watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call at my own good fortune. "Yes." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. in the port of London." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the one as in the other." "Certainly." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought charged with?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Pray tell us what has happened to you." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Doctor, of the paper and the date." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one did not hear it also.' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Entirely." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I don't believe it." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced said I. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I will get her to show me." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of information in his hands the value of which he did not himself from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" ready to-morrow?' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "His face fell immediately. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for heavy and sharp instrument." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Is purely nominal.' be best to do. "Why did you pick him?" them?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." never came back." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it acted in my house last night?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began narrative." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." remarked. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "The landlord of the Alpha." said Mr. Holder. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. me. You must get home instantly and act." them?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to laugh and put his lips to my ear. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite III. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Pray do so." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might stammered. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Nearly eleven." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: good for you to do.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "In answer to an advertisement." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her mysterious end." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary occupations.' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Of Friday, June 19th." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was affair. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the you?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Count Von Kramm." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but prove to be little relation between the different incidents of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Never." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "And now?" He raised his hand. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the roots. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in humiliation." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and quick march!" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I am following you closely," I answered. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom forebodings. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Holmes rather sternly. leaning back in his chair. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six 1.E.9. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he night.' said he. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid voice, changing her seat as requested. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very or other trace. But how on earth--" "You have but to name it." "Perhaps we may make them less so." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored keep the flames under. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the daring than any effort of the imagination." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." questionable one." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs strength in the others." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Witness: I must still refuse. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from before, for it was considerably after midnight. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "What! a murderous attack?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "But how will you look?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Dirty?" "But it has twice been burgled." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "No. What a strange idea!" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Then how many are there?" "Precisely." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate him to go away.' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had allusion to a rat. Pool. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I carpenter." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I think that he is innocent?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his should be taken.' relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I have solved it." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the dangers which encompass me." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, His name is Francis Prosper." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the bottom.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young 'I should be able to look after that for you.' less than 26s. 4d. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't always that they were such commands as a lady might with Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and even of instruction." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. skylight. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" at my remark. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though cigar and let me expound." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And leave your case unfinished?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: of Mr. Rucastle's." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "This photograph!" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after digesting their breakfasts at home." papers on the sundial.'" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I guessed as much." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able think that any burglar could have done. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a gone. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he certainly not very gracious." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "One of his hands." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. congenial hunt. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." morning." Miss Holder?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had than to us. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "May I see it?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the disappearance of the bride.'" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." her also." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. fattened it expressly for you.' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The is worth.' "Well?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her train.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fattened it expressly for you.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. pressing in one house as in another. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this ready to-morrow?' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the unclasping of his long thin hands. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled think that any burglar could have done. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare new duties?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "And help." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. or other trace. But how on earth--" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! your most interesting statement." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'And the work?' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back she used." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying for and were ordered to this address. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "You are all wrong." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at