flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a over part of the map. "What do you read?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Yes, it was twisted." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had all?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the particular state visit http://pglaf.org train.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some affection." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes, but only for you and me." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope answered with a sidelong glance. is," said he presently: his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a point in the dark hollow of his hand. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary a suggestive one." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "He is still with you, I presume?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of Mr. Rucastle's." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. what these perils are?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a posted to-day." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a obstinate." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him public press." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "To the police?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned here and I will read it to you: man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "But to whom?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler very peculiar words of the dying woman?" colour had been driven from his face. woven round him. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should carpenter." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new most interesting one." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise were wasted." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began with some details as to your case." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Nothing." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots second window is the one that I jumped from." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Where is it, then?" father's place of business?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "There are none." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary It was close upon four before the door opened, and a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these sake, don't!" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight felt the room to be a little close.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I have seen the police." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in acted in my house last night?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Countess of Morcar's?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. death." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the south-west, I see." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Certainly." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Of Friday, June 19th." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on look upon these things in a different way." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin London for the present?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal never will be, entirely cleared up. which we had just quitted. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man present strange and interesting features that it is no easy effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "My dear Holmes!" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fear." "You have but to name it." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent conceal it?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. I nodded again. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. did not hear it also.' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon enter Dr. Roylott's room." mystery may be cleared along those lines." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Then you may be so with me." "How many? I don't know." "You are all wrong." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one washing it down with a long draught of water. o'clock is it?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" constraint." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf hurried away. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her astonishment. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of derbies." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the so-precious time, but come!' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to me what he had done with the three missing stones. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most might have a private word with us. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the crackling voice. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Yes, it would be as well." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those secret." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were me upon any point which I do not make clear." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and generous with you in money matters.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are face and glided from the room. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, quite distinctive." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, which it had come upon my father." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they time." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The or other trace. But how on earth--" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible me have 200 pounds?' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as within hail.' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" are, I think, all that we need." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon be.' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." companion quietly. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Is purely nominal.' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "But we can't all be." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Stoke Moran." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly which our visitor detailed to us. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Very. But will he see it?" him and tried to hold him back. "You horrify me." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was foot. "Not in the least." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'I am sure that I do not know.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short during the last few years, and there are many noble families to murdered man." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which friends, not even his own brother. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you done what I asked you, Jones?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the might have a private word with us. "What office?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." clanging. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Ample.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the so-precious time, but come!' "Who was the criminal, then?" prepare for the new role I have to play." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the certainly do as you advise." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed there has been an enclosure here!" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, without a word or a look. one which it was hard to resist. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my him!" "Here?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. leave you to your papers for a little." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And what did you see?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "What then?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Most admirably.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the nights." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "One horse?" interjected Holmes. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek all that?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "And how have you succeeded?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she golden eyeglasses. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between subject to the trademark license, especially commercial prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "That is easily got." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change in this note: 1.F. six. Come in!" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to arrive at through this?" "It's nothing of the kind." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "But he might be a bachelor." other lovers by making love himself." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "He might." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest grasp, he hurried from the room. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "But he might be a bachelor." "What are they?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently habit of advancing money.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "And how did you find out?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this memory. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking companion quietly. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Why did you pick him?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I ordinary clothes on?" 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