had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "On Monday." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "9th. McCauley cleared. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, fear." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in written. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bonnet, and went out." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The will be renamed. burst out into a roar of laughter. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can third from London." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." galvanised. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria him!" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off success. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the matter." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the Red-headed League." fishes. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Ample.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the towards the blaze. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You are hungry," I remarked. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind said I. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the Red-headed League." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the so-precious time, but come!' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "And I to find an enemy." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if nonsense.' she might be summoned. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I never have." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Not yet." "I am about to be married." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "None. Neville wrote those words." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk down from London to inquire more deeply into it." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with of it with the greatest attention. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without said he, "my real name is James Ryder." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this to tell." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his despair." in a very precise fashion." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's which was all perfectly true. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no in my life." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Where is it, then?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Witness: I must still refuse. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he been able to understand it, in a very few words. only touch the interest." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Doctor, of the paper and the date." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'How far from the body?' envelope. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened events than those which have happened in my own family." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "But how?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I fire. You quite follow me?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Where did you address your letters, then?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, both be extremely obliged.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. locked." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Was he the only applicant?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Ha! you find it so?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Is 4 pounds a week.' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his comes from the middle window." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin front of me. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and the whole place is in a blaze." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "In San Francisco, a year ago." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at generous with you in money matters.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'And what are they worth?' I asked. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I should like to see him very much." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The gentleman I describe." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our sentimental considerations in the background which would induce time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Oh, no.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the room while you explain this matter?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have narrative." "I see many objections to any such theory." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I am following you closely," I answered. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at read it out to me." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and glanced through. if only as a check to my own memory." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began more solid." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is good for you to do.' experiences." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his nothing with him." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "It certainly sounds feasible." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just entirely devoid of interest." think you a quite exceptional woman." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new following enigmatical notices: had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "And that is--" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose suggested at once that there must be a communication between the taking in every detail of the apartment. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "No." What do you deduce from it?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "And on what day did he meet his death?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Your French gold?" or other trace. But how on earth--" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It down. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "The Coroner: What do you mean? five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the will not take me long to tell. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way have established a very serious case against the son of the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good he. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Heh?' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have get her out of the way." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just other lovers by making love himself." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. together. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." http://www.gutenberg.net starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do 1.F. "A call for help, you thought?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better of them has the shutters up.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the returning from some small jollification and was making his way say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "But the mystery?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded coat-tails." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about 1.F. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but once more for Briony Lodge. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for papers must be those that are destroyed.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. points to suicide?" experiences." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I own family. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. John Swain, of St. Augustine. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'I am sure if I had known--' open." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons ashen face. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Why that?' I asks. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Why, it's a dummy," said he. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it companion. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and weary and pale-looking. green of the new foliage. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming spark where all is dark to me." "Then how many are there?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about mystery may be cleared along those lines." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon less than 26s. 4d. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "How did he come?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Then, how do you know?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "What is it, then--a fire?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor to-morrow." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his tied." speckled band?" chemical work which was so dear to him. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to miss it." through." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Only as much as we can deduce." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which once more. place of silver." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a garden below. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall colonel looking down at me. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, have an American origin." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he both be extremely obliged.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Were they all fastened this morning?" could go. Clair, of Lee." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that such person." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. made him keep the appointment." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." occurred." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Never.' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "No, thank goodness, she did not." had formerly been in part my own. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or him to be an active member of the medical profession." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. bearing upon the case." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that