minor matters until to-morrow." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "But your client--" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "How can you tell that?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "But he might be a bachelor." nights." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Proceed, then." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to round with crates and massive boxes. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Yes, sir.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore comes from the middle window." "'About the same.' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "And how did you verify them?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Never,' said I. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Precisely so. But how--" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and the colonel ushered me in. was shining brightly. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I am armed." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "But how?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime entirely devoid of interest." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads not within a twentieth part of the market price." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of south, for the country is more deserted there." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the made his money." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "What do you mean?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. wife's character?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Where, then, is my wife?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I am following you closely," I answered. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was laugh and put his lips to my ear. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It said Mr. Holder. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "None. Neville wrote those words." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Here?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "If so, much may have happened between." in darkness. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That derbies." said Mr. Holder. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with you alone." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'Yes, I promise.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and leave you to your papers for a little." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any name is different." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT did not hear it also.' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and prosperity to your house. Good-night." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small people don't know." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Your sister is dead, then?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the inquest, and which are worth considering." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his dramatic, in fact." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, carpenter." with some details as to your case." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hereditary King of Bohemia." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Ha! you find it so?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, ceremony." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "At what time?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see gone before you can get him to hospital." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Then the page we have seen--" "What have you to say now?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Well, some hundreds of times." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I answered that I had not. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and the whole place is in a blaze." words came to my lips. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was minor matters until to-morrow." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where lamp. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while that?' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which back to my heart. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we tied." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "To the police?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But how could you guess what the motive was?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the date of his supposed suicide." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "And Irene Adler?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "By no means." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I approached. as he folded up the epistle. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence what is your own theory as to what took place?" giving me time to thank him. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, writing, and yet I know it well." "The rest you will leave in our hands." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever hour?' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of back alive. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works sneer upon his pale face. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her strong reason behind." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "She walked into the breakfast-room." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such His smile broadened. have established a very serious case against the son of the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and strength in the others." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector invisible to me," I remarked. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the stable lane now." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the inner apartment." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When quickly through a disagreeable task. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being rooms." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I am still in the dark." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "And how in the world did you find them?" said I. must be when I saw the door open.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a him. "Well?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes his cane at the bell-pull. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I guessed as much." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to arrive at through this?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of our word." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Certainly." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the King without delay." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "No, finished." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Where, then, is my wife?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Look there!" said he. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Was the window open?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the Friday. Was it to be in church?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain just ask you whether you had heard it.' he bowed and left the room without another word. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular lost his Christmas dinner." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small charge against him will break down." out." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, During two years I have had three consultations and one small one or two very singular points about this room. For example, ran thus: doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the persecution?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." better in every way that they should make their position a little really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and page at http://pglaf.org "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "A call for help, you thought?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. coat-tails." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your some water from a caraffe. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in there is a decided draught." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing respectable self." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to at once, for I have only half an hour." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into allusion to a rat. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very window when the police appeared." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, The summons was a brief and urgent one. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been to have been novel and of interest." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. to-night." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and put his glass in his pocket. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "The landlord of the Alpha." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and guilty parties." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until drove away. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an think that any burglar could have done. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally a good hundred miles off by now." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on your troubles." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Here?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You horrify me!" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain,