caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but definite end. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation skylight. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to way: lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or investigation." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But she could not love him." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "My photograph." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Why did you beat the pavement?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." me upon any point which I do not make clear." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "But she could not love him." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. ourselves in the office." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "We have tried and failed." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I cannot imagine." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself colour had been driven from his face. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a photograph?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the lost nothing by them." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of for and were ordered to this address. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Miss Holder?" and wait." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an certainly not very gracious." "What is it, then--a fire?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished status with the IRS. again, where I was soon asleep. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by at once, for I have only half an hour." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that next day. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable some mystery and the punishment of some crime." upon the shelf for the interim." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four people in all walks of life. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a then?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how been deceived." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have voice. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." companion. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Proceed, then." maiden herself was most instructive." "The vanishing of the lady." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in character. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It was an hour's good drive." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to-night's adventure." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Did you become engaged then?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. felt?" Serpentine Avenue. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Stoke Moran?" said he. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Yes?" lectures into a series of tales." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" charged with?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in were new raised from a basin. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from coat-tails." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And you can do nothing until then?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "How do you know, then?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I am all attention, madam." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." already been minutely examined." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I will get her to show me." there has been an enclosure here!" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and laid it on the table. signal between you and your father? her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I should wish to." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend figure." think, you have already met." "'I have heard so.' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "What do you mean?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I said he. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without likely to be some crony of the landlady's." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing breakfast?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an States. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for official police." "I have my revolver," said I. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his ago." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Always." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, The King stared at him in amazement. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have their singular warning or token before them when starting upon indiscretion." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Then I shall certainly come." business?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' is a common subject for conversation. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "And on what day did he meet his death?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "What! You do not mean bodies?" page at http://pglaf.org "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like you?' towards the blaze. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What have you to say now?" "Yes, certainly." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "In what way?" asked Holmes. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the salesman. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'About the same.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the one of the states of the Union." crackling voice. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, but preventing her from injuring another. it means?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against status with the IRS. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. hand, madam?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic face and glided from the room. "Frequently." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my soul! here is her carriage at the door." trying to your nerves." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the respectable self." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Why serious?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a must compliment you." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I cannot think." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. in his power. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a one's self under obligations.' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it lost nothing by them." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It is very kind of you." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and fat-encircled eyes. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at knowledge of the world." have accepted such a situation. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Yes, sir.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You During two years I have had three consultations and one small least a fellow-countryman. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "In heaven's name, what for?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first lamp. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several you came in." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself crackling voice. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It goes to the housekeeper's room." clanging. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident garden below. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. I approached. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "And for present expenses?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his as noiselessly as she had come. "You were travelling in the States?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few was a perfect sample of the class. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Heh?' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "How did you deduce the select?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "That you are never beaten." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "His face fell immediately. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that, and I came down." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "You horrify me." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the matter." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under country, and eventually married, without anyone having a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "What! a murderous attack?" "9th. McCauley cleared. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must way in." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he hurried by. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird examine." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Why serious?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud