villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. following enigmatical notices: met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Whose house is it?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that I may have something better before very many minutes are chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For strode off upon his way. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No legal papers or certificates?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I promise," said Holmes. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'I have already given you my word.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "You have a clue?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set formed some opinion?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to digesting their breakfasts at home." ourselves in the office." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just be.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior what do you think they found in the pockets?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the present." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique lost his Christmas dinner." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I have solved it." brandy and water within his reach. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the certainly not very gracious." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "You heard nothing yourself last night?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." be best to do. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came in darkness. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to assist you in forming an opinion." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "A call for help, you thought?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "That was it, sir." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And on what day did he meet his death?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted papers must be those that are destroyed.' if she died from some sudden fright." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Pray do so." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time knowledge of the world." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would any little problem which you may submit to me." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my some terrible trap for her." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "On your arm?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already awkward doing business with an alias." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your house for five minutes.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "By no means." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the guilty one." upon an income of about 60 pounds." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "One of the highest in England." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "No?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about infinite languor in his face. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Look there!" said he. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know electronic works was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "My own seal." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "And how?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I cannot say that I have." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "No good news?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. passage and a tap at the door. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has than was visible to me." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this once more on the important position which you have been fortunate day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without some city in a dream. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of might have a private word with us. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through never will be, entirely cleared up. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' him and tried to hold him back. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary pierced for earrings?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it point in the dark hollow of his hand. begun to whiten, even as mine has." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "But she will refuse." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the coronet at all injured?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to whatever might befall. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I am in hopes that she does." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" My friend smiled. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already washing it down with a long draught of water. "You will not go there first?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the way in." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love entirely devoid of interest." has little to do with my story." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" it." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to deduce something from that?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. said he. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they not, dad?" she asked. "Did you become engaged then?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Has he come with you to-night?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "One?" gentleman's clothes. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Bought." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended had picked up in the wood. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I at a side door. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Yesterday." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was tightly behind him. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Did you become engaged then?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a putting in the horse. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I was concerned in it." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' behind me. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the inquest, and which are worth considering." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property annoyance, but no jest. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a had picked up in the wood. "I should wish to." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Here?" your co-operation." "I cannot think." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their back to my heart. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. own family. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet question," said Holmes, smiling. certainly not very gracious." families. Now for the facts. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his eyes and forehead. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and inquire as to the address." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she horse could go." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Nearly eleven." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should returning from some small jollification and was making his way was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon would apply.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the 1.F. "It is solved." acquaintance?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I read it out to me." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the arrested. You then--" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." know that the truth is known." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong disturbance in my wife." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "And help." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'About the same.' in darkness. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come which our visitor detailed to us. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and the colonel ushered me in. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Entirely." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all room had already been engaged for us. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the drove away. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but with you?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence experiences." But Holmes shook his head gravely. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." murdered man." "He slept on the premises." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "9th. McCauley cleared. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa with the outside air!" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "From his hat?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "VIOLET HUNTER." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had ventilator." "Yes, from Horsham." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, companion imperturbably. "No." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "In answer to an advertisement." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less respectable self." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and inquire as to the address." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after chance." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I cannot say that I have." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "To an English lawyer named Norton." "On your arm?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul