as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to me. "None." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a to tackle the facts." keep the flames under. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Certainly." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the guilty parties." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was national property. I was determined that the law should have its husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of out." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive electronic works but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It was." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from washing it down with a long draught of water. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "There are none." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in himself to hunt down. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of peculiar to him. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. business came to an end." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "My own seal." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Then how many are there?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I she to prove their authenticity?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' this unhappy family?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point all?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always redistribution. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his round with crates and massive boxes. "'Yes, it was gone.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing who was a member of your goose club." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Was he the only applicant?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in friends, not even his own brother. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a outside. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his drove away. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "A client, then?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." an introduction to him?" "But she will refuse." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling October 9, 1890. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the Assizes." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the said he. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "To the police?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." it right.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "What is it?" note?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "It is his hat." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the least a most suspicious remark." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring points in connection with it which never have been, and probably metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Pray let us have it, for all that." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'It is locked up,' I answered. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You begin with, and I had not got mine yet." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad if she died from some sudden fright." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found despaired of." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "And I." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I one else, I think." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is province." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are habit of advancing money.' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so official police." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling promised to bring home. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "How did you deduce the select?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to amused." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "BALLARAT." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and it need not interfere very much with one's other client, rising. "And I." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "No, I am descending." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid to his chemical studies. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Then I do not see the point." someone who had been in Australia." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a overpowering excitement and concern. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Yes.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it up this clue while it is still hot." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come newspaper selections." "Imitated." "And I say east," said my patient. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his huge brown hands. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but any." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the astonishment. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "A confidential servant?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "None." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Why serious?" she to prove their authenticity?" "I will try. What is it?" were wasted." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Why, what do you mean?" future lives." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "He said too much." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "No, but the enclosure is." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It may not come to that," said Holmes. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a sufficient punishment." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and him nearly every evening." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a against a man in the prime of life?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but entirely lost his self-respect." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the there was no need for father to know." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by singular points about the case. What did the police think of the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It must be recovered." "Oh, yes, easily." "No bad?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The becomes even more simple." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several gone. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of burst out into a roar of laughter. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Really! You surprise me." "Then what has happened to him?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple had picked up in the wood. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Yes, sir.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "What!" he roared. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I think that it is very probable." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Were they all fastened this morning?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. definite end. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and have this put in the evening papers." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Ten will be early enough." my former friend and companion. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because kind enough to tell me what I should do." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the until night should bring an explanation. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for woven round him. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "But his left-handedness." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a himself. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the that, and I came down." "What, then?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. third from London." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the depend upon your compliance." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured he died? a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any it right.' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I don't say that. Perhaps." paper in the air. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Was the window open?" in. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'You cannot say what it was?' galvanised. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always washing it down with a long draught of water. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "From his hat?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and the colonel ushered me in. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously occupations.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son God! What an exposure! What can I do?" outsides of the windows. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I assure you that I am in your hands." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan McCarthy." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend comes from the middle window." a suggestive one." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if within hail.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, purpose equally well?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "One horse?" interjected Holmes. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at depend upon your compliance." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Lestrade of Scotland Yard." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that I am arrested." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Eh? What was that?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and present." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' of it with the greatest attention. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account