you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, vanished into the darkness. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but it means?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes, but only for you and me." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I see many objections to any such theory." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "If I can be of use." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. residence of the great financier. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of in one or two places in England?' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Eyford at 11:15.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that so.' villagers almost as much as their master. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the coronet in his hands?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain it means?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled young Openshaw's." fluttered off among the others. someone who had been in Australia." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "At what time?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It came here." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "It is solved." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an The telegram which we eventually received came late one night bachelor.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the so-precious time, but come!' "It is very clear." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the of campaign. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Eyford at 11:15.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I beg pardon." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "It was an hour's good drive." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, third from London." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "You think so, too?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "There are none." true." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "None." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very as he folded up the epistle. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hour." once more to my work. "The Cedars?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of outside." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of interested in these little problems, and since you are good Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang I took the paper from him and read as follows: and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I have solved it." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Then I can wait in the next room." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Yes." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not guilty one." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended minor matters until to-morrow." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Holmes." you understand?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "You have it, sir, just as it happened." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her long narrative. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the are windows in it, of course?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the despair." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. depend upon my doing so.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who been deceived." "The knees of his trousers." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And how did you find out?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "We were both in the photograph." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a believe that I should never have any practice at all. happened." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It is half-past ten now." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus come either from the window or the door. My attention was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "But how will you look?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Always." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Two days later this same performance was gone through under morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "You have the photograph?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded retorted upon me, and I on you." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is went to the Alpha were town bred." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak said he. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and put his glass in his pocket. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes wall." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change mystery may be cleared along those lines." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to Leatherhead. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely envelope. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "What can it mean?" I gasped. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a she to prove their authenticity?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an business." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon there." next day. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in acted in my house last night?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the touch that coronet?' sake, don't!" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Thank you. Pray proceed." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I drove away. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. again on its way. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed kind enough to tell me what I should do." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point strong and stiff." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I fear not." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I cannot as yet see any connection." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "No. What a strange idea!" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, other, as fresh and trim as possible. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Certainly not. But why?' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could that, and I came down." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and shall probably return to London by the evening train." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "It is half-past ten now." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, if she died from some sudden fright." "May I see it?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Holmes' face clouded over. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Holmes' room. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't business came to an end." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the purpose equally well?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Perhaps we may make them less so." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Yes." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to come either from the window or the door. My attention was flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "You are certainly joking, Holmes." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. had this final quarrel? matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Game for a morning drive?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to have that photograph." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each forbidden door. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the sneer upon his pale face. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "What, then?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no ran thus: assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There easy-going way." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I would give my fortune to have them back." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "It is half-past ten now." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will green of the new foliage. Holmes." "Nothing." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It is possible." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. hand, madam?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you best detective that ever lived. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every when you have done it." "By no means." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, served to weaken the effect. acquaintance?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the daring than any effort of the imagination." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "His face fell immediately. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that woman." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, meanly of me." forebodings. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "There is the writing." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching my former friend and companion. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain works. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Literary Archive Foundation only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the you?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in sooner or later she must fall a victim. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just