"Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found has little to do with my story." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in to have been novel and of interest." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes, they were peculiar boots." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "None." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "That sounds a little paradoxical." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that shoulder; "he's all right." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which posted to-day." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "When did it break out?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "You have the photograph?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never became a certainty. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Sholtos." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. is four-and-twenty." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called said I. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the tragedy. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You have carte blanche." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. cigars in the box." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and better in every way that they should make their position a little We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I whatever might befall. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open cup of tea. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in do.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Was he the only applicant?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus society." it with his own hands." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose The note was undated, and without either signature or address. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the go--none." and the whole place is in a blaze." disappearance of the bride.'" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; me have 200 pounds?' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Never,' said I. sufficient punishment." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. in. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped to miss it." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had never will be, entirely cleared up. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must with you alone." "But it has twice been burgled." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Was the window open?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled enter Dr. Roylott's room." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to whereabouts. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid formed some opinion?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to most interesting one." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the warnings." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. paper in the air. "That was it, sir." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of his wife has ceased to love him." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Perhaps I have." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Now, then, what's the last entry?" it right.' creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be his face. "No, thank goodness, she did not." occurred." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Did your wife hear all this?" matter over." "'Then let me do so?' "Who was the criminal, then?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of man. I know him from the photograph." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a it." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "And it is--" villagers almost as much as their master. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project characteristics, but those are the more obvious." as yours." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But what will you do?" "'Entirely.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "What of the rat, then?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the other lovers by making love himself." against a man in the prime of life?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what triumphant cloud from his cigarette. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "What! You do not mean bodies?" fashion which was peculiar to him. "What then?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them him to be an active member of the medical profession." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a to take care of herself." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Precisely." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I garden below. "And from a noble client?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear do.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes' thin, eager face. meant it for the best. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to are windows in it, of course?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "One of his hands." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Precisely." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were room had already been engaged for us. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "My Mary? Impossible!" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My deduce something from that?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the an introduction to him?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them drove away. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I am armed." help us in this matter." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I have it here in my museum." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Of what day?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I think that I could be of assistance to you." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling as the one I chose?' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the loss of it. with some details as to your case." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was yards of it?' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up there has been an enclosure here!" "'Quite sure, dad.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my The events in question occurred in the early days of my rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the during which he might have communicated with his friend the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one not come at once?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes." rat could hardly pass through." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, me upon any point which I do not make clear." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send strength of mind to control. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I will, Miss Turner." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal mystery." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his knees, staring into the fire. "It is very kind of you." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently bedroom door." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property least a most suspicious remark." desk. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to was already answered. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture said he. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the loss of it. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Imitated." newspaper selections." friends, not even his own brother. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. investigation." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "And the murderer?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense way in." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and the church but not where the lady lived." allusion to a rat. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "If I can be of use." the very morning of the wedding." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be child?' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do into her hand at the door and which lured her within their by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Cross for the Continent." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sufficient punishment." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES hour?' "And how did you verify them?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled advice." you for a few hours?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies legal crime." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Yes, sir." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first keep the flames under. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a becomes even more simple." "What then?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time means taking possession of that which another person has a prior abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "You have it, sir, just as it happened." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Oh, fresh and glossy." to-night." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort long narrative. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Was he the only applicant?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew