"Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I morning." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And it is--" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed child?' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the foot. "And on what day did he meet his death?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns question. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert lips." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a miles off. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another union?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it towards the blaze. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," trying to your nerves." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and article?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "He said that you could solve anything." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we him and tried to hold him back. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this instituted." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that must compliment you." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "In the cells." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once we went to search for him, face downward in a little must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." 1.F. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to he bowed and left the room without another word. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal bare slabs of marble. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "You were travelling in the States?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when where Mr. Fordham shows you.' back to my heart. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless residence of the great financier. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." do you make of it all?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in thirty. it." "I think it very unlikely." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or fear." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have that he will be back before evening." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Married! When?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the driver. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had floor. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "How about poison?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "It is no ordinary one." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was once confined in the cab my mission was practically them, and came down just as you departed. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes, only one." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by sufficient punishment." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Did he not advertise?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small felt?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. persecution?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who which was all perfectly true. in his hands." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the devil!" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the nursery. "How about poison?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to tear off another piece?' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from down in his armchair and closing his eyes. man. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "How about poison?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling direction." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, third from London." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You horrify me." visitors." Serpentine Avenue. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you had this final quarrel? have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Dr. Becher's." "And leave your case unfinished?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and I shall be with you presently." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was emerged. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling introspective fashion. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "One of his hands." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony asked. Street. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly bonnet, and went out." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, waste of energy." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been problems help me to do so." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'It is locked up,' I answered. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of families. Now for the facts. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "No bad?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the date of his supposed suicide." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see time." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Breckinridge is his name." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I peculiar to him. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." I shall communicate with you." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over meant." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to his face. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a address. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting written, and locked the door of the office after me. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the coroner come to?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have will he say when he returns?" was feeling which was the fattest.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "We have tried and failed." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Then, how do you know?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "A thing like a cleaver," said he. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I with her." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was child?' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I guessed as much." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which stalked out of the room. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? for and were ordered to this address. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Precisely." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which this Miss Turner." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten place of silver." me what he had done with the three missing stones. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Countess of Morcar's?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned there is a decided draught." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the date of his supposed suicide." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like upon the shelf for the interim." leaning back in his chair. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to obstinate." vault. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the go--none." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." companion. returned to France?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Married! When?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have trifles." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave long narrative. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Why did you pick him?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "No." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your married her." "He disappeared so suddenly." "'Where to?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "By no means." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "But you have hopes?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I see no marks." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story http://gutenberg.net/license). Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I cannot imagine." opened the door, and slipped through. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Leadenhall Street--and--" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window whereabouts. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It brandy and water within his reach. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to himself to hunt down. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the possible that we could bring him back to her? in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural what these perils are?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Is he quiet?" "Get out!" said he. matter over." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it him!" happened." meant it for the best. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to have that photograph." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return you want, then?' said Mr. Holder. to change my dress. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would them?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and as he remarks, very much against the son." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "What shall I do?"