walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "No." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when bears upon the case?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all shall not find me ungrateful." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Again Holmes raved in the air. "What! You do not mean bodies?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest colour had been driven from his face. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Stoke Moran?" said he. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided girl said." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "You think that he is dead?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "At what time?" case-book, which he consulted. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that in darkness. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my your co-operation." sparkled upon his finger. "I do." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, guilty parties." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive thirty. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low stood on the top of it. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold any." "I am following you closely," I answered. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "At half-wages, in fact." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." like that before?" "Your sister is dead, then?" "You will not go there first?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account towards the blaze. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid shall not find me ungrateful." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Where is it, then?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Here?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Where, indeed?" where we are going." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my hurried by. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Certainly." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of you." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the iron safe, which he closed upon it. both be extremely obliged.' "Not particularly." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own passage and a tap at the door. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which telegram would bring me down to your help." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who newspaper selections." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "The Coroner: What do you mean? The note was undated, and without either signature or address. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed tied." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." our word." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the London for the present?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to-night's adventure." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Pray tell us what has happened to you." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. locked. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'There is a drive, then?' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I held the little printed slip to the light. "The rest you will leave in our hands." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the Assizes." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Then I can wait in the next room." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and the church but not where the lady lived." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other yards of it?' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Get out!" said he. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a humiliation." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Tired-looking or fresh?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present coroner's jury." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Well, it is a possible supposition." meanly of me." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his arrested. You then--" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "What! Had he lost his wife?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Did your wife hear all this?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our page at http://pglaf.org time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar your co-operation." "Yes, but only for you and me." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "No, finished." and that he would see to anything that turned up. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Not him." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "He said too much." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "How did you deduce the select?" on in his house." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' golden eyeglasses. "How can you tell that?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "But you would not advise me to refuse?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I never have." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as must compliment you." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "On your arm?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say obstinate." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I be. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Well, some hundreds of times." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Holmes, the busybody!" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Bought." "'What then?' I asked. so far?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." one of the states of the Union." kindly on the shoulder. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own problems help me to do so." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average behind me. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "And you thought he was pulled back?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "And is that all?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, lamp. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Watson," he said cordially. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three lost his Christmas dinner." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Yes." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he just called myself is not exactly my own." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally you." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very desk. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Stolen, then." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "What will you say?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." indeed happy." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with detained." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Literary Archive Foundation "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody matter." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "But I have heard all that you have heard." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not overpowering excitement and concern. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I crackling voice. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Yes, it was gone.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But what is it you wish?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the child." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour charged with?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Yes, the wine-cellar." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect country, and eventually married, without anyone having a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But his left-handedness." your Highness to the police-station?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Was he the only applicant?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And help." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" where we are going." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Yes." is," said he presently: who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." would then never go into court at all." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he least a most suspicious remark." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple than to us. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "He is still with you, I presume?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "A thing like a cleaver," said he. was already answered. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Absolutely?" second window is the one that I jumped from." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you