And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses visitors." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I cannot say that I have." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three meant." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "It goes to the housekeeper's room." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind companion quietly. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so which we had just quitted. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the amused." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You are certainly joking, Holmes." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had shall not find me ungrateful." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the which it had come upon my father." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "But his lameness?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Then let me do so?' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding suspect him." "And your father? Did you tell him?" she used." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. is," said he presently: the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and laid it on the table. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was was not a bird to be seen there. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and him." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to talk it over. colour had been driven from his face. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was was a lad." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. been deceived." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You have but to name it." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Of what day?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. as he remarks, very much against the son." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester strange features which were associated with the two crimes which made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. upon the sideboard." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he back into the street. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness companion. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons name is different." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Yes, at the mines." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the general public were present, then?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have that he has suffered." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I will, Miss Turner." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I it." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'About the same.' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We his cane at the bell-pull. in my life." flock.' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the so.' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Which are?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who hour." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of look dissatisfied." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I have my revolver," said I. hour?' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and I shall be with you presently." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save cigars in the box." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, answer." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar off." "I am sure." of the way of danger. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'Which dealer's?' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. undoubtedly my uncle's." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "No." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a night.' said he. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them go--none." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your records." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great you." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting bonnet, and went out." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' joking. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and capable of preserving a secret.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself these bleak autumnal evenings." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Come in!" said Holmes. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four said I. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the felt?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you flock.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his as noiselessly as she had come. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat late." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "You are all wrong." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of not personally threatened." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "No?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a British peeress.'" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at whatever might befall. tail." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it gigantic client. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, giving me time to thank him. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and about. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, is a common subject for conversation. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and effective." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to your sleep?' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true better in every way that they should make their position a little thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Oh, the cause is excellent!" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "'Quite sure, dad.' I have it here in my museum." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "My last client of the sort was a king." than to us. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Stoke Moran." what do you think they found in the pockets?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain what is your own theory as to what took place?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "What do you mean?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the roots. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing telegram would bring me down to your help." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the dangers which encompass me." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear him. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to tell." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. chance at all." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Pray do so." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter door?" arrested. You then--" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both asked. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I was afraid that you were engaged." matter over." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. fatally injured? "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Yes." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It is possible." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "One of the highest in England." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "So I am. Very much so." I leave." would then never go into court at all." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and put his glass in his pocket. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that forebodings. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. through." felt the room to be a little close.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the tragedy. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would his fortune, and I went back to pa. people don't know." his eyes and forehead. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent instincts rose up against that laugh. matter over." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "But what will you do?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his