poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Here?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very then?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I would give my fortune to have them back." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little been." "On the contrary, this is the right side." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Pray do so." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the is worth.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in helping a boy to put up the shutters. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Sutherland. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present room. that, and I came down." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Did your wife hear all this?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Have you her photograph?" all-comprehensive glances. Stoke Moran." "Upon what point?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. notes," he said. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw know all about it," he snarled. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. was already answered. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I good-night and bustled off upon her way. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy people in all walks of life. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever breakfast?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a chance." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "The gentleman I describe." matter." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the that I may have something better before very many minutes are what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I am sure." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand coat-tails." envelope. there has been an enclosure here!" disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I particular state visit http://pglaf.org astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east people don't know." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But his lameness?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from have established a very serious case against the son of the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying window when the police appeared." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he John Swain, of St. Augustine. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed easy-going way." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the warnings." heavy and sharp instrument." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about excitement. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this morning." "But how?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." throat." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I cannot imagine." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Yes." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the skylight. "You are all wrong." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this over his head with a sweet womanly caress. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Pope's Court. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've suddenly upon us." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. she used." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the written. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each you came in." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the stepfather?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'And the work?' "Have you it here?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. are windows in it, of course?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." too. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Of what?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "And what did you learn from him?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I promise," said Holmes. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can tightly behind him. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "And from a noble client?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the words came to my lips. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the clang of the bell. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I know where it is." "And why?" hardly wander." conduct the inquiry." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever direction." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared against a man in the prime of life?" imbecility!" he cried. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and laid it on the table. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "None. Neville wrote those words." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His as the one I chose?' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, quickly through a disagreeable task. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found closely." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a investigation." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Holmes rather sternly. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "A greater distance to travel." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "A confidential servant?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the bachelor.' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bell. Holmes whistled. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two mystery may be cleared along those lines." cost them two and thirty pounds." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Entirely." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I fear not." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been with the outside air!" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As place of silver." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were salesman. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to appointment with me for six o'clock?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "How did you deduce the select?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'Certainly not. But why?' wedding?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'And what salary do you ask?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San most interesting one." the loss of it. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than eat it." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I have hopes." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I am all attention, madam." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! done what I asked you, Jones?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, strength in the others." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly it with his own hands." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn back alive. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Never to return." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still of note-paper. It read in this fashion: however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for characteristics, but those are the more obvious." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside awaited us upon the table. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the security.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. voice, changing her seat as requested. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I have it here in my museum." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yes." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I shall be delighted." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Ah!" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I promise," said Holmes. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to thirty. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Munro.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Was your sister dressed?" "The best possible." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and unkempt, staring out at me. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting