everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Yes, I have one waiting." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was keenly on my guard against him. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "They are typewritten," I remarked. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be at home. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will next day. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "He is still with you, I presume?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police I nodded to show that I had heard. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that I can to serve you." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Come in!" said he. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I have come for advice." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "What?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would second window is the one that I jumped from." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Yes, it was gone.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all were new raised from a basin. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "But what will you do?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah into the bag, and made for the door. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." like gravel from a pit.' "But to whom?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see him. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "What can you not understand?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion it right.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug already referred to. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the address that was given us in the advertisement. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Where to?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the enough to aid us in our search." new duties?' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Count Von Kramm." "Where, indeed?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Nor running a chance of arrest?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with was shining brightly. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And for present expenses?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "My opinion is in no way altered." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. should be so warm over such a trifle." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies about here speaks of his kindness to him." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good affair. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Yes, sir." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. bedroom door." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his manager. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be cost them two and thirty pounds." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "It is true that I have been generally successful." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Yes." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing row." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was once confined in the cab my mission was practically you." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the more solid." "Oh, yes, easily." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. His smile broadened. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." unprecedented a position." whole matter to your consideration." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been 1.E.9. "Her father is very rich?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees easy-going way." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth with the outside air!" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that, and I came down." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' married her." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his stalked out of the room. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the them present such singular features as the strange train of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could me have 200 pounds?' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it detained." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "One of the highest in England." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You were travelling in the States?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; it." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the his face which made him a very different person to the round, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was been able to understand it, in a very few words. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Deserted you?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Pope's Court. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I beg pardon." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel into her hand at the door and which lured her within their prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, matters immensely." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not like that before?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'What are you doing there?' he asked. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the child." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "What office?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I cause to be." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "If so, much may have happened between." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is he died? conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, he. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the best of training." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, London for the present?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "We must have a cab." second window is the one that I jumped from." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "It is very clear." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? quite distinctive." compunction about shooting them down." be there in time for your coming." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without crime. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, happened." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my instincts rose up against that laugh. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of the vacancies.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the very old mansion. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "What is it, then--a fire?" public press." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "At the wedding breakfast." individual and becomes the badge of a society." and have this put in the evening papers." "But of what society?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I cannot tell." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "And your father? Did you tell him?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted to-night." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation swore that no one else had been in the front room during the fuss that is made over them." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. crowd. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in have an American origin." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Yes, all." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "One of the highest in England." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the nursery. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just at home. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you this remarkable episode. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to-morrow." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Yes, sir.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. later, upon the night of May 2nd." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "And from a noble client?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones written. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and him, that man would not have given me such complete information silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Nor running a chance of arrest?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "His face fell immediately. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" outside." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I will, Miss Turner." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And Irene Adler?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire humiliation." "What then?" "I promise," said Holmes. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry writer." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Texas, I think." "Not him." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, unprecedented a position." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in do." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some hopeless attempt at recovering them." been." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings affair. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." look upon these things in a different way." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint attention." you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed footfalls from the street. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Ha! you find it so?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang fattened it expressly for you.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of again." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with away into the river." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a dear old homesteads?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was