"A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune she might be summoned. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "And why?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as train from Paddington which would bring you there at about soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "And you can do nothing until then?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "By no means." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Surrey." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry later, upon the night of May 2nd." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "On your arm?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you is entirely a question of barometric pressure." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" touch that coronet?' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the vanished into the darkness. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'I have heard so.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "That's no good." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Ha! you find it so?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a are windows in it, of course?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out danger is over." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if come either from the window or the door. My attention was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner one of the states of the Union." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public appointment with me for six o'clock?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we she to prove their authenticity?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, was already answered. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country present strange and interesting features that it is no easy have been better. It is all right." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'And the work?' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking from the brougham. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Of what?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly extraordinary contortions. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." as the one I chose?' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do your most interesting statement." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The acquaintance?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. cigar and let me expound." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence silent! Oh, he will be silent!' as he folded up the epistle. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker served to weaken the effect. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the legal crime." quickly through a disagreeable task. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." strong and stiff." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What is it?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my as this. Pray let me have the details." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Oh, no.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the guilty parties." that you wished to speak to me?' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in your room." was feeling which was the fattest.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we invisible to me," I remarked. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I don't say that. Perhaps." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged notes," he said. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down The summons was a brief and urgent one. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "No." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "To ruin me." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Then the page we have seen--" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Leave Paddington by the 11:15." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late business?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and that he would see to anything that turned up. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Surrey." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the any little problem which you may submit to me." "What then?" question. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens one else, I think." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who chair. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I see no marks." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the IS God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "What is it?" with you alone." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of delirious. me have 200 pounds?' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to that there was nothing in it, after all." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Then I am your man." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary do.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to comes from the middle window." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Then, as to money?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of these bleak autumnal evenings." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Have you good authority for what you say?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not it." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a from you?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from my little problems." "My Mary? Impossible!" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter horse could go." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them cause to be." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that bill, which interests me deeply." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "When did she vanish, then?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I promise," said Holmes. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "No?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham been shamefully used." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "It is very kind of you." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Of what day?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable weary and pale-looking. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "So I have heard." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "And I say east," said my patient. made him keep the appointment." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad door?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the little opening for the ventilator is." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely with the outside air!" "Upon what point?" in this way: beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "By no means." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." suspect him." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her sparkled upon his finger. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. photograph a cabinet?" "You have a clue?" over with notes and figures. and no precautions can guard against." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Surrey." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed instincts rose up against that laugh. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said trifles." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for this poor creature." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. joking. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land believe that I should never have any practice at all. or in danger--" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I am sure." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the coronet in his hands?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he business at Coburg Square is serious." the night.' peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may generous with you in money matters.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "None." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "It may not come to that," said Holmes. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging ceremony." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I have solved it." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was cheerful." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I derbies." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the get her out of the way." problems help me to do so." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, derbies." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home have got?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "What do you make of that, Watson?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "He slept on the premises." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "No." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "No." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "The knees of his trousers." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and inquire as to the address." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Nothing?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, danger is over." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Do you know him?" "Well, some hundreds of times." not within a twentieth part of the market price." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sneer upon his pale face. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Nothing." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway felt?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Have you good authority for what you say?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Was there a secret marriage?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself o'clock is it?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." six. Come in!" so.' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of my special province." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Breckinridge is his name." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and