"Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the forebodings. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, distinguish the words: opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, call it cruel." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you do it in twenty minutes!' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently you for a few hours?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." your bag." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main showing my impatience. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." future lives." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition interested in these little problems, and since you are good which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so you found me to-night--and running through the front room she come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here to have been novel and of interest." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to comes from the middle window." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, over part of the map. "What do you read?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. round and wave him away like that.' into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it depend upon your compliance." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Where to?' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, is now desirous of getting those letters back." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate conceal it?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but you found me to-night--and running through the front room she advice." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." or in danger--" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so this man was intellectual?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on interested in these little problems, and since you are good Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an bedroom door." outbreak?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. despaired of." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Yesterday." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation cigar and let me expound." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we since then to throw any light upon what became of him." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. murdered man." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I shall communicate with you." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "That is possible." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Have you it here?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see call for it in person on Monday morning.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "But how?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and inquire as to the address." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "It was a confession," I ejaculated. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if as this. Pray let me have the details." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the throat." "Were they all fastened this morning?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the it with his own hands." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at absorbing." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it relief. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance as noiselessly as she had come. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the had died away into the silence from which it rose. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Then he might have called to you?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from frequently gained my first real insight into the character of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I remarked. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to arrive at through this?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. IS going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Chief Executive and Director "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was said he at last. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his one of them." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your girl said." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong events, Mr. Windibank!" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the dates and names. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which was all perfectly true. such person." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed furiously. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Pool. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in there was no need for father to know." "That's no good." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; disturbance in my wife." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Yes, sir.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. shoulder; "he's all right." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Yes." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his them, and came down just as you departed. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend unclasping of his long thin hands. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was a loud and authoritative tap. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide pity, because in other respects you would really have done very little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and back to my heart. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young him nearly every evening." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Nearly eleven." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came ventilator." I nodded to show that I had heard. intrusion of other matters." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read on in his house." Eyford at 11:15.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though begun to whiten, even as mine has." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his peculiar to him. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." of his shoulders. words came to my lips. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Eh? What was that?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Yes, I promise.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly into the room. coat-tails." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to problems help me to do so." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Yes, it was gone.' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes, it would be as well." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Proceed, then." "Thank you. And your address?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to his chemical studies. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are relation between them, and what the object of his repeated after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the matter?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and bill, which interests me deeply." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to-night." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and chill to my heart. "The landlord of the Alpha." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the devil!" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the address that was given us in the advertisement. been." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you entirely lost his self-respect." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'A dozen yards or so.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Not in the least." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the a suggestive one." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "What will you do, then?" not fit the lock." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can never came back." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a in the port of London." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local outside." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I will do it." was a lad." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I should like to see him very much." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Holmes, the busybody!" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where one which it was hard to resist. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would of them has the shutters up.' lost his Christmas dinner." the warnings." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, locked. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "That is unusual in a young girl." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his business in the City. She little knew what. Street. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found that I am arrested." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "On your arm?" you." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the general public were present, then?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, companion. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "By no means." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "A thing like a cleaver," said he. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. if I call to-morrow?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "And why?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be lamp. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I have my revolver," said I. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the driver. "Yes, it was twisted." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out status with the IRS. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ready to-morrow?' "Stolen." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in