When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner mysterious end." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter paper in the air. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Has he come with you to-night?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great she might be summoned. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Witness: It was. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! system of imprisonment?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Yes, sir." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and the colonel ushered me in. was shining brightly. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the roots. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a so.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that whether it answered to the description of any of their "You horrify me!" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." upon the white wrist. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Eyford at 11:15.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no appeal." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the them present such singular features as the strange train of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" constraint." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "But how?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past is four-and-twenty." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. new duties?' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its morning." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. drove away. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." not fit the lock." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to giving me time to thank him. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt straighten it?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "It is possible." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I should wish to." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting congenial hunt. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "None. Neville wrote those words." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves even so self-evident a thing as that." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "And how did you find out?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can awaited us upon the table. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." you?' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the nonsense.' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I have solved it." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he happened." danger is over." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that down from London to inquire more deeply into it." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the date of his supposed suicide." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And is that all?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must License. You must require such a user to return or dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached whatever might befall. galvanised. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into voice, changing her seat as requested. just called myself is not exactly my own." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg future lives." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and the church but not where the lady lived." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I eat it." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes, at the mines." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary more terrible than the truth. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable distinguish the words: into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly criminal. We have already had experience of such." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Witness: It was. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing go from here to the Strand." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's you give your casting vote to?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "And it is--" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the correct than the official force." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, go back?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of points to suicide?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, late!' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was a loud and authoritative tap. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were business in the City. She little knew what. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." cause to be." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll shoulder; "he's all right." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man one's self under obligations.' to affect your life." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. yards of it?' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change call the police, let the police find what they can.' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after paper in the air. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the King without delay." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, golden eyeglasses. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "How do you know, then?" "If I can be of use." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." this poor creature." "Then you may entirely rely on me." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be must be when I saw the door open.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as you?' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress exactly what you advise." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could chair. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "So I have heard." deduce something from that?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the address that was given us in the advertisement. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master despair." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "You think that he is dead?" tightly behind him. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw kind enough to tell me what I should do." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the address that was given us in the advertisement. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his knowledge of the world." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Farm upon the left." are, and they are waiting for us." unclasping of his long thin hands. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Then, as to money?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his brandy and water within his reach. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' tension within him. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met wedding?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Edgeware Road. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, shall use the carriage to-night." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten I nodded again. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those had no one to advise her at such a crisis." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. cigars in the box." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party address. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily in darkness. and put his glass in his pocket. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "His face fell immediately. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of shoulder. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Married! When?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Did he not advertise?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It was." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "The King of Scandinavia." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not little adventures." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the coronet at all injured?" father's place of business?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What have you to say now?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "To an English lawyer named Norton." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the keep the flames under. affair. at my own good fortune. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of acquaintance?" them present such singular features as the strange train of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had without a word or a look. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Witness: It was. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by down from London to inquire more deeply into it." better grown goose." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in good for you to do.' "But who is he?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near go--none." this remarkable episode. and I shall be with you presently." note?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "No." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. look dissatisfied." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I approached. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well that he has suffered." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt place no limit on the sum I may draw." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. guilty parties." returned to France?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive perplexity from it to my illustrious client. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of campaign. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My when your master had gone out." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I will not look." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" became a certainty. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I cannot imagine." is a common subject for conversation. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Was there a secret marriage?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from you?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in a friendly supper." "Could he throw no light?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet observed. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend acted in my house last night?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H