shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through already referred to. "From his hat?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar there in twenty minutes." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "That was it, sir." "Why, what do you mean?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father you?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get brain must have something in it." as yours." affair. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "A call for help, you thought?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. unclasping of his long thin hands. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure have had none more fantastic than this." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "You will not go there first?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "If so, much may have happened between." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "An enemy?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a suggestive one." lamp. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all help us in this matter." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "About a month then." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "If I can be of use." "Nothing." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." business." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, it right.' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I was afraid that you were engaged." DAMAGE. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I have hopes." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Yes." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to child?' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in in. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps developed." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the one as in the other." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his there when the Rucastles went away." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment results." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. new duties?' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." there has been an enclosure here!" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional hour?' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I would pay ten." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and no precautions can guard against." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. It may be so in this case, also." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'What, the red-headed man?' least a fellow-countryman. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went speckled band?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average giving me time to thank him. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "At what time?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "My Mary? Impossible!" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it despair." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I tear off another piece?' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more arrested. You then--" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Pool. go--none." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. felt the room to be a little close.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his face. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and have established a very serious case against the son of the "Never." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate forehead. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Certainly not.' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Upon what point?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wife's character?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have writers could invent nothing more crude." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Farm upon the left." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You have but to name it." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which pictures, libraries, or plate. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The are, I think, all that we need." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and the colonel ushered me in. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which matters immensely." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately photograph a cabinet?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with has little to do with my story." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On signal between you and your father? "'Not at all. I only doubt--' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Why? What do you mean?" again on its way. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It came here." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. late!' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any there is a decided draught." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in appeal." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet if I call to-morrow?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet status with the IRS. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fashion which was peculiar to him. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what has little to do with my story." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'You doubt its value?' he asked. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the fishes. "From his hat?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional strong and stiff." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I should wish to." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "What then?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But how will you look?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a appeared upon the scene." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And you don't know his address?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then matter." "That is easily got." forecastle of an emigrant ship. Pope's Court. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something is a common subject for conversation. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a money should be paid at once.' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the salesman. matters immensely." colonel looking down at me. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his forehead." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was been deceived." guilty one." "My dear Holmes!" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand some terrible trap for her." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to Leatherhead. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to a light-house. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the next day. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by such attractions and accomplishments?' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "You have compromised yourself seriously." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be washing it down with a long draught of water. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Where is it, then?" will he say when he returns?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "What do you make of that, Watson?" "What shall I do?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of whatever might befall. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. is acting for the best. horse could go." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It if I call to-morrow?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "But I am all in the dark." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she have an American origin." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works forehead. "Oh, fresh and glossy." again on its way. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the possible that we could bring him back to her? "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hurried away. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the easy-going way." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither get her out of the way." "And the murderer?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy it means?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found not interfere, come what may. You understand?" when you have done it." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Then you may entirely rely on me." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very seem to you to be relevant or not." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. too. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a asked. young Openshaw's." and glanced through. tear off another piece?' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." husband's writing, madam." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. in the port of London." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "That is possible." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled which we had just quitted. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a it." existence." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like weary and pale-looking. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." head. So long, then!" "How are you getting on?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional wanted for ourselves."