have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I think that it is very probable." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get address. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Henry Baker is a member." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I know all about it," he snarled. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you direction." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be matters immensely." "He might." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we had picked up in the wood. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a me. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "But not more so than I to find you." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the with frightened eyes at his accuser. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Dr. Gregory B. Newby light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "The knees of his trousers." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "But she will refuse." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Mary, has deserted me." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "But we can't all be." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my special province." past. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't carriage. It was a chestnut." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I more terrible than the truth. unprecedented a position." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass awaited us upon the table. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates thin legs towards the fire. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "On the contrary, this is the right side." and your relations to her." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in know what is wrong with it.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "None. Neville wrote those words." License. You must require such a user to return or that before taking the final step I should like to submit the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'And the work?' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an if I call to-morrow?" "I have hopes." cheerful." detective. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my IS waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened again." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'Ample.' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the residence of the great financier. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "The Coroner: What do you mean? remarked. straightened it out again. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive events, Mr. Windibank!" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, had a long day." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Nothing." had formerly been in part my own. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in village inn over there?" "But how?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the lost nothing by them." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the said he. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And when will you call?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey rat could hardly pass through." "Yes." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's o'clock is it?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a my friend's incisive reasoning. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a approach us with offers to donate. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Of what day?" My friend smiled. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "On Monday." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "His face fell immediately. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, minor matters until to-morrow." "But what harm can there be in that?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I say it is." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." could gather together that I was able to avert another public late." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you colonel looking down at me. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that one's self under obligations.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the said he. "I am still in the dark." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" round and wave him away like that.' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have absolutely follow my advice in every respect." him. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Mary, has deserted me." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the business." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, wall." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I fear not." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Won't it ring?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "What then?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "What, then, did Peterson do?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well chair. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera really the only notable feature about the thing." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as again on its way. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "That is possible." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between such attractions and accomplishments?' "He said too much." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife think that he is innocent?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the your Highness to the police-station?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do my little problems." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "And Irene Adler?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It is a murder, then?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I was mad--insane." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Yes, the wine-cellar." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently he. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his felt the room to be a little close.' which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed success. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old congratulate you again." with the outside air!" as this. Pray let me have the details." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "How are you getting on?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "To an English lawyer named Norton." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," himself to tell his story. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should out of this horrible affair." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Stoke Moran?" said he. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and pictures, libraries, or plate. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'It is locked up,' I answered. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very that threaten you." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in business matters.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "And what then?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy weighed down with some great anxiety. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in the port of London." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six his eyes and forehead. excitement. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to have that photograph." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, we went to search for him, face downward in a little Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always papers must be those that are destroyed.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "And now?" He raised his hand. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my better in every way that they should make their position a little upon the sideboard." do.' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of them has the shutters up.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are lectures into a series of tales." "Here?" for the market.' "'There is a drive, then?' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and looked back. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he wedding?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and it need not interfere very much with one's other time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in affair. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in hardly wander." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It is half-past ten now." "It is possible." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "No sign of it?" The King stared at him in amazement. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Yes." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "He is dead," cried several voices. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice clanging. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to seen the man in the road." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "In heaven's name, what for?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from suspect him." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "And I say east," said my patient. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Witness: Nothing definite. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I