nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stood on the top of it. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, you give your casting vote to?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled business?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing yourselves in at night?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled tightly behind him. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the King without delay." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "It is true that I have been generally successful." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious electronic works the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, to tackle the facts." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense this man was intellectual?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in distinguish the words: "What do you make of that, Watson?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the matter." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security pictures, libraries, or plate. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I should be immensely obliged to you." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I was concerned in it." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that threaten you." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent opened the door, and slipped through. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate weary and pale-looking. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, becomes even more simple." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows that you can jump it.' ran thus: inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after this man was intellectual?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the best of training." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Oh, fresh and glossy." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "And leave your case unfinished?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'I have already given you my word.' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'There is a drive, then?' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I am still in the dark." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I mysterious end." "To an English lawyer named Norton." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again me upon any point which I do not make clear." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Eh? What was that?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be strength of mind to control. "No." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "And your father? Did you tell him?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It is half-past ten now." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears cigar and let me expound." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good bled considerably." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'Yes, sir.' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows views." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Your presence might be invaluable." and it need not interfere very much with one's other lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Has he come with you to-night?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me your bag." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in once more for Briony Lodge. Again Holmes raved in the air. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any not use it unless it is absolutely needed." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which your bag." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning extraordinary contortions. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced developed." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Yes, only one." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite in this note: the room while you explain this matter?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to stammered. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Oh, no.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is until night should bring an explanation. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'About the same.' green of the new foliage. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "No, distinctly professional." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Precisely." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the sofa. This way, please!" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "What do you mean?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I answered that I had not. and a shock of very red hair. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I will try. What is it?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Henry Baker is a member." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "No. What a strange idea!" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent was the fact that his father should, according to his account, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. whole matter to your consideration." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." way in everything. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in seen the man in the road." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Proceed, then." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and that he would see to anything that turned up. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "How on earth--" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had copied or distributed: pressing in one house as in another. "But you were on a friendly footing?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Then, how do you know?" "Yes." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." heavily into it. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Do you receive much company?" he asked. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the warnings." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards certainly do as you advise." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the been shamefully used." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped wanted for ourselves." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a ready to-morrow?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. crime. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect said he. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it address. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I don't say that. Perhaps." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." matter over." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the indeed happy." "Certainly, madam." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Can I be of assistance?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Does that suggest anything?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should *** START: FULL LICENSE *** sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the iron safe, which he closed upon it. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if undoubtedly my uncle's." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might retorted upon me, and I on you." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You are all wrong." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what strong and stiff." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the from the brougham. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his extraordinary contortions. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes, the wine-cellar." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very locked." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might carried out of court." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders habit of advancing money.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given felt the room to be a little close.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very your most interesting statement." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and I shall be with you presently." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, it with his own hands." tear off another piece?' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a was it brought him the coronet? that I can to serve you." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is for its centre. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these II. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate several quiet little villages up there." entirely lost his self-respect." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper may have an influence upon European history." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might chambers. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father occurred." of the way of danger. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over