however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Then he might have called to you?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Holmes' room. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." away into the river." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Which are?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking rooms." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do The King stared at him in amazement. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! some mystery and the punishment of some crime." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage him to be an active member of the medical profession." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "In heaven's name, what for?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Ten to two.' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped bell. Holmes whistled. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises nice household for a young lady." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and away into the river." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'You cannot say what it was?' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You think so, too?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I will get her to show me." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows quickly through a disagreeable task. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a fatally injured? of note-paper. It read in this fashion: of it with the greatest attention. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need so far?" "'Certainly not. But why?' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "None. Neville wrote those words." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then woman." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is friends, not even his own brother. hardly wander." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "She showed me, as I told you she would." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "That is possible." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "By no means." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every tapping his fingers upon the table. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back she to prove their authenticity?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that all?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself weighed down with some great anxiety. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 problems help me to do so." "On your arm?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each washing it down with a long draught of water. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sentimental considerations in the background which would induce like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Does that suggest anything?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. this man was intellectual?" suspect him." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. wedding?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand sofa. This way, please!" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double she might be summoned. golden eyeglasses. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The weary and pale-looking. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless plantation.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Is purely nominal.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'I am sure that I do not know.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Stolen." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves tell them apart.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Married! When?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My appointment with me for six o'clock?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of the way of danger. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that detective. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do were wasted." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The presume?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "That is possible." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to made his money." "And Miss Sutherland?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first whereabouts. "I fear not." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. congratulate you again." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Her father is very rich?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive when you have done it." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt opportunities to fix the problem. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Heh?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do of this gang." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No sign of it?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, from the brougham. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Sutherland?" orange pips. confronted him. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "But not more so than I to find you." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I cannot imagine." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "To the police?" again on its way. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy individual and becomes the badge of a society." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." appeared upon the scene." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I have seen the police." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a sneer upon his pale face. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Very. But will he see it?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And the cigar-holder?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, your most interesting statement." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune are windows in it, of course?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "An accident, I presume?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can second." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "But you were on a friendly footing?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I comes from the middle window." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does weigh very heavily upon my conscience." had formerly been in part my own. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Street. gone. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "But how will you look?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and society." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "There are none." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? closing the door. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I think that I could be of assistance to you." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the details." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three it." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and roused himself from his reverie. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "You have it, sir, just as it happened." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'I am sure if I had known--' in his hands." "And now?" I asked. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Surrey." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Mary, has deserted me." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to door?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & jewels which you have stolen?' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as danger is over." was shining brightly. to me. II. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second yourselves in at night?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of go--none." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "But she will refuse." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" girl said." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the before, for it was considerably after midnight. orange pips. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." happened." weighed down with some great anxiety. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's garden below. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. conclusions. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "We were both in the photograph." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the house with me." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know delirious. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more do." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that someone who had been in Australia." "Really! You surprise me." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the King without delay." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt father's place of business?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. throat." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I approached. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' official police." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "He slept on the premises." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of