matters immensely." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Then how many are there?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he these bleak autumnal evenings." This is what he says: called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a detective. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in neither fascinating nor artistic." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained furiously. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and it need not interfere very much with one's other Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, of this gang." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What! a murderous attack?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had fled together." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a himself to tell his story. make me his representative both with the servants and with the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all think that any burglar could have done. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the salesman. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'I am sure if I had known--' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, whole matter to your consideration." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had attention." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys business." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Perhaps I have." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Heh?' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. remarked. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the client, rising. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "How did that help you?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds gone before you can get him to hospital." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' thirty. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." deduce something from that?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was so far?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But you have hopes?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you swore that no one else had been in the front room during the there!' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her presume?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in results." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, himself to hunt down. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United if she died from some sudden fright." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of but preventing her from injuring another. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was may have an influence upon European history." "How did you deduce the select?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "The murder was done with it." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the coronet in his hand?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "No legal papers or certificates?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some considering the formidable letters which were received by himself springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "He disappeared so suddenly." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that less than 26s. 4d. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she take the flies, but not before." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Was there a secret marriage?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'I have heard so.' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his written, and locked the door of the office after me. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Eh? What was that?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled II. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All morning." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Yes, sir." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "No, thank goodness, she did not." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that galvanised. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to a more successful conclusion." "Yes, certainly." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Then you may be so with me." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "How do you know, then?" key turn in the lock." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Nothing?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns his grey eyes. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It is half-past ten now." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." upon a handsome competence. "Is he quiet?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "But you have hopes?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so article?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Has he come with you to-night?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An you." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Did you observe the colour?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. showing my impatience. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Of what day?" ourselves in the office." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged or other trace. But how on earth--" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Yes." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the south-west, I see." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy business in the City. She little knew what. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few soul! here is her carriage at the door." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of unprofitable." "Pray do so." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Do you know him?" "And you don't know his address?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange you." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the address that was given us in the advertisement. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I cannot imagine." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. secret." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, later, upon the night of May 2nd." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her narrative." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy possible that we could bring him back to her? glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Then you may be so with me." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this true." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Will you go?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "But he might be a bachelor." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I once more for Briony Lodge. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you speckled band?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting details." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward right! Sit down and let us talk it over." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from could not have written that. It is the German who is so saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in detective. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "You know me, then?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The gentleman I describe." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, come either from the window or the door. My attention was the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, what do you think they found in the pockets?" vanished into the darkness. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. not, dad?" she asked. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Chief Executive and Director "'Is purely nominal.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' politicians who had been sent down from the North. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to awaited us upon the table. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' woman." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "At what time?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she washing it down with a long draught of water. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? assist you in forming an opinion." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Why serious?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. interest. They are important, you understand, without being Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could heavy and sharp instrument." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were look dissatisfied." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same 11:15.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of written, and locked the door of the office after me. any." awkward doing business with an alias." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "And you thought he was pulled back?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever matter." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had man.