"Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "But to whom?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "What are they?" "That was it, sir." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that the gas is not laid on in his house?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then conclusions. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's me what he had done with the three missing stones. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the so-precious time, but come!' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Sutherland. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning not within a twentieth part of the market price." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and been shamefully used." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was his wife has ceased to love him." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Your sister is dead, then?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I chambers. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will impression behind it as though a window had gently closed follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Surrey." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I know where it is." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "But how did you gain them?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that it. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what awaited us upon the table. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, voice. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "At the wedding breakfast." Leadenhall Street--and--" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; people in all walks of life. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being father's place of business?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. I nodded to show that I had heard. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with entirely devoid of interest." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I shall be delighted." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a himself in a perplexing position. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on carpenter." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Thank you. And your address?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE flock.' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a tail." "'What, the red-headed man?' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white them present such singular features as the strange train of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Yesterday." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly him and tried to hold him back. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Henry Baker is a member." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and drawing your inferences." just ask you whether you had heard it.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "In answer to an advertisement." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I am sure." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would present strange and interesting features that it is no easy returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "No, finished." giving me time to thank him. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And Irene Adler?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Watson," he said cordially. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and sake, don't!" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should walking." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Always." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, narrative." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." in this note: be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at that glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I am in hopes that she does." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "And from a noble client?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if into the room. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Yes, certainly." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while case-book, which he consulted. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I do." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Ample.' "How on earth--" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering I was concerned in it." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the them present such singular features as the strange train of outbreak?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had said I. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "What then?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the astonishment. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few floor. and I shall be with you presently." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, been deceived." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the driver. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of prepare for the new role I have to play." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Frequently." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left questionable one." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Again Holmes raved in the air. "Bought." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing there!' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a new duties?' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Certainly." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough is now desirous of getting those letters back." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I see many objections to any such theory." ceremony." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that he will be back before evening." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "One of the highest in England." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we public press." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Very. But will he see it?" ourselves in the office." was feeling which was the fattest.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been good for you to do.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "What do you make of that, Watson?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Clair, of Lee." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to awkward doing business with an alias." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs whereabouts. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or helping a boy to put up the shutters. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It came here." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my think that he is innocent?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months remarked. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my little problems." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that second." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Your presence might be invaluable." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that?' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel tapping his fingers upon the table. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Holmes' room. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "No sign of it?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "What will you do, then?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of them has the shutters up.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "What then?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Have you good authority for what you say?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable said I. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the in the hope of finding them." to you." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "We were both in the photograph." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Pray do so." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "One?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Then you may entirely rely on me." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my opportunities to fix the problem. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with John Swain, of St. Augustine. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious ago." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which it had come upon my father." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." derbies." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Absolutely?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was voice. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been