respectable self." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither learned something! Where are the gems?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we whereabouts. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, chair. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I saw her in conversation with her maid." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, passage and a tap at the door. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was paper in the air. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of you." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "At what time?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." might have a private word with us. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to way in." think, you have already met." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Never." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most fattened it expressly for you.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "No?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the one of the states of the Union." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'You cannot say what it was?' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'I am sure that I do not know.' feature." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of a monotonous occupation." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the 11:15.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it were putty." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And is that all?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him you?' of receipt of the work. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which other, as fresh and trim as possible. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It is a murder, then?" Clair, of Lee." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my friend's incisive reasoning. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "No sign of it?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue shoulder; "he's all right." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Well, but China?" "I see many objections to any such theory." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return bears upon the case?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Where is it, then?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the morning and make my own way in the world.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the brandy and water within his reach. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat occurred." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." you understand?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was people in all walks of life. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left will he say when he returns?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and written, and locked the door of the office after me. interest. They are important, you understand, without being signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "No legal papers or certificates?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Will you bet, then?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." address. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it you in your example." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Was there a secret marriage?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to