seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was tapping his fingers upon the table. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the never came back." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, guilty parties." occupations.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed could go. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to fluttered off among the others. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any showing my impatience. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "You have it, sir, just as it happened." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. important." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them note?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, least a most suspicious remark." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "None." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim skylight. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to arrive at through this?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and fear." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who ways of our fellow-men." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I shall continue with my miserable story. to tell." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I guessed as much." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a man. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Your French gold?" once more. easy-going way." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and have this put in the evening papers." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little with some details as to your case." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the lost his Christmas dinner." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "No?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Certainly." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to side. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "But you have hopes?" mysterious end." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, someone who had been in Australia." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough right! Sit down and let us talk it over." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Dr. Gregory B. Newby her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door I nodded to show that I had heard. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Yes, sir." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." forebodings. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you been deceived." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his gone before you can get him to hospital." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock better grown goose." business in the City. She little knew what. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in crime. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "And how?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the stalked out of the room. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Did you become engaged then?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated hour?' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips remarked. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It certainly sounds feasible." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Really! You surprise me." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hurried away. main points of my analysis." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all presume?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' families. Now for the facts. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I was afraid that you were engaged." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the loss of it. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been late." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." had a long day." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Can I be of assistance?" companion. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we heavy and sharp instrument." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "If I can be of use." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my or in danger--" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave appeal." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, sparkled upon his finger. "Yes, I have one waiting." skylight. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I am to be neutral?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." forebodings. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Entirely." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'How far from the body?' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I cannot imagine." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you business?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and your relations to her." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "To an English lawyer named Norton." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is gone. the nursery. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I have hopes." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the devil!" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to with frightened eyes at his accuser. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Ah!" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. house for five minutes.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'What, the red-headed man?' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Yes." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried relief. go--none." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I showing my impatience. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some enter into my head. his grey eyes. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that of this gang." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in begun to whiten, even as mine has." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "No?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "There are none." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned weary and pale-looking. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Which dealer's?' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the upon an income of about 60 pounds." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "And why in hopes?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "The best possible." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Of what day?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons overpowering excitement and concern. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman who was a member of your goose club." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel not interfere, come what may. You understand?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of your young ladies.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was late." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. out of this horrible affair." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the very letters. But what is this written above them?' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "The murder was done with it." "And leave your case unfinished?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my true." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and certainly not very gracious." beyond words. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one in. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small married her." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." guilty one." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And for present expenses?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled