stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. developed." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A your room." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What do you mean?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the hour." "And Miss Sutherland?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "You have compromised yourself seriously." you." "'Yes, I promise.' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I cannot tell." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to indeed which he could not unravel. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'Then let me do so?' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which a little more before I quite committed myself. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." page at http://pglaf.org step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Come in!" said he. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "None. Neville wrote those words." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving indeed which he could not unravel. voice, changing her seat as requested. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'And the work?' "It's nothing of the kind." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'I am sure if I had known--' "Will you bet, then?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Pray tell us what has happened to you." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black money should be paid at once.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would other means.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I cannot imagine." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and remarked. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating she might be summoned. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to second." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And Miss Sutherland?" she used." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will in my life." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's lids now and glanced across at his visitor. forehead. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have I gained?" companion imperturbably. "There is the writing." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an chance at all." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "So I heard. You have him here?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "My Mary? Impossible!" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the guilty parties." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of where she found matters as described by the last witness. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And leave your case unfinished?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but in a very precise fashion." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was it." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I guessed as much." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I cigar and let me expound." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one over here." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "No." "It certainly sounds feasible." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the meanly of me." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Very much so." answer." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and and the colonel ushered me in. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." weapon." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my strength." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Well?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. it." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'In my own bureau.' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "That is easily got." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is voice. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Precisely so. But how--" "'I have already given you my word.' "None." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It is half-past ten now." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I should like to see him very much." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Imitated." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And your father? Did you tell him?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather it." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Which surely he restored to their owner?" here and I will read it to you: since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the are windows in it, of course?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that it." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. in his hands." client, rising. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over forbidden door. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was keenly on my guard against him. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "No, finished." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Imitated." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "And the cigar-holder?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, it is a possible supposition." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Yes, that is the Crown." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And been with you?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose where we are going." "Yes. He waved his hands." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular breakfast?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am License. You must require such a user to return or crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by them, and came down just as you departed. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the on in his house." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of joking. a room. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third clang of the bell. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "It goes to the housekeeper's room." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are do.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a reach." ready to-morrow?' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Watson," he said cordially. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the your sleep?' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad recall any case within my experience which looked at the first License. You must require such a user to return or "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most following enigmatical notices: absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "So I have heard." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes secret." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "You horrify me!" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy legal crime." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I cannot imagine." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My go back?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and business in the City. She little knew what. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and distinguish the words: season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'Stolen!' he cried. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger pierced for earrings?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that gone. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a chamber." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. chair. "The murder was done with it." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that he has suffered." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Who was the criminal, then?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Quite so." for the market.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You have it, sir, just as it happened." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would ran thus: "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Did you observe the colour?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his stammered. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. third from London." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "My opinion is in no way altered." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. business." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all not personally threatened." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of this gang." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Yes." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I cannot imagine." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be long narrative. drawing your inferences." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "And from a noble client?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few photograph?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Breckinridge is his name." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the mystery may be cleared along those lines." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to occupations.' "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "By no means." too. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, conclusions. business came to an end." "You saw the ventilator, too?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had wife's character?" meanly of me." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker cigar and let me expound." "And how in the world did you find them?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged