adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase bedroom door." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. your Highness to the police-station?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Countess of Morcar's?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her and your relations to her." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass know that the truth is known." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for been with you?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, some terrible trap for her." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be on in his house." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." his forehead." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I would pay ten." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think arrangements." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. is four-and-twenty." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature which it had come upon my father." directly by questioning you." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple interests were the same as his." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic arrested. You then--" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That sounds a little paradoxical." window when the police appeared." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "His face fell immediately. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." man. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in his hands." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual nonsense.' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to infinite languor in his face. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down I have it here in my museum." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you unprecedented a position." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his it. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Certainly." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I should be immensely obliged to you." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." was a perfect sample of the class. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I am sure." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new writers could invent nothing more crude." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences key turn in the lock." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own business at Coburg Square is serious." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the his face which made him a very different person to the round, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate DISSOLVED. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. depend upon your compliance." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help congratulate you again." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I The summons was a brief and urgent one. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence national property. I was determined that the law should have its "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. enter Dr. Roylott's room." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her passage and a tap at the door. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets directors, with the result that you have seen." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Certainly." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "No." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "But to whom?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have wedding?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Literary Archive Foundation adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Yes." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "But how?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, hard-headed British jury." "Nearly eleven." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It is possible." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "He might." might have a private word with us. "I was sure that I might rely on you." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "In the cells." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had 1.F. thin legs towards the fire. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Is he quiet?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg himself in a perplexing position. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, cause to be." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet he. "Yes." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to hardly wander." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's morning." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. jewels which you have stolen?' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about of the vacancies.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the inner apartment." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' before the coroner and the police-court." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "That's no good." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel it were putty." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Yes, the wine-cellar." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly examine." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "What can it mean?" I gasped. depend upon my doing so.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part help us in this matter." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to prisoner's face. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to tell." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive bears upon the case?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "This photograph!" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Very. But will he see it?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Do you receive much company?" he asked. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right unprofitable." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I was afraid that you were engaged." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary to tell." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Then, how do you know?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Dirty?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more had a long day." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and for the market.' I am not easy in my mind about them." you?' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "He is dead," cried several voices. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing noting anything else of interest. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, my friend's incisive reasoning. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! companion. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of Fenchurch Street." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that I may have something better before very many minutes are great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came present." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, to tell." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the him!" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that it with his own hands." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong fishes. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I am all attention, madam." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to had this final quarrel? cost them two and thirty pounds." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear more solid." weighed down with some great anxiety. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would enough to aid us in our search." father's young wife. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "The decline of his fortunes, then?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me tear off another piece?' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Seven!" I answered. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack anything to a woman, for she would have her way." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It missed him, then?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Gutenberg-tm License. never to learn it at all." "How on earth--" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the devil!" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, case-book, which he consulted. he died? violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Eyford." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "To an end?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not better in every way that they should make their position a little furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of it with the greatest attention. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more future lives." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of late." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty man. I know him from the photograph." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and existence." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same you, my dear young lady?' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the house with me." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the