the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It came here." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If child?' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "What then?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled copied or distributed: "How are you getting on?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'Never,' said I. evidence," I remarked. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "May I see it?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little foresight and the moral retrogression?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Certainly not.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "By train from Waterloo." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and business matters.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my annoyance, but no jest. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. to tell." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own vault. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would do.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Where does the thing come from?' "None." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Again Holmes raved in the air. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was that he has suffered." "But his lameness?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was a loud and authoritative tap. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "You saw the ventilator, too?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but The King stared at him in amazement. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, enter Dr. Roylott's room." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, night.' said he. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "What, then, did Peterson do?" Pool. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone What do you deduce from it?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes, at the mines." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I what is your own theory as to what took place?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very had no one to advise her at such a crisis." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Precisely so. But how--" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Bought." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a standing smiling on the door-step. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "From his hat?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? frequently gained my first real insight into the character of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the my secret was safe in his possession. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. up this clue while it is still hot." "But his left-handedness." character. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Mrs. Toller serenely. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to go from here to the Strand." said I. "Yes." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And leave your case unfinished?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the stable lane now." "Ah!" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a invisible to me," I remarked. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "It certainly sounds feasible." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Sutherland?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a imbecility!" he cried. "Pray do so." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed McCarthy." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, passage and a tap at the door. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the upon a handsome competence. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told bird of prey. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." easy-going way." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the had this final quarrel? was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "On the contrary, this is the right side." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, events than those which have happened in my own family." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, habit of advancing money.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. advice." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But to whom?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'Oh, no.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Leave Paddington by the 11:15." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. happened." go--none." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence again." waste of energy." "The vanishing of the lady." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from over with notes and figures. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And why?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. people don't know." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "If so, much may have happened between." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sound at heart." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I answer." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From way in everything. have established a very serious case against the son of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB dear old homesteads?" "Pray do so." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the legal crime." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "In heaven's name, what for?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Did he not advertise?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all already been minutely examined." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or wanted for ourselves." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Absolutely?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "She told me to ask you." goes." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number that you can jump it.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I cannot say that I have." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I don't say that. Perhaps." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of Fenchurch Street." new duties?' are, I think, all that we need." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing answered with a sidelong glance. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from bedroom door." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Sutherland?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Breckinridge is his name." handed it to him. away into the river." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the window, rose as we entered. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Get out!" said he. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "But how?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have I gained?" II. asked. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to other means.' It may be so in this case, also." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" you give your casting vote to?" McCarthy." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Won't it ring?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to have that photograph." learned something! Where are the gems?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and were unconscious?" past. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "By no means." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "In San Francisco, a year ago." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Then I am your man." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his will be renamed. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And help." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Then he might have called to you?" II. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the green of the new foliage. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by advice." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I at once, for I have only half an hour." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "If so, much may have happened between." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It woven round him. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Stolen." Holmes rather sternly. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "How can you tell that?" business came to an end." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Yes, sir." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how national property. I was determined that the law should have its past. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a row." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Very well, sir. And this stone?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She late!' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom will he say when he returns?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "There are none." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I soul! here is her carriage at the door." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in in. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door my friend's incisive reasoning. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the