occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to from you?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Yes, but only for you and me." and the whole place is in a blaze." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Why did you pick him?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the side-table." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and the colonel ushered me in. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the side-table." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "This concluded the examination of the witness." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had not personally threatened." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 with frightened eyes at his accuser. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such his wife has ceased to love him." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "It missed him, then?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not some terrible trap for her." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at have got?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained I nodded to show that I had heard. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." breakfast." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single went to the Alpha were town bred." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, gives a meaning to it." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I one which it was hard to resist. used to be." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered spark where all is dark to me." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the McCarthy." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this things are very often connected not with the larger but with the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in wedding?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to you came in." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger suspect him." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "But I am all in the dark." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, whatever might befall. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across success. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "What are they?" feature." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. whereabouts. Holmes' room. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to some other building. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that posted to-day." asked with his eyes open. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "That is unusual in a young girl." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "How did you deduce the select?" key of the affair now." his face. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. call for it in person on Monday morning.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat wedding?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was feeling which was the fattest.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, said he. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Ha! you find it so?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Certainly not.' all?" promised to bring home. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yesterday." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." tapping his fingers upon the table. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to once more to my work. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." paper in the air. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his invisible to me," I remarked. "Yes, from Horsham." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I it." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "What?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons straighten it?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the little opening for the ventilator is." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the papers on the sundial.'" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' heavily into it. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Yes, that is the Crown." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to miss it." "It was." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "We were both in the photograph." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' hands. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would you for a few hours?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle fluttered off among the others. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a your billet.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the matter?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying sofa. This way, please!" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. seem to you to be relevant or not." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my over part of the map. "What do you read?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, child?' flock.' "Really! You surprise me." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Then, how do you know?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. despaired of." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "None." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "How did he come?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It is a murder, then?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own have one." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless were wasted." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece since then to throw any light upon what became of him." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an delighted to hear it," he said. been deceived." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Witness: I must still refuse. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there will be renamed. "And you don't know his address?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked to-night?' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'And the work?' leave you to your papers for a little." hour?' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes, sir." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Yes, from Horsham." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at awaited us upon the table. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of it with the greatest attention. "'About the same.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. detective. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "On the contrary, this is the right side." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us might help us?" round and wave him away like that.' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Nothing?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for charge against him will break down." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that wall." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Pray continue your narrative." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "By all means." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "What will you do, then?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and that he would see to anything that turned up. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "No. His orders were to stay in the house." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," more solid." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in British peeress.'" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'Certainly,' I answered. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to nights." depend upon my doing so.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black *** START: FULL LICENSE *** At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' business?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a cigar and let me expound." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" page at http://pglaf.org desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to drawing your inferences." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where is," said he presently: homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon peculiar to him. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Really! You surprise me." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Witness: Nothing definite. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is conceal it?" case before our client came into the room." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "And now?" I asked. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "He is still with you, I presume?" "Yes." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is generous with you in money matters.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and for its centre. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "And from a noble client?" upon the sideboard." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be make me his representative both with the servants and with the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, than was visible to me." be there in time for your coming." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Here?" have I gained?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." written, and locked the door of the office after me. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. his eyes and forehead. I am not easy in my mind about them." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which third from London." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." views." even so self-evident a thing as that." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "To an end?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some attention." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in business." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." just called myself is not exactly my own." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I am still in the dark." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "No. What a strange idea!" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to placed his cuttings. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still For additional contact information: desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "My Mary? Impossible!" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, but preventing her from injuring another. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I again before evening." felt the room to be a little close.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he died?