'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but must be when I saw the door open.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Is purely nominal.' "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair excitement. sparkled upon his finger. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my status with the IRS. invisible to me," I remarked. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Precisely." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has his grey eyes. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Breckinridge is his name." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Watson," he said cordially. "What! You do not mean bodies?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my wedding?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case shall use the carriage to-night." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known dramatic, in fact." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I am armed." "Frequently." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I know where it is." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and I shall be with you presently." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Never." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "My dear Holmes!" "And the murderer?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a questioning and rather startled gaze. the night.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his room?" "What have you to say now?" III. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a your equipment. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the your sleep?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Street. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "My private note-paper." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, it is a possible supposition." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Where did you address your letters, then?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Miss Holder?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the them present such singular features as the strange train of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all over part of the map. "What do you read?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yes, all." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before said I. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done ashen face. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an returned to France?" "It certainly sounds feasible." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Henry Baker is a member." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a danger is over." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "When did she vanish, then?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I am following you closely," I answered. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features your sleep?' questionable one." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, lips." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Where to?' purpose of examination. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to surprise her." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important seem to you to be relevant or not." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the open." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I will not look." that you saw all that I did." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly go from here to the Strand." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we prepare for the new role I have to play." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the indiscretion." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Game for a morning drive?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted possible that we could bring him back to her? highly," said Holmes. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." time." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. http://gutenberg.net/license). "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the during which he might have communicated with his friend the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." both be extremely obliged.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the said he. becomes even more simple." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" was shining brightly. "My own seal." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I don't believe it." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle McCarthy's innocence. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the formed some opinion?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I have solved it." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "My last client of the sort was a king." "Did you become engaged then?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It surprised me." case before our client came into the room." mysterious end." matter." "No." purpose equally well?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. such attractions and accomplishments?' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable returning from some small jollification and was making his way can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the better grown goose." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "No bad?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "What do you mean?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the light and attacked it." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his better in every way that they should make their position a little who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I cannot as yet see any connection." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you in your example." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the photograph?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is there has been an enclosure here!" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle me. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was becomes even more simple." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' would apply.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused answer." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Nearly eleven." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. fattened it expressly for you.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." becomes even more simple." you give your casting vote to?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Street. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached started for the Temple to see my husband. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "But who is he?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Project Gutenberg-tm works. better grown goose." families. Now for the facts. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Yes, only one." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been head. So long, then!" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to eavesdroppers?' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "When did it break out?" "You were travelling in the States?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I am about to be married." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and all of them with the keenest interest. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her grasp, he hurried from the room. purpose equally well?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I will not look." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to orange pips. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the strength of mind to control. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Project Gutenberg-tm works.