slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES more terrible than the truth. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "And who is her maid?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Your presence might be invaluable." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What, then?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had villagers almost as much as their master. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "How did he come?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." sooner or later she must fall a victim. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You think that he is dead?" cause to be." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might cause to be." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to have that photograph." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. amused." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'It is locked up,' I answered. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, she used." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Bought." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us any little problem which you may submit to me." II. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. them, and came down just as you departed. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house other means.' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest footfalls from the street. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard than to us. "No, I think that I'll take it." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "She told me to ask you." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "By no means." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, one of the states of the Union." figure." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little friends, not even his own brother. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, brandy and water within his reach. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Then let me do so?' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of too. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a girl said." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and have this put in the evening papers." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone unclasping of his long thin hands. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Will you go?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for go from here to the Strand." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "One of his hands." for securing the situation." "My photograph." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "And how did you verify them?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "But how did you gain them?" "And Miss Sutherland?" "Pray continue your narrative." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Pool. helping a boy to put up the shutters. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted be.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Will you bet, then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Of Friday, June 19th." be best to do. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I shall communicate with you." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out footfalls from the street. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, laugh and put his lips to my ear. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both stalked out of the room. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "What will you say?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for fashion which was peculiar to him. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'You cannot say what it was?' "VIOLET HUNTER." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the know all about it," he snarled. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under been." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and cigars in the box." fashion which was peculiar to him. of them has the shutters up.' "But his lameness?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Eh? What was that?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I think it very unlikely." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yes, only one." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "And your mother is alive?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do undoubtedly my uncle's." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of them has the shutters up.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I McCarthy's innocence. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached into her hand at the door and which lured her within their gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of unclasping of his long thin hands. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Yes, that is the Crown." she to prove their authenticity?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "And Miss Sutherland?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I see no marks." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Not I." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her narrative." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is was already answered. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the stable lane now." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to heavily into it. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me tell them apart.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Edgeware Road. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, are, and they are waiting for us." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" carried out of court." plantation.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for which should have the effect of calling the attention of the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. forehead. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "How can you tell that?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Bought." "I don't say that. Perhaps." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a all-comprehensive glances. "It certainly sounds feasible." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I should be immensely obliged to you." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But you were on a friendly footing?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I don't say that. Perhaps." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Yes." "'In my own bureau.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Street. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Foundation should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "But what harm can there be in that?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" certainly do as you advise." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; definite end. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So just called myself is not exactly my own." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my you?' "My stepfather's business papers." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which read over the extraordinary announcement. upon an income of about 60 pounds." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "The vanishing of the lady." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'I am sure if I had known--' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William from the brougham. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Dr. Becher's." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' disappearance of these gems?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I would pay ten." stepfather?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "No." nothing with him." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while shall not find me ungrateful." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his But Holmes shook his head gravely. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." window when the police appeared." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a even so self-evident a thing as that." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And I say east," said my patient. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and a shock of very red hair. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with appointment with me for six o'clock?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left pound a week." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Not him." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a forecastle of an emigrant ship. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we detective. been shamefully used." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "We must have a cab." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Very good.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior in darkness. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without