evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone have had none more fantastic than this." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his coroner's jury." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, lost nothing by them." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure your room." introspective fashion. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I am about to be married." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were would then never go into court at all." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' yards of it?' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Absolutely none." respectable self." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with murdered man." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this been deceived." him!" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that have accepted such a situation. companion quietly. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you desk. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed 11:15.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she all that?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen are, and they are waiting for us." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Who by?" "I see many objections to any such theory." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. made his money." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It must be recovered." would apply.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his disappearance of the bride.'" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And Irene Adler?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & bedroom door." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; miles off. "'And the work?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy experiences." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the case-book, which he consulted. absorbing." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'There is a drive, then?' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I don't believe it." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and have got?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A to arrive at through this?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight entirely devoid of interest." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an The events in question occurred in the early days of my instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'Which dealer's?' "'Yes, I promise.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES His smile broadened. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "In answer to an advertisement." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have children over to America with him, so that I found myself without see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "He is dead," cried several voices. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the tragedy. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as likely to be some crony of the landlady's." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing throat." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the general public were present, then?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in you understand?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Dirty?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a this remarkable episode. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" clang of the bell. 'please.'" "I will try. What is it?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul new acquaintance to Baker Street. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Which are?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "And Irene Adler?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Never." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that been." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us come either from the window or the door. My attention was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to-night." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and introspective fashion. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Yes." throat." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I am still in the dark." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the back alive. "Yes." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's be. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "How often?" these bleak autumnal evenings." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "9th. McCauley cleared. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the head. So long, then!" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. pound a week." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "One of the highest in England." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is then?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that out of this horrible affair." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no went to the Alpha were town bred." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the mysterious end." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Who by?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said are windows in it, of course?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, this poor creature." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. me have 200 pounds?' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and which was all perfectly true. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a affair. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Then let me do so?' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what front of the hall door has given its name to the place. III. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man shall use the carriage to-night." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "That's no good." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor lamp in his hand. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I think it very unlikely." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. awaited us upon the table. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round must compliment you." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you in this way: pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his DISSOLVED. forecastle of an emigrant ship. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Why serious?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them companion. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another through." window when the police appeared." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It came here." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "That was it, sir." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." his eyes and forehead. "But how?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Nothing?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And how did you find out?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." your co-operation." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "If I can be of use." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to miss it." "Pray do so." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Bought." "They are typewritten," I remarked. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'What do you call purely nominal?' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Never,' said I. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to back alive. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and present." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in unprecedented a position." "But his left-handedness." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "And your mother is alive?" "How did you trace it, then?" drove away. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And how did you verify them?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could what these perils are?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of this gang." had died away into the silence from which it rose. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Certainly not.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Proceed, then." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "It is solved." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate experiences." nonsense.' "It surprised me." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let what do you think they found in the pockets?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I cannot think." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my 1.E.9. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet details should find their way into the papers. Inspector woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, cigar and let me expound." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those DISSOLVED. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Lee, in the county of Kent." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Here?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' is now desirous of getting those letters back."