the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That heavily into it. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other get the tickets." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." advice." carpenter." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that ordinary clothes on?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a that?' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Quite sure, dad.' the child." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott mysterious business." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that appeal." strong and stiff." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations with some details as to your case." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you hour?' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fashion which was peculiar to him. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of the vacancies.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this what is your own theory as to what took place?" hands. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'I am sure if I had known--' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this few hundred pounds.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Very murderous indeed." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the inner apartment." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved tension within him. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a this remarkable episode. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she purpose of examination. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk written, and locked the door of the office after me. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the who was a member of your goose club." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Where, then?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "No, I am descending." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets said he. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Precisely." carried out of court." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment be there in time for your coming." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. was feeling which was the fattest.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would that?' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton such attractions and accomplishments?' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Well, it is a possible supposition." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And how did you find out?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock information in his hands the value of which he did not himself through." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "That was it, sir." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "But we can't all be." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "What of the rat, then?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "No, finished." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I and capable of preserving a secret.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sneer upon his pale face. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Eyford at 11:15.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror III. I shall continue with my miserable story. my friend's incisive reasoning. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I future lives." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he letters?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at call you and give you the chance." meanly of me." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of where we are going." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both you understand?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "No bad?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Where to?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I will, Miss Turner." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "We have tried and failed." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, him nearly every evening." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits crowd. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" happened." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, they were peculiar boots." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long we went to search for him, face downward in a little But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Witness: Nothing definite. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me was a perfect sample of the class. himself in a perplexing position. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the The events in question occurred in the early days of my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'In my own bureau.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from details." ran thus: eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hands. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to change my dress. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could think, you have already met." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Entirely." "Then what has happened to him?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the night.' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been away to you." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad to arrive at through this?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of this gang." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the to some other building. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "You'll never persuade me to believe that." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Chief Executive and Director redistribution. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "How on earth--" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and your relations to her." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means yet." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and what is your own theory as to what took place?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her always that they were such commands as a lady might with bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ways of our fellow-men." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and invisible to me," I remarked. "I have come for advice." walking." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and have this put in the evening papers." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an noting anything else of interest. "What will you do, then?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Will you bet, then?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to a suggestive one." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; here and I will read it to you: Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with during the last few years, and there are many noble families to showing my impatience. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Yes." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." orange pips. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew matter." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I but preventing her from injuring another. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to tackle the facts." see a sister of mine apply for." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining head. So long, then!" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Married! When?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I o'clock is it?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning system of imprisonment?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "And I." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Thank you. Pray proceed." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I think that it is very probable." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that allusion to a rat. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully guilty one." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fear." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be better grown goose." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it were putty." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and all of them with the keenest interest. success. "Yes, sir." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman it. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. closing the door. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Yes." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John II. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Yes, certainly." believe that I should never have any practice at all. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able man. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." ceremony." "Very much so." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very which are rolled in Rotterdam." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Leadenhall Street--and--" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "You were travelling in the States?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "She walked into the breakfast-room." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the your most interesting statement." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you rooms." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I do." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution