undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. fuss that is made over them." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where villagers almost as much as their master. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting said he, "my real name is James Ryder." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by how narrow had been my escape. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time was a loud and authoritative tap. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in all?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I see many objections to any such theory." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the had picked up in the wood. "Breckinridge is his name." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it geese which you supplied to the Alpha." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "And leave your case unfinished?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes, I have one waiting." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with ran thus: "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that should be taken.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek people don't know." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Yes, from Horsham." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was hour." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "What do you mean?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander them, and came down just as you departed. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his four million human beings all jostling each other within the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Sutherland?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout will take you up to see the machine.' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'About the same.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Yes, it was twisted." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "To the police?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he this unhappy family?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in this remarkable episode. generous with you in money matters.' of." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I promise," said Holmes. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do that he has suffered." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, my secret was safe in his possession. "To an English lawyer named Norton." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It is very kind of you." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the just called myself is not exactly my own." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I should be immensely obliged to you." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in comes from the middle window." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a charge against him will break down." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the tear off another piece?' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the investigation." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Pray let us have it, for all that." round and wave him away like that.' the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one your bag." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" fishes. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was yet." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no are windows in it, of course?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the King without delay." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bell. Holmes whistled. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "It is a murder, then?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found coroner's jury." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I shall communicate with you." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "So it appears." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "It came here." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "No, I am descending." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of just called myself is not exactly my own." "Ten will be early enough." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the posted to-day." dear old homesteads?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead subject to the trademark license, especially commercial to miss it." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to sentimental considerations in the background which would induce mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The held up the lantern and gazed about him. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting that he has suffered." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that man. I know him from the photograph." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" cigars in the box." as yours." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her page at http://pglaf.org got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method happened." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, directly by questioning you." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he for securing the situation." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "One of the highest in England." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small quickly through a disagreeable task. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Not social, then?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly London for the present?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. an introduction to him?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Lee, in the county of Kent." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a dear old homesteads?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure that before taking the final step I should like to submit the once more. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found go back?" you came in." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an remarked. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I highly," said Holmes. "No, finished." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an nothing with him." enter into my head. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I see many objections to any such theory." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." cause to be." spare." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project goes." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "In what way?" asked Holmes. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable bare slabs of marble. questionable one." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the devil!" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "The Coroner: What do you mean? next day. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'How far from the body?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "The rest you will leave in our hands." is so. I know all about McCarthy." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin again, where I was soon asleep. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "My opinion is in no way altered." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the bears upon the case?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Yes." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE in him." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just fat-encircled eyes. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her footfalls from the street. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "ARAT," I read. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his might have a private word with us. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Was the window open?" think that he is innocent?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be acted in my house last night?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, this as likely?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his gives a meaning to it." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which address. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled such attractions and accomplishments?' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her ago." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I nonsense.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. be best to do. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Then the page we have seen--" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "No bad?" was not a bird to be seen there. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and