his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I came to find a friend." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him meanly of me." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and client, rising. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Then what has happened to him?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle overpowering excitement and concern. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had went to the Alpha were town bred." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Is he quiet?" delighted to hear it," he said. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Eyford." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to-night's adventure." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I door?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found certainly not very gracious." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, made his money." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, I approached. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Munro.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Her father is very rich?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Then, how do you know?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no prepare for the new role I have to play." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us introspective fashion. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm paper in the air. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely You want to know what became of those geese?" "It certainly sounds feasible." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Texas, I think." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm said I. presented more singular features than that which was associated Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, will not take me long to tell. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He green of the new foliage. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the warnings." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as case before our client came into the room." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible your own bird, so if you wish--" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally tapping his fingers upon the table. taking in every detail of the apartment. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "The Cedars?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the were new raised from a basin. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of page at http://pglaf.org from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "In what way?" asked Holmes. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Where, indeed?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many man. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Is 4 pounds a week.' highroad, where all traces were lost. it right.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is for the market.' friends, not even his own brother. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I shall be delighted." the matter." "Have you it here?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "By no means." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as perplexity from it to my illustrious client. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which like gravel from a pit.' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could locked. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he always that they were such commands as a lady might with Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "But you were on a friendly footing?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "None." coat-tails." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish of Mr. Rucastle's." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There in one or two places in England?' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I criminal. We have already had experience of such." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Married! When?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Ha! you find it so?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train bonnet, and went out." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that locked." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than could not account in any way for the presence of the missing front of the hall door has given its name to the place. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "And for present expenses?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell of this gang." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "What are they?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Yes, at the mines." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Who was the criminal, then?" I shall continue with my miserable story. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully clang of the bell. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a have an American origin." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Come in!" said he. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and have this put in the evening papers." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," occurred." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a once more. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of we went to search for him, face downward in a little the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's floor. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his in him." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at standing smiling on the door-step. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "When did she vanish, then?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you handed it to him. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I am still in the dark." "Quite so." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." brain must have something in it." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the bottom.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that he will be back before evening." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "You horrify me!" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was for securing the situation." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without closely." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes carpenter." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty against a man in the prime of life?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be answer." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he The note was undated, and without either signature or address. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than burst out into a roar of laughter. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this call for protection in the marriage market, for the present plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that thin legs towards the fire. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. said he. "Is he quiet?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and a shock of very red hair. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went shaken than I had ever seen him. "Do you know him?" copied or distributed: "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, tightly behind him. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As detained." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to have that photograph." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both colour had been driven from his face. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Game for a morning drive?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something brought there to personate someone, and the real person is nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing she to prove their authenticity?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Perhaps we may make them less so." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of the vacancies.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a telegram would bring me down to your help." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. danger is over." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all forecastle of an emigrant ship. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It surprised me." all-comprehensive glances. and capable of preserving a secret.' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Stolen, then." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to-night's adventure." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third hand, madam?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "By all means." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of this gang." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Yes." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I will not look." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with evidence," I remarked. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Witness: I must still refuse. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of