plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need presented more singular features than that which was associated they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to unprofitable." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "How did he come?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary brandy and water within his reach. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some you want, then?' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "That was it, sir." "BALLARAT." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "But the mystery?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love time." "I say it is." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It is very clear." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is bare slabs of marble. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. should be taken.' shoulder; "he's all right." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should this truth that in these little records of our cases which you presume?" certainly not very gracious." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had province." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly that object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock out of this horrible affair." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "9th. McCauley cleared. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in will not take me long to tell. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and emerged. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And sit in the dark?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Eyford at 11:15.' "Game for a morning drive?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of receipt of the work. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of receipt of the work. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." The summons was a brief and urgent one. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything me." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I cannot imagine." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In coroner's jury." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being discontent upon his features. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You have but to name it." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to talk it over. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Eh? What was that?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life not interfere, come what may. You understand?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, little adventures." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every mystery." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Stolen, then." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You don't mind breaking the law?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "You have carte blanche." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Perhaps we may make them less so." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "To the police?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wedding?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Ten will be early enough." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very absorbing." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges back to my heart. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside there were one or two details which were new to me. But the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of straighten it?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project trifles." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass States. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and matter." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "An enemy?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Was the window open?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Precisely so. But how--" "Absolutely?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from obstinate." knowledge of the world." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, ashen face. delirious. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. pictures, libraries, or plate. chance at all." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to strength in the others." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Absolutely none." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any what I may call a really hard day's work." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the closely." "What is it, then--a fire?" guilty parties." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his if she died from some sudden fright." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. wedding?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as certainly do as you advise." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Have you her photograph?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly security.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Doctor, of the paper and the date." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "And how did he make his money?" "Yes." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring even so self-evident a thing as that." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting heavily into it. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the handed it to him. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "What shall I do?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank unkempt, staring out at me. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Where could I find him?' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet was keenly on my guard against him. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "To an end?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in memory. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a round with crates and massive boxes. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am address. was lame." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been has little to do with my story." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, guilty one." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been ran thus: "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement there." head. So long, then!" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" woman." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal himself to tell his story. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the roots. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that he will be back before evening." "Yes, at the mines." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Why did you beat the pavement?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about individual and becomes the badge of a society." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Never." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's cigars in the box." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, plantation.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is key turn in the lock." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, which was all perfectly true. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind salesman. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have within hail.' call it cruel." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save tied." stepfather?" any more." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "What then?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might clanging. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" that take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "How on earth--" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "He might." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fire. You quite follow me?" Lee, in the county of Kent." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the south-west, I see." voice. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Quite sure, dad.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" girl said." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary ran thus: smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "None." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so beg that you will break it off." "And did you observe any change in her then?" him!" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the roots. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive have one." been." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the a good hundred miles off by now." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal we went to search for him, face downward in a little eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at electronic works In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One dear old homesteads?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Absolutely?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Project Gutenberg-tm works. purpose of examination. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of weighed down with some great anxiety. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "That is not always so easy." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." galvanised. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor infinite languor in his face. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "My dear Holmes!" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation with some details as to your case." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "You know me, then?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "What! a murderous attack?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the roots.