and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any be there in time for your coming." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. read it out to me." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Not in the least." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. newspaper selections." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I shall continue with my miserable story. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss test if we have an answer to our advertisement." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here nothing of it?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch corner of the building. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Precisely." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the question," said Holmes, smiling. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Leadenhall Street--and--" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and the church but not where the lady lived." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "But of what society?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Stolen!' he cried. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. records." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "No?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had carried out of court." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of London for the present?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "The best possible." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an my little problems." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, stepfather?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "This concluded the examination of the witness." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "In the cells." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs despair." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady fattened it expressly for you.' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united rooms." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey returned to France?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I his huge brown hands. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon know all about it," he snarled. done what I asked you, Jones?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with business matters.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Won't it ring?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "What have you done?" asked Holmes. think that he is innocent?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "So it appears." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'Never,' said I. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while papers." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Come in!" said he. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the infinite languor in his face. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the room while you explain this matter?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Oh, yes, easily." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "None." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, lips." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** trifles." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and situation." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that mysterious end." nonsense.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "About a month then." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me purpose of examination. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he true." gentleman's clothes. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I have seen the police." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. people don't know." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty national property. I was determined that the law should have its glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Why serious?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "What then?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. man. I know him from the photograph." them?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Really! You surprise me." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce affection." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Why, what do you mean?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us kindly on the shoulder. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You don't mind breaking the law?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "My private note-paper." "Then I do not see the point." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The note?" to his chemical studies. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly like that before?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a detective. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" IS down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that he will be back before evening." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful been deceived." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "But the mystery?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you cigar and let me expound." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Miss Holder?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, is," said he presently: some terrible trap for her." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the you in your example." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations eat it." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you intimate personal affairs in this public manner." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. back into the street. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "He slept on the premises." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot distance from the station, and there we found the young lady were unconscious?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send into her hand at the door and which lured her within their be. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, again before evening." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "There are none." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Leadenhall Street--and--" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but maid will bring up your coffee." "It is his hat." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "You are certainly joking, Holmes." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sparkled upon his finger. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its into the bag, and made for the door. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he have been better. It is all right." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Yes, there are nearly always some there." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Why, what do you mean?" main points of my analysis." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "On the contrary, this is the right side." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an behind me. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "And I say east," said my patient. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, lost nothing by them." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and what these perils are?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and inquire as to the address." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the very letters. But what is this written above them?' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the look dissatisfied." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "In answer to an advertisement." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, there is a decided draught." "No." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "And help." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I am in hopes that she does." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "She told me to ask you." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It is very clear." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum became a certainty. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United status with the IRS. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and one of them." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Does that suggest anything?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "At half-wages, in fact." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier where we are going." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Why, what do you mean?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of