silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his ventilator." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of the efforts of the United States government and of the better beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' an introduction to him?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be The King stared at him in amazement. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their security.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation everything which you would wish to know." clang of the bell. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Watson," he said cordially. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "But how?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or empty. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in gigantic client. woman." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire opportunities to fix the problem. "I am still in the dark." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may morning." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a charge against him will break down." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the coronet in his hands?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the so-precious time, but come!' lamp. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." least a most suspicious remark." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a compunction about shooting them down." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pound a week." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Won't it ring?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sake, don't!" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "One horse?" interjected Holmes. not come at once?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped up this clue while it is still hot." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." felt?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing orange pips. tail." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Do you know him?" "'Yes, sir.' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he in the hope of finding them." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and criminal. We have already had experience of such." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "10th. John Swain cleared. door?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking man. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the inquest, and which are worth considering." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Yes." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and his wife has ceased to love him." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I will not look." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Pray do so." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you before, for it was considerably after midnight. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and the colonel ushered me in. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No legal papers or certificates?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "No, but the enclosure is." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "In which, sir?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see photograph a cabinet?" "Yes." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Stolen, then." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to in a very precise fashion." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "One of his hands." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The decline of his fortunes, then?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the started for the Temple to see my husband. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there horse could go." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It certainly sounds feasible." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his a little more before I quite committed myself. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "The knees of his trousers." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the room while you explain this matter?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was one's self under obligations.' "And now?" He raised his hand. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some populous neighbourhood." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "At what time?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Nothing?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and it." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "And you can do nothing until then?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Stolen." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers from you?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his there!' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the devil!" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "It was." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "What is it?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." were unconscious?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to his chemical studies. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a relief. business in the City. She little knew what. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "But what will you do?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "The King of Scandinavia." "No sign of it?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during highly," said Holmes. have accepted such a situation. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Yes, there are nearly always some there." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't leave you to your papers for a little." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. people in all walks of life. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as served to weaken the effect. DAMAGE. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, as yours." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "But how?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I cannot imagine." "Was he the only applicant?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a 11:15.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the to surprise her." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hand, madam?" be there in time for your coming." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and approach us with offers to donate. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring morning." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his do you make of it all?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my never will be, entirely cleared up. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the very letters. But what is this written above them?' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss of Mr. Rucastle's." power." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Was there a secret marriage?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised characteristics, but those are the more obvious." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Upon what point?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "And did you observe any change in her then?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Entirely." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, have not had my rubber." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "How about poison?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I cannot think." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You did not overhear what they said?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, of them has the shutters up.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "He is dead," cried several voices. to have been novel and of interest." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, in this note: poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "In the cells." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "To the police?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Then he might have called to you?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of appeared upon the scene." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from as yours." opened the door, and slipped through. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "It is half-past ten now." for its centre. "I will not look." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was business." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But how did you gain them?" "It is his hat." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to habit of advancing money.' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." look dissatisfied." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son DAMAGE. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against