furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons envelope. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Street. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average she used." corner of the building. best detective that ever lived. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." appeared upon the scene." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. papers on the sundial.'" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." 1.F. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Stolen." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" way in everything. as yours." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how laugh and put his lips to my ear. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and laid it on the table. she used." be best to do. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A evidence," I remarked. "I don't believe it." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little his huge brown hands. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and man. I know him from the photograph." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible triumphant cloud from his cigarette. him nearly every evening." your most interesting statement." "Oh, fresh and glossy." tightly behind him. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? lost nothing by them." these bleak autumnal evenings." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "By no means." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had him to be an active member of the medical profession." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the morning and make my own way in the world.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. wanted for ourselves." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest long narrative. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "A confidential servant?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the chemical work which was so dear to him. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should note?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for matters immensely." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it child?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Ha! you find it so?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of recover the gem." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "In which, sir?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "About a month then." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "My dear Holmes!" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of with you alone." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Do you know him?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Yes, I have one waiting." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "That is not always so easy." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "But he might be a bachelor." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up photograph?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Then he might have called to you?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a client, rising. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as if only as a check to my own memory." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "The knees of his trousers." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying throat." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And now?" I asked. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "My dear Holmes!" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been emerged. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul companion imperturbably. call it cruel." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental bird I ate is country bred." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the nonsense.' them present such singular features as the strange train of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who investigation." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I correct than the official force." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which fuss that is made over them." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Why serious?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on carpenter." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four chemical work which was so dear to him. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by occupations.' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'In my own bureau.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and absorbing." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "And leave your case unfinished?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of learned something! Where are the gems?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of McCarthy." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Where did you address your letters, then?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, peculiar to him. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the The King stared at him in amazement. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Sutherland. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the British peeress.'" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "She walked into the breakfast-room." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "That sounds a little paradoxical." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Not in a good cause." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any be. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "It is possible." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "By no means." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. foot. cigars in the box." you?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Precisely so. But how--" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "No, I am descending." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which once more on the important position which you have been fortunate that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "A confidential servant?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "None." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we as he remarks, very much against the son." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE James Windibank. Voilà tout!" were unconscious?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "How did he come?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and chambers. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his mystery." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that chance." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came interest. They are important, you understand, without being a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Ten will be early enough." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Very truly yours, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is article?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did passage and a tap at the door. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a stammered. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon orange pips. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed and all of them with the keenest interest. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and laid it on the table. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled you give your casting vote to?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Has he come with you to-night?" investigation." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. only touch the interest." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" up this clue while it is still hot." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a foresight and the moral retrogression?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I instituted." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to-night?" I asked. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a to-night?" I asked. business?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "You think so, too?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door for securing the situation." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Yes. He waved his hands." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin meanly of me." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much man. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You have the photograph?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." which was all perfectly true. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': down in his armchair and closing his eyes. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She