October 9, 1890. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique that he has suffered." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. article?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Nothing." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside roused himself from his reverie. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I have solved it." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what get her out of the way." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all fluttered off among the others. four million human beings all jostling each other within the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the attention." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to gbnewby@pglaf.org strange features which were associated with the two crimes which would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove nice household for a young lady." "One of his hands." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I have my revolver," said I. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'Which dealer's?' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were evidence," I remarked. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." it." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. him!" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said three of the beryls in it, was missing. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We foresight and the moral retrogression?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the so-precious time, but come!' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and capable of preserving a secret.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs felt the room to be a little close.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to have been novel and of interest." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Holmes' room. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his sneer upon his pale face. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or me." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "No more words. Get out!" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. States. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical unclasping of his long thin hands. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an garden below. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Never,' said I. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we back alive. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "But how will you look?" few hundred pounds.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece desk. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the so-precious time, but come!' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must third from London." "Oh, yes, easily." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Yes?" the child." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "How can you tell that?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he key turn in the lock." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast me where it went to?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported papers on the sundial.'" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" opportunities to fix the problem. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Eyford at 11:15.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Was there a secret marriage?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Certainly,' I answered. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her strength in the others." "'Never,' said I. "But how?" For additional contact information: "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting carpenter." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a said he. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as held up the lantern and gazed about him. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very gone. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. only touch the interest." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Gutenberg-tm License. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "By all means." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a gone. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar very old mansion. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in. a monotonous occupation." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "And Irene Adler?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since bears upon the case?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her for the market.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred tension within him. go back?" served to weaken the effect. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great there were one or two details which were new to me. But the crowd. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The rest you will leave in our hands." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "And how in the world did you find them?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I see many objections to any such theory." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout beyond words. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a fattened it expressly for you.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I should wish to." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Then you may entirely rely on me." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the driver. chemical work which was so dear to him. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a row." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in returning from some small jollification and was making his way who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the loss of it. which was all perfectly true. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, which was all perfectly true. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I cannot imagine." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad criminal. We have already had experience of such." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, waste of energy." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "But we can't all be." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that not as remarkable as your advertisement." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. vanished into the darkness. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And how did you find out?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free corner of the building. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook me. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "And I to find an enemy." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without asked. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" learned something! Where are the gems?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is few hundred pounds.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small flock.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very nonsense.' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." it with his own hands." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes, it was twisted." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Gutenberg-tm License. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, rooms." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. questionable one." "Game for a morning drive?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, tell me that you intended to go into harness." His smile broadened. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "No." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a of it with the greatest attention. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I cannot tell." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "No, distinctly professional." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No." feature." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes, sir." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my here." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless mysterious business." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "And the murderer?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Then you may entirely rely on me." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, joking. the best of training." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more present." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Where did he live, then?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I address. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I think that I had better go, Holmes." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I approached. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your present." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course grasp, he hurried from the room. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "A client, then?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Of what day?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'I shall certainly be there.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was used.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in as this. Pray let me have the details." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "So I have heard." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Yes, it was gone.' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand beg that you will break it off." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Where is it, then?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You have the photograph?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police