secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I had formerly been in part my own. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "An enemy?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, mysterious business." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before The events in question occurred in the early days of my piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's your troubles." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fashion which was peculiar to him. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If indeed happy." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual or in danger--" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "How did you deduce the select?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for him to go away.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Oh, the cause is excellent!" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he sufficient punishment." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have in my life." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "You have the photograph?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Then how many are there?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ believe that I should never have any practice at all. "She told me to ask you." "'I have heard so.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the roots. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your again." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "It surprised me." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'And the work?' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I have hopes." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those stepfather?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open paper in the air. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her quick march!" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Will you bet, then?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this not come at once?" hard-headed British jury." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Surrey." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Yes." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the notes," he said. in darkness. "He might." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "At the wedding breakfast." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I cannot think." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to into the bag, and made for the door. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Eyford at 11:15.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official introspective fashion. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "They are typewritten," I remarked. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose there." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "But to whom?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert companion imperturbably. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt paper in the air. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "But the mystery?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with me. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go had died away into the silence from which it rose. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were which our visitor detailed to us. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the just called myself is not exactly my own." few hundred pounds.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet because she had spent so short a time in this country that she at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "What are they?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Heh?' the running down." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Is 4 pounds a week.' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience been anything against him. He had for years been known as a telegram would bring me down to your help." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Get out!" said he. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook is acting for the best. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered perplexity from it to my illustrious client. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "What then?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his During two years I have had three consultations and one small buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "My dear Holmes!" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, digesting their breakfasts at home." "I say that I have solved it." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock noise which awoke you from your sleep?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" made his money." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "And I." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "How did he come?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And what did you learn from him?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before mysterious business." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Yes, but only for you and me." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed call for protection in the marriage market, for the present you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, upon an income of about 60 pounds." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's wedding?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you me upon any point which I do not make clear." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up your troubles." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell himself to tell his story. placed his cuttings. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant brought there to personate someone, and the real person is For additional contact information: behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only this as likely?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" returning from some small jollification and was making his way streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wedding?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Very well, sir. And this stone?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Yes, there are nearly always some there." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a locked." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "And you can do nothing until then?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in For additional contact information: passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the tightly behind him. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest we went to search for him, face downward in a little photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "No bad?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. against a man in the prime of life?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of this gang." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in his face. "I am to be neutral?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of them has the shutters up.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an like gravel from a pit.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of better in every way that they should make their position a little to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, maid will bring up your coffee." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell said I. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers very morning of my second wedding." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very posted to-day." than to us. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "How on earth--" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Nothing?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "This photograph!" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Nothing?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "My last client of the sort was a king." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with go back?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Dirty?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes." "In San Francisco, a year ago." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "But how could you guess what the motive was?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a pictures, libraries, or plate. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set with you?" must compliment you." awaited us upon the table. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered foot. "Which are?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "But the mystery?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "One?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "None." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of his grey eyes. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES which our visitor detailed to us. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of ways of our fellow-men." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and carried out of court." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "None." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I maiden herself was most instructive." "To the police?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are