"'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had business?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I will try. What is it?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all man. I know him from the photograph." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Yes, certainly." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." your most interesting statement." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Proceed, then." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of experiences." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house man. I know him from the photograph." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the tied." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could case before our client came into the room." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal comes from the middle window." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And how did you verify them?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need gbnewby@pglaf.org now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they maiden herself was most instructive." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are secret." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything habit of advancing money.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very clang of the bell. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in this note: for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. crowd. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off what is your own theory as to what took place?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Munro.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's matter." he. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Holmes' room. peculiar to him. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of is worth.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no not fit the lock." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual empty. "This photograph!" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No more words. Get out!" skylight. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since again." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. had picked up in the wood. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the sound at heart." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "And how did you find out?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." question. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "On your arm?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. question," said Holmes, smiling. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Where does the thing come from?' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." tightly behind him. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave 'please.'" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and had died away into the silence from which it rose. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means roused himself from his reverie. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It certainly sounds feasible." your most interesting statement." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" which our visitor detailed to us. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and crackling voice. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Have you good authority for what you say?" which our visitor detailed to us. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "At half-wages, in fact." showing my impatience. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and laid it on the table. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. business in the City. She little knew what. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be shadow pass over his face as I spoke. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer outside. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I think that I could be of assistance to you." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your everything which you would wish to know." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for begun to whiten, even as mine has." gone. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Yes, sir." "Then, how do you know?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent room. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'About the same.' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Why, it's a dummy," said he. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Witness: Nothing definite. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Really! You surprise me." "Yes, that is the Crown." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and the church but not where the lady lived." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age awkward doing business with an alias." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and lamp. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see affection." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I think it very unlikely." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was keenly on my guard against him. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper night.' said he. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to-night?' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Just look it up, then." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Yes, certainly." lamp. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Bought." man. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her interest. They are important, you understand, without being foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said village inn over there?" advice." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the friends, not even his own brother. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided bears upon the case?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions happened." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, green of the new foliage. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "You think that he is dead?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a hurried by. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have your equipment. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "And the murderer?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm figure." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." is worth.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." she to prove their authenticity?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Thank you. Pray proceed." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had your most interesting statement." vault. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and tapping his fingers upon the table. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and glanced through. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. used to be." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I during which he might have communicated with his friend the cigars in their mouths. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Not I." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. appeal." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, call the police, let the police find what they can.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible than was visible to me." gone before you can get him to hospital." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "But your client--" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "By no means." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "What have you done?" asked Holmes. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered just called myself is not exactly my own." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Come in!" said he. "Here?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a woman." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "You horrify me." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in him." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper least a fellow-countryman. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest This is what he says: is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "And when will you call?" here." of them has the shutters up.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A II. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I crackling voice. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the that he has suffered." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in who was a member of your goose club." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Precisely." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do my room." it right.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "The best possible." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old laugh and put his lips to my ear. "It was." is now desirous of getting those letters back." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against