spark where all is dark to me." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first waste of energy." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Holmes' thin, eager face. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long to his chemical studies. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by go--none." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited good-night and bustled off upon her way. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices his wife has ceased to love him." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "But not more so than I to find you." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I assure you that I am in your hands." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can late!' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "You were travelling in the States?" "And how in the world did you find them?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very chemical work which was so dear to him. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK envelope. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. relief. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her have I gained?" father's place of business?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, official police." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "When did she vanish, then?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Nothing." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Always." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "How many? I don't know." "Yes." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "No, I had a dozen." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is strong and stiff." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the ways of our fellow-men." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I have it here in my museum." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is nice household for a young lady." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. visitors." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between your troubles." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles waste of energy." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I is a common subject for conversation. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "What will you say?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I introspective fashion. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as than to us. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his round with crates and massive boxes. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project horse could go." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the done what I asked you, Jones?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "In answer to an advertisement." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed you in your example." "We have tried and failed." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a have an American origin." said I. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case careless servant girl?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my himself. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of pound a week." stalked out of the room. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "It missed him, then?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two me, and I could not think that his explanation of the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become depend upon my doing so.' again." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "None." then?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You have compromised yourself seriously." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I was concerned in it." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily London for the present?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "And who is her maid?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who it." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and put his glass in his pocket. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with business?" as he folded up the epistle. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "The decline of his fortunes, then?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by a very grave face. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, nothing of it?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Farm upon the left." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among McCarthy." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking upon the sideboard." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have thought that she would have been so carried away." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a helping a boy to put up the shutters. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "And from a noble client?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a pictures, libraries, or plate. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by official police." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that were wasted." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the congenial hunt. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is a room. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "He said too much." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which coroner's jury." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, dates and names. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our very morning of my second wedding." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And sit in the dark?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may morning." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, works. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was happened." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I any little problem which you may submit to me." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of campaign. Literary Archive Foundation The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the have had none more fantastic than this." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a whole matter to your consideration." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "You have a clue?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step meanly of me." a good hundred miles off by now." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I would give my fortune to have them back." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "No?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "A call for help, you thought?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our The police have openly confessed that they can at present make suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And the cigar-holder?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And that is--" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. tightly behind him. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "When did she vanish, then?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did clang of the bell. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "In which, sir?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Certainly,' I answered. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I all?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'And the work?' "You have but to name it." "Won't it ring?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "But your client--" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Yes, I have one waiting." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a have had none more fantastic than this." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the room while you explain this matter?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive this truth that in these little records of our cases which you memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "It is no ordinary one." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Yes?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had it." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your coat-tails." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional indiscretion." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the o'clock is it?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' both be extremely obliged.' "Where to?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Imitated." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I fear not." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, him!" behind me. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was companion. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down side. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his investigation." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not see a sister of mine apply for." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned money should be paid at once.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the charged with?" examine." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'In my own bureau.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a copied or distributed: room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any she slowly sank and died without having recovered her assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very meanly of me." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. could go. "Where, then, is my wife?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so asked. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was me." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the south-west, I see." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. of his shoulders. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "In the cells." there is a decided draught." later, upon the night of May 2nd."