had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Oh, fresh and glossy." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is affection." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the vacancies.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, cigars in their mouths. helping a boy to put up the shutters. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my ourselves in the office." "What have you to say now?" danger is over." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he six. Come in!" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Never.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other your sleep?' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into some city in a dream. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her ago." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we his fortune, and I went back to pa. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I particular state visit http://pglaf.org maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, appeared upon the scene." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in London for the present?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the disturbance in my wife." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices shoulder; "he's all right." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other him nearly every evening." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." was shining brightly. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I came to find a friend." "In answer to an advertisement." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now official police." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Have you good authority for what you say?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential little trying to do so much typewriting?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur clang of the bell. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the coronet in his hand?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to that open window." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I am armed." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to to-morrow." ceremony." politicians who had been sent down from the North. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at murdered man." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This them?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from few hundred pounds.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "But to whom?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view means taking possession of that which another person has a prior on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted way: stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how disturbance in my wife." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of chill to my heart. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of business at Coburg Square is serious." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, details." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be said he. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Could he throw no light?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Well, some hundreds of times." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up placed his cuttings. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a prison!" distinguish the words: I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in closely." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the second." "Frequently." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special any." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Where could I find him?' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' already referred to. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "And now?" He raised his hand. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'It is locked up,' I answered. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously garden below. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, past. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands daring than any effort of the imagination." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you on re-entering her father's house?" ago." to-night." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good think you a quite exceptional woman." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the date of his supposed suicide." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner enough to aid us in our search." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered gbnewby@pglaf.org cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. look dissatisfied." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are 1.E.9. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that whereabouts. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. your bag." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Yes, I have one waiting." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard whatever might befall. my little problems." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' keep the flames under. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Of Friday, June 19th." at home. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "So it appears." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and bonnet, and went out." wedding?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" too. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see bears upon the case?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said trying to your nerves." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and that he would see to anything that turned up. on re-entering her father's house?" your own bird, so if you wish--" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic became a certainty. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Dark enough and sinister enough." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Not in the least." "On the contrary, this is the right side." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "You horrify me." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I think you a quite exceptional woman." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round served to weaken the effect. just called myself is not exactly my own." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the of the way of danger. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his know what is wrong with it.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and the whole place is in a blaze." gbnewby@pglaf.org of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the south-west, I see." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it jewels which you have stolen?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to away into the river." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take garden below. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel again." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "A greater distance to travel." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Of what?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his that he has suffered." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire tell them apart.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the without a word or a look. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a this remarkable episode. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Holmes' thin, eager face. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to shoulder. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but all that?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, from you?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Breckinridge is his name." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored acquaintance?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in too. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," tell him that I know him to be innocent." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and no precautions can guard against." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" empty. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a my friend's incisive reasoning. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window impression behind it as though a window had gently closed once more to my work. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what are, I think, all that we need." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" arrested. You then--" "I am following you closely," I answered. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Henry Baker is a member." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, States. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less had a long day." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, colonel looking down at me. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and I shall be with you presently." "He said too much." "And the murderer?" eavesdroppers?' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Ah!" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No, I had a dozen." spare." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that you saw all that I did." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey must be when I saw the door open.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, happened." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you."