his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the devil!" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we several quiet little villages up there." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, fasten all the windows?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is tell them apart.' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Certainly." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I fear not." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the that?' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I was mad--insane." is acting for the best. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But how will you look?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'I am sure if I had known--' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to bled considerably." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my official police." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Ample." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that attention." union?" done what I asked you, Jones?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it here and I will read it to you: "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his cane at the bell-pull. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to States. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon narrative." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for behind me. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow within hail.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Then I am your man." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the nights." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Yes." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. window when the police appeared." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" garden below. happened." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "In the cells." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he to change my dress. photograph?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You daring than any effort of the imagination." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a four million human beings all jostling each other within the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure new acquaintance to Baker Street. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so written. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Was the window open?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say wife's character?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I was mad--insane." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is where Mr. Fordham shows you.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." III. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the stable lane now." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually young Openshaw's." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, photograph a cabinet?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be criminal. We have already had experience of such." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. present." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that compunction about shooting them down." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did key turn in the lock." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of him, that man would not have given me such complete information member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fact, we may call it conclusive." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit note?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous opened the door, and slipped through. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own little trying to do so much typewriting?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened frequently gained my first real insight into the character of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." jewels which you have stolen?' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I will do it." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "No, but the enclosure is." "Entirely." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he she used." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "But what harm can there be in that?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in again, where I was soon asleep. public press." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "My last client of the sort was a king." me what he had done with the three missing stones. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled do you make of it all?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "That also I could fathom." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. morning." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "So it appears." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate absorbing." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "No." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the works. See paragraph 1.E below. face and glided from the room. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of receipt of the work. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they trifles." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Then what has happened to him?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average lost nothing by them." "Where, then, is my wife?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Very truly yours, only touch the interest." "Your French gold?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to his chemical studies. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his better in every way that they should make their position a little "Come in!" said he. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Just look it up, then." eat it." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some suddenly upon us." "One?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "My dear Holmes!" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a look dissatisfied." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "But his left-handedness." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to-night's adventure." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental him to go away.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that delighted to hear it," he said. even so self-evident a thing as that." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. ago." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which in my life." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under becomes even more simple." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a gigantic client. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I will, Miss Turner." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and laid it on the table. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "What then?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, foot. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Where to?' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there persecution?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, you want, then?' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you upon the white wrist. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a back alive. "Very truly yours, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I there!' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch laugh and put his lips to my ear. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of cup of tea. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "No." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'There is a drive, then?' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not amused." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, question. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend business." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you over here." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the tell him that I know him to be innocent." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Do you go out much in society?" "I have a cab outside." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" http://www.gutenberg.net "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "What is it?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the gigantic client. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I have seen the police." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "There are none." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fat-encircled eyes. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will depend upon your compliance." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and down. someone who had been in Australia." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "How did you trace it, then?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner get her out of the way." The King stared at him in amazement. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "May I see it?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the roots. to-night?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table upon a handsome competence. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "You will not go there first?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was