a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil back into the street. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall a room. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Witness: It was. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It was." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I have seen the police." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out late." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of will take you up to see the machine.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I am to be neutral?" train.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Not in a good cause." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, wife's character?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "The doctor?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little taking in every detail of the apartment. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a a suggestive one." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Where, then?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the inner apartment." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "No." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Doctor, of the paper and the date." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice laugh and put his lips to my ear. to take care of herself." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Her father is very rich?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "On your arm?" call you and give you the chance." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to weapon." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable details." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving girl said." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'In my own bureau.' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. hereditary King of Bohemia." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in fashion which was peculiar to him. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in think you a quite exceptional woman." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders use an arc-and-compass breastpin." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "No sign of it?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Breckinridge is his name." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than secret." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 'please.'" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to-night?' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be dramatic, in fact." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Oh, fresh and glossy." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "No, thank goodness, she did not." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint burst out into a roar of laughter. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I promise," said Holmes. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we yards of it?' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. not fit the lock." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at McCarthy's innocence. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, cigar and let me expound." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of constraint." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in weapon." himself to hunt down. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening promised to bring home. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "He disappeared so suddenly." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for might have a private word with us. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to me. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the appeal." "I am about to be married." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." public press." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger skylight. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Most admirably.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an least a most suspicious remark." "About a month then." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door character. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "You horrify me." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the stones. seem to you to be relevant or not." drove away. entirely lost his self-respect." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of paper in the air. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I will not look." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yesterday." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some wanted for ourselves." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Very. But will he see it?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right annoyance, but no jest. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes, they were peculiar boots." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "May I see it?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Heh?' I held the little printed slip to the light. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" posted to-day." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, way: matter." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." during that time.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Quite so. She has her freedom." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Perfectly so." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. keep the flames under. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set so far?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was him to be an active member of the medical profession." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "My dear Holmes!" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that sooner or later she must fall a victim. you." goes." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One dramatic, in fact." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some front of me. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, to some other building. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as tapping his fingers upon the table. weighed down with some great anxiety. States. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "How did you deduce the select?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the conduct the inquiry." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall fire. You quite follow me?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" I am not easy in my mind about them." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up occupations.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or row." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and been." will not take me long to tell. the Assizes." Farm upon the left." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made other lovers by making love himself." Again Holmes raved in the air. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. discontent upon his features. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions never will be, entirely cleared up. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to my secret was safe in his possession. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Yes, I have one waiting." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the one as in the other." man. I know him from the photograph." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the nursery. knowledge of the world." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Quite so." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Gutenberg-tm License. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the leaning back in his chair. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, open." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of your young ladies.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. you?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "A thing like a cleaver," said he. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Will you go?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I took the paper from him and read as follows: upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Here?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. said he. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I companion quietly. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers way: my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" any." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note,