so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Did your wife hear all this?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as cheerful." lost his Christmas dinner." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Then I do not see the point." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Not I." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." writers could invent nothing more crude." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Dr. Gregory B. Newby want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. passage and a tap at the door. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "What then?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is it were putty." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord information in his hands the value of which he did not himself would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And how?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I confronted him. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which hardly wander." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Entirely.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of fine shops and stately business premises that they really warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative charged with?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow putting in the horse. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault be there in time for your coming." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." bell. Holmes whistled. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower becomes even more simple." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "No sign of it?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view lids now and glanced across at his visitor. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It not use it unless it is absolutely needed." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure telegram would bring me down to your help." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'As governess?' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. tapping his fingers upon the table. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very it means?" I held the little printed slip to the light. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, one of the states of the Union." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was noble correspondent could be. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I don't believe it." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of tightly behind him. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all that I may have something better before very many minutes are to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that obstinate." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But how?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to cigars in the box." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" appeal." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Not I." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk fashion which was peculiar to him. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "No, distinctly professional." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." burst out into a roar of laughter. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "What, then?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the coronet in his hand?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "But she will refuse." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and have this put in the evening papers." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'In my own bureau.' "I see many objections to any such theory." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I dramatic, in fact." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two place of silver." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to a more successful conclusion." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier appeal." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the trifles." never will be, entirely cleared up. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I nodded to show that I had heard. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You were travelling in the States?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he definite end. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to jewels which you have stolen?' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works it were putty." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling train.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Did you become engaged then?" guilty one." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Was there a secret marriage?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "There is the writing." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from not come at once?" Does that suggest anything?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while foresight and the moral retrogression?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut suddenly upon us." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your are, and they are waiting for us." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "What of the rat, then?" father's place of business?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence you." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the away to you." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the read over the extraordinary announcement. gives a meaning to it." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Ah!" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yes, all." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for outsides of the windows. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Cross for the Continent." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can row." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel your only hope of safety." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are danger is over." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "He said that you could solve anything." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." guilty parties." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Do you know him?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, imbecility!" he cried. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable him!" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is secret." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Leadenhall Street--and--" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, DAMAGE. "Yes, but only for you and me." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'How far from the body?' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want companion imperturbably. to change my dress. "No, I think that I'll take it." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have heavy and sharp instrument." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" business?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal think that any burglar could have done. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his be best to do. weighed down with some great anxiety. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention bedroom door." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and the church but not where the lady lived." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has without success. At last the little money which I had saved began enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "How did he come?" as this. Pray let me have the details." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I absorbing." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Who by?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the inner apartment." "He is dead," cried several voices. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "What will you do, then?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to second window is the one that I jumped from." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "That you are never beaten." "'Where to?' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs very old mansion. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "And how did you verify them?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy your equipment. "Was she in good spirits?" "By all means." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. of the way of danger. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Did you become engaged then?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were jewels which you have stolen?' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I