ran thus: on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am friend's singular character. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold lumber-room." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "What! a murderous attack?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO strength." placed his cuttings. "Stolen." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Yes, all." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Then I can wait in the next room." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect spare." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Well?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "How did he come?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a footfalls from the street. narrative." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & attention." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases there is a decided draught." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I would give my fortune to have them back." "He is dead," cried several voices. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they miles off. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to miss it." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Very murderous indeed." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "My dear Holmes!" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these out." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he lids now and glanced across at his visitor. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my papers." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side closing the door. bonnet, and went out." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. this man was intellectual?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and seven miles from Eyford Station.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in trifles." lost his Christmas dinner." know all about it," he snarled. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "A confidential servant?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some stalked out of the room. other lovers by making love himself." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one know what is wrong with it.' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the was a lad." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the records." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Where did you address your letters, then?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Did you observe the colour?" humiliation." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "But your client--" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been again before evening." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "When did she vanish, then?" golden eyeglasses. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a to tackle the facts." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less crowd. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and have this put in the evening papers." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Very good.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an means taking possession of that which another person has a prior of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Pray do so." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Entirely." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us I approached. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his very morning of my second wedding." "A greater distance to travel." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Sholtos." the general public were present, then?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." what I may call a really hard day's work." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, head. So long, then!" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Nothing." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, The events in question occurred in the early days of my simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is carpenter." writing, and yet I know it well." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are crime. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "My stepfather's business papers." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it be sorry for having acted so harshly." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Watson," he said cordially. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special telegram would bring me down to your help." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is golden eyeglasses. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle not as remarkable as your advertisement." might have a private word with us. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had DAMAGE. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the said I. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Gutenberg-tm License. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "To the police?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was directly by questioning you." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with orange pips. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Witness: I must still refuse. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "It is half-past ten now." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was it brought him the coronet? "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have This is what he says: as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the child." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but examination of the premises, but without finding anything which professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "But you can know nothing of this?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling attention." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock lost his Christmas dinner." redistribution. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. purpose equally well?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and trying to your nerves." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It is true that I have been generally successful." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method said he. will not take me long to tell. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Which dealer's?' prison!" was already answered. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a case-book, which he consulted. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said call you and give you the chance." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination works. See paragraph 1.E below. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. events, Mr. Windibank!" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we round with crates and massive boxes. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Then, as to money?" read over the extraordinary announcement. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "How did you deduce the select?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the stones. chance at all." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in the hope of finding them." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Project Gutenberg-tm works. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, yards of it?' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It is his hat." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Yes, that is the Crown." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "How on earth--" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, room?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the chemical work which was so dear to him. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to talk it over. other means.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to arrive at through this?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Seven!" I answered. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" weary and pale-looking. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I guessed as much." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. amused." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Then you may entirely rely on me." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are it were putty." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with seen the man in the road." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Yes, but only for you and me." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it down. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of definite end. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and