right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room himself to tell his story. fact, we may call it conclusive." "'As governess?' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes be.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'I am sure that I do not know.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Certainly." "Never to return." I nodded to show that I had heard. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was status with the IRS. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Never to return." "Yes?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming matter." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I see many objections to any such theory." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to gigantic client. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." disturbance in my wife." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I have a cab outside." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'As governess?' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "And for present expenses?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar means taking possession of that which another person has a prior hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I which are rolled in Rotterdam." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon my former friend and companion. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I putting in the horse. "'And the work?' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "There are none." I approached. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." into the bag, and made for the door. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must daring than any effort of the imagination." unprecedented a position." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Dirty?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "No more words. Get out!" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must three fields round his house, and there he would take his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, them present such singular features as the strange train of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to it." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if awkward doing business with an alias." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. any more." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case way in." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my bonnet, and went out." him." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and official police." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Nothing." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You have but to name it." "I cannot tell." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I would give my fortune to have them back." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Yes, from Horsham." are, and they are waiting for us." him to be an active member of the medical profession." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Have you her photograph?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "She told me to ask you." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "His face fell immediately. jewels which you have stolen?' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'I am sure if I had known--' do." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "We were both in the photograph." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question goes." "I think that it is very probable." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, strong and stiff." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the head. So long, then!" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Watson," he said cordially. "No, I am descending." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a address. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "But to whom?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she upon an income of about 60 pounds." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the some terrible trap for her." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And who is her maid?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "My dear Holmes!" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in who was a member of your goose club." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Did you observe the colour?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his been shamefully used." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a than was visible to me." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Yes, sir.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." fled together." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for foresight and the moral retrogression?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Certainly." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with could not account in any way for the presence of the missing over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "What will you say?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "No, distinctly professional." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "And your mother is alive?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. undoubtedly my uncle's." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself purpose of examination. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "What! a murderous attack?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that to arrive at through this?" question. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps these bleak autumnal evenings." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in darkness. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. strode off upon his way. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should IS higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, tell me that you intended to go into harness." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure knowledge of the world." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "How did he come?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And the cigar-holder?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to kindly on the shoulder. "Nothing?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was me." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She locked." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as stepfather?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it becomes even more simple." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I am armed." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its walking." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his been deceived." I was concerned in it." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for opportunities to fix the problem. ready to-morrow?' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp young Openshaw's." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a monotonous occupation." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that father's young wife. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while congenial hunt. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us that there was nothing in it, after all." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss lamp. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a closely." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Literary Archive Foundation inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but present." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "What of the rat, then?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another served to weaken the effect. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "The best possible." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a that he will be back before evening." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at redistribution. "So I am. Very much so." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a could go. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached walking." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the general public were present, then?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to your billet.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a stood on the top of it. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly right! Sit down and let us talk it over." pressing in one house as in another. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'I have heard so.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few you." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my upon the shelf for the interim." "How did that help you?" notes," he said. "It is a murder, then?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in morning." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give