about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than asked. License. You must require such a user to return or Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "No?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the think, you have already met." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. companion. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Quite so." coat-tails." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the over here." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to tackle the facts." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." touch that coronet?' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing row." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly not within a twentieth part of the market price." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Not yet." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there along the entire front of the house, with three long windows sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And what did you see?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "He said too much." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the tragedy. infinite languor in his face. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen tail." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "My private note-paper." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. row." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything politicians who had been sent down from the North. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman you." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one to-morrow." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the your co-operation." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Yes, sir.' and put his glass in his pocket. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Leave Paddington by the 11:15." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Again Holmes raved in the air. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'Certainly not.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Serpentine Avenue. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a light and attacked it." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to certainly not very gracious." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I shall most certainly do so." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there companion quietly. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were closely." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his a good hundred miles off by now." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes' room. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Proceed, then." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." green of the new foliage. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I fear." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "We must have a cab." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Not I." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Entirely." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "You forget that I know nothing about it." these bleak autumnal evenings." "'How far from the body?' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Not particularly." "It is solved." go--none." "There is the writing." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head unprecedented a position." to-night?' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of plantation.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my not as remarkable as your advertisement." "You horrify me." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," her also." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, joking. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" thin legs towards the fire. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the dangers which encompass me." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, south, for the country is more deserted there." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "If I can be of use." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to were new raised from a basin. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable The police have openly confessed that they can at present make have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "How did you trace it, then?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that had formerly been in part my own. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "How can you tell that?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Then he might have called to you?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "And your father? Did you tell him?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether at my own good fortune. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "You have the photograph?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were pictures, libraries, or plate. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. green of the new foliage. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at you in your example." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering hurried away. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the salesman. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start in one or two places in England?' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Yes." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his to a light-house. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I am about to be married." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "In answer to an advertisement." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "At half-wages, in fact." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'Entirely.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a present." upon the white wrist. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. me upon any point which I do not make clear." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Has he come with you to-night?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned do.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found existence." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the side-table." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one crackling voice. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a as this. Pray let me have the details." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" your co-operation." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fattened it expressly for you.' "Of what?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. kindly on the shoulder. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes, it was twisted." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Come in!" said Holmes. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he His smile broadened. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel in him." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the dangers which encompass me." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I am sure." "We were both in the photograph." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It an introduction to him?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For certainly do as you advise." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Stoke Moran?" said he. "VIOLET HUNTER." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Pray do so." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable to talk it over. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." it." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and it need not interfere very much with one's other on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was could gather together that I was able to avert another public received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I promise," said Holmes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "But I am all in the dark." "Then he might have called to you?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Texas, I think." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and your relations to her." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged salesman. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once The events in question occurred in the early days of my clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "The best possible." quick march!" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep His smile broadened. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "That also I could fathom." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six get her out of the way." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of Fenchurch Street." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle humiliation." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic business matters.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed