can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in definite end. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "In what way?" asked Holmes. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. chill to my heart. "It is solved." "And I." cigars in the box." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss shaken than I had ever seen him. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was empty. "Yes." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is not interfere, come what may. You understand?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful already been minutely examined." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good used to be." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress posted to-day." the house with me." to-night." "'Entirely.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "He might." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, London for the present?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear States. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." that I am arrested." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, it." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and looked back. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Stoke Moran?" said he. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there eat it." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my taking in every detail of the apartment. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The characteristics, but those are the more obvious." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I beg pardon." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told putting in the horse. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, remarked. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." His smile broadened. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a together. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took but preventing her from injuring another. good-night and bustled off upon her way. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and whereabouts. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "And help." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the dates and names. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our It was close upon four before the door opened, and a quickly through a disagreeable task. "And your mother is alive?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately new duties?' for the market.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man you give your casting vote to?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding directors have had misgivings upon the subject." dear old homesteads?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught delirious. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'You doubt its value?' he asked. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but she has been waylaid. There has been no result." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "His face fell immediately. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, thirty. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" persecution?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. thirty. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and that he would see to anything that turned up. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in said he. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "My dear Holmes!" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It surprised me." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "That is easily got." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Ten to two.' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Pray let us have it, for all that." signal between you and your father? "What can it mean?" I gasped. one of them." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Arthur Conan Doyle pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his up this clue while it is still hot." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Yes." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the astonishment. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Count Von Kramm." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Serpentine Avenue. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" indiscretion." walking." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I cannot imagine." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked public press." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Perhaps we may make them less so." from you?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES other lovers by making love himself." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I have my revolver," said I. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of the way of danger. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. appointment with me for six o'clock?" strong and stiff." a suggestive one." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to that, and I came down." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles as noiselessly as she had come. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the shaken than I had ever seen him. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "And you don't know his address?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Countess of Morcar's?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I distinguish the words: Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, himself in a perplexing position. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little legal crime." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to a light-house. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair long narrative. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Yes, they were peculiar boots." him!" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "You have it, sir, just as it happened." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a whether it answered to the description of any of their towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and put his glass in his pocket. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'I am sure that I do not know.' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Again Holmes raved in the air. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and arrangements." "Do you go out much in society?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Awake, Watson?" he asked. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch was the fact that his father should, according to his account, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that salesman. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before what I may call a really hard day's work." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "My dear Holmes!" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and matters immensely." "Will you go?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "And when will you call?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the in this way: 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want disappearance of these gems?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Who was the criminal, then?" "It's nothing of the kind." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "You think that he is dead?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he cause to be." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Stolen, then." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Can I be of assistance?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he never will be, entirely cleared up. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fear." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. papers on the sundial.'" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the congratulate you again." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was meant it for the best. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see giving me time to thank him. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return answer." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into too. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. me have 200 pounds?' in. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic second." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the secret." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague any more." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and carpenter." and the colonel ushered me in. for and were ordered to this address. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had held up the lantern and gazed about him. call the police, let the police find what they can.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence least a fellow-countryman. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "And I." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is he. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have families. Now for the facts. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" heavily into it. "At what time?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your train from Paddington which would bring you there at about on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "What, then, did Peterson do?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I am to be neutral?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It may not come to that," said Holmes. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, was a lad." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in dead, shall be safe with us." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be searched, without anything being found which could incriminate door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the hardly wander." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of becomes even more simple." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat you." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I am armed." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "And how?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact me." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I nodded to show that I had heard. my room." photograph?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "How do you know, then?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, looking up at the numbers of the houses." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a strode off upon his way.