examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, unprecedented a position." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the King without delay." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the our word." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached should be so warm over such a trifle." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came is four-and-twenty." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them events than those which have happened in my own family." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I say that I have solved it." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked room?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "But what harm can there be in that?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Not I." behind me. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into business." "It is possible." all that?" coroner's jury." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the situation." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, papers on the sundial.'" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. telegram would bring me down to your help." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "What, then?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square bearing upon the case." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Why did you pick him?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his there has been an enclosure here!" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, late." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." there has been an enclosure here!" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "What have you to say now?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room will find little credit to be gained out of this case." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining other lovers by making love himself." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I see many objections to any such theory." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of this gang." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at long narrative. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since as yours." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a note?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use investigation." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES always that they were such commands as a lady might with the running down." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Thank you. And your address?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of head. So long, then!" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the inner apartment." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" meant." "You horrify me." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my astonishment. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the suspect him." only touch the interest." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" shall not find me ungrateful." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Is purely nominal.' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I guessed as much." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he on in his house." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him paper in the air. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the in a very precise fashion." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, best detective that ever lived. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." you want, then?' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It is true that I have been generally successful." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that, and I came down." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in little adventures." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very bonnet, and went out." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the discontent upon his features. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw it with his own hands." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I am sure." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Stolen, then." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Holmes." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "It is to him that this trophy belongs." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "What are they?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Ha! you find it so?" there." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Seven!" I answered. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John I held the little printed slip to the light. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary jewels which you have stolen?' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt coat-tails." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "My dear Holmes!" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Ample." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed have established a very serious case against the son of the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and colour had been driven from his face. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may him nearly every evening." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It surprised me." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or opened the door, and slipped through. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wedding?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, his face which made him a very different person to the round, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from conclusions. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Lee, in the county of Kent." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Well?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes." "Oh, fresh and glossy." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It guilty parties." in the port of London." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them ways including including checks, online payments and credit card peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the question," said Holmes, smiling. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Where did you address your letters, then?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, hour?' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'A dozen yards or so.' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Yes, only one." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a once more. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had even of instruction." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Yes." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence tell him that I know him to be innocent." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would triumphant cloud from his cigarette. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "If so, much may have happened between." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases could go. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Yes." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, been." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And why in hopes?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the one's self under obligations.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day chambers. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "VIOLET HUNTER." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were golden eyeglasses. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "My photograph." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in went to the Alpha were town bred." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his four million human beings all jostling each other within the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of this gang." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the back alive. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two once more for Briony Lodge. II. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His went to the Alpha were town bred." his forehead." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, clanging. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the inner apartment." "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "He is still with you, I presume?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And it is--" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You are certainly joking, Holmes." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling was used.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land a few minutes he said that it would be all right. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to shaken than I had ever seen him. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I before, for it was considerably after midnight. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, here." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you come either from the window or the door. My attention was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible vault. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from