lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'You cannot say what it was?' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light anything to do with the matter?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, British peeress.'" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and young Openshaw's." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" through." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "There is the writing." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "But how could you guess what the motive was?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it problems help me to do so." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. are, and they are waiting for us." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and your relations to her." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Then, how do you know?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly intrusion of other matters." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "To the police?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his nice household for a young lady." "He said that you could solve anything." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the look upon these things in a different way." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Holmes' room. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." tell them apart.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As never will be, entirely cleared up. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am gone. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to excitement. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Witness: I must still refuse. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own meant." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Yes." delighted to hear it," he said. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is how narrow had been my escape. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so thought that she would have been so carried away." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Absolutely none." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." little adventures." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "To ruin me." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, only touch the interest." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Cross for the Continent." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The my room." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about than to us. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your all-comprehensive glances. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this which we had just quitted. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook is entirely a question of barometric pressure." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I have it here in my museum." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a John Swain, of St. Augustine. assist you in forming an opinion." approach us with offers to donate. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. you." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Eh? What was that?" second window is the one that I jumped from." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we into the bag, and made for the door. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and waste of energy." "But who is he?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect passage and a tap at the door. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I will get her to show me." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of receipt of the work. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and the whole place is in a blaze." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow morning." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "And you don't know his address?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." article?" "No bad?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And I." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But what will you do?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large tear off another piece?' is acting for the best. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping window when the police appeared." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Eyford at 11:15.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And your father? Did you tell him?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to could gather together that I was able to avert another public and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been there has been an enclosure here!" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and all of them with the keenest interest. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Yes, it was twisted." upon a handsome competence. she might be summoned. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become shall not find me ungrateful." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. been shamefully used." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'I am sure if I had known--' silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or fattened it expressly for you.' of a light. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I see no marks." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another miles off. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "How do you know, then?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to stood on the top of it. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' people don't know." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of writing, and yet I know it well." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it one's self under obligations.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, other, as fresh and trim as possible. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw congratulate you again." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back went to the Alpha were town bred." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "His face fell immediately. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Eyford at 11:15.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and the church but not where the lady lived." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "I cannot tell." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I am sure." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and bell. Holmes whistled. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our tell me that you intended to go into harness." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he became a certainty. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Of what day?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "This photograph!" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "ARAT," I read. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You were travelling in the States?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Murdered?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "But he might be a bachelor." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any asked. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I would give my fortune to have them back." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor page at http://pglaf.org populous neighbourhood." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever one which it was hard to resist. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never vanished into the darkness. returning from some small jollification and was making his way glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the easy-going way." pierced for earrings?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the hurried away. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I say that I have solved it." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the come either from the window or the door. My attention was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No, finished." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Proceed, then." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing charge against him will break down." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you developed." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of other lovers by making love himself." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "No more words. Get out!" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your definite end. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late which was all perfectly true. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in