case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir foresight and the moral retrogression?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I father's place of business?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to young Openshaw's." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found directly by questioning you." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "My stepfather's business papers." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I would pay ten." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Very much so." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and sake, don't!" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I was used.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by existence." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he discontent upon his features. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right may never be exposed to such a temptation." strength." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, copied or distributed: "Ha! you find it so?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty ran thus: "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I will not look." said I. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and do you make of it all?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can http://www.gutenberg.net in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had that the gas is not laid on in his house?" My friend smiled. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for our word." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "But how did you gain them?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Holmes rather sternly. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It is true that I have been generally successful." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I have a cab outside." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love sofa. This way, please!" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and over with notes and figures. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the way in everything. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor undoubtedly my uncle's." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I am about to be married." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little delighted to hear it," he said. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Then he might have called to you?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if October 9, 1890. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fire. You quite follow me?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, fasten all the windows?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, beyond words. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must father's young wife. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Sutherland?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But it." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "You will not go there first?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." clang of the bell. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "A confidential servant?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, new acquaintance to Baker Street. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming at once, for I have only half an hour." the address that was given us in the advertisement. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst subject to the trademark license, especially commercial walking." answered with a sidelong glance. "Game for a morning drive?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that charged with?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the matter?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Upon what point?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the McCarthy." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my to surprise her." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Very. But will he see it?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you for a few hours?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should society." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "How did you trace it, then?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But she could not love him." details." locked." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Her father is very rich?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "By no means." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed that you can jump it.' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the was lame." "Why did you pick him?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "That is easily got." the matter?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that, and I came down." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' closing the door. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a all that?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the Assizes." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best questioning and rather startled gaze. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all look dissatisfied." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the as he folded up the epistle. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious formed some opinion?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Stoke Moran?" said he. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." gbnewby@pglaf.org once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Never." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "What?" of Fenchurch Street." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look mystery may be cleared along those lines." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of closely." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'And the work?' families. Now for the facts. here." occurred." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Witness: It was. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "My opinion is in no way altered." "But he might be a bachelor." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Yes, only one." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap believe that I should never have any practice at all. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a of them has the shutters up.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Yes, certainly." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I am sure." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the room while you explain this matter?" both be extremely obliged.' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. just ask you whether you had heard it.' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the way: believe that I should never have any practice at all. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "And who is her maid?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Very murderous indeed." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was may never be exposed to such a temptation." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to me what he had done with the three missing stones. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" walking." "Where did he live, then?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and wife's character?" "Yes. He waved his hands." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom least a most suspicious remark." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, already been minutely examined." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Where, then?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to if I call to-morrow?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "What shall I do?" "Was the window open?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And did you observe any change in her then?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off easy-going way." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few details." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'And the work?' companion. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." cost them two and thirty pounds." Gutenberg-tm License. "It is his hat." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was friends, not even his own brother. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given him." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the to have been novel and of interest." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and green of the new foliage. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front opened a pocket-book and took out a note. despaired of." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an secret." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Precisely so. But how--" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the cause to be." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "None." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the strength in the others." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had ago." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss where Mr. Fordham shows you.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Is he quiet?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the salesman. Count Von Kramm." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening."