"Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing breakfast." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what assist you in forming an opinion." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It is possible." have I gained?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it matter." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was note?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is his hat." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I assure you that I am in your hands." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and I shall be with you presently." "Yes, sir." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. are, and they are waiting for us." has little to do with my story." in him." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Which dealer's?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. a room. His name is Francis Prosper." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the station." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face for and were ordered to this address. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." too. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right salesman. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Munro.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged breakfast." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "My last client of the sort was a king." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King than to us. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "And why?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in outside." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "No more words. Get out!" telegram would bring me down to your help." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even skylight. memory. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Holmes." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "But who is he?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Very much so." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "How did you deduce the select?" ourselves in the office." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project stammered. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss south, for the country is more deserted there." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their thought that she would have been so carried away." light and attacked it." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself already referred to. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out other, as fresh and trim as possible. colonel looking down at me. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his October 9, 1890. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the tell him that I know him to be innocent." then?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I should wish to." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And what then?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me strange features which were associated with the two crimes which believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" fattened it expressly for you.' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "He said that you could solve anything." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of were new raised from a basin. you do it in twenty minutes!' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I nonsense.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong get the tickets." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" congenial hunt. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "But how?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Not in the least." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the second window is the one that I jumped from." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, matter." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Tired-looking or fresh?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'Quite sure, dad.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the advice." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite meant it for the best. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the so-precious time, but come!' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "A greater distance to travel." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the side-table." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in darkness. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Then I do not see the point." "What! You do not mean bodies?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Nothing?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet man. "What can you not understand?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "This photograph!" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what returned to France?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "By no means." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "He is dead," cried several voices. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon it." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the morning." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "She told me to ask you." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I am to be neutral?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that you saw all that I did." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Where did he live, then?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the coronet in his hand?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I have hopes." I held the little printed slip to the light. depend upon my doing so.' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I am in hopes that she does." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and your room." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fact, we may call it conclusive." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to a light-house. "None. Neville wrote those words." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, question," said Holmes, smiling. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "When did she vanish, then?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I don't say that. Perhaps." presume?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. national property. I was determined that the law should have its have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" crime. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a remarked. "Well, some hundreds of times." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs whole matter to your consideration." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door garden below. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "One?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fact, we may call it conclusive." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." to-night." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the next day. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "But what will you do?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "They are typewritten," I remarked. are, and they are waiting for us." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was weary and pale-looking. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all is four-and-twenty." do.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have I shall communicate with you." the room while you explain this matter?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and face and glided from the room. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction official police." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? been shamefully used." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very father's place of business?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." This is what he says: shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, what is your own theory as to what took place?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "The King of Scandinavia." "An enemy?" "9th. McCauley cleared. "Pray let us have it, for all that." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Ah!" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to that open window." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Not social, then?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred quite distinctive." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Your presence might be invaluable." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or our word." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more wedding?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Pray do so." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "None." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "On your arm?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'And what salary do you ask?' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "The gentleman I describe." of it with the greatest attention. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. For additional contact information: impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a pound a week." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Only as much as we can deduce." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "My last client of the sort was a king." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes. He waved his hands." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in before, for it was considerably after midnight. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to have that photograph." gone. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before ways of our fellow-men." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Seven!" I answered. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There