1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to flock.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You think so, too?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "No good news?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he out of this horrible affair." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "No bad?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds as the one I chose?' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa at once, for I have only half an hour." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the became a certainty. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "No. What a strange idea!" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she three fields round his house, and there he would take his "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I assure you that I am in your hands." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I shall be delighted." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Here?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any key turn in the lock." "It looks newer than the other things?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him served to weaken the effect. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left comes from the middle window." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' stepfather?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Yes, the wine-cellar." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I am still in the dark." strength of mind to control. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." lamp in his hand. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Tired-looking or fresh?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "No." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Quite so." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged to some other building. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I think it very unlikely." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "On Monday." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by his knees, staring into the fire. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Project Gutenberg-tm works. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "A thing like a cleaver," said he. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has them?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Entirely." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And from a noble client?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Yes, certainly." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, future lives." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An discontent upon his features. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Never." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'Entirely.' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was this Miss Turner." orange pips. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "He is dead," cried several voices. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." detained." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And I to find an enemy." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down man. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over during that time.' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could not interfere, come what may. You understand?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be your troubles." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two lost his Christmas dinner." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the stones. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Of Friday, June 19th." politicians who had been sent down from the North. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added walking." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I cannot think." "I will not look." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. comes from the middle window." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. you?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Then you may entirely rely on me." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. least a most suspicious remark." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "So I have heard." "Yes, only one." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of sound at heart." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "One of the highest in England." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "It's nothing of the kind." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I bachelor.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right coat-tails." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than charge against him will break down." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from suggested at once that there must be a communication between the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must jewels which you have stolen?' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'In my own bureau.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, legal crime." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Ten will be early enough." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "He disappeared so suddenly." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I am armed." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, fasten all the windows?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "So it appears." you?' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a late." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "He might." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And Irene Adler?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." this man was intellectual?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "The Cedars?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'And the work?' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to some other building. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before you in yours." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait appeal." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble acted in my house last night?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest lectures into a series of tales." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all conclusions. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, certainly do as you advise." "It is very kind of you." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally be there in time for your coming." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of Mr. Rucastle's." Holmes' room. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No for its centre. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Street. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Countess of Morcar's?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my locked." that, and I came down." the Red-headed League." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "What have you to say now?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have at once, for I have only half an hour." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to change my dress. unclasping of his long thin hands. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "He might." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You are certainly joking, Holmes." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we better grown goose." comes from the middle window." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "The landlord of the Alpha." following enigmatical notices: jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. have an American origin." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other better in every way that they should make their position a little "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "No good news?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' really the only notable feature about the thing." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "To the police?" all-comprehensive glances. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. business at Coburg Square is serious."